Surviving the Pack (10 page)

Chapter 13

Dante made a circle in the forest where Katarina’s pull was fierce.  Now that he knew to look for disturbances in the forest floor he wasn’t shocked to see an area that looked like the earth had been turned recently.  Hell, he could even pick up traces of her scent here.  He began moving various dead leaves and brush when he felt something slam into his side. 

Flying sideways Dante’s body crashed into a tree, something heavy pinning him.  Looking around he watched as Dallas engaged in a fierce battle with a behemoth of a man who had him on his back deflecting blows to his face. 

How had he not noticed the danger?  His senses were normally keen to threats, especially when his mate was involved.  The likelihood of these men being involved with Travis wasn’t too high, unless they were outcast from other packs and looking for a new pack. 

With a beefy shoulder pressed into his abdomen and the rough bark form a tree at his back compressing his lungs Dante was able to wheeze, “Who are you?”

His answer was a grunt followed by another shove into the tree.

Dante was better than this.  He released some of his alpha magic stunning the man while raising his elbow and bringing it against his attackers back.  He created a gap and slung back his fist plowing it into the man’s side.  Feeling a few ribs crack he chuckled as his attacker became the attacked. 

Dante took stock of his surroundings; Dallas was now on top of his attacker with fists and curses flying.  The rest of the forest appeared quiet.  He was so close to retrieving his mate when he heard shout from under him.  They were hollow sounding and he knew somewhere people were dying.  If any hair on his mates head was harmed he’d tear down this pack and follow her into death.

Feeling an urgency he couldn’t shake off, Dante stood and repeatedly kicked his attacker until he slumped into unconsciousness.  Turning he saw that Dallas’s attacker had gotten the upper hand and had him pinned again.  Knowing Dallas could handle the man he felt uncomfortable about the time they were fighting and not looking for Katarina.  Running out if time wasn’t an option; he shifted and lunged at the man raking his claws down his back, swinging them in at the base of his spine and severing his spinal column. 

As Dallas shoved the stranger away he followed him, leaning over and demanding, “Who do you work for?”

The beefy man sputtered, obviously, shocked that he’d been defeated.

Dallas was still enraged.  A loud crack sounded in the clearing as Dallas slapped the man in the face to get his attention.  “We have no desire to kill you.  Who do you work for and where is the alpha female?”

Dante kept his distance realizing his need to murder the man who attempted to harm his pack was overriding his better senses.  He’d let Dallas lead this interrogation because otherwise it’d be, kill now and forget everything other than getting into that door, knowing it led to his mate.  She may not realize it but she was his mate, his future. 

* * * *

Katarina had been trying to calm herself for the last five minutes with little results.  The fully grown ‘alpha wolf’ behind her was making her nerves burn at fever pitch.  He was intermittently shaking and whimpering causing her focus to drop. 

Taking a deep breath she took in a huge breath of stale air tinged with fear, Travis’s fear.  “Listen, Travis, I know you’re scared but you really have to control yourself.  Do you know how to mask your scent?  For God’s sake at least control your fear.  You’re the one that got us into this mess.”  Her voice rose with every statement.

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t expect this to happen.  I just wanted to be alpha of this pack.  It’s all I’ve ever wanted.  It’s what my father wanted for me too.  I have to honor him by attempting to regain the pack.”

Katarina rolled her eyes, “Seriously?  I’m sorry but your father was a dickhead.  So far you’re doing a great job of following in his footsteps and being the man who puts himself in front of his packs needs.  You’re a selfish twit if you truly believe you should be alpha.”

Once her rant began she couldn’t stop the words tumbling out of her mouth.  Even with his mouth hanging open she continued, at least he didn’t reek of fear.  “When I was six I wanted to be a ballerina but with my height and the whole shifting into a bear thing it didn’t work out for me.  Especially, when I didn’t hit the right pirouette, got frustrated and broke all the glass in the dance studio.  When I was twelve I was convinced that I should be a cheerleader when I tossed a girl up in the air and she went forty feet instead of the five she was supposed to go; I got kicked off the team.  Or the time I-“

“I get it.  I’m not an alpha.  I hide in times of danger and I could care less about the pack needs.  I don’t want to listen to everyone complain and shit.  I get it.  Just get me out of this and I’ll step back.” 

