by Fel Fern
“Slow down or you’ll trip again,” Ryder called out.
“That only happened one time,” Aiden yelled at him.
Watching his mate splash around made him smile. Aiden looked so happy. Could Ryder keep his mate that way? He didn’t know, but he’d try. Aiden gave Ryder his heart on a platter without hesitation, entrusted it to Ryder’s keeping. That meant the world to him. Ryder left his clothes with Aiden’s and waded into the water. He was about to reach his mate, who kept splashing at him, when he heard a rustle in the bushes. Warning bells rang in his head.
“Aiden, stay where you are,” he warned.
He didn’t stay to watch Aiden’s expression. He ran back to shore just as a scarred and ugly wolf appeared from the bushes. This looked like a mean bastard. Not a fellow pack mate. This werewolf smelled different. A Grim Bite wolf.
Damn it. All Ryder wanted was to spend one quiet afternoon with Aiden. For a few hours, he’d forgotten where they were. This was Ashfall Mountain. Of course, he had to end the day bloody. Ryder let the wolf rip out of his skin. The sudden change was painful, but the urge to protect his mate overwrote everything else.
His pack discovered the Black Claws panthers had worked with the Grim Bite wolves in the past. Alliances were easily broken around these parts, but if those two groups were allies again, then Ryder and his pack were, in a word, fucked.
“Ryder, be careful,” Aiden yelled behind him.
The grey werewolf turned to the sound of Aiden’s voice. Ryder got into the enemy’s face and growled. Aiden wasn’t part of this fight. Ryder didn’t know much about the other werewolf pack living on the mountain although their pack had clashed with them a couple of times. Territorial disputes but nothing personal. Not like the beef they had with the panthers.
He came for the werewolf. They clawed and bit each other. The other werewolf untangled himself from Ryder and bared his teeth. Ryder was about to go for him again when the werewolf did the unexpected. He changed forms, revealing a muscled, tall male in his early thirties, all scarred up like his wolf.
Ryder didn’t like this at all. If he was Talon, he would’ve gone for the other shifter’s throat without hesitation, but Ryder wasn’t his murderous Alpha. Being around Aiden didn’t just stabilize his wolf, but Aiden reminded him half of him was still human. Ryder could listen.
The shifter raised both his hands and said, “I didn’t come here to fight you. I came here to talk.”
Ryder narrowed his eyes, studying his surroundings. Was this some kind of trick? Instinct told him it was only the three of them here. He eyed the other werewolf for a few moments, then decided to take a chance. See what the other male wanted to say.
Ryder changed back to human form. “What do you want?”
“To talk. That’s all. I don’t want to fight, even if our beasts are itching to fight each other,” the man said. “I’m Caden.”
“Ryder. So why did you come and approach me, Caden? Neither of our packs have done that. Ever.”
He could sense his mate, climbing out of the water. Aiden stayed right behind him, placing his hands on his back. Good mate. This way, Ryder could use himself as a shield if turned out this Grim Bite wolf had bad intentions after all.
“You have a mate,” Caden said.
Ryder tensed, then realized Caden only sounded surprised, not malicious. Yet. Ryder wouldn’t make the mistake of underestimating the other shifters living on Murder Mountain. In one way or another, all of them were damaged. Wrong.
“And?” Ryder asked in a biting voice.
“Ryder, don’t be too aggressive,” murmured Aiden behind him. “I’m Aiden by the way.”
Caden sniffed, then snarled, eyes gold. “You’re mated to a Black Claw?”
“Aiden’s not a Black Claw. He was attacked by Price, Changed against his will. He was human three days ago.” Ryder didn’t know why he explained that all to a stranger he’d just met.
Caden’s eyes turned back to brown. “Attacked. I see. We’ve been getting reports the panthers’ new Alpha is insane. That he’s picking up unsuspecting locals and tourists in town and trying to Change them.”
“They stopped after my pack got Aiden out. The other humans we rescued were returned to their families.”
“They’re at it again,” Caden said with a growl. “I should know. They took someone important to me. A human. My sister.”
Ryder felt for Caden. He really did, but he still didn’t know what the other werewolf wanted. “What happened?”
