Strength of the Pack (25 page)

“The pack needs to shift for a few hours. It’s the quickest way to get the excess adrenaline out of their systems, otherwise we could have some minor scuffles on our hands. Because there were injuries and deaths, they need to comfort one another and work out their grief.”

“That makes sense.” Lucas closed the book. “What do we need to do?”

“I’ve already changed around the duty roster accordingly. The only ones who need to shift are the ones who were involved in the battle.” Tim crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke, glancing at the Marines who bustled around them. “Have them move their bedrolls into the room they sleep in after runs. Set up the anteroom for yourself and Sergeant Hammond. He should know how to handle the rest.”

Lucas’ heart leaped and his dick twitched. He gave himself a mental kick. This was about Noah working through stress and grief; it wasn’t about Lucas getting to come in Noah’s hand. “Yes, sir, I’ll get the ball rolling right now.”

Lucas pulled Vince aside and charged him with getting the men to the mess for a hearty meal. Vince would make sure the after-action reports were completed and emailed to Lucas while Lucas himself watched over his werewolves.

When he found Noah, the werewolves who had been in the battle were already gathered around him. His head was lowered, and he spoke to them in hushed tones. His eyes found Lucas’ immediately, and he lifted his brows questioningly.

“Sorry to interrupt, gents,” Lucas said as he approached. “I need to speak with Sergeant Hammond about the arrangements for you all to shift this evening.”

“Head to the mess, guys,” Noah ordered. “Come find me after.”

When they were alone, Lucas said, “After they’ve eaten, have them move their bedrolls. I’ll take care of our things. Is there anything special you’ll need? Any special arrangements?”

Noah considered for a moment then shook his head. “Not that I can think of. It’s pretty straight forward. We just need some open space in the compound and a private corner for undressing and dressing.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Lucas glanced around the compound, already formulating his plan. “How long will this take, any idea?”

Noah ran a hand over his chin and jaw. “The younger pups will take the longest to be ready to shift back. Given Chandler’s age and inexperience, I’d say several hours.”

“Understood.” He clapped Noah on the arm. “Now go get yourself fed.”

While Noah ate, Lucas moved their bedrolls to the anteroom and tried not to think about what might happen later that night. Next, he had several Humvees moved to create an open area for the pack to play and squabble. Lucas gathered up the textbook Tim had given him and his laptop, ready to keep himself occupied while he watched over his pack.

“This isn’t like a run, Lucas,” Noah’s quiet voice startled Lucas. “You don’t need to stand Sentinel.”

“I may not
need
to, but I
want
to,” he replied. A thought suddenly occurred to Lucas, and he turned to face Noah. “Would you rather I didn’t?”

“No!” Noah replied quickly. “You have other responsibilities. If you can spare the time, I’d like it if you were around.”

Lucas couldn’t help his smile. “I’ll be able to get some work done at the same time. Don’t worry.”

The pack members who had been in the battle earlier emerged from the barracks rooms. “Bedrolls are moved, Sergeant,” Hubbard said. “We’re ready when you are.”

Lucas showed them the gun truck they could use to disrobe in. The area they were to use once they’d shifted was more than obvious. With a final glance at Noah, Lucas turned and walked to the makeshift workspace he’d set up on the perimeter.

The first wolf to exit the truck was the light brindle that Lucas had figured out was Corporal Hubbard. Corporal Chandler was next, his coat a light gray. The dark silver coated PFC Grant leaped out with a black furred wolf Lucas didn’t know, since he was a part of Fox-three.

A dark brindle and a brown-coated wolf both appeared. Lucas was impatient for Noah to emerge. Finally, the giant arctic white wolf trotted into the clearing, eyes glowing silver and pink tongue hanging from the side of his wide mouth.

Noah approached Lucas, circling him several times, nose pressing to various parts of his body. He spent several long moments sniffing inexplicably at Lucas’ lower back. Lucas was again amazed at Noah’s size in this form. Across the clearing, two wolves who had been tussling suddenly broke into a squabble. Noah crossed the distance to them in three easy bounds, barked, growled and snarled at them. The smaller wolves broke apart, heads low and tails tucked.

