The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen
Chapter 54: Is that a….!

He woke up Tuesday morning with her sleeping on his back curled in a ball. Again he couldn’t help but wonder how she found these positions comfortable. He tried moving without disturbing her too much, but she started to stir as soon as he started moving.

“What time is it?” She grumbled.

“Early!” He replied, chuckling as she snuggled in closer to his back. He slowly rolled to one side causing her to slide off onto her side of the bed, then he rolled onto his other side. Gathering her into his arms he pulled her closer to him. She snuggled in and they both drifted off back to sleep. Waking up a few hours later with not a lot of time to meet Johnny and Damon in the office, he joined her in the shower to save time, he said. Who was he kidding, it never saved time, but it started the mornings off right.

“Good morning little mouse” he kissed her head when they were in the closet getting clothes.

“Good morning mountain wolf,” she replied with a smile.

“And what colour are you going to wear today?” He wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his chest, her smile getting bigger. Horny mountain wolf!

“I don’t know, maybe blue, or black….or red” she teased,

“Hmmm, I like red,” he purred into her ear.

“Hmmm, then maybe I’ll wear….grey” she giggled when he tickled her sides.

“We better hurry up, we have to meet Johnny and Damon in the office after a quick check in with the doctor.” he kissed her cheek and found some clothes for himself. She nodded her head, trying to stifle a yawn. He watched her closely, she looked tired, last night she seemed to be fighting unseen demons in her sleep.

“You look tired baby, you didn’t sleep well last night” he said,

“I’m ok” she picked some comfortable clothes, the last thing she wanted to do was sit for a long time in the truck wearing something uncomfortable. She did laundry yesterday so her black pants with the suspenders were clean and she paired them with a dark grey button up tank top and her midnight blue boots.

“Don’t forget your tail and ears!” She reminded him as he was walking out of the closet. Dax laughed when she heard mumbling about the stupid fucking ears.

“I don’t see why he has to remind me” she was saying as they walked into the office after her appointment.

“Do you remember what happened the last time? He does!” Kane said, laughing as she just huffed. Her eyes did light up when she saw both Johnny and Damon wearing wolf ears.

“You lost the bet so you punished both of them? That’s a naughty p-“ she started to say, but he covered her mouth.

“Don’t say it” he cut her off “Call it self preservation. If I didn’t make them wear them I would never hear the end of it.” Johnny and Damon started laughing.

“Morning feisty pants! How are you?” Damon asked, still laughing. Kane sat in his office chair and pulled her into his lap.

“Good, I get more stitches out today and tomorrow I can go back to work.” She replied, though she sounded happy they could all see how tired she was.

“And what is the good doctor reminding you of darling?” Johnny asked, a big grin on his face.

“Friday is going to be a long appointment and he’s requested that she eats first.” Kane said, trying to hide his grin.

“Guess he doesn’t want to deal with a hungry feisty pants again” Damon laughed,

“I can’t say I blame him, I don’t want to deal with a hungry feisty pants.” Kane agreed, trying to bite back his laughter.

“Hey! I’m not that bad” she huffed,

“Of course you’re not darling, it’s not like you make the devil shake when you’re hungry” Johnny said grinning at her,

“Thank you Johnny!” She smiled at him,

“No, she does that when she’s angry,” Kane said, causing them to laugh.

“Hey!” She rubbed eye, she was getting tired already and the day hadn’t even started.

“Baby, you beat someone with a napkin dispenser the other night” She looked at Damon wide eyed.

“I didn’t tell him nothing” Damon held his hands up scooting his chair back from the desk just in case.

“I witnessed the whole thing, and everyone in the bar was talking about the fiery little human that took out a werewolf.” Kane said, kissing her cheek holding her tighter to him. She rubbed her eye again, he could tell she was getting really tired.

“Maybe you should….” Kane started to say.

“Don’t finish that sentence puppy. You said I could go too” She cut him off.

“Get something to eat” he said instead, he could see Johnny and Damon trying to hide their grins and stifle their laughter at the name she just called him. He rested his forehead on her left shoulder, fuck was he gonna hear about that.

