CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER TEN

The next morning, Frankie was cursing at her cell phone when she sensed Trick enter the kitchen. “Brad’s still not answering my calls,” she told him without looking up. Apparently her uncle was taking a page from Marcia’s book and giving Frankie the cold shoulder. “Well, I’m not calling again so he can keep blowing me off. He knows I want to speak to him. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of chasing after him.” When Trick said nothing, she lifted her head and met his eyes. The sober look on his face made her tense. “Something wrong?”

He crossed to her stool and took her hands in his. “Baby, it’s Iris. She passed away in her sleep last night.”

The words stabbed Frankie right in the stomach. She took in a huge gulp of air. “Oh.”

“Come here.” Trick drew her to him, curling his arms tight around her. He kissed her hair. “I’m sorry, baby.”

The gentleness in his voice made her chest tighten. “I didn’t really know her.”

Trick framed her face with his hands. “She was your grandmother, and she loved you. She was a good woman, and I’m sorry that you didn’t get more time with her. And I’m sorry for all the years that you missed with her. If nothing else, you can mourn what you missed.”

Frankie rested her forehead on his chest. She hadn’t expected to feel such deep sorrow about the news. Iris was her grandmother, sure, but she was also a virtual stranger. Still, Frankie remembered those pictures she’d seen in the albums of Iris hugging her tight, kissing her cheek, holding her hand, or carrying her around. Iris had loved her, and the child that Frankie had once been had loved her right back.

Realizing she was clinging to Trick, Frankie loosened her grip on him. “Will there be a funeral?”

“It’ll be held on Bjorn Pack territory in a few days.”

She frowned. “Bjorn territory?”

“Iris wanted to be buried near her mate and son.” Which meant that if Frankie went, she’d see Christopher’s grave. Trick wasn’t sure if that was something she was ready for. “You don’t have to go to the funeral, Frankie. Iris would have wanted you to be there, but she would also have perfectly understood if you didn’t go.”

“I’ll be there.” She wanted to pay her respects. His eyes searched hers, uncertain, so she assured him, “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay. The graveyard is near the border of Bjorn Pack territory, so there’ll be no need for us to drive through the heart of it.”

That was a relief. She wasn’t ready to revisit the place yet. Wasn’t sure if it was something she’d ever want to do.

“Don’t know if you’re one of those people who like to be alone when you’re sad or grieving, but I’m telling you now that that won’t be happening. I’m staying at your side. We don’t have to talk about this anymore if you don’t want to, but I’m not leaving you.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you to go.” Her chest felt tight, and she rubbed the heel of her hand over it. Her stomach was churning, and she was surprised she hadn’t retched.

“We need to go check on Lydia. She’ll want to see you. Think you’re up to that?”

“I thought we’d established that I’m not made of fine bone china, Trick.”

He cupped her face. “I know you’re not fragile. But you are mine. That means I intend to take care of you, no matter how strong you are.”

“Even a strong woman needs to lean on her man sometimes.”

Hearing Iris’s voice in her head made her swallow hard. Frankie went pliant against him, and he wrapped his arms tight around her once more. She said nothing as he gently rocked her from side to side; she allowed herself to take comfort from him. Her wolf pushed up against him, letting out a whine of grief. “You’re right, she was a good woman. She didn’t deserve to have her granddaughter taken from her life.”

Trick kissed her temple. “No, she didn’t. But she got to see the woman you’d become. That made up for a lot.” He squeezed her nape. “Come on, let’s go home.” He was glad when she didn’t argue that Phoenix Pack territory wasn’t her home. They both knew she wouldn’t be living in the house much longer. “We’ll see Lydia, and then we’ll let our wolves out so they can run together.”

“Sounds good.”

An hour later, they were walking through the caves of pack territory. As they entered the living area, Frankie saw that most of the pack were gathered around, all looking grief-stricken to varying degrees.

Lydia’s lips trembled as she saw Frankie. Her eyes were red rimmed, and her face was puffy and splotchy. She stood and crossed to Frankie.

