Motorcycles and a baby don’t mix.We had been saving for the down payment for months, and the day finally came. Sam picked us up early that morning, excited as ever. Storm sat in his carrier in the backseat, babbling to his stuffed fox while Blaise adjusted the straps.The dealership lot was massive, sunlight gleaming off rows of polished cars and trucks. Salesmen in shiny shoes hovered near the entrance, all smiles and charm.We spent over an hour looking at different options, SUVs, sedans, even a few hybrids, but nothing felt right. I wanted something safe, something that could handle mountain roads and snow. Blaise wanted power, something that could take a hit and keep going.Sam whistled low when we passed the larger section of the lot. “Look at these beasts,” he said, gesturing to a row of black and silver vehicles built like fortresses.The salesman followed our gaze, his smile widening. “You’ve got good taste. Those over there are half price. We’re trying to clear room for new
The next day, the figure dressed in all black came.Jake had been waiting for him.The man moved down the corridor with the lazy rhythm of someone who’d done the same job for years. He pushed a mop bucket that squeaked with every turn of the wheel, the smell of bleach thick in the air. His uniform was the same dull black as the others, but there was something different about him. His steps were too careful. His eyes stayed low, yet every movement was deliberate, measured.Even the way he breathed sounded wrong, controlled, as if he were timing it.When he stopped at their cell, Jake leaned forward. The man bent slightly, pretending to wring the mop, then slipped a folded note beneath the bars. The paper landed soundlessly on the concrete.Jake’s grin returned. He crouched low, whispering for the man to wait.The cleaner didn’t look up. “Not here,” he muttered, his voice rough and quiet, like gravel dragged over steel.Jake moved closer to the bars. “Just a word.”Their voices dropped
The guards were coming. Jake had expected a note, but nothing came today. He lay back on his cot, staring at the ceiling, bored and waiting.The doors clanged open with the long, shrill scrape of metal on metal. Two guards entered with Cline, fully cuffed at the wrists and ankles, his face unreadable. When they were done removing the cuffs, the door slammed shut behind him.“I take it, it didn’t go well,” Jake said with a crooked grin.Cline didn’t answer. He just grunted and turned toward the wall, already bracing himself for the week ahead. He knew Jake well enough by now—nonstop talking, rambling nonsense until you either snapped or fell asleep from exhaustion. At least this time, they had given him earplugs.And the voice recorder.Cline glanced at the small device hidden in his pocket, switching it on so it could record while he slept. It wasn’t for official use, but Alpha would want to hear anything worth knowing. Still, Cline doubted Jake would spill anything good without an au
Everyone knew that Friday night was pizza and movie night. Blaise and Sam had just hooked up the new sixty-five-inch wide screen TV in our den. Alpha had bought it for us for passing our finals. He even added surround sound. Movie night just got an upgrade.Blaise was on the phone trying to order the pizzas, but everyone wanted something different. I wanted a combo with pineapple. Everyone but Blaise groaned, “Ewe.” “Good, more for us,” we smiled. Beth yelled from the kitchen, “Cheesy bread! Lots of cheesy bread!”“Don’t forget the drinks,” Dad said as he handed Blaise his credit card.Jenna was handing out blankets and pillows, and she made a pallet for Storm next to me. He had all his toys and his sippy cup. Rudy was swatting at his stuffed fox.It didn’t take long for the food to arrive, and we had already picked out a scary movie. Our condo was warm and peaceful that evening. Soft light glowed from the lamps, and the scent of melted cheese and garlic filled the air. The movie h
Months had passed, and Storm was growing like wildfire beneath a summer moon. Every day, something new sparked in him, a sound, a laugh, a light. His eyes glowed like molten lava, liquid gold swirling like a firestorm, just like his father’s. When sunlight hit them just right, it looked as if the lava of creation itself burned behind his irises.Blaise called it his mark. Ryker called it a warning. Kira only smiled knowingly. “Fire and storm,” she said. “The gods made sure the world would never forget those eyes.”The long winter had broken. Snow melted from the mountains, revealing living green beneath. The scent of grass and spring flowers filled the air again. Yet the peace that came with spring felt thin, fragile, like glass before the strike.Storm sat in the grass beside the porch, chubby fingers reaching for a butterfly that danced just out of reach. Every time he laughed, the wind stirred, soft at first, then strong enough to ripple the trees. His energy hummed through the
A quiet knock came at the Alpha’s office door.“Enter,” Ryker said, not looking up from the folder in his hands.Michael stepped inside, the morning light catching the faint scar on his jaw. “I’ve got a message from Cline.”Ryker’s head snapped up. “Cline?”Michael nodded. “He’s got intel on Jake. Says it’s important. I had him transported from the federal block. Jake still thinks he’s just being moved for his trial, and that he's being held at the local jail for now. Cline’s on his way here, now.”Ryker leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. “Good. Let’s see what kind of storm he’s bringing with him.”Three hours later, the door opened again.Cline filled the frame like a wall, tall, built from muscle and scars, his presence heavy enough to shift the air. He carried himself with that quiet power only special ops soldiers had, no need to prove a damn thing to anyone.“Alpha,” he said, extending his hand.Ryker clasped it firmly. “Cline. You look better than the last time I saw you.