Rule of Claw: Wolves of Worsham #1

by Valerie Evans

  “Uncle Landon?”

  His lips curved into a painful smile as her features cleared and her fingers were given a squeeze. “You look worried,” he managed to croak out before a coughing fit struck. “Which makes me think you have a bet with Elliot or Alexis.”

  Eliana shook her head, quickly and swiped at her eyes. “I’m just glad you’re okay,” she said, quietly. “And I’m sorry I was so mean.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t a good uncle,” he replied, glancing down to the strange mass felt against his arm. His lips curved into a smile that became a grimace as he studied the stuffed wolf that he’d found under her bed at Matthew’s. “When did Goop get here?”

  She fidgeted with her hair and looked down before mumbling, “I thought he might make you feel better.”

  Landon smiled. “You know what made me feel even better?”

  He waited for her to look at him then said, “Seeing you, but I guess we should let everyone else know I’m awake. You want to do the honors?”

  Eliana nodded before her fingers slipped from his then she moved to the door, pulling it open to shout, “He’s awake!”

  He winced at the sheer volume, but he couldn’t be mad when she came back to his side and immediately slid her hand back into his. He squeezed her fingers then nudged the stuffed wolf back toward her so she’d pick it up, tucking it into the crook of her own arm. Quick footfalls reached him from the partially open bedroom doorway.

  His mother and Imogene were in front of him mere seconds later, though seeing them together made him frown. “I must really have cut it close if you two are hanging out together.”

  “Hush, you.” His mother’s words were absent of their usual anger as she moved to the bed. One hand brushed back his hair before she bent to kiss his forehead as he could rarely recall her doing since his childhood.

  “As soon as you’re well again, you’re picking up training with the guard, especially Roy,” she ordered, sounding more like her old self. “You’re out of practice and sloppy.”

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  As if having come to some kind of unspoken agreement, Eliana gave his fingers a last squeeze then headed for the door with his mother while Imogene settled onto the edge of the bed. His fingers were immediately seeking hers out and bringing them to his lips despite the lingering pain in both his hands and his face. He wanted to touch her face except his fingers wouldn’t lift that far and instead settled for holding her hand against his cheek.

  “I agree with your mom,” she said, offering a tired smile. He let out a weak laugh that turned into a pained groan at the idea of them agreeing on anything. “Also Steven said you’re welcome.”

  The mention of Steven made him frown as his mind replayed the last things he remembered, including the strange click in the office and Steven’s wolf slamming into him. A window and part of the wall had buckled under their combined weights, but he had no memories beyond that aside from Steven’s voice, unfamiliar growls and shouting, and then nothing except blackness closing in around him.

  “What about the others?” Landon asked, fingers clenching on hers involuntarily. “Ty?”

  “He’s okay,” she rushed to reassure him, though the follow-up hesitation said the same couldn’t be said for everyone. “He and Charlie went to the bar, but . . .”

  “What?”

  “Your third representative didn’t make it,” she said, quietly, having forgotten the name given their lack of extended contact. “Neither did the Langford cousin.”

  Hearing it put into words, Landon frowned as he recalled the explosion and Tyler’s proclamation about them having company prior to him stepping into the office. He’d sent almost everyone out into an ambush, hadn’t he? It had also been his careless actions in the office that had triggered the explosion which said he was responsible for any potential injuries Steven had sustained as well as the death of the Langford wolf.

  As if sensing the direction of his thoughts, Imogene withdrew her hand from his and cupped his face so he had no choice but to meet her eyes. “Everyone knew the risks involved,” she said then shook her head when his mouth started to open. “No, Landon, the packs voted to rush into a confrontation with dangerous humans, and lives were lost. It is on all of our heads, and I’ll be damned if you’re going to beat yourself up about it.”

  His mouth closed without voicing his intended argument before he asked, “Do you know what happened with the ones outside?”

