Chapter Three
Six a.m., the end of her shift came and went, and she was still busy serving up breakfast. After the next servers punched in, Najha punched out and walked over to Dane. “Hey, you. Do you want to eat with me before going home?”
“I’m tired, and I need to hunt,” Dane mumbled.
“Here’s a turkey sandwich and fries.” She grabbed the plate from the morning cook. “Thanks, Trevor.”
“Anything for you, Najha.” Trevor had a crush on her since she started.
There’d been nothing there for her as far as feelings go. They were the same in years, but her lycan was almost a full grown adult, Trevor was a nineteen-year-old teenaged human who still was a kid to her maturity. “You’re the best.” Najha blew him a kiss. Trevor was sweet, but not for her.
A sinking, foreboding thought slammed into her mind. Maybe the fact that every male she met wasn’t Lucien was probably why she’d never felt any attraction to them. Just the thought of Lucien sent her blood boiling, heart thumping, and her hands sweating. While other males had no effect at all on her. She wondered again if he was possibly her mate. If this were true—she was in serious trouble as it was forbidden. Sighing, she carried her own plate of food to the picnic table break area. She raised a brow at Dane and pointed to the other side of the table. “Sit.”
Dane took his seat, and reaching over, he held both of her hands. “How are you, sweetie?”
They talked this way to each other all the time because they’d been best friends since they were in diapers.
A sudden animalistic growl inside her mind startled her. Tilting her head, she stared at her friend. “Dane, did you just growl?”
He looked surprised then threw back his head laughing. “Seriously? Why would I─?”
“Ah, hell.” She scrubbed her face trying to get rid of the tricks her mind was playing on her. The back of her neck tingled as a cool crisp breeze blew her long, heavy hair slightly off her back, relieving the heat slowly climbing inside her. She felt a presence, a strong one as if someone was watching her. Glancing over her shoulder, nobody was there. “I’m fucked up,” she mumbled.
“You okay, Nah?” Dane’s young pup surfaced.
Her wolf immediately soothed her, telling her no threat was near as she felt happy and content. Everything must be fine, as she always trusted her wolf. “Yeah, I’m good.” Shaking her head, she tried to clear her thoughts.
‘You’re not imagining anything. I’m claiming you. With all my power, you are mine.’
‘Whoa, wait a minute you frickin’ fruit cake. Who the fuck?’
‘You’re mine, get over it. I need to find you and claim you.’
His accent was Romanian, and that meant he was a vampire for sure or was he? Maybe a human servant to the vampire? That would be a reasonable answer. ‘Who is this?’ Najha demanded.
‘You’ll know soon enough, love. You’re not ready yet. You’ll be soon, I promise you. I will come and claim you.’
The deep male voice confused her. ‘I don’t know who you are. This is impossible for me. How do you speak to me this way? Is this a trick?’ Najha held up her hands, weaving a heavier spell to protect her mind and soul. She needed to keep up with the pretense of not knowing about mind telepathy. This person had tried many times in the past to read her thoughts and memories. That alone should have told her he was strong.
By instinct, Dane had pulled her to her feet, and his energy helped strengthen their spell. He wasn’t nearly as strong as Najha, but the boy had some power.
‘Najha, are you okay? Your mother and I are concerned. We knew you were in pain. We felt it as we do with any of our children.’ Thorn’s voice was deep inside her mind, and it caused even more of a headache.
A sudden thought came to her, her mother was a healer, and she could help. ‘Mom, can you help me? I have a migraine, and I tried to read a powerful being’s mind and failed. I’m having a backlash from hell.’
‘Who the hell are you challenging, Najha? You’re still a pup,’ Thorn scolded.
‘Not right now, Thorn.’ Myra set him in his place as she’d done many times, over Najha’s growing up years. Her mom was the gentle one, whereas her father was hardcore and kept her, her siblings, and the lycan in line. He was their leader.
She tightened her mind with a strength nobody could get through. It would have been even more dangerous if she let her guard down, even with her parents. She’d kept the walls up as she spoke with them. If she were right about Lucien being her mate and this voice being his, they would be furious, and it could start a war. Not good.
With her shields holding strong, the man attempted once again, but with her mother’s gentle healing and her father’s strength, nothing could harm her. ‘You must leave now and stay away from me!’
