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  How can you trust anyone when you’ve been abused all your life?

  Rick has spent all his life under Alpha Erskine’s thumb. He was forced to become part of the man’s inner circle when his father died and to participate in things that still give him nightmares. He’s used to being shunned, beaten, and derided for his stutter, and he doesn’t think things really can change, not even with Kameron as their new alpha.

  Cole is part of the council, but he’s really a wandering soul. He hasn’t stopped in one place in years, but meeting his mate while visiting the Gillham pack changes that. He knows Rick hasn’t had an easy life, and he intends to make his mate happy, no matter what it takes.

  Rick struggles with his stutter and his past but slowly starts healing from the years of abuse. Cole is an important part of that healing, but what will happen when someone tries to take him away? Will Rick be strong enough to protect his mate, or will he lose him to greed?

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Rick

  Copyright © 2015 Catherine Lievens

  ISBN: 978-1-4874-0517-5

  Cover art by Latrisha Waters

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books Inc or

  Devine Destinies, an imprint of eXtasy Books Inc

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  www.eXtasybooks.com or www.devinedestinies.com

  Rick

  Gillham Pack 5

  By

  Catherine Lievens

  Chapter One

  The kitchen door opened again and Rick wondered if Duncan had forgotten something. He hadn’t put the ear buds back in his ears for fear he wouldn’t hear it if someone came in like Duncan had done. He turned away from the banana cupcakes he was frosting only to stop when he realized it wasn’t Duncan behind him.

  Rick knew the big man standing by the door had to be a council member, but it didn’t make him less scary. He was big, very big, and the various tattoos and piercings didn’t help Rick feel safer.

  He clamped his mouth shut and waited to see what would happen. Maybe he should step away from the cupcakes, just in case he fell on them when the man hit him. He didn’t want to ruin the hard work he’d been doing for the alpha’s little party. He hoped the man would be quick, because he needed to take the macaroons out of the oven in barely five minutes if he didn’t want them to be ruined.

  “You’re Rick Cantrell?”

  Rick nodded but didn’t say anything, even if he knew it could anger the man.

  It didn’t seem to, though, because the man only extended his arm and offered Rick his hand. “I’m Cole Hunter. I’m the Ursine member of the council and I think you’re my mate.”

  Rick gaped and shook his head. “N-n-no.”

  “No, what?”

  “Y-y-you can’t be m-m-my mate.”

  Cole stepped forward and Rick went backward. He couldn’t go far because he was already pressed against the counter, so he huddled his upper body as well as he could and waited for the punch.

  “Hey, I’m not going to hurt you.” Cole’s voice was surprisingly gentle. “I just wanted you to smell me. That way you’ll know I’m saying the truth.”

  Rick screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. “N-n-no.”

  “You don’t want to smell me?” Rick shook his head. “Why not?”

  “E-e-even if you are m-m-my mate, w-w-what does it change?”

  “I’m not sure I understand your question.”

  Rick wished he could hide behind his hair like he always did, but he’d bound it to cook. He opened his eyes slowly, needing to know what Cole was doing, to make sure he didn’t come too close. “Y-y-you can’t w-w-want me.”

  “Why not? Because of the stutter?”

  If only that was Rick’s only problem. Not that he’d tell the man in front of him anyway, so he just nodded.

  “I don’t care about that, but I talked with Duncan and I know your life hasn’t been easy. He didn’t tell me much, but I’m not going to push for anything. I just want to be sure. Please.”

  It was the please—Rick didn’t think anyone had ever asked him something with a please—and the slightly desperate expression on Cole’s face that made him cave. He gave the man a curt nod and slowly straightened.

  Cole took another step forward and Rick had to force himself to stay in place. Cole moved slowly and in a non-threatening way, but after years of abuse, Rick was wired to be afraid, especially when someone he didn’t know came close.

  He managed to stay upright, even though he was trembling by the time Cole was close enough for Rick to smell the strong woodsy scent that came from him. Rick’s wolf whimpered in the back of his mind, but instead of hiding like he always did when they were in danger, he came forward. It was enough to tell Rick that Cole had said the truth—they were mates.

  Cole inhaled deeply next to Rick’s neck. He was too close for Rick to be anywhere near comfortable, but he stayed still until Cole moved away. The man didn’t go far, but it was enough for Rick to feel a bit better.

  “You know I was telling the truth.”

  Rick nodded.

  “I’d like to get to know you better.”

  Rick shook his head.

  “Why not?”

  Damn. This was a question Rick had to answer with words. A shake or nod wouldn’t do. But he hated talking. “I-i-it’s not only the s-s-stutter. I-I-I’m no good f-f-for a mate.”

  Cole leaned down until their eyes locked. “I’m not asking you to mate with me or even to only consider the idea. I just want to get to know you, no strings attached. We can talk, or you can stay silent and listen to me. I just want a chance. Please.”

