by A Lonergan
It hadn’t ended well for him or the rest of his friends that had attacked me afterward. But I was protecting myself and the damage had been burned away. Only a small bit of sprayed blood had been found and thankfully, I had been able to write it off as teenagers with blood play kink If we had any vampires in our territory, it probably would have made the story a bit smoother but most of them had left this place years ago, before I became Alpha.
Axel chuckled. “You don’t ever want my advice but now you do? You should have taken it when I told you to stay away from Jade the first time.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t going to talk about Jade, I didn’t need counsel on her. I did what I had to to keep her alive and that was all that mattered. My wolf was happy and sated now that she was going to live. “That isn’t what I wanted to discuss.”
“You will need to talk to me about it eventually.”
I sighed. “I need to know what I should do about the rogues. I don’t think they are going to stop their perusal of this land.”
“Unless they come onto our territory and challenge you or harm one of our own, there is nothing we can do about it. Pack Law is very strict on these kinds of things.” Axel ran his hand down the length of a tree and took a deep breath.
“Sometimes I don’t understand Pack Law.”
Axel’s eyes watched something in the tops of the trees before he patted my back. It reminded me of something my father had done when I was little. “Rogues go crazy and going after them off of pack lands could hurt humans, could expose us. The Pack Law will come for them.”
The Pack Law, also known as the High Wolves. They made sure the packs stayed in line and abided by the laws that were put into place thousands of years ago. They were the police of the wolves. They enforced the laws that we sometimes couldn’t or wouldn’t. I hadn’t heard about them actually enforcing laws for awhile. It had probably been a hundred years or more. I scratched the back of my neck and was about to reply when I smelled her.
Honeysuckle and cinnamon wrapped around me. My wolf stood to attention as my fur swam across my skin. Axel narrowed his eyes at me. He could smell her too but his wolf wasn’t reacting the same way. I shook the feeling off and built a wall around my wolf inside of my mind. It would make him crazy later but would keep me sane now. I didn’t need my wolf getting in the way.
Chapter 24
Jade Rivers
Tracey led me deep into the woods behind her parent’s cottage. She waved her hands around as she spoke. “You have noticed that you can do more, right? Like things your human body couldn’t do?”
I shrugged. “I mean I guess. That potion stuff seems to not be working anymore and each day I discover something new about myself.”
Tracey grinned. “Like what?” She was really enjoying this too much.
“Like this morning I could hear people’s conversations through the walls. My sense of smell has improved a lot, not as much after I was first changed, but it’s good. I don’t need contacts anymore.”
“Have you tried to run yet?” Her grin seemed to grow bigger. I didn’t know how it was even possible.
I shook my head. “Not yet, I didn’t think that would change unless I was in my wolf form.”
All of a sudden she was beside me then she was gone, in a blink of an eye she was back. She had two popsicles in her hands. She handed me one while she continued to smile.
“Not as fast as vampires, but I haven’t ever raced one, so in my head, I’m faster.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder.
Vampires too? Of course. There had to be an entire world out there that I knew nothing about. I hadn’t been apart of it until now. I rolled my eyes as I licked the cold dessert.
“Why don’t you try it out?” Tracey cocked an eyebrow.
I shook my head. “I don’t run.”
“Your wolf will thank you for it.” Tracey shrugged but I could see the worry on her face.
I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t see the point. I hadn’t tried to shift and all I wanted were these heightened senses to go away. The only good thing out of all of this was my eyesight had improved. I couldn’t face the music just yet. For the most part, I didn’t feel any different and I didn’t know if it was because I hadn’t accepted the part of me that was a wolf… or that my wolf didn’t want to come out to play. Either way, I was glad I still felt like me for the most part.
The growling undertone in my voice had gone away and I felt more in control of my senses besides this morning.
Once we broke through the thick tree line I was speechless. There was a beautiful brick home front and center, then behind it, there was a tiny cottage that had smoke billowing up from its brick chimney. It looked like something from a storybook. I raised my eyebrows as Tracey and she grinned again.
“I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to tell someone about all of this,” She bunched up her shoulders before she released a breath. “To not have to hide myself. I mean… I never wanted to hide any of myself from my friends but unfortunately, there aren’t many girls in the pack my age… at least not ones that aren’t falling all over our Alpha.”
I winced as I finished off the dessert between my fingers. “So how hard did you try to fake jump out of my window?” If her speed was like she demonstrated, then there was no way she couldn’t have jumped from my window and landed without injury.
Tracey giggled. “That was the absolute worst. I was hoping you would get hammered that night so all I had to do was run us past the security system and then throw you through the window.”
I frowned. “Unfortunately, your Alpha had other plans that night.”
Tracey grasped the top of my arm gently. “I promise you that I would have never allowed that to happen. I didn’t know. I thought he was going to get to know you, not do what he did. I will live the rest of my life trying to make up for it.”
