Bianca exchanged a grin with the amicable young woman, but she couldn’t help herself from turning around to look at the assembly. Whispering traveled through the crowd.
When Bianca turned back, she noticed Law glaring at the man Janna had warned her about.
“A human has never been to the meeting hall,” Janna explained. “You’re something interesting; that’s all. Don’t worry, sweetie.”
As long as the gawkers helped her, they could be as fascinated with her as they wanted.
Law cleared his throat, and most of the noise died down. “It’s time we took a stand.” Law made eye contact with every single one of his people, lingering on the angriest expressions. “Tobias needs to be stopped. We’ve tried living safe, but we’ve all lost someone to this war. Hannah, how many years has it been since your husband died?”
Bianca turned, following Law’s line-of-sight, to see a short blonde around Janna’s age tearing up. The lady sat directly behind Bianca.
“Fifteen years,” Hannah said in a soft, sad tone.
“When your boy went after his father’s killer no one stood with him. My dad was alpha then, and he said this war we couldn’t win. What happened?”
“You know,” Hannah’s voice strengthened with anger.
“Not all of us were men back then. Most of us were just kids. Remind us,” Law insisted.
Bianca couldn’t understand his pushiness toward the distraught trembling woman. Hannah looked down at her folded hands, but then her head snapped up, and she glared at Law.
“Your father was a coward. You boys were teenagers, strong. You could’ve fought alongside the men. My son would be alive if your dad had you man up.” Hannah dissolved into a sobbing mess after she finished shouting at Law. No one went to comfort the woman. Bianca began reaching out to touch the woman’s arm. Hannah jerked away and glared with so much malice Bianca turned away.
Law nodded his head. “He might have survived, or we might all have died, but how many more of us will have to die before we take out the threat?” Law pointed at Mari Anna. “So are you willing to let this become James’s problem in sixteen years?”
The young mother’s eyes widened. She shook her head and glanced at one of the men in the back. He growled at Law.
“If we let Tobias and his pack kill without censure, he’ll destroy our pack.” Law looked around the room. None of his people spoke. “Do we want another generation growing up with this threat?”
“How much does the human know?” Kort glowered at Bianca.
Bianca fought to keep herself seated. She refused to show fear and her gaze never wavered from the big man.
Law came over and stood next to Bianca. “She kept me alive today. She saw two of Tobias’s pack, Carter, and Jerry, in the woods. They tried to kill us. He’s losing control, and his pack has no respect or regard for the old way. I gave her my protection.” Law put his hand on her shoulder. Gasps erupted around them. “The old ways have kept us safe since the beginning of time. We need to end this before those rogue wolves destroy our world. She knows. I had to turn.” He looked down into Bianca’s eyes as if searching for something specific in her expression. “I trust her.” Law’s gaze was only for her as he spoke. She didn’t know why, but she was glad. “She’s under my protection,” he repeated and looked out at the crowd again.
A rabble of disgruntled voices rose. Bianca focused on Law.
“She’s human,” Kort said. “The rules say she dies.”
Helpful. I hate that jerk.
“This is Bianca Archer; she’s not a stranger. You know her. She’s a parent. How would you feel if Tobias had James? I gave her my protection. Bianca is one of us.”
Kort was silent. Mari Anna gave Kort an angry stare. Janna put her arm around Bianca. Nik came up to stand beside Law. He crossed his arms over his chest, and he glared at Kort.
“Bianca might not be a wolf,” Law said. “But if she’s willing to keep our secret I’m willing to call her a friend.” He growled before clearing his throat. “We could use an ally in the human world. It never hurts to have someone on our side who isn’t a wolf. She can be our eyes and ears, and we can be hers. Let’s stop Tobias.”
The assemblage exploded, and emotion rumbled through the small space. Bianca made eye contact with Law, and he gave her a quick, tight smile. This plea for assistance could go either way. Law let the conversations go on for a bit before he stepped off the plywood to walk between the two rows of chairs nearer to his people.
“Enough!” Law roared. “Let’s vote. White rocks for stand up to Tobias and red rocks for let Tobias do whatever-the-hell he wants.”
