Chapter 15 – Dirty Rat

Reign

We drove for about forty-five minutes when we finally arrived at our destination. “Remember, you are a Shadow and Shadow’s do not speak, got it?” I instructed him, he grunted and shrugged at me. “I take that as a yes.” “Hey, there she is, long time no see!” “Hey Bucky! How’s it goin’?” I asked giving him a hug. I heard a low growl, I turned and glared at Shadow. “SHUT UP!” I snapped at him. Bucky seemed to ignore the growl or maybe he didn’t hear it. “Goin’ great, keepin’ busy.” He replied. “What’s up with you? You look stressed and you haven’t been ‘round for a while.” “Yeah, I know, sorry things have gone more than a little haywire.” I told him scratching my head. “Some psycho has decided to make me the object of his obsession.” I grunted.

“Has he…” Bucky trailed off. I knew what he was going to ask. “No, but he’s broken into my house, sent threatening letters, stuff like that. He set my house on fire and killed KC. I lost everything.” I whispered. “Awe, squirt, I’m so sorry that happened. I know you loved KC a lot, she was your baby.” He said hugging me. Shadow lowly grumbled again, I shot him another glare. “Thanks Bucky.” I said pushing away from him. “So, you ready to go?” He asked. I grinned. “Hell yeah! I need to work off some steam. Let’s get this party started.” He said as we walked to the back room.

Shadow followed and was on alert, I could see him looking around and lifting his nose to sniff the air. These damn wolves. “Bucky has been training me for the last several years, there’s no trouble here.” I whispered. “Never hurts to make sure.” He said touching my shoulder, nope no tingles. Damn! I thought to myself. “What do you train in?” He asked. “Kickboxing with a little martial art thrown in.” I giggled as his eyes went wide. “It’s my stress reliever plus it’s come in handy a few times but at this point I feel stupid because I couldn’t protect myself against Luther.” “Hey, you are alive and that’s because you did fight back. You need to believe in yourself a little more than what you do. I know it’s hard for you to believe right now but give it sometime and you will realize just how awesome and strong you are.” Shadow encouraged me.

“C’mon squirt, get warmed up.” Bucky stated. I slipped off my leggings and shirt, I could see from the corner of my eye Shadow averting his eyes. I giggled to myself. After about an hour of warm up, it was time to get to work. “Well, well, well, she finally decides to grace us with her presence.” “Adam don’t be a dick.” Bucky said slapping the back of his head. “She has a stalker.” Bucky snarled. Adam looked to me and sighed. “Damn squirt.” He said pulling me into a warm hug. Again, Shadow let out a low growl. This time I just ignored him. “Why didn’t you call us?”

“Not my call, Mac brought in a new private security firm; I didn’t have a choice in the matter.” I sighed. “Shit, who’s the firm?” Adam asked. “Shadow, what’s the name your firm?” I called out. “Hunt Security and Technology.” He replied. “Dude, where did you come from?” Adam asked holding his hand across his heart and getting his breath back. “That’s why I’m called Shadow.” He snickered. “Enough with the chit chat, let’s get moving.” Bucky interrupted. Bucky and Adam put me through the paces, it felt good to spar again. Luther usually sparred with me when we were on the road. It helped me burn off the stress and frustration, which was what I needed, it also helped me stay in shape. Being as short as I am I have to make sure to watch my weight. Shadow watched the whole time; I could see he was smiling and at times his eyes would go wide, and he would let out a cheer and fist pump. “Okay, let’s call it a night. I am beyond tired.” Bucky exhaled. “I’m not as young as I used to be.” He groaned. “Pussy.” Adam shot a glare at Bucky and Bucky flipped him off.

