Chapter 1

A New Life

Adam was in the tent set up to cut wood and build what was needed in what they were all calling the village. Houses were the most important because they would bring families back and give them homes of their own. It was hard to get used to the concept that one of his half-siblings, who he hated, was now his alpha.

"How is it going, Adam?" Trev, his alpha, asked.

"I'm glad it's cool out here because hard work can make you sweat," he replied.

"I thought you might have some questions about mating a human?"

"Is it different?" Adam wondered.

"It can be. They don't always recognize fated mates in the same way we do. The need is strong, but they don't understand it."

"How do we help them understand?"

"That's where patience comes into play. You must woo them like a human does," Trev admitted.

"I don't know anything about humans."

"I didn't either, but I learned and managed to claim my mate."

"You were much closer to the human world than I have ever been. I don't understand why I can't just take Mel and claim her. Isn't that the way of our people?" Adam asked.

"That is the old way. It no longer works now that we are mating with humans."

"I'll admit I have much to learn. Does Mel not want me because I am not an alpha leading my pack?"

"I think she may have heard a little bit about what happened when you captured your brother and tried to kill him. So, you'll need to show her that you're not unstable; you now understand about family and have resolved your issues," Trev suggested.

"How do I show her that?"

"I'm going to try to help you. We'll see if you can stay at Joey's for a week without causing any problems. That will show her you have changed and understand how to act around family."

"Things seem very complicated. What will I do while I stay there?" Adam asked.

"Whatever the alpha asks of you."

"What if he asks something of me that I cannot do? Will it not make her look at me more poorly than she already does?"

"If you're confused about what to do, Naqi will help you. Try to relax and don't worry so much. We will go to Wilde in the morning and stay for a while. Then we will return, leaving you there so you can be around your mate. Please stay calm and do not upset her," Trev requested.

"Every time she sees me, she seems to get upset. I don't understand it. Doesn't she feel the mating pull?"

"It may take time to coax her to your side. Take the time to get to know her and show her what a great guy you are."

"How can I do that when she runs and hides as soon as she sees me?" Adam asked.

"Maybe we can find a way to help, but for now, you're going to Wilde. You'll stay there until we see how we can help."

Even though he knew his friends were trying to help, Adam felt frustrated and didn't know how to handle that.

Shouldn't his mate want him? He wanted her and felt strongly for her even though they had not been together. Sadly, he hadn't conversed with her because she refused to talk to him. What could any male do in a case like that? The old ways were better. When you saw your mate, you took her and stayed with her until she accepted you. A born wolf would understand. She would accept him immediately.

He knew his mate had changed, so why couldn't he claim her? Her wolf should help him, and things would be much better. Why hadn't her wolf taken control?

He just didn't understand this new way of doing things. Maybe he was being punished for the mistakes he'd made.

Trev helped undo many of those mistakes, and his pack was once again much like it had been before. However, it still seemed like he was being punished for what he had done.

Adam's new family had shown him he had gone about things incorrectly and made mistakes. Even though those mistakes weren't his fault because his grandfather had not shown him how to be a pack alpha, he hadn't learned how to put his people first. That was something he was learning now. He was also learning how to run a pack and to work hard with his people.

Would he ever be alpha again? It was hard to say, but they quickly let him be a beta, and he knew they felt the family ties. He was the number two beta because Tiny was number one, but he was beta, nevertheless. They were giving him a chance to show he could do better.

Adam thought Trev didn't want to be alpha but knew the pack needed him. His brother had done an excellent job of restoring the pack to its former glory, and Adam was sure it would become even better than ever.

What would happen then? Could he earn back his former position?

Since Trev let them build on the land he owned, how the hell would that work? It was a lot to worry about, and Adam still had to claim his mate. Maybe he didn't deserve her, but that would not stop him from doing everything he could to claim her.

It was time. They were getting ready to head to Wilde. His mate was there. Somehow, Adam had to convince her that she was his and he was worth having. There was no doubt in his mind she was holding his recent actions against him.

Tiny was not going along on this trip. Now that his family rejoined him, he preferred to stay with the pack. Trev seemed to understand and gave him a choice, which few alphas ever did. At least not the alphas Adam knew.

His brother tossed him the keys, allowing him to drive. He rarely got this chance because most of their vehicles were lost when they started their search. Before, he had driven all the time. The oversized truck Trev had was a beast.

They were halfway there when Janie and Trev grabbed their phones as they rang. That was rarely a good thing.

