Juan (The Juarez Pack Book 1) Read online

  The first thing the following morning, his computer beeped. That let him know an important message was waiting. He was hoping for the information on Amee he’d requested, but it was still a surprise that he’d gotten it so quickly. He scanned through her basic information and then he found the life changing experience that had haunted her. Being kidnapped as a child by a pedophile had robbed her of the normal sexual interest most children start to feel at puberty. It had left her innocent and untouched until after his stupid mistake. Had he taken the time to get to know her, he might have recognize her resistance to intimacy was caused by something other than lack of interest.

  Moving on, he finally saw that she was an investor, an amazingly gifted one. Starting off with a trust fund that was distributed by successful white wolves to related children, she had multiplied her worth many times and not only given back the initial amount, she’d gone on to contribute to trust funds for more children. It was unusual for a family to help their relatives in this way. Some of the cousins were distant relations, but they were helped too. It reminded him that many wolves called them a clan and they did operate much like he imagined a clan would,

  This new information was worrisome. Amee might live simply, but she had almost unlimited money to fund any action she might be contemplating to thwart him. It only added to his concerns and tomorrow morning couldn’t come soon enough. His mate was turning out to be a surprise every time he turned around. She would certainly keep him on his toes and once he took her home, his life would be anything but boring. He leaned back in his chair and tried to relax. It was like his mind was trying to send him a message that he refused to register.

  One more day and he would have her in his arms where regardless of what she believed, he knew she belonged. If he managed to make it, he’d never let that female out of his sight again. His phone buzzed and he answered without looking first. He wouldn’t make that mistake again anytime soon.

  “Juan, you haven’t called since you left.

  “I was waiting until there was something to tell you. I’m seeing her in the morning.”

  ‘You’ve not seen her yet?”

  “I have, but she wanted some time to think about things.”

  “You let her have it? That’s a big mistake.”

  “What was I supposed to do?”

  “Claim her and bring her home. End of discussion.”

  “But I told her I’ give her until the morning.”

  “Go to see her now. If she escapes you, she has the resources to hide possibly forever. Listen to me this once, my stubborn son.”

  “Okay, I’ll check on her.”

  “Let me know what happens.”

  “Okay.”

  He hung up and he wondered what to do but in the end he decided to check on her. Not only was his father concerned but Juan had felt out of sorts about giving her so much time. Ryker came when he called him and they headed to Amee’s house. When they pulled in the drive he saw a for sale sign. It didn’t make the alarm bells ring but when she didn’t answer his knock, he picked the lock again. Ryker followed him in and they were both astounded.

  “You’re right about one thing, Bro.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Moving isn’t a big deal.”

  Amee’s house was empty and completely clean. It even looked like minor repairs had been made and it stood ready for the next owner to take immediate possession. It occurred to him that she was probably making plans as he sat watching her work on her computer. His father had been right and she had run. He was a complete failure where his mate was concerned because every time he had a choice, he seemed to make the wrong one. He grabbed his phone and began to make calls. First he started with their in house investigator because he knew he’d get on it right away.

  Next, he called a contact at the council and explained that they were mated and bonded. They would help now because once they bonded, it gave him certain rights where she was concerned. All he knew was he would comb the ends of the Earth to find his mate. She could run, but he would never stop searching. Her freedom was on borrowed time and she might have many resources, but he did too.

  He felt dizzy and angry that she would just take off and leave him this way. Maybe some of the anger was at himself for not expecting her to flee. His father was right and it grated on his nerves to know that. What was worse was he would call soon and want to know where Juan and his new mate were and how soon they were coming home.

  Chapter 4

  Guerrero

  Sweat trickled down between her breasts and the dry heat was killing her. Life was full of choices and some were good others bad but while this had been a hard decision, at least she was doing some good. Her breasts ached and they were sensitive. Nausea had become her closest friend with headaches a close second but she was strong and she would tough it out. She missed him all day every day and the nights were even worse but she would tough it out.

  In order to stay under the radar, she was living like a poor volunteer. There was a tent she shared with another woman. Each had a sleeping bag and there were bathroom facilities nearby. They helped the medical teams as they checked out children and inoculated them against all the usual sicknesses. They passed out food to those who stood in line that were unable to feed themselves and their families. They handed out birth control in an effort to stem the birth of more children who would live a painfully poor life but in a Catholic country, few came to claim the methods on hand.

  Even though there was much suffering, these people laughed easily and took joy in the smallest of blessings. They were always thankful and in the three months she had been here, she had made connections to people she would remember a lifetime. She had even been in a position where she could help a few of them claim a better life. Nothing could make her feel better than to give someone else the happiness she would never truly have. Fate had screwed her completely when it had picked Juan as her soul mate.

