by Bethany Shaw
“Okay,” she grunted.
Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he felt her bones pop out of place as they began to realign. She whimpered as cracks filled the air. Taking a step back, Gene watched as black fur erupted from her skin, her joints shifting into place.
With a hand on his belt buckle, Gene lowered his jeans and boxers and kicked them to the side. Lunging forward, he transitioned within a few seconds time. Quickly flexing his paws, he rubbed his head against her neck.
He backed up, watching as she shifted forward then backward. Gene chuffed and started at a slow trot. Natalia followed after him, he inhaled her floral and sea salt scent, letting it envelop him.
Squirrels rustled in the brush as they made their way through the thick forest. Birds sang in the trees and Natalia relaxed as they slowed, coming to a walk. Mud squishing between their claws, she fell in step with him. Together, they walked through the dank forest.
***
Lark fluffed her pillows before relaxing into them. Picking her book up from the nightstand, she opened it to her bookmark. She started reading the first paragraph when Devon’s phone rang and vibrated on his side of the bed.
“Can you grab that, it’s probably Gene,” Devon called from the bathroom.
She heard the water turn off and rolled over across the blue comforter to grab his phone. She didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway.
“Hello.”
The phone was silent. Pulling the phone back from her ear, she looked at it and saw the call was still connected.
“Hello,” she said again.
“Hello, Lark,” a rough male voice said.
Sitting up straighter, she bit her lip as she placed the voice. “Fernando Juarez,” she whispered.
“I have to admit, I was not expecting you. But this is a pleasant surprise,” he replied.
“What do you want?” she asked as she got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom. Devon looked up at her as he dried himself off and she pointed to the phone.
“What I’ve always wanted, my dear. Family! Unfortunately, it appears that is too much for an old man to ask for. The little she-wolf you’ve taken in murdered my son, Luis.”
“I heard it was self-defense,” Lark stated, eyeing Devon as he put his hand out for the phone.
“Self-defense? She called me and offered to turn herself in. I don’t care what her reasoning is. We had a deal and it was broken,” Juarez snapped.
Lark rested her head on Devon’s shoulder, holding the phone close enough for him to hear too. “I still don’t understand why it is that you’re calling,” Lark persisted.
“Revenge, Ms. Davies. Isn’t that reason enough? My son was murdered.”
Lark scoffed and shook her head. “And you murdered her mother.”
“That girl is delusional. She has had her mind poisoned by her mother. I am prepared to declare war on your pack,” Juarez said calmly.
“You can try, but we don’t give up easily.”
Juarez chuckled into the phone. “I can see how you would gain the alpha’s favor. You, my dear, are feisty. More so than some female alpha’s I’ve met. Which means it will be all the more fun to break you when the time comes.”
“I’m not scared of you,” Lark countered.
“Maybe not yet, but you will be. We are about to be at war, Ms. Davies. That is the reason for my call tonight. I wish to inform Devon and Gene of my declaration. I do enjoy your tenacity. I believe you will be a fine addition to my family,” Juarez sneered.
“Family? You call what you have family?” Lark asked.
“Family is being surrounded by those who love you. There is nothing greater than the comfort of family. Having lost your parents, you can’t honestly tell me that you wouldn’t give anything to see them one last time. To have one last hug, one last talk, one last—”
“As much as I’d like that, it isn’t going to happen. They’re dead, and nothing is going to change that. That’s something I have to live with. And the thing you’re forgetting is that family wants to be there. You can’t force love or respect! That is something earned,” Lark ranted. Devon’s arm tightened around her, and his hazel eyes met hers as he shook his head.
She knew she shouldn’t egg Juarez on, but she couldn’t help herself.
