Running in Fear Escaped Read online

  “Mark, have Blair move her things from the house to here. Bring our bed outside to the pit. We'll burn it tonight at the dinner.”

  Jaycee didn't say a word as Dane released her. She just walked out the door to the truck. Her bag followed behind her as the truck door opened and the bag flew in. Jaycee went to get into the driver's side when Pierre pulled her to the passenger side and lifted her in. She didn't say a word as they all drove back to the main house.

  Mark left them to retrieve Blair and her things as soon as they entered the living room. Jaycee's stomach flipped and growled, since she hadn't gotten to finish her sandwich. She looked around the room she was in. Noticing some sandwiches lying on the tables, Jaycee made her way there. She grabbed one, stuffing a bite into her mouth.

  Dane grabbed her arm, dragging her towards the stairs, “I'm not going anywhere with you, so you can just let go of my arm right now,” Jaycee snarled through a mouthful. She dragged her feet, trying to stay put, but he wasn't having it. He flung her up over his shoulder, and her sandwich went flying as he smacked her ass hard. He didn't say another word, just carried her up the stairs to a different bedroom. Pierre followed them, slamming the door behind them as they entered the room.

  Dane threw her onto the bed, pinning her body with his. She tried to use her new powers, but nothing worked against them.

  “Your father told us how to fight your powers when it's necessary,” Dane stated, his nose almost touching hers. “You won't ever make a scene like you did today in front of my men and pack. Do you understand me?” he shouted and shook her. Hurt and anger played back and forth inside of her. He was worried about his pack more than he was about her.

  Jaycee brought up her knee, shoving it into his balls, and threw him off her. She jumped off the bed, growling, and watched Dane cup his balls in pain. Pierre stalked her slowly.

  “Don't you even touch me! Since your pack is so important to you, go fuck them. It seems I mean nothing to you, except to lie to and fuck whenever you want!” her beast snapped, showing her fangs. Pierre and Dane both moved around her slowly. They cornered her, but they didn't dare touch her.

  “You need to calm down. You just attacked one of your mates,” Pierre ordered.

  “Why? So you can lie to me again, and make a fool out of me in front of the whole pack? Do you honestly think they're going to respect me now, after you ignored my orders? You want me to respect you in front of the pack, but you won't do the same for me!” she shouted. Her claws pushed out of her skin, ready to attack anyone who came near her.

  “Did you honestly think I would want to sleep on the same bed you fucked her on? She threw this all in my face! You're supposed to back the pack bitch.” Jaycee noticed them step back, giving her more room. She looked up and noticed her father standing behind them.

  He stepped up closer to her. “Jaycee, I want you to calm down. If you don't, I'll be forced to bring on the shift, turning you back to your human form, and it's going to hurt badly, angel,” he stated, waiting for her to calm down.

  Glaring at her father, she hated him and her mates right then. She was faced with no other choice but to back down. Jaycee concentrated on her human form and shifted back to her normal body. She pushed past her father, stopped at the door for a moment, and glared at him. “You know something? Out of all the things you could have done to me, this hurt the most. You didn't think for one minute about how I would feel. You're supposed to be my father and protect me, but you didn't. Instead, you thought only of the bitch and the pack. I guess the pack will always come first, as well as any other female before me.” Tears rolled down her face, and she ran out the door, down the stairs, and straight into Mark's arms. He held her tightly.

  “Don't cry, Jaycee. We didn't know it would hurt you this much.” Mark tried to comfort her.

  She stood stiff, her heart ripped in shreds. She needed to be alone; her wolf cried to run.

  “I need time alone. Please just leave me alone,” she cried out, slipping away from him. Running outside in the snow, she reached the hot house. She didn't have a coat on, so she was frozen by the time she entered the building. Shaking off the snow, Jaycee leaned against the door, sank to the ground, and let everything go.

  Someone knocked on the door behind her, and she jumped, looking around her. Shit, I fell asleep. Looking up, she saw Kate and Shelly standing there. Jaycee got out of the way and let them in.

  “Dinner will be served in an hour. Can we help you get ready?” Kate asked, staring at her. Jaycee hated to face the whole pack, but she knew she had to.

