by Fel Fern
Chip halted. Fear rippled through him. Two dead corpses up ahead of him. He trotted forward, ignoring Kris’s warning growl. Seeing they were panther shifters, a wave of relief filled him but only for a moment.
His stomach grew unsettled as he padded past a torn ear on the forest floor, followed by what looked like a string of guts. His stomach turned queasy. Chip was careful not to step on the bloodstains left on the ground.
Was Alec involved in this messy fight? Seeing a flash of white up ahead of him, he hastened his speed, paws crunching on broken twigs. Kris sprinted past him, easily overtaking him.
Chip finally reached Alec’s slumped and bloody form. Alec was curled up against a tree, not moving. His mate looked awful, clawed up and his brilliant fur covered in patches of blood. Kris was a little ahead of him, scouting the surroundings. Chip nudged his nose into Alec’s face, terrified Alec was really gone, leaving only a corpse behind.
God. This was all his fault. If he never came to Ashfall Mountain, Alec and he wouldn’t have gotten into an argument. Alec wouldn’t have needed to seek a fight elsewhere. Feeling teeth on his nose, Chip opened his eyes. He shredded his fur and changed back to human. He knelt on the ground, hope renewed at the sight of Alec’s chest rising and falling.
“Alec, thank God you’re alive,” he whispered. Chip buried his face into Alec’s fur. His shoulders shook and he began to sob. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks, and it seemed he couldn’t stop.
He soon felt the fur disappearing, changing to warm skin. Alec pulled his face to his chest, breaths harsh. Blood stuck to his skin, and he wanted nothing more than to get Alec out of there and back to camp, to their cabin. Chip didn’t know if Ferals were still out there. They weren’t in Wild Manes land anymore, that much was clear. Those bodies were proof they were on hostile ground.
“Glad to see you. Him not so much,” Alec said, nodding to Kris.
“You’re hurt badly,” Chip whispered. “Don’t make jokes.”
“I’m not going to die.” Alec scoffed, only to end up coughing blood. Alec touched his cheek, leaving a smear of blood there, much to his horror. “I’ll be fine. It’s Talon we need to be worried about.”
“What do you mean?” he whispered, looking around. No other dead bodies as far as he could see. “Talon was here?”
Kris came up to them, still in wolf form as a precaution. He was listening in as well.
Alec cleared his throat and leaned against the tree behind him. His mate looked exhausted, but Chip would hear what Alec wanted to say before helping him back to camp.
“Yeah. We were supposed to fight each other, but they came. Both the cats and the Grim Bites. They set a trap for him. I was busy fighting two other shifters. When I looked, he was gone, along with the two Grim Bites wolves.”
“Shit,” Chip whispered.
“Yeah but he’s alive. Otherwise, Kris and I would feel the pack bonds collapse.”
He put a finger to Alec’s lips. “Enough talking. We need to get you back to camp first. You’re bleeding out.”
“Fussy wolf,” Alec said fondly, before closing his eyes and fainting.
Chapter 9
Alec woke up, growling softly, entire body busted. He peeled off the blanket someone threw over him. He took a whiff and caught Chip’s familiar scent. Still here. Chip hadn’t left. Relieved, Alec peeked at the state of his body. Bandages over his chest, his upper body, but he could already feel his wounds re-knitting. Sunlight streamed through the windows. Morning had arrived. How long was he out?
Didn’t matter. The wolf was eager for round two. Talon and he had been outnumbered. Unfair odds. Talon.
“Shit,” Alec whispered, pissed. It all started coming back to him. Their no-good Alpha got himself caught, but Alec was also at fault. Last night, he was seeking a fight. If their enemies hadn’t set a trap for them, Talon and he would’ve bled each other.
Alec clenched his fists over his stomach. He heard a phone ringing, then Chip yawning. His mate looked like he spent the entire night sleeping on the chair next to the bed. Chip stood up, looking and walking like a zombie. Chip stumbled to the desk and grabbed his phone.
Who was calling Chip so early?
“Hello?” Chip asked, rubbing at his eyes.
Alec didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help himself. Chip was a shifter himself and knew Alec also possessed excellent hearing.
