CHAPTER FOUR

VINCE

I shouldn’t be here. 

Being the strongest alpha in the south doesn’t make me above the law, but my will to bend those laws to their farthest always gets the best of me. I’m investigating a rumor I heard about Barrett from one of my men, and I intend to come and go discreetly.

Conan, my wolf, crouches, watching Barrett chase a pregnant woman predatorily. I tighten my grip on Conan, who wants to sprint over to help the woman when Barrett slams her into a tree.

Barrett lifts the now-wailing woman slowly, his hand fisted in her hair. The scent of blood hits Conan’s nostrils just as he sees the blood trailing down her leg.

A low growl escapes Conan, and my control wanes as he takes a projectile leap, landing before Barrett. A growl rumbles through Barrett, and I quickly shift back to prevent Conan from lunging at him.

“What are you doing here, Vince?” Barrett inquires.

“She’s bleeding.” I point at the woman.

“Like I don’t already know.” Barrett tightens his hold on the woman’s hair, and she sobs.

Conan pushes to the surface, eager to rip Barrett’s hand off her, but I push him back in my head. A bloodbath would only exacerbate the situation further, and that’s what’ll happen if I shift. 

“She needs a doctor.” I blurt out. “Her baby might be in danger.”

Barrett laughs dryly, gazing at the woman repulsively. “That’s where she’s going.”

He faces me. “You can return to your St…”

“Don’t you dare, Barrett.” I snarl. 

“Strays.” That’s what my pack of lone wolves is called since I refuse to name us, but we’re the strongest in the country—no one who dared to call us that has lived to breathe their next. Barrett knows better, which means his anger has overwhelmed him.

“Get off my land,” Barrett says as he strides towards me, dragging the woman behind him. “This isn’t your business.” 

‘He’s right,’ I reason.

‘She might lose her child.’ Conan yells in my head, but I freeze.

Barrett walks past me, but the woman clutches my wrist hard. 

“Please.” She whispers, and my gaze meets hers. “Help me.” 

Conan snarls, and I free him to rise to the surface. The woman’s eyes widen as my bad eye, which is usually closed, opens and glows like the good one. Barrett tugs at her, but I grab her wrist, holding her in place. 

“You can’t take her back, Barrett.” I raise my head.

“And you’ll stop me?” Barrett’s protests, staring me down dismissively.

“If I have to.” I fire back confidently.

Suddenly, a grey wolf emerges behind Barrett, then two more from behind me. I eye the wolves behind me and return my gaze to Barrett.

“This is your challenge?” I muse, a smug grin on my lips.

I hear rustlings behind me and turn to see three wolves join the first two, then I face Barrett again to see two wolves beside the grey wolf. All their fangs are bare in wild snarls, and Barrett's proud smile mirrors his assurance of victory.

“Brute force won’t help you.” He boasts.

An idea forms in my head, and I don’t give it a second’s thought before muttering.

“I’ll take her as payment for my debt,” I square my shoulders.

I observe the woman—I still don’t know her name—and her brows furrow in confusion. The grey wolf behind Barrett shifts into his beta, Gusto, who walks up to Barrett.

“This situation is more complex than your debt, Vince,” Gusto says.

“It’s Alpha Vince to you, fool,” I growl low, locking eyes with Gusto, who lowers his. “And it’s a blood debt,” 

Barrett slurps as droplets of sweat begin to crowd his forehead, and he glances at Gusto and the other wolves. I look down at the woman who has now wiped her face, studying our exchange.

“She’s my mate.” Barrett declares. “And the baby’s mine.”

I glance at Barrett, then at the woman as my lips part slightly in realization. It’s Barrett’s mate, Lori, but my wolf should’ve felt it if she’s bonded. I haven’t heard of her for a while, and now it’s clear why.

Lori seems equally surprised as she gapes at Barrett. My grip on her loosens slowly, and my glowing eyes dim as Conan recedes. 

“Was,” Lori speaks loudly, and Barrett’s eyes widen.

“I was your mate until six months and four days ago.” She adds. 

Conan whirls, mesmerized by the defiant touch in her voice, which has never happened with any female. I glare at Barrett, whose brows are knitted.

“That settles it, then.” My voice is laced with pride. “She’s coming with me.”

I help Lori stand, looking at every wolf with their ears up, waiting for their alpha’s orders to either pounce on me or to accept defeat.

“I’ll come for what’s left of her things by tomorrow,” I tell Barrett. 

I turn to leave with Lori, and she stumbles. Instinctively, I lift her, and the scent of her blood floods my senses. I push back the urge to drop her and break Barrett’s arm.

As I step onto the road heading in the direction of where I parked my car, I glance at Lori, about to speak, but she whispers. 

“My babies.” Then her head slowly la

nds on my chest as she blacks out.

“Shit.” The words echo in my head as I dash to my car.