The Alpha's Niece (Barton Pack Book 1)

by Jane B. Night

  The howling continued to draw nearer.

  "Will that hold them?"

  "Not for long," Aaron said.

  "Let's get you to the herb cellar. We have something that may disguise your scent," Martha said. She pulled back a rug and rushed them down the stairs. It was dark but Remember's wolf eyes allowed her to dimly see. Martha grabbed a bundle of the herbs that were hanging upside down from the ceiling and ran back up the stairs.

  Remember cuddled Alexander against her chest trying to stop his cries. Even if Jordan couldn't smell them she was sure he would hear her son's wails.

  It was hard to hear over Alexander's screaming but above them glass broke, people shouted, wolves growled, and then everything fell silent.

  She stood there in the dark wondering if she should go up the stairs to see if Martha and Aaron were hurt. Had they fended off Jordan and his fiends? Had help arrived?

  She heard the door to the cellar being pulled back and light appeared. For a moment she didn't see anything but then she saw a familiar figure and her screams joined her son's.

  "Enough of that. I only came for what is mine," Jordan said. He brought his open hand across her face causing her to fall silent. He grabbed her arm and yanked her up the stairs and out into the yard where Martha and Aaron were both pinned to the ground. Their wands had been snapped in half. Two wolves lay in the distance. She didn't know if they were injured or dead.

  There were a dozen wolves surrounding her.

  "Now, give me my pup," Jordan growled ripping Alexander from her arms.

  From across the yard a three-legged wolf came into sight.

  "He isn't your pup. I was pregnant the day you attacked me," she screamed. Of course it was a lie but it was the only one she had.

  "He is my pup," Cyrus called lunging forward but from behind him two limping wolves appeared. As if gathering the last of their strength they tackled him. Cyrus fell to the ground.

  "He looks just like me. Doesn't he boys?" Jordan asked lifting Alexander into the air to show to the wolves gathered around them.

  The movement made the blanket she had wrapped him in slip to the ground and the wolves let out a collective gasp.

  Jordan looked at her son. He looked at Cyrus. He looked at her son again. Slowly, he lowered the child down out of the air.

  "He is my son!" Cyrus shouted again. She could feel the uneasiness of the wolves around them. None of them was sure what to do. Remember held her breath. She knew Jordan had few choices. She swooped forward and grabbed her son from Jordan's arms. She watched the ears of the wolves around her perk up as if they would converge on her if given the word.

  "Let her have the bastard," Jordan said looking at her with disgust.

  "Is he yours?" one of the wolves called out. He was the farthest from them and holding down Martha who was still putting up a good struggle under his weight.

  "Don't be a dunce. The three-legged pup comes from the three-legged wolf. Bitch was telling the truth," he said.

  The wolves around him looked at one another. Jordan threw out a fit of curses and kicked up loose dirt with one of his feet.

  "Let them go," he said.

  The wolves looked at him and then at each other. That was when she heard the howling of her pack. Remember breathed a sigh of relief.

  Her pack far outnumbered the wolves Jordan had brought with him.

  The wolves rushed to stand behind Jordan. Their ears were back and they looked uncertain. She could understand their confusion.

  Her pack came into view snarling and bearing their teeth. Three rushed to Cyrus' side to sniff at him. Her uncle, aunt, and cousins gathered around her. The rest of the pack waited. She could tell they were plenty willing and eager to fight.

  "You dare try to remove a pup from my pack?" her uncle growled showing Jordan his teeth.

  "It was a mistake. I...I... I thought he was my pup," Jordan stammered.

  "You are no alpha. Who is your alpha? Who shall I go to about this breech of law?" her uncle growled.

  "I'm next in line as the alpha. My father-"

  "Is clearly a fool if he raised such a son," her uncle said.

  "My father would think you a fool for letting a three-legged wolf live," Jordan said. His anger at her uncle's words seemed to bring back his bravado but her uncle knocked him onto the ground and Jordan turned into his wolf form and quickly rolled onto his back offering no challenge to her uncle.

  "How I run my pack is not for you or your alpha to say as I am sure he will be well aware when I tell him what you have done."

  "He knows I am here to-"

  "To steal a pup from my pack? Does your alpha wish to start a pack war?" her uncle asked.

  "No. He only wanted his grandchild returned to his rightful pack," Jordan said.

  "Did you marry this she-wolf?" her uncle growled sending a look in Remember's direction. Her uncle's voice made her knees tremble. It was understandable that Jordan was practically quivering beneath him.

  "No but I-"

  "Then you have no claim to this pup," her uncle said.

  "I thought I had put the pup in her. Clearly I am wrong. No heir of an alpha would produce a three-legged pup," Jordan said.

  Her uncle let out a deep growl that echoed in the space around him as he lunged down to nip at Jordan's ear. Jordan yelped as her uncle made contact and the flesh of Jordan's ear tore. His blood trickled to the ground. Jordan whimpered and she watched as he actually started to piss himself. Her father had told her that at times wolves did that as a sign of submission if they thought they were about to be killed but she had never seen it happen. It gave her a sense of satisfaction.

