Heart of the Pack

by Fel Fern

  Another face swam into his line of sight. This fucker had his hands wrapped around Ron’s neck.

  “Don’t give up,” Ron said.

  Sergio was back in his own body. His sister was still there, her arms crossed and her hazel eyes hard, expectant.

  I get it already.

  Sergio rolled his eyes and saw the hunter above him, the muzzle of his gun pointed at Sergio’s head. He heard a ferocious growl from somewhere, one of his wolves heading his way.

  “Don’t die, Big Brother. It’s not your time,” Michella told him.

  It hurt. Every inch of him screamed with torment. It was so tempting to let sweet death take over. After all, he knew his little sister would be waiting for him on the other side.

  But her words remained with him. He knew Ron still struggled against the traitor. Despite the pain, Sergio poured all his pent-up fury into the pack bonds. If he could rile up his wolves one last time, it would be worth it.

  “That’s it, Brother. Finish this,” Michella said and kissed him lightly on the nose. Then she was gone.

  Sergio didn’t know where he found the energy, but he rose wobbly to his feet and attacked the hunter. The man didn’t expect him to rise, but Sergio didn’t waste any time. His canines found the hunter’s throat. After biting down, Sergio raised his head and let out a loud howl.

  He could sense all his wolves through the pack bonds. Some of them were nearly pushed to the breaking point like him. Others were dead, lost to him, but he knew they hadn’t regretted being here.

  They came here to end this fight. Sergio would do just that. He had been shot in the left-front paw. He hadn’t realized that, but Sergio limped on his three other paws.

  By some miracle, he found himself back outside. Smoke emerged from the guard towers. The main gate was busted, but vehicles, tires, and busted engines, littered the yard.

  Sensing a presence nearing, Sergio bared his fangs, but it was only his brother. Alessio was in human form, carrying a slender titanium suitcase.

  “We managed to intercept the group carrying all their equipment in time. They managed to upload some information on their servers, but our team of hackers is working on it.”

  Alessio sat next to him and leaned against him. Sergio could smell blood on Alessio. His brother had taken a number of injuries, as well, but they managed to do what they came for. He knew there was more cleaning up to be done, but his hackers were skilled. Sergio wouldn’t rest until he was certain all the data were gone.

  He wanted to tell Alessio about Michella’s ghost, but later. Sergio shut his eyes and visualized Ron in his head. From their mate bond, he could sense Ron’s life force, weak but still there.

  Safe. His mate and his son were safe.

  “I’ve waited for this day to come,” Alessio told him, voice quiet. “We’ve finally won, haven’t we? It’s all over now.”

  * * * *

  Sensing Sergio dying on the other end kick started Ron’s will to fight. He lashed his foot out. Behind him, Leo let out a yelp and dislodged his claws from Ron. Clutching at his bleeding side, Ron staggered out of the stairwell.

  The staff didn’t notice him at first, but when they saw him collapse on the ground, someone scream.

  “You won’t fucking get away with this,” Leo practically growled out the words.

  Ron knew Leo was shifting to wolf. He crawled, relieved to see a dark-furred wolf bounding at him. It was Raul and a small figure tried to catch up with Raul. Will. Ron shut his eyes. No. No. Will couldn’t see him dying if Raul didn’t make it in time.

  The door behind him opened. Leo snarled. Raul leaped over Ron. There was a crash and a roar. His son stopped in front of him, eyes large and panicked. Ron pulled him close to a hug.

  “It’s going to be okay, Will,” he whispered, stroking Will’s back.

  Shutting his eyes, he reached for his bond with Sergio. Ron was scared to see what he would find, but Sergio was no longer bleeding to death. Somehow, his mate had found the strength to stand back up and join the fight.

  There was silence behind him. By then, a nurse had helped him up and had told him to sit still while she fetched a doctor. Raul padded up to him, shifted, and knelt in front of him.

  “Leo’s taken care of,” Raul said, wiping his blood off his lips. Then Raul cursed. “Fuck. I should have stayed with you.”

  Ron shook his head. Footsteps thudded on the floor. Harley and Garrett, fellow pack mates, looked worried as they saw them.

