Chapter Eight
Jack stood on the rotting porch of Grace’s cabin. Dr. Bill Jensen was looking over her injuries. Jack had stepped outside to give them some privacy. The front door was open so it was more like to give them the illusion of privacy. By the sigh Dr. Jensen had given him when he’d walked outside Jack knew he wasn’t fooling anyone.
He couldn’t help himself. He was standing less than thirty feet away from Grace. She was in his line of sight, surrounded by five enforcers, and Jack still wanted to snarl and snap at everyone. His wolf was losing its mind. Their mate had nearly died. It had come down to seconds. Too close.
After running into Grace in town Jack had decided to head over to help her paint. He wanted to earn some brownie points and maybe feel out the asshole South Creek wolf sleeping on her lawn.
He’d smelled blood before he got out of his truck. Jack wasn’t sure if his human senses registered whose blood it was. One instant he was human and the next he was a wolf running towards the woods. The race through the forest was so disjointed, so frantic that it wasn’t until he saw the rogues on Grace that Jack realized what was going on.
His wolf overrode Jack’s free will. Their mate was in danger. They defended, fought, and killed for their mate. Seeing a wolf bite down on Grace’s shoulder, Jack wholeheartedly agreed. He wanted to tear those fucking animals limb from limb. He would see the rogues torn limb from limb.
Grace winced as Dr. Jensen pressed his fingers into her ribs. Jack was halfway through the door before he could stop himself. He had to close his eyes and remember that Dr. Jensen was helping, not hurting.
The reality of what almost happened today, losing Grace, changed Jack. Grace was his mate. He understood what his wolf had been trying to tell him for months now. They needed Grace and Jack would be damned if he let anything keep him from claiming her.
Ben gestured Jack over to where he, Paul, and the Tate brothers were on the lawn. Checking on Grace one more time to make sure she didn’t need him, Jack joined them. Ben and Paul looked pissed. Ezra and Ezekiel were stone faced. That wasn’t anything new. Jack had seen them set their own bones and not flinch. The rogues could be bearing down on them that very second and the Tate brothers would still be wearing the same expression.
“What do you have?” Jack asked quietly, hoping Grace wouldn’t hear them. Whatever had put that look on Ben’s face wasn’t something he wanted Grace hearing.
“Shit. We found shit.” Paul bit, teeth flashing.
Jack cursed. He had been hoping that Ezra and Ezekiel would be able to catch up with the bastards. They were the Pack’s best trackers but that meant shit when rogues got a head start. Still, they might be able to scope the area where the brothers lost the trail. “Where did you lose the trail? We can get a group up there to canvas the area.”
Ezra looked Jack dead in the eyes with no change in his demeanor, “What trail?”
Jack looked at Ben confused. Anger rose off Ben in heated waves. “There’s no trace that there were ever any rogues.” Ben ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck, if you hadn’t killed one I don’t know if I would have believed you.”
“What about Grace’s injuries?” Jack threw his hand towards the cabin not believing what Ben was saying. “How would you have explained those?”
“Have you walked through that cabin? Really looked at it from an investigative point of view and not just like a pissed off mate?”
Jack held back his first response. The truth was he was too agitated to see anything beyond his own anger. He shook his head.
Paul stepped in. “Grace said one of the rogues hit the wall jumping at her. There’s a patch of blood where something split their skin but there’s no scent. It might as well be red water.” Paul shook his head. “It makes no sense.”
“There’s a shit ton of spilled paint and blood from Grace. Could that be overriding our ability to identify the rogue’s scent?” Jack could barely smell anything over the paint fumes. Grace had said something along those lines when asked why she didn’t sense a Pack of wolves right behind her.
“You saying we can’t do our jobs, Taylor?” Ezra’s widening stance left no room to doubt the question was a threat.
“Keeping insulting us like that and we’ll have a problem,” Ezekiel stepped closer to his brother backing up the threat.
Jack bristled.
“Cut the shit,” Ben ordered. He pointed at the twins. “Get back into town and let everyone know that we’re on lockdown. No one goes anywhere alone and no one leaves their houses after dark.” The brothers didn’t bother acknowledging the order. They shifted and ran towards Black Bird.
