by Lia Davis
Keegan touched her gloved hand tentatively, and she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Be ready in an hour.”
At first, his statement confused her, and then she remembered what he’d said in the kitchen. Tanner and Kirk were moving her and Will to a new location.
“I will. Thanks.”
Keegan stared into her eyes for several moments before he turned, walked out the door, and disappeared into the forest surrounding the cabin.
Her heart ached as she suddenly felt alone. She pushed the feeling away, straightened her shoulders, and studied the sentries still standing on the front porch. “What now?”
Tanner cleared his throat. “Umm, we’ll just search the perimeter until it’s time to go.” He spoke low enough that only the four of them could hear, most likely in the event spies were lurking about.
She nodded, and Kirk held out a small walkie-talkie. She motioned to Will next to her. “Give it to Will.” Even though she could take the device with her gloves on, she just didn’t fell like dealing with it. No, she had to think of a way to break down the walls around Keegan’s heart.
Kirk handed the walkie-talkie to Will without question, and the two sentries took off in separate directions.
Addyson slid the door back into place and dropped her shoulders. There was something Keegan wasn’t telling her. She could feel it in the air, a muted electric current that had nothing to do with the desires Keegan rose in her. No, this energy was dark and evil.
There was something out there. Something waiting for them to make their move.
“I’m picking up on something dark,” Will said.
Addyson ran a hand through his blond hair and rested it on his shoulders. “So am I, hon. I feel it, too.”
Chapter 3
Keegan turned the Jeep onto the narrow dirt road that appeared to humans like a walking trail. Once he drove through the wards surrounding Ashwood Falls, the path opened up to a road that was big enough for one vehicle at a time. He didn’t have to worry about humans too much. The wards gave them a false sense of unease, making them turn away from the property. In many places, like entry points, the wards also held an illusion spell that changed roads to foot trails and buildings appeared to be run-down.
The wards also served as an alarm system of sorts. Keegan and his enforcers and sentries would instantly know if anyone crossed through them with the intent to harm.
It didn’t, however, stop Onyx from sending their soldiers to test out the added security.
No, the rogue bastards didn’t care. They’d come through them anyway and meet with the force of Ashwood’s sentries, who wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest to bring down any threat to the Pack.
Over the last few months, Keegan and Blaine along with Luna—the wolf Alpha—and her son, Hayden had worked to increase the security around the perimeter of Ashwood Falls’ territory. They’d doubled the amount of sentries on patrol by putting their strongest soldiers on rotation.
He rolled to a stop at the security gate, and Alec, his youngest son, stepped out of the small building, gave him a nod, and then opened the gate. Keegan waited for his son to come around to the passenger side and climb into the Jeep before stepping on the gas.
Alec punched him on the shoulder. “’Sup, Pops.”
Keegan laughed and grabbed Alec’s forearm, relishing the instant connection to his son. God, he’d missed his sons and Shay. A weaker shifter would have gone crazy without his Pack for two weeks.
This whole thing sucked sewer water, but his plan had to work. He gave Alec’s arm a little squeeze, then drove through the gate, taking the left toward his home. “It feels good to be here.”
Alec growled and turned to peer out the window. “I don’t like this plan of yours. We should stand together, whole like the powerful Pack we are.”
Keegan ignored Alec’s growl of disapproval as he pulled into the driveway of his house. Blaine’s truck, along with Cameron’s and Graham’s cars, was parked under the carport. He lifted a brow at Alec. “I take it I no longer have a home.”
Alec grinned. “The trio and I swapped. I’m staying at Cam’s old apartment. The house has more room for the kids.”
Besides the house isn’t the same without you here.
Keegan caught Alec’s thought, knowing his son had deliberately left his mental shields down, the shields that blocked Keegan from “picking his brain,” as Alec usually called it.
His chest tightened.
Yeah, this sucked.
