by Tl Reeve
Not that I’m stroking my own dick here or anything.
I’m not.
Fucking up in my world means one thing—termination. Not the kind where you get a decent severance package and collect unemployment. I’m referring to the other, where you find yourself six feet under, pushing up daisies. Or, sinking to the bottom of some river, wearing cement shoes.
I like living, thank you very much. Even more so now, since the fragile connection between Haley and I began to grow. Of course, I’d have to have a conversation with the ever-astute Alpha, who’s always several steps ahead of everyone. Even me, and I don’t like it. Happens to be one of the many reasons the PBH gave the powerful man such a wide berth.
He’d demand answers, and if I wasn’t forthcoming, he’d know it. Ride my ass more until I gave him what he wanted. Kalkin had done it a time or two already, and trust me, it wasn’t the most pleasant experience.
Speak of the devil.
Sabotage by the Beastie Boys blared from the phone tucked inside my black jacket. The ever-persistent Alpha was calling me. Thankfully, he was the only one who had this phone’s number. If it’d been someone else... well, I’d be fucked. Didn’t mean I didn’t have a fucked-up sense of humor, though. I gave him the song as a ringtone just to rile the bastard when he’d been too close.
Hard to believe, I actually run the PBH and had hundreds of hunters, doctors, and office workers who reported to me on a daily basis, yet Kalkin could be and often was, all up in my business. Like now.
Oh, shit, seems I forget to mention that little tidbit. Yeah. I’m the director of the PBH, the Paranormal Bounty Hunters. The bad guys. Although, I think by now, we all know not everything is as it seems. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
The song cut out, only to start right back up. See. Told you he’s tenacious.
I slid the green phone icon over to the right after I pulled the phone out of my coat.
“Yeah.”
“What the fuck took you so long?” Kalkin growled.
The alpha’s frustrations seemed to be high, and I couldn’t help but smile. I got some sick pleasure from aggravating the fuck out of this man, and I knew what I said next would do exactly that. “Believe it or not, Kalkin—” I refused to acknowledge his title even when he demanded it. I didn’t consider the other man my alpha. Plus, I did it for the simple fact, I knew it pissed him off. I didn’t give a shit. Far as I’d been concerned, he could go fuck off his aggressiveness with his mate— “I’m not at your beck and call. I’ve got shit to do, and it doesn’t always revolve around you.”
“One day, whelp, when I get my hands on you, you’re going to wish I’d never found you,” he threatened, his voice rough and growly.
It didn’t faze me, not one damn bit. It was a familiar threat. One I’ve heard a dozen or more times since he’d come into my life. I also knew the other man well enough to realize, when the time came, he’d give me my comeuppance.
I smirked.
It’d be well deserved, too, and I’d take it.
Kalkin Raferty had done everything in his power to protect his family and his pack without once ever compromising his principles. Government officials, foreign dignitaries, senators, hell even the President of the United States respected the Alpha wolf shifter.
Believe it or not, I highly respected the other man.
It just had been a helluva lot of fun poking the big, grumpy wolf. Time to end the fun and games and get back to business. “What do you want, since you called me?”
“Midnight and Leora are claiming the girl,” he announced.
“I care about this, why?” I kept my gaze on a swivel, watching the apartment and the buildings surrounding it. Didn’t need some jackass trying to win points with... well... me. When Midnight’s big SUV pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building, I knew it was time to get the hell out of Window Rock.
Kalkin chuckled. “Ahh, pup.” I cringed when he called me that stupid nickname. I wasn’t a shifter either, and he knew it. Guess I had to deal with paybacks. “You honestly think I don’t know where you are or what you’re doing.”
Fuck.
Me.
Bastard.
“You’re slipping, pup. I’ve had eyes on you since my guys intercepted the caravan following Midnight.” Well, that would explain the constant itch I had on the back of my neck. Once I’d reached Window Rock, the feeling had dissipated. “Can’t believe you actually came into Window Rock.”
