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  We did have five girls in the group that needed mates, so you never know. Mom and Dad had a couple of people who weren’t able to leave when we did, so they had come with them. I think it was just another reason to have more people surrounding me, but I knew it was for my protection, so I didn’t complain.

  The pain in my arm had come back on full force, but I tried not to show it. I didn’t know what kind of pain a normal wolf went through during healing, and I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. As much as I felt I needed this trip, I was starting to regret it. I didn’t like deceiving people like I was having to do. It was easier at home; I could just avoid everyone. Here, I was pretty much the center of attention.

  Something must have given me away, though, because Ryan came and sat by me. He leaned over and whispered in my ear for only me to hear. “Why are you sitting here allowing yourself to be in so much pain?”

  I looked at in question. How did he know? I thought I was hiding it pretty well, and I didn’t think anybody else seemed to notice, but looking behind me where Jerry was sitting, he seemed tense.

  Ryan must have read what I was thinking because he answered the unspoken question. “Your father is countering the affect, but with us being closer to you, we can feel how much you’re holding back.”

  I nodded. “Mom!” I called. She got up and came to me.

  “Dusty told me that if you didn’t call me soon, I should just come.” She said, and I noticed two of the pain pills the pack doctor had prescribed in her hand. She bent down to speak to me only, looking at Ryan to see if I was alright talking in front of him. I nodded so she continued as I swallowed the pills with the bottle of water I had been sipping on. “He said don’t try to be brave. All wolves go through pain; especially with the injuries you have.” She said that looking directly in my eyes so I would understand what they were saying. Normal wolves went through the same amount of pain I was going through. They just healed faster.

  I nodded and hugged her as a thank you and she went back to her seat.

  “Can you tell me what all of this is about?” Ryan asked.

  “Next time we have a moment alone. I promise.” I told him. I knew I could trust him to keep my secret.

  He nodded and went back to his seat beside Jerry and I tried to relax back in my seat to ease some of my tension. Soon I had drifted off to sleep.

  ============================================================

  I woke when I heard car doors opening and slamming shut. I had slept through the landing, loading of the cars, and the trip to the Diamondback Pack house.

  Jerry was at my door getting ready to lift me to carry, but I stopped him.

  “I’m sure I can walk now, thank you Jerry.”

  “Are you sure?” He said, concerned. “The pain medicine they usually dope us up with normally knocks me out for a whole day anytime I would take it.”

  I wondered if he heard what my mother said to me, but I didn’t say anything about that. “I feel awake. I think I need to stretch my muscles.”

  He nodded and helped me climb out of the Escalade we’d ridden in. “Your parents said for you to call them tonight after the welcoming party. Carrie said she gave Becca your pain meds if you need them.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I smiled at him, but I was disappointed that I hadn’t been able to say goodbye to them before they took off.

  “Sleeping Beauty wakes!” Bolton said as everyone came to stand by me next to the cars. “How are you feeling?” He asked. He seemed nervous or upset, but was trying to hide it, so I didn’t say anything. It was probably because of the whole situation and all that had happened.

  “Much better, thank you.” I turned to everyone and said lowly for just our group to hear. “Remember what we discussed for Bolton, please.” I requested.

  We had talked on the plane and decided to just tell as much of the truth that was needed in concern for him. We would say that he was approved to leave the Starlight pack to join ours. He couldn’t pass for ours because each pack had a scent that came from their Alpha, and since he hadn’t been formally accepted by Alpha Parker yet, he wouldn’t have our scent marker. Everyone knew not to mention the he was an ex-rogue. We didn’t want him treated any differently.

  “We already explained.” Billy spoke up. He had Jazzy in one arm and his other was around Becca. I couldn’t help but smile at the family scene they made. I couldn’t help myself, though, and went over to grab my angel. As I did, a deep masculine voice spoke from behind me.

