Alliances (Tundra Wolves Book 5)

by Maggie Walsh

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  Legion

  Legion slammed the door of his truck and walked into the house like he was on a mission. He would like to say that he was angry or even insulted, but that would be a lie. He knew the new beta, Kitka, wasn’t cut out to be one of the alpha’s seconds, but instead of saying anything, Legion had stood by silently, waiting for the alpha to figure it out and come to him.

  He understood that Alpha Dell had made a deal with the pack from one of the Southern Tundra packs in exchange for his parents, their former Alpha, Mark and his mate Delilah, to move to the lower region, and in return Dell was to take Kitka in as his other beta. Legion was well aware of pack politics and he wasn’t offended by the decision, but a part of him was hopeful that Kitka wouldn’t work out and the alpha would come to him.

  Tug was a better option, as well as being the next in line for the position, but everyone knew Tug didn’t want it. The behemoth of a man was content in his life running the bar and living a life of love with his partner, Raiden, but now Tug didn’t want it even more since he and Raiden found Alex, their true mate. That fact was still confusing to him. Tug and Raiden had been together for years, but had no idea they were true mates. Then, Tug and Alex had been friends for years, yet they didn’t know they were mates either. How that was possible, Legion didn’t know, but then again it had been very rare for their kind to find their true ones.

  Dell explained to the pack that after talking with the Council it was confirmed that none of the men knowing they were mates was a real thing. The Council had informed Dell that it was so rare for their kind to find their true mate or mates, that certain facts from their past about true mates had been forgotten, one of those being that multiple matings, like Tug, Raiden, and Alex, needed to all be in the same place at the same time. It had something to do with their mixed pheromones, which would explain the drop in paranormals finding their mates if they were a part of a ménage mating. Originally all the breeds had lived closer together, but as new lands and countries had been found, like America, they all began to move around the planet, separating, which made it a lot harder to find their true mate.

  Since Dell had informed the pack of this, a few of the groupings of men already in relationships and in love were hopeful that they might be one of these groups, and were waiting for another to come along who would be a mate and bind them all together. Legion was one them.

  Seeing as all of a sudden it seemed like mates were popping up all over the place with the start of Alpha Dell’s brother, Caleb, finding his true mate, then Bo, Tug, Raiden, and Alex, and now Marlo and the new guy, Fane, who was cousin to Alpha Heart, Caleb’s mate, Legion was sure it meant something. Something very significant in their world. It had to be. It had become so rare, almost impossible for their kind to find their true mates for a few hundred years now, but suddenly, so many true matings were happening? Yeah, something big was coming, but Legion just didn’t know what it was.

  Which brought him back to his earlier thoughts. Before all of this he would have been pissed when he was passed up for the position of beta to the alpha, but now he didn’t care. Legion had a feeling that he and his men were true mates, because of the deep connection they all felt toward each other and the deep love they shared. They just needed to find that last piece, or possibly pieces to their puzzle, and he was determined to find him or them for all of them. Legion and his two men were now each searching out that person or persons. If they came across anyone that they felt a connection to, they would set up some way of putting them all in the same place, so he and his men could see whether they all felt the pull to that person, or if the pheromones would kick in and they would find their mate. Legion was now too focused on that and his training to add anything else to his plate, so not being offered the position as beta to the alpha no longer mattered to him.

  But, now Jude had come to him to tell Legion he was to be assigned as a beta to the alpha while they had visitors staying in the pack. Something about a conclave of leaders. A vampire, a witch and some Council members would be coming, as well as Caleb and his Alpha Mate, Ridge Heart. Why all these people were suddenly meeting and it was supposed to be a big deal, only confirmed to Legion that something big was coming. He had a feeling the talks had something to do with people finding their mates again and that maybe this was a way for the leaders to aid their people in finding their true mates.

  Legion had a theory that the meetings would have the leaders agreeing to open their borders so to speak, to allow other paranormal breeds in, like Dell had done with the vampire, Oberon, and by doing that it would have new people interacting and give them more opportunities to find their mates.

