First to Fall

by Alexa Whitewolf

  She nods at that, and points to a side display of goodies. “You’ll want some of these! Any grown man will go for them.”

  I take a bit of everything, as much as I can afford while on my salary. Just as she’s packing it all up, a young woman about my age steps from the back. Her face is flushed, making her chocolate-golden eyes stand out more. What I can see of her hair is chestnut brown, and tied in a bun.

  “Grandma, the oven broke again!”

  By her whine, I can tell it’s not the first time this particular issue has come up. The elderly woman—Rose, I’ve learned is her name—rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Heavens, Elle, can’t you see I’m with a customer? Pick up the phone and call your granddaddy, he’ll come by and fix it soon as he can.”

  Grumbling under her breath, Elle does as she’s told and walks to the back, nearly stomping her feet. I catch myself thinking she’d be a good match for one of the guys... Then shake my head at the errant thought. I doubt they’d appreciate me playing matchmaker.

  “Here you go, dearie.” Rose hands me my package and I pay for the treats, then head out. Elle’s pretty face still floats in my mind, even as I’m mentally inventorying the guys’ qualities to see who she’d be best fitted with.

  I’m pushing the door open while trying not to drop my package when a bulky body walks in.

  “Well, well. Look what the dogs dragged in.”

  I know that voice...

  I glance up to see a man, a few inches taller than me, with a shaved head and cropped beard. He’s handsome but aloof, in a cold type of beauty reminiscent of an untouchable panther. A scar cuts across his eye, ruining the pretty face aspect and adding a hint of danger. While some girls might find him hot, I barely retain a shiver.

  “Sorry, I almost knocked into you.” I back off while talking, wanting to put some distance between us. “I work next door and was coming in to get some treats...”

  My nervous babble stops when another man follows him in. He’d been the one speaking, and I recognize the biker from the bar the other night, Jared. His gaze narrows on me like on an unworthy insect. I stop talking at that point, squirming under their scrutiny.

  “You’re their recruit, aren’t you? Lucrezia something?” The new guy's voice is hoarse like a smoker's, his tone snide and snotty.

  I nod, unsure where this is headed—and not liking it.

  Dom....

  His name echoes in my head, but I can’t fathom why. The bearded guy tilts his head to the side, smirking now. A glance to his boss, Jared, then he turns back to me. His hand lifts and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I jerk out of his reach, scowling.

  “You’ve got spunk, I’ll give you that. I’m Aiden. Do me a favor, little girl. Tell Dominic I say hi, won’t you?”

  Something snaps in me at his condescending tone and I straighten my back, no longer avoiding his glare. “Tell him yourself.”

  Without pausing, I push between them and head out the door. I hear curses behind me, but I don't stick around. Instead, I move as fast as I can—without actually running—towards Claws Auto Shop.

  Dominic

  After Luz leaves, Lucas’ anger skyrockets a notch. I’m amused by it, if slightly confused by her behavior. For someone who wants Lucas, she’s sure acting like my lips are the sole focus of her existence.

  “You need to be careful.”

  I cross my arms over my chest, widening my stance and Lucas’ gaze narrows at my obvious defiance. To my surprise, he sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know you think I’m trying to sabotage your relationship, but I’m only looking out for you. I like having you as beta, Dom, and would hate for anything to break the balance. Capisci?”

  Yeah, I understand all right. “Nothing will.” So maybe my answer comes out through gritted teeth. I never said I’m good at masking my emotions.

  Finn walks in at that point, reading the situation with a sweeping glance. “Luz is on her way out to grab us some sweets. So what do you both say to cutting the pissing contest and focusing on the problem we have? Serial killer, anyone?”

  Lucas and I glare at each other for a bit longer, then I uncross my arms. “Finn’s right. We’re too old for this shit. What do you think of the jeans we brought you?”

  For an alpha, Lucas sure knows how to defuse fast. In the blink of an eye, he’s standing and pacing the office, thinking out loud. “I caught the same scent you all did—of murder. But there have been no sightings of bodies. I even listened to the police scanner this morning on my way in... still niente.”