The front door opened, and Blaine stepped out with Max, his three-year-old stepson, on his hip. Keegan smiled at the sight. He knew one day Cam and Blaine would bless him with grandchildren, but the sight of Blaine holding the small boy still amused Keegan. His eldest son was such a hardass that he forgot the softer side that Blaine showed only to his family.
Shutting off the engine, Keegan opened the car door and stepped out, and a smile spread wide on his face. He couldn’t stop the smile if he’d wanted. It felt too damn good to be home, even if it seemed his house had been taken over.
Blaine pulled him into a one-arm hug. Keegan hugged him back, tight. He inhaled, taking in the scents of home and family. He was doing the right thing. The transfer of power was for the better of the Pack. They’d all be stronger for it. All he could do was pray that he wasn’t setting himself up and walking into a trap.
Tiny tugs at his long black hair drew his attention to Max. The toddler grinned at him, his blue eyes bright. Keegan touched a finger to Max’s cheek. “Hi, little man.”
“Hi, Grandpa.”
Surprise hit him and quickly turned to a mushy lump in his chest.
Fuck.
Blaine clasped him on the shoulder. “We’re at war. It’s time to shift power and tactics.”
Keegan peered into his son’s eyes and held his gaze for a long moment. He was right. Blaine was one in a triad, a very powerful triad that would provide the Pack with the will and strength they needed to win this war.
With a nod, Keegan agreed. “You’re right. Seven hundred years is a long time to be Alpha.” He offered a lazy grin that made Blaine roll his eyes as he lowered Max to the ground.
Blaine popped Max on the butt gently and said, “Go find your sister and get ready for the party.”
Max let out a squeak then laughed while babbling “party” over and over as he toddled off into the house. Keegan’s smile widened, and he shook his head. “Fatherhood fits you.”
Blaine turned to peer into the house, which was possible because Max had left the front door wide open. “Yeah. Those kids are great. Max is hell on wheels, and Sammie is so smart.” Blaine narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “Have you heard from K?”
Keegan shrugged and held Blaine’s stare. “About three weeks ago.” Blaine set his jaw, making a tic form in his temples, and raised a brow in an ‘I’m listening’ kind of way. Keegan let out a sigh. “It wasn’t face-to-face. He left me a message at the usual place that said there was something worth my attention.”
Blaine growled low and spoke through clenched teeth. “You’re doing this just to go into Onyx on a wild goose chase?”
Keegan growled back and inched closer to his son. “I’m doing this to protect the Pack, Addyson, and Will. I’ll find out what the source has to report and decide then.”
Blaine inhaled deeply and blew out the breath. “He didn’t tell you what it was?”
Of course Keegan’s spy had told him, but he wasn’t about to share the information with Blaine, at least not yet. “Nope, but I’ll find out and then decide if it’s worth pursuing.”
Keegan turned to go inside the house, stopping any other questions Blaine might have about the spy Keegan had placed inside the Onyx Pack almost ten years ago. It was risky, but worth it. In the beginning, they’d received good intel on the Pack structure and valuable information on the mutants, the creatures that were forever frozen in mid-shift.
However, in recent years, the lines of communication were becom
ing further and further apart. In fact, three weeks ago was the first time Keegan had heard from the spy since nine months before.
Stepping into the living room, Keegan smiled at Cam lying against Graham’s chest and Max curled up in her lap. They were watching some cartoon show. Keegan’s chest tightened again.
He missed the days when the kids were small and he and Cate had cuddled on the sofa while the boys played on the floor or sat with them to watch a movie.
The memory of him holding Cate against his chest while he rubbed her pregnant belly flashed in his mind. She’d been six and a half months along with their third child. A girl, according to Dani. They’d given up hope in having another child. Their sons were grown and had been in their Pack roles for well over a decade before Cate got pregnant. They were excited beyond belief when they found out. He and Cate had sat on the sofa and watched Blaine and Alec discussing enforcer training exercises. They were arguing over how to make them more challenging.
Cate loved throwing in completely off-the-wall suggestions, making them all laugh.
