by Lisa Oliver
“Let’s hope he still thinks so when he gets a look at Sean.” Cam laughed and turned to face his mate. “I’ve got to go and supervise check in. I need to run background checks on the outsiders who’ve applied to take part of the challenges today. Want to come with me?”
“There are strangers in town. I’m not leaving your side for a second.” And yes, there was that protective, possessive wolf shifter hybrid Cam was coming to love. Love. At last. He wondered how his staunch mate would handle it when he finally had the guts to tell him. Perhaps wait until after the challenges are done. My poor mate is stressed enough with strangers around as it is.
Chapter Nine
Two hours later and Levi felt a prickle of unease run up his neck. The challenges were over. Levi was impressed at just how much work Cam got done. Not only had he run background checks on every person who’d signed up, but he’d also found the time to pull up Kyle’s father’s employment records and worked out a sizeable sum to deposit into the family account. Cam had taken great pleasure stripping the Fontain men of their assets, under council law, of course, and signing them over to Kyle and his brother Michael. This was all before the challenges even started.
Watching Cam work made Levi realize just how valuable an asset his mate had been to Ranger. There was nothing that man couldn’t find on a computer. And he’d proven his strength twice when two different challengers decided they didn’t need to go through a beta wolf to get their chance at a well-paying job. They both left sporting large hand marks across their throats and Levi’s boot up their ass.
But it wasn’t Cam’s efforts to protect himself, or the challenges that followed that put Levi’s senses on alert. He watched the crowd move off towards town. He and the others were going back to the pack house where the six new enforcers would be sworn in. Cam was talking to Aiden, but despite only being four feet away, Levi had the urge to get closer.
“Are your spidey senses playing up?” Marcus nudged him, Shadow tucked under his arm.
“Yep. Yours?”
“Yep. Keep your mate close and your eyes peeled on the way to the pack house. Pays to trust your instincts when you’re in a game like ours.”
Levi would have liked to point out that they weren’t in the “game” anymore, but Marcus was right. That prickle up his neck had saved his life on more than one occasion. He was glad when Cam finished talking and came over.
“Something worrying you?” Of course, Cam would pick up on the changes in his mood.
“Not sure but Marcus is feeling it too, so it’s likely Ranger and Sean will be sensing it as well. Stay close.”
Cam simply nodded, but Levi noticed he was watching the road and landscape as they made their way back to the pack house. They’d only just got inside when he heard the sounds of a truck and a large car coming up the driveway. “We’ve got company,” he said although his words were unnecessary. Ranger pulled Aiden close while Sean and Marcus guarded the door through to the hall.
“You guys sit down,” Cam nodded at the enforcers. “I’ll get the door.”
Stop him, Levi’s senses screamed at him, but with nothing to back up his worries, Levi watched and fumed as Cam went to the door.
“I’m Councilor Roger Cotton, I wish to speak to the Alpha immediately.” A posh voice and a name Levi didn’t recognize. Cam explained Dominic was no longer in his council position. Maybe this guy was his replacement. But Levi didn’t like the tone being used with his mate.
“My apologies, Councilor,” from his vantage point Levi saw Cam tilt his head ever so slightly. “I am afraid the Alpha is busy right now. If you explain why you wish to see him, I will, of course, see to it he is advised as soon as possible.”
Aiden had his hand over his mouth, probably to stop himself from laughing out loud but Ranger looked like someone had shit on his favorite boots and Marcus and Sean looked concerned.
“Get out of my way, beta.” It seemed the new councilor had an attitude problem. “Your alpha is responsible for absconding with all four of my assassins, I insist on speaking with him immediately.”
“If you had said you wanted to speak to the former assassins,” Cam said smoothly, “then, of course, that is entirely a different matter. But I am afraid your men will have to stay outside. Surely a full division of guards is a little excessive as council members’ protection?”