‘You will open your mind to me.’ He pushed harder.
Her temples throbbed and her mind blurred from the pain. ‘Fuck you! Get away from me. This has to be a dream.’ Najha slammed up her walls blocking out her parents, the man, and everyone and everything. She needed to escape and recuperate from the damage done to her tonight.
Dane patted her back as he still stood close. “Come on, you need to go home and rest. Take my car, you can’t handle that bike.”
She shook her head. “I can handle the bike.”
“What the hell is going on with you, Nah?” Dane’s voice shook with concern.
“Don’t, just…” She held up her hands.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“No, I’ve already taken care of it. My dad and mom were with me, and I’m already feeling better.” Dane would threaten her with her father, but she headed him off before he could say a word.
Dane frowned. “Nah, come on, can I help you?”
“No, it’s all good. You have helped, no worries.”
Dane looked hurt that she would keep something from him.
“Okay…” She sighed. “There’s a male claiming to be my mate inside my frickin’ head.” Najha sat down on the bench and laid her forehead down on her fist.
“Who?” Dane asked as his young face took on a fierce expression.
She waved him down. “Easy there, pup.”
“How dare someone break into your mind? Kick him the hell out!” Dane knew she was one of the strongest lycan females in existence.
Najha suddenly felt the presence again, in her mind. ‘Who are you? If you don’t tell me…’ She couldn’t finish as the pain became too intense in her head.
‘You’ll what?’
She heard the laughter. Trying to forget some of the pain, she wanted to know who this man was. She could almost see him, and it had to be Lucien. ‘I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell going to find out. There’s one thing though…’
‘What’s that?’
‘I’m confused how you can talk to me this way. I thought you were a dream.’ This whisper of a voice had been with her even before she built her lycan powers to the strength they were at today. Keeping herself hidden from this person had been easy until now. His traversing her defenses had to be hormone related.
‘You’ll know soon enough,’ the male’s voice whispered.
Najha smiled. ‘Why not now? You hide like a thief in the night?’ she taunted, needing to, not just wanting to know who this was.
‘I’m not a thief, just not ready to claim a baby,’ he taunted her as always. ‘Let me see you,’ he demanded.
‘Never, not until you let me see your face and memories,’ she argued.
“I want to know who he is,” Dane spoke again while looking anxious. He was moving around on the bench. “I’m going to call your dad.”
Frowning, she held her head in her hands. “Hush! He’s refusing to tell me who he is.” All of a sudden, her headache was gone, and the pain eased up. “Oh, my God! He’s gone.” She smiled.
Dane frowned. “I wonder who it was? Do you think it could be a Bolnav?”
She shook her head. “No, there’s no way. This man has been with me since I can remember. With Thorn demanding I tell no one who I am, I’ve had to keep my identity from him. It actually feels as if I’m betraying him. What if it is Lucien?”
“No way! He’s a vampire?”
“I know. But what if it is him?”
“You’re in trouble then. If a vampire is a lycan’s mate, there’s no way you can let that happen.”
“I know. What the hell am I going to do?” She knew it could start another war.
Dane was young but intelligent. He frowned. “Nah, just take your time and see if you can figure out who he is before we jump to conclusions. Are you positive it is Lucien?”
“No. You’re right, though. If it is Lucien, I’m Gonzo. If not, I’ll have to wait until my father tells our people who and what I am. How can I make my father believe I’m strong enough to protect myself and not bring danger to him or our people?”
“I don’t know. But I do know he’s very protective of you, that’s for sure.” Dane laughed.
Najha scowled at her best friend. “What are you laughing at?”
He held up his hands. “Nothing.”
“If this guy is trying to trick me, I need to get home soon and hunt. I can’t keep up the barrier protecting my memories much longer.”
“Okay, you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“I appreciate the concern, Dane, but I’ll be okay. I’m going to talk to our elders and see if I need to learn stronger spells, my mother can help me.” Weaving a stronger spell, Najha pushed her mind blocks up so the mysterious man couldn’t see her memories when she needed to go home and sleep. “Dane, how am I supposed to know who my mate is if he won’t tell me who he is?” Najha knew the answer, but she just wanted to hear it.
“Like I said a million times, you need to go to your mom, she’ll do the vagina talk with you.” Dane smiled, his bright white teeth glinting at her.