Ben rubbed his temples with barely contained frustration. “The paint wasn’t the problem. The problem is that there isn’t a scent to trace. We’ve combed the clearing where you killed the rogue and we can only smell you and Grace.”
“What are you saying?” Jack asked.
“He’s saying that if Grace weren’t alive to corroborate your story,” Paul cut in, “we would be executing you for killing her.”
Jack lunged at Paul. Ben dove between them pushing Jack back.
“Calm down,” Ben yelled keeping Jack from taking a swing at Paul. “We know you didn’t hurt Grace. We’re trying to tell you what's going on.”
Jack shoved Ben off of him straightening the shirt he had put on. “Then maybe you shouldn’t imply that I would kill my mate.”
“Look,” Paul said holding his hands up in apology, “it’s no excuse for implying what I did. This is driving me insane. My wolf doesn’t understand why I’m freaking out.”
“You can’t protect against something you can’t sense,” Ben said summing it up.
Jack nodded finally feeling his blood cool.
“This does explain what’s been going on with Grace the last few days,” Paul said getting back on topic.
Ben nodded looking back at Grace’s cabin.
“What’s been going on with Grace?” Jack never got a straight answer from Grace. Ben and the crew showed up before he could press her.
Ben and Paul shared a look before Ben sighed. “The night Grace moved into the cabin someone tried to break in. The next morning when she went to check it out she couldn’t find any evidence that anyone had been there the night before. Then a few days later she thought she saw something watching her. I sent Ezra to take a look but he didn’t find anything either. I thought she might be freaking out about living alone.”
“But…” Jack prompted knowing where this was going.
“The next night a wolf sat outside her cabin. We didn’t find a trace that it had actually been there but Dane said he’d seen it too.”
“Oh, so you treat Grace like she’s crazy until someone else can verify her story?” God, Jack was pissed. “Why the fuck am I just hearing about this?” Jack could not believe his friends had kept this from him. Putting aside the fact that it was Grace’s life on the line. If there was a rogue wolf in their boundaries, it was his job as an enforcer to know about it.
“Grace asked us not to tell you.” Paul shrugged.
"Can you blame her?” Ben pointed at Jack. “You dumped her in the alley behind the diner. I’m sure you are the last person she wanted thinking she was jumping at shadows.”
“But she wasn’t jumping at shadows,” he yelled. “And the fact that no one took this seriously almost got her killed.”
“We did take her seriously,” Ben looked enraged at Jack’s accusation. “Why the hell do you think Dane has been keeping an eye on her? Why do you think we have double patrols in this area?”
Jack almost stroked out. Red descended over his eyes. They’d entrusted that ass with protecting his mate? His mate. Absolutely unacceptable.
Jack was almost as angry with himself as he was with everyone else. He had run as fast from his responsibility to Grace as he could. Could he really be upset that Ben had needed to rely on someone else to do Jack’s job? A job that he had been unwilling to fulfill? That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to tear into his two friends.
He was opening his mouth to lay into Ben and Paul when a truck started down the driveway. It was a black truck. Jack didn’t need to see the driver to know who was behind the wheel.
Dane parked and got out of the cab cautiously. His chin tilted up as he scented the air. His eyes flared as his top lip quivered in anger. Taking the stairs two at a time Jack watched as he pasted on a big smile and leaned into the cabin.
“Smells like you had an exciting day, baby doll.” Jack growled at the flirty tone. Dane glanced back at the hostile noise but didn’t pay Jack’s warning any mind. “If you wanted some action, you should have said something.” Jack heard Grace laugh weakly. “Let the doc set those ribs okay? I’m gonna go check in with the Alpha.”
The instant Dane turned his back on Grace the sweet, open expression dropped. He stalked towards their group burning the air with his anger.
“What happened?” Dane kept his voice low so Grace wouldn’t hear.
“Five rogues attacked two hours ago.” Paul supplied.
Dane swore. “I had a bad feeling when I left today but I couldn’t sense why. I figured I was just being paranoid.”
That set off red flags in Jack’s mind. By the looks on Paul and Ben’s faces they were picking up on it too.
