by SF Benson
According to history, the cabin has been here ever since the first settlers came to Falls Creek. Elsbeth has made very few changes to the place. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I stepped back in time.
“Sit.” She points a scrawny, twisted finger toward the sofa while taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs. The piece of furniture groans but doesn’t break. “Tell me how I may help.”
Perching on the edge of the cushion, I wonder how Elsbeth presents a youthful image but maintains that irritating voice. It’s unnerving. Maybe that’s the intended effect.
“You’re aware that Santiago is sick.” It’s not a question since the witch is the eyes and ears for all supernatural activity in Falls Creek.
“He’s not improving either.” Elsbeth holds up her hand and unfurls her fingers. The fireplace roars to life. “Santiago endures a slow, painful death.”
Not news. I could have done without the dramatics though. “Is it natural?”
Elsbeth cackles. “I wouldn’t want you telling anyone that I wasn’t entertaining.”
Although the Red Witch reads minds, I prefer speaking my thoughts.
The sound of snapping bones hits my ears as Elsbeth crosses her legs. “I would need to see Santiago to be sure, but I don’t think his illness is natural. I’ve known your father for years. He’s never had as much as a cold or a thorn in his paw. I shall pay a visit to him this evening.”
“If this is a curse, will you be able to undo it?”
Elsbeth pierces me with a dark glance. “Your question insults me, Alpha. Remember, I am the creator of the Black Plague.”
Lowering my chin, I apologize. I’m in the company of one of the world’s greatest and oldest witches. Many of the world’s troubles are her creation. “I assure you it wasn’t my intent to insult you. Once you’ve broken the curse, I want to know who cast the spell.”
“Not an issue. I promise you, Alpha, it was not one of my sisters. The Blue Moon Coven owes much to Santiago. We wouldn’t jeopardize that relationship for anything or anyone. I will get to the bottom of the matter. When I locate the responsible party, he or she will answer to me.”
A chill sneaks down my spine. I almost feel sorry for the culprit. The witch’s spite is legendary. After all, it’s why supernaturals inhabit Falls Creek.
“Thank you, Elsbeth.” I push to my feet. “We appreciate your assistance.”
She nods. “Show your appreciation when I call upon you. And I will call on you.”
I have no doubt of that.
“Before you leave, I have words of warning, Alpha.” Elsbeth inclines her head as if she’s listening to something. “Your past threatens your future. Be prepared for there are those who wish you and your mate dead.”
My wolf sits tall. “The Ryders.”
Elsbeth steeples her hands before her chest. “Then you know. Your mate is unwilling to be claimed though. I can speak with her if you like. Get her to understand that you need to bond. It protects both of you.”
I’d forgotten about all the benefits of our union. Marking each other would activate a supernatural tracking system—or GPS. Without it, someone could abduct Audra, and I’d never know. But then again, anyone dumb enough to kidnap my mate would give her back once her wolf presents herself.
“I’ll keep that in mind should I need it.”
“Aye, but there’s the rub,” Elsbeth says in a curious tone. “You shall need it. Trouble is coming your way. Alpha, remember my words.”
Elsbeth’s words, trailing me all the way to Balls Up, color my mood for the evening. Upon my arrival, I bypass Audra’s wandering gaze and go to my office.
Opening the door to find my mother, however, shocks my system and corrects my disposition. Mom switched out of her jeans and flannel shirt for casual slacks and a sweater. She twirls her thick, brown braid around a finger.
“Mom?”
“So you remember me?” Her comment lacks humor. “How long did you plan on dodging my calls?”
Parking my ass on the edge of my desk, I say, “I wasn’t dodging them. I just needed more time.”
“Time for what? Lies?”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Mom, can we let it rest for a moment? Please? We have other issues.”
“Like what?”
Part of me would prefer keeping my mother in the dark. I thought she was safer not knowing everything, but if the Ryders are after Audra and me… I’d rather not think of the possibilities. “I went to see Elsbeth.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. She’s going to look into the possibility of a curse, but she says one of her witches isn’t responsible.”
