by Kimbra Swain
He moved impossibly fast, pinning me to the wall in the hallway. I bared my teeth on instinct. His body pressed to mine, then I felt his arousal. His strong hand curled around my neck, gripping it tightly. His lips pressed to mine, searching for reciprocation. He didn’t appall me, but I wasn’t interested. He opened his eyes. Tears hovered on the edges. “This is why I cannot be Alpha,” he choked out. Just as fast as he’d pinned me, he was gone. I heard movement upstairs as I caught my breath. That did complicate things for him and his pack.
I didn’t sleep and leaving didn’t seem like the right thing to do either. Around 2 am, the phone he’d given me illuminated in the room. He’d texted me.
“I understand if you want to leave, but I threw your duffle bag and clothes away. Sorry. There was no saving that shit. It’s not even about you. It’s about who I am, and I can never be the real person that I am.”
A few weeks ago, at a truck stop, I heard a woman complaining how no one wanted to have conversations anymore because of cell phones. Sully needed that buffer to talk though.
“I’m disappointed. I thought I was devastatingly handsome.”
I heard him laugh upstairs.
“You kinda are, but you aren’t my type.”
It was my turn to laugh.
“Sorry that you can’t handle my uber masculinity.”
“Actually, you need some work in that area. You look down too much. You refuse to make eye contact. You cowered before my father, but you are an Alpha. You are his equal.”
“I don’t have a pack. I’m not an Alpha.”
“You are just as much one as he is. You just haven’t found your place.”
“I’m not leaving. Stop bothering me so I can sleep.”
“Thank you, Nick.”
I wasn’t sure why he was thanking me. He’d given me more of a home than I’d had in ages. I’d repay him by sticking around and helping him figure all of this out.
Thirteen
Months went by while I lived in Sully’s house and worked at the brewery. He had taught me everything about the business from top to bottom. I enjoyed the work. During the hours we were open, I kept working behind the scenes to limit my contact with the public and the members of his pack. I’d had a few of them turn their noses up at me, and I just wanted to avoid any confrontation for his sake.
We didn’t talk about the kiss at all. He didn’t talk about being gay. His sister didn’t talk about her betrothed. We went through each day as if nothing was wrong, but it bothered me. I don’t know what it was, but I felt like there had to be a solution for them. Somewhere in that hope for them, I found hope for my own situation.
“Quit daydreaming, Loner. We’ve got a packed house,” Sully called out to me.
“Sorry. What’s up?” I asked.
“Can you go hook up that last amber keg to the tap? We are out up front,” he said.
“Sure thing, boss,” I said. We kept the kegs in a storage room behind the building. I grabbed a pair of gloves by the door and stepped out into the cool night. Sully had given me keys to the whole place, his home, and a vehicle for my use. In the darkness, I searched for the key. My wolf sight made it easy to see at night. Those senses also sent tingles down my spine as someone moved in the darkness behind me.
“Well, I’ve been waiting for the right moment to have a conversation with you,” the man said.
I spun around but kept my wolf in check. When I saw the man, my heartbeat sped up. “What do you want?”
Creed Davis stepped out of the shadows with two other wolves in human form. Both were former members of the Whiskey Chitto pack.
“Look at you. A bitch for another pack's Alpha heir. Are you fucking him too? I’ve heard he’s a little sweet.”
“It’s none of your business if I am.”
“We have unfinished business.”
“You need to move along. You are in Houma territory. I work for the Alpha and his son.”
“You are a coward hiding behind a family you don’t belong to.”
I crossed the space between us and got into his face. “My family and pack are dead.”
“And it’s your fault.”
“And I’ve stayed away.”
“You ran away, leaving us to be demolished by the Oberlin pack. Do you think their takeover was peaceful? Do you know how many of us died trying to protect a lost cause? Your father was weak. You are a coward, and Regina screamed as they killed her.”
I growled, shoving him away from me. The other two came after me. I threw one of them off, but the second one laid a punch across my jaw which dazed me. Creed had regained his balance, and he threw punch after punch. I got one or two in, but the other two held me as Creed laid punch after punch. I refused to shift and run. I’d take this beating and hope they didn’t kill me. Eventually, I blacked out.
“Suzi! Get the doc!” Sully screamed. “Who did this to you?”
I could barely hear his voice, and I couldn’t open my eyes to see him. I felt his warm touch on my face, then over my body as he checked for injuries.
“Oh, my god!” Suzi exclaimed. “The doc left a little while ago.”
“Go after him. I’m going to take him home,” Sully said.
“No. Just leave me,” I muttered.
“You are stupid. Like I would leave you half-dead in an alley,” he smirked.
“I knew they would come after me,” I said.
“Oberlin?” he asked.
“No, it was guys from Whiskey Chitto.”
“So, yes, it was Oberlin, because they are all Oberlin now. That means they’ve crossed into our territory and attacked one of our own,” Sully said with an added growl.
“I’m a loner.”
He grabbed my face and pain shot through me. “You are my family.”
