by Crystal Dawn
It was strange, but he could even smell her as if she was near him. The scent wrapped around him, calming his wolf and soothing his worries. He watched the door, just in case she stepped through it thinking of what he might say if he had the chance to say anything at all. His father looked toward the door just as she appeared.
“Oh my God! You’re awake, I feared you would sleep forever,” she admitted.
“A sleeping beast instead of a sleeping beauty?” Juan asked.
“Fishing for compliments?” she wondered.
“Just making an observation,” he observed. “I am wolf, I am a beast and you are my beauty.” He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and knew his father was leaving them to work out their relationship. Juan kept his eyes on Amee afraid if he looked away, she’d be gone.
Amee rolled her eyes but a half smile was on her face. Her expression changed and her hand dropped to cup her belly. “What’s wrong?” Juan said as he stepped up to her. She grabbed his hand placing it on her stomach where he felt his children move. He blinked his eyes rapidly, they burned because they were dry not because tears threatened to fall when he felt his children for the first time. It might have been obvious that Amee carried his pups, but feeling them move made them completely real to him.
“Have they been moving long?”
“A week or two I guess.”
“That’s incredible and there are two of them which is amazing.” Taking a risk, he pulled her into his arms and just held her.
The movements increased almost as if they intended to exit the womb to meet him. It was true that he could hardly wait for them to come, but he had some damage control to do or she might leave before they came. Their peaceful moment was disturbed by loud sounds coming from outside. To Juan it sounded like gun shots.
“Come, this room isn’t safe with all these windows,” Juan urged her. They moved out and he took her to a small room. “This is a safe room and will protect you until I get back.” Helping her to a seat, he smiled in encouragement before he left her there even though he was worried.
Now he headed toward the stairs to see what was causing all the noise. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, wolves rushed around him in what appeared to be chaos but he recognized it as the emergency attack plan. That alerted him to the fact that they were indeed under attack.
Heading to the armory which was basically an oversized closet full of weapons, he found a sniper rifle. He grabbed it and a pack of ammunition and went back up the stairs. The roof would be the best place to sight an enemy. It had been a while since they were attacked and the last time had been by a rival pack. There was no doubt in his mind that this time it was Los Lobos and they were here for Amee. Anger rolled through him and he was ready to kill them all. Once on the roof he took his customary position, checked out and loaded his rifle, and used the scope to look for targets. Knowing he wasn’t a hundred percent he would take extra care with each shot.
Finding one quickly, he took the shot without hesitation once he was sighted in. It wasn’t a mortal wound, but might hurt him enough to allow some of Juan’s pack to take that wolf prisoner. It didn’t take him long to find more targets and he was picking them off quickly. This was no group of leaders, their organization must have far more members than the council had suspected. There were at least a hundred rogues down there trying to get into their pack house to capture his mate.
So far they hadn’t managed to get across the wide expanse between the tree line and the house. There were also a few surprises the rogues hadn’t expected that were in place from the pack wars this area was known for that made being prepared second nature. He heard a scream as one of the attackers tripped a trap that was triggered by the red alert turned on when they attacked. Probably the knives that shot out of one of the trees. Ouch, that had to hurt!
They were persistent, but they were losing people at a fast rate. Juan took careful aim, shooting one then the guy behind him too. A concerned leader would have called the attack off with such heavy losses. Juan’s pack mates were all in secure positions now and picking off the enemy without much chance of injury. The enemy was losing guys right and left. It just showed how obsessed they were with getting Amee. It only lasted a little longer before the adversaries began to retreat. It was clear they had no regard for their foot soldiers or they would have retreated minutes into the attack.
Juan emptied his rifle putting the bullets back into their box. He headed to the armory but stopped to check on Amee for a moment before continuing downstairs. The mood among the pack was celebratory. They had some injuries, even a couple serious ones, but everyone would survive on their side. The enemy had taken a serious ass kicking and a couple dozen were dead with ten captured and countless wounded escaping. They should think twice before hitting this pack again. He saw his father who motioned him to his side.
“We will have a meeting in my office. Is Amee alright?” he asked.
“She is fine but I need to get back to her as soon as possible,” Juan admitted.
“We’ll make this quick,” he promised as he led the way to his office. Juan noticed his father’s betas and several of his were present. There was also a wolf that looked familiar but he didn’t think he knew him. “This is Cole McDougal. He’s here representing the council and most of you have already met him. I’ll let him begin this meeting.”
“The council sent me here to see what needs to be done to end Los Lobos once and for all. We’ve learned some valuable things from this attack. Los Lobos numbers are far more than we anticipated, they hold a grudge even more viciously than expected, and they don’t seem to value the lives of the bottom rung of their organization. The lower level of Los Lobos seems to be made up of wolves willing to die for their leaders. I’m not sure if they underestimated your pack or if they are trying to prove a point. Either way, they are dangerous and Amee is at risk even here. I suggest that she be sent home with someone for protection,” he advised and his eyes locked on Juan. “Maybe her mate can see to her safety while we work on taking the fight to them.”