  Maybe in a past life she had committed an unpardonable sin and was now paying the price. If she could just stop thinking about him, but her stomach throbbed from movement and she knew that was impossible. A smile came to her face until she realized that this was one of those special moments made for sharing but then she remembered she had no one to share it with. Her life had changed forever and there was no going back. It wasn’t even the mating, it was the gift Juan had left behind. Something so precious and wonderful, but she wouldn’t be able to continue to live like this much longer because of it.

  The dizziness passed and her stomach calmed. Things should be alright for today, but tomorrow it would start all over again. “Are you alright?” Loretta asked her.

  “Yes, it’s passed for the day. How are you handling the heat?”

  “It’s getting easier. I’m glad I don’t have your situation, it would be much harder.”

  Loretta had just started a week ago and the heat was hard on her. She was young, just out of high school and she wanted to give something to the world and help people before she was too wrapped up in her own life to manage it. In a year, she’d go back home and start college taking with her a year’s worth of memories. Her Spanish wasn’t the best, but in a year Amee bet she’d talk like a native. Languages weren’t really Amee’s thing. After three months she still had only picked up a few words and couldn’t speak in understandable sentences.

  “Hola, Amee and Loretta,” said an attractive man clearly a native because of his dark good looks.

  “Hola, Jose,” they answered together.

  He leaned in near Amee’s ear. “When will you finally break down and go out with me, Bonita?”

  “I can’ do that, Jose. We’ve been down this road before and it’s a dead end,” Amee replied.

  “You can’t blame a man for trying,” he whispered his accent attractive and his looks tempting. Before the mating, she wouldn’t have hesitated but since it had occurred, when a sexy man came near it made her skin itch. That was so unappealing. Jose went on past them to check on o
ther things and she was relieved.

  “I’d pass out if a man like that wanted to make a move on me,” Loretta admitted.

  Amee turned and examined Loretta closely. Her sweet good looks screamed cute or adorable. She had her choice of the teenage boys that hovered around the edge of their property, but she had no interest in them. Amee suspected she had a crush on Jose. It wasn’t the best match, he would chew her up and spit her out but who took advice on love at the tender age of eighteen? Amee wasn’t smart enough to take advice now and never would have then.

  Jose was a ladies man and it would take some doing to catch much less hold his attention. Amee had no interest but if Loretta did, maybe she would help her out. She’d warn her first but if she was hell bent to get her first broken heart, it might as well be now and from someone Amee thought would at least let her down gently. It was sad that the most excitement in her life right now was other people’s love lives. Thinking about her own and the changes she would soon be making just added intensity to the brewing headache that the extreme heat of the afternoon brought out. It was nearly siesta time. From twelve until two most of the workers took a nap because it was too hot to be outside. It was a combination of lunch break and an hour was added to the end of the day to make up for it.

  Loretta and she closed up everything and locked it down. They headed back to their tent where they would eat a quick meal with a large drink to stay hydrated. When they finished eating, they would take a nap in their tent with an alarm set for two o clock. It was a relief to take a nap since she grew tired after a few hours of heat and hard work.

  “Hey, Mamacita!” an older man yelled.

  “Hey Pedro, how’s it going,” Amee asked. Pedro was tall and muscular. He was in his early thirties and still single. He had started as a dock worker and now he ran things there. His muscles were a testament to the fact that he still did physical work and wasn’t just a desk jockey.

  “Things would be better if you would let me help you little mama. You could stay in my spare room so you would have no worries. No expectation, I swear it,” he said as he held his hands out.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine,” she replied.

  “Tell me his name and I will ring his neck for you,” he offered.

  His threats against the male who had broken her heart always brought a smile to her face. Pedro might try, but he was no match for a wolf much less an alpha wolf. She just shook her head and walked off.

  “You sure get hit on a lot,” Loretta observed.

  “You do too, but you’re not interested in guys your age.”

  “There just boys.”

  “You’re still a teenager.”

  They reached their tent without seeing anyone else which Amee was grateful for. Their curiosity and questions were a reminder of what she had left behind. She had enough of a reminder without being constantly buffeted with more. They ate quickly, changed to sleep shirts and lay down on their sleeping bags. She moved around trying to get comfortable finding it harder to do every day. Her mind went back to that last day with Juan.

  The first time they had sex was almost like a dream in her mind. It was felt glorious and she hadn’t thought of consequences. The second time had been different. By the time she’d awoke, she had been drowning in lust. She knew what he was doing but she didn’t care, she was drunk on need and let him do as he wished. Regardless of Juan’s many faults, he was an incredible and generous lover. Never would she admit it to him, but he’d been the best she’d ever had. Knowing she was going to leave him behind, the second time had been her gift to herself.