“I found her dead body yesterday. What I’m asking for is simple. If you and yours decide to go after those fuckers again, count me in. There’s a few of us in my pack screaming for panther blood.” With those words, Caden changed back to wolf and left.
Aiden rested his head between his shoulder blades. “They’re taking people again?”
“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll make sure that won’t happen again. Max’s supposed to come back today after checking the town out. I’ll see what he has to say. The Black Claws need to be eradicated. All of them.”
* * * *
Half an hour later, they were back at the Wild Manes campsite. Ryder pulled up the covers over Aiden’s body. His mate started to snooze. Aiden had fallen asleep right away. His mate must really be tuckered out. Plenty had happened today, Ryder realized. He left Aiden and exited the cabin to find Max on his porch.
The other werewolf looked like a mess, covered in rake marks and bruises.
“Jesus, man. What happened?” Ryder demanded, taking the seat next to Max.
“Fight with cats.”
Trust Max to be monosyllabic as always. Max was one pack mate Ryder didn’t understand completely. Then again, Max never talked much. Hell, Ryder hadn’t exchanged full sentences with him. Ever. Unlike the others Ryder could annoy easily, Max didn’t budge or react to his jokes. Max was a loner by nature, but Ryder knew Max was handy in a fight. That was all that mattered.
“Why didn’t you all any of us for backup? You have my number,” he said. Ryder kept his phone with him at all times, and all the Wild Manes were connected through the pack bonds. They’d be able to sense if a member was in danger.
“How did Max get your number?” added a new voice. Alec joined them on the porch. Alec gave him a look. “Saw you saunter in with your cat friend earlier. You mated him.”
“Wow, Alec, that almost sounds like an accusation,” he said. He held out a finger to silence Alec. “I’ll talk you to later, bestie. Right now, Max has something important to say.”
“I’m not your best anything,” Alec grumbled.
“But you came over to congratulate me. Isn’t that sweet?”
“Don’t make me punch that pretty face of yours, Ryder,” Alec said with a growl.
Max held a hand, interrupting them. The big scarred shifter looked at him, expression grave.
“That bad?” Ryder asked. “Let me guess. They started picking off locals again.”
Max nodded. “Police talked to me.”
Both Alec and he exchanged looks. “They arrested you?” Ryder asked. Their pack wasn’t exactly buddies with the local authorities.
“No. They asked if we could help. They know about the kidnappings.” Max pulled out a file from inside his torn jacket and handed it to Ryder. Alec leaned over as he flipped it open. There were pictures inside. Five of them. On another piece of paper was information on the missing individuals.
“The cops in town hate us. Why would they want us to help?” Alec asked.
“What are you three discussing?” called Dom from the porch of his cabin.
“Call Kris over, too, Beta,” Ryder said. “This is important.”
Dom didn’t look very happy about being given orders, but he did as Ryder asked. Teddy, Sam, and Chip joined them. It was a full house on his porch, but he didn’t want to invite them in for fear of waking Aiden. The only missing person of their pack was Talon, but then again, the Alpha was never around, and yet when they needed him, Ta
lon miraculously appeared.
Ryder caught the others up on the Black Claws’ recent activities. He hesitated, then told them about his conversation with Caden by the river earlier.
“He forgot to add that he also mated Aiden,” Alec said unhelpfully.
Ryder stared daggers at Alec. “Besties don’t tell on each other. You ass.”
“I’m not your bestie,” Alec argued.
“You mated Aiden? Congrats,” Teddy said. “Where is he?”
“Sleeping. Don’t wake him. He’s had a long day.”
Sam wiggled his eyebrows at him, making Ryder roll his eyes. “Oh, I bet he did.”
“Enough,” Dom interrupted. The Beta walked up to him, right to his face. Ryder tensed, expecting a confrontation. Dom and he had never really got along that well, because, well. Dom took everything too seriously. Ryder was the exact opposite, but right now, the Beta looked at him eye-to-eye and even gripped his arm.
Dom took a deep breath then spoke. “I know we’re been dicks to you about Aiden, but we—I was wrong about him. It’s good you’re showing him the ropes. The two of you are oddly good together. Congratulations, on finding your mate.”