Apparently satisfied, Noah turned and trotted back to Lucas, circling him once before sitting down beside him. Lucas crossed his arms over his chest and stood watching the gigantic wolves brush against each other. They brushed their cheeks and flanks, nipping at ears and noses, long, pink tongues licking at muzzles.

It was a scene of easy affection and comfort. Lucas realized his own hand was buried in the thick, white fur at Noah’s neck as he scratched distractedly at the skin beneath. Lucas quickly snatched his hand back.

“I’m sorry,” he said hastily. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Noah answered by swinging his huge head around and dragging his tongue up the side of Lucas’ face. Lucas stood in stunned silence for several long moments before the hilarity of it all struck him, and he burst out laughing. Beside him, Noah gave a quiet bark, quite obviously grinning as he sat panting.

The pack grew agitated, several of the wolves whining or making what sounded like aborted howls. Noah stood and padded across the clearing, pushing his way into the center of the clustered wolves. He stood out in the growing darkness, his white fur distinct, even in the fading light. He stood taller at the head and shoulders than any other wolf.

The generator switched on and the post’s floodlights illuminated the compound. Lucas watched Noah weave his way through the pack. He brushed his flanks against the other wolves, dragged his cheeks against theirs and licked at the occasional muzzle.

The previously fractious pack settled down in Noah’s presence. Lucas watched in rapt fascination. He almost didn’t hear Tim’s approach.

“How are they doing?” the captain asked in a low voice.

“They seem fine now,” Lucas replied, not looking away from Noah. “Sergeant Hammond has disciplined them once, and now it looks like he’s calming them down just by being among them.”

“Someone once told me that’s the difference between a pack leader and a True Alpha,” Tim said. “A pack leader’s only tool is a firm hand, while a True Alpha can calm or rile a pack with mere presence.”

“It’s amazing to watch,” Lucas mused, watching Noah separate himself from the pack.

“Your bite marks are more obvious now than they were when you arrived,” Tim said, his fingers coming to rest against the side of Lucas’ neck. “Do they hurt?”

Lucas flushed, mortified to remember the marks from his earlier encounter with Noah were obvious to everyone. Before he could reply, Noah unleashed a series of loud and vicious barks. Lucas jumped at the same time Tim’s hand left his neck. His mouth hung open in shock at the sight of Noah, head low, tail pointed, lips curled in a snarl as he stared right at Captain Madison.

“Sergeant Hammond, stand down!” Lucas shouted. “Right the fuck now!”

Noah’s snarl eased, and he stopped growling, but his stance was still aggressive, and his silver eyes never left Tim.

“No, he’s right, Lucas,” Tim said, palms out in surrender. “He marked you for a reason, and I have no business touching them. It also leaves my scent on you. It’s disrespectful.” Madison addressed himself directly to Noah. “I apologize, Sergeant Hammond.”

Noah seemed placated, if not happy. His tense posture eased. He walked slowly to Lucas’ side and sat down, close enough to touch. He was throwing off more heat than usual, and Lucas realized just how cold the night had grown. He leaned into Noah’s solid body, enjoying the additional warmth.

“I’ll leave you alone now, before I cause any more trouble,” Tim said with a smile as he turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Noah sneezed. Lucas suspected it was a wolf’s way of saying
good riddance
.

They stood together watching the pack play. It seemed a combination of mock fights and wrestling matches, interspersed with games of tag and leapfrog. One of the wolves, Lucas thought it was Grant, misjudged a leap and ended up tumbling across the clearing, nearly knocking Lucas off his feet. His grip on Noah’s shoulder was the only thing that kept him standing.

Noah released a series of loud barks before he used his teeth to grasp the smaller wolf by the throat and pin him to the ground. When Noah released him, the other wolf crawled away on his belly, ears pinned to his head. When he reached the pack, Grant pushed his way through the furry bodies until he was separated from Noah by the entire group.

