by A C Wilds
Bruno stops himself from saying something he would regret. I place my hand over his, and he looks down at me giving me a tight smile.
“This isn’t a decision that I take lightly. I want to serve the packs, but if you feel someone else would be better, by all means, put their names forward for the vote.”
He doesn’t reply but doesn’t look away either. An alpha power struggle swirls through the room, and the papers start to flutter, but Stavo looks away first. His disappointment is clear on his face. Bruno is more powerful than any of these wolves, but he’s willing to let this position go if all the packs want it. He’s the embodiment of true leadership.
“The voting should take place immediately. I’ve seen the chaos these vampires are making. Wolves that are deformed or stuck in mid-shift. Others rabid like common dogs. We need to stop this before they take our people and turn us into slaves. Clara was lucky. My former beta, who we thought dead, saved her. This has been going on under our noses for longer than we know. Now is the time to fight. I vote for Bruno as head alpha,” Sam shares. Ana stands with him, her face proud and posture stiff.
“I second the vote,” Declan from Bravecrest chimes in. He’s a new alpha. Bruno explained that his brother, Colin, gave up his rightful position to him, but no one knows the reason why.
“Third,” Silverpaw shouts.
Six of the packs out of eight votes for Bruno. Ravenwell and Vinewood are the only ones that oppose it. The alpha of Vinewood particularly looks angry. His wolf has been flashing in and out in his eyes. I imagine if there weren’t so many wolves around, he’d attack. His demeanor is odd. He looks out of control and aggressive.
I tap Bruno’s hand under the table and motion toward the Vinewood alpha. His face scowls in understanding and I know Bruno will have someone watching him.
“It’s settled! Bruno is the new head alpha!” Samuel shouts. Clapping fills the room and we all stand in Bruno’s honor. He looks as stoic as ever, but I can feel his excitement and pleasure through the bond. He wants to do right by the wolves.
When all is settled, Bruno goes over the facts we know about the vampires and what the next steps will be. We need to strengthen our ranks and find out where their new facility is. The faster we end Cole Everett the better.
“You’re going to make an amazing head alpha,” I say, as we’re leaving the meeting. He bends down and kisses my head. I lean into his touch and focus on the good around me. There’s so much that we have to be grateful for.
We walk out into the cold. A bitter wind wraps around us, but the sun is high in the sky. It’s a picture-perfect winter day.
“Do you hear that?” Ralph asks, his gaze sweeping around the clearing.
“Hear what?” Nile queries, a confused look on his face.
“Nothing,” Bruno says, a shiver creeping up my spine. I listen to the nothingness. No birds chirping and no animals rustling through the brush. It’s silent.
Standing still waiting for something to happen, all the wolves are poised and ready to spring into action. Anyone who is stupid enough to try to fight at a Summit comprised of all alphas is looking to get hurt. Especially with an omega to ground them all.
“Clara, go back into the cabin. Lock the doors and make sure you’re not near any of the windows,” Bruno says, not taking his eyes off the trees.
Torn between staying with the guys and keeping myself safe, I hesitate for a moment. It’s all they need. In a vapor of smoke, vampires appear all over in front of the cabins.
“What the fuck?” Nile mumbles, as we watch their next move. Out of the crowd of vampires, Cole Everett walks forward. A smirk on his face — the cat who got the cream.
“Give me the omega and we’ll leave. No need for any of your wolves to get hurt, unless you’d like to roll the dice?” Cole drawls. His posture is relaxed, but his eyes are focused on me. He licks his lips and the smile returns to his face. My fear pumps through my body as I stare at him, and it turns to hate. Everything he’s done, everything he’d do, and everyone he’d hurt to become a Supreme Vampire. He has to be stopped.
Bruno’s growl is so loud that some of the tiles on the roof shake loose and crumble to the ground. Cole’s eyes go wide, but not in fear — in want. Bruno has caught his interest.
The other wolves step up around us, protecting the head alpha and his mates. The vampire laughs and shrugs his shoulders. We don’t pose a threat in his eyes.