Katarina couldn’t believe his attitude.  She’s supposed to save him, the all-knowing, all seeing Travis?  “Actually, you got me into this and I’m going to ask you to kindly get me out of it.”

She sat heavily onto the pile of blankets that were cold and smelled like a combination of moth balls and stale urine.  Crossing her arms and sitting with her back straight she put her nose high in the air and prepared to wait.

Travis began blubbering and whining.  Katarina couldn’t take it anymore.  His negativity and the fact that he’d brought this on both of them infuriated her.  She stood and with lightening speed she hit him, one punch with closed fist to the face.

As she stood over him watching his breath even out in unconsciousness she silently thanked God he wasn’t a bother anymore.  Now she could prepare herself for the ensuing battle.  It would definitely be a battle because there was no way she was going back to Alaska with Tidus.  She was already someone’s mate, and she may just be in love.

* * * *

After defeating the two gigantic thugs guarding some secret passageway he collected Dallas, who was in the middle of interrogating one thug, and moved toward the opening.  “We need to find her.  Travis is power hungry and stupid enough to be in league with this Tidus fellow.  She could be in real danger.”

Hearing the story of how Travis contacted the Alaskan wolves pack brought chills to Dante’s arms.  Katarina shared her history with the pack regarding the Alaskan wolves and their violence; he knew she wanted peace within the pack.  Having brought Tidus here, unknowingly or not, would destroy her.  Dante would make sure she never had to be involved with him again.  He planned on staking his claim once and for all.  Katarina was a one-wolf woman, and he was that wolf.  She was the perfect alpha female, not taking any crap from him or his pack.

He closed his eyes one last time before sending out a prayer to keep her safe.  He needed time for her to realize she was his mate and he loved her.  Thinking the words forced him to comprehend the truth.  He loved her and he would die to protect her.  He wanted her happiness, her heart and her cubs, even if they would shift into big honey bun loving bears. 

Dallas’s shout had him running.  When Dante came around a tree he watched as Dallas was hunched over, pawing at the ground.  The dirt was recently turned and when he heard Dallas’s fingers hit a hollow sounding board he came closer. 

“It’s hallow, alpha.”  Dallas expelled a long breath and confessed, “I smell death and fear.  I’ve already called the pack to protect you.”  His face lit up with excitement when he offered, “What do you say we go in and get your girl?”

Dante gave one curt nod Dallas’s way, flung open the wooden door, fully ignoring the ladder he launched himself into the chamber.  The air was muggy and stale yet earthy, not a bad scent until you picked up the permeation of deaths odor that tinged the natural scents.  There was light coming in from the hatch and Dante’s sensitive eyes were accommodating when he heard the cocking of a gun.

A thump from behind him guaranteed that Dallas had indeed followed him into, what he was quickly calling, the hole of despair.

An evil voice sounded in front of Dante making his hackles rise and the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention.  His initial instinct was to hurl his body into the threat, eliminating it so he could free his mate and protect his pack.  His more intelligent side had him waiting to see what this new threat was after.  He’d keep him talking because the longer he talked the safer his mate would be.

“So this is the infamous alpha of the Sacramento pack?  You don’t look so fierce to me.  You’ve survived quite the scandal; killing your previous alpha, banishing your mother, losing your sister and infant children to another pack, attempted murder of your pack elders.  Tsk tsk.  And I just got into town, who knows what else is coming.”

Dante smiled at his foe, not letting it reach his eyes, allowing a bit of his wolfs magic loose.  It felt different this time, more natural and tinged with a wild essence.  “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.  I have no idea who you are or why you would be in my territory.  Care to explain?”

A flush entered his enemies face and he stepped forward, gun still pointed at Dante.  Dante showed no fear allowing his magic to seep into the air.

