Protecting the Pack

by Tabitha Conall

  “This is neutral territory,” Keith said. “You can’t kick me out of my apartment.”

  “True,” Chris said. “But I can take a look around. And give you a stern warning. I want you and Brett and the rest of your group to leave Marysburg. The Stonewall Alpha agrees. Leave town, or we’re going to make it very uncomfortable for you.”

  Ben wandered down a little hallway.

  “Get the hell out of my apartment,” Keith said.

  “In a minute.” Chris reached out and slung his arm around Alex’s shoulders, pulling her into him. He kissed her temple. “Go check the kitchen.”

  It was a kitchen like any other. She opened the cabinets and drawers but didn’t see anything but food, dishes, utensils, and pots and pans. It actually looked like Keith might know how to cook.

  When she got back to the small living room, Keith had a new cut on his cheek, oozing blood. He must’ve mouthed off to Chris.

  Ben called from the other room. “You might want to see this.”

  Alex went first, then Keith and Chris. When they got into the bedroom, Ben had a shoe box open on the bed. “Think the police would like to know about this?”

  Two freezer bags of a white substance were scrunched into the box. She’d never seen it in real life before, but it sure as hell looked like the cocaine they showed on cop shows.

  “That’s an awful lot of coke,” Ben said.

  “It’s talcum powder,” Keith said.

  “Sure it is,” Chris said. “There’s enough there that I bet you’re selling it. And now we’ve got something on you, Keith. Leave town, or we’ll let the cops know about your little side job.”

  “It’s talcum power,” Keith said. Chris didn’t reply. “Fine. Do what you want, man.”

  “I will.” Chris put his hand on Alex’s back and steered her toward the door. “Leave town. Or you’ll be sorry.”

  As they walked down the steps, Ben said, “I wish we could have kicked him to the curb.”

  “It definitely would have been more satisfying,” Chris said. “And to be honest, I’d kind of like to drop the dime on him just because I don’t want to see more drugs getting on the streets. If he doesn’t leave town immediately, we’ll do that. And for now, let’s get over to the bar and see how everyone else did.”

  ***

  Two hours later, Ben nursed a beer as the last of the Roanoke wolves straggled into the bar. Even those who hadn’t participated in kicking out the rogues showed up. Things like this didn’t happen every day.

  Chris personally verified that there weren’t any humans in the bar, and Mike sent his staff into the back for a break. Then Chris held up his hand. To keep anyone outside from hearing, he spoke at a normal volume. The wolves could hear him anyway.

  “For those of you who don’t know, I recently discovered a rogue band of loners trying to take over our pack. You’ve seen all the new wolves joining lately. That’s why. This evening, we ejected all of them and averted a crisis.”

  Chris put his arms around his two mates. “All of them except my new mates. Ben pledged himself to me this morning in front of many of you. Alex will do it now.”

  Alex knelt. Chris laid his hand on her head.

  “I pledge fealty to you,” Alex said, her eyes full of love.

  “I accept your fealty.” His hand moved from the top of her head to her cheek. “Our pack is complete. We are whole. And we will stay this way.”

  The bar erupted in cheers, wolves stamping their feet and banging glasses against tables.

  Ben felt every one of Chris’ words in his gut. They were complete, whole, and safe. Safe at last.

  The door to the bar opened. Keith stepped inside. “Chris Byers!”

  Ben felt a chill crossing his skin. What now?

  Keith advanced on them through the crowd. “Chris Byers!” He didn’t speak again until people had quieted enough so that everyone could hear him. “Chris Byers, I challenge you.”

  Ben’s stomach knotted. This couldn’t be happening. They’d made it. Everything was going to be okay. And now this.

  Chris’ eyes met his second’s in silent communication. Behind Keith, several of the strongest wolves quietly left the bar. Ben knew they’d patrol the territory, make sure no one came back in before sunrise. They had been going to do that anyway, and had only come to the bar for Chris’ quick meeting. A few seconds later, Chris’ second came back inside.

  “I accept your challenge,” Chris said.

  Ben’s stomach got even tighter. He knew Chris had to accept it but he really didn’t want him to.