  “Mister,” a nurse hesitantly called, “you can see your husband, Logan, now.”

  Raul flashed him a worried look. Ron patted his arm. “Go. Harley and Garrett will be here.”

  “We won’t let anything happen to Ron and his son,” Garrett told Raul.

  “I’ll leave them in your care,” Raul said, slipping away.

  “Ron, that injury looks bad. Harley, tell the doctor to hurry up,” Garrett said.

  “I’m fine,” Ron said, cuddling Will to him. He shut his eyes. On the other end, he could sense a calmness settling over Sergio. “It’s all going to be just fine.”

  “You mean…” Garrett began uncertainly.

  “Yes.” Ron smiled, opening his eyes. “They’ve won. The pack’s coming home.”

  Chapter Eleven

  One Year Later

  With his mate and son, Sergio drove to the cemetery in the early morning. The sun bore down on them, but it was the best kind of sunshine.

  Like the year before, he spotted Dino and Raul in the parking lot. Sergio parked the car. It warmed his heart that Raul had come, with a second kid on the way.

  He gave the two werewolves a nod of acknowledgment before following after Ron and Will, who had gone on ahead. Sergio expected some of Michella’s wolves to move on and leave the pack after the fight, but in the end, Darkfall was their home.

  It took a while to sort out the mess after their attack at the headquarters. Just yesterday, the pack’s IT team assured him the last traces of data on Latitude were gone, wiped clean. The media had had a ball of a time a few months ago when the pack leaked the information on Alpine.

  The exposure helped uncover more labs Alpine had set up and their network had missed. Until now, they were still helping victims find their homes and family.

  He had told Ron about her ghost appearing a year ago and about how her words pushed him into action. They debated whether if the apparition was a figment of Sergio’s imagination or if it was really his little sister’s ghost. Either way, without her words, Sergio wouldn’t have found the strength to continue fighting.

  “Look at that,” Ron murmured, linking their hands.

  Sergio knew what his mate meant. Ron peered up at the bright blue sky above them.

  “The perfect day to laze around,” Sergio said.

  Ron grinned. The sexy little Omega had a glint in his eye.

  “Daddy, Papa, come on!” Will yelled.

  Will knew today was important and even wore a cute little suit and tie.

  A year ago, Sergio remembered coming to the cemetery, a broken man. He’d been at war with himself, and his relationship with Ron had been on the verge of ruin.

  They finally reached Michella’s gravestone. His brother wasn’t there yet. Ron had insisted that they visit earlier so Sergio could have a moment alone with Alessio.

  Will placed a single-stemmed rose on Michella’s grave.

  “Hey, Michella,” Ron said, touching the headstone briefly. “You should be proud of your big brother. He’s done the impossible.”

  Sergio appreciated the fact that Ron didn’t mind he still sometimes spoke to Michella, updating her about what was happening in his life. For a couple of moments, they stood there in silence. Eventually, Ron kissed his cheek and brushed a hand over his shoulder.

  “Come on, Will. Let’s head back to Raul and Dino,” Ron said.

  Sergio didn’t need to turn to know Alessio had arrived.

  “Hey, pup. Nice suit,” Alessio remarked to Will.
/>   Sergio turned his head and saw Will give Alessio a toothy grin. Grabbing Will’s hand, Ron led Will back to the lot. Before that, Ron blew him a kiss. Sergio smirked.

  “You’re in a good mood today,” Alessio observed.

  “It’s been a good year,” Sergio replied.

  Alessio groaned. “You mean it’s been a lot of work.”

  “It’s worth it,” Sergio said. He thought of all the families they had united, the happy faces with tear-filled eyes. Sergio would rather deliver good news than bad.

  “True,” Alessio replied, walking over to sit beside the headstone.

  Sergio blinked. For a second there, he thought they weren’t alone. He could see Michella, sitting on her own damn headstone, swinging her legs back and forth. Seeing him looking, she grinned—that smile looked just like his own, like Alessio’s.

  He nearly choked out her name, but she put a finger to her lips. Sergio felt tears in the corner of his eyes. An Alpha didn’t cry. He hastily swiped them away. She didn’t say anything. She looked from him and down at Alessio. His brother froze, straightening his spine as she reached out to ruffle his hair. Alessio frowned, as if he sensed something but couldn’t exactly see her.

