Training a Wife Read online

  “For the next few days you are our only priority. Meetings will only be at a certain time of day from now on. I’ve rescheduled everything I can to be with you,” Edward said.

  She looked over her shoulder, frowning at him. “Why? Because you feel guilty or because you want to actually spend time with me? Don’t you think your little groupies are going to be a little pissed? Or did you promise them you’d be back after you’ve satisfied my needs for a few days?” Beth knew she sounded like a bitch, but she was tired and pissed off and that was not a good combination for her.

  “Look at me, Little Witch,” Edward ordered, with ice in his voice. She had heard that tone directed at her only a few times, but she knew not to argue. She looked at him.

  “The last month has been crazy. First you were taken, and then there was our wedding. Many things were put on the back burner. Now, it’s not an excuse,” he sighed, and reached up to cup her face with both hands. “There never were any other women and there never will be. Yes, I have donors to feed from, but when I first brought you home, I made sure they were all men. So whoever is saying differently is lying and trying to start trouble. Believe me, I’ll find out who is too,” he promised.

  “No, it’s up to me to stop these rumors and I have a pretty good idea who it is.” Beth covered his hands with hers and squeezed. “I love you, Edward, and I know how much pressure you are under, but you are my rock. The one thing I thought I could count on, but lately…” She leaned back out of his grasp and glanced at Lucas.

  “If it hadn’t been for Lucas and Rock, I’d be going stir crazy.”

  She turned her attention to Dred. “I agreed to be like you, to be part of your world, but so far, all you have done is kept me away from your pack. Sure I see your sister and a few of the other females, but what about the runs at night or any other issues coming up with the pack. I should be included in this stuff. Question for you, Dred. Why haven’t your parents formally introduced themselves to me? And why didn’t they show up for our wedding? I know they were here.”

  Dred glared over at Rock, and Beth hissed. “He didn’t tell me, asshole!” She jumped up and stared at him. “I was told about this by the blond bimbo who hung all over you the first day I met the pack.” She stepped back away from his reach.

  “Oh yeah. Just keep thinking that since you’ve laid your claim, all your little followers will accept me, but HELLO!!!! They aren’t going to accept anything if I’m not around or you…” she pointed at each of them. “Fuck it.” Beth swirled around shifting as she did, and running for the door.

  “Damn it, Beth!” Dred yelled and she knew they were all following her. They had wanted her to wait to shift till they knew the babies were okay, but Beth knew her children were safe in her womb and weren’t going anywhere. There were certain advantages to being a witch, but it seemed her men had forgotten about that.

  Saying the words, Beth ran towards the stairs when she heard the thud and the cussing. She couldn’t help but laugh as she shifted before going up the stairs. Maybe they’ll remember they’re not the only ones who can do a few different things, she thought as she headed up the stairs when Lucas’ arms suddenly wrapped around her and lifted her off her feet making her shift back to her human form.

  “That was not very nice. You know someone could have gotten hurt.” Lucas scolded her and carried her into the kitchen where he placed her on the counter. Stepping between her legs, all Lucas had to do was give her that look and she was fidgeting.

  “Well, then they should remember I’m not helpless. I’m tired of sitting around, Lucas. I’m pregnant, not sick. Plus, the idiot had it coming to him.” She glared at Dred as he came into the room and took Lucas’ place when he stepped back.

  “Go away, Dred,” Beth growled back and tried to hold his gaze, but eventually she looked down at her hands and bared her neck to him. She knew he was waiting for her to submit to him.

  His arm wrapped around her and he dragged her closer to his body as he bent down and bit her neck where his permanent mark was. “Mine,” Dred snarled as he grabbed a handful of her hair, pulling her head back to stare into his eyes when he released her neck.

  “Don’t ever run from me, Beth. It brings out the wolf and now is not the time to test me,” he said before covering her mouth with his in what was meant to be a punishing kiss, but turned out to be a downright –throw-me-back-and-fuck-me-one.

  By the time Dred released her, Beth was ready to spread her legs, but the asshole stepped away from her and allowed Edward to replace him.

  “Do you need something, Little Witch?” Edward asked, as he slid his hands up her shirt and squeezed her breast.

  “No,” she pushed Edward’s hand away and tried to get some of her mental capabilities back. “What I need to do is some work. Please move, this is important.” Beth waited for Edward to move, but he didn’t.

  “What do you have to do? Wouldn’t you enjoy spending time with Dred and me for the rest of the day?” Edward asked.

  Once more doubt raised its ugly head and Beth looked away. “I might have a way to break this stupid connection that Lucas’ brother has, plus I might be able to learn what he is planning too.” She wouldn’t look at them. If they knew what she was planning, they would forbid it. Beth only hoped Edward or the others wouldn’t probe into her head this time.

  ****

  Edward knew at once that Beth was keeping something from them, but he wanted her to open up to him and it was obvious she wasn’t going to. Lucas was right, their time apart had driven a wedge in between them. Taking both of her hands in his, Edward brought them up to his mouth and kissed each hand. “Can we help?”

  She cocked her head to the side and glanced at him. “You’re not going to like what I’m going to do,” Beth warned him almost egging him and the others on.

