Forged Decisions

by Katherine McIntyre

  In the brief time she’d spent among the Red Rock pack, Finn Kelly had brought those guards tumbling down. He’d rammed at them and clawed until he’d coaxed her out from hiding. Until they’d bonded in a way she could no longer deny, in a way that would mark her for the rest of her days.

  There were a thousand different worries running through her mind and a thousand different ways the timeworn fear tried to infiltrate, but here in his presence, she took a leaf from Finn’s book. Right now, she could focus on the present. They had a Landslider drug-running operation to scout and a certain Dale Rossi to confront.

  Fighting was familiar territory—those risks, they were ones she could handle. Pain, adrenaline, physical aggression were all in her wheelhouse. None of those froze her like the intensity of everything that threatened to rush through her every time Finn looked at her with those eyes promising the forever she’d never get.

  “Sun hasn’t set yet,” she said, pulling away from him to reclaim her strewn-about clothes. “Let’s grab a pint before we scout the warehouse.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Settled into the driver’s seat of his Challenger with his mate by his side, Finn couldn’t have been more elated. Sure, he’d have some tough decisions to figure out in the future, but he knew he didn’t want to let her go. Fuck, he couldn’t have imagined he’d ever find someone as perfect as Navi Tremere.

  He tightened his grip on the steering wheel while he raced down the highway in the direction of Beaver Tavern, the path he’d traveled a thousand times. Except this time he wouldn’t be entering the bar to chat up Raven for some action or hunker down with Sierra to discuss pack business. This time he was grabbing a pint with his mate. Who brimmed with enough tension to ignite the air.

  The familiar building rose in the distance on his right, the cream exterior glowing under the sun, and the dark wooden accents adding to the cozy feel. Already a couple of cars clustered in the gravel parking lot, since the bar would soon be in full swing once the sun set. Finn wheeled his car down the ramp before pulling into a spot. Navi glanced at him, caution glowing in her hazel eyes. She’d lapsed into a tense silence ever since they’d realized they had mated.

  Finn reached over and placed his hand on her thigh, the thrill of touching her this freely one he hoped he never lost. “I know I’m a hot commodity, but you’re not going to have to battle the entire pack for me,” he said, flashing her a grin.

  Navi gave him a flat look, amusing him further. Even with the ‘no bullshit’ expression she delivered, her hand rested over his and she squeezed. “We haven’t even discussed what we’re going to do. They don’t need to get into our business. Not yet.”

  Finn snorted and with reluctance pulled his hand away as he reached for the door handle. “Babe, you must’ve met the wrong pack. Everyone is in each other’s business morning, noon and night.”

  “Joy,” she muttered, hopping out of the car. Finn approached beside her, skimming his fingers across her shoulders. She jumped at his touch, wheeling around with her shoulders braced to attack.

  “We don’t have to go here if you don’t want to,” he said, realizing how on edge she was.

  Navi let out a sigh. “What, and go to the one other diner you’ve got in this neck of the woods? We’re not spoiled for choices here.” She strode toward the bar. “Come on, let’s get some grub. If I don’t carb up soon, I’m liable to Hulk out.”

  He quickened his pace, his long legs helping him reach the door before her. Finn grabbed the handle, unable to shake the giddiness clinging to him, the feeling of rightness that gripped him around her. This was what he’d been searching for all these years, the reason he’d never made Raven any promises. Deep in his gut, both he and his wolf knew Navi was meant for him, that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his days with. He’d had an inkling when she had first walked into this bar with the rest of the Tribe, but every moment they’d spent together had caused that feeling to grow until it roared in his mind with the ferocity of a hurricane that drowned out any doubts.

  As they stepped into Beaver Tavern, the familiar scents of porter and wood polish wafted his way and, already, Jer stood around one of the pool tables, cue poised at the ready. Sierra sat at the bar, a stack of papers in front of her, which meant she’d already descended into business mode. Meanwhile, Kyle, one of the mountain lions from the Silver Springs pack, roamed behind the bar, the new bartender to replace Seamus.

