Rook (Black Mountain Pack Book 2) Page 6

  I roared in response. “It’s time we return, DJ. Tell him he may partake when we leave.”

  “You can tell him as well. Your Pride bond spreads to all the guards.”

  “I know, but we must keep the ranks in order. You report to me, he reports to you. He has sworn his fealty but he still needs to get instructions and orders from you. There may come a time when both Casey and I will be away, I must have confidence the Pride will respect the authority of those I leave in charge.” I turned and walked away heading back toward the village. I knew DJ would catch up and that the other guards around were alert. I let my tiger take control and race back to our clothes. His joy filled me as we ran , tiger and man as one. I was lacing my boots when DJ emerged in just his fatigue bottoms wiping the sweat from his chest with his t-shirt.

  “Thanks for the run. I need to check in with Jonas. Will I see you at supper?” Having spent the last hour with DJ I felt better about his leadership and the men he chose to guard the Pride.

  “Yes, I am going to go check the other guards and then help with the repair crew. If we work had through the day we should have all the roof repairs that need to be done before the Alpha arrives.”

  “Good. Casey and her mate should be here for supper as well along with those traveling with her. The next few days are going to be rough so the guards need to be on high alert. Make sure to do a run through the camps outside the border as well. I want any security threat dealt with before she arrives.” I waited for his agreement before heading off to find Jonas.

  “Affirmative.”

  Jonas was in the kitchen with Tamara. I almost didn’t recognize the place. All the wires that had been exposed were now out of sight, the ceiling was repaired, and everything was in order. Tamara was instructing men on where to place the supplies that had arrived and Jonas was working a few feet away. In the last twenty-four hours I had seen Tamara only once without Jonas as a shadow. My instincts told me it wouldn’t be long before he claimed her as mate. She seemed to be oblivious to his attentions so far. I smiled to myself. That would be interesting to watch. Jonas finally noticed me standing in the doorway. “Hey.” He came over wiping his hands on a rag. “How did it go with DJ?”

  “Good. You made a wise decision putting him in charge.” We watched Tamara work. “Does she know yet?” I asked.

  “No, but she will. She hasn’t stopped long enough to listen to her cat. I don’t want to scare her away, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold off. My panther screams to claim her every time we are near. I have to busy myself with odd jobs to keep my hands from grabbing her and throwing her over my shoulder.” He laughed.

  “I am sure Casey will help that along when she gets here. The mating need is thick in this kitchen, and this Pride needs solid mated pairs to move it forward. Tomas prevented that for years. This Pride is broken because of that.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “I’d love to see you two be the first to mate under the new rule.”

  “Thanks, man. I had started to believe I’d never find my mate.”

  I answered the sat phone on the second ring, having to dig it out of the leg pocket of my fatigues. “Rook here.”

  Mack was on the other end. “Hey buddy. Just a heads up, we are on our way from Rio. Casey is eager to get there so we will see you in a couple of hours at most. Da and Jaxson are with us, and Marla is behind us with the supplies in the box van traveling at about twenty-five miles an hour. She’s pissed she drew the short straw so be read.”

  “Copy that. I think she’ll calm down once she gets here. I located another lynx in the Pride. The only male lynx so far, maybe we can hook them up and she can relieve some stress.” I smiled at Mack’s bark of a laugh. “See you soon.” I disconnected and turned to Jonas. “We have two hours.”

  I RETURNED TO PREPARE THE house for their arrival. I had entrusted the cub care and removal of all things Tomas from the house to Jasmine. I hoped I hadn’t placed too much responsibility on her shoulders too soon. She had assured me she was fine and didn’t have near the damage the other women from the harem had, but I had my doubts. What I found waiting for me when I walked through the door floored me. I was not prepared to see the cubs and the women working together and laughing. My heart swelled at the joy I saw and a grin broke out on my face.

