by SF Benson
My blood boils. Waiting is not part of the program.
Elsbeth straightens and meets my gaze. “If I kill them, you will have to answer to both councils. If you show up to rescue the she-wolves and an attack happens, no one can hold you accountable. I can channel Brian’s mate through him—learn their status and their location. I will let you know if you have reason to worry.”
For once, my being the alpha means nothing. This situation is out of my hands.
For now.
An hour later, Elsbeth and Brian are still closed up in my father’s study. I’ve paced so much I’m sure there’s a new groove in the hallway floor.
“Brady?”
I stop long enough to notice Mom in front of me. Her forehead creases with concern. “Any news?”
“No.” I glance at the closed and locked door. “They’ve been in there for an hour.”
Mom inches forward and takes my hand. “Our family has always trusted Elsbeth. She has never put us in danger.” With her other hand, she rubs my forearm. “Maybe you should go for a run? Take your mind—”
“No.” I step out of her reach. “I won’t stop worrying until Audra is safe.”
“Understood.” Mom’s eyes narrow. “But what happens when you get her back?”
“Life returns to normal,” I say cautiously. I’m unsure if I like where this conversation is going.
Mom shakes her head. “Brady, I know you two have been putting this off, but it can’t wait. You will have to bond and marry her. I heard Elsbeth. Those Nevers wolves have powers that will keep them in danger. Your intended may not want this union, but she needs it to stay safe.”
“Wouldn’t be a problem if my son would man the fuck up!” My father’s heated voice fills the hall around us.
Normally, I back down when my father speaks. Normally, I don’t want to deal with his wrath. But there’s nothing normal about this scenario.
“What are you talking about, Dad?” I ask, gritting my teeth.
“Leave us, Brenna!”
Mom’s surprised gaze bounces between us. Ever since his illness, she had to be in control. She had to be the one to lay down the law. Forever the good alpha’s wife, she nods and leaves the room. I’m sure she’ll be back though. As pups, whenever we did something wrong, it was Dad who read us the riot act, but it was Mom who made sure we followed the rules.
Dad looks at me with an eyebrow raised and then jerks his head toward the office door. I follow behind him, half-expecting a lecture.
“You have something to say to me?” Closing the office door, I cross the room and take a seat in front of the desk.
Dad swings to face me and then goes over to the window. He lowers his voice when he says, “Two things, son. First, don’t ever show weakness in front of females, especially your mate. Let them believe you’re tough ass and they’ll always respect your authority.”
Somehow, I don’t think that’ll fly with Audra.
“Second, you can’t be anyone’s alpha by taking damned opinion polls. Lay down the law and the pack follows, that includes mates.”
I don’t know whether to be upset or let it slide. When I took over as alpha, I swore I’d do things differently. Ruling with a firm hand while challenging pack members and anyone else who disagreed stopped. It was a practice not worth shedding blood over.
Dad was astonished when my way of running things worked. Pack membership increased. Profits rose. Outside of the earlier challenges to my position, no one else has threatened it.
“I’m not you,” I remind my father. “That’s not my way.”
“Obviously. If you did, you’d be bonded and married by now,” he says dryly with a hard gaze.
“Must we do this now?” Somehow I manage to keep a level of control in my voice. “I need to find Audra and put an end to the Ryders.”
“Will you truly put an end to them, or will you choose to make peace?”
Running my hands through my hair, I glare at my father, not liking his implication. “You think I’m soft.”
“It’s not a thought. I’ve seen you in action.” My father sits at his desk. “I warned you when Hank killed Jackson. I said you needed to make a stand.”
“Have you forgotten that I got the curse lifted?” Although I know I’m pushing my luck with my father, I point out, “Besides, you were Alpha then. It wasn’t up to me to do shit!”
My father’s steely gaze meets mine. He hangs onto it for a minute before it softens. “True, but you swore you’d handle the matter after your mother begged me not to retaliate.”
Ball’s back in your court.
“We did handle it.” At the time, I thought it was enough that we kept Hank safe. When Council ruled Jackson’s death self-defense, I believed the matter settled.
