The Reluctant Alpha (12 page)

Rory stood up, pulling her up and heading into the walk-in shower together. Her words ringing in his ears as he pondered the thought of becoming a father. It was definitely something he’d avoided like the plague ‘til now, but for some weird reason he wasn’t running for the hills at the thought. Usually he was a “love ‘em ‘n leave ‘em” type of guy, having fun then moving on, but he knew Charlie was different.

He knew it and his Wolf knew it. She was special but he had no clue why or if she felt the same. All he knew was that from the moment he saw her his heart stuttered every time he looked at her. His beast prowling around inside his brain and fighting to get out.

As he soaped Charlie’s back she relaxed, “Rory,” she murmured, “did I see your fangs earlier? I thought I did.”

Rory squirmed, embarrassed for the lack of control over his beast. “Hmm, possibly.” He tried to distract her, his hands reaching around to gently rub the soap over her breasts.

“Stop it!” Charlie laughed. “You know you’ve got to get back and rest.”

Rory chuckled, “Yeah, I know, but it was worth a shot.”

“So,” Charlie said and turned into his arms, “you never answered. Fangs?”

He knew his face flushed, he could feel it as she stared into his eyes. “Yeah, no idea what happened but they came out all on their own. Musta been in the heat of passion, ya know?”

Charlie shook her head. “No, I don’t. It’s never happened before and I think you missed it but mine did too.”

“Really?” he stuttered, “What the hell?”

Charlie frowned. “I know, surprised the shit outta me too.”

Rory leaned down, placing his forehead against hers as the water fell over them as if they were standing under a waterfall. “Weird, it’s never happened with me either.”

“Too late to think on it now, my Highlander, you need to get back and sleep.” Charlie reached over and turned off the water. “I don’t want Cam angry at you, or me! He seems a little intense.”

Rory stepped out, grabbing a towel and handing it to her before getting one for himself. “He’s okay, just likes things done properly and his way. He’s a good leader, Charlie. A very good leader.”

“Yes, I think so too, well, from the little I’ve seen of him. Is he Alpha?”

Drying himself off, he shook his head. “No, he should’ve been but there’s history between him and his dad so he left the Pack a long time ago. He’s a fancy businessman now, property and finance and he’s rich as Satan with private jets ‘n fancy cars.”

“That’s a pity. He looks like he’d make a good strong Alpha.”

Rory went in search of his clothes, dressing quickly as Charlie pulled on a long t-shirt. “If he ever decided to live in a Pack he most definitely would be Alpha. He’s not good at taking orders from anyone, he much prefers giving them, but he thinks things through and does what’s best. Like here, he’s doing his damnedest to help and he won’t stop until he’s fixed things.”

Charlie came over, cupping the side of his face. “Good, ‘cause it’s been kinda scary round here lately.”

“Don’t be scared, Charlotte, we’ll make sure you’re all safe. Trust me, you don’t want Cam gunning for you ‘cause he’s one scary Wolf when he’s angry. Talking of which, I better get going. See you tomorrow?”

Rory cocked his head to the side as she nodded and he pulled her hard against his body, his lips taking hers in a hot kiss. He could hear her heart beating madly as he pulled away. “Tomorrow, my American Wolf.”

“Yes, tomorrow,” Charlie whispered as he left her standing in the middle of her room with a smile on her face.

~
Chapter 1
0
~

Cam was still up when Rory walked in, a goofy smile on his face. He sat on the sofa waiting to see if his friend would even notice he was there. Rory was almost to the stairs before he saw him, his face blushing as he gave a small smile.

Cam chuckled. “I see you had a good night.”

Rory walked over, sitting on the chair next to him. “I did, she’s wonderful, Cam. I’ve never met someone that I felt like this about. It’s kinda scary and shit, can I ask you something?”

“Not if it’s anything to do with sex.” Cam kept a straight face. “You’re a big boy and I’m not your father so any questions in that department are
not
getting answered.”

“Don’t be daft! Well, it’s not directly about sex. Cam, have your fangs ever come out on their own when you’ve been…you know.”

Cam sat up straighter, frowning at his friend and trying to word his answer so it didn’t scare Rory shitless. “Fangs coming out? Hmm, nope never happened to me but I’ve known a few that it’s happened to.”

Rory let out a long sigh, “Thank goodness! I was getting worried.”

“Rory, the people I’ve known it happen to, well, it happened at a particular time. Not just run of the mill but …” Cam stopped, seeing his friend’s eyes widen as if he was waiting on the executioners axe to fall. “Don’t look so scared. It’s not anything bad. Well, not for most Wolves anyway.”

Rory jumped up. “Cam, will ye just tell me!”

“It usually happens during bonding.” Cam waited, knowing an outburst was going to follow.

He was right, Rory’s hands flew up, his head shaking furiously. “No! Don’t be stupid. I’ve just freaking met her. Yes, she’s gorgeous, hot ‘n sexy but my mate? I don’t bloody think so!”