  “It’s nice to see you up and around Ms. Lake.” I turned to see a thirty something wolf, built like a brick building, with a petite brunette beside him. “I am Alpha Harry Jackson, and this is my mate, Bethany. We welcome you to the Diamondback territory.”

  I walked over to him, bowed my head, held out the splinted arm, that wasn’t holding Jazzy, and said, “Thank you Alphas,” I shook both of their hands a little awkwardly. “We are honored to visit your pack. Please call me Crystie, and I would like to introduce you to my daughter by another mother, Jasmine, or as we call her, Jazzy.”

  They laughed at my introduction of Jazzy. Bethany tickled Jazzy getting her to giggle a bit. “She is beautiful. Are you her guardian?”

  “No, ma’am.” I motioned for Billy and Becca to come forward. “These are the ones who steal her from me every night. This is Billy Palmer, my head of guard, and his mate and wife Becca, my best friend.”

  We went through the introductions. The Beta and some other pack members were the ones who had picked us up from the airport.

  “I have had all of your luggage taken to your rooms. I complied with your Alpha and gave you the guest suite of rooms so your guard can be with you at all times. Mr. Palmer, your room is right next to hers.” Billy nodded in acknowledgment. “Alpha Parker explained the situation in Indiana, so you will be welcome to stay in the pack house. He said that they have now limited your time to a one week visit per pack?”

  “Yes sir. With two of the other Omegas still missing, he is quite nervous about me being out here and not under the pack protection, but my father has been able to keep him calm and reasonable.”

  “Well, I completely understand. If we had an Omega, we’d be the same way.” The way he said that, I could feel the jealousy coming from him. “Why don’t you all go freshen up and rest from your travels, and we will have dinner at seven followed by the bon fire.”

  “Thank you, Alpha Jackson.”

  After we had been led to our rooms, Billy, Becca, Bolton, and me, Jerry, and Ryan all congregated in my sitting room.

  “I want three men with you at all times.” Billy said looking at me and then encompassing the other guards. “I’m not an Omega or an empath, and even I could feel his resentment at not having an Omega for his pack.”

  “Yes, I could tell he was jealous, but they seemed so nice and genuine in everything they said, I don’t think they would try anything.” I told him. “My staying with the MoonBeam pack has been approved by the King; I don’t think Alpha Jackson would risk exile and death to keep me here.”

  “You are more than likely right, but I’d rather not take any risks.” He looked over at Bolton. “Would you mind staying in here with Jerry and Ryan to help guard Crystie? Be on detail with them?”

  “It will be my honor.” He answered looking at me. I had a feeling that Bolton was starting to feel more for me than he should.

  “Good, it’s all settled. I’ll relieve you one by one during the day, and you three have night watch.” Billy came to stand in front of me holding out his hands. “Now, if I can get my daughter back, we’ll go freshen up before dinner.”

  I reluctantly let her go and they left. Bolton was going to keep with the pretense of having his own room, so he went to shower and dress while we did the same. I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to have the good time I had in the Starlight territory.

  Chapter 11

  “So, are you looking forward to finding your mate on this trip?” Alpha Jackson asked du
ring dinner. We were all seated at a long wooden table that would probably seat his whole pack, but since we were there, it was my pack members, him and his mate, the Beta and the Gamma.

  I had a moment to think while I was chewing my food, and I decided to answer as honestly as I could. “Well sir, I am only eighteen, so it’s rare for someone this young to be on a trip like this and find their mate the first round. I am more here more for the travel experience than anything. If someone doesn’t find their mate when they are sixteen, and their bodies first produce and recognize the pheromones, then they sometimes have to make two or three, or sometimes more, pack hopping trips before their mate is found. I have heard of some that even go overseas. The thing is to never lose hope.”

  “Yes, you’re right about that. The reason my pack is so small and I am the only one mated is because my pack only has two females. One of course is my mate, and the other is the twin of one of my enforcers. If one of my wolves mates, then he usually moves with the female’s family.”

