Page 7 of Beta's Virgin Bride

“Me?” She blinked then smiled, and it softened her face, showing me how young she was. I’d bet she was barely in her twenties. “Rowan made sure I was safe.”

And now, the other man was gone. Had been for two years. Who had stepped out of the woodwork to cause trouble once he was no longer in the picture to stop them? Another reason for me to scorn those who’d left the Rigton wolves unprotected.

“I can tell you where Ivy lives. I just… I need… I…”

“What is it, Rebbie?”

“I don’t want to go home.” Her eyes pleaded with me, and something clicked.

“Did your mom do this to you?”

No reply but her lips tightened, and the hand at her side released then clenched over and over before she forced her fingers flat and patted them against her thigh. Answer enough for me.

“We’ll find you a place to stay. Somewhere safe.” Christ, I’d never wanted to hit a woman so much in my life, but I wanted to hurt the person who’d put such shadows in this young woman’s gaze.

“Ivy deserves happiness.” Rebbie made the statement again, but this time, I wondered if she wasn’t using Ivy to represent herself. I might have only recently met my mate, but I could tell she was a strong, fierce woman.

“I’ll give her the world,” I vowed.

“And Jasmine?”

“Yes.” Ivy’s family was my family.

She blurted Ivy’s address as though, if she didn’t get it out fast enough, she might change her mind. It wouldn’t have mattered. I would have tracked down my mate eventually, but I appreciated Rebbie’s help.

“Taylor,” I called and waited until the other man stepped up beside me. I watched Rebbie’s eyes widen at the sight of him. Taylor was used to it. Most didn’t know how to react to the scars that covered his throat and lower half of his face.

“Taylor, won’t hurt you,” I tried to assure Rebbie.

She nodded, but her gaze never left his face.

“Rebbie needs a safe place for a few days, until we can find more permanent arrangements.”

“Done,” Taylor rasped.

I turned back to my SUV. A lot of shit needed addressing with this pack. Things had apparently gone to shit with Rowan gone. I’d have to speak to Bastion soon. First, my priority was to find Ivy. Once we were mated, we’d deal with everything else. Together.

Chapter Four

~ Ivy ~

Jasmine was asleep when I got home. After seeing out Mrs. Celia, our neighbor and Jasmine’s sitter, I headed to the kitchen to snag a bottle of water. Normally, I’d grab a glass of wine, but the tequila from earlier in the evening still churned in my gut. Raina and I had gone through quite a bit before the James pack had shown up to break up our girls’ night.

With Raina on my mind, I picked up my phone and tapped her name, hitting call.

“Raina, it’s me. Give me a call when you get this. I want to make sure you’re okay. I’m here if you need me. One call and I’ll take out the entire James pack to get to you.” I laughed a little, knowing she’d get a kick out of that thought. “Love you. Take care of you.”

I’d just ended the call when I heard Jasmine padding toward the kitchen. She peeked around the corner then ran across the space that separated us, teddy bear clutched in her arm. I felt the impact of her body and knew from the way she shook that she’d had another nightmare. I managed to maneuver us both to a chair and dropped into it, pulling her into my lap.

Jasmine was petite, small even for her age. She was all big, brown eyes and long, caramel-colored hair. Honestly, there were times it was like looking at myself when I was her age.

“Another bad dream?” I whispered, but I already knew the answer. She’d had them on and off since Rowan’s death. He’d been the most prominent male in her life, more father or brother than family friend, and she was taking his death hard.

Her answer was lost in my chest where she’d burrowed as soon as she’d settled in my lap. I hugged her close, rocking until she calmed down enough to untuck her head. Her thumb went immediately to her mouth, a habit she’d picked back up since we’d lost Rowan. I hated to see her hurting so badly, but even I couldn’t protect her from the loss of a loved one.

“How about some hot cocoa?”

“I’ll get the chocolate,” she offered, pushing off my lap and heading toward the drawer where we kept our supply of candy. She took out a bag of milk chocolate chips and brought them to me.

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