A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get another chapter posted. Lifes really been kicking me in the face lately :) Anyways... you know the drill. These characters belong to Patricia Briggs not me. (With the exceptions of Lakin, Callan, and Nick. Those characters came from my twisted little brain.)
Lakin
Lakin rode with Ben in his truck to Mercy and Adams house in comfortable silence. Lakin was worried about meeting Adam. Alphas were always controlling, but just like with humans they could be good or bad. Her dad said to go to Adam for help and Lakin trusted his judgment. She couldn't help but be nervous. She'd only met one alpha before, other than Callan. Lakin knew him most of her life, she was the only one he'd let call him Al, short for Alpha. She started calling him that when she was a kid. She didn't think his personality was a typical alpha personality though. She'd read as much information about werewolves as she could get her hands on since her dad turned. Alphas and werewolves in general were presented to the world as your everyday average Joes that just happen to have super strength and get a little furry on the full moon. Lakin had been around werewolves long enough to know that wasn't true, at all. Now after everything that she'd seen, she didn't know what to believe anymore.
Lakin glanced at the werewolf driving. She didn't know what to think about him. One minute he was an uncaring sarcastic ass the next he was sweet and caring. It was like he was trying to be a jerk on purpose. Not that he'd been horrible. She didn't know how to explain it. There was some part of the story she was missing. The way that Mercy freaked out about Lakin wanting to ride with Ben. Mercy made it clear that she was following them to the house. Like she didn't trust Ben with her. Lakin didn't know what to make of it. She just knew that she was safe with Ben, without a doubt. She didn't know why, but she was comfortable with him.
They pulled up to a massive house. Lakin got out of the truck in awe. It was beautiful and she had thought Al's place was nice. Al's house paled in comparison to Adam's house. Ben walked in and led Lakin through the foyer to the living room with Mercy close behind them. They'd beat Adam home.
"Mercy, this house is beautiful," Lakin said.
"Thanks, Adam had this house before we married. Did you see the trailer on the way in," Mercy asked Lakin. She nodded. "That was where I lived before. Now Samuel lives there alone. Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"No ma'am I'm not hungry, but I'd like a glass of water please," Lakin meekly said.
"Sure follow me," Mercy replied. They followed her to the kitchen and got Lakin a bottle of water. Ben was eating chocolate chip cookies that Mercy had made. Lakin sipped her water.
Mercy looked at Lakin wanting her to talk. "Lakin what happened? Why do you need my husbands help?"
"I'm only telling this once," she said tired. "My dad said to go to Adam for help. I can't go through telling this more than once okay? I just can't," she said teary eyed.
Ben glared at Mercy and she shrugged. Mercy didn't quite trust Lakin yet.
"Mercy?" Adam called concerned.
"In the kitchen," she responded.
Adam was cute, just like she remembered from TV and he was clearly military or ex-military. He only had eyes for Mercy. After he made sure she was okay and kissed her, he turned his eyes to Lakin. He seemed to piece something together.
"Your Wyatt Spencer's daughter Lakin. You dad showed me your senior picture a few years ago. How is he?" Adam asked.
Lakins heartbeat sped up. She took a deep breath and tried to talk. Nothing would come out. She closed her eyes and tried again, "He's dead. They're all dead." Lakin started crying. Ben took a step closer to her. Mercy touched her lamb necklace with one hand and covered her mouth with her other.
"What happened and who all is dead?" Adam asked. He was upset and he put a touch of alpha command in his question.
Lakin was having a problem getting a grip on herself. She was already upset because of what happened and Adams alphaness was starting to freak her out. "Callan happened," she said.
"Callan… Callan Harvey?" Adam asked.
"Yes, I think that's his last name. He was old and strong and he killed them. Mom and my little sister too, there was so much blood. They didn't ever do anything to hurt anybody. He killed them. I made it in time to try to help Dad, Callan was waiting for me," she said wiping her eyes with a napkin Ben handed her.
Adam was mad and he was in full alpha mode. Lakin could feel it pressing on her almost suffocating her. She started having a panic attack again. Ben held her as she breathed through it with her head on his chest.
"She did this earlier on the bus when she realized I was a werewolf. She'll be okay in a few minutes I think," Ben said as he subconsciously put himself between Adam and Lakin.
