Hidden Destiny (Redwood Pack) Read online

  Lexi snorted. “Yeah, honey, just a bit.”

  “What can I say? I like being the creamy center of that cookie.”

  Melanie threw her head back and laughed, almost falling off her chair. “Oh hell, I can’t sit here in this room and deal with that smelly herb anymore. Let’s go to Willow’s bakery and get some cookies.” The Heir female winked, and Lexi choked on a laugh.

  “Uh, I think I’ll get a cupcake and leave the cookies to Hannah.”

  Hannah rubbed her hands together. “Sounds good to me. Come on, ladies. Willow is working today and has Bay with her I believe. Ellie is off with Maddox and Charlotte doing…something. And Cailin and Noah have Parker for the day, right?”

  Lexi nodded. “Yep. Parker loves Cailin, and she loves him like the little brother she never had. I don’t mind them hanging out when I would need to find someone else to watch him anyway if I’m working.”

  They made their way out of the triad’s home and toward the den center. The den was situated in the middle of the forest between two rock faces. It kept them safe on three sides, and the wards, usually, kept them safe on the other. Since the Redwoods would conceivably be living with each other for centuries, they’d done their best to leave tons of space between homes. The Jamensons all lived near each other in one corner of the den and were either a long walk or a short drive to the center, where the school, shopping, and other amenities were located.

  Today they decided to walk the distance, needing the fresh air.

  “I’m glad you decided to help today,” Hannah said a few minutes into their walk.

  Lexi smiled. “Me too. You two are hoots.”

  Mel laughed. “You wouldn’t have thought so if you’d met me before I mated with Kade.”

  “Oh shush,” Hannah admonished. “I bet you were just as adorably dorky as you are now. You’re just getting some.”

  Lexi tripped over a root, laughing so hard. “Oh my God, Hannah. Those men need to get home soon so you can get laid.”

  Hannah huffed out a breath. “I know. It’s been like thirty hours or something like that. I’m shriveling up.”

  “Jesus, Hannah,” Mel mumbled through her laughter.

  “What? I’m still waiting to hear the deets on North. Just saying.”

  “Yes, why don’t you tell us the deets on the man you stole,” a voice said from behind a tree.

  The girls stopped walking. Melanie put herself in front of Hannah while Lexi took the other side. Hannah was a witch with powers connected to the earth, but she couldn’t Heal herself. Lexi might not be able to shift, but she was still stronger.

  Melanie could kick ass if she had to, but Lexi hoped they wouldn’t have to.

  “Colleen? Is that you?” Melanie asked, her voice cool, dangerous.

  Three women walked out from the trees, smirks on their faces and looking as though they were out on the prowl for trouble. Lexi had seen them around the den but hadn’t spoken to them. For the most part, the wolves she didn’t know stayed clear of her.

  After all, she was just the new addition to the Pack with the shady past.

  Honestly, Lexi didn’t blame them for their hesitation to welcome her and her family with open arms. The Pack had been beaten and culled through battle after battle. Lexi was a threat because she was an unknown.

  Picking a fight, though, was too much for her.

  She might deserve space from others, but she didn’t deserve whatever these women were about to dish out. Melanie and Hannah for sure didn’t deserve it.

  “So tell us, Lexi, how is it with North?” Colleen spat. “You come into our Pack and take the last remaining available Jamenson? What kind of shit do you think you’re trying to pull? You’re nothing but trash.”

  Melanie growled, the sound crawling over her like a sweet chill. “Marissa, Sandra, go if you don’t want to be part of this with Colleen. If you stay, you’ll all be forced to deal with me.”

  “And me,” Hannah added. She stretched her fingers, the soil around them rippling like small waves, the tension in the air rising.

  “Guys…” Lexi didn’t know what to do. Yes, she was more dominant than the non-Jamensons by far, but as a latent wolf, the others wouldn’t know that. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt because others were prejudiced or whatever the hell was going on with them.

