***Present Day***
I walked out of the lower level. Scott, my Beta, reached out to me. Handing me a wet towel, I wiped the blood off my hands and arms. I also tried to wipe my face to remove anything that might have sprayed up. He opened the door for me and I walked into the main floor of our pack house.
“How did it go?” Scott took the towel from me as he closed the door and locked it behind us.
“Enlightening.” I smiled. “Looks like we are going to have a mini raid headed our way.”
I walked over to my desk and sat down. Pulling up my phone, I stuck my ear buds into my ears and leaned back.
‘Alpha Desmond, I hope to hear good news from you.’
“Victor, I’ve got good and bad news. Good news is that I broke him. Bad news is that they are planning on attacking the fey camp just north of here.”
I heard a sigh on the other end of the line. ‘What’s the plan?’
I chuckled, lacing my fingers together and smiled. “We hit them first.”
‘Alright. I’ll grab everyone available and meet you just north of your territory.’ The line disconnected and I pulled the ear buds out of my ears.
I called Scott back in. “Get the warriors. We are going after Alpha James. I’ve got all the proof I need to knock him down a peg or two.”
Scott nodded. “I’ll grab everyone for the raid.”
“Thank you.”
I watched as my Beta left the office. The pack house was quiet now, the screaming I had filtered to the back of my mind for the past few hours had actually been enough to lighten my mood. Grabbing a pen, I started to finish the paperwork sitting on my desk. It was rare I did work at the pack house but since I was here, I might as well revel in the peace and quiet that was not present at home.
My Luna had early on requested that our house be outside of the pack house. Her weak stomach couldn’t handle the screams and cries coming from underneath the pack house. I sighed. I married her because her family was almost as prestigious as mine. Helena was the previous Beta’s daughter and Scott’s older sister. She was the ultimate trophy that I had paraded around when I was younger.
I had never found my mate. After the momentary scent in New Mexico, I never again smelled her. I knew I was destined to be the mateless end to our prestigious family line. Signing the document harder than I meant to, the ink in my pen blotted on the page. I took a tissue and dabbled the extra ink. My signature ‘Alpha Desmond Wright’ scribbled neatly at the bottom of the page. Smiling at the thought, I put the page on the left side pile of the desk.
In everyone else’s story, I’m sure I would be portrayed as the villain and I was happy to play the part. I did anything and everything to keep my pack and my territory safe. Even if that meant pulling out claws, one by one, from captured prisoners. There was no method too gruesome if there was something I wanted. I always got what I wanted.
'Alpha, Helena is waiting out here for you.' Scott mind linked with me.
Sighing, I got up and grabbed the paperwork that was left and tossed it into my briefcase. I took it out with me, looking at my Luna. Her blonde hair was cut at her shoulders and she was wearing this year’s designer dress. She was carrying a pink Louis Vuitton bag on her arm, the most recent gift I gave her. Helena’s green eyes snapped to mine.
“Helena, you know not to interrupt while I’m at the pack house.” I watched her roll her eyes.
“Yes, well I currently don’t hear any screaming so I’m sure it’s fine. We have plans to discuss and I thought I would pull you from this desk to go home and work at your home desk.”
I had an identical office built at our house so I could still feel as though I was working in the same place, ensuring that I worked as optimally as possible. The only difference was the one at home was on the second floor whereas the one at the pack house was on the first floor. Other than that, the desk, clock, filing system and the furniture were exactly the same.
I opened the front door for her and she walked out. “This better not be regarding what I think it is Helena.”
“Your birthday party, of course! It’s not every day our Alpha turns forty.”
I growled. “Every time we talk about it, I feel older and older. I don’t know why we need to make such a big deal about me getting closer to my death.”
She laughed and took my arm. We were walking across the street, a few of the people nodding their heads to us. “Desmond, you need to relax. It’s an opportunity to allow the pack to relax and not feel like you are breathing down their back.”
“Who says I won’t be?”
“The open bar.”
I laughed and patted her arm. “So, after all these years you do know me.”
“Our eighteenth anniversary will be coming up this year as well.”
“You know it means that I should get you an appliance, right? According to the handbook.” I smiled at her look of disgust.
She turned away from me, her chin raised into the air. “If you give me an appliance for our anniversary then you won’t have a nineteenth anniversary.”
“Oh good, I won’t have to get you anything with jade in it.” I smirked as she hit me in the stomach.
“You, Alpha, are in a world of hurt if you think any of that is okay. Don’t try me or I will throw you such a party for your fortieth that you will wish you died this year to not go through it again.”
I tipped my head to her as we walked down the street. We lapsed into a comfortable silence, nodding every so often to the pack members who acknowledged us.
