“If you hadn’t dragged me to the bar, neither of us would be here now.” Harper pushed a box of tissues off the seat and onto the center console. “So thank you Sid.” She fastened her seatbelt and waited while Sidney started the car and fiddled with the radio. Lee was pulling in as Sidney backed out. He lowered his window and waved at her.
“Do you know where Ryder is?” He called across the yard. Harper threw her hands up.
“I haven’t seen him. We’re going to get pizza for lunch, tell everyone half an hour.” She waved and he waved back as Sidney pulled away from the house and headed toward town.
“You know if I hadn’t hit it off with Curtis, that’s a good looking wolf.”
“I guess. I don’t look at any of them like that. They’re like brothers. You’ll feel the same in the morning when Curtis has put your hormones to rest.” Sidney smiled and sighed. “Sidney I do believe you’re smitten.”
“I am. You wouldn’t believe how good his skin tastes.” Harper scrunched her nose.
“I believe that Ryder has better tasting everything.” Harper giggled when Sidney stuck out her tongue. “It’s going to be okay. Isn’t it Sid?” Sidney nodded and turned off of the highway into the parking lot. “I don’t know how I’m going to smell this all the way home. I’m starving.” Harper’s stomach grumbled on cue and Sidney smirked.
“You’re definitely pregnant.” Sidney muttered and turned the car off as she climbed out. Harper slid out and stood. Across the top of the car she saw Jake with a knife to Sidney’s throat.
“Nice and easy.” He growled.
“Well, well,” Arms banded around Harper like steel and she was filled with instant disgust. “It’s good to finally hold what’s going to be mine.” Ellis hissed in her ear. Harper struggled to get free but couldn’t overpower him. Sidney was doing the same. Harper saw Sidney try the self-defense moves they learned at the bar they’d both worked in years ago but it didn’t help. Jake’s fist flew up with an upper cut connecting solidly with Sidney’s jaw. Harper watched the light go out of her eyes. “You want some of that too? I’m happy to oblige. You she-wolves have been overstepping for too long now. You all need some discipline.” She felt Ellis’ hot breath on her neck and went stiff as a board. There was no need to provoke him into touching her any more than he was. “Now get in the truck.” Ellis turned her around and shoved her into his old crew cab. Jake put Sidney in the bed and climbed in after her. Ellis fastened her wrists with a cable tie he found on the floor. “Your Alpha should mind his pack better.” Ellis said flashing his eyes at her. Harper couldn’t help the laugh that came out of her suddenly. “What’s funny?”
“You. Do you think for a minute that I will mate with you?” Harper shook her head. “How long do you think it will take my mate to find you and end you? He promised that he would and I haven’t seen him break a promise yet. You’re as good as dead if you don’t let us go right now.”
“You’re Alpha will have the whole pack to battle. We’ve already met and agreed that those Green Valley pricks are not taking our females.”
“You didn’t want Sidney. None of you did, so let her go.” He sneered and shook his head. “She deserves a shot at happiness.”
“Somebody will want to fuck her for fun I’m sure.” He spat. “Hell, I may even have her suck me off as penance for taking you to that bar.”
“Max won’t allow that.” Harper hissed.
“Max isn’t in charge anymore. He and his family pulled out this morning. He was lucky to make it out alive. The pack is pissed that he didn’t protect what’s ours and that he gave a she-wolf up without a fight. Jake’s the new Alpha. New Alpha, new rules.” Ellis put the seat belt across her lap and clicked it. He slammed the door and climbed in the driver’s seat then started the truck. Within minutes, they were pulling up behind her old house. He was right. There was a new Alpha and there were new rules. Ryder would kill them both. He wasn’t the kind of Alpha that wouldn’t take the right to protect seriously. Especially now that she may be carrying his pup.
“Why are we here?” Harper asked.
“This is my house now. You’ll fill it with our pups. I’ll give you everything Bronson wouldn’t and you’ll be the best mate in the territory.” She gagged. “Or you’ll be the one with the most bruises. Your choice.” He got out and came back to her door then opened it. Jake was unloading Sidney, she was still out cold. Harper’s mind raced. What should she do? She couldn’t fight a full-grown male. Ellis was shorter than most wolves but he was no less powerful. Jake was bigger and she certainly couldn’t over power both of them. “I’m going to cut your tie and take you inside. You’ll behave or you’ll suffer. Got that?” Harper did her best to look timid and nodded. “In the house.”