The Reluctant Alpha (7 page)

Each of the large beasts before him lowered their heads, letting him know they understood. Jinx’s brown beast growled, the rumble coming from deep within his chest. “I know, I’m not happy ‘bout this either but I’m going to try and cast a spell to counteract theirs. It may or may not work so we can’t depend on it. Okay?”

There were a few more growls, yips and pacing from the Wolves in front of him as Cam thought hard on the spell he wished to cast. His reticence high in doing so in full view of Wolves from his Pack. Although they knew he could do simple clothes spells, only Jinx knew he was capable of more. Cam made it short ‘n sweet and as soon as he was done he went Wolf again, his beast desperate to find those who had violated this land.

As soon as they set off, Cam could feel the change around them. His spell was working and he could now sense that they were shielded from others. Good. Looked like they would need all the help they could get on this foray into the forest.

It looked as if things were far worse than they had first expected. He knew that Fearghas was going to go ballistic when he found out. It also meant that the Alpha would be even more against magic and Witches than before and Cam saw his chances of getting Fergie to a healing Witch completely disappear.

The growl that erupted from his throat told of the anger that was now encompassing him as he trotted on. As more and more evidence of interlopers was found, his pace increased. It was obvious now that the Pack had been invaded multiple times, and by several Wolves, so trying to find evidence of that was no longer an objective.

Cam’s beast took off, its large paws eating up the ground as he picked up speed. His mission now to find out if the same evidence was to be found at the site of Fergie’s so called accident. If so, then this put a whole new angle to what was going on and his uncle would definitely not like some of the solutions Cam was already formulating in the back of his mind.

He registered the pleasure his beast was having running free and Cam vowed to try and stop denying who and what he was. It wasn’t fair to his beast to keep it caged like an animal in a zoo. His Wolf was incredibly happy, barreling along through the forest with glee.

Cam took in the beauty of the land, rivalling even his homeland in the Highlands, and he could understand why rivals would want to get their hands on it. He was determined that they would never get the Highland Clan Pack land, no matter what it took.

On and on they ran, swiftly eating up the distance to the point where his cousin had been injured. The miles fell away as they moved through the deep forest, Cam noting that they were now heading upwards on a pretty steep incline. None of them slowed down though, still running at top speed until they broke free of the trees to enter an area that had been cleared, trees felled to leave a large open area.

Cam slowed, walking around and taking in all the different scents. Most were from the Clan Pack but others reeked of magic. The purple mist showed clearly to Cam’s eyes and it told him exactly what happened to Fergie, causing a growl to rumble in his chest.

His cousin and uncle had been right; it was no accident. With the spell cast to hide any scent from the other Wolves, Fergie didn’t have a chance. They’d attacked from behind and threw him off the cliff. Cam moved to the very edge, Jinx’s Wolf yipping a warning as he looked over; it was a long way down and covered in rocks and jagged outcrops. No wonder Fergie had been hurt so severely, it was a miracle he’d survived at all.

Moving away from the edge Cam changed, pacing back and forth to compose himself before he spoke to his friends. After a few moments he turned to face them, “It was no accident. Fergie was attacked and thrown off the side of the cliff. I want to carry on and see where these fuckers came from but if any of you are too tired stay here and wait for my return. I’ll give you five minutes to rest and there’s a small stream over there for you to get a drink. After that I’m going hunting!”

Cam morphed quickly, trotting over to the stream and lapping the clear water. Jinx and Logan joined him as Rory and Mac kept guard. Once Cam was finished Rory’s reddish brown Wolf took his place at the stream and when Jinx had finished, Mac’s grey Wolf went to slake his thirst.

Cam’s larger, ebony, Wolf kept watch, his senses on overdrive as he ensured there were no threats in the vicinity. However, the magic that he could see was old and it looked as if the ones responsible for his cousin’s attack hadn’t been back. Cam was determined to find out who and where they came from and make them pay.

