Chapter 88
Warren
The first thing I did when I woke with Yara the next morning was to open my mind to the pack. The feeling of love, contentment, and family is stronger than I’ve ever felt in my life even when my parents were alive.
Keeping my mind open to the pack, I slide my hand over my mate’s still–flat stomach, knowing that my pup is growing inside. Yara told me that it was still too soon to tell if our pup is boy or girl, but she’s going to keep checking until she knows. Since Savannah will be here soon, maybe I’ll get my answer then.
Today is another important day. First, Simon’s life ends. That is primary. But before that I need to check on his pack. I close the link to the pack and slowly begin to wake my mate. We were up late last night and I know she’s carrying my pup, but it’s time for us to get going. Harold, Henry, and Farrah are leaving to go see Quirin and Yasmin today, and I don’t want to make them wait too long before they head out.
So I slowly tease my mate until she’s awake, then slowly slide inside her from behind, holding her against my chest until she begins to arch and take me deeper.
I take my time, kissing her shoulder and her neck as I bring her up and over the first time. I have a moment to realize that this is my new life, a life where I get to wake up inside my mate every morning, before my mate shifts, sliding me out of her and turning, pushing me on my back and straddling me.
“Was I moving too slow for you?” I ask, chuckling. I watch my sexy mate slide herself onto my length and then begin to ride
- me.
“I just wanted to feel you in a different position now that I’m awake.”
“You will never hear me complain about being able to watch you make yourself come on my cock.”
She gives me a possessive, sultry look as she begins to move faster. I slide my hands over her body, teasing her nipples and loving the feel of her soft skin under my rough, calloused hands.
When she gets close, she throws her head back, riding me hard as her breasts bounce beautifully in front of my face.
I growl at her beauty, her submission, and at the knowledge that this woman is mine, before both of us find our release together.
When she starts to come down, she falls onto my chest, both of us panting. I wrap my arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
“Now that’s what I call waking up properly,” she murmurs from my chest.
I laugh, her body bouncing on mine as I do. “I’m happy to wake you up properly every day, my love.”
She lifts her head. “I said that out loud?”
I grin at her. “You sure did.”
“Well, good. Because I’ll get use to this very quickly and begin to expect it every day,” she says sassify.
“My Luna’s wish is my command,” I say, stroking her cheek. “Thank you for what you said about me last night,” I say, remembering. No one has ever made me feel better about the man and Alpha that I am.
“Which time,” she says, putting her hand on my chest and resting her chin on it so she can look at me.
“What you said to Simon,” I say.
1/4
Chapter 88
“Every bit of it was trile
“I liked hearing you say it.”
She sits up, my length still deep inside her. “You, my mate, are fierce and powerful,” she says, running her fingers over the scars on my chest and stomach. “But you are also gentle and kind, loving and caring,” she says as she begins moving on me. I can feel myself getting hard inside her again.
“You’re intelligent and witty, funny and passionate,” she says, running her hands over my body as she begins to ride me again. “But do you know what I love most about you?” she asks, Her eyes meeting mine.
I shake my head, unable to speak with the strong emotions that she is cliciting from me.
“You’re mine, Alpha. And this baby right here, is yours. Every baby that grows in my stomach will be yours. I love the way you love me. I love the way you adore me, and show me that I’m special to you. I love everything about you, Warren,” she
says.
I can’t take it any longer. I sit up, devouring her mouth in a passionate, scorching kiss. I flip our positions and spend much longer than I had planned showing her just how much I love and adore her as well.
By the time we come downstairs, I’m famished. I say hello to Harold, Henry, and Farrah, inviting the first two to join me for breakfast inrmy office. I’m behind schedule and I want to catch up.
I send a mind link to Charlie, Haynes, and Laney to join us in my office, before getting some breakfast, kissing my mate, and heading in to start my day.
When they arrive, I have everyone sit around the large conference table.
“Haynes and Laney, I have your first assignment as my Gammas. I intend to kill Simon today, in the next couple of hours. I need you to go to his pack, see who is left and offer them asylum.” I turn and look at Harold. “Do you agree?”