“Not the first time,” I admitted.
Kalkin snorted. “I know. You’ve been keeping tabs on Hayden and Bodhi over the years. Even when I told you they’re fine.” I refused to answer, knowing it could implicate me further with the other man. “If I didn’t want you in my county, pup, you wouldn’t be.”
Ain’t that the truth?
Not wanting to keep with the current conversation, I changed the topic. “Those who hold the purse strings for PBH are on a rampage with their desires to have younger boys and girls with abilities. They no longer care about which abilities, they just want them. Age is also no longer a factor.”
Used to be, PBH didn’t touch most young children—unless they showed a strong potential—until puberty, when most revealed the true strength of their powers. Like with everything in life, there was always a few kids that didn’t meet the norm. When it happened, and it did more frequently than I liked, PBH swooped in and tried to get them.
Remember... nothing is as it seems. Like I said, I run PBH because of my fucking name. Didn’t mean I enjoyed this shit. I spent a good bit of my life trying to escape the reality of my parents’ killing spree, not trying to jump in bed with those who reopened the government experimental agency. So, I had knowledge of every single request and mission. Those looking for the exceptional shifter or human would go to Kalkin. He’d then send a PRA team to rescue the endangered child and bring them to Window Rock.
At some point, those who bankrolled PBH would eventually get around to pulling their head out of their asses and realize we had an operative within the organization.
Until then... here I am.
Kalkin growled. “What about the kids they’re using to scout out potential targets.”
What he really wanted to know is how I allowed it to happen and not tell him. Stopping it would have drawn unwanted attention to my position. I did voice my concerns, but even I had people I reported to, and they overruled me when I voiced my concerns. They were the ones sitting in the halls of congress. Sick fuckers.
I didn’t even bother to defend myself. If the other man didn’t get it, fuck him.
“It’s a beta program. For now. I don’t have any control over it. It’s a personal project the board of directors took up.”
“Fuck,” Kalkin swore.
We both knew what it meant. I’d have little to no knowledge when they were dispatched. “All I’ve been told is they are two teams—”
“A male and female team,” Kalkin growled.
I wondered how he had even obtained the information. It wasn’t until after the fact, I found out the male team had been dispatched to locate and take Haley. “Failure to capture Haley didn’t exactly endear them to their handlers.”
“It’ll make our jobs difficult.”
No shit. PRA protected children. It was one thing to take down and kill an adult. Another to have to do it to teenage boys and girls who’d been brainwashed.
“You need to get me more information on those teams.”
This fucking guy and his goddamned requests. Doesn’t he have any clue how precarious my position is and what I’m risking? I had some pull, thanks to my parents Simon and Hazel Geithner and the fucking cult status they had within PBH, but it could only go so far.
“I’m trying. It’s not like the information is readily available. I keep pushing, they’re going to want to know why. Let me remind you, I end up dead, you need to find another patsy to use for your fucking cause,” I spat.
“Your cause, too, Adrian. Don’t play
dumb. I gave you a choice,” he reminded me.
Not for the first time, I wish the smug bastard stood in front of me. I’d fucking deck him. I grounded my teeth, reining in my reply. He wasn’t lying. He offered me a choice, and he knew I felt the connection to my siblings, even though they had no clue I even existed. That was my choice, by the way. Kalkin wanted to tell them. I asked him not to, and he respected my wishes.
“If you’d like to work off the aggression I can feel building within you, I’m sitting in my office. I fucking dare you.”
Fucking asshole knew I wouldn’t take him up on it. Strolling into the Sheriff’s department would do neither of us any good. One of his hick-ass deputies would likely discharge their weapon first then ask questions once I’m fucking dead.
It’d also open a can of worms I knew the other man wasn’t yet prepared to deal with. His twin brother, Jace, Keeley and Danielle, hell, the whole Raferty Pack wouldn’t be pleased with their devious Alpha.
