“I don’t have anything here either. Maybe, with you being right across the street, we should think about leaving extras around. Might save us a bit of embarrassment.” She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder.
“I think my father is dead.” Luke said nothing because if he was gone and Steward was involved, he was more than likely going to suffer a while before he was dead. “Steward told me that I’d not be bothered by him again. That Allen and I had a second chance in our lives. Do you suppose…I wonder if Father will know just how badly he hurt us?”
“I’m sure he does now.” As she sat up and looked down at him, he decided to tell her what he knew. “Steward is a good man. A wonderful friend, but he does not take well to people who are abusive. It matters little if they’re human or animal. He is swift and just in his treatment of them.”
She stared at him for several seconds. Luke was worried that she’d ask him what sort of treatment that Steward would employ. “He told me something. Steward said that…he told me that he wanted to stay in our lives. I actually invited him to do so.”
“Good.” Luke waited, knowing there would be more. When she was quiet for so long, he wondered if she’d fallen asleep, but her heavy sigh had him pulling her closer to him.
“He knew my brother and mother.” As she explained what Steward had told her, Luke started seeing the pieces of his friend fall into place. He’d often wondered why he was always so sad, wondered too if the man had ever loved. Now he knew the reason for both.
“He’s been around, our friend in so many ways, for nearly all my life. My dad knew him as well. They were great friends at one time, then something happened. I’ll have to tell Dad about your mom. He’ll be glad to know that he’d not done anything to upset their friendship.” Kissing her on the mouth, he looked up at her. “We should really get home. I heard from Audra and she said that she would have dinner ready for us at six. It’s just after five now.”
As they tried to figure out what she could wear, Luke thought of Steward. He’d taken Jack’s blood. And while he wasn’t pissed about it, knowing that the man would do nothing to harm either of them, he did wonder why. Was it because he felt responsible for her? And Allen?
I’m not that nice of a guy.
Luke smiled as Steward touched his mind.
I hope you don’t mind, but there is a package that you and Jack might be able to use about now. That pretty girl of yours had a twinkle in her eye when she left me. I thought that with your nature and her need to be with you, that clothing safety would be the furthest thing on your minds. Oh, and I’m watching over Allen. He has problems coming his way and I want to be there for him. Because I like him, not because I feel any responsibility toward him.
Luke went to his office door and opened it as he answered Steward. He handed the large blue bag to Jack and sat down to watch her go through it. The man had good taste, he’d give him that. The blouse and short skirt was something that he might have picked out for her. And the little jacket fit nicely over her rounded breasts. Luke had to think of something else or these clothes would be trash as well.
Where are you staying? I don’t have a lair for you as yet, but I will put one in if you’re going to be around for a bit. And I’m assuming that since you took Jack’s blood, you will be. Plus, she said that she wants you here. And I, for one, would listen to her. She’s a bit on the temperamental side when she doesn’t get her way.
He growled, and Luke laughed
. She gave it to you freely or you’d be a dead man right now, and we both know it. She’s very strong.
Did she tell you that she hit me?
Luke started laughing and had to tell Jack what he and Steward were talking about.
I don’t think it’s all that funny. I’m not saying I didn’t deserve it, but she punched me in the mouth and bloodied my nose too. I didn’t see it coming at all. And that’s a good thing for her, not so much for me. And do not tell her, but I rather enjoyed it. She threw me off. Not many would live to talk about doing that to me.
Like I said, she’s very strong.
When Jack was dressed and sitting on his desk, Luke felt his hunger for her rise up again. But he knew if he tore these from her, she’d hurt him. And as much as it would be fun, he was hungry for food too. He asked Steward what sort of trouble Allen was in.
He’s walking home. I’m assuming that you offered him a car?
He told him that Allen didn’t drive but didn’t go into details as to why. Steward seemed to understand
. There’s a man following him. Only a human, but with our young man hurt like he is, I don’t think he’d stand much of a chance against him. So I’m keeping an eye on him.
He was quiet for a moment, and Luke started to speak when Steward did.
They were moving out to her car when Steward spoke again. The wolf in him wanted to shift and run to the younger man. But he held Jack back from getting into her car. If they had to go, he wanted to be the driver.
The man that is following him has others with him. Their intent on the young human is not good. There are five, maybe six here. The leader, if one would call him that, is the law here. Two of the men with him are dressed in their uniform.
Luke pulled Jack to his car; his need to go was pounding at him.
Silver. I smell a great deal of silver on the men.
The house he’s living in is on pack land. He’ll be protected by them.
Steward told him he could see the wolves now.
They belong to Slone. But she’s not aware that she’s their alpha. I’ve tried to tell her, but she tells me they’re her friends. The pack master, a big black wolf, would kill for her. And I mean even Hunter if he hurt her.
