When Leo, Case, and his brothers got close to the woman, his wolf went apeshit. Shadow had never done that before.
Usually, his wolf would just show his ass to get him to talk to a woman then calmed the hell down for a while once he fucked someone. Not this fucking time.
No. His damn wolf was going ape fucking shit when his brothers or his friends got near this damn woman whom he didn’t even fucking know.
Just being close to her has his wolf demanding they claimed her in front of the whole fucking room. The fucker wanted to rip those two motherfuckers to shreds for causing her harm.
Now she felt like he didn’t want her around. Shadow was giving him mortal hell.
“I would be honored if you came to this bullshit party my mother and sisters insist on having for me and my friends to welcome us here.”
There! He could be nice and prayed like hell he could keep his hands to himself.
“Athena, I think you should pack an overnight bag and stay at my parents for a few days,” Ray Blackwood suggested making Draco growl as he glared at his brother.
“W-why?”
“Ray’s right. You said yourself that Chris is trying to force you to marry Rob. You literally just rejected him in front of everyone that is a part of this town tonight. Draco nearly beat their asses. Even with him banning them from the area, it won’t stop them from trying to get to you,” Deidra agreed with her brother.
Draco’s attention went to Athena. His wolf howled loudly in his head at the news.
“Who is this Chris to you?” Draco demanded, his fists tightening at his sides.
“He’s my brother. He is best friends with Rob. Has been for a long time. That is why I moved to Pelco Grove, to get away from them. H-he sold me a couple of months ago to Rob and his father, trying to force me to marry Rob as tribute for a position working for them. I’ve refused every time I see them.”
Draco saw red at the woman’s words. When he heard Leo in his head telling him to calm down, he knew it was showing in his facial expression.
“Athena, come stay the weekend with me at my parents. We both know from past experience they will retaliate if you are home alone,” Deidra softly reminded Athena, pulling her best friend into her arms.
“Retaliate?” Leo asked, making Draco glare toward the door the two men were shoved out of a few minutes ago.
“It’s never been anything serious. Just flat tires, broken windows on the house and my car. A dead animal. One was a puppy I had just gotten…”
“That had been your dream dog. One Dad found for your birthday last year. When they killed him, Deidra and Mom had to watch you for a month and a half because you wouldn’t eat orsleep. All you did was cry and stare out of the window. Everyone worried about you. We, including Dad, were ready to go hunt the bastards down,” Ray outed the shivering woman.
“They killed your dog?” Leo growled, forcing Draco to look back at the group.
“Look, this shit isn’t new with my brother. He and my mother have bullied me all of my life. I got out when I left for college ten years ago and have never been back.”
“How long have you lived in Pelco Grove?” Draco found himself asking for some reason.
“Since I graduated college. I’ve been a teacher at the elementary school for the last six years. Bought the house I live in about four years ago.”
“She lives down the street from me, Draco. Mom and Dad vetted both houses. She’s been my best friend since our freshman year of college. I’ve seen the shit her family has put her through. So has Mom, Dad, Ray, Tony, Robyn, and Dimitri. We have all been there to protect her without her asking.” Deidra informed her brother, glaring at him.
“Deidra’s right. She’s never asked for help. In fact…” Tony turned to glare at Athena, making Draco growl low in his throat. “She’s gone to great lengths to hide a few of the damages they have done, including the bruises.”
“Excuse me, bruises?” Leo and Draco asked at the same time, Draco’s growl louder this time.
“Her brother showed up a few times last year and the year before and beat the shit out of her because she refused her mother’s demand for money to pay off her loan sharking drug dealer. Mom had some party planned that this one helped with. When she suddenly called to cancel her appearance there, Mom, Deidra, Robyn, and I went to find out why. She didn’t answer the door when we knocked, so Deidra got her spare key out and let us in. We found her in the shower hiding, cleaning up the bloodfrom where she’d been cut from the punches. They have even sent thugs after her a time or two. She refuses to tell us who they are.” Tony glared Athena’s way.
“Because I don’t know their names or who their boss is. And even if I did, no, I would not have told you. The sheriff in that town is just as crooked as they are. Maplewood Sr. sends him after you, he’ll shoot first, ask questions…never.” Athena glared right back at Tony.
Draco watched the woman for several seconds. She wouldn’t go to his parents for the weekend because she felt like she would be intruding on their private family time.
Draco looked over at Leo and Case, nodding his head at them. As an Alpha and their team leader, he was able to talk to them mentally.
“Have Shades and Arrow prepared to stay with her tomorrow. One taking the days and the other taking the nights. Case, I want you and Hawk to do the perimeter, set up cameras around the inside and outside of her house, and around the property while she’s at work on Monday.”