“What kind of feeling?” Ben’s asked with narrowed eyes.
Dane shrugged. "Like I was being watched. I did a parameter check but there wasn’t anything, so I chalked it up to not wanting to leave Grace alone.” His hands clenched into fists.
He smelled genuinely angry and judging by his expression Dane was angry at himself. He was beating himself up over the fact that he’d left Grace alone and she’d been attacked, that was obvious from his expression.
Jack couldn’t smell any deceit that would make him suspect that it was an act. He hated to admit it but Jack appreciated the way he was handling the situation.
He still wanted to beat the shit out of the guy for that “baby doll” shit but Dane was off the suspect list.
Something Dane said caught Jack’s interest. “When did you leave this morning?”
“I had an appointment in South Creek at ten so I was gone by nine.” He folded his arms leaning back on his heels waiting to see where Jack went with this.
That was about the time Jack had run into Grace in town. The wolves were already at the cabin when Dane left. The cabin had been empty. Why had they waited until Grace was home? Maybe she was right. Maybe the rogues were targeting her specifically. “Have you been alone at the cabin since you started working? Have you had any problems?”
Dane looked annoyed that Jack wasn’t getting to the point. “A few times and no, it’s been quiet. Why are you asking?”
Jack shook his head. “If they were looking to take territory they would have attacked you when you were alone. You’re the biggest threat and they would have a better chance of killing you without Grace around but they left you alone. They tried breaking into the house once. That was on the first night Grace moved in but besides that, they’ve only watched the house. They’re targeting Grace for some reason. Or the house. Hell, they could have been searching the house anytime it was empty and no one would have noticed.” That gave him an idea.
He looked around the yard but didn’t see what he was looking for. Walking quickly around the side of the cabin he found Grace’s car pulled into the small shed around the back. From the front of the cabin you wouldn’t be able to see it. With all of the open paint cans, Jack doubted the rogues would have realized that someone was inside the house. The attack on Grace could have been a case of bad timing.
Jack went back to the group of men and told them what he was thinking.
“They’re not operating like normal rogues. These aren’t a group of feral wolves impulsively attacking at random.” Ben looked Jack in the eyes and shook his head. “My instincts are screaming. Something bad is headed our way.”
“I’m going to grab Grace and hole up for the night,” Jack turned to leave.
“Hold up,” Dane stopped him. “Wouldn’t it be better if we got Grace out of Black Bird? If the rogues are focused on the cabin or her, it would be best to keep her as far out of their reach as possible.”
Jack turned around and gave Ben a look. Ben shook his head once letting him know that Grace was not going to be leaving Black Bird territory. “We have no idea what they’re focused on,” Ben conceded. “Right now we’re throwing around ideas and until we know what’s going on, Grace is not leaving her Pack grounds.”
“Alight,” Dane looked between Ben and Jack, “but does Grace know she’s about to be carted away with the guy who rejected their mate bond or is this an ambush?”
He had Jack there. The disapproving look the other wolf was sending him made Jack want to plant his fist in the asshole’s face. Not that Jack cared what the other man thought about him. All Jack cared about was getting Grace safely home. If that meant stonewalling Grace’s protests then so be it. But his wolf smelled a challenge to his claim on Grace and he was not going to stand for that.
“Based on the fact that her living room in covered in blood and paint it’s not like she can stay here. Besides,” Jack took a small step towards Dane invading the other male’s space, “since I was the one who saved her life I’m sure she won’t mind.”
Dane met Jack’s step bringing the pair nose to nose. “It doesn’t really matter if you got her first when Grace doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
Jack smiled at Dane. His presence here for the last week didn’t mean shit next to Jack’s place as Grace’s mate. After her reaction to him earlier Jack knew she wanted him. It was just going to take some groveling for her to let go of her hurt feelings. Jack was damn good at groveling. “Then let’s find out.”
Jack lifted his hand saying goodbye to Ben and Paul. He’d call them tonight once he had Grace settled. Dr. Jensen was walking out to his car as Jack neared the cabin. He made a quick change in direction to catch up to the man.
