by Jane Jamison
Willa put her hand over Henrietta, getting her to turn her loose while trying to comfort her friend. “My men. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
“It sure does.” Henrietta folded a pair of wrinkled shorts.
Why was she folding them? Yet Willa didn’t bother stopping her.
“And soon enough, I’m going to become a werewolf.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
Willa stopped, studied her. “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“Of course not. But it’s not a decision you should make rashly. There’s no going back, you know.”
“I realize that, but I’ve thought about it for a long time. It’s what I want to do.”
Before she knew it, she was engulfed in yet another hug.
“Yay. It’s going to be fun having you in the pack.”
Did she dare talk to her about the challenge? Yet she felt she had to, if only to warn her friend. “If there’s still a pack to join.”
The joy in Henrietta’s eyes dimmed. “There will be, but let’s hope the pack has new leadership. I know my men want Moses out, and so do most of the women. Do you think one of your mates will take his place?”
“I don’t think so. From what I’ve gathered, most of the pack wants one of the Lennox men to take charge.”
“Well, either one of them would do a good job. And Stella would make a great alpha female.” Henrietta shook her head and dropped the last article of clothing into the suitcase. “Personally, I wouldn’t want the responsibility of leadership. I’m very happy being an omega.”
“You know what? I haven’t even thought about what ranking I’ll be. Is there a protocol to determine a member’s rank?”
“Yes and no. With Moses, you have to earn your ranking instead of taking the ranking of your mates. I’m not sure how the Lennox men view it. Does it matter?”
“Nope. I don’t really care as long as I’m part of the pack.” She thrilled simply saying the words. “Does it matter if one or all of my men change me?”
“No. It’s totally up to you. I’ve heard having all three of them bite you makes the transition go faster, but I’m not sure I believe it. All of my mates bit me, but it still took me two long, awful days to change.”
“That’s the one thing I’m worried about. How bad was it?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Don’t worry about it. It is painful, but it’s worth it.”
She hated pain. Had never really been great with handling it. “Are you sure there isn’t a pill I can take instead?”
Henrietta’s laugh was bell-like, making the world seem brighter. “Sorry, but no. You’ve got to get changed the same way all the other humans turning to werewolves had to.”
“Okay. As long as it’s worth it, like you say.”
“Trust me. It really is.”
The front door slamming open startled both women. Willa spun around, her throat closing up when she saw Moses standing in the doorway.
“Moses.” Henrietta’s voice came out in a frightened whisper.
“You. Bitch.” He pointed at Willa then staggered toward them. “Come here.”
She didn’t move. Was he drunk? “What are you doing here, Moses?”
“I came to get what’s mine.” His words slurred together, but there was no misunderstanding him.
“I’m not yours. I have my mates.” She stood her ground, even as fear stiffened her spine.
“Fuck them.” He jabbed his finger into his chest. “I’m the leader of the pack. I choose whose mate you’ll be and you’re my fucking mate. Now get the fuck over here. You’re coming home with me.”
Willa sidestepped him as he lunged for her. “Get out of here, Moses.”
“Fuck you, bitch.” He reached for her again.
Once more, she managed to stay out of his reach. “Go away. Now.”
“Come here, bitch. I’ll show you what a real man is like.”
She tried to get away from him again, but as she jumped to the side, she bumped into a chair, stalling her attempt. A cry escaped her as his huge hand tightened around her wrist. “Leave me alone, you asshole.”
“Or what, bitch? Are your men going to challenge me for real?” He snorted, tugging her next to him. “Don’t you think I know what they’re up to? Those fucking Rann men and yours are going to pay. They think they can make me step down, but they’re going to be sorry they ever met me.”
She yelped again as he pulled her with him toward the front door. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t break his hold on her.
“Stop, Moses. I won’t let you take her.”
Willa was as surprised as Moses at Henrietta’s challenge. Slowly, they faced her friend. Henrietta stood with her feet planted apart, her eyes filled with amber and fangs peeking over her bottom lip.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Moses laughed. “You’re fucking out of your mind, you stupid whore.”
