The Reluctant Alpha

by A. K. Michaels

  “He’s going to be very angry, Jinx, we’ll need to stop him going off half-cocked against this Philippe guy. If he’s as strong as I’m beginning to think, then Fearghas doesn’t stand a chance and that would leave the Pack without an Alpha.”

  Jinx’s eyes widened. “Shit, I didn’t think of that. Obviously your cousin is in no place to take charge and that would leave Matthieu and we both know we don’t trust him.”

  “I’ve got Jacob working on that and also Philippe. I want to know everything I can about him. We may be able to attack him in other ways, financial, property, anything I can get I’ll take right now.”

  “If there’s anything to find out then Jacob’s the one to do it.”

  Cam agreed, Jacob was the best damn PI he knew and was an utter whiz when it came to electronic investigation. “He’s going to get everything together and send it to me later today. Hell, by the time we get back to camp it’ll be there on my laptop. I just hope he finds something we can use as leverage.”

  “So,” Jinx slowed his pace, “this looks as good a place as any and we’re a good way away from their camp now. Want to do your magic here?”

  Looking around Cam saw a sheer drop off to their right and he walked towards it. “Here,” he said as he dropped the body on the ground. “Take your jeans off, we’ll burn those as well and go back the rest of the way Wolf, it’ll be quicker.”

  Jinx tore the jeans off, “Quickly, I want to be far away from here if they smell the smoke and come to investigate.”

  Cam took his own jeans off, placing them on top of the blanket covered body, turning to pick up a thick branch that lay on the ground. “Take this, as soon as it’s well alight push it over the edge. Make it harder for them to reach it if they do come looking.”

  Jinx took the branch and Cam focused on his magic, making fire was one of the simpler spells, so it wasn’t long ‘til the blanket was encompassed in flames. The scent of burning flesh thick in the air as Jinx placed the end of the branch underneath the bulk and levered it up and over the edge. With the rain that had obviously fallen recently everything was damp and there was very little chance of the flames taking root on the way down. A small stream sparkled at the bottom and they waited until the body fell, landing on a large rock before tumbling off and coming to rest at the very edge of the stream. Cam turned away, no regret at killing the Beta. “Let’s get back, by the way, did the others say where they’d wait?”

  Jinx shook his head. “I told them to wait for us just outside the Camp. I didn’t want them going in and being seen without us ‘cause that would have Fearghas asking them where we were and I didn’t want him coming to look for us.”

  “Good thinking.” Cam approved of Jinx’s reasoning, it was what he would’ve done too.

  “Let’s get back and get this over with.” Cam scowled, knowing the meeting with his uncle wasn’t going to go down well at all.

  Morphing in moments, Cam’s large black Wolf waited on his friend and as soon as Jinx was ready they took off back towards the Clan camp.

  As his beast ran free he could feel its utter happiness, the freedom he’d denied it for so long making him feel guilty. “Yes!” it answered him as its great paws flitted across the ground gaining speed. Jinx’s Wolf kept pace with his, winding in and around the trees and brush as they sped towards Clan land with the information they’d found.

  Cam let his mind float away, leaving his beast in complete charge as he savored the feelings that ran through the great body. He was sure neither he nor his beast had felt as delighted as they did now. The problems that were to come would be dealt with but this moment he gave in to his Wolf.

  As Jinx’s Wolf yipped with excitement Cam felt his own answer with glee. Their fur flying out as their speed increased again. Now they were almost flying across the ground, eating it up so fast that it in no time at all he could scent his friends. All three waiting for them in Wolf form.

  Cam thought it strange they hadn’t changed and dressed and as he slowed his beast to a trot he gave a small yip of command. Rory, Logan and Mac fell in behind him with Jinx coming up the rear. As they reached their clothes, Cam changed quickly, noticing a hose attached to the side of the shelves.

  “What a great idea,” he thought as he cleaned off his hands and feet, before reaching for the plastic tub that held his clothing. Once dressed he checked his phone, seeing several missed calls, one from Jacob and quite a few from his secretary, Stracey. There was a text from Jacob, his PI. Cam frowned as he read the message – “I’m coming. Be there early evening.” Cam wondered what he’d found that had Jacob leaving his office in LA to join them here. Shrugging, Cam put his phone back in his pocket, he’d find out soon enough so no point worrying about it.

