When a Pack Dies

by Gwen Campbell

  With a dismissive snort as her only warning, Fina shoved at the woman’s shoulders with all her strength. The woman skittered backward on her heels then flopped down on her ass. From the floor, she glared up at Fina.

  “Get out of my way, bitch,” Fina growled. “If that’s all you’ve got, I’d say we’re done here.”

  The woman’s pale eyes flashed. Rage and indignation were replaced by calculation as she looked around the hallway at the other women, obviously searching for support. One by one, the other women subtly tipped their bodies away, exposing their flanks to Fina and keeping their line of sight well away from hers. They were here to intimidate, to take the measure of their Alpha’s mate. To see if she had what it took to lead their pack alongside him. It seemed only one of them was actively looking to challenge Fina for that position. Today anyway.

  The woman scrambled to her feet but she was hampered by her heels and hobbled by her skirt. Fina had no trouble grabbing her upper arms and slamming her back into the wall. Bodies scurried out of the way before they got pinned behind her.

  Jumping up, Fina landed a solid head smash into the woman’s forehead. The pine panel behind the woman cracked. She wobbled and her eyes teared up.

  “I can go for hours, bitch,” Fina hissed. Adrenaline and the knowledge that, for now, Ryan’s rank would be tied to hers fueled Fina’s determination. That and growing up the youngest of four, squabbling siblings meant that Fina was going to hold her own in this fight. She grabbed the woman by the throat and squeezed.

  Being top bitch wasn’t all about strength. Neither was being Alpha for that matter, although holding your own in a fight went a long way in their world. Leadership was more about having an inborn ability to lead. Having more of it than anyone else. A select few had the ability to take command of a situation, of a group just by showing up. They were smart, focused, ruthless when they had to be and they didn’t back down from any challenge. They’d fight just like they faced any situation, full on, full out and believing that they had the biggest balls in the room. It didn’t mean they’d be good leaders but it meant that others submitted to their leadership.

  Long fingers tipped with red lacquer flailed beside the woman until she tapped on Fina’s shoulders repeatedly. “All right,” the woman managed to choke out when Fina eased her grip.

  “Hmm? Sorry. I missed that. Would you mind repeating yourself?” Fina taunted. She tightened her grip for two more seconds, pressing her fingers and thumb in behind the woman’s voice box. With cold determination, Fina showed the bitch and every woman standing around them that, if they’d met in wolf form instead of human form, she’d be ripping the challenger’s throat out. Fina eased her grip but didn’t move her fingers.

  “Enough. Please,” the woman croaked. “You win, all right?” Warily, she glanced down at Fina then looked away. “Alpha,” she whispered to Fina then deflated visibly.

  With a snarl, Fina released her. Luckily the women standing closest to her challenger caught the tall woman under the arms when her knees buckled. Women pressed back against the wall, making a lane for Fina to pass. She walked away but as she did, she deliberately shoved her shoulders into bodies. The other women grunted and moved aside obligingly. Still snarling, Fina muscled her way out of the hallway. No one else challenged her. She was ready for it, maybe even wanted it with all the adrenaline pumping through her but none of the other bitches met her eye.

  Fina had proven herself tough enough, strong enough to be top bitch. To this group at least. She had no illusions about not being challenged again. Surely there were other bitches out there with a hankering for power and she was sure she’d be challenged in wolf form too. But that was a fight for another day. Fina also knew her victory was a sham. Yes she possessed the innate talent, the character and strength to be a top bitch. She was also diminished. The rogues in Tennessee had ripped something out of the heart of her. Her head remembered what strengths she used to possess, knew how to exhibit them but it would only be a matter of time before this pack sniffed out the empty weakness inside her. Wolves had good intuition.

  Until they did, she’d keep faking it, giving Ryan status and security until it was time to move on. He’d grow up with the innate strength of a natural-born Beta’s son, become even stronger as the surrogate son of an Alpha.

  When she stepped back into the main area of the unnaturally quiet café, every eye in the place turned up to her. Cutler watched her too. She gave him the briefest of arrogant smiles then walked up to Dorothea Pike.

  “My apologies for destroying some of the paneling back there, Dorothea,” Fina said quietly but deliberately. “Send me the bill. Please.” She turned and walked back to Cutler’s table.