“Of course I want her safe, but what happens if they attack us while we’re on our way or once we get to Missouri?” Juan asked.
“In Missouri they’d stand out which would give us a warning. We have several packs we could pull guards from in a hurry. As far as them attacking when you leave, go right now and they won’t be expecting it. Just pack a couple of bags and go,” Cole said looking at him hard.
Juan realized he was right. They would be treating their wounded and trying to figure out what went wrong with their attack. Few people made quick decisions and they wouldn’t be expecting any activity now. He would go with his betas, he could always count on them. Nodding, he left the meeting to have his mate pack.
“What’s going on?” Amee asked.
Juan explained about the attack and what Cole had suggested. Amee started to pack immediately, it seemed she was anxious to get home. He worried that she intended to escape him, but his concern for her and the pups overrode his personal needs of the moment. She needed to be safe before anything else happened. Once she was safe he would find a way to woo his mate. There was no way she could resist him because his very life depended on winning her love. Yes, he loved her and if he showed it, surely once she knew, she would find it in her heart to give him just one more chance.
Packing a small bag and filling it with a shit load of weapons, he grabbed both of their bags and headed downstairs with his mate trailing behind. One of his guys had pulled the SUV around and he loaded the bags in the back and helped Amee into the passenger seat. There would be no arguing over who drove this time-it would be him! Ryker grabbed the third seat, while Tony and Jorge took the second one. Once they were all loaded, he hit the gas and they shot down the road.
Juan watched for any sign of pursuit or possible traps along the way. He didn’t breathe easily until they were at the airport loaded on the plane. They barreled down the runaway and he let out a breath as the plane
rose into the air. Once they were able to move around, he led Amee back to the bedroom and settled her in bed. He laid down next to her and wrapped himself around her. She didn’t seem to mind his touch, but something told him if he tried to make love to her, he would lose his chance to get her back.
Slow and easy would win her heart and he planned to show her that he wanted more from her than just her body. He wanted her to stand beside him as a partner, to be his friend and confidante, and to raise his children with him as well as to be his lover. If he could become her friend, the rest would naturally progress because she wasn’t indifferent to him.
The rest of the journey was sweet agony as he lay next to her feeling her warmth and drinking in her scent all the while knowing she wasn’t really his yet. Not the way she should have been had he just done what he was supposed to do in the first place. He could feel his pups moving and Amee adjusted her position when they did. He helped her to make sure she was as comfortable as possible while they slept on and off for the whole trip. Ryker let him know when they were close and he woke her reluctantly. It worried him that once she was home, she would keep him at arm’s length. His wolf would go crazy and his human side would be right there with him. Helping her up, he kept her close to him where he could protect her.
They took their seats and he made sure she was strapped in and comfortable before he saw to himself. Taking her hand, he held it as much to comfort her as to take comfort for himself. It was obvious she was relieved when they landed and he wondered if he would ever get her back to California again. They exited the plane and his guys saw to their bags as he helped his mate into the SUV waiting for them.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t want to drop in on anyone without a warning. Maybe we should grab a hotel for the night and call someone to see if they have room for tomorrow,” she suggested.
He drove them into Branson to one of the large resorts and got them two of the two bedroom suites. Amee would be sharing a bed with him and that was just the way it would be. Ryker would share their suite, because he would provide some security. As much as Juan wanted to be completely alone with her, he recognized the dangers of isolating them completely. His betas would take turns keeping watch around the clock. The resort had security too so it wouldn’t be the easiest place to attack someone at but the Los Lobos might not care. They called out for food and they settled in for the evening.
The food arrived quickly and they fell on it like wolves. It was gone in no time but they were all satisfied or he would have gotten more. He ran a bath for his mate and he helped her in it. She balked a little when he undressed and climbed in with her.
“I know what you’re doing,” she whispered even as she relaxed back against him. The jets in the tub and the hot water relaxed her.
“I’m taking care of my mate and my unborn babies,” he observed as he rubbed her shoulders easing her tense muscles.
“You think I’m a push over,” she accused.
“I would never think that even though I might wish it. You are fierce when you’re disappointed in someone and that I’ve seen firsthand. If I could undo that first year after we met, believe me I would. It fills me with nothing but regret.”
“It’s robbed me of my ability to trust you. I don’t know if I can ever regain that.”
“I only ask that you try. Let me lay the world at your feet and give you anything you want. You and our babies will be my only reason for living if you’ll just let me care for you.”
“I can only try to put it behind me and only if you prove you can change your ways. That’s something I’ll have to see to believe.”
“Then I will prove it to you, Sweetheart.”
Chapter 8
Los Lobos
“So Cage, now that we’re alone you can tell me what this is all about,” Carlos Juarez said calmly. Cole had left right after Juan had taken Amee home and Cage had taken his place.