“Wow, that sounded awkward,” Kris commented.
“Shut up, Kris. Dom’s trying,” Ryder said. “Wait. What do you mean we’re odd?”
“Aiden’s too good for you?” Chip suggested. The cheeky submissive werewolf.
“I know.” Ryder blew out a breath.
“Ryder’s actually looking humbled,” Alec said, pulling out his phone. The bastard took a pic. Ryder snatched at his phone, but Alec darted away.
“Okay, no more fighting,” Dom said. “Back to the Black Claws. They’re the real problem. When we attacked them, I thought they’d back off for a little while, but that isn’t the case. Aiden might’ve survived Price, but the other humans the Black Claws took might not be so lucky.”
Chapter 11
Aiden opened his eyes. He could hear arguing voices outside. He rubbed at his eyes and sat up in bed. Ryder’s bed. Their bed now. His limbs still felt heavy. Aiden could fall back into the sheets, but he knew the other Wild Manes were having a discussion right outside the cabin. For a moment, he thought he’d been excluded for a reason, but then he thought better of it.
Ryder had urged him to rest up. His mate only wanted him to recover, get strong. Aiden wasn’t a werewolf, wasn’t a Wild Manes. Ryder and he hadn’t discussed what would happen next. What the next step of their relationship was. What if Ryder’s pack mates never accepted him? Ryder had once joked he didn’t need the Wild Manes, but in Aiden’s heart, he knew that wasn’t true.
As much as Ryder liked to joke around and pretend he only tolerated the other werewolves, this place was his home. The pack was family to Ryder. Aiden drew his knees up his chest. Right now, he was Ryder’s family, too, but it would be awful if Ryder had to choose between Aiden and his pack.
“No use thinking about it now. You practically threw yourself at him, remember?” he whispered to himself. True enough and Aiden didn’t regret it. When he first woke up with an animal sharing his body, he’d freaked out. It didn’t just feel like an alien presence invaded his mind, but part of him also felt empty. Not whole. Aiden realized Ryder was the missing piece. His fated mate.
New Aiden took charge. He should walk out there, join the others. Aiden might not be pack, but he had every right to be there. Aiden could hear bits and pieces of their talk, even if the bedroom and porch were located on the opposite ends of the cabin. Those werewolves didn’t bother lowering their voices.
They were discussing what to do with the Black Claws. Aiden might be able to provide some valuable input. He’d been in the shoes of the captives after all. He swung his legs off the bed, about to put on some pants and leave the room, when his phone ringtone went off.
Ryder had closed the curtains before he left, but Aiden didn’t need lights to see in the dark. He found his phone on the floor under the bed. He must’ve flung it aside while napping, because he usually kept it under his pillow.
Tom’s name flashed across his screen. The old bartender had been concerned about him. He’d reassured Tom multiple times he was doing fine, and Ryder was taking care of him. Tom told him his job was waiting for him when he was ready. Those words warmed his heart.
He answered the call. “Hey, Tom, what’s—”
“Tom can’t come to the phone right now,” said a creepy, familiar voice.
Chills crept up his arm as his mind made the connections. “Price,” he whispered.
“Ding, ding. Jackpot. It hasn’t been easy, trying to get a hold of you, Aiden.”
“You didn’t even know my name when you forced the Change on me,” he whispered, furious. “How did you get Tom’s phone? Where is he?”
“I know your name now. How can I not, when you’re the little kitten that slipped away? As for Tom, well. It was easy getting to him. Humans tend to talk a lot if you shake them up a little, and he’s a well-known figure in town, isn’t he?”
“Let Tom go. He’s not involved in this,” he said. Aiden didn’t know where he got the strength to keep the conversation going. Price still visited him sometimes in his nightmares, but Ryder was always there to chase them away.
“Don’t give your Alpha orders, kitten,” Price said with a growl. He heard a scream in the background. Tom. Goosebumps appeared over his arms.
Price wasn’t his Alpha, would never be his Alpha, but Aiden was terrified to tell Price that. Price had Tom captive and Tom was like the father he never had. Tom always looked out for him and Aiden didn’t even know why. Well, Aiden suspected he reminded Tom of the son Tom lost years ago.
