Kane sat working at his desk and didn’t look up. “The misses smells nice this morning. I’m surprised you brought a woman to this meeting.”
“She’s concerned about her daughter. Her acceptance is not the same thing as a complete understanding of our ways.”
Kane’s eyes narrowed. “As her mate, you have a duty to teach her,” Kane smiled at Bianca. His eyes chilled her all the way to her bones. “Tobias wants his war; he has it. The entire pack is ready to fight, even the women. We’re going to kill him, and every single killer who assaulted our Laurie.” His gaze never left Bianca’s. “Your daughter won’t be harmed.”
“I’d like to get the girl out first. Because Bianca is my mate, I have a claim on the child. Chessa Archer is part of my pack now.”
Kane grunted. “Well, it’s a good thing you brought your woman after all. If you’re going to make that claim, I want signatures. Let’s make this union official. Are you ready to be Mrs. Foster, Bianca?”
She gasped. Law growled.
“Is that necessary?” Nik asked. “She stayed with him last night. Most of the pack witnessed her go with him. She accepted his vow. Is the human certificate important?”
“Normally, I wouldn’t care, but Bianca is human. If she’s willing to sign, I’m willing to believe she belongs to Foster and then his claim on the girl is valid.”
“What?” Bianca broke her silence. “Isn’t my being here proof enough? Why would Law put himself and his pack at risk for my child unless I’m his mate?”
Kane grinned. He leaned back comfortably in his chair. “Why indeed?” He cocked his head to the side and scrutinized Bianca with undisguised curiosity.
“I’m ready to sign.”
Bianca watched Kane pull paperwork out of his drawer. Law read it, carefully, and then he snatched the elegant silver pen off Kane’s desk as he set the paper down flat. Law scrawled his name with dramatic flair before turning to offer her the pen. Challenge burned in his eyes.
Bianca’s mouth went dry. She’d never been married before. This was not how she imagined it. Shotgun werewolf wedding was hardly my childhood dream. She hoped Kane didn’t notice how her lower lip trembled. Chessa needed help, not a new daddy. This was the worst time ever for her to be marrying a man her daughter hadn’t even met. Sighing, she realized the time lapse to sign was closing. If she didn’t do this now, she’d never be able to convince Kane the whole ‘mate’ thing was real. Her vision blurred as she signed her name. The scribble lacked her normal neatness, but it was her signature. It was official as far as the government and Kane were concerned.
“I can’t lie; I didn’t think your bond was legitimate. As an apology, I agree to let you negotiate for the girl, but my pack will be there. We’ll be ready when he plays hardball. If he doesn’t let the girl go, we attack.”
Law nodded. “Fair.”
Bianca wanted to protest, but Nik put his hand on her forearm. His tense body told her she needed to hold back. She glanced at Law’s friend and noticed sweat beading on his brow.
Kane contemplated Law’s face for a long moment before he leaned forward and put his hands on his desk, pushing himself up out of his chair.
“I’ve always wondered if I could trust you, Foster, and I’m glad I didn’t jump to conclusions. Together we’ll take that bastard down. Any survivors in his pack will die.”
Nik and Law exchanged horrified looks. “My sister is part of his pack,” Law said. “A foolish girl’s heart has put the woman in a situation I’d like to see her saved from.”
Kane nodded. “She’s been defiled by one of his animals. If you can find a man to make the vow, then she’s his. None of my pack will speak for her.”
Law’s head turned in Nik’s direction. Kane’s eyes narrowed. Bianca had no idea what she was missing, but something unspoken had changed the rules of the game Kane was playing with them.
“We’ll discuss your sister’s fate if she survives. Will you concede to my decision, or was I wrong about you being my ally?”
I don’t like the mayor threatening Law. I don’t like it at all. Bianca bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. He’s a better man than you are, Mr. Mayor. Keeping my mouth shut hurts. Her vision blurred as she glared, hard, at the mayor. She took a step forward, and Nik tightened his grip on her arm. Her back straightened as she realized how intense she’d gotten for a second there. What the hell… Bianca’s heart rate slowed, and heat warmed her cheeks as she stepped back feeling stupid. Nik let go of her arm.
