First to Fall

by Alexa Whitewolf

  “Um...” To be honest, I’ve never heard Lucas be quite that explosive in his swearing before. I may not speak Italian fluently, but even I know cazzo is the worst word he could have picked. With that in mind, I can’t really talk under the fire of his gaze, so I peer helplessly up at Dom.

  I’m not ready for this! My silent plea is answered, albeit not in the way I expected.

  Dom is grinning a bit too smugly when he announces, “Luz and I are dating.”

  Lucas’ gaze heats even further if that’s possible. He glances between us, brow furrowed as though not believing it. His question, when it comes, is more of a growl. “Since when?”

  “Since last night.” Dom’s revelation has the effect of a bomb dropping. Both guys grow silent, staring at each other with increasing intensity. With each passing second, Lucas’ expression hardens, yet he never so much as looks my way.

  I glance up at Dominic, noticing the muscle ticking in his jaw. His hold on me tightens. Just when I’m about to say something, he speaks.

  “It’s not against the shop’s rules, so back off, boss.”

  The words make me frown, as if I’m missing the key to decode this particular riddle. Yet I’m distracted when I hear a legit growl from Lucas—or so I think.

  When I tear my eyes off Dom’s face to confirm, all I notice is his stoic expression. “Don’t let it get out of hand. Be professional.”

  Without a word, he turns and steps away.

  “Yes, boss,” Dom salutes mockingly to his back, then kisses my temple.

  I fall against him in relief. “That was... intense.”

  “It was bound to be.” He doesn’t seem affected, instead playing with a strand of my hair.

  The words I want to say are on the tip of my tongue, as is the certainty I owe Dom honesty. Whatever that was, earlier, scrambled with my brain when he was barely trying. Though there’s a legit possibility this crazy plan will succeed and get Lucas’ attention, I’m starting to fear what I’ll lose in the meantime.

  “I don’t think this will work.”

  Dom doesn’t stop his movements, only smiling in amusement at my uncertain statement. “And why not?”

  I open my mouth once, twice to say something that makes sense, but nothing comes out. Dom chuckles and kisses my cheek.

  “I beg to differ. Lucas was ready to throttle me, that has to count for something.” He drops his arm from around me and walks back to the garage, leaving me staring after him.

  I guess giving it some more time can’t hurt....

  ∞ 4 – Inimă ∞

  “The human heart refuses to believe in a

  universe without a purpose.”

  -Immanuel Kant-

  DOMINIC

  The night is silent around us, giving a fake illusion of peace and tranquility. Finn and I know better as we move in the shadows in wolf form. While I blend in with the darkness, my buddy is all but a target with his snowy fur.

  This damn full moon isn’t helping things. His mutter echoes across my own thoughts, and I snort my chuckle.

  Stick to the shadows and we’ll be fine. I angle my head, trying to catch scents but failing. Since our last pack meeting, Lucas has us patrolling the grounds at night—every night. Needless to say, I've spent little time with Luz between work and pack life.

  Over there.

  Finn jumps ahead and I snap to and follow him. As wolves, we have a sharp sense of smell in general, but my Irish buddy combines that with an innate extrasensory perception that comes in handy when we hunt.

  As a Celtic werewolf, there are many things I still don’t understand about him, and much more he refuses to tell us. But no matter what secrets we each hide, I’ve come to trust these guys with my life.

  So when I follow Finn, it’s without doubt, my senses honed in trying to see whatever had him spooked. We run a few blocks, sticking to the shadows, before reaching a restaurant. The alleyway behind it bears the distinct stench of werewolves, and I recognize the aroma of the Reapers. Since they tend to consume most of their food as wolves—meaning they hunt and kill it while morphed—it sticks to their skin.

  Sure enough, when we turn the corner and step closer, two wolves are going at it hard enough to saturate the air with the smell of blood. I wrinkle my muzzle, throwing a look at Finn. In the darkness, it seems like he shrugs.

  We approach silently, sticking to the shadows, our hackles raised and ready for action. When we’re only a few feet away, the dark brown wolf whirls to face us, and I recognize his empty gaze.