He broke off the memories and walked to the kitchen to grab a beer out of the fridge. He couldn’t let himself to go there. It was too painful because that night had been the start of the end.
After dinner, Cate had gone on her walk like she had every night since he’d known her. She was very independent, and Keegan respected that half of her. Besides it gave her the much-needed time to be without the pressures of the Pack and being the Alpha’s mate.
When she didn’t return in her normal thirty-minute timeframe, he got worried and set out to search for her. It had taken him only a few seconds to reach her. She lay on the ground in a ball, covered in blood, and sobs shook her body.
Dread and fear like nothing he’d ever felt before cut through him as he lifted her in his arms and rushed her to the medical center. Her pain was almost too much for him to take.
It was an agonizing hour later that Cate’s nurse came out to tell him the baby had died.
Damn it.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He clenched the bottle so hard he swore he heard it crack. Damn K for bringing back one of the memories Keegan had buried a long-ass time ago.
The spy had said that Keegan’s daughter hadn’t died, and K had proof she was still alive and living inside the Onyx den.
His curiosity had gotten the better of him. It was most likely going to hurt like hell, but he couldn’t walk away if he wanted to. He had to know if his daughter was still alive and bring her home. Where she belonged.
Thirty minutes later, Keegan stood inside the Pack circle with Blaine and Luna, the wolf Alpha and co-Alpha to Ashwood Falls. Her long red hair was braided down her back, and her green eyes held wariness in them. She didn’t like Keegan’s plan. She’d told him as much several times, but she also said she’d stand by his decision.
Luna stepped forward and spoke low enough that only the three of them could hear. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
He held his hand out, palm up. She hesitated, but placed hers over his. He circled his fingers around her hand. “I’m certain. I’m tired, and Blaine, with his mates, are much stronger than I am.”
She tugged her hand from his and stepped back. “I don’t believe you, but I trust you.”
He smiled at the thought she sent him. “Thank you, Lu.”
She snorted at the nickname he always used when she tried to be stern with him. He studied her as she moved to stand beside him and faced the crowd. Luna had fast become a great friend. He was glad she’d had his back over the past thirty years as they’d built a solid Pack out of two broken ones. A Pack that no one thought would work because wolves and leopards were generally rivals and not allies.
“Hello, all my beautiful people, felines, and wolves.” Luna’s voice rang into the sunny afternoon, quieting the conversations around them. “Today marks a new beginning. Keegan Andrews, leopard Alpha for a little more than seven hundred years, is passing his legacy down to his eldest son, his Heir, Blaine. Keegan will take his place as an elder and adviser for the Pack.”
Keegan felt his lips twitch. Leave it up to Luna to keep him at the top of the Pack’s hierarchy. Elders were past Alphas, Marshals, and other titled Pack members who’d passed their positions and powers to their successors. In the old days, before the war with Onyx, the elders had sat on a council that kept the histories of all Packs and enforced the few, but important, rules they must follow.
The number one rule was secrecy from humans.
Luna turned to face him and took both his hands in hers. “It’s been a pleasure ruling beside you over the years. Thank you for everything you’ve done for my wolves and opening your doors to merge the two Packs.”
Keegan squeezed her hands gently and spoke to the Pack. “I know this may come at what seems the worst possible time. However, I believe that it is a positive step into the future. I may be stepping down from Alpha of Ashwood, but I will be taking the first seat of the Council of Elders in over two hundred years. We will rebuild what was lost and gain the advantage in this war. It’s not going to be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but I’m not going to lie down and allow Onyx and their supporters win.”
A rain of whoops and cheers poured from the Pack members standing around the circle. Power rose up all around him, warm and electrifying. With it came the unconditional love and respect each one had for their Alphas. His chest tightened, and a lump formed in his throat. They might still have issues between the younger wolves and leopards, but it was times like this that reminded him those differences were a part of growing and learning to trust one another.