  “Did you have to fuck every woman in the county?” she hissed at him, pitching her voice for his ears only. For the first time, she saw Cutler flush. “Come on. Time for me to get Ryan home and time for you to get back to work. Stud,” she added with a sly grin and led the way back to the children’s play area.

  Chapter Seven

  “No I haven’t seen that one yet. I don’t go to movies much out here.”

  The sound of Fina’s muffled voice drew Cutler to the shut door of the home office. He shifted the bag of hot take-out chicken to his other hand, stood still and listened.

  “No! Really?” Fina laughed and it was a sound of pure, titillated joy.

  Cutler grinned in response to the girlish sound of Fina’s laugh. He sometimes forgot how young she was. How much she’d had to grow up the past couple months.

  “You’re such a flirt, Helen,” Fina gasped out between gales of laughter.

  The back door slammed and Cutler heard Ryan race toward him, probably drawn by the smell of food...food that Fina hadn’t cooked.

  “Hey, Cutler. You snooping?”

  “Yes,” Cutler answered without a trace of shame. He handed the exuberant and slightly sweaty child the bag. “Take that into the kitchen, wash your hands and set the table.”

  Ryan shot him a look of open defiance. It raised Cutler’s brows. When he growled quietly, Ryan took the hint, took the bag and took off toward the kitchen.

  “She’s just talking to stupid Helen from back home. It’s just stupid girl stuff,” Ryan shouted with a hint of malice and enough volume there was no way Fina couldn’t hear.

  The laughter on the other side of the door faded.

  “I haven’t made up my mind about coming back for school.” Fina’s voice was quieter now, more mature. “Well I can attend lectures over the Internet. Yeah, I know...”

  She sighed so quietly Cutler doubted the phone picked up the sound.

  “Either way I’ll send post-dated checks to the landlord for my half of the rent this year. I won’t leave you high and dry.” There was a pause in the conversation. “I guess it would feel like I’m already leaving you. Yeah, it sucks but I appreciate how much you understand. It means a lot.”

  With a resigned shake of his head, Cutler headed for the kitchen and the deliberately too-loud sound of slamming cupboards.

  * * *

  “Thank you for taking him, Trudy.” Fina unsnapped the belt of Ryan’s booster seat then stood back for him to hop out of her vehicle. Ryan grabbed his backpack. It held a few of his favorite toys, a change of clothes and his toothbrush. He ran to the front door of Trudy’s home.

  “My pleasure,” Trudy answered with a grin. “Koby’s been bugging me to ask if he and Ryan could have a sleepover.” She lifted her thin, slightly harried face up to the morning sunshine and her smile widened. “Thank goodness summer break will be over in a few weeks. The kids were driving me crazy until they found out Ryan was coming to visit.”

  Grinning, Fina looked up at Cutler’s childhood friend. She hugged the older woman affectionately and climbed back into her vehicle.

  “Hey!” Trudy’s piercing, Mom voice ricocheted down the driveway as she headed back to the house. “What did I tell you about climbing on the porch rail? When you break your legs, don’t come
running to me...”

  Her grin widening, Fina shook her head, turned the ignition and drove away.

  * * *

  “Hey, sweetheart.” Leaning against the doorframe of the study, one long leg crossed casually over the other, Nathaniel grinned down at Fina.

  She looked up from the computer and smiled. Nath’s blue eyes were brighter than usual and that was saying something. His smile was warm, loving, maybe even a touch naughty. He scented the air in the house slowly.

  “Ryan...?” he asked, deliberately letting his voice trail off.

  “At Trudy’s, having a sleepover.”

  “Ah.” If anything, his smile widened. His dimples looked extraordinarily tasty today. He tucked his thumbs into the pockets of his hiking shorts. The movement made Nath’s broad shoulders flex then drew her eye to his lean hips and the very nice musculature of his tanned legs. “And you and Cutler...while I was away...” The curve of his full, sensual mouth flattened for a moment. “Mated.”

  “Yes,” Fina answered, gentling her voice. Like always when he came back from leading a trek, Nath smelled of wood smoke, pine, fresh air and hot, hungry werewolf.