Obviously, you were wrong.
“Bullshit. You chose the path of least resistance. The wrong decision when it comes to the Ryders. Those cats have always hungered for everything we have. There’s only one way to deal with those creatures.”
Death.
Something I didn’t want back then. Killing never solved anything, but now I regret that choice. I’ll gladly execute the smelly fool myself.
“If I had taken care of this…” Dad’s words trail off, and he turns back to the window, staring into the night.
His refusal to continue doesn’t surprise me. It’s a secret he thought only he knew. Sadly, we all know the truth. Clearing my throat, I say, “But you let Elijah live despite what he did.”
My father whirls around with a flash of shock in his eyes. “You know?”
“Braden told me the story when I turned twenty-one.” Elijah Ryder was a delusional fool, just like Calhoun. The patriarch fell in love with my mother and wanted her for himself. Her disinterest fueled his insanity. The cat constantly threatened my father, but he took no action because Mom asked him to let it be.
“If it weren’t for Brenna, I would have ended Elijah and his line.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. Calhoun and Drew won’t get another chance. We’ll find Audra and Tia and then destroy the Ryders. They won’t ever threaten another female.”
Dad sits behind his desk and fixes his gaze on me. A deep, dangerous edge slips into his voice. “Be sure you handle this correctly, son.”
Splaying my hands on the desktop I lean on it, meeting my father face to face. “Or what, Dad? With all due respect, you’re too old to challenge me. You can’t replace me either. I’m alpha. If I wanted, I could give you orders.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Alpha, remember I’m still your father. Think twice before you leap.”
My wolf snarls but doesn’t act. He knows better. Swallowing my fury, I hold my chin high. “I always think twice. About everything.”
The door creaks open. “Brady…Santiago…”
“What is it, Brenna?” Ice slides into my father’s voice. I hate the way he treats my mother, but she deals with it. Expected behavior from the wife of an alpha, I suppose. Audra will never act that way. She’s too strong and full of pride for it. Besides, I’d never disrespect her that way.
“Elsbeth is waiting for Brady.”
Dad and I exchange a frosty gaze before I stalk from the room.
“I’m not understanding any of this,” I say.
Elsbeth tried to explain this power that Brian gained from Tia. After twenty minutes, she gave up and Brian took over.
He scrubs a hand over his face. “Think of it as a glitch. Tia probably didn’t know she had the power, but it was so strong that when I bit her it leaked through.”
“Sort of like how vampires gain knowledge when they bite?”
“Finally!” Elsbeth steps away from the fireplace. “It should not have taken you this long, Alpha. Get your head back in the game. You won’t get to your intended with slow thinking.”
My head bobs. “Okay. So do you know where Cal is keeping the females?”
“Yeah. On the waterfront,” Brian says. “The abandoned apartment building.”<
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Un-fucking-believable! Calhoun really is short on brain cells. That structure is set for demolition. City Council deemed it a hazard when a couple of human teenagers were almost killed hanging out there.
Brian grabs my wrist as soon as I jump to my feet. “What are you doing? We need—”
“Tia and Audra are safe. Believe it or not, the part of the building they’re in is secure. I’ve sent word out to the pack. Once they’re all in place, we act.”
Damn. I have greatly underestimated my little brother. It’s hard to believe that he fought against being beta. If I chose to step down tomorrow, I know he’ll make a great alpha. Probably better than me.
“What do you suggest we do in the meantime?” I ask.
“Drive down to the waterfront and wait. As soon as I get the text from Ace, we’ll move in.”
Someone once said that waiting can be painful. Understatement. This senseless waiting shreds my soul and threatens to unravel my sanity. It feels like hours have passed. Checking my watch, however, lets me know we’ve been here less than an hour. What the hell is taking the pack so long?
From our vantage point beneath the underpass, I watch Calhoun’s crew move about like they’re in control. Their time on Earth is almost up. When the slaughtering is over, no one will recognize these fools. But I won’t be a part of it. I’m saving my energy for that rank-ass Calhoun.