“Unfortunately we don’t have time, Carter left for the airport about an hour ago, if we leave now we’ll arrive at the dinner in Garrison at the same time, and I don’t think much is left of breakfast” Damon said, still trying to control his laughter.

“Then let’s get going.” Kane said, helping her to her feet.

“Sure thing….puppy” Johnny said, whispering the last part both him and Damon broke out laughing. Fuck!

Passing through the kitchen on the way to the garage, the cooks gave her a muffin and some apple slices to take with her. For that Kane was grateful, it was a two hour drive to Garrison and hopefully that would tide her over till they got to the diner. Johnny got behind the wheel while Damon sat in the front passenger seat and started playing with the radio dial. Kane got them situated in the backseat and they headed out. Thirty minutes into the drive he stretched out and lifted her onto his chest. She relaxed listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart, her eyes closing as the world around her faded away into nothingness. He would wake her when they got there, she needed to sleep.

After a small silence to make sure she was sleeping, Johnny had to ask.

“Is it really a good thing that she is coming?”

“Might not be a bad idea that she came. We can keep an eye on the tiny little ninja.” Damon said, looking over his shoulder at her.

“She seems exhausted,” Johnny replied, a look of concern on his face. Though Kane couldn’t help but agree with Johnny, she did look exhausted, she’s had a busy few days, she’s still recovering from the attack last Wednesday and the incident on Saturday, and she didn’t sleep well last night. He decided he wanted her with him, if she were to have another incident, he would be there to help her through it. He ran his fingers through her hair, listening to her breathing.

“Do you really think Kenneth found his mate?” He heard Damon asking.

“Guess we’ll replace out in 30 minutes when we get to Garrison if Kenneth came back with someone.” Johnny said.

Pulling into the parking lot of Jasper’s Diner the same time Carter showed up, Damon and Johnny got out of the truck to stretch. They could hear Kenneth and Marco laughing at them. Johnny immediately started grumbling under his breath about the stupid ears and tail.

“Stop complaining, it should feel normal. We have both ears and a tail.” Damon told Johnny as they walked towards the other truck.

“If I have to wear ears and a tail I prefer my own ears and tail” Johnny said,

“Carter told us about the bet” Kenneth said laughing, Damon looked in the truck and saw Carter sitting there, he didn’t want to get out. He got enough looks at the airport while he was waiting for Kenneth and Marco to show up.

“Get out of the truck Carter” Damon said laughing.

Carter looked at him, he was even more upset than Johnny about having to wear the ears and tail, but he got out of the truck. He didn’t like being stared at, he could feel eyes on him as he walked around the other side of the vehicle.

“Do they have to stare?” Carter shifted uncomfortably,

“Carter you’re 6’3, they will stare regardless of whether or not you’re wearing ears and a tail” Damon said,

“I’m 6’5” Carter looked at him,

“Really?” Damon looked him up and down. Kenneth and Marco just laughed.

“Where’s Kane?” Kenneth asked when he stopped laughing.

“Waking feisty pants up” Damon replied. Kenneth looked a little surprised by this. He was sure she would be staying at the pack house for this adventure.

“Some things have happened since the last time you boys were here.” Damon said,

“We were here three days ago, what could have possibly happened since then?” Kenneth asked,

“Lots!” Johnny answered. Johnny and Damon filled them in on everything that has happened since Saturday, including what the doctor told Kane yesterday morning.

“Mi scusi! Dovrebbe essere morta! Dead!” Marco asked, neither Kenneth or Marco like that. Marco looked towards the other truck, he did not like that at all.

“Facile Marco! Inglese, usa l’inglese! Devi esercitarti, come ti ha detto il dottore. (Easy Marco! english, use english! you have to practice, like the doctor told you.)” Kenneth said to him,

“Cazzo, facile da dire per te! Non sei tu quello che deve farlo. (Fuck, easy fuck for you to say! You are not the one to do it.)” Marco snapped back, he was growing agitated at being told to speak English.

“Vacci piano, continua a provare (Take it easy, keep trying)” Kenneth replied back to him.

