Wolf’s Fall

by E. A. Reynolds

  Nic pulled open his door for him, and Mandalay climbed out as Ross and Artisan moved to the trunk.

  “We’re glad you’re here,” Ross said. “Your boyfriend was going all kinds of crazy like a girl on prom night.”

  Nic growled at his friend, and Ross snapped his teeth at him as he passed carrying a couple of bags.

  “I told you I was concerned,” Nic said, pulling him into a hug.

  “Why? They aren’t after me.”

  “They could be,” Nic said. “Who knows how deeply integrated Rush was into the mole team? Who knows what their state of mind is or how dedicated they are to protecting each other, and that means vengeance.”

  “Paramilitary? Baby, you’re going too far,” Mandalay said, shaking his head.

  “How can I know that when I have no idea who these bastards are?” Nic cupped his face. “Just try to obey me, pretty baby.”

  He sighed, and Nic kissed him, stealing the gust of air. Mandalay ran his hands up Nic’s back, settling against him.

  “Be a good boy for me,” Nic ordered. “I’ll lose it if anything happens to you.”

  “Fine,” Mandalay said softly as he stared into Nic’s eyes. “You know more about what’s going on than you’re telling me, don’t you?”

  “A very little,” Nic admitted. “The captain they killed last night was on the phone with Artisan when it all happened. Artisan heard everything that went down, including parts of the conversation that gave some of their game away.”

  “I’m sorry.” Mandalay ran his hands up Nic’s chest. “You guys were friends with that guy?”

  “Not really. We knew him well enough to want to get the fuckers behind this.”

  “Well, I got Rush, so you just have to get the other guy.”

  “I don’t want just one man, I want the mind that conceived this bullshit or as close as I can come,” he said, and Mandalay hugged him.

  He didn’t realize how much stress his mate was under. He wouldn’t add to it, but he wouldn’t hide if he had to fight.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Nic was glad Mandalay wouldn’t have to depend on just Ross tonight. Ross was a bit nervous after hearing what the enemy’s plan was thanks to the captain.

  They were after high-level soldiers, and Nic knew he was on the list he knew his mate could be a target simply because Mandalay was his. Also, there had been a mention of healers and how many the pack had.

  Nic feared the heales were a target for obvious reasons, but Jody hadn’t ordered protection of any of them, yet. Nic thought it was crazy and had tried to convince Kimble to have Leon and Nika watched, but Kimble hadn’t been willing to go against Jody.

  “I just wish you could be guarding him yourself,” Ross murmured and took a pull from his beer as they stood in the kitchen that evening.

  “Me too,” Nic said. “If Artisan didn’t have to be on duty, I’d have him do it.”

  “I’m just afraid if something happens to him, you’ll blame me forever.”

  Nic sighed and leaned against the counter. “If he dies, which isn’t that likely given his abilities, I’ll—I don’t know. I won’t survive it intact, but it won’t be your fault.”

  Ross shook his head. “What we know and what we accept aren’t always the same.”

  “Man up,” Nic muttered. “You can always kill me if it comes to that.”

  Ross snorted. “I can’t take you in a fair fight on my best day, let alone if your mate is killed on my watch.”

  “Why are you two hiding in here?” Robert asked as he joined them.

  “Talking,” Nic said.

  “I intercepted a transmission for Zane a few hours ago,” Robert told him. “He’s planning another strike tonight. He talked to a guy named Chico and a woman named Grace.”

  “What do they want him to do?” Nic demanded, holding up a hand when Ross would have spoken.

  “Kill the next three on the list,” Robert said. “Your name came up, Nic. They don’t want you dead yet, but they’re curious if you can be bought.”

  “Why?” Ross asked.

  “Someone told him you’re running the team that’s working in the tunnels. They want to know what’s going on down there. They know the panthers have been doing something on their end, as well, and they’re worried.”

  “What are they doing?” Ross quizzed curiously. “What are you doing, for that matter?”

  “Nothing, actually,” Nic said. “We just want to make them think we’re doing something other than running security checks.”

