Page 51 of Fearless Bond

This alpha was older than the others, his bushy beard streaked with white, making him look like Santa’s younger, buff brother. He was in full sheriff’s uniform, the oversized kind. He had to go sideways to walk through the door.

“Chickie?” I whispered. Who in the hell nicknamed this manChickie?

“Hawke Klondike,” the sheriff said gruffly, taking off his glove to shake my hand.

“Good evening, sir.”

The older alpha’s lips twitched with a small smile. “No need for formalities, Calvin. You’re a part of this family now.”

“Thank you.” I was about to call him sir again but swallowed it at the last moment.

“Let’s sit down. I believe we have some issues on our hands.”

I never would have expected to feel comfortable in a room with five monstrous alphas, but I was as chill as I’d ever been. We sat with Monty, Hunter, and Hawke—no way was I calling him Chickie, not even in my head. I snuggled to Barclay’s side, and Jordy poured the beers.

Hawke went straight to business.

“Barclay told me what your ex did. You could sue him, you know.”

I glanced around at the grim faces. “I’d rather avoid that. It would just prolong the whole thing.”

Hawke nodded in acknowledgment. “Your call. He’s been asking around, and now I hear two men are looking for you. They didn’t report you missing, though.”

“I told my father that I’m safe and want them to leave me be, but he’s not used to hearing no from me.”

Even Monty’s expression darkened. Jordy set the beers on the table and handed me my glass of juice. He stayed looming above us with his arms crossed over his chest as Hawke continued. “I see. Because word has spread already, and the good people in town have been happily sharing the story about how Barclay found an omega in the forest around Red Creek.”

Barclay groaned, shaking his head.

“That’s our fault,” Monty said, looking sheepish. “We were making fun of Barclay here at the bar, and folks must have heard us.”

“I can’t be hiding out here forever.” I surprised myself with my bravery, but it was true. What would I gain by cowering behind Barclay for another week or two?

Out of all the worries and questions in my mind, one thought prevailed. I wanted this over with. As soon as possible. If these men could help me, if I had Barclay by my side, I could get rid of the ghosts from my past for good.

Hawke raised one eyebrow. “Are they going to cause trouble? This ex and your father?”

“Not in the way you might mean. They won’t get into a fistfight or anything like that. Their threats are more about money and lawyers.”

“But you’re afraid of them finding you. You must have good reasons for that.”

My stomach clenched, but it didn’t feel like the usual fear, more like a memory of it. A habit—which I needed to break.

“They never stooped to physical violence. But I used to be dependent on them, and up until recently, I thought I’d have to face them alone.”

Barclay kissed my temple and squeezed where he held me around my back.

“I’m not sure how far they’ll go to get me to return with them,” I admitted. “But they can’t do anything to me, can they? Not really.”

Monty smirked. “I’d like to see them try.”

I turned to Barclay. “The more I think about it, the more I believe you were right. I need to face them and tell them to leave me alone for good. I could message the address to my father tomorrow morning.”

Barclay made a surprised sound. “You sure?”

Was I sure? Not really, but I didn’t see many other options. “It’s better than waiting around, not knowing when they might accost us.”

I thought of how many more breakdowns I could go through before my father suddenly stood on my porch. What if I knew for sure when he was coming? Then I could handle it. With Barclay at my side, I could handle anything.

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