Shattered Ascension

Chapter Eight

Sawyer slid the cookie tray onto the rack. Her mind swirled with all the events that took place these last few days. She felt better knowing that Corinne was at least willing to look into the reasons why she changed; it gave her more respect for her alpha. Corinne was clearly a strong leader and someone who was just, and willing to hear what her packs said.

The grinding of coffee gave her some peace and she took a deep breath, taking in the smell of fresh coffee. She wasn’t a big coffee drinker, but there were some days that she needed it, like today. She scooped up her cup and brought it to her mouth before turning to face the door. Reece stood across the street, staring at the shop.

She hated that man. Beside him stood Quinn. That was odd. The two headed to the door, Quinn opened it and Reece followed him inside. She prayed the coffee would start working; she was in no mood to deal with these two.

“Hello, Sawyer,” Quinn said with a small smile. “What do you recommend?”

Leaving her alone, was what she wanted to say. “Chocolate chip muffin.” Her voice was flat as she spoke. Too bad the coffee didn’t make her into a kinder person, maybe she just hadn’t consumed enough. “Or the blueberry.”

“One of each.” Quinn held up two fingers. Reece stood behind him, glaring at his brother. The darkness in his eyes chilled Sawyer. Something was seriously wrong with him and Autumn was nuts for thinking he ‘wasn’t so bad’.

“Coming right up.” She grabbed a bag before tossing the muffins inside. He handed over his card and when she finished, he didn’t step away from the counter. His golden eyes looked into her green ones. Melting was not an option, but that’s how she felt. How does one resist his dashing good looks, entrancing eyes, and tolerable personality?

“The pack is expecting you tonight.” And that was how she could resist him.

She nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but Ruby came into the main area from the kitchen. Ruby waved at the two men before moving to sit at the table closest to the counter, which had become her table. It was the one she always used nowadays.

“We’ll see you tonight.” Quinn grabbed the paper bag and moved away from the counter. Instead of heading to Reece’s table, like she anticipated, the men left the bakery.

“Who is the new face?” Ruby asked with a smile on her thin pale lips.

“The brother.”

“Oooh. Two admirers.”

Sawyer rolled her eyes. “No,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Ruby. “Shouldn’t you be due soon.” She motioned toward the baby.

“That’s rude. I’ve got a few weeks left.” Ruby gently patted her stomach before pulling her brown hair into a bun. “It’s so hot.” It wasn’t that hot in the store. Her wide brown eyes met Sawyer’s. “Let’s talk about this ‘brother’.” She chuckled lightly.

Sawyer shook her head before gazing at the door. The Lobo boys were the last men she wanted to get involved with. All the duties, the wolfness, ugh, they only appealed to her on a purely physical level. Her eyes were only allowed to devour them.

Sawyer thumped her head against her steering wheel as she listened to the black gate grind. She’d considered just ramming the stupid thing, but it might actually kill her car and she didn’t want that. The white Pontiac was still an escape option. When the gate stopped moving, she gently pressed the gas pedal. The car inched forward and she groaned.

Was it too late to back out now? She didn’t need any of her belongings, except for the photo album that had pictures of her parents. The car shot forward as she approached the mansion. She’d made this choice and she couldn’t decide whether or not she regretted it, but it was still her choice. Her mother would scold her for complaining so much.

When she walked into the house it was quiet, normally someone was chatting somewhere nearby, but today silence fell over the mansion. She made her way through the lobby and toward the kitchen. She paused at the door; wolves were whispering at the end of the hall.

“I’m not sure he’s capable of leading,” a voice said in a hushed tone. “He’s always locked in that office of his.”

“Corinne wouldn’t have picked him if he wasn’t,” another voice spoke, their tone hard.

“Not true. Age speaks for itself.”

“Reece is the one doing things. He’s always checking the border, making sure we’re safe.”

“So does Quinn.”

“He can’t protect us from an office.”

“He’s ensuring our future.” Growls steadily rose between the two that spoke.

Sawyer’s eyes widened. Was Reece planning on usurping the position from Quinn? She wouldn’t put it past him. That boy had a dark side that chilled her soul. The talking stopped and she heard feet shuffle in her direction. Crap. She turned and met a pair of blue eyes.

“Sawyer. Glad you could make it,” Reece said with a smile on his lips. “Quinn is expecting you.” His voice was light and friendly, it felt foreign to hear him speak of his brother in such a positive tone. The brawny man turned and headed down the hall. Sawyer followed after him. “You look lovely today.”

This was her ‘I got off work and didn’t care about looking nice’ outfit. Her white V-neck shirt had chocolate stains on the bottom and her hair was a mess, strands going in all directions. Plus, she was so sweaty from today that her face glistened. If he was being sarcastic, she couldn’t tell.

