The Challenge (The Pack 2)

I heard him talking to someone before he motioned for me to join them. I wandered out, surprised to see Payne standing there.

“Carter is going to walk you home,” Dom told me and I cocked my head.

“I thought your name was Payne,” I replied, ignoring the fact that Dom was going to let a non-shifter walk me home for the moment.

“Payne Carter Bradshaw,” he introduced himself, sticking his hand out for me to shake. “You must have learned my name from Samantha.”

“I did,” I admitted candidly. “Is there a reason she calls you Payne?”

“Because she knows I loathe it.” He smiled ruefully. “Same reason I call her Samantha.” I gave him an ‘aha’ look and he glanced back at Dom. “I’ll take care of your girl.”

“I trust you will,” Dom answered, his tone leaving no question what would happen if Payne didn’t take care of me. “I have to go. The others are waiting for me.” Dom brushed a kiss against my temple and then hopped over the railing, completely forgoing the stairs, before jogging into the woods.

I eyed my escort, who had the grace to look uncomfortable under my scrutiny. “I have to admit I’m surprised Dom trusts you to walk me home.” I went down the stairs, ready to go home and put the afternoon behind me.

“I’m a good fighter,” Payne offered, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked next to me. To my amusement, he kept a sizeable gap between us. In fact, everything about him was as nonthreatening as he could manage, which was saying something since he was easily a few inches over six feet and broad. Honestly, I wouldn’t have pegged him as Caleb’s brother.

“The Council meeting went well?” I asked, since Dom hadn’t been forthcoming. Payne faltered for a second, grimacing.

“As well as we could have expected, they are allowing Caleb to fight.” He lifted his shoulders. “It’s a step in the right direction, at least.”

“You support Caleb?” I knew I was being nosy, but so long as he answered, I was taking advantage.

“I do,” he replied and I could hear the truth in his statement. “It’s what our father wanted, what Caleb has grown up knowing. The timing could be better,” he acknowledged and I nodded, glancing around the clearing. We attracted a few curious glances but most of the community ignored us. “But Caleb is trying. It’s all anyone can ask.”

“You never wanted to be Alpha?” I asked bluntly and he gave a surprised chuckle.

“I can see why you’re friends with Samantha,” he commented before shaking his head. “And no, I’ve never wished to be Alpha. Not that I ever could be.”

“Cause you don’t shift,” I clarified and he nodded. “Ever wish you could shift?”

“Inquisitive, aren’t you?” I didn’t answer, figuring the question was rhetorical. “And yes, of course. Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like?” He questioned, his smile knowing and I tilted my head in acknowledgement. “Knowing about them, its hard not to wonder, but I can’t shift and I’ve learned to be okay with that.”

Something in the way he said it made me wonder if he really had learned to be okay with it. “What’s up with you and Sam?”

He stumbled at the unexpectedness of my question but recovered quickly. “I’m not sure what you mean. We grew up together.”

“Yeah, but that’s not what I meant.” I came to a stop, forcing him to stop as well as I stared at him. “And you know it. So what’s between the two of you?”

“Why does this matter to you?” He asked, studying me. “Are you just satisfying your curiosity?”

“No, I’m trying to figure out why Sam ran off to be with a Hanley and ignored her family for years.”

“Maybe she fell in love,” he said neutrally, striding forward with every expectation I would follow, which I did, cursing.

“You don’t really believe that,” I called to his back, trying to catch up to his suddenly long strides. “You came to see her. You protected Nicky.” He came to a sudden halt, spinning around and for a second, I saw the anguish he’d hidden.

“I would never allow harm to come to her or her child. I owe her that much,” he told me, his tone telling me to drop it, but it felt like I was finally close to an actual answer.

“You owe her or you love her that much?” I responded, no longer having to jog to keep up as he slowed, giving me a sharp glance.

“You’re persistent. Dom definitely deserves you,” he muttered under his breath, squaring his shoulders as he answered my question. “Yes, I loved Samantha. We were high school sweethearts.”

I stopped once again, shocked, but he kept going. I hurried after him, catching up to him before I asked, “What happened? I don’t think you fell out of love. Did she break up with you?”