  “No, the alphas put everyone under a gag order until the next tribunal,” she said, allowing her hands to drop away from his face to linger on his chest. “Scott’s likely throwing a fit since your mom and Micah are standing by it, but it seemed important all involved parties were present so we were waiting for you.”

  “How long have I been out?” he questioned and started to push himself up except he immediately winced and slumped. “Why does everything hurt, Immy?”

  She frowned sympathetically at his question then gestured toward the area of his stomach that seemed lumpier than usual. “Nearly four hours. Dr. Steele had to pick silver out of your guts so I’m guessing the healing is slow. Want me to take a look?”

  He hesitated then gave a nod, pushing back the covers to reveal a thick, white bandage covering a large section of his stomach. Blood spotted the cloth, but his extra senses weren’t picking up any fresh or scent of infection. Her fingers slowly worked the edge of the tape free then pulled it up, exposing a small corner of his skin then more and more while she continued to peel. He could see an obvious flush to his skin with several rigid, white scars where the silver had likely entered his body, but it appeared to have largely healed in the hours he’d been asleep.

  Careful of any lingering soreness, she traced her fingers over the scars, and he bit back a hiss that he wasn’t entirely sure came from pain. His eyes or expression must have given away his thoughts since Imogene took one look at his face then withdrew her touch, quickly and ordered, “No, you’re nowhere near ready for anything on that scale to happen.”

  “Can I get a kiss then?” Landon’s pout made her smile as she leaned up and brushed her lips against his, barely letting the touch linger. “You call that a kiss? I think you should let me give you lessons.”

  Instead of being offended, Imogene laughed, quietly and gave his shoulder a light smack. “Keep it up, funny guy, and I’ll find someone else to kiss,” she threatened with a mock glare. His fingers moved to interlace with hers again, holding both against his chest. “You really had us worried.”

  He sighed, quietly. “I didn’t want to worry anyone, Immy, but Mom is right that I’m out of practice. I’ll get better, though.”

  “I know you will,” she agreed, squeezing his fingers. “I think your mom might also be coming around to the idea of us being together.”

  His brows came together to cause wrinkles in his forehead before he asked, “Is there still an us? You didn’t seem too sure about us before everything went to shit, and I don’t want you with me just because I almost died, Imogene.”

  Her full name on his lips sounded strange, and it took him a minute to understand why. He’d only called her Imogene at their first meeting before switching to the more casual Im that had transitioned into Immy. While he didn’t like the sound of her full name from him, he wanted to ensure their conversation remained a serious one rather than being rushed.

  “You didn’t almost die, drama king.” Her tone said she wasn’t entirely sure if she’d lied, but she continued, “I do have some apprehensions, and it’s going to take time for me to fully trust you, but I want to try, for both of us. That is if you still want to be with me.”

  Landon’s lips lifted into a smile before he asked, “Are you kidding? You were always my favorite part of pack life, Immy, and I’m glad I haven’t ruined things between us by being absent and a jerk.”

  Imogene returned his smile then leaned forward to kiss him once more, allowing the kiss to linger a moment longer but not deepen. “Think we have
a few minutes before you siblings descend?”

  As if the question had summoned them, he heard footsteps in the hallway again then Riley and Alexis’ heads popped into the bedroom doorway. He couldn’t even be upset at the interruption or Imogene’s stepping away because both were suddenly at his sides, performing their own checks on his well-being. Instead of complaining about the attention, he laid still until they were satisfied then accepted the hug from Riley, amused at the almost delicate way she squeezed him, though his own hug wasn’t nearly so fragile. He planted a follow-up kiss on the top of her head.

  “In honor of you not dying, I have cancelled all the bets about you,” Alexis said, prompting a snort from Imogene who’d settled back into her chair. “I will be returning the money of anyone who bet on you leaving, dying, or getting killed.”

  His brows lifted at those words as he released Riley and questioned, “Why are you like this, Alexis?”