Adam picked up a word or two. He had the feeling there had been an attack. It worried him. He was concerned about his mate. Had she been the target? Had they gotten her? He waited until Trev hung up to find out.

"There was an attack in Wilde. They believe Mel was the target," Trev explained.

"Who was it?" Adam asked.

"An alpha looking for a mate," Janie admitted.

"Which one?" He asked.

"They don't know. The alpha hired mercenaries, and they didn't know his name. There was an arranged meeting place, but no one was there when they got the information out of the mercenaries. They did say the alpha was obsessed and wouldn't stop until he had her," Trev observed.

"I will protect her. It is my right to do so," Adam demanded.

"That I can see," Trev replied.

"You are not going to argue with me?" Adam wondered.

"Why would I?" Trev asked. "You are her fated mate whether she acknowledges it or not. However, what I think may not matter to her. I'm sure she'll have to be convinced."

"Maybe if you all help me, we can convince her. She needs protection–the more, the better," Adam observed.

There was nothing more to say until they arrived at Wilde. The rest of the ride was quiet.

Pack members roamed outside the house, creating a perimeter. They let them through since they knew who they were. As they walked through the door, the aroma of cooking food hit their noses. Their arrival was perfectly timed since it was lunchtime.

"Come in and get your seats. Food is on the way," Joey directed.

"The food smells great," Trev observed.

"After we eat, we have some things to discuss," Naqi mentioned.

They filled their plates and began to eat. Obviously, they would be discussing the attack and who had perpetrated it. Was this going to be something that happened all the time? It could. Mel was unclaimed, and that put a target on her back. It would make her more challenging to protect if she wouldn't accept Adam's claim. He was upset at the thought that someone might take his mate and force her to mate them. If that happened, he might lose her forever. Why couldn't she accept him?

"Do we know what pack they're from?" Trev asked.

"We think they are from Mexico. They ran away so fast we couldn't catch anyone to question. I don't think the alpha was with them. He's one of those who leads from a distance. The only reason he didn't lose many of his pack members was because as soon as they met resistance, they turned and ran," Naqi said.

"What can we do to protect her?" Janie asked.

"We've suggested she goes with you and stays with Adam for protection. She's hard to convince. Our easy victory against the pack makes her think they're not a threat," Joey explained.

"They will watch and wait. Eventually, they will get through our security," Naqi observed.

Adam was sure of it, too. Patience paid. He had learned that over time because he'd had none, and what he had done put his pack through hell. It made him wonder if his people would ever forgive him. Things were much better, but it wasn't because of him. It was because of Trev. His brother knew what to do in any situation, and he wanted to learn that same skill. Could he? Would he ever manage to claim his mate?

"They are far from home. Where are they staying?" Adam asked.

"Most of the pack are probably hiding in the woods while the alpha found a better place to stay," Naqi admitted.

"I see," Adam admitted.

He didn't see why the alpha would hide in luxury while his men suffered in the snow. It would be easy for Naqi's people to target them and take them out one at a time. The male who ordered the attack doesn't deserve to be an alpha. Someone should take the position from him.

Adam was sure either of his brothers could win against him, but he wasn't sure he could. His fighting skills did not equal those of the others, but if he needed to fight, he would die to protect his mate.

Why wouldn't Mel just go into hiding for a little while? He was confident the alpha who was after her and his pack could not wait around for long. Luxury motel rooms, especially in this area, were costly.

"Look who decided to join us," Janie said.

Adam glanced up, and Mel stood there looking at them. Why had she come down? Was she ready to join with him? If only he could believe that was true. According to everything the other males had said, she would not give in so easily.

"I took some time to think about your suggestion and realized I am putting you in danger by being here. I tried to come up with someplace that I might hide. For now, the best possibility is at Janie's," Mel admitted.

Everyone looked shocked. No one thought Mel would give in so easily.

"Why is everyone looking so surprised? I can be logical and think things through. Only an idiot would rush into a quick decision without thinking about it," she observed.

"I think you are making a good decision," Joey offered.

"It will definitely make things harder on them if they decide to try to attack you there," Naqi said.

"That is my thought as well. But I'm still unwilling to share a room with anybody," Mel added.

Adam tried to be happy. At least he would be able to see her every day, and maybe she would figure out he wasn't so bad. Adam could support her, and he was learning a lot about how to be better with others. Once she saw that, wouldn't she want him?

He wished he knew more about females, especially human ones. He was sure that a female wolf would not be giving him the grief that Mel was. The problem was Mel was his, and no one else was.

