by Mathew Ortiz
William had met Alpha Prime Switchmore. The man was charming, smart, and dedicated to his pack. He ascended without much competition. Any wolf could have challenged Switchmore, but all they had to do was see the man and they’d tuck tale and run. Over six-six and nearly three hundred pounds, the man was built like a lumberjack. Huge shoulders and tree trunks for legs, he sported a full bushy auburn beard and shaggy hair. His voice was deep and gravelly, and his laugh was like a sonic boom.
William thought the man was gorgeous. Too bad he was straight, had a wife and mate he adored, and nine cubs. Nine! His pack, the Redwood Gorge Pack, was one of the largest in the world. The merger of Dathan’s pack with the other upped his numbers, and now Dathan was right behind Switchmore in regards to pack size, which was a secret nugget of pride for Dathan.
“Then I give you nothing but good news for Alpha Prime Switchmore. I formally apologize for the actions of the previous Keeper and ask for a chance to show that the Earth Clan has nothing but respect for the Shifter Clans. We hope that we can put this behind us and move forward in the spirit of mutual cooperation during these trying times.” Mags ended her speech, and the two men stared at her.
William burst out laughing, grabbing his stomach as he snorted. “Good God. You actually said that with a straight face.”
Dathan looked confused. William explained. “That was the most well-crafted, well-executed, totally nothing like my aunt speech I’ve ever heard.”
“How so?”
Mags glowered at William, but he forged on. “Most times she would say fuck it and go on.”
Dathan smiled slightly at that. “That’s how I usually handle things. I hate the niceties and politics of being an Alpha. My mother says I have to work on my communications skills.”
“I know! It’s all bullshit. I wish I could just tell ’em to fuck off. I’m Keeper. My word is law!” Mags snorted around her smoke. William chuckled and got up. He snatched the cigarette from his aunt and took a long drag. He held it and let the pleasant buzz of the nicotine fill his brain. Exhaling, he handed it back to his aunt.
“Not a word to Rush. Got it?” He jabbed his fingers at her.
“Perish the thought.” Gazing heaven ward, she finished the smoke. Crushing out the butt, she knocked back the rest of her drink. “I have to take you before the Earth Clan Council in a few weeks and formally announce the end of the feud. Is that possible?”
Dathan frowned. “I can’t stay that long. My pack needs me.”
“Perhaps your Beta could stay? As an ambassador, so to speak, of the Water Clan?” William offered, and Mags and Dathan stared at him. “Your brother is more than welcome to stay here at Oswald House.”
“I guess that would be okay. If Donovan is fine with it, he can stay. I’ll come back after you get the meeting with your Council set up.” Plopping back down in the chair, Dathan closed his eyes and sighed wearily. “I can see how this job can make you old and cranky.”
“It can. Right, Aunt Mags?” William snickered.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, William.” Mags set her empty glass down. “I need to make some calls. William, can you have the family here for dinner tonight?”
“I figured as much when Bea said they would be back for dinner. How much family are we talking here?”
“Yours, mine, and the Temples.”
He let out the breath he was holding. “Sure, no problem. How about at seven?”
“Wonderful. See you then.” She nodded to Dathan. “Alpha.” She strode out of William’s office. William snorted, and he and Dathan left the office and made their way down the hall to the guest wing. Walking by the conservatory, movement got their attention. Rush and Duncan were standing on their heads in the Conservatory. William forgot Rush and Duncan practiced yoga every day. Rush was trying to stimulate Duncan’s appetite with low impact exercise. It helped, though only marginally. William winked at his bondmate.
“Hey, blondie.” Rush dropped into a tumble and came up into a sitting position. Duncan did the same. Rush pushed himself up and came over to William. He leaned in as if he was going to kiss William when he jerked back.
“You’ve been smoking!” The accusation hung in the air, and William’s neck warmed.
“One puff! That was it!”
“William!”
“Rush, give me a break. If was one puff.”
“Who are we kidding? I know all about your stash of smokes.” Rush stood rigid. “I don’t have to have the power of Divination to know you’re sneaking smokes behind my back.”
