The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  Dan shot up, staring down the angry alpha with a calm, but fearless gaze. “Remember that she made the conscious decision to leave all of that trouble behind. I watched it myself, Tom. Please try to think past your distrust and give her some credit.”

  “Like hell!” Tom bit back. “She’s one of them, Dan. Who’s to say they didn’t stage that whole encounter in an attempt to infiltrate our pack?”

  “Infiltrate?” Dan repeated, bewildered at the extent of Tom’s wariness showing clearly on his face. “Tom, come on, who would go to such lengths?”

  Tom tilted his head to the side as if Dan was truly dense. “Savannah did.” Lucy saw the small woman next to Tom flinch slightly at the declaration.

  “Exactly,” Nick interjected, finally rising with the other men in the room. “And look at Savannah, your own mate now. She’s allowed a place at this table to laugh and love just like the rest of us,” he said to the other alpha with disappointment in his tone. “I thought you of all people would understand how people can change for the better, Tom.”

  Tom’s nostrils flared as he stared down at his brother, and finally Lucy stood to join them all. “Listen,” she began in an attempt to get their attention. “I don’t want to cause any friction in your pack. If Tom wants me out, I’m okay with leaving, no argument. But bear to bear, I want to make it completely known that I want nothing to do with Lucas or his pack. I have no loyalties to my cousin and none anymore to my brother who insists on helping him.” She let her gaze waver from Tom to Nick, hoping to see some clarity in their eyes. “You’re both alphas, I know you can tell that I’m not lying, so I’ll let you guys talk amongst yourselves, but please, don’t fight over it. I’m not worth the trouble.” She let the certainty of her words settle in the room before backing away from the table. She figured now was as good a time as any to get some fresh air. The tense atmosphere of the dining area had become much too stifling.

  With a sigh, all the tension left Nick’s body. “You’re right. We shouldn’t be fighting over this.” He looked to his brother and Dan, then back to Lucy. “Let’s all just sit down and talk this out like the adults and shifters we are.” The two males sat immediately, and after a bit of reluctance, Lucy followed.

  When Nick was sure everyone was calm enough, he finally sat as well. “Okay, so you say you’re not allied with the Northern Wind, nor are you loyal to your kin brother any longer,” he began. “I’m not guessing there’s any way you can prove this, is there?”

  Lucy shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

  “Well do you have anything you can provide?” Tom chimed in, face still in a guarded scowl. “Any insight on what your brother or Lucas is planning? When might they attack? What do their numbers look like?”

  “I don’t know any of that stuff,” Lucy replied uneasily, holding her hands up in a physical signal to halt the torrent of questions. “I didn’t want to get involved with any war and battle stuff, and even if I did, it’s not like Dom would tell me anything important.” She shrugged her apology, knowing that nothing she had to share would be enough to sway the younger alpha. “I’ve never even met Lucas before, and I never planned to, so I can’t speak on anything about him personally. But I do know my brother, and I can give you a bit of insight on him if you think it’ll help.”

  “Please,” Nick said with an encouraging look. “Anything at this point would be helpful.”

  Something tense unclenched deep in Lucy’s belly. Finally, she was getting through to someone. “Alright,” she nodded. “Well, first off, he’s arrogant. He craves control and has the power to take it at a moment’s notice. Whatever he’s planning with that pack, I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that Lucas is pulling the strings. Everything Dom does, everything he agrees to is solely for his own benefit. Expect a power struggle in that pack within the coming days. There’s a good reason Dom decided to leave everything behind and come here. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with that pack.”

  “It sounds like you don’t really trust your brother at all,” Jo commented, leaning forward with eyes full of concern.

  Lucy pressed her lips together to quell a wave of emotion within her. “I don’t, not in the slightest. He’s always up to something, and he doesn’t care who gets hurt or what gets devastated in the process. I’m understand that this Northern Wind pack is a huge problem for you guys, and probably this whole town. If Dom has leadership of that pack in his sights, nothing good will come of it, for you guys, or the humans of this town.”