  “What about our theory of Jared being involved?” I’m kind of happy Finn’s the one who asked, seeing as I still feel the tension between me and Lucas.

  “You may not be far off... The newfound jeans make me seriously think we’re looking at a werewolf. But Jared’s interrogation of one of his own seems weird, to say the least.”

  “So let us talk to him.” Lucas faces me, nodding to indicate I can continue. “If you go accusing Jared, it’ll start a turf war. Let me find Tiny on my own and ask him a few innocent questions.”

  “You and innocent don’t mix, Dom.”

  I glare at Finn, but sadly, he’s right. Lucas seems to realize the same thing as he shakes his head. “You’re too impulsive, and I can’t condone something like this. If it blows up in our face...”

  “You have plausible deniability.”

  Lucas glances to Finn, then runs a hand over his face. “I cannot agree to this.” I’m about to argue, but he raises a hand to shut me up. “However, Tristan and I will take the next few nights of patrol. If, at any point during that time, two members of my pack were to meet up by pure coincidence and run into Tiny on their way to grab a drink...” He shrugs, smirking. “Not much I can do if you chat, sì?”

  I laugh, clasping his back. “Quite right, boss.”

  Lucas rolls his eyes, but the tension is now gone and I finally feel like we’re moving forward. Tonight, we can find out who’s behind this. My excited gaze meets Finn’s, and I can read the eagerness in his expression.

  “One of you should meet up with Tristan and me after to share what you found out. We can’t do anything until we know what we’re dealing with.”

  I nod, but my mind is no longer in it. For the last few moments, my stomach’s been in knots and I can’t figure out why. When the bell rings, signaling the door opening and closing, I storm out of Lucas’ office.

  Luz is by her office when I get to her, a box of goodies on her desk. “Damn, that smells good!”

  She jumps at my voice, almost dropping her jacket. “Is everything alright?”

  Her nod only confirms my suspicions, as she looks distracted. She meets my gaze, biting on her bottom lip, then the words pour out. “Um, I ran into a friend of yours.... Aiden something? He said to tell you hi.”

  My teeth nearly snap with the force I’m using, but I manage to keep a lid on it. Aiden is Jared’s beta, and the fact he was near Luz bodes nothing good.

  “That man is no friend of mine.”

  Luz sighs at my admittance, shifting on her feet. “I thought as much. Jared was with him.” When I only clench my fists in response, she steps closer. “What’s going on, Dom? Who are these guys?”

  Out of the corner of my eye I see Lucas approaching, followed by Finn.

  “Everything okay here?” He echoes, but his eyes are only on me.

  My admission comes through gritted teeth. “Aiden says hi. Ran into Luz at the bakery.”

  To his credit, Lucas doesn't even blink. Instead, he says, “We’ll take care of it.” He turns to Luz, and she almost becomes a puddle at his feet when he touches her shoulder. “Stay away from that guy in the meantime.”

  She nods, and in that moment I can’t decide who I want to kill more: Aiden or Lucas.

  The day goes by more or less smoothly from there, though my wolf won't quiet down. Each time the bell rings, my head snaps to Luz, checking to make sure it’s none of the Reapers. When the end of shift comes by, I
could scream in relief.

  Luz is putting on her jacket by the time I change and head out of the garage. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “Does that fall under your duties as my fake boyfriend?” There’s a smile tugging on her lips, but her eyes are wary.

  I lean against the wall, crossing my arms and watching her closely. “Maybe, maybe not...but it’s definitely part of my friend duties.” Pushing off the wall, I step closer and bring my hand up to her cheek. “Regardless of what this is, Luz, I’m first and foremost your friend. And your safety is my priority.”

  For a moment, I’m afraid she might say no, looking as skittish as a doe in the headlights. But whatever runs through her head seems to decide her, and Luz inclines her head in assent. “I’d like that.”

  Finally.

  I hold the door open for her, and lock up behind us. Lucas and Tristan left a while ago, at sundown, to start their patrol. And Finn said he had something else to do, so we’re the only ones left.

