Page 19 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

The dirt road that leads away from our new place isn’t exactly the best for a ride, but it’s what we’ve got for now. I steer carefully; the bike bumping over loose stones and ruts, but I know Grace trusts me. A few moments later, the rough gravel gives way to smooth blacktop, and we glide onto the highway, the steady hum of the engine filling the space between us.

We fall into a peaceful rhythm; the wind whipping past as the road stretches out ahead. I can feel Grace settle into me, her breathing matching the steady purr of the bike. In the back of my mind, I’m already running through the routes, mapping out the quickest way to the elder’s usual haunts. There’s a tension coiling low in my gut. We need to spy on him—figure out if he’s alone or not.

The first problem: if we find him alone, it’s going to be damn hard to resist the urge to take him out right then and there, bond or not. The second problem: if he’s with his crew, we’ll have to get out without raising any red flags. But those are worries for later. Right now, it’s just me, Grace, and the open road, sharing the one thing that always clears my head—riding.

Halfway to our destination, I spot them—my road brothers. They recognize me instantly, their engines growling as they fall in line behind us.Good. If this goes sideways, at least we’ve got backup. I glance in the side mirror and catch a glimpse of Grace’s eyes darting toward the new arrivals. Her curiosity is palpable. She’s never ridden with the MC before, and I can tell she’s sizing them up already.

When we finally pull off at a dive bar, just a few miles shy of where the elder supposedly hangs out, I notice Grace’s head swiveling, taking in the sight of the bikes and the brothers pulling in around us. Her grip on me loosens, but she’s not anxious—just alert. Always watching.

“These guys,” I murmur low, only loud enough for her to hear, “they’re part of the MC. I trust them with my life.”

Grace’s lips curl into that deceptively sweet smile, the one that promises chaos if anyone steps out of line. “Oh, so don’t rip their throats out, then?” she teases, her voice laced with dark amusement.

I chuckle, shaking my head as I kill the engine. “I’d prefer if you left them intact, yeah. They’re good guys.” Still grinning, I lift her off the back of the bike, my hands steadying her as she pulls off her helmet. But even as I help her, my mind’s already slipping back to the mission. The elder’s close, and I can feel the tension in the air thickening. This might be the last calm moment we get tonight.

A few hours later…

We knock back a few dozen wings, talking shit and laughing with the boys. The bar’s loud with chatter and clinking glasses, but the real action starts when Diggs, the VP, can’t resist running his mouth. He’s always had a big one, but tonight? He picked the wrong time to open it. Grace is right there, and before I can even blink, she’s already morphing into demon mode.

One second she’s sitting beside me, all calm, and the next she’slaunchingherself across the table, fists flying. Her hand grips the bandana Diggs has around his neck, and her knuckles smash into his face—threesolid hits.

The room goes quiet, like everyone’s holding their breath, watching Grace rain down punches on the VP. I get to her just in time, wrapping my arm around her waist and hauling her back. She’s a growling, snarling mess, still reaching for Diggs like she’s ready to tear him apart. My only option? I bite the back of her neck. That always works. Her body goes limp, melting into mine, and the fire in her eyes simmers down.

Gage raises his drink, a smug grin on his face. “Damn, bro. Your ole lady’s just as volatile as you.”

I chuckle, pressing a kiss to Grace’s cheek as I sit her on my lap, keeping her close. “I warned you not to talk shit about me in front of her. Her temper makes mine look tame sometimes.” I run my hand through her hair, feeling her settle against me.

Across the table, Diggs is trying to straighten his nose, the sound of cartilage snapping back into place making a few of the guys wince. He glares at Grace, but he’s smart enough to keep his voice steady when he speaks. “Didn’t sense an ounce of dominance from you, Mrs. Feral.” He bows his head, but Grace isn’t having any of it.

She lifts her chin, eyes locking on his. “No one fucks with my mate.” Her voice is a low, dangerous growl, and she presses her nose under my jaw, showing submission to me in front of the crew.

The tension fades as the boys return to their drinks, but the mood is still thick. “We should get rollin’,” I say, patting Grace’s thigh. “We’ve got a few more spots to hit before heading home.”

Prez and VP both nod, already clued in to my plans. They’re always ready to back me up. Prez finishes his drink, standing.“If you don’t mind, Feral, we’re headin’ the same way. We’ll tag along.”

I nod, appreciating the extra security. “Sounds good. Twelve bikes are safer than one, especially with all those cages on the road right now.”

I kiss Grace’s cheek again, feeling the last bit of tension leave her as she stands up. She pulls on her jacket, grabs her helmet and gloves, waiting for me like she’s been doing this for years. I can’t help but feel a bit of pride. She’s adapting to this life easier than I ever thought she would.

As we step outside, the rumble of engines fills the air. The sun’s setting, casting long shadows over the parking lot, and I can feel the adrenaline kick in. It’s time to ride.

I gun the throttle, feeling the engine roar beneath me as Grace settles behind me. Her arms wrap tight around my waist, a familiar comfort, but there’s a tension in the air that sends a shiver down my spine. We take off; the wind whipping around us, but the most disturbing part is how close to my MC’s territory the elder lurks.

In the back of my mind, a dark thought forms.Could any of my crew be allied with him?The possibility gnaws at me, unsettling. If they are... they’ll meet the same fate as him. Buried in an unmarked grave, no mercy, no hesitation.

Grace’s fingers drum lightly against my leathers, breaking my grim thoughts for a second. I laugh under my breath. Pairing her helmet with her phone, genius on my part. But then I feel it—a shift in the air, the silent warning. I place my hand over hers, stilling her. She stiffens, understanding immediately. We’re close now. Her bond thread, usually a soft hum in the backof my mind, goes dead silent. She’s focused, every sense sharp as we close in.

‘He’s here,’she whispers through the bond, her voice almost a growl.

I nod, giving the hand signal. We pass the shack as if it’s just another ride. But my pulse quickens, the weight of the moment pressing in. About a quarter mile down the road, I pull over, parking the bike out of sight. No sooner do I dismount than Grace is already stripping out of her leathers. She’s moving fast—too fast for me to even offer help. She’s a blur of motion, shifting before I can get my clothes off. Her white wolf is already stalking toward the woods, and there’s no stopping her now.

I strip quickly, feeling the familiar burn of the shift tearing through me, my bones reshaping until my paws hit the ground. But she’s already gone. Her fury is palpable, a living, breathing thing. If she gets her teeth into him, it’s over.

Without hesitation, I race after her, plunging into the darkness of the woods. The scent of the elder is thick in the air, like rot and decay. Come hell or high water, that bastard’s time is up. He’s going to get exactly what’s coming to him.

Chapter 14

Grace

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