New Alpha – New Rules(51)

“Help Cindy, okay? I need to do something.” She reached up and kissed his cheek then went inside.





Chapter 18


Will stopped the tractor when Ryder waved at him. He made it there in record time sprinting across the field as the wolf. Will hopped down. “Will, we have a problem.” Will took his hat off and rubbed his head. “Nicole was asked to prepare lunch today and she decided to go into town instead. She took Kelly with her. Harper told her that she and your young should out around the house. I thought you should know.” Will huffed out a breath.

“I’ll talk to her.” Will said quietly.

“Will, if she can’t participate in taking care of the pack then she can’t be part of the pack. We’ve always had a group effort. I probably let Nicole get away with more since you and I are friends but it has to stop. She is making it hard on everyone and it’s causing bad feelings among the females. She has to help or there are repercussions.” Will nodded. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed.

“Where are you?” Ryder waited with his arms crossed over his naked chest. There was no other feeling in the world like standing in the sunshine letting it warm your skin. Will paid no attention to his lack of clothes, he was more interested in maintaining his place in the pack. “You were supposed to make lunch for everyone, why did you leave?” Will nudged at a clod of dirt with his toe. “She is your alpha female. She is mated to your Alpha, who is pissed by the way. You get your ass home now Nicole.” Will’s tone impressed him. He’d never heard him be that aggressive with Nicole. She’d never been submissive to him that Ryder knew of and he liked this in his friend. It meant that Will was alpha to his female. He surveyed the field and saw Matt coming on his tractor. He waved and Ryder waved back. “Fine.” Will said and ended the call.

“She’s on her way. Sorry man. I’ll have a long talk with her because the pups and I want to stay in the pack. She acts like she doesn’t care but I think that deep down she wouldn’t want to leave.” Ryder wrapped an arm around Will’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

“Lunch is ready by now. Head back. We’ll get it worked out.” Will nodded. Ryder hopped up on Matt’s tractor when he slowed down and caught a ride back to the house. He still wasn’t sure what to do about this. He loved Will, always had but Nicole was a piece of work. Harper gave her an ultimatum and she ignored it. If Harper didn’t come out on top of this, there could be bigger problems. He may have to force Will’s family from the pack because his mate came first no matter what.

Ryder heard them before he saw them. He was behind the house putting his clothes back on. Matt was shutting the tractor down outside of the barn. His eyes came up sharply at Ryder. He’d heard it too. Ryder raced in the direction of the growling with Matt right behind him. When he rounded the corner of the house, Harper’s wolf had Nicole’s down in the front yard. Her jaws were clamped around Nicole’s throat. Nicole was whimpering and squirming to get free. Harper’s wolf tightened her teeth and Nicole’s eyes bugged out slightly. She was no longer breathing. Ryder smirked. Problem solved. Who was Alpha female now? He put his hand on Harper’s furry shoulder. She released Nicole and shifted into his mate. “How did this happen?”

“I told her since she didn’t participate she couldn’t eat or share in our groceries. She thought I was kidding.” Cindy was grinning down at them from the porch door but turned and left when Ryder spotted her. Matt followed her inside.

“Nicole.” Ryder said when she shifted back. “Whatever direction Harper gave you, you will follow and she has my full support.” Nicole grumbled under her breath. “And that won’t be tolerated either. No back talk and no sass. I’m tired of it. You are hurting this pack. You’ve sat doing nothing for too long. You will help or you will go. The decision is yours. The pack would like for you and the family to stay as long as you remain an active member of the pack.” He pulled Harper in for a hug. “Is lunch ready?” She nodded and he steered her toward the stairs. “Then let’s eat. I’m starved. Come on Nicole, don’t pout. We would like for you to join us for lunch but only if you prepare dinner. If you don’t you’ll be asked to leave. Clear?” Ryder said without turning around.

“Fine.” Nicole said and followed them. Harper went to the sink and washed her hands then she noticed them all waiting. She gave Cindy a look who stood beside the counter grinning stupidly. The she-wolf was nearly giddy and bouncing in her shoes.