by Jools Louise
He turned to leave, using the cover of darkness to slither away. He’d done what he’d set out to do. Divide and conquer. Classic battle strategy. Who said Charles Costa wasn’t a soldier? He should have been a fucking general.
Now to take care of those sorry fuckers at the northern camp in the Outer Hebrides. Those freaks didn’t deserve to live on his dime any longer. Gays and outcasts from their own families…and fucking wolf shifters, as well, to boot. He had a job to do, and they were becoming a liability. Best to clear the decks. Then he could enjoy the spoils, leaving the entire shifter community at his mercy and under his thumb. Not good enough for them? He’d show them all. He bared his human fangs.
* * * *
Zane Finch peered through his sight, aiming for the biggest wolf, and the most stupid fuckwit on the planet, without a doubt. Twelve years of service in the military, eight as an SAS commando, and he had yet to witness a battle so woefully ill-thought-out. Ruin’s strategy to overrun the valley was not a bad one. The flaw, a particularly huge one, was the knowledge that the stratosphere was littered with satellites, who watched out for, and recorded for posterity, unusual activity down on Earth. Like a pack of forty or so wolves racing across the Scottish Highlands, attacking all in their path. If that didn’t make someone in Whitehall sit up and take notice, nothing would.
“You know, we really should shoot the bastard dead,” Blaze murmured through their comm link.
“Yeah, and have the full weight of the laws fall on our heads,” Finch replied, wrinkling his nose. “Arnie has weight in local society among the human population. His sudden death would just raise too many questions from the wrong people.”
“Better than those sacks of shit exposing us all,” Blaze said in disgust.
“They won’t,” Finch said. “Today is a day of reckoning for them all. This feud ends today…one way or another. If they don’t understand the gravity of what they’ve just done, I’ll drive the point home and bury their remains so far and wide nobody will ever find them.”
“Not today,” Blaze argued. “I managed to create a smoke screen around the valley. Blocked any signals from above. That blip may mean an investigation somewhere down the line, but at least we shouldn’t be exposed for long. We’ll need a story, though, for when that happens. The fact that they shifted outside, on the hilltops, in plain view, makes them targets, not us. Drive that point home, with pleasure.”
“We definitely need to limit the damage this may have caused,” Amos agreed quietly. “But first, Arnie Ruin needs to be punished. He and Maureen have put our whole community in danger. That has to be dealt with severely. Even as stupid as they are, they need to understand that.”
Finch fired one shot, and the largest reddish-furred wolf fell with a yelp of pain. He turned his attention to another of Ruin’s family, a big female, and then another, a male who was far smaller. Arnie, Maureen, and Connor Ruin had just been taken out, without having to kill either one of them.
When the pack realized their leaders were down, they stopped fighting and shifted to human form and then knelt where they stood, hands above their heads, surrendering without a second’s hesitation.
“You cowards,” Maureen Ruin shouted, shifting to human form. “Why have you surrendered? Fight them. Destroy them all,” she screamed, ripping into the nearest of the pack, leaving him with bloody gouges across his face and neck, and then turning to attack a second unarmed unfortunate.
Finch watched as Amos Harland strode outside, backhanding her with enough force to send her flying as she attacked him after shifting back to her wolf form again. He grinned as his alpha stepped over her, heading for Arnie Ruin, who had shifted to human form, clutching his shoulder.
“Nice shot, Zane,” Garnet said approvingly.
“Thanks, man,” Finch replied proudly. “Although I should have aimed for his fat head.”
Amos grabbed Arnie by his hair, lifting the idiot to his feet and staring malevolently into the man’s pale blue eyes. “You’ve put everyone in danger,” Amos snarled, his eyes glowing a little. Wolf’s eyes, glittering in the starlight. “You dare to attack me, in wolf form, and risk everything because of your pathetic pride?” The big alpha dragged his enemy higher by his throat, until the man was lifted off the ground, dangling midair, choking. “You’ve risked everyone because of this stupid war you can never win.”
“You took my son,” the wretched man replied arrogantly, still not cowed. “It’s my duty to get him back.”
