Chapter Ten
Jamie walked up the stairs to Skylar’s place, smiling at the sound of her and Emery’s voices above. The smell of bacon and eggs filtered through the air. A stair creaked under his foot, and their voices paused.
“Hey, Jamie,” Emery called out, before continuing their conversation. “Come on, Sky. I really like Alyson.”
“I know you do, Em. But are you sure it’s okay for you to be sleeping over like that? We just got here, and I’m worried about you getting worked up—”
“You know that I have great control. It’s a sleepover, Sky. A bunch of teenagers, getting together, talking about nail polish and boys.”
Jamie turned the corner in time to see Skylar at the stove, spatula paused above the frying pan. Even after having seen her every day for the last week, Jamie still got excited every time he saw her. The patterned dress skimmed just above her knees, showing off the perfect amount of leg. The little belt hinted at the curves beneath, and her curls swung at her back as her head whipped toward Emery.
“Boys? Emery, do you have a…boyfriend?” Skylar stuttered, eyes wide.
Emery froze in a way that had Jamie covering up a laugh. Her freckled face paled, and her eyes widened. “N-no.”
Jamie stepped up to her, slinging a comfortable arm around her shoulders. “Aw, come on, squirt. Tell us about your little high-school crush.”
Emery flushed, shooting him a dagger-filled glance. “I do not have a crush.”
“Mmhmm. That’s what they all say.” He winked at Skylar, who grinned and went back to flipping her eggs.
Emery turned and moved away from his arm. “Come on, Skylar. Just say yes. I promise everything will be fine.” She deflected the interrogation with her begging.
Skylar sighed and looked at Emery from the sides of her eyes. “Fine. But the first sign of things getting weird, you call me right away.”
Emery jumped and squealed, making Jamie wince and move away from the hyperactive teenager. “Oh, my God! Thanks, Skylar! I’m going to go call Alyson right now.” She rushed into her bedroom, a flurry of red hair and green dress.
Curious eyes now gone from the room, Jamie took the chance to move behind Skylar and drop his chin to her shoulder. His arms wrapped around her waist. Home. He pushed the word out of his mind, focusing instead on the here and now. She wasn’t ready for that. Hell, he wasn’t even ready for that. And he sure as hell wouldn’t be the first one making a move in that direction. He’d been down that road before.
“What are you doing today?” she asked, moving two eggs onto a plate already filled with hash browns and bacon.
“Nothing. It’s my Saturday off, so I came here.” He nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent. “When is her sleepover?” He was already planning plenty of dirty things they could do without having to worry about Emery hearing. The couch, the counter, the floor…
“Not until next Friday.”
So…his plans could wait another week. Until then, maybe they could sneak a quickie while Emery showered…
A knock sounded, sending both their heads turning toward the stairs.
“I’ll get it,” Jamie said, smacking a kiss onto her neck before going to the front door. He opened it to find a very unexpected guest.
“Killian. What’s going on?” His Alpha didn’t usually make house calls unless it was urgent. He was usually too wrapped up in his wolf sanctuary business and Cat, Jamie assumed.
Killian tucked his hands in his pockets, a knowing smile on his face. “A little early for a friendly visit, huh, Jamie?”
Jamie rolled his eyes, leaning on the edge of the door. “Emery’s here. We’re just having breakfast.”
“Mmhmm.” Killian sighed. A sound Jamie never liked hearing from the big guy. “I think we should have Skylar’s first training session.”
The pack had mandatory training sessions to teach control. It was one of Killian’s main rules and was to be followed religiously. Staying so close to humans and being as integrated into society as the pack of Wolf Creek was could be dangerous if they didn’t follow the correct protocol.
Jamie glanced up the stairs and then back at his Alpha. Most people looked at Killian and saw a scary Native-American-looking man with long black hair and biceps bigger than Jamie’s head. But Jamie knew the guy wasn’t as terrifying as his image. His golden eyes were infused with apology but also a stern command. Jamie shifted on his feet under the pressure of the conflict of wanting to protect Skylar or obey his Alpha. “Right now?”
“Well, Cat mentioned that it’s Skylar’s day off. I figured it wouldn’t be a problem to just throw in an hour of warm-up or something.”
