Havoc's Mate (Badlands Territory Book 2) Read online

  Havoc’s Mate Copyright © 2020 by Lila Rose

  Photographer: Wander Book Club

  Cover Designer: Dana

  Editor: Hot Tree Editing

  Interior Designer: RMJ Editing & Manuscript Service

  All rights reserved. No part of this e-book or book may be used or reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without the permission from the author as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  Havoc’s Mate is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events and places found in this book are either from the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons live or dead is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  First Edition

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Also by Lila Rose

  Havoc’s Mate

  Cora Smith only wants peace. She wants to find a place she can live without looking over her shoulder for trouble, for it to be somewhere she’ll be happy, and somewhere her mom can go about baking pot cookies and talking to ghosts.

  She doesn’t expect to find it in a town called Badlands Territory. Then again, she also doesn’t expect to find the town has so many secrets. One of them has her heart aching for more, and that scares her more than anything.

  Jackson Havoc is alpha to the Havoc wolf pack and is the man who knows Cora is his. He’s only hoping he has the chance to win over the woman who doesn’t seem to know shifters exist.

  Welcome to the Badlands Territory… where it’s so bad it’s good.

  Eight of your favorite romance authors have joined forces to bring you a sexy world full of possessive, growly alpha shifters. All standalone, all addicting, and all filled with those over-the-top heroes we love. Each short and steamy story promises a happily-ever-after, with plenty of bites and growls to satisfy all of your cravings!

  Other titles from the Badlands Territory releasing over November are:

  Her Primal Mate by Jenika Snow.

  Craving His Innocent Mate by Frankie Love

  Hard Mated by Lena Lucas

  The Beast’s Mate by Mila Crawford

  Her Mate by Fiona Davenport

  Love at First Mate by Dani Wyatt

  Broken Mate by Jordan Marie

  Chapter One

  Cora

  Already I could hear Mom, Everly Gordan, puttering around in the kitchen when I walked down the stairs in our new house. We’d moved to Badlands Territory hoping for a new start. Again. Though the name could put a lot of people off, for me, it was another incentive to move here. I prayed a certain someone would steer clear of the place because of its ominous name.

  “Morning,” I called, rubbing at my eyes as I stepped into the kitchen.

  Mom smiled over her shoulder. “Morning, Cora. I made you breakfast.” She waved a hand to a plate of what looked like burnt biscuits on the table.

  “Ah, thanks, but I think I’ll just have some cereal.” Mom wasn’t the best cook. The only good things she made were cakes, brownies, and cookies. However, most of those contained pot. She’d only started doing that when her mother, my grammy, died, which was just before my father passed away. Mom swore the pot helped her with her gift of seeing the dead. A “gift” I wouldn’t receive until Mom passed on—though, I wasn’t sure I wanted ghosts turning up at all times of the day and night, even when on the toilet or in the shower.

  It wasn’t hard to believe Mom had inherited the sight after Grammy passed on, since my grammy had made sure I was aware of her power. It didn’t help me make friends, though, since everyone thought our family was crazy. Before we took to running, Mom used to use her powers to perform seances and speak to the loved ones of those who had lost someone dear. Now, when the ghosts found their way to Mom, she helped in any way she could to get them to move on to heaven; and yes, some landed in hell. It was only on a few occasions when there was a stubborn spirit, who was close to turning harmful, that I helped Mom perform an exorcism. Thankfully, it hadn’t been for a long time. We presumed it had to do with Dad still being around to protect us.

  Moving up behind Mom, I gave her a quick hug and said, “Thanks anyway.”

  “You’re welcome. Though, your father says he wouldn’t eat it either if he were alive.”

  Dad.

  He was still hanging around after passing, unlike Grammy, who’d told Mom she was off to heaven to see if Grandad was ready to put out.

  Smiling, I added, “Good morning, Dad.”

  Mom snorted. “He said good morning and that you look like shit.”

  “Gosh, thanks, Dad.”

  She looked to the side and nodded, obviously listening to something Dad was saying. “He wants to know if you’re sure about this place?”

  I shrugged. “All I can do is hope so.” I caught Mom’s gaze. “Or else my promise to you that this was the last place we moved to is useless.”

  She winked. “I have a good feeling about it here. Never has your father’s form been so clear to me than it is since moving.” She glanced back at Dad and sighed. “Yes, Mike, we know you would kick his ass if you could.”

  Guilt twisted my insides.

  If only I’d seen Sean for what he was. A psycho.

  Just before my father died, I’d met Sean through an acquaintance we’d both had. We hit it off and got to know one another gradually. When I lost Dad, Sean had been there at my side. He’d been supportive and understanding… until he wasn’t.

  A month later, he’d had enough of my mourning. We’d been at my apartment packing my things, since I was going to move back home to help Mom out. Sean started ranting at me about how I never thought of him, and he didn’t want me back with my “crazy” mother since my free time was his alone.