“Henrietta, no. Don’t try and stop him.”
“Listen to her, Henrietta.” His voice went guttural as his fangs replaced his teeth.
“I won’t let you take her.”
“No, please.” If Willa couldn’t reason with her friend, she’d do whatever Moses said. “It’s okay. Moses, let’s go. I’ll come with you. Just don’t hurt her.”
“Willa, step away from him.” Henrietta growled, fangs dripping saliva.
“Why you little bitch.” Moses moved quickly, the drunken stagger gone.
Before Willa could think to do anything, he yanked back his arm and struck Henrietta. Willa sucked in a hard breath as Henrietta sank to the floor. Willa rushed to her friend’s side and pulled her into a sitting position. Blood inched down Henrietta’s lip and into her mouth.
“Stop, Moses.” Willa held up her hand as Moses lifted his arm again. “I’ll go with you. I swear. Just don’t hurt her again.”
“Now you’re making sense.” He staggered toward the nearby table and picked up a bottle of whiskey. Lifting it high, he pointed at Henrietta. “I’ll take this as an apology for you getting in my way. But don’t you ever challenge me again. Either one of you.”
Willa helped Henrietta to her feet, watching as her friend reversed her transformation. “We won’t. I promise we won’t.”
“Good. Now you’re learning.” He put his back to them, reaching for one of the glasses. “Now, how about we have a little drink to make up?”
Willa didn’t think before she reacted. Instead, she moved quickly, snatching the empty frying pan from the top of the stove. She raised it as high as she could, thought a silent prayer, then brought it down on his head.
For a moment, she was certain he hadn’t felt a thing. Then, putting down his glass, he twisted around, surprise written on his face.
“Bitch,” he whispered.
She hit him again, this time in the face. He crumpled to the floor, his surprise showing in his widened eyes.
She didn’t try a third time. Instead, she flung the pan to the floor, grabbed Henrietta’s hand and ran for the door.
“Get in the car,” shouted Willa as she gave Henrietta a hard shove, sending her toward the passenger side. She threw her body behind the driver’s wheel and saw Moses barreling out of the house.
“Fuckin’ bitch. You’re going to eat dirt for this.” Blood skimmed down his right cheek, but it wasn’t enough to indicate a serious wound. His werewolf abilities were already healing what little physical damage she’d inflicted.
“Go, Willa, go.”
Willa blinked, realized she’d gotten fixated on the sight of Moses running their way, turned the ignition—thank God I left the keys in the car—and rammed her foot against the gas pedal. Glancing into the rearview mirror, she relished a grin as dirt flew into Moses’s face. But that exhilaration was gone in the next moment as Moses dashed toward his pickup.
“He’s coming after us.” Amber flecks filled Henrietta’s eyes as she twisted around to stare out the back of the c
ar.
“I didn’t get my phone, did you?”
Henrietta pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Yes. I’m calling my men right now.”
They weren’t out of danger yet, but at least they could call for help. “Call Grant when you’re finished, okay?”
“Will do.” But Henrietta frowned. “Gunther’s not picking up.” She ended the call and began punching more buttons. “I’ll try Bull. Roger’s usually hanging with him.”
Willa checked the mirror. “Shit. He’s catching up.” She’d managed to get them off the ranch and onto the main road, but instead of slowing down as she’d done to go around a curve, Moses had sped up, daring to send his truck spinning out of control. His gamble paid off, putting his truck on the tail of their car. “Keep trying.”
“I am. I don’t understand why they’re not picking up.” A couple of beeps gave her the answer. “Oh, no. My phone just died.”
What was it about shifters and phones? Willa had noticed how often they either didn’t answer a phone or let the battery go down. Was it a primal reaction to technology? Or just plain laziness?
As though it matters now.