  “We’ll stay here,” Sandra answered, an ugly glint her eye.

  “Yes, it’s about time we deal with the Jamenson bitches,” Marissa added. “The three of you came into this Pack and took our men. Melanie had to be turned. She’s not even a born wolf like us. Hannah is a fucking witch. And you, Lexi? You’re not even a real wolf. You’re just a broken joke.”

  “Shut your fucking mouths,” Melanie ordered, her power flaring. Lexi swallowed hard, the power washing over her like a warm blanket. Though she couldn’t feel her wolf, she could feel the comfort that came with being with another wolf that was there to protect her. The other women’s eyes widened, and their knees buckled. Lexi knew Melanie hadn’t put out too much of her power, but shit, she was strong. “We’re Pack. We’re family. Why they hell are you spouting nonsense and trying to break that?”

  Lexi had been right when she’d thought the Pack was changing from within. The Jamensons had spent so much time protecting their members from outside evil they hadn’t been able to see the poison within.

  “You’re nothing,” Colleen yelled then charged. Her claws spouted from her fingertips as she swung at Melanie. Mel ducked then punched the bitch in the face. Colleen attacked back and tried to pounce on Mel, but the Heir female would have none of that. Mel kicked and punched, showing how strong she was compared to the lower-ranking female.

  Sandra came at Hannah, her fangs bared. The Healer pulled up her arms, bringing the earth with her. A heavy wave of soil, leaves, and roots slammed into Sandra, and the other woman screamed.

  Marissa attacked Lexi, her claws out, ready to maim. Lexi didn’t have claws or fangs. No, but she had strength plus the fact she’d been the underdog her whole life.

  She ducked then used her shoulder to slam into Marissa’s gut. The woman let out an oof, but Lexi didn’t stop. She pushed Marissa to the ground, twisted the woman so she was on her stomach, and then pulled her arms back so Marissa screamed out in pain.

  “Yield.”

  “Never, you bitch!”

  Lexi pulled harder, and Marissa screamed louder.

  “All of you, stop it.” Melanie’s voice held a thread of power, sending shivers down Lexi’s back.

  The sound of people running toward them reached her ears, but Lexi didn’t face them. She could scent the Jamenson men coming for them, but she had to focus on keeping Marissa pinned.

  They didn’t need the men fighting for them, considering the three of them had kicked ass all on their own.

  “Melanie.”

  “We’re fine, Kade.” Melanie pulled Colleen by the hair so she lay between Marissa and Sandra. “The three of you have shamed the name Redwood.” Her power flared again, and Lexi lowered her eyes.

  Jesus, the woman was strong.

  “I’d kick you out of the Pack right now, but unlike you, I’m not an ignorant bitch. I’m calling a circle.”

  Shit. Calling a circle would force the women to be put in the center of the entire Pack and shown their punishment handed out by the Alpha.

  Some of the Pack already hated her, and Lexi didn’t want others to be hurt because of it. “Melanie…”

  “Not now, Lex.”

  Lexi closed her mouth.

  She felt a hand on her hip and risked a glance over her shoulder. North stood behind her, the heat radiating off him mixing with the metallic taste of his anger. She knew the darkness he feared was close to the surface, but he was holding on.

  For her.

  She leaned back, letting herself need him as much as he needed her.

  She heard the three women on the ground gasp at the movement, jealousy all by pouring off them.

  Whatever.
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  With North’s touch and her movement, they were claiming each other in front of the Pack with more than words and the scent she’d carried from their lovemaking before.

  They were making a statement, and she’d be damned if she’d let the others ruin it for her.

  “The Alpha will decide your punishment; I’m too angry deal with you,” Melanie ordered.

  Kade came up from behind her and put his hand on her hip as well. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. The women had this down.

  Lexi could tell the others around them—Adam, Maddox, and Logan—were holding themselves back so they wouldn’t make the women look weak.

