The Wolves Next Door (9 page)

The
low murmuring voices ceased when Alpha Jepson came into the hall. He was
closely flanked by his Betas, both being at least six five in height and over
two hundred fifty pounds of pure brawn. This wasn’t a social gathering, but a
specially arranged assembly of the top ranking members of their pack. There was
Alpha Jepson’s wife, Madame Alpha Agatha and many of the other highly ranking females.
There were also other Betas and a few omegas, everyone there closely involved
in the running of pack matters.

The
meetings never took that long and tonight wasn’t any different. Ryan and Caine
felt equal relief that within an hour the issues at hand were discussed and
handled. As two of the most powerful members of the pack they knew they were
respectively in line to be voted in as Alpha when the time came – which
wasn’t for long yet. Alpha Jepson was still in his prime, though being alpha
was about who was strongest and most capable of leading the pack and it was
getting to the point that Alpha Jepson might find himself challenged in that
regard. Ryan and Caine had no intention of defying their alpha’s authority for
whatever reason, but if the members decided to set a vote into motion then they
wouldn’t have a choice but to step up to the plate. Members only felt safe when
they were sure their leader was the best to protect them and their interests.

Once
the meeting was over, both men approached their Alpha to have a quiet word. He
grinned when he saw them, his lined eyes twinkling. “I was speaking to Vern and
Hawke the other day and they said something about you finding a mate – in
the singular. Are congratulations in order?”

Ryan
and Caine looked to each other with small, wry smiles. “Yes, Alpha. We both
have a mate – one mate. And that’s what we wanted to talk about.
Congratulations aren’t in order till we can properly bond her to our respective
wolf. But she doesn’t even know we’re Lycan yet.”

Alpha
Jepson nodded in understanding. “So when are you going to break the news to
her?”

“Tonight
– when we get back home where she’s waiting,” Ryan explained.

“Any
mate of yours is welcome into our pack, of course,” Alpha Jepson said
immediately. “You won’t find any problems infusing her into the kindred.”

“Oh,
won’t they?” said a female voice from behind them.

The
three men shared frowns and turned to find Darcy walking right up to where they
stood. Behind her was a handful other females, their expressions set.

“What
is the meaning of this, Darcy?” Alpha Jepson asked with more curiosity than
anger.

“With
all due respect, Alpha, at these meetings you keep going on about pack security
and keeping things running smoothly for the benefit of all,” Darcy replied, a
small grin playing upon her blood red lips. “But how can that be so if so many potential
Alpha’s are being lost to human mates?”

Ryan
let out an impatient sigh while Caine merely shook his head in exasperation.
They both waited for their Alpha to respond.

“It’s
not about losing pack males, but gaining human members,” the alpha said
sensibly.

“Exactly.
Human. While many females are left unmated, with their chances of finding a
mate growing slimmer – especially when their own pack choose mates from
outside the pack,” Darcy said bitterly, and the women behind her murmured
loudly in assent.

“We
don’t choose our mates – that’s for the fates to decide,” Ryan spoke up,
his eyes narrowed to slits. “Darcy, we all know this concern of yours is
because of what happened between you and Caine. But Julie is our mate now and
there’s nothing you can do about it, but accept it and move on.”

Darcy’s
thin lips formed a thinner line. “This isn’t some act of a scorned woman,
contrary to what you think,” she said with dignity. “It’s about what’s best for
our pack. How would the men of the pack feel if more and more pack females were
choosing human males for mates?”

“We’ll
view it as nature taking its course,” Alpha Jepson said, his tone cool with
reproof as he frowned at Darcy. “What’s wrong with you, Darcy? You aren’t some
green pup. You know how this works. Mating is nature’s way for our kind to find
the perfect other half that suits our needs physically, emotionally and
psychologically. Now, Julie happens to be the perfect other half for Ryan and Caine.
You’ll have to accept that, no matter your personal feelings on the matter.
Remember, Darcy: everything finds a balance. Bonding with humans through mating
can only bring us closer together; Lycan and mankind living as one will give us
less desire to want to wipe the other from the face of the earth.”

Alpha
Jepson’s last words were spoken with a trace of humor and the others
surrounding him could be heard chuckling. Darcy’s face froze with anger as she
noted the mirth on Ryan’s and Caine’s face. She stepped up closer and looked up
into their faces.

“I’m
glad you think this is so funny,” she said, anger burning in her eyes. “I
wonder if you’ll be laughing when I tell you that right at this minute, Julie
could well be re-united with her true mate – the one who loves her enough
to never want to share her.”

Ryan
looked to Caine who was equally confused. Scowling furiously, Ryan grabbed
Darcy’s shoulders and shook her. “What on earth are you talking about? What
have you done?”

“What
I felt was best for the pack,” she replied with a shrug. “When a man came
asking questions at the local pub about you two running off with his beloved, I
had to do what I could to help him reconnect with his true mate, of course.”