Bianca watched helplessly as the people walked over to a table in the corner. She hadn’t noticed it before, but two long clear tubes sat on a platform, and a bowl of rocks sat between the cylinders. One-by-one Law’s people sealed Chessa’s fate.
Seven
Bianca’s chest tightened as she counted the rocks. The competition wasn’t even close.
“Red rocks have the win. We’re not going to fight.” Law turned to look Bianca right in the eyes. “I’m sorry.” He scowled and shook his head. “I am so sorry.”
No one cheered, and the quiet left anger swirling inside of Bianca. She sat still. Her whole body felt cold, and her soul was weary.
“What about the human?” Kort spoke up. “Shouldn’t we vote on what to do with her?”
Law growled and glared. “That’s not up for a vote. She has my protection. We don’t kill innocent people. She’s no threat.”
“You’re our alpha. You’re supposed to protect our pack, our children,” Kort jabbed a finger in the air toward his son.
“I do protect this pack. Bianca is mine.” He came over to stand behind Bianca’s chair. She felt the warmth of his body. He never touched her, but she sensed he was there to keep her safe.
“How can you be so fucking sure she won’t run off to alert the other humans? Humans are always a threat.”
“I swear your secret is safe with me,” Bianca said. “I don’t want any harm to come to your child, believe me; I can’t stand the idea of another parent feeling as empty as I do. I just want my daughter back.”
Reylin put her hand on Bianca’s arm before standing up. “Law is right. I’m not taking a mate until we can find peace. I don’t want my kids to live in fear. I’ve been thinking about leaving, and I know others are too.”
Bianca saw the Smith brothers give Kort a dirty look. Rune’s shoulders slumped, and Tristen grimaced.
“I say we kill her,” Kort announced. Paul and Ethan nodded. An elderly man stood up. “I agree with the boys. There’s no reason to let the human leave. Bite her.”
Law growled. He moved to stand between Kort and Bianca.
Oh, hell no. Bianca stood. Dear Lord, protect me and forgive my shaken faith. The image of a pack of wolves ripping her to pieces made her stomach roll. God, I can’t die like this. Please. A big man took a step forward. Fear made room for her anger. These wolves were no better than Lucas’ killer or Chessa’s kidnapper. Another male growled. Being mad seemed better than terrified, so she went with the darker emotion. Bianca glared. Just try it. The first one near her was getting his eyes gouged out. She slowed her breathing to prevent hyperventilation. Looking into Kort’s dispassionate face, the reality of how little her life meant to him was crystal clear. A chill trickled down her spine. I’d never outrun them. I won’t just die. I’ll fight.
***
Kane sat back in his chair. His intercom beeped. Sighing, he depressed the button. “Yes?”
“Mr. Wolfe, your three o’clock is here.”
“Send him in. And Tanya.”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Turn off the recording devices in the room.”
“Yes, Sir. Right away.”
The door opened, and a tall, thin man walked in. Alden. Kane nodded in solemn greeting, and Alden nodded back. Even with all the blood on his hands, the kid always came back to Kane. He’d spent years
cultivating that loyalty.
“She’s at Foster’s place. Two of Tobias’ showed her their true forms.”
Kane groaned. He hated things getting messy. He reached into his drawer and pulled out a bundle of fresh new bills and slid it across his desk. “Take care of her.”
“Foster’s given her his protection. I heard him do it.”
Kane’s eyes narrowed, and he rubbed his goatee between his fingers for a moment as he scrutinized Alden. He leaned back, returning the money to his drawer as he moved. Kill her, or see how this plays out. Foster is a careful bastard. I’ve always liked Bianca. She loves this town as much as I do. “Why?” Kane asked. “What’s his angle? They aren’t fucking. I’d know. Nothing happens in this town without me knowing.”
“I wish I knew.” Alden’s tone lacked emotion.
“Keep an eye on them,” Kane ordered. “Let me know what they’re doing. Oh, and Hank Kelsey’s bar? I want you to burn it. You’ll see the money when I see the ashes.”
“Ol’ Hank finally pissed you off this time?” Alden chuckled.