"She doesn't seem to be afraid of you now," Adam said and Ben shrugged.
Lakin was trying to pull it together. She couldn't help that she was terrified. She didn't have much control over it. He'd reminded her of Callan on top of her covered in her father's blood, he'd been like that too. She tried to push thoughts about Callan and everything that happened out of her mind again.
Lakin shakily said, "Sorry. Reminded me and I panicked. Sorry." She stepped out of Bens arms and tried to not freak out. Ben was still between Adam and Lakin.
"It's okay Lakin. Take your time and start at the beginning what happened?" Adam asked.
Lakin told them what happened to her. When she got to the part about Chase hitting her Ben growled. They all froze anticipating another panic attack, but Lakin continued her story tears falling the whole time. "And that's why I came here. I didn't know what else to do. He thinks I'm his wife. God only knows what he'd do to me if he realized I'm not her," she finished.
"I'm so sorry Lakin," Mercy said she reached out to hug Lakin. Lakin slipped out of her reach and into Ben's. Ben looked confused for a minute before he put an arm around her.
Adam and Mercy looked at each other. It was odd that she would want Ben to comfort her in the first place. What was odder was that he was holding her and telling her it was alright. Ben was never close to anyone. He'd never been touchy feely. There he was in Adams kitchen holding Lakin. She wouldn't even let Mercy touch her. It was strange. Adam and Mercy both thought they were missing something. Ben had told Mercy before Lakin had come to the garage about the bus ride home with her. Mercy thought he'd left something out. Time would tell.
Ben
Ben wasn't good at being close to anyone. He'd always been alone. It was carefully orchestrated to be that way. Ben tried to erase that dark thought from his mind. He couldn't afford to think like that after all of the progress he's made. He had friends and a job he likes here. It was so strange to have someone want you to look after them. Ben wasn't quite sure what to do. He couldn't leave her, he'd tried at first. As soon as he would turn his back to leave he'd remember Lakins terror and sorrow when he first met her or her panic when he tried to leave her at Mercy's garage. Then as if on autopilot his eyes would find her to make sure she was alright. She was never very far. It was like they'd both agreed to stay within eye shot of each other. He knew she'd be safe with Adam, but he just couldn't bring himself to leave her. Ben had never really cared about anyone but himself before. He cared for his pack, because they were his pack, but he'd never cared for someone that he wasn't obligated to care for, it weirded him out.
Ben had been watching Lakin's behavior around Mercy and Adam. If she needed someone to comfort her she wouldn't let Adam or Mercy touch her. She would go straight to Ben if she was seeking comfort. Ben hoped he was doing it right. No one had ever really comforted him before.
Daryl and Warren walked into the kitchen. As soon as Lakin saw them she walked to Ben's side. She was afraid of them. If you only paid attention to her body language and facial expressions you couldn't tell that she was frightened by them. It was her scent that gave her away. It's like she trained herself not to show fear openly.
"Thank you two for coming in early. I wanted to speak with you before we address the whole pack. This is Lakin," Adam said pointing in Ben and Lakins direction. She froze under their scrutiny. Their eyes stayed on her busted lip and black eye. Lakin was trying to keep it together and not hyperventilate. She didn't want be ogled by a pair of highly ranked werewolves. Ben wasn't thrilled about it either.
Warren smiled at her and said, "You're Wyatt Spencer's daughter right? I haven't seen him in a couple years. How is he?"
Lakin lowered her watery eyes and stared at the floor. Ben took a step towards her and said, "Smooth Warren. Next time why don't you just hit her in the stomach and make it easier for her." He bent down and whispered in Lakins ear, even though everyone could hear what they were saying, "Are you alright?" Warren and Darryl looked over at Adam curiously.
"Yeah, sorry I'm not usually like this. I just didn't expect it all to be so… I don't know."
"It's okay. You don't have to explain," Ben said and stepped so the he was beside her again.
"Ben why don't you go downstairs and get the information we have about Lakins situation please," Adam asked.
Ben looked at Lakin and nodded to Adam. He headed to the basement to get the files on Callan. He was worried about leaving Lakin behind until he heard her following behind him. Adam sent him out of the room on purpose to see if Lakin would follow.
"Lakin there's something I should mention to you before someone else does," Ben said when they were alone and out of their hearing.
