Unscentable
Chapter 16

Piper

POV

Piper heard the male Canadian accent in the store, and felt Harper bristle inside of her mind right away. Heard him state his name was Timothy Avery and that he wanted to see Piper Harper.

She got up from her desk as quietly as possible and headed for the back door, was about to step out of the building when she heard him, sounded fully amused to her ear at that "Tell Pipe, not to leave, my men are out back." Stilled her hand on the door handle, he'd been actively listening for her with his Alpha Wolfs hearing. He might have been talking to Laura downstairs, but he knew that she would hear him, this was not what she needed right now. Two bloody Alpha's hunting her and both of them trying to force her into making dresses at that, why did Alpha wolves have little to no respect for others?

Looked out the door to her balcony and down the stairs, saw a man casually leaning on the stairs railing at the very bottom. He looked right up at her, smiled also seemed amused to her. Obviously, he'd been told she was likely going to leave, they were prepared for it.

She stepped back inside her office, she could hear Laura coming up the stairs and the foot fall behind her, walked back over and sat down at her desk once more.

There was no getting away. He'd stated his men, which meant nothing to Laura, but to Piper, she knew it meant his Alpha Unit was with him.

It was very unlikely that she would be able to get away from them. She'd only seen the one, but he had stood right where he could be seen on purpose. The other two could be anywhere for all she knew, out in the alley or just standing around blocking all the exits to her building. That was the likely position.

Watched as Laura came into her office "Sorry Piper, this gentleman, insists on seeing you."

"It's fine Laura, I'm nearly done for the day anyway," she waved her out of the office, couldn't blame the woman. It was not her fault. Turned her eyes on Alpha Timothy "Why are you here?" She asked bluntly as she watched him look about her office. Touched a few of her framed photos, picked up one of her awards and smiled after he read it.

"You've done very well for yourself, Piper, I'm proud of you."

Piper watched him put it back on the shelf, then undo the buttons on his suit jacket. A single-breasted, navy blue suit with a grey pinstripe, was tailored for him, had been made for him, she realised.

He sank down in the chair on the other side of her desk. He was still smiling. "t's amazing, you've gotten so well recognised in the human world, yet stayed hidden from your own kind for so very long."

"Is it?" she asked, not really caring for his opinion at all. It was not amazing to her, she'd never been recognised by her kind, so it was not amazing at all, it was just how her life had always been. As for the humans, they did see her, didn't rely on their sense of smell to recall people, actually used their eyes to see people.

"For a rogue, yes..." he smirked right at her "Changed your name to fit in with the humans? Or changed your name to hide from your old pack?" he questioned her.

"I do not have to explain myself to you." she stated flatly "What do you want?" she rephrased her original question.

"I should think that is obvious," he stated simply. But did not elaborate. It, however, was not obvious to her, he'd not brought Celeste with him, so if he wanted her to make that dress, the girl should be with him for sizing and measurements to be taken. If he was here to threaten her, he'd not stated that yet. If he was here because he knew who she actually was, it could well be that he was an enemy of Bradley Drake, her former Alpha, and he'd picked up on Brandon's bloodline.

"It could be one of many things. Black mail again?" she muttered "to force me into your pack. To tell me you've informed the Wolfen council of my illegal business's. Or you could be here to hurt me and my son for that matter."

"I would never hurt you or Brandon. It's not my style young lady. I do, however, disapprove of you and your son being unaffiliated, so yes, I would like to bring you in." he nodded, leaning back in his chair to just watch her. "I'm not interested," Piper told him honestly, and she was not. Pack life had not suited her at all, been damned painful in the end.

"You might not be, but you will be coming along." He told her in his no-nonsense Alpha tone.

"Will I now?" she snorted, he couldn't actually make her do anything, she didn't belong to him or his pack.

You actually can't make me."

"No." he admitted "I can't.. but I can make your life very uncomfortable, till you fall into line"

"My entire life has been uncomfortable," she shrugged. "You have no idea what my life was like before I left it behind. What I went through, or how much I can put up with being uncomfortable for that matter."

"I can well imagine," he sighed heavily, "To go rogue or one so young, and female. It must have been traumatic."