Jamie nodded, moving out of the way to let Killian enter. “Come on in.”
He followed Killian up the stairs. God, Skylar wasn’t going to like this. A training session? Did she even know the pack had to do such a thing? It wasn’t exactly advertised, and most of the packmates did it on their own free time. Every so often they would get together for a spar, but it hadn’t happened in a while.
“A training session, huh? What’s all this about?” Skylar asked Killian when he came around the corner. Jamie followed him, seeing her leaning against the counter, the finished breakfasts in front of her. Jamie leaned against the wall, letting Killian do his job as Alpha.
“It’s something I enforce in the pack. We practice mixed martial arts in the training room under my house in order to teach you how to control your wolf under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations. You never know what can happen in the human world,” Killian explained, folding his arms over his chest.
He could have been wrong, but Jamie swore he saw momentary fear flash in Skylar’s eyes. Before he could grasp the expression, it was gone again, covered by a complacent mask. Something about the training bothered her. Damn it, what was it? She was such a mystery underneath that beautiful face.
“What if I told you I have control over my shifting? Would I still have to?” Skylar’s fingers dug into the countertop, turning her knuckles white. Could he interrupt Killian, tell him she didn’t have to do it? Maybe if he vouched for her, it would be okay.
Killian shrugged, a grim expression on his face. “I can’t just take your word for it.”
Skylar sighed, looking down at her hands with resignation all over her face. Jamie stepped forward. To do what? Put his arm around her? Comfort her when she seemed so troubled? In front of his Alpha? That would only show weakness in Killian’s eyes, and at the moment, it wasn’t what Skylar needed. She nodded without lifting her face.
“All right. Let me finish breakfast, and I’ll be right over.”
“I’m coming too.”
Jamie turned sharply at the voice. Emery stood at her door, her lips in a firm, straight line. Skylar’s head shot up, eyes wide.
“Absolutely not.”
Emery ignored Skylar, focusing her dark gaze on Killian. “I’m coming. Even if it’s only to watch.”
Killian nodded. “I’ll eventually have to train you. But today is about your sister.”
Emery nodded, walked back into her room, and shut the door behind her. Staring at the closed door, Skylar’s face filled with fear and anger. Her hands clenched. Her jaw tightened. Jamie’s protective mode picked up into high gear. He gave in to the tug in his chest that wanted nothing more than to touch her. He grabbed her hand across the island and looked at Killian.
“I’ll bring them both over when we’re finished eating.”
* * * *
The training room echoed with the strong but quiet voice of Killian as he directed Skylar through her training session. Jamie clenched and unclenched his hands in his lap. They were clammy, something that only happened on certain occasions. Only when he felt like something was off. The look on Skylar’s face when she was told about the training had really stuck into his skin, like an annoying burr he couldn’t get out.
It didn’t help that every time Skylar punched—or Killian showed her a certain move—Emery tensed next to him. Her slender hands dug into the flesh of her thigh. She chewed her lip. Her eyebrows scrunched together. And she’d applied lip balm at least twelve times since they’d arrived. All signs of worry and anxiety. But he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. What would have them both equally nervous over one simple, safe training session?
It was pretty basic. Killian used the same routine with everyone except Jamie, because they had taken the lessons together as children. They’d been practice partners, spar partners, and occasionally just beat the crap out of each other when they got mad.
Killian had her do a few cross-fit exercises set up around the gym but kept it to a minimum since Skylar seemed pretty out of shape. Not that Jamie complained. He loved the way her black yoga pants stretched over her luscious ass every time she had to bend over to grab the medicine ball. If it weren’t for the sick feeling in his stomach and Emery’s nervousness, he would have enjoyed the show. Hell, he probably would have booted Killian out of the way and trained her himself. After the cross-fit, Killian moved her into basic blocks and attacks. Right hooks, uppercuts, stuff like that. Nothing fancy.
And then he had to go and make things worse.
“All right. I think we can move on to a quick spar now.”
Jamie’s back straightened, and he clenched his fist. Like hell. “What are you talking about, Killian? Don’t you think it’s too soon?”