Our little town was built for tourists. Bed and Breakfasts littered the area run by my pack, as well as tourist spots through the town. We’d kept the small town feel but were still thriving behind the scenes. We kept it traditionally colonial with white and red brick buildings. White picket fences and hanging topiaries with a center square in town, even a gazebo in the center surrounded by a grassy park. The big draw was the lake on the west side of my territory. We built lake houses and allowed people to fish and boat. Every summer we would sell out the houses to vacationers.
“Alpha!”
I turned to look at Ricky, my Gamma, leaning out of the door. He was motioning me to him and I sighed. Unhooking my arm from Helena, I walked over to him.
“What is it Gamma?”
“So, we have most places booked through the next couple months. Plus, we are completely booked for June, July and August already as well. The plan for last 4th of July and the Summer Festival worked swimmingly.” He winked.
“I hope that’s not all you stopped me for Ricky.”
Fear flashed in his eyes for a moment. “No, no. There has been an offer on the Magis house up north.”
I narrowed my eyes. “An offer? By who?”
Ricky shrugged. “A human. Put in an offer earlier today. They say they willing to pay in cash for the whole lot. I know we don’t normally allow humans to purchase in territory so I thought I would ask.”
“Are they paying asking price?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I even tried to deter them with photos of the old shack that they called a house. Didn’t work.”
I rubbed my chin. The property had gone unsold for over ten years now. None of the pack was going to live there considering how crazy the Magis family was. The house itself was also so far north that by car it even took a half hour to just get to their property, not even the house itself. It was even sitting on the border. Now, it was just sitting in disrepair and uselessly costing the town money.
“Go ahead. I planned on speaking with Victor about the territory lines anyways. I am planning on pushing them more north, so the patrol wouldn’t have to worry about running so close to the house. Goddess knows that place is a shit hole. I doubt they will last a month.”
Ricky nodded and dipped back into the realty office where he worked. I turned back and linked my arm with Helena who had been waiting with an impatient look on her face. We continued our walk down the street to our home.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. So, you said an open bar did you?”
Helena laughed. “Yes dear. In the town square with food and dancing.”
I wrinkled my nose and she hit me again.
“Don’t you dare, Desmond.”
“I thought this was my birthday? Shouldn’t we be doing what I want?”
“If we did that, no one would have fun. We would all be huddled around the dungeon watching you pull teeth from your latest captive.” She shivered but it made me smile.
“You know me so well.”
She sighed. “Of course I do. Now you’re going to suck it up for your pack and enjoy the open bar and food and not say shit about how unhappy you are.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you ordering me, Luna?”
Helena stopped and narrowed her eyes at me. “Are you telling me no, Alpha?”
We started each other down until we both let smirks creep onto our faces. I relinked my arm with hers and we turned in to the yard. I opened up the gate and walked up to the white columned house we called home. Walking in, the ceiling opened up into the three story house. It was as white on the inside as it was on the outside. There were famous works of art and historical pieces littered in the room and on the antique pieces of furniture we had picked up over the years. Two staircases ran up to the second floor where you could see my office with its desk and bookshelves.
“Dinner at 6pm sharp, dear. Don’t work past that.”
“Yes ma’am.”
I gave her a swift kiss on the cheek and she leaned back in disgust.
“Sweetheart, your villain is showing.” She pointed to her neck.
Looking down, I pulled on my collar and there was blood on it. Sighing, I smiled. “I’ll take care of it before the kids get home.”
I took a sip of the wine in my glass. Honestly, this gathering was the most useless event I had ever sat through. The pervious Alpha King died three years ago. His son had taken over and he was just now deciding that he should meet all the Alphas? This kid was twenty-five and if he thought he was going to get a bow out of me, he was going to be sorely disappointed. My eyes fell over Alpha James, chatting up the young pup king. I smirked and looked at my watch. It would be another hour when I’m sure he would get the call that his pack had been taught a lesson in humility toward the other races. The timing seemed too perfect and I have Scott working with Victor to take out one of the cities they had in the north. Implementing the plan that they had intended for the fey in the forest. “Alpha Desmond, it’s good to see you.” I took the hands of one of the Canadian Alphas, Alpha Luka. He and I were at least on treaty terms.