  “Let’s go,” Keith said, throwing his arm wide.

  “No,” Chris said. “You choose the place, not the time. The time is mine. Where do you want to fight?”

  Keith sauntered closer. “You own a farm outside of town. We’ll do it there.”

  “I have a tenant on that farm,” Chris said. “We can’t just show up and fight.”

  “That’s for you to figure out.” Keith looked him up and down. “When?”

  Chris paused. “Tomorrow night. Eleven o’clock.”

  Keith made a face. “That’s late, man.”

  Chris’ expression didn’t change. “You want to change your mind on the location, I’ll reconsider the time.”

  Keith’s face hardened. “No. The farm is perfect. That’s where we’re doing it.”

  “See you at eleven tomorrow night.” Chris turned his back on Keith.

  Ben didn’t. He knew Chris needed to make a statement—Keith was so little of a threat that he didn’t even need to keep an eye on him. But Ben didn’t trust the rogue wolf. And Keith really was stupid enough to attack Chris in the middle of a pack-filled bar.

  No one spoke as Keith walked to the door. As soon as the door shut behind him, the room exploded with voices.

  “What’s his game?” Ben said. He tried to relax, tried to ease the acid churning in his stomach. He had to remember how strong Chris was. He’d wipe the floor with Keith. And then Ben needed to ignore the tiny voice saying Keith wasn’t the end of it, but just the beginning.

  “I’m guessing this is Plan B.” Chris put a hand on each of his mates’ shoulders. “What I don’t understand is why Brett didn’t challenge me himself.”

  “Maybe he’s a coward at heart,” Ben said. He liked the idea. Only a coward would hit a woman the way he’d hit Alex.

  “Or he decided Stonewall would be an easier target,” Chris said. “Maybe Brett’s going after Stonewall now, and this is to distract us from what he’s doing. He can’t seriously think Keith can beat me.”

  “I don’t know what he’s doing,” Alex said. “I’m sorry. He never told me all his plans.”

  “It’s okay.” Chris kissed her forehead. “We’re strong. We can face whatever’s coming, as long as we stick together.”

  With Chris’ words, Ben felt the tension in him ease a little. His father had been strong when he’d faced the rogue who killed him. But he hadn’t been as strong as Chris.

  Chris jumped on the phone with Jake to let him know what was happening. In the meantime, Chris’ second and third, Nick and Matt, appeared at their sides. They welcomed Alex while all four of them waited for Chris to finish his phone call.

  Finally, Chris hung up. “Jake’s going to bring some wolves to the farm tomorrow night. It’s not in pack territory.”

  “What are you going to do about the tenants?” Ben said.

  “I haven’t figured that out yet.” Chris led them all to a booth in the back. The wolves sitting there left as soon as they realized their Alpha wanted it.

  Ben squeezed into one side of the booth with Chris and Alex while Nick and Matt took the other side.

  “I had hoped this would be over when we kicked them out,” Matt said.

  “Me, too,” Chris said. “Although I suspected we might not be so lucky. It’s been a coordinated effort so far. Too much so for them to give up so easily.”

  Ben’s stomach wrenched again. Chris put his hand on B
en’s back and idly rubbed it up and down. Ben didn’t know if his mate realized what was going through his head or if the touch was just as off-hand as it appeared. Either way, he appreciated it.

  “Keith will tell Brett we’re mates,” Alex said. “He’ll know I told you everything.”

  “Do you think he’ll come after you?” Chris said.

  Ben crossed his arms over his stomach. Not Alex, too. He couldn’t lose both of them. It was like his parents all over again.

  Chris’ hand continued to rhythmically rub up and down, up and down.

  “He might,” Alex said. “He’s really possessive. And he’ll know I was lying. About the throwing up.”

  “We’ll make sure one of us is with you at all times until this situation is over,” Chris said. “Right, Ben?”

  Ben sucked in a breath. “Yeah.”

  Chris studied him. “Can we have a few minutes?” He glanced over at Nick and Matt.

  “We’ll go patrol the borders,” Nick said. The two wolves slid out of the booth and into the crowd.

