Page 8 of Gabe's Lone Wolf

“I’ll call Bas real quick and give him a head’s up.” Simon came to his feet and headed toward the exit.

Eliza rose from my lap, and I missed the feel of her there immediately. She turned toward me as I stood to join her.

“I can smell the mating bond on the other three, but not on you,” she said, a statement that was more of a question.

“I’m not mated yet,” I assured her, wondering how it was she hadn’t yet put together what was between us. Why she felt comfortable enough with a stranger to drop onto his lap with no fear.

“Do you believe in true mates?”

Her voice was soft as if she were afraid I might laugh or scoff at that.

“Absolutely,” I assured her. “I’ve been waiting for the moment when my true mate would drop into my lap. So to speak,” I added when she gave me a wide-eyed look.

Before we could say anything else, Han rejoined us. I took Eliza’s hand in mine, linking our fingers as we headed toward the door where Simon stood. I knew Taylor would be at the curb, waiting for us. They’d take no chances of putting Eliza in a position where she might be confronted by Lockhart again. Her exhaustion was apparent for anyone to see. The underlying scent of the fear she’d probably been living with for so long assaulted my senses.

I knew Bas and the James Pack would help her, even without me telling them she was my mate. I’d hold back that information until the woman herself was aware of the fact. I also knew that Cameron Lockhart’s days were numbered. I might not know how long Eliza had been running, but anyone with eyes could see the toll it had taken on her. I’d see to it she got all the rest and TLC she needed over the next few days. Then we’d see to ending Lockhart and his reign of terror. Permanently.

Chapter Three

~Eliza~

I stood to the left of the entryway to the living room of Bastion James’ home. I was a little overwhelmed by the number of wolves around me, though I’d never admit it. Bastion James stood across from me, watching me with a level of deep concentration that made me feel as if he were dissecting me and putting me back together without my consent. I almost wanted to ask him what he saw and if he’d discovered anything I needed to be aware of. It was intimidating as hell and damn hard to ignore.

Gabe stood close to me, and I fought the need to lean into him. I wasn’t a dependent wolf, and I wouldn’t start being one now. No matter how physically attracted to him I was. The man’s natural pheromones had both my wolf and me sitting up, ready to beg for his touch. And I didn’t want gentle. That was another thing that scared me. I’d never felt anything close to this for another wolf. Then again my exhaustion ran deep, knocking me completely off kilter mentally, physically, and emotionally. I held myself together by sheer will alone, and even that was floundering.

Hannibal, Simon, and Taylor were also in the room. We’d chatted a lot on the drive from the bar to the house. We’d left my Jeep behind as their top priority had been getting me to my current location. Gabe especially. He didn’t seem to want me out of his sight. Simon and Taylor had both promised they’d go back and grab my vehicle once I was secure at Bas and Raina’s house. And here we were. At least Hannibal, Simon, and Taylor looked relaxed. I’d lay odds the women now at their sides were their mates. James’ mate, Raina, sat in one of the wingback chairs that framed the fireplace. The black leather almost swallowed her, and though I’d swear we’d never met before, there was something familiar about her. I couldn’t put my finger on it yet.

“Tell me about your pack.” Bastion James’ voice commanded attention and had my gaze jerking back to his as if he’d pulled it with a string.

“I have no pack.” Short. Firm. Concise.

He lifted a brow and stared me down. I refused to squirm or look away. I held his gaze. He wasn’t the first pack alpha who’d tried to intimidate me. Slowly, he nodded his head, and one corner of his mouth lifted.

“You’ll do.”

A rush of air seemed to fill the room as if everyone had been waiting with bated breath for him to make that announcement.

“Tell me about this… What did you call him?”

“Alphahole,” Taylor called when I didn’t immediately answer. Chuckles filled the room, and I swore under my breath as my face heated.

“I really like that word,” Raina said, and her mate snorted as he crossed to her, lifting her in his arms then taking her place in the chair and settling her onto his lap. Raina didn’t even blink, as if she were used to him doing such things.

“Watch out, Bas,” Simon warned. “She’ll be using it on you next time you piss her off.”

“Definitely has a nice ring to it,” the woman at his side declared with a wide grin.

“Behave, Cici,” Hannibal ordered, confirming my suspicion on who was next to Simon, at least. I knew from our talk during the drive that Cici was Hannibal’s step-sister and Simon’s mate.

More chuckles circled the room, but the alpha didn’t seem to care. He was different than other alphas I’d met. Especially Cam. Most held themselves apart from their pack, keeping a distinct line between themselves and those they led. Bastion was different. He had an obvious inner circle with whom he appeared to relax and let his guard down. It was a rather large group, too. With the alpha and his mate, were four couples, Gabe and three other males. I’d caught some of the names but couldn’t put any of the new ones with the faces around me.

“Talk to us, Eliza. Why is this alpha after you, and why did you come to us?” Raina spoke, and I stared for a moment, once again trying and failing to place her in my mind.

“Eliza.” Gabe’s voice close to my ear jolted me out of my perusal and back to the fact everyone now looked at me.

“The pack alpha decided I was his mate and moved me in with him. I was fourteen.”

“He mated you at fourteen?” There was rage wrapped in Gabe’s words, and I had no doubt he’d kill Cam himself if the two met again.

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