“Yeah, English Marco!” Damon said,

“Impara cazzo italiana, Damon. Fottuto stronzo! (Learn fucking italian, Damon. Fucking asshole!)” Marco fired back,

“The fuck did he just say to me?” Damon asked, looking at Marco. Marco just looked at him with a sly smile crossing his face.

“Kane thinks the only reason she isn’t dead was because of what Damon did. So he says nothing strenuous on her at all in any capacity” Johnny said, drawing the conversation back to what they were talking about.

“But she has no control over what brings her memories back, it could be a word or an action” Kenneth said,

“We know breaking dishes is one, more specific when she has something to do with them breaking.” Johnny told them about the coffee cup incident in the loft she had a few weeks back.

“Sounds like her panic attacks lead to these memories coming back, control the panic attack, control the flood of memories.” What Kenneth said sounded reasonable enough, but what causes the panic attacks?

“And now she’s going back to work tomorrow, I’m not sure that’s a great idea considering what happened the last time she was there” Damon said,

“I’ll be there with her,” Carter said,

“Anche a me! (Me too!)” Marco nodded, pointing at himself.

“Come on baby. Time to wake up” Kane gently nudged her awake. She reluctantly opened her eyes, blinking a few times taking in her surroundings.

“Did I miss the trip?” She asked, rubbing her right eye sitting up.

“No, we just got here” he chuckled, rubbing her back “You needed your sleep, but the boys are outside waiting for us and I don’t think a few apple slices and the top half of a muffin are going to tide you over much longer” he added. She crawled off his lap so he could open the back passenger door and exit the truck. He helped her down and they crossed the parking lot to the others. She could see both Kenneth and Marco fighting to control their laughter as they got a look at Kane with his ears.

“This is something you have to see to believe,” Kenneth said grinning,

“Just wait till you hear what she calls him” both Johnny and Damon cracked up laughing.

“Sembra un uomo lupo nella vita reale! (Looks like a werewolf in real life!)” Marco spouted before he could stop himself. Kenneth bit back his laughter, but nodded beside him.

“Hello Kenneth, Marco, do I want to know what he just said?” Kane asked. Kenneth could only shake his head, if he opened his mouth now he would lose control and burst out laughing.

“How was your flight?” Kane asked, his brow arched at Marco who hadn’t stopped staring at the ears on his head.

“Good!” Kenneth kept his answer simple, he was still trying to control his laughter.

Marco just nodded, not wanting to say anything else he moved to stand over with Carter and Kenneth shot him a traitorous look.

“And the ballet?” Kane asked, raising his eyebrow. The look that crossed Kenneth’s face caught both Damon and Johnny’s attention.

“Worth attending” Kenneth replied, as a small smile crossed his face.

“Who’d you bring back with you?” Damon asked,

“Did you replace your mate at the ballet Kenneth?” Kane asked,

“She was a ballerina on stage, Marco had to keep me in my seat to stop me from jumping the balcony.” Kenneth said, his cheeks reddening slightly. They all turned to stare at her. She was talking to Marco and Carter animatedly about something and they were laughing.

“How did she know?” Kenneth asked,

“Same way she knew Damon would replace Lydia,” Johnny said, Damon and Kane explained what happened in the office that night and Damon showed them the picture he took of her, and explained what happened when he found Lydia and that she was his second chance.

“Marco has a phone for you as well,” Kenneth said as he looked at the cracked screen. “So she can replace mates? That will make her pretty popular” he added,

“No, it’s like something in her freaky little brain is talking to her” Damon said,

“She told me once she heard something speak to her.” Kane said,

“You never told me that, when did she tell you this?” Johnny asked,

“The night of the carnival, said that’s why she called the stuffed wolf Kai, and she tried to get the silver bracelet off my wrist. She said a voice told her if she didn’t get the bracelet off we would crash and both of us would die.” Kane said.

“So something is talking to her?” Johnny asked “You think it’s the Moon Goddess?”