“Are you so naïve to think that you’re safe there? The Harris’ packs are puny compared to mine. I can squash them like a bug within days, and I will thoroughly enjoy doing it. I will murder your lover in front of you. Then I will take you and your baby sister with me back to New Mexico and—”
“Enough!” Devon bellowed as he snatched the phone out of Lark’s hand. “We’re not afraid of you! Maybe the numbers are on your side but we fight for what we believe in, and that is more powerful. I am fighting for the woman I love, for my family—my pack. That is a stronger reason to fight than anything else. So go ahead and come! Because if you come here, it will be the last mistake you make.” Devon said coldly. His eyes flashed gold and his hands shook as he squeezed the phone against his ear.
Lark leaned against Devon, resting her head under his chin so she could still hear the conversation.
“No, son, this is your mistake. Before I kill you, my previous offer will flash in your mind’s eye, and you will wish you had taken my generous deal. Me and my men will come in masses and destroy you, and, in time, that beautiful mate of yours will break,” Fernando growled.
“Go ahead and try; you’ll see that it was you who made the mistake by underestimating us,” Devon barked.
Plucking the phone away from his ear, he jammed his finger down on the end call button.
Lark closed her eyes, shivering as Juarez’s threats washed over her. “Devon,” she whispered as he enveloped her in his arms.
“It’s going to be okay,” Devon assured as he kissed her forehead. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you—to anyone.”
Lark burrowed further into his comforting embrace. Though they’d known war was coming, it suddenly felt real, and it chilled her to the bone. Nodding numbly, she clung to him worrying what tomorrow would bring. She prayed that Juarez’s predictions would never come to pass.
Chapter Twenty-four
Natalia looked around the old, giant farmhouse as Gene led her through the entryway. This was the first time she’d ever visited Devon and Lark’s home. Even though Lark was her closest friend here, Natalia had always considered herself a prisoner until recently and had never left Gene’s ranch.
“Hi,” Lark grinned as she walked down the stairs. “I’m so glad you three came. How are you feeling?” she asked, turning to Natalia.
“Better. I’ve done shifted twice, and that has helped a lot. Everything is healed, and I feel like myself again.”
“I envy your speedy recoveries. It’s been two days, and you look perfectly fine. It took me a week to get the stitches out of my head and I still have a reminder of it,” Lark said, pointing to the fading pink line on her forehead.
“Where’s Dev?” Gene asked as he looked into the den filled with men watching a basketball game.
“He’s helping the new guys from New York get settled in. He should be down in a minute,” Lark said, leading them to the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind; I made us some baked ziti.”
“One of my favorites,” Gene grinned as he set Adrian’s seat down on the tile floor.
“I do not believe I have ever had it,” Natalia said, gazing around at the up-to-date kitchen.
Lark followed Natalia’s gaze. “It’s one of the first renovations Devon did. I’m an experienced baker and now, I get to really try my hand at cooking too,” Lark went on meeting Natalia’s gaze with a smile. “Although, with all the new recruits, I think we’re going to need to build an apartment complex ASAP,” she added as an afterthought.
“Our packs have grown from a few dozen to well over two hundred in a matter of a few weeks,” Gene replied.
“And Lark’s right; we need to grow with our pack,�
�� Devon said as he entered the kitchen. “Smells good,” he murmured, kissing Lark.
“I assume that is part of the reason why you invited us for dinner tonight,” Gene said as he pulled a chair out for Natalia at the dark hardwood table.
“Yes. Lark has come up with an interesting suggestion,” Devon said.
Lark nodded as she went to the oven and pulled a ceramic pot from the stove. “It’s just an idea.”
“What?” Gene asked, looking between the two of them.
“I spoke to Vincent earlier today. They were able to make contact with the pack in Louisiana. They are bringing evacuees here. Their goal is to leave tonight. Vincent estimates they will be bringing around fifty, most of them women and children. However, ten of them will be men. Apparently, the Bayou packs used to be a large network. Unfortunately, Juarez’s relentless attacks have significantly diminished their numbers.”
“Juarez has them beat,” Gene sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face.
