by JJ Massa
Before her eyes, his hair-covered face began to transform. The area around his nose changed and stretched. Soon, his head looked almost like that of a wolf only with thinner hair. He now had a semi-pointed, short muzzle with a longer, heavy lower jaw. His lips twisted in a snarl; enormous incisors and sharp canines could be seen. His gray eyes glowed eerily.
Although he was standing on two legs, they were dog’s legs and not those of a man. His knees arched out behind him and looked like they were backwards. His feet were huge and lupine, incredibly large.
His hair-covered arms were elongated and heavily muscled. While his hands still appeared similar to human hands, they were covered in rough hair and had razor sharp, curved claws at the end of each finger.
Auggie was covered from head to foot in a coat of coarse, thick fur, though it seemed to grow thicker at his back, neck and broad, barrel-like upper chest. In horrified fascination, Bethany saw that it shortened on his abdomen and stomach.
His coat was buff colored with red shading around his slightly pointed, furry ears, his muzzle, and the back of his arms and legs. Riveted, her eyes tracked the color changes until the fur shortened to a thick, downy pelt that covered Auggie’s daunting, completely human looking genitalia. It was human looking but oversized. She definitely didn’t want any part of that.
“Like what you see, Mommy?” the werewolf rumbled. “Doesn’t matter, you’re going to get it anyway.”
August moved forward and rubbed his enormous erection on her abdomen. Kaden erupted in a volley of cacophonic snarling rage. Roland dropped him, nursing a ripped and bleeding forearm.
Kaden shot across the room at Auggie ignoring his mother’s shouts of “NO, KADEN, NO!”
Auggie drew back his arm and swatted the toddler with the back of his hand, sending him hurtling against the wall. The boy slid down the wall, landing in a heap.
As Bethany watched, her baby shakily leaned forward onto his hands and knees and shook his head hard. This action sent droplets of blood from his nose in a wide arc around him. He remained on all fours, snarling low in his throat. Bethany could see his yellow eyes glowing.
Laughing eerily in his bestial voice, Auggie sneered at the boy. “See how you like this, whelp.”
He reached out with both hands and sliced Bethany’s shirt to ribbons. He sliced her bra off and, with a couple quick flicks of his wrists Bethany hung from the ceiling wearing mainly her delicate lace panties. With the claw on his index finger, Auggie cut the cuffs of her pants from around her ankles. He then tugged off her shoes and socks.
Kaden was growling louder now but stayed across the room. Auggie grabbed a handful of Bethany’s hair and jerked her head back. He looked at Kaden and snarled. He thrust his overlarge penis into the vee at her thighs and licked up the side of her neck.
Once again Kaden erupted. Mindless of Bethany’s pleas, he launched himself at Auggie. Kaden was able to sink his teeth deeply into the back of Auggie’s fur covered thigh and hang on. It was nearly a minute before the older Were peeled him off and flung him at the wall again. Screaming, Bethany noticed that he spat a chunk of Auggie’s flesh onto the floor when he hit.
* * * *
Home of Dr. Anita Livingston
Winston-Salem, NC
Lakon was able to convey to Riker that Kaden and Bethany were in a little shack southwest of the bend in the river. He even got a chance to let his brother know that Bethany had been hung from the ceiling on a hook.
He’d turned his attention back to Kameron right when the boy ripped a flap into the arm of the couch and then hurtled himself across the room. The barking and snarling coming from him was deafening.
As several other adults rushed to the room, they watched stunned, as the boy appeared to fly backward. Lakon had to hold his mother back when the toddler wobbled to his hands and knees and shook his head, spraying blood everywhere.
“Is this what’s happening to my other little grandbaby?” sobbed Elke.
“Yancey!” growled Lakon. Yancey pulled Elke back and pushed her into the doctor’s arms.
For over a minute, the tiny werewolf remained on his hands and knees snarling menacingly. As Lakon tried to communicate with him, Kameron hurled himself at the wing of a high-backed leather chair and hung on with his teeth. He seemed to be trying to avoid something but didn’t let go of the chair. Suddenly, he went sailing backward again with a chunk of the chair clenched in his teeth. After spitting it out, he crumpled into a dazed heap in front of the couch.
