by M. K. Harper
The closer we get to the Pack Ames border, the more I can feel the unease in the wolves around me and in my own. We’re all on high alert, and for good fucking reason. The sick fucks have no morals and won’t consider any negotiations for peace, I’m sure. The simple fact that we’re storming onto their land announced is going to set them on edge. I’m under no illusion that this is going to end in any way other than bloody. The first wafts of their stench has our pack breaking apart and spreading out, trying to cover all angles while also guarding our Alpha. The moment my paws land on Pack Ames soil, I’m expecting gunfire or something just as cowardice. When we’re met with nothing but silence, my hackles rise. That’s even more unsettling than those inbred fucks popping up like whack-a-moles.
As we break through the clearing, all of Pack Bardot comes to a screeching halt. Standing there, like they knew we were coming, is Alpha Jackson Ames and all of his little minions. They’ve yet to shift, but I know it’s just so they can throw it in our faces that we weren’t able to get the leg up on them. Fucking Barron. I know he’s their advantage. He was exposed to our pack life for years and knows exactly how we operate. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that he would anticipate us trying to get the drop on them a day earlier than one would expect. But it still pisses me the fuck off and judging by the snarls of my fellow pack mates, they feel the same. Or maybe it’s just the sight of the sad sack of shit standing before us, posing as an Alpha wolf. No way in hell does he stand a chance against any one of us, much less Pop. He looks far older than his mid-fifties. In fact, Jackson Ames appears to be strung out and knocking on death’s door. It’s honestly kinda sad.
“Carder Bardot,” the so-called leader bites out. “My boy’s dead because of you. The future leader of this pack!” He sneers, trying to take a menacing step forward, but his stumble makes him look weak at best, pathetic at worst. Briefly, I wonder whatever happened to Beaux Ames, Caulder’s biological father, for him to no longer be first in line to assume Pack Alpha, considering he is the oldest heir. Pop just lets out a low growl, not willing to shift to reply. Jackson isn’t worth the effort and time it would take. Without any more fanfare, Jackson shifts into a scraggly looking wolf, if you can even call it that. His Beta and several enforcers shift as well, doing their best impression of mock concern for his well-being. I can’t scent fear, or any other emotion coming from them.
They either have hella confidence that they got this win in the bag, or they truly don’t give two shits what happens to their Alpha. My money’s on the latter. There’s no sense of pack here. No familial bond or loyalty. It’s clearly every wolf for themselves and a blatant disgrace to our kind. Wolves thrive on pack mentality. When there’s discord, our other halves remain unsettled, always longing for something that’s just out of reach. While I’ve been daydreaming, Jackson and the few wolves who chose to shift have circled around us. Shaking my head, I move in closer to Pop, putting my back to his. Over my dead fucking body will they get the jump on him.
Jackson doesn’t even pace long enough to come up with a half-decent plan of attack. No, he just lunges, a pathetic growl leaving him that doesn’t sound nearly has threatening as some of the ones that’ve come outta Linny recently. I don’t have time to contemplate stepping in. Pop lunges as well, meeting Jackson mid-air, and clamps his jaws around his throat. He gives him a vicious shake and then our rival Alpha’s body goes limp. He’s dead before his body even meets the ground. It’s utterly silent for all of two seconds before all hell breaks loose. The Beta lunges for Pop and my instincts flare to life. I barrel straight into his side, knocking him down before he can attempt his attack. I sink my teeth into the back of his neck while pressing my paw against his back. The wolf’s snout is shoved in the dirt, my stance clearly asserting dominance. I’ll do everything I can to get him to submit before I resort to taking his life.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem too keen on either idea. He bucks and thrashes beneath me, and I narrowly miss the swipe at my throat as he swiftly turns and faces my wolf. Knowing I don’t have any other choice, my claws sink into his side, a pained yelp filling the air, and then I rip out his throat. His blood coats my muzzle, and it takes everything I have not to puke as I watch the life fade from his eyes. My body shudders. I’ve never taken someone’s life before, and I don’t care to ever do it again. But I’m aware enough to know that it was either him or me, and I’ll choose me every fucking time. Leaping off the dead wolf, I spin rapidly, taking in the scene around me. It’s only chaotic for a few seconds more, not even long enough for me to figure out where I’m needed next before silence descends. Pack Bardot wolves are panting heavily, and a quick scan shows no one is too severely injured or worse. Lex has a slight limp, but other than that, we’re all accounted for.