  Lucy watched as Nick worked over some thoughts in his mind. He finally looked at her. “Your brother,” Nick spoke. “Is he an alpha?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “But he makes for a good imitation,” Dan interjected. “In human form he’s bigger than me by a head or so; bigger than Lucas by about the same, I’d guess.” He looked over to his alpha. “Pretty sure he’s bigger than both Tom and you, as well, in both height and width. I’m not exaggerating when I say the guy is massive.”

  Lucy shook her head, remembering the days long before her brother started spending every waking moment in the gym to achieve a body strong enough to hold his ego. “His bear form isn’t any more reassuring either, I’m afraid,” she added, feeling a growling pain in her chest at what could have been if he’d been the brother she’d had all those years ago.

  It wasn’t that she regretted her decision—she certainly did not—but that didn’t erase the fact that they were family, the last of it that she had left behind. But being alone had made him harden in a way that not even she could correct, and as much as it pained her, he’d finally gotten to a point where she could no longer turn a blind eye on his actions. His treatment of humans and shifters alike were completely out of control.

  Nick nodded his understanding. “Bigger than Dan, eh? So definitely not someone to mess with,” he murmured. “No wonder Lucas lobbied for his help.”

  “Certainly not something a person would do, I’m sure,” Lucy agreed. “But if I’m allowed to stay, I’ll do everything in my power to help you guys fight him. No one knows my brother like I do. If there’s the slightest flaw in his plan of attack, I can find it.” Tom growled his dissent, but otherwise said nothing.

  Lucy held her breath as Nick contemplated silently, his gaze steadily on hers as he paused to dole out judgment. She could see some modicum of doubt in his eyes, similar to his brother’s, and she couldn’t blame him. Her story was a long shot, and a certain amount of faith would be needed if he allowed her to stay. She knew it’d take some time, but that’s all she had. She’d use it to gain their trust and save them from the monster her brother had become.

  “Jo?” Nick finally said softly, turning to his mate. “What do you think?”

  “Of course she should stay!” Jo exclaimed without a beat of hesitation. “Your problem is with our enemies. Dominic is the idiot that chose to oppose us, not Lucy. So why are we contemplating punishing her for his crimes?”

  “I agree,” Savannah added, sharing a nod of solidarity with Jo. “Plus, Dan’s putting everything on the line to vouch for her. If he has a good feeling about her, then I’m not going to question it.” She smiled over to Dan with a reassuring expression, and Lucy could tell they shared a comradery that she’d never quite understand.

  He nodded his agreement. “Thanks for the backup, kid.”

  “Alright,” Nick announced. “Then it’s settled. Lucy, you can stay for as long as you need. We have a spare room here and Jo can help you get everything you need.”

  It was as if some huge weight had been lifted from Lucy’s shoulders with the declaration, and relief made her chest swell. “Thank you, Nick,” she said, bowing her head softly in appreciation. “Words can’t describe how grateful I am. I know you’re taking a huge risk in trusting me, and I’ll work my hardest to make sure you know that it wasn’t misplaced.” She knew she wasn’t completely off the hook yet; they’d still be keeping a close eye on her until they didn’t feel the need to,
but for now this was enough.

  For now, she was safe.

  ***

  “Thank you, Nick,” Dan said quietly. The women were talking amongst themselves on how to best get Lucy settled, and Dan thought it best to express his gratitude to the alpha for his kindness before everyone parted ways to do their own thing before settling down for the night. “I know deciding to take her in couldn’t have been an easy decision.”

  Nick studied him, eyes contemplative. “Easier than you’d think,” he replied. “She walked away from family; something not even I think I’d be able to do if Tom went rotten. Plus, I trust your judgment, as well as Jo’s. If you both are alright with her, I’m okay with at least giving her a fair shot.”

  A sudden smile spread across his face. “But you know, when I said you could go out and find yourself a girl, I didn’t expect you to actually do it.”

  Dan chuckled to hide his embarrassment. “Hardly that. We only met because I knocked her flat on her back at the bar. Not my best first impression.”

