Chapter 8 - Robyn

Why were Mondays the worst day of the week? I didn't much care for the day, nor did I get much value from realizing it was Monday. Mondays used to be a blessing during my temp work days. I always saw Monday as the hopeful sliver after a long weekend busting tables.

But today, that wasn't true. I didn't like how my mother dumped some creep from the Bitterpelt Furs on my doorstep along with my Alpha. Both had waltzed into my home like it wasn't our initial meeting. They had taken over my kitchen table with teacups and manly conversation while dismissing my child every time she tried to come into the room and join the conversation.

I hated Mondays. They were just the worst.

Sydney fiddled with her doll in the living room. I pitied her uncertain stance, the way she kept scratching her head and checking in on me. I waved her over with a smile and pulled her into my lap. She turned her face into my bosom and wrapped her arms around my waist.

Across from me sat the Bitterpelt bachelor—Roger was his name—perched with a teacup in a saucer and his hands folded in his lap. He was tall, lanky, and pale-eyed with a textured blue that could have been nice on a kinder face. He cast a glance or two in my direction but mostly paid attention to Bill.

"Our import/export program is excellent for entry-level learning," Bill explained, "which you'll be expected to take on some kind of long-standing job with the pack to remain a member."

Roger motioned to me. "What about the inheritance?"

"That is for Robyn to handle."

"But I'll be the man of the house, right?"

Bill laughed. "You'll be sure to share the title with me, of course."

Roger chuckled uncertainly. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Parks?"

"Robyn is a valuable member of our pack," Bill explained while gesturing tenderly to me. "She's a prized member, truly. She's been with us since our inception—her bloodline dates to the beginning strands of the Wildtooth family."

The Bitterpelt bachelor raised his brows in shock. "That old, huh? Impressive."

I wasn't a fan of his pasty skin or the sweat that kept trickling down his temples. He was up to something, like most of the men that came in here. Other than the glances, his focus had been locked on my Alpha.

"You'll be expected to serve in our military as well," Bill continued, "for we need every capable body to defend our territory."

"Are you going to war?"

I rolled my eyes. Nope. Our battles are definitely fought within our walls .

Bill touched my shoulder, startling me. Sydney jumped as well, snorting when she lifted her head from my breast. Drool clung to her cheek along with a lock of hair.

I smiled politely at the men. "Let me put her down for her nap. I'll be back in a shake."

"Make sure she gets Mr. Charles." Bill bounced from his chair with sprightly energy into the living room to grab my daughter's favorite ragged bunny. "Here you go, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead. "Night, night."

It took all my strength not to cringe. This was just unusual for him. In front of anyone else, Sydney barely existed to him. But to this stranger who offered stability in the form of my inheritance coming to this pack, well, he was the shining example of a doting Alpha. That must have been appealing for a guy like Roger, who was totally spineless.

My daughter deserved better. She deserved her own father. Cliff belonged here with her. Maybe I didn't get along very well with Cliff, and maybe I wasn't sure how to manage my feelings about him, but I was a good parent—and a good parent always put their child first.

I smiled tightly once more before heading to the stairs. Behind me, I heard my Alpha go on about how Roger would be a precious addition to the pack. Their voices faded as I went to the second floor and tucked Sydney into her princess bed.

She yawned as she stretched her arms. "That's not the funny man."

I chuckled lightly. "The funny man won't be here until later."

I crunched my face up. I hope he shows up. What if he ditches me again?

Years ago, before Cliff ever disappeared, we had gone hot and heavy during a particularly warm fall. We explored every possible place in the area, including the water tower, where we tagged the side of the bulbous tank. That night, the metal was warm under my fingers. He told me he would meet me there. I waited until dawn for him to show his face, only for the sun to blind me.

That was how I felt right now—like I was about to be blinded by reality.

"Mommy?"

I shook myself out of the funk I put myself in and smiled warmly at my daughter. "Sorry, sweetheart. Why don't you take a nap?"

"I love you, Mommy."

I sniffled. "I love you, too, Sydney."

When I kissed her forehead, I smelled Bill's scent. Part of me was terrified by it as much as I was repulsed by it. The scent followed me into the hallway and to the top of the stairs, where I heard Bill wishing Roger the best. Frowning, I descended into the living room, where Bill was dismissing Roger at the door. The man barely got to wave goodbye to me before my Alpha shut the door in his face.

"What's this about?" I stepped toward him without closing the gap between us. "Why did you send him off? You know how much my mother liked him."

Bill narrowed his eyes to me. "He's not good for you."

"Nobody seems to be good for me, according to you."

"You're right." He grinned brightly; the smile was sinister on his lips even though his eyes were their typical piercing green. "I guess I have high standards for my special princess."

I tried not to cringe visibly. "I'm glad you care about us. That means a lot."

"Don't you worry your pretty head." He waltzed toward me with a casual confidence that made me uncomfortable. When he was close enough, he stroked my arm. "If we can't find a mate for you, I'll step up to the plate."

I gulped.

Cliff had to show up. He just had to.

***

Jillian shut the curtains with a shudder. "I can't believe he's been visiting you every day."

