Running in Fear: Abandoned (6 page)

She heard everyone gasp in the room as she took a drink of her pop. She got up and walked to the table, looking at the desserts. Reaching across the table, Jaycee grabbed a piece of blueberry pie. She licked her lips and headed back to her seat. Everyone stared at her.

“Tell me, Jaycee, do you think you could do the job?” he asked her again. Jaycee sat there, chewing a bit of her pie while she thought about it.

“Yes, I did that sort of thing a couple of years ago, planning parties for our local mayor where I lived, but again, that isn't the problem, sir. The problem would be them. As I told you before, they don't trust my judgment, and they would take over. So there is no sense in me helping when it would be them making the choices, not me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a book calling me.”

Jaycee got up and left the room, not looking at anyone. She ran down the stairs, dropping her pie on the floor. “Shit!” She shook her head and left it on the floor. She shut the door behind her and locked the family room door again.

Jaycee grabbed her book and fell onto the couch, and banging started on the door. She knew it was her mates. She didn't say a word. She ignored them and tried to concentrate on her book. Then she heard keys and knew Dane was unlocking the door. They all stormed into the room and slammed the door behind them.

“What the hell is your problem? You were offered a great opportunity, and you threw it away!” Dane snapped, grabbed her book, and threw it across the room. Jaycee got off the couch and snarled into his face.

“Is that your problem, I embarrassed you again? Well, too bad! I will not take on a job when I'm not in control. As you three have shown me, I'm nothing other than a slut and a mother to carry your children. Well, so be it. I will keep my mouth shut and my legs spread for you to rut on me. But don't you dare come in here and yell at me,” Jaycee snapped and grabbed her book. She sat back down on the couch. They all stared at her.

“Do you really believe all that shit you just sprouted?” Dane shouted at her.

She looked up and quietly said, “Yes! You have lied to me, you don't trust my judgment, you won't talk to me, and there will be no bonding ceremony, no wedding, nothing,” She whispered the last part, as she buried her face in her book. She thought she didn't have any more tears, but they were there. It had to be the baby that was making her so emotional, she thought.

Remi walked up to her and took her book from her, placing it on the table. He saw her tears and frowned as he sat down next to her.

“Your words don't matter anymore, Remi. You lied. I thought our dance was special, just you and me. Here it was just to relax me so you could get me pregnant. None of your words or theirs will matter anymore. Your actions have shown me how little I matter.” Jaycee jumped off the couch. She took off up the stairs, all the way to her bedroom, and ignored everyone as they watched her tear up the stairs with tears on her face. She heard her father's growl, but didn't care. She ran into the room and threw herself onto the bed, crying.

“Jaycee, what's wrong?” her father asked as he sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms. It had been so long since she was in his arms. She sobbed as he held her and rocked her.

“I just told them I wouldn't have a bonding ceremony or anything,” she cried as her father pulled her back and stared at her like she had lost her mind.

“Are you nuts? They're your mates. Of course you'll have a bonding ceremony,” he demanded. Jaycee jumped out of his arms and faced him.

“I've never been more serious. Tell me, Dad, when you were with Kate in the beginning, did you two talk, did you take walks, did you trust her judgment? Or did you just fuck her to get her pregnant?”

Her father stood and glared at her. “That's crude and uncalled for, and you know it.” “I have never been courted, Dad, never by any man. No dates, no nothing. Just taken. All I've asked from them was small things. I wanted—no, I needed them to walk with me yesterday when we got home. Just for them to talk to me and hold me. They promised me we would. They lied. They just left and didn't say a word, but I waited all day planning the bomb fire, hoping maybe when they got back they would dance with me. Take a midnight walk, something simple. When they did come, they demanded me back to the house so Remi could fuck me and get me pregnant. Not because he just wanted me, but because he wanted a baby. Did you know they even discussed how to make me relax, to take his seed? They didn't even try to explain why they weren't here, or that they were sorry,” Jaycee rambled on, tears running down her face.

She went to the balcony window, reached back, and turned on the CD to the song he had played. “Here, this song, dad. This is the song I thought was going to be our song, but instead it was just a tool to get me pregnant. There will be no bonding ceremony unless they learn to trust me, court me, and just talk to me without lying. And Dad, you're not to say a word. This will be done by them on their own. No more tricks.” Jaycee listened to the song and stared out side, dismissing her father. He shut her bedroom door, going downstairs.

