by J. K. Jones
Without the fumes of traffic, the rancid odors are enough to make his stomach roil. Ryu swallows down his pity. Rows and rows of makeshift tents line the sidewalks.
Kids run wild, their dirty clothes flying in the wind. It’s familiar here, like a nightmare he can’t escape from. Ryu walks with the pack toward the Silvercrest encampment, which is on the far side of the inner city. He keeps his mind clear, pushing down the agony that pulses through him. God, if only the things that happened with Kenyon turned out differently. He stops that thought immediately. They have a job to do. Save the clan and save Amaya. Ryu can grieve later.
Wolves glance at them curiously, then go back to their daily lives. Homelessness has reached an apex, and it raises the hairs on his arm to see the streets jammed with the impoverished. The Filthy Claws are on the brink of starvation.
What the hell are the Silvercrest Howlers doing here? Ryu wants to demand from Micah. What’s the point if they can’t be bothered to help the common people? It’s ugly. Ryu doesn’t understand what’s going on. Micah leads them down a narrow road until they reach a large open area, heavily guarded by armed wolves. Ryu frowns. Their guns and uniforms are militaristic, and they stand at attention as if they’re ready to kill on sight.
Didn’t the wars end? Is this what peace looks like?
Soldiers salute them, then bow deeply as Micah guides them toward a bunker.
“Byakuren.” A soldier steps forward. “I am General Sato. I got your message through the link. This way. General Tanaka is expecting you.”
Ryu follows uneasily, trying to make sense of everything he sees. If the wars ended, why did the Silvercrest Howlers remain here? Why not give the land back to the Filthy Claws like Michael said he would? Uneasiness grows in his gut. What the hell is going on? They are led to a room that resembles a war room and is primarily used for strategizing attacks against the enemy. Several cameras keep track of the civilians in town; others are watching the streets.
“General Tanaka.” A man says. He’s large and imposing, with a vicious scar slicing up the right side of his face. He bows deeply and shakes Micah’s hand, but his eyes hold a deep disdain. “We heard you were coming.”
Ryu can tell something is wrong. These men are overly armed, crowding around them too tightly. Fuck. What if Randolph got to them first? He keeps his body relaxed, ready to jump into battle. They should’ve sent someone to scout ahead to make sure they weren’t turned by Randolph. General Tanaka regards them closely. Ryu knows they look like hell, battered clothes, dirt and grime everywhere. They haven’t been able to rest in weeks. He’s exhausted. The thought of another battle makes him deflate in despair.
“Yes,” Micah responds coolly. “I sent out a distress signal.”
“I heard.” General Tanaka doesn’t offer anymore. He waits expectantly, which is unnerving.
“Indeed.”
They stare at each other, both of them trying to see who will strike first. Ryu subtly reaches for his katana, eyes darting around the room. This is bad. Very fucking bad. Randolph knew they would come here. That means that they have a spy in their group.
“You know how this goes, Micah,” General Tanaka says. “We’ve done this drill a thousand times. The only reason I’ve allowed you to walk through those gates is Michael. The love the council holds for your father is insurmountable. There is still time. Surrender, and Randolph will be merciful.”
“Merciful,” Micah repeats the word slowly.
The other wolves itch with anticipation.
“Randolph said you would come. He said you would ask for my assistance, that I would help you for the love I bore for you and your father. However, knowing what I know now, I can’t.”
“I see.”
General Tanaka’s face twists. He looks almost desperate as he gazes at Micah. “Try to understand. We were brothers once. I still respect you. I’ll let you walk out of here gracefully with whatever honor you have left. But if you remain, I’ll arrest you.”
“On what charge?”
General Tanaka’s sharp eyes flicker around the room, then land on Ryu. “For conspiracy against the Silvercrest Howlers council by colluding with a Bloodhound. We all know what that creature is, and Randolph would rather die than see the Silvercrest Howlers brought to ruin. You are without fault, Byakuren. The Māku is strong between you both. Of course, you would defend your Omega. I would expect nothing less.”
Shit, Randolph already twisted the narrative. Even though he sent them to the Bloodhound Prince, he still told everyone that Ryu was a Bloodhound. That means he probably told them that Ryu is spreading the disease and not curing it.