  He’d call Stracey after his meeting with Fearghas. It was rare that there was something his right-hand woman couldn’t take care of herself and there wasn’t anything businesswise what was urgent at the moment. Not that he knew of anyway.

  Looking around he saw his Wolves were all dressed, the twins and Mac waiting patiently to see if he would tell them what had happened. Jinx raised an eyebrow in question as Cam sighed and said, “I felt a Wolf in trouble and went to take a look. Found her and she was being attacked by a male.”

  Rory swore, “Shit! One of theirs?”

  Jinx sniggered, Cam throwing him a dirty look before he carried on, “Yes, she’d been told the Beta could do whatever the hell he wanted. Including hunting her in the forest with the aim of raping her, which was where I came in.”

  “Damn!” Logan exclaimed, anger now rising in all three.

  “Exactly, long story short, we fought, he’s dead. Jinx and I disposed of the body.”

  A loud snort came from Jinx, causing the twins and Mac to turn to him, confusion on their faces. “Oh, wait for it guys, just wait.” He laughed as Cam stood straight, his eyes boring into Jinx’s.

  Rory, Logan and Mac turned back to Cam, “Fine! The She-Wolf I saved is named Chastity and she’s Philippe Dupont’s sister. She’s terrified of him and even though I told her she should leave, she was too scared. The women in that Pack are abused in the worst possible way. It makes my blood boil. She said Dupont would hunt her down and rip her apart if she left.”

  Mac ran a hand through his hair, frowning as a low growl rumbled in his chest. “That’s fucked up! Where was he brought up to think it’s okay to act like that? She’s his sister! He should be protecting her not scaring the shit out of her!”

  “Too right!” Rory grumbled, his face tight with anger.

  “That’s what we’re up against and add in that he’s using magic, this is not going to be easy, guys.” Cam looked at each of them and continued, “Plus, when I let Fearghas know he’s gonna go nuts. If he goes after Dupont he’s gonna get hurt and I won’t allow that to happen. So, let’s go break the bad news but I want you all calm. I don’t want your anger to affect him. Okay?”

  “Gotcha.” Logan nodded, giving his twin a pointed look.

  “What?” Rory poked Logan, “I’m okay, promise.”

  As they walked to the Alpha’s cabin, Cam could see his uncle pacing back and forth on the wrap around veranda. He could feel the tension in his uncle and as soon as Fearghas saw them approach he came down the stairs, waiting for them with a scowl on his face.

  “You’re back,” Fearghas said, his face impassive, obviously hiding his worry. “Everything go okay? Did you find anything out?”

  “Let’s go inside, uncle.” Cam took hold of Fearghas’ elbow. “We can talk better after we’ve had something to eat and drink. It’s been a long day.”

  “Of course!” Fearghas almost ran up the stairs to open the door. “Marie! Food for the boys.”

  Cam followed, knowing his aunt would most probably have a meal ready. He wasn’t wrong. As they entered the kitchen she was busy rushing around with Angel helping her. Fergie at the table with a laptop, typing away before looking up at him with a questioning glance.

  Marie placed
large bowls on the table as Angel picked up a huge pot, brimming with beef stew. Marie put a large ladle in the stewpot, smiling nervously at all of them. “Help yourselves, I’ll get you some bread and would you like a beer to go with it?”

  Cam took his place at the opposite end of the table to Fearghas, waiting ‘til his Wolves were all eating before taking his own. “This smells delicious, thank you and yes, I think we deserve a beer.”

  As soon as he spoke Angel got them their drinks then sat down next to her mate. Fergie finished whatever he was doing and closed the laptop. An air of expectancy all around as they ate.

  Cam couldn’t stand it, “Okay,” he started while still trying to eat. “Alpha, you have to sit and listen, to all of what we have to say. Okay?”

  Fearghas nodded, his lips set in a tight line as Cam drank down his beer in one go. Wiping his mouth with a napkin he took a deep breath. “Your land has been invaded with Wolves from the Wild Ranch Pack time and again and...”