Luke had been surprised to know that the big wolf also slept outside the house nightly too. He protected what was his.
She’s breeding, and he’s never too far from her now. I think he knows.
He more than likely does. Wolves, males of any kind, will know to protect her. She is a woman of great value to them. Not only because she does protect them, but she has an ability to speak to them as if she is one of them. Very commendable on her part. I’m thinking that, for the fact that he can more than likely smell Jack on me, I’d be wolf food.
Luke doubted that. Steward would kill him before he leapt at him.
Luke, you should perhaps come to the house. The young man will need you very soon.
His voice was calm; his words, however, were eerily frightening.
We’re coming now. Jack and I are in my car and coming. We should be there very soon. And I’m going to have Hunter come as well. He’ll be there faster as he lives closer than we are.
When Steward told him that was a good idea, fear raced over him, and his wolf snarled to be let free. As soon as Steward told him he’d be waiting, Luke looked over at Jack. He knew she had felt his fear.
“Your brother is in trouble.” She nodded. Her wolf moved along her skin as his had. “Steward is with him, but he wants us to hurry. I’m calling the others too. They’ll be there before us. Hunter will protect him until we get there.”
“What is it?” He told her he didn’t know. “I don’t want anything to happen to him. I just got him back. I love him. If anyone dares to…I’m not sure how I’ll react, but this wolf in me wants to kill whoever touches him.”
“I understand completely. My wolf is wanting to run to him, but this is better. Steward won’t let anything happen to him.” As they drove like they were being chased, Luke thought of the million and one things that could happen to his future brother-in-law. The other men, besides the chief, was it Osborne and some of his minions? Did Granger decide to get to them through Allen again? He was so afraid for the young man that Luke had to stop thinking for just a second to take several deep breaths. Luke reached for his family.
Go to Allen, now.
They all responded that they were leaving immediately. His dad said he was the closest and that he’d be there soon.
Steward is there. He’s going to keep an eye on him until we get there. There are several men with Granger, and Steward can smell silver. So please be careful. And, Christ, please protect him.
We will. He’s our brother as much as you are. We’ll take care of him.
Hunter told him to take care getting there as well. And he told him that Slone was calling the troops.
She’s had her wolves there too. I’m sure they will help. I don’t know how she does it, but she can get them to do whatever she needs.
Luke was pulling onto the road that would lead him to pack land when something occurred to him. He wondered if Allen had a weapon, and he wondered if he knew how to use it. As soon as this was over, he was going to have to sit down with him and find out if he wanted to be converted too. He would stand a better chance at this if he did.
“When this is done and he’s all right, I’m going to have someone change him into a wolf. I don’t want this to happen to him again.” Luke looked at Jack when she spoke. “I know that I’m not comfortable with being one, but I know that if need be, I can kick some serious ass. He will be able to as well. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” And he hoped that he’d have the chance to talk to Allen about it too. Luke had never been so afraid in his life for a human. He knew that at all costs his family would protect him, but that didn’t lessen his worry.
Chapter 12
Allen knew that he was being followed. He’d seen the man, two of them really, off and on since he’d left the office. The closer one of the two had even followed him into the store when he’d wandered in for something for dinner. The other man, bigger than the first, had stayed outside. And there was something about him that made Allen think he was helping rather than going to hurt him. His bag of food, whatever he’d bought, weighed heavily in his hand. Allen wondered if he could use it as a weapon and laughed at himself.
Sure, and I’ll whip out my Glock and blow them all away too.
Allen wouldn’t even know how to take the safety off of the stupid thing if he had one, much less kill someone with it.
The path to his new house wasn’t long, but it was also full of places he knew that he could be jumped. Trees lined both sides of it with a lot of underbrush and vines. There was a stone wall at one place, long since fallen over in places, but there was enough of it left for a person or wolf, if that was what was behind him, to hide behind. Allen tried not to think about what was going to jump out at him.
Wishing that he’d taken the car that had been offered to him for rides back and forth to work, Allen paused to look at a group of trees. The man ducked behind a tree just as Allen looked his way. The other man stood in the lane for several seconds before he simply disappeared. His feeling that the man was there to help him was more profound now. Whoever he was, he just hoped he was in better shape than he was. If not, they were both dead.
You’re not going to die and neither am I. You’ll be fine if you listen to me.
The voice echoed in his head and for whatever reason, he wasn’t surprised.
We’ve talked before, you and I. Both verbally and through our link. I will explain later but for now, I’d like for you to trust me. Would you give me the benefit of the doubt and let me help you?
I have no idea why, but I do.
The man thanked him.
Can you contact my sister? I don’t…if something should happen to me, I’d like to have her close. We’ve not been close for a number of years, but just lately we’ve…could you contact her for me?
She and the others are on their way.