Lakon yipped, barked and growled, trying to get through to him. The boy just lay there. He shouted for the doctor and concentrated on letting his brother know what had taken place.
* * * *
South of the Toe River
Thanks to Lakon’s information, Riker now knew where to find his mate. As he approached, the racket Kaden was making masked the sounds of him and Tav calling to the Montgomery and Livingston werewolves. The last things Riker had seen through his brother’s eyes fueled his rage.
Riker coiled himself to spring just as Bethany began to scream and shout at Kaden. She sounded agonized and desperate. As Kaden landed in a heap at the base of the wall, his father launched himself through the door.
Auggie turned in time to see the door splinter inward with Riker erupting through it. He transformed into half-Were form in mid-leap, propelling Auggie to the wall and out into the night when parts of the fortification gave way.
Claws and teeth were ripping and tearing even before the snarling lupines landed on the ground. Riker never felt Auggie’s claws and teeth tearing at him. He crushed his cousin’s upper arm in his powerful jaws and threw the screaming Were against the trunk of a tree.
Riker was leaning over August, seconds from ripping his throat out when a whirling mass of red knocked him sideways. The enraged werewolf leaped up, prepared to do battle once again.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to kill the worthless piece of shit, son. But you’re family’s alive.” Beauford Montgomery tried to talk him down. “We’ll take him and lock him up. Mik Montgomery’s boy couldn’t live with himself if he murdered anyone in cold blood.”
August Livingston remained unconscious but alive at the base of the tree. Reluctantly, Riker nodded his head in acceptance. Beauford signaled and a couple of men approached, tying Auggie up and hauling him away.
Both lupines transformed and someone immediately pitched pairs of sweat pants and sweatshirts to them. Riker tugged his on quickly, eager to see about Bethany and check on Kaden.
*
A naked Tav had lifted Bethany from the hook and set her on her feet. Before he could cover her with a blanket someone had tossed at him, she jerkily made her way to her son. Even with bound hands she managed to gather her little boy into her arms.
Tav covered her and Kaden with the blanket. Someone handed him sweat pants and a sweatshirt and he pulled them on. Once dressed, he went to Bethany and untied her wrists.
Bethany was aware of all this activity, but she only cared about Kaden and Riker. She couldn’t stop crying. She had limitless faith in Riker, she knew he’d be okay. Kaden was not such a sure thing. Her baby made no sound, only lying in her arms, seemingly lifeless. He had a pulse and his eyes were half open, but he didn’t move or respond.
The growling and fighting outside had stopped and she heard a deep southern voice talking. She was worried about her other little boy. With Kaden in this shape, what must Kameron be suffering, so far away?
After what seemed like forever but was likely only a few minutes, Riker make his way through the hole he and Auggie had fashioned in the wall. Bethany looked up at him, sobbing helplessly. Riker dropped to the floor and gathered his son and his mate onto his lap, holding them and rocking them.
Tav handed Riker a sweatshirt and pants for her and then ushered everyone out of the little shack. Bethany sat on her mate’s lap helpless as he pulled the shirt over her head and helped her put her arms in the sleeves. She was still holding Kaden, not relea
sing him even to dress.
He tugged the pants over her legs and up and gathered Bethany and Kaden against his chest. “Let’s go get our other boy,” he rumbled.
Riker carried them to Beauford’s car and slid into the backseat. Tav slid in to the front passenger seat. Tav and Beauford talked quietly during the ride back. Bethany sat in Riker’s lap with a silent Kaden between them.
Chapter 12
Home of Dr. Anita Livingston
Winston-Salem, NC
Riker had let his brother know that they were on their way. Upon reaching Dr. Livingston’s house, they found Kameron in his uncle’s arms, head resting on Lakon’s shoulder. The boy was as still and unresponsive as his brother. The doctor had no idea what to do for the tiny twin boys.