"I'm not going back to Pack life. I don't like wolves, I'm not one anymore, so just leave." she snapped at him.

He was staring right at her now. She knew why. She had just insulted his kind and renounced them in the same breath, claimed she was no longer one, his pale blue eyes were boring into hers, a deep frown on his face, he'd not liked her words at all and she knew it. "You are still one, and your son as well.. you can't just declare not to be one of us, when it is who you are."

"Can't I?" even Harper rolled her eyes at that, she'd stopped emerging and showing herself when she was 20. They were now just two minds at this point.

"No you can't," he stated flatly.

"I beg to differ, I've lived as a human fora very long time and I intend to do so for the foreseeable future." and she did, she had nothing to go back to.

Bradley did not and never would recognise her. Hell the man had even been granted a second chance, Mate.

Something Piper and Harper alike were hoping the Goddess who'd cursed them once, would see fit to spare them that. Once was enough, neither of them ever wanted to go through that pain again, not ever.

"Your not safe out here Piper. Neither is your son. He's Alpha blooded, I can tell."

"That is none of your business. As for not safe! I've been out here alone minding my own business, since before he was born. No issues, no threats, till you, that is. So go back where you came from, problem solved." "Not going to happen Piper." He shook his head.

"I'm not leaving my business's, and I'm not going to your Pack."

"You can keep the business's, they're doing very well. Will make an impressive investment for any Pack.

I'll just register them and make them legal. You can open one closer to the Pack, and be provided with staff from within the Pack. Nice and safe, like how it should always have been. The one's you have here on the west coast, can stay and be run by your human employees. Nothing will change."

"No thank you."

"I'm not leaving Piper...You will be falling into line."

"I will not be." She shot right back.

Actually saw him laugh "Oh child, I think you will be, like I said. I'll be making your life very uncomfortable till you do. My men here, are not all that I brought with me, and it's not gone unnoticed that there is another Alpha and his unit watching your store." Her jaw tightened "I am a rogue and I will be staying that way."

"No you will not be, you have family out there, other Whitlock's. I actually know a couple of them, told them I'd come across you at the Alpha meeting in Whistler, they were more than shocked by your rogue status, also more than a little horifted actually." "I don't care." she snapped, "I've had enough, get out of my office, get out of my store." she did not want to hear about others, a family she knew nothing about, they had not come to help her when she'd lost her parents, likely only here now due to what Brandon

was.

"No." Timothy stated firmly.

"I'll call the police and have you arrested for harassment." Piper shot right at him and meant it.

Saw his jaw tighten now, "I'll take you, long before they get here, Piper." he snarled right at her, didn't like her threatening him, it seemed he could dish out threats but couldn't take one himself. "you and I will go and pick up Brandon and go to my Pack or I will have my men collect him without you. I do know where he is right at this minute...in fact, I do believe my men aren't the only ones watching the boy."

That snapped her head up, saw him smile smugly at her, at the fear that shot through her "Don't you dare threaten my son." it was Harper fully on the surface and snarling at him.

Watched as his wolf also pulled forward and stared right at her. His eyes were white just like Harper's, a smile touched his face and then his wolf receded. "You will be coming home Piper. It is where you and your boy belong. You need to be protected, as your Alpha and I am. I will be, I will order it."

Harper snorted, she didn't want to get into a fight with him, he was like her. It seemed "You're not alone Piper, neither is your wolf. Your life likely was not fun. Come in, let the Whitlock elders talk to you. Please, I will ask nicely, just one more time. Then I will force you, and you nor your wolf will like it."

She was glaring right at him and as if to make his point. She saw his eyes glaze over and then a moment later, there was movement on her balcony, and the bell chimed on the stores' front door. He looked right at her pointedly, pulled his phone out and called someone, "Take a photo of the boy as proof, send it directly back to me." He hung up.

Took less than 15 seconds before he turned the phone around and showed her a picture. It was Brandon at his friend Finley's birthday party. "Up Piper," he said and stood himself "We'll take your car, so as not to upset the boy."

Piper did not like this, but she could not escape, there was a man on her balcony baring her exit that way and now there were two standing just inside her office doorway as well, baring her exit, and she doubted she'd make it passed the Alpha to her studio door not that that would help only lead back into the store.