Harold looks thoughtful for a moment. I’m beginning to realize that this is the norm for him. He likes to think things through before making decisions.
“What if they have some warriors, perhaps some she–wolves with young pups or she–wolves who have lost their mate due to the wars? They may be angry and want revenge.”
“My thought was to offer them sanctuary conditionally. I’m sure they’re angry, if they survived. They might be angry with me for killing their pack members and their Alpha, but that anger would be misguided. Simon did this to his pack. He started this war, I ended it. But that is why I wanted you here. They may want to become part of a pack, just not mine if they lost a mate. I’d rather give them your pack as an option knowing what we’re planning with Brady’s pack. If they choose to go rogue, if they choose Brady’s pack, that’s their choice,” I say.
“Should we warn them that we intend to attack Alpha Brady’s pack, if that’s their decision?” Haynes asks.
“No, I don’t want him having any warning that we’re coming, and right now, there are only a select few of us who know that we’re planning to attack. I want to keep it that way,” I say, looking back at Harold.
He sighs, leaning back. As I watch Henry, intently watching his father, I once again feel the strong urge to have my heir. I can’t wait to raise my son to be the best possible Alpha he can be
Eventually, Harold nods. “It’s the unfortunate part of being in a war. Innocents die. However, as an Alpha, it is our responsibility to protect OUR pack members first. If we were to tell others of our plans and then they told Brady, we put our pack members in danger when it’s not needed. At the risk of sounding callus, if they don’t choose to join one of our two packs, they aren’t our allies anyway,” he says, looking at the others in the room. “I agree to taking in any that want sanctuary, but not in your pack. If they prove themselves worthy, I’ll accept them into my pack. If they don’t…”
“If they don’t, they leave or die,” I say.
1:34 Sat,
Chapter 88
I look around the roof“Are we all in agreement?”
“Do we know how many we’re talking about? Any idea how large Simon’s pack was?” Charlie asks.
“Yara and Trena might know. But Simon lost most of his warriors and all of his ranked members. The pack will lose their Alpha today once Simon is executed. So, that mostly leaves omegas, and as Alpha Harold says, sorne warriors with pups.”
“I’ll talk to Noelle and have her work with Luna Yara and Trena. We’ll need to make arrangements for this many pack members. We’re already pretty full having taken in Quinton’s pack members,” he says.
“Good thinking.”
“How do we get them back? Let’s say we’re talking thirty to fifty omegas and some warriors with pups. We can’t walk back, it’ll take days and Haynes and I can’t protect all of them if someone like Brady attacks us,” Laney says.
“We can send them in the vans,” Charlie says. “We have some from Quinton’s pack and we have ours. That should be enough. They can pick a few extra warriors to take with them, maybe even Trena who can speak to the truthfulness of what our Gammas are telling them.”
“That’s a great idea. Okay, we have our plan. Any questions?”
When no one does, Charlie heads off to meet with Noelle, and I help Haynes and Laney get their warriors ready to go, making sure that the vans are set to carry a large group of omegas and pups back to the pack.
Harold calls Franklin letting him know they may have more pack members coming while Henry follows me, asking me questions about what and how I’m setting up the vans. I explain that it’s because omegas are weaker, they’ll be frightened and will be weak without their Alpha, so I want the vans to have something soft to sit on and blankets in case they’re cold from fright or just the weather.
As I’m explaining, I feel warmth spread through my body, Yara’s love flooding into my system. I turn and see her leaning against a wall, watching my interactions with Henry.
“That’s the future father of my pups,” she murmurs. Damn I love that woman.
When the vans are ready, I send them off, then turn back to Yara. “Ready to send Simon off to wherever shitheads like him go?”
“I’m ready for his stench to be out of our pack, yes,” she says.
I turn, taking one more moment with Henry. “I want you to understand that what has happened to Simon is not normal for me. But he’s injured multiple pack members, he kidnapped my mate, he threatened to rape her, and he left bruises on her
who that were still there when I got to your pack. He does not deserve and has not received an honorable death like Alpha Quinton received. I just wanted you to understand when you see him today that this is sending a message to anyone comes after me and my pack, but mostly, anyone who touches my Luna. Come after what’s mine and
you
will suffer.”