“Remember when you are laying at my feet dying, I gave you the option to walk away,” he sneers and then nods his head. The vampires rush us, and I feel the grip of Ralph around my middle, but I shove him off.
“Bruno! Look at me,” I scream, getting his attention. He turns his head and our eyes lock. The air around us swirls with power. The vamps are momentarily frozen and then Bruno starts to change.
His form shifts into something other, not beast and not man, but something in between. His claws the size of a lion's teeth, legs the size of tree trunks and eyes so golden they look like two suns. He roars and the shattering sound pierces through the windows on the cabins blowing them out.
The vampires stop for a moment to look at the killing machine before them, but Cole, he smiles wide. Bruno’s just another prize he’s going to covet.
“Clara, we need to get you somewhere safe,” Ralph says, pulling me to him. He’s leaving his alpha to protect me. Something I’m sure his wolf isn’t happy about.
We race to the front entrance of the cabin, but before we can make it inside a sliver of smoke permeates the air and Cole appears before us. Ralph grips me tighter and pushes me behind him.
“Hello, pup. Nice to see you again,” he taunts. Fear rushes through me, but I keep my back straight and try to not let him see his effect on me.
“You best get out of our way, before you see what happens to those who threaten my mate,” Ralph snarls. His claws elongate and if I was looking into his eyes, I’d see his wolf front and center.
“Now why would I do that? A beta and an omega, together at the same time, and mated pairs. This is a prize indeed.”
My wolf rumbles inside of me, ready to shift and take his head off. There’s no way we can win over a vampire with this much power, but I’ll die before he takes me or Ralph.
“Last time, vampire. Move out of the way.”
Cole attacks, quicker than I would think any living being could. He grabs Ralph and throws him to the floor. Ralph rolls onto his side and avoids Cole’s kick by centimeters. The vamp recovers and punches down onto Ralph’s face. A crack sounds and I scream out. This gets Bruno’s attention. He flings the vampire he was fighting with and tries to come over to us, but there are just too many of them.
Ralph groans out and tries to swipe at Cole, but he’s too injured. Rushing over to him I’m caught by my hair and pulled into Cole’s chest. He leans in and sniffs my neck. Flashbacks of when he drained me flash through my mind and I frantically struggle against him.
“It’s always more exciting when they struggle. The adrenaline inside of your blood makes it all the sweeter. Too bad we aren’t lovers because your blood makes me deeply aroused.”
He purrs the last bit in my ear, and I squeeze my eyes close. Memories of what Bruno’s father did still haunt me, and this would be even worse.
“Cole,” a voice grits out. The vampire behind me goes ramrod straight, and even I can feel his shock.
“Jack. What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I’m helping the wolves. You’ve been taking lives for far too long. It’s time you were stopped, and now I know how to do it.”
Cole’s laugh is loud in my ear. “You really think you could defeat me. A two-bit thief who was pickpocketing so he wouldn’t starve. I made you who you are. I gave you the life you always wanted. Trained you from childhood to be a killing machine. You owe me everything.”
“You took my life! Giving me a childhood of abuse, and torment. You saw a vulnerable kid and made promises that you broke. When I was old enough you took
more and then finally my humanity. I won’t do this anymore. Your reign of terror is over, Cole. You will die.”
“Well, then by all means. Let’s see what you’ve got, assassin.”
Cole flings me down on the ground and squares off with Jack. Both vampires have murder on their faces, and eyes that flash the crimson of blood. Their speed is too fast for me to tell what is happening. A blur of hits and grunts the only indication that they are doing anything. I crawl over to Ralph and hope to the gods that he’s ok.
“Ralph! Ralph! Are you okay? Please talk to me.” My voice sounds harsh and foreign. It was different when I was taken, but to see him lying on the ground, I’m broken and lost. His eyes are closed, but he’s breathing and that’s all that matters.
