by J. E. Cluney
The women were then asked to attempt it themselves, only lightly, with the men present.
This was a little awkward, but I spied May looking at me with a strong, defiant look. She would never be taken advantage of again, that’s what her expression said.
She pulled off the move well, accidentally connecting lightly with Jack’s balls and making him stumble back with a hiss.
All the women practiced, and I watched in pride as they began to open up, showing more confidence and trust in their own ability. We went through a number of other techniques, and by the time Jude called it quits for the day, many of them were sweating and looking like the true warriors they were inside.
I spied Scott and Ray on the porch, watching us all intently. Thanking Jude and making the promise of extra pay, I headed over to join the two men as some of the women headed inside to check up on the children, who were watching ‘Frozen’ from the obvious ‘Let it Go’ song seeping through the window.
“Nice work, that was impressive,” Scott remarked as I dropped down on the steps beside him, catching my breath as sweat lined my back.
“Thanks, figured now was as good a time as ever to start,” I said.
“So, the update is that the credit card trail ended out at a gas station. They began trawling the towns in the area with photos of the men we gathered from records available to the Enforcer. The last place that they were seen was Whistle Grove,” Scott sighed, displeasure and disappointment lining his face. “But Neema is close to breaking that sixth ‘wolf. He’ll be lucky if he survives from the sounds of it,” Scott said quietly.
I felt no sympathy for the man in question. He’d aided in the kidnapping of a teen she-wolf, and two other women. Not to mention he was still loyal to Richard.
My attention was drawn to Harrison and a handful of other men coming over to greet us, some of the group breaking off to head to the Pryce camp.
“The next patrol is out, but we’re spread thin. The ridge is covered, but the southern corner could use more security,” Harrison relayed to us as the men dispersed to see their children or mates.
“What should we do?” Scott turned to me, and I just gave him a blank look momentarily.
Right. I was the Alpha, it was my call.
“We’ll go, take a few of the women too, they could use the experience in patrolling,” I said, and Harrison frowned but nodded at the idea.
“I know the patrol route and best places to man the southern corner,” Ray added.
“The men who just returned from patrol can stay here and watch the children, have afternoon tea or something as well. This Pack needs to share the responsibility and tasks around.”
“Understood, I’ll inform the others,” Harrison dipped his head.
“Ask the women to see who are comfortable in patrolling. I will not force them if they aren’t up to it, as Scott, Ray, and I will be going anyway,” I said before he turned away.
Harrison nodded and headed off, his boots landing heavily as he joined the women inside.
May, Francine, Charlotte and Regina joined us quickly, and then a few others too.
Once it was clear that that was the whole group, we moved out, shedding our clothing at the lodge and shifting to our wolf forms to head off into the pines.
Ray and Scott took lead, loping out in front as they took us down to the southern corner. The gentle jog there was quite pleasant, and the afternoon was cooling down in preparation for nightfall. Our patrol would last a few hours, before the next lot would take over.
I found I didn’t even have to try to keep up with the others, a steady lope was all that was needed. I guess that was part of being Alpha, my speed and strength had improved drastically.
The pines towered over us, shading us from the dipping sun, and I enjoyed having the other she-wolves darting through the trees alongside me. Many of them looked excited and free, as if shifting was not something they often did anymore.
The thought saddened me deeply. Had they been ruled so horribly that they’d lost touch with what they truly were?
I focused on letting my wolf have its freedom, weaving through the other wolves, brushing shoulders and yipping with them.
The tone of our race turned serious once more though as we reached the southern corner, and Scott and Ray split up, dividing the group. I chose to follow Ray, knowing Scott was more capable of handling himself than Ray.
We slowed to a fast walk, and I opened my senses as we padded along a worn, dirt path. I drew in the fresh scents of the forest, the undergrowth, the small creatures scurrying around, the scent of the wolves around me. My ears swiveled, focusing on every sound, the soft calls of birds, the scamper of a fox off to the side, the soft footfalls of my companions, the distant mooing of the cattle.
Despite the fact that this was a patrol, I found myself relaxing as I kept moving, following the path Ray chose for us. We scouted the area, testing the air with our noses and staying alert.
My mind slipped into disquiet, wondering about Beth and her mother, and Bianca. Were they okay? What was happening to them right now? What was the whole point of this? Why did they take them in the first place?
So many questions swirled through my mind, but I had not a single answer, and it infuriated me.
The hours passed by slowly as we made the rounds, backtracking and following new paths, testing the scents we did catch, and discovering they were familiar to me so it meant I’d met them. I hadn’t met the deserters, so their scents would be unknown to me.
I was grateful I had Pack members with me who could alert me if they knew the scent belonged to one of the five men.
The forest darkened around us, and the fading sun threw us into shadows.
I lolled my tongue out as we padded along, and I could sense the unrest in my companions. They were unfamiliar with patrols, but they had fared well so far, especially considering the size of the southern border.