I walked over and sat next to Shadow, he held out his fist and I bumped it. “Daaammmmnnnnn girl!! You can kick some ass.” He said nudging me. “Remind me to never piss you off.” He chuckled. I drank some water. “Yeah right. I seriously doubt I could take any of you fuzzballs down.” He playfully growled at me and let out a bellowing laugh. “So, squirt, who’s gunna keep up with your training?” Bucky asked. I shrugged my shoulders. “I hadn’t thought about that.” He looked over at Shadow. “Do you train?” Shadow nodded. “You think you can keep her goin'?” He asked jutting out his chin. Shadow looked at me. “I think we can arrange that.” He grinned. “Great! Here’s my number, if she gives you any shit and she will give you shit just call me.” Adam told him glaring at me. “Whatever Adam. You don’t scare me; I can kick your ass!” I glared back at him. “Will you two shut the hell up.” Bucky said pushing both our faces away from each other. “Squirt, go home, get some sleep, and eat something.” He said wrapping me in a big bear hug which Adam joined in. “Call us if you need anything at all, we’re here for you whenever you need us.” Bucky told me, holding me tight.

“Ry, we should get going.” Shadow said breaking the silence. “Yeah, yeah.” I said walking away from my longtime friends and trainers. I wasn’t sure when I would see them again, if at all. My whole life is getting ready to change. My soulmate is a werewolf and not just any werewolf but an Alpha, the head wolf, a possessive pain in the ass. How did I get so lucky? As Shadow and I walked to my car. “Do you remember how to get back to the house?” I asked. “I think so, I can set up GPS. Why?” I handed him my keys. “You want me to drive?” He smiled wide. “Hell yeah, I wanna drive your beauty.” He rubbed his hands together. “The car, I mean.” He winked. I chuckled and shook my head at him. “Yeah, you drive, I’m tired and that session was a lot more intense than I’m used to.” He helped me into the passenger seat and then got into the driver seat. I could see the excitement on his face. “You better not wreck’er or I will beat you til your fuzzball cries uncle.” I threatened. Shadow glared at me and let out a deep growl that turned into laughter. He loved speed just as much as I do. We made back to the house within thirty minutes. I ended up falling asleep on the drive home.

Damien

Ayres was whining for me to go after Reign when she stormed out of the house. She’s been gone for over four hours. I know she’s safe with Shadow, he is one of my most trusted men or fuzzballs, as my little mate likes to call them. Shadow texted me about every thirty minutes. This is not how I wanted to spend my first night with my little mate. I’d been waiting for her since I was sixteen, that’s when most wolves find their mates, if we’re lucky. The twins are nineteen and they found their mates before me. I’m two years older than they are, this is driving me crazy! I need my mate, even if she’s angry with me and still needs time to figure out if she wants to accept me or not. I didn’t know if I could handle her not wanting to be with me. If she doesn’t want to be with me, then I will be her protector until this stalker is found and then I will put Shadow in charge of her team. Dear Goddess, please, I don’t want to lose her, I can’t lose her. Ayres is already pissed at me. He had been bugging me for the first six months after we found her, for me to go and get her, claim her, and make her ours. I fought him and eventually he only spoke to me or surfaced when needed.

My phone went off, Shadow texted that they are on the way back and that she fell asleep in the car. He sent pictures and videos of what she ran off to do. My little mate is a bad ass, I’ll wait until she decides to tell me, I hope she does, I would love to be a part of her training. Oh, the things I could teach her. Just the thought of her sends me to another place where it’s just the two of us. Maybe when all this is over and she’s mine, I can take her for a long vacation so we can just be ourselves and get to know each other. “Damien.” Jyden said snapping his fingers. “Ry and Shadow are back.” He smirked at me. Reign, my love, my life. I made my way outside to wait for them to pull in. There she is sound asleep, I picked her up bridal style and she curled into my arms and nestled tighter against me, and her scent hit me like a ton of bricks, she’d been gone way to long, having her in my arms brought waves of calm through my body. Ayres was purring at having our mate in our arms, this was the calmest he’s been in three years. As I walked back to the house, she nestled tighter against my chest. Ayres was prancing around in my head; he was beyond happy that she’s this close to us.

