Inequities Read online

In a matter of seconds Vivian found cleaning supplies and started scrubbing. Not that the kitchen really needed it but it made her feel better. Of course, the refrigerator was a mess.

  Mumbling to herself, she didn’t hear anyone approaching until he spoke. Her mate. She’d know that scent anywhere. Sunshine and grass with a dance of something purely Russ.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  Vivian dropped the bowl of spaghetti in her hands and whirled around to face Russ. She clutched at her throat, her pulse racing and used the counter behind her to rest her back against so her legs didn’t crumble and end up on the floor with the food. He was so hot in his jeans and T-shirt. She couldn’t let that distract her. He didn’t want her.

  “I—sorry, let me just—” God she wanted to go to him. To wrap her body around his and claim him. The urge was so strong she had to clutch the counter. She eased her body down to the floor prepared to fix the mess she’d made.

  “Stop.” Russ bent down and forced her to stand. “There is no need for you to clean the house, Princess. You should be resting.” Russ reached around her for the rag she’d dropped and started picking noodles off the floor to throw them in the nearby trash.

  “I’m not helpless. And I’m fine.” Vivian went for the paper towels and for the next few seconds the two of them cleaned up the mess. “I thought you were retiring for the night,” Vivian finally stated, unable to keep the hurt from her voice. He’d run from her. Was she that hideous?

  The silence was too much for her. Especially when she wanted to tackle him to the floor and make him really look at her. She wondered what he tasted like. Would his kiss be gentle or rough? How would his his touch feel on her body?

  “I heard a noise and came to investigate and what do I see? The princess of another tribe cleaning the kitchen. Care to explain? Is our home not up to snuff?”

  “What? No. Of course not. I just—it’s what I do when I’m out of sorts. That’s all. And please, it’s Vivian. I don’t need any kind of special treatment. I know you don’t want me here. As soon as Ive gets back I’ll leave. You needn’t bother yourself with me, but I can’t very well stay in my room the entire time I’m here.” She stood with her hands on her hips. He exasperated her to no end.

  Russ held up his hand. Was it bad that she wanted to lick and suck on his fingers? God, she’d never felt this heat before. This all-consuming need to have sex with someone. Of course, it wasn’t just someone. It was her mate. A man who wanted nothing to do with her. Not the best for a girl’s self esteem.

  “I never…fuck. Let me finish this. Go sit down and we can talk. I wanted to wait, but now is as good a time as any. Go on.”

  Russ shooed her away. A talk, that didn’t sound promising to her, she was so discouraged and figured he’d be telling her to pack and head home, that he’d send Ive her way when the group returned from Africa.

  “It’s because I’m a fox, isn’t it?” Vivian blurted out as she sat down in one of the chairs surrounding the table.

  She hung her head. No way did she want to see the disgust on her mate’s face. Where was the justice in this? It wasn’t fair. Her eyes filled with tears and they threatened to spill. She was quick to wipe them away. She was already pathetic enough. No reason to add this to her list of flaws. She hated to cry, it made her appear weak.

  Vivian wasn’t expecting Russ to wrap his strong arms around her and pull her out of the chair she’d just sat in. It took a minute for her to relax into the soothing touch of her mate stroking her back. She was so confused.

  “Shh, sweet one. Hush now and don’t cry.” Strong fingers under her chin forced her to look up into Russ’ deep brown eyes. “I don’t know where you got the idea that I wanted you to leave or that it has anything to do with what kind of shifter you are.”

  “You won’t look at me. You don’t want to be around me and this is the first time you’ve touched me voluntarily since it was announced in your office that we were mates. What am I supposed to think?” She pushed his hard muscular chest and moved away from him. She’d been conscious when Ive brought her to the house. She might have been in pain, but she could still hear. The tone of Russ’ voice when he announced to everyone gathered there that day in his office was enough to make her leery. He didn’t want her.

  Vivian backed against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t weak no matter what he might think of her. She tilted her head at a defiant angle and glared.