  “Do you know if they brought the rest of my clothes?” Jaycee asked, getting up and walking towards the door. Kate handed her a coat.

  “Yes, all your clothes are in the master bedroom, and you have your own walk-in closet. I think that gorgeous black dress would look great with your red hair. It will be sexy as hell. You could show that bitch there's no competition with that number.” Shelly laughed as they walked back.

  “That's not the problem. It's my mates. They didn't even consider me or my feelings. They lied to me. How am I supposed to believe anything they say?” Jaycee asked.

  “They're going to have to earn that trust back, but it will happen. I went through the same thing with your father. He didn't tell me about you till after we were mated. I only learned about you when I heard him talking to his source about you,” Kate said, smiling at her. “You could say he was in the dog house for over a month. And he's in the dog house now for pulling that Alpha shit with his daughter,” Kate snarled.

  Jaycee laughed. She entered the house, shook off the snow and hung up her coat. She knew her mates’ gazes never left her body as soon as she'd walked in, but she ignored them. Kate and Shelly followed her upstairs to the master bedroom. At once, she noticed the whole bed was gone: mattress, headboard, and even the dressers. New dressers… well, not new… antique dressers had replaced them. The same with the bed frame. An old, huge bed sat in the middle of the room. Walking around the bed, she took in all the details that had been hand carved into the wood. It showed stories of the pack's history.

  “This set belonged to my grandparents, who passed it down to Mark. He just had it brought up out of storage.. He knows they hurt you and this is way of saying sorry.” Shelly said, smiling at Jaycee.

  “It's beautiful, and it helps. But I don't know if it's enough. And don't you want it?” Jaycee asked, staring at her.

  “I have our other grandparents’ set. This should be yours.” Shelly hugged her. “Now, go hop in the shower. We already took ours, and our clothes are in closet with yours. We can all get dressed together.”

  * * * *

  Jaycee stepped out of the shower, drying off, and fidgeted with her hair. She didn't really have to do anything to her hair. It automatically dried just like she liked it. Walking into the bedroom, she saw Kate and Shelly already dressed. “You guys are quick. Look at those dresses – they're beautiful.”

  “Come on. We have fifteen minutes to get you ready. They're waiting for us in the living room, even though they deserve to wait. We'll walk behind you and your mates to the pack house dining room,” Kate said, grabbing the dress and handing it to her.

  She'd always loved this dress, but she'd never had anywhere to wear it. It hugged her body tightly, and the front dipped down to her belly button in a slit between her breasts. Her breasts were big, and the dress showed them off perfectly. It ended mid-thigh, but slits ran up both sides to her waist.

  Shelly handed her the black thigh highs and a garter belt. Next came the black four-inch fuck-me pumps Shelly had bought her that she'd never worn, because she would always be taller than James. But, with all her mates, she would still be shorter than them, even in the heels.

  “I have something for you. It was your grandmother's. She gave it to me to hold onto until we could find you,” Kate said, slipping in behind and her wrapping around a pearl, diamond, and black onyx necklace around her neck.

  “It's Nana's! Is she
going to be here?” Jaycee stared into Kate's eyes in the mirror.

  Kate shook her head, lowering her eyes, and Jaycee knew she was in another world now. Her eyes started to mist, but she wouldn't cry. Her Nana would laugh at her if she cried right now. Instead, she composed herself and smiled. “Thank you, Kate. This means so much to me. She was the mother I never had.”

  “Okay, you're ready. You don't need any makeup. Your natural beauty is plenty,” Shelly laughed, opening the bedroom room. They all walked down the stairs to the waiting men.

  Her mates stood at the bottom of the stairs dressed in black suits, their pants tight as the muscles rippled through them. Their shirts covered their chests and defined their massive frames, making her want to pant. Yet, she held her ground and wouldn't think about that. She heard them snarl as she reached the bottom step.

  “You're beautiful. But if I'd seen that dress, you wouldn't be wearing it now,” Dane snarled, lowering his head and trying to kiss her lips, but she turned her head so he could only reach her cheek. She glanced up at Mark, smiling at him.