He was clearly going to force her hands, to get what he wanted from her, if she didn't comply with his wishes, glared right at the man. Showing her full displeasure at the situation.

"It's for the best Piper, just trust me." he told her. He sounded like he was trying to reassure her. She did not trust him, not at all.

Stood up and grabbed her handbag. She and Harper would not risk Brandon being taken by him or his men.

The boy was all they had and he had Aspen, not yet fully realised, but this could force his wolf to emerge and shift him for the first time. She didn't want that, he was very young.

"Call your men off now." she snapped right at him.

He nodded and saw him wave his unit to back away.

"Not those men. The ones on my son." she grated out, could actually feel Harper's aggression growing inside her, nothing ticked her wolf off like a threat to their child. She'd not shifted in years, didn't even know if they could anymore. But somewhere deep down inside of her, Piper was willing to bet that Harper would shift her to her grey and white wolf if it was the only way to save their son. Harper was right this minute, stalking around inside of Pipers mind, all her hackles were up and her ears were flat back against her head.

She was walked to her car in the car park, glared at his unit, as she unlocked her Nissan Rogue. "Are they all coming?"

"No, just me." Timothy smiled at her, he waved his unit away. "They'll follow in our car in a minute." he got in the front passenger seat "This is a nice vehicle." He commented as he looked it over.

She already knew that, had even splashed out and got the platinum model with all the high-tech safety features, and the Pro Pilot Assist, made for easier driving, considering she'd not learned to drive until away from the pack, had only bought her first car at 23, and then bought this car just a year ago, really liked her car, was actually considering it for all her company cars.

Nissan Rogue, just really tickled her funny bone, because she was a rogue, but it did have all the room needed as well.

Drove all the way to Finley's house to pick up Brandon, she was a bit early, but that could not be helped, got out of the car, as did Alpha Timothy. "Stay here, I don't need Brandon freaking out." she muttered as she walked passed him, saw him stop and lean back on the car, acknowledged her words.

Walked down the path and rang the doorbell, apologised to Finley's mother, Susanne, about having to pick Brandon up early, saw the woman look to the man by her car and then smile at her "He's nice looking, your boyfriend?"

"No." Piper shook her head, did not elaborate any further.

Brandon was surprised to see her, "We have a visitor." she told him and he frowned up at her, then looked more than annoyed when she walked him outside and his eyes landed on Alpha Timothy.

Watched as Alpha Timothy, stood and even opened the back door for Brandon to get in the car, he was smiling at the boy, ruffled the boy's hair "Good to see you son." he smiled right down at him.

Brandon jerked himself out of the way and climbed up into the car, but it was the rather loud growl that she heard from somewhere behind her that made her turn her head, saw Alpha Timothy's head whip around as well, as he closed he door.

"Get in the car Piper." he snapped, his eyes were already searching and she saw him breath in, trying to scent who it was. "Not mine." he confirmed "In the car now." he repeated himself.

Piper hurried around the car. She'd never had this problem before. Not till this man bloody showed up, had likely brought trouble with him, she was in the car. "Buckie up." she told Brandon as she put the keys in the ignition, here eyes were still on Alpha Timothy. He was still searching the area, and did not think about the fact that she was now in her car alone with her son. Likely thought she would just do as he told her to.

Turned the engine over and hit the central locking to lock him out, put the car in drive, saw his eyes move right to hers as he realised what she was about to do, reached for the door handle, as she hit the accelerator and then sped off down the street, saw him in the review mirror, just stand there and put his hands on his hips and shake his head.

Stupid man should never have gotten out of the car, now he was alone and with whoever had growled at them.

"Mum?"

"I don't know, we have to go, Brandon." she told him honestly.

"Where will we go? What did he want this time?"

Where? She had no idea right this second, was just driving away. She didn't think their house would be safe.

Obviously he'd been watching her. Likely what she'd felt yesterday "Want's us to go and live in his pack in Canada." she answered his other question, was not going to lie to him.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know." she shook her head "He just turned up." Turned onto the 126 and headed into the city, turned off at Green Hills and made her way into Portland Heights, where Izzy lived. She was not home currently but Piper had a key. Hopefully they would be safe there until she could think of something or somewhere to.

