by Kimber White
“This is my brother, Mac. And this is Gunner.” Gunner’s dark brown eyes flashed. Of the three of them, he looked the fiercest, his face in a permanent scowl.
“We don’t want to hurt you,” Liam said. “We’re not . . . not all of us agree with the way the Chief Pack does things.”
“So I’ve heard,” Derek said.
“Liam?” Dad said. He didn’t lower his weapon, but stepped forward. “Mama, you still have my phone in your pack?”
Grammy nodded and tossed Dad his phone. He swiped it open, raised a brow, and looked at Liam again. “Liam McConnell?”
A look passed between Liam and Mac. Dad passed the phone to me. He had it open to a picture of Liam McConnell. He looked much different than the man kneeling before me, but they were one in the same. In the picture, Liam wore a tailored suit. He leaned against a brick building talking on a cell phone. The shot was grainy, as if it had been taken from a distance and blown up.
“He’s next on my kill list from the Harlans,” Dad explained. “Got a hefty price tag on him too. Two hundred grand.”
“What?” Derek said. “I thought you told me you were getting half that for killing me.”
Dad smiled and shrugged.
“Why does the Chief Pack want you dead?” I asked, handing the phone back to Dad.
Liam took a breath. “I didn’t know they did.”
“I fucking told, you,” Gunner said. “We’ve taken too many risks. Coming up here was a risk. We should have just left them to the Regers and kept to our own.”
“Who are the Regers?” Derek asked.
When Liam raised his hand to point, Dad adjusted his rifle. “Easy,” he said.
“Those were the Regers.” Liam explained.
“Are you trying to get out of Kentucky?” Derek asked. “Is that what this is about?”
Mac pursed his lips, and Liam shook his head. “No,” Liam said. “There’s a group of us.”
“Stop!” Mac said. “We don’t owe them any explanations.”
“Maybe we owe you a bullet in the head!” When Dad moved in closer, Derek put a hand on his chest to stop him.
“You’re right,” Derek said. “You don’t owe us an explanation. Things could have gone very differently out there if you hadn’t stepped in. For that, I’m grateful. Doesn’t mean I trust any of you as far as I could throw you. But, we have a problem. You know where we are and can guess where we’re headed. The Kentucky pack wants us dead. So, we have a common enemy. That doesn’t make us friends.”
“And you know who we are and where we are,” Liam said. “So that gives us mutually assured destruction.”
Derek nodded. “I have no desire to kill any more wolves today unless I have to. Whether I do is up to you. I’m also not inclined to let you go until I’m certain I can get my people to safety. Tinker, what happened to my truck?”
“Smashed,” Dad said, raising a brow. “It’s totaled back there, but I can get to it. What did you have in mind?”
“Good. Bring those shackles we used on Boyd. We’re going to tie these three up. Then we’re going to get the hell out of here before I see another Kentucky wolf. Hurry.”
When Dad got back, I helped Derek bind the three men together. Derek used an elaborate looping pattern with the chains that cut cruelly into the men’s skin, but it wouldn’t do permanent damage. It would also make it very hard for them to uncoil themselves whether they shifted or not. Oh, they’d get out all right. With their combined shifter strength, it would only be a matter of time. But, Derek banked on the fact it would be enough to get us long gone and over the Michigan border.
“I also want your word,” Derek said, leaning down so he was nose to nose with Liam. Liam twisted in the chains and growled. But, he nodded.
“I got it,” Liam said through clenched teeth. “If I wanted you dead, I would have just helped the Regers finish the job.”
Derek patted Liam on the back and nodded. “You’re in for a hell of a fight down here, aren’t you?”
Liam’s face softened. He closed his eyes and dropped his chin. “There are more and more like us. I told you, not everyone agrees with the way the Chief Pack runs things.”
“Do you think it’s going to matter?” Derek asked. “Are there enough of you to make a difference?”
“Well, that’s our problem, not yours,” Mac answered.
“It becomes my problem when your people cross over into Wild Lake and cause trouble. Now, you’ve done something for me today. I won’t forget it. Wild Lake wolves always pay their debts. Other than not killing you where you sit, is there anything we can do to help you? If you come with us, I might be able to offer you sanctuary.”