“I am Tidus, pack leader of
all
territories in Alaska.  You’ll have no problem remembering my name because it’s the last name you’ll hear before you die.  I have no need of you and the pup behind you.  I exterminate those who are no longer of use to me.”

Dante’s vision was blurring in anger, his wolf wanted to take over and protect, attack, kill.  He refused to look at the deceased men around him; he’d morn their loss after he saved his mate.  Bodies everywhere, most shot or killed while attempting to shift and protect themselves.  They never had a chance.  One thing Dante was certain of, Katarina is alive. 

The gun went off and Dante was thrown back hitting Dallas who was just behind him.  They both went down in a heap and Dante hoped that Dallas understood they needed to play dead or there would be no escape, or rescue.  Dante could feel the evil above him watching as he bled out of the gunshot wound to his abdomen.

“I’m really disappointed in the lack of a struggle.  This is by far the weakest pack we’ve overtaken.  We’ll leave the second to wake with his dying alpha above him.  Hopefully, they were close so that finding his friend dead will make him go crazy.  He’s must only have a head injury so he’ll wake soon enough and we’ll be long gone.” 

Dante heard a shuffling sound and then more chatter, “Come along, Reed, let’s go collect my prize.  I can’t believe I’ve found my lovely Katarina.  I can taste her now, so sweet.”

Dallas was apparently awake because Dante felt a firm grip on his upper arm, a reminder to remain still and unmoving, for now.

* * * *

Katarina heard a loud banging sound and suddenly was wracked with a horrible pain in her belly. 
What the hell?
  She hunched into a ball and began to writhe on the cool concrete floor.  Her body felt as if it was tearing apart from the inside. 

Not knowing how long she’d be forced to endure she finally gave in, letting the pain consume her.  She felt lighter for a time while she let whatever energy she had swirl through her body and quickly exit, leaving her slightly dizzy.  Thinking she needed to keep her energy or die she was shocked to find that releasing a bit of her power and energy actually made her feel lighter and free.

A tingle began in her stomach and it spread throughout her body causing a warm and welcome sensation.  Closing her eyes she allowed the magic to seep out of her body slowly.  She watched as it circled a still unconscious Travis and quickly withdrew.  She chuckled as it created a tornado effect and blew the door down, leaving her feeling oddly numb.

Chapter 14

Dante waited patiently while Tidus and his partner in crime Reed walked away.  His wound was bad but he could heal it in time if he shifted.  He didn’t have the time.  He heard a loud boom and was afraid his mate was in trouble so he shifted, slowly, and stood on unsure paws, feeling blood trickle down his fur.  He felt Dallas at his side, strong and sure in wolf form.

Crawling to the sound of the commotion Dante felt a soothing warm wind coming towards him.  He positioned himself in front of his second, tall and proud, protecting his pack until the end.  His only wish was that he could feel Katarina in his arms one last time before he died.  Dallas would carry on and protect the alpha mate; it’s the way of pack life.  He dies and his second takes over.

The wind became fierce and his fur felt as if it was being singed while a heat grew in his already aching abdomen.  He looked back to see that Dallas was completely unaffected by this new development.  Dante refused to scream as the wind broke every bone in his body, he endured and even made some forward progression, still attempting to locate his mate.  Dallas was not helpful, pacing behind him, whimpering and growling.

Unable to take the pain anymore Dante let out a mighty howl that split the night.  As the sound trailed off he noticed he was making a noisy blowing sound and his teeth kept clacking together.  He’d never heard such sounds come from his wolf and he was momentarily shocked.  With no time to analyze his odd behavior he continued forward, no longer feeling like he would break apart he noticed his pain had diminished but he felt heavier, weighed down.

Feeling an urgent pull to the back of the shelter Dante picked up the pace while Dallas remained behind him guarding his flank.  He passed many a dead bodies, most from his pack that had known association with Travis.  Such a waste of life was staggering and useless.  He’d waited a long time to finally catch and kill, who he thought was his biggest rival.  Only, now he had several targets on his list, starting with the new player, Tidus.