The meal was wonderful, and he was full. Sitting back, he watched Mel as she picked at her food. Maybe the others thought she wasn't afraid, but he saw she was. Mel just didn't want anyone else to know, but she couldn't hide it from him.

Everyone finished their meal and got to the business that had brought them there. They unloaded several pieces of furniture Joey had ordered. Adam was sure some were for gifts. Maybe one of those gifts would even reach the white wolf.

He couldn't imagine the white wolf actually owning a piece of his furniture. Adam supposed it didn't matter because he would never know where the furniture ended up. That was the case most of the time unless someone made an effort to write a review or comment on their Facebook page. Mel may know where the furniture was going and share it with him. He was also curious about where the pieces people bought would go. When he was young, he lived in his grandfather's house, a wonderful home. There had been many pieces of old furniture that were considered antiques.

People always commented on how furniture was made in those days when people were truly craftsmen. That was how he wanted to be known. He discovered his talent at a young age, but his family did not want him to pursue it. They said it was fine as a hobby, but a future pack alpha didn't need to be making furniture. It seems they were wrong. You could be a pack alpha with another job or a successful business. He intended to do that, and his business would help his pack. Protecting his mate would be his priority, but it wouldn't be all he would do.

"Mel, they've loaded the truck. It's time to get your stuff," Joey directed.

Everyone watched to see if she would change her mind. She didn't. Two suitcases sat in the hallway, ready to be loaded. It was an excellent deal for Adam. He'd heard most women traveled with more luggage. They could acquire more things if she needed them when they were settled. He hurried over to grab the suitcases and load them in Trev's truck. Would Mel sit in the back with him? He had a feeling that she wouldn't. It turned out that he was right. She squeezed in the front with Trev and Janie.

He heard Janie whisper, "Coward," to his mate.

She turned red but ignored her cousin. Janie ended up leaning her head against her mate and falling asleep. He was sure Mel was bored. Soon enough, she leaned her head against the window and fell asleep. It wasn't long before they hit one of those terrible ruts on the dirt road leading to Janie's place.

The bump had to hurt. Adam hated Mel had to go through it, but she should have sat with him, and that wouldn't have happened. She could have leaned her head on his shoulder.

The trip was long enough that it was supper time by the time they arrived. All of them were hungry. Hopefully, there would be food left.

His mate would be safe here. Adam would ensure that. The rest of his pack would also help.

He wondered where Janie was going to put her cousin. Most of the rooms were full. They needed them until more houses were built. It seemed there was a room just off the swimming pool that was some kind of office. It was unused even though it had a bathroom with it. They would have to get furniture to turn it into a bedroom, but it would work well. The other pack would not know where to find Mel if they breached the house.

The chlorine and other chemicals would erase the scent they would generally track. They wouldn't expect Mel to be there since it wasn't a floor with guest rooms.

Adam carried Mel's bags to her room after they arrived. When they finished, he escorted her to the kitchen, where food was waiting. It was time to discuss what was going to happen.

"Everyone, sit down, and we will eat," Trev directed. "We also have some things to discuss." Once they began to eat, Trev started to talk. "Janie was taught to hide and even to fight a little bit by Damon and Tyne. Were you taught any of this?"

"No, I was in Chicago. I intended to get training later, but it never happened," Mel admitted.

"It will happen now. Learning to protect yourself is important, not only now, but later because sometimes the real assholes even go after mated white wolves," Trev observed. "Janie will help you learn to hide,

and Adam will help you learn self-defense."

"You want him to teach me how to fight?" Mel asked, shocked.

"You need to learn, and Adam's the best to teach you," Trev offered.

Adam felt better because he would teach her to fight. He would be doing something to help his mate. He would also have the chance to be up close and personal with her. It could help her see that he wasn't so bad. She might even develop feelings for him. He already felt so much for her that it was hard to believe she didn't care at all. It was his chance. He just knew it.

It was hard to understand Mel, but he had to try. How could they ever have a relationship without mutual understanding? They would have to find common ground. Adam knew Trev and Janie didn't think he listened to them when they gave their advice, but he did.

"Janie, when do you want to start working with Mel?" Trev asked.

"In the morning would be best," she replied.

"Adam, are you ready for a training session with Mel?" Trev wandered.

"Yes, I'm ready right now if she is, Adam agreed.

He just knew it would be an excellent opportunity. He would show his mate the great fighter and teacher he was. Maybe that would change their relationship, and she would begin to care for him.

There was a gym on the lower level. It wasn't huge, but it was plenty big enough. It even had an area taped off in a square for training. Adam and Mel took their positions.

