by Aubrey Rose
The meetings never took that long and tonight wasn’t any different. Ryan and Caine felt equal relief that within an hour the issues at hand were discussed and handled. As two of the most powerful members of the pack they knew they were respectively in line to be voted in as Alpha when the time came – which wasn’t for long yet. Alpha Jepson was still in his prime, though being alpha was about who was strongest and most capable of leading the pack and it was getting to the point that Alpha Jepson might find himself challenged in that regard. Ryan and Caine had no intention of defying their alpha’s authority for whatever reason, but if the members decided to set a vote into motion then they wouldn’t have a choice but to step up to the plate. Members only felt safe when they were sure their leader was the best to protect them and their interests.
Once the meeting was over, both men approached their Alpha to have a quiet word. He grinned when he saw them, his lined eyes twinkling. “I was speaking to Vern and Hawke the other day and they said something about you finding a mate – in the singular. Are congratulations in order?”
Ryan and Caine looked to each other with small, wry smiles. “Yes, Alpha. We both have a mate – one mate. And that’s what we wanted to talk about. Congratulations aren’t in order till we can properly bond her to our respective wolf. But she doesn’t even know we’re Lycan yet.”
Alpha Jepson nodded in understanding. “So when are you going to break the news to her?”
“Tonight – when we get back home where she’s waiting,” Ryan explained.
“Any mate of yours is welcome into our pack, of course,” Alpha Jepson said immediately. “You won’t find any problems infusing her into the kindred.”
“Oh, won’t they?” said a female voice from behind them.
The three men shared frowns and turned to find Darcy walking right up to where they stood. Behind her was a handful other females, their expressions set.
“What is the meaning of this, Darcy?” Alpha Jepson asked with more curiosity than anger.
“With all due respect, Alpha, at these meetings you keep going on about pack security and keeping things running smoothly for the benefit of all,” Darcy replied, a small grin playing upon her blood red lips. “But how can that be so if so many potential Alpha’s are being lost to human mates?”
Ryan let out an impatient sigh while Caine merely shook his head in exasperation. They both waited for their Alpha to respond.
“It’s not about losing pack males, but gaining human members,” the alpha said sensibly.
“Exactly. Human. While many females are left unmated, with their chances of finding a mate growing slimmer – especially when their own pack choose mates from outside the pack,” Darcy said bitterly, and the women behind her murmured loudly in assent.
“We don’t choose our mates – that’s for the fates to decide,” Ryan spoke up, his eyes narrowed to slits. “Darcy, we all know this concern of yours is because of what happened between you and Caine. But Julie is our mate now and there’s nothing you can do about it, but accept it and move on.”
Darcy’s thin lips formed a thinner line. “This isn’t some act of a scorned woman, contrary to what you think,” she said with dignity. “It’s about what’s best for our pack. How would the men of the pack feel if more and more pack females were choosing human males for mates?”
“We’ll view it as nature taking its course,” Alpha Jepson said, his tone cool with reproof as he frowned at Darcy. “What’s wrong with you, Darcy? You aren’t some green pup. You know how this works. Mating is nature’s way for our kind to find the perfect other half that suits our needs physically, emotionally and psychologically. Now, Julie happens to be the perfect other half for Ryan and Caine. You’ll have to accept that, no matter your personal feelings on the matter. Remember, Darcy: everything finds a balance. Bonding with humans through mating can only bring us closer together; Lycan and mankind living as one will give us less desire to want to wipe the other from the face of the earth.”
Alpha Jepson’s last words were spoken with a trace of humor and the others surrounding him could be heard chuckling. Darcy’s face froze with anger as she noted the mirth on Ryan’s and Caine’s face. She stepped up closer and looked up into their faces.
“I’m glad you think this is so funny,” she said, anger burning in her eyes. “I wonder if you’ll be laughing when I tell you that right at this minute, Julie could well be re-united with her true mate – the one who loves her enough to never want to share her.”