“A whole division?” Levi mouthed at Marcus who was closest to the window. A quick peek out of the curtains and Marcus nodded. Ranger held out his hands, pointing at the enforcers, and the others, scattering them around the room with the two biggest standing behind Aiden and Ranger.
“Under council by laws,” Levi heard Cam say smoothly, “you are allowed two people to accompany you to a meeting with the alpha of any territory. However, I must insist all weapons are left on the porch. Our alpha mate is a stickler for protocol, I am sure you understand.”
“I wasn’t aware there was an alpha mate,” Cotton said as though such a position was a curse. Aiden held Ranger’s hand, beaming at him, but the assassins and enforcers were on high alert by the time Cotton and two large men entered the room. Judging by the uniforms the men had been drafted directly from the guard’s division. Both captains. Excessive and unusual, as councilmen were usually protected by their own men.
“Alpha Chalmers, my apologies for interrupting your enforcer ceremony but may I present Councilor….”
Cam’s introduction was rudely interrupted by Cotton who scowled as he noted all four assassins in the room. “There you are, you lazy dogs. I’ve got work for all of you and not one of you bastards have bothered to answer my calls.”
“Excuse me?” Ranger drew himself up to his full height. “Did you just call the only four assassins in existence ‘dogs’?”
“Council dogs, that’s what you are.” Cotton didn’t seem scared at all, which indicated a definite lack of intelligence. “You work for us. I’ve been over Dominic’s records and there’s been some serious slacking going on. Not one of you have worked a job in over a month and I demand you return to the council offices immediately.”
“We quit,” Marcus waved his hand to indicate all four of them. “Three of us found our mates and our fourth is hopeful. This was all explained to the council when Ranger was sent to kill his own mate. We all work and live here now and we’re very happy where we are.”
“You can’t quit.” Cotton lost his composure. Watching him, Levi wouldn’t be surprised to see him foaming at the mouth. The two guards who came with him were watching the procedures carefully though and Levi would swear one of them had a look of disgust on his face when his eyes hit Cotton. “You have been trained to the highest degree; training that cost the council a fortune, taking years to obtain. You don’t have the right to quit.”
“And yet we have,” Ranger growled. “I made it plain at the last council meeting that none of us would be taking jobs anymore. The assassin program was flawed from the start and none of us intend to have any part of it any longer.”
“You all carry the mark.” Cotton pointed to Ranger, Marcus, Sean and finally coming to land on Levi. “You belong to us.”
“And that mark,” Levi broke in quietly, “is one reason why you should really watch your mouth. Did you really think your division would be strong enough to bring in four highly trained assassins, especially when they don’t want to go?”
“You never said anything about apprehending assassins, sir,” one of the guards said cautiously. “These men are legends. They do untold good works for our community. None of our men will touch them.”
“You will do as you’re fucking told because that’s what you get paid to do.” Cotton raged. “These men are mine, you understand. My trained killers and they will be coming with me today whether they like it or not.”
“Then you’ll be capturing them yourself,” the guard said firmly, nodding at his companion. “We answer to the council, not to individual members. Gentlemen, we apologize for the intrusion.” Both guards nodded
and stalked out of the house.
“Cowards.” Cotton watched his back up leave, scorn written all over his face. “No matter. I have the authority of the council behind me and you four have ten minutes to pack your belongings and get out to the car.”
“Excuse me, councilor,” Cam interrupted. “But what about the mates?”
“Yes,” Aiden said stepping forward, a haughty look on his face. “What’s going to happen to the assassin mates if you take them as you intend?”
“Bond mates are a dime a dozen, especially ones that look like you.” Cotton sneered at Aiden. “I will make it law no assassin will be allowed to take a mate. Any existing mate bond will be broken.”
“So, you really intend for the assassins to be treated like caged killers?” Cam scratched his face with his phone. “At least, that’s what you seem to be telling the Alpha of the Northern States. You intend to shackle them to council demands, break their matings, and ensure they never have a mate in their life again.”