"What?" she asked.
"Before I came to America, when I was in London, I was accused of… some things, some really bad things," he said turning away from her.
"What were you accused of?" Lakin asked.
"I was a suspect in a series of rapes," Ben said just loud enough for Lakin to hear.
She took a sharp breath. Ben didn't want to see the expression of disgust on her face. He couldn't handle it. He waited to hear her leave or yell at him. She didn't. She asked, "Did you do it?"
"No, I didn't. They did stop by the time I left though. Most people believe that confirms that it was me doing it," he said. He turned to look at Lakin. She was still beside him and she wasn't afraid of him. She was just looking at him with a mix of sympathy and something else Ben couldn't identify. "I just thought I'd let you know," he said.
"Thanks for letting me know. Your right though, someone would have told me sooner or later. I'm glad you told me. I believe you didn't do it, but I can tell there's more to the story. Don't worry I'm not asking for details, but if you ever need to talk about it let me know," she said.
As they walked back to Adam Ben couldn't believe he'd told her. He wasn't one to share details of his life, especially when it came to that. He was just extremely glad that she believed him.
As soon as they were in earshot of Adam, Mercy, Darryl, and Warren they stopped talking. It was nice to know that you were being talked about right before you walk into a room. Ben handed Adam the file on Callan.
"Thank you Ben. Lakin, we have a few more questions for you," Adam said.
"What do you want to know?" Lakin mumbled.
"How is Callan keeping the killings a secret? How many wolves are in his pack? What is your local Alpha doing to get this situation under control?" Adam asked.
"Where's my backpack? I have something that should explain most of that," she said looking around for her bag. Ben silently handed it to her. He assumed she was going to show them whatever was in the newspaper that made her panic on the bus.
She handed them the paper and said, "Cover story."
Ben stretched to look at the paper too. On the front page was a picture of Lakin and one of a house in flames. It said that Lakin was missing and she is suspected of setting the fire to her home with her family inside. The bodies were too burned to positively identify the cause of death at this time. There's a $1,000 reward for helping bring Lakin Spencer in for questioning. Her boyfriend, Chase that she was seeing without anyone knowing, has put the money up for the reward to find Lakin. He knows as soon as she's found and questioned that her name will be cleared. That little bastard went as far as to tell her to come home. He missed her.
Everyone was silent. Mercy said, "What about the local Alpha surely he isn't letting things continue like this."
"I think he's dead. He doesn't tolerate things like that. He would have pulled out the big guns and called the Marrok first," Lakin said. All of the werewolves just looked at her like she'd grown a third eye.
"The Marrok?" Adam asked. One of the best kept werewolf secrets was the Marrok. He was the Alpha over all of the Alphas in North America. Humans didn't really know about him. Lakin shouldn't have known about him either.
"Yes, look I may only be human, but I'm not dumb. I know that all of the Alphas wouldn't calmly get together and decide it's time to show your selves. Someone in charge had to make that decision. I may have asked a drunken wolf about it one night and had it confirmed," she said with everyone still looking at her. "Oh come on. It's not that big of a deal. It's not like I've told anyone." Mercy smiled at her. Then everyone seemed to relax a little. "I really hope I'm wrong but I think Al's dead. I know for sure that Chase is with Callan. He's all about self preservation. So, he'd have picked the strongest side and went with them."
Adam said, "We'll look into it."
"Adam, when will I be able to have my wounds looked at by your doctor? I don't feel so good."
"Can we see the wound?" Adam asked.
She nodded and turned to Ben. She held onto him as they looked at her back. Adam, Darryl, and Warren all growled and the angry weight was back on Lakins chest. She couldn't breathe. She tried she gasped for air and collapsed into Bens arms.
"Nice guys. She has a panic attack when she's around angry Alphas. So, let's bring the top three ranked wolves of the pack into the same room with her and everyone get pissed off," he said dryly. "Adam she can't stay here. She'll keep having these panic attacks. She's hungry werewolf bait like this."
"I know. Where can she stay and still be safe? She knows too much about werewolves to let her go off on her own. All we'd need is for her to tell a reporter about this and all of our hard work getting the werewolves accepted will be undone. I need to call Bran and let him know about everything," Adam said.
