Wolf’s Fall

by E. A. Reynolds

  Like a repentant child, Nic quickly released her mate and stepped out of range when the man rounded on him. Cross tripped as he swung and missed. He stumbled, and Nic grabbed him by the back of his shirt to prevent him from hitting the floor hard.

  Cross shook him off and jerked around, glaring up at him. “You bastard,” he snarled. “Mya, that bastard molested our son.”

  “I haven’t touched Mandy, yet,” Nic replied.

  Mya sighed. “Honey, you’ve got to come to terms with this,” she said softly. “Manly is gay. No amount of you wanting to make him straight is going to change that. He’s not meant for a woman, but we both know he’ll likely still give us grandkids, thankfully.”

  Cross growled, the agony and distaste clear in the sound.

  “Go on, Nicolane,” Mya urged. Then to her husband she said, “Come into the kitchen, dear. I need you to talk to the supplier.”

  Nic gave her a nod and headed for the door. He was only outside a few moments when Mya called out to him. He turned to face her, and she strode across the patio with a smile.

  “I’m surprised by all this,” she said. “I knew you thought Mandalay was your mate, but I figured you’d realized that wasn’t true by now since you haven’t made your intentions known.”

  “I was waiting for the right time,” he said.

  She shook her head. “There was never going to be a right time. My mate wants a son, not two daughters, as he puts it.”

  “Mandy isn’t a girl, thank god,” Nic commented, making a face. “He’s smart and talented. I think he just started working under Leon, the pack’s primary healer, right?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “He’s having trouble with Mandalay. He won’t accept him as a trainee, and Jody isn’t pushing it right now.”

  “I think that might change in the future,” Nic said. He wanted to pound some sense into the healer himself.

  “That would be good. Mandalay really is good at what he does. Did you ask him out, then?”

  “He’s making me wait for an answer,” Nic replied. “But I came here to ask him out because I wanted you and Cross to know I intended to claim Mandy.”

  “Is Jody having you train him just so you can have time to get to know each other?”

  “That would be unlike him,” Nic told her.

  Jody wasn’t interested in getting in his affairs, for which Nic was thankful. Jody was concerned about the pack’s future, and he wanted all able-bodied men able to fight.

  “Good. Don’t push too hard,” she said in warning. “You might think Mandalay is your mate, but that doesn’t mean he is.” She gave him a smile and retreated back the way she’d come.

  Nic couldn’t help smiling. He’d liked Mya the moment he met her, and he still did. However, he wasn’t going to allow her or her husband to stand in the way of him claiming his mate.

  * * * *

  “Why can’t you just go out with a girl?” Cross demanded angrily as he wiped off a counter in the kitchen. “This would be so much easier.”

  Mandalay studied his father, seeing the anger in his tightened features. He wished for the thousandth time that he could make this easier for him, but he couldn’t. There was no way to be anything more than what he was.

  “I’m gay, Dad,” he replied. “I thought you’d come to terms with that.”

  “How can I?” he thundered and slammed his fist on the counter. “Damn it, Manly. You’re an attractive boy. The girls go crazy for you. Take one of them to the dance. Date her for six months, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll let it go.” His father faced him then, his eyes glowing with hope.

  “Dad.” He sighed. “I’ve tried that.” Twice. “It doesn’t work.”

  “Have you really tried?” he demanded. “Being with a woman is natural. Right. The scent of her, the way she moves, and the way she feels. Maybe you’re just shy, and you need a woman who can lead.”

  Pain knotted his stomach. “That’s not what I need.”

  “And you think going out with that muscle head is?” Cross snapped. “He’s put you under some kind of spell, made you think you’re gay with those notes he sent you years ago.”

  Mandalay winced at the rage in his father’s face. “This isn’t Nic’s fault.”

  His father turned his back on him. “You’re just confused. Now that you’ve met him, you can get past it.” Cross looked at him again, came to him, and gripped him by both shoulders. “I’m ordering you to get a haircut and put this behind you.”