Mom sits forward and places her elbows on the desk. “Then who? Our family has no issues with anyone.”
It’s time. For her safety, she has to know. “That’s not exactly true.”
Her gaze swings to me. “What do you mean by that?”
Before I can get the words out, the office door opens and Audra steps in. “Brenna. Brady. What’s going on?”
“Take a seat, sugar. You need to hear all of this too.” I’m done with the secrets.
My intended sits beside Brenna, and the two females exchange an ardent look. I’ll deal with the meaning behind that expression later.
“Audra, you know some of this, but bear with me while I catch Mom up.” I swallow hard. “Both of you remember the death of Jackson Ryder?”
Brenna and Audra nod.
“Mom, what you don’t know is that Hank Richards was responsible for it.”
My mother’s eyebrows knit together. “The former police detective?”
“Yeah. Before you jump to conclusions, Jackson deserved what happened. The panther killed Hank’s sister. It was retaliation,” I explain.
“Who involved our family?” A twinge of anger is laced in her words. Mom’s gaze is full of darkness. “You or Santiago?”
I lower my eyes. “We both did. Hank needed some place to lie low. If we hadn’t helped him, Elijah Ryder would have killed him.”
Mom purses her lips. “It would have been justified even if it was wrong.”
Shaking my head, I say, “No. Jackson put his paws on Jenn. He regularly took out his aggression on her. Males don’t hit females.”
Audra shoots an appreciative smile my way and says, “So, this is why Cal Ryder came by the other night. He said the Ryders are coming after the Romeros.”
Nodding, I continue, “That’s why I’m telling you everything, Mom. Dad and I thought we were protecting you by not giving you this information.”
“Treating me like a child,” Mom says in a voice so calm it’s chilling. “What trouble have you brought to our family?”
I fold my arms and lean forward. “Elsbeth said trouble was headed our way. She also said the Ryders want us dead.”
“Us?” Mom and Audra say at the same time.
“You and me, sugar,” I admit.
Mom sits back in the chair. “You need to claim her. The bond will protect the both of you.”
“That’s what Elsbeth said.”
Audra’s anger crackles and burns. A storm brews in her eyes as her jaw clenches. Her claws poke through unnoticed.
“Audra,” I warn.
“Don’t!” She pushes to her feet, and the change halts. “Why are you forcing me into a corner? You know that Greg and my beta need time to prepare. One year. You promised me that when I asked you not to go down this road again.”
I open my mouth, but Mom holds her hand up, silencing me in an instant.
“I’ve had enough,” Mom says. “You’re an alpha, Audra. Act like it! You do what’s best for the pack.”
“What—”
“No! I’m not finished! I have sat back for years as you and my son played house. You claim to love him. Well, here’s your chance to prove it. Either step up and let him claim you or let someone else do it. I will not have my family weakened because you’re too scared to make a commitment.”
My mother rises to her feet
and storms out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
Audra glances at me. “I’m sorry, Brady. Either give me time or let me go. I won’t abandon my pack. Not for you. Not for your family. Not for anyone.”
“Sugar.”
My intended stands, slips her arms around my neck, and kisses me deeply. It feels like a kiss goodbye. So full of love, passion, and, dare I say, regret. She’s the first to drag her mouth away. Resting her forehead on mine, Audra sighs.
“Brady, I love you. I have loved you since the first time we mated in the moonlight. You have always indulged me. You have always been the one to believe in me. If you can’t wait, then do what you need to do. I won’t hold it against you.”
Knowing what she’s about to do, I tighten my embrace. “Don’t do this, sugar. We’ll figure it out.”
“You heard your mother.” Audra chokes back a sob. “There’s nothing to figure out.”
I caress her cheek, and she leans into it. “Sugar, don’t do anything yet. Please, give me a moment. If you walk away from me, I’ll die. We’ve been together too long to end it this way.”