  He knew of others who had an issue with interspecies relationships, but Legion didn’t care. Love was love to him no matter what the combination. And when you were talking about true mates, then you needed to realize those relationships were made by the gods themselves, so if they chose for him to have multiple mates, or mates of different breeds or types of paranormal, like witches or vampires, then so be it. It was the gods’ will.

  Legion sighed as he walked toward his bedroom. He was going to have to suck it up and do as his alpha wanted, which meant his search for another would have to wait. At least until the visiting leaders and Councilmen were gone. Now he just needed to tell his men about it and Legion was not looking forward to this conversation. He knew they would understand but it would still sadden them. As the Dominant in their grouping, Legion had put it upon himself to take the more active role in looking for their missing piece. Both his boys had been excited to find out that they might have another out there waiting to be found who would join them so that they all could be mated for real. Legion only hoped that it was all true, because he loved his boys and didn’t want to lose either of them. If it came down to him having a mate out there, but that mate wasn’t mates to his boys as well, it would break his heart.

  Legion shook his head, trying to get rid of the depressing thoughts. He needed to go to his boys with the confidence he always had or they would get scared. They counted on him to be their strength and to lead them, and Legion wouldn’t let them down.

  He opened the door to their room and stepped inside, then smiled when he saw his boys right where he had left them when Jude called for a meeting. He hated leaving them, but duty to the alpha and pack always had to come first, so reluctantly he had left, but had given his boys orders not to move, and it appeared they hadn’t. Not like they had much of a choice. Legion thought as he smiled.

  Even though he left them bound and gagged, he would never leave them without giving them a way to release themselves if need be, but seeing they had followed his orders pleased him, so he would reward them both with whatever they desired.

  Legion quickly stripped his clothes, then climbed onto the bed, looking down at his bound boys. They were so sensual and beautiful. Both had the most exquisite, pristine flesh. So pale and unblemished, and they looked so good together. He had left them tied together, back to back, with ropes around their chests, hips, and thighs, and both full, impaled on a thick double-headed dildo. Their hands above their heads and cuffed to the headboard, legs straight but tangled together and their ankles cuffed, and both had cock gags in their mouths, stretching their lips so beautifully.

  “Mmm.”

  He heard the muffled sound, and smiled as he looked up to meet the very stunning violet eyes of his baby boy, who looked back at him with so much love and trust that it tore at Legion’s heart. He ran a hand up one of each of their legs. “Such good boys, I’ll have to give you both a reward,” he said in a deep voice. He knew how much his Master voice affected his boys and neither disappointed when they both trembled beneath his touch.

  Jude had given him tonight off, but tomorrow he would have to report for duty at the alpha’s side and didn’t know if he would get any time away for at least a few days, so tonight he would spend the entire time taking care of his loves.

  CHAPTER 6

&
nbsp; Dell

  He hadn’t realized how much he missed Caleb, or how excited he really was to see his baby brother again, until he stepped into the pub and found Caleb, Ridge, Fane, and Marlo already there and waiting at the private table he had instructed Tug set up for them.

  He and Jude moved across the room quickly and Caleb immediately stood as he saw Dell and gave him a bright smile. Just as he reached the table, Caleb came right into his open arms and he hugged his brother like they hadn’t seen one another in years. Caleb’s return hug was just as strong and it made Dell happy.

  Caleb looked good, happy, fulfilled, peaceful, and Dell couldn’t be happier for his brother. Ridge was a good man and the two were a perfect fit. Dell prayed that he would be blessed like they had been and that he could have what they had someday. Ridge and Caleb were over the moon in love. It was a beautiful thing to witness and pulled at his heart in so many ways.

  As he released Caleb, Ridge took a step forward and held out his hand and shook Ridge’s hand, then the two gave one another a hug too, as Jude and Caleb hugged. Everyone said their hellos and started talking at once, laughing, teasing, and getting connected again. Marlo touched his arm, getting his attention. “Yeah, Marlo?”