“No, the Moon Goddess doesn’t deal in second chances. That’s up to….” Damon started to say,

“Fate!” Kenneth finished for him,

“You think it’s fate talking to her and this has to do with the Fate Bond?” Johnny asked,

“Maybe, has fate spoken to any of the other fated souls before?” Kane answered, asking his own question in return.

“No….yes….maybe!” Damon shrugged.

“Go with maybe. Maybe fate tried to talk to the other ones but they didn’t listen or they couldn’t hear it. Maybe her history makes her more perceptive, it’s talking and she’s listening. It’s like it’s using her to move pieces around a game board” Kenneth said,

“Ducks in a row!” Damon blurted, the wheels in his head turning.

“What?” Kane looked at him.

“Why would you put your ducks in a row? Because you’re gearing up for the end game. Kenneth’s right Fate’s putting its ducks in a row, it’s gearing up for the final trial and it’s using her to do it.” Damon said, they all looked at him.

“Think about everything she’s done since the carnival. The bracelet on your wrist that almost killed you both, that would have put a huge dent in fate’s plan. Carter is one hell of fighter, but none of us would have known it if it wasn’t for his bond to her, boy ripped the radiology door off the hinges for fuck sakes. She not only found mine but Kenneth’s mate as well.”

As Damon started to explain the series of events that have happened since they met her it started making more and more sense to them.

“Righting a wrong from years ago. Putting a werewolf born from Gamma blood in his rightful spot” Johnny added,

“Not one thing she has done was to weaken us, just make us stronger. That should tell you something.” Damon explained,

“The endgame. Fate’s getting ready to make a move” Kane said,

“We figure out the game….” Damon began,

“We prevent the tragedy” Johnny finished for him,

“Exactly!” Damon exclaimed.

The bell above the diner rang as they walked inside, catching the attention of the other patrons. As all eyes turned towards them, all conversation came to a halt as they moved through the diner towards the back corner booth. Kane kept Dax close to him, he didn’t like the lingering stares from the other males. His top lip would curl when he caught one staring at her for too long. They flanked around her trying to block her as much as possible. None of them seemed to like the lingering looks she was getting. Waiting till she was seated in the far corner of the booth and out of sight, they all took a seat. Kane told her to put her earbuds in, they were just going to talk about boring business stuff, nothing that would really interest her. With her preoccupied quietly singing and dancing beside him in the booth they were free to continue their discussion from the parking lot.

“She didn’t get enough dancing the other night?” Damon asked, causing Johnny to laugh.

“She likes to move,” Kane smiled as he watched her. Carter and Marco brought over another table to join with the one from the booth leaving enough space in between should someone need to leave the table.

“Think we got everyone’s attention?” Johnny asked in a hushed tone.

“We aren’t from around here, four of us wearing ears and a tail and one of us not quite 5 feet tall dancing in the booth, we’re bound to get noticed” Damon replied,

“Even if you weren’t wearing the ears and tails we would be noticed, smells only like a town of humans, with our size we don’t exactly blend here.” Kenneth added,

“We’ll have to move fast, word will spread of our arrival and we’ll be watched closely.” Kane advised looking around the diner at the people sneaking looks in their direction, they all just nodded. They spoke amongst themselves in hushed tones about what the plan for the day was, they didn’t want any of the other customers over hearing what they were discussing.

“Jasper’s not going to like that you all moved his tables around” a chipper voice said, interrupting their conversation. They all looked over to see a young girl maybe 23 standing so close to Carter she was practically pressed against him, if he leaned any farther into the table he’d be on top of it. She clearly didn’t work there, she wasn’t dressed in a uniform like the other servers. Johnny had to bite back a laugh, at the mortified look on Carter’s face. Her breasts were pretty much in his face, if he turned the wrong way he’d get a faceful.

“Whatever you’re looking for honey, you’re not gonna replace it from him. You’re not his type!” Damon said, hiding his amusement.

“How do you know? He’s never tried my type” she purred at Carter running her hand up his arm. The more she touched him, the more upset he became.

“You have sexy ears” she went to touch his wolf ears and he almost threw himself out of the chair to get away from her.

“Carter!” His eyes snapped to Kane “I left my phone in the truck” Carter just nodded his head and headed towards the exit. Kane turned back to the girl, but before he could utter a word.