  The fog lifted, and I saw the real Sean for the first time.

  That was when I ended it, using a few choice words to tell him what I thought. The short version being I told him he was selfish, controlling, and a bastard who I never wanted to see again.

  He didn’t like that. Not at all. Which was how I ended up in the hospital with a concussion, scrapes, and bruises. I filed for a restraining order, but it only took him another month to show again.

  He scared me senseless.

  He left dead flowers and rodents on our front porch. He’d drop notes in our mailbox. Each time, he would make sure to take out the security camera so we could never prove it was him.

  In the end, it was Mom who convinced me to move for the first time. She didn’t care where we went, since Dad was at her side in his apparition form. All she wanted was for me to feel safe.

  I hadn’t been able to work, was always on edge, and I lost all my friends—if I could have even called them that—because Sean had told them stories they easily believed. Which really proved they weren’t true friends to begin with. All I could be grateful for was the fact I’d never slept with him and had him as my first.

  The second time he found us, the same things happened—flowers, animals, notes. It was when he found us the third time that I packed in the middle of the night and had Mom and me in the car the next day, canceling all ties to our old life on the run and looking into somewhere new.
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  Which was how I found Badlands Territory.

  Mom’s hand dropped to my shoulder as I sat at the dining table, my appetite suddenly gone. “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll hire a hit man if we have to.” She placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of me.

  I wasn’t sure if I should be worried over her saying it, since she sounded sincere. “Ah, sure?”

  She smiled. “Still, like I said, I have a good feeling about this place.”

  I was glad she did.

  As of now, we were renting the place, and if we liked it enough, if he stayed away, then the old woman we were renting off said there was an opportunity to buy it if we stayed long enough. Currently, we were living off Dad’s life insurance. If we didn’t settle soon, and I couldn’t get a job, there was a chance we’d rush through the whole amount.

  Please, please, let this place be the one. Don’t let him find us.

  “What are your plans for the day?” I asked Mom after a sip of coffee.

  “Cleaning. It’s good this place came furnished, but it’s a terrible dusty mess. Are you still going out to look for a job? You know you can wait a while.”

  Meaning she wanted to wait to see if Sean found us and we’d have to move again.

  Until then, I needed something to keep my mind busy or I would end up in an insane asylum.

  “I’ll take a look around town, see if there’s anything. If not, I’ll come back, unless you want to join me in town?”

  “Not this time round. If I don’t clean, it’ll drive me crazy.” She glared off to the side. “I’m not crazy already, Mike.”

  Laughter bubbled up and out of me. God, I loved the connection Mom and Dad had with one another. Anyone would think they annoyed each other, but the teasing they shared was all in a loving way.

  I wanted that.

  I wanted to find someone who I could love and annoy.

  After taking another gulp of my coffee, I took the mug to the sink, turned, and moved back to kiss Mom on the top of her head. “Have fun cleaning.”

  “Make sure you eat something in town,” she said.

  “I will,” I called, already heading for the front door, where I grabbed my bag and the keys to our only vehicle, a four-wheel drive. The drive to town took over fifteen minutes. Another reason I liked the house we rented: it was far enough away from the population and on a few acres, so nothing but the woods surrounded us. With the distance and the space, I hoped it would take Sean even longer to find us, or ideally not at all.

  When we’d driven through the town the previous day, I noticed it wasn’t as small as I expected it to be. There was even a mall, and I read the town also held two movie theaters, pubs, clubs, salons… in other words, I could possibly get a job with one of the businesses.

  I parked along a street that held various shops, leaned over, and opened the glove compartment to grab some résumés to stuff in my handbag. Since the first move, we’d changed our last name from Gordan to Smith, and I’d removed any references from my résumé for potential employers to call. I prayed nobody even asked me for any since I’d discovered that the last place we’d been in, Sean had used my old employers to find me. It seemed he could either charm anyone or had people everywhere.

  My heart plummeted. I wasn’t sure luck was on my side. I didn’t have experience in serving people, so all I could do was pray that nobody asked too many questions.

  Drawing in a deep breath, I climbed out of the car, shut the door, locked it, and shouldered my bag. I glanced down at my clothes. I looked presentable enough in black slacks and a light blue shirt, which went well with my blonde hair and blue eyes. Heck, I even applied some light makeup and had washed and styled my hair into a neat braid. Yet, I still felt like shit, like my father had said I looked, and it had to do with the sleepless nights, the big bags under my eyes, and the weight I’d lost.

  Right. I had to snap out of it or try to with this fresh start, and first, I would get myself something to eat to help the growling to subside so the employers I met didn’t think I had some type of beast inside me.