  “I know we were only planning on the six of us for dinner, but would it be okay for Oberon to join us?” Marlo asked.

  Immediately Oberon spoke up and protested, “Thanks, little dude, but I’ll be okay. I see Lysander and a few of the guys from training over by the bar. You all have a good night and I’ll see you at home. Thanks for thinking of me, though.” Oberon placed his hand on Marlo’s shoulder and gave him a little squeeze, then excused himself.

  “Well, I guess I shouldn’t have worried,” Marlo said with a shrug.

  “Then that wouldn’t be you, Marlo,” Dell said, giving Marlo a smile as they all took their seats.

  Once they were settled, Goldie stepped forward, smiling. “What can I get everyone to drink?”

  “I’ll have my usual, please, Goldie,” Dell answered first.

  “Iced tea for you, Alpha, and everyone else?” Goldie said, then looked to the others.

  Everyone gave their preference, then Goldie stepped away giving them their privacy again. Dell looked to Caleb and Ridge. “So, you two look happy.”

  Caleb smiled and cuddled into Ridge’s side. “That would be an understatement.”

  Ridge chuckled and placed a kiss to Caleb’s temple, then replied, “What can I say, my friend? Life is good.”

  “I’m really happy for both of you. And what of our Bo and Jag?” Dell asked.

  Caleb and Ridge both laughed as they looked at one another, then back to Dell. “I don’t know who’s more in love, us or them. Which is funny, because it still shocks the hell out of both of them, but they’re good. Bo is such an asset to me and our pack. I almost feel guilty by taking two of your finest warriors from you, Dell,” Ridge snickered.

  “I am as well, but the reason is the best there is. I wish only happiness and fulfillment to both of your matings. And I’m not exactly understaffed. With Fane and Oberon coming to us, we now have two new warriors that I have high hopes for,” Dell said, and looked to Fane.

  Fane gave him a grateful smile as he nodded. “Thank you, Alpha, and for the confidence you’ve shown in our abilities.”

  “It’s true,” Jude affirmed. “I’ve been giving Dell daily reports on both of you and I have to say, you’re both right up there with my finest warriors. Admittedly, you both need a bit of training with some of the weapons we use, but with practice, I have no doubt that you and Oberon will both be able to master them. You’re both fighting machines and even though we don’t have much use up here for guns, you’re both experts with those. I can tell you’ve both been trained well.”

  “O and I were personal guards to Julius, so we had to be proficient with guns and hand-to-hand combat,” Fane replied.

  “Which brings me to something I wanted to discuss with you, Fane,” Dell stated, drawing everyone's full attention. “With our visitors coming over the next few days and staying a week for our talks, I think it would be wise for me to show a force of strength. We’re not used to having outsiders visit us up here, and have only had to deal with the other breeds that call the tundra their home, and they are well aware of my pack’s reputation.”

  “And for good reason,” Ridge interjected. “The York pack is not only the largest pack of any paranormal in this state, it also has the most members, and everyone knows that you train every one of your pack members to fight and protect.” Ridge looked to Fane. “This pack is very well known as the one pack to not fuck with, or they’ll have to suffer the consequences. I love that I have found my true mate in Caleb, but I am grateful that he is a part of the York Pack for that very reason. The Heart Pack is large, but not nearly as big as this one and we’re known for our technological advantages as well as our wealth, but now with Caleb and Bo joining us, my pack is getting better at battle every day. I’m sure that with their leadership in training that my members will be just as fierce as Dell’s within the next year.” Ridge turned back to face Dell. “With all of that said, I’m sensing some worry coming from you, my friend. So, what is it?”

  Just then Goldie returned with their drinks and all conversation stopped until he left. Once alone again, Dell picked up right where they left off.