  Rick already knew the soulful brown eyes and the solemn expression on Cole’s face would be his downfall. He knew it, yet he couldn’t do anything against it. So he nodded.

  A smile bloomed on Cole’s face. “Do you mind if I stay with you in the kitchen? I’ll sit against the wall and stay out of your space.”

  Rick nodded again. “O-o-okay.”

  He watched Cole grab one of the chairs standing by the table and lift it as if it weren’t made of hardwood. He put it against the wall, then sat on it. He crossed his arms on his chest and straightened his long legs in front of him, crossing them at the ankle.

  The oven pinged and Rick suddenly remembered the macaroons. He took them out quickly and put the baking sheet on the counter to let them cool before taking his piping bag. He sneaked a glance at Cole, and sure enough, the man’s focus was still on Rick. It made him nervous and a bit scared, but knowing Kameron, Duncan, and Nick were in the other room made Rick feel better. He knew he only had to cry out for someone to come.

  “Y-y-you can talk. I-i-if you want.”

  Cole chuckled. “I said I would, huh? Okay, sure. I guess we should find stuff out about each other. Is there anything specific you want to know?”

 
Rick bit his lower lip. “F-f-family?”

  “It’s a bit... complicated.”

  Rick shrugged. He wasn’t about to ask questions, so if Cole didn’t want to talk, they could stay silent.

  “My mother died in a plane crash a few months ago.”

  Rick squeezed the piping bag too hard and ruined the frosting of the cupcake he was working on. He mentally swore, then put the bag down. He cleaned his hands on a towel and looked at Cole. “I-I-I’m sorry.”

  Cole shrugged. “It’s okay. Well, it’s not, but there’s nothing you can do.”

  “N-n-no one should 1-1-lose their parents.”

  “You sound like you know how that feels.”

  Rick shrugged again and got back to his cupcakes. He wasn’t about to tell Cole about his parents. He tried to think of that situation as little as possible. It wasn’t easy, since he lived with his mother, but he managed.

  “I have a half-brother and a half-sister. My step-father was on the plane with my mother. They’d been married for a few years and he was a good man, but I didn’t know him that well.”

  “Y-y-your father?”

  “He died when I was a kid.”

  Well, that was something they had in common, at least to a certain point. The man Rick considered his father had died a few years before.

  “I don’t really have a relationship with my half-siblings, so I don’t have a family. Our parents got married when we were all already adults and living in our own houses, so I never saw them much. Besides, they’re not particularly happy with me right now.”

  Rick wanted to know more about that, but he could feel Cole wasn’t ready to talk about it, so he just nodded and grabbed the tray of cupcakes. He took a deep breath and walked toward Cole, stopping in front of him. Cole looked up, a question in his eyes, and Rick handed him the tray before pointing at the door.

  “You want me to take these out there for you?”

  Rick nodded. Cole smiled at him and rose from the chair, and Rick realized just how different they were once more. Rick barely reached five foot nine, while Cole had to be at least six foot four. They both had brown hair, but Rick’s was long, while Cole’s was cut short enough that it couldn’t be grabbed. Rick’s eyes were light-colored, but Cole’s were brown, and where Rick was mousy and boring, Cole had all those tattoos on his arms and peeking at the collar of his shirt. And the piercings. Rick couldn’t forget those. There weren’t many of them, just one in Cole’s left eyebrow, and one in each of his ears. Rick couldn’t deny Cole was handsome, if unconventional.

  Cole took the tray from Rick’s hands carefully and smiled down at him. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”

  Rick just nodded in answer and went back to his macaroons. He heard the door open and close again and let out a big sigh, unsure whether he was relieved Cole was gone or actually saddened by it.

  * * * *

  Cole plastered a scowl on his face, silently daring anyone to make fun of him because he was playing waiter. That didn’t stop some of the people in the room from snickering, of course.

  He plunked the tray down on the table and made to go back in the kitchen, but someone placed himself in his path. “Keenan.”

  “They hired you to help with the catering?”

  “There’s no catering.”

  Keenan snagged a muffin from the tray and gave it a bite. He hummed in pleasure. “You sure? This is damn good.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “Who’re you helping, then? Maybe I can help too. I’m bored.”

  “Stay here.”

  “Why? I’m sure I can help.”

  Keenan made to walk to the kitchen and Cole reached for his arm. He didn’t tighten his hold—he didn’t want to hurt him, just to stop him from going into the fucking kitchen. Still, it probably looked bad to the rest of the room, because Cole was suddenly surrounded by growling shifters. He held his hands up, hoping it would be enough to stop them from attacking him. “I wasn’t hurting him.”

  Keenan, bless him, huffed, put his fists on his hips, and stared his mate and a few wolves down. “Honestly, guys. He wasn’t doing anything.”

  “He grabbed you.”

  “Jonah, you know I love you, but you can’t react like this just because he touched me.”