  “Is it dangerous to you or the babies?” he asked watching every move she made. When Beth went to lower her eyes, Edward reached up and grasped her chin, holding her head up. “No, look at me and tell me.”

  “I don’t think so, but I can’t explain it yet. I need to look into my father’s book of spells before I do anything,” Beth explained and he nodded.

  “We’ll do this together, but if there is any danger whatsoever to you or the babies, I won’t allow it. Is that understood?” Edward waited till he got a nod from her before helping her down off the counter. “Lead on.” Edward and the others followed her down the winding staircase and into her father’s study.

  Beth took a deep breath as soon as she walked in, and whispered, “Miss you, Daddy.” She went to her father’s desk and climbed into his chair which was too large for her smaller frame. “Edward, I need your help, please?” she asked, looking up at him.

  “I can search for the book, but it would be quicker if you asked for it to come to you now that you are owner of all his belongings,” Beth explained, running her hand over the top of the desk.

  “What book am I asking for?” He walked around the desk and lifted her up. Edward took a seat in the chair and placed her on his lap.

  “My father’s spell book.” She lifted her chin and he smiled as he held out his hand.

  “Come to me book filled with knowledge and magic and allow us to gaze upon your pages.” Edward would have laughed at Beth’s expression if a book twice as big as his arm hadn’t come flying at them. At once he swung the chair around and waited for the book to bang against the chair, but instead nothing happened.

  Beth was shaking in his arms and Edward could she was giggling. Her hand was over her mouth, but one look into his eyes and she lost it, laughing so hard she had him grinning.

  “What’s so funny? That thing could have hurt you?” he mumbled but slowly turned the chair around to see the book floating in the air above the desk, just waiting there.

  “No, nothing in this house would every hurt me, but thank you for protecting me.” Beth laughed again as she reached up to grab the book, but Edward beat her to it.

  “I’ll g
et it. It looks heavy.” Edward said and placed the book onto the desk in front of them. “Now what are we looking for?” he asked.

  “A spell my father created when I was small. It protected all of us from my brother’s prying eyes,” she said, turning to look at the book. “Book of wisdom and magic please show us the spell that was spoken so many years ago. It kept us hidden from those that would cause us harm.”

  At once the book started to vibrate and shake before it flipped open and pages started to turn. “Damn,” Rock said, as he stood by Edward’s side, watching. “That is some powerful mojo going on there. I can feel the energy from the book and the wolf inside me loves it.”

  “I can feel it from here. Your father must have been impressive in his time,” Lucas said from across the room.

  Beth looked up and smiled. “He never bragged about his gift, but he knew he could hurt many people if he wasn’t careful.” She waved her hand to the room. “That is why he created this space. It was somewhere he could relax and not worry about his power affecting anyone. This room has some kind of seal on it, so no one close to the house would even know he was present. I forgot you haven’t seen the whole house. I’ll show you my special room when I’m done.”

  “You can show me tomorrow, but you need to spend today with Edward and Dred.” Lucas looked at Edward and nodded. “I have to do something, but I’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Lucas announced and Beth jumped up.

  “You’ll be back tonight right?” she asked.

  “No, Beth, this time must be spent with Edward and Dred. You need to reconnect with them. It’s time we all come together, Beth. You need us all,” Lucas said and disappeared from the room.

  “Lucas,” Beth whispered before taking a deep breath and moving back to the book, but when she sat down, she was stiff in his lap.

  “You’re afraid to be with us, why? What have I done?” Edward asked as she looked down at the page.

  “Drop it, Edward, it’s in the past,” Beth said and pulled the book closer to her.

  “Look at me, Little Witch.” Edward sat back and waited.

  Dred reached over the desk and pulled the book away from her. “You heard Edward.”

  “Do we really want to get into this?” Beth asked, turning to give them her full attention.

  “Yes. Now why are you so nervous around us?” Edward wanted to hug her. The play of emotions on her face made him realize just how much they’d hurt her.

  “Tell me something, Edward, What were you doing on October 30 at 11:30 A.M.?” she asked her full attention on him now.

  He frowned and tried to remember. “That was last month, but I’m pretty sure I was in New York dealing with a problem that came up, why?”

  “Obviously the day meant nothing to you, so never mind. How about you Dred? Where were you last week on Friday afternoon?” She glanced at Rock who leaned against the wall at them.

  “Damn it, Beth. Tell us what we did? Quit playing these games.” Edward hadn’t meant to snap, but this cat and mouse game was not how he wanted to spend his time with her.

  “What day did you claim me, Edward? Remember Dred when I asked if you’d have lunch with me and you said tomorrow? Oh that’s right, you were having lunch with your mom and dad.” She swung around and grabbed the book, getting ready to jump off of his lap.

  “No, we will finish this discussion now, Little Witch,” Edward waved his hand and the book flew back to its hiding place.

  “Bring it back, Edward. There is nothing to discuss.” She slowly got up and moved away from them. “It’s obvious where I belong in life, so why don’t the both of you go back to the castle? You are happier there.” Beth made her way to the back of the room, where she looked at the bookshelves.