As his impatience grew he yipped towards Mac, hurrying the grey Wolf to finish so they could get going. As soon as Mac’s beast lifted its head from the stream Cam took off. Following the purple trail of the attackers.

The farther they ran he realized they must be over the border and into Canada and that meant they were near the Wild Ranch Pack and most definitely were on their land. As the trail was leading him Cam didn’t give a fuck whose land he was on and if anyone got in his way he knew he would attack immediately.

More scents, normal scents, of other Wolves were now all around them and he heard both Rory and Jinx’s Wolves growl as they knew they were in enemy territory. Cam’s strides slowed, his body lowering as he moved with more caution. He felt the others fanning out behind him as his senses saw the trail leading right up to and in a camp before them.

It was all the evidence he needed.

Turning around, his beast moved with ease back the way they’d come. His mind in turmoil as it worked to formulate a plan of action. Obviously the Alpha, this Philippe Dupont, was behind everything and Cam was going to destroy him—utterly and completely.

Moving away from the Wild Ranch camp their Wolves ran faster, not bothering to hide their path through the forest. Cam using both is Wolf and Witch abilities to check ahead for danger. His hearing picked up movement, his Wolf stopping quickly and dropping down amongst the leaves littering the ground. He heard his Wolves doing the same behind him and Cam slithered forward on his belly, listening intently.

Cam could hear what he thought was two Wolves running ahead of them. He caught a glimpse of a pure white She-Wolf as it darted through the trees, a very large brown Wolf chasing it. If it wasn’t for the fear and loathing he could feel rolling from the white Wolf he would’ve thought it was a couple out for a run together.

However, the white Wolf’s terror was cloying in the air and her scent invaded Cam completely. His Wolf almost howling as Cam tried to rein it in. He took a second to think before morphing quickly, “Carry on, get back to Clan land and wait for me.”

Jinx’s Wolf moved forward, shaking its great head. Cam snarled down at it, “Do as I say. Now!”

Cam morphed back and was pleased to see his Wolves carrying on their way. Jinx was in the rear and his head kept turning to look back at him. Cam ignored him and turning to his left took off after the White Wolf.

Although they’d been running for hours, his Wolf picked up speed until he was fairly flying through the forest and gaining on the two Wolves in front. The large male Wolf was so intent on catching the White one that it didn’t even hear him gaining on them.
“Idiot!”
Cam thought as they broke free of the trees into a small round clearing.

The She-Wolf was almost at the other side when the male launched itself at her, his large front paw raking across her hindquarters to knock her to the ground. Cam’s beast bellowed as he leaped high into the air, sailing forwards to land on the back of the brown male.

Cam’s claws dug deep, bringing the Wolf down as they rolled on the ground, teeth bared and blood flying all around. The brown male was strong but not nearly as powerful as Cam. The male was all brawn and no finesse, Cam’s beast easily gaining the upper hand.

It was while fighting when he was young that Cam knew he was different to other Wolves; mostly by being able to sense their moves beforehand. His mother told him at a young age to keep that to himself, and he had. He wasn’t a fool and used his ability whenever the need arose.

Cam needed it now as the massive strength of the brown Wolf was pitted against him. His ability keeping his adversary from landing any death blows. In fact, the brown Wolf hardly landed any blows at all as Cam’s beast twisted and turned, bit and clawed his way around the other Wolf.

The brown Wolf growled then roared in frustration. Cam knew he had him just where he wanted until the male turned as if ready to run to safety. He couldn’t allow him to get away or the entire Wild Ranch Pack would be on his tail in no time.

Cam’s Wolf moved with lightning speed, his razor sharp claws digging deep into the hind leg and bringing the other crashing to the ground. Not wasting a second, his Wolf landed atop the other, pinning it beneath him as his powerful jaws opened. His great maw lowered, his deadly fangs ripping the throat clean out of the male below him.