Law scowled. “You can trust me.”
Kane nodded. "Tomorrow at dusk we meet at the foot of the bluff. If your woman comes, she’ll be killed.” Kane turned and looked her in the eyes. “Bianca, you have to stay out of this.”
“But my daughter—“
Kane cleared his throat in a way to cut her words off. “Will not want to see you torn limb-from-limb. They won’t stop at a bite, not when it’s war.” A strange look, maybe respect, or just amusement, crossed Kane’s face as his brows pushed together and his lips quirked up. “Today being brave isn’t enough. It would be a shame to lose the only human I know with the cojones to mate one of my alphas.”
“He’s right,” Law said. “You’re sitting this one out back at the farm. Believe me; she’ll understand after what she’s seen. A human is no match for a werewolf. She’ll want her mother to stay safe and sound.”
Bianca’s nodded, not trusting her voice.
Twenty-One
Bianca paced the communal dining area where she’d eaten the night before. Those few hours felt like a lifetime ago. So much has happened in twenty-four hours. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Law about the sex or the signatures. He’s sacrificed so much to protect Chessa.
She watched the men loading up trucks and preparing to go after Tobias. Kane’s men were there too. So many of her fellow townspeople had kept her in the dark about what they were. She knew these people, but they felt like strangers to her. Shivering, she rubbed her arms. The kitchen was warm, but this chill came from the very deepest place in her soul.
Dusk fell, and lights were coming on in the little cabins. Women and children were saying goodbye to men they loved. She wanted to fight, not stay behind. Do I go out and say goodbye or stay here? He hadn’t come to her. Remember what Janna said. I need to put on a good show.
Bianca left her solitary lookout and opened the porch door. She wrapped her arms around her middle as if she could protect herself from the fear taking hold of her thoughts as she walked to where Law and Nik pondered a map.
Law looked up. Bianca couldn’t read the expression on his face. She went to him and put her arms around his muscular torso, holding him tight. His cheek settled on the top of her head. They stood like that for a moment before Nik cleared his throat.
“It’s time,” Nik said.
The sound of truck doors slamming and male voices calling out made Bianca jerk. She pulled out of the surreal moment.
“I’ll be back. With her. She’s part of this pack,” Law said. Then he was behind the wheel with his door closed.
Bianca stepped out of the road and watched the caravan leaving. Her desperate panic made breathing hard. She stumbled back to the kitchen. She wouldn’t sleep until they were home, and she didn’t want to be alone in Law’s house. She put her fingertips against the cool windowpane as the gate shut. I’m so not used to being sidelined. Until werewolves, I was in charge of my destiny. Until Law she’d never sent anyone, she cared about, to war.
“Hey,” Reylin said. “It’ll be okay. Those are some strong, tough men.” Bianca turned, and her new friend pressed a cup into her hands. “Drink this; it’ll relax you.”
Bianca’s eyebrow rose.
“Chamomile, not drugged, you need to stop being so paranoid about us. We’re family now.”
Bianca took a sip. “Sorry. Old habits. I’m not used to the whole family thing.”
“Get used to it.” Reylin’s tone was sharp, but then she grinned. “You care about
him, and that makes me like you. A lot. He deserves a mate who loves him because of his good-heart, not his status. Were-chicks dig alphas, most of us at least.”
“So you aren’t into powerful men?” Bianca teased, happy to get her mind off her worries, even if only for a moment.
“I’m into uncomplicated.”
“There’s such a relationship? Tell me more.” Bianca rolled her eyes.
Reylin chuckled. “I get it. I do. I know there’s always going to be something to muck up perfection, but I want a man who’s not into werewolf politics. I want a guy who sees me as a woman, not as something primal to hump. I want to be with a man and not feel like he had to choose between me and something else.”
“There’s something appealing about primal humping,” Bianca said.
Snorting, Reylin went over to the stove and poured hot water into a mug. She took a teabag out of a box and dunked it. The tick of an ancient clock on the wall above the sink was the only sound. Bianca couldn’t see Reylin’s face. “I just don’t want to end up like my mother. No male will control me.”