Sneaking up on Tidus would be the key to defeating him.  Needing the element of surprise Dante turned to Dallas to encourage him to stop breathing so hard when he realized it was actually him.  He was breathing heavily through his nose, swinging his head and snapping his teeth.  What the hell, his wolf was stealthy and quiet as a mouse.  Why now was he a heavy footed blundering idiot?

Voices alerted them they were getting close.  Dallas nudged Dante attempting to shove into a better position to see and hear.  The doorway wasn’t small or anything but they were having a hard time fitting.  They hovered close to the ground and listened.

* * * *

“Get up Travis.  Do you always sleep on the job?”

Katarina could hear Tidus’s impatience with his new partner.  Thinking she would be afraid when their confrontation finally happened she was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t feel anything.  No anger, no pain, no burning need to avenge her family.  She felt an almost drugged calm.  She remained sitting on the floor with the wall to her back and her legs crossed at the ankles, stretched out before her.

Her giggle alerted Tidus to her presence. 

“Ah, there you are my lovely bear.  I’m so glad you could join me.  We’ll be leaving soon.”  He reached out to touch her and she snapped at him causing him to pull his hand back.  Instead of fear his eye shown with lust, “The biting comes later, my pet.  Gather your things and I’ll allow you to kill Travis before we go.  I shouldn’t have all the fun.”

“Go to hell.”  Giggle giggle.

Tidus’s brows lowered and he cocked his head to the side.  “Are you feeling alright?  I need you strong, Katarina.  It is time to rule the pack with me; all others will fear us.  I know you’re a viscous competitor and protector, I’ve seen you in action.  It will be a benefit when we decide to have pups, don’t you think?”

Katarina was flat out laughing by the time Tidus was done with his speech. She took a moment to compose herself before responding.  “Tidus, I don’t want you, hence the running away.  I don’t like you and will never consent to being your mate, I didn’t want you before and I don’t want you now.  There is nothing else to threaten me with after you’ve already killed my family.  We’re done here, go home.”

The scent of his anger was clogging her throat and causing her eyes to water and burn.  She rested her head back against the wall, keeping her eyes on him the whole time, waiting for him to leave, knowing he’d kill her first.

Tidus stalked toward her and crouched down.  Leaning in he sniffed her neck, “You smell different.  Still luscious but something is…off.”

Katarina growled, the strange numbness suddenly gone, she prepared her body to shift.  The closer he came the more she felt; anger, annoyance, fear and exasperation.  The all-consuming rage caused her to shift smoothly and within seconds she was before him in animal form.

Tidus leapt back pushing Reed in front of him.  “What the fuck happened to you?”

Not being able to speak she growled again, a different sound altogether.  Her stomach had and odd ache in it but it didn’t hinder her movement when she lunged at Reed.  He dove to the side and she missed him by inches.  She felt lighter and sprang again hitting him in the chest causing him to fall back hitting a dead guy in the corner of the room.  She leaned over and placed her teeth to his neck snapping her jaw closed around his tender flesh, growling as she felt his hot blood trickle into her mouth. 
Ick.

Realizing she wasn’t acting normally she withdrew her fangs from her quarry and took a peak at her claws; they were smaller and looked different.  Holy shit, realizing she’d taken a different form she looked around the room for confirmation.

“Amazing.  You’ve been keeping secrets from me my lovely Katarina.  I had no idea you could take two forms, a wolf like me and your bear.  I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you.  Come to me,” his arms held out to welcome her.

Katarina felt no pull to obey his commands.  She would never be his puppet.  She padded over to him with her head held high, never allowing her gaze to stray from his.  Showing him her dominance was…exciting.  Being a bear she wasn’t normally concerned with dominance as they were all dominant as bears but when Tidus took over in Alaska he’d played games with all of the bears and if they asserted themselves they were punished. 

Tidus allowed his gaze to flicker over her shoulder and she spun quickly letting her daintier form fly into Reed who held a gun to her.  A shot went off but she felt nothing.  Pouncing toward him she revelled in his scent of fear.  It didn’t last, however, because she ripped out his throat a moment later.