My fear is quickly replaced by anger. I stand to face off with Cole or aid Jack in his attack, but Bruno has beaten me to it. A blazing fury runs through the bond and it’s so intense that I stumble back. Cole must sense it because in the next moment he’s gone. A trace of smoke the only thing left.
“Fuck!” Jack yells. “We almost had him.” His eyes flash back to red and he growls in frustration. The fight is still raging behind us, and Jack jumps right back in, grabbing the vamps that I’m sure were once his friends.
“You have to break their necks!” He shouts. The wolves respond to his instructions immediately. Some in wolf form fight as pairs, bringing the vampires down to the ground so they can immobilize them. The others in human form, go straight for the neck, trying as hard as they can to heed his advice.
“Clara,” Bruno grits out between his elongated teeth. He’s still in his half-shifted form.
“I’m okay. Make sure we don’t lose any more wolves. This isn’t over yet. I’m going to try to get Ralph inside.”
“I’ll send Sean to help you.” And with that, he disappears into the crowd.
15
Aftermath
Bruno
The fight lasted for another half hour. By the time it was over we’d lost over twenty wolves, some were alphas and betas. The packs are in disarray and everyone is out for blood.
“Alpha, what do you want to do with all the vampires?” Charlie asks. His alpha was killed, and now he’ll be the Ironridge pack’s acting alpha until they can find a new one. Beta’s are dominant and leaders, but their omega magic limits them. They need a true alpha. Someone with more wolf magic to keep the pack together.
“Cut their heads off and burn them. I don’t want to take any chances that they rise again. Jack was clear that decapitation was the only way.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
He jogs away to instruct the other wolves, and I make my way to the cabin. Ralph was hurt, but I don’t know how much. It took me a while to come down from my half-shifted form.
Our bedroom is alive with activity. The pack doctor is giving Ralph the once over and, of course, Clara and Nile are here. What I didn’t expect was for Samuel and Declan to be here.
“Samuel, Declan, you don’t have to be here. I’m sure the doctor has this under control.”
“We want to, Alpha. But if your wish us to leave, we’ll stand guard by the door. Today they surprised us, but they never will again,” Declan says. I don’t know him well, but the strength and loyalty he’s showing, makes me want to.
“Thank you.”
Clara is holding Ralph’s hand, her face pale, and her body tense. Nile is worrying his lip, standing by the window, his eyes tracking the activity of the other wolves.
“His skull and cheek are fractured, but thanks to his wolf healing and Clara’s magic he should be fine. There is some brain swelling so I’ve sedated him and there is a small hole in the side of his skull with a drain tube to let out some of the cerebral fluid and relieve the pressure. The more sleep he gets the better. The IV drip contains medicine. If he stirs or wakes, come get me right away.”
My stomach drops. I didn’t think it could be this bad. Ralph is a wolf, and a strong one. We have underestimated the vampires and their abilities for far too long.
“Since when can you heal?” I ask Clara. I’m a bit stunned.
“I’m guessing I’ve always had the ability, just never knew about it. We didn’t even know I was using it until the doctor kept trying to drill the hole and my touch would heal it. I had to wait outside.”
She turns her attention back to Ralph and squeezes his hand. He’s lifeless in the bed, and pain enters my chest. I can’t lose him.
“We need to do the mating ceremony as soon as he wakes up. Christmas is in two days. Before the wolves leave it should be completed,” Nile wobbles out. I can see a tear track down his cheek. Going to him, I wrap him in a hug. He relaxes into me. Clara leaves Ralph’s side and comes to join us. The comfort of having her touch soothes my agitated wolf.
“Let’s do it as soon as Ralph wakes up, I’m ready. I don’t care if we have to have it in this bedroom. The bonds should be strengthened. We have a war to fight,” Clara states.
The determination on her face shows me how much she cares for us. We are nowhere healed, but we can move forward — for the pack and for us.
Clara
It takes Ralph two days to wake up. It’s the best Christmas present I could ask for. He’s groggy and disoriented, but the doctor says the swelling has gone down and the skull can be allowed to heal. As soon as he says it, I push all my magic into him. He relaxes into my touch and the relief is plain on his face.
