Fury drove Joe. He could barely focus on the road ahead of him. Regret filled him too. He should have never dragged West into his mess.
Hadn’t West wanted to be left alone? But Joe didn’t want to change anything in the last twenty-four hours, except the part about not leaving to buy breakfast that morning.
He knew little about Zack himself, but he expected Zack to possess more honor.
Why kidnap West? Did Zack think so little of Joe, that he needed to take an innocent bystander captive?
Keeping one hand on the wheel, Joe picked up his phone and dialed Cam’s number. He needed allies. If Zack wanted to play dirty, Joe had no choice but to beg for Cam’s help.
A man with little honor wouldn’t hesitate to gut Joe once he stepped foot back into his hometown.
Cameron picked up on the third ring.
“You have some nerve, calling me right after you ran away from your fight with tail between your paws.”
Cameron’s words made him wince.
Perfectly understandable, given what Joe did.
“Cam, I need your help.”
Silence on the other end. “Why would I help you, Joe? You had our support. Alan would have wanted you to be Alpha.”
“Zack’s got my mate.” Joe didn’t mince words, not when West’s life was at stake.
He didn’t think Zack would hurt West, but there was no telling what Zack would do at this point. Joe didn’t like being in the dark, didn’t like playing twenty-one questions about what that bastard was doing to his West.
West was strong, possessed more personality and backbone than any Omega Joe met. His mate would not break easily, but for how long?
Joe knew how his pack interrogated and tortured enemies for information. He’d done his fair share of black deeds in the name of his pack.
It was for survival’s sake, his father would always argue.
The strong ate the weak in their world. If they didn’t defend their territory, other animal groups would take advantage.
Their territory. Joe snorted.
He was no longer part of the Faith Spring pack.
Hell, he found unexpected happiness in the next town. But Joe knew what Cameron would ask in return for his help.
“Promise me one thing, Joe. If my men and I help you—” Cameron began in a stern voice.
“I’ll be your Alpha,” Joe finished.
“Good. Tell me everything.”
Joe did. It wasn’t a long story. He gave Cameron a brief sketch and realized how he sounded—a coward who ran from his responsibilities, someone who put his mate first before anything else.
“Let me contact the others. See what they know,” Cameron eventually said.
“Thanks,” he said, meaning it.
He owed the veteran wolf his life. Joe would do anything to retrieve West. It didn’t matter if West never forgave or spoke to him again. All that mattered was extracting West and making sure his Omega was safe.
Before West, Joe never worried about another life. His own life didn’t amount to much. Joe lived based on the expectations of others, under someone else’s orders.
Sometimes, it hurt to breathe, living like that.
West changed all that. The Omega gave him a new reason for living.
They didn’t spend a lot of time together. Joe wished he could have done more. Got to know West a little better maybe.
That morning when he left West to get breakfast, Joe already starting plotting out a future with West in his mind.
Fuck it.
He screwed up big-time, but he’d make up for it.
West leaving him would literally rip his heart and soul to shreds. Still, he could live with himself, knowing West was still alive. West would eventually find someone else, someone who didn’t come with so much baggage and—fuck.
Envy rammed into him. Joe wouldn’t be able to bear seeing his Omega with someone else.
Those lips, that sexy body and the heart the beat underneath were all his.
West was his, for better or for worse.
And West had only seen the worst of him. Joe had so much more to give.
The wolf in him was on high alert. His car passed by the Faith Spring welcome town sign with no incident. Joe almost expected Zack’s people to be there.
What the hell was Zack planning?
Joe must have travelled these roads a thousand times, passed the town proper and landmarks more than he could count. He felt like a stranger in an unknown place.
There was the old but still-running cinema house his mother used to take him to. The world made some sense back then. Faith Spring never felt like home since she died.
In fact, things only took a turn for a worse. Growing up, Joe felt like he needed to always need to prove himself—to Alan, to the rest of the pack.
Be strong, show you're a leader. If you can’t, pretend. Think of this as a game where losing means the end. Alan liked drilling those words. Joe got so good that the others eventually believed in his lies.
No, this place wasn't home.
West was his home now.
He was about to ring up Cam again when Cam’s name flashed across the screen. Joe answered immediately.
“Tell me you have good news. Is West safe?” Joe had to ask. He thought he heard a disapproving sound on the other end.
He almost expected Cam to lecture him, remind him where his true duty lay. That Joe wasn’t doing this for the right reasons, that he should come back home to take what was rightfully his—the pack.
He didn’t car. All Joe wanted was West.
“Your Omega is safe as far as I can tell. I told Zack you want a re-match.”
A re-match?
