Milo shook his head, his attention on his phone. “Fuck True Mating. All of you asses get even worse.”
“Hey.” Hayden warned from behind him.
The Alpha from Los Angeles shook his head but didn’t respond.
Barrett held up his hands. “We’d all rather be with our own for Full Moon. Yet, we are here, offering our services to you. And the task you have ahead of you….”
Tobias chose that moment to walk through the door. He eyed the scene and took a step back toward the entrance. “Savage, I was wondering if I could speak to you some more about what you mean to do tomorrow with the Garto.”
Savage stood. Shit. Shit. Shit. He’d deliberately not said a word.
Barrett jumped to his feet. “The Garto? Do you mean Garto-Wolf?”
‘Yes, sir.” Tobias nodded and officially made his way through the door outside before he shouted. “He’s going to try to kill Sydney tomorrow. Savage means to kill it.”
Barrett’s eyes glowed with happiness when he answered. “This is why the Moon sent me.”
“Moon was kind of vague, was she?”
Savage walked past Barrett and outside to his father-in-law. “What was your question?” Or had the man come in simply to make his life harder?
“I was hoping. That is…we would like to help you kill the Garto.”
“No.” All he needed was to have to worry about her father and brothers when he was doing whatever it was he was going to have to do to the thing which might or might not really exist.
“Savage.” Tobias’s cleared his throat. “I’ve done wrong by her—and the others. I always knew it. Guess I’m a coward. I’d like to show the boys how to be a male, like you are.”
Savage stopped moving. He didn’t know if he should be anyone’s role model. Fucked up kid who killed an Alpha, took over a city, made money making women’s sexual dreams come true, didn’t really believe in much except Sydney’s kind eyes.
But he did do whatever he said he would. He didn’t let his people die. Not if he could help. Tobias wanted Thaddeus and the others to see what it looked like to complete a promise, no matter the cost? Those were worthy goals.
“Can you control your wolf? We’re all going to be shifted.” Savage might not be; as Alpha he could choose. He didn’t know what way things would go yet. “You might take off and run and forget the whole thing ‘til morning.”
Tobias shook his head. “She’s my daughter. I always planned to be there.”
Not to fight the Garto; that much had been made clear. Tobias hadn’t believed it possible. Instead, he had planned to watch Sydney get eaten.
“You can come. If the Garto eats you instead, don’t blame me.”
“He only kills the females.”
Savage clenched his fists while he walked in the house. Subtlety was lost on Tobias, something to keep in mind for the future.
He found Barrett waiting for him in the front hall. “Tell me about the Garto.”
“No.”
Jesse swore before he asked. “For real? The Garto?”
“Savage.” Hayden motioned for him, and he walked to his brother. “Maybe you should tell him.”
“Why would I?”
If his brother saw an opportunity here for some kind of bonding, Savage really wasn’t in the mood.
Hayden raised his eyebrows. “If he’s the Alpha Prime, he can help.”
“Like Lucian would have?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt brotherly time. I never had a brother, but I’m told it’s a lifelong commitment beyond pack and friendship. I love that the two of you are Alphas. Really makes California a special place to be.”
Savage wanted to bash in Barrett’s head. If the male hadn’t had a death experience yet, Savage was happy to give it to him.
“You need something, Barrett?” Savage’s body burned with unexpressed rage. Too bad the Garto wasn’t present. It would have given him something to tear into.
“I’m never going to be the Alpha Prime Lucian was. If my Alphas need help, they’ll get it.”