“What do you want?” he finally asked.
“Can’t you guess? I want my property back.”
He means me, Aiden thought numbly.
“You fought me tooth and nail, kitten. No one has ever done that and lived. You’re going to make for one very entertaining and lively toy.”
The skin on his neck prickled, right where Ryder’s mate mark was. He touched the mark and shut his eyes painfully. That was right. Aiden couldn’t just offer himself up to Price in exchange for Tom. Not anymore. It wasn’t just his life at stake. Ryder and his life forces had melded the moment Ryder made Aiden his.
Aiden had no other choice but to lie his ass off. Hope Price would buy his performance. “I’ll surrender myself, but you promise to let Tom go?”
“That’s right, kitten. Come to the bar tonight. Alone. If you bring your new wolf friends along, then dear old Tom’s dead meat. You understand? Say you do. I want to hear it loud and clear.”
“I understand,” he whispered.
Price ended the call. Aiden looked at the doorway and froze, sighting Ryder watching him quietly. His phone slipped from his fingers. His mate looked mad. Aiden could feel Ryder’s rising wrath through their mate bonds. The intense emotions blew him away.
“Let me guess. You’re thinking of slipping away and sacrificing yourself to free Tom,” Ryder said in a deadly voice full of quiet rage. This new side of Ryder frightened him a little, but Aiden told himself this was his wolf. Ryder was his mate, had every right to feel protective of him. “Don’t you value your life, the life I’ve saved?”
Aiden blew out a breath. He swallowed the anger building inside him. Aiden wanted to lash out at Ryder for throwing an unfound accusation like that, but he didn’t. He held his tongue, not wanting this to turn into an unnecessary fight. Aiden chose his next words carefully.
“I’m grateful that you saved me. Tom’s been there for me since my parents died. He’s always looked out for me. It’s time I return the favor. Ryder, I’m not going to be hasty.” Aiden neared his mate. He put his arms around Ryder’s big body, felt the big werewolf relax. Ryder returned the hug. Aiden rested his head against Ryder’s chest, calmed by Ryder’s confident and strong heartbeat.
“You’re not going to resort to something stupid?” Ryder asked.
Aiden r
aised his head. “Oh, I am.”
Ryder began to open his mouth, but Aiden cut him off. “I’ll need your help for that,” Aiden said. “Ryder, no matter what you’ll say, I’m going to be involved. This is my fight, but I promise you this. I won’t be careless. It’s not just my life I’m about to gamble with, but also yours.”
Ryder looked at him for a few seconds. “Wise mate. Fine. We’ll work out a plan, one that includes the others.”
“The others?” Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Your pack mates will help?”
“We all agreed the Black Claws can’t be left alone. Once word reaches the Paranormal Government that one of the shifter groups on Ashfall Mountain is kidnapping and killing humans in town, they might decide to eradicate us all,” Ryder said grimly.
Shocked, Aiden stared at his mate, speechless for a few seconds. “You’re kidding.”
Ryder shook his head. “So, it’ll be in the pack’s best interests to settle this matter soon. Caden and some of the Grim Bites would also want a piece of the action. We’ll have allies.”
“You trust Caden?”
Ryder chuckled. “Hell no, but I can count on his hunger for vengeance.”
“I’ll meet Price as agreed, but I’ll appear alone,” Aiden said, thinking. Ryder frowned, but didn’t interrupt him. “You and the others will be in hiding. Once Price releases Tom—”
“It’s time for me to swoop in and save my mate,” Ryder finished. “And the panthers will become extinct.”
Aiden swallowed. “Every single one of them?”
“Aiden, we’ve been fighting them for a long time. All of them have turned Feral. There’s no human in them anymore. Even if Price appears normal in his human form, he isn’t. He let the monster rule him or he’s embraced the monster for a long time now.”
Aiden thought back to the night of his capture. He shivered, thinking about the leering faces of the panther shifters who saw him and the other captive humans as free meat. Disposable toys. “You’re right. The best thing to do is to put down wild animals. The new shifters Price changed, there’s no hope for them either, is there? They weren’t lucky as I was.”