  Laughing, Nick glanced over at the girls as they chatted. “Must’ve been good enough, considering she can hardly take her eyes off of you.”

  “Really?” Dan replied, hopeful. He had to fight not to turn around and gawk at her like an oaf.

  Nick clapped him on the shoulder. “No doubt about it, big guy.” He looked over to Tom who was shrugging on his jacket with a somber expression on his face. “We’re gonna head out for a quick run. Wanna join?”

  Despite his earlier romp through the woods, the relief of how well the night had gone with the pack had revitalized Dan’s bear, and it was eager to tear off through the forest a bit more. “Definitely.”

  Nick leaned around Dan, casting his gaze to the women. “Savannah? Lucy?” he called. “We’re gonna let our bears breathe a bit if you want to join.”

  “Sure,” Savannah said at once, rising to her feet. “I could use a bit of exercise, and I’m sure my bear won’t complain.”

  Nodding, Dan turned to Lucy. “And you?” he asked with a smile. “It’d be a good time to get to know us all a bit better, since you’re sticking around and all.” Truth be told, he had a strong urge to see her bear that bordered on straight up excitement. Something deep within him felt compelled to know everything about her, and the opportunity to see such a big part of who she was… it was too good to pass up. Even his bear nodded in agreement as he silently hoped her coat was the same dark hue as her flowing hair.

  Slowly, Lucy gave him a tight smile. “Thank you, but I’m going to pass,” she answered with a shake of her head. “I don’t shift.”

  Chapter Eight

  Dan entered the office in a grumpy mood, which was unusual for him. When Nick and Tom tried badgering him about it, he brushed them off with a somber fervor that wasn’t like him at all.

  “Come on,” Nick grinned in an attempt to lighten the mood. “What, now you’re the one who can’t take a joke?”

  Dan grumbled something unintelligible before saying, “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “Ah, so that’s it,” Nick replied knowingly, elbowing Dan lightly in the side. “Got her on the brain, have you?”

  “No,” Dan replied too quickly to be convincing. Nick raised an eyebrow as his gaze slid over to his brother. Dan didn’t want to admit it, but Nick had hit the nail on the head. His mind had raced all night, flickering past images of Lucy and the events that had led them together. It was short and fleeting, but replaying the memories also felt like he’d been lost in an eternity. Sadly it always ended the same; she admitted that she never shifted and with that declaration, a part of his hopeful utopia with Mountain Haven shattered alongside it.

  Hopeful utopia? Just what was he expecting from Lucy? Sure, she was gorgeous, and she’d seemed open to at least talking at the bar, but she came to the pack under duress and begging for help. He felt kind of skeevy at the thought of using her situation to his advantage in such a way. He’d always considered himself a helper, and it was never a hard decision to put his feelings aside and aid others, even when that ‘other’ was Lucas. So why was he finding it so hard to forget all personal emotion and help this poor woman when no one else would?

  He shook his head, passing a hand over his weary face. “I think I need to run.”

  Tom lifted an eyebrow. “Already? Jeez, you really do hate your human form, don’t you?” It was true, Dan agreed silently, but there was more to it than that this time.

  “Jo will be here with Lucy in about an hour, at which time I’ll want us all here to talk pack strategy before our day jobs begin,” Nick explained. “So you’ve got until then.”

  Dan nodded his understanding. “Speaking of, any luck with the other packs?”

  Nick shook his head forlornly. “Any pack smart enough to be of any use to us is also too protective of their own to stay out of—what’s to them—a problem that doesn’t affect them.” He huffed a frustrated sigh. “They don’t understand that if we fall, this doesn’t end in Woodhaven. Lucas craves dominance. When he has nothing left to conquer here, he’ll move on. And it sounds like Dominic is even worse. I just hope someone gets their head out of their ass long enough to properly hear me out. The last thing we need is for the plague that is the Northern Wind pack to spread. The sooner we shut them down, the better.”

