Runt of the Litter Read online

  ****

  “Son, do you think this is wise?” David asked.

  Jack stared toward his father as he placed his last shirt into the suitcase. It was the end of summer vacation, and he’d already transferred all of his details to an online college. He’d been in touch with Paul making sure he got everything right to go and live with Tori. His father had already spoken to her family, explaining Jack’s predicament.

  He’d never been more uncomfortable in his life than talking with Tori’s parents. They’d warned him about mating with her before she was eighteen. Jack had lost count of the number of times he’d told them he wouldn’t break the rules in mating. Her father had also ordered for him to keep his dick in his pants. Right now, Jack wasn’t interested in fucking Tori. All he wanted to do was get her strong enough to go through the transition.

  For the summer he’d spent a great deal of time with her in the forest, watching her get stronger, becoming one with her wolf. It was hard for his own wolf, being close to his mate and not being with her.

  There were two ways to claim a mate. The first way was to swap blood with each other through biting. Some couples did this during sex. Another way was through sex, to join each other in the most basic way and to also share blood.

  He wouldn’t do either, and he’d promised her father she’d return to him a virgin.

  “I can’t spend the next two years with summers or holidays being the only time I get to see her. This is the only way. I may only have two years with her, Dad. I’ve got to do this.” During the summer his father, her uncle, and their alpha, hadn’t found any clues as to what to expect.

  “I’m so sorry that you’re going through this.”

  “It’s not your fault, Dad. This is no one’s fault.” He wished things could have been different, but the fates had decided to give him a mate that was at risk all the time.

  “I’ve spoken with Tori’s family.”

  “I know they’re not happy with me being near her.”

  “Just remember the rules, son. Protect and care for her but don’t cross any lines.”

  “I’m not going to hurt her. I’m going to help her uncle train her.” He’d told his father the truth, knowing David would want the truth of what was going on.

  “I wish there was something I could do.”

  “Keep looking for an answer. I’ll stay in touch all the time.”

  “I don’t like you going,” Diana said, coming to the doorway. “This is so hard. I never thought I’d have to say goodbye to my boy.”

  “I’m going to help my mate, Mom. I’m not going to never be here again.”

  The only thing he’d not told his parents about was the agreement he’d made with Marshall. They didn’t need to know that he was going die if Tori didn’t make it. He hoped to God that she did.

  “We better get you over there before they send Tori off without you.” His father gripped his arm tightly. “I’m going to miss you, son.”

  “And I’m going to miss you both.” He hugged his father before pulling his mother into his arms. “Please, don’t stop looking.”

  “We won’t. I promise you, we won’t,” Diana said.

  Grabbing his bag, he made his way out of the bedroom with his parents following behind him.

  He made his way out of the house to find Marshall and Scarlett waiting.

  “Go and take care of her,” Marshall said.

  Jack shook his friend’s hand. This would be the first time he was away from the pack for any length of time. He knew it was going to be hard, unbearably hard to start off with, but it would get better.

  “I’ll keep in touch.” He slapped Marshall on the back. “I better go.”

  They all walked with him toward Tori’s house. She was hugging her mother, standing beside the taxi.

  “You know you don’t have to come with me,” she said.

  “I’m coming whether you like it or not.” Jack threw his bag into the trunk of the car.

  Rachel pulled him aside. “She doesn’t know who you are to her,” she said.

  He glanced over at Tori to see her preoccupied with her parents. “I know.”

  “I teased her about it that first morning you came back from those pancakes. Do you remember that?”

  “Yes, the pancakes.”

  “I told her you were her mate. She denied it. I’m pleased you’re her mate, Jack.”

  “Why?”

  “If anyone was going to find an answer to her transition, it’s you. You’ve always been there for her. The fates have been cruel right now. None of us know what the future holds, but I’m pleased she has you.”

  “I’ll fight to the bitter end, Rachel. If it turns out to be the end, I’ll be with her. We’ve got two years together.”

  “Doesn’t it hurt that she doesn’t know?”

  He glanced toward Tori who was writing something down for Scarlett. “At times it does, but I also think this is easier.”

  “How?”

  “She’s only concentrating on getting strong and preparing for the transition. If I was to spring on her what she means to me, it would hurt her. I can’t have her attention divided right now.”

  Rachel hugged him close. “Go and take care of her. We all trust you even if our father is being a pain. It’s because he cares just as much as us.”

  “I know he loves her.”

  He smiled at Rachel before turning back to the taxi. “Are you ready?” Tori asked.

  Nodding, he waved at his family and friends before climbing into the car.

  “We’re ready to go,” he told the driver as he sat back. This was his very first time out of pack grounds.

  Paul had promised him that there were areas where he could run when the need arose.

  “What were you and Rachel talking about?”

  “She was warning me to be a gentleman.”

  “I don’t know why my family is so concerned. I bet you’ve got lots of women falling all over themselves for you.”

