by Fel Fern
“Thanks.” After that, the tension seemed to disappear. She genuinely seemed to want the best for the pack, so Bo gave her a rundown of his story. Like Garret, Michella remarked shifters weren’t all like Royce.
“Do you think your brothers will listen to Garret?” Bo finally asked.
“They like to make noise. We’re werewolves after all, and the dominant males always like to establish their authority—” Michella halted when they heard a bang and crash outside.
Wood splintered and broke. Growls and snarls followed.
“Stubborn males can’t be in a room together to simply talk.” Michella snarled. She looked at Bo. “Will you be alright by yourself here?”
“I want to come with you. What if Garret’s hurt?” Bo blurted. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Trust me. If my brothers see you, they might lose their temper. It’s wiser for you to stay out of sight for the moment.”
She had a point. Bo reluctantly agreed.
“There’s a wolf by the backdoor if you need anything.” With that, Michella left Bo to his own devices. Bo tensed when he heard more noises. He culled the urge to follow after Michella and see how Garret was holding on.
“Let the wolves settle the problem,” he muttered. Except Bo could never wait, so he settled for heading out the back door for some fresh air. Maybe by then, things would have calmed down.
“Cigarette?” said a voice behind him.
Bo whirled. He hadn’t heard a thing. Seeing the tall and lean man in the leather jacket, Bo relaxed. From his movements, Bo could tell he was a werewolf. Was this the other guard Michella mentioned?
“No, thanks. I don’t smoke.”
“You must be Garret’s human. I’m Declan.” Declan smiled showing Bo razor sharp canines. There was something about that smile that threw Bo off though. He also didn’t like the strange glint in Declan’s eyes that reminded him a little of Royce.
Bo trusted his instincts, so he took a step back into the kitchen. Declan’s figure blurred and the shifter was suddenly blocking the doorway.
“Aw. Frightened of me, human?”
“No.” Bo quickly glanced behind him. Seeing the dead-end of an alley, he swallowed.
“Don’t fucking lie. I can smell fear on you…and let me tell you. It smells real good.” Declan’s grin all but screamed sinister.
Bo didn’t think. He ran. Bo couldn’t keep on relying on Garret to protect him, especially when Garret faced off against Sergio and Alessio. Knowing he would be at a disadvantage against Declan, Bo went for surprise. Most folks would run away, but Bo charged at the enemy. Declan’s look of confusion was worth it. He took advantage and darted out of his way.
He’d lose his advantage soon enough, so Bo needed to think fast on his feet. Once out of the alley, Bo immediately zoned on Garret’s pick-up. Garret had given him extra keys to everything including the cabin and the truck. Thank God, Garret thought of everything.
Bo fished out the spare keys, fumbled, and cursed when they slipped from his fingers. Behind him, Declan sounded a growl more animal than human.
“Shit,” Bo muttered, scrambling for the keys. If Declan shifter, it would be game over.
He grabbed the keys and managed to open the driver’s seat. Bo didn’t know how to make use of the mate bonds connecting him to Garret, but he hoped Garret sensed the emotions running through him. That Garret could tell Bo wasn’t running away, but facing his fears head-on.
Bo let out a shrill shriek of triumph as the engine rumbled to life. Sudden force hit the side of the truck, making a visible dent. Bo swallowed, catching sight of the enormous beast ramming at the door.
“What is your problem?” Bo demanded. He didn’t wait for an answer. Bo directed the pick-out out of the lot, wincing when claws screeched against metal. Did Declan want him dead so badly he would attack a goddamn car?
He could breathe easy once the vehicle gained more distance away from the psycho wolf. Bo checked the side mirror. Seeing Declan keeping up, fear crawled down his spine. What the hell did he do to piss this werewolf off?
Garret’s truck hadn’t been in tip top condition either. The little pick-up bumbled its way out of the main town center and into the path leading to the woods. Then Bo heard it. One of his back tires gave a hissing sound, and a quick look told him Declan had sunk his teeth against rubber.
“Crazy asshole,” Bo muttered under his breath as the truck spun out of control.