Kane shrugged. “He didn’t remunerate his taxes. The bastard told me he pays Uncle Sam, but he won’t pay Alpha Kane another dime. He’s got balls. He looked me right in the eyes, and that’s the only reason I’m letting him live.”
“Won’t he come after you? He’s always been a trouble maker.” Alden’s eyebrow rose.
“Let him come; a man needs a good fight once in a while.” Kane’s eyes narrowed.
Alden nodded and left.
Kane smiled, watching the door shut. It’ll get done. Killing that boy’s parents was the best thing I ever did. He’d spent years raising the young man to obey without question. It’s not how many men you kill. It’s picking the right man to die. He’d taught Alden how to pick the right ones; the ones Kane wanted dead.
***
Bianca backed up against the wall, inching her way towards the door. Law seemed to have good intentions, but she wasn’t putting her faith in his sympathy. These people were his kind—his pack. She was the interloper in their world. Taking deep breaths, she focused on slowing her racing heart. She didn’t want them to smell her fear. Each tiny backward step seemed to deepen Kort’s glare.
Law remained between her and Kort. He paced, using his body to shield her. Bianca noticed the hair on Law’s arms, and head had grown long and shaggy. Law’s growl was more animal than human now. Kort’s face began changing, and he turned his attention to Law, before glancing back to her. She remembered her mom screaming for her not to run from a friend’s dog when he slipped free from a loose collar and ran at her. The owner had called to the animal, and it stopped just before attacking, but she’d felt the same helplessness then as she did now.
***
Law glared at Kort. The scent of Bianca’s terror perfumed the air, his adrenaline spiked. The tension in the room vibrated with a subtle hum far too sophisticated for a human to experience. He noticed how edgy his people were.
“Kort!” Law raged the name with all the authority and brutality of his position. “Back down. Bianca is mine.”
Kort growled and sprang at his alpha. Kort landed with a crash scattering the folding chairs. Pack members rushed out of the way. Chaos.
Law freed the wolf. Transformation. His consciousness lingered in a half-life of the death of his humanity.
“Mine,” he said telepathically.
Kort’s massive muzzle swung in his direction, and Kort no longer glared at Bianca.
The strangest urgency filled Law with outrage as “his” was threatened. He’d never claimed before, and the experience felt raw as the wolf. He’d been too caught up in the danger on the bluff to notice before, but now the first stirring of the claim awoke with a vengeance.
“Mine!” he reiterated with more force.
“Dead.”
Kort’s response sent Law hurtling into a snapping angry pile of fury and blood. Law took the right of his dominion and gave Kort the fight that had been brewing for years.
***
“There goes another perfectly good pair of pants.” Janna took Bianca’s forearm. “I can’t wait until that boy has a good woman to do the mending.” Janna pinned Bianca with a narrowed stare.
Bianca’s lips parted as she gawked at the nonchalant mother for a moment before her attention returned to Law struggling five feet away. Horrified fascination kept Bianca engrossed on the spectacle. The shifters remained locked in snarling, yelping combat. The large bodies destroyed the organized meeting space.
“Nik, stay here and protect him,” Janna ordered with matriarchal authority. Turning to Bianca, she said, “Let’s get you out of here. Don’t come back. One of us will come to you. If he lives, it’ll be okay, but if that little punk manages takes him down, and commands alpha, you’re going to need to run, sweetie.”
“I’m not running. Not without my daughter.” Bianca stopped and glared at Janna. “I owe your son. I don’t want to abandon him.”
Janna’s brows drew together, and her lip trembled slightly. “I understand you. I do, but we need to get your scent out of here if we don’t want a full-scale rebellion to kill my son.” Janna half-yanked, half-dragged Bianca out the door. Bianca turned to look back, worried. But she walked fast as Janna guided her toward the car. “Get your ass to town and wait. Just be smart and stay home. Tobias’s clan isn’t like ours. He’d kill you the moment he smells you. The town pack isn’t much safer. You’ve been in wolf territory too much. You’re a threat now.”
Bianca opened her mouth to protest.