“Ugh, you’re just full of spunk today, aren’t you?” They’d always had a brother and sister relationship. “Someone will need to have the “balls” talk with you soon if you lose them.” She raised a brow at him.
He plopped a fry into his mouth and almost choked on it as he laughed.
Even though Dane was right, it still bothered her. The conversation she’d had tonight with the guy was the longest she had ever allowed. Had he figured it out with her weakened powers this morning? She needed to believe her spell held up. This man held a darkness in him, even close to the evil she’d encountered when she fought the Bolnav. But he had to be a lycan, and that was the hope she would hold onto.
She would have to go to her mom for advice. If she continued to let him in, it could be dangerous and could possibly destroy her. “Yeah, you’re right, Dane. I’m starving, let’s eat.” Both Najha and Dane dug in and filled themselves full of food. They had to replenish what they’d lost from the fight this morning. Without the added benefit of raw meat, the true nutrition of the lycan, this would have to sustain her for now until she was able to drive herself home. Shoveling in as much meat as she could, Najha filled up on the beef and turkey from her plate.
The back door opened and their night dishwasher walked out. “Hey, you two. If you don’t mind, can I sit for a spell?”
“Sure, we don’t mind. Come on.” Najha scooted over on the bench to allow him room to sit down.
“Thanks.” Jacob sat down, picked up his own burger and took a big bite.
Najha knew the kid was tired. He did too much and wore himself out. She, on the other hand, felt off and it was making her mad.
After Jacob finished the burger, he propped his head on his fists to hold up his head. He looked physically exhausted. He scowled. “Hey, what was going on with you tonight, Nah?”
“Nothing, just a little tired. What do people our age do around this town for fun?” she asked.
Dane laughed hard enough that he choked on his food.
“Hey, you okay?” Grimacing, she threw a napkin and hit him in the face with it. “You seem to be having a lot of trouble with your food today.”
“Sorry, eating too fast, maybe?” Dane mumbled as he wiped his mouth. “Ugh.” He glared at Najha. “Yeah, Jacob, what do you all do for fun?”
“Well, I have a girlfriend, Suzy. I play football and hockey.”
“That’s cool. How do you have so much time for anything? You work almost every night.”
“Yeah, I know. I give up a lot of sleep.” He chuckled.
“That’s not healthy.” Najha picked up a fry and nibbled on it. She wondered what it would be like to be a normal teenager. Not a lycan pup turning into a full-grown woman and warrior while hiding all that and pretending her real dad wasn’t.
“I’m okay, no worries.” Jacob grabbed one of her fries. “Hope you don’t mind?”
She shook her head smiling. “Well, if you need anything let me know.”
“Thanks, Nah, I appreciate the thought though.”
Jacob was a great kid. When she had children, Najha hoped they turned out like him.
The loud noise of motorcycles interrupted the quiet early morning on the streets out front. Ending their conversation as the noise made it impossible to speak above it.
“Shit.” Najha jumped up. She threw the rest of her food away then she sucked in a big breath and started to walk around the building. She knew who would be waiting for her out front. Then she spun around to face Jacob and Dane. “Hey, Jacob, go back inside, please. Dane, I need you out front.”
“I’m not letting you face that MC without backup,” Jacob argued with her. If an MC came to town, the kids knew to get the hell out of the way and leave them alone.
“Jacob, believe me, if I need you, I’ll text your phone. I need to take care of this on my own.” She stood there until Jacob nodded and headed back toward the rear entrance of the café. Then she waited another minute until he physically walked inside before turning to Dane. “Let’s go.”
“We’re in such trouble,” Dane whispered.
She didn’t respond. She already knew what was waiting for her.
Najha and Dane casually made their way around to the front of the café to find not only her father but his entire MC on motorcycles. The sight of the entire street filled with motorcycles stopped them dead in their tracks. There were many of them, all in leather, wide shoulders and mean faces.
At the head of the pack was one opposing man, Thorn Andreiko, Najha’s father. He was huge and scary to everyone in town, but to her, he was an overgrown teddy bear who growled a lot but loved her deeply.
“Najha,” his deep voice sounded out.