What a fucking bastard.
Chapter 13
Guards step menacingly toward them. Ryu swallows thickly. Shit. What are they going to do? Without the Silvercrest Howlers, they won’t win against Randolph and the Bloodhound Prince. The plan to unite all the clans is quickly going south.
Stillness descends on both sides. Bloodred hatred pulses in the air. The aura is so strong it brings him to his knees.
Micah stares down at General Tanaka, his expression blank, but his muscles bulge. His knuckles turn white from clenching his fist too hard. His towering form exudes a cutting animosity, incinerating like acid.
“I am the one you should beg for mercy.”
Micah grabs his head and smashes it straight against the wooden table. Chaos erupts. Several wolves grasp their guns, shouting.
Ryu’s vision blurs, and he struggles to keep standing. Micah unleashes another wave, the Alpha command enough to snap him in half.
“Stop.”
With one word, they drop their guns and inch back in complete and utter terror. Micah picks up General Tanaka’s limp body and throws him at the concrete wall. It’s too much. He can’t see straight. Ryu staggers, trying to understand what’s happening. Micah bashes the general’s face into the ground. Ryu’s stomach clenches.
Micah is going to kill him.
“Wait.” Ryu moves to intercept them, but Trmon stops him.
“Leave it.”
“What?”
“He must invoke the Wrath of Blood Bakufu.”
“But—”
“Look around. They all believe Randolph to be the superior Alpha. Micah must prove his strength. This is the fastest way to do it.”
He’s right. They don’t have time for anything else. The Wrath of Blood Bakufu means that Micah can, by law, challenge anyone who doubts his claim as the Silvercrest Howlers Alpha. It dates back centuries ago to Kamakura bakufu in 1192, shoguns ruled Japan while Alpha emperors acted as mere figureheads. During this time, Alpha Japanese warlords claimed power from the hereditary monarchy, giving them ultimate control of the country.
It’s the old way of settling disputes against Alphas that seek to overthrow each other. Micah, by lineage, will naturally have a claim to the throne. However, if another Alpha feels he’s undeserving he’ll make his claim known and rally other Alphas to join. Thus, Micah will have to challenge every Alpha that opposes him until he makes it directly to Randolph.
Micah lifts the body off the ground and drags it forward by the neck. Ryu gasps. The general looks nearly unrecognizable, with his face pummeled into a bloody mess.
“General Sato,” Micah grunts. The man jumps. “This man is a traitor. Take him to the dungeons and flog him. All those who attest me will follow in his footsteps.”
“Alpha.” General Sato bows deeply. Micah tosses the body of General Tanaka onto the ground; it lands with a sickening crunch.
“Him too.” Micah’s gaze flickers over to Alhazred.
“Me?” Alhazred sputters. “What—what proof do you have? I have done nothing but serve you—”
“Distra root.” Micah sneers. “You never did pass alchemy class. It stains your fingernails, and the odor stinks on your clothes.”
“Wait…I…” Alhazred’s eyes widen as several wolves arrest him.
Micah steps toward him. “I’ve been wanting to do
this for a long time.”
“What?”
Micah punches him in the gut. Alhazred’s eyes bulge as he gasps wildly for air. He falls over, clutching his stomach and moaning pitifully.
“If it weren’t for Amaya, I would’ve killed you,” Micah grunts. “Take him to the dungeons. He’ll get the same treatment as General Tanaka. That goes for all of you. If you stand with Randolph, you stand against me, your Alpha. If you choose to do so, I’ll hunt you down without mercy.” Micah’s voice rings loud and true. Every wolf trembles with the command.
“Alpha.” General Sato nods. “Your will, my hands.” They clasp their hands together, and all the other wolves quietly disperse.
“We need beds, provisions, rooms to rest and freshen up,” Micah speaks like rapid-fire, and all the other wolves leap to attention. “I want all the clans gathered and assembled within a few days. Use the distress signals. I don’t want Randolph to intercept. We’ve been betrayed by our own. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“You will be my right hand,” Micah continues. “Follow my lead. Spread the word. Anyone who has colluded with General Tanaka is branded a traitor to the clan. I want all abled-body soldiers ready to march. Is she here?”