* * * *

Eventually, Jaycee drew a bath, and sat in the tub, candles she had found in the closet all around her. Her book in her hand, she soaked in the warm water. It was late, she had taken a nap, and was getting ready for the pack dinner. She dreaded it, but it was her duty and she wouldn't ditch her duty. Jaycee laid the book down on the toilet lid, and got up out of the tub. She carefully prepared herself for dinner. Tonight her mates would see what she could be. She picked out the most perfect dress, and slipped on her garter belt and thigh highs. She strapped on her three-inch pumps.

Jaycee stared at herself in the mirror. The dress enhanced her breasts, showing just a little extra cleavage. The dress had no back, and slits running up each side of her leg, all the way up to her hip. She grabbed one of her bottles of perfume, dabbing it on her breasts and behind her ears. She was ready.

Jaycee made her way down the stairs slowly. Her men waited for her. She ignored them and walked ahead of them, as they made their way to the pack dining room. They were making their way to their table when the blond bimbo scooted up to Remi, and slid her body up and down him.

“I hear that there is to be no bonding ceremony. Maybe after supper, we could get together? I can show you what a female can do.” She almost purred. Her mates stared at Jaycee, waiting.

Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “You're the ones who created this disrespect and lack of trust among the packs, not me.” She lowered her eyes and turned. She left them standing there as she took her seat. Shelly saw all of it.

“Are you going to let that blond thing touch your mate?” she asked, loud enough so many could hear. Jaycee felt the tears. Her dress didn't help.

“What am I to do, Shelly? They don't trust me, and they have shown this in front of the pack too many times. I can fight every female here, but it wouldn't make a difference. They still would treat me like I'm nothing,” Jaycee smiled a sad smile at her friend. Then she noticed the little girl who had given her buttons come up to the blond bimbo, and kicked her in the shin. ?

“That's my friend's mate. Stay away from him,” she demanded.

Jaycee laughed as tears fell down her face. “Well, I found one friend, among them at least,” she said, looking at Shelly.

Jaycee sat eating her food, a fake smile on her face. Her jaw killed her, but she wanted another piece of blueberry pie. Getting up, she was making her way to the dessert table, when a male from Remi's pack came up to her.

“Is it true? You're not going to bond with the alphas?” he asked.

She looked at her mates, then back at him, and took a deep breath. “It's not up to me, it's up to them. I'm their mate, but they have to make the commitment,” Jaycee said and picked up her pie. He stopped her, and put his hand on her arm. She looked up waiting.

“If you by any chance don't, would you consider going out with me? I mean, they would be crazy to lose you. You're beautiful and you speak your mind. I admire that. So many of the females around here are so fake.”

“I thank you for the compliment. It's been a long time since I've heard any. Well, actually, it's my first, and if you tell a female just to be herself, I'm sure you would find they would appreciate it. It's hard to find good men and you're a great catch for some women. But I will always be their mate. So no matter if they bond with me or not, I couldn't be with someone else.” Jaycee kissed him on the cheek and heard her mates growl, as the man smiled at her leaving her. Jaycee walked over to her table and sat down, ignoring her mate's glares.

“Why did you kiss him in front of everyone, and what did he want?” Remi demanded.

Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “He asked me to go out with him if we don't bond together. Then he gave me my first true compliment. Saying I was beautiful and smart. I thanked him and told him I could never be with another male, because even though we might not bond, I'm still your mate. You see, I know how to be honest. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go curl up in front of the TV and surf the net, since I'm not allowed to go shopping. I have a Christmas party to plan for the packs unless you think I'm too incompetent to do that.” Jaycee grabbed her dessert and her milk and stood up. Her mates stood up also.

“We've complimented you before,” Mark said, staring at her. Jaycee looked up at him and smiled at him.

“Did you do it from your heart, Mark, or did you do it to get laid? There's a difference, like the dance was different for me.” Jaycee moved, going to the exit and to her prison.

Jaycee was sitting curled up on the sofa eating her pie when she heard a knock on the family room door.

“It's unlocked,” she said as she watched the movie and shoved another bit of pie into her face.

“Can we join you?” Mark asked

She shrugged her shoulders and moved over on the couch as she watched her movie. Remi picked her up and sat her in the middle of the sofa. Dane sat on one side, and Remi on the other, just like the other night. Mark sat down in front of her and smiled at her. She smiled a quick smile at him, and continued to watch her movie.

“Can we talk to you?” Dane asked. They watched her, and she sighed and reached for the remote, turning the TV down.

“What do you want, Dane? Do you want some? Just tell me and I'll remove my dress for you.”

“Why are you being so crude? We make love, not fuck.” Dane snipped. Jaycee leaned back and took a deep breath.

Then she lifted her head and stared at them. “Listen, I just want to relax tonight. No fighting. You might call it loving, but I don't. Loving to me Dane, is when two or however many love each other they, trust them. They know their partner and they make special time for them to be together alone. There's no planning, just feeling, at least that is what I thought love was supposed to be. But I wouldn't know now would I. I've never been given the chance.” Jaycee looked at Dane.