She realized after last night, she needed this fierce leader to just hold her. Tell her everything would be okay and only love her. But knowing her father only too well, she was about to get the lecture of her life.
‘Daddy, please, I don’t want a lecture.’
‘You’re going to get it, but not here!’
‘I’m sorry, I had no choice.’ Najha knew it wasn’t an excuse, but it was the honest truth. She wouldn’t have changed a thing about what she’d done.
‘I told you not to fight! You disrespect me as well as the elders. How dare you make up an excuse that you had no choice? We always have a choice. But you chose to ignore it.’
He was pissed for sure. ‘Yes, I do! Father, you’re unfair. You let your love for me overpower your thoughts.’
‘Are you seriously believing your own bullshit, because I’m about to get a shovel and make you scoop your own shit off the street.’
Najha knew she’d made a grave mistake with her father. He didn’t take lightly to her confrontation here on the street in front of his pack. She pushed up her walls and blocked him out. Then approaching him, she stood in front of his motorcycle and held her head down, not daring to look him in the eyes.
She needed to respect her Alpha in front the pack. She was still considered an omega, the lowest of the pack because she was still a pup and hadn’t quite reached adulthood. With keeping him out of her mind, her treacherous mouth couldn’t get her in trouble if she could just maintain her silence.
Najha held her body in a submitting posture and didn’t look at anyone who’d come to chew her out. The entire pack was angry, and she didn’t have to look at them to know she’d messed up this morning.
Allowing no show of public affection for her father, was what everyone expected from her as a pack member and female. Although, all she wanted was her father to hold and love her. She needed her daddy. He’d always taken the pack first over his kids. It was the lycan way, and she hated it. If she could have run away this morning before Thorn arrived, it would have been better than being treated as a lowly omega.
Right now though, she needed comfort and love from him, not a scolding like she knew she was about to receive.
“What the hell happened this morning?” Towering over her, he dismounted from his motorcycle. He stood at least a foot taller than her. He touched her chin and lifted her head so she had to look at him. He frowned. “You have some explaining to do, I hear?”
“Apparently, you talked to Cade?” She lowered her eyes and refused to look him in the eye. Her pack demanded she not stare down their Alpha.
“Apparently so.” His booming voice broached no argument from her.
When looking down, she stared at the large black boots of her father. Comparing her tiny black boots to his, she wondered why she’d always been the smallest lycan in their pack. Petite and tiny, she was also the tiniest of the wolves when they shifted as well. Ever since her birth, when she could shift and run with the pack, she’d been the runt. It always bothered her even though her mom told her she was small but one of the strongest females she’d ever seen. Her mom had always said, “It is what makes you special to the entire pack.”
Trying to uphold her illusion for the others that she was just Najha, a waitress working at Ruby’s Café in Shades Run and her parents were the Mills of Shades Run. Why they kept up the façade was beyond her wildest imagination. Always the same thing every time she asked, ‘It’s for your protection.’
“I’ve already reported to my father, Sheriff Mills.” She watched as Thorn’s body stiffened as he tried to maintain his own control at the mention of her stepfather. She didn’t care though. It was his problem that she had to address him as the leader and president of a stupid motorcycle club.
She held herself together and continued her report, “Sorry. We had some trouble here in town. Everyone in the café had to hide in the pantry and stay quiet until Lucien’s MC could take care of them?”
“Like hell you did!” His tone crisp and clear to her.
“Dane and I locked the back door. We stayed near the exit to assure the people inside, and nobody got in.” Najha kicked at a rock that was in front of her foot on the sidewalk out of her way.
His hand again touched her chin, and he lifted it to look into his eyes. He shook his head. “That’s not what I heard.”
There was no way she could look him in the eyes and lie. So, remaining silent was her only course of action. Staring into the strong eyes of her father, tears gathered, but she refused to let them fall. ‘Daddy.’
‘You okay, baby girl?’
‘Don’t, you’ll make me cry.’
‘I’m sorry. Look, I’ll come to your house and we’ll hunt, okay? Go home, you look exhausted.’
She nodded.
“What happened? Cade said there was a pack of newly turned and ancient vamps?” Thorn used his hand to push her heavy hair away from her face and tucked the tresses behind her ear. It wasn’t unheard of for a pack leader to touch others below him. So the show of affection didn’t seem unnatural to the others in the pack. For Thorn to protect a small human girl in town, giving his support and trying to make her feel better would be normal.