“Being alone hurts too,” Bianca whispered the confession.
Reylin came back to the table. Shadows in her eyes told Bianca her friend had experienced her fair share of lonely. They drank tea in silence. “They’ll come back,” Reylin promised, but the lines around her mouth and eyes showed the cracks in her confidence.
Bianca shook her head and glanced out the window. Darkness descended, and the moonlight called to her—trying to lure her into the woods. Saving her daughter, not stuck behind the protection of the compound walls, was more her style. But for some inexplicable reason, she trusted Law enough to stay behind and out of the moonlight’s peril.
****
“I can’t believe she didn’t put up a fight back there,” Nik said to Law as they drove. He fished a pack of cigarettes out of the console.
“She’s full of surprises,” Law replied in a dry tone. He ran his hand through his hair. Bianca ties me in knots. Having her in his bed had made him want her more, not less. He huffed out a long breath.
Nik glanced at him but never said a word as he offered Law a smoke. That kind of friendship was brotherhood. Law shook his head and continued driving behind the Hummer carrying Kane’s militia leaders. A caravan of trucks followed them. The hair on his neck stood up. Something wasn’t right. “What do you think? Is this a war we can win?” Law scowled. “Kane stayed back in town.”
Nik jerked, as if startled. “You sounded pretty damn sure before. What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know, exactly, Kane, I guess. For an alpha to sit a battle out makes me suspicious. Kane might be getting old, but he’s still a wolf. Killing is something the man enjoys. We all know it.”
Nik rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the dashboard. Law didn’t like it that his friend couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ve had a bad feeling about this since the moment it started. I don’t trust Kane, but I trust you.”
“We have to stop Tobias. He’s been a problem since before we were born. We have to scatter his pack.”
Nik looked at Law. “Agreed. We’re strong. The town wolves are strong; we can try to figure out Kane later,”
“You’re my brother and the man I trust the most. If something happens to me will you look out for Bianca and her daughter?”
“Damn it! You’re not going to die. Fuck. I hate you right now, but yeah, I’ll take care of them.”
Law grinned. Nik was a bigger commitment phobic than anyone he knew. The promise meant a lot to him.
“Thanks.” Law tried not to let the depth of his emotion show.
“No problem.”
And that was that. Law felt better, settled. Now it’s time to kick some serious ass.
Twenty-Two
Pheromones perfumed the air with violence. Tobias smelled the wolves before he felt the vibration of the ground. Looking to the south, he saw headlights and heard the distant rumbling as they traveled up the ridge.
“We got company.” Gavin, his beta wolf, came over and stood next to Tobias.
Momentary panic caused him to stand. The moon was high in the sky. His people were still powerful from the full moon. Reminding himself of the fact, he looked for the girl. His granddaughter was his legacy.
“Chessa, come here,” Tobias shouted.
The pack laid settled in the grass, but now all attention was on him. Chessa sat up she’d been lying down for the night beside Clint’s mate. Her young face peered up, sleepy and confused. She stood, her legs wobbly from dozing, and came over to the RV.
“You stay close,” Tobias told the girl. Gavin took hold of her upper arm. She’d be his soon. Family. Tobias needed an heir, and he could think of no man he’d rather have father his great-grandchild. Spunky as her grandmother, Chessa tried to pull away. “Settle down, girl.” His pack was starting to stand. The vehicles were close now. “Take her,” he ordered Gavin.
Chessa struggled as Gave snatched her arm and started to pull her away from camp.
“Let me go!” Chessa dug her heels into the grass.
“Settle down,” Gavin snarled.
A flurry of chaos broke out. The camp became a war zone. Before the SUVs and trucks even stopped men exited half-transformed and ready to fight. Law Foster was the only man approaching that wasn’t showing his wolf.
“Tobias!” Law screamed. “Tobias, we need to talk. You can prevent violence.”
Foster was an idiot if he thought preventing violence was something Tobias wanted. Tobias threw his head back, laughing. Then he stopped. He viewed his panicked pack, and the pheromones stirred his blood. “Come and get me, pup, if you can.”