  A few of the women noticed me standing in the hall and ran, trying to hide in the darkest corner of the room. I scanned the room for Jasmine. We found each other at the same instant and realization crossed her face. She held up one finger, indicating for me to give her a minute. I nodded back, letting her know I understood. I watched her hurry across the room to the huddle of women, a few of the cubs following her. She crouched down and addressed them. I didn’t want to invade their privacy, but as acting Alpha I had no choice so I did just that,listening to Jasmine comfort the women and the cubs patting hands.

  “It’s ok, it’s just Rook. He won’t hurt you. Remember, we talked about this last night. He wants to help you. He wants you to do and be who you want. Come, help the cubs and I. We have to have the house ready for the new Alpha, remember? The new FEMALE Alpha.” She stressed. “Come, you and the cubs can work on the sunroom in the back.” She stood and led them out a door at the back of the room that led into the sunroom running along the rear of the house. I knew it would be one of Casey’s favorite rooms, and a good choice to have ready for her. I watched Jasmine close the door and approach me her eyes downcast again. There were still a few cubs and three women left cleaning the room we were in.

  “I’m sorry about that. They are really skittish around men right now. Getting them working, especially with the cubs around, has helped today. But they are going to need a lot of help, and a lot of time away from the males in the Pride.” She still wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “I understand, but we can’t sequester them from all men. Jerome will want to meet with them and they will need to speak with me as well on a regular basis. I can keep the rest of the Pride males away until a therapist deems them ready to rejoin the Pride.” Jasmine nodded. “You have done an amazing job in here. I almost didn’t recognize the place when I walked in.”

  Jasmine looked up and smiled with Pride. “Thank you, we have worked really hard. You aren’t the only one who wants to rid this place of any reminder of Tomas.” She moved to a couch motioning me to join her. There was a cardboard box sitting on the coffee table in front of us. “I did save a few things I found along the way. I didn’t know if you would want to keep them, but I didn’t want to just throw them away. These are things, pictures and albums and such that have Cecilia, and an infant who I think is Casey.” She pulled out a couple of photos from the box. “I think these are with you. You haven’t changed a bit.” She smiled as she looked at the pictures.

  I took the photos from her and studied them. She was right. “I remember when these were taken. It was one of the few times Cecilia was allowed to take Casey out into the jungle for a picnic. I was always required to go, always on guard. This time Casey wanted to stand guard with me so I placed my beret on her head and proclaimed her guard for the day.” I stared down at the picture. Cecilia had taken it. I stood at attention, my eyes were on Casey though. She was smiling straight at the camera and her mother. The beret obviously too big and listing to the side, covering one of her eyes. “I think she’ll love this. Thank you for saving it.” I placed the pictures back in the box. I angled toward her on the couch. “So give me a rundown on where you are on the house.”

  She fidgeted before responding. “The guest rooms have been cleaned and prepared for arrival. I don’t want to put Casey in the old master suite until we can completely redecorate it. I couldn’t ask the women to go back in there quite yet. I think we need to just close it up for now.” I nodded, encouraging her to continue. “You can see the difference in here. We took down all the draperies, got rid of all the inappropriate paintings, and we dug into everything that had been put in storage in the attic. I let the kids help with that, choosing what they wanted to s
ee and use.” She motioned around us.

  I had noticed the change. It was much brighter and there were a variety of blankets and quilts covering the chairs and couch bringing a warmer feel to the room. In a corner an old wooden crate had been brought in and filled with toys, games, and anything the cubs would want to play with. There area rugs had been changed out, too. I liked the changes and told her so. “It looks great and feels much more inviting. Where else have you worked?”

  “The only other room we really worked on is the sun room. Tomas didn’t use it much so it doesn’t have his overpowering male ego stamped on it. We brought in the wicker furniture from outside, cleaned all the cushions, and moved a few of the low tables and lamps out there. The windows have been cleaned and sparkle now.” Jasmine took a breath and I could see the sweat on her forehead and slight tremor in her hand. “The den is going to be the hardest, none of the women or cubs want to go in there.”