“What
– man?” gritted Caine, grabbing her arm and spinning her to face him.

Her
smile was mocking. “Tall, dark-skinned. Quite handsome in fact – much
like a Hollywood actor. And so distraught that his woman went off and left him
after a quarrel, moving to this town with no word to her friends or family back
home. Her fickle behavior is long forgiven and he only wants her back so they
can get married just like they’d always wanted. He told me his name is Tre
Gaines and that Julie is his one and only true love. How desperately romantic.”
She smiled wickedly, her lips curled into a scoff. “Imagine his feeling of
betrayal knowing she was now shacking up with two strange men she’d met only a
few weeks ago.”

Ryan
was enraged, but he let Darcy go with a sound of disgust. “Well, he can keep
looking. He’s never going to discover where she is, and you…you will pay for
this.”

“So
you think,” Darcy scoffed, turning round without another word. The next second,
she was pushed into the nearby wall, which cracked from the impact. She
snarled, her fangs bared as she stared into Ryan’s thunderous face. She was
barely shaken by the sudden aggression, but the force of it had brought her
hackles up as did the arm Ryan kept across her chest that kept her imprisoned
against the damaged wall.

“And
what the fuck does that mean?” growled Ryan, his eyes flashing a dangerous
silver.

Curbing
her fear and embarrassed by the attention now turned to them by the whole room,
she spat out in a surly tone, “A few days ago you came into town to get some
stuff and I decided to follow you when you headed back into the woods. I
managed to do so without you catching my scent and from a distance I was able
to watch you make your way to a cabin up the mountains. Well, that’s where I
told Tre he can find his precious Julie since I figured she’ll be holing up
there with you two.”

There
was a loud roar as Caine shot forward and made a grab for Darcy’s throat but
Ryan quickly held him aside. “We have no time for this, Caine. We need to head
back to the cabin now. Julie is in danger.”

Darcy
was smirking when Ryan faced her again. “You better pray we get to Julie in
time. Because if not, nothing will stand in my way of making sure you pay for
your hand in this.”

Her
face paled, but before she could speak Alpha Jepson said, “There’ll be no need
for that, Ryan. I’ll see to it that Darcy gets a just sanction: banishment from
the pack. Effective immediately.”

A
collective gasp rose in the room and Darcy sank back against the wall. Both
Ryan and Caine had already raced from the great hall, desperate to reach Julie
before it was too late.

Alpha
Jepson glared into Darcy’s face. “Anyone who takes pleasure in causing
dissention within a pack doesn’t deserve to have one. I suggest you’re long
gone before they get back or I won’t be responsible for what happens to you.”

Without
waiting for a response, he turned to his betas and rapped out orders as they
quickly left the crowded, shell-shocked room.

Julie
jerked awake, hands closing around the remote control, which had almost slipped
from her fingers as she’d dozed in front of the TV. There were more than enough
movies to keep her busy while she waited for Ryan and Caine to return, but even
the comedy she’d been watching hadn’t been able to keep her awake. She already
missed her two lovers so much it made everything she tried to busy herself with
feel tiresome. She’d already tried a bath, and now this silly movie. She sighed
heavily, then smiled deeply. Maybe she’d make them a nice steak dinner. They
sure had a thing for meat judging by the large quantity of it in the freezer
– and she knew just how they liked them; not too cooked and very well
seasoned.

Relieved
at the idea of doing something that would distract her mind from the longing
ache she felt in the pit of her stomach every time she thought of Ryan and
Caine, she made her way into the kitchen, when she suddenly heard a strange
sound. Turning, she cried out as a shadow of a man came forward, his eyes
burning with anger and arousal.

“Tre…”
she breathed, barely able tos peak.

 “Hello,
Julie,” he replied, coming closer.

 She
let out a shrill cry and turned to run. He grabbed her around the waist before
she could escape him, his strong arms banding around her, forcing her against
his chest.

“Now,
this isn’t the welcome I expected after all these months apart,” drawled Tre,
pinning her back against him as he whispered in her ear. Julie struggled
against him but he was far too strong. He grabbed her hair with one hand and
twisted it to the side so she could stare into his cold, dark eyes.

“Didn’t
think you’d ever see me again, did you?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“What
did you…how could you even…?” Julie gasped, her face creasing in pain as he
yanked cruelly on her hair.

“It
wasn’t easy, mind you. First I had to find where you ran off to and that was a
bit difficult with you continuously moving and all. But when you settled here I
was able to track you through your credit card records. You never struck me as
being so stupid, Julie. Maybe you wanted me to find you. Is that it, baby? You
missed me.”

“You’re
delusional, as usual,” she spat, her fear suddenly replaced with uncontrollable
anger. “Now let me go, before Ryan and Caine come back and make you regret
this!”