Liam pressed his head against the wall. “No,” he said, though all trace of hostility left his voice. “No. This is our fight. And we have good people down here who still need our help.”
“Are they coming for us?” Derek asked. “Tell me the truth. Is the Kentucky pack planning on trying to take over Wild Lake lands?”
“I won’t lie to you,” Liam answered. “There are some in the pack who want that. Life is hard down here. You don’t know how good you have it up north. But, no. It’s not a pack war we want. Kentucky has enough trouble of its own. I’ve heard rumors the Chief Pack sent wolves up your way to scout things out, but that it didn’t end well for them.”
“You bet your ass it didn’t.” Anger rolled off Derek in waves. I put a hand on his arm to bring him back into himself. I sensed his shift coming. We needed to get out of here. The longer we waited, the greater the chance other wolves less inclined to help us might show up.
“We have no quarrel with you,” Liam said, chafing against the chains. He set his mouth into a hard line and gave Derek a nod. Derek took Liam’s hand and clasped it in a brotherly shake.
“Then, good luck to you,” Derek said. “I truly mean that. You’re going to need it.”
“Good luck to you too,” Liam said. “Stay to the east if you can. You’re less likely to run into any of the border patrols. They’re getting bolder. I’ve heard some even prowl territory as far as Columbus. Once you get over the state line, you should be all right. I don’t think any of them are crazy enough to tangle with the Michigan packs without reinforcements.”
“Let’s go!” Dad said. Brutus and Sofie whined at the barn door.
“Is someone coming?” I asked, wishing my ears were as sensitive as his. But, I could just feel the echo of Derek’s thoughts now.
“Not immediately,” he said, rising to his full height. He’d tied Liam, Gunner, and Mac in a huddle against the corner of the barn. “But I think we’ve pressed our luck enough today. It’s time to go home.”
I went to Liam. Slinging my rifle over my shoulder I crouched down to his eye level. “Thank you,” I whispered. “Truly. I know what it cost you to help us today. Lyles always repay their debts too. Remember that if we ever cross paths again.”
Liam and Mac looked at each other. Liam gave me a grim smile. Derek reached down and took my hand. As Brutus and Sofie howled from the doorway, I turned to leave.
We got back down to the car Derek stole. It’d be a tight fit, but we’d make it. The dogs climbed in back, I got behind the wheel, Dad and Grammy piled into the back seat with Brutus and Sofie. I revved the engine once and headed northeast. We should have just enough daylight to get the hell out of Ohio if nothing else went wrong.
When I finally hit the pavement and we left the farmhouse behind, three plaintive howls rose as Liam, Mac, and Gunner said their goodbyes.
“Do you think they’ll make it?” Derek rested his hand on my knee and gave me a squeeze.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Odds are heavily stacked against it. The Kentucky pack already knows Liam and his group are a threat if they called your father into it. Somebody else will fill the void your family is leaving.”
“Fucking Cavanaughs I’ll wager,” Dad said. “Fast Eddie’s been trying to take over my shit for decades. Ha! He’s in for
a rude awakening. Without these bad boys, my money’s on the McConnells back there. A part of me almost wishes I could stick around to see it.” He slapped his hand on the butt of his rifle.
“Not me,” Grammy said. “I thought I’d feel sad leaving Banchory. And I am, a little. It’s like saying goodbye to my Charlie all over again. But, maybe it’s high time I went back home. You think any of my people are still up there?”
Derek smiled back at her. Grammy rested her hand on Derek’s headrest and he rubbed it. “Oh, I think you might find an old timer or two you recognize. Family is family, no matter how long you stay away. I think you’ll be welcomed back with open arms.”
“Hmm,” Grammy said. “Don’t know about that. Shocked faces, at least. They all think I’m long dead. Safer that way. I sure wouldn’t mind seeing a few people just so I can tell those bastards off!” Dad put an arm around Grammy and kissed her cheek.