Just as I was opening up my mouth to say something a little lady opened the front door to the hut and my words disappeared. She looked just like Tracey, but her skin was darker. She grinned at us and I instantly knew that was her grandmother that she had called the witch. There were hardly any wrinkles on her face and her hair was bright and shiny.
“Granny this is Jade Rivers,” Tracey rushed across the lot separating them and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. I followed behind her slowly and held my hand out to the woman once I was in front of her. I didn’t know how introductions went around here. Everything seemed so tense all the time but that could have something to do with the way I was turned. I didn’t think anyone knew what to do when it came to me. Which I didn’t mind, I liked the space. I wasn’t a freak show.
Her youthful hand grabbed mine and yanked me to her. She wrapped her strong arms around my waist and about squeezed the life out of me with her hug. Yep, she was definitely a grandmother. For a moment I savored the feel of her arms around me. The scent of lavender and sandalwood clung to her skin. Until that moment I hadn’t realized how much I would have loved to have a grandma. I untangled myself from her arms and hesitantly took a step away from her warm embrace.
“I’m Granny to everyone around here, but you can call me by my name if you would like,” I shook my head. I didn’t need to be any more of an outcast than I already was. She ushered me forward into her home and all sorts of scents enveloped me. First, it was the lavender and sandalwood, then it was pine that reminded me of Rafe. Then vanilla and honey. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had never been anywhere besides the supermarket that had overwhelmed my senses like this. I closed my eyes and then the smells disappeared. I blinked in surprise.
Granny’s hand rubbed my shoulder. “I forget what it’s like to have new wolves around here. The little ones stay away from my hutch and I encourage them to keep their distance.” She winked and I felt a smile stretch across my face. This one was probably the first real one since I had pulled onto the Crimson property.
Granny’s little cottage was full of shelves. Every single wall either had boo
ks or little bottles lining every square inch. Even though there didn’t seem to be any electricity, the rooms were bright with natural lighting and candles. The room we had walked into from the front door was massive. The fireplace was set to the right while the kitchen was on the opposite wall. There was no seating, not even a couch. There were tables overflowing with cauldrons, beaker bottles, and books. On the floor in front of the fireplace were two worn-out cushions and a small table in between them. Curled up under the table was a white cat. Its haunches raised when it noticed us.
Tracey shivered as it ran out of the room. “Granny insists on keeping the stupid cat even though she knows the wolves don’t like them and they don’t like us.”
Granny was the ultimate rebel. She scoffed. “A witch needs her extra eyes. I don’t have a wolf’s extra instincts like the both of you, so I need Chalice to do what I can’t. She always comes back with useful information.”
My eyebrows pulled together. “You’re not a wolf then?”
Granny laughed and shook her head. “Gods no. I mated with a wolf, which was quite the scandal back in the day.”
I found myself smiling again. The wood floors beneath my feet creaked as I walked to the cushions in front of the fire. It wasn’t winter yet and I expected the open fire to be uncomfortable against my skin, especially since I could no longer sleep under the blankets. The wolf inside of me made me a space heater. I couldn’t seem to get comfortable anymore but this was fine, which was a surprise. I figured it had something to do with Granny being a witch. Nothing around here would be uncomfortable.
“What brought you two all the way out here?” Granny leaned against the hearth with her fist on her hip.
Tracey shrugged. She sat cross-legged on the cushion across from me. “I was showing Jade the property before she decides on whether or not she wants to swear her life to this pack.”
She knew I didn’t want to do that but I let her continue to talk while Chalice, the white cat darted back into the house. Granny frowned and picked her up by the scruff on the back of her neck as she passed. Granny’s eyes glowed white as she stared at something we couldn’t see.
“Thank you, Chalice,” Granny muttered. “We have guests.”
Chapter 25
Rafe Crimson
Visitors were always a great thing to have around, except now. With Jade Rivers still on the property, I knew I was doomed from the moment they arrived. They came without a warning and that was enough to make me feel defensive. Something wasn’t right.
I met them halfway down the drive through the woods to the Crimson Manor. Their Alpha, Gamble, rolled the window down. The stench of weed rolled out of the jacked-up truck. I didn’t know why he let his wolves participate in smoking. It stunk and did absolutely nothing to our psyche. Maybe if it could get us high it would be one thing but it didn’t. It just smelled awful. I crossed my arms over my chest as I gritted my teeth.
Gamble jutted his chin up and a wolfish grin spread across his face. He hadn’t shaved in the months since I had seen him last and his bright orange beard looked like a massive kitchen sponge on his chin. “Rafe, my man, what’s happening?”
I raised an eyebrow as I exhaled. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Gamble’s face went serious. “We are here on business, though we would love to stay for pleasure.”
Which meant they had new wolves that were looking for mates. I hated this, especially with Jade somewhere on the property. It had been almost a year since we had done a Mate Meet and I didn’t like to think that now was a good time. But I also couldn’t turn Gamble down either. It was the rules of the Pack Law. His wolves needed mates and if they thought one was here, I had to step aside. As long as they were cordial with the women, I couldn’t do anything about the matter. The only problem was the fact that I had changed someone against their will and I didn’t need the Pack Law to come after me for that. My pack knew better than to talk to the Bruiser Pack, but that didn’t mean Jade wouldn’t open her big mouth. She was going to bring a lot of trouble down on us if I didn’t get to her fast.
