Alphy's Challenge

by Tigertalez

  “But you want to make sure it is the same up here as in the States?” asked Enzo.

  Alphy nodded. “I don’t want any surprises. Make sure no one goes to town alone, and that includes any of us. I want teams, always, until I deem this threat has passed. Expect that he’ll play dirty.”

  “Hey,” Kace said. “Uh, alpha, got a minute?” Kace looked unusually serious, so Alphy sighed and signaled for him to follow him out. They walked into the kitchen, and Alphy retrieved a glass and filled it with water. After he took a mouthful, he leaned back against the sink and looked at his friend. “All right, shoot.”

  Kace had sat down at the breakfast bar. “I have a small construction team. There’s five of us. I wanted your permission to offer them a chance to move up here and help me build.”

  Alphy grunted. “Yeah, the Sea-man certainly got a bit carried away.”

  Kace snorted. “I had the misfortune of being the first to arrive at the airport. He had me help load all that equipment and supplies, and he didn’t help so much as direct.”

  “I can hear you, you know.” Seamus emerged from the hallway that led to Paul’s room. Alphy laughed. Seamus had a food tray, and he walked over and placed it on a counter. “You are just sore that you couldn’t hit on that flight attendant.”

  “Psh, well yeah! You couldn’t at least wait until I swept her off her feet and got a little something on the side.”

  Alphy laughed again. “Yeah, Sea, it would have only taken twenty-five seconds, forty-five if he tried to pinch his balls off.”

  “Oh har har,” Kace griped. Alphy continued to laugh, and Sea guffawed.

  Then Sea leaned against the counter and sighed. “Seriously though, I’ve been wanting to start a paranormal medical facility. Alphy, you had mentioned in the meeting how there was a need out there for paranormals.” Alphy nodded, and Sea continued. “I’ve seen it, too, only I’ve focused on the medical side of it. Many paranormals don’t have access to decent medical care. Some don’t even have a doctor, and many medicines don’t even work on paranormals because of our metabolism and unique physiology. I’ve been wanting to start a lab to create medicines, offices to see patients, hospital beds, surgical rooms, everything. I’ve been saving up and had a feeling this would be a good opportunity to start buying a few things and find a place to set up. Are you opposed to my hospital?”

  Alphy shook his head. “No, Seamus, I love the idea, and you’re right, there is a need. I was just teasing Kace.”

  Kace gave an apologetic look. “Sorry, Sea, I wasn’t trying to offend.”

  Sea nodded. “I know you weren’t. I wasn’t trying to sound so defensive. So, what was it you were talking about?”

  Kace perked up. “I was trying to convince Alphy to let me invite my team and spread the word for paranormal workers.”

  Alphy nodded. “And I think it’s a good idea. I want everyone, with no exceptions, to be investigated. I want to know everyone’s history. That will help with finding problems that may follow anyone here that we could prepare for, and I don’t want anyone complaining about favoritism.”

  Kace looked relieved. “Thank you, Alphy.”

  “When will you be able to start building?” Alphy asked.

  “I’ll have to do measurements and plan out things, but not long. Betty said the barn has a ton of building supplies. I haven’t checked it out yet, but from the sounds of it, it’s everything I need to start several houses.” He turned to Sea. “I want to get special building supplies for your hospital, and since the houses come first, I’m sorry, Sea, but it will take longer, depending on how many workers we can get.”

  Seamus shrugged and nodded his understanding.

  Alphy leaned backed and smiled. “I’ve been wondering what’s in that old barn, but every time I get a chance to investigate, I get interrupted.”

  “Yeah, speaking of which, I’ll make that call now while I head out there to take a look myself. I’ll let you know the details later.” Kace stood up and headed out of the kitchen, and Seamus walked back down the hall.

  Alphy took the class of water up the stairs with him to his mate. She was going to need it because he was going to make amends to her by causing her to repeatedly scream his name.

