by Sara Kimball
She passed out after another few steps, and he remained where he was, trying to think of what to do. The other two guys had stayed at the hotel, because they wanted to make sure there wasn’t the trace of werewolf on the girl, and he wasn’t sure how well the perfume would cover his scent, let alone three of them.
If she was dead, and they didn’t notice, then that might be good for him though, it meant that they weren’t watching. He had just finished the thought when he saw movement in the bushes near her body. Hunkering down, he watched as a large shifter transformed into a man, looking down at her body with disgust on his face. Reluctantly, he reached in and felt for a pulse, and pulled away. Then he reached into the small pouch dangling around his neck and pulled out a new smartphone. Dialing, he called someone, but it was too far away for Oscar to hear.
A short while later an SUV pulled up and three others got out, all dressed in cargo pants and polos. Four shifters in their animal form were with them, and all the men were armed. He saw them give clothing to the first male, who dressed quickly, talking and gesturing. One of the others saw the car, and two of them peeled off to investigate, two of the wolves following. The other two wolves took turns sniffing the area, staying away from the strongly scented body.
Within thirty minutes the police were there, the security team shrugging and pointing to the cameras. Oscar was sure the Pack would edit out the wolf finding the hooker’s corpse, but otherwise show her erratic path along their territory until she passed out, dead.
He saw one of them make a phone call and then shortly after another vehicle arrived, this time with Lincoln Harcourt inside. He shook hands with the Sherriff’s Deputies, clearly on good terms with them, and handed over a sleeve of discs.
Inwardly, Oscar was cursing. Outwardly, he was trying not to make a sound. He didn’t think they had seen him with the woman, or smelled him on her—thanks to the hideous scent he had doused her in—because otherwise the wolves wouldn’t have called the police, they would have been looking around for him. But still, this compound was like Fort Knox. They clearly watched their cameras, because they had responded fairly quickly. Probably more quickly than he realized. The wolf could have been watching for several minutes before he had approached the hooker’s body. And for a single female they might not send many men, but they clearly had the backup they needed to handle any situation.
It was a long time until the coroner’s van drove away, the deputies having the stolen vehicle towed away, probably to return it to the owner. Finally, the last to leave was Lincoln Harcourt and his men, the wolves coming out from where they had been hiding while the humans had been there. They chatted among themselves and walked around one more time. Lincoln’s gaze slid over Oscar’s hiding place a few times, and in those moments he froze, trying to be as still as possible.
Finally they were gone, but Oscar waited still. He was glad he did, because an hour later a wolf that he hadn’t even noticed arrive rose from its crouch in the bushes and trotted off.
“Fucking Gold Pack.” Oscar knew one thing. This wasn’t going to be an easy job, and the boss was crazy if he thought they could do it without force. The only way to get to the damn woman would be to wait until she came out. But who knew when that was going to happen. Him and his men wouldn’t have any time to prepare.
“I fucking hate messes. And this is a giant clusterfuck.” He strode away, walking off the discomfort in his legs, his brain whirling with how to get Alex Cannon into his clutches.
///
Alex had finished her class and showered, then enjoyed lunch with most of the staff. Lincoln had sat at the other end of the table from her, along with a tall man who had brown hair and jovial brown eyes. “That’s Jax, Lincoln’s second. He’s in charge of security.” Moira told her.
It was during the meal that another wolf came into the room, making a subtle motion with his hand that had both Lincoln and Jax out of their seats and striding away quickly after him. Moira and Alex both watched the men go, along with everyone else in the room. Alex hesitated, but finally asked, “What was that about?”
Moira shook her head, her brow furrowed. “Who knows. Probably some kind of a security breach. But they’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
Alex nodded. A trickle of unease wound through her. My brother couldn’t have found out that I’m here already…could he?
