To Come First

by J C Rae

  Of course, the group is made up of mostly females and I'm guessing a few of them want my mates. Normally, I would find this amusing, but tonight I'm not really feeling generous. Instead of backing down, I stop in my tracks and make eye contact with the obvious leader. She seems shocked that I have singled her out but it's not enough to remove the look in her eyes. She wants to see me in pain and I get the feeling she wants to be the one to dole that punishment out. Little does she know but I've dealt with bigger bitches than her and she is not scaring me at all!

  Smirking at her, I tilt my head without removing my eyes from her. In the last couple days I have learned some things and one of them is dominance is shown by this stare down. I will not be letting her win this one and it seems to be pissing her off even more. Of course, my snarky side wants to come out to play so I widen my smile while I ask the guys, "Who's this bitch belong to?"

  The groan I hear from my left lets me know she must have been involved with one of the twins. I can't look over because I will not be losing this staring contest but it doesn't stop me from running my mouth. "I would suggest you make sure you let her know you don't want her anymore because if that bitch challenges me, I will tear her ass apart. Same goes for the rest of you guys. If you have someone pining over you and thinking you will return to them, I suggest you let them all know, here and now, that it's not going to happen. If I have to kick every female's ass in this clearing, I will make sure they know that you four are mine, and only mine!"

  I may not growl but that last part came out low and forceful. I am definitely not playing around and I will make sure they all know it. The bitch across from me is shaking but I can tell that her eyes want to lower. This brings back my smirk at the same time as she loses her battle and drops her eyes. Her scream of rage doesn't surprise me but it looks like she scared the shit out of a couple others who are standing next to her.

  I am surprised when Braxton is the one that steps forward. "Nica, my brother and I are not yours, nor have we ever been. We may have fucked a couple times but it meant nothing. We have found our calling, our mate, and we don't want you. Actually, we never did want you but any hole will do when there's no meaning to the act. I suggest that you back down before our beautiful mate makes you."

  "Like my brother said," Bryce continues when Braxton steps back by my side, "we don't want you. Your pathetic attempt to show your dominance has failed so I suggest you tuck your tail and turn away. I never like you but your easy enough for a fuck, and never forget that's all you were. Hell, that's all you are to multiple men here. Live with your actions or accept the consequences."

  "Now that's taken care of, lets get this show on the road." With that said, I start towards Uncle again, whose smile is so big that it reaches his eyes. He's not the only one, either. Randolf, Braxton, and even Bryce are all smiling like I have made them the happiest men on earth. When I look towards Luca, he nods his head to tell me that he approves also. It is one of the highest honors to have our mate publicly claim us as you just did. For us to accept the claim publicly means that we have accepted you. It is seen as a slight to all of us if anyone challenges but it does not stop it from happening.

  I nod my head so that he knows I heard him and continue on. Once we reach Uncle, he wraps his arms around me. I can't help it when I stiffen but slowly I'm able to relax. When I wrap my arms around him, I can feel him relax slightly. I am so proud of you for standing up for yourself. That girl needs to be put in her place and I know that you can do it. I was hoping that no one would challenge you tonight, but I cannot say that for sure after that little show. She's going to try to make you hurt. Do not hold back!

  Laughing slightly I back out of his hold and look up at him. I don't think I know how to back down and that bitch has another thing coming if she thinks I will. If she challenges me, she will be the one in pain!

  Now it's his turn to chuckle as he looks around at my men. "I'm glad that you four have found your mate. I will need to know by the end of the week if you will be continuing on as my Beta's. I will understand, either way, and I would like to be the first to welcome you all to my family! My adopted niece brings great pride to us and I will expect you to treat her with the respect that she deserves."

  Matt steps up to his side next and continues where his Uncle left off. "I was fortunate to meet Ash when I did and she has saved my life multiple times since then. She will always be my sister at heart even if it's not by blood. I would be honored to be included in your new family unit."

  I look between Uncle and Matt before looking at all four of my mates. They all have large smiles on their faces and I understand that this is a very big honor. "Uncle, Matt, I felt connected to both of you from the first time that we met. Family is not something that I have really had much experience in but I would love to call you both mine. As my Uncle and brother, I also would like it if you would consider yourselves welcome to join us at any time. All of you are teaching me how to trust and love, which is something that I never thought I would have!"

  Braxton and Bryce both wrap an arm around my waist while Randolf grabs my hand and Luca rubs up against my leg. This feeling of acceptance is something so intense that tears threaten to fall. Blinking my eyes, I look towards the ground for a moment so I can pull myself together. When I look back up, I can see the understanding in everyone's eyes. These people have accepted me into their family with nothing expected in return. Yes, I have protected them, but that is what family does. I will spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve them all.