“We captured her a few days ago,” General Sato says. “When we spoke through the link, I made sure to keep her whereabouts private. Do you wish to see her?”
“Not yet,” Micah responds. “We must rest and freshen up. I expect a full report within a few hours.”
“Byakuren.” He bows and leaves with several other wolves.
Ryu says nothing as two soldiers take them to their sleeping quarters. The ones for the Alphas are lavishly down, with several nice couches, chairs, and a full-sized bed. Ryu strips off his weapons, his shoulders ache tremendously from all the running and fighting. He’s so tired he can’t wait to take a hot shower and then slip into bed.
His mind works sluggishly as he takes off his vest, trying to figure out exactly what happened. Micah planned this. He probably knew General Tanaka would betray him, and reached out to General Sato. That explains why all the other generals held themselves back and didn’t interfere when Micah attacked him.
Ryu isn’t sure how he feels about it.
On one hand, he’s glad everything worked out. On the other hand, he feels left out. If they were planning to invoke the Wrath of Blood Bakufu, why didn’t Micah tell him? Why didn’t he share his plans with overtaking General Tanaka so that at least he knew what was happening and didn’t act foolishly? If Trmon hadn’t stopped him, Ryu would’ve jumped in and ruined everything.
“Ryu.” Micah touches his shoulder, his large hand moving down to his waist. “Shower with me?”
He’s honestly too tired for this. “One thing could lead to another.”
“So?”
“So…it doesn’t mean the same thing to me as it does to you.” Ryu huffs. “We should probably keep our distance for now.”
Micah regards him closely, then nods in recognition. “You’re mad.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“What are you, a child?” Ryu grits out. He isn’t mad. Maybe a little.
“You’re upset you weren’t included in the plans. Well, you would’ve been if you bothered to attend any of the meetings we were having. You always walked away.”
Shit. He probably should’ve stayed. “It’s fine. I’ll stay next time.”
Micah nods. “I’ll keep my distance… I just want to scent you again… it’s been a while…”
“And that’s it?” Ryu asks, although he feels slightly weak at the thought. Micah is an exceptional lover; Ryu can already feel his body responding at the idea of shared proximity.
Micah inches forward, his breath warm on his neck.
“That’s it.”
Chapter 14
That’s not it. Delectably feverish, he sighs as the water hits his skin. The steam rises around them as they take turns washing each other’s backs and shoulders. Micah’s massive body takes up half the shower room. They are like packed sardines. With blunt fingernails, Micah rubs his scalp, messaging shampoo into his hair.
“I can feel you,” Micah whispers hotly, his full body pressed up against him. Powerless, Ryu yields as Micah crowds into his space and presses him up against the tile walls. God, he’s so turned on he could die. “The way you tremble at my command. It makes me harder than a goddamn rock.”
“Wait—”
“I won’t. I promised, didn’t I?”
Although now it sounds more like a punishment. “Micah.”
White sage fills the room, making him high. “Shh.” Micah kisses his neck, lapping at the skin with his expert tongue. Heat pulses through him, and his knees nearly fold as his cock swells painfully.
“Micah.”
His nose trails along Ryu’s jawline. Micah moves his hands to his waist, thumbing his hip bones before going lower. Ryu wants to fuck badly. He never realized how wound up he was until they had sex in the Outlands. Since then, it’s been a near-constant ache in his core. Fuck. He wants Micah—his Alpha, his—Ryu nearly chokes. His what?
It would be so easy. Ryu would bend slightly, present his entrance, which is puckered and aching, ready to be bruised and abused. Ryu drools, thinking about it, that sleek, thick knot ramming straight through him—
“All done.” Micah pulls away, passing Ryu the soap before exiting the shower. What the hell? Ryu stares down at his hard cock, then touches his hair. All the shampoo is gone. Ryu wrings out his hair, then steps out of the shower and follows him. He grabs a towel and dries off, then goes into the bedroom. How can Micah leave him like this? So wound up that he’s practically begging for it? By the time Ryu reaches the bedroom, he’s seething. He will not beg.