  “I don’t think he’s going to just let it go until I at least go out with him,” Mandalay said. “I should. He’s kind of cute.”

  “Cute?” Cross demanded, face contorted in a confused mask.

  “Yes,” he said and laughed despite the horror on his father’s face. “He’s hot, but it’s just one date.”

  “One date?” He frowned.

  “Nicolane asked me to the dance. I’m going to go with him, maybe.” Mandalay winced at the look on his father’s face.

  Cross released him. “I’m so disappointed in you, Mandalay,” he said heavily and walked away from him. “I can’t talk to you right now. You need to go to your lab.”

  “Dad—”

  “No. I don’t know if I can accept this, so get out of my sight.”

  Mandalay exited the kitchen with shoulders slumped, sadness riding him. He thought they’d been past that, but obviously his father wasn’t going to be able to accept this part of him.

  He’d talk to Jody about working out of the infirmary. There had to be space there for him. If not, he’d work out of his home. He could run his small portion of the business there.

  “Manly,” his mother said with a smile. “I thought you’d be working.”

  “I will when I get back. I’m going to talk to Jody,” he said.

  “About what?” she asked with a frown. “Your father said he’d talk to him about getting you out of that training. We need you here. The medical staff needs you healthy.”

  “I don’t think Dad will be doing that,” he said. “He probably thinks it will make me into a man.”

  His mother’s pretty eyes turned sad. “Your father is just going through a hard time with this. He never expected to have a snow wolf son, but neither did I. The genes have never shown up in my family or his.”

  “I am what I am, Mom.”

  “I know,” she said softly. “We both love you, but we just hoped you’d be an exception and give us another daughter-in-law who has snow wolves.”

  He gave her a thin smile. “I know. I’m okay with it, but I don’t think Dad wants me around here. So, I’ll see if I can work out of the infirmary.”

  “Nonsense,” she exclaimed. “You’ll work here. If your father said otherwise, then, he’s wrong. You go see Jody and get back here. And don’t think just because Nicolane has been sending you those letters you’re obligated to hang onto any fantasies he’s created. You’re free to make your own choices.”

  “I know, Mom. I haven’t made any concerning Nicolane. I don’t even know him.”

  “Go out on the date and get that out of your system. It might be all it takes.”

  He gave her a weak smile and headed through the den to Jody’s office. He was allowed in only after security made a call to Jody to confirm that it was okay for him to be admitted.

  “Come in,” Jody called when he knocked on the door.

  Mandalay stepped in to find Jody seated behind his desk. The office had once been Jody’s brother, Xavier’s. X had been their alpha and one who hadn’t had a favorable opinion of gays himself. There is no telling if he would have come around or not had he not been killed by their enemies.

  “Have a seat, Mandalay,” Jody said, motioning to a chair before his desk. “Is everything okay?”

  “No. I can’t do what you want me to do. I’m not a leader, and why are you even suggesting it?”

  “Because that’s the way it is,” Jody told him. “The group of boys you’ll be working with is teens. I think it�
��s important for them to work with someone who’s out and has practice standing his ground.”

  “Jody.”

  “I want a diverse pack. I want my packmates to learn to accept and respect the gay men and women. You’re an example that I’m proud of. These boys will be moving from boyhood into their roles in the pack, some as soldiers.”

  “Then, let one of the soldiers work with them,” Mandalay insisted. “I’m not cut out to lead.”

  “I think you are,” he said. “And you’re going to do it.” Jody shrugged. “As for the training, you need it. The men around here equate the ability to defend oneself with manhood. So, you’ll take the first two levels of training in case I need you to defend the kids and old ones.”

  “I—do you think that will be necessary?” Mandalay asked, horrified.

  “It might, and I want everyone who can fight, ready to fight.”

  “Why put me with Nicolane?” he asked curiously.

  “He’s gay, and he’s available with the changes I’m making.”

  “I thought he was head of security,” Mandalay said.

  “I’ve changed his role slightly,” Jody informed him.

