Page 3 of Bunny Be Mine
I missed being here with my parents, but I also knew two things that were very important.
First, Chicago was where I truly belonged. And second, the longer I was in this area, the stronger I could sense that the aura felt different.
And my wolf agreed.
“So, who’s taken over the pack?” I asked my father after we had caught up on how things were going in my classes. I was curious if a change in leadership was the issue. “I haven’t gotten any emails or notifications that there was a change, but I know that Alpha Conrad passed away a few months ago. Has Marcus taken over?”
“We are still under the transitional rule of the elder council until final judgment can be made if Marcus is fit to become alpha or another wolf. Until about two years ago, the boy never even acted like he wanted to oversee pack matters, but now he suddenly wants to seize all control. We need to ensure what’s best for the pack, though, and the elders are not convinced Marcus is the best choice.”
“Yeah, Marcus never wanted to be alpha. He was glad when the pack decided that we would follow a different path than other packs and would not follow family bloodlines in naming the next alpha. But you said his attitude has changed since high school?” I didn’t know how I felt about that information, knowing one day he might be in charge.
“Recently, he’s been making major claims that he’s supposed to be the alpha since it was his father who ruled the pack. He is arguing with the elders and trying to convince the rest of the pack to elect him as alpha and dismiss the council.” Dad shook his head. “It doesn’t feel right. I don’t trust him.”
“I am going to give him a call while I’m out here and meet up with him and the rest of the crew. I can test out his attitude toward things and see if I can find out what exactly he plans for this pack.” I stood and placed my empty cup in the sink. “I’ll let you guys know if I get the same uneasy feeling or if maybe it’s just anxiety over changes.”
“Just be safe.” My mom refilled my father’s teacup with more of the special remedy from the pack healer, Gladys. “There have been some rumors that they aren’t the same sweet boys we used to have over for dinner every Wednesday night after football practice.”
“I’m sure I’ll find that they are the same group of idiots that played pranks on the elders in our senior year of high school. They were harmless really. Just goof-offs. Let’s try not to worry. I’ll hang out with them and let you know what I think after. For now. Let’s just enjoy catching up and plan for your next visit to campus. Neal told me to tell you he can’t wait to spoil you two and take you for dinner at the new joint that just opened.”
“You should have brought him with you.” Mom laughed, her smile reaching her eyes, lighting up her entire being. “You know we adore him as if he were our own son. He’s always welcome.”
“I know. But he had a hot date tonight with a red-headed omega from our marketing class. He said he couldn’t pass up the chance.” I shook my head. Neal was something else. “He’s gonna run out of dates soon though. I think he’s dated most of the available omegas on campus already. Soon he will need to branch out to the neighboring suburbs.”
“Is he still searching for his fated mate? Doesn’t he think sleeping around will ruin his chances if he really does find him?” Mom shook her head, that motherly disappointment clear as day. “When he’s found his mate, his past might cause a problem.”
“He lost his sense of smell and wolf a few years ago when he cheated on a witch/wolf hybrid. She cursed him.” I still couldn’t believe my friend had such horrible luck. “A psychic told him he would only get them both back when he finds his true mate. But without his ability to scent his mate or his wolf to confirm a connection, he is just blindly trying to find his mate by sleeping with every omega he meets and hoping that if he sleeps with his true mate, the curse will break.”
“Maybe this date will be the one.” Mom shrugged with a wink. “You never know. Mates tend to sneak up on you when you least expect it.”
They really do.
Chapter Two
Arley
“Howareyoudoingtoday, Arley?” Elder Mitchell greeted me as he entered the town’s bakery where I worked. I had been working behind the counter since my sixteenth birthday and owed it to my employers for keeping me housed, clothed, and fed after my parents passed away. “Do you have any more of those delicious fruit muffins left? Or did they sell out again?”
I took the last remaining blueberry-lemon muffin out from its hiding spot behind the counter and handed it to my father’s oldest friend. “Here you go. I knew you would be around this afternoon, so I saved one just for you.”
“Thanks, kiddo.” Elder Mitchell handed me a ten-dollar bill and took his first bite of the treat. “You are way too nice to me. If the other customers knew you stashed this away for me, there may have been a riot.”
“You were my father’s best friend.” I wanted to shrug but refrained; it was no hardship to be grateful. “Of course, I will make sure to have your favorites available. Just let me know when you’re stopping by and I will prepare one just for you.” My parents passed away two years ago, but I was still close to their friends. The pack members, Elder Mitchell and Doctor Elliot, would always have my back. They swore to my parents that I would be treated as one of their own children. For that reason, they were second dads to me and I made sure to keep their favorite snacks on hand as a sign of my appreciation and affection.
“I promised your parents I wouldn’t ever let anything bad happen to you.” He pointed a half-eaten muffin at me instead of a finger. “I meant that. I heard some rumors recently though that I may be failing at my job. Are Marcus and the boys still giving you trouble? I spoke with them about cornering you last week. They said they’d apologize.” Elder Mitchell finished his muffin and took a sip of the tea I had placed on the counter for him. “Did they stop by?” His expression told me he already knew the answer.
We both know they won’t give up that easily. Marcus has it in for us for some reason and he’s going to keep bothering us until he gets what he wants.My bunny wasn’t wrong about him not giving up.
I’ll never give it up to him. Him and his wolf both disgust me.I just had to find another way to get Marcus to leave me alone. I just didn’t think there was enough evidence to get the council to step in fully yet.
“Not yet.” Thank the goddess, I was hoping they wouldn’t. “Don’t worry about it though, no harm was done. They just scared me because it was dark and they were drunk. I’m sure they won’t do it again.”
“They better not.” Elder Mitchell emptied his cup and disposed of his mess in the trash can next to the counter. “Let me know right away if they do anything again. They can’t get away with this and need to understand that actions like that will not see Marcus claiming the spot of alpha. The pack doesn’t need to be ruled by bullies. They need to remember that just because they are predator shifters, they are not to torment the prey shifters we share this land with.”
“I’m not one of the pack though.” The wolves in the area had their pack, but the rest of us shifters were in groups too small to form any clans or dens. In other areas, the pack may have opened its membership to shifters of all kinds, but here in Painesville, the pack only allowed wolves to join. Maybe if the council stayed in charge, they could change that though. “Perhaps one day the pack could open its doors to all shifters though.”
“You aren’t in the pack, that’s right. But you are part of our town and deserve respect and kindness like everyone else. And perhaps you are correct that it’s time for the elder council to vote on letting all local shifters join the pack and become a hybrid pack, like those in the city.” Elder Mitchell coughed, the sound a deep bark.
“Thank you, Elder Mitchell.” I placed a hand on his arm and offered a bit of calmness through my touch. My omega gift of grounding others could help ease his symptoms temporarily. “Are you okay? Shifters don’t usually get sick and that cough sounds bad.”