  Ross made a face. “Artisan could do that, and you could watch your own mate.”

  “I’ll be here,” Robert said. “Mandalay’s capable of defending himself, and Serena’s more than up to the challenge to my surprise.” He grinned.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Ross said in a resigned tone. He stepped out of the room, heading for the powder room.

  “I know he’s your friend, but do you trust him? He seems more reluctant to do this than he should. I know it’s a risk after what happened last night, but—”

  “I trust him, but he knows I’ll kill him if he allows harm to come to Mandy because he’s one of the traitors.”

  Robert nodded. “I’m concerned, too. This thing is really getting real, but I’m not too afraid to fight.”

  “I know.” He gave Robert’s shoulder a slap. “Thanks.”

  “They could be going after all healers to kill the pack faster,” Robert said. “Mandalay’s name is going to come up sooner or later if that’s the case.”

  “Let’s hope it’s later rather than sooner,” Nic said. “I’m glad you’ll be here tonight.”

  “Me too. I don’t want Serena without me during any of this.”

  Nic gave him a smile. “You’re finally making your move on her?” Nic asked. He knew Robert had been interested in Serena for a while.

  “I know the timing couldn’t be worse, but what the hell?”

  “True,” Nic agreed. “She’s a sweet woman. I hope she realizes you’re a hell of a guy.”

  * * * *

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” Mandalay said. “I’m going in a little later, so I can spend a few hours with you.”

  Mandalay hadn’t told his parents they were mates yet, and both had been upset that he was choosing to continue to spend time with Nic given the circumstances.

  His father had urged him to move back into the family home, and his mother had agreed. She’d told him it would be foolish to risk his life after what already happened.

  “Is that wise? You have antidotes to make, and I’ll be sleeping.”

  “I can make them here,” he said. “I have everything I need.” Mandalay ran his hand up Nic’s chest. “I think it’s important for us to bond some more, don’t you?”

  Nic pulled Mandalay into his arms, hands relaxing on Mandy’s ass. “Don’t think I don’t want that. I know your wolf needs to feel close to mine, but I’m not doing this on purpose.”

  “I know that.” Mandalay pressed a kiss to Nic’s lips. “I’m just letting you know you need to make time for me, even if all we do is sleep together when you get home.”

  Nic clenched his fingers on Mandalay’s ass. “Pretty baby, I adore you.”

  Mandalay smiled. “You better ’cause you’re my mate,” he murmured and kissed Nic again.

  Nic’s phone rang as their tongues dueled, and Mandalay growled when Nic broke the kiss. He nipped Nic’s bottom lip.

  “Tell them you’re taking care of me, you’ll get back to them later,” Mandalay urged.

  “Hello?” Nic asked. “Colby?”

  Colby Voss was a panther and a soldier for the Cactus Claw den in Peyton City. He was that alpha’s mate.

  Mandalay moved away from him to the other side of his bedroom to look out the window. He couldn’t hear more than a hum of Colby’s voice. He wasn’t angry that his man was a soldier. Soldiers were an important part of pack life.

  Mandalay was just angry this was all happenin
g while he was trying to cement his mating bond.

  True, it was his own fault for making sure the mating happened, but that didn’t change reality. He wanted more time to get to know the sexy man across the room from him. Mandalay was certain they could be happy together if Nic didn’t get killed.

  “No. I’m on my way.”

  “You have to go.” Mandalay turned to face him, seeing concern in Nic’s face. “Something wrong?”

  “Yeah.” Nic went to him. “The cats came into some information on the pack behind this. It’s definitely Valrossa and Blacktooth. They’re hoping to take over our den even if they have to do it an acre at a time.”

  “How’d they find out?”

  “Colby said an inside source told them what he could without saying enough to put his life in danger. He also said this inside man said people had to die in order to preserve his life.”

  “That’s horrible,” Mandalay murmured. “That means he knows who the next targets are and he won’t tell.”

  “That’s what it means,” Nic agreed. “Robert mentioned healers might be a target eventually.”

