Luca appeared stunned. His mouth hung open and he stared at the other wolves. “No,” he whispered. “No. No alpha would do such a thing.”
One of the wolves snarled a laugh. “Pup, you’re in Alaska now. We do things differently. Bitches are for raping and breeding, sometimes at the same time.” He waved at Frynna. “She’s his last ditch attempt at producing an heir. The fact is, he’s impotent,” he said with a barked laugh. “Bastard keeps falling out. He won’t admit to it and don’t say it to his face. He’ll kill you where you stand. But we need to assure the continuation of the alpha line. Once he leaves each of us—including you—are going to take the bitch over and over to ensure she gets bred. Nobody else needs to know the pup isn’t his.”
Bile rose in her throat. Raped continuously for hours on end. How could her father have sold her into this?
“I’m not raping anyone,” Luca said, his body trembling. He held up his bat, which was also shaking. “And neither are you.” He pulled a knife out of his pocket and moved over to her side. She froze and stared up at him. Was he going to kill her? Instead, he reached behind her and sliced through her bindings. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and then stood in front of her. “I’m not going to let you hurt her.”
The other wolves looked at one another and grinned. They took a step forward, each one of them stretching as though getting ready to shift. “Good,” the speaker of the group said. “The polar bears will need a feast. Though we’re going to tie you down and make you watch while we take her over and over since that seems to bother you.”
It took a few seconds before Frynna was able to pull her arms down by her sides. She clasped her fists together over and over as all of the positions Killian taught her rushed through her head.
We can do this, her wolf said with a snarl, her four legs braced as she glared ahead at their enemies.
Yes they could. Do or die, Killian had mentioned once. That she might not feel as though she could defend herself, but one day it might be do or die. When that happened, he said her she-wolf would come out with a vengeance and he wanted her to be prepared. What she faced was worse than death. She wouldn’t go down without taking a couple of them with her. A low growl resounded in her throat and she stepped up to Luca’s side.
“My mate,” she said coldly, letting her growl fill the space, “is coming. He’s lethal—a jaguar—and will rip you limb from limb and enjoy it. I, too, will enjoy watching him do it.”
“He’s a stupid cat,” one of them spat. “We’ll toss out some catnip and he’ll forget all about you.” They laughed and she took a deep breath to settle her mind and body. Her muscles relaxed and a sense of calm invaded her cells. It was time to kick some ass. They would probably overcome them—it was four against two after all—but they would remember that day for as long as they lived.
One glance told her Luca was ready to battle. She nodded slowly at him and surprise and then pride entered his eyes. He nodded back and turned to the four wolves facing them. “May the best wolves win,” he said with bared teeth as he lifted the bat.
The four wolves charged forward, two of them shifting mid-charge. Frynna struck out, slamming her foot into one of them and sending him smashing against the wall. A fist landed in her gut, blowing all her air out and making her nauseated. Stars sprang in front of her eyes and she heard Luca cry out. God, was it over before it could even begin?
A door slammed open and a roar she knew filled the air.
Killian! Her wolf shouted and screamed as a rough hand encircled her throat. It began to squeeze but before he could cut off her airway, he was gone. She blinked and pulled in huge lungfuls of air, trying to see through her cloudy vision. The spots in her vision didn’t clear but they did become more enhanced. She’d seen that pelt before. Blinking rapidly, Frynna glanced around. She was in the corner of the room with two feline shifters guarding her. One of the enemy wolves was dead on the ground. The others were against the far wall. Including Luca.
Standing in the middle of the room facing them was a gorgeous black jaguar. His roar shook the building, the fire cracking and popping rapidly in response.
Luca and the wolves looked terrified as well they should. But she didn’t want Luca to be killed. He’d been mistaken and thought he was doing right.
“Killian,” she called out. Killian’s ears twitched but he didn’t turn. “Don’t hurt Luca. He was trying to save me.”
Killian sat back, his tail swishing slowly from side to side as he leaned down and cleaned his paw. She’d seen cats do that. Trying to convince their prey they weren’t paying attention so they would run. That was when the cat would pounce. She knew that was what Killian was doing. While amused, she had to stop him from harming the one wolf who didn’t deserve to die. Killian wouldn’t let him get away with the fact he’d kidnapped her, but he didn’t deserve death. Perhaps a spanking.