Rustling behind me has my wolf growling, lips pulled back and teeth bared as I turn to face the new threat. An older woman with graying hair holds up shaky hands while placing a pile of old blankets in front of us. Taking a quick peek at Pop, I try to gauge his reaction to the newcomer. Nothing about her makes me feel threatened. She’s not a match for any of us. Judging by Pop’s expression, he feels the same way. She backs away quickly, taking refuge behind a large oak tree. It’s only then that I notice the other eyes dotting the tree line, peering out at us, wary of what we’ll choose to do next. Lucky for them, we’re nothing like their now dead Alpha. With a nod to the rest of us, Pop meanders forward and snags a blanket with his teeth. The rest of us follow, shifting back once we’ve made sure we aren’t about to give them even more of show than they’ve already gotten tonight.
“We will not harm you, so long as you don’t attack first.” Authority drips from each word our Alpha speaks. Slowly, Pack Ames members start to trickle out into the clearing. An older male steps forward, looking sad and defeated.
“Alpha Bardot, I can assure you, you won’t find any ill intent here. While most packs would be irate at seeing their Alpha slaughtered, I’d dare say the folks here are more likely to celebrate,” he shakes his head. “Most of the wolves here have been clueless to how vile Jackson truly was, in fact, some still are. We’ve all lived in fear, knowing if we disobeyed any orders he gave, no matter how small, he would punish us to the full extent. Many of our mates and children have been threatened over the years if we didn’t fall in line. Truly, we’ve been prisoner to his demands. So...thank you?” His words end as if he’s asking a question. Like he knows how disgusting it sounds to thank someone for murder, but Jackson was a disgusting man, so...? Pop looks to me and I shrug, at a total loss. Clearing his throat, he steps forward.
“What’s your name?” he asks.
“Cyrus, sir. Cyrus Donahue.” The man extends his hand to Pop, who only hesitates a second before reaching out his own.
“Well, Cyrus. I can’t say I’m sorry for the events that unfolded tonight. It was a long time coming.” His lips thin, giving it a second for his words to sink in. No doubt waiting to see if there’s any argument. When he’s met with zero resistance, he continues on. “While Pack Ames now falls under my jurisdiction, as stated by Lycan by-laws, I have no desire to oversee your pack. I’m placing that responsibility in your hands.” Shock registers on Cyrus’ face for a split second, then he holds himself up straighter.
“This pack needs to heal. It can’t do that under another Alpha’s rule. You need to come together, lean on each other now more than ever, and fix what Jackson has broken. I can feel the detachment between your wolves. You don’t know one another the way pack mates should. Your bonds are fragile. I’m trusting you to fix your pack, Cyrus.” Pops arms are crossed, his stance and words coming across almost harshly. But I can see the sadness he feels for these fellow wolves. That they’re missing out on something so precious and irreplaceable. Cyrus nods as the rest of the members shuffle a bit closer.
“I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity, Alpha Bardot. I think that’s exactly what this pack needs, and I’ll do my damndest to bring us back together.” Cyr
us tilts his neck just the slightest, showing his respect to Pop.
“I think it goes without saying, that any women being held against their will, are now free to go. Those who need rehabilitation are more than welcome to seek help with our pack if this one is unable to accommodate them at the moment. Those who are also imprisoned without just case will receive the same treatment. Also, if the remains of my niece can be recovered, I’d very much like them to be returned to our care so that she can have a proper wolf burial.” Pop’s jaw clenches, but he keeps himself in check.
