Alpha: Bay Harbor Wolves Vol. 2

by B. A. Stretke

  ALPHA

  Bay Harbor Wolves Vol. 2

  By. B.A. Stretke

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  EPILOGUE

  About the Author

  More Books from B.A. Stretke:

  Copyright © 2020 by B.A. Stretke

  Published by Superiorland Publishing

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person (living or dead), place, or event is purely coincidence.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “I know where your lousy brother is hiding. He’s up north in that town Eastport, and he’s made friends apparently. But no matter, he can only run for so long before he makes a mistake, and there won’t be people around to save him.” Raymond laughed, but it wasn’t with humor. He sounded scared and angry, a bad combination for a man losing his mind. “It won’t be long before my men find you both and finish this.” Thankfully Max was already on the road headed to Eastport when his uncle called.

  “Leo has friends, capable friends who will stop you.” Max shot back, hoping to lessen the man’s confidence in succeeding with his crazy plan. “Your hired muscle have failed so far, and they will continue to fail.”

  “His so-called friends are no better than I am. They are as dirty as any business partners I’ve ever dealt with.” Raymond sneered and then added. “I know that you’re on your way north.” He laughed with more humor this time. “I’ve had people on you and your brother for days, and when one fails, another takes over. You won’t make it in time, you probably won’t make it at all.” He stated and then abruptly closed the call.

  Max stared at his phone for a moment and then tossed it onto the passenger seat and kept driving. Raymond was always making veiled threats hoping to keep people on edge. It was exhausting being around that man. Max pushed the conversation from his mind and kept his eyes on the road ahead. He would be there in a couple of hours, and together, he and Leo would figure out how to get Raymond out of their lives once and for all.

  He was entering town from the highway and pulled off at a rest stop a couple miles out in order to freshen up because he’d driven straight through. He was sure he was far enough away from Chicago that Raymond or his toadies wouldn’t be close by. The rest area was a bit isolated, but he wouldn’t be long, and he really needed to use the facilities. He was just finishing up washing his hands when he heard someone enter the room. He ignored them at first, and then when they didn’t head for a stall or urinal but remained standing by the door, he looked over at them.

  “I’ve been following you since you left your apartment, and you never once noticed me. I feared you were going to drive right to Eastport without stopping. I figured that I’d have to improvise a way of getting you off the highway before you arrived and then, to my surprise, you so eagerly turn into this out of the way rest stop. It was made to order for what I have planned for you.” Raymond was there, but how was it possible? Max had left right after work, and at the time, Raymond was packing at the main house and scheduling a flight somewhere. How could be here right in front of the door with his brute of a driver standing beside him?

  “Why are you here? You’ve already lost the hotels, and your friends have cut you off. Why bother Leo and me now? You won’t get the hotels, even if you kill us both you don’t inherit because you have been disqualified by the court. They will go to some unknown relation that probably doesn’t even know we exist. You have nothing to gain.” Max attempted to plead to the unnecessary insanity of what Raymond appeared to be planning.

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Max. I have so much to gain from kicking your ass; just the pure satisfaction itself would be enough, but I have so many other reasons. I want to see you lose, and I want to see you hurt.” Max watched as Raymond motioned for his driver to move to the right while he moved to the left towards him.

  “You and Leo made everything so fucking difficult for me. You humiliated me with my business partners using Derek and Henrik Vaughn to destroy my strength and credibility. You took everything from me and left me a laughingstock. I can’t touch the Vaughn brothers, but I can touch you.”

  That was the end of the conversation, and with a snap of his fingers, Raymond had his driver restrain Max while he beat the living hell out of him. Raymond was a coward, but a mean coward. He had no qualms with beating a man who was being held down, none at all.

  …

  “What about Max?” Leo inquired again. “Has he been found?”

  “No, but Henrik has people searching from Chicago to Eastport. We will find him. I promise you we will find your brother.” Derek pledged to his mate. Leo worried that Raymond may have sent people after Max just as he had Leo. He called so many times, but his brother never answered. Derek had saved him, but who was there to save Max? Max was all alone.

  That evening a small get together took place at the Black Dog Lounge, situated on the ground floor of the Indigo Hotel. It was to observe the union of Derek and Leo and to welcome Leo to the Pack. Leo Russo was the newly claimed mate of Derek Vaughn, the brother of Henrik Vaughn Alpha of the Bay Harbor Wolves. The party went late with plenty of celebrating, but there also remained a shadow of sorrow over Leo. Max was not there, and his whereabouts were unknown, and that weighed heavily on Leo. It had been nearly two days since Leo had heard from him.

  Just as the party was ending, a loud banging was heard coming from the door that led to the sidewalk. It was an exterior door of the lounge that they referred to as the public entrance. Henrik, with a hard look that was surprisingly intense considering the situation, headed towards the door. Everyone stood back and waited. The Alpha’s strange, heightened mood caused a rising tension in the room.

  “What is it?” Leo asked.

  “Henrik is disturbed by whoever is at the door.” Everyone waited in still silence.