My heart began to lighten as we passed Portsmouth and hit U.S. 23, finally able to head north. Columbus got closer and closer, and Liam’s warning made us all tense. But, we made it through with no trouble. The only wildlife we saw was roadkill. Derek’s heart beat steady, no warning signs of any kind.
We were tired. We were starving. But we sure as hell weren’t going to stop until we crossed the state line once and for all. Grammy got chatty by the time we passed Marion. She told us old Native American legends about vampires, bear shifters, and a demon she called a Wendigo. A lifetime ago, a million miles away, I might have thought she was making it all up. But, I knew better.
“Wendigo,” I smiled, squeezing Derek’s hand. “It fits you.” He let out a chuff that sent a shiver of pleasure straight through me. My skin prickled. He was so close to me, but we couldn’t act on it. I just hoped wherever we ended up, he had plans to get me somewhere private as soon as possible. I looked up and caught Grammy’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Her face split into a knowing grin. She immediately changed the subject, prompting my father to look out the window at some road sign. Yes, Grammy understood all too well.
I took the route Derek instructed. We’d hit the Michigan line just past Toledo. My heart leaped when I finally saw the road sign; it was just ten miles away.
“We’re going to make it,” I whispered. “We’re actually going to make it.”
“Don’t jinx us, sugar,” Grammy called out.
The moment she said it, I felt Derek stiffen beside me. He still held my hand, and his turned ice cold.
“What? What is it?”
I checked the rearview mirror. A large, black SUV had pulled in behind us and covered the ground fast, barreling toward my rear bumper. My heart stopped. They were coming for us. If I had any question at all, Derek’s thundering pulse punctuated my fear.
“Drive faster,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
“What?” Dad and I said together. He turned in his seat, training his rifle on the driver of the other vehicle.
“Don’t stop until I tell you,” Derek said. “Go as fast as you can. We’re less than a mile from the state line. When I say so, pull over.”
“Pull over! Pull over?” Dad’s voice raised an octave and he racked a round. I floored the gas, weaving around a slower vehicle. A semi ahead of that car tried to swerve into the left lane, cutting me off. I slammed on the horn and went even faster. The trucker swung back into his lane. The black SUV kept pace with me.
“Derek,” I said, my voice shaking. “Baby, we’re almost out of gas.”
The pavement changed, going from smooth to rough as I finally crossed the state line.
“Pull over!” Derek shouted. His wolf eyes flashed. Hair sprouted on the back of his hands. The vibration of his impending shift skittered through me. There was a rest stop just up ahead. I swerved again and crossed over to the exit.
“Derek?” I screeched to a halt as Derek pointed. I hadn’t even put the truck in park before he pushed the passenger side door open and barreled out.
“Derek!” I shouted. But he was already running toward the SUV. The driver got out and ran toward Derek.
“Dad?” Dad trained his rifle on the burly driver just as he reached Derek. Derek froze. So did the driver. Then Derek let out a howl, half human, half wolf, then launched himself at the other man.
Chapter Eighteen
Derek’s howls turned to deep laughter as he thumped the driver on the back. My heart leaped along with Derek’s with love and recognition.
“His pack,” I said. I reached over and put my hand on the barrel of Dad’s rifle. “It’s Derek’s pack.” My pack. I put a tentative hand on the door latch, then climbed outside into cool air of dusk.
Derek’s smile lit me from within. He had an arm around the driver’s shoulders. Adam, this is Adam. Knowledge poured through me as I locked eyes with Derek. Adam wasn’t so tall as Derek, but he was wider through the shoulders, making him look more bear than wolf beneath his checkered flannel shirt. Adam had dark, tanned skin and he flashed a row of white teeth when he caught sight of me. The rest of the men piled out of the SUV.
Steven. He came toward me first. Tall and blond with deeply tanned skin. A vision flashed behind my eyes, and I saw Steven’s wolf. Sandy brown with warm, brown eyes. “She’s here, Cam!” Steven said. Cam ran ahead of Steven, a wild cowlick waving in the breeze as he came to me and held out his hand. Derek and Adam walked up, and I found myself in the center of five strapping men, all eager to meet me.