Not good with grieving people, Frankie shifted from foot to foot. She opened her mouth, intending to say the typical “I’m sorry for your loss,” but the words just seemed so formal and distant. All that came out was, “Hey.”

“Frankie,” was all Lydia said. Then she wrapped her arms around Frankie. It wasn’t a hug that offered comfort, it was one that begged for it. Frankie awkwardly returned the hug.

“I really can’t thank you enough for coming to see her,” Lydia whispered, as if her voice lacked strength. “She’d wanted it for so long . . .”

Frankie swallowed. Her throat felt sore and scratchy from the sob that she couldn’t seem to let go. “I’m glad I was able to see her. As Trick said, she was a good woman.” Hell, they weren’t exactly comforting words, but she was truly at a loss for what to say.

“I knew it was coming. Even though I was prepared, it still hit me hard when I went to check on her and realized she was gone.” Lydia shuddered, and then it was like she just crumpled. Her sobs were heartbreaking. Cam gently pulled her to him, murmuring in her ear as Lydia cried, clutching his arms.

Trick draped an arm over Frankie’s shoulders, holding her close, as people offered her sympathetic looks and words of comfort. He knew his mate. Knew she’d feel that she didn’t deserve that support, considering it felt to her as if she’d only met Iris twice. But he also knew that Frankie was hurting. Mourning the years that she’d lost with her grandmother, and imagining how different things would have been if they hadn’t been separated from each other all those years ago.

Taking a shaky breath, Lydia raked a hand through her hair. “Clara will be here soon. She wants to help with the funeral arrangements. She’ll probably bring her sons with her.”

He felt Frankie tense in his arms and wondered why. Figuring she felt overwhelmed, he spoke into her ear. “Come on, let’s go for that run.”

Taking possession of her hand, he led her out of the caves and down to a clearing near the river. He grimaced at the thick gray cloud that smeared the sky. “Rain’s coming, but I think our wolves will have enough time to play before it starts.”

As they began to strip, she asked, “Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, our wolves could claim each other.”

Trick chuckled. “I can’t promise that my wolf won’t try his luck, but I know your wolf won’t let him claim her. Not yet. She’s still testing me.”

“You’re winning her over. Fast.”

“Good. Now let her free,” he coaxed. Bones snapped and popped as his Frankie withdrew and a creamy blonde wolf with a patch of silver fur between her ears stood in her place. The female stretched, scrabbling her claws on the ground. Trick crouched down to her and patted her neck while she licked his jaw. “Beautiful,” he said. Then he shifted.

The male wolf shook fur that was a mix of gray, brown, and gold. He sniffed his mate. She backed away with a playful snarl. Then she ran. He chased her through the woods, paws padding over fallen leaves, pine needles, flowers, and mushrooms. Gaining on her, he pounced.

The female barked as he wrestled her to the ground. She twisted. Playfully bit and swatted him. Back on her feet, she ran again.

For hours they explored, leaping over crumbling logs, lapping at the stream, and chasing forest creatures into the underbrush or up the trees.

Random drops of water wet their fur, but they kept playing. It wasn’t until the rain picked up that they turned to head back to the river. It was too late. The rain was soon pounding down on them. The male wolf herded his female into a small building for shelter. Then he pulled back, allowing his human half to surface.

Trick scratched the she-wolf’s ear. “Shift, baby.” He waited, muscles coiled, ready to pounce.

Standing, Frankie blinked rain out of her eyes, surprised to see a row of SUVs. Realizing it was a small garage, she said, “Why do you have—” A mouth closed over hers, hot and hard. For a second she froze, startled. Then she gave herself over to him.

He backed her against an SUV, his growl vibrating with pure power. His hands roughly fisted her wet hair, angling her head. Yes, this was what she needed. His heat. His strength. The ferocity of what he felt for her. And he’d known that, she realized. Known that soft and gentle would do nothing for her while so many emotions were putting her through the wringer. She didn’t want to be gentled, she wanted to be fucked. Taken. Used.

She shivered, but it wasn’t from the cool air or the rain that dripped from her hair down her back. No, it was her body instantly responding to Trick—heating, melting, shaking, readying itself.