  Lucas thinks whoever is behind the killings is nocturnal, so it stands to reason we don’t want to miss a second of darkness. Human police will never bother investigating animal crimes, but we don’t intend to let this psycho go by unpunished—not by a long shot.

  Luz’s hand slides into mine, and I glance down in surprise. She doesn’t acknowledge it, only steps closer. “You called me something today, in Lucas’ office.”

  “Draga mea,” I repeat. “In Romanian, it means my darling.”

  Considering her last comment, I half-expect her to say it’s not normal in fake relationships to be using endearments. Instead, Luz only says, “It’s sweet. I like it.”

  Something in me melts at her tone, but all too soon we’ve reached her door. Luz’s grip on my hand tightens, pulling my attention to her.

  Her eyes are downcast, and there’s a faint blush to her cheeks that takes me by surprise. What I wouldn’t give to read her mind...

  When she finally looks at me, her green eyes are dark with emotion, but I don’t have time to search their depths. Luz rises on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek, then pulls back quickly. “Thanks for walking me home.”

  She’s gone before I can say another word, leaving my wolf and I restless, and unsaid words in the air. Once her light turns on, I walk to my place in silence.

  ∞ 5 – Vechi Prieteni ∞

  “Old friends become bitter enemies on a sudden

  for toys and small offenses.”

  -Robert Burton-

  LUCREZIA

  I wake up the next morning feeling at odds. Last night, Dom’s sweetness got to me and I almost kissed him—not that I think he noticed. I’m having a hard time understanding my own feelings, and this new attraction to Dom rather than Lucas.

  Still, the dread I feel has nothing to do with that particular drama. The sky outside is gray, and overnight we were blessed with freezing rain. It’s enough to make my walk to work precarious, and I curse and slide all the way there.

  Somehow, I make it in without falling on my ass, and open the shop. Lucas sent me a few emails the night before on more reports he wants to run, so I get started on them.

  An hour later, the guys file in one at a time. There’s a line of three cars outside, so Dom only stops for a hug, then heads straight into work. For the next few hours, I go through the motions of entering quotes in the system, taking payments and answering questions from each client. The remaining two customers leave their cars in overnight, and before lunch I find myself alone at the front.

  It’s normally not something that bothers me, but between the freezing rain and the morning, I’m even more unsettled. Outside seems deserted, no one out messing with the bad weather—not that I blame them.

  I busy myself with filing away receipts by month and fall upon Eliza’s. The image of the bitchy model from days before runs through my head as do her words. Does Tommy know you’re here?

  Between agreeing to the façade with Dom and running into those bikers, I’ve forgotten all about it. How did she meet my ex? And worse, did she tell him where I was?

  The door rings open again and I mutter, “Be with you in a second.”

  A silence, then his voice freezes me. “Take your time, babe.”

  I shoot to my feet, knocking over my chair. It can’t be him, but sure enough, a few feet away Tommy stands. His blonde hair is slicked back with gel, his brown eyes cold and unfeeling. He smirks at my obvious surprise, stepping closer.

  My eyes slide to where the guys are, hoping they won’t notice him. One thought runs on a loop in my head: I can’t believe my dickhead of an ex is here.

  “What the hell are you doing here, Tommy?” My question comes in a hiss, but I’m happy to hear there is no weakness in it. I don’t want to be alone with him, so call me selfish but I don’t move out of the shop—implications be damned.

  “You’re a hard little bitch to track down.” He’s now in front of my desk, leaning over. I’m still too close, but my feet won’t budge. When he extends a hand towards my face I cringe, moving out of his reach. His smirk widens and my heart starts pounding an all-too-familiar panicked rhythm.

  Dominic

  His stink hits me first, and I drop what I’m doing. I glance towards the reception desk and see a guy with Luz. He’s standing way too close for comfort, which alone has my wolf in a frenzy.

  Then I notice her body language, the way she’s putting as much distance as possible between them, and all my attention zeroes in on them.

  The prick reaches for her, and I growl low. Luz moves away, avoiding his touch.