“Ah
– your two lovers. You’ve grown into quite the whore, haven’t you? Giving
yourself so cheaply to two creatures,” snarled Tre, fingers tightening in her
hair with a punishing grip.

Julie
winced at the pain but didn’t cry out. “They love me. Something you’d never
understand the meaning of.”

“Now,
that hurts. Would I hunt you halfway across the freaking country for over six
months if I didn’t care?” Tre growled, a deep scowl darkening his face. “And
this time, I’ll make sure that you’ll never escape again. I’ve got men waiting
outside, enough to fight off a fucking army. So if your lovers show up before I
get you out of here, they’re going to be in for quite the surprise.”

Julie
gasped in dismay, as Tre turned her head to look out of the window. She could
see several men dressed in suits , their large hands holding guns as they stood
guard over the cabin doors. How could she not have heard their cars drive up?
Then she remembered how she’d dozed off to the blaring sound of the television.
She swore underneath her breath and vowed not to panic, knowing that if she
stood any chance of escape she had to remain calm and think her way out of this
mess.

“The
sooner we leave, the better chance of being gone before those two punks get
back,” Tre continued, with a sneer to his lips. “And now I know just how sexual
you are, having two lovers and all, I’ll be sure to liven things up in bed
– starting with keeping you cuffed to my bed – permanently if need
be.”

“You
think you’ll get away with kidnapping me?” Julie replied, angrily. “Maybe keep
me locked in a dungeon so that no one will know what kind of a monster you
really are?”

“I
always wanted a dungeon,” mused Tre, his lips curling derisively. “Now move.”

Julie
was reluctant to take another step but she had no choice. She couldn’t risk
Ryan and Caine coming back and facing the small army that stood outside. Her
heart sank as she allowed Tre to push her towards the door. They just got out
into the open air when sounds of movement came at them from the woods.

The
armed men turned in that direction but no one could have been prepared for the
sight that met their eyes moments later.

“What
in the hell…?” yelled Tre as a teeming band of huge, snarling wolves burst from
the trees.

“Shoot
them!” Tre commanded, pointing to the advancing pack. Before the men could
react, the massive beasts flew at them from every angle. There were screams,
yells and sporadic shooting at nothing in particular as guns went off in hands
struggling to fight off immense furry, snapping creatures.

Julie
stared in shock at the spectacle of so many wolves overpowering the men who’d
enclosed the cabin. Swearing loudly, Tre backed into the house again, dragging Julie
along with him with an arm pinned around her waist.

Before
they got far, they came face to face with Ryan.

“Ryan!”
cried Julie happily, but then she yelped as Tre forcefully yanked her by the
arm to stand behind him.

“Let
her go,” Ryan said simply, coldly. Julie stared at his face and almost didn’t
recognize him. His eyes had gone a strange, light color and she watched in
horror as his bared teeth seemed to elongate and sharpened into edges.
What
the…?

Her
attention snapped back to Tre who retrieved a gun from his back waistband.
Seizing Julie by the neck, he pointed the nozzle right at her temple. “And you
need to back off,” Tre warned.

“You
won’t hurt her,” Ryan said with certainty, but began to back off slowly as Tre
advanced with the trembling Julie trapped in front of his body, gun to her
head.

“You
don’t fucking know me, man,” Tre said coldly. “Don’t push me. Now move the hell
out of my way.”

As
Ryan silently shifted aside, Tre looked at him with a triumphant sneer, before
dragging Julie along with him outside to where one of his men’s trucks had been
parked.

The
next second, something flew out from the corner of their eyes and Julie’s head
turned in time to see a familiar looking golden-brown wolf leap in the air,
straight for Tre. Tre had caught the quick movement and spun with his gun,
shooting thrice in quick succession. Julie cried out and tumbled back, Tre’s
hand falling from around her as he was downed on his back by the monstrous wolf
landing on his chest.

“What
the hell is this? Get off me!” Tre roared, trying to push off the wolf snapping
at his face. Julie crawled away on her hands and knees before she felt gentle
arms pull her up. Sobbing, she fell against Ryan who helped her to her feet.

Tre
shouted again and Julie looked to find the wolf had ripped at his suited arm. She
couldn’t be sure but she guessed that this was the wolf that’d shown up to
rescue her from Tre’s men outside the restaurant all those days ago. She was
staring, in disbelief, watching Tre struggling to fight off the relentless wolf
who snarled and snapped ferociously, its claws ripping at his now tattered suit.

Another
shot rang out and Julie screamed, watching as the wolf bounded off Tre’s chest.
Tre scrambled to his feet, and instinctively Ryan pulled her into a tight embrace,
keeping her from harm’s way as Tre shot at the wolf that lept away to safety.
Tre dashed for the truck, not looking back at the stunned Julie.

She
watched in horror as Ryan let go of her, intent on going after Tre.

