by Tigertalez
“Then you should have eaten more. There was plenty.”
Slate looked a little sheepish. “Yeah, well, I was going to wait until we came back or if it took too long, get something in town.”
Alphy and Matteo both snorted. “I’ll send the sandwiches.” He and Matteo turned and left.
Tom had returned and, as requested, was waiting for Alphy in the barn. He was helping Kace clean out a stall creating a sort of a “holding cell”. The two humans on the floor didn’t look angry—they looked frightened, and they smelled it, too. Alphy shot Kace a questioning look.
He smiled and shrugged. “Didn’t know if they’d been exposed or not, but when they got a bit too frisky, I shifted.”
Alphy raised one brow. “Well, if we had any chance at letting them go before, there isn’t now.”
“Sorry, alpha.” His serious face looked so unusual for Kace.
Alphy just gave a heavy sigh. “Don’t worry about it. It still all falls on David.” Alphy looked over at a card table filled with food. Matteo was already chowing down. “You two eaten?” he asked Kace and Tom.
Kace nodded, but Tom shook his head. He looked like he was about to get whipped. That didn’t sit well with his bear. The girls hadn’t committed that big of an infraction to warrant this much fear. It probably had something to do with their former alpha.
“And them?” Alphy indicated the prisoners.
Kace shook his head. “They’re a little bit too upset at the moment.”
Alphy snickered. “I bet.” He turned to the two men. Their faces were covered in dried blood and swollen in places. “Where’s Seamus? I would have thought he would have cleaned these two up by now.”
Kace answered with a grin. “He’s ‘gathering supplies’.” Kace used his fingers to quote the air. “I’m not helping him this time.”
Alphy was chuckling when he squatted down to look eye level with the men. “You guys bit off more than you can chew. I have no care for anyone who would harm women, let alone my family. If you survive this, it would be a great time to make a career change.” There were so many other things he wanted to tell them, but sometimes less was more. Alphy figured they had enough to wrap their heads around, so he stood up and signaled for Tom to follow him.
Tom didn’t hesitate to fall in behind Alphy. Alphy waited until they were out in the sun and a little bit from the barn. “Relax, Tom. I’m not that kind of alpha. I would take offense that you would think so, if I didn’t know about your former alpha and what he put you and your family through.”
They paused where they were. Alphy didn’t want anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation. Tom nodded his head. “Thank you, alpha.”
Alphy rubbed his hand over his face. “This morning was a little bit my fault. I really should have been more specific. Did you talk to Connie yet?”
Tom nodded but didn’t say anything more.
“And?” he asked. “Why did she think it would be all right to leave without any protection?”
“They needed something, and when the rest of us left, they weren’t asked if they had anything they needed from town.”
Alphy pondered that for a minute. “So this wasn’t because they just wanted to go to town and look around or just pointlessly shop? There was actually something they really needed?”
Tom nodded again.
Well damn, Alphy thought. It probably could have been avoided if they were simply asked if they needed anything while the others were in town. It was common sense and courtesy to ask, and at that time, they hadn’t been. “Out of curiosity, what was it they thought they couldn’t wait until the men got home?”
Tom pinked slightly. “Uh, pads.” Tom looked horribly uncomfortable, and Alphy was confused.
“Pads? Heating pads? Nose pads? Paper pads?” Suddenly, it struck him. “Oh, you mean…”
Tom suddenly nodded. “Yeah, that one.”
Alphy felt a bit guilty. Those were important.
Tom rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t know the twins had gotten into hers.”
Alphy’s brows shot up to his hairline. “Well that sounds like an interesting story. What did the cubs do with them?”
Tom’s lips twitched with an effort of suppressing his humor. “They used them as roadways and railroad tracks. Connie walked in on them when they were on the last two. She said they stuck them to the floor and played like they paved the road, then ran their cars over them.”
Alphy chuckled. He saw Seamus nearing, pushing a huge load on course for the barn, and started laughing. Then Alphy sobered up enough to get back to the point of the matter. “Well,” he told Tom, “it could very well have been avoided if we would have asked if they needed anything. But they still need a little bit of discipline. This isn’t a normal pack or sleuth or herd.”
He saw Tom tense and lose his spirit again. Alphy was quick to reassure him. “Nothing serious, Tom. I realize I have to prove myself worthy of your trust after what you endured, but please try.”
Tom nodded. “You know, before the attack, Gale was very outgoing and friendly and generally happy. She and her brother worked, and yet maintained healthy grades and still managed to coordinate their schedules so one of them was always home helping to take care of the twins and had supper on the table when their mother and I got home. She’s not your typical teen. She’s been through too much to be. She watched her brother get beaten, did she tell you that?”
Alphy shook his head. Gale hadn’t really told him anything about herself. They really hadn’t had that much time, and they hadn’t had the time to get this deep.
“One of the enforcers held her back while the other two…” Tom was staring down at the ground. Alphy placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. This seemed to help Tom collect himself. He still couldn’t look Alphy in the eyes, but he stood stronger. “She just needs time to heal, something she didn’t get when we were on the run.”
Alphy rubbed his chin and looked around. “So what chore could we get them to do that would drive home our point?”