  Her shoulders lifted in a shrug before she leaned in to give him a squeeze then whispered, “All my bets were on you staying.”

  Giving her head a kiss similar to the one for Riley, he let her pull away from the hug and automatically found his hand reaching toward Imogene. Hers settled into it without hesitation, lacing their fingers together. “I don’t suppose Matthew’s turned back up?”

  “No, but if he’s not back by the end of the month, I owe Alexis a week behind the bar,” came Charlie’s voice from the doorway. “I’m hoping this is one of his shorter tantrums.”

  Tyler stepped into the room behind him. “Is there anyone who doesn’t owe Alexis something?”

  Almost immediately, Landon picked up on the stiffness in Alexis’ posture and how Riley shifted to place herself between her twin and best friend. He caught Tyler’s wince, too, but he didn’t ask for an explanation, choosing to focus instead on smiling at the sight of all his siblings in one place without it being a tribunal or an awkward family dinner. Who cared if it had taken nearly dying to make it happen?

  Charlie came deeper into the room to stand at the foot of the bed then questioned, “You’re really good, Landon? Nothing permanent?”

  “Just some scars that prove I’m the cooler brother,” he said with a smirk that prompted several laughs. “Mom’s already ordered me to begin training with the guard again, but I’d already made my peace with Roy and planned to do that anyway.”

  “You should have resumed as soon as you came back to town.”

  Landon forced his eyes not to roll at those words, though before he could object, Riley chimed in with, “He had more important things to do like wooing Imogene, and I’d say he’s done really well there so leave him alone for now.”

  Alexis gave a dramatic sigh. “I should have taken bets on that.”

  Instead of the offense he’d expected Imogene to take, a glance toward her found a smile, though she followed up with a question of, “Want to start now? I bet you twenty bucks that I can walk into the upcoming tribunal holding his hand and Melanie won’t say a single word.”

  Biting back an urge to smile, he averted his gaze while Alexis, Tyler, and Charlie accepted the bet like the suckers they were. Only Riley declined and gave him a knowing look as she looped an arm around Alexis’ shoulders. She’d always been more perceptive than the rest so he wasn’t surprised she could guess at his mother’s approval, or possibly she’d eavesdropped on whatever had happened between his mother and Imogene while he’d slept away the day.

  “So when is this tribunal happening?” he questioned, forcing himself to sit up a bit and wincing at the pressure on his stomach. “I can’t imagine Scott’s going to wait forever.”

  Charlie lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Who honestly cares what that jackass thinks? Mom and I already let him know we weren’t meeting until we knew if you were going to make it, and Micah agreed so he got outvoted.”

  “But we do need to make a plan going forward,” Imogene admitted from her place at his side. “You think you’re well enough to get up and dress? You shouldn’t have to say much since Steven can cover the same set of events, and you weren’t outside so mostly it’s just sitting there to prove you’re alive.”

  “Then let’s go ruin Scott’s night with the news that I’m not dead.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Contrary to the lingering pain in more of his body than not, Landon argued against riding or being carried to tribunal. He did consent to support from Imogene since it kept her tucked against him with her arm around his waist and his encircling her shoulders. His brothers flanked them on either side with a level of seriousness that he tried hard not to find funny while Riley and Alexis brought up the rear with the twins, having foregone going ahead with their grandmother.

  “You sure you’re up for this?” Imogene’s concern made him smile as he glanced down to her worried expression.

  “I’m up for anything with you by my side,” he informed her, ignoring the look from Tyler. “Besides, the sooner we get this done, the sooner I can get back to sleeping, right? You’re welcome to sleep with me, Immy.”

  “Tone it down, Romeo,” Charlie ordered as they got closer to the opening that led to the amphitheater. “Also, you might want to let her go before Mom sees.”

  Imogene caught his eye and winked without taking a step away. He gestured with his head for his brothers to go ahead before he followed them down the rows, aware of all the eyes on him and the whispers. Only the Langfords wolves stayed facing forward, though Scott’s narrowed eyes and scowl said enough about his feelings for being kept waiting.