  Only it wasn’t food he was hungry for.

  An unsubtle glance told Fina that that thick, seductive ridge rising against the fastening of Nath’s sturdy hiking shorts wasn’t an errant hot dog that had fallen off its stick.

  His gaze dropped to his crotch then came back up to her. His grin grew naughtier. “I want you. Although I guess you figured that out.”

  “Hmm,” she hummed non-committaly. The corner of her mouth lifted as she stood and walked over to him. Stopping just before their bodies touched, Fina looked up into Nath’s shimmering eyes. The dimples on either side of that very bitable mouth of his deepened, shadowed by a day’s growth of particularly sexy, dark brown beard. “In case you hadn’t heard, I’m top bitch around here these days. You still up for that?”

  Without hesitation, Nath snaked his arm around Fina’s waist and pulled her against his thickening rod. “Yeah. I am,” he replied with quiet honesty and rolled his hips gently, rubbing himself against her soft, warm belly. “Cutler hasn’t ripped my throat out so he’s got no problem sharing. He might not like it...” Dipping his head, Nathaniel passed his nose over Fina’s neck then dragged his teeth over the delicate muscle capping her shoulder. “...but that’s only because he’s an Alpha. They’re not used to sharing. And you, my beautiful, beautiful Fina,” Nath added with a sensual growl, “are far too much woman not to share.” He kissed her. Capturing Fina’s mouth beneath his, Nath sighed and a fine shiver made his big body tremble against hers.

  Nathaniel’s mouth was warm and delicious. A hint of spice and the scent of wood smoke made Fina’s wolf leap forward and growl with sexual enticement. It drove her tongue in deeper, making her, for the first time with Nath, the aggressor.

  Nath’s answering snarl told Fina that neither he nor his wolf minded. He tightened his hold on her, gripped her bound hair and anchored her mouth to his. Nath’s kiss was gentle without being tentative. He explored her like he was asking and sighed with pleasure when she allowed his every caress. His tongue swept over hers, stroked the roof of her mouth, tested the sharpness of her teeth.

  “You taste so damned good,” Nath breathed when he finally broke the kiss to rest his forehead against hers and pant. “Not a minute went by this week without me thinking of you. Wanting you.” He kissed her again, kissed her deep and seductively and it was a long time before he pulled back. “I need a shower.” Nath’s dimples re-appeared when he grinned down at her. “Come on,” he added with a sinful smile. “Wash my back for me.” Taking hold of her hand, Nath led Fina down the hall.

  Halfway there, Nath let go and pulled his dark green golf shirt off over his head. Reaching out with her fingertips, Fina touched the sun-darkened skin on his broad back. It was surprisingly soft, especially since the thick muscles beneath were so hard. Glancing over his shoulder, Nath gave her a wicked, self-satisfied grin. His blue eyes glowed with mischief and he started undoing the button fly of his shorts.

  Fina gasped when they and the briefs beneath dropped to the floor. Nath stepped out of them nimbly and his ass flexed so sharply that Fina ran her fingers over her chin, checking for drool. His backside was firm, round and impossibly pert...if a guy’s ass could be called pert. It twitched seductively with the slow, sensual roll of his walk. Without asking, he turned into Fina’s room then paused in the doorway to her ensuite to tug off his thick socks. She crowded him, pressed her breasts into his back and fondled his ass.

  Chuckling, the sound low and sensual, Nath took hold of Fina’s hands, dragged them forward and anchored them around his cock. His head drifted backward and he sighed. Bracing his hands against either side of the doorframe and spreading his legs, Nath commanded the space. When she lifted her gaze to peek around him, Fina gasped. The big mirror over her double sinks reflected him perfectly. Her hands looked pale and small wrapped around his thick, purplish cock. She moved one over the head and squeezed carefully. The other drifted down to cup his shockingly smooth balls.

  “Fuck. Yeah,” Nath hissed and rolled his hips into her grip. Then his pelvis rolled back and his ass ground into her belly. He made her use her strength to stand against him then rolled forward again, using the momentum to pleasure himself in her hands. His skin smelled like fresh, clean sweat, mountain air and tasted warm and salty when Fina dragged her tongue up his spine. His cock felt hard and twitched in time with the beating of his heart. Peeking around him again, she became mesmerized as his lean, angled body rocked with delight.

