New Alpha – New Rules(29)

“Hey there girlie.” Uncle Bobby finally said when she hugged him. “Heard you’re in a tough spot. Lost your mate?” She nodded against his chest. “Well, you come on home then and we’ll take care of you. You don’t have to stay with any of these strangers.” He clicked his jaw. She laughed. That sound used to put her in stitches when she was young. There was just something so unnatural about a wolf clicking. He could do it in either form and for some reason it always made her giggle. Ryder was behind her now. She could feel his strength and she stepped back against him as his arms came around her.

“This is my home now Uncle Bobby. This is Ryder and he’s going to be my mate.” Bobby pushed his cap higher on his forehead with a finger and leaned back to look Ryder over. He grunted.

“He’ll do I reckon. Do you love him?” She smiled. “Will he treat you good?” She nodded. “Will he fill that belly with pups?” She flushed. “Good, you need a few to chase after. I always knew you’d be a good mama. And you son, are you willing to take care of her? Fight for her? Protect her?”

“Of course sir. I love her.”

“Good enough. Consider yourself hitched.” Harper’s brow creased then her eyes widened. “Go on, kiss her.” He cackled. Ryder leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, Harper melted into him.

“Whoa, you are performing mating rites?” He nodded when Harper asked.

“No.” Ryder tightened his grip on Harper. He turned her around to face him and cupped her jaw gently. “Is this what you want sweetheart? Are you ready for this?” She gazed up into his face. “She isn’t ready for this, not yet.” Ryder said after a slight shake of her head and pulled her tight to his chest.

“You both said…”

“And we meant it but we’ll do this in our own time.” Ryder’s fingers glided up and down her arm slowly.

“You don’t want to mate this female?” Bobby visibly stiffened.

“More than you can imagine but I don’t want her until she is ready. She’s just come out of a bad situation and she needs time. There was a lot to process.” Ryder finished quietly.

“Harper?” Uncle Bobby touched her shoulder. “What happened? What happened with Bronson? We all thought you were happy. You never called for help. We told you before you left…” She turned slowly.

“He wouldn’t let me call or visit. I wasn’t allowed to use the phone at all for the first six years.” Bobby’s face hardened.

“What else?” Bobby growled. Harper’s brows furrowed. “What else did he do to you in this Alpha’s care?” Bobby gently lifted her chin with a gnarled finger and stared into her eyes with his amber ones.

“I don’t know. A lot of things.” She finished on a whisper. His fingers tightened slightly. “He raped me, cheated on me, made me work two jobs while he watched porn, and he was on drugs. I stuck by him like I promised you I would.” He dropped his hand and turned to Max.

“You let this happen? You let him abuse her like that? A she-wolf in your care was treated worse than a…a prisoner and you stand there demanding my help? You should step down out of shame Maxwell. You’re no Alpha.” Max’s eyes flashed back at Bobby and Ryder stepped between them.

“We’ll not have this here. Not now, not today and not on my land, you two settle your differences elsewhere.” Power and strength rolled off Ryder and both wolves backed away. “What’s done is done. Harper has to deal with it and I will help her. You may perform the ceremony when she’s faced her demons and when she is ready. Ryder turned to the tree line and scented the breeze. “They’re coming.” Harper watched Ryder’s pack shift and flank the yard. Curtis, Alan, and Jack went toward the trees while Lee, Will, and Mathew stayed in the yard between the trees and their Alpha. “Go inside.” He murmured against her ear then kissed her temple. Harper went to the screen door then slipped inside. She turned to look at Ryder who stood solidly by the porch steps waiting.

“Come on.” Lucy waved at her. “We can watch.” Lucy climbed onto the couch and leaned her little body against the back then pulled the curtains out of the way. “See?” Harper grinned and joined her at the window. Ryder looked over his shoulder at them and smirked. Harper grinned back then watched the tree line. Justin wandered into the living room.

“’Sup?” Harper thought he was the oldest of Nicole’s pups but couldn’t be sure because they were all nearly the same size, even the female.