“Luca’s the pup. He’s not even an adult,” she said and stepped between the two felines. The ocelot nudged her back and the leopard made little chirping noises. She had the feeling he was warning her back, but she ignored him and stepped toward her mate. “Killian,” she murmured and stroked his head. He pushed against her hand, but she could tell his attention was on the enemy. “Don’t kill Luca,” she murmured into his ear. “Yes, he was part of the group that nabbed me, but once he found out what was going on, he tried to save me.” A low growl rumbled in his chest and she wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug tight. But now was not the time. “I know,” she continued. “I know you’ll need to punish him. But he doesn’t deserve to die. He didn’t know.”
Killian chuffed but quickly licked her chin to let her know he’d heard.
“Ugh,” one of the enemy wolves said. “How can you stand that?”
She looked up and grinned. “Killian can do more with his tongue than a wolf can with his entire body.”
Both of the felines behind her chuffed a laugh as they strode forward and stood on each side of her again but the three enemy wolves bristled. Luca kept looking from her to Killian and back as though trying to make sense of what he saw. A long cut bled down the side of his face and the way he held his arm made her think it might have been broken in the fight.
Paws on the wood had her turn and she smiled when she recognized Zachary. He nodded toward her and gave two sharp barks. Killian tensed and nodded. He turned to her, his deep brown eyes gazing deep inside her. Then he nodded toward the door. She understood. He did not want her to see what he was about to do. “Not Luca,” she whispered. He rolled his eyes and turned back to the wolves that were about to die.
Knowing there was nothing else she could do as her mate was being a stubborn ass, she darted forward, grabbed Luca’s hand and yanked him away from the other wolves. Then she stood in front of him. The leopard and the ocelot had leapt forward and were on each side of her, baring their teeth at Luca. “Save yourself,” Luca said and tried to pull her behind him.
Men. Her wolf snorted in agreement. “I’m fine,” she snapped. “They won’t harm me. They’re part of the Okanogan Pack. And that’s my mate.” She waved toward Killian. “I’m trying to make sure he doesn’t kill you.”
Killian let out a growl and jerked his head toward the door. The leopard butted his head against Frynna’s side. “I think we’re supposed to go out,” she said and they walked toward the door. Both felines kept nudging them until they were outside the door. Then the leopard shifted to his human form.
“Around the side of the house,” he ordered. “Now, Frynna. Michael and Zachary will protect you. Gerard’s coming,” he said with a growl when she didn’t move.
Not wanting to see him, she held Luca’s hand tighter and dragged him around the building, Michael and Zachary trotting along behind them. Once they were out of sight, Zachary stood in front of Luca and watched him. Michael trotted up to Frynna and buried his face in her abdomen.
“I’m fine,” she said and fell to her knees to hug him. “I’m fine, Michael.” A scream shattered the air, followed quickly by something large hitting the wall inside the cabin. Frynna grimaced. “He’s ripping them apart, isn’t he?”
Zachary gave her a look that clearly stated “Duh.”
Two more screams, two more large bodies hitting a wall. And there was silence.
Frynna glanced over at Luca whose skin had taken on a greenish tinge. “You okay?”
He looked at her and slowly shook his head. “Aren’t you terrified?” he whispered.
Surprised, she stood up, her hand still buried in Michael’s fur and scratching him. “I was before. But now? No. My mate’s here with an entire posse of help.” She gave a relieved sigh. “I’m safe.”
“Lucky you,” Luca said with what looked like a fake smile. “I have the feeling twenty years is all I’ll ever have. If your mate doesn’t eat me, my alpha will kill me.” He dragged an arm across his forehead and gulped. “I really am sorry, Frynna. If I’d known….” He shook his head. “I still—”
“What’s going on here?” The loud demand had both Michael and Zachary’s hackles raised and their teeth bared.
“Alpha Gerard,” Luca said and his expression went from terrified to worried to resolute. “May I speak to my alpha?” At first she thought he was asking her until she realized he was looking at Zachary. Zachary cocked his head, seemed to consider, and then nodded. The two of them walked back around the cabin. When she tried to follow, Michael put his muzzle against her abdomen and pushed back.