Reed dropped lifeless to the ground.  As a bear she usually mauled her prey, not usually having to get up close and personal like that.  It upset her; she’d essentially murdered someone, again.  Twice tonight she was put in a position where she had to defend herself to the death.  She briefly wondered if Dante’s pack would prosecute her. 
Eh, fuck ‘em.

Clapping came from behind her.  She’d forgotten about Tidus, the most lethal one in the room.

“My god, Katarina, can you imagine the power we could wield.  Two beasts.  Come home with me and we’ll discuss arrangements for our immediate mating.”  He got a wistful look briefly, “I wonder if our pups will have two forms as well?”

* * * *

Dante was reeling, Katarina is a wolf; a beautiful, sexy, dangerous wolf.  Her fur was a shimmering silky elegant golden color and currently her hackles were up.  A voice from behind him caught Dante’s attention.

“Wow alpha, you’ve got your hands full.  She’ll make a great addition to the pack.  You must have switched, I didn’t know that was possible.”

Switched?

A naked Dallas was looking up at him with shining eyes.  “Go get your girl.”  His brows drew together, “On second thought, why don’t you let her enjoy her first hunt.  Let’s let him run, huh?”

* * * *

Katarina was becoming increasingly agitated.  She’d thought about seeing Tidus and exacting her revenge for a long time but in no way shape or form did she expect to be doing it as a wolf.  How the hell did she even turn into a wolf?  She knew she could finally beat him as her bear, she’d been training for this moment and now that it was here she felt cheated.  What was she supposed to do?

Tidus took the situation in hand when he reached down and grabbed her scruff to drag her out of the room.  “I will teach you everything you need to know to stay on top of the rest of the pack just as soon as I know you won’t use it against me.  I really am your best option.”

Without thinking she turned her head to the side and clamped her sharp teeth into the meaty outer thigh of her worst enemy.  She thought back to the last days she spent in Alaska and the fighting she was forced to watch.  She locked her jaw and began to shake her head viscously back and forth reveling in the taste of blood and feeling of ripping flesh. 

Tidus was screaming while hitting her in the back of the head and on her sides.  She didn’t release him.  This wouldn’t kill him but it would weaken him allowing her the upper hand which she desperately needed. 

Realizing that his blows had no effect Tidus reached down and using both his hands he began to pry her jaws apart to release himself.  “Now, little bitch.  You will regret that.  I was planning on going easy on you during the mating but now I’m going to be rough.  I’ll make you scream and whimper; it’ll be music to my ears.”

Her muzzle was forced from his flesh and he quickly clamped a hand over her so she couldn’t use her teeth anymore.  She whined once and shook her head to get him to release her but his hold was firm as he once again tried to drag her toward the door. 

“Come along, puppet.  I’ve booked a private jet.  Once the fight has left you I’m sure you’ll realize how wonderful this opportunity is and thank me for coming after you.”

Feeling her anger and fear rise she attempted to tamp it down.  She didn’t want him scenting her fear so she allowed the anger to take over.  It consumed her and she did what she was taught; never let them take you.  Katarina allowed her body to go limp and brought Tidus to a screeching halt.

Blowing out a harsh breath, “You really are proving to be difficult.  Get up.”  When she didn’t move he heaved her over his shoulder and swatted her rump.  “At least you’re lighter in wolf form.  Can you imagine me picking up your surly bear ass?”  He chuckled.

* * * *

Dante was standing by the exit after watching his mate defend herself.  He didn’t want to rush in there and distract her causing her harm so he waited, patiently.  Dallas kept shooting him looks and bowing his head and wincing as Katarina was continuously played with and beaten down.  Dante knew he was fighting staying back.  Their instincts were to protect mates and treasure them.  When Tidus picked her up and began walking toward the door Dante chuffed hoping Katarina would know it was him. 

He stood to the side of the door and waited for his mate while Dallas stood off to the other side.  Dante was pleasantly surprised and a little shocked when he heard his mates voice in his head,
He is mine to take down, hands off.

Keeping contact he responded,
why do you think we haven’t ended this a long time ago?  This is your vengeance and we’ll let you have first dibs.  But he dies today.

Duh, I’m working on it.