  His eyes opened slowly, a blaze of blue set in his sun-darkened, sculpted face. He met her gaze in the mirror. “Take your clothes off, Fina. Slowly. I want to watch.” He stepped away from her, sat down on the padded bench next to the shower stall, wrapped a big hand around his cock and stroked himself. Leaning back against the wall and stretching his long legs out comfortably, Nathaniel licked his lips and watched her.

  She was fascinated by the slow, firm cadence of his strokes. By the way he’d grasp the head, pause, tighten his grip and bare his teeth. Gnawing on her lower lip, Fina lifted her t-shirt up and over her head, letting it drop to the floor beside her. Nath hissed and gripped himself tighter.

  “Squeeze your breasts, Fina. Make your nipples even harder.”

  She looked down at herself and saw them standing out, pressing against the thin satin of her bra, saluting and saying “hi.” Nath’s unchecked and unfeigned sensuality overrode any shyness Fina might have felt and she palmed her breasts. Squeezing gently at first, she made them plump and swell over the lace-topped cups of her bra. Nath’s naughty grin widened.

  “Yeah, sweetheart. Harder. Play with them for me. You’re so damned sexy.”

  Fina squeezed harder, hard enough that she moaned and dropped her head back as an ache of pleasure arrowed down her abdomen. Holding his balls and tugging them away from his body, Nath smiled his approval. Still stroking himself, he stared at her with those intent eyes and licked his lips.

  His eyes narrowed when she ran her fingers down her body and touched the top button of her linen shorts.

  “Yeah,” he repeated with a jerky nod. “Strip for me, sweetheart. Show me that sweet pussy I’ve been fantasizing about for weeks.” He moaned when he tightened his fist around his shaft and tugged faster. Then he stopped. “I’m going to claim you, Fina,” Nathaniel said in a deep, rumbling voice. He lifted his gaze to her face as his hand fell away from his rod. The grin and the lascivious twinkle in his eyes faded, replaced by a furrow between his brows. “I will be your mate right alongside Cutler. You’ll bear his cubs and mine.” The furrow deepened as his eyes darkened. “I won’t be a fallback fuck for you, a little variety or kink when you feel like it. When I mark you, you’ll be mine just as much as you are his. You’ll accept us equally, treat us equally in bed.” Nath’s mouth was now perfectly flat. “Are you clear on what I expect if you become my mate?”


  “Yes.” Fina’s voice was quiet but there was no hesitation in her reply.

  “Are you willing to accept me under those conditions? To love me as much as you love him?”

  Fina blinked. He asked for too much when he asked for love. So did Cutler. Resisting the urge to shake her head, Fina kept her gaze locked on Nathaniel’s. They asked for forever...for a strong, whole, loving mate. She didn’t have that in her anymore but she did need their protection. She needed a pack. Ryan did too. Knowing full well her first act as Nath’s mate was a lie, Fina nodded, hating herself but doing it anyway. “Yes.”

  Nodding, Nath exhaled slowly. The furrow between his brows softened along with the darkness in his eyes. Fina realized that Cutler had asked the same things of her, only Cutler didn’t ask. He made his demands clear then took. She loved the difference between the two brothers. The stray from Tennessee had found the best of both worlds in them. Instead of making her feel more guilty, it took away some of the sting...like maybe, somehow and someday, her acceptance of them might not be a lie.

  Grinning cockily, Nath ran his sun-darkened hand over his abdomen, palmed his balls then slid his fingers over his erection. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.” Letting his gaze drift over her suggestively, he moistened his lips and waited.

  Feeling her eyes crinkle with excitement, Fina unsnapped the top button on her shorts and eased the zipper down. She didn’t feel self-conscious or even a little bit foolish. The werewolf lounging in front of her was so obviously aroused by each little movement, every subtle twitch of her fingers that his eyes blazed as he watched. When the tip of his tongue darted out and swept his lower lip, Fina thought about it moving over her body. As her shorts slid down her thighs, she cupped her satin-panty covered mound and slowly slid her fingers between her legs.

  Nath growled his approval. “The bra next. Take it off.”