I fell on my side with a whimper, and I once again felt the invasion of his energy as his metaphysical hand reached into my soul and ripped me inside out once more. This time, I curled into a fetal position in my human form. My clothes were still on me, but weren’t on right. They were twisted and rotated around me wrong, but they were the least of my problems because every cell in my body burned and hurt. I didn’t know it was possible to hurt this bad, and I dry heaved and retched, but there was nothing on my stomach to throw up.
“You consumed part of a Pack member,” Randall told me in his special Alpha-Making-a-Pronouncement voice. “As a lone wolf in my territory, I have the right to kill you. Oath to me or suffer the consequences, Briana.”
“Please don’t do that again. Please!” I begged from my position on the ground. “You and I both know a forced oath is bullshit – why are you doing this!?”
He dropped to the ground beside me, crossed his bent legs in front of him, and leaned forward so his face was ten inches from mine. “Your time away from us as a human gave you ideas about fair. You’ve forgotten that being weak makes you vulnerable to everyone stronger than you in our world. I can teach you here, in a controlled environment, or you can learn it away from me, where I have no control over the outcome.”
Every cell in my body hurt, but I went to my knees in front of him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t show proper deference. I know I’ll live in your territory only with your blessing and following your rules if I’m a lone wolf, and under your absolute rule if I join the Pack. This is hard, Randall. If I’m not going to try to make it work with Patrick, then it’s possible I need to move out of your territory.”
Randall had turned his back on me when my wolf hadn’t come. I understood logically why he felt it best, but rejection when you’re a teen hurts your soul, and mine was apparently still wounded. I wanted to be an adult and forgive him, but I wasn’t sure I could.
His wolf soothed my wolf, and then Randall soothed both the wolf and the woman. His energy can hurt or it can heal, and now he used it to ease my pain. He lifted me into his lap and held me like a baby as he told me, “It’s always hard when someone’s wolf doesn’t come, but I think it was harder for you because by the time you were a teen, both your parents were wolves. If one parent is still human then the child and that parent can bond during the full moon when the other family members are running, but you were all alone when you wanted to be running with them.”
I nodded agreement because I didn’t trust my voice.
“You grew into a strong woman, and now you’re a strong wolf. You’ll do well by Patrick’s side helping him run the Ringgold Pack, but there can’t be any doubt about who you and I are to each other. In a few years, I expect you and Patrick will be a formidable Alpha couple, but you and I have to come to an agreement first. I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be.”
I took a breath and let it out.
“I need to call Duke before I do anything. This isn’t about you and me, but about my not burning any bridges.”
He nodded, and I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
I’d have much rather done this without Randall listening in, but I didn’t dare ask for privacy.
“Do you have a few minutes to talk on the phone?” I asked when he answered.
“Sure, everything okay?”
We were on an open phone call so I had to be careful of my wording.
“I’m safe. I’m at Maggie’s and your brother’s here. He’s pushing for me to make a decision this morning, before Patrick arrives. I felt I should let you know what I’m doing, since I had no intentions of going to your brother’s side when the MC took me in.”
He was silent a good twenty seconds before saying, “If you officially join them, you’ll be welcome at the bar but will need an escort into the clubhouse. Since I’m aware of the extenuating circumstances, there’s no hard feelings. If there’s a public ceremony, I’d like to be there to symbolically hand you over.”
My eyes teared up, partly at my not being welcome in the clubhouse anymore, and partly because he wanted to claim me up until the very last. “Thanks, Duke.”
“When you’re safe around the general public, we’ll set up a going away party for you in the bar. Let me know when you think you’re ready and I’ll invite you and Patrick.”
This invitation probably had as much to do with supernatural politics as it had to do with my leaving them, but it was still a nice gesture. “I will. Thanks again. I don’t know what to say.”
“Do whatever’s right for you. Tell my brother I said hi. I’ll talk to you later.”
I looked at Randall as I disconnected. “Duke says hi.”
“I heard.” He sighed. “I won’t ask you to make the Pack oath to me, but the one I give to the Alphas under me. You’ll swear fealty and homage to me, and diligence to the Pack you’re responsible to.”
He stood, and I went back to my knees.
“Offer me your hand.”
I held it up, fingers spread and bent back so my palm was vulnerable, and he shifted his hand as he swung it down. I gasped as his claw sliced my palm open, but managed to hold it in place. He cut his own palm and held it to mine.
I kept my voice steady as I gave the oath. “I swear fealty and homage to you as the Alpha of Alphas, and diligence to the Pack I’m responsible to.”
Our blood mixed and Randall pushed energy through his hand and into my body. I went lightheaded and my wolf wanted out, but I managed to keep control as the energy sizzled through our bodies and the words became oath.
Without my asking him to or giving him leave to, Randall changed my hand to wolf and back to human. He didn’t have to ask. He owned me now.
I looked at my perfectly healed hand and knew the proper response was to thank him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
When the silence grew uncomfortable, I said, “I think perhaps you’re right about me seeing some things from a human perspective now. I’m appreciative my hand no longer hurts, but a little freaked out I’ve lost the autonomy that would allow me to protest something done to my body without my consent.”