Blood roared in my ears as I felt the echo of Derek’s urge to shift. I felt the others, through him. He was connected to this pack, and I to him. It overwhelmed me, took my breath away. My mark flared hot. Derek steadied me by taking my hand in his. One of the men hung back by the car. The others parted to let us through.
“Owen?” Derek’s brother gave me a slow smile that melted my heart. God, he looked almost exactly like Derek except leaner, younger, fresh-faced. A teenager with thick, brown hair that hung into his eyes. I reached up and smoothed it back. He needed a haircut. Owen laughed and held his arms out.
“Hey, Sis,” he said. “Is it okay to call you that?”
My heart melted as I stepped into his arms. Just like with Derek, this felt like home. Natural, like I belonged.
“Now why the hell didn’t you call us sooner?” Adam said, his voice booming over the parking lot. He faked a punch to Derek.
“What, and share all the glory? No way.” Derek laughed it off, but I sensed the thread of tension running through the men. Derek had stories to tell. He’d been in danger and away from his pack. But, there would be time for that later. I sensed Derek’s need to put more distance between us and the Ohio border.
Derek made quick introductions of Grammy and Dad with the rest of his pack. Brutus and Sofie took to the pack members right away. Brutus even jumped into the SUV. Sofie, being Sofie, hung back, unsure. Grammy seemed instantly at ease around them. She recognized them as something so different from the wolves she’d known before. Dad was as unsure as Sofie. The scowl never left his face, but he shook hands and said the right things. It would take him longer to acclimate, I realized.
For now, though, we still had five hours ahead of us to make it to Wild Lake. A thrum of excitement went through the group. The rest of the pack took the lead while I climbed back into the car and followed them up the interstate. My heart directed me better than any GPS, though. The further north we went, it lifted. The air crackled with energy with each mile, and city after city fell behind us.
The further north we traveled, it seemed like we’d entered a different world. Cool, clean air. Blue skies as we drove through the night and into the morning. Trees, hills, and lakes. The air itself seemed to heal Derek the closer we got. Though blood still caked the jeans I packed him, I knew the deep wound in his thigh had closed.
“You need to hunt,” I said when we came within sight of a huge water tower. My heart surged as I read it. Wild Lake Outfitters.
“That’s us,” Derek said, pointing to the large store beneath it.
“Our company.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize I’d hooked up with a corporate man.”
Derek laughed. “You didn’t think I was planning to have you live off the land, did you? I actually have a job, baby. One of the other Alphas and I handle online marketing for the store.”
He directed me to an exit beyond the water tower. “We’re close,” he said. “Just a few more miles. I want to stop at the Bonner farm first. We’ll stay there overnight before heading up to my place in the Upper Peninsula. And I want you to meet Pat and Harold.”
“Right. Pat and Harold Bonner. You said their farm is kind of a home base or sanctuary for all the packs.”
“Pat Bonner?” Grammy said, whistling low. “That scrawny little thing?”
Derek raised a questioning brow. “When was the last time you saw her?”
“Sixty odd years, I guess.”
I made a winding curve through rolling hills. We took a dirt road off the highway, then down another path. The car jostled as the woods around us grew thicker; a foreign sedan, it wasn’t built for off-roading. I just hoped we wouldn’t get stuck after everything else that happened. Then, just over a rise, we reached a clearing. Fertile farmland stretched down into the valley below. A bright yellow farmhouse with a wraparound porch and white picket fence nestled against deep woods at the northern edge and trails behind it. A huge, red farmhouse sat behind the house. It looked like a picture postcard.
“There it is!” Derek said. “Pull up alongside the house and be prepared for a bone-crushing hug. Pat’s kind of famous for them.”
I did as Derek instructed. No sooner than I put the car in park, the screen door on the porch flew open and a woman charged out. She wore a bright green dress, her gray hair blew wild around her face, and she came to us with open arms.
Grammy stood at my shoulder and straightened her back when Pat approached. Pat put her hands on my shoulders and smiled. She had kind, green eyes and a wide smile. She couldn’t be five feet; she and Grammy were almost the same size, though Pat Bonner was considerably wider.