“That’s good. And maybe that’s the line of bull crap you fed Milo and Jesse to get them to swear an oath to you. Alexei is off in Boston getting the east coast all running to him. And Montana. Beaux Nelson. The Healer Prime. You remember them, right? Here’s the way I see it.” Sometimes when he started, he simply couldn’t stop. “Lucian had the whole country’s allegiance. Then he plotted against the Alphas and got us all to kill our own Alphas. They never even saw us coming. I killed my Alpha before my twenty-eighth birthday. I took off his fucking head. I was one of his favorite enforcers. I challenged him and ate his liver in the fight. If I wanted to blood oath someone who was likely to stab me through the heart the first chance he thought it politically viable, I’d go find Alexei. At least he lives his evil out there in front of him. I’m loyal to my pack. To my mate. To my brother. Hell, I’m going to be loyal to the asshat who raised my mate and his twenty children and all the family they’re going to have. I don’t need any more loyal. Take your Alpha Prime bullshit and leave me and mine alone. By the way, if you’re going to do this, if you’re going to claim to be some kind of spiritual leader, it would be more useful if you got out of my way and focus on finding our missing werewolf children. Like Lucian should have been doing.”
Jesse stood. “Lucian was a real son of a bitch.”
“How did you remain alive?” Hayden asked the question no one ever did.
“I’m meaner than he was. Too bad, really, the Fallen didn’t win.”
“Then he wouldn’t be the Fallen would he?” Savage shook his head. No one ever remembered the name of the loser, the one who didn’t beat Lucian for Alpha Prime position. “Who was he anyway?”
“Lunch.” Sydney stepped out of the kitchen. “I made enough for everyone. Pasta goes a long way. Would you all join me at the table? I’ve brought some plates and trays so all the men can eat too. Everyone eats when I’m cooking.”
She looked at Hayden and something passed between them. Savage narrowed his eyes. He didn’t like not knowing what they had communicated non-verbally.
She reached her hand to him, and he took it. “Sit next to me.”
****
No one said a word at lunch, but everyone ate. Savage picked at his food, seeming to like the meat mixed in with the noodles more than the noodles themselves. So close to Full Moon she shouldn’t be surprised. He needed protein. She’d had to feed a bunch of people, and pasta was all she could whip up quickly.
It was a good thing she had. There were so many dramas running around the living room, and she suspected Savage understood only some of them. Milo was upset, really worried about something. The constant checking of his phone showed his anxiety. What had Jesse’s comment about being meaner than Lucian meant?
She couldn’t bother Savage with her questions. It wasn’t the time or place, and she’d learned, thanks to her father’s rod early on, how to keep her mouth shut. When her father had busted into the living room she’d wanted to vomit. More and more she could see how it was a good thing he’d never left the family alcove. His way wasn’t going to work in Savage’s world.
“The food is delicious.” Barrett smiled. He was trying to be charming.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Her mother’s standard response came right out of her mouth as though she’d always been saying it.
“It is really good, love.” Savage kissed her cheek before looking at his plate. He’d all but stopped calling her pet. When he nicknamed now, it was always love. She preferred it and wondered if he knew he was doing it.
“I’m so happy.” She leaned in her chair.
“The Moon gifted you two to each other.” Barrett grinned. “I love to see these things. Fate playing out the way it should. He seems steadier, and I think that’s thanks to you, Sydney.”
Savage shifted slightly in his chair, and she put her hand on his knee.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think he’s much as he ever was. I don
’t see any noticeable changes in him at all. Savage was perfect when I met him, and he’s perfect now.”
Everyone at the table stopped chewing. Sydney knew there was no such thing as perfection. But she’d hated Barrett’s remark, so snide. Like there had been something wrong with Savage before she came into his life.
Men had wars and politics. She had claws, and she knew how to use them.
“Must be nice.” Jesse played with his spoon. “To have that kind of devotion from a female.”
Hayden’s phone beeped, and his brother looked down. “Speaking of females, you’ll all have to excuse me for a moment.”
Savage’s brother got up and left the room, presumably to speak to his mate. She fiddled with the strand around her neck. If everyone was staying for Full Moon, she needed to go to the store. George would bring her, for sure. Funny how easily she’d gotten used to having him around.
“That’s a very old totem you have there.”