  “Yeah, totally. They’re all fighting for a chance to get with this.”

  She slapped him on the arm. “I was being serious.”

  Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her in close. “You’ve got to stop worrying about what your family thinks. Rachel was being a concerned sister. Stop worrying.”

  “Marshall just told me to take care of you. This is your first time away from the, erm, home.” She locked her fingers with his.

  Did she even realize what she was doing?

  “It is.”

  “Is it hard?”

  “There’s a pull inside here.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m not going to lie. It will be hard, but I made a promise to you and I’m going to see it through.”

  “You’re too kind for your own good.”

  “No, baby. I’m really not.”

  He let out a sigh, looking out the window. They had to be careful with the cab driver listening in. Jack held her close, and his wolf calmed within him. In the next couple of months his will was going to be tested to the brink. He’d be close to Tori, but it wasn’t just that. His wolf was going to miss home.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

  “I’m curious what your uncle’s digs are like.”

  “Digs?”

  “I’m not that old.”

  “I guess I’m just not used to you being so modern.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Damn, you know how to burst a guy’s bubble.” He kissed her temple, freezing after he’d done the action. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Treating me like a sister? It was a kiss to the head, Jack. Don’t worry about it. I’m not expecting a wedding ring.” She rolled her eyes again.

  Jack went back to looking out of the window. He didn’t want to think of a future without Tori.

  When he was around her everything came naturally to him. He couldn’t have stopped the kiss even if he wanted to.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I�
��m just looking forward to spending some time with you.” It wasn’t a lie. The drive to the airport was a long one. At least it was long to Jack. He’d never been away from home, never wanted to.

  “Uncle Paul is going to meet us at the airport and drive us out to his ranch.”

  “Great.”

  “Are you really sure about this?” Tori asked, climbing out of the car. He grabbed his and Tori’s cases out of the trunk after paying the driver. “If not he can take you back home.”

  “I can do this, Tori. Stop worrying about me.” He nodded at the driver as he closed the trunk. “You can go.”

  He wasn’t going to leave her on her own.

  I can do this.

  Entering the airport, he followed Tori as she checked them both in.

  “We’ve got a few moments before our plane leaves,” she said.

  “Okay.” He took a seat beside her watching as several couples were saying their goodbyes. The scents coming off them had him yearning for that kind of closeness. There was a couple several feet away, and they’d fucked in the bathroom moments ago. They were recently married as he listened to them talk. She had to go away for a business trip. In between kisses they were talking about the plans they would make when they were back together. They’d go on that honeymoon they’d missed out on.

  “I envy them,” Tori said, leaning back.

  “Who?”

  “The couple you’re watching.”

  “Why?”

  “They know what it’s like to love and to be loved. It has got to be one of the most amazing experiences in life, to love someone so much that the very thought of leaving them behind tears you apart.”

  Jack stared at her wanting to say that was exactly what was wrong with him. Instead, he kept his thoughts to himself. It wouldn’t do for her to know what was going on in his crazy-assed mind.

  “You’ll find that with someone.”

  “Only if I don’t die first.” She sighed, resting her head on his arm. “Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be so consumed with another person?”

  “No.” It took every ounce of strength he possessed to not give in and tell her. Right now, she needed to be focused on the transition, on getting stronger, not on the mate that would lose her if everything went badly.

  “I do. I watched the way Marshall was with Scarlett. He loves her so much.”

  “You’ll find it.”

  “I doubt it.”

  He turned to look at her fully, which made her pull away from him. “Don’t do that. You’re going to get through everything. You’re going to know what true love feels like.”

  “Jack, you’re such a good person. When did I get so lucky?”

  Closing his eyes, he forced the emotion down. It was already tearing him apart at knowing what was to come.

  “Oh, that’s our call. Come on.” She took his hand, and she took over showing him where to store their bags then taking him through to their terminal. “Here we go.”

  He didn’t say anything, showing his ticket as they went.

  When they were on the plane, he strapped in, and made sure Tori did the same. He didn’t trust any planes after seeing one too many disaster movies.

  “You’re panicking for all the wrong reasons,” she said, chuckling.

  “No, I’m panicking for all the right ones. Haven’t you seen movies where the plane breaks apart?”

  She grabbed his hand. The beast inside him calmed. “Look at me, Jack.”

  Turning to look at her, she smiled, her blue eyes capturing him as she stared back.

  “Tori?”

  “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to go up in the sky and travel for a short time. I’m going to be here, holding your hand the whole time. I won’t let you go.”

  “Do you promise?”

  “Yes. I promise.”

  He held onto her hand throughout the plane ride. Her very presence was calming the beast inside him.

  Chapter Six

  “You made it,” Uncle Paul said.

  Tori laughed, hugging her uncle close. “We did make it, but it was touch and go for Jack. He didn’t handle the plane ride well. I thought he was going to kiss the ground.”