This needs to end before it’s too late, speak up now don’t hesitate. Answers to questions they want to know, but before that can happen this girl needs to go. The voice spoke in her head, when she looked up she saw a tall brunette looking hungrily at the men around the table, but she could feel Kane’s frustration and anger growing.

“I’ll have pancakes and coffee,” Dax blurted, looking at her expectantly taking her earbuds out.

“I don’t work here” The girl snapped as she glared at her.

“She’s not the waitress?” Dax looked at Kane, then at the others around the table, they hid their snickers behind their hands.

“No baby, she’s not the waitress” Kane said, not even bothering to hide the amusement he found at this.

“Oh. Why is she standing there then? Can she take my order anyway? Or go replace someone who can? I’m hungry!” Dax looked at him then back at her. Johnny broke first and started laughing, then Damon followed by Kenneth and Marco. The girl huffed and stomped away causing them to laugh louder, drawing attention from some of the other patrons.

“Oh fuck feisty pants, that was good” Damon choked out trying to control his laughter.

“She’s not bringing me pancakes is she?” Dax asked, watching her storm out of the diner.

“No baby, she’s not. Listen to your music I’ll make sure you get pancakes” he chuckled as he kissed her head. She nodded and put her earbuds back in.

Kane called Carter back in through the link and when he was seated they proceeded with their conversation.

“What if anything do we know about this third trial?” Kane asked.

“Marco did some digging after I brought him up to speed on what was going on, and he found an older version of the legend, hidden in the archives at the library.” Kenneth said,

“Great, did he take photos of it?” Damon asked,

“No….he stole it” Kenneth looked in his direction,

“Naughty boy!” Johnny laughed,

“You stole it!” Kane repeated, looking at Marco who looked back and forth between the two of them.

“I….fetch.” When Marco heard them fighting back their snickers over the word he used he huffed and bit back the snarl that wanted out.

“Non c’era bisogno di averlo. (There was no need to have it.)” He growled faintly when he saw the looks from the others. Kenneth shook his head, he told him on the flight down that he was not going to translate for him anymore. “It….ours! Mi stavo solo riprendendo ciò che era nostro…. (I was just taking back what was ours) Took….back” Marco defended himself,

“A perfectly justifiable action,” Damon grinned.

“Are you all ready to order?” They looked over to see a bubbly blonde standing there. She had her order pad and pen ready to take their orders, but before any of them could say anything.

“When you feel it and you know

When the shit’s about to blow

And it hits you

Mm, it hits you like

In my body, in my bones

Drop the beat and free my soul

When I hear that rock and roll

Oh my god, I lose control

La la la la, oh oh oh

La la la la, oh oh oh

I had to let it go

Oh my god, I lose control”

They all turned to look at Dax, her singing had grown louder.

“Who doesn’t want to Lose Control with Hedley?” The waitress asked laughing, her eyes taking in all of Dax’s features.

“She’ll have pancakes and coffee please.” Kane ordered for her. As she took the rest of their orders her eyes would drift back to Dax, this action did not go unnoticed by the others, they had to duck their heads to keep from bursting into laughter.

“Stop it Johnny!” Damon mumbled under his breath, when the waitress left to place their orders.

He could see Johnny’s shoulders start to shake from across the table.

“I’m sorry!” He choked out trying to cover his laughter. “But she looked hungry.”

“Shut up Johnny!” Damon was starting to crack.

“She looked like she wanted a small Dax snack” Johnny joked,

“I’m sure she only wanted a little bite.” Kenneth whispered under his breath, beside Damon. Keeping their heads down both their shoulders started to shake, as they could no longer contain their laughter. Kane pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache was starting to form.

“Are you idiots finished now?” He asked with a sigh. He knew as soon as they noticed the waitress eyeing her he was gonna hear about it.