“What happened?” he murmurs, turning to Bruno for the answers.
“Cole fractured your skull and cheek. You had brain swelling and the doc had to drill a hole in your head. Clara has healing magic and now you’re better. Oh, and we’re doing the mating ceremony today, so if you can’t stand, we’ll do it in here,” Nile spews out. He’s on his knees gripping Ralph’s hand.
“You’re really ready to go through with it? No more second-guessing?”
Clara’s gaze falls on his face. She grabs his cheeks softly, placing a kiss on his lips. Ralph winces a bit but doesn’t pull away.
“Guess it took you almost dying to make me realize what I would have lost. The past will always be a part of me, but this is the future. The wolves need to feel safe. I’m doing this for them, but also for me because when I felt your pain my heart broke, and I realized it wouldn’t be complete without you.”
“Who do you want to perform the ceremony?” Nile asks, rising from Ralph’s side.
“Get Samuel. I think he’s earned this honor.”
Without another word, he rushes off to grab the Alpha of Battleridge.
“I should probably change into something a little nicer. I have a dress that I bought when I went to town with Nile. I think it would be perfect for this.”
I kiss Ralph on the forehand and come around to face Bruno. I gaze into his eyes, and his wolf recognizes the power between us. The more he practices, the more control he has over his shift. He pulls me in closer and wraps his arms around me. I fit perfectly under his chin. Grasping his shirt, I press more firmly against him. It’s a hug for security, but his body responds differently.
“You’re going to have to back away,” he whispers into my ear, sending my body into shivers of delight. I glance up at him and offer him a smile.
“Having a hard time controlling yourself, Alpha?” I tease.
“Hey, no sex until I’m better. You can’t make me watch when I can’t do anything about it,” Ralph complains.
“You know you’d like it,” I chuckle. He groans out his complaint and I leave to get changed. Men, always so sensitive.
Thirty minutes later I’m standing outside the door. I can hear everyone inside laughing and joyful. My stomach is a bundle of nerves and my palms are sweating. I’m pacing back and forth trying to come up with enough courage to walk in the door. It’s not like we’re new to each other. I’ve been with all three of them. This is what’s needed for the packs. The vampires have to be stopped.
“Can’t go in?” Julia asks with a smile on her face and
understanding in her eyes.
“No, it’s just … I don’t know. I can’t really explain it.”
“It was the same for me when Declan and I had our ceremony. I’d known him since we were kids. We’d been best friends forever, but that day it was like we were strangers.”
I blow out a puff of air and lean against the wall. “I’m being ridiculous.”
“Once you see them, it will all change. Want me to walk in with you?”
“You go first, I’ll follow.”
Her smile brightens and she pats my shoulder as she walks in, leaving behind the smell of fresh-cut flowers.
I steel myself, taking a deep breath and walking through the door. The room is packed with the alphas and betas. The guys are standing around Ralph’s bed, surprised looks on their faces.
“You’re a vision,” Nile says, coming to meet me at the door. He takes my hand and kisses it. I blush at his response and let him lead me further into the room.
“Clara, you’re gorgeous. That dress was made for you,” Bruno breathes out. His wolf is present, his eyes a darker gold than before. The alpha to all the alphas, strong and fierce, but watching my every move like I’m made of glass.
Declan and another wolf help Ralph over to a chair situated by the fireplace. All three of us surround him, ready to take the next step in our mating.
“Are you guys ready?” Samuel asks, walking over to the bed. I look up at him and the kindness that radiates off him, makes me feel like Bruno made the right choice in picking him for the ceremony officiant.
“Yes,” I say. There are about ten wolves in attendance, some of them the alpha’s who haven’t left. Others from our pack who are now watching me with warmth. It gives me pause to think how they could dismiss what they’ve done and for a moment, the doubt creeps into my mind. Bruno takes my hand and gives it a slight squeeze. His expression is full of love, and my heart melts a bit. As much as the sting of the past will always be with me, moving forward is the right thing to do.