Ryan looked to Caine who was equally confused. Scowling furiously, Ryan grabbed Darcy’s shoulders and shook her. “What on earth are you talking about? What have you done?”
“What I felt was best for the pack,” she replied with a shrug. “When a man came asking questions at the local pub about you two running off with his beloved, I had to do what I could to help him reconnect with his true mate, of course.”
“What – man?” gritted Caine, grabbing her arm and spinning her to face him.
Her smile was mocking. “Tall, dark-skinned. Quite handsome in fact – much like a Hollywood actor. And so distraught that his woman went off and left him after a quarrel, moving to this town with no word to her friends or family back home. Her fickle behavior is long forgiven and he only wants her back so they can get married just like they’d always wanted. He told me his name is Tre Gaines and that Julie is his one and only true love. How desperately romantic.” She smiled wickedly, her lips curled into a scoff. “Imagine his feeling of betrayal knowing she was now shacking up with two strange men she’d met only a few weeks ago.”
Ryan was enraged, but he let Darcy go with a sound of disgust. “Well, he can keep looking. He’s never going to discover where she is, and you...you will pay for this.”
“So you think,” Darcy scoffed, turning round without another word. The next second, she was pushed into the nearby wall, which cracked from the impact. She snarled, her fangs bared as she stared into Ryan’s thunderous face. She was barely shaken by the sudden aggression, but the force of it had brought her hackles up as did the arm Ryan kept across her chest that kept her imprisoned against the damaged wall.
“And what the fuck does that mean?” growled Ryan, his eyes flashing a dangerous silver.
Curbing her fear and embarrassed by the attention now turned to them by the whole room, she spat out in a surly tone, “A few days ago you came into town to get some stuff and I decided to follow you when you headed back into the woods. I managed to do so without you catching my scent and from a distance I was able to watch you make your way to a cabin up the mountains. Well, that’s where I told Tre he can find his precious Julie since I figured she’ll be holing up there with you two.”
There was a loud roar as Caine shot forward and made a grab for Darcy’s throat but Ryan quickly held him aside. “We have no time for this, Caine. We need to head back to the cabin now. Julie is in danger.”
Darcy was smirking when Ryan faced her again. “You better pray we get to Julie in time. Because if not, nothing will stand in my way of making sure you pay for your hand in this.”
Her face paled, but before she could speak Alpha Jepson said, “There’ll be no need for that, Ryan. I’ll see to it that Darcy gets a just sanction: banishment from the pack. Effective immediately.”
A collective gasp rose in the room and Darcy sank back against the wall. Both Ryan and Caine had already raced from the great hall, desperate to reach Julie before it was too late.
Alpha Jepson glared into Darcy’s face. “Anyone who takes pleasure in causing dissention within a pack doesn’t deserve to have one. I suggest you’re long gone before they get back or I won’t be responsible for what happens to you.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned to his betas and rapped out orders as they quickly left the crowded, shell-shocked room.
Chapter Fourteen
Julie jerked awake, hands closing around the remote control, which had almost slipped from her fingers as she’d dozed in fro
nt of the TV. There were more than enough movies to keep her busy while she waited for Ryan and Caine to return, but even the comedy she’d been watching hadn’t been able to keep her awake. She already missed her two lovers so much it made everything she tried to busy herself with feel tiresome. She’d already tried a bath, and now this silly movie. She sighed heavily, then smiled deeply. Maybe she’d make them a nice steak dinner. They sure had a thing for meat judging by the large quantity of it in the freezer – and she knew just how they liked them; not too cooked and very well seasoned.
Relieved at the idea of doing something that would distract her mind from the longing ache she felt in the pit of her stomach every time she thought of Ryan and Caine, she made her way into the kitchen, when she suddenly heard a strange sound. Turning, she cried out as a shadow of a man came forward, his eyes burning with anger and arousal.
“Tre...” she breathed, barely able tos peak.
“Hello, Julie,” he replied, coming closer.