Allen felt relieved and thanked the man
. The others, the pack, they’re coming as well. If you see wolves, just be leery, but don’t run from them. Wolves, like most animals of prey, enjoy chasing their meal. While I don’t think they’d actually eat you, there is no reason to tempt them. There are pack and wild coming to help, and the man behind you is wolf too.
I’m not even going to think about what you said about them maybe eating me. But I would ask you, who are you and why are you helping me?
The man laughed
. I really need something else to think about other than I might die out here. I’m not normally such a pussy, but I’m beaten to shit and I’m not very strong. Please?
You’re as strong as you need to be and you’re not being a pussy. Most men, hurt or not, would have run. You’ve done well in that you knew they were following you, yet you have not been stupid enough to confront them. That is the sign of a smart man, not a dead one. Move again so that I can pinpoint your attacker.
Allen turned to move up the lane again and saw the big wolf. He nearly stopped but kept going.
You’re going to be fine. Hunter and the pack is about to your home; the wild wolves are all along the path you take. The one in front of you will cause you no harm. Your sister and her mate are coming behind me and will be to you shortly. Are you armed, by any chance?
No. I’m not…I don’t own a gun. I don’t even know how to fire one.
The man told him he needed to learn.
Will I live long enough to learn that trick? And if you don’t think I will, please lie to me and say it will be all right.
I cannot lie to you, Allen. And you will be all right.
Nodding to himself mostly, Allen kept walking. The closer he got to his house, the more of the wolf he could see. And he also knew that it wasn’t the same one he’d seen along the road just a few minutes ago. Some were darker, others as light as snow. As soon as his house came fully into view, he noticed the huge wolf lying on the deck. The man in his mind spoke again before he could ask him if it was safe.
That would be Hunter. You should go to him as if you have had him there for weeks. He said to tell you that you’re doing well. Do you need to be reassured, Allen?
No. Yes. I don’t think I know. Are you going to come closer now?
He said no.
I see. And me and Hunter, we’re going to do what is necessary to keep me safe?
The laughter made him smile a little. The man, whoever he was, told him he’d be fine. Moving up onto the deck, he put his hand on the head of the wolf and was surprised at how soft he was. As soon as he pulled his hand back, the wolf snapped his teeth into his hand and drew blood. Allen wanted to run then. Simply drop his bag or hit him with it and run as fast and as hard as his semi-broken body would allow. But before he could make his feet move in the general direction away from the sharp teeth, someone else spoke to him.
Hello.
The wolf had bitten him and now…. Christ, he could hear Hunter now.
Don’t freak out, okay?
I have no intentions of doing so. But I should like to talk to you about becoming a wolf. All this human stuff I’m going through is quite painful. The sooner the better too.
Hunter laughed and told him he’d do it
. Thank you. I know you have to hurt me badly, but right now, I’m thinking it won’t be as bad as the man behind me is going to do.
There are several, but he is the only wolf. And of the five he had with him, only four remain. Well, now only three. My brothers are taking care of them now. As is your friend that has been speaking to you.
Allen sat on the chair and wondered if he would be able to take care of someone if he needed to. Hunter stood up just as a man came out of the tree line. Now this man he knew.
“Got yourself a watchdog, did you? Good for you. But it won’t do you no good. I’m still here and you’re gonna listen to me.” It was Granger, the chief, and he looked pleased with himself. “I’ve come to talk to you. Call the dogs off and we’ll go inside and have us a little talk. Man to whatever the hell you are like.” Even without Hunter’s “
don’t
,” he wouldn’t have taken the guy into his house. He might be hurt, but he wasn’t entirely stupid.
“I think we can speak from where we are. You stay over there and I’ll be right here. What do you want, Granger? This is pack land, and if I remember my information correctly, you aren’t supposed to be here unless invited. I didn’t invite you; I’d remember if I did.” Granger laughed and Allen wondered if the man knew how much like a braying ass he sounded. “I would like to suggest that you leave while you can. I’m not as unprepared as you seem to think I am.”
“I’ll just bet you think you are. And no, can’t do that. We have a plan, me and my partner, and the sooner you’re gone, the sooner them others will back off. Might even leave us all together. I’d like that right fine. We were doing just fine before them Emersons came sniffing around. And that bitch too. We had her just where we wanted her.” Allen had to think for a moment who he meant.
“You mean Slone? What does she have to do with this meeting between you and me?” Allan watched the tree line and saw several wolves come out slowly. He wasn’t really afraid any longer, but he was nervous about how this was going to go. “Slone has done nothing to you but supplied you with an endless amount of money for projects that never got finished. You and Osborne have been taking advantage of her for years.”