He feared the rusty bucket would crash into a tree, but it spectacularly came to a stop in the middle of the road. Bo flipped opened the inner compartments and swiped Garret’s old colt He checked the bullets. All full, but none of them were silver. The little gun wouldn’t do much damage against Declan, but it might save Bo a couple of seconds.
God. What possessed Bo to run away from the pizzeria anyway? Why did he have to be so damn pig-headed about trying to prove to the world he could save himself? Checking the mirror again, Bo saw it was only a matter of time before Declan caught up. Bo shoved the door open and sprinted out of the road away from the murderous wolf.
Chapter Nine
Hearing his faithful truck sputter had been the last straw. Bruised and bloody from tangling with his pack alpha and beta, the last thing Garret need was more problems. He had enough of damn useless politics. Why bother convincing his alpha and beta if they planned on busting his balls anyway?
“That your ‘mate’ running away once the going gets tough?” Alessio sneered.
Garret barely held onto his thin control. “Who’s idea it was, putting Declan on guard duty?”
“Watch your tone. Are you forgetting who you’re talking to, wolf?” Sergio hissed.
“Garret, what do you mean?” Michella paused, frowning.
Garret growled, smelling Declan outside, and the bastard had no other emotion other than unexplainable rage directed at Bo. Thank God Michella stepped between her brothers, and told him. “Get your mate back, Garret. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Ignoring Sergio’s snarl, Garret didn’t hesitate. He ran out, surprised Jared tossed him a key.
“Take my bike. It’s faster,” Jared said.
“We can’t involve ourselves, but Declan chased your mate out of town. Took the southbound exit to the woods,” Janey said.
“I owe you guys for this.” Garret found Jared’s Harley and mounted the bike. He ramped up the speed, pushing the bike to its limits. Soon enough, Garret picked up Bo’s distinctive scent and Declan’s repulsive smell.
Spying his truck on the curb hissing smoke, Garret snarled. He got off the bike and walked around the crash site, hoping to find evidence. Somewhere in the woods, a howl of challenge sounded.
“Declan, you poor fucker. You better run fast.” Garret began stripping, and then he heard the second sound from the woods. It was a growl wolves didn’t make. Bo’s psycho werebear—Jesus, this day couldn’t get any worse.
Declan he could deal with, but Royce too?
As Garret discarded his human form for his wolf, a strange calm settled on Garret. This was good, his wolf whispered, because Garret could hit two birds with one stone. He could get rid of Declan and Royce, and take back his mate. Then Sergio and Alessio wouldn’t have anything to bitch about.
Once on all fours, Garret entered the woods and began to hunt. His human half whispered at him to be careful, because everything about this smelled like a trap. Garret couldn’t afford to make careless mistakes, because that might cost Bo his life.
He streaked past familiar tress and paths less traveled. Garret knew these woods and they knew him. Among the other Darkfall pack members, he knew the forest best. It was only a matter of time before he caught Bo’s scent. His mate smelled of blood and hurt. Again.
It pissed Garret off how this asshole Royce couldn’t leave him alone. Maybe the poor sucker didn’t get the memo that Bo was now under his protection. Garret paused in his steps, and let the chilly air clear his head.
He focused on Bo’s scent, only a coupl
e of miles away from him. Garret narrowed his focus and found Declan’s scent through their pack bonds. He couldn’t sense Royce yet, but the werebear would be near. By now, Garret bet Royce was off the rails, probably too consumed by his bear to ever return successfully back to human form.
Garret caught up to Declan in a matter of minutes, but he kept his distance. He remained close enough to keep watch, but made sure Declan didn’t sense him. Trusting Bo would be able to defend himself, Garret ran on the sidelines until he managed to pick up the scent of the outsider. Royce. Finally.
He picked up speed and headed for Royce’s direction. Isolating the two co-conspirators and taking them on separately seemed the best option. Taking on a werebear was one thing, but tackling a crazy one would be a different matter. Smelling old blood and recent kills, Garret knew he found Royce.
The werebear stood waiting in a small clearing, fur matted with blood. He looked like shit and Garret wondered how much of Royce’s human half was left in there. Garret couldn’t wait any longer. He left his hiding spot and lunged at the werebear, picking Royce’s blind spot. In an honorable fight, he’d face his enemy head-on, but honor went out the window the moment Declan and Royce played dirty.