///
Lincoln’s bed was cold and lonely, and he wandered out to the balcony, hoping Alex might be out and about. He had missed her at dinner, because he had been with Jax reviewing footage about the prostitute who had wandered onto their property. It still felt wrong to him, and Jax agreed there was something fishy about it. But there was nothing they could do. For now.
The balcony was empty as well, and he took his time, sitting in one of the chairs, waiting to see if she came outside. Around midnight he finally conceded and went back to bed, but it was still a while before he slept.
///
Alex cheered as a six year old girl and a seven year old boy managed to master the correct forms. After the lesson, she showed the class how to do some rolls and other fun moves that kids would have no fear doing. She even helped a couple with some backflips.
Smiling at the antics of those waiting in line, she glanced over to where their mothers were seated, sipping on coffee or lemonade and eating snacks that Jayce had put out today. Another day of teaching had Alex almost relaxed. She was surprised at how much she enjoyed teaching the children, which was slightly more than she enjoyed teaching the adults. For the second time in two days, Alex was wishing she could stay for the whole month. Shaking her head, she helped another kid with a backflip and forced herself back to reality.
This life isn’t for me.
They moved on from back flips into their cool down, and Alex felt her expression melting from serious into a happy, soft smile.
///
Oscar pulled his hand back quickly but Ryan wasn’t so lucky and the mountain lion swiped at him from its cage. “Bitch.” He cursed, licking the blood off his fingers. “Why are we doing this again?”
“Because the boss doesn’t want anyone hurt.”
Ryan gave Oscar an annoyed expression. “And you don’t think this will get somebody hurt, huh?”
Oscar’s eyes narrowed. “You got a problem?”
Ryan only held Oscar’s gaze for a moment before his eyes lowered. “No.”
Oscar grunted. “Good.” He pulled out the dart gun and shot the beast with the mix he had prepared earlier. Ryan took the foam ball out of his pocket and inserted the small vial of pheromone mixture into the slit he had cut. Careful not to spill it, he broke the vial and then taped the cut closed. He waved it in front of the mountain lions face until its eyes went hazy and focused only on the ball, and then he threw it as Oscar opened the gate.
The beast took off, the men running to the truck and driving away quickly.
“Here’s hoping this works.”
Oscar shrugged. “We have to test their defenses somehow.”
Ryan nodded. “I still think the boss is being dumb about this. We need to be able to use force to get the girl. Otherwise it might be a long time before she comes out again. And then who knows how well protected she’ll be.”
Oscar agreed, but didn’t say anything out loud.
///
Alex’s ears perked up at the small creak of a mat behind her. The day was so nice she had opened up the doors again, allowing the air to flow through. But it sounded like someone was coming in from outside. Turning, she froze at the sight of the mountain lion. Its eyes were circling the room, looking dilated and crazed, and there was foam coming from the beast’s mouth.
“Everyone be still.” Her voice was low and commanding, and she pulled on her Alpha powers to make everyone listen to her instantly. Facing the large cat, she took a small step forward and said sternly but calmly, “Go away.”
The cat blinked at her. Alex could sense the panic of the children behind her, and their mother
s behind them. She tried to draw the attention to herself as best she could. A mountain lion probably wouldn’t kill her, but it wouldn’t be fun to heal from all the deep scratches the beast could inflict.
But it could kill a werewolf child, easily. Alex took another small step forward trying to present herself as the target, and the mountain lion snarled. The children jumped, and Alex tried to keep them calm. “Move slowly to the doors.” No one moved. “Now.”
She took a running leap forward and tried to kick at the beast, hoping to push it further away from the more vulnerable bodies. The beast managed to avoid her foot, but only by backing up. It snarled again, taking a swipe at Alex with its claws. Alex side stepped and avoided getting bloody by an inch. This time she growled back at the creature, trying to warn it away from her people.
She was aware of the children and women running from the room, and a big commotion in the hallway outside. Inside the ballroom she was caught in a stare off with the mountain lion, and she was trying her best not to blink, to look large and scare it away.