  Remember felt a muzzle on her hip. Cyrus was at her side looking up at her.

  She knelt down beside him and threw her arm around his neck. Alexander reached out and attempted to grab a fistful of fur. She narrowly managed to pull him out of the way.

  "Go home," her uncle growled looking first at Jordan and then to the wolves who had come with him. His companions were all crouched on the ground apparently trying to make themselves small and unnoticeable.

  The wolves nodded before scampering off into the night. Remember wondered if they had stashed spare clothes nearby. It was draining to be in werewolf form outside of a full moon. If they had no clothes nearby they would be left naked trying to find a way home. She smiled at the thought.

  Her uncle stepped off of Jordan and he shot up and joined his pack. It wasn't until he and his pack members were out of sight that her uncle thanked the pack and dismissed them to their homes. Sally, Edgar, Jeremiah, and Noah remained.

  "Noah, I will need you to contact his alpha. He needs to be dealt with. If the attack was sanctioned by the alpha there must be consequences," her uncle said.

  "Of course," Noah said.

  "I'm sure our coven leader will want to remind the alpha of his pack that there are consequences for attacking witches," Aaron said. He had scratches on his arms and a bruise on his face. Martha had bruises up her arm and the skirt of her dress was slashed but Remember doubted there would be any lasting damage to either of them.

  If Jordan's father had any alliance with witches it might be compromised after news of what happened reached the local coven.

  "And word will need to be sent to my father," Remember said.

  "I'll handle that," Noah said. He'd lost weight over the past few months but she was glad to see grief hadn't completely consumed him. The pack needed his skills as a lawyer. She hoped being needed would allow him to continue to survive the grief of his loss.

  "Let's get you home," her aunt said. Remember nodded.

  ***

  Cyrus covered the window with greased paper. It would suit until a new one could be ordered. He'd offered to buy one for Aaron as well but Isaac insisted he would repair the damage to Aaron's home.

  Cyrus heard steps on the stairs and turned to see Remember tip toeing down them. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist before burying her face
between his shoulder blades.

  "Is Alexander asleep?' Cyrus asked.

  "He is," Remember said. Cyrus nodded. At least the child was young enough that he would have no memory of this night. He would have no idea what the man who had fathered him was really like.

  "You were very brave," Remember whispered.

  "Not brave. I was just defending what was mine," he said.

  "You don't think he will come back, do you?"

  "I wouldn't worry about it," Cyrus said.

  "I'm not worried. I have my big strong husband to protect me," she said. She was warm and soft against him. He tried to push down the feelings of arousal.

  "Were you in the same fight I was?" Cyrus asked gruffly.

  "I was in a fight where a three-legged werewolf managed to deal damage to two four-legged wolves. I think the one will have a broken arm for at least another day. The other was limping too. That is quite a feat," she said.

  "It really wasn't," Cyrus said. The wolf whose leg he broke had been distracted by his pain. The wolf holding him down hadn't been well trained. He thought his initial threats would be enough to intimidate Cyrus. Clearly, he'd never been a soldier. Cyrus waited for the wolf to loosen his hold around his neck. Once the other wolf had let go enough Cyrus sprang into action throwing his full weight against the wolf and knocking him over. Cyrus had been sure to grab his back leg as he fell pulling his hip out of the socket and dislocating his knee.

  That had given Cyrus time to escape though it hadn't taken long for the other wolves to pursue him again.

  "Are you almost through here?" she asked.

  "Almost. You can go up to bed. I'll be up in a few minutes," he said.

  She let go of his back and moved around his side to plant a kiss on his cheek.

  "I'll wait for you," she whispered sending a bolt of excitement through both wolf and man.

  Chapter 23

  Remember stood beside her uncle anxiously waiting for the train to arrive. Her aunt was talking to Alexander who was cooing back at her happily. A few people stared at her son but so far none said an unkind remark about his missing arm which was clearly visible in his short summer clothes.

  "Is it late?" she asked as her uncle checked his pocket watch.

  "There is still ten minutes until it is scheduled," he said. Remember flexed her toes and shifted her weight from foot to foot. The anticipation was driving her crazy.

  It only took another five minutes for the train to pull into the station but her parents were the next to last to disembark.

  As soon as her mother was on solid ground Remember rushed towards her and threw her arms around her taking in the scent which she hadn't smelled in so long.

  Her mother hugged her back tightly.

  She pulled away from her mother just as her father was shaking her uncle's hand.

  "Let me see this grandson of mine," her father said walking over to her aunt and taking Alexander into his arms.

  Her uncle had sent her parents a detailed account of what had taken place with Jordan and in doing so he'd been forced to reveal the reason Jordan had conceded the child wasn't his. As her father cooed at her son she was glad her father didn't seem to mind that his grandson would be a three-legged wolf.

  "He is a darling," her mother said taking Alexander from her father.

  "Only when he isn't teething," Remember said with a laugh.

  "He has your mother's nose," her mother said to her father.

  "And your father's chin," her father said.

  "I thought that too," her uncle agreed.