When the waitress came back with their food, Kane sat forward a little bit blocking her view of Dax, causing a round of snickers. It took three trips to deliver all the food and drinks to their table. He placed her pancakes down in front of her and her eyes lit up, though when she looked at them, they were flat and didn’t smell like anything. Glenda’s pancakes were never flat; they were fluffy and smelled heavenly. Maybe they taste better than they look! I hope so! She was starving, pouring some syrup on them and she took a bite. She chewed and chewed and chewed and chewed. Glenda’s pancakes melted in your mouth and tasted sweet. These were chewy and bland. Maybe more syrup! I don’t think that’s going to help!

“How are the pancakes?” Damon asked, trying not to laugh at her.

“Chewy!” She said with a mouthful. “How’s yours?”

“Interesting!” Damon poked at the food on his plate.

“It looks like something already ate it” She commented,

“That would be an accurate description.” They all kinda nodded at that, not really wanting to eat their food.

“I think Glenda spoiled us with her food,” Johnny said, eliciting another round of nods.

“Just eat, we are being watched” Kane cautioned, he took a bite and immediately regretted it. Taking several deep breaths he choked it down. “Next time we eat at Glenda’s”

“You ok big guy?” Damon asked, looking at him. Kane just shook his head. “Well that’s not going to encourage me to eat it”

Dax cut another piece of pancake but before she put it in her mouth she dropped her fork and pushed her plate away, shaking her head one hand flying to her mouth the other to her churning stomach. Damon paled when he saw what was buried in her pancakes.

“Is….is that….is that a….” Damon went from pale to green instantly as he pushed his plate and turned his head away whimpering.

“Don’t you throw up on me” Kenneth hissed exiting the booth immediately.

“Uno scarafaggio! (A cockroach!)” Marco stared at it mortified,

“Uh huh!” She mumbled through her hand slightly nodding her head fighting the urge to spill the contents of her stomach. They all pushed their plates away, and breakfast was over.

“Is everything ok?” The waitress asked, seeing their revulsion towards the food. She knew it wasn’t the greatest but people still ate it.

“She found a cockroach buried in her pancakes,” Kane said, not even hiding his disdain. They heard forks clattering to plates all over the diner.

“Oh my god! I am so sorry.” Her eyes went wide. “Is there something else I can get you?” She was asking Dax more than anyone else.

“No! We won’t be finishing our meal, we’re done here” Kane bit back a growl, Johnny exited the booth followed by Kane. He held his hand out for her to take, when she did he immediately pulled her into his arms.

“I almost ate that!” She whispered, he ran his hand up her back as they walked out of the diner, the others following behind. Once outside he sent Marco and Carter to a grocery store to pick up something to eat and drink and he took her around the side of the building. If she was going to spill her stomach she didn’t need to do it in front of the others. Dax insisted she was fine, until she doubled over and threw up. How she managed to hold it for that long was beyond him? She’s strong! Ky reminded him. Poor mate! Do something! What would you like me to do? Make her better! Damn mutt! Kane rubbed her back while she got it out of her system. With nothing left in her stomach and her dry heaves subsiding, they walked back to the others.

“Oaf! Feisty pants is looking a little green” Damon said when they came into view.

“What did you expect? She almost ate it” Johnny commented. Kane walked by the others and helped her into the back of the truck. She crawled onto the back seat and curled up into a ball. He told her, he’d be right outside if she needed him, she just nodded.

“She’ll be ok, I doubt she’ll eat for the rest of the day, but she’ll be ok.” Kane reassured them, when he saw the concerned faces. “Let’s just do what we came to do then get the fuck out of this repulsive town.” They all nodded in agreement. When Marco and Carter returned with what they could replace at the grocery store, they all had a quick something to eat. Jasper’s diner wasn’t located that far from the art gallery and Johnny and Kenneth headed off in that direction, while Damon and Carter took Carter’s truck to visit some of the names on the list, they would pick Kenneth and Johnny up from the art gallery on the way to see Maria Whitekar. Marco explained as best he could how to destroy the files on the hard drives to them. But no one was sure how much they caught with his broken English and muffled growls. Then Kane, Dax and him headed to the warehouse. Kane gave her a bottle of water to rinse her mouth and tried to get her to eat some crackers, but she couldn’t keep them down, the cockroach kept popping back into her mind.