Much like Elijah, my nemesis won’t show his face, preferring to wait in darkness. Most likely, he’s sitting somewhere watching us watch him. He better have a damned good seat so he can see me coming because there won’t be a warning. Nobody takes from me.
“Stop worrying, Brady,” Brian says. He taps his fingers absently on the steering wheel. “The girls are unharmed. Cal is saving his strength for battle.”
“Not helping, little brother,” I say dryly. Assurance isn’t what I want. To be effective, I need to stew in my anger. Let it remind me what’s at stake. Kind words won’t do that.
“Your brooding isn’t helping either.” Brian faces me. “Listen, maybe it’s best if you don’t go inside. Let us take care of this matter for you.”
I side-glance at him. “Have you forgotten who’s alpha?”
“No, I haven’t. But have you forgotten about your seat on Council? You can’t risk losing it.”
“Don’t worry about my damned seat,” I shoot back. “I won’t lose it, not because of the Ryders.”
“Okay.” Brian drags a hand through his hair. “You have to stay focused, Brady. I promise you… not one of the Ryders or their crew will leave here alive. But if you insist on doing this yourself, I’ll gladly clean up the mess. When I’m done, no one will know you had a hand in it.”
I chuckle.
He squints at me. “What’s so funny?”
“What changed with you? When Mom said you would become beta, you pitched a fit. Later, you told me you didn’t want this life.”
The corners of Brian’s mouth curl upwards. “Tia.”
Oh, this should be good. I shift in my seat to get a better look at my not-so-little brother. “Do tell.”
“She just helped me see it as an opportunity instead of a death sentence. You won’t be alpha forever. We can’t risk losing the pack simply because I’m not ready. Tia helped me see that being beta helps me prepare to take your place one day. Thankfully, my mate was ready to be a beta’s wife. Without her, I couldn’t do this.”
“So, this is about an obligation for you?” I’m hoping the answer is a resounding no. A sense of duty is what keeps Audra clinging to her pack. I won’t let my brother follow down that dreaded path.
“No. I agree with Tia about not putting family and pack above self. No one should put their entire life on hold because of an obligation to others.” He pauses for a moment. “No disrespect.”
“None taken.” My head bobs up and down. “I get it. Believe it or not, I agree with you. It’s been the entire problem between Audra and me.”
“Sorry, brother, you got that wrong. Audra’s stubbornness and her wanting to do the right thing has been the issue. If her parents hadn’t died, you wouldn’t be going through this.”
“I don’t know, Brian. It’s not like her brother was going to step up. He’ll never do it. I’m not sure how this is going to work. If it will ever work.”
Smiling, Brian shakes his head. “Nonsense. It will work if you want it to. Here’s the thing… You have an opportunity to do this differently than Mom and Dad. I believe Audra likes being in charge. Don’t relegate her to being an alpha’s wife. She’ll hate it. Eventually, she’ll hate you too.”
“How’d you get so smart, baby brother?”
“I’ve had plenty of time watching all my brothers be stupid.” He laughs briefly before reaching into his pocket and removing his phone. Reading the screen, Brian says, “It’s time to move.”
The condemned building looms in front of us like a brick skeleton. Its missing doors can either work for us or against us—neither side can use them to hide behind. Not a good idea if shots are fired. Wolves pad across the cracked parking lot and disappear inside the ruined complex. Glass and debris crunch beneath my boots. The area smells of urine, wet dog, and decay. Hard to believe this used to be where Falls Creek’s teenagers came looking to get high or get laid or both.
Tiny footsteps from vermin skitter across the concrete floor, awakening my wolf. He wants out, but change needs to wait for the right moment. Too soon and I give myself away. Too late and Calhoun gets the upper hand.
Brian taps my shoulder and points left. I nod and he takes off. Exposed rebar, dangling pipes, and loops of loose wiring overhead keep me bobbing and weaving. Audra’s scent—sweet and warm like a bright, summer’s day—permeates the air, but I can’t pinpoint a definite direction. At the end of the hall, a dim light glows. A chain is dragged across the floor. My gut tells me that’s where my love is held.