Jesse spoke as he pointed at her neck. Even Milo looked up to see what he was looking at. With every eye at the table on her neck, she suddenly felt a little hot. She was usually dressed in such a way that no one looking could see anything. She’d put on more modern clothes, and they all could look at her breasts if they wanted to.
Savage put his arm around her. “I didn’t realize you’d found that, love. I meant to give it to you last night.”
She’d taken it from him when he’d been knocked out. “We were busy.”
“The Healer Prime sent it for you in a box with some of her husband’s stuff. Said it was your turn to wear it, whatever that means. Too bad about the Healer Prime, huh, Barett? She seems to have backed the other wolf in this fight.”
“Lake Nelson will see the truth when the time comes. I don’t believe she backed anyone. I believe she was misled by her mate’s fallible nature disguised as true spiritual devotion.”
Savage’s breathing changed. She could feel his wolf pressing at his skin as though it were happening to her. Mates often claimed to be in tune with each other.
“I’ve always found, in all things but Alexei, Beaux Nelson to be an upstanding guy. He lives as he lives. He doesn’t apologize for what he stands for. Ever. The Moon never gives the Healer Prime to anyone but the strongest of Alphas. Guess we should all be careful around Beaux.”
Jesse pointed at her totem again. “You know the story of Lily.”
“Everyone knows the story of Lily.” Milo shook his head. “We’re practically born knowing it.”
“No, of Lily and the Garto.”
“It’s vague. No one really knows how she survived.”
Jesse scrunched up his forehead. “Because he loved her.”
Hayden came back into the door. “Savage…Chelsea’s had a vision.”
“And?”
“It’s vague. She sees death on the horizon. One person left standing. She’s really worked up. We can’t really give her the full dose of herbs because of the baby. She’s resting.”
Savage nodded. “Hayden, can I see you for a second?”
And just like that, she was left alone at the table with Barrett, Milo, and Jesse, who was still looking at the totem.
“Congratulations on the baby.” Barrett pointed to her stomach. “He’s strong.”
She stood, grabbing her plate. Clearing the table seemed like a great idea.
“We have no idea if I’m pregnant or not.”
“You are.” Barrett grabbed his dishes and Hayden’s too as he followed her to the kitchen.
“There’s no way to smell it so soon.”
Why was she discussing this with someone other than Savage? It was her experience that men shied away from this kind of conversation.
“I can’t smell him; I can see him.”
She stopped moving and turned around. “What?”
“I’m not normal anymore, Sydney. I’m the Alpha Prime whether Savage wants me to be or not. The Moon loves him. Sent him you. Sent me to him today. Seems to me the Moon is spending a lot of time on Savage. The baby. He’ll see his path.” Barrett smiled and set down his dish. “Lily walked by her Alpha through the darkness. Together, they found the path of the Moon. So shall it be for all who are the daughters and sons of Lily.”
She pressed on her belly. Either Barrett was crazy or she’d suddenly walked into some spiritual stuff which would make even her father’s head hurt.
“He’s strong. He’s going to have to be.” Barrett patted her on the shoulder and walked to the living room.
She leaned against the fridge. How did Savage manage this all the time?
****
“I want you to leave.”
Hayden’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Go to Napa. Tonight.” He squeezed his brother’s shoulder. There was no anger in his request, and, since they clearly couldn’t manage to communicate without hurting each other, he needed to be explicit. “Your mate is, what’s the phrase, expecting. Something is going to happen tomorrow. Chelsea’s vision confirmed what I already knew. Garto or no Garto, this place is dangerous. You belong with your pack, brother. And your mate.”
Hayden looked away for a second. “You’re my brother.”
“I am. I’m telling you to go home. I won’t have you die for me. I won’t widow a pregnant Chelsea. Also, if something were to happen to me….”
“Savage.”
His brother’s growl cut him, but he wasn’t going to be stopped. Not this time.