  “We miss you,” Sergio said for the both of them. “But we’ll be fine now. You don’t need to watch over us anymore.”

  She hopped off her gravestone and gave him a mocking salute that made him laugh. Michella’s ghost turned her back and began walking away. Sergio had a feeling that was the last time he’d be able to see her ghost.

  “Brother, I can’t remember the last time you laughed,” Alessio said. Alessio rose to his feet and dusted his jeans.

  “I’ll be going,” Sergio said, knowing Alessio also wanted some time alone.

  “I’ll give you an update about our meeting tomorrow,” Alessio said.

  A year ago, they had been planning life-and-death missions. Now, they organized picnics and pack barbecues. The thought made Sergio smile. That didn’t mean he would let his guard down. They might have won this war, but the future always seemed uncertain. Besides, the Darkfall Mountain pack had a reputation to uphold.

  Leaving his brother to his peace, Sergio found his mate and his son talking to Dino and Raul. Will was, surprisingly, out of his clothes and, in wolf form, chasing Raul.

  Ron was speaking with Dino and halted when he caught sight of Sergio.

  “All done?” Ron asked, walking up to him.

  The Omega wrapped his arms around Sergio’s neck and gave him a deep kiss. Dino coughed politely. Sergio parted from Ron and saw Raul carrying Will.

  “Will it be really fine to leave him with you and Logan?” Ron asked Raul.

  Sergio gave his son’s ears a tug. Will licked at his fingers.

  “Behave, okay?”

  Will barked.

  “Sure. Logan and Tricia would love the company,” Raul said and then gave Ron a wink.

  Clearly, everyone knew what they wanted some time alone.

  “See you at the pack meeting, Alpha,” Dino said.

  After Dino and Raul drove off with their son, Sergio glanced at Ron.

  “Ready?” Sergio asked.

  Ron beamed. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “Oh? Do tell.” Sergio began to approach Ron and was about to tickle him into giving him answers. The Omega wagged a finger at him.

  “No, you don’t.” The next thing Sergio knew, Ron snatched the car keys from his back pocket. “I’m driving.”

  “You know I’m awful with surprises,” Sergio reminded Ron as he got into the passenger seat.

  “Oh, I know, babe. I love torturing you.”

  “No,” Sergio mused. “You love my punishments. I can’t wait to make you howl for me.”

  Before Ron started the engine, Sergio made sure his mate saw the hungry look in his eyes.

  “You’re giving me that look again,” Ron whispered.

  His mate gripped the wheel hard. Sergio could smell Ron’s arousal. His cock, aching and heavy, pressed up against the zipper of his jeans. He slipped a hand across Ron’s groin and gave it a squeeze.

  “What look?”

  “Like you want to eat me up.”

  “Fuck yes.”

  Sergio tipped Ron’s chin and slanted his mouth over Ron’s. He kissed his mate long hard, slipping his tongue between Ron’s lips. When he pulled away, Ron was panting.

  “Drive,” Sergio ordered, “before I decide to fuck you in the backseat.”

  “Happy to comply, baby.”

  * * * *

  Ron could hardly wait to get back to the house. There was only one thing on his mind and that was submitting to his dominant mate. Thankfully, they passed all the traffic lights. They passed the main town area. Ron glimpsed people walking and laughing on the streets.

  Darkfall Mountain went back to normal. Ron sped past residential neighborhoods and finally reached theirs. By the time he parked the car in their garage, his wolf was a ball of excitement. Sergio got out first, and Ron followed.

  By the time they reached the front door, they were wrapped in each other’s arms. It was a miracle they managed to keep their clothes on as they reached the front door. Sergio kicked it shut, and Ron noticed Sergio’s pupils had a golden glaze to them now. The lust in them sparked his own.

  “We don’t need anything fancy,” Sergio whispered against his ear. “All I need is you.”

  Ron groaned, rubbing himself against his mate. “I don’t think I can make it to the bedroom.”

  “Compromise,” Sergio answered, leading him to the kitchen.

  “W-what?”