  “Do you trust him? He could be a mole.”

  “He’s okay,” Nic said. “I’m more worried about my pretty baby.”

  “I’ll be fine, sweetie,” Mandalay assured him. “Be safe, my love.”

  Nic gave him a grim nod. “You too.”

  * * * *

  “Everything is all set,” Manuel told Grace as he perched on the edge of the kitchen table. “We’ll finish off the eight and take out the healer, Nika.”

  “What about the other one?”

  “No. I have another plan for him for now. I was told there was another healer in their ranks,” Manuel said. “One who’s a skilled nurse and apothecary.”

  “I got that intel,” she said. “The best info we can get on him is through Leon.”

  “I know, but Leon doesn’t really know him. We need the contact who’s taken a liking to you to get the information.”

  She nodded. “I’ll get her on it. She wants a place in our ranks when all is said and done.”

  “She’ll have one,” he said. “But she’ll need to earn it.”

  “She will,” Grace assured him. “Do you want me in the den tonight?”

  “If you can get in.”

  “Oh, I’ll get in. I want to make sure all of our targets are taken out, especially that special one.”

  He gave her a patient smile. “Don’t do anything risky, if you want to rule that den with me. We’re just preparing to take half, not the entire thing—yet. So, I have a job for you. Leave Kimble be for now.”

  “What could be more important?”

  He chuckled. “Setting the stage. I want those tunnels.”

  She nodded. “Okay. What do you want me to do?”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Everything is all set,” Colby told Nic later that evening. “Have you gone over the evacuation plan? We had several problems when they took us by surprise. They’ll probably do the same to you.”

  Nic pushed out a sigh. “We’re trying not to be too conspicuous, but all the kids were moved this afternoon. We’re not as big as you guys, so some of the dominant boys and girls will be conscripted as novice soldiers.”

  “Have you been preparing them?”

  Nic nodded. “Jody put me to work on it as soon as you guys were invaded. The kids are prepared as they can be, but the back-up team not so much.”

  “Just get them down here,” Colby told him, his blue eyes filled with determination.

  Nic grimace. He hated what those kids might have to face, but they didn’t have the luxury of coddling the youngest of their soldiers. They were wolves, they’d fight or die for their own.

  “Right.”

  Colby started to touch him but stopped. “It’s always hard the first time you go into battle,” Colby told him. “You know that. We don’t become tried by talking or simulation.”

  “I just hate they’ll have to get thrown into the hornet’s nest so soon,” Nic muttered and ran a hand over his head.

  “They’ll survive it,” Colby told him. “Good luck to you.”

  He held up his hand, fist clenched, thoughts on the coming days and the upheaval the den would face. “Thanks.”

  “Nic,” Bowen called. “We have to go up.”

  “Thanks, Colby. Thanks for everything.” They shook hands, and Nic followed his friend back up to the surface.

  “I hope this is all for nothing,” Bowen said. “The kids will have a break from school, and we’ll all have a good laugh after we exhale.”

  The tension in his friend’s voice assured Nic Bo wasn’t counting on this being a false alarm.

  “Yeah,” Nic said softly, his mind wandering to his mate. He hoped neither of them died anytime soon.

  “I’ll come back to his place with you,” Bowen said. “I’ve got nothing waiting for me back at my place but a cold bed and the chance of ending up dead.”

  “If only we knew who all the moles were,” Nic said. “The few we are aware of are nothing with so much on the line.”

  “No, but let’s not obsess over that tonight.”

  They took Bowen’s truck to Mandalay’s and Nic let them in. A TV played softly, the voices coming from the living room. Nic checked to find Ross on the couch dozing. He led the way upstairs to the tiny room that couldn’t even pass as a guest room.

  There was only a twin bed but it had its own bathroom. Bowen headed inside to shower and Nic headed to Mandalay’s bedroom.

  Mandy was curled up in bed sleeping, so Nic took a shower himself before changing into lounge pants and T-shirt. He didn’t want to go to bed in too little in case he had to get up in the middle of the night.