  “How?” Fergie interrupted. “How is that possible without us knowing about it?”

  “I did say to listen?” Cam spoke quietly but his tone was pure Alpha and Fergie’s eyes flitted down as he said a quick “sorry.”

  Cam inclined his head to the side, watching his uncle’s reaction and saw lines appear at the side of his eyes and mouth as his son showed submission to Cam.

  “Right, I’ll continue.” Cam’s eyes stayed locked on his uncle’s. “They’ve been using magic to mask their scent and hide their presence. I know you don’t like magic, hate it in fact. However, if we are to stand a chance against them then we need to use it to counteract theirs. If we do not do this then we are, what we say in the business world, fucked.”

  Fergie swore as the Alpha’s face turned red and Cam worried he was about to blow. However, Fearghas nodded at him to carry on. “We tracked them, and yes I did use a little spell my mother taught me to be able to do this. At the spot that Fergie was attacked it was obvious to me what happened and he was attacked. No doubt about it.”

  Marie gasped, Angel whimpered and Fearghas cursed. Cam ignored them and went on, “So, we tracked those responsible all the way back to the Wild Ranch camp. There’s no doubt it’s them that’s behind everything and we need to figure out how to take them down. Or more importantly, Philippe Dupont.”

  Fearghas spoke for the first time since they’d sat down. “How do you propose we do that?”

  Cam stared hard at his uncle. “I’m glad you said we, because this Alpha is, apparently, worse than we thought. I came across his Beta in the forest...”

  Fergie’s head shot up, “What? Shit! They’ll know we’ve been on their land!”

  “Hold on, let me finish. I said I came across him but he’s no longer in a position to tell anyone anything. We had a slight difference of opinion. He thought it was okay to hunt down a She-Wolf and rape her. I thought otherwise. We fought and afterwards Jinx and I got rid of his body, burning it to mask the scent of the female. She is absolutely terrified. I’ve never seen anyone so scared.”

  “Who was she?” Angel asked, fear on her face.

  “Chastity.” Cam waited and saw Angel’s eyes widen, her face losing all color.

  “No! Oh my god, that’s the Alpha’s sister!”

  “Yes,” Cam said, “she is and she’s so goddamn scared her body was shaking from head to foot. She won’t say anything ‘cause she’s under the impression Dupont would hold her responsible and ‘punish’ her. Whatever the hell that means.”

  Cam drank some more of his beer, his eyes still on Fearghas, seeing the tension in the Alpha. He was trying to hide it but Cam could see it clearly. “Fearghas, we need to bring a Witch in on this. I know you don’t approve of Witchcraft but we’ve got to fight fire with fire and we’ll be blind if we don’t.”

  A heavy silence hung around them as Fearghas sat stiffly, his jaw tightening and his eyes flashing with anger. Cam waited him out, his own expression calm as Fergie looked between him and his father. The seconds ticked by, Marie and Angel starting to fidget, before Fearghas nodded once. Cam took that as approval.

  “Good, I’ve got someone in mind but she won’t get here until tomorrow at the earliest so I think you should tell folks to stay within the Camp. No wandering around and, oh yeah, just where the hell is your Beta? He should be here at his Alpha’s side.”

  Fearghas looked at Fergie, “Did you tell him to be here?”

  Fergie nodded, “Yup, I texted him earlier but he didn’t reply. I’ve no idea where he is.”

  “Damn!” Fearghas’ palm hit the table, with enough force to cause the plates to rattle. “I’ll call him in a bit and see what’s going on. Anything else we should know for now, Cam?”

  “My PI, Jacob, is on his way here, he left me a message.” Cam wondered again why Jacob decided to come. “No idea why but if he’s coming here then he’s got information he wants to tell us face to face.”

  “When will he arrive?” Marie asked, “I’ll put some food aside for him.”

  “He’s a Wolf so he’ll be hungry, he’s always hungry.” Jinx laughed, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as large as him and he sure puts away a lot of grub.”

  “He is big, but he’s also very fast and damn lethal.” Cam looked from Jinx back to Fearghas. “He’s good in a fight but he’s an absolute whiz with computers and electronics.”