He considered me a few seconds. “You were honest, and respectful, so I’ll give you some time to adjust. I’d like to take you to lunch in town. Get your things together and we’ll go.”
“I’m not ready. My control is good, but it’s still a risk.”
“Not when you’re with me. I’ll keep you human if you lose it.”
Chapter 24
Patrick
The message from Zach — Randall’s second in command — was for me to meet Randall at The Village House for lunch. I’d intended to drive to Sand Mountain to find out Briana’s final decision, and the timing on this couldn’t be coincidence.
I wasn’t terribly surprised when I walked in to see Briana and Randall seated at a table, but I still had trouble maintaining my calm. My wolf wanted to eat Randall, and I’m certain he knew it when our gazes met across the room.
I focused on speaking with the hostess as we walked across the room, and I chose the chair beside Briana and across from Randall. I leaned in to give Briana a quick kiss on the lips before I took my seat, and then looked to Randall. “Thanks for bringing her off the mountain, but a phone call to let me know would’ve been nice. Have the two of you ordered yet?”
“Only a few appetizers. Briana and I needed to resolve some things before the two of you had your conversation, and I’m not in the habit of asking permission when determining how to handle the wolves in my territory.”
He was being deliberately abrasive, and I carefully considered my words. “I was thinking more along the lines of scheduling and convenience than a need to give permission. Have I done something to irritate you?”
“On the contrary. I’m pleased with the way you’ve managed the new Pack.” He sighed. “I’m not the most powerful wolf on the planet, or even the continent. Briana’s my wolf, but I’ll respect your claim as mate because I’m not an asshole. The s
ame can’t be said of everyone with more power than me, and I needed to gauge your reaction.” He met my gaze. “Also, Briana and I had to work through some of our issues, and it had to be just the two of us — before the two of you did anything difficult to reverse.”
Under normal circumstances we don’t mention the fact we’re wolves in public, but Randall was doing something to keep the tables around us from hearing our conversation. I wasn’t sure how he was doing it, but I could tell he’d done something to the air around our table to somehow muffle our conversation.
I took a breath, centered, and felt Randall and Briana’s energy. I counted to ten in my head before I asked Briana, “You oathed to him?”
She gave the slightest nod possible, her eyes wary. “As an Alpha under him, but not in his Pack.”
Thankfully, the waitress chose that moment to deliver bread, onion rings, cheesesticks, buffalo wings, and shrimp kebobs. By the time she left, I’d figured out how to respond diplomatically.
“It’s my hope you’ll involve me in decisions involving my people,” I told Randall. “I’m aware you don’t have to, but I hope you’ll choose to in the future.”
“When you’re too personally involved, there’s a good chance I won’t. Otherwise, I likely will.”
It was a fair point, and I waited for him to eat a cheesestick before I reached for a wing. I put it on Briana’s saucer and then got one for me. The wolf might make her wait to eat, but the man could be a gentleman.
Time to change the subject. “I know you have connections in the Ringgold Police Department — what can you tell me about the investigation into the bodies found on my property?”
“It’s being assumed they were in the forest, had a disagreement, and just happened to come out of the woods in your yard. They crossed the creek in a boat, and the crime scene people found it — with their fingerprints. As of now you aren’t a person of interest.”
“A few detectives talked to me about it when I officially returned home, but so far nothing else has happened.”
No one spoke for several moments. Randall didn’t seem fazed by the uncomfortable silence, but I could sense Briana’s wolf pacing inside her.
“Center yourself,” I told her softly as I rested my hand on her arm. “We’re good. You told me you’d learned to bargain with her. There’s plenty of food here and more coming. Let her know how much food she’ll get if she sits back and lets you eat.”
“Are you upset with me?”
I shook my head. “I’m not pleased with the situation, but I’m thrilled you’ve decided not to be a lone wolf.”
She took a breath, centered herself, and reached for another chicken wing. “Thanks. I needed that.”
I felt her wolf settle and my gaze met Randall’s across the table. “She wasn’t ready for this.”
“She’s safe with me, but you’re correct she can’t be in public yet without one of us present to rein her wolf in if she loses control. However, you just helped her regain control with your words and not by force. I’m impressed.”
“How are you muting our conversation so people around us can’t hear?”
“I’ll show you another time.” He turned to Briana. “You’ll have a steep learning curve, and Patrick won’t be able to lend you Alpha power over the Pack until you have better control. I approve of your union, but new wolves aren’t supposed to wield so much power right off the bat. If Patrick gives you too much, it’s your responsibility to let him know.”
He looked to me. “I’ll tell anyone who asks that she was disciplined for killing and consuming someone in the Pack while she was a lone wolf, and that the details are a private matter. I’ll make it clear any further questions will be an affront to my authority.” He glanced at Briana and looked back to me. “I’ll leave discipline to you.”
I went through the rules as I understood them in my head. “She was defending me when she killed him. I can reward, punish, or let the two cancel each other out.”