  “To what?”

  “That’s not yours to know,” he replied. “I expect you to report to him for training starting tomorrow. Let him know your schedule so he can work around it.”

  Mandalay sighed. “Did you know he thought he was my mate?”

  “Yes, but don’t expect special treatment. Now, get back to work.”

  Mandalay got to his feet. “I can’t let him know my schedule, because I don’t have his number.”

  Jody gave him a curious look and then rattled it off.

  “Thanks,” Mandalay said and slipped from the office. On his way back to the shop, he made the call.

  “Hello?” Nicolane’s voice was quiet and masculine in his ear.

  Mandalay’s heart beat faster. “H-hi. Nicolane?”

  “Hello, Mandy,” he answered. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I just—well, I was thinking we could go to the dance together.”

  “Okay,” Nicolane said. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  “My house,” Mandalay said. “And it’s just one date, so don’t think I’m going to be swept off my feet because you’re cute.”

  “No, of course not,” Nic said with a hint of humor in his tone. “I’m sorry about causing trouble with your dad.”

  “It’s not you,” Mandalay remarked, kicking a stone as he made his way along the paved walk that led past a few shops.

  “I should have been more discreet.”

  “I agree, but it’s done now. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “I can’t wait,” Nic murmured. “I have to go. Later.”

  “Bye.” He ended the call and his lips curved into a smile as he pressed his phone to his chest.

  “What’s got you in such a sunshiny mood?”

  Mandalay jumped at the sound of his best friend’s voice. “Cairo.” His friend was standing at the door of the coffee shop and diner.

  “Don’t ‘Cairo’ me,” he crooned and pushed away from the door. “What’s his name?”

  Mandalay giggled. “Nicolane asked me to the dance.”

  “Are you serious!” Cairo exclaimed as he grabbed his arm. “He is serious eye candy.”

  “I know,” Mandalay cried.

  “What did you say?” Cairo demanded. “I hope you said no like a fool, because I’ll gladly dance with him tonight.”

  “As if.” Mandalay made a face. “I said yes, so stay away from him.”

  Cairo rolled his eyes. “I don’t poach.”

  “Good. I’m so nervous, Cai,” he said. “What if we don’t hit it off?” And he wanted them to, sort of. Mostly he wasn’t sure what he wanted to happen.

  “Then, no harm no foul. I can go out with him.” Cairo grinned, and Mandalay glared.

  “What about the bro code?” Mandalay protested. Part of him was furious Cairo could even think of going out with Nic.

  “Cairo, get back in here,” an angry voice called.

  He pushed out a put-upon sigh. “Call me when you get off. We can walk home together and talk about him then and what you’re going to wear.”

  “Okay.” He waved has his friend hurried back to the shop. Mandalay smiled a secret smile. Maybe his life was about to take a turn for the better whether his father came around or not.

  Chapter Four

  Nicolane sat in the back with a female soldier named Kendra as Kimble drove them to their destination. Jody had agreed to meet with a jackal on the edge of their property. They could have walked or even run there, but Jody hadn’t been inclined to do either because he was leaving the den for a meeting with the Nightshade alpha right after.

  “Nic, I’m not expecting any trouble,” Jody said. “But I want you to get out up ahead and walk the rest of the way. Stay in the trees.”

  “Fine.” Nic didn’t ask what Jody hoped to accomplish. If he wanted him in the trees, it was for a reason. He’d listen and see if there was anything to learn.

  “Stop, Kimble,” Jody ordered.

  The truck rolled to a stop and Nic climbed out. He headed into the tree line and vanished into the towering trees. Some were still naked and winter brown, while others were green, the color a dull reflection of the winter.

  Nic walked halfway there before climbing up a tree and using the foliage of the pines for cover as he maneuvered his way to the site. He was quiet as he could be, and Nic didn’t pick up anything until a few minutes after he’d settled into a cradle made by the thick limbs.

  “Just take it easy,” a masculine voice said. “They’ll be here any minute.”