  “Yes. It’s very difficult for a female to leave the pack of their birth.” I said.

  “I know that you understand that from experience.” He said back. I knew he was trying to go somewhere with his line of questioning, I just didn’t know where. “You said you liked to travel?”

  “Yes, it’s nice to see new places and meet new people. The best part is knowing that my pack family and my parents are always there for me; either right beside me, or just a phone call away as when I get hurt.”

  A look of annoyance crossed his face before he continued to eat. I don’t know what I said wrong, so I looked over to Billy, but he wasn’t any help with a blank look on his face. Becca just smiled to me reassuringly. Bethany kept the dinner conversation going, but the Alpha didn’t speak again. I had no experience dealing with this and didn’t know what to do, but I just tried to keep projecting calm pleasant feelings; no matter how much my thoughts were in turmoil.

  We went straight out to the bon fire and had to do the traditional meet with the single wolves, which was overwhelming considering all of them were single. Jerry, Ryan, and Bolton never left my side, so that made me feel better. Billy and Becca were never too far away. Looking around to my pack members, it didn’t seem as any of them were comfortable. We had a good time, but the whole thing was more segregated than should be for this type of get together. Quite a few males tried to come speak to me, and I did have some nice conversations. I even danced with a couple of them when I couldn’t politely get out of it.

  I was getting exhausted and my arm had started throbbing again. I was sweating, but I felt cold. I approached the Alpha pair to tell them goodnight.

  “Thank you so much for this party tonight.” I said as I bowed my head a moment in respect. I looked back up to Alpha Jackson to see that he had at least relaxed some from the dinner. “I’m sorry to be leaving it, but I think it may be time for some medicine and rest.”

  “Of course, Crystie.” Bethany said. “I do hope you’ll feel better so that maybe we can spend time together tomorrow. I would like to maybe get the females together for a shopping trip or just a girl’s day out. I never get that; being surrounded by a mainly male pack.”

  “I would like that, thank you. It will give me time, and an excuse, to buy souvenirs.” I answered.

  Most of my pack made apologies and excused themselves as being tired from the trip to be able to get out of the tension of the party. None of the girls had found their mates, and they actually seemed fine with that.

  Again, all of the guards, Becca, Bolton, and I met in my room to talk. Ryan brought me my medicine, but I knew it worked quickly, and we had to talk, along with making a couple of phone calls, so I didn’t take it. The first call was to my dad.

  “Where are you, Dad?”

  “I’m at home, Tink. Why?”

  “Can you walk over to Alpha Parker’s and call me back so we can conference? It would be easier instead of having to repeat everything twice.” I said.

  “Alright. Give me twenty minutes.”

  When I’d hung up from him, we talked about what we wanted to happen.

  “It’ll be considered an insult to his pack if we leave early without any good explanation.” I informed them.

  “Yeah, but his actions make me not want to trust him.” Billy said. “The line of his questioning, and his attitude afterward worry me.”

  “Even though Crystie didn’t find her mate in this pack, it still felt like they were keeping an eye on her.” Jerry spoke up. “In all my years of our pack and traveling with Dusty, I have never seen a pack act this way when an Omega is around. They seem on edge or nervous about something, and it’s making me antsy.”

  Ryan looked at him. “And what does that in itself tell you?” He asked shifting his eyes to me and back. I knew what he was saying and I had thought I had hid it better than that.

  It only took everyone a moment before all eyes were on me.

  “So they are making you nervous?” Jerry asked.

  I nodded slowly trying to think of how to explain what vibes I was getting off everyone here. “Alpha wants something real bad. I get that every time I’m around him, and most of the others are the same way.” I thought about how to word it. “It was nothing…sexual or anything like that, but…”

  Right then my phone rang again, so I answered it and hit speaker phone. “Okay Daddy, I have our end on speaker.”

  “Same here, Tinkerbelle. Jeffery, and Trent are both here.”