I felt myself smile at Gamble even though it didn’t meet my eyes. “Head to the Manor and I will get all the girls rounded up. Or we can talk first.”
Gamble tossed what was left of his blunt out the window and it took everything in me to not rip him from his truck. “You got it, Alpha.”
Behind him, several other lifted trucks waited. A growl rumbled through my chest before I could stop it. The Bruisers’ numbers seemed to grow more every time I saw them. Something wasn’t right.
Chapter 26
Jade Rivers
“You would do best to not leave this cabin,” Tracey eyes bright eyes found mine.
Granny smacked Tracey’s hand with a wooden spoon and it was such a grandma thing to do that I couldn’t help but smile. “You know that she can’t do that.”
“She isn’t sworn into the pack. There isn’t anything they can do.” Tracey rubbed her tender hand.
Granny shook her head. “No, she is on pack lands so she will be forced to abide by the Pack Law.”
“Pack Law?” I asked.
Tracey sighed. “Pack Law is what keeps the wolves in order. It’s a bunch of laws that old men made up thousands of years ago and we must abide by them to this day or the High Wolves will come to execute us.”
My eyebrows kissed my hairline at that. “No pressure.”
Granny grabbed a book from the wall and sighed. “The Bruiser Pack is here to initiate the Mate Meet. All eligible female wolves are required to be ready to meet their future mate.”
“And what if I don’t want a mate?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Tracey pressed her lips together. “That’s for your wolf to decide.”
Somehow I ended up at the Crimson Manor dressed up with Tracey. Her hair was pulled away from her face and she wore the same leggings from the night I had been turned, and a tight black onesie under it. We hadn’t had enough time to get to the trunk of my car so I wore one of Tracey’s outfits. It was a tight high waisted skirt and a crop top with a moon and sun on each breast.
I had to admit it looked good on me, but that didn’t keep the scowl from my face as all the wolves slunk from their vehicles. A few of the men licked their lips as they appraised us like we were meat. Thankfully it wasn’t just the women of this pack lined up like this, there were also the eligible bachelors too. Though the other pack didn’t have nearly as many females as they did males.
There was apparently the sniff meet, which meant they had to sniff our necks. I was beyond grossed out and wished I could tuck tail and hide. But I knew that wasn’t an option. I wasn’t going to show weakness to these bastards. Especially Rafe. I could feel his eyes on me even though I refused to acknowledge him. Then he did the thing I absolutely didn’t want him to do. He cut in front of one of the other pack members and pressed his nose to the hollow of my throat like he did the night he turned me.
My teeth mashed together so hard I was certain they would shatter. I placed my hands on either side of his shoulders and shoved him away from me. I hadn’t expected it to work, he was so large but he stumbled backwards a few steps with a look of surprise on his face.
One of the men from the other pack barked out a laugh that boomed around me. “Oh, I like her. I like her a lot.”
Rafe growled and I swore his eyes glowed. “I promise you that you don’t.”
The redhead took a step forward and everything inside of me screamed to run, not to submit, but to run. I worked the inside of my cheek between my teeth as he prowled closer to me. Rafe kept his distance but I could feel his anger in the air. He didn’t want this man anywhere near me either. The big brute boxed me in against the house but didn’t press his nose to my neck. He ran his hand down the back of my hair.
A growl rumbled through my chest, much louder than ever before. “If you touch me again, you will lose a hand.”
“I’m Gamble, what’s your name?”
I exhaled hard. “Not interested.”
Gambles brown eyes flashed yellow before he narrowed them. He leaned in close as he whispered. “I like them wild, so I can break them.”
My foot itched to kick him in the nuts. No man would ever speak to me that way. Tracey’s hand on my wrist was the only thing that kept me docile. I didn’t know much about this Pack Law but for now, I had to abide by it. Even if I really wanted to hurt the stupid brute in front of me.
Copper filled my mouth as my teeth dug into my tongue. I grinned and knew that the bright red blood showed in my teeth. “Good luck breaking me, someone already tried that once and I think he’s regretting it still.”
Tracey snickered beside me and a growl rumbled across from me again. Without looking, I knew it was Rafe. Satisfaction rolled through me. Then Gamble took a step back and whistled low.
“I like her Rafe, how much to get her to change alliances?”
Rafe chuckled darkly and his eyes were glowing. “I doubt she would care how much money you have or offer her. She is… truly one of a kind.”
This time I felt my teeth elongate. “Don’t you forget it either, asshole.”
I didn’t specify who I was speaking to because it was to both of them. Were all Alphas douchebags? I would probably have to move very far away to find a man unlike these two.
I blinked at the way my thoughts had turned. Find a man? I didn’t want or need a man but I would need an understanding and good Alpha to lead me, right? Or were they all this way?