“They were trained to be nothing more than killers.” Cotton seemed to ignore the hidden warning about Aiden’s status. “I know a lot of our kind get off on the sort of power and prestige that seems to surround their existence, but believe me, I intend to change all of that. These four dogs have been treated like rock stars for long enough. It’s time society sees them for who they really are; rabid animals fit for nothing but to hunt and kill.”
Levi growled, his fists clenched, his fangs protruding from his jaw. But Cam held up his hand. “And what if the mating bonds are true mates, councilor?” He was still holding his phone. “What do you intend to do then?”
“You two claim to be true mated to assassins?” Cotton sounded incredulous.
“Three of us.” Shadow stepped forward to stand by Aiden, twirling a knife in his hand. “All true mates. What do you intend to do with us while your dogs are running around doing your bidding?”
“I will have the matings broken.” Cotton spat on the floor. “I know a shaman. It can be done. I won’t have my assassins distracted from their work.”
“Did you hear that?” Cam asked into the phone. He smiled and nodded and Levi just managed to catch the phone when it was thrown at him.
“Kill him,” he recognized the gravelly voice of Tron, his old trainer. “Council orders. Any means necessary. Think of it as your one last job.”
“Understood.” Levi slipped the phone into his pocket and nodded at his friends before rubbing the spot between his eyes.
“Not on the carpet,” Aiden yelled. It seemed Ranger had been telling tales out of school.
“What, what…who was that on the phone? Did you record me? You’ve got no right. I’m a councilman.” Cotton’s face went white as all four assassins advanced on him.
“It seems you were right,” Levi said, flexing his claws. “We did have one last job to do after all. Who wants to do the honors?”
“Let’s take a limb each,” Sean cracked his knuckles. “The alpha has ordered us to take him outside.”
“Ooh, a tug of war. Come on Aiden, you have to watch this.” Shadow clapped his hands.
“You will all stay in here with the new enforcers,” Marcus tugged Shadow back and the smaller man pouted. Cotton wasn’t given the same option as Levi and Ranger grabbed an arm each, while Marcus and Sean took his legs. The man started screaming before they made it to the door, but he didn’t scream for long.
/~/~/~/~/
“Anyone for coffee?” Cam said brightly looking at the enforcers. A couple of the faces had a green tinge, especially when Cotton’s screams finally stopped.
“Alpha.” A tall blond alpha type addressed Aiden. “Will we be required to work with the assassins as part of our duties?”
“One of those assassins is the alpha mate. Another one is mated to my second. I really don’t see it can be avoided, can you?” A flush of red moved up Aiden’s neck and Cam could see he was annoyed at what he perceived as an insult. After Cotton’s disgusting comments, Cam wasn’t surprised Aiden was feeling defensive.
“You will have a unique opportunity in this pack,” Cam said, moving so he was in between Aiden and the blond, forcing the questioner to focus on him. “All four assassins form Aiden’s inner circle and one of you will be selected, as well. You will all be expected to train with our mates once a week. This will ensure the skills you showed in the challenge ring will stay sharp. It has always been the alpha mate’s intention to surround Aiden with only the very best and strongest wolves around.”
The blond was paying close attention and Cam chose his next words carefully. “I am sure you will all agree this is a huge honor. No other shifter has ever been allowed to see how the assassins train. It won’t be easy, but the rewards in terms of your career and status will be huge. It is your decision, of course, and you are free to leave now if you so wish. However, if you agree to these conditions, then swear loyalty to the Alpha and we’ll find you your new rooms.”
Aiden threw him a grateful smile, but Cam was watching the enforcers. Honor and loyalty were the two mainstays of shifter existence. If these guys stepped forward and accepted their position, their personal standing among other wolves would be increased. Of course, none of them would be taught all the assassin tricks of the trade. Ranger would never allow anyone near his mate he personally couldn’t beat in a hand to hand combat. But the training they would get would be more than even the council guards went through.