  The stillness broke when Henrik opened the door, and a half-dead man dropped into his arms. He wasn’t recognizable at first with his clothing torn and bloody and his face covered in blood, but then Leo saw the dark auburn hair and the class ring and realized the man was Max, his brother. His heart leapt into his throat, and he tried to wrench himself away from Derek, who was forcefully holding him back.

  “It’s Max.” Leo cried. “Let me go to him. He needs me.”

  “No.” Derek barked. “You have to stay back. Don’t interfere.” It was an order that was nearly impossible for Leo to obey. “Look,” Derek stated abruptly and directed Leo’s gaze to Henrik.

  Henrik looked unhinged. His wolf snarled and threatened anyone who stood too close. The room hushed once again as everyone took a careful step back. Henrik lifted Max into his arms while keeping everyone at bay with a look that was both predator and protector. He had half shifted, and Leo had never witnessed anything so wild and feral. Black hair, fangs, and claws like daggers appeared.

  Henrik howled so loud and desperate that every wolf in the room responded in kind. It was a visceral sound that shook you to your soul. Henrik flew from the room so fast that he was gone between one breath and the next.

  “We ha
ve to save Max.” Leo pulled on Derek’s arm, trying to get him to move and was completely taken aback by the smile that spread across Derek’s face.

  “In Henrik’s arms, your brother is the safest man in the world.”

  …

  Henrik Vaughn, Alpha wolf, leader of his people and dominant mythical black wolf, stood looking down at his newly discovered mate, feeling completely helpless and inadequate.

  Max Russo lay in Henrik’s bed on the penthouse level of the pack owned Indigo Hotel. Henrik kept an apartment at the Indigo as did his Second Zayn and his Enforcers Koa, Javier, and Seamus. His brother Derek, never one to like too much stuff, declined the offer of an apartment downtown and just used Henrik’s whenever the need arose. Derek was now mated and somewhat settled. If a soul like Derek could ever be completely settled. He was happy, that was clear, and who could ask for more than happiness.

  Henrik had felt a stab of jealousy when Derek came to him and shared that he’d found his mate. He fought it, knowing that Derek deserved that blessing, the gift of unparalleled love and devotion. Now, as he looked at his own blessing lying asleep in his bed, he wondered how he could have been so careless at such a crucial time.

  He wished that he’d heeded his instincts days ago before this tragedy had a chance to befall his mate. He sat on the edge of the large bed and brushed the soft auburn hair back from Max’s forehead. The injuries were healing and didn’t look as bad as when Max first fell into his arms. The pack doctor cleaned and treated Max’s wounds and gave him a shot that would allow him to sleep for a while. The bruising around his face and upper body was concerning, but there was no serious damage, just surface damage, according to Dr. Abrams.

  Max was an attractive man, even in his present state. Henrik didn’t doubt that once he could get a good look at his eyes, they would be the same color as his brother Leo’s, a gorgeous honey hazel color. Right now, they were nearly swollen shut, and what could be seen was bloodshot from the attack he’d suffered. How he ever made it to the Indigo in his condition had to be sheer force of will.

  He should have checked on him when the danger was made clear, but he thought Leo was the focus of their uncle’s threats, not Max. He should have insisted that Max leave Chicago, but instead, he ignored his instincts and the call he felt to look into Max’s situation. He failed, and that truth would haunt him for some time.

  He could argue that he had no idea Leo’s brother was his mate, but there had been a moment during Leo’s call to Max that Henrik had felt something touch him, something familiar. He overheard the masculine tone of the older brother as he spoke to Leo and appreciated the tenor and the cadence. He’d ignored it even though it was something that he’d never noticed with anyone before. He simply moved on with his business leaving his mate to suffer the consequences. Thankfully, Max had found his way home to Henrik, and he vowed that never again would he ignore his instinct where Max was concerned.

  A knock on his bedroom door brought his attention to the outside world once again. Since discovering his mate at the public entrance of the lounge, his mind had been dominated by the needs of this man, so silent, so ravaged, so beautiful. The only person allowed to enter his apartment without permission and was now standing at his bedroom door was Derek, and if his senses were correct, Leo was by his side.

  “Come in, Derek, Leo.” He said but did not leave his mate’s side. He remained seated on the edge of the bed, holding Max’s hand, his possessive streak still going strong. It had been several hours since Henrik had bolted from the lounge with his mate tight in his embrace. Leo had tried to intervene, but thankfully Derek had stopped him recognizing the situation for what it was, an alpha wolf protecting its injured mate. The danger for anyone getting in the way would have been great.

  He listened as the door opened and they stepped inside. Henrik had not as yet taken his eyes off Max. They came up to stand beside him but not too close. Henrik’s wolf was still on alert for any further danger to his mate. It had even been difficult having Dr. Abrams touching Max, but Henrik had restrained his wolf knowing that the care and treatment were necessary for his recovery.

  “How is he?” Derek asked with calm concern, but Henrik could feel Leo’s discomfort and worry for his brother hanging in the air. It was a tenseness that spoke of his fear that Max was still at risk. Henrik tore his gaze from his beloved and captured Leo’s nervous stare.