  Jared. What are you doing here? It’s probably not a good idea to drop my mental barriers to communicate with him, but there’s not much choice if we want answers.

  The Reapers’ alpha scoffs, stepping back from the wolf he’s fighting with. Half his size, the tiny black animal seems pitiful in comparison. One ear is bleeding, torn to shreds, and his muzzle has a deep gash.

  Beating up pups again? My taunt raises a growl out of Jared, but the other wolf only backs away in a corner, trying to make himself scarce.

  Whatever’s going on here, we can’t intervene. Each pack has a set of rules, and if Lucas was here, maybe he could influence Jared to show more mercy. As it is, nothing I do will help, only aggravate the situation for the other wolf.

  Dom.

  Finn’s call snaps me out of doing something stupid, and back to our purpose here. I glance around, but catch nothing. There’s garbage bags everywhere, broken bottles on the ground, and even human excrements—but nothing of what we need.

  My eyes fall on Finn, who shakes his head. I thought I smelled something, but it must have been only his blood.

  His gaze lands on the wolf cowering in a corner, and I think I recognize the dirty fur as one of Jared’s lieutenants. Having a hard time controlling your pack, Jared?

  He snarls, inching closer. The man always had a temper, and it doesn’t take much to rile him up. Finn knows as much and moves by my side, ready to back me up. Lucas would frown on us engaging Jared in an open fight, but then again the man is on our territory, which means it’s free hunting time.

  I don’t budge, despite him getting so close we’re muzzle to muzzle. He’s smaller than me in wolf form, but it doesn’t stop him from being the most aggressive of his bunch.

  I said it’s none of your business.

  My gaze drifts around again, scanning the surroundings. I don’t know what I’m searching for, but something tells me Finn had it right and we’re missing a clue.

  That's when I see it—a piece of fabric peeking out from a garbage lid. There’s nothing special about it, but the minute I focus on it I get the uncanny sensation this is it. I head towards the area, dismissing Jared's grumbles and trusting Finn to have my back if he’s stupid enough to attack. The closer I get, the scent assails me more.

  What is it? Finn senses my agitation and takes a step towards me.

  I throw a look over my shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Stay with Jared. Don’t let him out of your sight.

  If the roles were reversed, I would have snapped at being ordered around by anyone besides the alpha of our pack. But Finn knows the rules, and he’s a stickler for following them. I don’t have to look again to confirm he’s taking my command to heart and keeping his attention on Jared—I know he is.

  Instead, I stalk to the garbage, scanning the area to make sure nothing’s hiding in the shadows. When I reach the lid, I grab the cloth and pull on it until it’s free. It’s a pair of old jeans, washed out and holed. But the scent off them... I stick my muzzle closer, inhaling and committing it to memory.

  Then I grab the pants and walk back to Jared, dropping them at his feet. If I was expecting a reaction, I’m disappointed when he only looks at me with an inscrutable gaze. What the hell is this?

  You tell me. You’re the one in our territory, injuring a wolf, and near a telling piece of evidence.

  Evidence? Jared scoffs, almost rolling his eyes. You’re delusional. Come on, Tiny. Time to get back home. Rabid do
gs can be contagious.

  Before I can rationalize my next step, I’m directly in his path and block his way. Probably not my best move, considering he’s an alpha in his own right, and I’m only second-in-command. Normally, this would mean I bring the evidence to Lucas and let him decide.

  But then I think of the dead animal, and whoever is out there, and all I see is red. Jared steps to the side, a rumble building in his chest. I tense my muscles, getting ready to fight him if need be.

  Finn, the ever-peacemaker, moves between us and separates us. We’re not looking for a fight, Jared.

  Speak for yourself.

  He ignores me, instead keeping a calm tone. Someone is targeting animals on our territory, eviscerating them like nothing. We think it may be a human or someone like us, so we’ve been patrolling the area. Tonight, it led us here. He nods to the discarded jeans. To that. Did you see anything?

  Jared's gaze falls on the jeans again, then back to Finn and me. For a moment, I almost think he'll be helpful. But all he does is push past us. Tiny, I said come!