Mik was stable and Elke choose to stay with Anita Livingston to be near him. Beauford accepted Anita’s offer to stay overnight as well. Although he said he wanted to renew his friendship with Mik, Riker noticed absently that the red headed man inhaled deeply while in conversation with the doctor.
After treating Bethany’s shoulder and assorted scrapes, Maisie Montgomery left with several of her kinfolk heading back to Duke University Medical Center. If the boys didn’t show signs of improvement in a couple of days, Riker knew they’d be traveling to Durham to see her.
Yancey had offered to share his home with Riker’s family including Lakon, Winsome and Tav. There was plenty of room and it was close by. His offer was accepted.
Needing the closeness, Bethany and Riker put the boys in the bed between them and let Winsome sleep on the floor. Riker knew the hybrid felt like he and Bethany did; they were just glad to be together. He fell asleep reflecting that collectively he’d spent less than a week with his family and couldn’t imagine living one more day away from them.
* * * *
February 8
Home of Yancey Livingston
Winston-Salem, NC
Riker woke slowly, taking stock of himself and his situation. He was in bed with his mate and his sons. He knew that Bethany was still in shock and probably fighting pneumonia or something like it.
He opened his eyes and reached for her when a soft little head popped up in front of him. Suddenly, another little body flung itself at him and he was buried beneath his squirming, giggling toddlers.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” they chortled over and over.
Riker couldn’t help himself, he wrapped both arms around them and sunk his head in between theirs. They squirmed away and pounced on Bethany, giggling and chanting.
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” more giggles. Bethany sneezed into them and the twins squealed and chattered.
Riker heard the door open as he gathered his entire family in his arms and rolled with them off the edge of the bed. Winsome dived into the fray, barking and licking indiscriminately. Lakon, Tav, and Yancey stood back laughing, relieved and enjoying the sight.
* * * *
“I’m afraid to relax,” Riker told Beauford, Lakon, Yancey and Tav an hour later. Yancey just nodded. Riker thought he, too, might be a little stunned by the whole mess.
Anita was examining Bethany and the boys for any lasting damage. She would be giving Bethany a vitamin shot and anything else she could find to help her conquer the effects the cold and trauma had caused.
“The local Livingston pack took custody of August. Anita made sure he’d be going to a medical facility run by pack members who don’t give a damn about bloodlines,” Beauford told them.
“We’re going to have to do some serious house cleaning, brother,” Lakon stated.
“I wonder how deep this whole bloodline phobia goes,” Riker pondered. “I know we need to stay aware of danger but … from our own pack?” Riker gave Yancey’s shoulder a fraternal squeeze. He wanted the man to know that he was trusted.
“It’s tough for you guys, Riker, because you’re Alpha and Beta over a joined pack. It’s the same as being Alpha and Beta over two packs.” Yancey spoke up.
“And then there are your day jobs…” Tav laughed.
“If you were better looking I’d give you my day job,” Riker joked.
“Nah, I’m fine just being one of your minions,” Tav retorted.
“Seriously,” Lakon wasn’t ready to drop the matter, “There’s just no way to be sure who was on Auggie’s best-buddy list. How do we know who’s who?”
“We start by asking Roland,” Beauford said with an evil smile.
“Roland?” asked Riker. He didn’t know any Roland.
“That’s the guy we caught sneaking away last night when you jumped Auggie. Your boy tore through some of the veins and tendons in his arm. Thought he was gonna bleed to death,” Beauford informed them.
“That must be when Kameron ripped a flap in Anita’s couch,” Lakon got a funny look on his face. “Riker, I think you owe that woman a set of furniture. Kameron put two holes in her couch and ripped a chunk out of a leather chair.”
Before Riker could answer, Beauford did. “That’s okay, son, I’ll get the good doctor some nice new furniture. You should see the chunk the other boy took out of Auggie.”
* * * *
February 9
Home of Yancey Livingston
Bethany lay in bed listening as her family left to visit Mik. She had been ordered to stay in bed and rest, keeping her germs to herself. Although the doctor hadn’t given her any medicine that was all that strong, she was still pretty tired.
