The Reluctant Alpha

by A. K. Michaels

  Jacob saw Cam’s back stiffen before he whirled around, shouting, “What? What the fuck’s going on?”

  Cam ran back over stripping off the clothes he’d only just put on. Jacob spoke quickly, “Her brother’s beating the crap outta her. I was gonna go in but there’s about a dozen guards so I hightailed it back here. We’ve got to get moving, Cam. I think he’s gonna kill her.”

  Cam roared, his face a mask of hatred as he morphed, taking off like a bat out of hell back the way they’d all just come. The other Wolves followed, Jacob taking a moment to take a drink from the hose beside the clothes drop off point, before he too went Wolf and ran after the others.

  *****

  Cam had never felt such strong emotions in his life. Roiling through his system as his beast pushed itself to the limit, crashing through underbrush and weaving in and around trees that got in its way. His heart beating so quickly he thought it would surely burst as he cursed himself. If he hadn’t pushed her away Chastity would’ve come back here with him and be safe. It was his fault she was now in danger.

  His anger grew and grew, with every step he took he felt it boiling up to almost choke him. The thought of Philippe Dupont laying a hand on his beautiful white Wolf causing him to think on the many ways he would make the man suffer.

  “Nobody touched her! She was his!”

  As this thought invaded his mind he almost slowed down in shock. “What the hell?” he thought as he carried on running for all he was worth. His? When did that happen?

  “Probably the first time I saw her,” he finally admitted to himself.

  He only hoped they got there in time because if not then he knew he would wreak havoc on that entire Pack. The Goddess herself wouldn’t be able to stop him.

  His beast snarled as the land fell away beneath its great paws, and Cam knew Jinx was right at his back. The twins and Mac were slightly farther back, unable to keep up with the pace he set. Jacob was with them, bringing up the rear, his massive Wolf protecting them from a surprise attack.

  Six, there were six of them and at least a dozen guards awaited. Cam knew he would’ve taken them all on himself to protect Chastity but two to one were still good odds. These guards had never dealt with five angry Highlanders and one badass PI. Cam couldn’t wait to get there and let some of the rage that was inside him free. If he didn’t release it soon he was certain he would explode with fury.

  His senses catching the scents of the Camp as they closed the distance to the Wild Ranch Pack. Cam using every power available to him to alert him to danger as they sped along. So far there were no outlying guards in place so his pace didn’t slow, running as fast as he could to reach his white Wolf.

  Far quicker than he remembered, they were soon on the outskirts of the Camp, slowing their pace and catching their breaths. Cam could sense the guards, all around the house, but none anywhere else. Not very good security if none were guarding the approach to their Camp but that was something that was beneficial to him and his Wolves as they crept onwards quietly.

  Jinx stayed near him as Mac and the twins peeled away to cover their flanks with Jacob staying behind them all, just in case. Cam saw two men at the rear of the cabin, standing chatting as if there was nothing in the world to fear when a shrill scream rang out.

  Chastity! Cam growled and leapt forward, knocking both men so hard they flew backwards, their heads hitting the cabin, before falling unconscious to the ground. As screams rang out from Chastity he ran to the left, running straight into two more men.

  He didn’t think, only reacted, as his beast dealt with them quickly and with lethal force. His ears picking up fights from all around as shouts of alarm rang out. Cam’s beast ignored the melee around him as he fought to reach the door. His only concern to reach Chastity before Dupont killed her.

  Cam’s thought process focused on eliminating anyone that stood between him and his She-Wolf. As he reached the stairs up to the door, two of the guards had morphed, their beasts snarling and snapping as he approached. Not even stalling he carried on and as his powerful hind legs propelled him upwards a flash of red fur sprang from his right. Jinx.

  His best friend’s Wolf tore into one of their enemies as his own black beast stalked the other. He could smell its fear as he drew nearer, it didn’t surprise him when it turned tail and bolted. Cam’s Wolf roared as it smashed open the door, morphing as soon as he was inside and bolting up the stairs. Her blood and scent driving him onwards as he arrived in a hallway. Cam didn’t even slow down, knowing exactly where she was as he ran down to the last door on his right and kicking it open with all his might.

