Page 4 of Claimed By the Alpha Pack

“I tell you what. When you’re halfway done, I’ll bake you a pie and leave it in the cabin for you to enjoy.” Barrett’s face lights up instantly.

“Do you mean it?” He’s practically bouncing where he’s standing.

“Absolutely. You’re helping my granddaughter and great granddaughter. I owe you the world.” My heart is soaring thinking this little act of kindness is going to go further than I initially expected.

He takes my hand and clasps it. “You’re giving us a second chance at being around our mate. I owe you the world.” He lowers his head, bearing his neck to me, then kisses my hand before leaving.

I watch Barrett walk away and for the first time in a long time; I have a bit more hope than I did the day before. It’s a win-win situation. They get their mate back and I get the last of my family back near me. I’m not sure how many more winters I have left in me, so whatever I have, I want Gracie to share it with me.

Chapter 3

Grace

~Heavy is the Crown - Daughtry~

August

It’s been a hard three months between my daughter having the colic moments and Hunter being gone more often than not. It hasn’t been easy. I feel like he spends more time angry and at work than at home and happy with his daughter and me. It’s times like this I wish I was back home with my Grams in Moon Creek. Mom and Dad abruptly packed up and moved us halfway across the state, for reasons I was never told.

Amidst the darkness of night, I often find myself questioning if my dream was truly real. I’m constantly pulled to my hometown and I’m not sure why. It’s like I don’t belong here, so when Hunter came along, I accepted his love out of a false sense of security. As I look at him, I struggle to remember why am I with him. My thoughts often drift back to that dream, yearning for something more than what reality offers me. When I wake up, it’s hard to decipher between fantasy and truth. It’s those moments that have inspired me to write paranormal romance novels.

A deep ache fills my chest as Iponder the life that I thought would make me happy. My engagement has quickly become a nightmare, or so it seems. Ever since I gave birth to our daughter, my fiancé has been pushing me away with his cruel words: “I must have a son. How could you do this to me?” As tears fill my eyes, all I can think about is how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time.

When I was pregnant, I was practically a goddess in my fiancé’s eyes. Perfect in every way. Worshipped from sun up to sun down. The minute my daughter took her first breath, everything changed. Hunter became angry, hostile, almost unhinged. He lives and breathes work lately and it scares me.

He’s consumed by the desire to find the killer that’s on the loose. Every day, he leaves early in the morning and returns late at night smelling of dirt and the forest. He barely talks and doesn’t eat at home anymore. Our daughter cries hysterically when he’s anywhere close to her. So many things point to a life outside of this house. I’m almost afraid to find out if he’s having an affair or not. But in another sense, I hope someone would take him from me.

Things aren’t as peachy as they once were. I started calling my grandma more often than I have in the last few years. For my daughter’s safety, I’ve started making plans to get us out. In preparation, Grams has started getting my grandfather’s old hunting cabin redone.

I’m torn between the love of the man I first fell in love with and the man that he’s become. The loving, affectionate man is long gone, consumed by his passions and drive to do his job. I miss the man that put me first and I cry, thinking about the way things used to be. The future before us is bleak and I dread every morning. The only bright spot in my life is my daughter, Ashina.

The tv drones on in the background about another animal attack. The Mayor is talking again about the efforts the police force is making and the fact that animal control is working overtime. Hunters are being brought in from out of the state to assist with attempting to trap the animals. Rogue wolves are being blamed for the attacks and not coyotes like they initially thought. Pausing, I turn to stare at the tv listening intently to the broadcast this time. Wolves … Plural… My ringtone knocks me out of my inner thoughts. The chorus from the Dorothy’s song Rest in Peace plays until I answer the phone.

“Hi Grams. Is everything alright?” I hold the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I pick up my fussy daughter.

“I really wish you and the wee one were back home. Your mother’s decision to move you way out there wasn’t a good idea.” Grams’ displeasure over her daughter’s choice from twenty years ago isn’t missed.

Sighing, I reposition my daughter again and sway, trying to get her to go back to sleep. “Yeah, I know Grams. I was so homesick for so long it wasn’t funny. I don’t even remember why we moved anymore.” Kissing my daughter’s cheek, I leave my lips pressed there for a few moments, more for my benefit than hers.

“I have my theories, sweetheart. But I’m more concerned about those attacks than anything else at this point. At least here I know what we’re dealing with.” The seriousness in Grams’s tone tells me there’s no wiggle room in her beliefs.

“Legends are what they are. Maybe there are skin walkers here, too. There’s an old burial ground from way back when. You never know what’s in the woods.” Perhaps showing some positivity in believing in the old legends, Grams might let me off easy.

“It’s not a laughing matter, Grace. Skin walkers are real.” Her firm tone tells me I overstepped my bounds and pissed her off.

“I’m sorry Grams. I’m so stressed with everything…” Sniffling, I feel the constricture in my chest as I think about my failing relationship. Anxiety and depression have gone hand in hand for the last ten years, at least. No matter who I’ve dated, it’s always felt wrong. I’ve forced myself to learn to love Hunter. And part of me, I think I have convinced myself that I do love him.

“It’s okay, child, when you’re ready to come home. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.” Her tone sounds hopeful and almost sad.

“Soon Grams, I promise.” I can almost taste the lie on my tongue. The wrongness of the words turns my stomach. Deep down, I know I’m not ready to leave.

We say our goodbyes and end the conversation quickly. Carrying my daughter over to her crib, I lay her down and tuck her into bed. I stand there staring at my perfect little angel. Her full lips and chubby baby cheeks make me smile. If I had to picture a cherub, my daughter would be the perfect example. The clicking of the lock disengaging on the front door makes me freeze like a deer in the headlights. I’m not afraid of Hunter per se, but it’s more that I’m not ready to fight with him when he thinks his way is the only way.

Drawing in a deep breath, I move through the house as silently as possible, heading towards the front door. Hunter has his back to me as he shrugs out of his work jacket. “How was your night?” I try to engage him in conversation that I feel may be neutral enough that he’ll be calm.

“Same as yesterday. Whatever it is, keeps one step ahead. The harder I search, the further away it seems to get.” His voice sounds rougher, more tired and drawn out.His shoulders sag slightly as he draws in a deep breath.

Moving to the fridge and reaching in, I pull out his favorite IPA and pop the top and offered it to him. “Have a drink and go have a seat. I’ll heat something up for you.”

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