  Uncle must see the resolve in my eyes because he sweeps his hand towards the stage. "Let's go, my lovely niece, and introduce you to the rest of your new family!"

  ◆◆◆

  As Uncle steps on the stage, my guys and I stand to the side with Matt. He is being introduced first, or so I've been told, and then I will be next. Then there's a pack run followed by food. I'm ready to skip straight to the food part but I'm pretty sure I have to make thru the rest of the evening first.

  Uncle has already started talking when I tune back in and I hear him ask for Matt to come to him. He speaks a little about his brother and their family before announcing that he has adopted his nephew into the pack. He keeps going with how strong the family line has always been and what a wonderful addition he will make to the pack. Everyone cheers when he gets to the end of his speech and Matt thanks them before moving behind Uncle.

  Once everyone has calmed down, Uncle starts speaking again. "Not only have I been lucky enough to be reunited with my nephew, but he has also brought along his adopted sister with him. She may not be a full wolf by blood but she is another strong addition to our pack, in her own way. Not only did she help when the children were captured but she helped to protect the house too. She protected me, only hours after we met, when we were attacked on our way here also. I will not be going into detail exactly how she has managed these amazing feats but just know that she is more than capable of handling herself. Not once has she asked for anything in return and I am proud to call her my adopted niece! Since she has been here, besides saving both my nephew and myself, she has found her four mates. Yes, I said four and I couldn't think of anyone better to keep my Beta's in line. Ash, would you please join me?"

  I look at my guys, who all nod their heads, before stepping onto the stage. I make sure that we are all shielded, including Matt and Uncle, but that our scents are still there. I've been practicing off and on all day and it's actually easier than I expected. As I walk towards Uncle, I can see movement out of the corner of my eye but I continue to him. When I stop, I bow my head like he said I would need to and wait for him to tell me to rise.

  Once all the formalities are done, I turn towards the crowd. They aren't cheering like they were with Matt but they aren't booing me either. Most look curious while others look like they are ready to get to the pack run. A handful of people stand out on the left of the stage and I realize that is where I saw movement earlier. It's Nica and her group of girls, plus a cou
ple guys that I don't recognize. Well shit, I guess I'm getting challenged.

  Uncle pulls out the ceremonial dagger as he motions for Matt to join us. Blood to blood is what I was told was needed to join the pack so I'm not surprised. Matt goes first and extends his hand to Uncle. They are all smiles as they slice their palms and clasp hands.

  Once they are done, Uncle turns to me, grabs my outstretched hand, and in my mind, I hear Ashley Knight, do you swear to support and defend your Alpha and your pack, to the best of your ability, and to honor our laws as they have been explained to you?

  Nodding my head, I answer him the same way I would be honored to not only be included in your pack family but also to call you my Uncle. I promise to protect both you and the pack in every way that I can.

  The smile on Uncles face is reflected by my own and he surprises me by pulling me into a hug. Reaching to the side, I pull Matt into our embrace to show that he is my family also. The crowd cheers and I can hear my mates behind me included in that cheering.

  Once we let go of each other, Uncle has to clear his throat a couple times to get the crowd to calm down. "I would like to welcome both Matt and Ash to the Kincaid pack. May we all live in peace, together!"

  This time, the crowd's roar is deafening. Along with the clapping and hollering, I can hear howling join in, not only from Luca but others who have already changed into their wolf forms. Over the crowd, Uncle bellows, "Is there any other business that needs to be heard before we head out on our pack run?"

  I expect to hear Nica's voice but when I look back to where she was standing, she's not there. The three girls that were previously there have moved somewhere else and the crowd filled in the gap. Some of her group is still there, and they are clapping along with everyone else. I don't see the look of hatred in their eyes so maybe they won't be a problem.

  Shrugging that off, I look back towards my guys and see that they have started making their way towards me. Before they can get to me, I hear two shots ring out thru the air and see both Bryce and Braxton go flying backwards. Immediately, I step towards them, only to hear another shot and a grunt behind me. When I turn towards the sound, I see Uncle has been knocked back. I know that they are okay because I had them shielded but no one else knows what I can do. Quickly, in my mind, I reach out to my family and the enforcers that I met during the meeting.

  Quickly, listen up. I have all of us shielded and I have since we got to the clearing. I guess it's a good thing that I don't trust easily. Uncle, Bryce, Braxton, you guys need to stay down and act hurt so that we can draw out the shooter and their friends. I haven't met everyone that's here and I can't shield them all. If we can keep the attention on us, then hopefully everyone will be able to get away. Can you guys surround us and see what happens? Remember, if you are shot, stay down and everyone else needs to close ranks. I don't want to show them what I can do unless we absolutely have to.

