Chapter Sixteen

The sun was coming over the horizon when Alton sat on the edge of the bed and stared down at his mate. She was still asleep, not having moved a muscle as he slid out from under her and tucked the covers around her naked body.

Mornings had never been her friend. She hated to get up. At U of C, she rarely took an early class. He’d teased her about it often. Some days he managed to go for a run, eat breakfast, shower, and study before she got out of bed and would return his calls.

He loved to watch her sleep, though. And today was special. Their first day as mates. The first day they would not be able to hide their relationship from anyone, not even when they weren’t together. Any grizzly shifter would be able to scent their status as bound to another.

He cringed, unable to imagine them going their separate ways to tackle the insanity that would fill their day. He’d give anything to stay inside his tiny apartment and fuck her ten more times instead of dragging their asses into the shower and out the door.

A nudge from Austin into his mind had him concentrating on his brother. “You up?”

“Yes. Everything okay?” Alton asked.

“I was going to ask you that. We didn’t have a chance to speak yesterday. I’m so happy for you and Joselyn. And sad at the same time. Please tell me you aren’t going to put this off any longer. I can’t imagine the pain. I mean, in a way I can, but at least while I knew Nuria was my mate, for most of my life, she wasn’t in town. I can’t imagine having her and not finishing the binding.”

Alton smiled. “I’m staring down at her right now. Don’t worry about me. It’s done.”

Austin let out an audible breath in Alton’s head. “Thank God. You were stressing me out.”

“Can’t imagine how anyone’s going to take it, but fuck them. I’m not sure now why I ever cared.”

“Best feeling in the world, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He cut off the connection abruptly and stared at his sweet mate as she stirred and then blinked her eyes. Austin would understand.

Her smile lit up the room. She reached for him. “Please tell me we don’t have to get up.”

He leaned over her and kissed her. “We can pack up the SUV and run for the border if you want.”

She groaned. “If only it were that easy.”

“It can be. Say the word, and we’re out of town.”

“Maybe we should try to sort this mess out first, yeah?”

“Maybe,” he teased.

She inhaled. “You made coffee.”

“Of course.” He reached for the nightstand and lifted a mug.

She moaned as she pushed herself to sitting, leaning against the headboard. After taking the cup and sipping, she spoke again. “Bless you.”

He glanced down at her breasts as the sheet fell to her lap. God he loved her. “You didn’t have any nightmares, did you?” Could they possibly enter a new phase of life—one that didn’t include bad dreams or any other barriers between them?

She shook her head, her eyes lighting up. “Not one. Thank God. Maybe the stupid curse is broken.”

He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Maybe they were a result of the stress of living a lie.”

“Let’s hope so. Best night of sleep I’ve had in years.” She took another sip of coffee.

“What’s the game plan? I’m not inclined to send you to the wolves alone, Jos.” He rubbed her thigh, loving that she had no inhibitions that caused her to cover her gorgeous, naked body.

She cocked her head to one side and then the other, working out the kinks. “It’s not a bad idea. We could join a pack of wolf shifters and start fresh.”

He laughed. “Okay, not my first choice.”

“My brothers met a pack of wolves in Montana when they were there helping with the bizarre series of natural disasters.”

“I remember when they did that. But I don’t think I realized they were working with wolves.”

“Yep. Their stories are fascinating.”

“I bet.” He squeezed her thigh. “Shower?”

“I suppose.” She continued sipping her coffee without moving. It seemed her thoughts were deep.

He didn’t want to nose around in her head too deeply without her permission, afraid it would be disconcerting. “Let’s go by your office together and see what we encounter. And then we’ll go from there.”

She nodded. “You think that’s the best idea? My stupid, ignorant family is going to pounce on you.”

“Well, they sure as fuck aren’t going to pounce on you without me there. I absolutely won’t tolerate that. If anyone disrespects you, I’m going to blow fire out of my ears.”

She smiled. “My hero.”

An hour later, they were showered, dressed, and out the door. He was glad to find out she’d brought a bag of clothes and left it in her car. At least she hadn’t planned on leaving. They would need to go by her parents’ house later and pack up more of her things, but at least for today, she had what she needed.

