The Alpha's Fight

by Michelle Fox

  Trent drove a hook punch into Ryder's jaw, causing his head to snap back and crack like it was going to break. The other men followed that up with a never-ending series of hits and kicks. He fell to the floor, fighting for every breath as the silver ate through his blood. His flesh blossomed in a bouquet of pulsing bruises from the beating. Before long, he was in too much pain to talk, let alone try to fight back. Tunnel vision set in and Ryder focused on the only thing that mattered: Surviving long enough to win.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lia suppressed a groan as Mason's car pulled up to the Rowdy Howl. Everything bad that had happened in the last few days had started there. For whatever reason, fate kept dragging her back for another go round.

  Any more bad luck and I'll be dead.

  Mason slipped his phone into his pocket and tapped a finger on the tie stuffed into her mouth. "Stay here and be quiet."

  She glowered at him.

  He laughed. "Like you have any choice, right?"

  A growl rolled up from deep in her belly. Maybe the gag kept her from talking, but she could still express herself just fine. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't dream of being so aggressive with a big alpha like Mason, but he'd backed her into a corner and she wouldn't go down without a fight.

  "Oh, Alessio will like you. You've got more spirit than your sister, that's for sure," Mason said as he opened the door and stepped out of the car.

  Alone in the car, Lia considered her options. Her hands were cuffed with silver and the gag in her mouth chafed the corners of her lips, the skin already chapped and burning. On the up side, Mason hadn't locked the door, and no one seemed to be paying attention to her. The men he had with him were all focused on escorting him into the Rowdy Howl.

  Taking advantage of the lack of security, Lia twisted around in her seat until she could reach the door handle. Opening the door and feeling as awkward as a wingless chicken, she somehow got out of the car.

  Scanning the lot and the woods around it, she debated her options. Run? Hide? Go into the Rowdy Howl? What was the move here? She had no idea. A car pulled into the hidden drive leading to the bar forcing her to choose fast.

  Lia stepped back, looking for a place to hide, but she was out of time. The car, a sleek Dodge Cougar painted the color of blood and with tinted windows dark as night, pulled into the spot next to her. The engine gave a loud roar before the driver cut it off.

  The man who emerged from inside had a tall and lean frame, with a narrow face. He was handsome, but otherworldly. A black suit shadowed his body and the dark shirt underneath his suit coat seemed to swallow the light, especially in contrast with his pale skin. His faded blue eyes regarded her with cold interest, as if she were an interesting specimen.

  "You must be the sister," the man said, his voice as frigid as his eyes. He yanked the gag out of her mouth, letting the fabric slip down to ring her neck.

  Her voice dry, Lia asked, "Are you Alessio?" She couldn't help but shiver when she looked at him. The man was like the wind on a sub-zero day.

  "I am." He gave a shallow bow.

  "Is Adele with you?" She craned her neck trying to see inside his car.

  "Where's Mason?" he asked, ignoring her question.

  "In there." She nodded toward the bar.

  As if on cue, the door opened and two of Mason's men came out, their gazes immediately homing in on Lia. "Mason wants you inside," said a tall man with blond hair. He waved her forward while his partner, a short and squat man with brown hair, headed toward the car. He carried car keys in his hand, and pushing a button on the remote, he popped the Cadillac's trunk. "Might as well bring the old bitch in, too."

  Lia craned her neck to watch. She had a sinking feeling she knew who the 'old bitch' was, but she couldn't see past the top of the trunk. The blond guy came over and tried to drag her to the bar door, but she shook him off, wanting to see what was in the trunk.

  Sure enough, when the brown haired guy stepped back into view, he held Tillie in his arms. The elderly woman looked like hell. Bruises covered her face like bad makeup and dried blood formed clumps in her hair. At some point, she'd been hit in the mouth, splitting her top lip right up the center.

  "Oh, Tillie," Lia gasped.

  Tillie stirred at the sound of her name. Blinking, she peered, bleary-eyed, at Lia. "Where's Ryder?" Her voice sounded like un-oiled hinges at the breaking point.