  “What’s going on?” Chris said. “I can feel your tension even when I’m not touching you.”

  Ben hadn’t talked about it—really talked about it—in so long. And he didn’t want to. He rubbed the back of his neck. “All this is just digging up some old memories, that’s all.”

  Chris gazed at him, but didn’t say anything.

  Then Alex leaned around Chris. “What memories? You’ll feel better if you talk about it.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.” Ben laughed but it came out weak and fell flat.

  Alex put her hand on his arm and pulled his hand into hers. “Tell us just a little. It’ll get easier the more you share with us.”

  Maybe he could handle that. “Fine. Just a little.” He took a deep breath. “One of my dads was the pack Alpha. When I was sixteen, a lone wolf showed up and challenged him. He beat my dad but that wasn’t good enough. He slaughtered him.” Emotion choked his voice. He suddenly didn’t want to say just a little. He wanted to say everything. “He then killed my other dad in cold blood and went through the pack cutting down anyone who opposed him. That wasn’t enough. So he raped my mom.”

  Alex’s hand jerked in his. He remembered her throwing up with Brett and knew she knew firsthand how awful that would be, for a mated woman to be touched by another man. As if rape weren’t bad enough.

  “I couldn’t take it, so I challenged him. Mom begged me not to, but there was no way I could live with myself otherwise. He nearly killed me. Would have, if mom hadn’t thrown herself in front of me in the middle of the challenge and begged for my life. So he banished me instead.”

  Chris’ hand rubbed Ben’s back, which helped him go on.

  “Mom killed herself shortly after I left. I would’ve gone back for her as soon as I recovered from my wounds, but she didn’t wait. I think she couldn’t bear the thought of living without my dads. Or maybe she thought I’d challenge the rogue again if she were still under his thumb. So I lived on the streets the next two years, managed to finish high school, and enlisted. And here I am.”

  None of them spoke for a minute or two. Then Alex squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

  Chris’ hand moved up to Ben’s neck, rubbing it. “You’re worried something like that will happen here.”

  “It’s—I keep reminding myself how strong you are. Stronger than my dad, and a lot younger, too. Stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. But it still concerns me.” Fuck concerned. It scared the shit out of him. But he wasn’t so sure he wanted to admit how terrified he felt.

  “We’re going to win,” Chris said. “This isn’t going to be like your parents. And when we’ve wiped the floor with them, you and Alex and I will live happily ever after.”

  “I agree,” Alex said. “Brett’s not as strong as Chris. If Brett and Chris end up fighting, Brett will lose. It won’t be like with your dad.”

  Chris squeezed Ben’s neck. “Now let’s go back to my place and go to bed.”

  Chapter 12

  Chris led his mates out to his car. He hated everything Ben had had to go through. At the same time, he felt impressed by Alex. The way she’d reached out to Ben had been sympathetic and mature, in spite of her age. Maybe Chris wasn’t giving her enough credit.

  Those thoughts quickly gave way to more sexual ones. They’d had amazing sex that afternoon but it wasn’t anywhere near enough. He wanted his mates, and wanted them now.

  It didn’t take long to drive back to his house, or to get his mates up to the bedroom. In no time at all, he and Ben were stripping Alex, one on top, the other on bottom. She worked on Chris’ button-down shirt while he undid her jeans.

  “I cannot wait to see you naked again,” Chris said.

  As Chris pushed her jeans down her legs, Ben unclasped her bra and her breasts sprang free. Still kneeling, Chris lost interest disrobing her as her breasts appeared before him. He cupped them and sucked on one nipple then the other.

  Chris pulled back, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples. Ben had removed her underwear and now held her from behind, his hand between her legs.

  “I’m thinking double penetration,” Ben said, his eyes dancing.

  Chris met his eyes. “Definitely. And I’m in back.”

  Ben opened his mouth to say something.

  “You marked her first.”

  Ben closed his mouth. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  Chris stood, leaned over Alex’s shoulder and kissed Ben. It quickly turned into an open-mouthed tangling of tongues. Chris pressed his cock against Alex’s stomach, yearning to sink inside her. Or inside Ben. The idea definitely was growing on him.

