be a problem.”
“ Are you saying she asked for this?” Bryce snapped at the Alpha. Lexi waited. It wasn’t a good idea to challenge an Alpha on his own land. Would Maverick take it that way? She didn’t know the man she was now related to well enough to be sure.
“ No Bryce, of course not. I’m saying that your concern that Bane might seek retribution is valid. He might make Ashley’s defiance a lesson to the pack.”
“ Not to mention she killed his son.”
“She what?”
Bryce hesitated. He thought Maverick knew the story of the attack. Apparently, a big chunk of the truth had been left out. “Her attacker was Warren Bane’s son. She killed him.”
“I didn’t know. Then your concern for her safety is more than justified. I’ve only met Bane once and it wasn’t pleasant. I know my father and the council have no love for the man. You have the Cheveyo pack’s support should you need it.”
“ Thank you Maverick. Let’s hope we don’t need it.”
Ashley waited for Faith to return. She was crawling out of her skin. The waiting was killing her. What was she going to do if the news was that she had not only been attacked but raped? The thought made her sick. She had no real recollection of the attack. It was a blur of sensations and images. Gwen had suggested that her mind had shut down to protect itself. Ashley didn’t know if that was true. Not knowing if Richard had managed to actually mate her unwittingly was driving her crazy. That had been his intention, to force a mating. The combination of sex and a bite would do it. She told herself it didn’t matter. He was dead. He had no claim on her.
Faith came into the room after what seemed like hours. Ashl ey waited, her stomach somewhere lodged in her throat.
“The test was negative. You can relax,” Faith said seeing the girl physically relax.
“ So he didn’t?”
“If he did, it didn’t result in a pregnancy. It’s been days since the attack, Ashley. I can’t say for certain he didn’t try.”
“Thank you, Faith.”
A shley was unable to contain the well of emotion that had built up. The tears fell like rain soaking her face. A knock at the door startled her as she clutched her chest. Going with them to the clinic had been her main focus, but being away from the safety of her uncle’s home suddenly made her feel vulnerable.
“ Come in,” Faith said looking toward the door.
Maverick ’s hulking form loomed in the doorway. Ashley looked up trying to hide her fear. “Ashley, Bryce and Lexi are waiting for you in the waiting room. I told them I’d come back to check on you.”
“ Tell them I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute,” she said with a shaky breath.
“I wanted to tell you that you are welcome here. The Cheveyo pack will do anything they can to help you. I know your uncle is pack leader of the Rainer pack, but if you ever need safe refuge, my pack is yours.”
“Thank you, Alpha. I haven’t decided where to go yet.”
“Go? You’re thinking of leaving?”
“ I can’t stay and risk Bane attacking my uncle’s pack. I thank you for your offer, but that would put your pack at risk as well.”
“ You can’t go this alone Ashley. Both packs are very capable. If Bane decides to make a move against you, the protection of a pack is crucial.”
“ This is my mess, Alpha.”
“ No, I disagree. Bane has defied council and treated his pack like slaves for years. His actions hurt the whole were community. He risks our being discovered by turning humans against their will and forcing unwanted mating. You may think this is your fight, but you are wrong. If Bane makes a move to harm you in anyway, the Reiner and Cheveyo packs will take him down. I’ve already spoken to your uncle about this. Our Families are connected now that Lexi is a Cheveyo and we protect our own. Please consider staying with your uncle. It would kill him if anything happened to you.”
“I will, Alpha. Thank you.”
“ Are you
“ Are you saying she asked for this?” Bryce snapped at the Alpha. Lexi waited. It wasn’t a good idea to challenge an Alpha on his own land. Would Maverick take it that way? She didn’t know the man she was now related to well enough to be sure.
“ No Bryce, of course not. I’m saying that your concern that Bane might seek retribution is valid. He might make Ashley’s defiance a lesson to the pack.”
“ Not to mention she killed his son.”
“She what?”
Bryce hesitated. He thought Maverick knew the story of the attack. Apparently, a big chunk of the truth had been left out. “Her attacker was Warren Bane’s son. She killed him.”
“I didn’t know. Then your concern for her safety is more than justified. I’ve only met Bane once and it wasn’t pleasant. I know my father and the council have no love for the man. You have the Cheveyo pack’s support should you need it.”
“ Thank you Maverick. Let’s hope we don’t need it.”
Ashley waited for Faith to return. She was crawling out of her skin. The waiting was killing her. What was she going to do if the news was that she had not only been attacked but raped? The thought made her sick. She had no real recollection of the attack. It was a blur of sensations and images. Gwen had suggested that her mind had shut down to protect itself. Ashley didn’t know if that was true. Not knowing if Richard had managed to actually mate her unwittingly was driving her crazy. That had been his intention, to force a mating. The combination of sex and a bite would do it. She told herself it didn’t matter. He was dead. He had no claim on her.
Faith came into the room after what seemed like hours. Ashl ey waited, her stomach somewhere lodged in her throat.
“The test was negative. You can relax,” Faith said seeing the girl physically relax.
“ So he didn’t?”
“If he did, it didn’t result in a pregnancy. It’s been days since the attack, Ashley. I can’t say for certain he didn’t try.”
“Thank you, Faith.”
A shley was unable to contain the well of emotion that had built up. The tears fell like rain soaking her face. A knock at the door startled her as she clutched her chest. Going with them to the clinic had been her main focus, but being away from the safety of her uncle’s home suddenly made her feel vulnerable.
“ Come in,” Faith said looking toward the door.
Maverick ’s hulking form loomed in the doorway. Ashley looked up trying to hide her fear. “Ashley, Bryce and Lexi are waiting for you in the waiting room. I told them I’d come back to check on you.”
“ Tell them I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute,” she said with a shaky breath.
“I wanted to tell you that you are welcome here. The Cheveyo pack will do anything they can to help you. I know your uncle is pack leader of the Rainer pack, but if you ever need safe refuge, my pack is yours.”
“Thank you, Alpha. I haven’t decided where to go yet.”
“Go? You’re thinking of leaving?”
“ I can’t stay and risk Bane attacking my uncle’s pack. I thank you for your offer, but that would put your pack at risk as well.”
“ You can’t go this alone Ashley. Both packs are very capable. If Bane decides to make a move against you, the protection of a pack is crucial.”
“ This is my mess, Alpha.”
“ No, I disagree. Bane has defied council and treated his pack like slaves for years. His actions hurt the whole were community. He risks our being discovered by turning humans against their will and forcing unwanted mating. You may think this is your fight, but you are wrong. If Bane makes a move to harm you in anyway, the Reiner and Cheveyo packs will take him down. I’ve already spoken to your uncle about this. Our Families are connected now that Lexi is a Cheveyo and we protect our own. Please consider staying with your uncle. It would kill him if anything happened to you.”
“I will, Alpha. Thank you.”
“ Are you
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