Grant nodded.
“I followed Jake—argh!” Shadow rubbed his stomach where Jake’s elbow had just connected.
“Don’t listen to him, Alpha Grant. I left without permission, and I alone should receive whatever punishment you wish to give me. I just ask that you save my sister and keep her safe,” Jake took a step back away from Shadow. “If you wish to banish me, I only ask you allow me to stay here until I know for sure she’s safe.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Shadow said softly as he resumed his stance beside the disgraced wolf.
Grant shook his head, “First of all, let's get this straight. No one is being banished.” Both wolves sighed with relief, but the alpha wasn’t finished, “However, you Jake, must be punished for disobeying a direct order from your alpha.”
Jake gulped but squared his shoulders. “When do you want me to report for the public whipping?”
Before Grant could respond, once again Shadow spoke, “I will take the whipping for him. I should have kept a closer eye on him. I knew he wanted to leave to save his sister. He doesn’t need any more scars.”
Grant stood and walked towards the men, “Scars? You’ve been whipped before?”
Jake glanced down at the ground, “Yes, sir.”
“What for?”
Shadow interrupted, “Because, he refused to let Alpha Clifton use his sister as a broodmare. He also trained his sister to fight; which was against pack rules. But with all the females and young pups that had been disappearing from the pack, Jake wanted to make sure she could protect herself.”
The enforcer paused before he pulled up Jake’s shirt. Grant had to control himself at the sight of the marred flesh in front of him. If the man’s chest was bad, what was his back like?
Jake jerked his shirt down. He glared at Shadow before he spoke, “I was the one to earn the punishment, and I will be the one to take it.”
Grant walked back to the desk and took a seat. He gazed down at his clasped hands for a moment. The tension in the room was almost a living thing. But there appeared to be only one option available. He glanced up at Jake, “You leave me no choice, Jake. I understand the need to keep your sister safe, and I applaud your willingness to face the consequences of your actions.”
Grant raised his hand when it appeared Shadow was going to speak, “However, I don’t believe in public whippings; nor do I want to lose a valuable member of our pack. As of this moment, you will no longer be an enforcer, but rather a sentry for the pack.”
Jake swallowed but nodded, “Thank you, Alpha.”
Grant stood and walked to stand in front of the shamed wolf. He placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and squeezed it tightly. “Don’t worry, Jake, if you can behave yourself for a period of six months, I’ll approve your reinstatement as an enforcer. But if you ever do something like this again, you will never have a position of authority again within the pack. Do we understand each other?”
A small smile formed on the shifter’s face. “Yes, Alpha, I understand. It won’t happen again.”
“Good, then I suggest you and Shadow get some rest. We will meet in the courtyard after dark. By the end of tonight, we’ll have our missing pack members and hopefully Alpha Clifton’s head.”
Chapter 13
Sparky sat in his truck outside the school. He could see the sentries Alpha Grant had assigned stationed nearby. There were a few in the park across the street as well to watch over the children who were outside playing. Along with Sheriff Dakota’s deputies, the town appeared to be well guarded, which allowed the pack members to feel safe.
Even so, the hair on the back of the mechanic’s neck was standing on end. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe it had something to do with the magic he apparently had inherited from his mate. He still didn’t know what that meant. Would he be able to read minds too? Would he be able to learn to do magic like other magi? Did he want to?
Prior to meeting Artemus, he hadn’t; his only contact with the magi was with Winston and his merry band of groupies. The magi’s followers were people who believed his former partner’s assurances that he was a powerful magi with connections to the High Priest. For years, Sparky experienced how those with magical powers felt about those who had none. He’d been reduced to a plaything that Winston and his crew loved to humiliate, just to prove how far above everyone else they were.
Artemus had convinced him that not all magi were evil; nor did all of them believe the same things as Winston and his coven. After all, if it weren’t for him, the shifter would never have been able to finally escape.
It was the magi’s patience and counseling over the years that had allowed Sparky to heal from what had been done to him. But the fact was, Sparky still knew firsthand what magic could do and how it could be used to debase those without it. It was the reason he both feared it and loathed anyone but Artemus who used it.
So many questions and answers he wasn’t sure he was ready to hear. The one thing he couldn’t discount, though, was the feeling he’d had once they had mated. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was where he belonged. When Charlie had suggested he walk away, the thought had been repulsive.
The fact that his new mate was already trying to push him away again didn’t bode well, but then Sparky never gave in easily and had no intention of walking away. Yet, he was still angry that Charlie hadn’t told him that being bound to a magi would involve being bound to the one thing Sparky swore he’d avoid—magic.
The bell rang, followed by a rush of children through the main door. It was a mixture of ages and beings since there was only one school. From the number of children pouring out of the building, it might be time to consider adding a second school. The pack was growing again; and if Alpha Grant was right, they may have to accommodate quite a few more.
The shifter smiled as he saw Sandy exit with two other shifters. They appeared to be talking animatedly together, with Sandy lightly punching one in the shoulder before laughing and running away. A short game of tag ensued before one of the parents for the other boys arrived to take their pup home. Sandy waved goodbye to the other pup before he hitched his backpack over his shoulder and headed for Sparky’s truck.
