by Trina M. Lee
He was right about that. I disappeared upstairs to get dressed, needing to escape the sudden awkwardness that had settled over the topic of discussion. I was excited to see one of my dearest friends get married, yet it created this tension between Shaz and I, this strained awareness that wedded bliss would never be our future.
A call to Kylarai perked me right up. As I did my favorite smoky eyeliner and grey eye shadow, she gushed all about the flowers she had selected, the rings they’d picked out, and her inability to decide how to do her hair.
“Coby must be loving this,” I laughed. “I can’t remember the last time I heard you so chipper. It’s nice.”
“It really is. I have never felt this connected to anyone. It’s like we were made for each other. It’s so funny how things work out.” Joy practically poured out of the phone as she spoke.
It certainly was interesting how one event led to another. If I hadn’t attacked Coby on the street in a fit of vampire hunger, he wouldn’t be there with her now. I guess good can come of bad after all. It’s all a matter of patience, watching to see how the pieces fall together.
While I slipped into jeans and a Motley Crüe t-shirt, Kylarai rambled on about the dress fittings.
“I need you and Jez to try on dresses. We need time if any alterations are to be made.”
“We’ll be there, Ky. I promise. In fact, I have to call Jez right away. I’ll remind her.”
When I did call Jez a few minutes later, there was no answer. She would never bother to check her voicemail, so instead I sent her a text telling her to meet me at The Wicked Kiss or to call me back.
I ran a brush quickly through my long hair, pausing to examine the piece Shya had cut. I frowned in the mirror at the short stubby chunk before tucking it under out of sight. Bastard.
After gathering my knee-length leather jacket and the Dragon Claw, I descended the stairs to meet Shaz who had made use of the main floor washroom. He was ready and waiting for me. Freshly shaved and casual in jeans and a t-shirt, his platinum hair was slightly disheveled but stylish.
I paused on the bottom stair and openly gawked. “I never tire of looking at you. Even when we were new wolves back at Raoul’s, I would sneak glances at you, hoping you wouldn’t notice.”
A blush colored his cheeks. “I noticed. When I wasn’t too caught up doing the same.”
He swept me off the stairs and into a warm embrace. With a hand beneath my chin, he brought his lips to mine. It was both tender and firm, reminding me of simpler things in a simpler time.
I was overjoyed that our shared affection had survived the years and the hardship thrown at us. However, I was also saddened by all the things it would never be, the shattered picket-fence dream I hadn’t known I’d harbored until recently.
The kiss ended, and our eyes locked. I opened my mouth as if I might spill everything racing through my mind. Nothing came out. Shaz nodded, needing no words. We left the house before the moment could be ruined. We had no time to waste on what could never be. My focus had to be on what was.
Chapter Five
Unease lurked within me when Shaz and I arrived at the werewolf hangout. It was a warehouse-style nightclub on the south side of town. A weathered sign hung above the front door, bearing the name: Doghead.
Finding the scroll was important. But making connections with the wolves in this city was vital. So here we were.
“How do you feel about this?” Shaz asked. His hand was on the door handle, ready to exit the safety of the car.
“I’m nervous. I hope they listen to what we have to say before they tear our throats out.”
Against my better judgment, I took off the belt that held the Dragon Claw around my waist. Bringing a demon-forged weapon into a den of wolves would be suicide.
Leaving the car filled me with a fresh wave of uncertainty. I would not go in there stinking of fear. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I was here as a friend not a foe. Maybe I no longer had a pack to lead, but I’d earned the Alpha title and would not act like anything less than that.
I’d hoped we would slip past the bouncer at the door and blend into the crowd inside. No such luck. We were stopped at the door and searched for weapons.
“We’re here to speak with whoever’s in charge,” I declared when questioned. “We just want to talk. That’s all.”
The wolf manning the door scowled at us. He openly sniffed us, scenting for a lie which he would not find. Big and burly, he was intimidating for sure, but I’d dealt with worse.
“Follow me.” A man of few words. I liked that.