“I want to see,” she said but Michael didn’t let up. Great.
“Are you Alpha Gerard?” asked a voice she didn’t recognize. Beyond curious, she pushed Michael’s muzzle to the side and stepped up to the corner and looked around. The scene was odd. All of the felines were in their human forms. Except Killian. He must still be inside the cabin. He was taking a long shower before he got near her. Hell, she wanted a long shower before she got near him too.
A man who looked too short to be a wolf—at five seven at most—was striding toward the cabin. At his flanks were two wolves, their tails bristled, their teeth bared. Yes. Gerard wouldn’t go anywhere without a detail. So different than Alpha Hunter who often went around without one. Then again, she didn’t know anyone in the Pack who wanted to kill him. Frynna could believe that all of the Alaska Pack wanted to take Gerard out.
“I am,” he said. The silver in his hair, instead of making him look distinguished, made him look infirm. Remembering that one of the enemy wolves said he was dying, she could see it. His cheeks were sunken in, his eyes filled with shadows. “Who are you?”
The wolf shifter stood to his full height of well over six feet tall and braced himself, his feet shoulder width apart. “My name is Ned Keberdeen. I’m here to challenge you for leadership of the Alaska Pack.”
Gerard’s face took on the most comical expression, as though he couldn’t believe his eyes or ears. “Perhaps you are unaware,” he said in a pompous voice. He waved behind him and his detail strode forward until they were between him and Ned. “The Alaska Pack is decided by blood. A challenge will not work. Everyone will follow my heir, not you.”
Ned smiled. “You have no heir. No heir. No mate. No lineage. Which means when you die, the Alaska Pack has no leader. I aim to end that. You, Gerard of the Alaska Pack, are officially challenged.”
The two wolves lunged and the felines shifted instantly, darting forward and knocking them over. In less than twenty seconds, Gerard’s detail was dead and the leopard and ocelot dragged them away.
Luca ran forward and Gerard’s eyes landed on him. A look of relief covered his face. “There, a member of the Alaska Pack,” Gerard said, taking a step backward and yanking Luca in front of him as a shield. “Tell him, Luca, how things are done here.”
Luca twisted out of his grasp and turned around. “You were going to rape her,” he shouted.
Gerard stumbled back, obviously not expecting an attack from within. But almost instantly, he bared his teeth and stepped forward. “I’m your alpha, pup. If you don’t want to die, you will stand down.”
Luca fisted his hands and shook his head. “You were going to rape and kill Frynna. You lied and had me kidnap her for you,” he shouted. “Do no harm was my alpha’s edict.”
“I’m your alpha,” Gerard snarled. “And often we need to harm to keep things settled. Attack and kill Ned.”
Stepping back as if struck, Luca shook his head. “You’re mad. Crazy.” He darted a few feet away and glanced at Ned. He stood up to his full height. “I am Luca, college student originally from the Rhode Island Pack, adopted into the Alaska Pack. I do not believe in the way Gerard runs things. As an Alaska Pack member, I’ll observe and witness the challenge.”
“You’re dead, pup,” Gerard said in a cold voice. “My enforcers will see to that.”
“Your enforcers,” Killian said with a growl as he came out the door, “are dead. If I hadn’t promised my alpha, I would rip you apart slowly over days, Gerard. You had my mate kidnapped and planned to gang rape her. As it is, I’ll also witness Ned’s challenge.” A feral grin crossed his face. “I look forward to watching you take your last breath, mutt.”
Gerard looked over his shoulder, as if he was considering making a run for it, only to see what Frynna saw. Four wolves stood behind him. He spluttered. “What is this? An ambush?”
“That was your plan,” Ned said. “Not mine. I offered a true challenge. What you were planning on doing to Frynna was criminal. And disgusting. That you’ve run the Alaska Pack for so long has nothing more to do than with the fact your pack has been decided by lineage. No longer, Gerard. When I kill you, and I will kill you, the Pack becomes mine. I stand with Alpha Hunter of the Okanogan Pack. All future changes will be through a rightful challenge. The Alaska Pack will grow and flourish.” He gave a cold smile. “And all wolves who rape and pillage like you do, will be put to death. Now shift, Alpha. It’s time to die.”
