by J. E. Cluney
Then there was Lionel and Jace, two brothers who were twice my age. Both had families out in the forested areas, and they looked similar in only a few aspects. Jace’s mate was Bianca, and they had one young son who they left with Lionel’s mate and children when Bianca cleaned and he worked the ranch.
They shared the same hazel eyes and small smiles, the same sandy blond hair. But after that, they were vastly different. Jace was shorter and bulkier while Lionel was tall and lanky. Jace had a rounded nose and sweet face whereas Lionel had a hooked nose and angular face with high cheekbones.
The last of the group was Thomas, whom I recognized easily. He was Nathan’s only older sibling, his three younger ones lived with his parents up in the mountains.
“Morning Tom, everyone,” I nodded at the group.
They all greeted me like normal, but Thomas drew up beside me on his flea-bitten grey gelding. He leaned over to hug me, and I drew in his rancher scent, just like Nathan’s.
“Good morning Taylor, it’s so good to see you back home,” he sighed as he released me. His friendly smile was just as gorgeous as Nathan’s, and they looked remarkably similar. Thomas just looked like an older version of Nathan with a more rounded face and blue eyes. Not as lean either.
“Thanks, so, Nathan tells me we’re moving the herd to the northern field?” I checked.
“Yep, that’s the plan!” Thomas grinned as he nudged his gelding to move around my mare.
Belle flattened her ears in the presence of all the other horses, but she didn’t play up, thankfully. I’d ridden other mares that started to squeal and kick out when they got close to other horses.
We moved off after Nathan and Thomas explained the simple procedure.
I had a feeling they were mostly doing it to remind me.
I was to take up the rear with Nathan while Lionel and Jace flanked on either side of the herd.
Carlos and Brayden would take each shoulder of the herd, and Thomas would go out ahead to open the gates and make sure the path was clear.
But first, we had to draw the herd together into a group.
We got straight into it, and Belle was eager to dart around the field, rounding up the steers and cows.
I had one steer who challenged Belle, but she stood her ground, snorting and pacing before the angry steer as it threatened to charge us. Its sleek black coat glistened in the morning sun as the muscles rippled beneath its hide, swaying those deadly horns at us as it mock charged us twice, but Belle didn’t budge.
I carefully maneuvered it to the growing group of cattle as Lionel, Jace and Carlos kept the group in a tight formation whilst Thomas, Brayden, Nathan and I gathered up all the grazing cattle.
It was not a speedy process, and I spied Brayden having some trouble with a young steer who refused to go back to the herd.
Brayden’s little chestnut mare zigged back and forth, trying to stop the young steer from breaking away completely and taking off down the field.
Thomas ended up stepping in, and the pair were able to get the stubborn critter to join the herd.
I smiled as the young steer cow-kicked and tossed his head defiantly as he joined the group.
And then we began the slow process of herding the head of cattle to the northern field, coaxing them along with calls and the bodies of our horses.
I relaxed into the saddle, the old ranch way of life coming back to me with ease.
Nathan kept smiling over at me, and I rolled my eyes at his knowing look. He knew that I felt at home doing this, pushing the cattle onward as Belle kept in steady step.
I took the time to drag my eyes over the field and the distant tree line where the forest started. More than a third of the ranch was forested, with fields cleared out for horses, cattle and crops. The rest was inhabited by wildlife and our Pack, hidden amongst the pines that spread up into the mountains that rimmed the southern border.
I drew in the scent of horses, sweat, and cattle. The sweet essence of the fields and grass, the flowers and insects, it all filled me with a wave of contentment.
By the time we’d herded the cattle into the northern field, a slick sweat had built up on my back, and my head burned in the late morning sun. I was mildly annoyed I’d lost my cowboy hat in the mad race against Nathan, I’d make sure to pick it up on the way home.
My stomach tightened at the thought. At lunch time, I’d get the deciding call on the offer by Richard.
I hoped the outcome was good.
“Everything okay?” Nathan asked as he pulled dasher up beside me. The darker gelding was slicked with sweat on his neck from the sun, and he swished his tail incessantly to keep the flies at bay.
Belle stomped her foot at the intrusion in her personal space and reached out as if she intended to nip Dasher to make him step away. I pulled her head back to stomp her, and she snorted in defiance, drawing a soft smile from me. She was the perfect mount for me with her sass.
“Just wondering what my father will say when he calls,” I said as I leaned forward and scratched behind Belle’s ears to settle her.
“Well, we can head back now, the others can finish up here. I’ll make us some lunch and we can relax while we wait,” he offered.
“Sounds good,” I nodded. Belle spun on her heel with little urging from me and started into a brisk trot back home with Dasher in tow.
We moved to the edge of the field and into the shade of the towering pines, before cutting off through the forest. A shortcut rather than going around the curved fields, and away from the direct sunlight.
“I wonder how Frank’s porch is, silly old ‘wolf,” I shook my head at the thought of Frank, one of the eldest in our Pack. He’d been good friend’s with my grandad before he passed, only a few years before my grandmother succumbed to a ghastly car accident in town. She’d chosen to go into town alone to get some supplies and have her hair done for an annual Pack event despite how we had a few fine she-wolves who could do it for her.