***
Dathan gaped as the two men argued, neither of them giving an inch. These men were bondmates. True male-to-male mates were still very uncommon in the packs, but it did happen. Here was a human and a witch arguing like pair of bulldogs. A sigh came from his left. The middle brother Duncan stood beside him, slinging his towel over his shoulder. He smelled of sweat and an odd under scent. He looked ill, too pale and frail for a man his size. He inhaled again, but the scent didn’t get any clearer. Rush and William were now shouting, and it started to hurt his ears.
Duncan said over the din, “I guess yoga is over for the day. Follow me, Alpha Dathan. I’ll take you to your room.” He scoffed at his brother and brother-in-law and sidled around to Dathan. Duncan left the room quickly. Casting one last worried look behind him, Dathan hurried to catch up with Duncan.
“Are they going to be all right?” Dathan asked. His parents had hardly ever argued when he was growing up. They certainly never yelled like that. His father gave the orders, and his mother had obeyed.
“Oh, sure. William is an alpha male, and so is Rush. They clash at times. Don’t worry. If I know my brother and Rush, they’ll fight for another few minutes, get all worked up, go upstairs and have angry sex, and all will be well in the Blackthorne-Harrington branch of the family.”
Duncan turned and began ascending a flight of stairs to the second floor of the guest quarters.
“What’s on the first floor?” Dathan asked as he took the stairs behind Duncan.
“Garages.”
“Garages?”
“Yes, we have six cars, two SUVs, and two trucks. Oh, and one motorcycle. That’s Oliver’s baby.”
“Oh.”
Duncan stopped and looked over his shoulder at Dathan. “Oh?”
“Would it be totally un-PC of me to say I thought you all rode brooms?” Dathan grinned.
Duncan chuckled. “Yes. It would. As much as it would be for me to ask if you had fleas.”
Dathan like this guy. His dry humor was more along his style. “Not in my pack.” He lifted his hands as he shrugged. “I can’t vouch for other packs.”
“Can I be honest with you, Alpha Dathan?”
“Please call me Dathan, and yes.”
“You’re not what I expected.”
Dathan tilted his head to one side. “In what way?”
“You are not what I expected. I was taught shifters were ignorant. Savage. Forgive me, but all I learned from shifters came from my mother. Who, I now know, was more than a little biased. So bear with me, but I’m curious… does it hurt to shift?”
“Only the first time. Sometime around the onset of puberty we shift for the first time. First shift coincides with the first full moon for the individual when the person’s body is ready.”
“That’s right. You are tied to the moon.” Duncan resumed walking, and the two men made the landing.
“Yes. As the moon grows fuller, we become more powerful. Our shifts take less time. We heal even faster. Conversely, as it wanes, so does the enhancement to our abilities.”
Duncan continued walking down the guest wing all, and Dathan fell in beside him.
“How does it feel?”
“Shifting?”
“Yes.”
Dathan stopped and deliberated for second. “It’s amazing. The shifting feels like brisk rushing water over your skin. Like going down a very tall, very steep water slide. I love it. And once
it’s done, you’re a wolf. Your senses are more acute, you’re faster, and you’re so free.” Dathan did his best to describe the joy of going on a run with his pack mates; the smells, the taste of a fresh kill, and the comfort of the pack. You knew you had a place, a home, and a family to have your back. That’s why his father refused Mia Blackthorne. A wolf without a pack would go mad. Wolves didn’t do well alone. That had been the crux of the issue with his father and Duncan’s mother. Hopefully things would get better between the clans.
So far, the Oswald-Blackthornes had been hospitable and very easy to talk with. Nothing like the arrogant assholes his father made them out to be. He still didn’t trust them completely, but baby steps. They were all taking baby steps.
“It sounds wonderful. Here you are.” Duncan pointed to a closed door.
“Thank you, and it is.”
“I envy you in that freedom. Being an Oswald comes with more baggage than the Titanic.”
“I couldn’t even imagine.” And he couldn’t. The Oswald were an old and powerful family with more than a few enemies. “Duncan, forgive me, but may I ask you a personal question?”
Duncan paused. “Sure.”