  They walked back to her uncle's wagon. Her mother was still holding Alexander who seemed very pleased with the attention. His personality was in full bloom and he was quite the pup. He adored his grandma Tabitha who spoiled him. He gave Aaron and Martha their dues when they visited with smiles, toothy grins, and a bit of drool to keep him in their memory until their next visit.

  He liked her uncle and aunt well enough and he had almost immediately taken to Ahote when she came for a visit.

  All of those people, and in most cases his mother as well, melted away as soon as Alexander's father entered the room.

  She never imagined a bond like the two of them shared. She had no doubt that as soon as her son could walk he would be begging to follow Cyrus out on patient visits. Cyrus probably would let him too.

  "Do you want me to take him?" she asked as the wagon came into sight. Alexander could get wiggly on the ride and she didn't want to burden her mother who was likely tired from the train.

  "I only get a week with my grandson. I intend to enjoy every moment of it," her mother said nuzzling his cheek. Alexander let out a high-pitched squeal.

  Remember, her aunt, and her mother climbed into the back of the wagon where a board had been laid down to make a seat.

  Her father joined her uncle in the wagon seat behind the team.

  "Has there been any news?" her uncle asked. His voice was low so she knew he meant the question for her father but she was curious of the answer as well.

  "Jordan's father publicly condemned his actions. There is no way to know if he sanctioned them privately. He insisted it was all a misunderstanding. He assures us he will reign in the boy better and teach him not to behave in ways unbecoming of a future alpha. For the time being, it is enough, but I don't know if there will be peace once his father dies and Jordan takes over the pack," her father said.

  "That is something at least. I worried his father would side with him and retaliate over the humiliation I caused him," her uncle said.

  "Jordan may be a loose cannon but his father is sensible if not terribly moral. Pack wars mean casualties and many wolves would be against him once they heard what had ensued. Especially once they were told how clearly it was that he was not the father of the pup," her father said.

  "It is most fortunate that point was conceded," her uncle agreed.

  Remember's attention turned back to her son when he blew a raspberry at his grandmother who blew one right back.

  ***

  Cyrus heard the wagon approaching and went to greet them. He tried to push down his nerves at meeting his father and mother-in-law. They agreed to Remember's choice of him as a husband but what could they really think of their daughter being married to a three-legged wolf?

  "When they see how much you love her they won't care," his mother promised. He hoped she was right.

  He tried to make his cane as inconspicuous as possible as he approached the wagon and helped the women down from their seats. Alexander was in his grandmother's arms but as soon as he saw Cyrus his little arm reached out and his whole body wiggled in delight. Cyrus pulled his son into his arms and kissed his forehead.

  "I'll be back before it gets dark," Isaac promised. Remember's parents were staying at Isaac's house because he had more space to accommodate them in a style befitting an alpha family.

  "What a darling home," Remember's mother said as they crossed the threshold. He'd never seen their home but he was sure it was much grander than his.

  "So, you are a doctor?" his father-in-law asked.

  "I am," Cyrus said.

  "That must keep you very busy."

  "It does."

  "Calls at all hours of the night?"

  "Yes."

  "Much like being an alpha I would guess," he said with a laugh. Cyrus laughed too.

  ***

  Even the sight of his father wasn't enough to take away the excitement of the day and Alexander finally fell asleep. Remember reached out and took him from Cyrus' arms.

  "Can I come with you to put him to bed? I want to see the rest of the house," her mother said.

  Remember led her mother up the stairs and into the room she and Cyrus shared. She laid Alexander down in his crib and tucked his blanket around him.

  "The room across the hall belongs to Cyrus' mother but we are going to be building her a room downstairs so that Alexander and his brother or sister will have the space they need," Remember said. She could
feel her cheeks pinking as she realized what she'd let slip.

  "Is there another pup on the way?"

  Remember nodded. She'd planned to tell both her parents during the visit but she'd wanted to tell them together.

  "Is your husband good to you?" her mother asked. She noticed her mother glancing at her bed. She wondered if her mother was wondering what transpired to put another pup inside of her. She hadn't mentioned her intimacy with her husband in her letters. It didn't seem to be the right thing for a girl to write to her mother about. Remember even wondered if her mother worried that Cyrus had claimed his rights cruelly. He would not be the first man to do so.

  "He is very good to me," Remember assured her. She put a hand on her mother's arm.

  "And you are happy here?" her mother asked.

  "I am very happy here," Remember said. She wasn't sure if her mother could see past the smallness of the house and the cane her husband carried. She hoped by the time the week was over those things would be as invisible to her mother as they now were to her.

  "Have you grown to care for him? When you decided to come here to marry a stranger, who wasn't even an alpha, I worried you would find yourself in an unhappy marriage," her mother said.

  "Being a mother now I can understand that worry," Remember admitted. "But I love Cyrus and he loves me."

  "You are very lucky," her mother said.

  "I know," Remember said and she really did.

  About the Author:

  Jane B. Night was born in central Ohio. She graduated from Hocking College with a degree in Health Information Management. She has worked as a Medical Records Technician and a Switchboard Operator since earning her degree.

  When Jane isn’t writing or working, she loves to read, play videogames, and take her children walking.

  Connect with Jane B. Night

  Email: authorjanebnight@yahoo.com