The Alpha's Legacy, An MMF Erotic Romance (The Stonewall Pack Alpha Series)

by Conall, Tabitha

  “Yeah.” He spoke softly. The fading light seemed to lay a hush over everything. “Very happy. I have two sisters and a brother, and we were always getting into trouble. Good trouble. Fun trouble.”

  “Older or younger?” Grady said.

  “I’m the oldest. My brother is the youngest, and the two girls are in-between. And before you go thinking my brother and I were the bad ones, it was my sisters who were really hellions.”

  Fiona laughed. “Sounds like me.”

  “Sure does,” Grady said. “Just wait until she plays her first prank on you, Caleb.”

  “She’d better be careful.” Caleb playfully pushed at Fiona’s shoulder. “I’ve been well-trained by my sisters. I can give back as good as I get.”

  “I don’t know if that’s good enough, man.” Grady rubbed Caleb’s chest with his thumb. “A lot of guys have tried to get her back and she just comes back at them twice as hard. This could escalate into total war.”

  Fiona lowered her chin. “And I’m good at war.”

  “I have no doubt,” Caleb said. “I’d hate to meet you on the battlefield.”

  “No worries.” And with that, Fiona relaxed against Grady’s chest. “We’re on the same side.” After several minutes of quiet, Fiona said, “So you grew up in Lunaville. Have you traveled much or mostly stayed there?”

  “I love Lunaville and I’m always happy to go back there. But I’ve gotten out and about. I went to college in New York City and then joined the Peace Corps and spent a couple of years in Bosnia.”

  Fiona propped up on her elbow. “The Peace Corps? Really?”

  “Yeah,” Caleb said. “Something wrong with that?”

  “I just pictured you on the rodeo circuit,” she said. “Not helping refugees, or whatever the Peace Corps does.”

  Which just showed how little she knew him. “A lot of what I do as sheriff is help people. That’s what Lunaville is all about. We’re there for wolves who’re in trouble, no matter what that trouble consists of. We give sanctuary to wolves who need protection, and homes to wolves who have none. It’s about the strong helping and protecting the weak.”

  ***

  That sounded good to Grady. He’d joined the military because he’d wanted to help and protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. It was only later he realized his role in the military didn’t satisfy that desire.

  Caleb shifted up onto his elbow. “That’s why it’s so important how we handle Ted. Not because we want to protect Ted. After the things he’s done, he’s the kind of wolf we protect others against, not the other way around. But we have to be seen as a place where wolves can come for refuge. The only way to prove that is to not only require evidence of Ted’s wrongdoings before we hand him over, but also show that evidence to the community at large. I have no doubt once they know what he’s done, they’ll kick him out. Many of them came to Lunaville trying to escape alphas like Ted.”

  Fiona traced patterns on Grady’s chest. “I get that. It’s just hard to accept it when I know what he did to my mom.”

  Caleb cupped her cheek. “He’ll get what’s coming to him. As soon as Lunaville hands him over, we both know what’ll happen.”

  Execution. And the line of wolves wanting a piece of Ted was long.

  The more Cowboy talked about Lunaville, the better it sounded. Grady could see himself living in a place like that. On the other hand, Fiona wanted to live here in Marysburg, and he’d already told her he’d stay by her side. But if Caleb got his way and they moved to Lunaville, Grady wouldn’t be sorry. “So when do we go? When’s the trial?”

  “We’ll go as soon as we can get everything together. A few days at the most. How much leave do you two have?”

  “Two weeks,” Fiona said. “Starting yesterday.”

  “Then it’s six more months and we’re out,” Grady said.

  Caleb stilled. “I’m not going to see you for six months?”

  Before, Grady had been happy when he thought about having Fiona to himself for six months. But something had changed, because he realized he didn’t want to be without this man for so long.

  “Yeah,” Fiona said. “I’m sorry. This is why mated wolves usually don’t serve in the military. Being separated so long is going to be awful.” She cupped his cheek. “And worse for you, since at least Grady and I will be able to see each other.”