The stench of unbathed flesh crosses my nose and turns my stomach. I avoid inhaling too deep. My eyes scan the dark room for the culprit. I can hear his breathing. What the fuck is he waiting for?
“Scared to face me, asshole?” I shout into the abyss.
Footsteps shuffle across the trash-covered concrete. The closer that stinky bastard gets, the stronger his stench gets. My hand goes to the knife hidden inside my waistband, but I don’t remove the blade. Ryders always fight unfair. They’re the types who bring weapons to a fist fight. Lucky for me, the cat doesn’t like guns.
Before I can remove the blade, something barrels into me from behind.
“Got ‘em, Cal! Whatcha want me to do?” shouts Drew—the dim-wit of the family. He presses a blade against my neck.
Through gritted teeth, I say, “As soon as I get off this floor, I’m killing the both of you!”
“I ain’t ever been scared of you, Pretty Boy.” Calhoun crouches in front of me with his fists balled. “This should be fun. When I kill you, then I’m going to fuck my new female all night long.”
“The plan, Cal?”
He stands. “Give me five and then let the chase begin.”
“Where’s Audra?” My wolf snarls.
You’re stalling.
Not stalling. Getting confirmation.
But…
No arguing. This fucker is all mine.
Needless to say, my wolf doesn’t like having his leash yanked.
Calhoun grins down at me. “No fear. She’s recovering from a good fucking. You have a choice—rescue the bitch or come find me. Either way, this shit ends tonight, and I don’t plan on dying.”
His footsteps collide with the concrete as he runs off. Drew’s arms slacken on me. I actually pity the fool. Anyone knows you don’t just let your enemy loose without subduing them first. My fingers wrap around my weapon’s hilt. I spring up from the floor, turn, and plunge the blade into the side of Drew’s neck. Blood flowers from the wound, and the youngest Ryder chokes on it. He stumbles backward. His eyes widen in disbelief before he drops to his knees.
>
As he lies dying, I lean over and spit in his face. “That’s for Hank Richards.”
Part of me wants to find Audra, but my wolf… He wants a fight. Time to find Calhoun’s smelly ass.
Stepping over Drew’s body, I head in the direction of the stench still lingering in the air. If there was time, I’d let my beast loose, but it’s too much of a risk. Calhoun could be waiting in the shadows. As soon as I start transforming, he could pounce and kill me at my most vulnerable point. No. This kill is going to happen the old-fashioned way—male on male.
Cocking my head, I hear shuffling from another hallway. Wasting no time, I move quickly toward the sound. The sight before me makes my heart stop, and my wolf threatens to lunge forward. I’m in a room with a human-sized exercise pen. Over it hangs a single light bulb casting a sickly yellow glow. My jaw drops when I see Audra sitting on a flimsy, nasty-ass mattress. The sight of her chained up, naked, like a dog makes my blood boil.
“Inviting, isn’t she?” The voice comes from behind me.
How the hell did Calhoun get past me? A dagger sails past my head and embeds itself into a wooden support beam. I whirl around, but the fucker’s gone. Damn ass wants to play cat and mouse games, but I’m nobody’s mouse.
I glance over at Audra. Her head lifts, and our eyes meet. “Sugar, I’ll be back. I’ve got to take care of this ass first.”
“Be careful, babe.”
“Always.”
Gripping my blade tighter, I leave the room determined that this is the last time I chase down a Ryder.
Minutes later, I’m outside. No sign of Calhoun. Even the stench has died down. Brian and a couple of wolves approach me.
“Have you seen, Cal?” I ask no one in particular.
Brian wipes at the blood on his cheek. He turns the wolves gathered. “Spread out. Find that SOB. I don’t care what you have to do to keep his ass alive. The kill belongs to the alpha. Understood?”
Grumbled agreement rises up before the wolves run off.
“I’m doubling back,” I say to Brian. “He has to be in the building. He’s too dumb to leave.”