  "I don't know," Lia said. "Are you okay?"

  Tillie snorted. "I'm tougher than I look. They tried to cut off my toes, but I kicked 'em in the face so hard, I knocked 'em right out."

  "Cut off your toes? Why?"

  "Mason's a vindictive asshole. Every day, all day that's the number one reason why that bastard does anything." She strained against the man holding her. "Put me down. I can walk."

  He set her down. "Fine. Have it your way, old lady."

  She smoothed out her track suit. "Old lady this, old bitch that. You say it like old means I can't kick your ass."

  "You were the one stuffed in the trunk," said brown-hair guy.

  "Shut it. All of you. Inside, now." The blond shoved Lia toward the bar so hard she stumbled and almost fell. To Alessio, he said, "Mason is waiting for you."

  "Of course." Alessio brushed past them and strode into the bar, his posture stiff.

  Lia moved as slow as she could get away with, trying to decide what to do. It was a long shot, but she could still run for it. The woods were thick enough to provide some cover and make it harder to track her down. But she was also closer to her sister and reconnecting with her past than ever before. And there was Tillie to think about. She couldn't leave her behind, which meant she had to see whatever was going to happen at the Rowdy Howl through, whether it was dangerous or not.

  Lia blinked as she crossed the threshold of the bar, adjusting to the lack of light inside. Tillie came in after her and was directed to sit down by the brown-haired guy. Lia watched to make sure she was okay before taking in the rest of the scene before her. The bar wasn't full, but there was a good sized crowd. Most everyone was on their feet, their attention directed to the center of the room.

  Mason stood in the thick of it looking down on a man who lay at his feet. His men fanned out in a half circle around him, making it hard for Lia to see what was going on. Alessio was to her right, hovering in the background, an expression of faint interest on his pale face.

  "You weren't supposed to knock him out," Mason bellowed. Lia tried to shift her stance to get a better view, but the blond guy jerked her back. All she could make out was Mason's shoe nudging someone on the floor none too gently.

  Lia looked to the door, already thinking she'd made a mistake. She should've run when she had the chance. No one was watching, save for the blond dude. With a little luck, it could be so easy. All she had to do was step outside and just go. She still had Ryder's phone. If she could get a hold of the sheriff, she could rescue Tillie and find Ryder, too.

  "Don't think about it." The blond gave her a rough shake. "If I have to chase you, I'll have to hurt you when I catch you. And I will catch you."

  "Bring some ice water," shouted another man, this one with red hair. There was movement behind the bar as a waitress hurried to fill the order.

  "Hello, Mason," Alessio's voice cut through the commotion. "Did I misunderstand? Are there two morsels here for me tonight?" His gaze fell on the unconscious man sprawled on the floor.

  Mason shook his head. "No, that one is mine. He owes me a pound of flesh."

  "He owes you more than that." The red headed man took a beer mug of ice water from the waitress and dumped it over the man.

  Sputtering, the man on the floor, rolled onto his back. Lia gasped as she realized it was Ryder. She hadn't been able to see him with so many people in front of her and the dim light of the bar hadn't helped. His face had been rearranged. Blood and mottled bruises covered his handsome features. He looked like he'd run face first into a speeding train.

  "Oh, no," she whispered t
o herself. She made to rush over to him, but the blond guy held her back.

  Tillie stood, shaking off the brown-haired guy's arm as he tried to push her back down. "Ryder? Are you all right?" She hurried to her grandson, moving fast considering how much she limped.

  "I'm okay, Grandma. Just stop getting hurt, will you?" Ryder reached up and gently touched the dried blood at her temple.

  "Same goes for you."

  "I'm down, but not out. I've been in worse fights." He gave a weak smile.

  "Get her out of here," snarled Mason.

  "What should we do with her?" The brown-haired guy lifted Tillie up and away from Ryder.

  "Take her outside. She can watch as the last of her line is destroyed."

  The brown-haired guy gave a curt nod and dragged Tillie out of the bar.

  "Let me go. You touch him again, Mason Claw, and you'll have to deal with me." Tillie shrieked and kicked at the man yanking her away from her grandson, but she was too small and too old to stop him. She was hustled outside in seconds.