He nodded and changed the subject. “I love eating here. It’s hard to find restaurants with grass fed options. My brother’s club has an arrangement with the management so they can be seated without reservations, and now I’ll owe him because he got us in last minute.” He was quiet a moment before adding, “In most cities, the Pack and MC are at odds with each other. So far we’ve kept the peace and I intend to keep it that way. Some of the MC live in Fort Oglethorpe, so it’s likely you and your people will run into them while shopping and attending local events. I expect a heads up if there are any altercations.”
Chapter 25
Briana
Thankfully, dinner eventually turned into a relaxing meal. Randall told Patrick silly stories about things I did as a child, and he told me some funny stories about my dad I hadn’t heard before.
Randall walked us to Patrick’s car and hugged me beside the passenger door. “Take care of yourself, Bree. I’m here if you need me, but I think Patrick’s going to take good care of you. Still, you know how to reach me.”
It’s hard to explain how things had changed between Randall and I, but now I belonged to him. I was his wolf, he was… both my Alpha and not. He’d bound me to him differently than a normal wolf, and yet I still felt the bond as if our souls were part of some heavenly chorus singing Ave Maria. Or, perhaps something wolfier, but still — it was otherworldly and I wasn’t sure what to think or how to feel.
I waited until we were a few blocks away to tell Patrick, “I really wanted to talk to you before I did anything with Randall, but he didn’t give me a choice.”
“He’s making sure we both know he’s in charge. I’m not pleased he pushed it the way he did, but I get it. I’m glad you decided to oath to him, but I’m afraid to jump to the conclusion this means you’re ready to oath to me as part of my Pack.”
I took a breath, blew it out. “We have a lot to figure out, and I’m scared shitless, but I kind of think I have to. It’s too soon, but we apparently aren’t going to get the luxury of time. I just need you to promise me you’ll keep being patient with me, and you’ll keep giving me as much autonomy as you can.”
He reached for my hand, and my pulse slowed as he fed me warm, soothing energy. “I can keep both of those promises. I need you to promise me you’ll talk to me about any issues. Don’t keep them in. I’ll do the same — if we communicate as we go, we’ll be fine.”
Most Alphas have a big house and land so they can accommodate the Pack. Randall’s kitchen and back porch are always available for Pack members to hang out and talk, and Pack members can run on his land whenever they want. I should’ve expected there’d be people at Patrick’s when we arrived, but I was still surprised. I’d hoped we’d have some time alone.
I knew everyone there, and after a brief discussion of how I was getting along as a new wolf, the talk turned to more mundane things like sports scores, the weather, and local politics of the human variety.
After nearly an hour, Patrick told them, “I’ve already made it clear that I fully intend to run the Pack with Briana at my side, so say what you came to say, please.”
The men looked at each other before one of them said, “My sixteen-year-old son’s dating a boy his age in the Chattanooga Pack. Randall didn’t allow anyone to give him shit about being gay, but he’s worried you won’t protect him. Also, he wants to run the full moon with his boyfriend.”
Patrick glanced at me before looking back to the men. “He’s safe in our Pack as well. If he gets any grief over being gay, he needs to bring it to me so we can deal with it. I’d like him to run with us on our first full moon, but maybe after the first, he and his boyfriend can take turns with which Pack they run with? Assuming Randall will let him keep running with them, I’m good with his boyfriend running with us every other month. We might want it to just be us for the equinox and solstice runs, but otherwise I don’t see any issues.”
Everyone looked to me, and I took a deep breath and tried to think of what Randall would’ve said, but that di
dn’t necessarily work because I wasn’t strong enough to guarantee anyone’s safety. “Why don’t we organize a picnic the Saturday before the next full moon, and encourage him to bring his boyfriend. I think the Pack needs some socializing as humans before we join in our first run.” I considered logistics and amended, “Maybe it should just be Pack during the day, and we can invite family and significant others later in the evening?”
Patrick leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “An excellent idea. I’ll have my favorite barbecue joint bring the food this time, but we’ll organize them as a potluck in the future.” He looked back to the men. “I’m open for other ideas if you have any. We want this to be everyone’s Pack. I’m at the helm, but it can’t be all me or we won’t be a proper family.”
Patrick handled a few more issues — one man’s daughter was raising three sons on her own but lived in Soddy Daisy, and he wanted to know if she could join the Ringgold Pack so they could keep their family together. Patrick said she should come talk to him about it, but he was inclined to grant the request. Another man was married to a human, and he pointed out she’d been welcome to hang out with the other humans in Randall’s kitchen during full moon runs.
Patrick looked to me, and I smiled and answered, “Some of my fondest memories growing up were when the human spouses watched over us kids while our parents ran. If she’s already been doing it at Randall’s then she’ll know the drill. Of course she’s welcome.”
When everyone was finally gone, Patrick pulled me to him and said, “Randall let people come over whenever, and I’ll need to do so initially. The Alpha I had growing up had certain days people could just drop by, and eventually I’d like to instate that policy. Until we get the Pack running as a cohesive unit, though,” he pulled back and looked at me, as if gauging to see my reaction, “we’ll have to be okay with company feeling as if they’re welcome anytime.”
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