“Moses, make sure the house is on lockdown and make sure to set a patrol.” I instructed. Moses turned and went to make double sure that the house and property are secure for the night and that there are at least two men on patrol. “Shadow, thank you for protecting my mate.” Shadow smiled. “It was my honor boss. She’s a handful and a little bad ass, she will keep you on your toes.” He laughed. “I’m sure she will.” I told him as I placed a light kiss on her forehead. “Ryott, Jaz, will you help get her changed?” They nodded and followed me to her room. When I got her to her room, the girls got her changed and she was now sleeping, the only thing I could hear was her rustling under the covers and her light breathing. She was so peaceful and beyond beautiful and she’s mine, my precious mate. Before I left her bedroom, I traced my finger along her jawline, trying to put every inch of her face to memory. I leaned down and kissed her cheek. I felt her shiver and at that same time, the same shiver ran down through body.

“Claim little mate, NOW!” Ayres demanded. “Ayres, NO! We can’t claim her right now.” I growled at him walking to her living area. “I don’t even know if she will accept me, besides, you know she could die if I claim her without her consent.” “Us!! Not just you, US!!!” He snarled back. “Yes, of course US, okay, US.” I said rolling my eyes at him. “Did you even hear what I just said?” I asked him in frustration. “She little mate, of course she wants us!” He said pacing back and forth growling loudly in my head. “Ayres, STOP! You’re giving me a headache, I can’t think.” I snarled at him. “GOOD!” He shot back and retreated into the darkness of my mind. My head finally stopped hurting and I was finally able to get some work done. A couple of hours have passed since Reign got back, she slept like an angel. As I was about to doze off when I felt a wave of sadness, fear and confusion hit me. I got up and walked over to her, she was sitting up with her knees to her chest.

“Little one, are you okay?” I asked her. She gave me a faint smile and hugged herself tightly. “I guess yesterday really happened. I mean everything.” She asked quietly looking at me, biting her lower lip. “You, Koltyn, the twins are really werewolves? My house and my KC? As well as your fuzzball security squad and Shadow.” She was trying not to cry; she was holding back her tears. I chuckle at the way she asked her question about the team, still referring to them as fuzzballs. Shadow hates it. “Yes, it is all true.” I nodded. “And the part about me being your mate?” She softly asked, “is also true?” I walked over to her and sat down in front of her and took her hands in mine. “Yes, you are my fated mate chosen for me by the Moon Goddess herself as I was chosen for you as your fated mate. I know this is a lot to accept and understand.” I could see her reaction to my touch. I rubbed my thumb across her bruised knuckles. I cocked a brow at her. “What happened? Did you beat up someone?” I asked her with a grin. She scowled, “Dammitt Shadow! That dirty fuzzball.” She snorted. “He wasn’t supposed to tell you. He’s a shadow and shadows don’t talk. That dirty rat!” She ranted. I chuckled at her. “He sent me pictures and videos of you being a little bad ass, but I have to admit that I don’t like that there were three unmated males looking at you the way you were dressed. It’s just…” She shushed me. “All is good, both Adam and Bucky are married and totally in love with their wives. They’ve been married for over fifteen years for Adam and over twenty-five for Bucky. When I first started training, their wives were the ones that handled my training and sparring then their kids started getting older and needed more attention, so the guys took over. You have nothing to worry about, they are like father and brother figures to me. I could never ever see them in any other manner.” She told me scrunching her nose as I felt a surge of relaxation flow through me. “And well, Shadow, he knows better. Not only would he have to deal with you, but he would have already been beaten to pulp by me.” She said with a wide smile. “Still may do that for him being a dirty rat bastard snitch.” She grunted. “That’s good to know but still please try not to dress like that in front of other males.” I asked. “Ayres may end up ripping someone to shreds.” I snickered. “Well, he’s going to have to get over it.” She smirked. “I don’t know about you, but I'm hungry.” She said getting up.

I pulled her back toward me, “please put some cloths or a robe on. If not for me then for Ayres so, he doesn’t lose his shit.” I pleaded with her. “Fine.” She changed into a pair of leggings and a long t-shirt. “Is this better?” She twirled around for me. “Yes, much better. Thank you.” I told her placing a light kiss on her forehead and followed her out of her room and down to the main floor.