“Let Chessa Archer go. I’ve claimed her mother. Give me the girl and my pack leaves. That’s the deal.”
It’s too bad I’m going to have to kill the boy, he’s family now. “I’m no fool,” Tobias shouted.
“Give us the girl or the blood is on you.”
“I’ve lived my life covered in blood. Bring it, Foster!”
A born wolf rushed at one of Tobias’ bittens. Snarling and yelping echoed off the trees surrounding the meadow.
Tobias took a deep breath and drew the smell of blood into his lungs. He exhaled slowly, cracking his back. Grinning, he sprang forward freeing the wolf.
****
Chessa struggled against Gavin. He pulled her through the woods. “What’s going on?”
He grunted and kept going. “Come on,” he said forcing her forward and allowing thorns to rip her already holey hand-me-down sweater from Joy.
“Ouch.” Chessa jerked again, but his grip was tight. For an old man, Gavin was strong he had to be at least forty. He stopped just long enough to shake her until her neck hurt.
A vicious growl made her captor stop.
“Let her go.”
“Stay out of this Trax,” Gavin said.
“Let her go.”
Chessa felt Gavin’s grip loosen. “Watch out, Trax!”
Gavin sprang. Chessa didn’t know how she knew, but Gavin was a full-blood werewolf. Trax wasn’t. They were both wolfing out. The half-man and half-animal males circled each other as if they were trying to find an opening to attack.
Trax lashed out, clawing Gavin’s bicep. The older man dodged fast enough to avoid a worse injury.
“If Tobias dies, I’m your alpha, kid. Think carefully about what you want. Wolves aren’t meant to be alone. No other pack would have you.”
“I don’t care. I won’t let you hurt her.”
Gavin laughed, he laughed hard. “She’s mine boy. Her grandfather wants me to father his heir. Our pack will go on long after I’ve killed you.”
Chessa’s world stopped. Her nightmare just escalated. “No.” She tasted bile in the back of her throat.
Trax growled. He launched himself at Gavin with blind rage. Chessa saw a flicker of amusement on the older man’s face. He’d goaded Trax. “Watch out!” Chessa warned, but as the last syllable died, sh
e watched Gavin’s claws shred the sweatshirt covering Trax’s stomach. Red. Chessa screamed until she was hoarse.
Twenty-Three
Law wiped blood out of his eyes. It wasn’t his. The warmth of Nik’s half-transformed body was against his back. They fought the onslaught of Tobias’s feral pack. These bastards had no problem killing so as far as he was concerned the packs were doing the world a favor by putting the psychos down. Going full wolf would be easier, but Law needed a voice when they found the girl.
“I haven’t seen Chessa,” Law shouted over the noise.
Nik grunted.
“Watch out!” Law growled the warning and Nik ducked just in time to avoid the claws coming at his face. Nik sprang forward. Red. More blood spattered his face. Grunting, the attacker fell to the ground. Law raised his arm to block a blow. None of these men was full-wolf, but Law smelled a full-wolf. He and Nik were trying to make their way that direction. Tobias. Killing him would scatter the pack unless he had a hell of a respected beta.
Dodging the fangs of another attacker Law reached out and sank his claws into the man’s chest. Big brown eyes bulged as the man glanced down in shock. He looked up at Law and the confused terror in his expression broke through the blood-lust to reach the human side of Law’s conscious. No time for regret—he dropped the man—no victory except survival.
“Oh dear God,” Nik rushed away.
Law growled and fought as two wolves pounced on him, as they seized the opportunity Nik provided. I’m going to kill him if we make it out of this.
Law jerked as he took razor sharp claws to the face. Attacks were coming from all directions. Snarling, Law lashed out. His attacker yelped as Law took a chunk out of the man’s shoulder. The other man might have drawn first blood, but Law would make sure another bleed last. His focus was on staying alive and with every formidable swipe, Law pushed his attackers back. The wolves yelped and twisted as they endured the primal fury of a born wolf. The one who’d clawed him ran, but the other made the mistake of exposing his neck. Law took the opportunity to open the delicate flesh. His opponent dropped to his knees and rolled onto his side, staring out at the carnage with the unseeing focus of death.
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