  Something flickered through Caleb’s eyes. Grady could almost hear his thoughts—he was being left out again. Grady lunged upward and kissed Caleb.

  After a brief hesitation, Caleb grabbed the back of his head and held him in place as he kissed him back. When they pulled apart, they looked into each other’s eyes for several seconds.

  Grady licked his lips. “You could come visit.”

  “Yeah.” Caleb’s eyes devoured Grady’s face. “Yeah, I could.”

  Fiona crawled out of bed. “Before you two get us started again, I think we should go get dinner.”

  Caleb gripped the side of Grady’s jaw and neck. “I’m going to miss you.”

  Grady swallowed. “I’m going to miss you, too.”

  Fiona disappeared into the bathroom as Caleb and Grady met in a long, soulful kiss.

  ***

  The next day was a whirlwind of activity as they prepared to leave for Montana and the trial. That evening, Caleb was riding back from dinner with Fiona and Grady when his phone rang. Keene. Caleb answered it.

  After their brief hellos, Keene said, “Ted’s gone.”

  Fiona twisted around in the front seat to listen—with her werewolf hearing, she could hear everything even when the phone wasn’t on speaker.

  “Your deputies went to arrest him earlier today and couldn’t find him,” Keene continued. “We’ve been searching ever since, but all evidence shows he packed up and ran.”

  “He must have found out about the arrest somehow,” Caleb said.

  “No one here would have told him,” Keene said.

  “Maybe someone here did,” Fiona said. “It’s not like we’ve been keeping it a secret. And according to my sisters, Ted left some spies behind. They thought they’d rooted them all out, but maybe not.”

  “Who’s that?” Keene said.

  Shit. In all the activity, he’d forgotten to call Keene and tell him about his mates. He hit speakerphone. “Uh…in addition to finding out about Ted, some other things have happened on this trip. I found my mates.”

  Keene whooped. “About damn time! How soon’re you going to start popping out pups?”

  Fiona’s eyes got wide. “Not so soon.”

  “That’s Fiona. Grady’s here too. Fiona and Grady, meet my Alpha, Keene.”

  After they’d all greeted each other, Keene said, “Congratulations to all three of you. And if you ever want the dirt on Caleb, give me a call.”

  Fiona chuckled. “I will.”

  “Hey, now—no need for that,” Caleb said. “I’ll tell you whatever you need to know.”

  “Watered down,” Keene said. “But there’s time for that later. What do we do about Ted?”

  Only one thing to do. “We’ve gotta find him.”

  “I’ll call and see if we can move up our flight,” Fiona said. “We’ll join the search.”

  “You want him that bad?” Keene said.

  “He molested my mother.” Fiona pulled out her cell and started whipping through screens.

  “We’ll be there as soon as we can,” Caleb said.

  After he and Keene hung up, Caleb called Jake to relay the message. Jake insisted on flying out early with them, so Fiona worked on changing his tickets too.

  “There’s a flight at seven tomorrow morning. We’re going to have to change planes, but with the time zone difference, we’ll get there by noon.”

  Everything after that was a blur as they packed and caught a few hours of sleep before driving up to the airport the next morning with Jake. The plane trip was uneventful and they arrived in Helena on time. Caleb had parked his truck in long-term parking, and the
cab had just barely enough room for all four of them, though Fiona practically had to sit in Grady’s lap.

  Two hours later, they rolled into Lunaville. The first part of town was neutral territory. That’s where new arrivals went, along with the occasional human who wandered into town. It had plenty of shops, a hotel, a small hospital and the Sheriff’s office. If they continued on, they’d pass into pack territory. Caleb couldn’t take his mates there until they pledged themselves to Keene—which might not happen soon. Who knew. Instead, he headed for the Sheriff’s office.

  “We’ll get rooms at the hotel later,” Caleb said. “My house is in pack territory. But for now, let’s find out how the hunt is going.”

  “Agreed. I want to join the search as soon as possible,” Jake said from over near the far window. “Just one thing. Assuming he’s not found in Lunaville, do we still have to bother with a trial?”

