Fighting Spirit

“How? I…” Heat rushed to my cheeks.
The last time I saw her she bought me food and gave me a bus ticket to start a new life. Then Dean found me and I decided to take a chance on him. I never thought about Jordan again. The Dare pack invaded Gabe’s pack and I didn’t ask about her. If she made it out safe or if she was even alive.
I wanted the ground to swallow me.
“It’s good to see you too. I’m so glad you’re okay. I should have searched—”
“None of that. The pack was attacked and from what I hear it’s been pretty eventful for you,” she said as she folded her arms over her chest.
I nodded. “You could say that.”
We walked away from the buildings and beta offices.
“The Alpha King’s mate. Who would have thought the little thing we found on the side of the road would end up the next queen?”
I battled to smile. I didn’t think of myself as The Queen Luna. The title felt heavy most times. I dreamt of getting my hands duty not putting them in gloves. I didn’t want to dress up in fancy dresses. I wanted leather and to run in the forests with my fellow betas. I shook the heaviness of the topic.
“Have you been here the entire time? Where are you staying?”
“Yeah, I made it out with most of my friends and colleagues. Now we’re going back to rebuild.”
I stopped and so did Jordan. She wore a plain white shirt like the ones she always had on when I met her. She wore black sneakers and comfortable black pants to complete her look.
“Rebuild? Is it safe to go back? The Dare pack’s still on the loose.”
Jordan nodded and continued to walk. “I know but Alpha Gabe wants his pack back. It’s been months since the attack.”
“Gabe can’t be serious.”
“Oh he’s very serious, kid. I’m helping him get the pack members ready.”
“I think they’ll all be safer here at least until the Dare pack’s been dealt a vital blow.”
Jordan smiled. “I see you’re taking your new roles seriously.”
“I don’t have a role. I’m just Dean’s girlfriend.”
She chuckled, “I can see you’ll be a great leader. Sounds like you’ll do anything to protect those you love.”
“I have to. I don’t have that many left. Gabe may be a pain in the ass but he’s Dean’s brother and I’m kind of used to him.”
Jordan placed her hand on my shoulder. “Alpha Gabe knows what he’s doing. I’m sure the Alpha King won’t let his younger brother leave until he knows his pack his secure.”
I nodded, “You have a point.”
Lyle walked up to us with a mischievous smirk and his arms behind his back.
“Little Wolf, I have something for you to do.”
“Why do I get the feeling I won’t like it?”
Lyle smirked wider, “It’s wonderful have I ever stirred you wrong?”
“No, not yet.”
Lyle laughed, “Listen, the she-wolves are getting ready to have their pups and it’s a Luna’s duty to speak to them and assure them about a bunch of stuff.”
“What? You signed me up for that?” I blasted.
He held his hands out. “Why not? You’re Dean’s girlfriend. You’re bound to be Luna. We all know it.”
“Lyle, I’ve never had kids! I’ve never been pregnant. What am I going to tell them?”
I bet he didn’t consider that. At least my mother had the experience of having one child so she was able to give these talks. I was clueless. I always ran off when it was time to help deliver the pups. I swallowed. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that.
Jordan’s hand landed on my shoulder, “Don’t worry. I’ll come with you.”
“You have children?” I asked.
“No, but I am a social worker. I’ve dealt with numerous young expecting ladies. I know a thing or two. You just have to make sure their needs are met.”
“Exactly!” Lyle clapped his hands. “You got this Little Wolf. See you around.”
I was so getting him back for this.
The expecting ladies were brought to the castle grounds for the talks. I was nervous going in. I could think of the right things to say but I had no clue what it was like to be pregnant. A huge white tent had been set up behind the castle especially for the women. Judging by the buzz of chatter and laughter they were excited about this. Servers strolled through the tent entrance holding Champaign glasses of fruit juice and trays of food. I stopped before entering and exhaled deeply.
“What’s wrong?”
“Look at me. I’m in a sports bar and leggings! I can’t go in like this.”
Jordan twisted her face but nodded. “You’re right but you better be fast. Those ladies are expecting you.”
“Right, just stall for me.”
I felt so stupid. I would have looked like a fool in front of all those ladies. I watched Jordan walk into the tent before darting through the hedges. It was a short cut to the castle. In my heist I bumped into a solid chest.
