Inequities (3 page)

“Yeah
Viv
, why don’t you tell the man why you’re worried.”

She didn’t even look at the speaker. She didn’t have to, she’d listened to that voice for years telling her what she could and couldn’t do. “Grey—”

“Where’s
Ive
?” Greycen demanded.

“I’m sorry Russ, I tried to—” Peter stood behind Grey looking flushed.

“Its okay, Peter.
You can leave.” Russ dismissed the other wolf.

“No. He doesn’t have to.” Greycen glared.

That gave Vivian pause.
Not at all what she was expecting.
She gave Peter a long look. “We need to all calm down. Let me make some tea. The three of you sit.”

She expected them to obey her and turned to where she’d spied the tea earlier. With her backbone firmly back in place she prepared the tea and sat down among the growling men.

“Grey. Are you alone?” She had to ask but was afraid of the answer.

“I left not long after you and my sister. But the others will be coming. Ryerson convinced your parents to send him and his group of thugs.” Grey managed to tear his gaze off Peter to look at her. “You shouldn’t have left—at least not without me. You both knew better.”

“We’re adults.” Vivian reminded him. She was worried about the news of Ryerson. That did not bode well at all. He wanted her for a mate so he could take over the tribe without challenging her father. He could have it for all she cared.
But not with her by his side.

“Please. Adults who sneak out in the middle of the night with only half their guard? Tell me
Ive
didn’t put you up to this harebrained scheme. I expected more from you.” Grey sounded so disappointed. She hated it, but there was nothing she could do about it now. What was done was done.

“I thought your people told you both you were needed here?” Russ interrupted the pair.

“It doesn’t matter. Not really. I’m not sure why
Ive
said that. She probably thought you’d take it better if we were sent and not runaways. I threw my lot in with hers. I take full responsibility.”

“You knew your parents would send someone after you. You’re next in line for the Den.”

“Doesn’t matter.
My mate isn’t there. He’s here.” Vivian flashed her gaze to Russ. The two Masters’ pack members just looked back and forth between her and Grey, taking in everything they said.

“Aw, fuck. Tell me it isn’t the wolf.” Grey put his head in his hands.

“You have a problem with that?” Russ snarled.

“No, I don’t. But I’m not the one who matters. Her folks aren’t going to have it and will drag her back home if necessary. To the man they want her to mate with.”

“Not going to happen.” Russ got up from the table and paced.

No one had touched their tea. Funny—she didn’t feel thirsty either. As a matter of fact, she felt nauseous. She wouldn’t go back.

“Why do you care?” Vivian whispered. She really wanted to know.

“This will cause a war.” Grey said at the same time, almost overriding her response, but she knew Russ heard her by the way his spine straightened.

“It isn’t like we haven’t lived through one of those. Bring it on.” Russ growled.

“Ryerson is convinced you should be his even if you aren’t true mates.” Grey ignored Russ’ comment and continued. “Nobody ever thought you would leave to find who you belonged to. You should have
talked
to me,
Viv
.”

This was how she expected the alpha to act. Gone was the woe-is-me attitude he’d had for the past couple of days. He was in his glory and he was magnificent.

Chapter Three

This would never do. Russ should have talked to Vivian from the beginning. Found out why
Ive
and Vivian had run to his pack. Obviously it wasn’t just so
Ive
could find her mate or Vivian hers. There was more going on here than he first thought.

What kind of alpha was he that he didn’t get to the bottom of this from the get-go? Now this Greycen man was here and Peter was acting weird.

“How much time do we have before the others from your pack get here? Do they know you set out before they did?” Russ asked Greycen.

“They know. I didn’t make it a secret that I was going after my sister and my charge. They would expect no less from me. The others should be here soon. And I don’t think they’ll knock. They have no respect for other shifters.”

Russ turned to Vivian and waited until he had her undivided attention. “You’re not going back.”

“Could have fooled me.
I didn’t think you wanted me here. Actions speak louder than words, and Russ, you have shown me very clearly you don’t want to be near me. Why do you care if I go back or not?” Vivian demanded.

God she was beautiful. Even when angry she carried a grace about her that he had to have. He ignored the other two at the table and stalked to Vivian. He pulled her out of the chair and wrapped her in his arms. He grazed her throat with his canines and whispered to her, “Mine.”

Vivian shivered in his arms. He snarled and took her mouth in a kiss. His wolf wanted to break free and howl.

The only thing stopping him from stripping her bare and taking
her
in the kitchen was the siren going off around the compound.

“Fuck. They’re here. My guess is they’re going for a snatch-and-grab. Do you have any weapons? I know for sure they will.” Greycen took charge of the situation and it was the last straw for Russ.

This was
his
house.
His people.
And damn it, he was the alpha here.

“Peter, take Greycen to the tunnels. Vivian and I will be right behind you. I need to warn the others and get us out of here. We’ll regroup at one of the outer houses. He won’t attack the family homes, will he?” Russ directed the question at Greycen.

“He is capable of anything. He’s sneaky and devious. Is running the right option?”

“We are
not
running. We’re retreating to get a better position. A strong leader knows you can’t always stay and fight.” And he was a strong leader. He knew that in his heart of hearts. Now it was time to prove it.

“I think Ryerson will try to take over the main compound and hold those in the house prisoner until he gets what he wants. He’ll think he has the tactile advantage among your people.” Greycen laid it out for him.