She meant Bill. "Yeah, it's been…"

"Overwhelming? Scary?" She rubbed her khaki beige elbow and then rustled her leather black hair that she kept trimmed short in a pixie cut. "Horrifying?"

"Alright, you can stop narrating my nightmare."

Her sympathetic frown felt lightyears away from where I stood, yet she was just across the living room, just shutting the curtains, just trying to keep the demonic forces out of my home. Little late for that .

I traced my chin. Something about the mindless gesture reminded me of when Cliff kissed me. In the kitchen. In the motel.

I closed my eyes. "Jillian, I think I should take Sydney with me and head south."

"What?"

"Things are just…" I drummed my cheek lightly as anxiety put my heart in a chokehold—temporarily. I wouldn't be nervous once Cliff got here. I checked my phone again, noticing how the notification bar was free of notifications. "I don't think it's safe."

She scoffed while crossing her arms over her chest. "What about your family's estate? Your mother?" She pointed to her sternum and added in a low voice, "What about me?"

A stabbing pain sprouted in my chest. That was the guilt starting up. I knew this would happen, too. I knew it would complicate matters to try talking any of this out with Jillian. As much as I trusted her, I knew she was biased. She was always around for us.

Even when I pushed her away. "I'm sorry, Jill. I just don't think it's a good idea for me to inherit anything . I mean, look at me: I can't even find a good mate."

She gave me a lopsided grin as she closed the gap between us and took me into her arms. "Shut up, girl. You have so much to offer. You'll find a guy."

Cliff is right there for the taking. I ignored my thirst thinking and focused on hugging my best friend. "Thank you."

"And if I can be selfish…" She inhaled shakily. "Don't leave us. Not now. Not with our Alpha…"

She shuddered.

The way I hugged her should have told her everything I felt, but it was insufficient to what I knew existed between us. We weren't just friends. We were like sisters. We had grown up together, learned together, and stumbled together.

I sniffled. "Bill is about to lose his mind. I have to get Sydney away from him. She's so scared."

"I've always respected that about you, putting Sydney first."

I smiled weakly. "You don't hate me, right?"

"I could never hate you. I just don't want you to leave." She embraced me, the feeling so sweet and tender that I almost forgot about the danger lurking beyond the walls of my home.

And how that danger was a ticking time bomb.

I forced myself to breathe and stepped back from Jillian, wiping my eyes. "I'll try to figure things out tonight when Cliff gets here."

She perked up. "Cliff?"

I felt my cheeks burst with heat. "Yeah, he's supposed to be coming by soon enough."

"How's that been going?"

"I don't know."

She laughed. "That's what you said last time he was here."

"Yeah, but last time he was here, we weren't trying to avoid the wrath of a possessed Alpha and his lackeys."

Her features sank. "Don't remind me."

"I'm sorry, Jillian. I wish there were more I could do."

"I've heard of packs that solved their demon problems with rituals. Maybe I could look some more stuff up, interview people, you know."

"Research." I grinned. "Do you need a research buddy?"

"You know it."

I winked. "Consider me down for the cause."

"I just don't think it's right to kill our Alpha."

"Who said anything about killing him?"

Before Jillian could respond, a knock echoed from the door. I was twisting the knob half a second later and dragging Cliff into the house. Ever since Bill and Roger were here, my home had been infected with the smell of two unappealing men. Jillian smelled like lilac, which was fine, but I was aching to inhale the familiar spiced tobacco that guarded Cliff's neck, shoulders, and hands.

I yanked him right into me, shoving my nose into his flannel sweater and noticing the diesel smell, the gas, the rugged man-scape scent from grooming. On my next inhale, I let my head tilt back, exhaling the moment my hands touched his smooth face.

"You shaved," I whispered, and then I ran my fingers through his silky hair. "You washed your hair." Puffs of citrus-scented the air as I brushed his hair. "Oh Goddess, you smell so good."

Cliff chuckled huskily. "I'm glad to see you."

Jillian coughed loudly twice. "Uh, I'm standing right here."

I covered my mouth bashfully as I took a step back. I really let my wolf take over for a second. When was the last time that happened? "Right—Cliff, do you remember Jillian?"

He hummed with familiarity and went to shake her hand. "You mind if I ask you a favor right off the bat, Jillian?"

She looked between us suspiciously. "Uh, sure. What's up?"

"Can you watch Sydney for a few hours?"

Jillian wiggled her eyebrows. "You thinking of taking my girl on a date?"

"Maybe." Cliff glanced at me. "Is that alright with you, Robby?"

I was totally speechless. Every time I tried to say something, I ended up stumbling over syllables and staring at my toes. I shook off the funk and straightened my posture. "Yeah, sure. Let's do it. I mean, let's do something ."

Jillian burst into giggles as Cliff walked up to me, wearing a sly grin. I knew how hazardous that grin could be in the right lighting—and right now, all I wanted to do was smash my lips against his lips until we were both a whimpering mess.

I pushed my hands into the pockets of my jeans. "What about the challenge?"

"I'll do that tomorrow." He winked. "First, I want to take my mate on a date."

"I'm not your mate." But I couldn't help smiling at the sound of that word directed at me. "Where are we going?"

He winked. "It's a surprise. Now get your sneakers on."

I smiled.

I loved how excited he sounded.