“It’s Pete. Emmet doesn’t accept your conditions. Who the hell do you guys think you are anyway? Bring Alec back here by tonight. No excuses. We’ll gut your old man if you don’t deliver.”
Chip dropped his cell phone as Pete ended the call. Chip stooped down to grab his device and finally looked at Alec. His mate looked pale, white as a ghost. Pete’s call clearly spooked him. If Alec had the power to teleport, he’d head to the Fire Claws pack house and rip out the throats of every wolf there.
“Alec, what am I going to do?” Chip whispered.
“Come here,” Alec said, patting the space next to him.
“You sure? What about your injuries?”
“I’m already healing.”
Chip slid into the bed. Alec sat up against the headboard. He guided Chip’s head to his lap. Chip gripped his thigh and said nothing. Alec ran his fingers through Chip’s hair and started stroking him until he could hear Chip’s elevated heartbeats turn back to normal. Maybe he could help Chip relax a little, make him lie on the bed, and put his mouth to Chip’s dick, but it seemed Chip had the same devious plan in mind.
Chip stuck out his tongue and licked away the pre-cum from the red tip of Alec’s cock. He groaned. Alec wasn’t wearing any underwear, so the press of Chip’s tongue and lips against his bare dick felt amazing.
Alec debated stopping Chip, but his mate seemed determined. He let Chip do whatever he wanted. Chip sucked on his cockhead. Alec tightened his grip on Chip’s head as his mate took his prick into his mouth and blew him. Alec panted, groaned as Chip drew him closer to climax.
He let out a growl, filling Chip’s throat with his jizz. Chip held his mouth obediently open and took every drop like a good boy.
“Feel better?” he asked as Chip lifted his head to look at him. Chip began to curve his lips upward, to a smile, but he faltered.
“I know you told me before not to panic, but I can’t help myself,” Chip whispered.
Alec shook his head. “I was wrong. This is my fault. I pushed them because I wanted to keep you. Have you all to myself a little longer.”
Alec didn’t give two shits about Chip’s dad, the man who’d gotten them both in this mess in the first place. He thought Chip would be mad at his revelation. Chip had every right to be, but the submissive werewolf only looked confused.
“Alec, I’m already yours.” Chip touched his healing shoulder. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Alec took a deep breath. They were mates. Chip deserved to hear the truth. There shouldn’t be any secrets between them. “Last night, I went for a run because I needed to clear my head. After everything, after saving your dad, I know I need to let you go. That’s the right thing to do.”
“Don’t,” Chip whispered. Chip’s face twisted in agony, and that felt like a sharp stab to his heart. “Stop saying hurtful things.”
“We’ll talk about this another time. We have other important issues to address,” Alec said.
Chip bit his bottom lip, looked like he had plenty more on his mind, but he nodded.
“I overheard your other pack mates talking last night. They’re planning to rescue Talon. They won’t be able to help us.”
Alec blew out a breath. Part of him hoped he could maybe count on Kris to back him up. The selfish part of him needed his brother. Even if Kris and he fought their entire lives, he knew Kris would never betray him. That was the old and selfish Alec. He thought about the pack’s situation further and decided this was for the best.
“That’s good. Let them get Talon,” he eventually said. “Talon’s still our Alpha.
The pack bonds aren’t broken, which means he’s still alive. The Black Claws and Grim Bite wolves probably want to torture him a little longer.”
Chip looked at him, appalled. Sensing his mate’s worry, Alec took Chip’s hands in his and gave them a squeeze.
“Talon’s tough as nails. He’s a big boy, and as for us? We’re on our own. Big deal.”
Alec was scared shitless. Not for himself, but for Chip. Alec had survived plenty of scrapes and fights, but this was different. His father had sent Chip to him, knowing how much Chip meant to him. Emmet Ward had always been a crafty bastard.
Coming back home wouldn’t be easy. Then again, the Fire Claws had never been home but just another stop on the road. All this while, Alec’s true destination was Ashfall Mountain. Chip claimed he already belonged to Alec. Maybe he needed to listen to his mate a little closer. Perhaps Alec had been wrong the entire time about guessing what Chip needed and wanted. His mate was free to make his own choices, just like him.