“I understand.”
“Okay, let’s go find your Dad and Farrah, and I’ll call the pack together. I know your father is anxious to get on the road, and I hope that you and he can talk some sense into Alpha Quirin. He’s at risk being out on his own.”
“That’s what Dad said. I can’t imagine being on my own, even with my mother. It’s not enough, although most of the warring packs have been defeated. You never know who may come into your territory and try to take it over,” Henry says wisely
“A very good point. One that I hope you’ll make to Alpha Quirin when you see him.”
As Henry goes off to find his father, I take Yara’s hand.
“Do you know how sexy you are when you act like best father in the world?” she asks me.
Chapter 88
I smile at her. “You could show me just how sexy I am to you later,” I purr.
“Oh, I fully intend to.” She stops and turns to me. “I have no idea how I’ll ever be able to keep my hands off of you if you act like that with our pups.”
I pull her against me. “I guess then I’ll know if I’m doing something wrong. Because I want your hands on me all the time, my little Luna.”
“It’s good that we’re on the same page, Alpha,” she whispers.
I growl, wanting her now, but knowing I need to take care of business first.
“Let’s deal with this, and then you can show me just how sexy you think I am.”
She gives me a heated look and I know that Simon’s death will be fast. I want my mate. Simon is nothing. Yara is everything.
I call the pack together and ask Harold to stand with me in front of them. My warriors drag Simon out. He’s filthy, bloody, and burned. I can see that Bradley did just what he said he was going to do and now, Simon is unable to walk, his body hanging limply as the warriors drag him in front of me.
I glance at Henry and watch his eyes go wide before he settles. I notice that Farrah puts her arm around him, squeezing his shoulder. I’m glad to see that he allows it.
The warriors drop Simon at my feet. He’s barely able to hold himself up, using his arms to prop his upper body up.
He looks up at me, his eyes already dead.
“Simon Tolliver, you have attempted to murder two of my pack members. Your pack has attacked and injured multiple members of my pack. You kidnapped and beat my mate with the intent to claim her and rape her. For your crimes, I sentence you to death.”
He begins to sob as I lift my hand, Arric extending his claws. “Do you have any last words?”
“Kill me,” he begs.
With one swipe of my hand, I remove Simon’s head from his body, for once, giving him what he asked for.
SEND GIFT
Chapter 89
Haynes
As we drive to Simon’s park. I look over at my mate. She’s staring out the window and I can feel her nervousness through our bond.
“What’s on your mind, beautiful”
She turns and looks at me, smiling bashfully. She’s used to worrying on her own without anyone noticing or caring. She’s still struggling with me being in her mind, constantly focused on her thoughts and emotions. She loves it when we’re in berl together, but at times like this, she forgets, and I think it embarrasses her to get caught.
“Have you ever done anything like this before?” she asks me.
“Nope, I’ve never been a Gamma before. Just a warrior, like you
She turns, looking back out the window.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I say. I’m glad that it’s just us. I wouldn’t be so direct if there were others in the van with us. But since we had to bring so many vans, we doubled up and I made sure that my mate came with me.
“How do you know we won’t be attacked when we arrive?” she asks.
I shrug. “I don’t. We might, but I doubt there are very many warriors left and any that are left will be young, too inexperienced to have fought with Simon, or suffering from a broken mate bond. There could be other warriors left to patrol the pack, that’s possible, but I doubt it. Simon was focused on getting our Luna. He doesn’t strike me as the type of Alpha that cared about his pack.”
“So you’re not worried about possibly walking into a fight?” she asks.
I shrug. “How is that any different than what our lives have been like until now? Why, are you nervous about it?”
I watch as she thinks through my question. I feel the turmoil in her. She likes knowing what she’s walking into and the not knowing is making her nervous.
“What’s the worst thing that could happen?” I ask.
She turns and looks at me and now I understand the fear.
“I could lose you,” she says, barely above a whisper.