Adam never saw it coming. Mel moved close to him, did a leg sweep, and knocked him on his ass.

That wasn't the way it was supposed to work. Why hadn't Trev told him she had already had some training? Suddenly, Adam was embarrassed.

When he got up, he was a little more careful. During round two of their sparing, he got Mel in a hold she could not escape. Then, he began showing her different ways to break free. He also mentioned she could bite her attacker but warned that he didn't want her to do that when they were practicing. Hopefully, she would listen. Love bites would be one thing, but being bitten hard to break free would not be enjoyable.

They worked for at least an hour before stopping. Adam could see Mel was tired. She needed to get into better condition, or any attacker would easily take her.

"Thank you for working with me," Mel offered.

"It was my right and my pleasure. You have to realize that I would do anything for you," Adam admitted.

"I was raised human. I don't have the same feelings about having a fated mate. I've also watched my cousins struggle to develop relationships with their mates. They went through a lot. I don't want to do that. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's how I feel," Mel explained.

"You would give up a lifetime of happiness because you fear the work it takes to be mated?" Adam asked.

He didn't understand. A wolf would do anything to be with their fated one. They would give up anything and risk everything. How could she feel the opposite? She was a wolf, too, now. Didn't her wolf tell her they should be together forever? Was her wolf defective? Was that even possible? Adam watched as his fated mate walked away. At least she wasn't going far, and he had time to try to change her mind.

Trev promised to help and said everyone would also help. Adam was afraid he would need all of them to change her mind.

It was time to go to bed and rest. Even though Mel refused to let him stay with her, he planned to change to his wolf and sleep in front of her door. No one would get to her without going through him first. If they found her, they might try, but he would fight to the death for the one that was his. Adam waited until he was sure Mel was asleep, then went to her door and lay in front of it. His wolf would sleep with one eye open, and no one would get past him. The floor was hard and cold, but that was the sacrifice he would make for her. His sleep was not particularly restful, and he couldn't believe it was already morning. The door opened, and she came out, surprised to see him.

"Tell me you didn't sleep there all night?" Mel questioned.

"Well, if that is what you want me to say," Adam responded.

"I want you to tell me the truth. Did you really sleep out there all night in wolf form?" Mel wondered.

"Yes, I did. You are mine to protect," Adam explained.

"I don't want you to protect me. You couldn't have gotten a good night's sleep that way," Mel pointed out.

"Let me escort you to breakfast. I'm sure everyone is eating." Adam had no intention of arguing. She was his. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Mel shot him an irritated look but walked next to him. He had no idea how to handle her and wished he could make her see that she and he belonged together. Adam suspected he may have gotten the most challenging mate in the bunch. They got to the kitchen, and they each fixed their plate. She moved away from him, but he followed and sat beside her. Why did she think he wouldn't follow? Eventually, he was sure she would see they belonged together and should never be a part of it.

"How did things go last night?" Janie asked.

She wasn't the most social person, but Adam believed even she could feel the tension in the room. Maybe she was trying to break the ice, but it didn't work.

"He slept outside my door all night. Who does that anyway?" Mel asked.

"Someone who cares a lot about your safety," Janie observed.

Mel turned red, but he wasn't sure why. Instantly, she protested, "It was unnecessary. No one even knows I'm here yet. Hopefully, they never will."

"How will we know when they know?" Janie asked.

"We won't. They'll attack, then we will find out what they know," Trev assessed.

That's what Adam thought, too. Why would they tell them anything when they wanted their attack to surprise them?

Mel didn't know how serious the danger was. So far, she had been lucky because other white wolves were more visible. It made her feel unwanted, but that wasn't true. She'd stayed in the background, unnoticed, and that was not the same thing. It would be hard to protect her if they found out where she was, but he would do his best.

"After we finish breakfast, I would like to go to the woods to show you how to evade an attacker," Janie explained.

"Would I even end up in the woods?" Mel asked.

"I didn't think I would, yet that was where I found myself. If they are after you, and you have the opportunity to run, you need to go somewhere you can hide. The forest is the best. It gives you different places to lose them. It's one option because who knows where you might be when they come after you again," Janie said.

"All right already. You've convinced me. After I finish my breakfast, we'll go to the woods, and you can teach me all that you know, oh, great one," Mel sarcastically agreed.

Adam listened as the two cousins talked. He immediately realized that his fated mate was very sarcastic. He had not been around much of that. It would take some getting used to, but he was sure there were things about him she would have to get used to as well.