“Your son wants nothing to do with you,” Amos bit out. “You beat him almost to death for something you should have taken care of yourself, you fucking coward!” Amos looked to be losing control, his fangs gleaming as he glared at Arnie. “You tax your members, so you don’t have to fucking work. You live in luxury while half your pack is below the poverty line, barely making ends meet. And how do you spend their hard-earned money? On improving their housing? Helping their kids through higher education? No! You just take care of yourself. Build a bigger mansion or buy another luxury car. You’re a disgrace!” He flung the alpha away. “How dare you blame your youngest son for your failings? This ends here. If we’re lucky, there won’t be an investigation into why a forty-strong wolf pack is running loose in the Scottish Highlands. You have heard of satellites, haven’t you? Those things that monitor unusual activity down on Earth? Fucking moron, risking everyone!”
Arnie, for the first time, seemed to realize the gravity of what he’d done, and paled. “I had no choice,” he protested lamely. “You took our son.”
“That’s not the reason,” Amos shot back viciously. “That was your trumped-up excuse. I threaten your little nest egg, because soon enough your pack will start wondering why they’re at the bottom of the food chain, getting only shit in return for their loyalty. They’re not stupid, and it’s only a matter of time before they see what we have here, love and respect for one another. Something you’ll never earn if you live a thousand years. Your own son’s seen the light, and I’ve granted him my protection. You attack here again, and I’ll kill you. This is your final warning. You and your slut of a wife are disgusting.”
“You fucking bastard,” Maureen shrieked at full volume, launching herself at Amos.
Finch managed to get to her first, grabbing her in a full nelson, tempted to snap her stupid neck, just to shut her the fuck up. “I’d strongly advise you against attacking Alpha Hartland again,” he hissed in her ear. “Nobody here cares a fuck about your dramatics. If you don’t pipe down, I’ll rip out your vocal cords with my fingernails.”
She struggled, strong despite her smaller size, and he tightened his hold until she lost consciousness, having a hard time stopping himself from killing her right then. He had the feeling she’d come back. She was the force behind the Ruin’s bitter feud. The one fanning the flames.
“Why didn’t you kill any of us?” Arnie asked, sounding puzzled.
Amos snorted. “And have the police nosing around investigating the disappearance of dozens of the local high rollers?” he asked. “Non-lethal force, and I still beat you, fucktard.”
“What happens now?” Arnie asked, the fight leaving him like a deflating balloon.
“There’s a facility in the Outer Hebrides. Several of our kind have been taken there against their will,” Amos said, surprising everyone with the subject matter. “You can tell us exactly where it is. And who’s behind it.”
“What of it?” Arnie asked, apparently having full knowledge of the place. “It’s there for a reason. To punish those who threaten our way of life.”
Alpha Hartland snarled in a way that had Arnie paling dramatically, flinching as though struck. “Are you fucking with me?” Amos roared. “You and your bitch just invaded my land, in full shifter mode, with your whole pack, and you want to punish a couple of young men for being gay?” He punched Arnie hard in the head.
“The ruling packs built it to keep in line those who threatened us,” Arnie replied sullenly. “I had nothing to do
with the initial idea, but I invested money in it. There’s a need for a facility like that.”
“Ruling packs?” Finch asked, and then laughed loudly. “Are you joking? You don’t rule us. Or anyone else. The Ruin pack is in charge of the Ruin pack. That’s it. You’re not royalty. We aren’t serfs. This is twenty-first century Britain, for fuck’s sake. And the only ones who appear to need punishment are you and your cunt bitch. Nobody else has put our kind in as much danger before—ever!”
“Why take Sharpe?” Amos asked, shooting his mate a warning look. “What threat was he to you?”
“He’s a freak,” Arnie’s son Connor shouted venomously, nursing a wounded leg. “He was trying to control Carter.”
“No! You were trying to do that,” one of the pack members said, standing and scowling at the man through piercing green eyes that shone with hatred. His hair hung in a loose braid, dark brown and tinged with blond streaks. He stood six feet three and reeked alpha dominance. “Sharpe is harmless. You just hate him because you don’t want Carter to have friends. Anyone showing your brother the slightest kindness, and you kick them out of the pack or kill them. Like my brother.”