“If something happened to me, you need to take over my pack. Certain members of my force know I want this. Max. Archie. They are prepared to bring you and stand behind you until it’s settled. I get the club stuff isn’t going to be your thing. At this point, it practically runs itself. Let them manage it for you. You do what you do. They’ll thrive with you. Take care of my mate. Settle her somewhere with a view of the ocean. That’s what I want for her. Go home. So all those things can happen.”
Hayden breathed hard. Savage had expected this reaction especially after the night before. But he couldn’t have any reaction himself. Not with the crew of assholes in the living room.
“Don’t die, Savage. I’m going to be so mad at you if you do.”
“You can come find me one hundred years later where I’m hanging with the Moon and let me know your anger.”
“Jerk.” Hayden stepped away. “I’ll go. I’m not happy about it.”
“Thank you.”
Savage watched Hayden leave. It was the right thing to do, sending his brother off. He didn’t belong in this mess, neither with the Garto nor with the Alphas in the other room. Hayden made it clear he’d follow Savage in whatever direction he took in terms of Alpha Prime. He didn’t have to be present for the maneuverings. When it came down to it, he’d probably give Barrett what he wanted and hadn’t explicitly asked for. His blood oath.
San Francisco couldn’t stay out of the war, not even if he wanted to. Alexei wasn’t an option.
“Sir.” Max appeared poking around the corner. “We have a new visitor.”
“Another one? Who is it?” His pack mate stilled and looked everywhere but at him. Very unlike Max, Savage immediately went on alert.
“Max?”
“The Alpha from Boston, my Alpha. Alexei Babikov.”
Savage stuffed his growl of rage so far inside he could hardly breathe for the internal explosion. “Of course he is. Why wouldn’t Alexei be here?”
****
“You’re quite lovely.” The newest Alpha to arrive, this one from Boston, was flirting with her.
Sydney didn’t quite know what to do with his attentions. She didn’t like it. Savage made her feel beautiful when he talked to her. Alexei’s motives had to be different, and she didn’t know what part in the game she was expected to play.
“Thank you.” She stepped away. “We finished lunch. I can fix you a plate.”
“No. I ate on the plane.”
She wanted him out of her kitchen. “Are your men hungry?”
“Would you like to wait for Savage with the other Alphas?”
He shook his head. “I hate all of them. Your mate I like, although he hates me. I’d rather not have to spend a moment with the trio in there if I can avoid it.”
His accent got thicker when he laid down insults. Russian, she thought. The man who delivered fruit to the farm once a month was from Russia. They sounded similar. Savage hated this man? Sydney didn’t want to be anywhere near him.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to make arrangements for tomorrow.”
“I would imagine you do. Not dying by the Garto must be a full-time worry.”
She stopped her exit. George had pointed out no one ever spoke of her upcoming doom. She thought she preferred that approach to the one Alexei was using now.
“Savage is going to save me. All of us. There won’t be a Garto any more after tomorrow.”
Alexei leaned on the counter. “There has been and there always will be a Garto. He is as old as the Moon itself. Even Lily faced the Garto. She lived. It’s why she’s Lily. I see you have her totem. That could be both a good and a bad sign. I don’t know yet. Whether Savage can save you from the Garto and stop what has happened from happening again, I don’t know. Know this, not everything that bleeds dies. “
“Most things do.” Savage stormed into the room. “If I took off your head, I bet you would.”
“We’d see. I have a tendency to come back from the dead.”
“Savage, I’m going upstairs.” She had a headache. Between maybe being pregnant and the abundance of Alphas in the living room, she’d had enough. The baby had to be strong? She didn’t even want to ask Barrett what he meant.
He stroked the side of her face. “Did this guy bother you?”
“No.” She smiled at Alexei. “He was telling me how lovely I am.”
“Was he?”
She kissed Savage hard on the lips both because she wanted to and because she wanted Alexei to see her do it. The Alpha in her kitchen was dangerous. He said he liked Savage, and she trusted her mate to take care of himself. Sydney wasn’t entirely certain anyone could with Alexei.
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