“Alec, can you hear yourself? It’ll be just the two of us against the entire Fire Claws Pack,” Chip whispered. “What if they kill us and my dad outright?”
“No. They still need me. It’s me against my father. I’ll issue him a Challenge. It’s what he’s always wanted after all. I’m granting him his deepest desire,” Alec said. “Call Pete back. Tell him we’re on our way.”
“Okay. We can do this, right?” Chip asked.
Alec didn’t answer him right away. The odds of them returning in one piece to Ashfall Mountain weren’t high, but he gave Chip his word. Alec didn’t break his promises, especially not to his mate.
* * * *
“You sure the two of you will be fine?” Kris asked, lingering by the window of his truck.
Alec wanted to get this show on the road. The engine was already running, but these might be the last words he ever traded with his brother. What the hell was he thinking? Alec shouldn’t be such a pessimist.
“You guys are up against two vicious shifter groups and you’re worried about Chip and me?” he asked.
Kris scoffed. “Of course. What was I thinking?”
Kris began to move away, but he paused. “I’m the older brother. I should have put a stop to our fights a long time ago.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Alec demanded. “You’re blaming yourself now? Don’t be stupid. We were both kids, Kris. He wanted to raise us to be monsters and he succeeded, but he also made sure we were scared of him, that we’ll never disobey him.”
“You’re right. I just don’t like the thought of you going back there alone.”
“He’s not alone. I’m coming with him,” Chip said next to him.
“Take care of each other,” Kris said. The expression on his brother’s face was unreadable. Alec drove off before they started saying more mushy shit to each other.
“I hated his guts growing up. He must’ve felt the same,” Alec said. He’d never admit those words to anyone else but his mate.
“It’s not your fault or Kris’s.” Chip paused. “Everyone in that cursed pack knew what Emmet was doing to his boys. None of us stopped him.”
“You and your father lived on the outskirts of the pack. You guys couldn’t do anything. Besides, everyone was afraid of him.”
“Are you?” Chip asked.
“Logically, I shouldn’t be. I’m stronger and younger than he is, but…” Alec paused. “The fear he instilled in both Kris and me, that always stayed behind. If I don’t fight my brother, he’ll rip out Kris’s neck himself or the other way around. It’s his way of controlling us.”
Physically, Alec knew he was at the top of his game. Most of his lethal wounds had already healed and his wolf wanted to fight, to shed blood.
“He’s an awful man who deserves to rot in hell,” Chip murmured. “Alec, there’s nothing to fear from. He’s just a bitter old Alpha who has no real power over you. That’s why he needed to use me, a weakling and a nobody—”
Alec suddenly halted the truck to look at his mate. “Don’t ever call yourself that. Promise me, Chip.”
“But it’s true. Your dad chose me because I meant something to you, but it could’ve been anyone.”
“Don’t you see, Chip? You’re stronger than you think. No one else but you would have the guts to brave a mountain full of murderous shifters. You’re caring, thoughtful, and sweet, and I can’t imagine waking up every morning to anyone else but you.”
Chip blushed, his cheeks and neck turning pink. “That almost sounds like a proposal.”
“It is. I was wrong, Chip. I don’t want to send you away to somewhere safe anymore. I need you beside me.”
“Alec, after we rescue my dad, I had every intention of sticking with you. I just didn’t want to seem too pushy or presumptuous.”
Alec started the truck again. “We’re on the same page then. Good.”
The rest of the journey was a silent one. Chip turned on the radio, pick a station that played country music. The tunes soothed Alec’s nerves, the pissed-off beast that shared his skin. After Kris and he left home, he didn’t think he’d ever come back to Fire Claws territory.
They stopped by a roadside diner for some late lunch, but they didn’t linger. They were back on the road soon enough. It was a six-hour drive to Fire Ruby, the town Alec and Chip grew up, the lands which the Fire Claws wolf pack claimed as their territory.