Audra turns her head and drops a kiss into my palm. “I know, baby. I know. I’m going home.”
“Okay. Do you need anything?”
“To think. Possibly call Greg and hash things out.”
I nod.
Audra touches the doorknob. “Brady, fear of commitment isn’t my reason for turning you down.”
“I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do. I know Brenna doesn’t.” Audra pauses for a moment. “My parents’ deaths left the Nevers Wolves in limbo. Greg wasn’t fit to take up the reins, so I did. I kept us together. We’re not a large pack. Without strong leadership, we’ll perish. I need help keeping my pack together.”
“Okay. We’ll do this the way we’ve done everything.”
“Together,” she says.
“Together.”
As soon as I leave Brady, I call Greg. For once, my brother listened. He didn’t complain or ask a ton of questions when I asked him to meet me at our childhood home. It still pains me to go there even after five years. Too many memories. Sure they’re happy ones, but vivid reminders of losing my parents are there too. Before I moved in with Brady, I spent every waking minute trying to escape the constant flashbacks—our last holiday, our last family night, and so on.
While I ran from my ghosts, my brother tried to drown his memories along with his guilt. I understand what he’s going through. He was supposed to drive Mom and Dad to New York. Greg was going to hang out in the city until they returned and then drive back to Falls Creek. At the last minute, Greg changed his plans. A friend of his was coming to town, and they wanted to catch up.
His perch on the porch steps surprises me when I walk up. Looking around for signs—empty bottles—of his current condition, I ask, “Why are you out here?”
Greg tucks his hands into his jacket and shuts his eyes. “It’s too much today. You know what tomorrow is?”
“The day they left for their trip.” The world either speeds up or slows down. It’s hard to tell. The ground shifts, and I lose my balance. My ass lands on the bottom step.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t forget the date. Mom and Dad had spent a month planning their getaway. At one point, Dad called it a second honeymoon. They drove to New York, caught a flight from JFK, and headed to Jamaica. Mom hadn’t been in years and was dying to see the island. Little did we know the trip would be their final one.
“Welcome to my world, sister,” Greg says quietly. “If you want me sober, we talk out here. I go in there, and I can’t deal with it.”
“Then fucking move!” My gaze snaps to his. Greg’s been hiding behind his grief for too long. “That’s a lame-ass excuse. Life goes on, Greg. It hasn’t been easy for any of us, but we’re managing. You’re giving up.”
My brother hangs his head. He mutters, “Says the sister who abandoned me.”
“I didn’t abandon you, Greg.” My moving in with Brady is an old argument I don’t want to revisit. I can’t go there. Not again. Right now, I need to lean on my brother. Fighting isn’t something I want, but I can’t help saying, “Don’t you think it’s time for you to grow a pair?”
“Maybe I could just borrow yours?” Greg quips.
A snarky comment dangles on my tongue, but I swallow it. Although my wolf would love a battle, I only want my brother back. The one I still love despite all his issues.
Before our parents’ deaths, Greg and I were so close. I told him everything. My brother was the first one to meet Brady. If it hadn’t been for Greg, our relationship would have died before it started. Mom and Dad were convinced I was too young to be so serious about anyone. Greg intervened, arguing for Brady and me to be together.
Greg changed when Mom and Dad died. The carefree wolf, loved by all who knew him, became secretive. Argumentative. Most of his waking hours were spent in an alcohol-induced haze, turning him into a disparaging asshole. At some point, Greg resorted to using his fists to work through his anguish. Constant fighting keeps him in jail and keeps me doling out money on his behalf.
Only the crude crowd of women who don’t mind a quick romp get to enjoy Greg’s prevailing charm. He doesn’t care whether they’re human or supernatural as long as he can fuck them without strings attached.
This new version of my brother doesn’t interest me though. I need the wolf who reminds me of our father—strong and wise and able to smooth over any hurt.