Dathan swallowed and pushed on. “Are you ill?” Dathan saw the younger man’s face go bleak, and instantly he backtracked. “If I offended—“
“No, you didn’t offend. I know I look like a corpse.” Duncan sighed. “Forgive me Dathan, it’s hard to speak of—“
“Forget I asked.”
“No, I need to talk about it. I found my bondmate a few months ago. When he was taken from me, our new bonding was abruptly torn asunder. I--I am finding life difficult to live without him.” Misery filled the soft blue eyes.
Dathan stood stunned. The mere idea of having your mate taken from you made him shiver deep in his soul. He had seen wolf shifters go feral at the loss of their mates, leaving the packs to go back into the Green, never to return. His own mother languished since his father’s murder. Only her maternal need to care for his younger siblings got her out of her bed some days. Come to think of it, that’s why Duncan’s appearance had pricked his memory. His mother was pale and thin like young Blackthorne.
“My own mother lost her mate, my father, not long ago.” Dathan frowned. “She looks so small.”
“Be there for her, Dathan. That’s all you can do. I can’t speak for your mother, but honestly, all I want to do is be with Zeke. I long for death’s cold touch so I can be with the man who is the other half of my soul.” He stopped talking, deflating in front of Dathan. “Dinner is at seven. Dress is casual.”
Duncan gave Dathan a nod and headed back to the main house. Dathan sniffed the air again. Death, that was the scent he smelled. It was also the same scent he smelled on his mother. Alarmed, he needed to speak to his mother. It was Duncan’s eyes. Though the guy appeared happy and was very pleasant, his eyes were sad, just like his mother’s eyes. Resolute, he was going to call his mother as soon as he could. What he really wanted right now was a hot shower. He had a lot to think about.
Chapter 5
“I’ll be gone for a few weeks at most. Until then, you’re my eyes and ears and representative for our pack.” Dathan intoned as he packed his suitcase.
He and Donovan had been at the Oswald house for over a week, and it was time to get back to his pack. He didn’t like being gone for so long, and it was time to head home. Margaret Oswald had offered Millhouse Kenttingham as transport. The young witch would teleport him back to the Cold Creek Pack main house. Millhouse would get him home in less than forty minutes. Delighted as he was, Dathan wasn’t sure he liked the idea of the young witch knowing where their pack compound was. Donovan was lying back on the huge unmade bed, fiddling with his nails as Dathan gathered his things.
“Got it.”
“Report back daily to me.”
“Got it.”
“Oh and if anything odd happens, call me. Use your phone and light that candle Aunt Rachel enchanted for us. It blocks eavesdropping spells. I prefer to speak to you in private.”
“Got it--Ow! Whydya hit me?” Donovan rubbed his leg where Dathan had just slapped him.
“Pay attention, cornholer. I want this alliance to work. I may not trust these witches, but I--no we--need this for our pack. The Oswalds are one of the most powerful and influential witching families in North America. Being allied with them would deter any supernatural family from messing with us.”
Donovan sighed and rolled his eyes. “I know, I know! Chill out, Dathan. I got your back. It’s not just your pack. It’s mine, too! I want them safe.”
Mollified, Dathan resumed packing. Shoving the last few items in his bag, he zipped it up and slung the case to the ground. As if by magic, and he wasn’t certain if it wasn’t, a rapping at the door got their attention.
“Come in,” they both chorused. The door swung open, and Mr. Singh appeared.
“Can I take your bag, Alpha Temple?”
“Uh…of course.” Dathan looked to Donovan. Why did Mr. Singh need to take his bag?
“I’ll take it to the library. Mr. Kenttingham will be here shortly.” Singh crossed over, picked up the suitcase and started to leave, then added, “No one can teleport into the house except in the entry and the library, unless given specific permission by one of the family. He’ll be here in ten minutes.” Singh inclined his head to Donovan. “Beta Temple.” With that, he left them staring at his retreating form.
“At times, this place is plain creepy,” Donovan whispered. Dathan’s head bobbed in agreement. “Gotta go.”
Dathan and Donovan left the guest wing, walking in silence as the navigated the huge house. They passed through the main house and the entryway. Various staff members bade Dathan goodbye, including the pert and very young housemaid Karina. She flashed Dathan a smile, and his wolf growled low in his head. Donovan must have smelled his brother’s arousal. He quirked Dathan a knowing smile.