  “What makes you so sure he won’t come in guns blazing?” Another masculine voice and this one held a hint of fear.

  “He won’t. Jody is a priss, and he owes us. If he doesn’t fulfill his duty, he’s a dead man along with that frou-frou that shares his bed.”

  “You’re operating under the assumption that all gay men are weak,” a third man said. His tone held a bit of disdain. “That will get someone killed. I know Kimble. He’s nowhere near the kind of man who’ll take shit, and Jody was never part of the team. That was all an act.”

  “Then, he’ll get the payment he deserves,” the first man to speak said.

  Nic could see him from the trees. The man had dark brown hair and a lean body. He was in his late forties, though. That meant nothing in their world. A man was as virile as his animal.

  “Don’t be fooled by Jody like X was,” the third man said. “He’s not exactly the man he seems to be.”

  “And you think he can defeat me?” the first speaker said, his voice tight.

  “If you underestimate him,” the third man said. “He’ll destroy you and the units you bring in. Handle him with care. Stick to the plan Valente laid out, and we’ll be fine.”

  “I know what I’m doing, asshole,” the man said. “I don’t need my brother’s guidance. Now, get out of here before he arrives.”

  “With pleasure,” the third man said and took off at a run.

  Nic tracked him for a few minutes before bringing his gaze back to the men that were left.

  “They’re coming,” a voice replied.

  Nic leaned forward, but he didn’t have to see the device in the man’s hands to know he was using a walkie-talkie rather than a phone. A deliberate attempt at transparency, his guess. He wanted to put Jody at ease when he clearly had plans to become a problem.

  “Do you think he’s going to buy this?” the second man quizzed.

  “Nobody knows we’re still operating in the area. Voss assumed the attack was merely orchestrated by Wildhead. He won’t have warned Jody to be wary with my brother still engaging Voss in a few small ways.”

  “This might be a good distraction, but it might not last long,” the man said. “I didn’t have any contact with Jody when he was working with us months ago, but I know Beaker said he was hard to read. He d
idn’t trust him. Few did.”

  “That doesn’t matter,” the first man said. “We’re not here to renew old alliances, Malfoy. We’re here to finish what we started.”

  “What about Cole?” he asked. “Once he gets wind Blacktooth is running drugs here, he might launch his own attack. If he doesn’t, Tamber might. This is still her territory.”

  “Fuck her,” he said. “We’ll deal with her later.”

  Nic snorted silently. He knew Tamber, and he’d say she was a grossly underestimated opponent. She could be as cold and calculating as Cole, and just as deadly.

  She wouldn’t like hearing someone was infringing on her grounds. She’d want in the moment she heard.

  “I’d advise you to get your brother or Marvin to prepare a team to deal with her now before she becomes a problem.”

  “Let me do my job,” the man muttered. “This is going to be our home soon, but if you’re too much of a pansy to fight the battle for it, I’ll send you back to Marvin.”

  “I was sent to advise you,” he said calmly. “That’s all I’m doing, Palmer.”

  Palmer sneered at him but didn’t reply. It was clear Palmer might be a difficult opponent. However, his arrogance and need to prove himself better than his brother or Marvin would be his downfall, of that Nic was certain.

  “Jody,” the man said as he stuck out his hand.

  “Palmer,” Jody greeted him coolly as he accepted the hand thrust out to him. “To what do I owe the visit?”

  “I’m leader of a small pack called Resin, and we’re interested in settling in the area,” Palmer replied in a congenial tone.

  “Why?” Jody asked. “What will you bring to Willow Creek? The area is beautiful but there aren’t many specialized jobs.”

  “We’re entrepreneurs,” he said. “We’d like to open a little shop.”

  “Dealing in what?” Jody pressed as he walked a little closer to Palmer.

  “Wine. There is a small winery for sale. I’m bidding on it. I think we can make it work. And we’ll be opening a little restaurant or some kind of business that will complement the winery.”

  “I see,” Jody said. He studied Palmer, who did the same to Jody.