Dr. Jensen had been the Pack doctor for decades. He was nearing retirement and it was starting to show. While not lazy, Dr. Jensen never took more time than necessary with patients. He was more likely to send his nurse practitioner on house calls than show up himself. Ben had probably called Dr. Jensen personally to get him to drive all the way out here.
“Thank you so much, Dr. Jensen.” Jack held out his hand.
The doctor shook Jack’s hand. “No problem, Jack. Terrible business with Ms. Copeland.”
“How is she doing?” Dane asked beating Jack to the punch.
Dr. Jensen narrowed his eyes. Jack resisted the urge to smile in genuine happiness. Bill Jensen did not like strangers. And the look of disdain he was giving Dane left no room to guess his opinion of the newcomer.
“Yes, Dr. Jensen, I would appreciate an update on Grace. Especially since I’ll be taking care of her tonight.”
Dr. Jensen sent Dane one more suspicious look before turning back to Jack. “All things considered she’s doing well. None of the bites were deep enough to cause trouble. Besides the one on her ankle and luckily the bone is intact. Don’t let her walk on it tonight.”
He rolled his neck, a sign that he wanted the conversation to wrap up. “She’s got three cracked ribs. I’ve got them wrapped right now. Have her shift in the morning. That should heal up those ribs and the ankle.” He lifted his finger shaking it at Jack. “Do not let her take a shower. I don’t want y’all rewrapping those ribs. No one ever wraps them like they should. We wiped off most of the blood. Grace will be fine until the morning but,” he sighed, “you know ladies and their hair.”
Jack nodded at the instruction but chose to keep his mouth shut. Dr. Jensen said goodbye and got into his car.
Walking into the cabin Jack didn’t see Grace. Confused he went further into the house. Hearing soft noises Jack crept into a small bedroom in the middle of the hall.
It was obviously a child’s room. The bed was small, covered in a pink comforter. All of the furniture, a side table and dresser, were a faded white that was turning yellow.
Sitting on a straight back chair was Grace. She was wearing a loose men’s flannel and sweats that were too big. Her head rested on the back of the chair. The gentle snoring was coming from her.
There was no way that chair was comfortable. Grace must be exhausted, Jack knew his own injuries were making him tired, which was the only way she could be sleeping in the position she was.
Warmth spread through Jack’s chest watching Grace. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. She looked soft and supple. Jack couldn’t recall the urgent feeling that had kept him away from her. He wanted to settle her against him and share their lives together.
“Come on, Gracie,” Jack laid his hand on her shoulder, “let's get you into a real bed.”
An adorable furrow appeared between her eyebrows. “No,” she whined not bothering to open her eyes, “beds hurt my ribs.”
“Alright, no beds. Let’s get you home so you can sleep in an actual recliner not a wood chair.”
Grace opened one eye. “What recliner?”
Jack chuckled. “The one I have. It’s genuine, overstuffed leather. The kind of recliner made to nap in on Sundays.” He watched her eyes widen at the temptation.
Jack had set the bait. He turned his back waiting for Grace to take a bite. He went to the closet and threw a duffle bag onto the bed. Jack started pulling clothes off of the hangers and waited.
“I can’t stay with you.”
“Sure you can,” Jack countered. “We’ve already got everything figured out. You’re going to sleep in the recliner while your ribs heal.”
“Jack,” she sighed, “I’m not staying at your house.”
“Well, you’re not staying here. It’s not safe and someone needs to keep an eye on you.” Jack kept putting clothes on the bed as he talked.
“Dane is here. He’s perfectly capable of protecting me and keeping an eye on me.” Grace threw an arm towards the doorway where Dane was looming.
Jack didn’t need to look back to see the man’s reaction. He could feel the smug satisfaction from where he was standing. It made Jack’s eye twitch.
He stopped packing her bag and turned to face Grace. “Staying here is not an option. The front door is broken and you're too far away from help.” Jack gestured to Dane. “Do you really want to put him in the position where he is the only line of defense against feral wolves? Pissed off feral wolves who want revenge?” Grace’s lips twisted in doubt and Jack knew he was winning her over. Jack didn’t know very much about Grace but he knew she was too nice and too self-dependent to force a single person to risk their life for her.
“We probably should go to town,” she muttered.