I take her hand and pull it to my mouth, kissing it while watching the road.
“I’m not Noelle, Laney. I’m a strong warrior and I know you’ve spent a large portion of your life trying to keep her safe, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. My life has improved dramatically since I met you. I’m not giving that up. I’m not letting some asshole take me out now, just when I’ve found you and I finally get a taste of the life that I’ve always wanted. No way that’s happening. I have too much to live for now, and not only that, but I have a kick–ass mate who I know will always have my back. So, even if someone gets past me, there’s no way they’re getting past her,” I say, smiling when I see her lips twitching.
“Yeah, she is pretty awesome,” she says, chuckling.
“She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met,” I say seriously. And that’s ;
I feel her settle as we talk. The fear is still there, but it’s not at risk of overwhelming her.
considering who our Luna is.”
mate likes to be in control, and
in the bedroom I’m happy to oblige, But in the real world, that’s not always possible. Ier focused on what’s going on today, not worried about me and making mistakes because she’s too busy trying to protect me rather than protecting
1/4
13:15 Sun, Dec 8
Chapter 89
herself.
When we pull up to the gates of Simon’s pack. ft’s quiet. I roll down the windows, listening. There’s no one here and I don’t hear any patrol either
Anyone bear anything?” I ask in the mind link.
No. Gamma. I get from each car.
Stay alert, I say as I pull into the pack lands. Laney rolls down her window and we listen. I know the othery behind us are doing the same
Luna Yara convinced Trena to come with us. She hadn’t wanted to, but when the said she would, Bradley insisted on coming along too. He’s not going to let anything happen to Trena, not going to let anyone say anything bad about her, but we need her to let the others know that we’re not here to kill them.
“This is creepy.” Laney says as we pull up to the packhouse. It’s still eerily quiet here.
“Stay alert,” I say to her as I get out, looking around. I can smell stale food and fear. Lots of fear.
“Do you know if Alpha Simon is dead yet?” Laney asks quietly, walking to stand beside me.
“I would guess that if he isn’t, that he will be soon. It took us just over an hour to get here and I’m pretty sure going to wait to kill him. Maybe that’s why it’s so quiet.”
Alpha wasn’t
I look at Trena as she walks up. I can see that her eyes are haunted being back here. I hate that she has to face this, busi necessary and she’s a tough woman. She wouldn’t be mated to Bradley if she wasn’t.
“What do you think?” I ask her.
I watch as her focus changes and the haunted look becomes more calculating. “I think the omegas are terrified, worried that we’re here to kill them, but someone has taken charge and told them to hide. That’s who you need to worry about,” she says. “Any ideas who that might be?” Bradley asks. He’s still not one hundred percent, but I know he’ll fight if it comes to it. “His Gamma, maybe. I’m not sure if he’s still alive or not. I doubt the Lead Warrior is alive. He’d have been with Simon.”
“Hello!” I call out. Nothing.
“They don’t do booby–traps here, right?” I ask Trena.
“Not to my knowledge,” she says.
I turn and look at the warriors behind me. “You five, in the back, the rest of you, with me.”
“Get behind me, Trena,” Bradley says, gently pushing her behind his back.
“You’re the injured one, Bradley,” she growls softly. He ignores her.
I look at Laney. “Ready?”
“Let’s do this,” she says. We walk up to the front door and I nod for Laney to kick it in. I’m not risking that someone is on the -other side waiting to attack.
She does then quickly moves aside as I stand in the doorway, ready for someone to leap out at me, but no one does. The pungent scent of fear increases now that the door is open.
“Hello?” I call again.
2/4
13:15
Sun, De
Chapter 89
L
“YOU KILLED HIM!” awoman screams, leaping at me from the shadows. Before I can grab her, Bradley’s big hand grabs her by the throat, holding her in the air.
“Calm down!” he growls.
“Lina, calm down. What are you ena asks her.
“Trena? We thought you were dead.”
“I’m not dead. Who’s in charge here?“.
Bradley sets her down but doesn’t release her throat. Lina scoffs. Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? No one’s left. It’s just us.”