“Hey, short stuff!” Sparky greeted the young pup as he jumped into the front seat. He watched as the youngster dropped his backpack on the floorboard. “Buckle up. We need to make a quick stop at my shop and head home before they send out a search party for us.”
“Cool! Can I help? Ricky showed me how to give him tools when he used to work on cars in our old pack. He said I was the best helper he ever had and that when I got bigger, he’d learn me on how to fix things.”
The pup took a breath and leaned closer to Sparky, “Don’t tell my brother, but I don’t think I want to work on cars and trucks when I get bigger, though it’s a cool job,” Sandy hurriedly added as he glanced at Sparky, “It’s just we saw this movie the other day about asternuts and space. I think I’d rather learn to fly a spaceship.”
The mechanic smiled, “Astronauts kid, the word is astronauts, not asternuts. Although, if you ask me, you might have to be a little nuts to go someplace that doesn’t have air we can breathe.”
Sandy cocked his head, “Then how did the aster—astronauts do it?”
“You’ve seen how divers carry a tank of air on their backs when they swim underwater, right?” Sandy nodded. “Well, it’s kind of the same thing. Only the air is made by the spaceship. As long as the spaceship doesn’t break down, the people inside are safe.”
“So, maybe I can learn how to fix it then. That way I can make sure everyone would be okay and still go into space. What do you think, Sparky?” The omega was practically vibrating on his seat. The mechanic didn’t have the heart to tell the young pup that from what he’d heard, his destiny didn’t lie in outer space.
According to Artemus, the omegas were created to be the ultimate peacekeepers. It was why they were given the power to calm tensions
between warring factions and when necessary, they were granted the power of Gaia to control nature.
It was the second part, that had resulted in their extermination in the past. The fear of shifters, humans, and other paranormals to have a being that might be able to overpower them has been enough to cause many to hunt the omegas and to kill them. Others had tried to capture the omegas so that they could force them to work for or protect them.
He recalled the sadness in his friend’s eyes when he talked about how his parents had died trying to prevent the last known omega from being killed. Artemus had also fought that day, but his father had ordered him to take Charlie and run. A powerful magi in his own right, the man had told Artemus his youngest son would be a powerful man and had to be protected until he accepted who he was meant to be.
Sparky began to think that Charlie being a part of the Windy River Pack at the same time that the only known omega was found, had to mean something big was coming. They now also had two members who had found their Semme’ mates.
While finding a Semme’ mate didn’t happen often, he’d heard of a few here and there over the years. But never had he heard of two pairs being found in the same pack and so close together. He hoped he was wrong but he couldn't get past the feeling something bad was coming their way.
The mechanic was pulled from his musings when his passenger reminded him they had places to go. He quickly drove to his shop. Mrs. Hoffner had asked him a couple of days ago if her car would be ready.
The part he needed had arrived yesterday, but with everything going on, he didn’t take care of it. He knew it was the woman’s only transportation and she needed it to get to work in town. It would take him less than fifteen minutes to put in the new part, and then he would let her know she could pick it up after she got off work.
“Come on, Sandy. If you’re a good helper, we can stop by the ice-cream shop on the way home.” The mechanic grinned as the young pup whooped with joy before exiting the truck and running toward the door of his shop.
As he unlocked the door, he once again had the feeling that someone was watching him. He ushered Sandy into the office before he turned to scan his surroundings. For a moment, he thought he might just be spooked, but then he caught sight of the 1969 midnight-black, Camaro sports car slowly drive in his direction.
His mind jumped back to the first time he’d seen the car. He’d been working for Bart Stiller for over two years. The old mechanic had found him digging in a trash bin outside of one of the Las Vegas casinos and had taken him under his wing. The shifter was a loner but put in a good word for the homeless seventeen-year-old pup with the Alpha of the Vegas pack, with a warning that Sparky would need to keep his sexual preferences hidden.
The alpha apparently wouldn’t banish gay pack members unless they acted on their depravity. While it was a step up from his former pack, Sparky had learned his lesson and agreed to the terms.
Bart took the young wolf under his wing and taught him how to fix cars. The shifter had a reputable auto repair shop and was more than happy to have the help. Luckily, Sparky was a natural and soon became one of Bart’s top mechanics. So, when Winston’s 1969 Camaro SS Pro-Touring muscle car was towed to the shop, he was the one who got the job.
He remembered the first time he’d seen the magi like it was yesterday. The man hit all his hot buttons and then some with his dark, smoldering eyes that almost seemed to be black, to the dark ringlets of short curly hair that surrounded the classic face. The suit he wore still showed a muscular chest that led to a narrow waist. The man looked like he walked right out of the pages of one of those fancy male clothing magazines.
It had been the beginning of what eventually became Sparky’s own personal nightmare. In retrospect, he should have known that a man who owned a nightclub named Leather Bound, would at a minimum, be into the BDSM lifestyle. The signs had been there from the beginning, but Sparky didn’t mind following orders and even liked a little pain with his pleasure. He also hadn’t been upset when Winston had insisted on keeping their affair a secret. After all, the mechanic was well aware of how gays were viewed by both the shifter and magi community.