  "Have I come at a bad time?" Alessio cast a doubtful look over the bar.

  "No, it's fine. Let's get rid of the girl." Mason strode over to them, his expression determined. "I'll settle my other business later."

  "How much for the sister?"

  "A hundred."

  Alessio frowned. "That's a very high price."

  "Her blood is clean."

  Alessio looked Lia up and down. "Clean?"

  "Absolutely pure. She's not like her sister."

  "Well, then. This changes things." Alessio pursed his lips. "I'd thought to keep her for myself, but she's too special not to sell."

  "Sell?" Lia looked at the men in horror. "You're selling me? Is that what happened to my sister? You sold her?" She yanked her elbow away from the blond who'd maintained a steady grip the whole time and lunged for Mason.

  The blond caught her and hauled her back. Wrapping his arm around her neck, he put her in a tight headlock.

  "You're trouble. You need to be contained," Mason said, as if that explained everything.

  "Give me my sister and I'll contain myself," she spat at him. In the background, Ryder struggled to stand. His gaze collided with Lia's as he responded to the sound of her voice.

  "Lia." His voice was a hoarse croak. "You're here, too?"

  "Yeah," she said. "Are you okay?"

  He managed a cocky smile. "I'm right as a wolf under a full moon. Don't worry about me."

  At that, one of Mason's men surged forward and thrust a fist into his gut. Ryder doubled over with a groan. He staggered, but managed to stay upright. Meeting the man's eyes he said, "I remember every punch." He looked at the other men. "Every single one, and I'll pay you all back in kind. For me, my grandmother and Lia. I owe you a metric shit-ton of pain, and I will deliver. You can count on that."

  A chorus of laughter met his statement. "Yeah, sure."

  "Done. A hundred it is." Alessio's smooth voice cut through the clamor.

  Mason held out his hand and the men shook. "Wire it to the usual account."

  Alessio nodded as he pulled out a smart phone. "Just give me one minute and it will be done." His fingers danced over the phone.

  "I'm not going with him." Lia jerked her head toward Alessio. "I'm not leaving without my sister. You said I would see her."

  "I say lots of things to lost little wolves. Their ears are always so big, soaking up every word." Mason laughed. "But in this case, everything I said was true. Alessio here has Adele." A ding sounded and he pulled out his phone. "Looks like the transfer went through."

  Alessio slipped his phone back into his pants. "Call me if you have any more like her."

  "Sorry. This was a one-time deal."

  Alessio appeared disappointed. "Ah. Too bad."

  Mason stiffened. "If you don't like the merchandise, you can get your own girls."

  "Perhaps we can discuss ways to bring in cleaner prey. It's cheaper with a higher profit yield. I have some ideas you might be interested in," Alessio nodded toward Ryder, "but I know you have other business waiting so I won't keep you."

  "I appreciate that. I've been waiting to deal with this for a while. I'll call you next week and we'll set up a meet."

  Lia shivered as Alessio's cold fingers wrapped around her arm and he tugged her closer to him. Fear gripped her heart, making it pound loud in her ears. She was being sold and didn't know why. Worse, her sister had already been bought and paid for, but to what end?

  "Here. You'll want the handcuff key." Mason reached into his pocket and tossed Alessio a silver key. "Enjoy your family reunion. See you never." He waggled his fingers at her in a wave and headed for the bar where he pounded the top and demanded beer.

  And with that she was forced to leave Ryder behind and go toward a future that was stranger to her than not remembering her past.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ryder watched Lia go, wishing he could save her, but he knew running after her and forcing a fight now would just make things worse. He had to prioritize. Mason came first, which also neatly made his grandmother safe. Once that was settled, he would hunt down the vampire his alpha was apparently doing business with...and selling shifters to? That last part puzzled him.

  For a shifter to use his own kind as a commodity was a new low. Ryder couldn't fathom the depravity that allowed Mason to prey on other shifters. He knew it was about the money. With Mason it always was, but it wasn't like vampires couldn't get blood any other way. That was the weird part.