  “Well I mean, I guess I don’t blame them,” Dan said. “I’m sure news of the Northern Wind’s growth rate is travelling down the grapevine. No one want’s to be made to feel like they’re joining a lost battle. With Lucy, we’re five bears and one really tough human. Lucas has…” he thought on the last time he’d ran the numbers, “… dozens. And that’s not counting people like Dominic who joined after Savannah and I cut ties. You have to wonder how it might play out if Lucas just decided one day to surround the shop from all sides with all of his men.” Dan hated being so somber, but someone had to lay down all of the facts, and he wasn’t sure how in depth Nick would be willing to get once Lucy came around.

  Tom nodded his agreement from where he sat. “Even taking into account that many of his bears are untrained, like Savannah was, I have to say that quantity likely outshines quality in this scenario. Even us alphas have limits, bro.”

  Nick chewed his lip as he worked things over. “But there’s a reason he hasn’t done that,” he muttered. “Even before Dominic, if what Dan’s saying is true, he had more than enough men to surround us. So why hasn’t he?” He looked to Dan for a possible answer.

  Dan shrugged. “I couldn’t say. We talked strats, but it was mostly patrols and reconnaissance. When we attacked, he only told me who to take with me, not why the rest couldn’t follow along.”

  He shrugged again, hating that for all his years in that dreadful pack, he had little helpful information to show for it. “Lucas didn’t really find much use in most of his pack members. As you saw with me the night I got busted up, at the slightest sign of weakness, a bear becomes little more than garbage to him.” Even now, the memory still made him feel useless, but he pressed on.

  “But at the same time, Lucas doesn’t like dropping in numbers. He’s made it abundantly clear that his number one goal is outmanning your pack and anyone else who’d dare to oppose him. So he won’t get rid of anyone, but he’ll beat them, make them do menial tasks, or otherwise separate them from the pack in some sort of solitary confinement-style punishment.” He worked to stifle the harsh memories as they came rushing back, suppressing a shudder. “He specializes in breaking people.”

  “So what you’re saying is, he likely just didn’t find them worthy of doing something as important as fighting on the frontlines,” Nick pondered.

  Dan shrugged again. “Can never be too sure with Lucas, but yeah. That’d be my guess.”

  Nick nodded once more, eyes still deep in thought. “Thanks for the info. It helps for planning our next step,” he said with a light smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “We can discuss this more in about an hour. For now, you just go and try to
clear your head. You look like you could use a little extra time to yourself.” Without waiting for a goodbye, Nick departed into the garage area of the shop, eyes lost in thought once more.

  Tom stared thoughtfully at Dan for a silent moment before saying, “Cheer up dude.” He grinned. “You don’t want your girlfriend to see you all glum like that when she gets here. Kills the mood.” He slipped into the garage behind his brother before Dan had time to retort.

  Stomping into the woods, Dan lifted his shirt, balling it up in his fists. His bear seemed to be pacing in agitation, and Dan couldn’t help but feel the same way. He couldn’t explain why he felt so foul that morning, but it niggled in the back of his mind like a fester of fleas. He hoped a run would calm his mind, giving his bear a chance to roar and leap and fight until the frustration and anger melted away.

  He jogged deeper into the forest before stripping the rest of his clothes, already feeling the power of the beast as it pushed against his skin with the need to be free. The shift was quick and painful, the bear taking no care as it tore itself from Dan’s body. His pained shout turned into a bellowing roar as the shift completed, the final ripples of the change wafting over his dark coat.

  Shaking his fur, Dan’s body vibrated with energy, the need to run singing through his veins. He took one last moment to center himself before pushing forward on his paws and launching himself through the woods.

  He didn’t know for how long he’d run, or even in which direction he’d go, only that he kept moving until he could feel the wind whistling through his fur and nothing else.

  It wasn’t long before he happened upon the lake that Tom and Savannah frequented regularly, and he didn’t hesitate before throwing himself into its cool depths. The chill of the water rushed over him, nearly freezing in his sudden submersion. The heat of his frustration cooled quickly as he swam, his paws pulling effortlessly through the water as he made his way to the opposite bank.