  “Your gift means a lot to me. Thank you, Mark.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.

  “We better get going. I don't want to be late. That would be one more thing for them to hold against me,” Jaycee said, and took his arm.

  “Jaycee, we're sorry,” Dane said quietly, escorting her down the hall. She didn't even acknowledge her father.

  “I am sure you are, but that doesn't help with the trust issue, does it, Dane? How can I trust any of you? You more or less lied to me and disrespected my orders. Tell me, did you ever put any guards on her? Was she even questioned?” Jaycee asked, not even raising her voice.

  Dane didn't say a word, and she knew the answer. She would have pulled away from him, but she knew this was important, so she said nothing as they entered the pack dining room. Over three hundred eyes turned to stare at them. They were all standing, waiting for their leaders to sit at the head table.

  Jaycee watched Dane make his way to a podium. He was breathtaking, the way he utilized his Alpha manner and addressed his pack.

  “I first want to welcome all of you home for our monthly gathering. As you know, this is a special time for my family. My brother, Pierre and I have found our mate and brought her home where she belongs. Some of you have heard she has a few enemies that would like to take her from us, but this won't happen. Our Alpha Bitch has told me and her other mates that we have shown her disrespect, and that we have lied to her.”

  Jaycee heard growls come from the pack. Every member glared at her with hatred. Her heart raced, and she glared at Dane. She was ready to leave for good, but he continued, growling himself.

  “She was right. We did do this without meaning to. I won't have you threaten or disrespect our mate. We were wrong, and it won't happen again.” He turned to stare at her.

  “If we even hear of anyone that disrespects her, or lies to her, they will answer to me,” he proclaimed, turning back to the pack. “I'll also tell you that Blair is no longer living in the main house. She now lives in my sister's old cabin, and she is open for pursuit.” Dane stopped and looked right at Blair.

  “As you know, her brother is no longer living. He was a traitor to the pack who was trying to kill my mate. Blair has been questioned, and she wasn't involved with the plan.” He paused and glanced at her again. Some relief escaped as she sighed, knowing that now, at least, they had followed some of her orders. “If she continues her disrespect towards our mate, she will be banished from this pack.”

  Jaycee followed his eyes as he said this last part. Sure enough, Blair was present. Blair glared at her, but she lowered her head, not her eyes. Jaycee was about to jump from the stage when Mark held her in place, pointing with his head towards Dane.

  “Adrian, will you please remove Blair from this home for good? I warned you, Blair, but you still wouldn't listen. You are now banished from this pack. You'll have till tomorrow to get your things and leave,” Dane ordered.

  Jaycee watched the two men escort a furious Blair from the pack home. She shouted and screamed all the way out.

  “Now that that is done, I want you to meet our mate, Jaycee. Our bonding ceremony will be held next week and performed by her father, our National Council Alpha, Guy Manz. Jaycee?” Dane turned to her, holding out his hand.

  Taking a deep breath, Mark walked her up to Dane, who slipped his arm around her. Everyone stood applauding her and whistling. She heard Dane and Mark growl as the other men whistled and shouted at her.

  “Hey, Alphas are you going to share? She's hot!” Jaycee heard someone shout as she smiled.

  “Frank, I know that was you. And the answer is no. She's all ours, if she ever forgives us,” Dane mumbled, and Jaycee laughed.

  “As all mated females know, my mates will be in the proverbial dog house for a while. I do want to apologize if I offend anyone. I am new to all of this, so please bear with me, but, as my mates have found, out I'm not a push over. I can't wait to meet everyone. Thank you for the warm welcome,” Jaycee stated, stepping back from the podium. Everyone applauded and whistled as she stepped back, ribbing their Alpha.

  She watched an evil smile form on Dane's lips. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. His lips covered hers in a scorching kiss that caught her off guard.

  She melted in his arms, and her body quivered. His hands slid to her ass, grabbing it and squeezing. Jaycee heard the whistles and shouts as he lifted his head, smiling down at her.