  Russ sighed and sank into the chair she’d vacated. “I don’t deserve you,” Russ muttered under his breath.

  She couldn’t have heard right. No way. This strong alpha didn’t think he deserved her? She wanted to step forward, but held her ground. “Bullshit.”

  Russ’ head snapped up and he looked shocked.

  “That’s right. You heard me. Bullshit.” She wouldn’t let self-pity ruin this man. She’d seen lesser men run down by other shifters because they appeared weak. And that was his problem right now. She could feel it. The troubles with the pack weren’t his fault. He hadn’t made Dmitri kidnap Valerie. It was just how the cards were dealt.

  “You—I—you shouldn’t—that is—”

  “I’m sorry to be so crass. I’m not usually, but this situation calls for it. Now tell me the real reason you’ve been avoiding me. If you don’t want me as a mate, tell me. I’ll go back to my pack. But don’t sit here and try the whole ‘it’s not you, it’s me thing’. I’m a shifter. I know how these things work. I know we only get one mate.” Vivian glared at him. She felt better than she had in days. The release of her anger made her stand tall. This is how it was meant to be. Talking, fighting and hopefully loving with the man made just for her.

  “Listen here—” Russ jumped out of the chair and pointed a finger at Vivian, but didn’t get to continue. He was interrupted by a hesitant voice by the kitchen door.

  “Uh—Russ? Sorry, but um—the gate. Outside—”

  Russ turned and visibly calmed down. It was Peter and he looked unsure as his gaze jumped from her to Russ. He edged into the room to stand closer to Vivian, like he was trying to protect her from Russ.

  “Who is it?” Russ growled.

  “He said he’s from Vivian’s pack and we need to let him in.”

  Vivian knew who it had to be. If she was lucky, her parents had only sent him and not a group of others from the pack. If it was Greycen, Ive’s twin, she stood a chance. Grey wouldn’t care that she was mated to a wolf.

  “Did he give you a name?” Vivian questioned.

  Please be Grey, please be Grey.

  “He said he was Greycen Sheppard.” Peter still looked unsure, but he stood tall and had moved between her and Russ.

  “Thank goodness.” Vivian breathed a sigh of relief. “Is he alone?”

  “I don’t know. He just said we needed to let him in and he needed to talk to you and Ive.”

  “What did you tell him?” Russ demanded.

  “That I needed to get my alpha. I didn’t wait for anything else, I came straight here.” Peter looked hurt that Russ would even ask him that question.

  “Thank you, Peter.” Vivian placed a hand on his arm. “Russ and I can take it from here. Thank you so much.” Vivian stretched up and placed a kiss on his cheek.

  Russ growled, but she ignored him. Peter had been nothing but kind to her and no way would the man who avoided her make her feel bad for expressing her feelings. Peter had tried to protect her—against his own alpha. That said a lot about his character.

  “Peter, go let him in before you go to bed. Put him in my office. And thank you,” Russ offered grudgingly.

  After Peter left, Vivian turned on Russ. “What is wrong with you? That man would do anything for you.”

  That deflated Russ. “This is why we need to talk. And why are you worried about others from your pack?”

  Now it was her turn to be nervous. She knew it was coming. That she would have to give Russ all the details on what had happened when Ive had talked her i
nto leaving and the repercussions of her actions. Not that she had a chance to before now with him dodging her at every turn. She didn’t speak for a few seconds. She opened her mouth to say something when someone else spoke.

  “Yeah Viv, why don’t you tell the man why you’re worried.”

  She didn’t even look at the speaker. She didn’t have to, she’d listened to that voice for years telling her what she could and couldn’t do. “Grey—”

  “Where’s Ive?” Greycen demanded.

  “I’m sorry Russ, I tried to—” Peter stood behind Grey looking flushed.

  “Its okay, Peter. You can leave.” Russ dismissed the other wolf.

  “No. He doesn’t have to.” Greycen glared.

  That gave Vivian pause. Not at all what she was expecting. She gave Peter a long look. “We need to all calm down. Let me make some tea. The three of you sit.”

