A Ravenous Pack: Wolf's Hunger 5 Books

by A. K. Michaels

  Utter silence fell over the area; no adults had been allowed to attend. Their Alpha ordering them to stay in their cabins. If they refused, then their daughter would be “given” to his men for the night. Not surprisingly everyone stayed inside.

  Maisy looked around at the line of girls, possibly only twenty were here. Shoot, one in twenty wasn’t great odds. Her mind focused on the chances of her being picked when she heard the first scream and then she knew what Marlon was doing.

  She pulled her hand from Libby’s to cover her ears, but she still heard the cries as Marlon carried out his own “punishment”. For the hundredth time, she sent a prayer to the Goddess asking her to send someone to help them. Surely she couldn’t allow this to carry on?

  “I can’t do this.” Maisy’s feet took a small step back, her body trembling uncontrollably. “I’m going to faint, scream, or throw up. Not sure which, Libs, but one of those is gonna happen real soon.”

  Libby’s hand shot to her shoulder, holding her in place. “Don’t.”

  She looked up at her friend, knowing her eyes were filled with tears, and she’d look frail and weak in comparison to Libby’s tall and strong stature. “I can’t, Libs.”

  “Stop, I’m here. I’ll protect you, babe. Don’t I always?”

  Maisy took a deep breath in, focusing on Libby and shutting out everything else. No sound made it past her total attention on her friend who nodded. “That’s it, sweets, we’ve done this a hundred times. Just breathe.”

  Maisy did, and soon her fear settled back down, as Marlon walked back to parade before them as if he was some fucking hero instead of a lowlife abuser. The girl, however, didn’t reappear. At least she was out of the pick for the Alpha. Small mercies.

  Libby straightened, facing forward when Marlon came their way, head up. Maisy couldn’t look at the Beta, she was terrified he’d see the disgust, loathing, and hatred in her eyes and take out his anger on her, again. She kept her gaze down, hoping he wouldn’t stop.

  Only he did. Oh shit.

  It was the Alpha’s shout that halted Marlon’s feet. “Stop right there, Marlon. Let’s have a look at that timid little mouse.”

  Oh shit. Maisy’s feet moved of their own volition . . . backwards. Marlon’s hand grabbing onto her upper arm painfully.

  “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

  He pulled her forward, causing her to stumble and almost fall, but the hold he had on her stopped her from tumbling into the mud. Marlon tugged her along, her heart almost bursting from her chest as terror invaded her. This couldn’t be happening. No way.

  Surely the Alpha wouldn’t want her? She was tiny, small for a female in both human and Wolf form. He’d want a big strong She-Wolf to bear him a son . . . wouldn’t he?

  Maisy’s throat spasmed, bile rushing up, and she swallowed convulsively, knowing if she puked right now that her life would end. What an insult that would be, puking right at the Alpha’s feet. Shit, he’d tear her apart. So, she did her best to stop herself from throwing up but she didn’t know how long she’d manage to hold it in.

  Marlon stopped, one of his hands latching onto her long blonde hair and tugging hard so her head was forced up. “This one, Boss? She’s pretty scrawny.”

  “That may be, but look at the fear in her eyes, Marlon. I think it’ll be fun having her for a while.”

  The Beta seemed to find this amusing, chuckling loudly before replying, “Yeah, that’s always fun. So, should I send the rest away?”

  “For now.” The Alpha stepped forward, leaning down to inhale her scent. “Goddess, her scent is divine. I swear I’m hard just smelling that fear. I want her in my special room. Lock her in there for an hour or so and then I’ll go to her. By then the room will reek of her terror.”

  “As you wish, Alpha.” Marlon went to walk away but Jermaine stopped him.

  “Wait, you can pick one for yourself, Beta, for doing a good job.”

  “Thanks.” Marlon snickered just before Maisy heard a shout, the voice familiar but shooting even more alarm through her already horror filled body.

  “Wait! You can’t want her, Alpha! I’ll be much better for you.”

  Maisy’s head spun around so fast she saw spots as Libby ran forward, her lips pouting as she smiled up at the Alpha. “She’s a fraidy-cat and won’t be much fun.”