As the sky darkened, and the sun disappeared, plunging us into night, I noticed Ray’s movements were becoming erratic and jarred. I could sense his agitation, and I drew up alongside him to see what the problem was. He couldn’t relay it, but the wolfish sigh he gave me was enough to relieve the worry that it had anything to do with the patrol. Something else was niggling at him, but he couldn’t share it in this form.
I was beyond thankful when Damien and his betas showed up with a few other men from the Pack to take over our patrol.
I paced alongside Ray as we led our small group back, and May’s small grey form nudged my side as she cast a concerned look at Ray. I just shook my head softly. I’d have to wait to find out what was bothering him.
Regina took up a position on his far side, also concerned about him. She shared his same grey-white coat, but was smaller than her son in size.
The hike back to the lodge was tense and uncomfortable, and the other she-wolves were uneasy with Ray’s obvious frustration.
When we arrived, Ray shifted back instantly and dressed, his movements quick and sharp.
I shifted back and pulled my clothes on, casting him a sideways glance as the others all shifted as well.
“When Scott said Whistle Grove, I knew it sounded familiar,” Ray growled as he did up his belt and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
“Why? What’s Whistle Grove got to do with anything?” I asked as I pulled up my jeans.
“It was in our paperwork, in the security room. I saw something about it when we were going through the financial stuff,” Ray hissed as he threw up his hands in frustration, abandoning his attempt to button his shirt.
I barely got the chance to open my mouth before he was marching inside.
I shot Regina and May a confused look as they hurriedly dressed, both looking perplexed and on edge with Ray.
I tugged my shirt on and followed after him, smiling at the children crowding around on the floor, digging in to some homemade pizzas. Looks like some of the men were good cooks, not that I could appreciate it as I hurried after
Ray.
I found him inside the security room, rustling through papers as he muttered and growled.
“What are we looking for?” I asked as I joined him, wanting to help if I could.
“I’ll recognize it when I see it,” he mumbled as he sifted through the disorganized mess of paper.
I watched him as he eyed the assorted papers, tossing piles aside as he searched.
He breathed out a sigh of relief when he finally found the one he was after.
“I knew it,” he murmured.
“What is it?” I asked as I stepped closer to peer over his shoulder.
“Richard owned some hunting cabins around Whistle Grove, he hired them out to seasonal hunters,” Ray growled.
My heart skipped a beat at this new information.
It was the perfect place for the deserters to hide the women.
“I have to let my Dad know,” I said instantly as I pulled my phone from my pocket.
I dialed him quickly, and he answered on the second ring.
“What’s up?” he asked. His voice was strained and tired, stressed beyond measure. I could only imagine what he was going through as Alpha, not being able to bring the she-wolves home to their families.
“Richard owned some hunting cabins out near Whistle Grove. Here, I’ll put Ray on so he can give you the addresses,” I said hurriedly, not waiting for his reply as I thrust the phone into Ray’s hand.
“Yes, no, they won’t have much of a paper trail, so that’s why you don’t know of them. He kept these dealings off the books it seems,” Ray said. He then proceeded to rattle off the addresses one by one for my father.
After a few confirmations, he handed the phone back.
“What can we do? Whistle Grove isn’t far from here,” I asked, shooting Ray a concerned look.
“You’ll stay out of it. This is our Pack business, and since you’re the one they’re upset with, you need to have your Pack protected and be safe,” my father let out an irritated sigh.
“Beth, Mary, Bianca, they’re like family to me too, I can help!” I argued.
“This isn’t up for debate. Stay out of this, Taylor,” he growled.
The phone clicked off before I had a chance to reply, and I just gaped at Ray, who just shrugged.
“I can’t just sit back when I could help, there’s about nine cabins, with us, we could have them all searched in no time,” I huffed.
“He’s the Alpha of that Pack, and the Area Enforcer. You can’t argue with him,” Ray tried to reason with me.
“They’re practically family,” I snapped.
“What about this Pack? If you go off gallivanting across the countryside to try to find your friends, who will lead this Pack and provide them with the reassurance they need?” Ray said.
I hated how logical and right he was. I was worried, stressed for young Beth, about what could happen to her.
“So I’m just meant to sit here and wait?” I mumbled as I crossed my arms.
“Yes, it’s all you can do, this isn’t your issue anymore.”
“They deserted this Pack, that makes them my issue.” I pointed out.
“Yes, but you would’ve also sought out the aid of the Area Enforcer for deserters,” Ray reminded me. “So it’s still working out the same way.”
I cursed under my breath as I eyed the security monitors in annoyance. Ray had informed me earlier that there was two retired ‘wolves watching the monitors in their own homes, linked up to their screens there. The new lodge would allow for some proper security staff to be in place.
Not that that was top of my list right now.
I just wanted to make sure that everything was being watched.
I didn’t want to fail this Pack so soon after becoming their Alpha.
I couldn’t.
I looked at Ray, who gave me a sad, knowing smile as I sighed.
This sucked ass.