  The sight before him causing his rage to erupt like a volcano; Chastity a bloody heap on the floor and a man standing over her with her blood on his hands and boots.

  “Who the fuck are you?” the man snarled, a wild look in his eyes that Cam had seen only once before on a rabid dog.

  “I’m the one who’s bought your land from under your fucking nose. I’m the one who’s going to rip you apart for touching her!” Cam’s jaw clenched so tight he thought his teeth would break.

  “Really? You?” Dupont huffed, looking Cam up and down. “You don’t look much.”

  Cam snarled, using one of his rare abilities; morphing his fingers into long razor sharp claws. Only the very oldest of their kind being able to do this, however, he’d been able to do it for a long time. Usually hiding it from others. Today he reveled in the surprised look from Dupont as he saw the claws and also the fangs Cam allowed to erupt.

  The long canines causing him pain in his jaw as they stretched his mouth to its absolute limit. His eyes burned with hatred as he moved across the room, his eyes flitting to Chastity’s prone body on the floor. Blood rushing through his system, together with the adrenaline affecting him so that he couldn’t discern her heartbeats.

  A moment of panic ran through him at the thought that she was dead. Had they been too late? He fucking hoped not because he felt as if his heart was being ripped out of him as he returned his attention to the Alpha.

  Dupont taking advantage of Cam’s distraction to punch him viciously on the jaw, knocking his head to the side before he roared and struck out. Cam’s claws raked along Dupont’s chest, tearing his clothes to shreds and leaving deep cuts in their wake. The scent of blood mingling with that of Chastity’s pushing Cam’s anger to the boiling point.

  He needed to get rid of Dupont and get to Chastity and the only way he could see was to kill him. However, the Alpha wasn’t going quietly or easily, as his own roar bellowed around the room, dropping down and side swiping with his leg. The blow hitting Cam’s ankles and causing him to lose his balance.

  Cam’s fury was like lava inside of him, trying to burn its way out, as Dupont’s body barged into him, knocking him fully to the floor. The Alpha’s hands raining blows down onto Cam, one particularly severe punch causing him to almost lose consciousness. Shaking his head furiously he could hear Dupont laughing maniacally as his hands found Cam’s throat.

  Using his claws he slashed across Dupont’s nearest forearm, blood gushing from the wounds to splatter over him. When the Alpha jerked his arm away, Cam took advantage and drove his arm upwards, his claws embedding deeply into the Alpha’s throat. Dupont fell back, both his hands reaching to the gaping wound left by Cam’s razor sharp talons. Cam moved with lightning speed, knocking Dupont over and straddling him to hold him down.

  “See you in hell!” Cam screamed as he thrust his claws deep inside Philippe Dupont’s chest, feeling his talons piercing the heart of the Alpha. A killing blow that even a Wolf couldn’t survive. Cam roared wildly as relief flooded his system as he saw the light in the other man’s eyes dim. A look of shock on his face before finally all life left him.

  Cam rolled off of him, gasping for breath as he crawled over to Chastity. Her body lay bloodied and broken as he reached over to feel for a pulse. He only just felt it, her heartbeats stuttering in her chest as he picked her up, cradling her in his arms as he ran
for help.

  Blasting through the doorway he saw his Wolves had taken up defensive positions and the bodies of the guards lay scattered around. “Healer! I need a fucking Healer now!”

  A few of the Pack were now making their way outside, fear on every one of their faces. Jinx walked forward, stark naked, towards an older woman. “Who is your Healer?”

  The woman shook her head. “She’s gone, she defied the Alpha and the next day she was nowhere to be found. We’ve not had a Healer for over a year. I’m sorry, we can’t help her.”

  “Fuck!” Cam roared. “What’s the quickest way back to our Camp? Is it cross country or by road?”

  A young boy stepped forward from behind a woman who tried to keep him back, the boy shrugged her off coming to a stop next to Jinx. “I can show you, there’s a short cut, if you take one of the jeeps it takes us almost to your Camp then you can walk from there.”