Keegan stepped back so he could move to stand behind Blaine. Gripping his son’s biceps, Keegan leaned in and whispered, “Whatever you do, don’t fight it.” Blaine’s muscles tensed under Keegan’s hold, and he smirked.
The warning he gave Blaine was more than his own father had given him. Keegan wasn’t always an ass.
Keegan shifted his legs so they were spread apart to balance his weight evenly. Blaine was about three inches shorter than him, which would make this transfer a lot easier for both of them. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Keegan spoke so the Pack could hear. “Blaine Andrews, Heir of the Ashwood Leopard Pack, do you accept the burdens, challenges, and full responsibility of being our Alpha?”
Blaine stood a little taller and lifted his chin. “I accept.”
“Will you be their judge, executioner, friend, and father?”
Without hesitation, Blaine answered loud and proud as the born alpha male he was. “I will be all those things and more.”
Keegan struck hard and fast, sinking his elongated fangs into Blaine’s shoulder while wrapping an arm around Blaine’s chest to keep the male from jerking away. Blaine hissed out a curse, and Keegan tightened his grip in warning.
The hairs on his arms stood on end as power washed over both of them. The air around them was alive with magick and coiled around them, nipping at their skin and putting their cats on edge. Keegan could sense both their leopards now. They growled and fought for dominance, raising even more power in thick warm waves. The struggle for power lasted several long moments. Keegan thought it’d never end. Finally Keegan’s cat backed off to allow the magick that had passed down from his father, the power that made him Alpha, flow into Blaine. His son’s breathing came in shallow pants as his body shook at the rush of new power.
It might have been over seven hundred years, but Keegan hadn’t forgotten how it felt— first the pain of the bite then the burn of Alpha magick as it raced through him, seeping into every fiber of his and his leopard’s soul.
Keegan on the other hand felt drained, almost empty inside. He still had his strength and natural abilities, but the Alpha power, the magick of the Pack was dulled. The heavy weight of sadness settled upon him. He could no longer feel the souls within the Pack.
After what seemed like an hour, Blaine stilled and sagged against him. Keegan took his son’s w
eight and staggered back a step. He lifted his eyes to Cam and Graham and gave a short nod.
They rushed forward and helped Blaine balance on his feet. Blaine instantly drew his mates to him, and Keegan knew he was using the mating bond to center the new power flowing through his veins.
Blaine met his stare and grinned. “You okay?”
Keegan steadied himself. “Never better. A little lightheaded, but just fucking peachy.” He turned to the Pack and held a hand out to Blaine, who was wrapped up in both his mates’ arms. “Your new Alpha.”
Wolves howled and cats roared their approvals, and that was Keegan’s cue to start heading to the new safe house. He clasped Blaine on the shoulder and gave a nod to Alec, who stood at the circle’s edge, scanning the forest for threats.
Alec would become Marshal, but the announcement would come as soon as Blaine chose a new Beta to replace him. Since Keegan didn’t have any other children or blooded relatives inside the Pack, it was up to Blaine to appoint one. Usually it’d be someone already connected to him through the Alpha bond, such as an enforcer.
As he stepped outside the circle, Luna fell into step with him. “How long will you be gone?”
He shrugged. “Not sure. Kieran found something that I need to look into.” He held up a hand. “Don’t ask. I can’t share any more info right now. If it turns out to be a threat to the Pack, I’ll let you know.”
She made a low growl but didn’t press for any more information. “Be safe.”
He stopped and turned to her. “All I need is to make sure Addyson and Will are off Felix’s radar, and then we’ll return.”
She averted her gaze to peer at the Pack circle. Worry creased her forehead as she scanned the area like the mama wolf she was. He frowned. Luna had the gift of visions, although she called it more of a curse. She didn’t have control over what she saw, and no one outside of her family or his knew about her powers.
“You had a vision?” he asked.
She met his gaze and nodded. “It’s the worst one I’ve ever had. Worst than the attacks on my den.”