  The smaller wolf scurries after him, leaving Finn and I alone. Damn. You think he has something to do with it?

  Much as I want to say yes, I shake my head, not quite believing it. I couldn’t smell anything off him. But there’s definitely something going on with the Reapers.

  Finn turns to face me, tilting his head in surprise. You caught that too?

  Caught what?

  Rather than answer, Finn stares at Jared and Tiny’s departing forms. The smaller wolf is trailing way behind the alpha, seemingly afraid to get anywhere near.

  Jared wasn’t just beating his lieutenant up, Dom. He was trying to get information out of him.

  Of course Finn read more into the altercation than I did. You sure you’re not grasping at straws?

  I’m telling you, that had all the markings of an interrogation, not a beating. Lieutenants may be low on pack hierarchy, but in a grouping like the Reapers, they’d be the one carrying out daily operations like food supplies, targeting humans... He trails off, meeting my stunned look. And territory patrol.

  His meaning dawns on me, and I glance to the jeans. You think Tiny might know who’s behind this?

  At the very least, he saw something. Why else would Jared be so focused on him?

  Another thought pulls at me, and I scratch at my muzzle in annoyance. There’s something else. When I was at The Cave with Luz, and the Reapers walked in... Jared accused us of being on his territory.

  You’re saying he thinks we’re behind this?

  I nod, picking up the jeans in my mouth. We should probably bring the jeans to Lucas, and tell him all this.

  That’s... new.

  Finn’s tone has my attention. What do you mean?

  For a second there, you didn’t seem to care much about Lucas’ authority, considering you nearly started a fight with a rival alpha.

  I can’t explain my contradicting feelings to Finn, so I move instead out of the alleyway. Let’s just go.

  Lucrezia

  I finish typing up the sales report Lucas wanted, print a copy and head towards his office at the back. He’s been acting distant since Dominic revealed we’re dating, and normally it would worry me. But I catch his onyx eyes every so often lingering on me, and the tingling it gives me makes the lie worth it.

  My boots clack on the floor, and I cringe. The snow melted in the last few days, and I thought it safe enough to wear a pair of boots with heels. The discomfort I've been experiencing all morning has me now rethinking my decision.

  I’m almost at the door when I hear voices—Dom’s and Lucas’—and they don’t sound happy.

  “I’m getting mighty tired of your antics,” Lucas is saying, and through the half-open door I see him leaning back on his chair, hands crossed behind his neck.

  My mouth waters at the sight of him, recognizing the sex appeal he exudes. But then his high and mighty tone makes me frown. Antics?

  “I thought you might.” Dom sounds annoyed, and I can see half of his back through the crack, tense with emotion. “But we both know you didn’t send me out there only to patrol. So why don’t we cut the bull?”

  Lucas’ eyes narrow, though his pose remains casual. “What are you going on about, amico?”

  “You know what. You don’t want me near Luz, and this was the perfect excuse to keep me at bay.”

  His words root me to the ground as I try to wrap my head around the implications. Lucas didn’t want Dom around me? But that would imply he’s bothered by us dating. The realization should give me more of a thrill, but other than my mouth watering at the sight of his body, I don’t feel any of what I had expected.

  Rather than react to the jibe, Lucas’ face gives nothing away, other than further frustration with Dominic.

  “Why don’t you admit it?”

  Oh Dom...

  “None of this has anything to do with Luz, but with your disobedience. I’m the boss, and you can damn well start acting like you respect it!”

  “As I recall—”

  Lucas lifts his hand, stopping Dom halfway. “Come in, Lucrezia.”

  I couldn’t have ignored his order if I wanted to. My feet, frozen until he spoke, shuffle one in front of the other. Then I’m pushing the door open the rest of the way, wondering how the hell he guessed I was outside.

  My eyes dart between Lucas to Dom, and sure enough my assumption was correct. Dom’s gaze is darkened with barely held-back fury, his lips pressed together. I linger on his mouth, remembering it against my neck, his body close to mine...