  Chapter Ten

  Gale felt utterly happy as she, her mother, and Alphy’s sister, Havana, headed into town. Alphy made her feel cherished and desirable. She just knew she was in love with the potent shifter, and he was very powerful. They had talked a bit after they caught their breath from hours of lovemaking, or as he called it, her reparation for being left wanting. I will never complain again if we are interrupted if that’s how he makes it up to me.

  She sat quiet, musing over her good fortune as they bumped their way down the dirt road. Most of the men had left to return the U-Haul but hadn’t asked if there was anything they needed, and the ladies needed some things. It was best to get these in person anyway, as they were not something to be left to a man. It was quite the sight to walk in and see the toddlers had stuck an entire pack of pads on the floor and used them as a racecar track, or was it a train track? The tots had had cars driving over them but made choo-choo sounds. So, as her mother’s time had started and Gale’s supply was pretty low, they had teamed up with Havana, as they’d been ordered by the alpha not to leave alone, and left the kids with Alphy’s brother, Reese. Gale let her mother drive her car so she could enjoy the view.

  Havana interrupted her thoughts. “What are you thinking about that’s got you so excited?”

  “Huh?” Gale looked at her with a confused expression.

  Havana snorted and pointed to her nose. “Bear shifters have pretty good noses. Well, ok, most shifters do. Anyways, you are smelling quite pleased with yourself. What did you do, and can I get in on it?”

  Gale blushed. “Uh, no, I was just thinking about Alphy, your brother.”

  “Eww, stop right there. You’re right, I don’t want anything to do with that. I can just imagine … no … wait, I don’t want to imagine, dang it! I need mind-bleach now! Sorry I asked. I was hoping you had some shenanigan scheme. I could use some mischief entertainment. I swear I’ll end up growing moss on my paws if I don’t get something for entertainment.”

  This was one thing that Gale disagreed entirely with Havana. “I love it up here. Ryker promised to set up a computer with internet for me. I’m going to finish my classes online.”

  “Yeah, I’m gonna start online courses, too. As much as I want a more social life, I just don’t have the will to separate from my brothers just yet. Losing Mom and Dad hit me a bit hard.” The spirited girl suddenly looked sad and defeated.

  Gale felt the need to perk her up. “Then we’ll have to plan a lot of shenanigans. We don’t want your brothers getting bored.”

  Havana looked up and grinned. “We shall be called the Shenanigan Shelias!”

  The girls laughed together. They entered town and pulled up into the supermarket’s parking lot. Stepping out of the car, Gale looked around and remembered coming here when she first met Alphy. Just like that, her heart ached for him, which was silly because they were just in town and were going back in a little bit. It wasn’t like she would never see him again.

  Havana got out and stood next to her. “Hey girl, what’s got you down?”

  Gale had been around shifters for about four years now. When will I get used to their keen sense of smell? she thought. “Nothing, I just miss Alphy, is all. It’s like I suddenly feel like I won’t get to see him again.”

  Havana put her arm around her as they now walked behind Connie. The three entered the store and browsed around, making made their way up and down each aisle, talking about different kinds of foods and brands. They bought more than just pads. They ended up leaving with a hefty cartload. Gale wasn’t much of a cook, but she and her mom did like to make some big meals together, and Havana seemed to like the idea of helping. They planned a really big meal to celebrate the mating and went hog wild buying everything they would ne
ed or want, even.

  They made their way up to the check-out counter and unloaded the cart. Grocery bags piled in the cart and in hand, they made their way back out to the car with her mother at the wheel again.

  As they pulled out, Gale noticed a dark van pull out behind them. They traveled for a little bit, but the van continued to follow them. Gale began to get a bad feeling about it but didn’t say anything. They drove casually until they reached an empty stretch of road with a little bit of a shoulder on it. Then the van shot forward and pulled in front of them, forcing them off the road. They were blocked in at an angle so they couldn’t drive out.

  Two muscular behemoths lumbered out of the side of the van and approached them. They were tall, and looked like they stuffed throw-pillows under their skin in their arms, legs and chest. Gale noticed they had bigger pecs than she did boobs. A chill hit her lower gut, and it twisted in fear.