However, when he found out Winston was getting married to the High Priest’s daughter, he’d packed up his things and left. It had been the first time he’d run from Winston, and it wouldn’t be his last.
“Who’s that?” Sandy’s question pulled the shifter back from the past. He watched as the car parked behind his truck, basically blocking him in. The move couldn’t be accidental. He had to get Sandy someplace safe and then he had to notify Jason of the problem.
“What’s wrong, mate?” Charlie’s voice floated through his mind.
Sparky almost fainted with relief. He’d forgotten about the mating link. “I think Winston is here and I have Sandy with me. I’m going to have him hide in one of the bays just in case, but I need you to find Jason and let him know what’s going on,” Sparky responded as he turned to his young charge.
“Sandy, I need you to listen to me closely.” He watched as the young pup tried to look out the window. He gently pulled him back and knelt in front of him. “I think there is a bad man in that car. Uncle Jason or Sheriff Dakota will be here shortly, but until they get here, I need you to hide—can you do that for me?”
“Is the bad man from my old pack?” Sandy was shaking.
“No, short stuff. It’s someone I used to know, but he can do bad things, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“But I don’t want you to get hurt, Sparky. Can’t you hide with me? I can show you how to be really quiet. Ricky told me I’m the best hider he’s ever seen.” Sandy pulled at Sparky’s arm.
The mechanic chuckled softly, “I’m sure you are, pup. But I have to take care of this. Now, I want you to go into the shop and crawl into the small area under the car that’s in there. You need to be very quiet, and no matter what you hear or see, you have to stay there until Jason or Dakota come and get you.”
He was startled when the young pup pulled him closer and hugged him tight, “Don’t get hurt, Sparky.”
He patted the young pup’s back before he stood and gently pushed him in the direction of the shop. “Go, quickly. I promise to be careful.” He watched as his young charge ran through the door to the shop. He just hoped the boy would stay there. His attention was drawn to the door again as he heard the sound of a car door shutting.
“Can you hold him off until I can find Jason?” Charlie’s voice whispered in his mind.
“He’s coming to the door. I’m going to meet him outside,” Sparky replied.
“Be careful, mate.”
The mechanic opened the door and quickly closed it behind him. He heard the lock engage before he took a step forward. He had to admit, the years hadn’t changed Winston that much. The magi was seventy-two years old; but didn’t look a day over forty. It meant the man’s magic had to be pretty strong to keep his youthful look.
Winston still had short, curly black hair and the same intense dark-brown eyes that sometimes could appear black. The same color as the man’s soul. The mechanic’s gaze noticed he no longer wore the suits he had preferred in the past, but now wore tight jeans and a black T-shirt that showed he had kept himself in shape.
“I see you’ve kept the Camaro in perfect condition,” Sparky stated as he walked toward the car as if to inspect it. He wanted to keep the magi away from the shop, just in case, Sandy decided to take a peek from where he should be hiding. He felt a chill run up his spine as Winston’s hand brushed down his back.
“Well, she misses her favorite mechanic, but then I plan to rectify that,” Winston replied as he moved closer and pressed Sparky against the side of the car. Sparky turned and shoved the magi back. For a moment, he could see the familiar anger in the man’s eyes before his expression quickly changed to one of hurt.
“I told you on the phone, we have nothing to discuss; and if you think for one moment I will go with you, you’re ready for your own huggy coat.” T
he mechanic knew he had to keep the magi busy for just a few more minutes. But to him, it felt like an eternity. He couldn’t help the feeling of fear that was threatening to overtake him.
“You always did have a mouth on you, but I’m sure we can work on it once you come back to where you belong.” Winston moved closer, his eyes glinted with pure evil. “Now, we both know you are trying to keep me here until the cavalry can arrive to save you and your young omega friend. So, I’ll make the choice easy for you, come with me now, and I’ll spare the omega.”
Sparky growled low in his throat. He shoved the magi with all his strength before he let his wolf take over. His clothes shredded but he didn’t care. He had to keep the omega safe.
He shook out his light-brown fur and bared his fangs as he placed himself between the office and his ex-lover. Winston stood and slowly wiped the dirt from his jeans. For a moment, Sparky thought the man might take the hint and get into his car; but instead, he closed his eyes and extended his hand toward the shifter.
“Ah, Charlie? If you’re listening, I think this is about to go—ARGH!” Sparky managed, as his body was flung against the side of the building to leave a sizeable dent. He quickly got back to his feet and began to run toward the magi. He was going to kill the bastard.
“Ah, ah, ah,” Winston chuckled, as he raised his hand again and sent the wolf flying back into the side of the building. This time, Sparky had to struggle to his feet. One more hit like that and he was going to end up inside his office. “You’re mine. My pet to do with as I want, and I want you to come back with me to take your place.”
Sparky growled and showed his fangs; but instead of running at the magi, he decided maybe it would be better to lead the man further away. At least if he chased him, it would give the others time to get Sandy. He quickly ducked behind the car before he raced toward the nearby wooded area. He smiled when he heard the sound of pounding feet behind him.
Battle for a Mates Heart Page 13