  Caleb had been thinking about that himself. “I wanted a trial because you were asking us to hand him over. But if you catch him and he’s not in town, all bets are off. At the same time, if we catch him and bring him into custody, then the trial is still necessary.”

  Jake had a lethal look in his eyes. “Understood.”

  Caleb understood, too. Jake now wanted to get to Ted first.

  ***

  Fiona had never breathed such clean air or seen such beautiful countryside. It stopped her lungs to see the trees, the mountains, and to think of running here, her wolf running wild in the forests. She could run for days and never come across a single human being. She could be free, truly free.

  She saw why Caleb loved it here.

  She also understood how Ted could disappear without a trace. If he’d taken wolf form, he could be long gone by now.

  The town itself was more modern than she’d expected. She’d had this picture in her head of a town in the Old West, complete with a saloon and general store. Instead, they passed a Motel 6 on the way into town and the double arches of a McDonald’s pierced the skyline some distance ahead.

  The Sheriff’s office was a small but otherwise modern-looking gray building with a parking lot rather than hitching post out front. Inside, a reception desk stood right in front of the doors and a handful of desks lay beyond it, all empty. A young blond woman sat alone at reception.

  “Sheriff,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

  “Hi, Peggy. Everyone out looking for Seabolt?”

  “All except Carlos. He stayed behind to handle regular duties. Right now he’s over at the Carvers’ house. Again.”

  Caleb shook his head. “I wish she’d just take her medicine.”

  “Good luck that happening.” Peggy shuffled some papers. “The search parties have been calling in locations every few hours. Here’s where they are.” She handed Caleb a map.

  All five of them looked at it. Lots and lots of trees, and no roads in sight. Fiona wasn’t surprised. Going wolf was the smartest thing for Ted to do, and the best way to track him for the search parties. But it would make it hard to find him.

  Caleb ran his fingers over the map, reading things the rest of them couldn’t see. Then he abruptly stopped. “We’ll join the group heading south. I think that’s the most likely direction he would have gone in. Peggy, can you get two rooms at the hotel? One in Jake’s name and the other in mine.”

  Jake handed over his details to her.

  “One in your name?” she said to Caleb.

  Chapter 7

  Caleb smiled almost sheepishly and clapped his hands on Grady and Fiona’s shoulders. “These are my new mates. The three of us will be staying together.”

  Peggy grinned, a cute little crease forming above her nose. “So, a king-sized bed in your room.”

  “Please,” Grady said.

  Everyone laughed.

  Peggy stood and came around the counter to hug Fiona and Grady. “Congratulations. And welcome to Lunaville. Caleb’s got a big-ole house, so hurry up and join the pack so you can move on in.”

  “Oh, we’re not—” Fiona said.

  Caleb cut her off. “There are a few things to figure out before that happens. And first, we need to find Ted.”

  Smooth, stopping her from spilling all their relationship struggles to a perfect stranger. She hadn’t been thinking, just wanted to clear up the misconception that they’d be joining the pack.

  Caleb led the three of them through the small squad room to an office along the back wall. “This is mine. We can leave our clothes in here, change, and leave through the back door.”

  “Nice little set-up,” Fiona said.

  Caleb puffed up his chest. “This is one of the perks of living in a town full of wolves.” He took off his hat and placed it on the desk. “Let’s get naked.”

  “That would sound better if Jake weren’t here,” Grady said.

  They all laughed, except Jake, who groaned. And wasn’t that a turnaround, Grady acting interested in sex with Caleb? Maybe they really could get past all the jealousy.

  When they left through what could only be considered an oversized doggie-door, the first thing that hit Fiona was the smells. Montana smelled like pine and forest animals and the remnants of that morning’s rain. Then she saw the green—pine green, forest green, the dark green of a northern forest.

  Caleb ran toward the treeline and the other three followed him. She’d seen Grady in wolf form before, his large gray body at least a hand taller than hers. But this was the first time she’d seen Caleb. His fur was paler. Still gray, but a lighter gray on top and nearly white on his belly. And he was big, even bigger than Grady.