  Fearghas inclined his head to the side. “Good to know, looks like we’ll need all the help we can get.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way because Jacob has a tendency to ‘take over’ and I don’t want him rubbing you up the wrong way.” Cam raised an eyebrow continuing, “Just let him do what he does best and he’ll be an asset. Try and not take his abrupt manner personally. It’s just the way he is.”

  Fergie laughed, “Abrupt is he? Well we’ve got Matthieu so we’re kinda used to abrupt.”

  “That reminds me,” Cam looked away from Fergie, wondering how his uncle would take his next bit of information. “I had Jacob look into Matthieu. Hope it doesn’t offend, but I like to know who I have at my back. I don’t know him so, therefore, I don’t trust him.”

  “Really?” Fearghas cocked his head to the side, his expression one of surprise. “You could’ve run that past me first, Cameron.”

  Cam shrugged. “Sorry if I’ve offended you but regardless of what you said I would’ve had him checked out. As I said, I like to know who’s behind me.”

  Cam’s cousin turned to his father. “It’s a fair point, Dad, and to be honest I’d like to know what’s been found out too. He’s always been a little cagey and I’ve already told you this, but I don’t believe most of what he says.”

  Fearghas frowned. “I know who he is and that should be enough for anyone.”

  At those words Cam’s mind went into overdrive. To him it sounded like the Beta wasn’t exactly what or who he appeared to be. “Care to enlighten us?”

  “No,” Fearghas grumbled, his eyes not meeting Cam’s.

  “Interesting,” Cam thought and hoped Jacob would get there soon. He now wanted to know all he could about the elusive Beta.

  Cam was just about to prod his uncle about Matthieu when he heard a familiar noise. His jet was coming in to land. Jinx looked up at the ceiling asking, “Is that your jet?”

  Cam nodded, getting up and leaving quickly. If Marcus was here then there was a damn good reason for it.

  ~Chapter 8 ~

  Cam jogged towards the landing strip, Jinx right beside him. His sleek jet landed smoothly, running along the short strip to stop a couple of hundred yards from them. They walked forward, Jinx apparently as curious as Cam.

  “What’s Marcus doing here?” his friend asked as the door opened and the steps were lowered.

  “No idea,” Cam replied, his eyes on the door.

  Cam saw a large shadow fill the doorway, “Jacob,” he said.

  Sure enough, his very large PI came into view, his trademark sunglasses in place even though night was alm
ost upon them. Jacob raised a hand in greeting as he strode towards them. Cam placed his hands on his hips, an eyebrow raised. “Care to let me in on the reason you’ve used my private jet?”

  Jacob smirked, “Was quickest way to get here and trust me, you want me and my expertise here.”

  “That remains to be seen,” Cam replied, noting Marcus placing bag upon bag on the tarmac.

  “What’s all that?” Jinx asked, pointing to Marcus.

  “Tools of the trade,” Jacob replied non-committedly.

  Marcus joined them, “Boss, you need to call Stracey, she’s been trying to get you and she sounds worried.”

  Cam stared at his pilot. “What?” he asked, not one instance coming to mind when Stracey had been “worried.”

  “She says to call as soon as you can.” Marcus looked pensive, obviously aware that Stracey didn’t spook easily.

  Cam dug his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll do it now, you lot get all that stuff over to the Club house.”

  Hitting speed dial number one he waited, the call answered immediately. “Cameron, I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  Stracey’s tone wasn’t one he’d heard before. Not in the twenty years the woman had worked for him. “What’s going on?” he asked quickly.

  “I’ve had a call from a woman who said she met you earlier. She sounds scared and said you’d told her to contact you if she needed help.”

  Cam’s heart lurched, Chastity.

  “And?” Cam almost whispered.

  “She was rambling and it took me a few minutes to understand what she was saying,” Stracey took a deep breath. “She said her name was...”

  Cam interrupted, “I know her name, go on.”

  “She said something about the Alpha knowing something or other. Not about you, but about her. Said he scented Silas on her but Silas can’t be found and he punished her in some way because he said she was lying to him. Cam, she sounded very scared. I don’t think I’ve ever heard fear like that before. What the hell have you gotten into?”