She let out a shrill cry and turned to run. He grabbed her around the waist before she could escape him, his strong arms banding around her, forcing her against his chest.
“Now, this isn’t the welcome I expected after all these months apart,” drawled Tre, pinning her back against him as he whispered in her ear. Julie struggled against him but he was far too strong. He grabbed her hair with one hand and twisted it to the side so she could stare into his cold, dark eyes.
“Didn’t think you’d ever see me again, did you?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“What did you...how could you even...?” Julie gasped, her face creasing in pain as he yanked cruelly on her hair.
“It wasn’t easy, mind you. First I had to find where you ran off to and that was a bit difficult with you continuously moving and all. But when you settled here I was able to track you through your credit card records. You never struck me as being so stupid, Julie. Maybe you wanted me to find you. Is that it, baby? You missed me.”
“You’re delusional, as usual,” she spat, her fear suddenly replaced with uncontrollable anger. “Now let me go, before Ryan and Caine come back and make you regret this!”
“Ah – your two lovers. You’ve grown into quite the whore, haven’t you? Giving yourself so cheaply to two creatures,” snarled Tre, fingers tightening in her hair with a punishing grip.
Julie winced at the pain but didn’t cry out. “They love me. Something you’d never understand the meaning of.”
“Now, that hurts. Would I hunt you halfway across the freaking country for over six months if I didn’t care?” Tre growled, a deep scowl darkening his face. “And this time, I’ll make sure that you’ll never escape again. I’ve got men waiting outside, enough to fight off a fucking army. So if your lovers show up before I get you out of here, they’re going to be in for quite the surprise.”
Julie gasped in dismay, as Tre turned her head to look out of the window. She could see several men dressed in suits , their large hands holding guns as they stood guard over the cabin doors. How could she not have heard their cars drive up? Then she remembered how she’d dozed off to the blaring sound of the television. She swore underneath her breath and vowed not to panic, knowing that if she stood any chance of escape she had to remain calm and think her way out of this mess.
“The sooner we leave, the better chance of being gone before those two punks get back,” Tre continued, with a sneer to his lips. “And now I know just how sexual you are, having two lovers and all, I’ll be sure to liven things up in bed – starting with keeping you cuffed to my bed – permanently if need be.”
“You think you’ll get away with kidnapping me?” Julie replied, angrily. “Maybe keep me locked in a dungeon so that no one will know what kind of a monster you really are?”
“I always wanted a dungeon,” mused Tre, his lips curling derisively. “Now move.”
Julie was reluctant to take another step but she had no choice. She couldn’t risk Ryan and Caine coming back and facing the small army that stood outside. Her heart sank as she allowed Tre to push her towards the door. They just got out into the open air when sounds of movement came at them from the woods.
The armed men turned in that direction but no one could have been prepared for the sight that met their eyes moments later.
“What in the hell...?” yelled Tre as a teeming band of huge, snarling wolves burst from the trees.
“Shoot them!” Tre commanded, pointing to the advancing pack. Before the men could react, the massive beasts flew at them from every angle. There were screams, yells and sporadic shooting at nothing in particular as guns went off in hands struggling to fight off immense furry, snapping creatures.
Julie stared in shock at the spectacle of so many wolves overpowering the men who’d enclosed the cabin. Swearing loudly, Tre backed into the house again, dragging Julie along with him with an arm pinned around her waist.
Before they got far, they came face to face with Ryan.
“Ryan!” cried Julie happily, but then she yelped as Tre forcefully yanked her by the arm to stand behind him.
“Let her go,” Ryan said simply, coldly. Julie stared at his face and almost didn’t recognize him. His eyes had gone a strange, light color and she watched in horror as his bared teeth seemed to elongate and sharpened into edges. What the...?
Her attention snapped back to Tre who retrieved a gun from his back waistband. Seizing Julie by the neck, he pointed the nozzle right at her temple. “And you need to back off,” Tre warned.
