Ash
Ash resisted the urge to snatch Patrick up and run. He glared at Clover, waiting for her to break down and hand Patrick over but she just stared back at him. His wolf liked the damn spark in her. Even if she wasn’t a wolf, she had the stubbornness down. His fingers itched to touch her soft curves and it grew stronger the longer he stood near her. But he didn’t have time to see if they were mates, he needed to get Patrick to safety. Dealing with a new mate took a while, and required discussions about the possibilities of completing the bond or not and shit like that. No, he needed to get the pup out of the cramped apartment. Plus, she’s human, he told his wolf who didn’t give a flying raccoon.
“Do you have any idea the danger he is in?” He pointed at Patrick, the pup reminded him of his cousin, Patrick Sr, and all the times they’d played together years ago. His wolf whimpered at the loss but Ash had to push it down, they were in danger still and needed to get Patrick to a safe place.
“I stood there when they…” Her voice died, and her eyes widened a little. “I saved him. It’s not unreasonable to stay with him, at least for the night.” She squared her shoulders.
Ash understood her reasoning, but he had orders. He barely resisted the urge to kiss the woman who had saved Patrick from the hunters. No, he had shit to deal with like finding the fuckers who killed Patrick’s parents and adjusting to being a guardian. Humans were weak beings who couldn’t really protect themselves.
“I stay with her.” Patrick clung to the woman. Ash pulled out his phone and texted Raymand. He would need the alpha’s permission to take an unmated human to his house. What a god-damn mess!
“Patrick, I’m sure he can take care of you after I leave tomorrow.” Clover adjusted the pup’s hair.
“Ash is a mean uncle.” He scrunched up his nose.
“No, I’m your cousin. Now we need to go.” Ash pulled out his phone to find the alpha’s reply. ‘If you can get him here alone, it’s preferred.’ He shoved his phone back in his pocket.
“No. Clover comes.” Patrick’s chubby little fingers tightened onto her clothes.
“Let me get changed and we can leave.” Clover carried Patrick into her room and closed the door. Ash kept his senses open and listened in on the conversation in her room. “All right, little man, look at my phone while I get changed.”
“Okay.” He sniffled and shuffling sounded behind the door.
Ash rolled his eyes while keeping his senses on alert. He didn’t have time to deal with hunters tonight. The small apartment wouldn’t give his wolf enough room to maneuver. A photo caught his attention, one of Clover and Tara with drinks in their hands. Clover’s bright smile created feelings in his wolf the human side didn’t want to explore. Instead, his wolf pressed forward to go find Clover naked in her room. No, I’m here for Patrick! he reminded his beast.
“We’re ready.” Clover walked out with a small bag at her side.
“What’s that?” He pointed at the bright pink bag.
“Clothes for me and Patrick. I have a nephew who’s close to Patrick’s size.” Clover shrugged.
“You can’t just stay at the alpha’s house.”
“Why don’t we let him decide?” Clover once again tested him. His wolf wagged his tail and liked the challenge she created. He pinched his lips together as his cock throbbed followed by a need to take her to the bedroom.
“He won’t allow it.” Ash ground his teeth hating how much her challenges turned him on. Patrick still clung to her side.
“We’ll see. I can be quite convincing when I need to be. Just ask Tara.” She smirked. Ash reached for the bag and Clover handed it over. “Do you have a car seat for him?”
“I don’t. The alpha doesn’t live too far, and a wolf pup is stronger than humans.” Ash shrugged and headed for the door.
“Um, no, that won’t fly.” Clover bounced Patrick on her hip like she was testing his weight and he had no clue why she did it. Her eyes pondered for a moment. “Yeah, the seat I have in my car will work.” Clover grabbed her keys and opened the door giving him a good view of her ass. Such a nice ass which made his wolf groan with approval. After a moment, she motioned for Ash to lead.
“He doesn’t need…” Ash started but Clover stopped him, her curly black hair bounced against her cheeks.