“Shut up, Cormack,” Connor snarled at the tall, good-looking brunet. “Your brother was insubordinate. He was punished accordingly.”
“He called you a few names after you bullied your brother, and you had him taken away because he defended Carter,” Cormack retorted. He turned to look at Amos, tilting his head slightly, showing submissiveness to the alpha. “I’d like to request joining your pack, sir,” the younger man requested respectfully. “I’ve no loyalty to these idiots. I know I came here to fight, but we were told that you had kidnapped Carter. We were misinformed,” he added, glaring at the Ruin alpha. “I apologize for my part in this. I should never have shifted.”
Amos studied the man. “You would swear loyalty to this pack?” he asked doubtfully.
“My brother was killed by these psychos. Sharpe was our friend, and after he was taken, our family was devastated.” Cormack replied bitterly. “My parents were broken by what happened and left a while ago. I haven’t seen them for two years. They abandoned me. I have no loyalty to Ruin or any of his so-called ruling packs. They’re all power-hungry bastards who care about themselves above the welfare of those who serve them.”
“You’ll regret siding with Hartland,” Connor spat. “I know what you are, you fucking queer. No wonder your parents left. They couldn’t take what you are. If you leave, what will become of you? Your brother got what was coming to him.”
“Because my life’s been so much better living under your rules?” Cormack snarled, his green eyes cold as shards of ice. “You people disgust me with your lies and deceit, your greed and disregard for anyone but yourselves. So yes. I will be swearing my allegiance to Amos Hartland. He’s the first one who’s had the balls to stand up to you and the honor of our people. The honor of right.”
Amos held out his hand. “Then I accept your pledge,” he replied, nodding curtly. “But know this. If you betray me, or hurt any of mine, I’ll have you begging for death before I’m through with you.”
“I would kill myself before I dishonored your pack, sir,” Cormack replied firmly. “My parents raised me to show respect where it’s due.”
He got up and walked across the compound, standing behind Amos.
“We’re filling up fast, boss,” Finch said dryly. “Hotel Hartland is open for business it seems.”
* * * *
Craig listened carefully and figured the fighting had stopped. No screams, no gunshots, and no howling. Maybe it was safe to leave their shelter.
“I’m going to check,” he whispered, palming his pistol.
“No!” Elvis hissed back. “This could be a ploy to lure you out,” he said. “Ruin is a sneaky son of a snake. He may be using the battle as a distraction and then send in others to get Carter back. They’re bound to have a Plan B.”
“He’s right,” Carter said softly, sitting on one of the bunk beds that was situated in the large room. “My parents have used the strategy many times before. Charlie’s their ace in the hole. He’s the stealth attacker. Watch.”
Craig heard footsteps on the other side of the thick door, and the trio fell silent. Craig stepped to the side. Tense, Craig raised his gun hand, aiming at the entrance, ready to take down anyone who came in to harm them.
The door blasted inward, sending a percussion wave toward them that sent all three to the floor. Scrambling for cover, Craig dragged his companions to the far wall, coughing at the smoke and dust clogging the air.
“Fuck! It is Charlie,” Carter hissed. “What the hell is he doing?”
“Carter, come on with me,” the man named Charlie said, his blue eyes glinting spitefully. “Time to go home. Mother is not pleased that you’re siding with these freaks.”
“Your brother,” Craig commented, keeping out of sight.
“Yes,” Carter replied in a harsh whisper. “Connor’s the eldest, then Charlie. I’m the runt.”
Elvis cuffed his ear. “Hardly the runt!” he retorted with a scowl. “You’re twice the man those two buffoons are.”
“Buffoon?” Charlie said mockingly, rounding the side of the dresser they were crouched beside. “I guess that makes you a flaming idiot, Elvis.”
“At least I’m consistent,” the brown-haired imp retorted sharply. “And don’t change sides at the drop of a coin.”
“Little shit,” Charlie bit out. “I don’t ‘change sides.’”
“No, you stay on the only one that matters. Yours.” Carter glared at his sibling. “What the hell did you blow that door off for? You could have killed us all.”