  Without even realizing it, I’ve stepped forward. A hand on my shoulder stops me, and I look at Lucas. Tristan and Finn both went out for lunch, so it’s only me and him in the garage. Despite his restraining grasp, his darkened face is also fixated on Luz and the stranger.

  “Who is he?”

  He doesn’t sound too happy about the newcomer, and I want to snap. What the hell do you care? Sanity returns before I say anything stupid, and I realize that this is what we wanted, me and Luz: to get him to care.

  “Don’t know.”

  Movement draws our attention again, this time when the stranger goes around the desk, invading Luz’s personal bubble.

  “Let me go.” It’s not a request, but Lucas frowns at me.

  “He’s human. You can’t go in there and act your usual hothead self, Dom. Relax.”

  In a split of a second, the stranger grabs Luz’s arm. She freezes, then her cheeks flush and I can see the anger in her—but my wolf also smells fear.

  “What the fuck did this guy do to her?” I don’t realize my words are aloud until Lucas tightens his grip. Without his iron hold, I would be across the room lunging for the guy.

  “Dom...” Lucas’ tone is a warning.

  “I get it!”

  But still my eyes linger on them. When he takes a step closer, I yank myself out of Lucas’ grasp and move. By the time I reach them, storming through the doors linking the garage with the reception area, Luz got herself out of his grasp. I smell something metallic—blood—and a quick look confirms the scratches on his arm.

  “Draga mea.”

  Luz turns to me, emotions flashing across her face—fear, surprise, but above all, relief. It makes my heart squeeze, but that's short-lived when a river of lava boils within me.

  I step around the guy, pushing him out of her working space. My arm goes around her shoulders, pulling her into my side. Off balance, she has to rest her hand on my chest, and I relish the light touch.

  Not once taking my eyes off the stranger, I kiss the side of her forehead. “Who’s your friend?”

  She releases a shaky breath, and with it, an introduction. “Dom, meet Tommy.”

  Lucrezia

  I’d have to be a fool not to sense the testosterone in the air. And I don’t mind it. Yes, Dom is only pretending, but it’s a good act. Tommy is too busy staring at us with hate to realize how much trouble he walked into.

  “Didn’t
know you had a new boy toy.” His smirk is still on full-force, and I don’t bother answering. What’s the use, when all he wants is to rile me up?

  “Hey, I’m talking to you!”

  I glance over in surprise. Is he daft to try this in front of Dom? A bubbling laughter escapes me at the thought, but Tommy doesn’t appreciate it.

  “You crazy little—”

  Dom moves with an agility I did not expect. One minute he’s my big cuddle bear, the next he has Tommy grasped by the throat, flattened against the wall and a few inches off the ground. Tommy whimpers, and turns a nice shade of crimson.

  “Dom,” I whisper, “Let him go. He’s not worth it.”

  For a moment, I fear he won't listen. Then he cocks his head as though listening to music only he can hear. A sixth sense has me turn, and I see Lucas across the distance. His face is as dark as Dom’s, features hardened by anger.

  The air itself is stifling with heat. Tommy is losing breath, his face turning an ungodly shade of purple now.

  “Enough.”

  It’s a vibration, a rumble... Whatever it is, it’s coming from Lucas—yet he never spoke. Then, as if that alone was the magic order, Dom lets Tommy go.

  He glares at Lucas, breathing heavily, and turns back to my ex. Hovering over him, Dom scowls, his tone heavy with malice. “Get out of here, scumbag, while you still can. If I ever see your sorry ass around Luz or this place again, I will finish this.”

  The last part is said in something close to a snarl, and Tommy goes pale as a ghost. He gets up on shaky legs and we watch him leave, but not before throwing me one last dirty look.

  Once he’s gone, Dom stays frozen for a few moments, breathing through flaring nostrils. I glance around, but Lucas vanished. I must have imagined that, there’s no way...

  I shake my head, but my thoughts are derailed when Dom turns to me. His eyes are a soft blue again, and he holds out his palm to me.

  “Let’s take a drive.”

  After a brief hesitation, I grasp it and follow him out the door. I have no doubt what he means, nor can I avoid the questions in his gaze. It’s time to answer them.