“Lyle?” I shook my head.
A low cackle that sent shivers up my spine responded.
“Fortunately not.”
“Killian,” I looked away. “Excuse me.”
Killian grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the hedge. Branches dug into my back and I winced. Killian stepped in front of me. His large frame keeping me from running.
“You’re a sly little bitch aren’t you? They should call you Little Bitch instead.”
“Fuck you,” I spat.
Killian chuckled. “You’re a traitor but you managed to slither your way back into Dean’s bed. Damn the sex must be good.”
“I’m innocent. Unlike you—”
“What the hell does that mean?” He barked.
“I’m not sure about you Killian. Your behaviour around me has always been off and I heard what you said. You don’t care that I’m Dean’s mate. You have a bone to pick with me but what?”
“I don’t give a fuck about you. My loyalty lies with Dean. I won’t let him hand over the pack to little piece of tight pussy.”
My blood boiled over in an instant. I raised my knee to bash his side but he grabbed my knee with his palm and slammed it down. He grabbed my throat and slammed me against the hedge. My wolf lifted her head for the first time since I left Eight’s pack.
“Oh… Layla—” he hissed before running his nose up my neck.
I shuddered and Killian laughed. “Your tight ass it wasted. I can see why Dean’s hooked on you.”
“Get away from me.”
“I’ll make you pay for everything you’ve done.” He nibbled on my ear. I battled not to gag.
“I haven’t done anything! You have the wrong person.”
“I’m no fool Layla. I know what I’m saying.”
He tightened his hold on my neck. “Stop!”
Killian chuckled. He brought his lips to my throat. My wolf rejected his touch with all her being. She leapt to the edge of my skin. I grabbed Killian’s wrist and twisted. He cried out and I punched his gut to muffle his cry.
“There it is!” He laughed cynically.
I twisted his arm around his back and kicked the back of his knee. He dropped to the pavement. I yanked his hair back and leaned close.
“I don’t know what’s up with you but this is the last time you’re ever going to lay a hand on me, got it?”
His laughter was void of amusement but full of malice. I battled to keep my wolf from exploding onto the surface.
“There is that fighting spirit again. Fucking sexy.”
His words rang out like a familiar song. I pushed him forward and stumbled back. His tone replayed over and over but I couldn’t grab a memory of where I heard it play. I shook my head. There were still gaps in my memory I was sure that tone and those words had been said somewhere before.
“Stay away from me, got it?”
“We’ll see about that, Little Bitch.”
I turned and ran with Killian’s laugher following behind me.
***
The sun had gone and so where all the ladies by the time I made it back to my room. I kicked the door shut. I craved to curl up in my bed. I had more fun than I thought with over fifty expecting ladies.
“Didn’t we agree you’d be back early?” Dean barked.
I straightened and stared at him. Dean lay against the headboard shirtless with a white sheet covering his delicate area. He glared at me.
“I forgot! I got carried away. The pregnant she-wolves were here. We had so much fun.”
Dean nodded, “So much fun you forgot about the deal you mate with your, Mate?”
I walked to the bed, kicked off my shoes and climbed on top of him. That helped smoothen his scowl.
“It made me realize how much I didn’t know about pregnancy. Dean, those women have a lot of needs. Most of them are rogues and they don’t know what the future holds.”
Dean smiled as he rubbed my thigh, “I’m sure you’re the best person to help them. I’ll get you everything you need.”
“I’ve got a few ideas that might help them if you don’t mind…”
His hand moved up my thigh and travelled under my white dress. He caressed my middle before gripping my waist.
“Of course I don’t. I love to see you get involved.”
Dean pressed his palm into my skin and shut his eyes. My wolf leaned into his touch. It was like being on the verge of lying. A pleasure so sweet I relished it.
“Your wolf,” Dean whispered. “She’s here.”
“Yeah, I felt her today.” I looked away.
Killian’s behaviour today was horrible but if I told Dean. Memories of elder corpses flashed in my mind. The same could happen to Killian, but what if he tried it again which I knew he would? He hated me for reasons only known to him which made me want to discover them.
“Layla,” Dean said.
“Yeah?”
He pressed his palm against my belly. “There’s something in here.”