Family.
Do I have cousins and aunts and uncles? I presume I have grandparents since the rogue referred to me as the long-lost granddaughter. As I absentmindedly grab clothes to change into after the bath, I keep thinking about how much more different my life would have been had I known about my family.
“Rebel?” I hear Austin call for me.
“In the closet.” I said, distractedly.
As Austin walks in, he stops and his eyes darken at the red lacy panties and nightgown in my hand. I blush. ” Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was grabbing.”
“I certainly am, and I definitely want to see you wearing it for me beautiful.” He says, inhaling my scent. Next thing I know, he scoops me up in his arms, “The bath is ready.” He says as his lips meet mine. I let out a little moan and I hear a growl from his chest.
When we enter the bathroom, He sets me on the counter and starts removing my clothes. My marks have already healed, and I looked down and furrowed my eyebrows. “What’s wrong darling?” Austin asks me with concern.
“Your marks are gone. I think we need to redo them all later.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him, and he starts laughing. “Anything for you darling. Goddess, I love you so fucking much Rebel.”
“I love you too babe.” I say as I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
As we finish undressing, Austin carries me and gently lowers me into the tub. He gets in behind me and I feel him wrap his arms around me. The water is steamy, and it is helping my muscles after letting Roxie out for a run, along with Cronos and her completing their bond too.
Austin breathes in my scent, and I feel his relax too. “Okay Rebel, it’s just us. Talk to me. Tell me what you are thinking darling.”
I sign and lean my head back into his chest with my eyes closed. “I have more questions than answers. I want to talk to my dad, but I don’t want to go back to Ironclaw.” I start. “I don’t understand why my father took me when he could have left me with my mother’s family. He never wanted me, Austin. I was an obligation to him, not a daughter. I could have had a family, love, an education. Instead, I was hidden and tossed aside, unwanted. What was his purpose in doing that to me?” I question, while fighting back tears.
“I don’t know darling. But what I can say, is you are definitely not going back to Ironclaw.” He says as he kisses my shoulder, sending tiny jolts through me.
“I may not have a choice, Austin. Not if I want answers.” I replied.
“No darling. That’s not why. I meant to tell you sooner, but then the rogue attack happened and well, last night happened.” He said and I feel him getting hard behind my back. “I was furious with your father, and I still am, but I was also furious with Cullen. I didn’t know if he knew about you and ignored it or if he was unaware of your existence in his pack. I sent a scout to find out all he could.” He starts explaining.
“I don’t think Alpha Cullen knew, Austin. I was a ghost in that pack.” I said.
“Either way, I wanted to make sure. When the scout got there, he said your family’s home was abandoned. Everything was still in its place, but it was deserted. He didn’t find anyone. He did find a picture of a woman though, and I will talk to you about that in a minute, but since he didn’t see anyone, he was going to make his way back. However, he came across one of the omegas that worked in your family’s house. She said the night Cullen was supposed to have dinner, he could smell your scent and he went crazy. When you didn’t return at midnight, he ended up throwing your father, stepmother and half-sister in the dungeon.” He explains.
“So, my father and his family are in the dungeons right now?” I asked, shocked at this revelation.
“As far as I know Rebel. However, that isn’t the reason to not go back. The omega said she overheard Cullen tell his beta to find you and bring you back. He thinks showing you that he is your savior will make you submit to his will. He wants to make you his mistress and keep you hidden away for his pleasure, while having someone else be his Luna.” He says, his eyes darkening with anger.
“WHAT?” I ask my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of my head. “He wanted me to go from an unwanted house slave to his hidden sex slave?” Now I’m getting angry and so is Roxie. I feel her trying to get out.
“Darling, you are mine. Marked and mated by me. I will not let anyone get to you. But I hope you understand why you can’t go to Ironclaw now. I can’t risk something happening to you.” Austin says, while holding me a little tighter, like I might slip from his grip.
I turn my body to see my mark on his next. It’s a sexy sight, but I want to calm him, so I kiss my mark, and I feel him shiver and calm. “I’m yours, Austin. Cullen can want ine, but he won’t have me.” I say confidently to my mate. “You mentioned a woman’s picture. Tell me about that please.” I say nuzzling my nose into my mate’s neck and inhaling my peace and home in him.
He growls at what I’m doing but controls himself, “The scout found a picture of a woman. It was an old picture. If it wasn’t so old, I would have thought the woman I was looking at was you. The resemblance is uncanny Rebel.” He begins, “The back of the picture had a dedication to your father. The signature was signed ‘Sydney’. But there was nothing else. I suspect that could have been your mother, but I wasn’t sure. I asked Renz to investigate it. Now that we know about your mother’s pack, I think it will be easy to confirm. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, but I think we both know that is probably your mother darling.” Austin says knowingly. I must admit, it sounds likely as well.
“I’d like to see the picture. I want to see my mother’s pack too, but…” I trail off, suddenly very concerned. Austin senses my nervousness though and kisses my shoulder.
“Tell me darling.” He encourages.
“There are two other Alphas after me, Austin. TWO. I went from being hidden and a ghost, and now I feel like I’m being hunted.” My voice almost cracking. I’m strong and so is Roxie, but that is still a lot to take in.
“Hey, baby, listen to me. I will keep you safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Austin says, pushing his love through our bond to calm me.
Austin POV
I’m holding my mate, kissing my mark on her neck. I’m telling her that she can’t go back to Ironclaw. Not that I’m trying to control her, but I don’t want to see her in immediate danger when it’s preventable. Renz is already looking into the Blue Moon pack and seeing how big the threat Alpha Kaden is to Rebel. I’m a mean, nasty, bastard of an Alpha, so I’m not worried about me. I am however, worried about Rebel.
“I think you know that I will have guards on you at all times Rebel. I can’t risk someone getting to you. I know you are a fighter and a damn good one from what I saw with the rogues, but I need eyes on you until we sort all this out.” I quietly look at her and kiss her temple while waiting for her to push back. I know she is scared but she has been used to being alone and fighting her battles by herself, literally. I’m here now though, and I will not let anything happen to my mate.
She sighs and looks at me, “Okay. I understand, BUT I will only agree if Lacy gets to be part of my guard. Assuming, she agrees.” I smile and kiss her.
“I’m glad you and Lacy are getting along. We will talk to her and Renz tomorrow morning at breakfast.” I say kissing her neck on my mark again. I hear her gasp and I smile against her neck, “Now, I am very interested in seeing my sexy mate wearing that red lace.” I growl in her ear. I feel her body shiver. I love how I affect her.
She turns around and gives me a mischievous grin. “You need to leave the bathroom and wait for me outside then.”
I smile widely at her. “Don’t keep me waiting too long my darling. I may not have much restraint if you keep me waiting.”
My mate chuckles, “Restraint? You? I don’t want you having any,” she says and then bites her bottom lip. I growl and I want to take her in the tub right now, but she stops me and boots me out of my own bathroom.
***
Rebel POV
I don’t know how he does it, but it’s like my mate can turn a switch on me, making me go from nervous and sad to horny and needy. After I kick him out of the bathroom, I dry off and put on the red lacy ensemble. I have no idea what possessed me to let Lacy talk me into getting this itty-bitty outfit, but right now, I make a mental note to thank her later.
I decide to tease my mate. He says he loves my body, so I don’t feel as self-conscious about flirting with him. I open the door and slowly poke my bare left leg through before moving behind the door. I am rewarded with a growl which sends a shiver to my core.
“Darling, I’m barely holding on to my control.” Austin calls out.
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