  On the quick walk, I felt like I was being watched, and glanced around. Locals—at least I thought they were—seemed to be checking out the fresh meat in the town. Pushing my nerves down, I stepped through the door of a coffee shop. Already it was busy and had a line, even at eight in the morning. I waited in line and read the menu above the register, ignoring more gazes coming my way. I couldn’t decide between a croissant or a bagel.

  “Next” was called.

  Moving to the counter, I ordered, “A cappuccino and a bagel with cream cheese, please.”

  My smile faltered when the woman behind the counter just stared at me.

  “Um… I did say please, right?”

  “You’re new here.”

  My brows drew together. I nodded. “Yes.” Was there a problem with being new?

  “Just passing through or do you live here?” she questioned.

  I tensed and glanced around to see almost everyone was looking at us. This was weird. Unease prickled, to the point I felt like running from the café.

  “Brea” came from behind us, and I turned enough to see a man had stepped closer. “How about you get the woman her order before scaring her off?”

  “Alton,” the woman sneered. “I’m just making sure—”

  “Brea, now,” he ordered.

  What was going on here?

  “Actually,” I started, deciding it would be best to just leave in case she put poison in my order, which was likely from the way she scowled at me. “I don’t need anything. Thanks anyway, but I better get moving.” I took a step back and then stilled when a hand landed on my lower back.

  “It’s all right, sweetheart. Brea won’t do anything to your order.” He winked down at me and then moved his dark brown gaze, which hardened, to Brea and added, “Will you?”

  “No, Alton,” she said through clenched teeth, and I still wasn’t sure if I could believe that.

  Alton pulled out some cash from his jeans pocket and put it on the counter. “Add my usual order to hers,” he said, and still with his hand to my back, he led me to the side to wait.

  I could have run, made up some excuse, but I didn’t, and I wasn’t sure why. The whole situation worried me. Alton scared me a little with how big he was built and so full of muscles, but he’d also helped me out. However, was there an ulterior motive behind his assistance?

  “Brea’s harmless,” he offered.

  I thinned my lips to keep myself from calling bullshit. Instead, I said, “Thanks for your help, but I really think it’s best if I go somewhere else.” Shifting to the side so I could see him better, and to also remove his hand from my back, I took a look around. Immediately I noticed people were no longer staring at us. Did that have to do with the man at my side? Glancing up, I caught Alton taking in a lungful of air and looking down at me.

  Something flashed in his eyes as he smiled and ran a hand through his light brown hair. “I promise she won’t do anything to your food. She’s wary of new people because we had some trouble a while ago when she got attacked by some newcomers.”

  “I would never—”

  “I know. At least I’m pretty sure I do.”

  “Look, all I want to do is stay here for a while with my mom, find a place to work, and be left alone.” Why did I even tell him that?

  “So, you are new and here to stay.” It didn’t sound like a question, more of a statement.

  I grumbled under my breath and nodded. “Yes. For now.”

  His hand came forward. “Welcome to Badlands Territory. I’m Alton Monroe.”

  “Um.” I licked my suddenly dry lips and took his hand in a quick shake. “Cora Smith.”

  “Alton,” Brea called. I walked with him over to the counter. He took the two takeaway cups of coffee, and I grabbed mine, but also the bag with my bagel in it. I started for the door and could feel Alton behind me.

  Once outside, I faced him and said, “Thanks again.”
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  He gave me a smile, and then his eyes widened before I felt someone step up behind me. I stilled, then some more when I felt a nose hit my neck. A growl sounded behind me, and I wanted to pee myself.

  “Havoc,” Alton said, amusement and surprise still in his gaze. “It’s okay, Cora.” The heat at my back disappeared, and another large man stepped up beside me, his eyes trained on mine, only they seemed wild.

  “Havoc,” Brea yelled, coming out the door.

  This, all of it, was strange, and that was saying something when I was used to strange.

  When I took a step back, the man named Havoc took one toward me but stopped when Alton placed a hand on his arm. I was sure I heard another growl, but I ignored it.

  “Hey, baby, I was hoping to see you,” Brea cooed as she stopped beside Havoc, who hadn’t even looked at her. No, he was still staring at me, and damn if I didn’t feel naked from the intensity he directed my way.

  Even stranger was when my nipples hardened. I wanted to cross my arms over my chest, but my hands were full.

  I wished he’d look away, because the longer he kept his dark gaze on me, the more I sensed my body coming to life. My heart raced, and for some strange reason, I wanted to reach out and touch him. Heck, I was sure my panties grew wetter from the tingle I felt in my core. However, the reaction worried me, twisting my belly in knots. Yes, he was good-looking, even more than Alton, but there was something fierce about him and his tattoos. He even had a septum piercing. Combined, all of it rolled into two words—bad boy.

  I had to steer clear of any type of guy, especially one who had my clit throbbing just from his powerful gaze.

  “Havoc?” Brea tried again.

  “Brea, go inside,” Alton ordered.