“You and I could get a hotel,” Dane suggested.
He wasn’t from Black Bird or else he wouldn’t have suggested it. Hell, until this morning Jack wouldn’t have known why this was not a good solution.
The only lodging in town was the motel owned by the Pierce family. Based on the information Paul had shared, Grace would not be welcome at the Pierce Motel anytime soon.
Sure enough, Grace cringed at the thought. She gave Dane a sheepish look. “Maybe we can go to South Creek?”
“Also not an option.” Jack said happily. “Ben has decreed that until this is taken care of you are not leaving Black Bird.”
Grace’s mouth dropped open. “You’re joking.” Jack shook his head. She turned to Dane. “He’s joking right?”
“No, he’s right. I was there for that.”
“Well, that is bullshit,” Grace reached over to the side table wincing as she stretched her ribs too far. “I am calling Anne right now. If Ben wants to be a dictator then he can house me.”
Jack grabbed the phone from her before she could dial. “I’m here, I’ve offered. Stop being stubborn.”
“Oh, I’m being stubborn?” Grace’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. “I’m the only who has made outrageous demands and refused to compromise? I’m the one blocking all alternative options?” Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Tell me again how I’m being the stubborn one.”
Facing her square on Jack folded his arms over his chest. “You’re being stubborn about your own safety. I’m not going to compromise on your safety Grace so you can either accept it or get carried into my house kicking and screaming. Either way you are staying at my house and while we are under the same roof you and I will get our shit sorted.”
Grace sat staring at him in openmouthed, stunned silence. He could see the anger boiling up inside.
“Wow,” Dane whistled, “that’s a bold move.”
“Oh shut up,” Jack snapped. “The next time you run in on your mate pinned to the ground by five wolves you can judge my actions but until then keep out of it.” He turned back to Grace. “My heart stopped when I smelled your blood today. I wasn’t thinking when I ran into the woods. I just knew you were in trouble and that I needed to be there.” Jack looked at the floor. His blood was ice just remembering what happened earlier. “I’m a bastard. I will admit it freely as often as you want but I’m not letting you out of my sight, Grace.” He looked up at her. The corners of her blue eyes were turned down trying to understand what he was saying. “Until you are safe and we've had the chance to work things through, you are not leaving my sight. I don’t think my heart could take it again.”
The room went silent. Grace tilted her head, eyes never leaving his. Jack could feel his pulse throbbing at his neck.
After an eternity Grace nodded. “Okay, I’ll stay with you tonight.” Jack barely held in the relieved sigh.
“Grace,” Dane cautioned, “are you sure?”
The pair shared a silent conversation. Dane’s brows furrowed as if he was asking her if she really was sure.
Grace nodded. “I’m sure.”
Dane didn’t move. He exhaled, nodding. “If that’s what you want then I’ll get my stuff and head back to South Creek.” He stepped past Jack and kissed Grace on the cheek. “Call when things are settled and we’ll get your roof sorted out.” He paused at the door, “Stay safe.”
“You too,” Grace replied, barely above a whisper.
Jack listened to Dane leave, not sure what had just happened.
Not wasting a second Jack threw the duffel bag of mismatched clothes over his shoulder and picked Grace up. “Let me know if your ribs are hurting.”
Ben was on the phone as Jack carried Grace past him. He lifted his hand in acknowledgement but didn’t say anything.
“Stay out of trouble for at least the night will you, Grace?” Paul joked as he kissed her on the forehead.
“As if I have any control over the matter.” She grumbled around a yawn.
The sun was beginning to set already. The days were getting shorter now that winter was almost here. Jack got Grace settled into the passenger side before walking around the truck to the driver’s side.
Whatever burst of energy Grace had gotten in her bedroom was gone. Jack would have expected her to at least keep up some polite conversation on the ride over but the gentle swaying of the truck put her to sleep in minutes. Which was fine with him. He wanted her rested by the time they got home.
Jack wasn’t kidding about keeping Grace in his sight until they got everything worked out. He was anxious to work out their personal problems as soon as possible. And that meant that they had to have a heart to heart about why Jack had ignored her for the last year and rejected her last week. That was bound to be a tiring conversation.