She probably looked like a drowned rat—her skin was wet and clammy, and her hair was plastered to her head. Trick didn’t seem to care. He ravaged her mouth, aggressively shoving his cock against her. A moan slipped out of her as he licked his way down to her pulse. She winced at the hard bite of his teeth.

Trick laved the mark with his tongue to soothe the sting. “Just a little reminder that you belong to me.” He slid his finger between her folds, groaning at how slick she was. His cock twitched, so full and heavy that he ached.

He sank two fingers inside her and hooked them just right. “All mine. Yeah, my pussy is so hot and tight.” Her inner muscles spasmed, and he knew she loved it when he talked that way. So, as he slowly fucked her with his fingers, Trick whispered into her ear—telling her how much he loved being inside her, how thoroughly he intended to fuck her, how he’d one day claim her ass just as surely as he’d claimed her pussy.

He didn’t want her thinking about Iris, the Newmans, or anything else that hurt her. He wanted to sweep her away from it all, wanted her priority right then to be simply how bad she needed to come. At that moment she needed it so bad, she was quivering.

Outside, the rain drummed at the roof of the small building and pounded the ground. He could smell the fresh scent of rain and ozone. More, he could smell her need, and the sweet and spicy scent drove him out of his mind.

Sensing she wouldn’t last much longer, he spoke into her ear. “I want you to come on my hand. Come on, give it to me, Frankie.” He picked up the pace, thrusting hard, stroking her sweet spot. Her head fell back as her release hit and she let out a raspy, choked moan that was like a fist around his cock.

Frankie was still recovering from her orgasm when he yanked her forward and twirled her to face the SUV. She swayed, taken off guard. His hands snaked around to cup her breasts, squeezing roughly and tugging on her nipples. She relaxed against him, her pussy throbbing, needing him. “Trick—”

“Tell me how bad you want me to fuck you,” he rumbled into her ear.

Part of her balked at admitting it, but she knew he’d wait all damn day for her to answer. “I need it.”

“You need it?” Trick raked his teeth over her shoulder. “Well then, I’d best give my baby what she needs. Bend over.” No sooner had she leaned forward and placed her palms on the hood than he slammed home, burying himself balls deep. Her pussy clamped around him so tight he had to grit his teeth against the urge to come. Trick let his arms fall to his sides. “Fuck me.”

Frankie braced her hands on the SUV as she slammed herself on his cock over and over. God, he was so thick inside her. Stretched her just a little too much. But she didn’t mind the bite of pain. Right then, she even welcomed it.

“Harder, Frankie. Yeah, that’s it.”

She fucked herself on him like she was caught in a frenzy, wanting him as deep as he could possibly go. She needed to feel his cock possessing her, filling every inch of her pussy. Her world had gone tits up and her mind was a whirl of chaos. Trick was the one solid thing in her life.

Everybody seemed to want something from her. The Newmans wanted her complete obedience; the pack wanted her in their life, Newmans be damned; Trick wanted her body, heart, and soul. Compared to the others, he wanted a hell of a lot more from her—and rightfully so, given that they were true mates. But he was the only person who wasn’t demanding anything of her when he was probably the one person who had the right to do so.

He wasn’t pressuring her. Wasn’t becoming impatient with her. He was allowing things to move at her pace, and, as he’d promised, he was on her side. For that alone she fucking adored him.

Feeling his release creeping up on him, Trick gripped her shoulders and took over. He pounded into her, slamming so deep that he hit her cervix with every brutal thrust. She didn’t wince, didn’t ask him to stop. Instead she threw her hips back harder, as if needing that little bit of pain.

Her pussy began to flutter around him, becoming hotter and tighter. “Wait for me.”

“I can’t,” she rasped.

“You want to give me what I want, don’t you? So wait for me.” He powered into her, eyes locked on a spot on her shoulder. He itched to bite her there, to brand her flesh once more.

“Trick, I—”

“Wait.”Gripping her hips, he leaned over her and licked the little spot he’d chosen. “Come.” He sank his teeth down hard, growling as her pussy contracted around him and she exploded with a throaty scream. Trick’s cock swelled inside her, and he rammed himself deep as his release tore through him and he growled out her name.