  “I'm sorry. Let's eat,” he said aloud, for everyone to hear.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jaycee sat next to her mates and, once again, piled food onto her plate. She shook her head, eating what she could, while she tried to ignore them. She gazed out at all the people and noticed Dane and Mark's parents at the other table next to them. Getting up, she started to walk over to them when Dane grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?” he demanded.

  “I am going to say hi to your parents. I haven't seen them since I've gotten here.” Jaycee pulled her arm out of his grasp and walked over to them. They both rose, hugging her.

  “Oh, you're beautiful tonight. If I didn't have this lovely lady at my side, I would give my sons a run for their life. You wouldn't stand a chance with me, young lady.” Their father laughed, and his wife hit his arm. She pushed him out of the way and hugged her.

  “I heard that, and you'd have a fight on your hands. She's ours,” Dane growled, pulling her back into his arms. He wrapped them around her from behind. Mark stood next to him, and he lowered his head, kissing her cheek.

  “I wanted to say hello. I'm sorry I haven't visited since I've been here,” Jaycee said, smiling at their mom.

  “ It's understandable after all that you've been through. Now go eat your food or it will get cold. And don't keep my sons in the dog house too long. I want grandkids soon.” Jaycee laughed as Dane groaned. “She better not keep us in the dog house that long!” Mark grumbled, and Pierre said, “You got that right.”

  Jaycee walked back to her seat without a reply. As she went to sit down, she noticed a box on her chair. Picking up the box, she happened to catch a whiff of what was inside. It smelled rotten.

  Dane stepped up next to her, noticing the box and the look of disgust on her face. “What is it?” he asked, taking the box and looking it over to make sure there was no return address. He sniffed it and growled.

  “It's something dead, isn't it?” Jaycee whispered. Mark came up to her, sensing her distress. The room got quiet as the whole pack stared and waited. Pierre came and took the box, staring at it, flipping it one way then another.

  “There's no bomb or electric equipment in it.” He ripped it open and looked inside.

  “Shit!” he barked. Dane took the box, and Jaycee peeked in. She screamed and backed up into Mark's arms.

  “It's Jumper's head. He was my dog. James took him from me last year. I thought for sure he had killed him then,” Jaycee snapped, turning her head i
nto Mark's chest. He held her, rubbing her back. Shelly came up and peered into the box.

  “Oh God, I am so sorry. I know how much he meant to you, Jaycee,” Shelly whispered, hugging her from behind.

  “The postage is from in town. I want to know who put this box on her chair,” Dane ordered, glaring across the room.

  “I saw Derek up here, but I didn't think anything of it,” Shelly stated, pulling away from Jaycee. Jaycee turned and watched Dane storm off to find Derek. She went to sit down and noticed blood on her seat. A cold chill ran up her spine. Pierre grabbed the chair, snarling, and stormed off with it.

  “Mark, I'm not feeling too hot. Would anyone mind if I just go and sit in front of the fire in the living room?” Jaycee asked quietly. Her stomach churned.

  He scooped her up into his arms, carrying her back towards the main house. She heard murmuring around them as they passed through the room. People reached out to touch her and support her. Jaycee felt a single tear slip down her cheek, and she buried her face into his chest.

  “Why can't they leave me alone?” she mumbled.

  “I don't know, baby. But don't worry – we'll find them. I promise.” He kissed the top of her head and sat down on the sofa in front of the fire, holding her. Only the guards followed them into the room. Mark reached around her, slipping her shoes off her feet.

  “I'm so sorry your first dinner was ruined, baby. I'll get you something to eat later, after your stomach settles.” He kissed her ear and then nibbled on it. His hands trailed under her dress, up her thigh, settling on her mound, waiting.

  Jaycee took a deep breath and grabbed his hand. “Not now, Mark. It's too much. I just want to be held.” She reached back and pulled his head down for a kiss.

  He nibbled her lower lip, asking her to open for him, and she did. His tongue and mouth devoured hers. She heard Pierre come in and growl, picking up her legs and sliding between them. Jaycee broke the kiss. “No, Pierre. Not now. I can't.” She gazed down at him, brushing away a strand of hair in his eyes.