“Sully, what happened?” I heard the voice of the pack’s beta ask.
“Gerome, we need to case the area. Oberlin pack has paid us a visit,” Sully said. “And send one of the guys to bring my car around the back. I’m taking him home.”
“Yes, sir,” the beta said.
He took out his phone and made calls like an Alpha should. He had mobilized half of the Houma pack to find the men that had attacked me. He fielded questions as he spoke. I heard the rumble of his car as someone pulled it up next to us. The two of them helped me to my feet and placed me in his car.
He continued to make calls, directing the pack as he drove home.
“You need to put the phone down and pay attention to the road,” I said.
“What do you care? You are half-dead, anyway.” I tried to laugh, but it hurt too much. “Give me names.”
“I don’t…”
“Are you serious?” he argued. “You are going to protect them?”
“I got what I deserved.”
“Why? Because you ran to preserve your life. You ran from a father who beat you and his wife. You ran from a pack that didn’t want you. You have learned nothing while you’ve been here.”
“It’s just that I always knew if I stayed in one place, they would hunt me down. I’m just glad they didn’t hurt you or Suzi.”
“Suzi caught them. She shifted immediately, which triggered me. We have a weird twin connection. We ran them off. I can identify them, but I need names.”
“Is she hurt?”
“Nothing significant.”
“Are you?”
“Other than my feelings, no. I just thought you trusted me.”
“I do trust you.”
“Then tell me their names!” he yelled. The car stopped, and through my swollen eyes, I could make out the shape of the house.
“Creed Davis was the main guy. The other two I can’t remember their names. I recognized them, but I don’t remember. I swear. Sully, you can’t fix this.”
“The hell I can’t.” He was mad at me, yet treated me no differently than normal.
“How bad is my face?” I asked.
“You look like shit.”
“Y
ou still want me?”
He huffed. “Shut up, Nick.”
A couple of the guys from the pack had followed us, and they helped me get into the house to my bedroom.
“Thanks, guys,” I muttered.
“We will find them, Nick,” they assured me.
“Just be careful. I’ll be fine,” I said.
They left quietly, leaving me with Sully who continued to field calls. Suzi arrived with the doctor. She had a bandage on her shoulder.
“Shit. He said you weren’t hurt!” I said, as she sat down on the bed next to me.
“It’s almost healed up. No biggie,” she said. “You are healing slow.”
“I took a few shots,” I said.
“You scared the shit out of him,” she said, referring to Sully.
“Suzi, we’ve talked about this.” She and I had talked about it at length because she didn’t want me breaking her brother’s heart. “You guys are better family than I’ve ever had, but I can’t give him what he needs.”
“You are an idiot.”
“You like calling me names!”
“I meant because you are like our brother. Not because of anything else.”
“Oh, my bad,” I said. The doctor looked over my wounds, dressing the jagged tears in my skin from Creed’s claws. The swelling in my face would go down. He decided not to stitch up my lip saying it would heal.
“Why isn’t he healing faster?” Suzi asked as Sully stepped back into the room.
“Because Creed is Faeborn,” I said.
“They are out of the territory. They had planned it. We won’t cross into another pack’s territory. It will go to the diplomats now. But I’ll warn you, Father is on his way here,” Sully said.
“Why?” Suzi asked.
“They attacked him in our territory, wearing my ring. He’s protected, and they went after him. We have a non-aggression agreement with Oberlin. It doesn’t matter that they were once Whiskey Chitto. They follow the rules of the pack they are in. Just like Nick follows our rules,” Sully said.
“What does your father want?” I asked.
“Specifics of the reason you left home. He wants to know about Creed Davis and how well you know him,” Sully said.
“Creed is the one that constantly stirred up stuff to undermine my father,” I said.
“You can tell him when he gets here,” Sully said. The doc gave Suzi instructions on dressing the wounds and left us alone. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got the shit beat out of me because my boss sent me on a beer run,” I said.
“He will be fine,” Suzi said. She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I have no desire to be here when he arrives.”
Her father had told her that her betrothed would be coming to stay with us for a while to get to know her. All of us were pissed about it, but we hadn’t found a solution yet. When Sully suggested again that I marry her, we both protested. It felt like my time here was ending, and I’d already hurt for those I’d leave behind. This incident confirmed that I needed to leave.
Hiram Talbot arrived in a foul mood. In fact, I had never seen him in a good mood.
“What is this nonsense? Where was our security?” he asked. I knew he’d go after Sully, blaming him in some way.
“We had security, but it was a busy part of the night. I sent Nick out back to get another keg. The taps were dry,” Sully explained.
“If that place didn’t bring in the money that it does, I would shut it down! I’ve indulged you for too long. You need to pick a mate. Your sister needs to marry and take this pressure off your mother and me,” he ranted.
“I apologize, Sir. This is my fault. I left Whiskey Chitto to save my own ass, and I knew one day they would find me. It was why I kept moving, but I love your family. I love being here and working in the brewery. I will move on immediately,” I said.