I needed to calm my ass down. I counted first to ten. It didn’t work, so I kept on, stopping when I hit twenty-five. The tension eased from my neck and shoulders. The red haze coloring my vision faded. One thing was for sure. The badass Alpha could dish it out, as well as take it. Yet another lesson I continued to learn.
“How safe is Apache County, Kalkin?” I asked, hoping the fear I felt for my siblings and their families were masked.
The other man didn’t even hesitate before he replied, his voice gruff, and his tone hard. “Secure. Why?”
I never questioned the measures Kalkin would take to protect his family or Apache County and Window Rock. But... “Rumor mill has been churning. Loudly. The Council suspects what you’ve been doing. They have no proof and are hesitant to test you. I heard a couple members claim it might be time to renege on the deal they made with you all those years ago.”
“Let them fucking try. I’ll personally kill every one of those motherfuckers with my bare hands.” I had no doubt the other man would follow through with his threats. “One of these days, pup, you’re going to have to learn to trust me.” He said those words as though he could read my mind.
I snorted.
Truth be told, Kalkin was the only person I trusted. Yeah, I’ll admit, he might be a conniving asshole, but he’s never stabbed me in the back. In my line of work, that’s huge. “I’ve got feelers out, and my eyes and ears are open. I hear anything, I’ll advise you.”
Kalkin grunted. “What about the boy up in Alaska? Do we need to send someone to get him?”
Back to work. I knew exactly which boy he was talking about. Chatter started last week about a young boy, no older than fourteen, who resided in Sitka who seemed to have a very unusual ability—technopathy. He’d been on PBH’s radar since last year when it was suspected he had powers. Nothing was proven, forcing PBH to leave him alone.
Now, a video had surfaced of the boy, displaying his potential. The kid was a DJ. The video showed a rave he’d been spinning at, however nothing had power. The caption on the video called him, Phantom. PBH scientists weren’t convinced from the video if it was a true talent or simply amazing editing and special effects.
In any event, PBH were interested in the boy now that Haley had slipped through their fingers.
“Parents were killed four years ago in a plane crash.” Like all the files which came across my desk, I’d memorized them. Giving Kalkin the particulars on the family was easy. “It’s just the boy and his older sister, who currently has custody.”
“Sounds like this would be a good mission for Mane,” Kalkin said.
Couldn’t agree more.
Mane’s a lion shifter. Deadly, but always had an ever-present smile on his face. You’d never know how skilled he was, until he slit some stupid mother fucker’s throat. Then it’d be too late.
Mane also had a way with the ladies. Some would call him a player. Me, personally, I’d call him a man-whore. But to each his own.
“I’ll send him within the next twenty-four hours with instructions to watch for now. If PBH decides to grab the boy, we’ll already have someone in place for a snatch and grab.”
Silence filled the air. Kalkin Raferty didn’t say goodbye, he just hung up, leaving you hanging. Guess it’s the privilege that comes with being a badass alpha, wolf shifter.
With our conversation over, I got on my bike and got the fuck out of Window Rock.
Be seeing you, Nevermore...
Epilogue
Haley
Two years later...
“Haley Elizabeth Poe.”
That’s my cue. I need to run. Today is graduation. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like it in Window Rock, but the place has grown on me. The Alpha is really strict, but not. He’s fair, and I kind of like him—as long as I don’t piss him off. His mate, Keeley, and her sister, Danielle, are amazing. They’ve made me feel like I belonged here from the moment they met me.
I glance out at the crowd.