Janna glared. “Don’t argue with me on this. I’m not unkind. Unkind would be to lead you up on the bluff and let you fend for yourself. I don’t know why my son chose you, but he did. Just get home and lay low until one of us comes to you. If it’s anyone other than Law, Nik, Reylin, or me, you get away as quick as you can.” Janna pushed Bianca forward with surprising strength as she opened the car door. Bianca sat in the driver’s seat, and Janna shut the door shouting, “Go,” loud enough that Bianca heard her through the closed window. Bianca waited until she pulled a safe distance away from Law’s mom before flooring the gas pedal.
Gravel plunked and sprayed as her tires spun. Reylin waited by the gate. She opened the barrier just enough for Bianca to drive out before she closed it up, sealing Bianca out of their world once again.
Eight
Footsteps. Chessa’s heart raced as she scrambled to hide her book under the blanket. She could smell dollar store cologne and pot. Her prison door banged opened. Four ragged, dirty men came into the tiny room. Terror choked her as she pressed her back up hard against the wall.
A man with a wicked scar across his face stepped forward. He was huge. His bald head glistened in the dim light. Chessa shrieked as his sudden move sent another spike of terror through her. She huddled, stiff and afraid in the corner. Joy pushed past the group of males to come toward her. The man closest to Joy, he stood shorter than the others, slapped Joy so hard she hit the opposite wall. Chessa yelped, but Joy took the abuse silently. Chessa didn’t miss the way the sad woman glared at her attacker’s back.
Scarface turned and scowled at Joy. “She wasn’t supposed to be left unchained this close to the sacred night. Even down here the call is strong. Look at her.”
Chessa gawked at the crazy man, squinting. Her nose wrinkled up, and she frowned. He stunk. Strange? Her mind screamed he smelled like fear. What the heck is this guy talking about? I just want my mom. Mom, hurry up and find me, I’m homesick.
The big man yanked Chessa by the arm up to her feet. She struggled, but weak with hunger and whatever was wrong with her she was no match for her captor. Helplessness sucks. Her jailor slung her over his shoulder and started up the stairs. She lifted her head and saw the wary faces of the other kidnappers. One had a squished-looking pudgy face and the guy who hung back gazed at her with creepy bulging eyes. She stared them down, and they flinched. An irrational bubble of laughter burst from her. The men stumbled b
ack into Joy. The one who carried her never faltered as he hurried up the dank stairwell. She bumped her head on the ceiling. The sensation of the tight space closing in on her made the breath catch in her lungs as her throat tightened.
A metal door squeaked. The blinding light hit Chessa’s eyes, and she blinked sucking in a deep breath of fresh air. They were in a meadow run down RVs, and trailer homes circled the underground cell. The hatch door covered with grass, for perfect camouflaged, shut behind the others. Moths fluttered in the tall grass and birds flew from one stand of trees to another. The meadow, ringed by woodland, was shocking in idyllic tranquility.
Men and women came out of the dilapidated shelters to stare at her, and she glared at them. The hostility rose up inside of her; Chessa growled under her breath.
“Calm down little girl,” said her behemoth abductor.
Everything was so much more. She didn’t know if her long period of sensory deprivation caused the vibrancy, but the world had evolved. The scent of the air gave her so much more information. She could smell the previous night’s campfire and the honeysuckle growing at the edge of the woods. She could hear—even “smell” small animals in the distance. Her eyesight was better too. She could see the intricate pattern of sunlight on the leaves in the trees. Each hair seemed to stand out in detail on the squirrels that scurried up the branches. Never had the planet appeared more vibrant that it did at this moment.
The big guy flipped her around and carried her in his arms like a baby. Chessa felt the tension in his body. An old man sat in a recliner under the side awning of the newest looking RV. He wore much nicer clothing than the rest of his ragged caravan. His people gathered around, but none went under the awning. She had the distinct impression of his importance from the way they gave him space. She noticed several furtive glances in his direction. The crowd gave Old RV Guy what she could only describe as reverence. She was deposited next to the elderly man in the shade, but the giant held onto her wrist as he moved out from under the canopy. Her arm stretched back behind her. The odd old man regarded her before he stood and took a step toward her. Tall and lanky, he moved faster than she expected. His white hair and eyebrows were bushy. Everything about him scared her.
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