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Chapter 26
Me or Them
~West
I watched from the hot pool as Keith sat a table, talking on his phone to his father. I just hoped they bought some decent bedding and disinfectant. It was clearly business related, though. Sighing, I turned around and sunk deeper into the water. A bathtub could never replace a hot pool. If only I could be surrounded by trees in the middle of the mountains, then it would be perfect.
"An hour or so," stated Keith.
I glanced over my shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
He hadn't even gotten in the water yet. But it was hard to feel sorry for someone who had spent the day making fun of me. I walked up the steps and stretched out my arms over my head. I really needed this.
Going to the large pool, I jumped in. The water was cooler and rather refreshing.
Shifting into werewolf form, I dived under the water. Kicking off the side, I swam to the other side. I did a couple more laps before floating around in the middle.
I should have invited Lette. The sub needed to relax more than anyone else in the pack. Poor guy had to constantly put up with Boss's moods swings. I started to tread water when I heard Keith hang up. Lette and my mate were pack sacrifices when it came to dealing with the alpha and the only two people that I associated with.
Keith walked over to the edge of the pool. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips.
"Yep."
He laughed. "You look like a drenched puppy."
My ears pressed back, and I glared at him. I'd had enough of his attitude for the day. Swimming over to the side, I lifted myself out. "I'm relaxing." I shook hard, spraying water everywhere.
"Hey! Watch it." He held up his arms to block his face.
I finished shaking off and smoothed out my head fur. Keith was dripping. The towel around his waist was falling off due to the weight.
"Was that necessary?" he muttered, wiping off his face.
I shrugged. "For being ignored for the past half an hour," I nodded. "Yep, it was necessary." I went back to the hotter pool.
Keith ditched his towel and followed me. "I was talking to my dad. I can't just hang up on him."
"Hmm..." I sat down on the edge and slowly lowered myself into the water.
Keith walked down the steps. "Are you going to keep being mad at me?"
"I'm not mad. I'd just find you obnoxious and a little annoying at times," I said with a smile. "Suck it up pup, it was only water."
He did his best not to smile as he shook his head. "Pup? I think you're mistaken." He shifted and waded over to where I was sitting.
I looked up at him with an eyebrow raised. "Are you trying to intimidate me?"
Stooping down to my level, he nuzzled my neck before sitting beside me. "Just remember who's the dominant in the bed," he whispered in my ear.
Sighing, I sunk into the water. "You killed the mood." I started to squirt water with my hands.
Keith put his arm around my shoulders. "What's wrong?"
"Just annoyed. We're forced to stay in a shit hole, because your dad's relationship issues."
He pulled me into his side. "I'd have issues too, if someone took you from me."
"This is different, and you know it. Boss is holding onto a false hope that Aden will ever remotely tolerate him. My god," I ran my hand down my face. "Just mark Lette already. A quick mating would make him forget about this whole death match, mate stealing shit."
He licked my cheek as his hand wandered to my thigh. "You're missing something."
"What?" I muttered.
"What it's like to leave a mark on someone, it's more complicated that a simple scar."
"I know that." Pulling away from him, I turned around and rested my chin on the ledge.
Keith moved up behind me and grabbed my hips. "I don't think you do. I didn't," he kissed my shoulder, "until I marked you."
"I guess," I whispered.
"It's not something so easy to get over." He gritted his teeth over my scar.
My body started reacting to his touch. I pressed my lips to keep in any embarrassing sounds.
"Have we ever done it in werewolf form?"
I scoffed. "Really? What an elegant way to put it." I pushed him back. "I'm still mad at you for earlier anyways."
Keith laughed. "You said you weren't mad."
"It not like anyone in this pack doesn't lie," I stated, rolling my eyes.
He moved across the pool and stared at me. "I've never lied to you." He stretched his arms along the rim of the tub.
I let out a deep breath. "No one's perfect. Hell, we're part of a rogue pack."
"Doesn't make a difference. A pack is a pack. Rogue is just a title the domestics and ferals gave us," he replied with a smirk.
Smiling, I nodded. "Good point." Rising to my feet, I slowly walked toward him with my tail flick back and forth in the water. "We haven't."
"Hmmm?" He titled his muzzle up as I stood above him.
I straddled him. "Done it in werewolf form."
***
~West
We arrived back at the hideout well past midnight. Our stay at the hot pool and gone far longer than either of us had planned. Keith opened the door for me. I entered and saw the beautiful sight of a clean bed.
"Thank god." I flopped down onto the mattress.
Keith dropped our things to the side and closed the door. He sat down on the side closest to the door.