  She expected them to obey her and turned to where she’d spied the tea earlier. With her backbone firmly back in place she prepared the tea and sat down among the growling men.

  “Grey. Are you alone?” She had to ask but was afraid of the answer.

  “I left not long after you and my sister. But the others will be coming. Ryerson convinced your parents to send him and his group of thugs.” Grey managed to tear his gaze off Peter to look at her. “You shouldn’t have left—at least not without me. You both knew better.”

  “We’re adults.” Vivian reminded him. She was worried about the news of Ryerson. That did not bode well at all. He wanted her for a mate so he could take over the tribe without challenging her father. He could have it for all she cared. But not with her by his side.

  “Please. Adults who sneak out in the middle of the night with only half their guard? Tell me Ive didn’t put you up to this harebrained scheme. I expected more from you.” Grey sounded so disappointed. She hated it, but there was nothing she could do about it now. What was done was done.

  “I thought your people told you both you were needed here?” Russ interrupted the pair.

  “It doesn’t matter. Not really. I’m not sure why Ive said that. She probably thought you’d take it better if we were sent and not runaways. I threw my lot in with hers. I take full responsibility.”

  “You knew your parents would send someone after you. You’re next in line for the Den.”

  “Doesn’t matter. My mate isn’t there. He’s here.” Vivian flashed her gaze to Russ. The two Masters’ pack members just looked back and forth between her and Grey, taking in everything they said.

  “Aw, fuck. Tell me it isn’t the wolf.” Grey put his head in his hands.

  “You have a problem with that?” Russ snarled.

  “No, I don’t. But I’m not the one who matters. Her folks aren’t going to have it and will drag her back home if necessary. To the man they want her to mate with.”

  “Not going to happen.” Russ got up from the table and paced.

  No one had touched their tea. Funny—she didn’t feel thirsty either. As a matter of fact, she felt nauseous. She wouldn’t go back.

  “Why do you care?” Vivian whispered. She really wanted to know.

  “This will cause a war.” Grey said at the same time, almost overriding her response, but she knew Russ heard her by the way his spine straightened.

  “It isn’t like we haven’t lived through one of those. Bring it on.” Russ growled.

  “Ryerson is convinced you should be his even if you aren’t true mates.” Grey ignored Russ’ comment and continued. “Nobody ever thought you would leave to find who you belonged to. You should have talked to me, Viv.”

  This was how she expected the alpha to act. Gone was the woe-is-me attitude he’d had for the past couple of days. He was in his glory and he was magnificent.

  Chapter Three

  This would never do. Russ should have talked to Vivian from the beginning. Found out why Ive and Vivian had run to his pack. Obviously it wasn’t just so Ive could find her mate or Vivian hers. There was more going on here than he first thought.

  What kind of alpha was he that he didn’t get to the bottom of this from the get-go? Now this Greycen man was here and Peter was acting weird.

  “How much time do we have before the others from your pack get here? Do they know you set out before they did?” Russ asked Greycen.

  “They know. I didn’t make it a secret that I was going after my sister and my charge. They would expect no less from me. The others should be here soon. And I don’t think they’ll knock. They have no respect for other shifters.”

  Russ turned to Vivian and waited until he had her undivided attention. “You’re not going back.”

  “Could have fooled me. I didn’t think you wanted me here. Actions speak louder than words, and Russ, you have shown me very clearly you don’t want to be near me. Why do you care if I go back or not?” Vivian demanded.

  God she was beautiful. Even when angry she carried a grace about her that he had to have. He ignored the other two at the table and stalked to Vivian. He pulled her out of the chair and wrapped her in his arms. He grazed her throat with his canines and whispered to her, “Mine.”

  Vivian shivered in his arms. He snarled and took her mouth in a kiss. His wolf wanted to break free and howl.

  The only thing stopping him from stripping her bare and taking her in the kitchen was the siren going off around the compound.

  “Fuck. They’re here. My guess is they’re going for a snatch-and-grab. Do you have any weapons? I know for sure they will.” Greycen took charge of the situation and it was the last straw for Russ.