"Adam, what if she stays in my old trailer? Samuel will be there to keep an eye on her and she'll be close by. We just have to tell him that he has to keep that he's a werewolf to himself, so she doesn't have another panic attack," Mercy said.
Ben didn't want her staying with Samuel either. He didn't want to lie to her about Samuel being a werewolf either. He wasn't on board with this plan at all. What was the alternative? Her staying with Adam and having panic attack after panic attack or her coming home with him? He knew they wouldn't allow that. He wasn't comfortable with her staying with him either. He just knew that he didn't want her to stay with Samuel. It looks like they really didn't have a choice.
Lakin started to stir. "What happened Blondie?"
Ben laughed. "You passed out. Everything's fine. Mercy came up with a plan so you don't have to keep having panic attacks."
"Oh," she said. She was confused and started to be afraid again as she stared up at the werewolves around her.
"Oh please do you think we'd let something happen to our pet human?" Ben teased.
"Not funny ass hole. Not funny," Lakin said and she couldn't help but smile. Ben helped her up off the floor. Everyone was staring at them.
Ben didn't appreciate the attention and was about to say so when Lakin said, "Why are you guys looking at me that way? If you're that hungry I suggest you go get a steak out of the freezer." Everyone started laughing at her. "I'm pretty sure my backs bleeding again," she said to no one in particular.
"You can stay in my old trailer with Samuel. He's the doctor we were telling you about earlier. He's rarely home, because he works a lot. What do you think?" Mercy asked.
Lakin looked at Ben. He had his hands in his pockets looking at the floor. Ben could feel her looking at him. He looked at her and smiled. She took that as confirmation that she'd be safe there. "Sure lets go," she said.
Lakin
Lakin was nervous that she was going to be living with a man especially one that she didn't know. She had a roommate in her dorm, but living with a full grown man was different. At least he was a doctor, she could do worse. She could be playing happy home maker to a crazed homicidal werewolf.
Ben had been mostly quiet since they'd come to the trailer.
"I left a few clothes in the closet you're welcome to what ever fits you," Mercy said to Lakin pointing to the closet. "Ben, would you go back to the house for a minute and get Lakins backpack? It looks like we left it," Mercy said. Ben turned and walked out of the trailer.
"Lakin, I need to tell you something before he gets back. Before he came here he was a suspect in a few rape cases in London. They couldn't prove he did it, but it stopped when he left the country. I'm sorry to just unload his personal business like this, but we thought you should know about his issues," Mercy said apologetically as they walked into the living room.
"I already know. He told me," Lakin said. Mercy looked surprised. "Thanks for trying to warn me though."
Ben came back into the trailer with a tired looking guy with him. He was tall and he had muscle on muscle. His brown hair was messed up like he'd been running his hands through it. He had grey-blue eyes that assessed his surroundings before he finished walking inside. He was attractive, but not in the usual pretty boy way like Ben. He had a subtle beauty.
"Look who I ran into on the way back," Ben said and handed Lakin her bag.
"Samuel, we have a surprise for you. I know how much you love surprises," Mercy said grinning.
"Yes, Ben was just telling me I have a new roommate/patient," he said and turned all of his attention to Lakin assessing her injuries. "Hi, I'm Samuel," he said and held his hand out to shake her hand.
She took his hand and said, "I'm Lakin. I hear you're the packs doctor?"
"Something like that,' he said.
Mercy interrupted and said, "Samuel Lakin has to stay here because she has panic attacks around werewolves' especially strong wolves high in the pack rank. So we need you to look after her please."
Samuel looked from Ben to Mercy to Lakin for a minute then he said, "Okay." He sighed. "Let me see your injury so I can see what supplies I'll need." Lakin turned around and showed her back again.
"Hmm, a werewolf did this. It looks like you were running when he caught you with his paw. It's a few days old and it's recently been bleeding. It also looks like it's infected. You're going to need stitches. Mercy, why don't you come help me get the supplies I need," he said. The, so you can tell me what happened was understood to be there even by Lakin.
"You've been pretty quiet," Lakin said to Ben after they left.
"Just tired," he said. "As soon as he stitches you up we're leaving."
"I don't know him. Maybe you could stay the night or something," Lakin pleaded.