“Follow me.” Thorn walked ahead of her and led her around to the alley behind the restaurant.
Najha followed behind him.
Once they were around the building, she literally threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Dad, you should have been there. These two Bolnav came out of nowhere.”
He touched her lips with his finger. “Shush, you don’t have to explain. I was with you the entire time.”
She nodded. Feeling the heat crawl up her face, Najha knew she was blushing. “How is Lucien?”
“I’m not sure. I only know he was gravely injured. Apparently, there was some sort of toxins in the blood, and the wound in his stomach was bad, and he needed a healer.”
Najha instantly blocked her father from her memories. It wouldn’t do them any good for him to see how her treacherous mind and body reacted to the news of Lucien. She was worried about the vampire and cared a little too much.
“They put him to ground. He’ll be okay, their healers are treating him.” He frowned. “Wait a second, why are you concerned?”
Dane walked around the corner. “Hey, Mr. Andrekio.”
“Why are you being so proper? It’s me, Dane.”
“I’m trying to show my respect for my Alpha, that’s all.”
Thorn looked back down at her. “Back to answering my question. Why are you so concerned about Lucien?”
Najha was bummed out. She thought for sure her father would forget the line of questioning. She shouldn’t have brought up the subject of Lucien. He wasn’t going to let her not answer. “I’m not. Dane and I could smell the blood. We wondered about it, that’s all.” She focused on the ground in front of his boots.
‘Shit, Najha, your father is too wise, why you acting like such a girl?’ Dane scolded.
‘Mind your own business, Dane.’ She pushed out her best friend.
‘No way, not when it involves my ass too. Come on, protect a brother.’
She tried hard to keep a straight face, but it was hard when Dane kept trying to be funny. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have taken the liberty of fighting. I’m not worried for Lucien, only for you, because he is your friend.”
“That never made a difference before now.”
She couldn’t look up at her father, he would be able to tell she was lying.
“Never mind, look, don’t ever do that again.” Thorn touched her cheek.
Najha peered up at him, and he smiled, then she nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“I already spoke with Kaden. How did Lucien find out about Dane?”
“I’m not sure?” She didn’t want to betray Dane, but if it kept her out of the fire, she would try anything. “I was injured, and both of us were trying to repair my arm. Maybe the spell didn’t hold up? He didn’t know about me though.”
He shook his head. “It isn’t going to work for you. I told both of you to keep the spell, no matter what. Him finding out about Dane is only going to shorten your stay in this ridiculous job, you begged me to do.”
“Come on, really? I’m enjoying myself.”
“You’re so full of shit, kid. I know better. Look at you…you can barely stand up. You need to hunt then sleep.” Thorn poked her chest.
She knew he was right, and didn’t have the strength to argue. She felt exhausted and needed to feed. “I’ll try harder next time. Don’t worry, I’ll work with Dane, we’ll be careful.”
“There won’t be a next time. I’m pulling him off this job. You’re not going to come to work for a while, at least until I figure out what the hell is going on around here.”
“That’s not fair. What are we going to tell Ruby and Torment?”
“Ruby will understand, she’s my sister-in-law, and she knows I only do what’s best for the pack.” Thorn wasn’t one to argue and lose.
Dane would have to quit his job. He couldn’t be there any longer with Lucien and the other vampires finding out he was lycan. It would only be a matter of time before they discovered Najha was a lycan as well.
Najha knew she’d errored by fighting, plain and simple. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ll do as you ask.”
“Okay, good. Glad you’re finally able to agree with something I’ve had to do or say. Get your ass home and feed.”
“Yes, Sir.” She saluted him.
“Hey, kiddo?”
She smiled and answered, “Yeah?”
“I’ve been thinking. I need to come clean with Lucien. It was wrong of me to hide the secret I had a daughter. You’ll have to give up the job and start training with the men and me as a warrior.”
Her heart pounded, she couldn’t contain the joy in her smile and her step as she ran to Thorn and threw herself into his arms. “Oh, my God! Really? You honestly mean that?”
“Well, there is the fact, you’ll need to get used to being called warrior now. And, quit acting like a girl.” He rolled his eyes.