  Marlon’s hand shot out, halting Libby. “Stop right there, bitch.”

  This was the moment Maisy knew both her and her friend’s lives would end. Her insides churning, her blood rushing downwards to pool in her feet, and leaving her so lightheaded that she felt sure she’d faint. The only thing stopping her was Libby’s presence, she couldn’t desert her friend. Not now, not when she was trying to sacrifice herself in her stead. Maisy might be a mouse, a fraidy-cat, and more, but she couldn’t allow Libby to do this.

  She. Just. Couldn’t.

  “No,” Maisy said, her voice coming out high-pitched and much louder than she’d intended. Staring up at her friend she shook her head. “I’m fine. Honestly, Libs.”

  Libby returned her stare, and shook her head. “I can’t, sweets, I just can’t.”

  Maisy watched in horror as Libby pushed Marlon’s hand aside. “Alpha, you just know, you’ll have so much more fun with me. Plus, I’m strong, much stronger than this little one here. I’ll give you a good strong son, whereas this one will probably keel over with her first contraction, and you can bet your last dollar, she’s gonna pop out another girl.”

  Marlon snarled, pushing Maisy behind him so roughly she went sprawling in the dirt, rushing to grab hold of Libby. Jermaine had retreated up the stairs to his cabin and was watching with one eyebrow raised, as if he was considering Libby’s proposal.

  Libby struggled in Marlon’s hold. “Let go of me, you big brute.”

  The Alpha chuckled. “Brute, you hear that, Marlon? She called you a brute.”

  Marlon’s fist connected with Libby’s jaw so damn fast that none of them saw it coming. Her head jerked back as blood spurted from her mouth, and Maisy was sure she saw a tooth flying out as Libby grunted in pain. Maisy didn’t think, she reacted, jumping to her feet she rushed forward and jumped onto the Beta’s back, pulling his hair and kicking wherever her small feet could land.

  A rage burning inside her that she’d never felt before. One that she didn’t know she was capable of . . . not until she saw her friend in danger. Then something just consumed her, took over her in a way she couldn’t control so she kicked, scratched, and god damn it, she even sank her teeth into Marlon’s shoulder to stop his assault on Libby.

  Her friend now lay on the ground as the Beta kicked her in the ribs, the sound of Libby’s ribs breaking tearing at Maisy’s heart. Marlon paused in his attack on Libby, focusing on Maisy, his hands reaching over to pull her roughly from his back before throwing her away from him.

  She hit the ground, hard, rolling over and over before smashing against the porch of the Alpha’s cabin. Her head spinning, body aching, and tears running down her cheeks to join the blood now pouring from scrapes on her face. Her nose gushed with crimson liquid, making it hard for her to breathe, so she had to open her mouth and draw in short painful gasps.

  It took a moment for her eyes to focus and when they did, a soft whine tore from her throat when she saw her Alpha standing with his arms crossed glaring at Libby, who was held up by Marlon’s hand around her throat. Jermaine snarled into Libby’s face, his fangs descended in a show of pure aggression.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You stupid bitch, you’ve made a fatal mistake today. One you won’t live long enough to regret.”

  Marlon laughed, shaking Libby who struggled in his grasp and then, Goddess help her, she stared their Alpha right in the eye and ground out, “You’re a fucking perverted, sick son-of-a-bitch and I know I won’t be here, but I’ll be looking down from above when the day comes and you get your fucking throat ripped out, you fucking bastard!”

  Then Libby spat in
his face! Maisy’s stomach lurched as she crawled forward, desperate to reach her friend. She knew what was going to happen, and she also knew she couldn’t stop it, but she had to try. As it was, she didn’t even make it to Libby.

  A roar of anger ripping from their Alpha as he forced a partial transformation. It was agonizing to watch as his hands lengthened into razor sharp claws, fur sprouting from his skin . . . and then he plunged those deadly claws into her friend.

  Maisy leapt to her feet, her legs trembling as she dashed forward . . . too late. Jermaine’s arm shot back, raising it high above his head with blood covering it and flowing down to trickle onto the ground. Maisy’s scream tore through the camp when she saw Libby’s heart held firmly between his hand that was now fingers, instead of the deadly weapons he’d used on her friend.