  She hadn’t run in a long time. Not like this, not racing across the ground without a single worry that a human might see her in the wrong place. She ran and ran, glorying in the air, the scents, the wild.

  And then they ran some more. And some more after that. The newness wore off and became oldness. Her muscles tired and her stomach reminded her she’d skipped lunch. And still they ran.

  Just when she thought she’d have to rest…like some kind of weakling…Caleb stopped. He turned his nose up, scenting the air. Fiona copied him and just barely smelled wolf. Caleb tossed his head and walked in the direction of the scent. They hadn’t gone more than a few steps when howls split the air.

  Caleb lunged in that direction, running even faster than they had before. Fiona forgot her fatigue and followed close behind Jake, with Grady taking up the rear. The howls continued, making it easy to find the other wolves. As they got close, Jake, Fiona and Grady slowed down but Caleb ran even faster. It took Fiona a few seconds to realize he must scent his pack mates.

  She surged forward after him. A few seconds later they plunged into a wide open area covered with grass. Several wolves—maybe as many as six or seven—rolled around, biting and clawing at each other. One big wolf looked up as Caleb charged toward them. He turned tail and ran.

  Soon after, two other wolves ran after him. Must have been his friends, because the remaining wolves gave chase. Caleb put on a burst of speed and caught up to them.

  They didn’t spare him a glance, just let him run alongside them. They dove into the woods. Jake caught up to them just at the treeline. Fiona flagged behind, but she refused to give up. Grady stayed beside her.

  After another mile through the woods, Fiona and Grady came upon the others. Caleb and one of the other wolves were changing. Fiona caught her breath, trying not to pant too loudly. Grady didn’t bother being macho; he flopped onto his side next to her, tongue hanging out of his mouth.

  Caleb looked magnificent, his nude muscled body standing a head taller than the other young man who had changed.

  “Ted?” Caleb said.

  “We’ve caught up to him twice. Both times he managed to get away.”

  “You weren’t as far from town as I’d expected,” Caleb said.

  “He doubled back. The first time we caught him, he was alone. Then this time, he had those other two with him. He must have come back in our direction to mee
t up with them.”

  Beside her, Jake started the change. Caleb and the other man waited until Jake stood before them as a man.

  “This is Jake,” Caleb said. “Jake, this is Matt, one of my deputies.”

  Jake nodded his head in Matt’s direction. “Nice to meet you. I might know who those other two wolves were. When he attacked Maeve, three of his friends showed up to assist him. I’m guessing two of them are the wolves you just saw.”

  “You’re not sure?” Matt said.

  “They all left the pack when I took over. I never saw Darryl, Phil or Lars in wolf form,” Jake said.

  “Now what?” Matt said.

  “We need to rest for a few minutes,” Caleb said. “We ran straight from town. If you’re all well-rested enough, you can go on ahead.”

  “We’ll do that,” Matt said.

  As Matt changed back to wolf, the process taking longer than usual because he’d just changed moments before, Caleb focused on the other wolves. “Mary, do you have Ted’s scent?”

  A silver female wolf nodded her head.

  “Good. Maybe we can catch up to him.”

  After Matt finished changing and the Lunaville wolves ran off, Caleb squatted down next to Grady and Fiona. “Sorry for running you so hard.” He stroked Fiona’s head. “You doing okay?”

  She pressed her face against his hand. The run had been long and hard, but she’d be fine. She was already feeling better. Although she wasn’t looking forward to starting the run again.

  “I take it we’re not going to get back to Lunaville tonight,” Jake said. “And when’s dinner?”

  Caleb huffed a laugh. “You can eat the first rabbit you see. Or groundhog, squirrel, rat. Take your pick.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “As for going back to town tonight—it’s up to you. We could head back once it gets dark, or we could bed down in the forest.”

  It wasn’t like they were in any danger, as long as they stayed in wolf form. The only animals that could threaten them would be bears, and four werewolves could easily take down a bear.

  “Let’s sleep in the woods,” Jake said. “It’ll be easier to get an early start and we won’t expend all our energy running there and back.”