  “Come here, Beth. You can’t honestly believe that, do you?” Edward stood and came around the desk to lean on the front of it, next to Dred. He glanced over at Rock who had said nothing. “Did you know about this?”

  “Do not attack Rock because you two can’t remember you have a wife, or mate, or whatever you want to call it. He hasn’t missed dates. Rock hasn’t forgotten about me, but he didn’t mention about his parents,” she grumbled and glared at him.

  He threw his hands up. “Oh no, this one you can lay at his feet.” Rock pointed to his brother before coming to her and kissing her. “I’m going to go up and start supper. Talk to them Beth. We’re all going to have to come together if we are going to end the fighting out there.” With those words Rock, left the room leaving the three of them.

  The door clicked and Edward’ attention was once more on the beautiful woman in front of him. “I’m waiting, Little Witch, and while you’re at it, strip. You know better than to be wearing clothes while we are here,” Edward hid his grin as his Beth glared at both of them, but proceeded to strip out of her skirt and shirt.

  “Please tell me that isn’t panties? Dred, is our woman actually wearing panties after we expressed our total dislike of such things?” Edward said noticing her stiffing up as she pulled her underwear down.

  “Don’t even think it. You’re lucky I’m doing this right now,” Beth growled, her clothes disappearing, as her Little Witch still went on searching for the book.

  “Didn’t I ask you to come here?” Edward said using a little of the magic in the room. He held out his arms as Beth was lifted up and brought to him.

  “Let go, Edward. I’m not in the mood to play with you right now, so back the hell off,” she snapped and tried to get out of his arms, but he held on tight.

  “Too bad. You’re going to hear us out.” Edward sat on the couch and sat Dred sat down next to them, taking her legs into his lap and holding onto them. He took a deep breath and stared down at her. She was furious and rightly so.

  “There is no way I can apologize for missing our anniversary, but you could have given me a hint Beth.” She snorted and shook her head.

  “I did. I left little Post-It notes in your suitcase, laptop and I even sent you a note at your hotel. Not to mention the gift I sent you, which is nowhere to be seen on your body,” Beth’s chin started to tremble. “Please let me up. I need to look at that spell.”

  “No,” Edward said holding onto her while trying to get his anger under control. Someone would pay dearly for taking those notes and her gift. “Little Witch, I never got those notes or your gift,” he finally managed to get out.

  She stopped struggling to look up at him. “You didn’t get any of them?” When she let go of her power for a second, books started to float off the shelves, the couch they were on shook, and papers went flying as Beth slowly pulled her gift back in and everything went back to its original spot.

  “What’s wrong?” Lucas appeared in the room as the same time as Rock burst into the room.

  “He never got my gift?” Beth looked at Lucas who glanced at Edward.

  “You didn’t get the box we had sent to you? Rock and I personally helped her get all the items that were in it, since she couldn’t shop,” Lucas said, frowning. “You have someone in your personal staff who is interfering with your messages and things. It makes me also wonder what else this person is doing?” Lucas stated.

  Chapter Three

  Her anger towards Edward eased. He hadn’t been given any of her messages and that did help, but if that was the case… “Wait? What about the letters that were placed in our room? Did you place them there?” she asked Edward and he frowned.

  “What letters? I have no idea what you are talking about, Little Witch. Show me.”

  She held out her hand and said a few words when her personal scrap box appeared. “Move over please,” Beth said and Dred slid over giving her the room to get between them. Opening her box, Beth smiled at the pressed flower Rock had given her six months ago.

  “What is that?” Dred asked, looking at the dried and pressed thing.

  “It’s the first flower your brother ever gave me. I have all sorts of things in here. I even have.” She dug on the side of the box and pulled out a sm
all envelope and showed Dred what was inside. “This is from the first time you allowed me to cut your hair. I kept a lock of it.” She shrugged. “Just my way of remembering things so I can share them with our children.” She tucked the envelope with the lock of hair back into the box and pulled out the five notes that had been placed on their bed.

  “I found each of these letters on your pillow when I woke up. It’s the only reason you’re not a toad right now.” She frowned at him and tears appeared once more in her eyes. “This also means you never…So you really did forget…” Beth didn’t say anymore, handing him the letters. Beth sent the box back to where it came from. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to work.” But she didn’t get anywhere.

  “No, we’re far from done. I need to explain about Mom and Dad,” Dred stated. “Our parents are very old school. Many wolves have arranged mating and, yes, it happens even today. It’s very rare to find your blood mate among wolves, but we were lucky.” He leaned over and kissed her nose. “But our parents, well they’re not too sure we are blood mates and have asked for an old ritual test to be done. With you being pregnant and mated to others, I’ve held off asking you or the others.”

  “What is this so called ritual that you’re talking about? I’ve never heard of it before.” Beth looked at Edward and he shook his head.

  “I have no idea either. Explain it to us.” Edward put the letter down he’d been reading and waited.

  “Wait, did your parents arrange a woman for you and Rock?” She glared at him and instantly knew that they knew they had. “Let me guess, she’s here, isn’t she?” With a wave of her hand, clothes covered her body and she stood.

  “Tell me you haven’t spent time with her over the last few months?” She held up her hand. “Forget it. I don’t even want to know.”