As they both quivered with aftershocks, he lapped at the new mark. His wolf loved the sight of his brand on her skin. Wanted to leave another. And another. And another.

Once his cock slipped out of her, Trick curled an arm around her waist and straightened so they were both upright. Nuzzling her, he pressed a kiss to her neck. She was like melted wax in his arms. “You okay?”

“Better than okay.” She glanced around. “What is this place?”

“A garage. We keep some vehicles here in case we need to use the concealed exit nearby.”

“Ah. Gotcha.”

He turned her to face him and shoved back the hair that was stuck to her forehead. “Sounds like the rain has eased off.”

“Then I say we head back and take a hot shower.”

He gave her a soft, lazy kiss. “Sounds like a plan.”

Once again in their animal forms, they trotted through the forest to the spot where they’d left their clothes. They shifted shape and wrapped up the rest of their clothes in their T-shirts so that their wolves could easily carry the bundles inside the caves.

They didn’t shift back into their human forms until they were in Trick’s room. While they showered, he fucked her again against the cold tiles, leaving yet more marks on her body. She didn’t complain. Never did, unless it was to playfully tease him, as if she sensed that he needed to mark her so thoroughly while the urge to claim what belonged to him hounded him day and night.

Later, when it was time for dinner, they made their way through the tunnels toward the kitchen. Hearing his cell beep, Trick fished it out of his pocket. It was a text message from his Alpha. “Trey wants to see me in his office,” Trick told her. “You remember the way to the kitchen, right?” At her nod, he said, “I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”

Frankie watched him go and then headed down the tunnel that she was pretty sure would take her to the kitchen, but she couldn’t be absolutely certain. Soon the scents of food drifted to her, and she knew she’d taken the right route.

She heard footsteps approaching just before a male wolf rounded the corner. Marcus. Her wolf stilled, watching him. Knowing he had history with Trick made Frankie feel a little awkward. And slightly jealous, yeah, even though she knew it was ridiculous. Something in her expression must have given her away, because realization dawned on his face and he halted.

Marcus scratched his chin. “Trick told you, huh?”

Slowing to a stop, she nodded and then gave a slight shrug, going for nonchalant. She didn’t want him to see that the whole thing bothered her on any level, particularly since she knew it was senseless. “He didn’t want Greta to blindside me with it.”

“I think Roni found it a little weird at first. Maybe even felt a little threatened by it, like Trick would be competition. She couldn’t have been more wrong.” Marcus rubbed his jaw. “He’s probably already told you this, but maybe it will help if you hear the same from me. Trick and I were never a couple. Never wanted to be. We were close friends and trusted each other, so that made it . . . comfortable, I guess you could say, to indulge in random one-night stands. Uncomplicated and undemanding. There was nothing more than that between us.”

Not really comfortable with the conversation, she simply said, “Okay.” She hoped he’d end it there. He didn’t.

“Even if I had wanted more—which I hadn’t—he wouldn’t have given it to me. He’s always been so very sure that he’ll recognize his mate on sight that he held his sexual partners at a distance, reasoning that letting them close could lead them into thinking he wanted more. He did it out of loyalty to a mate he hadn’t yet found—or, as it turns out, who he hadn’t consciously known he’d found. For Trick, there’s only ever been you. No one else counted.”

Warmed a little by his seeming determination to reassure her, she nodded. “Thank you for telling me that.”

“You’re good for him. For a long time, Trick has made a point of taunting the fuck out of others. But it’s been at least four months since he last teased anyone. I knew something was wrong, wondered if maybe he and his wolf were becoming restless and sour by watching others find their mates while he remained alone. He wouldn’t talk about it. Wouldn’t even admit that he was losing hope of finding you. See, Trick comes across as someone who’s easy to read, but he’s not. A lot of stuff goes on in his head; he just keeps it to himself. He does that for the same reason that he pushes—or did push—people’s hot buttons and deliberately stirs things up.”

“To keep a part of himself separate from others.” She tilted her head as something occurred to her. “Is it because of Jana?”