  She looked behind her to see Jack rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t that bad.”

  “No, it was worse.” She shuddered, trying to make light of his fear. The wolf in him was what caused the biggest problem. Jack didn’t look afraid, but his wolf wasn’t used to being in such a confined space. Add in the lack of the pack, and his wolf had been terrified.

  “How are you doing?” Jack asked.

  “Oh, Uncle Paul, this is Jack. Jack, this is Uncle Paul.”

  “I’m not calling you uncle. You’re Paul to me.”

  “Tori got into the habit at a young age and never really got out of it. She’s always called me that.” Paul looked around the airport. “Let’s get out of here and get back to the ranch.”

  The sun was bearing down on them the moment they walked outside. She missed the air-conditioning in the building.

  “I tell you this heat is a fucking nightmare,” Paul said.

  “Amen to that.” Jack threw the bags into the back of Paul’s truck.

  Tori climbed inside, moving over so that Jack had enough room to climb in.

  The moment he was inside and his leg was pressing against hers, she couldn’t help but look down at where they were touched. She wore some shorts, but that didn’t stop her from wanting the feel of his skin.

  “Tell me what you’ve been doing all summer,” Paul said.

  “I’ve been taking her out into the forest to meditate and to also open up her senses to get them to come alive.”

  “Has it helped?”

  “Yes. My senses are slowly waking up. It’s like I’ve been asleep for so long, dormant almost.”

  “It’s good. It means your wolf is not dead or not there at all.”

  “But it’s locked in a cage,” Jack said.

  “We’re going to need to unleash her wolf at some point.”

  “How? I’ve only ever heard of a wolf coming out when she’s at the height of her transition.”

  “We’ve got to find a way.”

  She saw her uncle’s fingers were locked around the steering wheel. They were all so worried and yet tried to hide it from her.

  “We’ll find a way. What’s the plan?” Jack asked.

  “Home, food, then a tour of the house, and after all that’s done, I’ll show you what else I’ve set up.” Her uncle was excited, which could only mean one thing. He had something special planned for her.

  Jack took hold of her hand once again, locking their fingers together. She stared down at his hand, which was much larger than hers.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re away from the pack. It must be affecting you?”

  “It is, but I don’t mind.”

  She was touched by his determination to help her. Reaching out, she touched his cheek. “I really appreciate you. You know that right?”

  Everything fell away as she stared into his eyes. She forgot about Uncle Paul, the car, what they were all going to do.

  “I know.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

  Mate.

  Mate.

  Mate.

  Her wolf started to wake up once again. Why was her wolf being like this? Why was she calling for Jack to be her mate? She really didn’t have a clue what the mating was like. Her attraction to Jack was overriding everything rational.

  “Stop the truck,” Jack said.

  “What?”

  “Stop the truck.”

  Tori was pulled out of the trance as the truck came to a sudden jerky stop. She gasped at the seatbelt tightening around her.

  Jack climbed out of the truck, and he started to pace.

  “What’s going on?” Paul asked.

  “I don’t know.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and started to climb out of the truck.


  “Stay inside, Tori,” Jack said, holding his hand out as if to ward her off.

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Give him a minute. He’s struggling to control his wolf. It’s going to be harder for him. The pack is gone, the open forest, it’s just going to take him a little longer to get control.”

  “This keeps happening with me. Every time my wolf gets close to the surface it seems to send him crazy.”

  “I bet it does.”

  She frowned. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing,” he said, a little too quickly.

  “Uncle Paul?”

  “I don’t know anything, and you’ve got to stop trying to get me to speak up. I’m not going to break his confidence.”

  “Something has happened then?”

  “Stop it, Tori. We’re concentrating on you for now.”

  “Wait, Jack’s out there right now, and we’re dealing with me?”

  Paul turned toward her. “Do you care about him?”

  “Yes. Of course I do.”

  “Then wait until he’s ready to tell you something.”

  Blowing out a breath, she shook her head. “Fine, I’ll behave and be quiet about it.”

  Watching Jack pace, she waited several minutes before he climbed back in the truck.

  “I’m ready. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’d tell me if anything was bothering you, right?”

  “Tori, you’ve got nothing to worry about, okay? I’m fine. I’m just getting settled into being away from the pack.”

  He was shaking his leg up and down. She took his hand, covering it with both of hers. “I’m here.”

  His leg slowly started to slow down until it stopped altogether.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “It’s what I’m here for.” She smiled at him.

  Uncle Paul didn’t say anything for the remainder of the journey. He kept driving toward his ranch.

  Jack looked out of the window, and she held his hand the whole way to the ranch.

  “Fuck me, man, this place is a dream,” Jack said when the ranch came into view.

  “It really is. I’ve got men who work the ranch, but they’re always out of the way. It’s perfect for Tori, and it’ll be great for you.”

  “I believe you.”