“It was an accident; he didn’t mean to do it,” Lucas whispered so the pack couldn’t hear.

Noah lifted his muzzle and made a series of yowling sounds. He shook his head, and Lucas heard the slapping of his ears.

“All right, fine, it’s your pack,” Lucas said, lifting his hands in surrender. “I’m just sayin’.”

When Noah again joined the pack, allowing himself to be groomed for a time, Lucas sat down at the wobbly table of his makeshift work station and started typing his after-action report. He’d barely made a dent when Vince appeared beside him.

“No one in the company can report seeing you enter the mess after our return, today,” he said, setting a loaded tray of food down beside Lucas with a loud clatter. “You need to eat, Lieutenant. Captain’s orders.”

Lucas’ stomach growled at the smell of the steaming hot food. He realized with surprise that he
had
forgotten to eat.

“Thanks, Vince,” he said, turning back to his laptop to finish his paragraph.

“Sergeant Hammond!” Vince shouted, startling Lucas.

Noah’s head shot up, and his ears perked forward.

“Sergeant, your Dominant has neglected to feed himself this evening,” Vince called across the clearing. “I trust you’ll make sure he eats?”

Noah leaped over the back of one of his wolves and trotted across the clearing. When he was only feet away from Lucas, he dropped to his belly, paws out in front of him, and met Lucas’ eyes steadily.

Lucas picked up the fork and stabbed at the food. “I’m eating! I’m eating!” he said before shoveling a large bite into his mouth.

Vince chuckled as he disappeared back into the darkness. Lucas was left to eat under Noah’s watchful gaze. When he was finished, he set the tray onto the ground, smiling when Noah immediately approached it and began to lick it clean.

Turning back to his laptop, Lucas finished up his after-action. He compiled the reports from the rest of the Marines who had been in the convoy. Next, he typed up letters to the families of the men he’d lost during the battle.

All the while, Noah sat beside his chair, leaning against his side to lend both warmth and comfort. At least that’s how it felt to Lucas.

When he’d forwarded all the reports to Captain Madison, Lucas closed his laptop and rubbed his tired eyes with his thumb and forefinger.

“Have a good evening, Lieutenant.”

Lucas looked up to see Hubbard and one of the Marines from Fox-three. They were dressed haphazardly, most likely just for the walk to their racks. Both men looked relaxed and gave him friendly smiles as they passed.

“Thank you, gentlemen. You as well,” Lucas replied.

Beside him, Noah moved. He turned and lay on his belly, his front paws extended under Lucas’ outstretched legs. Reaching out, Lucas scratched beneath Noah’s chin and watched as he tilted his muzzle up and slowly closed his eyes in pleasure.

“’Night, LT,” Grant said as he walked by, once again in human form.

Lucas bid him goodnight. He returned the nods of the final two werewolves from Fox-three when they appeared.

Chandler was the last one left in wolf form, besides Noah. Lucas watched as the corporal slowly approached Noah, head hanging low and ears flat. When he was within reach, Chandler licked at Noah’s muzzle briefly, before dropping down onto his belly at an angle to Noah. The young wolf lowered his head onto Noah’s back, heaved a deep sigh and closed his eyes. Immediately, his breathing evened out.

Noah’s immense head swung back to regard the smaller wolf, before turning back to face Lucas. Noah lowered his head to rest on Lucas’ thighs and heaved a deep sigh of his own. Lucas’ lap was filled completely with heavy bone and white fur. Lucas smiled and ran his hand over the crown of Noah’s head.

Lucas pulled out the training manual Tim had given him. He clicked on his red penlight when the floodlights didn’t illuminate the pages well enough. He settled in to read, jotting down occasional notes of items he thought he should make a point to focus on.

He read as the post settled down around them, ready for the deepest part of the night. Since the manual rested flat on the table in front of him, he only needed one hand to turn the pages. Lucas rested his other hand on top of Noah’s head, idly scratching at his ears from time to time.