Fuck. Joe didn’t think he was ready for that. His wounds had healed enough, the physical ones anyway. Mentally, he wasn’t certain he could take Zack on and give the fight his all.
“Can’t we settle things by ourselves?” Joe asked.
“This is the only way, son. Believe me. The pack follows strength. If you become Alpha, they’ll have no choice but to release West.”
Joe could understand Cam’s logic. He had to confess. Tell Cam the truth.
“Cam, I lost to Zack before. Remember? I don’t think can take him.”
“Fuck it, Joe. Strap on a pair of balls. Don’t you have more to lose now?”
The heat in Cam’s voice startled him. The veteran wolf was right. Joe had to challenge Zack and win. Cam’s confidence bolstered his own. He pictured West’s frightened face in his head.
Most likely, the Omega would bite off more than he could chew. West might be scared, but his Omega wouldn’t give his kidnappers an inch. The thought made him smile.
Joe might possess the power, but his inner demons chained him down. West was really the strong one.
“I’ll do it. Where?” Joe asked.
“Same old place. Time you showed Alan you’re the right man for this job,” Cam said. “My guys and I will meet you there. I’ll tell them to get ready. Joe, we got your back.”
“I don’t know how I can thank you, Cam.”
“Win,” Cam said simply.
“If I fail, promise me you’ll take care of my mate,” Joe said.
“I’ll take good care of West.” Cam ended the call.
Win, Cam said.
Joe let out a bark of laughter. As if it were that easy. He frowned, replaying the conversation in his head. Never once did he tell Cam West’s name. Joe only referred to West as his mate.
Withdrawing names seemed prudent.
Whatever. Joe needed to think about his strategy. He thought of his first disastrous fight with Zack, remembering all of Zack’s moves in his head.
Joe had to be honest with himself.
He entered that fight, pretended to give his all. In reality, he knew deep down he didn’t want to be Alpha.
Joe couldn’t afford to make the same mistake. Cam was right. He had every reason to win. If he lost, it would be all be over. West would slip through his fingers. Joe could never let that happen.
* * *
Cam must have gotten the word out. Cars crowded the street of the church. Some of the vehicles, Joe recognized.
The street itself had been emptied out. The townsfolk living nearby probably recognized members of the local wolf pack and decided to stay behind locked doors.
Joe didn’t get out of the car immediately. Realizing he gripped the wheel too hard, he stopped touching it. He stared at the dashboard. He took deep breaths and counted to ten in his head.
Finally, he opened the car door and cracked his knuckles. The church doors were closed, but he saw the priest, Father Michaels sitting on the steps.
Seeing him, the old priest patted the space beside him. Joe cautiously approached the human.
“Hello, Joe. Busy activity from the pack?” the priest asked.
“Father, you shouldn’t be here.”
The priest gave him a look. “This is my church, young man. The cemetery also belongs to the church.”
“I apologize for the trouble, but it will be all over soon,” Joe said.
“Your heart seems heavy, my son.”
Joe snorted. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Someone has to. I’ll pray for your victory.”
Joe raised an eyebrow. Usually, the pack kept their affairs to themselves.
“How—” he began.
“I hear things,” Father Michaels said simply. The priest rose to his feet and patted his shoulder. “I”ll be inside if you need me. Tell your pack to keep the noise down. Families are sleeping at this time of the night.”
Odd, Joe thought.
By now, he expected Zack to announce the fact to the townsfolk that he was no longer a member of the Faith Spring pack.
Avoiding the church altogether, he walked to the cemetery at the back. Stomach coiling, he saw the same grim faces.
Zack and his new enforcers stood to one side. Cam and the others kept to their end.
“You have guts, challenging me so soon. I thought you’d still be licking your wounds, pup,” Zack observed.
The new Alpha hadn’t changed one bit. Joe supposed not a lot of time had passed. To him though, it was different. He treasured the brief moments he had with West.
“Where’s my mate?” Joe said between gritted teeth.
Confusion appeared on Zack’s face. “What do you mean? Didn’t you call me out here for a challenge?”
“You took West. I got the message and now I’m here. He’s innocent in all of this,” Joe said, temper fizzling. “Stop playing games with me.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Joe. What the hell are you planning?” Zack demanded with narrowed eyes.
Cam appeared by his shoulder. Joe was relieved by the vet’s presence. He wasn’t alone here. Joe couldn’t see West anywhere, although he knew the Omega was nearby.
“Finish this, Joe,” Cam said against his ear.
“Cameron, what lies have you been telling Alan’s boy?” Zack asked, pupils golden. “What is he talking about?”
There was something between Cam and Zack, but it wasn’t Joe’s problem. He only came here to retrieve his mate.
“Fine. If this is how you want to play this, I’ll bite.” Joe didn’t bother keeping the venom out of his voice.