Killian turned toward Jamie and Emery where they sat with their backs against one of the walls. He propped his hands on his hips and shook his head. “It’s something I did with Cat during her training session. I think it really helped her future practices once she realized how they could be used. And also how much she still had left to learn.”
Skylar stepped over to stand next to Killian, wiping sweat from her brow. “You won’t have that problem with me. I realize how much I suck.”
“See, she knows how much she sucks,” Jamie repeated, shrugging when Skylar shot him a heated glare. Killian set his lips in a flat line but contemplated it. For about a second. Jamie’s stomach sank when Killian shook his head.
“No, I think it’ll still be good. Don’t worry, it won’t be anything like a full-force spar.” He faced Skylar. “We’ll do a couple minutes of me blocking your hits and then a couple minutes of you blocking mine. Is that good?”
Skylar’s face paled underneath her exhaustion and perspiration. Killian wasn’t a stupid guy, and damn it, he knew the very thought was scaring the shit out of her. What the hell was wrong with him? Jamie stood from the floor and took one step toward them.
“Come on, man…” he started, but Skylar smiled up at Killian. It was shaky and a little unsure, but Jamie saw her attempt toward strength in it.
“Sure, Killian. Let’s get started.” She faced her sister, who had started to jiggle her crossed legs. Her eyes softened, and she held her smile while mouthing, I’ll be fine. God, something wasn’t right about it. And Jamie wanted to know what the hell had happened.
Jamie stared at Killian and really hoped his Alpha knew what he was doing. Jamie had followed Killian from Wisconsin, knowing he would be an incredible Alpha. He was compassionate, looked out for his pack at any cost, and ruled with hard love. It surprised Jamie to realize he would be willing to break things off with his best friend if he did anything to hurt Skylar or her sister. Killian’s eyes narrowed; Jamie’s stance was anything but submissive. But he turned away and led Skylar toward the ring in the middle of the room, surrounded by black ropes.
During the first few minutes, Jamie stayed standing and leaned against the wall. Skylar did a great job of swinging at Killian. Her form was perfect, even though she never got a hit off. Every now and again her arm was too lax or she swung too slow. And every time Killian yelled out encouragement and corrected her while maintaining his blocks.
“All right, switch,” Killian shouted, backing away from Skylar to reset his stance.
Skylar tensed, her face still pale and her mouth open as she panted with exertion. Her shoulders heaved with every breath, but she reset herself into a defensive position, arms up at her face.
Jamie sensed Emery stand next to him. Her arm brushed against his and gave away the subtle shaking of her body. He glanced down at her.
“You okay, squirt?” he asked, and she ignored his question, keeping her gaze focused on the two in the ring.
The slap of flesh on flesh brought his gaze back. Killian threw various swings toward Skylar, and she countered each with a block. In fact, she did great and blocked every single one. But with each move Killian made, Skylar tensed. Emery tensed. Their bodies were made of stone. It scared Jamie even more when Skylar’s eyes lost focus, staring off someplace over Killian’s shoulder. Jamie shouted out at the same moment Killian’s fist slammed into the side of Skylar’s head. She crumpled to the floor, and Jamie raced to her.
“What the fuck, Killian?” Jamie screamed. His heart pounded in his ears, and bile rose in his throat. God, his body raged. He felt on fire with his hatred toward Killian at that moment. He was going to punch the shit out of him, Alpha or not. But first, he had to check Skylar. He dropped to his knees beside Skylar’s body, surprised to see she wasn’t unconscious. It was worse.
Skylar had curled in on herself, arms wrapped around her stomach. Her body rocked with furious shakes. She squeezed her eyes shut, essentially closing herself off into her own world. A bruise was already forming on her temple, and Jamie brushed his fingers across it.
“Skylar, sweetheart. Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer. Her tense lips moved with whispered words he had to lean down to hear.
“It’s going to be okay. It’ll all be over. Have to take it. Emery. It’s going to be okay.” Every phrase repeated over and over. Jamie swallowed past the bile in his throat. He knew now exactly what had gone down with Skylar. Understood why the training session had sent her and Emery over the edge.