Devon nodded. “Vincent said it is only a matter of time before they fall. He doesn’t expect they will be able to hold the compound through the night.”
“That is a shame,” Gene said, running his fingers across the table.
“Which means Juarez will be here next.” Natalia shuddered, closing her eyes.
“Probably,” Lark said as she set plates down on the table.
“Regardless, we don’t have enough room to house that many extra people for an extended period of time. We should start making preparations now,” Devon added.
“With all the new men, it shouldn’t take long to construct a new building,” Gene said thoughtfully.
Devon leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. “Lark suggested we could build a complex in between our two residences. That way if there were an attack, they would be close to both homes.”
“That’s a good idea,” Gene acknowledged. “I can talk to Jared—he has some architectural experience—and we can begin work in the morning.”
“Also, I want to cement Lark’s place in this pack,” Devon said quietly.
“I think you’ve already done that,” Gene said, tapping his finger on the diamond ring that encompassed Lark’s ring finger.
“Yeah, but there will always be people who feel like Maddie, and I want to make sure that everyone knows that those thoughts will not be tolerated. Lark is my second in command. Her orders carry the same weight as mine,” Devon spoke.
“What did you have in mind?” Gene asked, looking between the two of them.
“We were thinking of doing a mating ceremony,” Devon said, grasping Lark’s hand in his.
“Devon thinks it could help if something happens to him, or yourself Gene, and the women are taken. That his blood will deter other wolves from…” she trailed, off looking away.
“There is that,” Devon said, kissing her fingers. “I also want to commit to you. To show my peers and the world how much I love you.”
Lark bit her lip, smiling as she slipped away from Devon and went to the counter. Bringing the food over, she set it on a trivet before taking a seat.
“Devon says that the ceremony should be performed by an alpha, and we’d like you to do it, Gene,” Lark beamed, turning to Gene.
“I would be honored,” Gene grinned.
“Thank you,” Lark said as she placed a spoon in the dish. “It means a lot to us.”
“Of course. You’re my family,” Gene said.
Natalia picked up the black spoon and plopped a heaping pile of the steaming pasta onto her plate. “This smells delicious,” she commented, inhaling the scent of red tomato sauce and cheese.
“It does,” Gene agreed.
***
Natalia bent down, leaning into the pack and play as she fit the sheet around the four corners. Satisfied, she stood up. Turning to Gene, she scooped Adrian up and laid him down.
Adrian jammed his fingers into his mouth. The room filled with tiny squeaks as the infant sucked his fingers. His eyes fluttered closed and he drifted to sleep.
“He seems happy,” Gene said as he kissed her shoulder.
“Yes, he does,” Natalia said, smiling down at her son.
“I was thinking,” Gene started as he turned her around. “That maybe the two of you should move over to the other side of the house. There are several empty bedrooms. We could turn one into a nursery.”
Natalia met Gene’s chocolate eyes. “Live together? Are you sure? I thought you said—”
“I’m sure, Talia.” He lifted his hands, gently grazing his thumb across her cheek. “I love you and I know you feel our connection too. You and I are mates.”
Natalia frowned. “Claire mentioned that. I know what it means, but what does it actually mean for us?” she questioned, wondering if he understood what she was trying to say.
“Wolves can choose anyone to be their mate. Occasionally a couple meets and there is this pull to each other—a connection. It’s not something you can ignore, and the more time you spend together the more you fall for the other person. The closer we become, the more in tune we are with each other. It’s possible, that we could even sense each other’s feelings and thoughts,” Gene whispered, kissing her lips. “When you were hurt, I could feel it. Feel your fear, your pain. I knew something was wrong. There will never be another woman for me. You are my future, Talia.”
Natalia blinked her eyes blurring with tears at his words. “Then tomorrow we’ll move to the other side of the house. This is my home—you’re my home,” she grinned as she pressed her lips against his.