  Jinx turned, spotting a vehicle and running to it to find the keys in the ignition. Cam jumped down the stairs from the cabin, jogging over to join them as the boy got in the front passenger seat. The youngster’s face was white but his eyes twinkled with excitement as Jacob joined Cam in the rear of the vehicle.

  “Cam, here, let me have a look, maybe I can help.” Jacob reached for Chastity and Cam’s head turned sharply, growling ferociously at his friend.

  “Hey!” Jacob grabbed his hands back. “Sorry, I’m only trying to help.”

  Cam’s mind wasn’t working, he was running on adrenaline, fear and something else…a feeling he didn’t recognize but one that would’ve caused him to rip his friend’s throat out. Jinx turned his head and said, “Cam, you need to calm down. She’s in no danger from us.”

  “What’s your name, boy?” Jinx asked as the young Wolf gave him directions.

  “Me? I’m Johnathan, and I hope that bastard is dead!”

  Jacob looked over at the boy. “Language!”

  “I don’t care! He was a bastard! He killed my father and many others and he let his men do what they wanted with the She-Wolves. I’m glad he’s dead.” Johnathan looked back at Jacob and Cam, a look of fear flitting across his young face. “He is? Isn’t he? Dead, I mean. He is dead, please tell me he’s dead.”

  Jacob turned to Cam, seeing the blood he was covered in. “If the amount of blood that’s on our Alpha is anything to go by then I’d say yes, he’s dead.”

  Cam snarled, his eyes locking with Jacob’s. “I’m not Alpha.”

  Jacob shook his head. “Whatever, Cam. Now, have you calmed down enough to let me have a look at the girl?”

  “How long? How much farther?”

  Johnathan pointed out another turn to Jinx, “Not long, we’ll need to stop in a little bit then I’ll show you the trail, it’s only bout ten minutes’ walk once we stop.”

  Cam looked back at Jacob. “I can’t, I can’t let you touch her. I’m scared what I’ll do if you even try. Jacob, I’m not in control.”

  His PI nodded once. “Okay, we’re nearly there, Cam.”

  Cam could sense and feel the damage done to the woman he held in his arms. Her nakedness only partially covered by a bloody robe. Broken bones in abundance and the Goddess only knew what other injuries she had. His beast howled in anguish at the damage done to the white Wolf and he wished nothing more than to join it in its plaintive lamentation.

  “She has to survive!” he thought over and over as they drew nearer to the Clan Camp.

  ~Chapter 13 ~

  Cam paced back and forth as the Camp Healer moved her expert hands and eyes over the prone body of Chastity. Her mouth making little noises showing her distress each time she found a new injury. It seemed like forever before she turned to him, her brows furrowed as she spoke.

  “She has many broken bones, which I can set, but I have no idea what’s going on inside. I think we may have to take her to a human hospital, Alpha.”

  Cam frowned at her use of the word but chose to ignore it. He had far more important things to deal with right now. “Shit, you can’t heal her here or force a transformation so her beast can heal her?”

  “No, I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  Cam shivered, still naked and covered in blood, as a soft hand touched his arm. Jerking around, he looked down into Rebecca’s serene face. “Cameron, I can help. If you’ll let me?”

  Cam looked from Rebecca to Chastity and back again. “Can you?”

  “Yes,” Rebecca said, handing him a blanket. “I can heal her broken bones and I should be able to tell if there’s internal injuries that I can heal too. Here, cover yourself, or better still, go and shower. You look like you’ve taken part in a bloodbath.”

  He took the blanket, shaking his head. “I’m not going anywhere right now. Not until I know she’s out of danger. Rebecca, do what you can for her, please.”

  The Witch inclined her head. “She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?”

  Cam looked away, not yet willing to voice his answer. “Just help her, Rebecca.”

  “Okay, I’ll do my best.”

  Cam heard the Healer hiss through her teeth before “tutting,” obviously put out that magic was going to be performed on Pack land. Cam scowled at her, “Leave, if you’re not happy with Rebecca helping.”

  The Healer stepped back, going to stand in a corner of the room, her eyes avidly taking in everything. Cam stood at the end of the bed, the urge to lie down beside Chastity and take her into his arms so great he had to tamp it down forcefully. As Rebecca opened a bag he hadn’t even seen in her hands he prayed she could help.