"Is Aunty Izzy home mum?" Brandon asked as they pulled up in her driveway and the car wasn't there.

"No, away. Out in Maine. I'm sure she won't mind, I'll call her once we're inside." used the key and let herself in. Brandon looked worried. "It'll be okay Brandon." She tried to reassure him.

He just looked at her, didn't believe her, she couldn't blame him either, there life had been turned upside down by Alpha Timothy a week ago and now here he was, back again to harass them. It should be her choice to live inside a pack or not. Yes he could forcibly bleed her into his pack. But he couldn't stop her from going rogue all over again. No-one could stop that. And it was what she would do.

They just had to stay hidden for now. Till she could figure out a plan, she was due to leave with Izzy for Sydney in just a month. Perhaps she and Brandon could go earlier and have Izzy follow. That could work.

Sighed gave Brandon the TV remote "Find something to watch, I'll go and call Izzy." watched him nod.

She walked through the house to Izzy's bedroom and closed the door before sitting on the bed and dialling her number. The poor woman was going to be stuck in the middle, when she got back, needed to be given a heads up on the current situation. "Hey Piper, what's wrong?" she asked right away.

Piper sighed "I got trouble lzzy." she answered honestly. "I got hauled in by this big shot CEO called Timothy Avery when I was away with Brandon, to design a dress for his daughter, now he's turned up at the store and is demanding I go with him back to Canada." "Say no."

"I did, he threatened to just take Brandon and make me. We're at your place. ! managed to get Brandon and run with him." she sighed, didn't know how long it was going to be safe here either.

"That's fine, stay as long as you like. What about Drake Industries? Are those men still around?"

"I don't know, to be honest. I haven't seen them," though now that she thought about it Timothy had told her he knew there was another Alpha watching her "I don't think they've left." she added, then there was that growl, it was definitely a wolf out at Finley's place. "You need me to come back?" "No Izzy, just wanted to give you a heads up, as to what to expect when you get back is all."

"You're suddenly very popular, Piper. Who's this Timothy Avery guy? I get Mr Drake and his sudden obsession. He might have seen Brandon. Those eyes are unmistakable. He would recognise his own son. I imagine, from his eyes. But what's with the new guy?"

She was not wrong. If Bradley had seen Brandon or even one of his unit they would likely have wanted to get up close to the child. Perhaps that was the growl at Finley's Bradley or one of his unit, now that she thought about that moment, it had been when Timothy had called him son. She bit her l!p. She didn't know.

"I don't know about Timothy Avery, but he calls me Piper Whitlock, Izzy. Not Piper Harper, said he knows others in my family."

"What family. I thought you appeared fully grown here in Portland." she teased her a little, trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't know, my mother and father died when I was 10. I have no idea." and she didn't. Yes, his wolf had white eyes like Harper and Aspen, but it could just be a coincidence.

"Looked into Drake Industries on my flight out here. Mr Bradley Drake is a very wealthy bachelor."

"He's not a bachelor, he is getting married soon."

Piper sighed "it's why the girl came in, she's his wife to be."

"What no way? He's like 36, his bio states, that girl can't be more than 18 or 19"

"It is what it is," Piper murmured "It's why he's demanding I make her the dress she wants. Wants her to have everything her heart desires." she felt pain touch her heart at the thought, couldn't help it. That girl was getting everything and Piper had got nothing. It still hurt, would likely always hurt, she imagined.

"Sorry Piper." she heard the compassion in Izzy's Voice.

"I was nothing to him, Izzy." she said out loud, even heard the pain in her own voice. "I never was, never will be." she sighed, really wanted to move on, wanted to forget him. But just couldn't seem to do it. Hell she had thought they had moved on until that girl walked into her life. Till he'd walked her right into her studio and stood next to her, demanding she have everything she wanted.

"Piper, are you really alright?"

"No.." she answered truthfully, "but he'll leave and give up, it's just a damned dress. That girl can get something else made. Or buy off my rack, I don't really care which." and she didn't, just wanted that man and his Mate away from her, for good.