Lakon, Riker and Tav had taken the boys and gone to see Mik so she was alone in the house. She’d been dozing on and off when she heard the doorbell. Blearily, she stumbled into the living room to see who it was.
She stood in the doorway, shocked, gaping at her visitor. Her guest had taken her by the shoulders and was holding her away, admiring the sleep shirt Elke had had made for her. It was white with a picture of herself, Riker, and the boys on the front. Emblazoned in red writing down the side of the picture was the word “Wolfpack”.
“Now that’s funny,” grinned Marc Fonteneax.
“Marc!” she breathed, wrapping her arms around him.
He wrapped both arms around her, resting his cheek on the top of her head. “I’m so happy for you, Bethany. So happy for the boys.”
“Thank you, Marc,” she leaned her head back to look up at him. “I remember what you said that night in Tampa.”
“I’m glad. I meant it.” He favored her with one of his unblinking stares. “I did mean it, Bethany. I’ll always be there for you and those pups. Anytime you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Marc, you—I’ll always love you. You know that. But I’m in love with Riker. The kind of love that owns your soul. There will never be anyone else for me.”
Bethany didn’t want to hurt this man who’d done so much for her family. She did care about him. If not for Riker, she might have fallen for him.
He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her forehead. “You are a very special woman, Bethany Black Montgomery. I freely admit to being more than a little in love with you. That’s why I’m so damned happy you’re with your mate.”
She stared into his yellow eyes, so much lighter than Riker’s. Tears were gathering in her eyes. Must be the drugs and the exhaustion.
“I want the best for you,” Marc went on. “Nothing less will do. Riker is your mate and he’s what you need. He is the best for you.”
“Marc, I want you to have what I have,” Bethany sniffed. He smiled down at her.
Slowly, Marc lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her gently, tenderly. He swept her tears away with his thumbs.
“I’ll come back later and play with my favorite pups. I want to meet Riker. I hope I can take Tav back to Tampa with me.” He pulled her close for another hug. “Go rest and get better, Bethany. Let your mate take care of you.”
* * * *
Marc pulled the door closed and leaned against it for a second. He did love that woman. He wasn’t sure if he was in love with her or not but he really did love her. Truthfully, he w
as deeply happy for her and those pups. He felt like he’d been struggling alongside of them for a year and a half. He guessed had been.
“In general, I take a dim view of other men putting their arms around my mate. I’m even more unreasonable when it comes to them kissing her.”
Marc opened his mouth to speak when Riker cut him off.
“Lucky for you, you said almost all the right things. It doesn’t hurt that you helped take care of my family when I couldn’t get to them.” He stuck out a hand. “Hell, I can’t fault your taste in women.”
Marc grinned, relieved. He shook Riker’s hand. Up close like this, power literally poured off the other werewolf. He was damned glad Riker hadn’t felt the need to challenge him.
“I didn’t say anything I didn’t mean. I’ll be there if she needs me. I’ll be there if those pups need me.” Marc braced himself. He still gripped Riker’s right hand in a tight handshake.
“I’m going to count on that, friend.” Riker pumped Mark’s hand and dropped it.
“Mind if I come back later?” Marc asked.
“If you don’t I’ll find you and kick your ass.” Riker didn’t smile.
“Is that how the Montgomery’s usually invite people over?” Marc wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not.
Riker shrugged. “It’s less trouble—I don’t have to buy any stamps or lick any envelopes.” He squeezed the other man’s shoulder. “They should all be back in about two hours or so.”
“Sounds good.” Marc nodded and walked away.
* * * *
Bethany was very surprised when she felt Riker brush the hair from her face.
“I thought you went with everyone to see your dad?” she asked him rolling over to look at him.
“Dad’s doing well and I’ll see him later. I have a feeling it’s going to be harder finding time alone with my mate. I met Marc,” he told her. She nodded.
That warm golden glow in his eyes was giving her wicked ideas. She did her best to beat them down.
“Riker? Why was August after us? What was that all about?” Bethany finally asked him the question that had been on her mind for a year and a half or so.