  “As I was saying, the other breeds around here know who the York Pack are and how quickly we can take over any one of them if they cause any trouble, but these new factions, the witch, Julius, even the Council, they don’t have any idea of who we really are, or Ridge’s pack for that matter. My father had gone on a few trips over the years when he was alpha and had to deal with a few other leaders and the Council, but it’s not something I have ever done, especially since taking over the pack. I’m fine with having one beta by my side and have absolutely no doubt in Jude’s ability in anything, but I worry that the others will look at it as a sign of weakness in my pack. Ridge has Jag and Caleb, but you also have Mason and TJ as your inner circle. Here, I don’t have that anymore. As you are all aware, my father's betas stepped down when he did, and have all gone on to retirement as well, so we are still in the rebuilding phase of my takeover,” Dell explained.

  “To us that’s not an issue. We have safeguards in place, like Tug, Legion, and a few others, so if anyone assumes that we are weak right now, they will be sorely mistaken. We just don’t have an official inner circle yet,” Jude added.

  “But having the Council here could cause an issue, like them insisting you have a second beta as well as a complete inner circle. Either forcing your hand to appoint members, or them sending in people of their own,” Ridge surmised.

  “Exactly,” Dell confirmed. “I know who my people are and how they feel about their positions here as well as their wishes.”

  “Like Tug not wanting the job even though he is an alpha/beta,” Caleb added.

  “That’s exactly what I mean. Tug is the next in line and the best for the job, but he doesn’t want it and I won’t force it on him. Tug is very happy and content in his life and I don’t want to cause strife for him or his mating, and he already has an important position in the pack. I respect my pack too much to do something like forcing them. I know Tug would do it if I ordered him to, but he would be miserable. Then there is Legion,” Dell confided with a sigh.

  “Who is a bit... intense for the job,” Caleb said knowingly.

  “Yes. He’s one of my best and next in line after Tug, but I don’t think he has the disposition for the job,” Dell replied.

  “What does that mean exactly?” Ridge asked.

  Caleb turned to look at his mate as he explained, “Legion is a Dominant through and through. He’s more like an alpha than a beta and will only submit to Dell because he knows that is pack law. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really good guy and cares deeply for this pack and everyone in it, but betas need to be able to listen to the pack and help them. Legion’s not really the custome
r-service type.” Caleb chuckled.

  “No, but I do feel like I need that show of strength while our visitors are here, so I have appointed Tug as my temporary third, and Legion as another beta in my inner circle. Again, both temporary,” Dell said.

  “But? I hear a but,” Ridge replied, with a smile.

  Dell chuckled and shook his head. “But, I think I should have a full inner circle for the visit as would be expected, which leads me to what I wanted to discuss with Fane.” Dell looked to Fane expectantly.

  Fane’s brows rose high as he stared at Dell. “Me? What can I do?”

  “You would be my next in line after Legion. In actuality you would be before Legion being an alpha/beta, and as Jude said, you’ve more than proven yourself capable. You’re just as fierce as any of my top warriors. I would like to appoint you as the last in my inner circle while the others are here,” Dell announced.

  Fane’s face twisted in surprise. “Me? But I’m new here. I’m sure other members in the pack would question that, or maybe even get offended.”

  “That’s not really my concern. The pack knows how things work. I don’t go by who is next on the hierarchy list. If I did, I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. I, like my father before me, choose who we think is best qualified for the job, not who is next on some list. It’s one of the ways the York pack has become as strong as it has, and everyone in this pack is fully aware of how we do things.”

  “Then there is always the connection to me and my pack,” Ridge added.

  “Yes, that is part of what I considered when Jude and I discussed this. With Caleb, brother to the York pack alpha, being true mated to the alpha of the Heart pack, we already show our commitment to our alliance. Now here you are, blood to the Heart alpha and mated to a member of the York pack, and someone I consider my family, my brother, and it could be seen as deepening the bonds of our two packs and ensuring we stand together,” Dell explained.