“No!
He has a gun, Ryan…,” she cried out frantically, hand reaching out for him.

“I
can’t let him get away, Julie,” Ryan replied, adding quietly, “I’m sorry.”

Julie
looked at him in confusion.
Sorry? What did he mean?

She
could only watch in confusion as Ryan took off after Tre, his clothes ripping
from his body as he began the transformation from man into a beautiful,
powerful wolf.

Julie’s
eyes widened with shock as she saw Ryan’s now nude form leap into the air, his
limbs changing and a coat of black, silky fur sprouting from his back and head.
By the time he landed to the ground and bounded into the distance, he was in
full wolf form.

Oh.
My. God.

She
was shaking, confusion making her feel weak and dizzy. Suddenly there was a
crunch of branches behind her and she turned to find a gloriously dark wolf
limping towards her. It was monstrous in size and towered over her as it knelt
down.

She
gasped in fear and backed away slowly. But then she saw the wolf pause, a
wounded look on its face that looked strangely familiar. After what she’d witnessed
with Ryan transforming into a huge black wolf, she was beginning to question
her senses. But then she remembered that this wolf had saved her - twice, and
she had to push her fear to the side as she saw its front limb.

“You’re
hurt,” she whispered softly, and without thinking crawled the rest of the way
forward, closing the gap between them. She gently lifted the injured limb,
amazed at her courage when faced with the most fearsome beast. To her relief,
she saw that the injury was just a graze from one of the bullets. But it looked
very painful and she looked up into the wolf’s furred face with sympathy and
gratitude for his help.

“You’ll
be okay,” she whispered, staring into its eyes and feeling a connection that
struck her to the core. Suddenly, her mind cleared and she gasped, “Caine?”

The
wolf made a deep growling sound of assent as he nuzzled her hand. Julie caught
her breath, his warm touch reassuring, loving.

She
looked up to find a pack of wolves moving to surround them and without thought,
she instinctively wrapped her arms around Caine’s wolf.

One
of the wolves came forward, nodding in their direction. It was dark grey, with
white tufts along the top of its large head. Julie felt a wave of relief wash
over her as she realized the wolves weren’t threatening.

Moments
later, Ryan’s wolf returned and Julie felt herself breath again, realizing just
how terrified she was that she had lost him. She watched in amazement, as Ryan
seemed to communicate with the dark grey wolf that she assumed was the leader.
The grey wolf silently nodded and the next minute, was leading the many other
wolves back into the woods.

Julie
watched them disappear into the trees the way they came. By the time she turned
back around, it was to find two naked figures crouched on the ground. Ryan
looked up and straightened, helping Caine up as he held his injured arm close
to his body. Julie was speechless, but she was no longer afraid. And when Ryan
held out his hand, she didn’t hesitate before she accepted it, allowing him to
help her up to her feet.

“Everything’s
going to be okay. You’re safe, Julie,” Ryan murmured, pulling Julie into his
arms.

Julie
nodded. “And…Tre?”

Ryan
grimaced. “He lost control of the truck and rammed into a tree at the side of
the road. He’s still alive, but unconscious. His men are dead… taken out by
members of our pack. The police will be here soon so we’ll need to prepare. Are
you okay?”

Julie
looked deeply into their eyes, and from the quiet, sober tone in Ryan’s voice
she knew they were afraid that she would never be able to accept who they
really were.

“Yes.
I’m more than fine… I’ve never been happier in all of my life,” she replied
truthfully, trust and love shining brightly in her eyes. “So…this is the big
secret you were waiting to tell me?”

Ryan
and Caine shared rueful looks. “Yes. We’re from a clan known as Lycan.” Ryan
explained. “Which means we can shift into wolves at will, but can also live as
humans. We’re part of a large pack. They are the wolves that came to our aid
tonight. And Julie…” he paused only briefly, his eyes fiery with desire and
Julie could see just how much he truly loved her. “Once you mate with us,
you’ll be part of the pack, too. Forever.”

They
watched her face for any sign that she wouldn’t be able to accept their truth,
but she simply smiled, acceptance shining in her blue eyes. “I want nothing
more than to be your mate…forever.”

“You
have no idea how happy you’ve made us,” Ryan replied, grinning widely, overcome
at the emotion that shone on her face. “But we intend to show you…every day of
your life.”

He
reached for her, crushing her into his arms. She wrapped her hands around his
neck and kissed him, her lips melting against his.

Then,
suddenly remembering, Julie let out a dismayed groan, and glanced with concern at
Caine’s injured arm. She was shocked to see the bloodied graze already fading
to nothing more than an angry bruise.

“I’ll
be just fine,” Caine chuckled, and Julie laughed as he pulled her from Ryan’s
arms, carefully wrapping her into his own strong, warm embrace. She breathed in
his intoxicating scent and decided that there was no place she’d rather be.