  After everyone has agreed with me, I scan my surroundings. At first, all I can see and hear is the chaos. There are people running around, trying to get away from the shots. My eyes catch on a group that isn't running around and I see that bitch from earlier is part of that group. Could this be her doing?

  Bitch wolf from earlier is standing to the right side, in a group that doesn't seem surprised about what's going on. Can you guys see who all is in the group? I don't know a lot of people so I'm no help.

  A couple of the enforcers reply back that they can see the group. I recognize Nica, or bitch wolf as you call her, along with Candice and Denise. It looks like John and Robert are also standing with them. I don't recognize anyone else in the group.

  The guy standing beside him is nodding along as he talks but cuts in as soon as he's finished. That looks like Alpha Caden in the middle of the group but I can't be sure.

  I know what that prick looks like so I walk towards their group. After a couple steps, I can see that he was right. Staring straight at me with a huge grin is Alpha Caden. It is Caden and some of his men. I recognize them from both the accident and the attack. And yes, he sees me too and it seems like I'm what their looking for. I think I'm gonna stir this nest and see what flies out.

  With a laugh, I holler towards their group. "Well, if it isn't bitch wolf and her little crew of dogs. What do you want? If you wanted to challenge me, all you had to do was ask nicely."

  I make it a point not to let them know that I saw Caden with them, especially since he seems to have hidden himself in their crowded group.

  "I want you to die, you bitch. Who do you think you are, coming into my pack and stealing my men? I made a deal not to kill you, yet, but I will be getting rid of you today. And I still get to kick your ass, so I'm happy."

  Why can't my life ever be easy? I just wanted someone to love me and put me first. I finally found a family and now some crazy bitch wants to take that way. Hell no, I will not let that happen!

  Chapter 20

  Smiling brightly, I keep her attention focused on me. I can hear the faint background noise in my head of orders being called out but I don’t let it distract me. “MY men want nothing to do with you. From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t really blame them. I mean, what kind of pathetic loser brings a gun to a wolf fight? I’m just a lowly human and even I wouldn’t stoop so low. You must be a really weak wolf, you poor thing. I’m willing to fight you and I will even take it easy on you.”

  Nica screams out her rage and takes a step towards me. One of her friends grabs her by the arm, earning a snarl, but doesn’t let go. She starts whispering in Nica’s ear and I can see the clarity return to her eyes. I guess I pissed her off but I can’t seem to make myself feel bad. That bitch needs put back in her place but I need to make sure that everyone is safe.

  Uncle, is the pack safe? I’m not sure how long I can stall this bitch without it actually getting physical. Plus, I don’t see Alpha Caden in their group anymore so he’s disappeared somewhere but I don’t know where.

  I don’t dare break my stare with Nica, which seems to be pissing her off again, while I wait on Uncle’s reply. Everyone has retreated to the house except for us. I have the rest of the enforcers that aren’t here protecting the house. Your little buddy Timmy seems to be handling things on that end quite resourcefully. Says you put him in charge last time and this times no different.

  I have to fight the smile that wants to come up and I am barely able to keep it off my face. Yeah, sorry Uncle. He did take charge last time really well and I like the kid. I have the house covered so make sure that anyone outside of it knows that they won’t be able to get in. How do you want to play this?

  While I’m talking to Uncle, it seems like Nica has decided that my silence means I’m scared. Still holding my gaze, she hollers loudly, “Alpha Carl, of the Kincaid pack, I would like to formally challenge this human for her mates. When I win, she will be outcast and the bond broken. Since you are in no shape to perform your duties over the challenge, I have brought another Alpha to oversee. Alpha Caden, if you would like to take over.”

  When no one answers her, she spins around looking for him. Frantically, her head swings around their group, which seemed to have shrank since she started talking. Alpha Caden and all of his wolves were gone, leaving only her four friends on her side. She screams with rage and stomps her foot before turning and staring back towards me.

  While she had been distracted, Uncle, Braxton, and Bryce had all gotten up and made their way towards me. I look over towards Uncle, unsure what would happen next. Especially since we didn’t know where the other Alpha had taken off to. He must have been able to read the question on my face because he smiles gently before saying loudly, “Alpha Caden and his men just crossed out of our territory and have headed back towards their own. We have sentries stationed along the boundary and will be made aware, immediately, if they try to return.”

  Nica’s head whips around so quick that I think she might have cracked her own neck when she heard Uncle speak. Her eyes widen when she sees not only him standing
there, but all four of his Beta’s and his enforcers. Her eyes track across their bodies, looking for damages that she wouldn’t find, and confusion fills her gaze. Around her, you could smell the fear on her friends. They knew they are in trouble but weren’t quite sure how badly. Even I knew that you didn’t bring an enemy Alpha into your pack without consequences, and I was still learning.