  There were enough willing donors that vampires could take their pick and never repeat. He knew some even indulged in the luxury of demanding only certain blood types or requiring donors eat a specific diet to flavor their blood. So why any vampire would pay for what they could get for free made no sense.

  As soon as he dealt with Mason, he would call the sheriff and get to the bottom of it all. And as far as Mason went, it was time to speed up the timetable. He'd been content to bide his time, but with Lia in danger, he needed to act fast.

  "Come on, Mason. Everyone here has had a go at me but you. When are you going to take a turn?"

  Mason turned around from where he sat at the bar. "I'll get to you soon enough."

  "What are you? Afraid?" Ryder shook his head. "Don't deny it. You sent these guys to make sure your dirty work would be easy and now you're too much of a chicken-shit to see it through, aren't you?"

  "Take him outside." Mason waved his guys forward.

  Trent opened the bar door and looked out the door. "Not everyone's here yet, alpha."

  "I don't care. I'm done waiting and I sure as hell don't want to listen to Ryder spout anymore nonsense."

  At Trent's nod, two men grabbed Ryder and hustled him out of the bar and into the parking lot. While he'd been inside, most of his home pack had gathered. He nodded to Warner and his mate, Thalia, her eyes were wide with worry. Peter stood next to them, arm wrapped around both his mate, Flora and his daughter Julia, who tucked herself into her father's strength, her eyes haunted. They'd been counting on the new pack as a way to get away from Mason. Before their alpha started harassing them over Ryder's plan to leave the pack, he'd given them smaller and smaller cuts of the pack's income. That was the price of not going along with Mason's games, of not bowing down to the violence he demanded.

  Ryder wanted to tell them it would be okay. That the new pack would still happen, but he didn't really know that was true. He'd been in his share of hard fights, but never ganged up on before by a crew intent on preparing him for an execution.

  His body had too many injuries to operate at full capacity. This meant his reflexes were slow. Mason wasn't all that fast, though. He'd never trained to be nimble like Ryder had. Never drilled until he could move his bulk at speeds that would surprise even a shifter. Ryder could only hope his fighting experience would still give him an edge. The silver put his wolf on mute and eroded his strength, but it couldn't take away his training.

  Mason's men herded the c
rowd into a rough circle and placed Ryder in the middle. Mason came forward and addressed everyone.

  "Ryder has challenged my authority. I don't know why. All day, every day, everything I do is for this pack, for you. I'm the one who brings in the money that supports all of you. All I ask for in return is respect." He gestured to Ryder. "This shifter has none. He doesn't respect me, which means he doesn't respect you. A pack's strength is in its loyalty. You divide the pack and it falls. We all know this."

  A murmur went through the crowd and several heads nodded. Ryder kept his expression neutral as stony glares shot his way.

  "In case anyone else has forgotten that I am alpha and why I am alpha, I've called you here today to remind you." Mason turned to Ryder. "I challenge you, Ryder Chase. An alpha's challenge. The winner will rule this pack."

  "I accept," Ryder said, keeping his head high. He couldn't keep people from seeing his injuries, but he would be damned if he would let the pack see any other weakness.

  Someone came up behind him and removed the handcuffs pinning his hands behind his back. He wind-milled his arms to get the circulation moving, flexing his hands in the process.

  That was all the time he had to prepare as Mason launched himself into the air, aiming straight for Ryder.

  ***

  Alessio drove fast, but with breathtaking precision. He pushed the odometer into the triple digits and timed the deceleration perfectly for a curve.

  "Where are you taking me?" Lia stared out the window trying to make sense of time and space...on multiple levels.

  "Home."

  "And where is that?" She pulled on the silver cuffs yet again, hoping this time they might snap, but that continued to be wishful thinking. The burning sensation was almost unbearable. The heat branded her skin and sent sharp jolts of pain up into her shoulders. From there, it spread up her neck and into her head, pounding in her temples like a drum on fire.

  "You'll see." He downshifted and gunned the motor to take advantage of a straight stretch of road.