  “That’s ok. I am sure Mack and Jerome can handle clearing it out. We will let Casey decide what she wants to do with that room.” I could see a question in her eyes. “You can ask me anything, what are you holding back?”

  “It’s about the third floor.” She lowered her gaze.

  “Go ahead,” I gently encouraged her.

  “I want to move all the cubs to that room, along with the women I brought back to help care for them. I want to take the coverings off the windows, paint the floors, and bring in bunk beds for them all. Give them their own space with light and happiness.” She held her breath.

  “I don’t see a problem with that,” I replied.

  She looked up. “I didn’t know if the new Alpha would want to have them in the same home as her. Tomas kept them in the basement because he didn’t want to see them, but he didn’t want them too far from him.” She shivered.

  “Make a list of things you’ll need to make it happen. Furniture, bedding, rugs, whatever it is. I’ll get it ordered and delivered as soon as possible.” I agreed with her. Those cubs needed happiness and love in their lives, and keeping them together and safe was a priority.

  Jonas cleared his throat from the doorway.

  “Give me another moment, Jonas, I’ll meet you in the den when I am finished here,” I acknowledged him, my eyes never leaving Jasmine.

  “You got it, boss.” Jonas left.

  “There’s more you haven’t said, Jasmine. Spill it.” I took her hand in mine. We both gasped at the electricity sizzling between us. Her eyes shot to mine.

  “The other women. They need help, lots of it. More than I can give. I don’t want to send them back to their room, but we don’t have anywhere else for them right now, and there aren’t enough guest rooms ready to give them one of those.” Her eyes pleaded with me, but she was still trying to hide something. I searched her eyes trying to get past her walls. It hit me. The women weren’t the only ones who needed help. Even though she came to me when I asked for help, she had still been a part of the harem, no matter how short of a time, it still had to have affected her too.

  “Go choose a room now. One big enough for all of you. Isn’t there one near the stairs to the third floor?” She nodded yes. “Good, take that one. Send a list of what you need to get it ready and I’ll find it among the shifters here and we will have it ready by night fall. If the women don’t want to meet Casey right away let them help with the cubs’ room until she is settled. BUT, let them know she will want to talk to them soon.” Jasmine leaned toward me in her excitement. I smiled, not wanting to scare her. It took all I had in that moment to hold myself and my tiger back. We both just wanted to hold and comfort her.

  “Thank you!” She smiled shyly.

  I stood and went to join Jonas in the den. I really didn’t like this room, but it was the only one available and one I knew would be private. I shut the sliding door behind me and looked around. The picture windows were covered with thick brown draperies blocking any sunlight from entering. The floor was covered in brown and black shag area rugs. The furniture was sparse. A boxy couch that looked like it was as hard as concrete, two wingback chairs that had seen better days across from it. The only comfortable looking piece of furniture was a large overstuffed leather club chair. I knew without asking that was the seat Tomas took every time he was in this room.

  The furniture flanked a fireplace that I could tell hadn’t seen a fire in years. The room was cold in feeling and in temperature. Along the back wall was a large ornate desk with built in bookshelves on both side of it and a glass display case right behind it. I walked over to look at what was encased there. This was the first time I had stopped to look at this room. Framed pictures of Tomas with different dignitaries, high ranking officials and a few famous actors or actresses. Along with a letter or two, I didn’t read them to find out who they were from. “We need to get rid of all this. Everything in this room needs to be removed and burned.” I turned to Jonas. “That’s my feeling though. I’ll leave the final decision to Casey.” I looked around for a comfortable place to sit, settling on the window seat at the front picture windows. I drew the drapes open and sat. “What have you got for me now?” I waited for Jonas to fill me in.

  “The Pride accountant has been calling. He wants to speak to the new Alpha, I tried to direct him to you, but he won’t speak to anyone but Casey.”