She screamed, “Whoop-Whoop! Dad, you won’t regret this.”
Thorn wrapped his arms around her middle, picked her up and spun her around like he used to do when she was a little girl. “Geez, if that’s all it takes to get you back in my arms. I would have told you this news a long time ago. I love seeing that smile on your face again. This job was just too much for you. I know you hated waiting on people and trying to control your temper.”
She laughed. “Aww, Dad, I’m just excited is all.”
“I know. I love seeing you like this. You need to do smile more often. It actually softens your face a little. Otherwise, you seem to be angry all the time.” He chuckled.
Najha frowned, cinching her lips tightly together. “That would ruin my rep.”
At her fierce but surely adorable expression, Thorn threw back his head and let out a boisterous laugh.
She put her hands on her hips. “Really? Do you always have to laugh at me?”
“Yes, I do, little girl.” Thorn kissed her cheek. “I have to go. The guys out front will come and look for us if we don’t go back out there.”
“I know.” She pouted. Najha hated the fact they needed to remain so stiff and formal in front of the Lycan MC.
“Dane, I need you to go in and tell Ruby you’re not coming back. Najha, you tell her you’re probably going to have to quit or do something else. We’ll tell the lycan first, then make a public announcement to the rest of the town. I want to have my daughter at my side as my sons are.”
“Okay, thank you.” Najha hugged him again, and they walked back around front to the rest of the group of men. “I’m so excited to finally show everyone how strong I am.” She couldn’t contain her delight at her father’s news.
“Don’t ever forget, little one, you’ll always be my little girl.”
“I know. But you’ll have to respect me as one of your warriors around the other men.”
He laughed. “Only if you earn that right. For now, you’ll still be an omega until you work your way up the ranks. Remember, it takes a lot to earn the position of Beta female in this pack. You can’t hang out when we are in the MC. The club is set for only men. Well, unless you become an Ol’ Lady.”
She choked a little. After she finished catching her breath, she frowned at her father. “Never! I haven’t found my mate, and I refuse to be someone’s,”—she air quoted—“Ol’ Lady.”
He patted her on the butt to send her ahead of him down the sidewalk and up to the men on the motorcycles. His loud booted heels hitting the pavement followed behind her all the way up to his empty motorcycle.
Before her father got on his bike, Najha asked, “Are you sure you’re ready to tell Lucien and his people? It won’t be long, and everyone will find out?”
“Lucien has a right to know. He’s never kept his people a secret from me. I will have to tell him, eventually, about you.” Thorn smiled relaxing his entire face. “Eventually.”
Najha stepped back frowning, shaking her head. “What do you mean?”
“Yes, child. I’m just not ready to share you with the world yet. I only meant you can train with us for now. I’ll give it some thought, and in a couple of weeks after Lucien recovers, I’ll consider when and how I’m going to tell him. For now, I want you to get your little hind end to your mother, make sure those wounds are healed entirely. Then you hunt and sleep.” Thorn lifted his hand in the air and swirled it around, signaling to the others.
The bikes that were silent now roared to life.
She loved the sound of all the bikes as they started up together as one. The loud rumbling had always been music to her ears. She waved to the men, before gathering her things in the restaurant and leaving for home. She did feel disappointed about Thorn waiting to announce her as his daughter. Was it because then Lucien would know and she wouldn’t have to hide it from him? She shook her head, it wouldn’t matter anyway, they could never be mates.
Closing her eyes for a moment, standing near her locker, she whispered to her father, ‘I love you, Daddy.’
‘I’ll be out later, hunting.’
‘Sure, see you soon.’ Najha loved her father. Sometimes though, it was frustrating trying to please him. He wanted complete obedience, and that just wasn’t going to happen. She was a woman who led, not followed. It was what made her truly his daughter.
She felt saddened at the thought of growing up. Always having her dad in her mind, giving her his love and comfort made her strong.
‘I’m still with you, child. Take care of that wound. I can smell it. It’s not entirely healed.’
‘I know, I’ll go home. Love you, Daddy.’
‘I love you too, baby girl.’
The warmth and comfort he gave her were better than a hug or touch when in public. As long as she had his strength and courage, she felt happy. He made her proud to call him dad and leader of their people.
Najha headed home. She’d already decided a long nap was just what the doctor ordered.