Alec’s mood turned sour as they passed by familiar landmarks. An old gas station, a bunch of small shops, half of which were closed. City hall. The local police station. The humans working there were merely props. The true power around these parts were the Fire Claws wolves. Emmet Ward had ruled like a king over this particular kingdom for the longest time but not anymore.
Alec stopped the truck in front of an enormous gated property located on the outskirts of town. There was a check point at the front. Alec recognized the two unfriendly werewolves there.
“The Alpha’s expecting you. Go right in,” one werewolf said, flashing Chip his teeth.
Chip shivered next to him and slunk in his seat. That didn’t bode well for Alec. A growl rattled from his chest. He didn’t hide the angry beast that threatened to spill out of his skin any moment. The two werewolves could probably sense its aggressive energy. The werewolves whined, unable to meet his gaze. Alec drove past the gates and felt Chip touch his arm.
“Are you all right?” Chip whispered.
Alec told him the truth. “I’m not sure.”
Chapter 10
Chip noticed Alec had become more withdrawn the moment they entered town. Alec’s wolf felt monstrous, especially after growling at one of the werewolves at the checkpoint. It was hard to be around his mate, especially when Alec kept emitting all that aggressive energy, but Chip stood his ground. Alec needed him here, next to him. To steady him.
These Fire Claws wolves didn’t know what they were doing. Silent fury was writ on Alec’s features as they got out of the truck. Alec’s eyes glowed a dangerous gold. Chip swallowed. Alec looked like he was going to go on a rampage soon. Emmet was playing with fire.
John, one of the pack’s enforcers who was Emmet’s age, waited for them. John was actually one of the few decent members of this pack. Before Chip left, John promised him he would make sure no real harm came to his dad.
“Alec, Chip,” John greeted. “Welcome back. Alec, your father’s waiting in the yard.”
“That’s where Challenges usually occur,” Chip whispered. “John, you were my father’s friend and you’ve known the Alpha for a long time. Can’t you feel Alec’s wolf? Emmet’s going to die today if he doesn’t hand over my father.”
John looked at Alec. Fur appeared over Alec’s neck and arms, and then it receded. Alec was breathing hard, probably trying his best to will back the change. “I can see that, but you know Emmet. Once our Alpha puts his mind to something—”
“Take us to him,” Alec commanded, voice barely human.
John licked his lips and led t
he way around the large mansion that housed an entire pack of thirty members. Being around nature usually calmed Chip’s wolf, but it only whined inside of him as they passed more trees and shrubbery.
He could taste John’s fear, and the old werewolf had every right to be afraid. Chip was the only shifter there who was safe from Alec, because he knew his mate would never hurt him.
The entire pack was gathered out in the enormous backyard. The werewolves made space as they passed. He stuck close to Alec, felt Alec close one furry hand over his, gripping him tight. Could each werewolf there feel the fury of his mate?
Emmet Ward stood at the center. Pete stood next to him. An older man with silvering hair was on his knees next to Pete, body lashed with ropes, covered in blood and bruises. Breathing hard.
“Dad!” Chip cried out, wresting his hand from Alec and running up to his dad. He knelt in front of his dad and glared up at Pete. “You got what you wanted. Let him go.”
“Not yet,” Pete said with a jeer. “We still have some unfinished business.”
“You wanted me here, so here I am,” Alec told his father. Chip’s mate looked at no one else but the Alpha.
Emmet looked at his son up and down. “You’ve become a fine monster, Alec. Staying on Ashfall Mountain did you some good, but it’s time for you to come back home. Rule this pack with me.”
“With you? I came here to kill you,” Alec said softly.
“Shit,” Chip whispered, seeing Alec finally come apart.
Clothing tore as Alec’s monstrous beast ripped out of his skin. The change happened too fast, in mere seconds. Emmet’s choked cry of surprise told him Emmet didn’t expect that. Pete and John started to change forms, ready to defend the Alpha.
The Fire Claws werewolves began to murmur among themselves.
“That monster can’t be our new Alpha.”
“He has to die.”
Chip glanced left and right of him. The faces of the other werewolves looked like a blur to him. Anger and betrayal struck him in the gut. Alec only saw one target. Emmet. His mate needed his help, but what about his dad? The other werewolves could only use his dad against them again.