“Not going to happen. I’ll get David and Max to evacuate the others. We have another
safehouse
we were going to utilise earlier this year. Let’s get going before they breach the field.” Russ took Vivian’s hand.

“What the fuck is going on?” Max charged into the room with David hot on his heels.

Good, he wouldn’t have to waste time finding them. The quicker he got Vivian to safety the better he would feel.

“Evacuate the main house and get a message out to the other families living outside the house. We are about to be invaded. We’ll regroup at the safe house.” Russ commanded.

“What about you?” David questioned.

“Greycen and I will lead the others on a chase and meet up with you. Take care of Vivian until I get there.”

“No!” two voices shouted in harmony.

Russ looked back at Peter and Vivian.

“I’m going with you, Russ. This is my fight.” Vivian snarled.

“I can’t
ju
—” Russ ran a hand down his face.

“You can. Now stop arguing.” Vivian went to the doorway of the kitchen and waited expectantly.

“I’m going too.” Peter stated.

“No.”
Greycen’s
tone broke no argument, but Peter ignored him.

Russ looked between the two and wondered if
Greycen
was gay and maybe Peter’s mate—but there wasn’t time for this.

“Fine.
David and Max, if we don’t see you in two days’ time, send someone searching. We’ll meet you at the house my parents old home, you know the one. Then make a plan to take our home back.”

With his orders given, Russ strode out towards his office. He went to the safe and grabbed his wallet and some keys as well as some extra cash he had stashed. He shut down his computer and put the pass locks in place. Next he went to his weapons cabinet. There were more guns stashed around the house that David and Max could use. They were his two best men. He knew they would protect their family. Four others had joined him. He turned to see. Everett, Greycen, Peter and Vivian hovered by the door.

Russ wasn’t surprised to find Everett had joined him. He was very protective of his cousin, Peter. You wouldn’t know he had a soft heart with his spiked strawberry blond hair and tats. He looked as badass as they come, but for Peter he would do anything. Russ felt better knowing he would have the three other men to help him protect his mate.

He handed out guns to everyone, including Vivian.

“Peter, do you have the keys to your bike handy?
How about you
Ev
?”
Russ asked.

“No, sir.”
Peter answered.

“You two get what you need and meet us at the garage. Don’t waste any time. It’s been too long already and we want to give the others a good head start.”

With nods the cousins went off.

“Peter shouldn’t come with us.” Greycen insisted.

“It isn’t your choice and if I can’t have Max and David to back me up, there isn’t anyone else I’d pick.
Ev
and Peter are strong wolves and know their way around the streets.”

“Who is this
Ev
? I don’t like him.” Greycen snarled.

It was Vivian who soothed the other man. She had that way about her.

“Everett is Peter’s
cousin
. You can stand down Greycen.” She assured him.

“Peter needs to go with the others. I don’t want him to fight.”

They had reached the garage and Russ guided them to the three Harleys towards the front. It was Peter who answered. The other two had arrived almost on their heels. Man, they were quick. Russ was very happy they were coming.

“Fuck you.” Peter went to his bike and waited for Russ’s command.

“Vivian and I will take Max’s bike. Greycen, you can ride with Peter or Everett, but get on the bikes and follow me.”

Russ didn’t wait for a response. He got on the Harley and gestured for Vivian to get behind him. He took a moment to savour her arms around him. The need to claim her rushed through him. He held himself in check.
Barely.

There was no time for talk. Russ revved the engine and hit the door opener. It was at times like these he wished he had magic or that Zareb was here to back him up. Two men he didn’t recognise charged the bikes, but Russ kept going. He could play chicken if they wanted, but he wasn’t budging from his path. The guys jumped out of the way and shouts were heard and ignored. Russ’ only thought was safety.
For everyone.
Vivian was his and she wasn’t going back to a hateful tribe. And he would get his home back. Russ was back and in charge. He was
alpha
and the others would bow down to him and feel his wrath at their invasion.

* * * *

“The house is empty,” Bart Castle stated.

“How the fuck did they disband so fast?” Ryerson Holt wanted to know.
Damn it.
Greycen must have beaten them and got the word out.
Fucker.

“I don’t know. We can go search the rest of the compound, but I don’t think we’ll find anything.” Bart put his hands in his pocket and rocked back on his feet.

“What about the computers—any luck on those?” Ryerson motioned in the general direction of the office.

“Not so far. It’s pass-protected and none of us have the technical skills to breach it and it looks like there’s a magical overlay to the system.” Bart sounded interested.

“Shit. This was supposed to be an easy snatch and grab. Those fucking wolves can’t be that smart.” Ryerson slammed his fist on his thigh.

“I don’t know Ry. Maybe we should go home. It’s obvious Vivian doesn’t want to leave here or she wouldn’t have run.” Bart tried to reason with him.

“How do you know they aren’t holding her hostage? Maybe she can’t escape. You know it was that damn
Ive
that talked her into coming here and her fruit of a brother would be right in on it. Who knows what the fag has told Vivian.
Turning her against her own kind.
He isn’t natural,” Ryerson ranted.

“Now wait, Greycen might like to fuck men, but he is still an honourable warrior. He wouldn’t hold
Viv
against her will.” Bart was getting agitated.

“Shut it. You don’t know anything. And Vivian will be mine. She was promised to me. I’m not leaving until she is by my side and I’ve impregnated her, cementing my status. If you aren’t on board you can leave now.”

“
Ry
, I’m just saying to think here.”

“I’m done thinking.” Ryerson removed his gun from his hip and calmly shot his friend between the eyes.