Cam took a step back. “Joe challenges Zack for the position of Alpha. Clear the space.”
“Promise me something,” Joe told Zack, not breaking eye-contact.
“I don’t owe you a thing, pup,” Zack answered, tone clipped. “I gave you a chance before. This time, I’m finishing my kill.”
“Fine, but if lose, free West. He’s not even from this pack. He’s done nothing to you.”
Zack frowned. “Who the fuck is West?”
Joe hesitated. Zack’s puzzlement seemed genuine. He couldn’t think clearly, not with his pack mates roaring and cheering.
The entire pack was hyped up, as if pumped on drugs. They made room for Zack and he.
Zack stripped down. So did Joe. Once out of his clothes, his wolf took over. Joe shifted, the change smooth and fast. His wolf wanted West back in their arms too.
This time, they’d put their mating mark on West so nothing like this would ever happen again. If West had his mark, Joe would be able to tell where West was all the time.
Wait. Wasn’t Joe ready to accept the consequences?
If West survived tonight and didn’t want to see him again...
No. Joe refused to think about that.
Zack and he circled each other. This felt surreal, as if Joe were reliving the nightmare a few days ago. Back then, he’d been a fucked-up mess of emotions. Alan just died, leaving him with nothing but a legacy Joe didn’t want.
If he had to be Alpha, so be it.
This time, Joe played it safe. Zack got tired of waiting and made the first move, lunging at him. Joe expected that.
Dodging the big wolf had not gotten easier. Zack still moved with the same speed. He snarled softly as Zack’s claws raked at his side.
They tangled—a mess of fangs and canines. Joe fought with a savagery he didn’t expect to possess. Most of his fights were analytical.
He kept a clear head, but this time, he let instinct take over.
The world narrowed its scope to one of survival. They left their marks on each other, drawing blood and sweat. This man took his mate, refused to let Joe see West. Zack was a dirty bastard who would resort to anything to get what he wanted.
That fueled his rage.
Someone had to teach Zack a lesson. Joe might not give two shits about being Alpha, but the pack needed someone more deserving to lead them. Not him certainly, but Joe could clear the way for the future Alpha.
He could amend his mistakes. Claim his mate. His father would be satisfied by that.
Snarling, he went for Zack’s throat. The other wolf seemed surprised by his savagery. Instead of cowering, Zack’s yellow eyes seemed to be excited, telling Joe that Zack was the kind of man who craved a good fight.
A man like Zack wouldn’t normally resort to kidnapping.
The stray thought made him hesitate. The mistake cost him.
Zack tackled him to the dirt, claws sinking into his underbelly. Zack opened his jaws, ready to sink them into Joe’s throat. Again, Zack hesitated for a fraction of a second—which told Joe everything.
This man wasn’t his enemy.
Fuck, Zack would never make the mistake a second time.
It was then Joe saw the dark shadow running for Zack’s back—a large wolf with dark mahogany pelt and bright blue eyes full of intent and malice.
Cam.
All the missing piece of the puzzle fell into place.
Cam knew West’s name. When Joe called, Cam reacted too calmly, as if he expected Joe’s call.
Cameron was so insistent on making him Alpha. There had to be a reason for it. Was it because Joe was young and influential?
More importantly, Joe trusted Cameron with his life. Never for a second would he believe Cameron would betray him. Once Joe was Alpha, he would have continued listening to Cameron’s advice, never expecting loyal Cam to stab him in the back.
Maybe Zack took the position because he suspected Cam didn’t harbor good intentions. Zack didn’t kill him even though Joe clearly posed a threat. Heck, Zack practically told him to try for the position again.
Zack was old-school, like his father. He would have wanted Joe to earn the place of Alpha.
Using all his strength, Joe shoved Zack off, growling when Zack dislodged his claws. Surprise flittered across Zack’s face. Cameron didn’t expect the move, but kept on barreling towards them. It was Cam’s sharp claws that sunk into his fur.
Zack must have realized Cam had betrayed him, because Zack rammed into Cam. The rest of the pack fell silent. Joe sensed their confusion. Some of Cam’s men spilled forward.
From the corner of his eye, he saw West.
His heart skidded to a stop. Dave, one of Cam’s wolves, had a partially shifted claw pressed against West’s throat. His Omega looked bruised up, and was gagged and bound.
Fury kindled inside him. Joe tasted rage he’d never known.
They were all dead. Cam, Dave and whoever was in on this.
Would vengeance satisfy him?
Reason spoke to Joe. One wrong move, one slash from Dave’s claw and West was dead.
Their gazes crossed. Dave flashed him an ugly smile and yelled, “don’t interfere if you want your Omega to live, Joe.”