It was comical how they headed to her office with her wearing a dark blue Glacial Brewing Company polo and him wearing a black Mountain Peak Brewery polo. Nothing about their attire screamed competition. Nope. Not at all.

The logos themselves weren’t extremely different. His was a white-capped mountain peak. Hers was the flat face of a glacier against a lake.

When they pulled into the parking lot, she sighed. “Not looking forward to this.” She turned to him. “Let me apologize for my pack members in advance.”

He took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. “You aren’t your family. Nor your extended pack.”

“I know. But I can’t stand for people to be so ignorantly rude.”

“We’re going to get it from both sides, so keep in mind you don’t own a monopoly on bigotry in the family.”

She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the headrest before finally seeming to muster the energy to face the day.

They stepped from the SUV at the same time and headed for the front of the office building. He inhaled deeply as they approached the front doors, the air giving him a rush with the rich scent of hops he always smelled entering his own brewery. He loved the smell.

He had realized the layout of her brewery was similar to his the day before. Nice office space in front with the plant attached behind.

Any concerns he had about what her packs’ bottom line might look like had dissipated the moment he stepped inside the previous morning. At least they gave off the appearance of a thriving business.

Both breweries employed about fifty people. They were undoubtedly neck and neck. There was no reason for this insane need to attempt to hurt their primary competition. If it were up to him, they would come together, support each other, and grow their businesses until they took the lion share of the market in an expanding territory.

Alas, instead the vast majority of both packs were stuck in their ways, trapped in a cycle of maintaining an ancient feud. Exasperating.

When Alton pulled the glass front door open, he set his hand on Joselyn’s lower back to guide her inside. He kept his hand there, making a statement that didn’t need physical affirmation at all.

The receptionist, a cute girl about Joselyn’s age, lifted her gaze with a smile that immediately fell as her mouth dropped open.

“Good morning, Liddie,” Joselyn said in a cheery voice as they walked by her. She bee-lined straight for her office, dropped her briefcase and coat on a chair, and turned around as he took off his own coat.

He wasn’t going to lie to himself. He was nervous. But they didn’t have options. And he wasn’t in the mood for ignorant ranting. No one was going to get under his skin, he vowed to himself.

Two seconds later, someone rounded the corner and stepped into the office. “You have a lot of nerve, Joselyn.”

Alton recognized him as Fletcher, the asshole who sat steaming in the boardroom yesterday. The vibe coming off him was ominous. It pissed Alton off, but he refused to let it show. Instead, he wiped his palms on his thighs and reached out a hand. “I don’t think we’ve met. Alton Tarben.”

The jerk had the gall to glance at Alton’s hand, smirk, and ignore him.

Alton in turn, expecting the reaction, simply shrugged him off and put himself halfway between Joselyn and her cousin.

Alton was pretty sure Fletcher was the son of Carroll and Esta Arthur. Carroll was one of Bernard’s younger brothers. He put Fletcher at about twenty-eight years old.

The fucker stared hard at Joselyn before finally having the balls to look at Alton when he spoke. “You’re not welcome here. No one in your pack is welcome here. I suggest you get the fuck out of our brewery before I have you physically removed.”

“Isn’t he pleasant,” Alton said into Joselyn’s mind.

“Always has been. He’s four years older than me, and he’s behaved like an imbecile for as long as I can remember.”

A booming voice from the hallway interrupted. Bernard. “Fletcher. What the fuck are you doing?” He rounded the doorway, having spoken before he was even in sight. “I believe I warned you about your behavior yesterday. Go back to the plant. You’re supposed to be supervising first shift today, not pumping your chest out like some sort of rabid animal.” He pointed at the door.

Fletcher glared at him for several seconds and then turned and fled the room.

Bernard lifted a hand toward Alton, unable to fully unfurrow his brow and hide his disdain for his nephew. “Sorry for the shitstorm.” His face softened. “Welcome to the family.” His grip was firm.

Alton nodded. “Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll always put your daughter first. She will never lack for support from me in anything she chooses to do in life.”