“His life doesn’t need to be risked any more tonight.” The fire in her brown eyes made his wolf wag his freaking tail. You are unbelievable!
“You have one minute to get the seat into my truck or we are leaving without it.” He knew from his younger brother Drake how big of a pain car seats were to secure in a truck.
“Ready to go.” Clover locked up her front door after Ash took the steps down, skipping every other one. He didn’t have time to waste and yet, Clover seemed in no hurry to get Patrick or even herself to safety. I could’ve grabbed Patrick and bolted and she would’ve been none the wiser. Yet the idea of leaving Clover unprotected made his stomach turn without any logical reason. Getting the pup to safety had to be his top priority and he needed to hurry up. They’d been exposed for too long. He checked around the area, feeling eyes on him but nothing popped out. Clover set Patrick down next to the car seat and in two seconds had the big thing out of her car.
When Ash reached for Patrick, he jumped out of the car and ran to Clover’s side. A low growl vibrated through his chest. He didn’t like how scared Patrick was of him but maybe it would be a good thing in the end. Ash wanted kids someday, but he needed to find his mate first.
“Come on, sweetheart.” Clover lifted the pup and adjusted the seat in her other hand. Ash snatched the bulky seat and jammed it into the back row of his truck. Clover jumped up and clicked the seatbelt in a few seconds before placing Patrick in the seat. A branch snapped behind Ash and he turned to find a woman with a bar going through her nose.
“Good evening to you, sweetness.” She put extra sway into her hips. Clover climbed down and closed the door with a slam.
“He’s taken, Melody. Now make sure my apartment isn’t broken into again or I’m coming after your boyfriend. Got it?” Clover stood close to Ash and the woman with the nose piercing sneered at Clover.
“Whatever, Clover. Even the cops said it wasn’t him,” Melody ridiculed but her eyes kept glancing at Ash.
“Yes, and I totally believe the cops are still siding with me since your boy-toy is on probation. Now hit it, sister.” Clover pointed toward the apartments. Melody turned toward Ash.
“If you ever get tired of her attitude, come find me.” Melody winked then sauntered away, and Clover huffed before throwing her hair back.
“Sorry about her. She’s like a fucking cat in heat when she sees any attractive guy.” Clover shook her head and reached for the passenger door.
“Ah, so you think I’m attractive.” Ash smirked and folded his arms.
“Don’t let your ego blow up. Come on, pretty boy, I’m sure your alpha hates to wait.” Clover smiled but it faded as another set of footsteps headed their way. Clover snatched the keys from his hand then bolted into the truck. Ash turned to find a man inching toward him. A Dodgers ball cap put his face in shadows but he seemed like an average guy, almost five-eleven.
“Damn it.” Ash ran around the front as the engine roared to life. He jumped in and jammed the gears into drive. The sudden need to protect Clover raged through his soul stronger than he ever expected. The pick-up lurched forward and Patrick’s scream filled the truck. The guy running for them grinned which made Ash’s wolf howl. If he didn’t have Patrick and Clover in the car he’d have stayed and kicked some hunter ass. He slammed his foot on the gas sending them speeding down the street. The man with dark brown eyes ran after them for a few feet but stopped.
His beast scratched at the surface wanting to get out and kill the fucker. No, I need to get Patrick to safety, he reminded his wolf who bared his teeth then flashed an image of Clover into his thoughts. Don’t have time for a human right now. His wolf ignored the comment and paced waiting for his chance to get close to Clover. Ash turned and glanced behind him as the baseball cap flew off revealing short blonde hair.
“Was he one of them?” He returned his gaze to the road, narrowly missing a parked car.
“I think so. Those eyes looked too familiar to be a coincidence.” Clover shook out her hands.
“Are they coming after me?” Patrick whimpered in the back seat.
“You’re safe, sweetheart.” Clover turned toward Ash. Am I really ready to be a guardian to a young pup?