  This was his house. His people. And damn it, he was the alpha here.

  “Peter, take Greycen to the tunnels. Vivian and I will be right behind you. I need to warn the others and get us out of here. We’ll regroup at one of the outer houses. He won’t attack the family homes, will he?” Russ directed the question at Greycen.

  “He is capable of anything. He’s sneaky and devious. Is running the right option?”

  “We are not running. We’re retreating to get a better position. A strong leader knows you can’t always stay and fight.” And he was a strong leader. He knew that in his heart of hearts. Now it was time to prove it.

  “I think Ryerson will try to take over the main compound and hold those in the house prisoner until he gets what he wants. He’ll think he has the tactile advantage among your people.” Greycen laid it out for him.

  “Not going to happen. I’ll get David and Max to evacuate the others. We have another safehouse we were going to utilise earlier this year. Let’s get going before they breach the field.” Russ took Vivian’s hand.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Max charged into the room with David hot on his heels.

  Good, he wouldn’t have to waste time finding them. The quicker he got Vivian to safety the better he would feel.

  “Evacuate the main house and get a message out to the other families living outside the house. We are about to be invaded. We’ll regroup at the safe house.” Russ commanded.

  “What about you?” David questioned.

  “Greycen and I will lead the others on a chase and meet up with you. Take care of Vivian until I get there.”

  “No!” two voices shouted in harmony.

  Russ looked back at Peter and Vivian.

  “I’m going with you, Russ. This is my fight.” Vivian snarled.

  “I can’t ju—” Russ ran a hand down his face.

  “You can. Now stop arguing.” Vivian went to the doorway of the kitchen and waited expectantly.

  “I’m going too.” Peter stated.

  “No.” Greycen’s tone broke no argument, but Peter ignored him.

  Russ looked between the two and wondered if Greycen was gay and maybe Peter’s mate—but there wasn’t time for this.

  “Fine. David and Max, if we don’t see you in two days’ time, send someone searching. We’ll meet you at the house my parents old home, you know the one. Then make a plan to take our home back.�
��

  With his orders given, Russ strode out towards his office. He went to the safe and grabbed his wallet and some keys as well as some extra cash he had stashed. He shut down his computer and put the pass locks in place. Next he went to his weapons cabinet. There were more guns stashed around the house that David and Max could use. They were his two best men. He knew they would protect their family. Four others had joined him. He turned to see. Everett, Greycen, Peter and Vivian hovered by the door.

  Russ wasn’t surprised to find Everett had joined him. He was very protective of his cousin, Peter. You wouldn’t know he had a soft heart with his spiked strawberry blond hair and tats. He looked as badass as they come, but for Peter he would do anything. Russ felt better knowing he would have the three other men to help him protect his mate.

  He handed out guns to everyone, including Vivian.

  “Peter, do you have the keys to your bike handy? How about you Ev?” Russ asked.

  “No, sir.” Peter answered.

  “You two get what you need and meet us at the garage. Don’t waste any time. It’s been too long already and we want to give the others a good head start.”

  With nods the cousins went off.

  “Peter shouldn’t come with us.” Greycen insisted.

  “It isn’t your choice and if I can’t have Max and David to back me up, there isn’t anyone else I’d pick. Ev and Peter are strong wolves and know their way around the streets.”

  “Who is this Ev? I don’t like him.” Greycen snarled.

  It was Vivian who soothed the other man. She had that way about her.

  “Everett is Peter’s cousin. You can stand down Greycen.” She assured him.

  “Peter needs to go with the others. I don’t want him to fight.”

  They had reached the garage and Russ guided them to the three Harleys towards the front. It was Peter who answered. The other two had arrived almost on their heels. Man, they were quick. Russ was very happy they were coming.

  “Fuck you.” Peter went to his bike and waited for Russ’s command.

  “Vivian and I will take Max’s bike. Greycen, you can ride with Peter or Everett, but get on the bikes and follow me.”