“You won’t hurt her,” Ryan said with certainty, but began to back off slowly as Tre advanced with the trembling Julie trapped in front of his body, gun to her head.
“You don’t fucking know me, man,” Tre said coldly. “Don’t push me. Now move the hell out of my way.”
As Ryan silently shifted aside, Tre looked at him with a triumphant sneer, before dragging Julie along with him outside to where one of his men’s trucks had been parked.
The next second, something flew out from the corner of their eyes and Julie’s head turned in time to see a familiar looking golden-brown wolf leap in the air, straight for Tre. Tre had caught the quick movement and spun with his gun, shooting thrice in quick succession. Julie cried out and tumbled back, Tre’s hand falling from around her as he was downed on his back by the monstrous wolf landing on his chest.
“What the hell is this? Get off me!” Tre roared, trying to push off the wolf snapping at his face. Julie crawled away on her hands and knees before she felt gentle arms pull her up. Sobbing, she fell against Ryan who helped her to her feet.
Tre shouted again and Julie looked to find the wolf had ripped at his suited arm. She couldn’t be sure but she guessed that this was the wolf that’d shown up to rescue her from Tre’s men outside the restaurant all those days ago. She was staring, in disbelief, watching Tre struggling to fight off the relentless wolf who snarled and snapped ferociously, its claws ripping at his now tattered suit.
Another shot rang out and Julie screamed, watching as the wolf bounded off Tre’s chest. Tre scrambled to his feet, and instinctively Ryan pulled her into a tight embrace, keeping her from harm’s way as Tre shot at the wolf that lept away to safety. Tre dashed for the truck, not looking back at the stunned Julie.
She watched in horror as Ryan let go of her, intent on going after Tre.
“No! He has a gun, Ryan...,” she cried out frantically, hand reaching out for him.
“I can’t let him get away, Julie,” Ryan replied, adding quietly, “I’m sorry.”
Julie looked at him in confusion. Sorry? What did he mean?
She could only watch in confusion as Ryan took off after Tre, his clothes ripping from his body as he began the transformation from man into a beautiful, powerful wolf.
Julie’s eyes widened with shock as she saw Ryan’s now nude form leap into the air, his limbs changing and a coat of black, silky fur sprouting from his back and head. By the time he landed to the ground and bounded into the distance, he
was in full wolf form.
Oh. My. God.
She was shaking, confusion making her feel weak and dizzy. Suddenly there was a crunch of branches behind her and she turned to find a gloriously dark wolf limping towards her. It was monstrous in size and towered over her as it knelt down.
She gasped in fear and backed away slowly. But then she saw the wolf pause, a wounded look on its face that looked strangely familiar. After what she’d witnessed with Ryan transforming into a huge black wolf, she was beginning to question her senses. But then she remembered that this wolf had saved her - twice, and she had to push her fear to the side as she saw its front limb.
“You’re hurt,” she whispered softly, and without thinking crawled the rest of the way forward, closing the gap between them. She gently lifted the injured limb, amazed at her courage when faced with the most fearsome beast. To her relief, she saw that the injury was just a graze from one of the bullets. But it looked very painful and she looked up into the wolf’s furred face with sympathy and gratitude for his help.
“You’ll be okay,” she whispered, staring into its eyes and feeling a connection that struck her to the core. Suddenly, her mind cleared and she gasped, “Caine?”
The wolf made a deep growling sound of assent as he nuzzled her hand. Julie caught her breath, his warm touch reassuring, loving.
She looked up to find a pack of wolves moving to surround them and without thought, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Caine’s wolf.
One of the wolves came forward, nodding in their direction. It was dark grey, with white tufts along the top of its large head. Julie felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized the wolves weren’t threatening.
Moments later, Ryan’s wolf returned and Julie felt herself breath again, realizing just how terrified she was that she had lost him. She watched in amazement, as Ryan seemed to communicate with the dark grey wolf that she assumed was the leader. The grey wolf silently nodded and the next minute, was leading the many other wolves back into the woods.