  “He will recover, but he’s been beaten badly.” There was no need to sugar coat it since Leo could see that his brother was gravely injured. “There are no serious internal injuries, which is a blessing considering the severity of the assault he endured.”

  “Who did this to him?” Leo asked his tone filled with sadness with which Henrik could relate.

  “He was covered in the scent of a jackal when he first arrived.” Henrik again ran his fingertips across Max’s brow, brushing the hair from his forehead and finding comfort in the touch. “He has been washed, and Dr. Abrams has tended to him. He smells only of sunshine and apple blossoms now.”

  “Max is your mate?” Leo asked, obviously confirming what Derek had already told him.

  “Yes.”

  Derek barked a short laughed. “Brothers with brothers, feels right.”

  “Yes, it does.” Henrik smiled.

  “Although I have got to tell you that I have the most handsome of the two.” Derek ragged on his brother just a bit.

  Henrik laughed. “No offense Leo but your brother is the most gorgeous man in the land.”

  “No offense taken,” Leo assured and then became more sober when he again asked about Max. “May I come closer? I need to touch my brother. He came so far to reach me, and I want him to know that I’m here.” He made his request and waited.

  Henrik understood Leo’s need to touch his brother and see for himself that he was alive and recovering, but still, it was difficult for him to step back. “Okay.” He said finally and stood but did not step back but instead moved to stand at the head of the bed just inches away from his mate. His wolf refused to allow him to go very far as Max lay helpless and unconscious.

  Leo sat on the edge of the bed, where Henrik had been seated and took hold of Max’s hand. “I shouldn’t have left you.” He whispered, and both men saw the emotion welling up in the young man as he took in the brutality of what happened to his brother.

  “This was not your fault,” Henrik stated firm and clear, and Derek stepped forward, placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder.

  “This was not your fault,” Derek repeated Henrik’s statement and then added his own sentiments. “Your Uncle Raymond brought this on both of you, and if he hadn’t run away like a coward, he’d have been dealt with already. But his day of reckoning is coming.” Henrik nodded his agreement.

  “He set those animals loose on his own flesh and blood, and he will answer for it, and so will the jackal that dared to touch my mate.” Henrik would not be able to rest, knowing that the beast that brutalized Max still walked the earth.

  “It wasn’t the same two who attacked me?” Leo looked up at Henrik.

  “They were already dead when Max was attacked. His wounds are a few hours old.” Unable to resist any longer, Henrik bends and once again ran his fingers down the side of Max’s face, careful to not disturb him but needing the contact.

  “Keep him safe.” Leo implored as he stood up and stepped back from the bed to stand beside Derek.

  “I will, you have my word on that,” Henrik vowed and returned to his seat on the edge of the bed and took Max’s hand. Derek squeezed Henrik’s shoulder and assured him of his total support, of which Henrik had no doubt.

  “May I visit him tomorrow?” Leo asked.

  “Of course, and I will keep you updated on his condition,” Henrik told him, appreciating that he wasn’t pushing too hard for his own needs at this point in time. They said their goodnights, and Derek was ushering Leo towards the door when Henrik made a final comment.

  “Thank you for your understanding, Leo.�
�

  CHAPTER TWO

  Max came awake abruptly and nearly launched himself off the bed. The moment from unconscious to awake was but a split second, and he felt compelled to defend himself. He couldn’t see worth a shit, and every square inch of his body was aching, but he had to get to Leo. He fought hard against the hands determined to hold him down.

  “Don’t fight me, sweetheart.” The voice insisted, and the sound, although demanding in its tone, was not aggressive. The hands that held him were careful and considerate of his pain and injuries. Finally, two arms like steel bands wrapped around him and held him prone to a wide, solid chest. Max could not move as his arms were pinned to his sides, and his upper body was held fast.

  He moved his face to the side, breathing in the scent of comfort that was emanating from this man. His heart calmed, and his fright subsided as this man held him and spoke softly but commanding in his ear. His breath was warm and fragrant, and his words slowly pushed the fog from Max’s mind.

  “My name is Henrik Vaughn, and you are in my apartment on the top floor of the Indigo Hotel. You arrived last night in a compromised condition. Your brother Leo was here last night and will check back again today.” The voice was soothing and reassuring, giving him all the information he needed. At the mention of his brother Max jerked and tried to speak, but words would not come out of his mouth, only a strange grunting.

  “He’ll be back soon, don’t worry. He’s with my brother Derek. Has he told you that he and Derek are a couple?” Max thought the name was familiar, but he couldn’t recall Leo mentioning that he was in a relationship. But he might have. Things were so mixed up in his head. Leo was here checking on him, so he must be okay. Leo was safe.

  He drove to Eastport to make sure Leo was okay, that Raymond’s men hadn’t hurt him. Yes, things were coming back, and with his memory also came a calming of his mind. Henrik carefully leaned forward and lay Max back down onto the bed but kept his arms around him for a few moments before straightening and looking down at him. This was the first that Max was able to get a good look at the man who was seated beside him.