The Alpha and his mate are here along with my mom and dad, my grandparents on Midnight’s side, and the two-year-old terror better known as Edgar. He’s my little brother. The day the official documents for my adoption arrived, Leora and Midnight found out from Danielle, she was also pregnant. I think it took us all a moment to realize we were going from a pseudo-family of three to four in no time. There were plenty of growing pains, especially for me. I hadn’t had a family before who cared, but a flesh and blood kid meant more, at least, to me in the beginning. I had abandonment issues for a long time. I’d been sure, the minute Edgar arrived, they’d put me out. Instead, I’d been integrated into every aspect of Leora’s pregnancy, including Edgar’s birth. FYI: I’m not sure if I’ll ever want kids now.
Today is another happy day, though.
I pause on stage for the photographer and smile while shaking the principal’s hand. When Midnight signed me up for school, I thought I’d be so far behind, the school system would force me to get my GED, but with tons of hard work on my part, and straight A’s, I graduated with my class. I flip my tassel to indicate I am a graduate, at the same moment a tingle of awareness slides down my spine.
He’s out there, too. No one sees him. I do, sometimes. When he lets me. He’s a ghost, you see. He’s my mate, too. The day on the freeway, when we all almost died... he rescued us. It’d also been the day we formed a psychic link. Telepathy is a pretty common ability; however, I wasn’t the telepath in this crazy situation.
Ghost had been. He says he’s a null, so he didn’t understand, but I bet he did. Anyway, he sticks to the shadows. He doesn’t approach me, nor does he stick around Window Rock. He does talk to me, though. All the time, it seems. Then, he disappears. He says no one can know about him yet, but it makes me feel a bit... icky. I shouldn’t have to lie to my parents, right?
When the last student for our class sits, the principal has us stand, then he presents us to our parents and the faculty of our school. Midnight and Leora are so proud of me. They have encouraged me from the beginning, telling me I can do anything I put my mind to. You have no idea how good it feels to have them in my corner. I also have Midnight’s parents, my now grandparents guiding me along. I swear his mom—my grandmother would feed me until I popped if I let her when they came to visit, which is more often than not. It’s oddly comforting having all of them in my life. They treat me like I’m biologically theirs and as though they’ve known me my whole life. I can’t quite explain how much they mean to me. Don’t think I ever will.
So, what’s the next chapter of my life going to look like? College at Turnskin University. When I first arrived here, I had regular sessions with Danielle and Keeley. They helped me channel my pyro abilities, especially after I’d had some horrible nightmares in the beginning. Then I spent three days a week with Brie—she’s the town and pack’s therapist, talking about things and learning different ways to cope with everything since leaving the group home. In between them and school, Midnight also gave me th
e chance to be a raven. We flew together all the time. Then one day, he let me fly on my own. He said I needed to learn to trust myself. I can’t explain how I felt, but after that, everything changed. Between the four of them, I’d finally come to accept, I’m worth the love I am shown by Leora and Midnight and my new grandparents. I am worth having an education, and I am worthy of going to college. And, I am an amazing shifter to boot.
While I’d been with Danielle and Keeley, I’d been introduced to several people at the fire department. One of them, Capt. Leonardo Casseus, headed the Arson Investigation Team. He could use someone like me. Since I can produce fire, track it, and just by looking at it, tell someone how it started, I’d be invaluable to them. So, I am going to study not only criminal justice, but also fire science. When I return in four years, I’m going to be the best damn arson investigator in this county.
It’s my solemn vow.
My name is Haley Elizabeth Poe. Watch out world. Here I come.
About the Authors
TL Reeve, a bestselling, multi-published author was born out of a love of family and a bond that became unbreakable. Living in Alabama, TL misses Los Angeles, and will one-day return to the beaches of Southern California to ride the waves at Huntington Beach. When not writing something hot and sexy, TL can be found curled up with a good book, or working on homework with a cute little pixie.
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Michele Ryan is a multi-published author. She embraced her creative passion and co-authored several books with fellow author TL Reeve. Michele has also published two solo novellas. Michele is a lifelong resident of the state of New Jersey, along with her husband and three children, whom she refers to as her hobbits. When Michele is not plotting or writing, she can be found either volunteering at her children’s school or reading.