Cam’s beast spat out the skin, bones, muscles, and fur that were between its teeth before letting out a roar of victory. Stepping away from the limp body he looked at the grisly sight as it lay dead amongst the wildflowers. His head turning to look for the female he’d just killed for.

The white female stood to the side, watching fearfully as Cam transformed. Using his magic to dress himself in a pair of jeans before snapping his fingers and producing a blanket. Walking forwards he held the blanket out to the female. “Change, so we can talk.”

He’d kept his voice soft and low so as not to spook her but he saw in her eyes the thought of just turning and running. “Don’t. Don’t even think about it. I said change and I mean now.”

This time he used a more powerful tone and saw the difference in the female immediately. Her Wolf taking heed of the Alpha tone and she started to morph. It took her far longer than it did for Cam, but after a few moments she stood naked before him, her arm snaking out to grab the blanket.

“How did you do that?” was the first thing out of her mouth.

Cam stared wide eyed at the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on…and that took in a hell of a lot of women. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, her skin porcelain white with the most gorgeous eyes he’d ever looked into. His heart sped up as his beast howled in his head.

It took him a moment to reply, so intense was his reaction to her. “Do what?”

Her eyes were wary, her voice barely a whisper. A whisper that ran across his senses as she spoke again, “You transformed with jeans on and then a blanket just appeared in your hand. How did you do that?”

Cam smiled, taking a step closer and noticed she didn’t retreat. “I’m part Witch, on my mother’s side. Who are you and why was that Wolf hunting you?”

Her eyes darted to the fallen Wolf and fear started to roll off her again, her body shaking as she started to whimper. “Oh shit! No, no, no! This can’t be happening. He’ll know I was involved and god knows what he’ll do to me!”

Cam couldn’t help himself, he stepped forward and held her in his arms. “Shh, it’s okay, you didn’t do anything. It was me, so whoever it is you’re talking about will come after me, not you.”

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him. “He’ll know. My scent is on him so he’ll know I was here.”

Cam could feel her entire body shaking, her dread almost choking him. “First, tell me who you are and why he was after you.”

“My name’s Chastity, and he’s … was … Silas, the Beta of my Pack,” she stopped, taking in a deep breath. “He’s been after me for a couple of years but I’ve always managed to avoid him, but today he found me when I was out running. He wanted to…he wanted to...”

Her breathing hitched as she fought for control, Cam tightening his hold on her. “Oh, I think I know what he wanted to do.”

“Well, my brother said he’s Beta so he can do what he wants.” Her body shook again, in revulsion this time. “My own brother!”

Cam’s tone was sharp as he spat out, “A Beta can’t just go around taking whoever he wants. Not in any Pack I know anyway, and brothers should fight to the death to protect their sister. Just who is your brother ‘cause I think he needs a good talking to about how to protect a family.”

A small laugh erupted from her throat but Cam couldn’t see what the hell was funny about any of this. Her next words chilled his blood. “My brother is the Alpha of the Pack, his name’s Philippe but trust me he doesn’t care about me or anyone else and when he finds Silas dead he’s going to punish me. You just don’t understand what goes on in that Pack. Women are second class citizens, available to be used by Philippe and his guards. It doesn’t matter if they agree or not, they are taken by force when necessary. Sometimes, it’s just for fun, a game to those bastards, to see how much a woman can take. They are the worst kind of animals.”

Cam noticed for the first time Chastity’s accent, French Canadian if he wasn’t mistaken and her words were like music to his ears.
“Strange,”
he thought as he loosened his grip, stepping back and staring down at her.

Cam felt his anger growing as she spoke, wanting to get his hands on these so called men. “What? That’s outrageous, no Pack should be like that and no woman should be treated like that.”

“Oui, but that’s the way it’s been for a long time now and Philippe
will
hunt me down if I don’t return but if he finds out I had anything to do with this,” she pointed to the remains on the ground, “then I’m as good as dead.”