It was only moments before backup arrived, but it felt longer. Several men suddenly appeared in the doorways to the garden, and she felt the presence of wolves behind her. The soft voice of Lincoln behind her back, his fingers brushing against her spine, had her shivering, but she pushed it away.
It was the work of a second for him to pick her up and toss her to his second, Jax. Then she was pushed to the door, but paused to watch the show. Seven men surrounded the beast, but Lincoln was the only one that engaged with it. At first he tried to scare it away, like she had, but when it wouldn’t go, he began to charge it.
He was an impressive sight, even in his button up shirt and slacks. His moves were practiced, controlled, and he managed to avoid injury with his speed. Before long the mountain lion was cornered, and another man arrived with a catch pole.
They maneuvered the cat until they got the loop over its head pulled it outside. Lincoln watched as they hauled it into a large cage, and Alex went to join him in the doorway to the ballroom. Every Pack had some kind of wild animal control devices, along with ways to transport them. Rabid werewolves that had lost control of reality were dangerous to themselves and others, and needed to be controlled quickly. A catchpole and a cage could do a lot to assist a Pack in keeping their secrets.
“Do you often have mountain lions attacking your home?”
Lincoln shook his head. “No. This is the first time.” Once the mountain lion was safely secured, he turned to her. “Are you okay?” Alex nodded. “Thank you.”
She glanced at him, her brow quirked. “For what?”
Lincoln gestured to the mats. “For protecting the children.” Then he moved to the doors, indicating the children, most held in their mother’s arms. Elizabeth was there was well, standing in front of them like an arrow ready to be loosed. Alex could compare nothing to her except the thought of a Valkyrie, the lust and hunger for battle in her eyes, her stance poised to inflict lethal force. When she saw it was her grandson the older woman took a deep breath and then nodded regally. “Alright children.” She clapped her hands. “Now that’s enough excitement for today. Please thank Lincoln, and Miss Alex.” A chorus of children’s voices, and some of the women’s voices too, sounded. “And make sure you get a treat from the kitchen before you go, hmm?”
Elizabeth strode off, and Alex watched her in appreciation. She had put herself as the last bastion of defense in front of the youngsters, and Alex had no doubt that the mountain lion would have been stopped if it had gotten to her.
Alex turned to watch Lincoln checking the children over, playing with them and joking with them. It took him but a few moments to turn their worried, tense faces into smiles and laughter. She was impressed even further that he knew each one of their names, even asking about their siblings or their interests, and talking about playing with them at the next Pack barbeque. He even promised several children he’d come to her next class to make sure they were safe.
Her ovaries exploded at the sight of his consideration and care. And by reassuring the children, he managed to reassure the mothers as well. She was impressed with him, though she didn’t want to admit it to herself, as she was already attracted enough. Alex managed to say her goodbyes, and then went off to her room.
I’m only hiding a little bit. But I should. Because I only have a few more days here, so nothing can happen.
///
Jax and Lincoln stared down at the body of the mountain lion, still in the cage. It had died shortly after they had captured it, foaming at the mouth and panting before seizing up and falling over, still. “Why do you think it came in here? This is the first time I’ve even seen one close to the Pack House. Usually they recognize our scent and stay away.”
Jax rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I have no clues. I asked the team to go over all the security footage, but so far, all we see is it scaling the fence, then taking off. There aren’t many cameras once we get past the fence, so we couldn’t track it until it got to the house.”
“Fuck.” Lincoln sighed. “I don’t like odd. It makes me feel twitchy.”
Jax nodded. “I know what you mean. First that hooker, now this.” The men were silent for a few moments. “What would you like us to do with it? I was thinking bonfire and then bury the ashes?”
Lincoln nodded. “That’s fine.” He gripped Jax’s shoulder as a gesture of thanks and then returned to the house.