  “This is what happens to anyone who steps out of line! Remember that the next time you have thoughts of speaking out of turn!”

  Marlon released his hold on her dead friend, Libby’s corpse falling limply to the ground. Maisy’s legs gave out and she scrambled on her hands and knees to reach the one person who’d tried to save her from the Alpha’s clutches. She cradled Libby’s head on her lap, tears flowing freely down her face, as anger lapped at her belly.

  Red hot. Like molten lava burning inside her. Fury took root so deep in her soul that she knew she’d never be the same. One thought stampeding through her: make them pay.

  Jermaine and Marlon would die for what they’d done this day. She had no idea how she’d manage it, but she was certain she would. Whatever it took she would do it. If she waited until they slept, if she snuck them a sleeping potion, poison, hell, she’d find a way. All she knew was she’d kill these two animals for their deeds, not just for Libby, but for every female they had ever hurt, abused, or killed.

  Libby wasn’t the first and if someone didn’t do something, she wouldn’t be the last. Maisy would be that someone. After all, she was the scaredy-cat that nobody would suspect but no longer. This was the last straw, the very fucking last straw, and she swore that she’d put them down like the dogs they were.

  “Right, that’s the sentries taken care of. We’re good to go.” Danko motioned to their men still waiting. “Split up into pairs, surround the camp, and wait for us to enter. When we do, you all know the drill . . . you appear as a show of strength and hopefully this doesn’t end in a blood-bath.”

  Zohar stared each one of his men in the eyes as he spoke next. “Our priority, as always, are the women and children. Ensure they are safe at all costs, Danko and I can take care of the Alpha and his Beta, as well as the few others they have in their group. Only step in if required, and only once the women and kids are deemed safe.”

  He waited until he saw them each nod before slapping Danko on the back. “Okay, my friend, let’s go take down this Alpha, once and for all.”

  “I look forward to it.” Danko grinned, his eyes cold as ice as they took off into the forest.

  Zohar set a brisk pace, weaving around trees, bushes, and leaping over the occasional stream as he and Danko made their way toward the camp. He didn’t need to keep tabs on where the rest of their men were, or their progress. They’d done this too many times to count and would be exactly where they were supposed to be and ready for anything. If that were fangs and fur, or hands and guns. It didn’t matter, they’d be prepared for what awaited and back Zohar and Danko up come what may.

  Not once had Zohar questioned his men’s abilities. Today the only doubts that ran around inside his brain were of his own, especially as his insides were on fire, again. Damn it, would this hunger never ease? He vowed when he returned to base that he’d set about finding who the hell it was that afflicted him and then he’d exact his revenge. In his own brutal fashion, of course.

  His feet stumbled, his heart thudding, and his mind almost exploded when a scent wafted toward him. The scent a mere hint of an aroma that touched his nostrils, but it was enough to cause his beast to howl inside his head and knock him almost on his damn ass.

  Danko stopped, looking at him as if he’d grown horns. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” Zohar snapped, trying to regain his normal resolute control.

  “Doesn’t look like nothing,” Danko retorted. “You’re as white as Siberia in mid-winter, my friend, and you’re shaking. What’s going on?”

  “I said nothing . . .” Zohar snarled and that’s when the sounds from the camp floated toward them.

  Loud voices and screams, one in particular stood out to Zohar and he knew deep down that it belonged to the person whose scent had affected him just a moment ago. Her fear and terror flying through the forest to tear at his insides and had his feet moving forward at lightning speed. Danko right beside him as they sprinted through the forest.

  Zohar’s beast urged him to go faster, his Wolf simmering under the surface and threatening to take control. He barely kept it from forcing a transformation as they charged into the camp. His eyes scouring the area and taking in a hundred different facts in seconds.

  A line of young women and girls, clearly terrified, and most crying and clutching to one another. Scared faces of adults pressed up against windows of cabins but none venturing outside to calm their daughters. The Alpha, Beta, and a few of his men standing at the bottom of steps leading up to the largest cabin. A tiny young woman sitting on the ground, crying softly as she cradled the head of another in her lap.