Tom looked thoughtful for a moment. He enjoyed seeing a smile creep across Tom’s face. Tom nodded his head in the direction of the barn. “They could take turns being the doctor’s assistant.”
Alphy thought about for a second before he lightly laughed, and he slapped Tom on the shoulder. “You know, that is a great idea. Let’s go tell them their fate. Who do you suppose should take the first shift?”
Alphy and Tom discussed a few details then headed back to the house. He could tell the elk shifter was relieved that the punishment wasn’t serious, and he was also probably pleased that Alphy had listened to his suggestions.
When they entered the house, he let Tom break the news to Connie and Alphy’s wayward sister, while Alphy headed upstairs to talk to his mate. Gale was sitting on the bed with her knees up under her chin and her arms hugging around her legs.
He walked over to her and leaned down to kiss her on the top of her head. She flinched a little and he could smell how uneasy she was, but she didn’t move away. He felt that was a good sign. After talking with Tom, he could more easily see how these last few weeks had truly affected her. She was having just a bit of a rough time getting back to her old self. It didn’t help that they were still in danger, which hindered their recovery of their normal stable lives. That was why she had these extreme mood swings. He needed to figure out how to give her feet solid ground so she could stand on her own again.
“Hey, honey-bear, you feeling better?”
She just shrugged a shoulder in response. Alphy sat down on the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. She didn’t resist and rested her head on his shoulder while he rubbed circles in the arch of her back.
“I did mention things would undoubtedly get worse before they get better, remember?” he said.
She kept her head rested against his shoulder, but she still managed to nod. Alphy kissed her on the head again.
“We just need to stick together.”
He heard her start to sniffle, and he scented guilt and sadness.
“I’m so, so sorry,” she said. “You would have thought after these last few weeks I would have been more careful. This is my fault. I should have told them that we should get you, and I’ll take full blame and whatever punishment you see fit. So what happens now?”
Alphy felt a swell of pride warm his heart. His mate was going to make a perfect alpha mate. No one was flawless, and even the most experienced could make rookie mistakes. But she was willing to accept her role and even take the blame off the others. She may be a little broken right now, but she was going to grow into a strong and much loved alpha mate. He gave her a reassuring squeeze and pulled back so he could look into her face. He wiped her tears away.
“Nothing dire. You girls have already been through enough today, and some of that blame rests on me. I should have known to be more specific. I’ve already talked to Tom, so I know why you girls left, and though it was still wrong, it was understandable. We already discussed punishment. You, your mom, and my sister are going to be Dr. Rossi’s assistants for one shift. That’s all, nothing dire.”
Gale snorted. “Oh poopsy, he is always dire. I swear that man is OCD.”
Alphy laughed at Gale’s quip. He grew serious and leaned in and rested his forehead against hers and closed her eyes while he took in her pleasant honey and wild berry scent. “I’m just ecstatic you’re ok. I can’t even begin to express to you how scared you made me and my bear today.”
“Your bear is separate from you?”
“No.” Alphy pulled back so he could see her as he spoke. “We are the same, but some of my baser instincts come from him and I can feel myself battling those instincts at times. When we shift, we give ourselves over to that instinct, and it shifts us into our animals. Once we are in our animal form, we maintain a stronger animal instinct, but our mind and consciousness are still the same.”
“I know Tom is still very gentle when he shifts, but he isn’t a predator shifter. Would you hurt me if you were in your bear form?”
“Never.” He answered immediately and confidently. “I said my instinct is stronger in bear form. You are our mate and other half, and my bear is as much in love with you as I am. I could never even want to hurt you, and to do so would be a stronger hurt to myself.”
“You love me?” Her voice went soft and breathy.
Alphy’s eyes softened as he smiled at the woman he loved. “Yes, with all my heart. It happens fast with a paranormal’s fated mate.” The smile that lit her face knocked the breath from his lungs. It spoke to him of how much she cared for him back, and perhaps how much she needed to hear him say it.
Gale threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He pulled her close and squeezed back. His cock jumped in his pants.
“I love you, too,” she whispered in his hair.
Alphy’s cock did another jerk, and he pulled back and rested his lips over hers. He had to taste his mate. Suddenly his bear sat up and demanded to reaffirm their mark on her. They wanted their scent on her, in her, pouring from her. With another jerk from his dick, he felt pre-cum leak from the tip and moisten his pants. He sank further into the kiss, making it demanding and passionate. He left no doubt to how he felt and what he wanted.
Alphy reached down and flicked the button through the button hole in his pants. His fingers pinched the cold metal of the zipper’s pull tab when a knock on the door interrupted the moment. He let his bear’s growl of disapproval be heard to the offending intrusion.
“Alpha Ralph, Alpha David is on the phone, and he has an answer to your challenge.” Ryker’s business-like tone carried through the closed door.
That was the second time this alpha had interrupted Alphy’s time with his mate. There was no doubt this guy was a dead man.
“I’m coming.” He stood up and looked at his mate, who had a peculiar look on her face. She looked positively giddy. He gave her a quizzical look. “You’re happy he interrupted us?”
She spread her smile wider and eagerly nodded her head. “I’m looking forward to when you make it up to me, like you did last time.”