  “Alphas.” I said in acknowledgement. “Is there some way you can help us leave here soon without offense to the Diamondback pack?”

  “What’s wrong, Crystie?” Trent asked with concern evident in his voice.

  “All of us are getting a really bad feeling coming from them.” I said.

  “Can you explain that a little more?” Alpha Parker asked. “It’ll be difficult, but if the situation requires it, you’ll leave regardless.”

  “Sir, it’s Billy Palmer.” Billy said from where he was across the room. With their hearing, everyone from both locations would be able to pick up everything, except me, but hopefully that wouldn’t be a problem. So far I had heard all three men on the other end of the phone as if they were all surrounding it anyway.

  “Go ahead, Billy. Tell me what’s going on.” Alpha Parker said.

  “It seems like Alpha Jackson is jealous of you having two Omegas in your pack.” He went on to explain everything from the first meeting with the Alpha couple.

  “Just hearing what has been said, I can’t see anything offensive. I need to know what is raising all of your hackles so to speak.” Alpha Parker said. “I can’t see anything right now that I can do; you have to give me more.”

  Jerry spoke up this time. “It’s not the words that are being said, sir. It’s the body language. It’s the way the things are being said.”

  “Crystie, what do you think?” Trent asked. “You said you’re getting a bad feeling. What’s making you feel that way?”

  “It’s like Jerry said, but of course I feel it too; the excitement about something, and in Alpha Jackson’s case, the frustration, anger, and disappointment. At dinner, I really don’t understand what I said to set it off, but those were the feelings coming off of him. Daddy, I tried to do what you taught me, but my nerves leaked through anyway. Jerry said that they were all feeling…‘antsy’ was the word he used, and Ryan confirmed that in a roundabout way. I’m having trouble keeping everyone feeling calm and relaxed. And I really don’t think that the excitement coming off of them is only because of it being me that is visiting. It seems more like…anticipation of something…I don’t know how else to explain it.”

  “That’s understandable, Tink.” Dad said. “You can only do so much; especially if you’re as nervous and agitated as you seem to be.”

  “Dusty, I was telling them that I have never seen a pack respond, the way this one has been, when an Omega is around.” Jerry said. “Alpha Parker, it’s kind of like they are not re
aping any of the benefits of being around an Omega, but then they all seem to want her.”

  We all sat in silence for a minute trying to think of a way out of this.

  “Harry used to be a good Alpha, but something must have happened to twist him,” Alpha Parker spoke up after a moment. “And when an Alpha gets sick or twisted, the pack will sicken along with him. Even so, there is no proof and we cannot leave before the visit is over or it will be an offense and reason for challenge.”

  “Why don’t I go join them?” Trent suggested. “I know we didn’t get permission, but it’s my pack being housed there, so he can’t deny me the hospitality, and if he doesn’t do anything, we’ll stay for the whole week, but if something does happen, then I’ll be there to challenge him.”

  I couldn’t bear the thought of that. “I’m trying to avoid any fighting, Trent. I don’t want you or anyone from our pack getting hurt.” I had almost said too much. It would kill me if something happened to Trent. He was the best fighter besides the Alpha, but had rarely had to use his skills, and if Alpha Jackson was going feral, then there was no telling what he was capable of.

  “I agree with Trent, Crystie.” Alpha Parker said. “It will also be a bonus that Trent can bring some Enforcers as Alpha guards and help even the odds on our group out there. I’ll call him in the morning after Trent and Nikki leave and tell him that they wanted to join the party and travel before the wedding. Nikki is an excellent fighter too, having been trained by me and her father, so it’ll be even better.”

  They talked out some details for a few more minutes before Trent spoke back up.

  “So Crystie, we’ll be out there by tomorrow afternoon, okay?”

  “Thank you, Trent.”

  Great! Now the two people I was trying to get away from for a while were coming to join the party. I almost felt like crying in relief for the help and screaming my frustration at the same time.