  He climbed in bed and leaned back against the pillows, and Mandy stirred. Nic smoothed his mate’s hair, anger and fear mingling in his belly.

  “Hey,” Mandalay murmured and snuggled closer. He kissed Nic, who kissed him back as he caressed Mandalay’s back. “Is everything okay?”

  “All’s quiet for now,” Nic said. “Sleep.” He kissed Mandalay’s cheek. It might be the last peaceful night’s sleep either of them would get soon.

  * * * *

  Mandalay woke the soft snick of the door’s lock. Nic was still next to him, but his wolf came to instant awareness, scenting something acrid.

  “Move,” Nic said in his ear.

  Mandalay rolled off the other side of the bed at the same time Nic sat up with a pillow in hand. Mandalay came up on his knees in time to see Nic ram his fist into the shadowy form. Then, he slammed him into the closet.

  “Ross, you fuck-up,” Nic snarled. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Ross didn’t speak as Mandalay reached for the lamp.

  “Ross?” The sound of skin meeting skin made Mandalay flinch.

  “Talk to me, you bastard.” Nic slung his friend into the wall next to the bathroom.

  “I had no choice,” Ross snapped. “I got in debt, gambling. The only way out was to do this.”

  “This? Attack me and my man?”

  “Just you,” he said. “I was told to kill you, Bo, and Artisan.”

  Nic swung on him, and Ross caught his fist, but Nic grabbed Ross around the neck with his other hand.

  “I would have helped you, asshole,” Nic said, anguish in his tone.

  “Nic. You don’t understand,” he screamed. “You never put a foot wrong—not this far off the path. Even if you had, your family would have bailed your ass out.”

  “I’d have bailed you out,” Nic muttered. “We have bailed your ass out, but you couldn’t stop.”

  “I tried.”

  “Not hard enough,” Nic said and then released him. “You pathetic fucker. How much have you already helped them?”

  “I did what I was told.”

  “And you couldn’t come to me?” Nic demanded.

  “And say what after the first time? After the attack at the lake?” Ross demanded. “I h
elped hyenas get into the den. I used your passcodes every time. I figured someone would suspect you, but they never did, because you’re fucking lucky charm.”

  Nic shook his head, and Mandalay saw the disgust in his eyes.

  “They want the den, and I’m going to help them get it,” Ross said. “I’ll get my debt wiped and an actual position of authority, which I never could get with you or Bo around.”

  He charged Nic, and Mandalay stared, eyes wide. He wanted to do something, but he knew not what.

  Time seemed to slow down as the two friends collided. Fists flew and Nic seemed to be trying not to kill Ross. However, something changed between one blink of an eye and another. Nic was on the floor with Ross bent over him when Ross leaned in closer and said something to him.

  Nic’s eyes turned murderous, and he shoved Ross off him and rolled away from him. As Ross went at him, Nic came up on his knees, claws out. He sank them into Ross’s stomach before biting his shoulder.

  Ross let out a harsh cry and then went into convulsions before collapsing on the floor.

  “Oh, god,” Mandalay breathed out, shaking. “Nic, I’m sorry.” He looked at Nic, horrified at what he must have done. He’d shot cold at Ross.

  Nic seemed to ignore him, and Mandalay rubbed his hands on his arms, hoping Nic would forgive him.

  “Mandy,” Nic snapped, and he jumped. “Baby, get dressed.”

  Mandalay stared at him as Nic moved to grab his phone from the nightstand.

  “Go.” His voice was taut.

  He was really angry Mandalay thought, jerking himself from his stupor and going to the dresser to grab some clothes.

  “How much time?” Nic asked. “Fuck. I didn’t think—no. I’m moving. I understand.”

  “Nic!” Bowen shouted. “We have to move. The fucking hyenas are moving in fast, and they’re not alone. They’ve got weapons and jackals.”

  Nic ended his call. “We’re coming. Pack a few things,” Nic told him. “We’ve got fifteen minutes tops to move out.”

  “My parents,” Mandalay screeched.