“What do you want from us, Jaycee? How can we prove to you that we want you and need you?” Remi asked, taking her hand and kissing it. Jaycee turned to him and looked into his eyes, and tilted her head.

“You really don't know, do you? Tell me, Remi, before me have you been other women?”

“You know I have. We all have,” he said, staring at her.

“And did you just go up to her, grab her, and fuck her?” she asked, not moving her gaze from his face. “Did you get to know her, did you go out on dates, did you buy her flowers, take her to dinner, make just time for her and you? Did you know what her favorite color or movie was ?” she asked and looked at her mates. They sat there for a moment and thought about it.

“You're talking about courting. Dating,” Dane said.

Jaycee turned to look at him, “Yes, that's part of it. Did you know I worked for a mayor, and planned big events? Did you know I like to read erotic stories, or what my favorite foods or TV shows are? Have you asked Shelly any questions about what I like? I've asked about you and Mark, to both your mom and your sister. Remi, I've talked to your mother and some of your brothers. I haven't been introduced to the rest of your family. Or yours, Dane. I know you have two younger brothers here, also uncles and aunts. Have you introduced them to me?” Jaycee lowered her head to her stare at her fingers. She picked up her pie, suddenly not hungry, and leaned over Mark, putting it on the table.

“Are you ashamed of me? Is that why you didn't introduce me to any of your pack, Remi?” Jaycee pushed herself up and walked to the door. She looked over her shoulder at her mates.

“I don't know when it happened, but it did. I fell in love with all three of you. But I won't go any further into this until I know for sure you love me. That's all I ever wanted, someone to truly love me, and know me. Have a big family and a big wedding. But it looks like all I'll get is the big family.” Jaycee walked out of the room.

She walked up to the living room to the outside door. She needed some air. She stripped out of her dress, not caring that members of the council were sitting there. She shifted into her wolf form, knowing it wouldn't hurt the baby. She had asked Grace.

Jaycee opened the door with her powers and looked back at the guards. They nodded and followed her, shifting into their other forms. She walked slowly up to the spot she had found yesterday, just sitting there. In the distance she could hear other pack members, running, enjoying the night. She sighed. She was never was asked to join in the run. Jaycee knew her mates joined them on the runs, but never asked her to go. Another thing she would never enjoy.

Jaycee lay down on the snow and listened to them run, chasing rabbits. Her wolf whined and wanted to join in the fun. A rabbit ran behind her, and she watched as half of Remi's pack ran past her, not even noticing her, except the man who had complimented her earlier. She recognized his smell. He slowly walked up to her and stared down at her as she lay there. He pushed his nuzzle at her and whined at her. She shook her head no, but he howled and asked her to join them. She really wanted to, but she didn't want to hurt her mates. Then she noticed them behind him. He looked back, then left, only looking at her once as he did. She sighed as they came trotting over to her.

What did he want?
Remi growled.

He just asked if I wanted to run with the pack.

He just won't leave you alone. I'm going to have to shake some sense in him,
Remi snapped and he started to leave, but Jaycee jumped in front of him.

He was being polite. He did nothing wrong. He can't help it that his alpha never asked her to join him on a nightly run.
Maybe I will go join them, since it's obvious you three won't ask.
Jaycee turned to run after the pack, but Remi jumped on her. His huge body covered hers, but not squashing her.

You will not go anywhere with him. You're ours. If you want to run, you just have to ask.
he ordered.

I shouldn't have to ask. The alphas are the ones who introduce their mate to the pack, and then they run. I know that much, asshole.

Jaycee crawled out from underneath him and shook the snow off. She knew he was wrong. She took off running in the opposite direction of the house, going deeper into the woods. She could feel and hear her mates following. She could hear the crunching of the snow as they picked up speed, and she darted left, trying to shake her mates, but it was no use. They were just faster and bigger, so she slowed her pace. She just couldn't win. Changing direction, she headed towards the house, giving up. Her shoulders slumped. She made it to the house door and opened it with her powers. She grabbed her dress where she left it with her teeth and ran upstairs to their bedroom.

Jaycee shifted, walking into the closet and hanging up her dress. That didn't do shit for her mates. She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, needing to get warm before crawling into bed.

Finally she got into bed, turned on the bedstand light, and picked up her book as her mates walked in the bedroom. They were already naked from their run with her earlier. Jaycee laid her book down on her lap and stared at them as they got ready for bed.

“I was thinking about taking Buttons to see Samantha tomorrow, if that's okay with you.”