“What do you mean?” Cage asked innocently but it wasn’t fooling the pack alpha.
“I’m sure that the council wants all this settled quickly. Los Lobos are a danger and I believe they want to see Amee safe, she is a white wolf carrying two more of her blood line, but that isn’t all this is about. It is not polite to come here seeking help and not give full disclosure.”
“You know, I like you Carlos, I really do and I think you’ll be a great ally not only to the council but to my white wolf in-laws. I argued that you should be told, but I was overruled. They did make the concession of allowing me to tell you if you asked, probably because Damon and Cole wanted you told as well.”
“So tell me!” Carlos sat as his desk looking relaxed with one eyebrow raised.
“How much do you know about Chief?”
“That bastard vampire who sells blood drugs? He’s a rogue, killer, rapist, and as evil as the devil.”
“That pretty much covers his character. We’ve been after him for months now slowly tightening the noose. We’ve taken out the spies he has among us, seized his businesses and assets to use against him, freed his prisoners, and destroyed or arrested his people. He’s been on the run growing more and more desperate and we all know about cornered animals.”
“Yes, they are more dangerous than ever. Go on.”
“We’re close but he’s throwing us a curve ball. He’s been talking to Los Lobos about a joint venture. If these two groups join, I’m not sure what we’ll do. With Chief’s drugs and know how combined with their slaving and large numbers, they will declare open season on the council, wardens, sentinels, and white wolves. Even peaceful packs may be dragged into their business, lured by profits or forced by threats. The council wants to avoid panicking our people in general but I think the alphas need to be told. We need allies in this war and the packs will want to fight so they’re not enslaved. That is Los Lobos ultimate goal, they want to rule the world.”
“It’s a lofty goal, but the council’s secrecy plays into their hands. The war may be lost before most of our side realizes it’s being fought. I will assemble my betas,” Carlos held up his hand as Cage started to speak. “I will simply tell them Los Lobos has declared war on us. It is both the truth and because it is only part of the story, a lie. We will have them on the defensive in no time. I wish you could tell Cardigan, he’s going to restart our war because his son hasn’t been able to secure his white wolf mate either. It’s hard to fight on two fronts and Cardigan’s a vicious asshole.”
Cage fought his smile. “I’ve heard that.”
“I’m sure you’ll get a chance to decide for yourself before you leave.”
“I’m actually scheduled to visit him tomorrow. The council wants an assessment of where he stands and what he’ll do when push comes to shove. If he knows, what side will he take?”
“He’s not that much of an asshole, he’ll side with the council, I’m sure of it.”
“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to have to turn a white wolf army loose on his ass.”
“You have one?”
“Ariel could probably manage him by herself in a fight. Piss her off and the bitch comes out to play. They also have powers that manifest at unexpected times. Several of them have abilities that could be useful if they could be harnessed properly. The males that have changed are unbeatable warriors, there just aren’t many of them.”
“I thought only her sons had changed.”
“No, there are others. Some mated, but some went through the changing ritual.”
“That really works?”
“On white wolves it has been successful every time. Their blood is truly awesome.”
“What of your mate?”
“My situation was much like Juan’s. I was a dick, but she made me a better wolf. Things were bad and I almost lost her. She has so much strength and character, I was still lucky she felt our ties. Amee won’t be able to fight them either especially with their pups in her belly. It strengthens the bond.”
“I hope you’re ri
ght. I admire her greatly and could imagine no better she-wolf to call daughter.”
“The goddess will guide them to their destination. You can fight it and get dragged all the way or give in and walk there.”
“I believe you’re right. I feel a strong conviction that their relationship will work out.”
Cage left and Carlos thought over what he had learned. He now had faith that things would work out well with his son and Amee, but he also had new concerns with Los Lobos and blood drugs. If they were brought into his area he knew some of the wilder wolves would test them out. They were always looking for the next rush and the promise of a new drug that could take you to a level of excitement never before experienced would lure them. It wouldn’t be until it was far too late that they would realize the level of addiction was also one they had never experienced.
He pulled his cell phone out and tapped out a text sending it to everyone he needed. First he would address Los Lobos, but then he would do something about the blood drug danger hanging over their heads like the veritable ax. If handled properly, it would just look like he was being cautious because the wardens were still chasing Chief and the drugs were still circulating. With Juan and Ryker gone, he was down two of his essential crew so the others would just have to work harder.
Jesus came in first which was usual. Even though Juan was his heir, Jesus was the one he considered his number two. If Carlos had ever been interested in a male, he would be the one. The wolf was just beautiful in human and wolf form. He wore his long straight black hair down to his ass. His physique was muscular but not overly packed and he was tall, well over six feet. Many bulked up wolves had underestimated his second and found to their dismay that he was stronger than he appeared.
Jesus lowered his face in respect and acknowledgement of his alpha before dropping into the chair directly opposite of his. “Must be some important shit going on,” he observed with a smirk. He seemed to have an internal radar when it came to trouble and it served the pack well.