We followed him through the bar, which was smaller on the inside than the exterior made it appear. Concrete floors and basic black tables gave the place a very colorless appearance.
There was not a single human in the place. Everyone we passed was a wolf. There had to be well over a hundred. Each of them bore a tattoo on the side of their neck, marking them as members of a pack. Judging by the different tattoos, I’d guess two or three different packs frequented the place. Envy left me with a sour taste in my mouth.
“Wait here.”
The bouncer gestured to a table covered in empty beer bottles and a plate of chicken bones. With a grimace, I pushed the mess to one side and sat down. Shaz and I exchanged a look. He gave a small shrug and sat back to wait while I perused the vicinity.
The dance floor was littered with women dancing to a fast-paced country song. More than a few heads turned to catch a glimpse of the attractive newcomer, but Shaz was oblivious to them. Most of the men occupied pool tables. Those that didn’t were gathered around a small stage where a pole dancer did her thing, inciting shouts and cheers.
My palms grew sweaty, and I wiped them on my jeans. The fact that I felt more at home in a bar full of vampires did not sit well with me. This should be the place I felt comfortable. This was where I should have belonged.
I was painfully aware of the approach of an Alpha couple. The dominant power oozed from them like a balloon with a slow leak. Subtle but constant. The Alpha male slid onto a seat across from us, glared at the mess on the table, and with a sweep of his hand, shoved the whole thing onto the floor. Bottles shattered and chicken bones flew. I squelched the urge to grimace.
“Somebody clean up this goddamn mess,” he barked. “What the hell am I paying you for?”
He was older than I’d anticipated, in his fifties or sixties I’d guess. His short hair was more silver than brown. Hard blue eyes gleamed with the predatory spark of his beast. Average height with a bulky build, he carried himself with the confidence of one who has learned to fear nobody. It was impressive and intimidating as hell.
My gaze was drawn to the totem moon tattooed on the side of his neck. It was a crescent moon made up of tribal-style curls and twists with one thin line joining each point, making it a full moon as well. It was a perfect match to the one adorning several other wolves.
“Sorry about that,” he said, his gaze lingering on us each in turn. “It’s hard to find good help these days.”
Several waitresses and a bus boy rushed over to clean up the mess. Another placed a fresh beer in front of the Alpha before asking if we’d like anything. I declined while Shaz asked for a beer.
The Alpha female slid onto her seat and immediately offered us her hand. “Please ignore the disruption. I’m Hanna, and this here is Dayne. We’re the Alphas of the Doghead pack. The head pack of the three existing city packs.”
“Alexa,” I said, grateful for her show of hospitality. “Former Alpha of the Stony Plain pack.” Shaz jumped in with his introduction. Hanna laughed and commented on the uniqueness of his name while I sat there awkwardly, unsure of what to say next.
Hanna was close to Dayne’s age from what I could tell. Tall and thin, her athletic build was draped in expensive high-end clothes. Her smile shone in her hazel eyes, but I could see a ruthless glint beneath the surface. The deep auburn red of her hair seemed like it should have come from a bottle, but I was pretty s
ure it was natural. She too bore her pack tattoo on her neck beneath her left ear.
“We don’t get outside wolves in here very often,” Dayne said, his voice as gruff as his manner. A muscle twitched in his sharply chiseled, square jaw. “This is well protected territory.”
“We’re not here to infringe on your territory. We just want to talk.” Shaz’s demeanor was calm, subdued. Coming across as aggressive would be a big mistake.
“So talk.”
Shaz looked to me, letting me take over. I didn’t know where to begin.
“We were the Alphas of a small town pack. The Stony Plain pack,” I began. “Now it’s just the two of us. It seemed appropriate to reach out to your pack. I was hoping you would consider a friendly alliance.”
Dayne’s frozen stare bore into me. The wolf behind his eyes seemed to surface for a moment, regarding me with a haughty glare. “I know who you are, Alexa. Rumor has it, you’re more vampire than wolf now. So tell me, why would I want to form an alliance with you?”