Garret sunk his canines deep into Royce’s sink, feeling his teeth go past fur and muscle, before Royce roared. Royce tried shaking Garret off, managing at the fourth try. Garret flew through the air, his back hitting the hard bark of a tree. Groaning, Garret ignored the fire in his back and forced himself back on all fours.
Then Royce and he started to dance. Bears were a lot slower than wolves, but when their claws hit, they hit hard. Royce drove him to the ground a couple of times, but Garret left his mark, too. The werebear’s attacks and movements began slowing down, but Garret also felt the burn and sting of Royce’s claws.
Garret limped and dragged himself toward Royce’s squirming form. He’d bitten Royce’s left leg real good, but it’s time to finish this. Not knowing how he found the strength, Garret tore out Royce’s throat in one jerk. Blood spurted out, covering Garret’s muzzle.
Adrenaline sang in his veins. Finally, Bo’s tormenter was dead. Garret couldn’t wait to—
White hot pain shot up his left flank. Garret twisted his head, baring his canines to a snarl, but only a weak croak came out.
“You fucking fell for it, you dumb bastard.” Declan stood in front of him, nude, toting a shot gun.
Judging by the awful agony working its way into his bloodstream, Garret knew the weapon was loaded with silver bullets. He let out whine, and pretended to play the injured beast.
“That’s right, fucker. Your human wasn’t the target in the first place, although I’ll get to him soon enough,” Declan sneered. “Dishonoring my brother’s memory by taking that weak mortal?”
Declan spat. “You’re asking for it.”
Then he swung the barrel at Garret’s head. This time round, Garret knew if the bullet found its mark, he wouldn’t survive. What would happen to Bo then?
Declan pulled the trigger.
* * * *
Bo knew something was wrong the moment he sensed the crazy wolf backing off from the chase. Panting and his entire body covered in sweat, Bo collapsed on his knees and tried to think in a logical matter. Closing his eyes, Bo clumsily tried to imagine the invisible bond connecting him to his mate.
“This is stupid,” he muttered. Stubbornness made him press on, and yes. He did find something. Some spark that made him aware of Garret on the other end, bleeding and hurt. For a second, his vision swam, like he was peering from Garret’s eyes. A huge bear—Royce, was growling and twisted a couple of meters from them. His heart raced as Garrett didn’t hesitate to go for the kill.
Hearing Royce’s dying scream, Bo realized Garret was right. There was no hope or redemption for his ex-lover, because nothing in human was left in there. As Garret felt triumph, Bo spotted what Garret missed—another shadow moving through the trees.
“An ambush,” Bo whispered.
Fearing for the life of his mate, Bo ran. He didn’t know how the intimate knowledge of the woods came to him. Maybe it was his connection to Garret, but Bo just hoped it would get there in time. All the muscles in his legs burned with exhaustion, but his refusal to lose his mate after finding his mate kept on going.
Breathing hard, Bo emerged into the opening of a clearing. Lying a few feet from Royce’s form was Garret lying there, bleeding and hurt. He looked awful. Royce’s claw marks marred his thick gorgeous fur. The crazy wolf towered in front of Garret, wielding a shotgun. Bo didn’t think. The moment the psycho wolf fired, Bo raised his own gun. He knew lead bullets wouldn’t do a thing, but they could still do some serious damage if they hit their mark. Finally, Bo could put all of Royce’s shooting lessons to practice. His gun roared. Blood exploded from the shooter’s arm. He howled, dropping his weapon. Then he turned lethal narrowed eyes at Bo.
“Shit,” Bo whispered.
“You dumb piece of shit. You don’t know when to run don’t you?” He sneered.
“I’m not going to stand by and let you kill my mate,” Bo spat. He shot again, but the bullet did nothing but lodge itself in the psycho’s shoulder. The werewolf grunted, but kept on walking toward him, malice in his eyes.
Bo’s hand shook. His heart began to race. The man’s figure blurred. Suddenly, he stood inches away from Bo and shoved his weapon away like it was a toy.