  Lucas clears his throat, and I jump guiltily to face him. His face is hard now, no longer relaxed, and his nostrils are flaring. “I, um...” Faced with such an obvious reaction, I lose my voice.

  “The sales report, draga mea.” I throw Dom a grateful look—noticing his now amused expression—and dump the folder on Lucas’ desk.

  “You asked for the budget figures until now. I, um, I’ll be at my desk if you have questions.”

  Then I turn tail and run out of there, cheeks flaming. On a sharp corner I run smack into Finn with enough force to stumble back. Without his arms wrapping around me, I would have fallen straight on my ass.

  As it is, his body heat seeps into me and I meet his confused gaze. “Sorry.”

  He chuckles, releasing me. “All good, love. What were you running from?”

  My glance to Lucas’ office gives me away, and Finn goes, “Ah.”

  “What’s going on with Dom and Lucas?” I don’t mean to pry, but... He is a guy, and has known them longer than I have. Surely he has some insight.

  Finn grimaces, shaking his head. “Those two have been at each other’s throats for ages, don’t worry about it.”

  I nibble on my bottom lip, not reassured in the least. “Lucas seems very, um, set on obedience, huh?”

  “You could say that.” There’s a playful smile on his lips, not unlike the Mona Lisa’s secretive smirk. I can’t help feeling like something’s going over my head here.

  “Know what helps two guys in a pissing contest?”

  I'm about to contradict him on the contest, but only end up asking, “What?”

  “Sugar.”

  I blink in surprise, thinking he’s playing some joke on me. But Finn grins instead. “I promise. Doughnuts, croissants, you name it. Think you can bring us some while I go disarm whatever situation is unraveling back there?”

  My lips mirror his grin and I nod. “Sure. It’s lunch time, anyway.”

  As he passes by me and heads to Lucas, I move to my desk. Imagine my surprise when I find Tristan, of all people, leaning over the counter.

  “I... Can I help you?” I like Tristan, same as all the others. But he’s the most quiet and reserved of the bunch, and not the most talkative. Which, basically, means he intimidates the hell out of me.

  Seeing him all relaxed and charming crookedly throws me off. And then I have the uncanny sensation I’m like little Red Riding Hood amid a p
ack of wolves.

  “Here’s a question for you, beleza.”

  His endearment is new—calling me beauty—but it’s the semi-amused tone that makes me snap out of my thoughts and my entire attention on him. “Yeah?” I’m not sure I want to answer any of his questions, but then again, it doesn’t look like he’ll give me much of a choice.

  “Blue or green?”

  My jaw must have dropped because he throws his head back and laughs like it’s the world’s funniest joke. “I... What?”

  “Relax, Red. I don’t bite.”

  His words only leave me shaking my head, and I move behind my desk. His unnerving gaze keeps watching me, even as I log into the computer and save the last files I was working on, before gathering my coat to go out.

  “Seriously, Tristan... What do you want?”

  When he says nothing, I look up. He searches my gaze, but for what, I don't understand. His only comment is, “I can understand what Dom sees in you. But be careful, Luz. Not every wolf sheds his skin.”

  My skin prickles at the warning, but Tristan up and leaves before I can ask more. If he wanted to unsettle me, mission accomplished. Because his words echo my thoughts too closely.

  Shaking my head, I zip up my jacket and step out the door. There’s a small bakery two blocks down the street, owned by a nice elderly couple. With the way the day is going, some sugar and baked goods seem to be the perfect idea.

  With the still frigid weather, I practically speed-walk there and it takes me less time than normally. Inside the bakery, fresh smells of croissants and baked goods assail me, and my mouth waters.

  “What can I get you, sweetie?”

  A busty, round woman walks behind the counter, watching me with twinkling brown eyes. Her hair is a dirty blonde, pulled back in a ponytail. She pats her hands full of flour on the dirty apron she’s wearing, and there are crinkles at the corners of her eyes that immediately put me at ease.

  “I hope so,” I laugh. “I have four guys to feed.” When her eyes widen at my statement, I hasten to add, “My coworkers, I mean!”