“Are you involved with my son?” Hiram asked.
“Father!” Sully yelled.
“What if I am?” I asked. Sully clamped his mouth shut and looked at me with questioning eyes. “Pardon my frankness, but what if I am? Your son has done everything he can to make you proud of him. He went to an Ivy League school. He built that business from nothing. He runs the pack like an Alpha. What do you care who he is involved with?”
I stood up from the bed, even though it hurt like hell.
“Nick, please,” Sully said softly.
“Are you finished?” Hiram asked.
“You don’t have to worry. Don’t get into a dispute with Oberlin over me. I’m leaving,” I said
“No!” Sully exclaimed. His father held up his hand and grabbed my arm with the other. My fangs extended as did his.
“If you were involved with my son, I could go after Oberlin for attacking the significant other of the Alpha heir. I need to know everything that happened at Whiskey Chitto before you ran,” he said.
“Dad?”
“Sully, I’m not blind,” Hiram said. “Get Nick dressed, and I’ll meet the two of you in the living room.” He released me, then left us alone.
Sully tackle hugged me and pain ripped through my body. “Holy shit! What did you just do?”
“I was protecting my best friend. Don’t get any ideas. You still don’t have the equipment I need,” I said.
“I’d kiss you again if you weren’t such a homophobe,” he said, releasing the hug.
“Yeah, well, you know me,” I huffed. “Can I get dressed now?”
“Sure. I’ll help,” he said.
Sully helped me sit down in the living room. Hiram sat with his leg crossed over his knee, drinking a bottle of Crescent Moon.
“I couldn’t find your alcohol,” he said.
“What do you want? I’ll fix it,” Sully said.
“This is fine. Get your sister,” Hiram ordered. I felt the power of the Alpha behind it. He wasn’t afraid to use that power like my father had been. Sully climbed the steps to the second floor two by two. He returned quickly with a very reluctant Suzi behind him.
She sat down next to me on the couch. Sully stood behind us, waiting for his father’s questions.
“Nick, start at the beginning. I want to know how your father met your mother. What happened when you got older and what made you leave your pack.”
I told him the same story that I’d told Sully. I told him how Creed Davis stirred-up the pack against my father and how my mother had outright rejected me. I told him about the seven years I spent on the road, and how I ended up here.
“Who were the people that your mother sent through your town? Do you ever remember seeing any of them?” he asked.
“Yeah. It seemed like fairy families on the run from the Otherworld. All different kinds,” I said.
“How closely did you interact with them?” he asked.
“I didn’t. We’d prepared a few extra apartments in town for them to stay in while they passed through. They kept to themselves,” I replied.
“I believe your father was set-up,” he said.
“What?”
“Before my children were born, a fairy woman approached me, offering to produce an heir for me. I declined her offer. My wife and I had just gotten married, and I expected her to be pregnant with the first full moon. She was and gave birth to Sullivan and Suzanna. I heard that this fairy woman had birthed a child for a nearby pack and had a similar arrangement with them.”
“My father?”
“No. Another nearby pack. The Alpha of that pack approached me last year for help. He’d made the deal with the fairy as your father had, but he discovered that the families moving through his territory weren’t families at all. They were traffickers on route to Las Vegas. Fairy trafficking is big business, and by making the deals with the packs, it gave the fairies free and protected passage through our territories. Once we began asking around, we realized that more than just one or two packs were affected. Not only that, when issues arose, as they did with your pack, the fairy queen would send her minions in to d
estroy confidence in the Alpha. Another pack would come in and consume them. One that was still obeying her,” he said.
“Do you have any idea who she is?” Sully asked.
“We are getting close to tracking her. We believe she works out of Steelshore, Alabama. The docks there aren’t as heavily monitored as some bigger seaports. She’s funneling these captured fairies through those ports. To be honest, I don’t give a shit about fairy business, but I’ll be damned if one of those scheming fairies try to take down the packs. I won’t allow them to be ruled by the likes of her,” he said. “Which is why I need my children to follow traditional paths. We need to stay strong during this time. At least until we can get this figured out.”
We sat in silence. Sully hung his head, and I hurt for him. He’d never shown any interest in any particular male because of his father, and now he had very little hope of being himself. His father kept his eyes on me.
“Your children would be stronger supporters of the entire pack system if they were happy in their station in life,” I said.
“Their station in life is, and has always been, to do what was best for the pack. I don’t fault you for your decision to leave Whiskey Chitto. When you left, it was too late to save it. However, I will not give up on Houma so easily,” he said.
“You didn’t have children with her or make a deal, right?”
“I didn’t, but my wife is still one of them.”
“Does she know her?” I asked.
“If she could see her face to face, she might recognize her, but outside of that, there is no way to know,” he said. “I admire you for sitting here, questioning me so boldly. You have the guts of an Alpha. It’s too bad you have no pack.”
“I have a pack. I’m a member of Houma,” I said. Suzi slipped her hand into mine and squeezed.