Page 1 of Holiday Surprise

Luke

Chapter 1

“Thomas, this isn’t up for negotiation,” I argued for the millionth time.

“I’m not trying to take away your power, Luke. I’m just saying, a battle for ultimate Alpha is the only fair way to do it,” Thomas Collier argued.

For weeks we had been arguing about this. I can’t say it hasn’t been on my mind since the first mention of merging our packs came up in discussion months ago, but I also didn’t want to fight him.

“Ultimate Alpha is a battle to the death, Thomas. Killing you isn’t going to help merge our packs back together. You know this.”

“It doesn’t have to be a battle to the death,” I mouthed the words along with him. We had had the same conversation that many times.

“I really appreciate all you’ve been doing for the Larken wolves. I feel as though we’re finally able to live again. There’s stability at the trailer park. Having monthly pack runs at Oliver and Peyton’s has started finally bringing us all together. And with the work you have given my guys, they can afford more than just the basics to survive. We’re going to be okay,” I tried to assure him, sounding more confident than I felt.

Life on the other side of the tracks was better, much better even, but it still wasn’t good. Not that I’d ever admit that to him though.

“So, you’re saying you do not want to merge the packs now?” he asked me.

Thomas was a straight shooter. He didn’t even try to sugarcoat things. I liked that about him. I respected him even. My wolf would willingly submit to his, but my pride wouldn’t allow me to admit that. The Collier Alpha was fair and wanted to merge the two packs, to be just that. Ultimate Alpha would prove to both packs that the winner was worthy and strong enough to lead them all, but Collier was a lot bigger responsibility than anything I’d ever taken on and to accept such a role, I would want Thomas by my side to help me transition. That wouldn’t be possible.

The hardest part to admit, even to myself, was that I didn’t want the job. I didn’t want to be in charge of so many, to have their lives impacted by my decisions. As Alpha of Larken Pack. I had dozens of people to take care of. As Alpha of Collier I’d have hundreds. I knew how hard managing a small pack was. I couldn’t fathom the additional burden of so many.

“I know it’s best for my wolves to merge the packs,” I finally conceded, just as I always did when we had these talks. “I just don’t know how to proceed on making that happen that won’t end with one of us being dead.”

Thomas sighed. “I know. We’re going to find a way through this. In the meantime, the offer of monthly stipends for your wolves still stands.”

“No, the wages you pay them is enough. Any more and we would be too indebted to you.”

“Yeah, I knew that’s what you’d say.”

I smiled at him. “Guess we’ve discussed this a time or two?”

“And we will continue to do so until I change your mind. Now how about the children? Have you made a decision on my offer yet?”

“Yes. Actually, I’d like to accept with the children starting right after the holiday break. We’re having a few issues with some of our kids, particularly the two middle schoolers. I think being in an all-shifter school just might help them, but I’ll warn you, they will test your staff to the max at first.”

“That sounds good. And don’t worry, Luke. They are aware there will likely be a tough transition period. You guys have made quite a reputation for yourselves, though I can honestly say we’ve had no issues with the men working out here at the ranch. Not even one skirmish so far.”

“They are still settling in and everyone’s still walking on pins and needles. Give them time to fully settle in and I’m sure that won’t be the case.”

Thomas laughed. “Honestly, from talking to Oliver and Cruz extensively before the merger, I really didn’t expect anything from your guys. However, I wasn’t as confident in my own.”

“I hear that. My men are grateful for honest work, even if it is for a Collier.”

We both laughed knowing it was true. We said goodbye and I got in my truck and headed over to my side of the tracks reflecting on exactly how I’d gotten myself into this position to begin with.

Larken Pack didn’t exist when I was born. I was a young child when Jedidiah had caused a split in the pack. He had rebuked Thomas’s father who was Alpha at the time, and left, taking a few families with them. Mine had been one.

My parents had thought they were right. Jedidiah was charismatic and talked a good game. He was also a distant relative to my father. Years later they realized they had been wrong to follow him. He had taken his savings and bought a trailer park just across the railroad tracks from Collier land. In some sick way I think he just wanted to shove it in Zach Collier’s face that he had his wolves and they were living in squalor right under their old alpha’s nose.

Mom and dad weren’t bad people, but by the time I’d hit my teen years, they were broken beyond repair. It was them, me, and six siblings living in one tiny three-bedroom trailer. I will never forget the night it all happened. I had been out to a party with some of the local humans, even lost my virginity that night. It was pouring down rain, but I was drunk and high on life when I came home to find the place reeking of gas.

I covered my face and ran in inside. They had all looked so peaceful sitting around the family room seemingly asleep. The gas stove in the kitchen was turned on, all four burners, and the oven. Nothing was lit, letting the gas seep in and slowly kill them all.

I remembered standing there in the kitchen, with the rain dripping down on me from the worn, leaky roof, and wondering if I should stay and join them or go get help.

I couldn’t call the human authorities for help, because I was drunk and feared I would get in trouble. I didn’t know what to do, but eventually my flight mechanism kicked in and I ran through the mud to Jedidiah’s trailer a few houses down. I banged on the door until he finally answered.

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