We’re clear in the back, Gamma, one of my warriors says.
I nod at Laney to enter along with the men I have with me.
“Where’s Gamma Darius?” Trena asks.
“Dead. They’re all dead. We felt all of their tethers break, including Alpha Simon’s not long ago. So are you here to kill us then?” she snarls.
“No. We’re here to bring you back to our pack or offer for you the option of joining Alpha Harold’s pack. You have the option of going rogue; but I wouldn’t recommend that,” I tell her
‘Mostly terrified omegas and pups inside, Haynes,’ Laney’s voice says in my mind.
“Trena, can you go inside and talk to the omegas. Let them know that we’re willing to take them into our pack,” I say. She heads inside leaving Bradley and I to speak to this woman who must have taken charge of the pack.
“Are you going to let go of me now?” she growls at Bradley.
“Are you going to stop trying to attack my Gamma, now?” Bradley retorts.
“How many warriors are left?” I ask her.
“Only those of us who were unable to fight,” she says. “Most of them are near death because they lost their mates.”
“Our Luna can help them,” I say..
“Your Luna…” she scoffs again.
“Yes, my Luna. Maybe you’ve heard of her. Her name is Yara. She came from this pack. She’s the reason that your Alpha and all of your warriors are dead. He came after our Alpha’s mate. He didn’t care how many of his warriors got killed and, in the end, he died because he tried to take her,” I snarl, over her attitude. “So, you have a couple of choices, Lina. Get your shit together and decide which pack you want to be a part of or try and make it on your own. You have until we get these omegas packed into the vans to decide. You come after me or any of my warriors again, I’ll kill you. Are we clear?”
I watch something in her shift. This woman may be a warrior, but she’s no leader. She, like the others in this pack, needs a leader to feel safe. I realize that she’s not only suffering from the loss of her mate, but also from not having anyone to lead her and this pack. She took it over, but it’s not her strength.
-She lifts her neck in submission of my authority and Bradley releases her. “We’re clear,” she says, much more calmly.
It’s at this moment that I realize the importance of my role in the pack. Our pack accepted me because they knew me and knew my strengths. But there will be times, like now, when my position is important for other reasons and being able to show others that they are safe, protected, and cared for goes a long way to making the pack cohesive and calm. I’ve always respected Alpha Warren and Beta Charlie, but that respect just increased knowing that this is what they have had to do, even in our pack, since they took over.
?–
SUIT, DEL O
Chapter 89
3
78%
When I walk inside, I see the omegas are starting to stand. Their eyes go wide when they see me. Maybe me accepting my position, the role in the pack has changed my aura, or maybe they just recognize a ranked member from another pack. Either way, my presence is making them nervous.
“Trena, have you explained to them what we are offering?” I ask, looking around.
“Yes, Gamma. Everyone would like to return to our pack. They don’t know Alpha Harold, but I told them if they aren’t happy in our pack, we would find a way to help them see Alpha Harold’s pack.”
“Good thinking. Everyone needs to collect their things and get in the vans. Only take what you can carry or can’t live without,” I say and they all begin moving to their rooms to get their things.
I look at Bradley. “Let’s see what food we can take. They don’t look like they’ve been eating much.”
He takes Trena and together they go to collect whatever food is salvageable.
Laney takes my hand and pulls me into an empty hallway. “That was so fucking hot, the way you went all Gamma on that woman,” she growls, pressing herself against me. “When we get home, you’re mine, Gamma.”
I slide my fingers into her hair, gripping it and tugging her head back so she’s looking at me. “I’m always yours, say before taking her mouth in a hot, dirty kiss.
Gamma,” I
We get everyone loaded into the vans, making sure they have food and water. As we drive back to the pack, Nook at Laney and I know she feels it too. We may have had the pack ceremony to make us the pack’s Gammas, but this assignment, getting these people back to our pack, has made me feel more like a Gamma than the ceremony did.
my mate’s, I understand my role now, understand my position in the pack much better, and I reach out my hand to take know that she feels the change in us as well. We are our pack’s Gammas. We are leaders in the strongest pack in our territory