  Cam watched as Rebecca took out several bottles, opening each and placing a little in a small bowl before returning them to her bag. Alien words pouring from her mouth as she chanted over the bowl before finally lighting a match and dropping it inside. The sizzle of the contents burning loud in the room for a split-second before blue smoke appeared, swirling upwards and out of the bowl.

  He looked on in surprise, the blue mist following Rebecca’s outstretched hands as she waved them over the prone body on the bed. The smoke drifted downwards until it appeared to seep right inside Chastity’s skin.

  Rebecca continued to utter words that held no meaning to him, her hands moving gracefully in the air; as if dancing to some unheard music. The concentration on her face the only sign of the work and energy she was using in her healing spell. Cam could see small beads of sweat appear on the Witch’s forehead and top lip as she continued to work her magic over Chastity.

  Cam’s heart beat wildly as Rebecca finally stopped, sagging forward, he rushed to catch her before she fell. He held her upright as she turned glassy eyes up to him. “I’ve done all I can, but there’s a head injury that neither I nor human medicine can cure. It has to heal on its own. Or not.”

  As her words hit, he shook his head. “No. Are you saying she may not wake up?”

  Rebecca looked sad as she replied, “I’m sorry, Cam. I don’t know if she will wake up. How she was even still alive I have no idea. He just about killed her.”

  Jacob coughed gently, “Rebecca, why don’t you let me take you to your room so you can rest?”

  Cam handed her over to Jacob. “That’s a good idea, go with Jacob and he’ll look after you.”

  After Cam handed off Rebecca to Jacob, he picked up a chair and placed it next to the bed. Sitting down, he took one of Chastity’s hands in his, gently rubbing it as he stared at her beautiful face. Still covered in blood that didn’t take away from her perfectness. A few moments later the Healer tapped his shoulder.

  “Alpha, you should go and clean up and get dressed. I want to bathe her and make her as comfortable as I can.”

  Cam didn’t want to leave the room but slowly rose, his eyes staying on the body in the bed until the Healer closed the door behind him. His feet seemed to drag as he found his own room, entering the bathroom and turning the shower on full blast.

  His mind in turmoil as the water cascaded down over him. Dupont’s blood being washed away to run down the d
rain. It seemed to take forever before the water ran clear as he laid his hands on the wall, his head hanging down as his thoughts went to the woman in the room next to his.

  “What the fuck am I going to do? I don’t want a relationship, I don’t need a relationship! So why the hell does she affect me so?” he thought more than once. Turning the water off, his mind no clearer, he grabbed a towel.

  When he re-entered his room, Jinx sat on his bed, freshly showered and dressed. His friend stared up at him, a determined look on his face.

  “Cam, I know you don’t want to hear this now but it’s got to be said.” Jinx stood up and continued, “The Pack needs you. It’s in chaos at the loss of Fearghas and you have to perform the funeral ceremony tomorrow. I’ve spoken to Fergie, or rather he came to speak to me. You have to tell the Pack tomorrow that you’re now Alpha.”

  Cam cursed, “Fuck off! What are you talking about?”

  Jinx placed a hand on Cam’s shoulder. “I know you’ve never wanted to be Alpha but the goddamn truth is you are an Alpha. Always have been and always will be. This Pack needs you and you don’t have a choice. You have to do this, Cam.”

  Shrugging off Jinx’s hand, Cam strode to the wardrobe, pulling out jeans and a t-shirt. “I don’t want it.”

  “Sorry, but the Pack is already calling you Alpha and they need you.”

  Cam tugged on his jeans as Jinx carried on. “You need to announce it tomorrow and I’ll be right there with you. Don’t think you’re getting rid of me, Sin. Together forever. That’s what we said when we left Scotland all those years ago. Wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but being Alpha wasn’t part of the deal.” Cam scowled, pulling his shirt on and seeing his Clan tattoo as he did so.

  “Cam, you can do this. You were born to do this. The Pack couldn’t ask for a better or stronger Alpha and you know it. So, just suck it up big guy, ‘cause you gotta do it.”