She stepped out into the street as a truck came flying around the corner. She didn’t have enough time to get out of the way.
My father had been made Alpha when my grandfather turned sixty, deeming his thirty-year-old son a better fit for the position and so he could then retire into a cottage in the woods.
It was shortly before I was born, and I wondered if my father would do the same when he turned sixty.
My brother had first claim to the position, as did all firstborn males, besides, leading the Pack was not my style. That much responsibility, I doubted I could handle it. No, I probably could, I just didn’t want to.
Nathan started up a conversation about Frank’s antics. He was the most reckless of our elderly Pack members, and refused to move closer to the infirmary now that he was nearing seventy. A stubborn old man who lived alone ever since his mate passed, age catching her sooner than expected.
I laughed as we spoke about one time at a Sunday dinner when he tripped over a couple making love. He landed on the couple, a flailing pile of naked bodies as the young she-wolf shrieked and tried to untangle herself from both her partner and this old man. Frank had had one too many drinks that night, but it gave us a good belly laugh as some other men helped lift the older man up and hurry him away so he couldn’t cause more trouble. The old man with his potbelly and long white beard tried to fight them, struggling and kicking out like an angry child as they carried him away.
By the time we reached the stable, I was dying for a drink, and I was quick to untack Belle and hose her off before letting her loose in the field. Her first thing to do was roll in the dirt while still wet, and I chuckled as the mare stirred up dust as she did so.
I headed into the kitchen before Nathan, spying Scott as he made himself a milkshake.
“Want one?” he asked as he glanced over my reddened face, probably smelling the sweat on me.
“God yes,” I sighed as I slumped into the booth and leaned my head back. “How was Frank’s place?”
“That old fool nearly
completely destroyed his porch. If he’d just asked for help, I wouldn’t have so much work to do tomorrow,” Scott groaned. “The roof has caved in, the railings are totaled, the porch flooring is crushed, and his window got smashed.”
“Damn, so much damage by one little old man,” I sighed, feeling sorry for Scott needing to work on it tomorrow. Frank could be a handful, that was for sure, and I doubted the old cranky bastard would let Scott repair his cottage unsupervised.
“He had the audacity to get pissy with me because I was taking too long,” Scott growled softly as he worked on my milkshake, the shake machine whirring to life.
“He’s old, his mate died, he lives all by himself, not close to anyone. He barely comes along to our days anymore, he wasn’t at the Funday, and who knows if he’ll show tonight for the dinner. I’d be cranky too,” I shrugged.
“He chooses not to socialize. We’re a Pack, us ‘wolves love to be together, around one another and talking, it’s a part of us,” Scott grumbled as he brought my milkshake over and sat across from me. Strawberry, my favorite.
I thanked him as I slurped it down, in heaven as the sweet, cold drink filled me and cooled me down. I know I should’ve had water, but who doesn’t love a good milkshake?
Nathan strolled in, smiling as he dipped his hat at Scott before heading for the fridge to grab himself some iced water.
I groaned as I remembered my lost hat. Nope. It could stay out there. I just hoped it didn’t belong to anyone, not that they couldn’t just get a new one.
“You going to hang around for lunch?” Nathan asked Scott as he leaned on the counter, gulping down his iced water.
“If you’re cooking,” Scott smirked.
“Yeah, although nothing too extravagant. We’ve got dinner tonight, the women will be here soon to start the preparation. Carlos and Jace have already offered to help me with the barbecue tonight,” Nathan said.
“Should be good, we’ll have a hunt afterwards, that’s always fun,” Scott grinned.
The two boys discussed the night ahead as I pondered what my father’s phone call would be about. My stomach was knotting at the thought, I needed to know, and I needed to know now.
As if on cue, Nathan’s phone rang, and I froze as I shot him a look.
He just pursed his lips and gave me an uncertain look as he answered it.
“Lawrence,” he said as he took his hat off and set it down on our table. “What’s the news?”
I held my breath, my heart pounding in uncertainty as Nathan frowned.
“Yeah, I’ll put her on.”
I practically snatched the phone as he offered it me, shoving it against my ear.
“What have those assholes decided?” I said, anger at the Council already boiling inside me.
“They want me to accept. I told them it’s not up to me, but since I’m the Alpha, they’re not allowing you to make the choice. They’re allowing me to choose to fight him for you instead or simply take it. I told them it will be settled by battle. They would’ve said a mate of yours could fight him alongside me, but since you haven’t taken one, it’ll be one-on-one battle rather than Alpha and a second,” my father sighed.
My breath caught at the news, my chest tightening as I pictured my father fighting for my rights and my honor.
“It’s not your fight,” I whispered, my throat tightening at the thought of him battling Richard. My father was strong and deadly, but I worried for him, as would any daughter who’d seen her father slowly succumb to age over the years.
“You’re my daughter, and I’m your Alpha, this is my fight,” he stated, although I could see the tender smile in his voice.
I wanted to get angry at myself for leaving, for not spending more time with him. All he’d ever done, all the times he’d pulled me into line or frowned upon me, it was only because he cared and wanted the best life for me.