“Shut it.”
“She likes you. I can smell it.” Donovan wiggled his nose at Dathan.
“Not interested.”
Donovan placed a hand on Dathan’s forehead, shaking his head. “Nope, no fever. Thought you had a case of mange.”
Dathan swatted his hands away. “Get off. I’m not interested in her.”
“Did your dick fall off?”
“And that’s the end of this conversation. Call me later today.”
“Got it, boss.” Dathan snarled and Donovan snickered. “Sorry. I promise to keep you updated. Go on, our pack needs you.”
Dathan grunted and paused at the doorway to the library. He grabbed Donovan into a rough man hug. Donovan was stiff at first but then hugged him back. The two weren’t demonstrative with their love for each other, yet they were as close as two brothers could be. Growing up, they had shared everything, told each other everything. Dathan couldn’t imagine not having his brother in his life. When it came time to choose his Beta, it never occurred to him to choose anyone but his brother.
The air crackled ten feet from them and then bent in half. With a loud pop, a young man snapped into existence. He was average in height and pudgy. He looked like he was barely twenty. His brown hair flopped into his face, covering his eyes. His cheeks were round and gave him a cherubic look.
“Hi, I’m Millhouse Kenttingham. I’m here to take Alpha Temple back to his pack.” Polite and well-mannered, the young witch waited for a response.
Dathan held out a hand and Millhouse shook it. “That would be me.” He turned back to Donovan. “Take care of yourself, Donovan.”
“Oh, good! You haven’t left yet!” A voice caught their attention, and Dathan turned to look, his mouth basically dropping open. William had walked into the room, and he wasn’t alone. A beautiful blonde woman was right behind him. She was ethereal and sensual, and his wolf took notice. Slim with soft curves, she glided in behind William, long golden waves of hair framing her heart-shaped face. The scoop neck of her pink early summer dress hinted at a swell of pale c
leavage. The fabric flowed around her hips, and tiny red painted toenails peeped from her sandals. Her big aquamarine eyes flitted around the room and her gaze found him. They took him in from head to toe, and a smile ghosted across her cupid bow mouth.
“Damn, my manners. Alpha Temple, this is my baby sister, Jaime Blackthorne. Jaime, this is Dathan Temple, Alpha of Cold Creek Pack. She’s been away getting set up in her apartment near her university.”
Dathan nearly swallowed his tongue as she walked over to him and extended her hand. Taking it into his, he almost groaned at the softness of her skin. Her smell tickled his nose, and he inhaled sharply. Delicate and floral, her scent wafted over him, and his groin tightened. Mate! His wolfed howled in pure lusty joy. Dathan, however, stomped it down…hard. It snapped at him angrily. It didn’t like to be told no. There was no way he was getting involved with a witch, a solid. No way in hell was this possible or going to happen. His jaw clenched to keep from growling.
“Ms. Blackthorne.”
Her eyes twinkled, and she gave him a beautiful smile. His knees threatened to buckle. Locking them, he cordially inclined his head to her.
“Please, call me, Jaime.” She retracted her hand, and the loss of contact made him almost grab it back. Fuck!
“Jaime.” He steadied his breathing and took a step back. The big bad Alpha was retreating from a slip of a girl. Not a girl, a woman. A lush, gorgeous woman he wanted to slowly strip naked and whose luminously pale skin beckoned to him. He wanted to kiss every inch of her. He craved her. Dathan’s tongue curled in his mouth as he wondered how she would taste. Like honey, she would taste like honey as he slowly worked down her stomach to her thigh. He would nudge her thighs open and dip his head down, pointing his tongue and—
An elbow jabbed him and he blinked. Donovan frowned at him. Dathan gulped the saliva that had built up in his mouth. He stank of sex, and his cock pressed hard against his jeans. “I hate to rush off, but I’m needed at home.”
William, who seemed oblivious to what had transpired, shook his hand. Donovan was still staring at him, one eyebrow cocked. He walked over to Millhouse. “How do we do this, Millhouse?”