And it seemed the six new recruits were thinking the same thing as one by one, they all sank to their knees, hand over their heart, as they pledged their loyalty to Alpha Aiden Chalmers. The blond was the last one to do it and Cam pulled him aside as the others went to find their new rooms.
“Do you have a problem with assassins?” He asked quietly.
“Hell, no,” the blond who Cam remembered was called Paul shook his head. “One of the assassins, I don’t know who, saved my sister from a group of rogues. I’ve always had the deepest respect for them.”
“But?”
“The bastards always get the girls, right? Or blokes, if that’s what they are into.” Paul looked around but no one was paying them any attention. “Ordinary guys like us don’t get a look in when they’re around. I figured if we was hanging around with them all day, my dick would never get any satisfaction.”
“Well, Sean is the only one who’s single,” Cam laughed. “As I told Cotton, the other three are all true mated, one of them to me. But I know what you mean. Believe it or not, the assassins find it a curse – people throwing themselves at them all the time.”
“A curse?” Paul’s eyebrows almost disappeared under his hair. “It’s my idea of heaven. People coming on to me and begging for my attention.”
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Even mated, Levi still has men and women falling at his feet. Believe me. The novelty doesn’t last for long.”
Cam could see Paul wasn’t convinced. But he went to his room, still shaking his head. Looking around, Cam couldn’t see Levi anywhere and decided to go and look for him. Considering an assassin’s kill time was roughly thirty seconds, it was high time Levi was back by his side.
Chapter Ten
“He was going to fit us with fucking collars.” Levi tugged the offending objects from Cotton’s jacket and threw them on the ground. “Look at them. Four of them. Complete with fucking dog tags with our names on them.”
“He’s got some seriously twisted ideas,” Ranger agreed, picking one up. “At least he bought the ones that expand when we shift. Who gave the kill order?”
“Tron.” Levi pulled out Cam’s phone, finding the call and hitting the call-back button. “Sir, the order has been completed. Now, do you want to tell us what that was all about? How did Cotton even know where we were and what the hell was he doing turning up with a full division of council guards?”
“I’ll tell you all over dinner. Expect me at six.” The call went dead.
“Tron never was one for chatting on the phon
e.” Marcus picked up the collar with his name on and put it in his pocket. “What do we do with this mess? Usually, the council cleans up after us.”
“I don’t want to see another fucking council member for the next ten years,” Sean growled. “I’ll find a fucking shovel.”
“I’m going to find Shadow. I’m probably going to get my ass kicked for forcing him to miss out on the fun,” Marcus said with a sigh. “You two make sure no one else comes near here. Cotton made a bit of a mess.”
Ranger sighed as he parked his butt against the nearest tree. “I won’t be sorry to give up this life,” he said quietly.
“Because of Aiden?” Levi picked a neighboring tree, mirroring Ranger’s pose.
“Not just Aiden. I was sick of it long before he came along. I just didn’t have anything else in my life.”
“Me neither.” Levi thought back over the past twenty years. It wasn’t so bad before he scented Cam. He’d do his job, hit the nearest town and do his best to get drunk and find a hook up after. It wasn’t ideal, but after spending most of his life alone he used to kid himself he had a purpose. “Do you think Cotton was right? That we are just council killer dogs?”
“It used to feel like it sometimes,” Ranger stared at the sky through the tree canopy. “I used to tell myself we were doing some good. We saved the innocent when we could even if we went against council orders to do it. The people we killed were never going to turn their lives around no matter what happened to them. But the bottom line was, there’s only so much blood you can have on your hands before you can’t get rid of the stench.”
Levi looked at his own hands. The blood on them was fresh; it was all Cotton’s. But he knew exactly what Ranger was talking about. “Do you think it will ever fade away?”
“I think having the love of a good man goes a long way towards making it seem less important. I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I met Aiden. Before him, I was silly enough to think I preferred my own company. Seems a bit pathetic now.”