  Ron blushed when Sergio quickly unbuttoned his shirt and took them off. Sergio wrapped his arms around his waist and hoisted him up on the marbled counter.

  “You fucked me here last year, too.”

  “Why? Sick of it?” Sergio teased.

  Ron shook his head.

  “Good. Enough talk. I need to fuck you.”

  Sergio let Ron pull off his shirt. His jeans and trousers soon followed. Seconds later, Sergio’s mouth descended on his, full of heat and want. He liked the feel of the Alpha’s hard muscles against him. Ron withdrew his lips, moaning. He pressed a hand over Sergio’s chest, making the Alpha pause.

  “No more new scars,” Ron whispered.

  Sergio nodded. Scars were unavoidable in Sergio’s line of work. The mental ones would linger, but Ron would always be there when his mate needed to be reminded of all the good things in life.

  “Pants off, Alpha.” Ron purred.

  Once that obstacle was out of the way and his glorious mate stood in front of him completely naked, he locked his legs around Sergio’s waist and pulled him close.

  “Needy, Omega,” Sergio chided, but there was nothing but tenderness in his voice.

  Ron looped his arms around Sergio’s neck. Sergio had remembered to take out the lube from the back of his pants’ pocket. He liked how his mate was always prepared.

  “I love you so fucking much, baby,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too,” Sergio simply said.

  They said those words earlier that morning when Ron woke to Sergio sliding his dick into Ron’s ass. Ron would never get sick of hearing them.

  Sergio uncapped the lube and worked some into Ron’s ass and his fingers.

  “I need you,” Ron murmured. “Please.”

  “Soon, love.”

  Sergio positioned his cockhead at Ron’s entrance. Without needing any foreplay, Sergio entered him in one thrust until he was balls deep. Ron groaned, savoring the feel of Sergio’s shaft filling his ass completely.

  “Fuck me hard, Alpha.”

  Sergio nipped at the mate mark on Ron’s neck and began to ride him fast. The Alpha’s strokes started slow, but Sergio soon settled into a rhythm. Ron felt Sergio’s lips on the side of his neck.

  His Alpha took his right nipple into his mouth and bit down, making Ron gasped.

  With each thrust, Sergio went deeper, branding him. Ron t
ightened his hold on his Alpha.

  “I’m going to shoot,” Ron whispered.

  Sergio gripped his cock captive and began to stroke back and forth. The feel of Sergio’s callused fingers and Sergio’s dick buried inside him nearly pushed him over the edge.

  “Please,” he pleaded, his voice ragged with need.

  “Come now, baby,” Sergio ordered.

  The Alpha sheathed inside him one last time, and Ron exploded, spilling his spunk all over Sergio’s fingers. Sergio entered him a couple more times before spilling his seed inside his ass.

  “Will that do it, you think?” Sergio asked later, when they both recovered from their orgasm.

  The Alpha grabbed a couple of wet wipes nearby and cleaned them both up. Ron snuck a kiss on the side of Sergio’s mouth.

  “Definitely.”

  They’d been trying to conceive over the last few months, but Ron had learned he was with child this morning. That was his surprise. Sergio’s eyes widened.

  “Don’t joke,” the Alpha warned.

  “Never. Not with you,” Ron replied.

  “Fuck. I love you so much.”

  Sergio took his lips again, melting his insides. Ron squeaked when Sergio suddenly carried him in his arms.

  “We’re not done,” Sergio said.

  The heat in his voice making Ron shiver. He gripped Sergio’s biceps.

  “My Alpha’s not sated?”

  “Far from it.”

  That was the answer Ron had been hoping for.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sergio carried him to their bedroom. It was exactly how they left it that morning—slightly messy, but it was their mess.

  The Alpha laid Ron on his back on the bed and rolled on top of him. Ron groaned, rubbing against Sergio. He began to reach for his mate, but Sergio pinned his arms above his head.

  Ron liked that, too, being caged by his mate and feeling utterly helpless to Sergio’s affections.

  “Kiss me again, Alpha,” he murmured.

  “So demanding,” Sergio teased back and nipped his lower lip. “I’m going to leave my marks all over your body, remind you who you belong to.”

  “Yours,” Ron answered simply. “Who else?”