  There was no way anyone would mistake them for that now.

  No way.

  North’s other arm came around her, and she let out a breath.

  This was her new family, and they’d stood up for her.

  She just had to get used to that.

  Chapter Ten

  “It’s just dinner, Lex.” North smiled as she paced around her bedroom in her fifth outfit for the night. He loved it when she was all jittery because that meant he got to soothe her.

  He’d been needing to soothe her more and more over the past few days. Lexi had been on edge ever since the attack where Mel, Hannah, and Lexi had not only kicked ass but also shown they were stronger than others thought.

  He knew she didn’t feel comfortable being the center of attention, and with the Pack circle coming up after the full-moon hunt, there was no hiding behind others. While North understood Lexi’s reluctance to be part of the Pack circle to see the women’s punishment, he had no such qualms. He wanted to see what his father would do to the wolves who would not only attack those they thought weaker, but attack family.

  It was past time to show that the Jamensons ruled for a reason.

  “It’s not just dinner, North,” Lexi answered, bringing him out of his thoughts. She wiggled out of her sweater dress, leaving her in thigh-highs, heels, her bra, and panties.

  Unable to help himself, he walked up to her, pulled her flush against his body so her ass was against his crotch, and slid his hands up her sides.

  “North, we don’t have time for this,” she said breathlessly, but tilted her head to the side anyway.

  Good girl.

  He inhaled her scent and rocked against her. “You smell so fucking good, my Lexi. I want to bend you over the bed, tuck your panties out of the way, and fuck you hard while you wear these high heels.”

  She shuddered in his hold but didn’t move away. His hand slid up her stomach and chest so he could collar her neck. She sucked in a breath, her body going lax against him.

  He kissed her temple then moved away, annoyed they didn’t have enough time.

  “When we get back from dinner, I’m going to taste every inch of you.”

  Lexi blinked at him, her gaze glassy. “Now I really don’t know how I’m going to do this dinner. I used to be nervous, but now I’m nervous and horny as hell.”

  North barked a laugh and shook his head. He moved to her closet, pulled out another sweater dress he knew looked good on her, and handed it over. “Put this on. It makes your ass look amazing.”

  She raised a brow. “I’m not sure if an amazing-ass look is what I’m going for tonight.”

  North shrugged then moved to the bed so he could stretch out and watch her dress. He cupped his hands behind his head and grinned. “The dress covers you so you’ll look as demure as you’d like, but I’ll know what you’re wearing underneath. Plus with your ass looking fuckable, it’ll give us something to look forward to.”

  She snorted as she pulled the dress over her head, careful not to mess up her hair. “You’re not fucking my ass tonight, North.”

  He licked his lips. “Not tonight, no, we’re still preparing you for that. But soon.”

  She shivered, and he ran a hand over his cock through his pants. Shit, his plan of making her think of something other than her nerves had backfired. Now he’d have to get rid of his hard-on before sitting with his family for dinner.

  Having a mate seemed to lead him into whole new situations, and he fucking loved it.

  “You look beautiful, Lex,” he said as she patted down her curves.

  “Thank you, but I’m still nervous.”

  “You’ve had meals with my family before.”

  “But this is different.”

  Yes. This would be the first family meal with Lexi by his side.

  He couldn’t wait.

  A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.

  “Come in, Logan,” Lexi called as she walked into her bathroom doing whatever women did when they were getting ready.

  “I don’t know why I have to go to this family dinner,” Lexi’s brother grumbled as he fixed the sleeves on his button-down shirt.

  “Because I need my family there,” Lexi said from the bathroom.

  “Lexi, you’re going to be there with my family, which is now your family,” North said softly, and Logan smiled.

  “Thanks,” the other man mouthed, and North nodded.

  Lexi came out, her eyes filled with tears.

  He jumped up to his feet and ran to her. “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He pulled her into his arms, and she pushed back.