4
I strode into the kitchen after Ray, my fingers thrumming against my pocket holding the iPod from him. I’d spoke to Charles about a playground expansion to turn it into a larger area for all the children to enjoy. I’d caught him after the security room as he sat with Wade in the living area. He was excited by the idea and would draw up some plans with some of the other builders for us to go over.
I lacked his enthusiasm, as my mind was otherwise occupied. Now I stood in the kitchen with my arms crossed as Ray stretched.
He’d asked if I’d wanted to help him with dinner, and I’d grumbled but agreed.
I was meant to sit this out and not worry about the three women, and it wasn’t easy.
We were going to be cooking some steaks and oven-fry some fries. How uneventful.
While right now, my old Pack was hunting through some of Richard’s cabins in search of the women.
In search of young Beth.
Scott had stayed out with the children, keeping a close eye on them as many of the mothers went off to shower before they’d organize a movie for the evening for the children.
“Here, I’ll start the fries, they’ll take longer than the steaks,” Ray said as he tugged open one of the freezers.
I scrunched up my nose at how bare it was. At least there were a few steaks shoved in the bottom drawer, and the fries were on the top shelf. Ray told me to grab the already thawed steaks from the fridge.
“The new lodge will have a deep frier,” I said as I headed for the fridge to get us some drinks as well as the steaks.
“Yum, we haven’t had much fried stuff, but it’s damn good. We only have a tiny little counter-top frier,” Ray said with a smack of his lips.
I settled on two glasses of iced coca cola for us as Ray poured a stack of fries onto a tray and slid it into the oven. I slapped three steaks onto the counter, ready to go once the fries were cooking.
“Want anything else with them?” he asked as he righted himself.
“Gravy,” was my instant response, and Ray nodded with an agreeable grin.
He rounded up the gravy powder and set it beside the kettle while I sifted through a shelf of assorted herbs and spices. I loved some garlic salt and oregano on my steaks.
“So, you said you worked at a bar, what’s happened with that job?” Ray asked as he leaned against the counter while he waited for the fries to cook.
“Scott told me my father handled it. It’s a shame, I did like my job there, but my responsibilities lie here now,” I said as I sipped my cola.
“Right.”
“I need to ask him what my Alpha strengths are,” I murmured. “I know I’m stronger now, and faster. I’ll heal quicker too, but is there anything else? Should I be more careful with some things?”
“I don’t know, as far as I’m aware, that’s all there is with being an Alpha. Pretty much a new and improved ‘wolf,” Ray smirked.
“Yeah, I guess.” I sipped my cola, nearly choking on the bubbles as I wondered about being Alpha.
A part of me really wanted to spar with Scott, to see just how easily I could take him down. I’d need to learn about my additional strength too, probably how to hold it back. I still remembered the punch to the head from Richard. That had been a mighty, painful blow.
“Hopefully Neema can still train me to be a Huntress. She would spar with me, but I guess she’ll help me learn my new strength and speed,” I said as I eyed the oven.
“She said she would,” Ray shrugged. “But we should get these steaks started.”
Ray found me a pan and set it on the stove, and I drizzled oil in it before tossing the steaks on. I sprinkled garlic salt and oregano over them, my mouth already watering in anticipation.
I kept an eye on the steaks as Ray told me about some plans to get his photography known. I interjected with a suggestion to speak to Jaye at some point, as his artwork was a lucrative business now. Photography would surely be a good business too, if done right.
When the steaks were done, Ray checked the fries, brightening when he announced they were ready.
We salted the fries before adding them, and once the kettle was boiled, we made up some gravy and poured it over the meals.
Ray led the way out into the living area, and a grin spread across my face as I chuckled.
Scott sat still, frozen in place on the floor as Gretle, Isabella, and Jasmine applied makeup to his face. Jasmine was the thirteen-year-old werewolf I’d met when I’d made the rounds, and she seemed to be the instigator of this little scene.
Charles was sitting on the couch grinning in amusement as they worked on Scott.
I had to admit, he was quite pretty, with his purple eyeshadow, bright red lipstick, blush and mascara.
Gretle was even painting his fingernails.
Ray snickered as we sat down at one of the wooden tables, and Scott turned his head ever so slightly to glance at the food. I motioned that one was for him, and he just nodded, not wanting to interrupt the girls.
I dug into my gravy drenched fries as I watched Gretle expertly paint his nails, and Isabella was applying the finishing touches to his makeup as Jasmine stuck little bright clips in his hair.
“Utterly beautiful,” Jasmine announced as she leaped up to circle him. Scott did a few sitting poses to show off his face, and I cracked up as he fluttered his eyelashes our way.
Ray nearly choked as he laughed, but I clapped my hands as Jasmine pouted.
“He looks fabulous,” I stated, and Jasmine’s face lit up as Gretle and Isabella snorted.
After a few more poses, including flexing his arms for the girls, he got up to join us. The teen boys were on the far couch playing cards with some sitting on the floor, while the younger children had May and a few other she-wolves occupying them with toys and books.
Scott moaned as he sat down across from Ray and I as he drew in the delicious aroma of dinner.