Marcus rocked back on his heels. “He told you about her? Good. It shows he’s holding nothing back from you.”

He did seem to be genuinely pleased by it. This wasn’t someone who was at all jealous or even slightly discomfited by her connection to Trick, she mused. The tension that had stilled her muscles began to ebb. Even her wolf began to relax a little.

“To answer your question, yes, I think it is because of Jana. No one’s going to crush hard on a person who goads them, taunts them, and deliberately makes them feel uncomfortable—even though he’s not malicious about it. He wasn’t like that until the Jana incident.”

“What was he like?” she asked, curious.

“More empathetic, sensitive, and unguarded. Oh, he still teased people, but he did it in a lighthearted way. He did it to lift the mood or make them laugh, not to piss them off. I’ve seen him act that way with you. I wondered if there was anything of the old Trick left in him. It’s good to know that there is; it’s good to watch it resurface. I’m glad he has you back.”

Frankie felt a smile curve her mouth. This wolf was easy to like. “I can’t really blame him for scratching your itches.” Especially since Marcus was hot.

Marcus laughed. “Thanks. So things aren’t going to be weird between you and me? Because I really don’t want that.”

“Things aren’t going to be weird,” she assured him truthfully.

“Good. See you at dinner after I go see what Trey’s called a meeting for.”

They parted ways, and Frankie soon arrived at the kitchen. It was kind of odd walking inside on her own. Sure, this was technically her pack, but she still felt like a visitor at times. Grief marred the air, but there was an unexpected hint of warmth there too.

Jaime smiled the moment she spotted her. “Hey, Frankie.” She patted the chair beside her in invitation. “Lydia was just telling us about all the crazy shit that Iris did whenever she was drunk. Lydia, tell her about the time your mom wrote the poem for a badger.”

Lydia did, and Frankie couldn’t help but chuckle. As she listened to each of Iris’s drunken incidents, she felt the grief’s tight grip loosen.

Sniffling, Greta rubbed at her nose with a tissue. “I’ll miss Iris. She was a lovely woman.”

Riley’s brows drew together. “You called her fit to burn a week ago.”

“I did not,” stated Greta, affronted.

Behind the old woman, Grace mouthed “She totally did,” and then placed another platter of food on the table.

“I had a lot of respect for her,” Greta claimed. “She was like me. Family oriented. Fair. Supportive. A survivor. She’d been through a lot, but she didn’t let any of it beat her. No.”

Taryn shook her head in what looked like amazement. “You have a glossy opinion of yourself that is massively undeserved.”

Makenna nodded in agreement. “Some find ignorance to be bliss, I suppose.”

“My boys are the ones living in ignorance,” sniped Greta. “For some reason, they don’t see their mates as unworthy of them. Marcus did me proud finding Roni. But the rest of them . . .” Greta grimaced. “They let me down, and they let themselves down.” Her eyes slid to Frankie. “I had high hopes for Trick and Dominic, but there you sit with my Trick’s mark on your neck—bold as brass, like the hussy you are. That wouldn’t have happened back in my day. Nooooo. I never let anyone but my Arthur leave a brand on me.”

Frankie snickered. “You also took your driver’s test on a dinosaur.”

Clapping, Riley threw back her head and laughed. The kids didn’t seem to have any clue what she found so funny, but they started clapping along.

Jaime bumped Frankie’s shoulder with her own. “Iris would have loved that one.”

At that moment Trey, Dante, Tao, and the enforcers filed into the room. Trick sank into the seat beside Frankie and kissed her temple. “What’s so funny that has Riley doubled over with laughter?”

Frankie just shook her head. “Is everything okay? Did the meeting have anything to do with Drake?”

Piling food on his plate, Trick explained, “Trey wanted to let me know that Morelli called him with a warning.”

She frowned. “What kind of warning?”

“Drake’s gone missing. Or, more likely, he’s gone AWOL.”

“Meaning he could come after you again.” Her wolf’s upper lip curled. “I’d say it was good of Morelli to warn you, but he’s probably done it so he can deny blame for whatever Drake does or doesn’t do next.”

“That was my thought. We’ll find out soon enough. For now, let’s eat.”