“I’m not here to fight,” I start as I stare out at our quiet street. Not a soul stirs—human or otherwise. Thank the gods. “But if that’s what it takes, bring it. I need my goddamned brother back!”
Greg’s hand rests on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been here for you.”
“Understatement,” I mumble.
Rubbing a small circle over my back, he says, “Tell me what’s wrong?”
My vision blurs as the first tears slide down my cheeks. I’m tired of being strong. Alphas don’t cry. They don’t get to show any weakness. Unlike my brother, I’m not allowed to fall apart. Only Brady has seen my frailty. The likelihood of losing him brings on more sobs.
Greg moves down a step and puts his arms around me. He rocks me back and forth like he did when I was a pup. “Shh, Audra. It can’t be that bad.”
“Y-yes it is.” I choke out. “I’m going to lose Brady.”
“The rumors?”
I nod against his chest. “But it’s a lot worse than a hook-up with the Broussards. There’s a war brewing, Greg. Cal and his brother want Brady and me dead.”
“Shit.” Greg’s grip tightens. “How do I help?”
I look up into his face. If only he were the powerful wolf he could be… If only my brother was the wolf my father hoped he could be… Only then could he truly help me. “Are you ready to assume your role? Be the alpha our pack needs?”
Greg scrubs his hands over his face and holds back his dreads. Words aren’t necessary to tell me he isn’t ready, not even remotely. My poor, useless sibling is still trying to hide from his responsibility.
“Audra.”
Wiping my face, I turn on my brother. “Don’t. Just don’t.” This is why I don’t cry. Tears don’t provide solutions. They only bring up emotions which benefit no one. “All of us lost Mom and Dad, but I’m the only one continuing to lose shit. I gave up my dreams to lead this pack.”
Greg glares back with cold, hard eyes. “Then walk the hell away.” He pauses for a beat or two as if he’s waiting for the words to sink in. “Fuck the pack, Audra. If the other wolves want to survive, let them figure it out.”
Selfish asshole! The pack may not be blood, but it’s still our family.
“I took the oath!” I yell. “We need the pack. It’s how you and Tia get to live your lives.”
“Bullshit.”
“You’re fucking clueless.” I push to my feet and face him. “The proceeds from the pack provide income for us
. If it weren’t for that help, you’d need a job.”
My brother has never had any interest in our finances. He’s unaware that profits from the bar feed our bank account. Without the money from both sources, we’d be destitute, and his ass would be homeless. But I wouldn’t let my siblings suffer. I abandoned my dream of college and took on odd jobs. I saved the pack’s earnings and helped Brady start the bar. As soon as we were operating in the black, I gave up the part-time gigs but continued contributing to Tia’s college fund. She gets an education, and Greg gets a fucking allowance from me.
Everything I’ve ever done was for my family and the pack. And this is the fucking thanks I get. No one’s in my corner helping me out.
Then walk away. Let Brady shoulder the load. Be an alpha’s wife.
Not the vow I took.
Greg’s expression tightens. “The pack can keep its money. I have no problem working.”
My feet won’t stay still. I’m pacing back and forth, dragging my hand through my hair. “Who in the hell would hire you? Have you forgotten about your police record? Everyone in this damned town knows you as a lost cause.”
“Then I’ll leave.” Greg’s eyes, focused on something in the distance, darken.
“Leave?” I stop in my tracks and stare up at the blackening sky. It’s getting late, but this needs to be addressed. Now. “You’re an absolutely worthless piece of shit! You’ll walk away from our legacy. Screw the pack over just to keep from being responsible.”
“You don’t get it, Audra.” Greg jumps to his feet. “I created this fucking situation! Why would I choose to be alpha? It’s a goddamned reminder of my failure to be a good son! I’m sorry you chose it. Either live with it or pass the fucking torch.” He lowers his voice. “Just stop worrying about me. I’ll figure out my own life.”