  After Jer had made his next move, he leaned the pool cue against the green felt table and approached. Finn could feel the tension radiating off Navi as thick in the air as the summer heat. As much as he wanted to shout their news to the rooftops, he wasn’t going to put her through the scrutiny right now.

  Their pack lawyer scrunched his features while he scanned them over. “What’s going on?” Jer asked, the man too perceptive for his own good. “Something changed between you guys.”

  Navi shook her head, but instead of responding she strode straight to the bar. Finn clapped a hand on Jer’s shoulder, avoiding his eyes even though he couldn’t restrain his smile. “Nothing happened,” he said, attempting to avoid the news like Navi wished.

  Jer lifted his brow. “Bullshit, brother. You’re the worst liar in the region.”

  Finn ran a hand over his buzz cut, unable to backtrack around that one as he headed toward the bar. “Come on, let’s get ourselves a drink.”

  Jer remained quiet, the shrewdness in his eyes something not everyone understood about him on first glance. Most women and, hell, some guys were too distracted by the winsome smiles, the tousled chestnut hair and the flirty comments. Finn knew his best friend better. Sierra pivoted in her seat to face them upon approach, and Navi claimed the stool beside her with two pints in hand.

  “You’re a goddess,” Finn said, accepting the pint from his mate. She ducked her head for a moment in embarrassment, the motion so adorable he gave up restraining his giddy grin. Sierra hadn’t said a word yet, watching both of them like they’d started a sparring match. Finn lifted the pint of Guinness to his lips, trying to ignore the way his packmates were analyzing him.

  “I ordered burgers,” Navi said, locking gazes with him while she moved uncomfortably in her stool. “If that’s not what you wanted, tough. I’ll eat both of them.” She radiated the guarded Tribe member he first met, all official business with a rough edge he had believed was impenetrable. Finn couldn’t be happier at how she’d proved him wrong.

  “They’re ordering food together.” Jer leaned in to Sierra as he delivered a stage whisper. “What do you think of that?”

  Finn shot his best friend a glare. Asshole would milk this drama until he pulled the answers out of him.

  “I think Finn bit off more than he can chew,” Sierra responded, giving Navi a wink. Navi tried to force a smile in return even though she lifted her gaze to shoot him a look. She was right. The moment they spilled their news, this would get complicated and fast. Finn tipped back his pint, the realization settling in at last how complicated this could become. Navi would never be able to stay here—she was Tribe, and her calling took priority over his role as pack beta every time.

  Could he even live like that? On the road all the time, thrust into danger and never having the camaraderie and closeness he did here? The first pinpricks of nerves traveled along his arms. He had left the pack once when his folks had dragged him away, and they’d hopped from motel to motel all over this region. He’d hated every second of it.

  No matter the encroaching doubts, no matter the worries that buzzed in the back of his head, nothing could conquer the sense of fulfillment, the rightness that marked him once their bond solidified. Sure, they had a long and twisted road ahead of them, but the sight of Navi, her presence alone quelled the restlessness of his wolf that had plagued him for a long time now.

  “You can do better than this guy,” Jer said, slinking beside Navi with a charmer twinkle in his eye. Streaky had earned his reputation with the ladies because he literally
couldn’t keep off them. His grip tightened on his pint glass while Jer stood within an inch of her, throwing all his ladykiller charm her way. Navi didn’t bat an eye, watching him with a wan look and a light, almost lethal smile on her face.

  Sierra’s gaze sharpened. She stared at him like he’d caught on fire. “Finn, you’re growling.”

  He blinked and closed his mouth, the rumble in his chest dying down. He hadn’t even realized he’d started. Finn tilted back his porter and chugged in an attempt to distract, but too late. Sierra watched him with interest and now Jer’s attention swung their way. His alpha hadn’t won her position through brawn, though—the woman was sharp as a tack. And with her glances alternating between Finn and Navi, he couldn’t help the sinking feeling she knew.

  “You’re mated.” Sierra’s response rang through the loaded quiet, no hesitation in her voice. When he didn’t respond at once, he’d already sentenced himself. Jer’s jaw dropped and, at once, he backed away from Navi as if she’d burst on fire.