“Yeah, we have. And as soon as you’re dead, we’ll do it again. See, you’re going to be our crowning glory. As soon as your dead and torn up body is thrown on her door step, all smelling of them Emersons, she’ll think they turned on her and she’ll toss them out, and lock herself up again. We like it that way. Out of sight and out of mind. And the money will begin to flow again without all her nosing around in our business. How the hell somebody got her out in the first place…well, that’s soup under the bridge now. So you and I are going to have a nice conversation. Then I’m going to kill you.”
“How do you propose to do that? She’ll be able to tell that her family didn’t do anything to me. She’s a wolf too, in case you forgot.” Granger laughed, and Allen tried not to think about how callously he’d said he was going to kill him. Like it was something he did daily. “I don’t think you’ve thought this through properly. You should simply leave and come up with a better plan. Go on, go away. Shoo.”
Hunter snorted, and Allen thought it was a laugh. He glanced down at him and felt Hunter’s head move under his fingers. Scratching him behind the ear, Hunter told him to keep him talking.
How the hell am I supposed to do that, he wondered. “Did you know that the men who came with you are all gone? I’m not sure that they’re dead, but when I was told they were taken care of, I just assumed he meant dead. It would be the way I would do it. Kill them, I mean. Less to worry about later. Also, you should know that my family is coming. All of them.” He was babbling and hated that. He didn’t like it in others and certainly didn’t in himself. But he was talking and that’s what he’d been told to do.
“Your sister? Shit, she’s nothing. Stupid little cunt that ain’t got no business around here none anyway. Her daddy was going to take care of her. I thought he had it all in the bag. You too, but he’s gone now. And nobody has heard from him since this afternoon. And that feller of hers, that other Emerson? We’ve got some nice plans for him too.”
The car skidding to a stop near Granger had him backing up just enough not to get sprayed by gravel. Two men came out of the woods, but no one but Allen seemed to notice them. Luke moved around the car and stood near the front while Jack moved to stand in front of Granger as soon as she got out on her side.
“You’re on private property. That’s trespassing where I come from.” Granger snorted and crossed his arms over his chest when Jack did the same. “You don’t seem to be all that concerned that you’re breaking the law. Why is that, I wonder? I thought it was because you don’t care. But it can’t be just that. I actually think you’re just that stupid. I’m right, aren’t I? You’re just stupid.”
“I’m smart enough to have gotten you here, now ain’t I? And there ain’t no law here that I don’t control all by myself. Your pack law or whatever the hell you’re calling it don’t mean shit to me. Not to mention, you guys aren’t that scary to me since I got me a lesson in how to take care of you. I have enough silver in my gun to take all three of you out when I start shooting, and I’ve put enough of the stuff on my skin that I damn near glow with it.”
Allen watched as one of the men from the tree line simply disappeared. It was down to just Granger, he thought, and Allen wondered if he had any idea.
The silver was given to him by me. And it’s not real. Well, other than it’s silver in color. Your sister is correct, he is most stupid.
Allen laughed at the man.
You should also know that all his cohorts are gone, dead, in the event you’re wondering. Hunter will be taking care of their bodies when we are finished here. Could you do me a favor?
Christ, anything.
Allen heard the laughter and then saw the man come out of the woods. When he adjusted himself, Allen staggered back. In that moment he knew who the man was and where he’d met him before.
Stand up.
Allen jerked up from the wall and stood stiff and slightly afraid.
Did I hurt you before? Did I do anything at all to you that you did not need? You are still alive, are you not, because I did you no harm other than to scare you senseless?
No. But you threatened me. And you…you did save me. I thought of you every time that I thought of—
The man laughed but it was bitter and cold
. I never touched anything after that. Not even a glass of wine with my dinner. You fucking terrified me.
As was my plan. Now, for that favor. I wish for you to walk to Granger. He will not be able to harm you, but you need to take control from your sister. She is getting angry, and an angry she-wolf is an unreasonable one. If she is injured, the pack will surely tear him apart. And that simply will not do for what I have planned for him.
Allen stepped off the porch and noticed that Hunter came with him.
Very good, Allen. Now when you are where you need to be, simply touch your sister’s arm. It will calm her and give you the opportunity to talk to Granger. You’ll know just what to say when you arrive.
No, I won’t.
The man told him he would.
Is this going to get me killed? Is this your plan? To get me into a position that will get me dead?
As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew them to be untrue. The man had saved him and no matter how afraid he was of him, Allen knew that he’d never harm him.
Had I wanted you dead, Allen, you would have died long ago.
Allen stopped moving as he considered his words. He had a feeling that the man wasn’t talking about him killing Allen, but Allen doing it all on his own. Allen knew that he’d been headed down the road to his own demise. More so than he’d ever been. But the man, the one currently standing in the lane about thirty feet from him, had given him a terrifying idea of how he would have died.
Go to the man and talk to him. I trust you to finish this once and for all.