  “He didn’t just touch you, he grabbed you.”

  “Fine, whatever. He wasn’t hurting me, though, so you guys can back off. You—” Keenan said, pointing at Cole, “—can tell me why you don’t want me to go in the kitchen.”

  Cole looked around for help. He didn’t want to talk to Keenan, ever, if it was possible. Not that he didn’t like the guy, but he’d rather keep his mate for himself at least until Rick was more comfortable with him.

  Everyone ignored his pleading glance, though. Of course. “Why do you want to know?”

  Keenan took Cole’s arm and steered him toward a quiet corner of the room. “Because even if you like to think you’re all strong and you don’t need anyone, you’ve become family. More like a second grade annoying cousin you see only a few times a year, but still family. So I want to know what’s up with you.”

  “Nothing.”

  Keenan slapped Cole’s arm. “What gave you the impression I was stupid? Because I’m not, and if the fact that you’re playing waiter instead of doing council stuff wasn’t enough indication something’s up, the fact that you don’t want me in the kitchen certainly is. Now, spill it.”

  “You won’t let go until I do, huh?”

  “Nope.”

  “Do you really consider me family?” It was something that made Cole all warm inside, not that he’d ever admit that. For a long time his only family had been his mom, and even after she’d remarried, it was still only her. As nice as her husband had been, Cole hadn’t really known him.

  “Sure. Of course, that means I have something like a gigantic family and we can’t possibly fit all of you in the mansion for Christmas, but I’m sure we’ll find a room to give you.”

  Cole sighed. Part of him wanted to say hell no and push Keenan away, but another part wanted to accept the gift he was giving Cole. Besides, Cole wasn’t stupid—he knew he was going to need help with Rick, and not for wooing him. It was obvious Cole’s mate had been through hell and back, and he needed help to heal, help Cole wasn’t qualified to give him. “Fine, but I need to talk to Kameron too. You think we can do this only once?”

  Keenan brought his hand to his mouth and whistled loudly. Every head in the room turned toward them but Keenan didn’t seem to care. “Kam, bring your ass over here!”

  “You do know you should show the man more respect, right? He’s an alpha.”

  “Pfft. Of course I know, but I don’t want him and Dominic to think they can command me.”

  “They can.”

  “Details.”

  “What do you want, Keenan?” Kameron asked from their side. He didn’t look angry, but Cole still took a step to the side. He didn’t want to get too much blood on his clothes if Kameron decided Keenan had exaggerated.

  “Cole has something to tell us.”

  Kameron turned his attention to Cole. “You do?”

  “Not like I have a choice.”

  “Oh? Do tell us what’s up with you, then.”

  “I need to move here.”

  Kameron’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean with the pack?”

  “Yeah. My mate is one of your members.”

  “Who?”

  “Name’s Rick Cantrell.”

  Kameron looked even more surprised, if it was even possible. “Rick’s your mate?”

  “Wait, you mean inner circle Rick?” Keenan asked.

  Cole looked at him in question. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Duncan told me Rick’s full name and that I was going to have to go very slowly with him, but nothing more.”

  Kameron raked a hand in his hair. “Well, fuck me.”

  “No, thank you. I already have
enough wolf with Jonah,” Keenan quipped. That earned him a scowl both from Kameron and Cole, but he didn’t seem to care all that much. He rose on his tiptoes and pressed a kiss on Cole’s cheek. “I’m happy for you. Call me if you need anything, and I swear I won’t go in the kitchen right now, even if I’m dying to check your mate out. In an entirely platonic way, of course.” He winked and left Cole alone with Kameron.

  “Is there a problem with Rick?” Cole asked Kameron.

  The man chuckled. “I’m not even sure how to answer that. This is a conversation I’d normally tell you to have with your mate, but I know he doesn’t like to talk much.”

  “His stutter.”

  “Exactly. Still, I want to ask him if he’s fine with me telling you what I know about his past before doing anything, so maybe we could have this conversation tomorrow.”

  “That’s fine with me. Can I stay here? I know I’m going to need time with him.”

  “Of course you can. Most of the guest rooms in the house are empty now that the new cabins are done.”

  “I’m going back to the kitchen now.”

  “Sure, and good luck with Rick.” Kameron patted Cole’s shoulder and left.

  Cole could feel he was going to need that luck, even if he didn’t know what he was in for. He had every intention of finding out, though, and to help his mate however he could. God knew he had enough money to do that.

  Giving one last glance around the room he knew he should stay in, Cole shrugged and headed back to the kitchen. What he found there made him smile.

  Rick had stuck only one ear bud in and left the other one dangling from his T-shirt. He was softly humming while he cleaned the kitchen up.

  “Do you need help?”

  Rick turned Cole’s way and Cole found himself mesmerized by his eyes again. He’d never seen that shade of ice-blue on anyone, and it was striking, especially coupled with the brown hair Cole couldn’t wait to see unbound.