  “That’s no problem, she’ll be here soon and Pride finances are one of many things on her list she wants to go over,” I replied.

  “He also wants her to go to Rio to meet with him,” Jonas added.

  “That’s a no, he will have to come here. We can’t ensure Casey’s safety in a city the size of Rio.” My voice left no room for argument.

  “Agreed. I told him as much, but we may have to send someone to encourage him to join us when he’s invited.” He leaned back against the windowsill. “The kitchen is done and ready for any size gathering. Tamara has really taken to being in charge there.” Jonas smiled wistfully.

  “She’s the one, isn’t she,” I asked.

  “What…I don’t know…what are you talking about.” Jonas sputtered.

  “Oh give it up, dude, it’s written all over your face. Your cat prowls under the surface any time you are around her. You hang on her every word, and the sexual pheromones reek when you two are together.” I laughed. “I think it’s good, for both of you and for the Pride.”

  “I don’t think Tamara’s ready yet, plus we have to get the approval of the Alpha before the ritual can be done.”

  “Don’t worry about Casey, once she sees you two together she’ll willingly give her blessing. I think you need to tell Tamara though. If you don’t your cat will and he won’t be gentle with her. He’ll simply overpower, take, and ask for forgiveness after.”

  “No shit. He’s been telling me that since he wrapped around her feet at the meeting the first night.”

  I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, go find her when we are done. Take her aside and tell her, give her a chance to accept or deny you before Casey arrives.”

  “Rook, I’m scared to. What do I do if she refuses me? I don’t think I could handle it.” Jonas’ face fell at the question.

  “Then you give her some time, win her over, and give her a chance to let her cat change her mind. When you take her aside, go for a run first. Let your cats play, then tell her,” I advised. “How is everything else? Any fighting or dissonance I need to know about or take care of before Mack and Casey arrive?”

  “No, amazingly, everything seems to be running well. The Pride is happy to be working to repair and clean up the shit hole they have been living in. Even the rogue camps outside the territory are calm. I doubled the guards on them though just to be safe. That could all change when they realize not only is the new South American Pride Alpha here but she is accompanied by the Black Mountain Pack Alpha.”

  “Smart, make sure to rotate them so they stay alert. If there are any attempts to breach the territory I want them to attempt capture first, but use deadly force if necessary to protect th
e Pride.”

  Jonas stood. “I’ll let them know.”

  I joined him, grasping his forearm in a firm grip. “Now go whisk Tamara away for a run, brother.” I heard Mack through the pack bond send an update on their arrival. “You have an hour before they arrive.”

  Jonas pulled me in for a quick hug and clasped my shoulder. “It’s good to have you back, brother. I’ll see you in an hour.” He left through the front door and I watched out the window. He shifted and took off in a spring, tail twitching in anticipation. Tamara was in for an eventful hour. I smiled to myself and went in search of Jasmine to see if she had her list ready for me.

  I WENT TO CHECK ON the progress of the sun room happy to see the women working together on something positive rather than cringing in a corner fearful of when they would be called next. My heart twisted when I thought about how I had lied to Rook. I couldn’t tell anyone about my time in the Harem or before. The previous Alpha had taken me as a favorite from the day I hit puberty, even before I was placed with these women. I felt it was my duty to protect them as much as possible, I made it a point to stand out so I would turn his eye and gain his favor. I was able to take the torture and punishment and box it away, I became numb to everything. They knew it as well and we developed a bond quickly. I would do anything for these women and if taking the pain of his attention saved them a few days of fear I did it. My shirt rubbed against the still healing scars along my back as I moved reminding me of where we had been.

  The cubs came running up to me. “Miss Jasmine, look!” They pointed to a couple of vases full of wilted flowers and weeds. “Do you think the new Alpha will like them?” They asked with hope in their eyes, their innocence showing through. I stroked their hair. These innocent children held my heart, I never wanted them to go through the hell I did.