“Emery.” Killian’s quiet, steady voice broke through Jamie’s anger. As did the rumbling growl of a very angry wolf. His senses shot back to Killian now that he wasn’t centrally focused on Skylar and her pain. A copper tail brushed against Jamie’s shoulder, and he turned slowly to face Emery’s wolf.
Her rear was to him and Skylar. She stood protectively over her sister, the punch having been the breaking point for the nervous teenager. Now Jamie understood. He understood everything. The secrets, the fear of a spar, the careful glances between them. And he knew that if Emery went toward Killian, things were going to get ugly. Fast.
“Emery, you need to calm down. Skylar is fine. It was all an accident.” Killian’s voice was level. His hands were held up in surrender. The wolf growled louder, her white teeth glistening with frothy drool. Jamie shifted around Emery’s body, but Killian maintained his gaze with the angry wolf.
“Killian.”
“I’ve got this, Jamie.”
“Listen to me, man.”
“I said I’ve got this, Jamie!” Killian repeated, clenching his teeth. Emery stepped closer to the shifter’s threatening voice. Emery wasn’t in control; she was all wolf.
“Do it, Killian. You’re going to have to, man.”
Killian’s eyes flickered to Jamie for a second but immediately went back to Emery.
“You know I hate that shit.”
“I know. I know you do. But listen. I think there’s something going on we don’t know about. You need to get her to calm down.” Emery’s wolf snapped her jaws, emphasizing Jamie’s point. He was thankful he had a relationship with Emery, or he’d probably be victim to those snappy teeth.
Killian hesitated, and Jamie understood. He wasn’t an Alpha to abuse his powers, but sometimes…it needed to be done. And this was one of those moments. He also knew that he was second in command for a reason; because sometimes Killian needed a push.
“Killian,” Jamie barked, and Killian sighed. But his body tensed, his eyes hardened, and Jamie felt it. A shift in the air, an electric hum that sent his arm hairs standing. The Alpha force was sometimes overwhelming; other times a shifter didn’t even realize they were following a direct command. But this was a time for a strong command.
“Emery. Shift,” Killian directed.
It slammed into the red wolf. A high-pitched whine filtered through the air, and she dropped to the floor, simultaneously turning back to human form. Emery positioned herself in the same way as her sister. Curled in on her right side, holding herself. Her tiny body shook under the strain of Killian’s command, and she panted in heavy gasps. Jamie wanted to take his girls and hold them, knowing they had a story to tell that the two men couldn’t understand yet.
“Dammit,” Killian whispered, stalking over and taking off his shirt. He lifted Emery slightly and tugged the shirt over her head. “What the fuck?”
Jamie followed Killian’s gaze and couldn’t hold back the gasp that forced its way out of his throat. A huge scar took up most of Emery’s left side, from her ribs to her hips. Raised, angry red gashes and puncture marks. One large bite mark. Some bastard shifter had bitten the shit out of her during a wolf fight. Shifters only developed permanent scars while in wolf form. Killian’s gaze shot to Jamie’s in question. Jamie shook his head. No way could he have known. Emery was always covered, even that day on the boat with her one-piece. Could he blame her? Who wanted such an extensive scar on her body? Killian shook his head, finished pulling on the shirt, and lifted Emery in his arms.
“I’ll take her to one of the guest rooms and call Cat. If anyone can help, it’ll be her. You take Skylar up to Cat’s old room.”
Jamie nodded and watched Killian carry the tiny redhead out of the gym. Skylar had passed out, from either shock or exhaustion. Her face was still white, and her arms still clenched around her stomach. But her body wasn’t shaking as much, and for that he could be grateful. Jamie tucked a hair that had fallen from her ponytail behind her ear.
“What the hell happened to you guys?” he whispered, knowing he wouldn’t get an answer.
Resentment, disgust, anger, all boiled in his stomach. His hands shook when he picked Skylar up. Her strong, curvy, resilient body suddenly seemed frail and broken. And his heart felt broken at what could have caused such a reaction from them. He carried her up to Cat’s old room, tucked her into the bed, and sat in a chair off to the side.
He needed answers. And he needed them today. He just hoped he’d gained the trust needed for her to open that door for him.