I peered up at him. "So what's happening tomorrow?"
He shrugged. "I not entirely sure. We'll probably make sure the place is secure, and go from there."
"What would happen if Midfield finds us?"
Keith leaned back on his elbows. "We'll protect ourselves like anyone else would."
I traced the pattern on the comforter. "Keith?"
"What?"
"If you fight Ranger, don't kill him."
"West," he sighed.
"Please," I begged. "I don't care about anyone else. If you have to kill someone to keep us safe, I can accept that, but not Ranger. Shiloh, wherever that boy is, he needs Ranger. Please, that's all I ask."
He was silent for a moment and just stared at the wall. "What do I get in return?"
His reply confused me. It didn't sound playful, and I wasn't sure how to answer.
"What do you mean?"
"Forget it," he sighed. Sitting up, he started to remove his clothes.
I climbed off the bed. "Keith?"
"Don't worry about it, West," he said firmly. "It doesn't matter."
"This is kind of a stupid way to start lying to me."
"West," he snapped, turning to face me. "You're asking me to do something that I don't know if I can."
"I didn't say you couldn't fight him. Hell, wounding the moron is fine. It can be payback for all the years he threw me around, but I just don't want you to kill him."
He shook his head. "I don't know if I can do that."
"Why? Is it some dumb rogue rule that you have to kill everyone you fight?"
"No!" He stood and threw his arms down. "But when I'm facing the only man you'd leave me for, it hard not to want to kill him." He marched past me and went into the bathroom.
The door slammed shut, and I heard the lock flip into place. Sucking in my lips, I rubbed my face. I needed to stay calm. Glancing at the bathroom, I chewed on my fingernail. This was serious.
I shuffled over to the door and knocked softly. "Keith."
No answer.
"I'm sorry." I ran my finger along the wood. "Ranger and Shiloh are the only werewolves, beside you and maybe Lette, that matter to me. I just don't want to see them get hurt, especially for Shiloh's sake. The kid deserves to be happy. It had a rougher time at the factory than me."
Still Keith didn't respond.
"If it ever came down to it, choosing between them and you, I'd stay with you," I stated.
The door creaked open. Keith rested his head against the doorframe.
"That's what you want in return, right?" I rubbed my arm.
"Is it what you want, though?"
I took in a shaky breath. "I want to be with you."
"Even if you can't be with them?"
Clenching my jaw, I clasped my forehead. "I want to be with you. That's it. I just... that's what I want."
With a sigh, he took me into his arms and we stood there silently for a moment.
"What I want right now," he sighed, "is to go to bed." He leaned his head against mine.
"Me too," I replied quietly.
***
~Ranger
"Ranger."
The door flung open, and Daven flipped on the lights.
Groaning, I rubbed my eyes. "Get out, asshole."
Shiloh curled into my side. I pulled the blanket to the top of his head.
"Rise and shine, we got a lead on the cars. We're leaving in twenty."
Grabbing my pillow, I hurled it out at him. "Leave, now."
Laughing, he disappeared into the living area. The door remained wide open. I rubbed my face. I think he purposely tried to be irritating as possible. Shiloh peeked up at me.
"You can sleep longer if you want. I'll have Daven sent some men to watch the apartment."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
I brushed his hair out of his face. "I'd rather you rest."
He still looked exhausted with hooded eyes.
"'kay." The sub nodded, and with a yawn, he closed his eyes.
Leaning down, I kissed his head. "Stay in the room. I'll be back soon."
Carefully slipping out of bed, I tucked the blankets around him. I think I over did it last night. Grabbing some clothes from my suitcase, I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Once dressed, I turned off the lights and went into the living room.
Daven was waiting, eating some kind of fruit yogurt. "Want one? There's more in the fridge."
"You woke my mate up," I muttered as I went to get one of my own.
"I figured he would be coming with us." He cleaned off his spoon. "Where is Shy?"
"Sleeping," I replied, taking off the lid and stirring the contents.
Daven gave me a smirk. "You must have really worn him out last night. It's kind of annoying that I was forced to leave my own apartment just so you could have a little fun. Not exactly fair."
"Don't act like a victim. It's kind of pathetic."
He laughed. "Just surprised you're leaving him that's all." He walked to the door and opened it. "But it's good to see you're finally getting over your paranoia."
"Actually," he cleared my throat. "I need you to have some men to stay behind and watch the place."
"Hmmm..." Daven raised an eyebrow. "Spoke too soon." He walked past me, heading for the elevator. "Don't worry Ranger. I make sure the place is on lockdown, while we're gone."
I closed the door. "Just the apartment will do."