I could answer that many ways. Having him look at me like I was something he’d found on the bottom of his shoe made me want to tell him he was lucky I didn’t force his hand with a power play. I knew wolves though, and that would only start a war I wasn’t prepared to fight. I currently had bigger problems.
“I am still wolf. If you know that much about me then you must know that a demon has staked his claim on this city and every person of power within it. You included.” I paused, giving them a moment to appreciate the severity of my words.
Dayne pulled a cigar from the inside pocket of his leather jacket. He took his time lighting and puffing on it, all the while never taking his eyes off me. “Is that so?” He finally said. “And what might this demon want from my pack?”
“Servitude. He wants me to lead the vampires and werewolves of the city, to work for his cause, as servants in his empire.”
Dayne moved fast. He was on his feet, cigar in hand, in my face with a menacing sneer. “You think you can take over my pack, bitch? Just fucking try it.”
Shaz was at my side, putting himself between me and the big wolf. “That’s not what she said.” He held his hands up in a sign of surrender. “Please, let her finish.”
Hanna grabbed Dayne’s arm and pulled, but the big man remained rooted to the spot. “Sit your foul-tempered ass down and listen, honey.” To me she said, “Sorry, sweetheart. Men. You know how it is.”
I nodded and faked a smile as an acceptance of her apology. My wolf was tense inside me, feeling out of place and ready to either flee or fight. I’d rather not do either. Somehow I managed to stay seated and calm. Tapping my power was tempting but throwing the Alpha wolf on his ass wasn’t going to convince him that I wasn’t more vampire than wolf.
Dayne glowered at me from his taller frame. His wolf looked out at me, issuing a silent but dangerous challenge. When I didn’t react, his shoulders settled ever so slightly, and he returned to his seat.
“Keep talking,” he growled, taking a large swig of beer.
I swallowed hard, seeking the right words to make him see the truth. Clearly the wolves here lived in their own tidy little world. Couldn’t say I blamed them. I would too if everyone would just leave me the hell alone.
“Shya, the demon, he’s got plans for all of us. We need to come together to resist him. The fact that I’m here telling you this should earn me some credit. If I planned to overthrow your pack, I wouldn’t come for a visit first.” I paused, and when Dayne indicated I should continue, I told him everything I knew about Shya.
Dayne’s expression never changed, though Hanna openly gasped and commented as I spoke. She was much calmer of the two of them. I wasn’t stupid enough to think that made her more reasonable. But one could hope.
“So what then?” Dayne asked in a gruff voice when I’d finished. “We either help you, or you make us your bitches for the demon?”
“No, of course not,” I said, incredulous. He was not listening. “This is not a threat. It’s an invitation. If you tell me to fuck off then that’s what I’ll do. I’m giving you an opportunity to form an alliance with one of the most powerful people in this city. Me. If you don’t want to, it’s not my loss.”
Hanna and Dayne exchanged a look. With a hand on his arm, she stared at him, communicating without words.
“Isn’t this why we have such a strong pack?” She asked him. “So when trouble comes, we’re ready. This demon may not be our problem yet, but he wants to be. And I’d say that’s trouble.”
Dayne’s silence was heavy and uncomfortable. He stared at his wife for a long time before turning back to us. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Hanna alone about this. Just give us a few minutes.”
The Alpha pair excused themselves, disappearing through a door marked: Staff Only.
Shaz finished his beer and stretched. “That didn’t go so bad. I think they believe us.”
“I’m starting to think this is more trouble than it’s worth.”
I used the time to try calling Jez again. Still no answer. This was unlike her. The uneasy feeling I’d been plagued with all night began to grow.
“I’m going to find the restroom,” Shaz announced. “I won’t be long.”
He stood up and turned away right in time to collide with another wolf. The collision caused the other guy to spill his drink, most of which soaked his shirt and dripped down his pants.
“Oh, man, I’m so sorry,” Shaz said, grabbing frantically for the napkin dispenser on the next table over. “Please, let me buy you another drink.”
The wolf exploded without warning. He smashed his glass on the floor at Shaz’s feet before slapping the napkins out of his hand.