“We’re not far from the ranch. Once we get there, get into the house as fast as you can. We’ll lock ourselves in the pantry if we have to.” And pray someone shows up soon.
“Okay. Oh, hell, Willa, he’s right on our tail. Can’t you put some distance between us?”
“I’m doing the best I can.” She glanced into the rearview mirror. “Where is—oh, shit.”
Moses steered the pickup to the other lane. His ugly sneer greeted her as he maneuvered his truck next to her car. With the passenger side window down, he shouted, “Pull over or I’ll run you off the road.”
She did the only thing any self-respecting woman could do. Lifting her hand, she gave him the one-finger salute.
“Fuck you, bitch!”
The slam of his pickup against her car caused her to instinctively tug the steering wheel in to the right. The tires sent up gravel and dirt from the shoulder of the road before she corrected her mistake.
Henrietta clung the overhead strap. “What are we going to do? He’ll kill us.”
“Not if I can help it.” She couldn’t push her foot any harder on the gas pedal. The only option she had left was to evade whatever move Moses made. “Hang on.” Hitting the brake, Willa slammed the car into an earsplitting screech as the tires lay down streaks of black trailing behind the car.
“What—” Henrietta’s question was lost in her scream.
Moses’s truck sped on ahead, but it wasn’t long before the red of his taillights lit up. With both vehicles stopped, Willa waited to see what he would do. Soon enough, he wheeled the truck around and headed back toward them.
“He’s not the smartest kid on the block, is he?” Smiling, she slammed onto her accelerator and drove straight at him.
“Willa, stop! Are you crazy?”
“I’m going to find out if this shifter is a chicken.” If she knew Moses at all, she knew self-preservation was high on his list. Gripping the wheel, she set her jaw and pointed her car straight at his pickup. Henrietta had gone quiet, probably as scared as she was.
If I’m going to die, then I’m taking you with me, you bastard.
As she’d hoped he would, Moses pulled his truck to the right with only moments to spare. Her car zoomed past his truck. “Well, all right! It worked!”
But not for long. Once again, joy was swept away by the sight of Moses’s pickup storming up the road behind them. “How the hell did he turn around so fast?”
“We’re going to die,” moaned Henrietta.
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” She glanced at her friend slumped against the door. “Come on, Henrietta. You’re a werewolf. Show the animal side of you. Get angry.” Not that she wanted her to shift. Having a wolf in the front seat wouldn’t help matters, but surely bringing a little of her animal to the surface would give her friend more courage.
Henrietta shot her a look then sat up straight and nodded. “You’re right.” More amber flecks filled her eyes.
“That’s the Henrietta I know and love.”
They raced on with Moses’s truck right behind them. At least he didn’t try running them off the road again.
“We’re getting close. As soon as I pull in front of the house, run inside. You get the windows locked, and I’ll take care of the doors. Agreed?”
“Right. Yes. Agreed.”
She didn’t hit the brake until the last minute. The car skidded off the driveway and came within ten feet of the front steps. The only way she could’ve gotten any closer to the house would’ve been to drive the car straight through the front door. “Now. Run!”
Willa was only mere seconds behind Henrietta as she dashed into the house. Thankfully, she’d left the door unlocked. Her men, believing her promise to stay inside the house, hadn’t given her a key. Looking back once, she let out a curse as Moses sprang out of his truck and ran for the house.
“Hurry!” She locked the front door, but doubted the lock would hold him for long. Would the deadbolt hold back a shifter? Henrietta sprinted from one window to the other, locking them then pulling the curtains closed.
“Henrietta!” Willa pointed to the one small window on the left side of the room. A small table stood in front of it, blocking the way, and, apparently, keeping her friend from noticing it. “Don’t forget that one.”
“On it.” Henrietta bolted to the table, shoved it aside, and reached for the lock. Just as she was about to switch the lock to the closed position, she let out a scream.