"Lakin, we barely know each other, but I know that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. You wouldn't be alive otherwise. You'll be safe here. I promise. I had Mercy put your silver knife in your bag. Adam wasn't thrilled about it, but I pointed out that if Callan finds you you'll need something to protect yourself with. Just keep it concealed. The less attention you bring to it the better," Ben said.
"Thanks Ben," she said.
"I think that's the first time you've actually called me by my name," he said with a smirk.
"Don't get used to it Blondie," she said back. They were laughing when Samuel and Mercy returned.
"I'm going to give you a local anesthetic while I sew you up. I'm surprised I had that since most medications don't work on werewolves. Ben would you please wait outside while I do this?" Samuel asked.
"No I promised her I'd stay with her while you stitch her up. I'll be fine. I won't attack her. You have my word," he said.
Samuel thought about it for a minute and let him stay. Ben didn't quite promise Lakin that he'd stay, but she was glad that he was still there. Samuel had her straddle a kitchen chair with Ben sitting in another chair in front of hers holding her hand while Mercy was being Samuels nurse. It took him about an hour to stitch her up.
"Thank you Samuel. I appreciate it," she said.
"No problem Lakin. Just try not to make it a habit," he said and smiled weakly.
"We'll we've got to get back. Lakin we're just across the fence if you need anything. See you tomorrow," Mercy said and went outside.
"Bye Mercy. Thanks again," Lakin said.
"Well, that's my cue to leave. If you need me for anything Lakin here's my cell phone number," Ben handed her a piece of notebook paper with his number written on it. "Don't worry. I promised you that you will be safe here and you will be," Ben said.
"Ben are you coming?" Mercy yelled from the yard.
"See you tomorrow Lakin," Ben said and reluctantly left.
"Well, I've had a rough day and I'm going to take a shower. Help your self to something in the kitchen," Samuel said as he walked down the hall to the bathroom.
Lakin went to the fridge and found the ingredients to make hamburgers and fries. She didn't want to bother Samuel asking if it was okay if she cooked. He did say to help herself. She cooked a small hamburger for herself and two large ones for Samuel. She washed and sliced the potatoes and dropped them into the hot grease. She heard Samuel coming back down the hall.
"That smells good. What are you cooking?" he asked.
"Sorry I hope its okay. I cooked hamburgers and the fries are almost done," Lakin said.
"Yes it's okay. Thank you for cooking," he said. Lakin had already set the table and pointed for Samuel to sit down.
"What would you like to drink? I made some sweet tea'" she said.
"Tea would be good," he said. She brought the fries and tea to the table. They ate in silence for awhile.
"You said you had a rough day. What happened?" Lakin asked curiously.
"I work at the hospital and a kid was brought in today that some drunken idiot accidently ran over. The child didn't make it. The drunkard was only bruised. I did everything I could for the child, but," Samuel shrugged his shoulders and sighed.
"I'm sorry Samuel. I'm sure things like that are hard on you. Hell they'd be hard on anyone. I at least hope that that man is in jail now," Lakin said.
"Yes the police have him now. Where are you from Lakin?" he asked.
"I'm from Briggs Texas. Wyatt Spencer's my dad," she said. Samuel nodded and didn't say anything. He looked so sad. "Samuel, I know that I kind of got dropped into your lap and I'm sorry about that. I promise I won't be in your way or anything. I just don't have anywhere else to go," she said.
"Lakin it's okay. I was just… remembering. I've been around that part of Texas before," he said. "I went to medical school not far from there. Its beautiful farm country out there," Samuel said deep in thought. He quickly excused himself and told Lakin good night.
Lakin didn't know what she had said that upset Samuel so badly. She'd apologize in the morning. She cleaned up the kitchen and went to her room. Lakin didn't want to talk or think about what had happened to her over the last few days. She wanted to go to sleep for like a week, maybe more. No matter how she tried to think about it she just couldn't believe that all of this was real. There is no way in the world that her family was massacred. She just couldn't process it. She'd tried pinching herself enough to know that there was no waking up from this. Her parents and sister were dead. If it was this last thing she did, she was going to help bring their murderer to justice.
A/N: I just wanted to take a minute to thank the people that have reviewed my story and signed up for the alerts. I'm glad that you like it and I'll try not to disappoint. *grins*