Cam sat quietly, waiting on Rory to calm down but his friend started pacing back and forth in front of the log fire. Cam watched as he saw a dozen different emotions flitting across Rory’s face. Shock, incomprehension and even fear were clear on Rory’s features. At last he stopped, turning to Cam with a face as white as a sheet.

“You think she’s mine?” he whispered.

Cam shrugged. “I have no idea, I’ve not seen you two together and truth be told, Rory, only you and your beast know the answer to that.”

“Fuck,” Rory swore, running a hand over his face as his breaths quickened.

“You should go to bed, looks like you’ve a lot on your mind, my friend, but try and get some rest.”

“What? Rest, you really think I’m going to get sleep now?” Rory grumbled as he walked up the stairs with Cam chuckling as he went.

Cam settled back on the sofa, his mind wandering, again, to the White Wolf and hoping she was safe and unhurt. The thought of her being injured or suffering in any way bringing an anger so great it scared him. Anger wasn’t a good emotion to function on. Cool and calm was the way to go but when he thought of Chastity all rationale appeared to fly out the window.

Lying down, Cam decided he would rest on the sofa instead of making his way upstairs. This way he would be nearer the door if anything happened overnight. The last thing he saw in his mind was the image of the White Wolf flying over the ground as it tried to outrun the Beta. He made a vow to himself he would keep her safe from her brother. No matter what that took.

Cam was certain his eyes had just closed when he heard feet coming down the stairs, more than one pair. He shot up, thinking the alarm had gone off but the smell of breakfast hanging in the air told him otherwise. Jinx, Mac and the rest of the guys, including Jacob filed past.

“I assume there were no alarms overnight?” he mumbled and Jacob shook his head.

“Good,” Cam said as he joined everyone at the table, moaning. “It’s still dark outside.”

“We take over at dawn, so duh, ‘course it’s still dark out.” Jinx grinned as he shoved crispy bacon into his mouth and washed it down with fresh orange juice.

“True, well I have to…” Cam didn’t get to finish as Fergie crashed through the front door shouting.

“Cam! Cam! He’s gone, Mom doesn’t know when or where but he’s gone!”

Cam strode over. “Who’s gone?”

Fergie’s face was white and Cam could feel the fear and apprehension rolling off him. His cousin took a deep breath, “Father, he’s gone. Mom couldn’t find him and neither can I or the guards. Cam, I’m worried he’s gone after Dupont.”

“Fuck!” Cam cursed as he started to pace back and forth. “I told him I’d deal with this. I told him not to go after him!”

Fergie agreed, “I know you did but he’s angry. So, so angry.”

“I know, and I understand his anger but going off on his own won’t solve this. Jacob, why didn’t the sensors pick him up?”

Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea but if he knew where they were he could easily get around them. The area around the camp is huge and we only put them on the side that Dupont’s Wolves have been known to use.”

Cam frowned and huffed, “We should’ve known Fearghas would do something.
I
should’ve known! Okay, we need to go and find him now. Before he gets himself into trouble. Grab something to eat quickly, boys, we’ve got to move.”

“We’re ready,” Mac said, motioning to the rest to get up.

“Where do we start?” Jinx asked as Cam started to strip off his clothes.

“Alpha’s house, we’ll start tracking from there.” Cam pulled his jeans off, turning to Fergie. “We’ll find him, go and stay with your mother, she’ll be needing you, Fergie.”

Fergie’s hands were clenched as he furiously hit the wheels of his chair. “I fucking
hate
this!”

Jinx stepped forward stating firmly, “Fergie, we know, but you need to stay calm and go look after your mum. Now, Fergie.”

Fergie looked up at the sharp tone, his eyes full of anger and anguish. “Yeah, I know, sorry.”

“No apologies necessary,” Cam said as he walked past and went outside, transforming as soon as he was free of the confines of the house.

His great black beast paced in front of the house impatiently waiting on everyone else as Fergie rolled away, back to the Alpha’s house. Cam watched his friends as they filed out, stark naked, changing as soon as they could then waiting for his lead.

Jacob joined them, his beast massive as Cam took off towards his uncle’s house, where they found Fergie, Angel, and his aunt waiting. Marie came down the stairs, wringing her hands and worry on her face. “Find him for me, please.”

Cam growled then lowered his head, letting his unique tracking power loose to lock onto Fearghas’ trail. He saw it as a gold mist floating just on top of the ground, heading around the back of the cabin. He took off, slowly at first, but once in the trees he had a clear view of the trail his uncle took and he increased his speed until they were speeding headlong through the forest.

The golden mist took them on a twisting trail, which was obviously done to avoid the sensors Jacob had positioned to warn them of Dupont’s incursions. Cam mentally shook his head at the stupidity of his uncle. Going after someone as dangerous as Dupont on his own was madness. He only hoped they got to him before Dupont.

As they ran on Cam’s beast became more and more frantic, rushing headlong through the trees with his men at his back.
“What’s wrong?”
he asked it as they ran faster and faster. His beast snarled, growled then let out a blood-curdling howl as they broke free of the trees at the spot of Fergie’s attack.