“Absolutely,” Cyrus nods hastily. His mouth opens to say something else when he’s cut-off by what I can only describe as a dying pterodactyl. My ears feel like they’re actually bleeding from the sound. By the time I spin around in a circle like an idiot, trying to locate the source that just ruptured my eardrums, I have no reaction time left. Some deranged, beady-eyed fucker is on me faster than it takes to shit after eating Hibachi (it’s that yumyum sauce, isn’t it?). The saddest, girliest scream erupts from me as he slams into me, knocking me flat on my back and stealing the air from my lungs.
“Unnghhhgahhhh....” is the inhuman sound that wheezes out of me. I can’t even move yet when I feel his blunt teeth sink into my shoulder, like he’s some kind of zombie-wolf. Queue girly squeal, yet again. One minute the Jeffrey Dahmer psycho fuck is trying to eat me and the next he’s gone. Panting, I lift myself up just in time to watch Cyrus snap his neck. I start patting my body, checking for any other mutilation he might’ve caused.
“Pop!” I shriek, well fucking past panicked. “Pop get some alcohol. Peroxide. Something! Ah hell...just chop it off. I don’t want what he’s got!” I point a shaky finger at the dead whatever-he-was.
“Good Lord, Daxton. Calm down. You sound worse than Caulder when he’s got to get a shot. All that belly achin’ over nothin’.” He shakes his head at me, like he’s questioning where he went wrong. Cyrus chuckles, moving closer to help me off the ground.
“I doubt you can catch what he had, son.” He nods towards the body. “That was Beaux Ames. Been Feral for about a year now. Always stumped me that he could do what he did to his mate, sealing his own fate in the process. Your niece never deserved that, and I’m truly sorry for the loss your family has suffered.” His eyes hold nothing but sincerity. I’m not sure any of us knew that her and Beaux were actually mates. Definitely makes the whole think a lot harder to process. Not wanting to dwell on Minnie, I lean closer to take a look at Beaux Ames, or at least what’s left of him. I guess that answers my question about why he wasn’t set to take over as Alpha. I doubt the sad sack was fit to lead a colony of ants, much less a bunch of wolves. Those crazy eyes are still wide open, causing a shudder to rush through me. Pop is holding back his delight at how freaked out I am, but he’s not the one who was used as someone’s afternoon snack.
“Cyrus, I’ll be in touch. Right now, I think we’d all like to get back to our families and put this night behind us. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.” They shake hands once more before we each start to go our separate ways. The whole way back to Pack Bardot territory, I grumble about all the different diseases that could currently be spreading through my body, studiously ignoring the snickering going on around me.
“Hey, Alpha,” Lex pipes up. “You ever heard Dax hit a high note like that? Almost sounded like Michael Jackson.” She imitates the song, spinning and dancing in the middle of the forest while grabbing at her crotch. The wolves around us hoot and holler, laughing at my expense.
“Ha! HA HA HA!” I shout, stomping forward, determined to ignore the guffaws behind me. The quicker I move, the sooner I can bathe in alcohol. The thought is almost orgasmic. By the time Ma and Pop’s place comes into view, I’m damn near sprinting. The door flies open, Linny barreling down the steps so fast I’m worried she might bust ass if she doesn’t slow down. All thoughts take a backseat as I rush forward to meet her. Her eyes flit back and forth from my face to the shoulder I’m holding, worry clouding her beautiful face. We collide, her arms and legs wrapping around me to hold her in place. Her face falls against my neck and she inhales, the brush of her little nose alone making my dick hard. Groaning, I use my free arm to slide beneath her ass and help hold her in place. She finally lifts her head up and I get a glimpse of those gorgeous blue eyes. They’re brimming with tears as she assesses every inch of me. When she takes in my hand gripping the neck wound I’ve suffered, her brows furrow.
“What’s wrong?!” Her small hand tries to wedge beneath mine so she check the damage herself, but she doesn’t need to see all that. “You guys were only gone about two hours. Did something happen?” She looks from me, to Pop, who’s just walked up. He slaps me on the back, making me grunt.
“Oh no, I think it’s safe to say that was the quickest pack dismemberment in Lycan history. Hell, we even put it back together and barely broke a sweat. I’m afraid your boy here is just a big ole crybaby.” Pop teases, causing my eyes to narrow.