Being a Huntress not only shook him, but a part of me knew he was terrified to lose his little girl.
I’d simply done my best to ignore it.
“I won’t let you,” I said stubbornly. I couldn’t risk losing my father to Richard, of that monster claiming our Pack if my Father fell to him. That would be the outcome.
“That’s the option they’ve given me,” he said. “And it’s the one I’ll take.”
“Can I speak with someone there?” I asked, wistfully praying someone from the Council was still with him.
“No, I’m the Alpha, Tay,” he growled, but I could hear another voice in the background asking him to pass the phone.
“I demand to speak to someone of the Council,” I growled.
“Your father only has the two choices, my dear,” a smooth male voice said. I was right, my father must still be in the presence of a Councilman then. Thankfully.
“I wish to offer forth a third option,” I said, ignoring the looks of dismay and despair from my two companions.
“And what would that be? The offer to join two of the greatest Packs is the region is not something we can decline,” the man said.
“I know. My proposition is that I fight Richard for the right to claim me. If I lose, he has me as his mate, but my father keeps his rightful position as Pack leader until it is time for the Alpha’s to fight for the title of both Packs.”
“By taking you as his mate, Richard will claim ownership of your Pack as well, you’re the firstborn daughter of the Alpha,” the man chuckled. “So your proposition goes against Pack ways. We’re most interested in the joining of the two Packs, my dear.”
“And mating with the mated she-wolves of your Pack isn’t against our ways? Something we all know Richard partakes in,” I snapped back. “And Richard mainly wants me, not the two Packs to join. He’s only using that to get what he wants.” I knew my words were mostly true. Richard wouldn’t mind joining Packs if it meant he only got all our females and none of the men.
I could feel the man contemplating my words. I gave my two companions a sad smile as they gave horrified and dismayed looks. Nathan was shaking his head in denial, and Scott’s brow was furrowed in worry and distress.
“Your offer intrigues me, young lady. You do realize it is standard practice that the Alpha fights such propositions, thanks to his gained power from his position. You lack that such power,” the man drawled, and I could hear the devious smile on his lips.
“I ask that if you accept my proposition, that the battle is to be made in human form, not wolf,” I added. My heart was in my throat as my hands shook slightly, making me nearly drop the phone as I waited for his answer.
“Intriguing indeed,” the man chuckled. “I wouldn’t normally accept, but as you say, Mr Williamson doesn’t stick to Pack ways too well either, and this proposition of yours is something I’d like to put into motion. I will inform Mr Williamson of the decision. You two will fight for the right to have you as mate, but the title of Alpha of your Pack remains your father’s until Mr Williamson decides to fight for it. I will personally come and attend this battle and make sure that no further rules and laws are broken. You do realize, if you beat Mr Richardson, due to your desire to keep your father as Alpha of your Pack, you cannot claim his Pack should you come out victorious?”
“Of course.” I nodded, my voice somehow remaining steady despite the sweat dripping down my back.
“Well, it’s settled then,” the man said definitely, despite the bark of argument from my father in the background. “I’ll push for the deciding battle to take place tomorrow night. I understand tonight is the final Sunday of the month, and it is customary for many Packs to spend the night as a whole together.”
The phone clicked off and I shakily set it down on the table.
“What the fuck Tay?! Are you insane?” Nathan gaped at me.
“I won’t let my father fight my battles,” I snarled, ignoring the way I wanted to curl up and catch my breath, to slow my racing heart.
“He’s going to pissed at you. And us,” Scott muttered, but the look of utter anger and di
stress in his eyes made me catch myself. Nathan was pissed, but I could sense his fear for me.
“Everything will be okay,” I tried to reassure them, or maybe myself, I wasn’t too sure.
“This is unbelievable,” Nathan muttered. “Just because you bested us three doesn’t mean you can take on an Alpha and win!”
“If my father died for me, I’d never be able to live with that. I’ve already lost my mother, I can’t lose him either,” I growled. I knew if it were a fight between my father and Richard, it would be to the death. Not all Alpha fights ended so brutally, but I doubted Richard would just accept my father’s defeat and let him live.
This was my fight, and I intended to win.
11
Nathan eventually made hamburgers after losing his shit with me about the agreed battle. My father had called back, horrified and pissed at what I’d done. He could understand why, but it didn’t mean he agreed with it. In the end I passed the phone to Nathan, grabbed my burger and headed outside to catch some air.
I sat out at the barbecue table munching on my burger, envisioning how tomorrow night would go. My father would be returning tonight and he’d be announcing what was happening to the Pack. At least, I assumed he would.
I frowned as I finished my burger, tomorrow night playing on my mind. How was I going to beat him? I needed to be focused and ready, read his body language and gauge his attack style.
“You look troubled.”
I turned and smiled as Jaye joined me, his grey shorts and tattered blue shirt stained with paint.
“A bit. How’s the painting coming along? Apparently some hotshot rich lady has commissioned a piece?” I asked, not wanting to discuss my upcoming fight for my life.
“Good. She wanted a painting of her most prized breeding stallion. Apparently, from what I’ve learned, he pulls in over a million dollars a year in stud fees,” Jaye rolled his eyes as he sat beside me.