His black Wolf slid on its huge paws, coming to a stop beside the body of a large Wolf. Blood, skin, fur, and guts covered the ground and if it wasn’t for the golden mist trail and the distinct scent of his uncle, Cam wouldn’t have been able to tell who it was that lay decimated before them.

Cam’s beast threw its mammoth head back and roared at the sky, his howl full of pain and grief. He was only partly aware that the Wolves that followed him were doing the same. Their wails of grief filling the air as birds scattered from the trees that surrounded them, taking flight at the deafening sound.

He wasn’t sure how long they stood, united in anger and sorrow, as his heart pounded at the thought of telling his cousin and aunt that the Alpha was dead. Finally, Cam transformed, kneeling down to gently stroke the bloodied face of the once great beast. “I’ll make him suffer, don’t think I won’t. I promise you. I’ll destroy him!”

Cam breathed in deeply, scenting the other Wolves who’d been present. Snarling as each one imprinted inside him. “They didn’t even try and shield their scents this time,” he muttered as he stared at the carnage before him.

A few moments passed then Cam turned, “Jinx, go and get some branches, we’ll try and put something together so we can take him back. Rory, go back to camp and get a cover of some sort and meet us at the edge of the Camp. Do
not
talk to anyone, I’ll tell them myself. Try to get in and out without anyone seeing you. Go.”

Rory’s reddish brown Wolf turned, running across the ground and disappearing into the trees. Jinx and Jacob morphing to go in search of whatever they could find to fashion some kind of transportation for the remains as Mac and Logan’s Wolves took up guard posts, their beasts prowling in anger and despair.

Cam shivered, his heart heavy as he thought on the Highland Wolf Clan Pack that was now without an Alpha. Fergie couldn’t take over and their Beta wasn’t really their Beta. Shit! The Pack was ripe for the taking by someone like Philippe Dupont!
“I can’t let that fucker get his dirty hands on the Pack!”
Cam thought again and again as he paced naked before his uncle.

Jacob touched his shoulder, causing him to jump. “We’ve managed to put together a litter that will carry the remains. We can each take a turn in pulling it.”

Cam shook his head. “No, I’ll take him back. I should’ve made sure he was safe.”

Jacob patted Cam’s shoulder. “You couldn’t know he’d go off like he did. None of us could envisage that he’d do this and you did warn him not to go looking for this bastard.”

“I’ll still take him back. It’s my duty.” Cam dreaded seeing the heartbreak he knew would be in Marie and Fergie’s eyes, his stomach roiling just thinking about it. “Jacob, get those meets arranged as soon as you can. I
want
this fuck and I’m gonna take everything I can before I take his head!”

Jacob stared at Cam, their eyes locking. “I’ll set them up for later today. I’d already got Quincy’s for tomorrow but I’ll change it. We’re meeting at the Hungry Bear, in Deeming. I’ll let you know ‘bout Pascall as soon as I can.”

Cam only nodded as Jacob placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cam. I should’ve brought more sensors and set them all around.”

“It’s not your fault, Jacob.” Cam felt Jinx at his back.

“We’re all set,” his best friend said in a voice Cam had never heard before. Sadness invading every syllable as Cam noticed for the first time that the remains were now lying on the makeshift litter.

“Okay, let’s get him home.” Cam transformed before going over to the remains, maneuvering his large Wolf so that his jaws could pick up and hold the front bar and walking on. His paws and heart as heavy as they’d ever been in his life.

His Wolves fell in all around, guarding him and his uncle on the lonely trek home. Cam’s anger brewed the entire time, with every step his Wolf took his anger grew, and he knew there would come a day when he would face Dupont, Wolf to Wolf.

First they had to return the Alpha to his Pack and give him the burial required for the leader of a Pack. Cam’s heart ached at the thought of his failure to keep the Pack’s Alpha safe. He felt as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders as he strained to carry the remains back to the Camp.

Jinx’s Wolf stayed at his side, whining several times and Cam knew he wanted to take the load from him, even if for a short while. Cam refused, his beast refused, trudging on with sorrow eating away at his insides. Vowing time and again he’d make Dupont pay in the worst way he could.

His mind must’ve wandered because Jinx suddenly gave him a little shove and Cam saw Rory standing before them, dressed and with a large blanket in his hands. Cam let his jaws open, dropping the litter and moving to the side to morph.

Rory already covering the remains quickly and pointing to a pile of clothes. “I brought you all something to put on.”

Cam nodded as he found his own set, noting it was the clothing he’d peeled off and left lying on the floor of the cabin earlier. “Did anyone see you?”

Rory looked sheepish. “Yeah, Charlie did. I didn’t say anything but I think she knows something is wrong. She told me she could sense it from me but I shook my head and walked away.”

“Good,” Cam looked around, scrubbing his face with a hand and taking several deep breaths. “Give me five minutes to go ahead and tell Marie and Fergie, then bring the Alpha to his cabin.”

Jinx stepped forward. “I’ll come with you.”

“No,” Cam said placing a hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “I need to do this, Jinx. Alone.”

“Okay,” Jinx acquiesced, “if you’re sure.”

“I am.” Cam turned, his feet dragging as he made his way to the Alpha’s cabin.