Sighing, she parted her lips as Gene’s tongue darted out to meet hers. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him. She trailed her hands up his taut back. Her heart fluttered as Gene deepened the kiss. Everything was perfect in this moment and—for now—she wouldn’t worry about tomorrow or the days to come. For tonight, she would be a woman in love and share the night with the man who loved her.
***
Fernando watched as the brick wall crumbled, falling to the ground in a heap of fiery debris. Flicking his wrist, he gave the order for his men to invade. The Bayou packs were in their final moments. Screams filtered into the air as his men began their work.
His new cell phone rang, and he gritted his teeth as he read the caller ID.
“Malakai,” he answered.
“Papa. I have done what you asked. I have seventy-two men with me, and we’re stationed about twenty miles from the Harris’ packs. Do you wish for me to attack?”
The order was at the tip of his tongue. Sirens blared in the distance as snarls and growls ricocheted off the buildings. If all went well, he could be back to Abilene by tomorrow night. He could personally watch the downfall of the Harris’.
“Hold off on the attack. I want to be there when you kill Natalia’s lover. I want to see her suffer for murdering my,” he smiled. She’d been broken after her mother’s death, but had persevered. He doubted she could do it a second time, especially if she didn’t have her son to motivate her.
The death of her lover would hurt. But learning that Fernando himself was raising her son would cripple Natalia. She would suffer for killing his beloved son.
Then there was the beautiful human Lark Davies. He’d only met her briefly, but he was awed by her tenacity. There had to be something truly special about her to lure in an alpha, and he was determined to find out what that was.
***
Daniel jumped as an explosion boomed outside. Everyone fell silent for a moment before the room erupted in yells and screams.
“Sir, we cannot wait any longer,” Jackson said as he approached the alpha of the Bayou packs.
“No we cannot,” the older alpha responded warily. “You have your orders, and I implore that you follow them.” The alpha turned to Daniel and Vincent. He picked a large leather-bound notebook up from the table. “Please give this to your alphas’ in Texas. It is a memoir of our trials against the Gulf packs. Perhaps they may find something
of use in them.”
Another explosion rocked the compound and mortar fell from the ceiling, sprinkling down on them. Daniel shuddered. Perhaps if they’d found a way into the pack sooner, they could’ve done more to help. Unfortunately, they’d stumbled in last night and had been told after lengthy questioning that they would have no choice but to evacuate in a few short hours.
“It is time for us to bid our farewells,” the alpha began. “Jackson, take your team and escort our women and children to safety.” The alpha turned to the elderly, grey-haired woman who sat at the table. “My dear, Mabel, please go with them.”
Mabel rose from her seat, a small smile on her face as she clasped her husband’s hand. “I will not leave without you, my love.”
The alpha nodded and turned back to them. “Go now before their wolves overtake us completely. May your pack fair better than ours.” He sighed heavily before wrapping an arm around his wife and leading her out of the room.
“We need to go now!” Jackson snapped to his team of ten men.
Daniel met Vincent’s gaze before leading the way out of the compound. Shrill screams filled the air as children and women ran towards the waiting bus that would be their means of escape. A young woman limped as she tried to run with two small children in her arms. Rushing toward her, Daniel lifted the two toddlers from her arms as Vincent wrapped an arm around her, helping her to move faster.
“Is there anyone else?” Jackson yelled as he helped load the children onto the bus.
“No,” the woman whispered.
“Let’s go.” Jackson ordered, climbing the steps of the bus. The door creaked shut, and the driver thrust the bus into gear.
Daniel looked out the back windows, watching as fire spread from building to building. Smoke billowed into the air. Movement caught his eyes. Squinting, he watched as a blur of red darted toward the bus.
“We have to go faster,” he ordered. He tapped Jackson’s shoulder, pointing toward the five men that were quickly gaining on them.
“I can’t,” the driver cried out frantically. “There is too much debris. This bus doesn’t maneuver like a car. The gate is just around the corner. We cannot afford for the bus to be damaged.”