Reece stopped in front of the office door. “I’ll see you later,” the wolf said as his eyes looked her up and down. She felt violated by those icy eyes. The grin resting upon his face made her stomach knot. She moved inside and closed the door behind her. That man made her heart speed up, but not in a good way.

“Don’t make hiding from my brother a habit,” Quinn joked with a laugh.

“Ha-ha.” Sawyer turned around to face the tall brunette. “He said you wanted to see me.

“Yes.” He motioned toward his couch. “Please, sit.” She watched him for a second longer before sitting down on the couch across from his desk. “A pack member has expressed concerns about your job.”

Reece. “What about it?”

“They said you’re pretty chummy with some humans. They’re dangerous to mingle with. Your commitment to the pack takes precedents over jobs,” he said as he propped his elbows on the desk. “I want to ensure that your loyalties are with us.”

“I don’t have much of a choice,” her tone had an edge. She was exhausted and hated everyone bossing her around. They flaunted their authority and she was tired of it.

“Sawyer, that is not how you speak to your alpha.”

“You’re not alpha yet.” Those words were stolen entirely from Reece. He didn’t have much to offer, but that line was one she liked.

Quinn closed his eyes before rubbing his temples. “Let me be clear.” He looked into her green eyes. “I don’t have a problem with it, but I need your cooperation.” The wrinkles on his forehead made him look several years older than he was.

“My loyalties are with the pack,” her voice was flat. She needed her job; it was her only piece of sanity and freedom.

“That’s what I wanted to hear.” He leaned back in his large leather chair. “You are expected to train and familiarize yourself with the pack and the land. You’ll need to learn how to defend yourself too.” She was exceptionally good at defending herself, sometimes too good.

“And when would those be?” She asked crossing her legs. Sitting her was making her anxious. Quinn seemed rather capable as a leader. What grounds did those pack members have to question him? They did have more knowledge than her, maybe they weren’t completely unfounded. The truth was something she didn’t know.

“Preferably mornings or afternoons. By evening the pack is settling down. But we want to be flexible with your schedule as well.” He was making himself more difficult to hate. She’d have to steer clear of him if she could.

“Most days I work mornings and into the evenings. Is this an everyday thing?” She asked before scooting back on the couch to lean against the back; her back was aching a bit.

“Every day would be ideal, but at least a couple of times a week.”

Sawyer nodded. “Monday’s, I get off early. Usually by five. The bakery doesn’t open till ten on Sunday.” She wasn’t willing to sacrifice many days for the sake of training.

“Perfect. Training will only be a couple of hours and it should only be for a few weeks,” Quinn said as he opened a binder on his desk. “We will start this Sunday at seven till nine. That should give you plenty of time to get ready before work.” His eyes left the paper before him and met her green-eyed gaze.

After the details were figured out Sawyer was released. Quinn was more unlike Reece than she’d first realized. They may have been twins, but the only thing they had in common were their parents. Reece came from the pits of hell and his brother was probably from purgatory. Alright, so he wasn’t from purgatory, but she didn’t want to put him in the category of a “good guy” even though that’s where he belonged.

When she stepped out of the office door, she caught Reece’s scent. He was hovering nearby, and she heard his heavy breathing from down the hall. She took off to the right, making a beeline for the front door. A raven-haired girl stopped in front of the door and looked back Sawyer. It was that snotty teen, Rain.

“Leaving so soon?” The steely eyed girl crossed her arms. “Are you actually in the pack?” She asked, her voice was high, but strained. Was that a hint of jealously? Sawyer narrowed her eyes at the child. Something about her was familiar, but she couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Yes,” Sawyer spoke curtly, resisting the urge to throttle the girl. Rain took a step closer to her, but Sawyer held her place. She didn’t have time for brats like her.

“Rain,” Brom’s deep voice rumbled and his tone was hard with her. Rain’s eyes shot over to Brom and she stepped back.

“Dad,” she said with a smile. “I was just getting to know her.”

Dad? Sawyer’s eyes widened. It made so much sense now. The eyes, the entitled attitude - she was Brom’s daughter. Why hadn’t she seen it before? Sawyer glanced over her shoulder at Brom. He stood at the bottom of the staircase with his arms crossed.

“Sure, you were.” Those cold eyes met Sawyer’s steady gaze, but the moment they rested on his daughter his attitude shifted. The hard edge disappeared. “Come.” He waved her over. “I want to talk to you about something.”

Rain nodded before walking toward her father. Her shoulder collided with Sawyer’s as she passed. Sawyer clenched her jaw and took a deep breath before she walked out of the house. She wanted to strangle that child. When her green eyes picked out the familiar Pontiac, she relaxed a bit. The Pontiac meant home was within reach.