  Her face was white with shock as she murmured over and over, “No, no, no. Libby, you can’t leave me. This can’t be happening. No. No. No.”

  The absolute desolation in her voice tore at him, his feet veering toward her before he forced himself to stay on track. Her aroma assaulting his senses and causing him to feel her pain, her misery, and her anguish. He also felt something else washing over him . . . hatred. So strong was this emotion that a snarl tore free from his throat as he slowed his pace, his voice harsh as he cut through the almost silence. “I have been sent by the Council. Alpha Skinner, I order you and your men to stand down. Now.”

  Danko stepped away, giving them both space in case of trouble, and with the looks on the faces of all the men now glaring at them it looked like things weren’t going to go smoothly. Good.

  These men were the cause of the girl’s despair and Zohar was in the mood for physical one on one, especially when it came to bullies who obviously harmed women. His gaze on the Beta who he’d met briefly several years ago and taken an instant dislike to.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, Enforcer,” Marlon sneered.

  The inflection in his title an insult as the Beta did his best to outface him. Zohar returned the look, his own eyes filled with loathing and disgust. “I’m here to take you and that sorry excuse for an Alpha down, Marlon. Fuck, Marlon, Jermaine, what kind of names are those for Shifters? Sounds like you should be in one of those boy bands instead of leading a Pack of Wolves.”

  The insult hit hard, Marlon’s jaw clenching so tight that Zohar was surprised he didn’t hear the sound of teeth crunching as they broke in the man’s mouth. Instead the Alpha laid a hand on Marlon’s shoulder, holding him in place, as he addressed Zohar.

  “Why are you here? Has someone from my Pack made some kind of complaint? If so, I’m sure we can sort it out amicably. I’m always willing to work with the Council to sort things out.”

  Zohar kept his eyes trained on Marlon as he replied, “I don’t need to remind you that I do not have to divulge any information to you. All the information you are required to know is that you are no longer Alpha and your men are relinquished from their positions of power. This goes down one of two ways, Jermaine. One is that you and your boys pack up and leave within the hour. If that doesn’t suit you, then we take you into custody and you will be transported back to Council Headquarters where you can lodge a complaint and take it up with them on how to proceed.”

  Zohar paused, waiting on the man to interrupt, which, of course, he did.

  “What? You c
an’t do that. This is not acceptable. No way am I just walking away from my Pack.”

  Zohar held his hand up, his gaze still on Marlon as he growled, “I can, and I have. My power is absolute in this but I’ll give you a piece of advice for free . . . go for option one. Option two rarely ends well and although, to be honest, I’d actually enjoy you ending up in our prison for the rest of your miserable life. I’d much rather get to work putting this Pack back together again. But, as I said, the choice is yours.”

  “This is my Pack,” Jermaine whined. “They are my people who I love. I’ve devoted my life to them, I protect them, I . . .”

  And that’s when the unexpected happened . . . the tiny female who sat on the ground cradling the body of her dead friend leaped up, claws drawn, and attacked the Alpha.

  Her voice was also a surprise, not a high-pitched scream, but a low growl as she pounced at Jermaine. “You’re a fucking liar. You abuse, threaten, and kill. You’ve never protected any of us and you just murdered one of the best people in this fucking Pack.”

  She was attempting to rake her nails across Jermaine’s face, unfortunately she was too small to reach. Marlon’s arm snapped over, grabbing her hair and hauling her off his Alpha. “Fucking bitch. I should’ve done the same to you, that I just did to that damn whore.”

  Fury consumed Zohar, a red haze filling his sight, his anger so vast he couldn’t comprehend the intensity of the feelings overwhelming him. A partial shift overtaking him within the blink of an eye as he sprang forward, his claws sinking into Marlon’s shoulder as he hauled him back.

  “Get your stinking hands off her.” His voice barely recognizable as human.

  The girl fell to the ground as the Beta yelled in pain before spinning around to face him, snarling viciously. “You and me, Zohar.”

  No other words passed between them as they both transformed, Zohar in seconds, Marlon taking far longer. Zohar could have taken advantage of the Beta’s delay, but he waited until Marlon’s light brown beast was before him then padded backward, away from the woman on the ground. Her bright green eyes wide as she watched his every move.