  “I’m fine, really. That was just really sweet of you to say.”

  “Okay, you can stop with the sap now,” Logan added in, deadpan.

  “Does that make me family too?” Parker asked from the doorway, and North turned to the kid he wanted to claim as his own.

  “Of course. You know me and your mom are mates, and that means we mix our families together.” He hoped the hell he was saying the right thing.

  “So that means I can call Cailin Aunt Cailin?” the kid asked, and North held back a laugh. Yeah, the kid had it bad for North’s sister.

  “Yep. I think she’d like that. You’re family. So is Logan.” North raised a brow at the man. Unsaid was that Logan was family through Lexi, not Cailin. If the man even looked at North’s baby sister in the wrong way he’d end him.

  Slowly.

  “I don’t have to call you dad, do I?” Parker asked, and North froze.

  “Uh…”

  “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

  North nodded, his throat suddenly very dry. “You can call me North, Parker. I won’t force you to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.”

  Parker bit his lip then nodded.

  Hell, North needed a drink, not that wolves could get drunk without copious amounts of alcohol. He could use one nonetheless.

  “Okay then, we need to go now, or we’ll be late,” Lexi said, her voice unusually high.

  It might seem like an insta-family to some, but North would take it. He just wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to do with it when he got it. It wasn’t as if he’d ever been a dad before.

  They piled into his Jeep then made their way to his parents’ house. The Jamenson family dinners were not only summonses. They were times when they could all talk about things that were going on within the Pack and their individual families.

  Before Kade met Melanie, seeming to start the cascade effect of the rest of the brothers finding their mates, dinner used to be a little quieter, a little shorter.

  Now there were added mates, babies, children, and chaos.

  North knew his mother was in grandmother heaven.

  As soon as they made it to the porch, his mother opened the door, a bright smile on her face even with the wariness that came with war in her eyes.

  “You’re late, North Jamenson, but since you’ve brought me this little guy, I will forgive you. Come in.”

  Before North could blink, she had Parker in a tight hug. Her murmurs and squeals at him reflected Parker’s being there as part of North’s family rather than a normal guest and made him smile.

  “You know, Parker, Finn used to be the oldest cousin, but now I think you are,” Pat said as she pulled him in for another hug.
“Are you ready for that responsibility?” she asked, her tone solemn.

  “I’ll take care of the other kids. I promise,” Parker answered, his tone equally solemn.

  Yep, North had just fallen in love with the kid.

  Lexi wrapped an arm around his waist, and he pulled her close.

  He loved the kid’s mom just as hard.

  “Go sit at the children’s table. Your Uncle Reed will be sitting with you since he decided to use one of my vegetables as a weapon.”

  “It was one pea, Mom! And Kade was egging me on,” Reed called from the other room, and North laughed.

  As old as they were, he and his brothers had never grown up.

  “Shut up, Reed. Lexi, it’s good to see you.” She kissed Lexi’s cheek and hugged her before moving to Logan. “And, Logan, I’m glad you could come.”

  Logan looked like a fish out of water but let the smaller woman bring him into her arms.

  Once they got through the foyer, they made their way to the dining room where everyone already sat, drinks in front of them and the food in covered dishes on the table.

  He felt Lexi freeze beside him, and he pulled her closer.

  “I’m sorry we’re late,” Lexi said, her voice small.

  “I waylaid her, but we’re here now,” North added in before she could blame herself.

  His family laughed and gave knowing glances.

  “We’re glad you could come,” Willow said, her eyes bright. “Now you can tell us all about those details Hannah said you were holding back.”

  North frowned and looked at Lexi as they sat down. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that his mother had put Logan across from Cailin, but the two wouldn’t even look at each other.

  Interesting.

  “What details?” he asked as Lexi blushed red.

  “Uh, nothing. I’ll talk about it later, Willow.”

  Hannah and Melanie threw their heads back and laughed while the others looked around, confused at missing the joke.