Willa watched in horror as glass shattered and her friend was yanked through the window. “No!” She dashed for the window, but it was too late. Turning, she ran to the front door. Unlocking it, she jerked the door open and was outside in time to see Moses dragging a struggling Henrietta into the front yard.
“Turn her loose, asshole.” She grabbed a shovel one of the men had left on the porch and hurried down the steps. Barking drew her attention as Bosco came rushing out of the barn.
“Let her go!”
Moses, his face a mask of evil, glanced at the dog then lifted his lip in a snarl. “You bitches need to learn your lesson.”
A growl erupted from Henrietta as the transformation took hold. Fur spread rapidly over her skin. Fangs burst from her teeth as her clothes shredded, her body changing. She fought at her attacker, dragging deadly claws along his arm.
“Shit!” Moses turned Henrietta loose, blood dripping to the ground. A snarl turned into a ferocious growl as he shifted, faster than Henrietta’s shift. Dropping onto all fours, he lunged at Henrietta. He was bigger, twice her size, and stronger. Knocking her down once, then twice, he jumped and landed on top of the smaller wolf. Opening his jaws wide to expose terrible fangs, he sank his fangs into Henrietta’s throat.
Blood spurted from the awful wound as Henrietta, her amber eyes wild, struggle to get free. She clawed and kicked, her growls going guttural as the sound was cut off. Soon her body went limp.
Willa, the shovel raised and ready to strike Moses the wolf, stared, shock stiffening her. Flinging Henrietta’s lifeless body away like trash tossed to the side of the road, Moses twisted around to face Willa. His jaws and chest were covered with blood. His eyes blazed with fury. Lifting his face to the sky, he let out a victorious howl.
“Fuck you,” she whispered then swung the shovel. But he was ready for her. He blocked the blow then knocked her backward. She landed, the air knocked out of her, her hands losing their grip on the shovel.
For a moment, everything seemed peaceful. The light blue sky above was filled with puffy white clouds. Birds sang in the surrounding trees.
Had she been dreaming? Was she still dreaming?
Another growl brought her mind into focus as she pushed herself into a sitting position. The shovel lay several yards away, broken into two pieces.
Bosco advanced on Moses. The friendly dog had gone int
o attack mode. Snarling, he threw his body at the wolf, jaws wide, ready to clamp onto Moses’s neck.
Whirling around, the larger Moses lifted onto his hind legs. As though he were hugging the dog to him, Moses brought Bosco’s body against him and held him. The sickening crack of Bosco’s spine splintered the air. Lifeless, Bosco dropped to the ground.
Hatred, pure and simple, raged through her. Her friend and a faithful companion had given their lives trying to save her.
Slowly turning around, Moses, his head held low, crept toward her. He growled, fangs dripping blood. She had no way to defend herself and knew the end was near.
Grant, Ryan, Thomas, I love you.
They’d never know that her last thought was of them.
Chapter Seven
Thomas ended the call from a Garrett Pack mate. Although the man was sympathetic to the cause, he’d stayed away from anything to do with directly challenging Moses. That didn’t mean, however, that he wouldn’t supply information when needed.
“Charlie says Moses is on a rampage. Said he was in the Wolf’s Den earlier and talking about how he was going to settle a score.” He paused, letting his next words sink in. “He said he was going to claim his mate today.”
“Fuck.” Grant was already headed out of The General Store with Ryan and Thomas on his heels. They’d had to stop doing chores to get some supplies. He tossed the tools he’d purchased into the flatbed of the pickup. “We need to get back to the house.”
“Maybe not.” Thomas understood Grant’s urgency, but he understood the need to stay calm, especially when he told them the rest of the news. “Charlie said he saw Willa on her way to Henrietta’s earlier. He said she waved and seemed okay.”
“Shit. We told her to stay home. Did she really go? She wouldn’t break her promise to us, would she?”
Thomas shot Ryan a look. “Wouldn’t she?”
“Damn.” Ryan hopped into the back seat. “Then we need to get to Henrietta’s place instead.”