Joselyn wrapped her fingers around his biceps as he spoke, leaning into him. “You’re gonna make me cry.”

“I know, son,” her father confirmed. “Now, how about we head to my office? Several people are waiting for us.”

As Alton followed Bernard down the hallway, his hand wrapped over Joselyn’s, he decided Bernard had assumed his daughter would arrive this morning bound to her mate. It warmed his heart.

Joselyn’s grip on his arm didn’t lighten. She was leaning on him for support or out of fear or rage.

“You okay, baby?”

“I’m still standing.”

He grabbed her hand and slid it down his arm to hold it. Threading his fingers with hers, he kept her right at his side. “We’ll get through this. You sure you want me so outwardly claiming you?”

“As if it would make a difference. It’s not like they can’t sense it from a mile away.”

“Of course, but it’s so blatant, and tempers are rising. Don’t get me wrong. I’d gladly kiss you in front of them. I just want you to be as comfortable as possible.”

As they rounded the doorway into Bernard’s office, she responded without looking at him. “If you let go of me, I’ll hurt you.”

He chuckled into her mind and squeezed her hand tighter. “I’ve got you. Always.”

Alton hadn’t personally met everyone in the room, but he knew most of them. There were five—Bernard, his mate, and all three of his brothers. Joselyn’s mother stood and came across the room. She hugged her daughter close, whispering in her ear, “I wondered. I’m so proud of you.”

Alton thought it was an interesting way to congratulate her, but then he realized what Rosanne was saying. She was proud of her daughter for taking a stand, for putting aside her family and binding to the man she loved, for showing up at the office today in his arms. Rosanne was proud.

Alton was too. He didn’t release his mate’s hand. He had no intention of doing so for any reason.

Rosanne turned to him next. She lifted up and kissed his cheek. “Welcome. Proud of you too.” She smiled warmly, making him wish he had taken this stand years ago. What had he been afraid of?

He was about to find out.

∙•∙

Joselyn slid in front of Alton, bending her elbow so that her hand was still threaded in his at the small of her back. She leaned into him to absorb his strength. She cleared her throat and lifted her head. “I’m sure the rumors have been rampant, but as you can tell, it’s true. Alton and I completed the binding.”

Her three uncles, who had been sitting when they entered, jumped to their feet.

Her Uncle Marlin’s eyes were twinkling. She knew he would not abandon her. However, her other two uncles on her father’s side looked fit to kill. Carroll and Jaren were scowling.

It was a mystery why the older two Arthurs, her father included, were more kind and loving while the younger two were hateful and filled with anger. Normally at large family gatherings, the large crew could put their differences aside and get along. However, lately that was only possible if the subject of the century-old feud was taken from the table.

Like a political squabble, the four sons of the late Normand and Odell Arthur had always been at each other’s throats in a house divided. When Joselyn’s grandfather Normand died five years ago unexpectedly, his mate passed away months after him. It wasn’t unusual for their kind. The bond between mates was strong, and after a lifetime of being together, one mate would frequently die of a broken heart soon after the first.

The death of Normand Arthur had somehow caused the rift between the sons to deepen. Or maybe it was really Odell’s passing that catapulted the feud into overdrive. After all, she had always been the family glue, the one who tried to keep tempers on an even keel.

Joselyn wished her grandmother was there now. She suspected things were about to get ugly.

Her Uncle Carroll was the first to speak, his face red, his hand shaking in the air. He looked toward his brother Bernard instead of facing his own niece. “I can’t believe you’re supporting this farce of a union. Do you have no family loyalty, brother?”

Joselyn’s mother stepped into the center of the room, her head high. At five eleven, she towered over many human women, but her mate Bernard and his brothers ranged from six-six to six-eight. They were forces to be reckoned with. Or they would be to some other woman. Rosanne Arthur was not the sort of mother who would be intimidated. “All of you need to calm down.”

Several grumbles filled the room. Each of the four brothers had a mate. And none of their mates were pushovers. They were used to being put in their place from time to time, but they didn’t take kindly to orders coming from Bernard’s mate.