Alphy let out a full barrel laugh. He got control over himself and leaned in for a small peck. “It’s good you can see the bright side of it. I’ll make it up to you later, so you should head down and get something to eat … you’ll need your strength.”
With that parting shot from him, she beat him to the door and was halfway down the steps before his hand curled around the phone.
He couldn’t hold back his smile or chuckle as he answered the phone. “This is Alpha Ralph.”
Chapter Twelve
The challenge was to take place in two days with alphas from other herds and packs as witnesses. Alpha David had chosen to have the challenge in the Kaska pack’s territory. He seemed confident he was going to win and wanted to immediately take it over afterward. The pack worked hard long hours planning and preparing for everything they could come up with that the corruptalpha might try to pull. And starting the each day with defensive training for all the pack members became a requirement.
Enzo stood on his right, and Tom stood beside Seamus, standing behind him, watching as other alphas gathered around an arena they had set up. They chose a spot far from the house, not wanting to invite so many to the pack house. It was a defensible clearing, so Alphy had it put down as their official Kaska pack spot for challenges and other such events. He had it on the to-do list to improve on it.
Sure the alpha was going to try something, they kept Nix in a great sniping position and set with a communication device. Kace, Slate, and Matteo were also positioned in key spots to detect anyone trying to go for the house or sneak behind Alphy’s back. Seamus was prepared with a med-kit, or rather more like two med duffle bags. No one could argue with the vamp for wanting to be prepared for anything. As much as he and the others teased him about it, Alphy and the rest always loved that about their doctor friend.
Alphy ordered all the women, Reese and Paul, and of course, the cubs, to stay at the house with Ryker there as guard. Ryker may be a small computer geek, but he was a vampire. He had strength that usually others underestimated, and he picked up on things really fast. At least he could kill a teddy bear now. Of course, that tease was only enjoyed by everyone else but Ryker. He didn’t like it at all.
Alphy’s brother and sister were not easy pickings either. They both strong Kodiak bears and loved to wrestle and spar with each other and were both pretty good in a fight. They had already started using the boxing arena.
At the suggestion from Ryker, and backed up with support from Seamus, Alphy had invited the coven from Toronto. He’d gotten to speak with the coven leader over the phone and had a good feeling about him. He sounded strong, and fair, just what Alphy needed to give an added watch over the other packs. And at Enzo’s suggestion, Alphy had invited someone from the council. It had turned out the council knew about Alpha David. Apparently he called the council a great deal, always demanding one thing or other abusing the system to his advantage. He also complained his dues were too high, always short changing the council until they had to threaten to visit him. They were starting to hear rumors and were about to investigate when Alphy called about the challenge. Because of this, the council was just fine with coming out and witnessing the event.
It helped ease Alphy just a smidgen to have that much of an equalizer. So he stood before the large groups, with David on the opposite side, as they waited for all the groups to finish arriving.
Alphy’s bear paced in his mind. He hated all these other alphas in his territory. They really had no right to be here, but he felt he would get a better feel for who was truly on David’s side and who may actually be decent. So far, none of them struck him as decent.
****
Gale hated not being there with her mate. She felt sick to her stomach and nervously paced the large living area. Gale’s eyes darted around the living space. She was amused to watch Reese down on the floor playing
with the twins. He was always playing with them or helping with her brother, and she felt Reese would probably make a great father one day. Havana loved to give them a little bit of attention, but it was more in passing. Right now, she was glued to her cell.
Gale’s brother, Paul, was sitting comfortably in a chair with his feet lifted up on an ottoman. He was playing some game or other on a tablet, but with his depth perception off, he wasn’t doing so well. Ryker was sitting on the arm of the chair, looking over Paul’s shoulder “backseat gaming”. He and her brother had been getting along really well.
Her mom and Betty were both in the kitchen preparing a big feast. Betty didn’t seem to have any doubts who would win, and Connie, well, Gale felt her mom was just nervous as she was, what with Tom out there and not here, and she just wanted something to do. They were the only ones not in the living space.
Gale turned and paced the other direction. She didn’t feel like helping in the kitchen, she didn’t have any games or movies she was interested in, and she didn’t have anything to keep her mind off the worry. She reached the end of the space, turned, and followed the same path the other way.
“He’ll be just fine, Gale.” She looked over to see Ryker looking at her. He continued, “He’s been in all the Special Forces.” She noted he said that like it was a bunch of magazines instead of the military. “And haven’t you seen his bear?”
Gale shook her head. She’d been too afraid at first, thinking it might attack her, but after he told her he couldn’t hurt her even in bear form, she’d wanted to see his bear, but they had been so busy, they hadn’t had the chance.
“There’s a big reason,” he emphasized “big”, “no other alpha wanted him in there territory. It isn’t just because of his alpha tendencies.”
“But I know the other alpha. He’s tricky, and cheats, and he’s just evil. He’s not going to play fair,” said Gale.
“Alphy knows how to prepare for anything, and his pack has his back. They know what they are doing.”
Gale continued to pace. She knew he was right, but she just couldn’t shake her nerves. Ryker went back to “backseat gaming”.