  The men smiled, only it wasn’t a warm friendly sort of smile. It was the kind that said they had really bad ideas planned. “Hi ladies, you’ll need to come with us.”

  ****

  As Alphy heard his friends leaving, he decided to head out and finally take a look in that barn. He was pretty happy with how things were going. He had a pack, his mate was claimed and accepting, and his siblings were starting to heal. He had noticed his mate and his sister hit it off. To see the two light up the room with bright smiles and laughter made his bear and his heart feel contented.

  In another pleasant surprise, his brother had been working with Seamus, and it seemed as though Reese had a talent for the medical field, which Seamus was all too eager to nurture. Yes, Alphy was very happy.

  He had made it clear to the pack, at breakfast where everyone had gathered together, including Gale’s brother Paul, that no one was to leave without an escort.

  After breakfast, Enzo left to go to bed, since he had been up all night patrolling. Nix took to the sky to patrol, and Slate, Kace, Betty, Seamus, Tom, and Matteo decided to head to town to run a few errands, one of them being to take the U-Haul and two rentals back to the dealer. Matteo followed in one of the rental cars and Kace in the other. Betty was going to the bank to add the men on the pack account, including Tom, whom Alphy wanted to include since he had so much respect for the man. He was going to be the pack accountant for right now. Alphy wasn’t in a hurry to be put on the bank account. He could wait until whenever his next trip to town would be. After that, the men were going to buy a truck, a van, and a car for the pack.

  Reaching the large wooden barn, Alphy opened one of the large doors and took his first look inside. Outside light lit up the dusty space and illuminated an impressive amount of building equipment. Betty really was lonely … and hopeful.

  A little bit of regret ate at Alphy’s gut for never taking the time to get to know her before now. She had obviously longed for another sleuth and family. She was always cooking such big meals and doting on the men, and he could swear they weren’t staying because he asked, but because of her nurturing nature.

  He opened the door wide and did the same with the other one, allowing as much light in as possible. He slowly started walking around inspecting everything he saw. Betty had piles of lumber, in shapes and sizes enough to make a Home Depot jealous, lying in neat piles in along the wide alleyway.

  The barn was filled with stalls, and in each stall were piles of bricks, bags of concrete, piping, electrical equipment like rolls of wire, breaker boxes, and he could even see several tankless water heaters.

  The barn was really big, probably because it had been the sleuth stables dating before automobiles. There were about twelve stalls on each side, but four of them were larger than the others, like they were birthing stalls or had been used for animals other than horses. Alphy’s nose could pick up the faint scents of pigs, cows, sheep, and goats. He also found two tackle rooms, one on each side, packed full of old saddles and blankets, bridles, brushes, even hitches for groups of horses to pull whatever. Anything needed for the care of horses was packed in the large rooms.

  The ceiling was a good ten feet high, but he saw wide stairs, one on each side, in the middle of the barn, leading up. He strode up the stairs into the massive loft. Or it would have been massiveif it wasn’t so full of more building supplies. He definitely figured she’d bought out a Home Depot somewhere. Everything was arranged in neat rows, so he cruised up and down the rows looking at all the new and old things. It looked as if she kept some things either from some of the old buildings that once housed other sleuth members, or she had found some in thrift stores. He couldn’t see her going to flea markets, but she did get the paper, so maybe she’d had some things shipped? Or both? However she’d done it, she had some beautiful items.

  His cell phone rang. Digging it out of his pocket, he answered it. Ryker’s concerned voice came through the connection. “Hey, uh, Alphy, did all the women go with Betty to the bank?”

  “No, why?” Alphy’s stomach suddenly developed a sickening knot that only intensified with alarm as he heard Ryker curse.

  “I thought I heard another vehicle leave.” Ryker’s voice sounded tense. “But I didn’t think anything of it until I thought about the time frame. It left a little while after the guys left. I went looking for Gale. She’d wanted me to set up a computer so she could finish her courses, and I wanted to show her what I set up for her.I followed a scent outside where the cars were parked. I found Reese, but he said he was just asked to watch the twins for them. He thought they just wanted some girl time, so he didn’t pay any attention to them after that.”