“You’re going to die slow, human. I’m going to enjoy sinking my teeth into your juicy flesh.”
Bo began to run, but the guy caught his wrist and easily twisted it behind his back. He hissed at the pain. Another shot rang out, deafening and unexpected. Blood flowed from the corner of the wolf’s lips. Bo caught sight of Garret, back in human form, holding the shot gun the enemy dropped. Garret growled and shot again, this time not missing the head.
The wolf sagged, taking Bo down. He didn’t get up again. Bo let out a sigh of relief, and then pushed at the corpse in front of him, but it was too heavy.
“Garret? Some help here. This bastard’s damn heavy.”
“Wait. Busted leg,” Garret grunted.
Bo heard the sound of rustling leaves and movement. A couple of seconds later, two wolves with red coats emerged from the trees. They shifted, revealing Matt and Mark.
“Damn. You guys made a mess, but I suppose the important thing is making it out alive,” Matt commented. He rolled the corpse off Bo while Mark looked over Garret. “This is going to take a bit of explaining to Sergio, but I think you guys will be fine. Besides, no one will miss Declan.”
“How is he?” Bo asked.
“Fine, but I’m warning you, he’s a terrible patient though,” Mark reminded him.
“We’ll manage. Besides, my grumpy wolf took care of me before. About time I return the favor.” That earned Bo laughs from the brothers and a familiar glower from his mate.
Chapter Ten
Two Weeks Later
“That’s everything,” Bo said, wiping his brow.
Always a man of little words, Garret grunted and took the heavy box from the trunk and carried it inside their new house. Their home. Sometimes Bo still couldn’t believe those words.
After the incident two weeks ago, Bo headed back to the city, quit his job, and settled his affairs. He found a position at Darkfall’s only accounting firm and made the bold decision to move. While the salary was less than what he earned back at his old job, the working hours were way less. Plenty of time for Bo to spend time getting to know his mate. Besides, life here in Darkfall seemed more down to earth and after his near-brush with death, Bo intended to live life to the fullest.
When the people back at the city like his parents and friends asked what happened to Royce, Bo shrugged it off and casually mentioned Royce disappeared and never called him back. After all, shifters dropped humans all the time in favor of more appropriate mates, and most folks he knew backed off at the uncomfortable topic.
The Darkfall pack meanwhile, easily d
ealt with both Royce and Declan’s disappearances. Heck, it was downright frightening the way they handled matters. Matt had been right. No one mourned Declan’s death. Apparently, Declan had been an unpopular arrogant pack member who liked picking fights.
It would be awhile though before Bo won Sergio and Alessio’s approval, although he became fast friends with Michella. Most of Garret’s other pack members slowly got used to seeing Bo by Garret’s arm as well, and Bo started getting used to being around werewolves.
Bo’s parents seemed relieved by the news Royce and he were no longer together. For some reason, they liked Garret when Bo brought him home, even though he told them outright Garret was a shifter.
“That one’s a keeper, Bo. So you better hold onto him,” Bo’s momma had said, and her approval meant the world. The news of Bo leaving his old life and moving in with Garret into a new town had been a lot harder to take. Garret recommended Bo invited them over to see Darkfall with their own eyes and Bo agreed. He was certain they’d fall in love with the small town and its quirky inhabitants just as he did.
In the present, Bo took the remaining smaller box containing the last of his clothes and followed Garret inside. After talking it over, they decided to rent a home near the town center. The house was close to Bo’s new workplace, and although it had been a rough decision for Garret, he did admit he occasionally missed company. It was the kind of starter home couples usually went for. While tiny, it came equipped with a living room, dining room, kitchen and three bedrooms.
They did keep the cabin in the woods and spent most of their weekends there. In return, Bo agreed to let Garret teach him how to hunt and hike, fish and camp. No matter how much Bo complained, Garret never seemed to lack patience. That was, Bo summed up, real honest-to-goodness love.
“Are you hungry, hon?” Bo asked, wiping his brow.
He stacked his tiny box to join the others. Bo didn’t have much stuff, but it didn’t matter. His new life with Garret was just beginning. They’d fill the house with furniture and things they both liked, as well as good memories.