“You needed rescuing,” Charlie said with a careless shrug. “No point in getting your knickers in a wad. You’re still alive, aren’t you?”
“I don’t need rescuing from anyone but you bunch of morons,” Carter said, baring fangs. “Now get the fuck out of here, so I can get on with my life the way I want to. I’m no longer a Ruin. I choose freedom. I’m tired of being the family’s whipping boy.”
Charlie eyed him sourly, glaring at Craig. “You’re the reason, are you?” he asked, pointing a rifle at the ex-army medic.
“Don’t you threaten him,” Elvis snarled, moving in front of the others. “You heard Carter. He doesn’t want you, need you, or even like you. So go home, Fido.”
Charlie clubbed Elvis with the butt of the rifle, sending him to the floor with a pained cry. A malevolent gleam glittered in his pale blue eyes as he advanced on the smaller man menacingly. Instantly Craig shifted, growling fiercely, and leapt at Charlie, his huge weight felling Charlie like an oak tree.
“Elvis, are you okay?” Carter asked, crawling to his friend, who was nursing a broken nose, looking shocked.
“I will be,” Elvis said, swallowing hard. He looked as though he was fighting tears.
“Here, put this on your nose. I’m so sorry,” Carter said, his voice breaking.
“You didn’t do this, love,” Elvis replied, hugging his best buddy from childhood. “You aren’t responsible for others’ actions. Your family are fucked in the head, mate. Jealous, angry, vicious, and fucked in the head.”
Craig glared into Charlie’s frightened eyes, his huge paws pinning the man down, his gaping jaw inches from the thug’s artery. He felt that rage brimming again, the anger that had been his companion through childhood, when he’d been unable to defend himself against the bullies who’d plagued him. He had power now, though, and could quite easily rip this bastard apart. That wasn’t his way, though…but Charlie fucking Ruin didn’t need to know that.
Placing a paw on Charlie’s throat, he pressed down, cutting off the man’s air, seeing the fear rising as Charlie fought to breathe. Let him feel what it was like to be on the receiving end for a change.
“Craig!” Finch shouted, running in from outside, his eyes wild with fear and then surprise. “Whoa! Sweetie, you went all super-size again. Who’s this fuc
ker?”
Carter explained the situation with the exploding door, and Finch turned deadly in a second, grabbing Charlie by his strawberry-blond ponytail and dragging him from under Craig. Then he proceeded to pound the man with his fists.
“Stop, Zane,” Craig said earnestly, shifting back to human form, his touch on Finch’s arm preventing his mate from beating the man to death. “He was told that Carter had been kidnapped. He thought he was rescuing his brother.”
“Then why did you just go all primal?” Finch asked, studying the bloodied face of his rival, who was struggling to stay conscious.
“He hit Elvis,” Carter said angrily. “Elvis told him we didn’t want to go back, that we were done being in the Ruin pack, and he got a rifle butt in the face.”
“Then I’ve done the world a service,” Finch retorted, glaring viciously at the man at his feet. “You people are not welcome here, Charlie Ruin. Anyone who seeks sanctuary from you and your pack will be greeted with open arms. You get that? You come here again, with your drama and your bullyboy tactics, and I’ll finish what I started.”
Charlie nodded, whimpering a little as he did so, obviously in pain.
“Good. Now let me show you how we deal with bullies,” Finch added, taking a firm grasp of the man’s shirt and dragging him off outside to join the rest of his family.
“Wow!” Elvis said, wide-eyed. “I guess he really does like me, if that’s what he does to his enemies.”
“Yeah,” Craig agreed, laughing a little, despite the situation. “I did try to tell you. Zane Finch is actually pretty laid-back. But yank his chain at your peril.”
“I called him a fuckwad,” Elvis whispered. “Do you think he’ll remember?”
Craig chuckled, rolling his eyes. “Trust me, Elvis, he has a photographic memory. But you don’t need to worry. He likes you.”
Elvis lifted his arms, as though praying to the heavens, and shouted “Thank you God,” which had Craig and Carter laughing at his antics.