  Alphy let out a roar that shook dust from several selves. He raced down the stairs. “Get the others on the line. I want all of them out looking for them now!” he boomed into the phone before he turned it off. He ran back to the house and looked at the vehicles. Betty’s old truck and his own were still there, as well as the Elkins’ van, but Gale’s car wasn’t.

  Another roar escaped him, pushed from his lungs from the fear that hit his gut. Turning, about to storm inside, he stopped when a wobbly Enzo staggered out the door. He looked like he just leaped out of bed onto the front porch, but they were both long term military men. They were both trained to go from deep sleep to awake, alert, and fighting in an instant. Alphy glanced at Enzo’s feet and smiled. Enzo already had his boots on and had grabbed Alphy’s keys and wallet.

  “Ryker!” Alphy yelled as he signaled Enzo to get into his truck.

  Ryker was already in the doorway still talking on the phone. He looked frantic. “They don’t have them either. They’re looking, and I’ll hook everyone’s phones up so we can all communicate.”

  Alphy was already heading to his truck. He jumped in the passenger seat, and Enzo started them in motion before he even closed the door. Enzo wasn’t a gentle driver, but Alphy didn’t buckle his seatbelt in case they needed to exit quickly. He looked over at Enzo and noticed he was the same way.

  His phone rang again, and Ryker’s voice cracked through the device as he answered it. “Ok, we are now in a three-way call.” Alphy pulled his cell away and looked at it, pushing the screen and placing it on speaker, then holding it up between him and Enzo.

  “We’re still stuck at the dealers’,” Slate growled.

  “Where do you think we should look?” asked Kace.

  “Try the supermarket. Is Tom there?” Alphy tried to think of what would be the best tactic.

  “I’m here. I’ll show them where it is. We can take one of the vehicles in just a minute. We could probably convince one of the dealers to let us ‘test drive’ another vehicle.”

  “Not a good idea. It might expose them to … our culture.”

  Alphy wasn’t sure if they were in a safe place to speak since he could hear he was on speaker.

  A stranger’s voice drifted over the line. “Ok, Mr. Elkin, we have the paperwork for you for the car, if you would follow me?”

  He heard clothes rustle and footsteps retreating. Kace spoke. “Once he’s back, we’ll head
out. We’ll go let Betty know to stay here and finish looking around for vehicles while we take off on the hunt.”

  Alphy didn’t necessarily like that idea now that he thought about it, since Betty probably knew the area better. “No, have Tom stay put with Seamus and finish up buying the rigs we need. Have Betty show you around. She knows where the supermarket is and any other place that might be good to look.”

  Matteo’s Brazilian accent identified him. “I’ll go get her and inform Seamus. They are in the lot looking at vans.”

  Enzo drove furiously over the dirt road, stirring up a dust cloud behind them and near launching them out of their seats over the bigger bumps. Alphy kept the phone line connected. They heard when the men and an irate Betty jumped in the car and headed out. He inwardly smiled knowing he wasn’t the only one ready to lecture the women until their ears bled. Alphy just hoped he had a chance. His gut cramped with a feeling something was bad was going to happen, and his sixth sense was usually right.

  They reached the main road, but Enzo didn’t slow their approach. Alphy felt minor pain through his right side as the force of the turn pushed his arm and shoulder against the door and window. They listened to the sound of wind blowing on the phone, indicating they had rolled the windows down as the group entered the market lot and drove around.

  “There’s no sight of them, but I smell them. They were just here.” The group followed the scent down the road. “Alphy, it looks like the direction of home.”

  He cursed. “All right, we haven’t seen them pass yet, so keep following the scent.”

  It wasn’t long when he heard the men in the other car swear, and Betty was right along with them. He was too alarmed to care what profanity she spat. He was more panicked at the scene they described.