  Instead of being bothered, Landon let Imogene lead him over to the open bench at the front then eased down onto it with a wince.

  “You’re good?” she questioned, frowning at the wince as she remained in front of him.

  “I’m great,” he replied while the others settled in around him, including Eliana taking the seat to his left. “Go do your alpha thing and make Scott miserable.”

  Giving him a quick kiss, she finally gave a nod then moved to the stage and accepted Micah’s hand to step up. He caught the other wolf’s lips moving, but he had no way of knowing what he said. Micah’s lack of expression when he glanced over gave him no clue, though the pair were soon in their seats and his mother stood from hers beside Charlie.

  “I’m glad everyone is finally here,” she began with a smile toward him. It disappeared a moment later into the alpha’s stoicism, though he heard grumbling behind him before Alexis and Tyler tossed their money from the earlier bet with Imogene onto the nearby bench. “I’m also pleased to say our casualties remain at two for the events at The Red Stag, but I ask that we take a moment to honor Carter Langford and Peter Dennings who were sadly lost to us.”

  Along with the other wolves, Landon bent his head forward and pictured the pair in question. He’d known Peter for years but the large discrepancy in their ages had limited contact, and he only knew Carter by appearances. He’d been closer to Riley and Tyler’s age than his own, though if memory serves, he was one of the less self-involved Langfords which made his loss twice the shame. However, he couldn’t wish Elias’ loss or anyone else’s so he settled for the usual silence until his mother’s throat clearing prompted his head to lift.

  “As to the events that transpired, there were two bodies found at The Red Stag who’d presumably been injured during the attack at the creek,” she said, drawing all eyes back to her. “Several others showed up with similar weapons to those used at the creek, including the devices that block turning, and were taken out by the pack representatives led by Tyler with support from Elias. We do have the devices, though the actual design seems to vary from person to person. We will be investigating them.”

  Landon snuck a glance toward Scott and noticed the scowl that came up at his son being referred to as support yet he had no opportunity to voice his complaint.

  “Attempts to apprehend the attackers alive were unsuccessful,” his mother continued then gestured toward where Steven sat among the Durand wolv
es. “Steven and Landon also found more anti-wolf propaganda in the office before the explosion destroyed it, though I’m assured it matches the flyers that have been turning up around town.”

  Scott interrupted, “So are you saying the threat is gone?”

  “No.” His mother’s response was swift and without looking away from the wolves gathered in front of them before she continued, “I’m saying we let them establish too much of a foothold and multiple pack members paid the price for our carelessness. We can’t assume everything is a threat, but we need to be more vigilant to avoid future bloodshed.”

  Alexis leaned forward to whisper, “I love when Mama Mel goes into Braveheart mode.”

  An unexpected snort escaped Riley at the words, though she turned it into a sneeze at the sharp glance from Charlie's spot on the stage.

  Instead of a rebuttal from Scott, Micah asked, “So what would your suggestion be, Melanie?”

  In the silence that followed, he wondered if his mother had a plan, but just as he began to lose faith, she finally said, “I know we haven’t done it in years, but I say we go back to the patrols and station the guard throughout town on the regular. Patrols will remain in wolf form and won’t engage without a direct attack. We look for anyone who overly reacts to our presence or more of those devices that prevent turning, more flyers or any documentation that’s anti-wolves, and we need people inside every bar and dining establishment on a nightly basis.”

  “Won’t that lead to questions?” Scott interrupted with a glance at Charlie who pointedly ignored him. “If our people are suddenly out among them rather than staying closer to home?”

  “It’s not like we’re a secret,” Imogene pointed out. “A lot of us have jobs in town anyway and generally interact with the population on a regular basis so the biggest change is the ones in wolf form plus the majority of us aren’t exclusive to Bordertown.”