“Baby,” I snag Linny’s attention. “He tried to eat me.” You can’t mistake the horror in my voice. “Nearly ripped me in two!” I bellow.
“Jesus, Dax. He didn’t even break the skin!” Pop slaps my hand away and yanks my shirt down, exposing the gnarly wound. I turn my head, and stare at my shoulder in confusion. Where my battle wound is supposed to be, there’s only the slightest indentation of teeth. Not even a full set of teeth either, there’s clearly some gaps where he was missing a few. I’m gonna throw up. Linny snorts, pressing her lips together to keep from laughing in my face. I drop her ass right there and cock an eyebrow. If my girl wants to take sides, and mine not be it, she can hoof her ass back home on her own.
“Aww...” she pokes out that delectable bottom lip. “Did the big, bad wolf get his feelings hurt?” She smirks, the little minx. I give her that lopsided grin of mine that renders her kinda stupid, relishing in the way her eyes momentarily glaze over.
“Sweetheart,” my lips brush against her ear as I take notice of the goosebumps that spread across her flesh from the slight contact. “Enjoy your walk back to the house.” I move back, ready to relish in my little victory. Instead, I’m met with that narrowed eyed, hand on hip stance that screams I done fucked up. I swallow, realizing I have a lot to learn about going up against my mate. Her lips curve, causing me to shuffle my feet nervously, an action she doesn’t miss if that wicked gleam in her eyes counts for anything. I think she actually takes pleasure in making me squirm. Her hand suddenly slaps against my bite wound, drawing out a yelp from me. Pop, along with everyone else that’s joined us, peel over cackling. The sweet, satisfied smirk Linny’s wearing is enough to let me want to be the brunt of all her jokes for the rest of our lives. I’ll take this version any day over the lost and broken one she was not too long ago.
“Don’t worry, Itty Bitty. I’ll haul you back home.” Pop crouches low, and after only the slightest hesitance, Linny gingerly climbs up for a piggyback ride. You’d never know the man was shot two weeks ago, but he’s probably pushing it with all the excitement we’ve had today. My girl turns around and blows me a kiss. I give her a fake glare, that both of us know holds no weight at all.
“I’ll kiss it better later!” She shouts as Pop starts makes gagging sounds and picks up the pace, practically skipping up to the house. My entire body heats from her words and my heart swells as her laughter rings out, filling me with so much love for that tiny woman that I think I might actually burst.
Chapter 19
Linden
Tomorrow my ass.
I roll my eyes, trying not to stab one with the mascara I’m lathering on. Apparently, bonding your fated mate calls for more than the bare minimum effort I typically put into my appearance. At least according to my mother. It’s been seven days since the night Pack Bardot infiltrated Pack Ames and tried to atone for their years’ worth of turning a blind eye. So far, Pack Ames has kept to themselves, supposedly trying to right the wrongs within their own ranks. Only t
ime will tell if they actually plan to uphold the orders Carder gave, but so far, it seems promising that they will. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for all those wolves who’ve lived in fear under Jackson Ames’ control. Then again, maybe I can. I may not have been in their exact predicament, but my situation was similar enough to understand what it feels like to not be able to make decisions for yourself. To be completely controlled by someone else and fear waking up, terrified of what each new day might bring. Breathing deeply, I blow out a shaky breath and push those thoughts aside. Today is a happy day. There’s no place for those memories here.
It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for this day. In reality, it’s barely been more than a month. These past few weeks have felt more like years, full of things most people never have to go through in an entire lifetime. Since moving to Pleasant Falls, I’ve been through one extreme to the next, but I still wouldn’t change a thing. I definitely feel a lot older than eighteen, but I think I grew up a long time ago. My father saw to that. Most eighteen-year-olds wouldn’t even be considering marriage, too worried about college hook-ups and frat parties. Which is completely reasonable. I guess Mom was right, though, and I do move to the beat of my own drum. I don’t need a party phase or some sort of hiatus to go and ‘find myself’ to know that Dax, and all that comes with him, is what I want. The door bursts open, and in walks Chevy. He’s obviously flustered and annoyed. He doesn’t even have to speak for me to know what it is that has him so wound up.