Remi climbed into bed next to her and pulled her to the middle of the bed. He took her book and put it on the nightstand next to him. Dane and Mark crawled into the bed, Mark next to Remi, and Dane on her other side.

“I don't see a problem with that. Just make sure to take your guards. I wanted you to consider the offer to arrange the New Year's Eve party. We'll only help if you ask, we promise,” Dane said, looking down into her face. Jaycee stared up at him. She did love to plan parties, but could she trust them.

“I would have your word? You wouldn't take over, and only help if I ask?” Jaycee asked.

“You have my word,” Dane said.

Jaycee turned her head and looked at Remi. He smiled and nodded. She glanced at Mark, who sat up and smiled down at her, and nodding his agreement.

“I will talk to…wait a minute, I don't know his name,” Jaycee said, looking at Dane and knew he would know it. He laughed.

“His name is Zackary Black. His wife's name is Eve. I've met her once, and I think you'll get along great.” Dane kissed her nose.

“Fine. I'll talk to him in the morning, and tell him to let Eve know I would love to help her. Now, I think I'll read a little,” Jaycee said as she tried to get up to read in the chair, but Remi pulled her back to him and laid her on top of him.

“We need to talk, Jaycee,” Remi said and placed a kiss on her lips softly, “and were not leaving until we're done.”

“We have listened to everything you've said, but you have to consider the baby, and we're alphas. We need this bonding ceremony,” Dane said and reached over, pulling her hair back away from her face. Jaycee tensed up. She knew they could tell, but she didn't care.

“My baby will be fine without the ceremony. It's your reputation that you're concerned with, not what matters to me,” she snapped, trying to get up, but Remi still held onto her. “Let me go, unless you want your balls up in your mouth.” Jaycee glared as her beast struggled to come out.

“Calm down, Jaycee. You have to see our point of view here,” Dane said through clenched teeth.

“I'm your mate, which is all you'll get until…oh shit, I can't do this tonight.” Jaycee shoved her knee into Remi's balls hard, and he flew off the bed, grabbing his balls. Dane and Mark jumped up and stared at her, but she ignored them.

“Leave me the fuck alone, until you consider
me
for a change.” Jaycee grabbed her book and blanket. She stormed down the stairs. Her father was still there, talking with the other representatives. He looked at her and frowned. She held her hand up and stormed down to the family room, blanket wrapped around her. Once there, she slammed the door and locked it. Knowing he had a key, she pushed a chair under the doorknob, holding the door.

Jaycee grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and lay down on the couch. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She was furious and sad at the same time.

“Jaycee, open this door now!” Remi shook the door. His fist slammed against it.

“No! Go sleep with that bimbo that wants you. It's obvious you don't want me!” she screamed back and covered up on the couch. She slinked down and rested her head on the arm rest. Dane fidgeted with the keys, but she smiled knowing they wouldn't be able to do anything. The lock click open, tried the door, and nothing. It didn't budge as she watched grinning.

“Open this door now or I will bust it down!”

Jaycee thought a moment. Would he really bust it down? Did she care? “Nope! Go to bed,” She was mimicking him, which was not a good idea. The next thing she knew, the door flew off its hinges and fell to the floor with a big bang. Remi stood there in his beast form for a moment. Jaycee slowly stood, the blanket wrapped around her, staring at him.

“Remi, don't…” Jaycee didn't get the rest out as he rushed her, and threw her over his shoulders. He ran up both sets of stairs to their bedroom. He placed her gently on the center of the bed. Dane and Mark grabbed both her arms and tied her arms to the bedposts. Jaycee didn't move an inch.

“Do you want me to spread my legs?” Jaycee snapped and spread her legs. All three of them growled.

“Don't push me,” Remi ordered. “I don't know what to do with you, so here is what is going to happen. We will have our Bonding Ceremony tomorrow night, even if we have to drag you there. I'm going to tell your father now.” He walked to the door and stormed down the stairs.

Jaycee counted to ten and knew he was going to blow when her father told him no, but nothing happened. She waited ten minutes when she heard him come up the stairs. He was in a pair of jeans, a smile on his face. Jaycee frowned. If her father said yes, she would kill him.

Remi stood in front of her, smiling down at her. “Your father tells me you talked to him. At first he wouldn't do it, but he has seen my point of view, and he has agreed to have the bonding ceremony tomorrow.”

Jaycee was so mad she wasn't thinking. The bed started to shake, her hands flew free, and her body floated off the bed as her mates started to back up. Jaycee walked downstairs naked, but she didn't care. Her beast form came out she stalked to her father. He was still in the living room when she got downstairs. All the talking stopped as they noticed her.