  Maybe it had been poor judgement, but she’d wanted to enjoy him once while she was fully awake. She refused to regret it and the pleasure had been incredible. Yeah, she was suffering, but at least this time she knew he was too. It was true that misery loved company and she couldn’t deny she also felt better knowing he wouldn’t be screwing around on her this time. He’d been very clear about that, the desire for any other females simply wouldn’t be there. Her desire for other males wasn’t there either. That meant they had truly been soul mates but now they would forever be apart.

  Whenever she was tempted to try to see him and work things out, she thought about how she had felt when she’d seen the picture of him in the social pages. The headlines had been local Lothario bags two blondes for a night of fun. Her night had not been fun after she’d seen that. Their bond might force his loyalty but that meant nothing if it wasn’t given willingly. Once she fell asleep, her dreams were of Juan focusing all his attention on her.

  She woke irritable and needy which was nothing new. It was just her luck to be surrounded by gorgeous men with sexy accents and not have her interest piqued. Even listening to them talk, something that just a few months ago would have had her near climax, didn’t do the trick. All she could think about was the faithless male who had thoroughly ruined her life leaving her only one gift that might redeem her future. It was long past time for her to see a doctor but she needed to see a supernatural one.

  Her options were a quick trip home or possibly a call there for a recommendation. Ariel would get her the information quickest. Once the doctor’s visit was done, decisions needed to be made. It was a shame because she’d made friends here, but she knew she couldn’t stay. Not only was it too uncomfortable for her in her current condition, but staying too long increased the risk of being found. Maybe a trip to Alaska to visit Joey who would never breathe a word. The problem there would be the others who would notice a new she-wolf, especially her right now. She drew attention instantly regardless of what she did to hide from it.

  It was decided even though she hesitated. Today would be her last day here. The next three months would be spent somewhere cooler and slightly less primitive but every bit as remote. The alarm hadn’t gone off yet so she pulled out her burner cell phone and put batteries in it. She dashed off a message to Ariel and she left it on for a reply. Once her day’s work was done, she was out of here. Her phone buzzed and she saw the names and the locations of doctors. Writing them down, next she dumped the phone. After work, she would just walk away, catch a cab, and they wouldn’t see her again. Ariel would have a replacement sent in and they would be fully staffed in the morning.

  The day moved slower than ever with Loretta complaining until Amee thought her ears would bleed from listening. The time finally came that they were able to put everything away and lock up. They headed back to the tent and she grabbed her beach style bag filling it with those things she wanted to take with her. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought of all the children she’d become attached to as well as her coworkers most of whom she’d call friends. They’d forget her quickly but she’d remember them for a long time. As she turned to leave Loretta followed her.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment,” she informed.

  “Good luck.”

  She couldn’t say goodbye so she just nodded. Walking to the road which was nearby, she hoped a cab would happen by. They were on the edge of town and there were several sites of interest to tourists along the way. It was dusk when a cab finally stopped. He let her off in front of the doctor’s office. There was no sign to advertise and only someone who was aware of the location would ever find it. That was the way of the supernatural world that hid right out in plain sight. Amee was now part of that world and she would learn to deal with it.

  The door opened as she drew near and she wondered if they smelled her. As hot as it was, she was a sweaty stinky mess so it was no surprise. A man stood in the doorway looking at her with interest. Drawing in a breath she realized he was a wolf. All wolves seemed to be interested in the white wolves.

  “Come in and follow me,” he said his chest rumbling and his voice deep.

  Once she was through the door, he closed it and led her into a room that looked much like any examination room she’d been in including the stirrups on the bed. He placed a disposal vest that was ope
n in the front on the bottom of the bed.

  “Please change into this and get on the bed. I’ll come back once you’re ready.”

  He might as well say assume the position. It was the least pleasant thing for most females. It looked like she-wolves went through it too. She did as she was told and he returned as soon as she had. Closing her eyes, she prayed it would be over quickly. Trying to occupy her mind, all that came to her were thoughts of Juan. Damn his mangy hide, there’d been little good that she’d got out of knowing him. She felt something cold sliding in as the doctor did his examination.

  Once he was done with that, he examined her belly, pushing, prodding, and listening. “You are very lucky, Mama. You may have noticed some odd things but it is perfectly normal when you are carrying two pups.”

  “W-what did you say?” she asked not believing her ears.

  “There are two babies in your belly. Pregnancies are hard enough to manage with the low fertility, but two pups is truly a blessing.” The doctor seemed very excited by it.

  Amee on the other hand was petrified. Coming to terms with a baby hadn’t been too hard. She loved children and had always planned to have some. By mating her when he knew she’d refuse him, Juan had essentially condemned her to a life without children in her future. Discovering she was expecting had seemed fated, more so than their mating. Two babies would be much harder to hide in this world of supernaturals. They would also be harder to handle and she would have to hire help before they arrived.

  The decisions she needed to make were that much more important now. She thanked the doctor absentmindedly as he left so she could dress. Dressing quickly, she went out to see what the bill was. The doctor was at the door to let her out.