“Was he really thinking about trying to attack with that measly group?” I looked over the vampire sitting in my kitchen. He was frozen in time in his early thirties. The man was dressed to impress and didn’t have a wrinkle on him. Victor was head of the Northwest division of vampires and oversaw all vampire covens in the area. It even stretched into Canada and he took a lot of the fey under his wing as well. There was a race issue between the supernatural beings. Most werewolves hated all fey and vampires. Vampires usually tolerated fey to the point where as long as they didn’t get in their way, there were no issues. Too often then, packs would make a play for territory that was deemed vampire or fey protected areas. That’s where Victor and I stepped in. I was a traitor to my own kind. I housed fey in my pack, made friends with vampires, and outwardly showed my disgust for the Alpha King’s rule. “Honestly, I don’t think he puts much thought into anything.” I
The moment I walked into the house, I scowled. “Helena?” She stepped out of the kitchen, wide-eyed. “Sorry dear, I didn’t realize you would be home so early.” “Get it out of here. You know I can’t stand that smell.” Helena nodded. She took the Five Point Coffee cup and poured it down the drain. She rinsed out the drain and I took a deep breath, the smell of the hibiscus tea finally leaving my senses. I knew it was one of her and my daughter’s favorite teas. Hell, even my parents liked it. The smell of hibiscus, though, made me sick. I made sure it never was in the house while I was in the house. It was irrational but I hated the smell. One of the few rules I put my foot down. “Where are Liam and Natalie?” “At a friend’s house. I would say studying but you know that’s probably the last thing that’s happening.” She smiled. I nodded. “I’m going to shower and do some work in the office.” Helena came up to me and ran her hands down
“What the hell is all this?” My nose wrinkled as I flipped through the paperwork that Ricky sat down. “Work, Alpha. You know, when you aren’t setting fires to cities or helping with picking out colors of balloons for your birthday.” I growled. “I am doing work. What are you doing?” “Working, Alpha.” Ricky started to head out. “Our new buyers showed up for the Magis house. I’m going to hand over the keys and show the place.” He scoffed. “Show all the holes and moldy floorboards. It should be the most fun showing I’ve ever done.” “What took them so long? It’s been weeks?” Scott looked over at Ricky. He turned, rubbing his forehead. “Get this. They don’t drive.” “What do you mean they don’t drive? Like they just walked across three states?” “Exactly! Literally walked across states.” Scott and I looked at him, our eyes narrowing. “You sure you did a
I threw on a tank top and some sweats. Going down to the indoor gym, I started through my routine. Running, weight lifting, and today was specifically abs, back, and pecks. My home gym had more equipment than you found at the local gym. I preferred to work out alone. I would even help Liam out sometimes but I wouldn’t even work out with him. “Show no weakness.” I inhaled as I hung from the bar upside down, doing crunches while holding 50lbs. Breathing in and out, I counted out. “One. Two. Three. Four.” My mind wandered off, thinking about the Summer Festival that we would be throwing this year. We brought in a lot of money last year and we were wholly unprepared for just how many people wanted to come to our little town. This year we had ramped up our preparedness but we also were thinking about running some ad campaigns for the daily activities that people could join if they were in the area. We also set up a
My finger was tapping my desk. While I told Ricky I would take care of it, it didn’t mean I was happy about it. Looking at the two in front of me, you could tell they were mates. Other than the glaring mate mark on May’s neck, if either of them moved, so did the other. They just sat down in the office after Scott let them in and he was looking at me with a surprised expression. Taking a deep breath, I looked down at the paperwork in front of me. “So you’re a soldier for the Alpha King. What are you doing in my territory pup?” The man sat up and looked away from May’s hand which he was holding. “I was out visiting my grandmother. Ariel Stone.” I knew Ariel. I also knew she doted on Ricky and I wondered what she would think of May’s behavior. May looked everywhere but at me and I knew why. “Are you proceeding with a divorce then May?” I asked her directly and she snapped her eyes to me. Her mate looked at her, confused. “What do you mean divorce
My dad walked out of the hardware store and closed the door behind him. “I apologize, I didn’t realize you boys were coming over. The tea was a gift from our newest resident. It’s fantastic by the way, not that you care.” “Hey Marcus.” Scott shook hands with my father. My father nodded to him and smiled. “Hey Scott, good to see you. How is Richard doing with all this May business?” “Of course you would already know.” Scott rolled his eyes and patted me on the back. “He has been hanging in there. Our Alpha here kicked her mate off territory. Before she leaves though, she needs to provide the divorce papers.” He huffed. “Serves her right.” I stood up and blinked the tears away from the sudden bout of nausea. “Says the one who believes in the mate bond so fiercely.” “I believe in the mate bond but it doesn’t mean I don’t believe in love as well. The two of them loved each other. She should have thought about it before just throwing hersel
I felt hands run through my hair and I groaned. “Good morning sunshine.” My eyes snapped open and I looked up at Iggy who was sitting up, my head in his lap and we were both tucked into a bed. A wave of nausea and pain hit me and I squeezed my eyes back shut. “Fuck.” Iggy chuckled, still brushing through my hair. “Victor left a note and some headache medicine for us on the night stand. I already took some, so it’s your turn.” “Never again.” I mumbled. I sat up and the roomed seemed to be spinning until a cold glass of water was placed in my hand. Four pills were dropped into my other hand and I threw them back, taking sips of the water. “Did we…” I looked at Iggy. He shrugged. “I blacked out after you telling Helena off. Whatever we did last night left me wanting more this morning though.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Shit. Helena is going to kill me. Your mate is going to kill me.” Iggy laughed. “Helena mi