“Micah?” Ryu asks, rounding the corner into the bedroom. Micah is slowly getting dressed, pulling on a tight black long-sleeved shirt and green camo pants.
“General Sato is expecting me.” Micah wipes the water droplets from his forehead. “I’ll be back soon. We will reconvene in ten hours in the war room. Be prepared. I need you to be ready for anything that comes.”
Holy hell. Ryu wants to scream in frustration.
“Micah!” Ryu shouts. Why is he pretending that his dick isn’t straining against the towel? “What the fuck is going on?”
Micah frowns at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, why aren’t we…? You said…I…” Shit. Why is this so difficult? Isn’t he the one who said he didn’t want to fuck? Didn’t he say that it would complicate things further? Why is he going back on his word?
Micah bites his smile and looks at him fondly. “You’re right.” He comes over to Ryu and cups his face. “It means something different to me than it does to you.”
“But—” Ryu stops himself. He’s right. They really shouldn’t be doing anything. It would complicate things between them. He has plans anyway. After all this is over, he’ll leave. There is nothing left for him in the Silvercrest Howlers. “I see.”
“Besides…” Micah trails his fingers down his chest and takes his nipple between his fingers. He rolls the bud, making Ryu quiver in desire. “You hate me anyway.”
“Bastard,” Ryu says breathlessly.
“You wouldn’t want to hear about what I would do to you all night…if you choose to be mine…” His voice deepens as he leans in. “Until then, I won’t fuck you.”
“That isn’t going to help your case.”
“And fucking will?”
“Yes.” Ryu smirks. “If you let me sit on your face, it’s possible you can eat your way to my heart.”
Micah snorts a laugh. His entire face lights up in ways that are damn near cosmic. “Sounds delicious…but I don’t eat what isn’t mine.”
“I see right through you,” Ryu huffs. “You want me to spend time with you, and now you won’t fuck me to build the anticipation. You’re trying to seduce me. Well, it won’t work. Be
tter men have tried.”
Why is he so hung up on this? Micah betrayed him and left him for dead. Ryu can find another dick elsewhere. It annoys him that he can’t get over this. So what if they loved each other once? It doesn’t mean anything now. He could just as well find Fermin or another willing Alpha to bend him over the nearest table. Yet Ryu knows it won’t be the same. Since the Outlands, his pull toward Micah feels stronger, unbreakable, as if any other Alpha will pale in comparison to the real thing—to Byakuren. Last time Ryu felt fulfilled. Micah’s knot felt like a tether to his soul, their words of affirmation, how Micah’s shining eyes looked at him with love and devotion. Is it all just chemicals? Does Micah really love him? Or is it all going to be just like before? Ryu doesn’t want to think about these things.
Micah shrugs, still smiling. He walks backward, holding Ryu’s gaze.
“We both know I am not those men.”
He leaves the room before Ryu can throttle him.
Ryu doesn’t waste time.
The second the door closes, he throws himself onto the bed and strokes his aching cock to completion. He’s hard again seconds later, thinking about Micah’s cocky grin and smooth skin. Shit. Ryu doesn’t know how long it takes, but he comes five times, thinking about Micah, imagining him spreading him open like he did in the Outlands.
It’s just sex. Nothing more and nothing less. Ryu can’t allow himself to even think of it being more. He falls asleep afterward.
Chapter 15
The Silvercrest Howlers are psychopathic upper classes, who in turn brutalize the lower classes. They’ve murdered, killed, rampaged, and raged the Filthy Claws in the name of their laws. Ryu knows they use aggression and fear as their primary ways of gaining control of them.
In the war room, the eleven generals who rule the occupation have all gathered. They heed the call from their Alpha—of Byakuren. They stand around a large table, listening intently to the information Micah is relaying to them. Ryu hangs off to the side, arms crossed and face neutral. The war council begins. It’s time to take back the Silvercrest Howlers clan from Randolph. Ryu hates these meetings. Nine times out of ten, the other wolves pretend he doesn’t exist, or worse, treat him like he’s beneath them. Micah wants him to act like his Second, but how can he? When these people won’t give him a chance.