  Finn worked his jaw for a few moments, not sure what the hell to say. The quiet that descended wasn’t the exultation he’d hoped for. Congratulations weren’t flying from their lips, so they must’ve leapt straight to the potential ramifications portion of the news.

  Navi let out a low sigh and placed her pint on the smooth chestnut surface of the bar. “Look, before you lot go jumping to conclusions, we just came to this realization.” She fixed her gaze on Sierra. “You, of all people, should understand how confusing that can be. We haven’t discussed shit about the future, so if you’ve got questions, keep them to yourselves.” Her tone didn’t falter from the brisk no-nonsense she doled out to most folks. No one but a Tribe member would have the brass balls to talk to Sierra that way, not with the ferocious reputation the Red Rock alpha maintained.

  Jer shook his head as if he was clearing the clouds from his brain and he extended his hand in Finn’s direction. Finn clapped his palm over his best friend’s and the man brought him in for a hug.

  “I’m damn happy for you,” Jer said. His fierce embrace flooded Finn with the sort of warmth he’d never be able to shake, the reminder of where his home was—where he belonged. As much as he and Jer had butted heads over the years, he would never find a better friend. The man had stood by him throughout the Raven drama and through picking fights in shifter and human bars alike back when the old alpha was still alive. Hell, Jer was one of the first friends he’d made upon returning to the pack after his parents passed away.

  As Jer stepped back, Sierra clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Knew it would happen someday, Kelly. Good for you.” Despite the level tone in her voice, he’d known his alpha long enough to read the turbulence in her eyes. Knowing Sierra, she was thinking of the future like Navi had. Of the potential problems to arise if he chose to leave.

  Finn couldn’t help the irritation burning in his chest. When she and Dax had discovered they were mates, he’d been her support through all the ups and downs, despite the changes that traveled down the pipeline—despite the way his position as her right-hand man had become defunct. Still, he’d never said a word.

  “Because that sounded real genuine, Kanoska.” The words came from his mouth before he could help himself. Her eyes narrowed in response. “Would it kill you to be a friend for once rather than an alpha? I think I’ve earned that.”

  “Screw you,” she responded, the level tone discarded in the flare of temper his alpha wielded. “My duty isn’t something I can pick up and take off as I choose. You’d think, of all people, you’d get that, beta.”

  Finn’s nails transformed into claws, his temper rising to a fever pitch. He needed to get the hell out of there before he slammed his fist through the newly fixed walls. “Get fucked. Do you think I’m going to be satisfied wasting away here as your second-in-command the rest of my life?” His words came out in a growl and he couldn’t help the flames burning his chest, scorching his mind, and driving the words that descended like bombs.

  Sierra’s gaze darkened, the glitter in her eyes dangerous.

  “Kyle, get the burgers to go,” Navi called over to the bartender. The mountain lion shifter near bolted to the back when he caught sight of the situation brewing out front. Finn bared his fangs, not bothering to hide the rage that tore through him. Everything he’d kept to himself all this time, every small sacrifice and every burden he bore on his lonesome came rushing to the surface here and now.

  Sierra stood from her seat with the screech of the legs against the hardwood as she faced him. He placed his pint down in the process. If she wanted a go at him, he’d be happy to oblige. Jer watched, mouth sealed shut.

  “You’re big on the talk, Finn. Let’s see if you’ve gotten any better from the last time we fought,” she responded, her words dripping with condescension. She tried to rile him up and the attempt worked. The scar on his brow throbbed on instinct from the phantom memories of how she’d sliced into it during their alpha fight. Back then, he’d convinced himself he was fine with coming in second. Yet ever since then, his wolf had grown more and more agitated with the passing years, something he hadn’t shared with a soul.

  Kyle raced up with a plastic to-go bag and passed it across the bar to Navi.

  “As much as I’d pay good money to watch a fight between the two of you, we have a warehouse to scout,” Navi drawled, her cool voice slicing through the tension weighing down the air. “I can’t have you injured and not at top efficiency against the Landsliders because you got into a scrap here.” The brazen woman grabbed the bag off the counter and stepped square between them, facing Sierra.