Rosanne continued, “Anyone who thinks these two kids have joined together out of some secret desire to piss you off and create upheaval need to get a head exam. You’re all fully aware how a binding works. Don’t act like a bunch of idiots.”

The slight hush lasted only a moment before Bernard’s other brother Jaren tossed his two cents in, staring at Bernard. “If your damn daughter wants to bind herself to one of those heathens, fine. But she needs to submit her resignation right now and clear out of the building.”

Alton’s grip on her hand tightened to the point of pain. A pain she welcomed under the circumstances. It kept her grounded. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to hold her back or if he was simply expressing his frustration. And then he spoke into her mind. “Let them argue, baby. Don’t engage yet.”

She nodded slightly in response, even though she had her back to him. Her heart raced from the adrenaline rush.

Her father stiffened beside her. She’d never felt such anger coming from him. He turned toward his brother Carroll. “Do you feel the same as Jaren?”

Carroll nodded. “Of course. It’s obvious your daughter’s the one who leaked all of our hard work to the enemy in the first place.”

Joselyn opened her mouth to defend herself.

Alton gripped her hand tighter and held her closer. “Let them shout at each other first.”

“You’re a damn fool,” her father said. “Both of you. Joselyn didn’t leak anything to anyone. As far as I’m concerned, one of you is more likely to have undermined this business than Joselyn. She worked hard on this project for six months.”

Jaren shook his head. “Work? That’s what you call sitting in her office all day coloring?”

Bernard’s eyes bulged, and Rosanne’s mouth fell open.

Joselyn pursed her lips to keep from screaming. God damn them both. She had a notion to tell them to go fuck themselves and then take her shit and get out of the building. If they thought the marketing position was so useless, let them handle the department all on their own.

Except that would hurt her father too.

Jaren twisted his head to glare at Joselyn. “Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t rat us out to the Tarbens.”

Joselyn’s spine stiffened. “I did not. Never said a word about our launch, even though Alton is my mate and it felt wrong.”

Carroll jerked in his seat. “Doesn’t mean your damn mate didn’t steal the information from you at some point. He would have had opportunity.” He glared at Alton, sending goose bumps up Joselyn’s arms.

She shook her head. “He has never once been to my home, nor have I been to his. We’ve seen each other so infrequently that I want to kick myself for ever caring what any of you would think,” she shot back at her uncle. “The only thing I’ve ever had on me when I’ve seen my own mate was my damn cell phone.”

Spittle shot out of her Uncle Carroll’s mouth as he shared his next thought. “Phones are damn smart these days, little girl. They’re like computers. Anything you have on there is easy to access. You telling me you always took your phone to the bathroom with you?”

Apparently, Alton had heard enough. The vibe running from him to her was filled with frustration. “I have never once touched Joselyn’s phone. I don’t even know her password. I do not dig around in my mate’s private belongings without her permission.”

Joselyn’s mother stepped between everyone, holding up her hands and glancing back and forth at every face. “Stop this nonsense before someone says something they regret.”

Joselyn was surprised at how calm her mother appeared outwardly while she knew she was fuming inside.

“I say we call a vote,” Carroll said. “We call the board in and take a vote. Now. This morning.” He pointed at Alton. “And you need to get the hell out of this building.”

Alton spoke again, releasing Joselyn’s hand to wrap one arm around her middle and set his other hand on her shoulder possessively. “You people need to watch your language, and if any of you disrespects my mate again, you’ll find my fist in your face.”

He didn’t address the way her uncles were treating him personally, but her heart rate soared when he instead insisted on supporting her.

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way, you son of a bitch,” Carroll shot directly at Alton. “You have no business coming here and a lot of gall. You should be ashamed of yourself for even showing your face in the parking lot. You come from a family of thieves.”

Joselyn couldn’t hold her tongue again. “For God’s sake, what the hell are you talking about?”

Carroll turned his hateful gaze toward her. “Stole land that rightfully belonged to our pack, and they know it.”

Joselyn couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes. “You mean over a hundred years ago?”

“Doesn’t matter when it happened. What matters is that it happened. It’s in their blood. Bunch of damn thieves.”