///
Moira’s knock came while Alex was brushing out her hair, which was still damp from her shower. The other woman had a bubbly, friendly smile on her face, and a bottle of tequila in one hand, two shot glasses in the other. “I thought you might need some liquid relief? I figured I’d go for the big guns if we want it to work.” She hefted the bottle up to face height.
Alex laughed and let her in, and the women began taking shots, starting with five each, and then three more. “I never drink much, but watching that mountain lion come in and get close to those kids…” She looked at Moira with a smile on her face. “Thank you for this, I think I need it.”
Moira nodded, taking another shot, and Alex matched her. “I know what you mean. I was so worried when I heard, but I am glad you were there.”
“And Lincoln. He’s the one that managed to get it cornered. Without a scratch on him.” They took another shot. “I haven’t seen someone move that fast before.”
Moira poured more, and Alex was beginning to feel the burn as the tequila worked its way through her system. She knew she wouldn’t be drunk for long, but it was a nice feeling while it lasted.
“His grandmother helped train him, you know. He’s a good sort. Involved in the Pack, runs his grandmother’s businesses for her, etcetera, etcetera.” They took another, and then three more, just because Alex was trying to make Moira forget what they were talking about.
“What do you do for fun?”
Moira giggled. When she spoke, her words were slightly slurred. “I work. I flirt with the guards. But they aren’t my mate, so I’m okay with leaving them with blue balls.”
Alex giggled back, and before long the women were giggling, taking the last shots in the bottle. When it was done she leaned back in her chair. “Fuck I haven’t been drunk since…actually I don’t ever think I’ve been like this before.”
Moira’s face started to look a little green. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think I might puke.” She swallowed. “Too much too fast, you know?”
Alex, concerned, started to rise with her, but Moria waved her back. “You stay here, I’ll be fine. Just gonna go to my room.”
“Okay. If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Moira stumbled out of the room, and down the hall, leaving the door open behind her. Alex sat in her chair, giggling softly to herself. It was a moment or two before she realized there was someone standing in her doorway.
“Oh, hello.” She stood, but managed to trip on her way up and was tilting to the side,
the ground coming up to meet her quickly. Strong, muscled arms closed around her, pulling her upright.
Leaning back so she could she his face, she patted his chest with her hands. “Thank you, Lincoln.” Her hands ran down his chest and then back up. “That was very nice.”
“How did you manage to get this drunk?” His eyes flicked to the tipped over bottle of tequila. “Did you drink that all yourself?”
Alex stiffened and stood straight, still encircled in his grip. “No. Moir—” she hiccupped “Moira helped with half of it.” He chuckled at her. “I’ll be fine in a minute.” Leaning forward, she put her head on his chest and then slid her hands down his front to his waist, then back up again and down his arms.
The cool, crisp linen of his shirt felt nice against her fingers, and made a sensual covering for the hardness of his body underneath. “Alex.” His voice had gone husky.
“You know. All that adrenaline.” She ran her hands down, then up again. “Really gets the blood flowing. This isn’t the first time I’ve wanted to get physical after fighting.” Down and up again. “How about you?”
She found herself being lifted, then pushed back onto the table, the tequila bottle falling to the ground. His hands caressed her body as he kissed her mouth, invading and taking, giving no quarter. Alex kissed him back and moaned breathily as he slid a hand under her shirt, rubbing her nipples through her bra.
Alex unbuckled his belt and then pants, though it took her a while to figure out his belt in her fuzzy state. By the time her hand felt him through the soft fabric of his boxer briefs she was more than ready for him, her center molten from the ministrations of his fingers on her breasts and his mouth, which kept distracting her with kisses.
Carefully, she pushed the elastic waist down, revealing him to her. “This is like Christmas. God your cock is magnificent.”
He chuckled, then hissed as she began to stroke him. Without hesitation he slid a hand into her pants, his fingers sliding through her folds and then circling her opening. He kissed her, pulling her close, and slid two fingers inside her entrance, his thumb sliding up to her clitoris and circling it before pressing firmly.