  His alpha bared her teeth at Navi and he couldn’t help the growl surging from his throat.

  “Don’t worry, Finn,” Navi called to him. “If she doesn’t comply, she can try her luck against me. I guarantee the fight won’t last more than a second. And if you’re worried about her getting hurt, I’ll compel her to back down.”

  Sierra’s gaze glittered with rage, but she stepped away. His alpha might have a temper, but she would always act in the best interest of the pack. And royally pissing off one of the East Coast Tribe wasn’t in the best interest of the Red Rocks.

  “Take him,” Sierra shot back, glancing at him. “He doesn’t want to be here, anyway.”

  Her words stung, but Navi’s level voice broke through the haze of his rage. He nodded a goodbye to Jer, ignored Sierra and took off at a clipped pace after Navi as she made her way to the door. Stares burned through him while he passed by packmates he’d grown up with. Yet if the pack had to choose between him or Sierra, he knew who they’d side with every time. He quickened his steps until he burst outside of the bar.

  Orange and gold streaks overtook the sky, some fuchsia mingling throughout as the sun made its descent. He couldn’t help but find it fitting that he was watching this sunset from Beaver Tavern, watching the dissolution of a day that had been filled with revelations and upheavals, ones that promised to disrupt the course of his life for good. Finn ran a hand through the short fuzz of his buzz cut, unable to focus with the anger that throbbed through him.

  He strode over to his Challenger and found a spot to lean while he fought the rage making his hands tremble. Inside, Sierra had to be equally pissed. Navi perched against the side and opened the to-go bag. She passed him a Styrofoam container with the scents of salty cheddar and rich beef. His stomach rumbled, but until he flipped the lid open to the freshly grilled bacon cheeseburger and fries, he didn’t realize how hungry he was. Navi began tucking into hers, grace forgotten in the haste to get food into her mouth.

  He dove in with equal abandon, the tang of cheese and bacon exploding on his tongue and the juices dripping from the perfectly cooked beef. Finn polished the burger off in a few bites and did a number on the fries, licking the salt from his fingers afterward. The two of them leaned on his car, shoveling the contents of the containers into their mouths with barely a word in edgewise. As he popped the last couple of fries into his mouth, he b
linked, realizing the haze of rage had settled. The incident drove a sharp knife to the gut still, but he could at least think clearly.

  Navi pointed with a fry back in the direction of Beaver Tavern. “Not like I wasn’t willing to watch you go toe-to-toe with her for the sake of a good fight, but the two of you were about to say and do things you’d both regret.”

  Finn let out a sigh, slumping against his Challenger as he plunked his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. Fuck, that could’ve gone better,” he said, staring at the gravel driveway at his feet. Out of everyone, he’d thought Sierra would get how the mating bond could come in and upheave your life. She’d pretty much merged the packs when she found her mate, and he’d gone along without complaint. Yet when even the hint of a shake-up to her world hit, she couldn’t put on her big girl pants to be happy for him.

  “She’s just upset, you know,” Navi murmured, her voice low. “You’re a family here, and she can’t come to grips with the idea you might not be around. I might not know Sierra well, but I can say, if she didn’t respect the absolute hell out of you, she wouldn’t have had you by her side at the mating ceremony. The woman might duck behind her role as alpha, but anyone can see she sure as hell isn’t ready to let you go.”

  Finn’s chest squeezed tight. Navi was dead on the mark and he knew it. He’d let his own damage blind him to something he should’ve known from the get-go. His alpha hated change with a ferocity, and if he chose to go with the Tribe—hell, if Navi would even have him on the road with her—this would be a big one.

  “That’ll pale in comparison to the conversation I need to have with Raven.” He scrubbed his face, not wanting to even think of the nightmare. She’d been so unwilling to accept him moving on, but the fact that he’d found his mate had the potential to shatter her. As much as she might delude herself, this evidence wasn’t the sort she could strike up an argument against.