Page 50 of Broken Chains

Cruz was a Larken wolf. He and I had grown up together and he took every opportunity possible to remind me I was a disgusting little half-breed whose own mother couldn’t stand him. Since my high school graduation, I’d gone out of my way to avoid him as much as possible.

He ran with a group of simple-minded, almost like he had his own little pack within our Pack. I had been surprised when he didn’t challenge Luke for Alpha after Jedidiah died. Not that I entirely blamed him, after Luke had ripped Tamir to shreds to take that coveted position.

Tamir had been our former Alpha’s pick for succession, but he hadn’t stood a chance. I liked Luke Larken. He wasn’t like the others. He was a fair and honest man, and he truly cared about the Pack and all of us wolves in a way Jedidiah never had.

At one time we had all been Collier wolves. Back then Peyton’s father had been Alpha, but had a big falling out with Jedidiah, banishing him from the Pack. There was nothing worse than a wolf shifter with no pack. Jed didn’t go down easily and convinced many others that he was right, and Zachary Collier was wrong. He convinced them to follow him and started Larken Pack just across the tracks, as close to Collier as possible without actually being on their land.

The problem was, we had no land. The trailer park the Pack was able to purchase provided shelter, but no room for us to run or even a safe place to let our wolves loose. It meant we either risked being caught on Collier land to run, or we lost ourselves to drugs, alcohol, sex, fast bikes—anything that gave enough rush to curb the beast’s desires.

I asked my dad once why he chose Larken Pack. He said it was because my mother was human and he loved her, but that Collier would not accept her, or us. Even then I’d found it difficult to believe my father was even capable of that sort of love, but now that I knew the Colliers, I couldn’t believe they would have turned their backs on us.

Thomas and Zach knew exactly where I came from. They were well aware of the lifestyle we lived there, and they knew my brothers and I were half-breeds, but they never once treated us differently.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside my pride and got out of the van. My legs felt like they were weighted with lead. To me this was the ultimate walk of shame, but I knew my family was worth it.

The lady at the front desk was polite, even though my wolf did not appreciate the way she was checking me out. She insisted on personally escorting me to Cruz’s office. She knocked and introduced me before ushering me inside.

“I do believe hell just froze over. Oliver Smith is walking into my office. What can I do for you?” Cruz asked, but without the malice he usually spoke with. “It’s been a hell of a day. Close the door and take a seat.”

“You know I wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t my absolute last option,” I said, once settled into the chair across the desk from him.

He blew out a deep breath, sending his bangs flapping in the wind. Then he opened his desk drawer and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. Pouring two fingers in each, he passed one to me.

“Looks like you could use this as much as I can,” he said sympathetically.

I took the glass from him, and after an awkward toast, we both downed the contents as he moved to pour another round.

“I assumed you’re desperate for a job if you’ve come to talk to me. And dammit, Ollie, I wish to hell I could give it to you. You have no idea. The boys don’t even know this yet, so do me a favor and keep this between us for now,” Cruz said, downing his second glass. “Got word from corporate this morning. They’re shutting down the whole goddamn plant. I’m not supposed to say a word to anyone about it until the corporate announcement hits next week. Screw that! These boys deserve to know what’s going on.”

“Shit! Cruz, you’ve recruited nearly the whole damn pack to work here,” I said, in shock.

“I know, Ollie. You don’t need to remind me. It’s not like there’re that many places to get a good paying solid job around here. The packaging plant isn’t hiring, and that’s all that’s left. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

He looked broken, but I felt that, too. Hopeless. I throw down the glass of whiskey in one shot, letting the heat of it sink in. When he went to pour a third round, I held up my hand to decline. As a habit I never touched alcohol, terrified I’d turn out just like my father, but this was definitely an exception to that rule.

“Does Luke know?” I asked.

Cruz shook his head. “I literally found out this morning, been sitting here in shock all day, 'til you walked in.”

“I feel you. I guess in a way we both got canned today for no good reason. For once I didn’t even do anything wrong. Then again, I guess that was the problem. If I had, I’d still have a job. Ain’t that some bullshit.”

“Heard you were all settled down and domesticated with some Collier girl,” Cruz said.

“Yeah, Peyton Collier. She’s great,” I told him.

“Whoa, an actual Collier?” he asked. “How the hell did you land that?”

I laughed. “Trust me, no one was more shocked than me.”

Peyton

Chapter 17

We were just finishing up dinner when Oliver came stumbling in. He wasn’t drunk, but he was well on his way there.

Kenneth shot me a worried look. Brady looked pissed. I knew this was out of character for Oliver.

“Tim, take Eve,” I said. “Kenneth, Brady, clear the table and get the dishes done. Don’t forget the pots on the stove this time.”

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