Gerard must have decided he had no other choice, because he stripped and shifted. He was a beefy wolf, more fat than muscle, and he had the look of one who hadn’t done hard work in a long time. But he also had no sense of chivalry or decorum. The second his claws met dirt, he charged Luca.
Killian yanked Luca out of the way at the same moment Ned leapt.
It was the most brutal thing Frynna had ever seen. And she’d seen some horrible things in the Nebraska Pack. Michael pushed against her abdomen and she let him push her out of sight. But the growls, snarls, and yipes filled her ears. Who was winning? Who was losing? Please let Ned beat Gerard. Surely if Alpha Hunter sent Ned to challenge then Ned was a good wolf. She hoped.
The world went silent. As the sun was down, all she heard were the crickets and the wind. Feet crunching on gravel made her tense. Until Killian rounded the corner. His eyes were understanding. “Gerard is dead.”
With a sob that shocked her in its severity, she launched herself into his arms, bursting into tears. He didn’t hush her or quiet her. Killian lifted her up, his hands on her ass, and carried her south until they reached a forest. Then he sat down and held her as she continued to cry.
“I knew you’d follow,” she told him hours later once they’d reached Okanogan Pack territory. “I knew you’d find me. But I was scared it wouldn’t be in time.” Frynna was beyond exhausted. They’d run most of the way home, Killian in his animal form with her lying astride him, surrounded by their guards—a mixture of Pride and Pack. Luca had been allowed to stay behind, a member of the Alaska Pack under Alpha Ned’s command. Though he’d received one hell of a spanking from Killian. She was sure Killian had never spanked her that hard. He’d limped after Ned when they headed out.
Killian pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “What I don’t understand,” he said, a soft teasing note in his voice, “is why you keep showing up with a chastity belt.” He tugged on the metal. “What is it about you that causes men to lock you up?”
She giggled softly. “I think that was Luca’s idea. Considering how the other wolves acted, it was a good thing he did.”
He grunted. “I had best not lay eyes on Luca for decades. It will take that long to lose the desire to rip his dick off and shove it up his ass.”
“Killian,” she said with a pout. “He didn’t know. His alpha told him I was under mind control.”
“Don’t care,” he said flippantly. “The only reason he can still walk is he did save you. He….” A low growl came from his throat. “He put it on you?”
Uh-oh. That was a dangerous tone. “I assume? It was on when I woke up.”
His nostrils flared. It was early morning and she just wanted to take a shower and sleep. But she had the feeling she was going to need to calm down her jaguar or he’d go up to Alaska and finish Luca off. “You know,” she said and took a step away from him. She wiggled her behind. “If you unlocked it, things could happen.” She grinned over her shoulder. It was amazing, but the whole time at the cabin, she hadn’t worried about her heat at all and had not been horny whatsoever. But now they were back home, she felt the need to have her mate inside her.
Yes, her wolf said in a cheerful voice. Several times perhaps. Surely he means to reclaim us?
From the firm expression on his face, she had the feeling he didn’t. “Please?” she pouted.
He rolled his eyes. “Not now. First I’ll get that off. Then we’ll shower. Then we’ll sleep. Only then will I fuck you until you can’t stand.”
Relieved, she beamed. “Then let’s get to the shower part.” She paused and winked. “If I’m lucky, maybe I can entice you to fuck me then.” She trotted toward their warehouse, his firm footsteps behind her. In front of their door was a huge box. “Killian?” she asked, stopping and not going near it.
“It’s probably your chocolate, love,” he said with a yawn. He looked at the label. “Yep. That should keep you in enough chocolate until the end of your heat.”
She beamed up at him. “Thank you. For everything.”
He gazed down at her, his nude body gorgeous under the street lamps. With a smile, he reached up and stroked her cheeks. “You’re welcome, little wolf. Let’s get that belt off. Then you have fifteen minutes to take your shower while I talk to Alpha Hunter. If you’re not scrubbed and in bed by the time I get in there, I’ll spank you before sleep.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “But… but….”
He grinned. “You’ll catch flies, little wolf.” He pressed her jaw shut. “Come on. Tomorrow is going to be a busy and passionate day.”
Frynna went inside, unsure if that was a good or a bad thing.