“You fucking clumsy idiot,” the wolf growled, his eyes flashing with the beast within. “You ruined my goddamn shirt. Do you know how much this cost me?”
“Look, I’m sorry. I’ll pay for it. But it was an accident.” Shaz spoke calmly though a muscle twitched in his jaw. “Let’s just take it easy here.”
The angry wolf’s nostrils flared as he took in our scent. His gaze dropped to Shaz’s neck, seeking a tattoo that would mark him as a brother but finding none.
“How did you get in here?” He snarled. “You’re not pack. You’re trespassing on our territory. Guess what we do to trespassers here.”
“We came to see Dayne and Hanna,” I butted in when I probably shouldn’t have. But the two male wolves were staring at one another with a vicious need for violence. I had to do something. “They know we’re here.”
The feisty wolf looked me over, his wolf eyes lingering a little too long for comfort. He was a big guy, built like a football player and clearly eager to fight.
“Well, aren’t you a sweet little thing,” he drawled, ogling me like I was a piece of candy he wanted to taste. His gaze returned to Shaz, and he said snidely, “Let me take your girl home tonight, and we’ll forget it ever happened.”
Shaz’s calm, even tempered approach shattered with those words. He threw a punch I never saw coming. It seemed to surprise the aggressive wolf as well. Shaz’s fist connected with his jaw in a smack loud enough to be heard over the music. But Shaz didn’t stop there. He followed it up with another.
I was knocked aside in the flurry of fists. Snarls and growls drew the attention of everyone in the vicinity. We all looked on in interest as the fight went on. I stood there unable to believe what I was seeing. Getting involved wasn’t an option. The two males were fiercely going at it, throwing and taking punches that would have killed a human man. Jumping into that would mean taking a hit. Using power was also out of the question. I’d come here to proclaim I was still wolf. I intended to stick to that plan.
Nobody made an attempt to jump in or separate them. In fact, only a few people continued to watch after first glance. This kind of thing must happen a lot at Doghead.
The scent of blood only caused the fight to escalate. The two men crashed into a table, knocking it over, sending glassw
are and other items scattering across the floor. I shouted at Shaz to stop, but my command went unheeded.
Power rose up like a breath of wind inside me. I squelched the urge to use it. The scent of heady Were blood was tempting. Thankfully I’d recently fed that ugly hunger.
Shaz managed to get his hands around the other guy’s throat. He slammed the guy into our table, squeezing until his face turned purple.
“Shaz, stop this shit right now,” I shouted.
Grabbing a hold of his forearm, I tugged hard, but he wouldn’t be budged. Instead, he flung me off like I was little more than an annoying insect. With one hand, he gave me a shove, barely looking at me as I flew backwards. I landed hard in the mess of broken glass and table debris.
Glass shards sliced into my palms as I pushed to my feet. Shock and fear threatened to undo my composure. I could feel sad about Shaz’s reaction later. Now, I had to stop him from killing a Doghead pack member.
Dayne arrived on the scene with an angry shout that had people moving as far away from us as possible. I had to act fast, before he got his hands on Shaz.
Knowing I might regret it later, I grabbed Shaz’s arm again, this time letting the force brewing inside me flow. I didn’t take it easy on him. With a slam of power, I forced him away from the other wolf and into the closest chair that was still standing.
“You’re lucky I respect you so much, or I’d have you on your knees,” I hissed between my four fangs. I maintained my hold despite the pained sounds it forced from him.
Turning to Dayne with apologies already spilling out, I found him unleashing fists on the wolf Shaz had nearly killed. The wolf dropped to the floor, submitting entirely to his Alpha.
Most of those watching did their best to pretend they weren’t. A few wore obvious expressions of glee at seeing the troublemaker cowed before their leader. After a few more angry words from Dayne, the wolf slunk off to lick his wounds somewhere in private.
“It seems our boys can’t play too well together,” Dayne said. His eyes were pure wolf, and his fangs gave his already hard face an additional sense of menace. “I apologize. I don’t doubt that my wolf started that brawl.”