  Alex slipped out from between them. As soon as she was gone, Ben yanked Chris against him, holding him tight. Alex tugged at Ben’s shirt and Chris moved his arms and hands out of the way just enough to let her peel it off him. Then Chris replaced his hands, touching naked skin.

  Alex skirted around to work on Chris but couldn’t do much more than pull his shirt out of his slacks. She tried to put her arms around him from the back but couldn’t get her hands between him and Ben. Finally, Chris pulled back from their clinch.

  “Let’s help Alex with these clothes.” He had Ben’s jeans down to his thighs before either of his mates could even start on his own clothes.

  Ben’s cock popped out of his underwear, thick and hard. Chris dropped to his knees as he pulled Ben’s jeans down and helped him step out of them. Then Chris gripped Ben’s cock around the base. He started by taking just the head into his mouth and sucking lightly on it. Ben’s head fell back on a moan.

  Chris slowly fed the rest of Ben’s cock into his mouth until his lips touched his fingers at the root. He stroked Ben’s cock in and out of his mouth, loving every second, but loving it even more when he saw how much Ben liked it.

  Alex had slid behind Ben. Chris couldn’t see what she was doing exactly, except that her hands roamed over his chest, plucking at his nipples. Then she came around the other side and got on her knees behind Chris. She pressed kisses to his back as her hands teased his nipples then slid down to rub his cock through his jeans.

  After a few minutes, Chris released Ben’s cock and stood up, ready to be naked. Now both his mates were nude and he still had all of his clothes on. Without a word, Ben undid his jeans. While Alex pulled them down his legs, Ben finished unbuttoning and removing his shirt.

  When the three of them fell together onto the bed, Chris made sure Alex was in the middle. He wanted to taste her. “Spread her out.”

  Together the two men spread Alex’s legs. Chris lay down between them and fastened his mouth onto her clit. Ben, meanwhile, lay down so that he could lick and suck on her nipples.

  Alex moaned low in her throat, placing a hand on each of their heads. “That’s so good.”

  “Anything for you,” Ben said.

  Chris didn’t comment, just worked even harder to find all of her sweet spots, the exact moves that would drive his mate
crazy. When she started to writhe, he figured the swirling sucking thing he was doing right then was perfect. He’d have to remember that.

  Ben scooted up further to kiss her while Chris coaxed her body into an orgasm that nearly shook him off of her. Score.

  When she finished, he sat up between her legs. “Double penetration.”

  “Amen,” Ben said.

  “You’re sure this won’t hurt, with both of you at once?”

  “I bought lube,” Ben said.

  “When’d you find the time to buy lube?” Chris said.

  “When I went to the grocery earlier today.” Ben grabbed a bag out of the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a bottle. “Just for us.”

  He must be missing something. “They have lube at the grocery?” Chris said.

  Ben laughed. “No but they have it at the adult store out on the edge of town.” He crawled onto the bed, smacking the side of Alex’s butt. “Roll over. We need to get you ready.”

  She stretched, her arms high over her head, which lifted her breasts invitingly toward the ceiling. Then with a cheshire smile she rolled onto her stomach and lifted her hips. “Have your way with me, boys,” she said in a low, sultry voice.

  Ben uncapped the lube, but Chris shook his head. He had a better way to start this off. He rubbed her ass cheeks then pulled them gently apart. Then he very lightly traced his thumb over the small star inside.

  Alex wriggled her butt.

  Pulling her buttocks further apart, Chris leaned down and licked her, then went even further and sucked her gently, with lots of tongue.

  Slapping her hand against the bed, Alex moaned into the blankets.

  He didn’t want her to come again until he was inside her, so he stopped.

  “No,” she said.

  Chris ignored her pleas. “Lube?”

  Ben poured a little lube at the top of her crease and worked it in with his fingers. After pouring a little more, he pushed one finger into her, sliding it in and out, getting the lube into her canal as well.

  “More,” Chris said.

  Ben removed his finger before adding more lube, and this time, Chris got in on it, slipping his finger into her ass. God, she felt tight.