Alton stiffened. “I’m sure if we were having this conversation at my brewery, my uncles would be calling all of you murderers. It’s nonsense.”

Jaren growled. “We ain’t no murderers.”

“Really? Because the same legend you’re referring to concerning a homestead on the west side of the river includes a little boy stabbed to death by one of your ancestors.”

Jaren fumed. “You can’t call an entire pack of people murderers because two little boys got in a fight and had an accident, you fool.”

Joselyn felt Alton relax at her back. “Nor can you call an entire pack of people thieves because one man set up a homestead on public land a hundred years ago.”

She was proud of him. He never lost his temper as he tried to reason with her damn family. She knew it would do no good trying to get them to see the light, but Alton still took the high road.

Jaren wasn’t done, however. “If we’re going to point fingers, your ancestors are the real murdering sons of bitches since y’all retaliated by killing our boy’s mother. Shot her for no reason.”

“Enough,” Joselyn’s mother shouted.

Alton seemed to shake off his frustration and leaned forward, getting in Jaren’s face, still holding Joselyn against him. “Like it or not, I’m bound to Joselyn now. We didn’t make this choice lightly or flippantly. But we love each other, and I’m going to have to demand your respect. Family feud be damned. It’s time to put aside your stupid differences and let bygones be bygones. I’ll expect the same from my own family. Holding a century-old grudge is absurd at best. No one’s even alive who started this feud.”

“Nevertheless,” Carroll continued, “you work for the competitor. A competitor, I might add, who stole our idea and took credit for it, launching it as your own.” He pointed at the door. “Not going to say it again. Get out.”

Bernard put himself between Joselyn and Carroll. “No one’s leaving, Carroll. Stop shouting at my daughter and her mate. If you can’t calm down and have a reasonable, productive discussion, you need to leave my office.”

For a moment, Joselyn thought Carroll might actually shove his older brother. His face was red, his hands fisted at his sides. “Like I said before, let’s take a vote. Now.”

Bernard shook his head. “Don’t be absurd. We aren’t taking a vote on anything. Don’t forget who’s the head of this pack, brother,” he warned.

“Oh, trust me, I’m clear on that. And if you don’t get this fucking Tarben out of the building in the next two minutes, I’m likely to call a vote on that too and challenge your rank among our people. You aren’t fit to be leader.”

Joselyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d always known her uncle was foul and ignorant, but this was going too far. This situation was far worse than she ever imagined. She’d known that outing her relationship with Alton would be damaging and perhaps challenged, but she hadn’t expected anyone to challenge her father’s leadership role within the brewery, and certainly not his role as pack leader.

The air was knocked out of her lungs. She wouldn’t let this happen to her parents. “Dad, I’ll leave.” She permitted her communication to be heard by her mother, her father, and her mate.

“Not a chance in hell,” her father responded.

“Just for now. For today. Let emotions simmer. Nothing good is going to happen here today. And I’m not splitting up from Alton today.”

Bernard spun around to face his daughter. So did Rosanne, tucking her arm into her husbands. His eyes were narrowed in a scowl. “I don’t want anyone in this room to think they got the best of you. Or me, for that matter.”

Jaren groaned behind them. “Can we please get back to work while you three leave us out of your stupid private chat?”

Bernard spun around. “Hell no. Sit your asses down. We aren’t done here. But Joselyn and Alton have other business to take care of, and I’m not inclined to force them to remain while you continue to say things you can’t take back. I’ve told them to go grab something to eat.”

It was a white lie, but she recognized what her father was doing. Not admitting defeat, but soothing the tension at the same time.

“I still say we move to the boardroom and call for a vote,” Carroll grumbled.

“Well, that’s not going to happen, brother,” Bernard said. “We don’t operate that way in this building. I’m in charge. And I say we’re not calling for any vote of any form.” He stood taller, puffing out his chest.

Joselyn grabbed Alton’s hand at her waist and tugged, luring him out of the room. She could feel anger wafting off him, but he held his tongue while they walked silently down the hall and stepped back into her office. One minute later, coats on, they headed out the front door.