Page 79 of Wulf's Pack
I pause and then send out a plea for help. “Citizens of Detroit. Humans, underworlders, anyone who may have seen or heard about these wolves in the last twenty-four hours, please reach out to me. My contact info is on our pack’s website. Any tip, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
My wolf rises to the surface, and I know my eyes are glowing with his presence when both reporters take a small step back. His growl is in my voice when I say, “I’m coming for you, Victor.”
There’s no mistaking the threat and the promise of death in my vow. No hiding the danger I represent, the power I hold.
With nothing else to say, I turn from the reporters, ignoring their frantic questions, and head for my SUV that’s still parked at the curb with the engine running. Bree gets behind the wheel,and I climb in shotgun, while the rest of them pile in the back. Micah is carrying an unconscious Audrey.
It’s a quiet ride back to the warehouse. I’m bombarded with the pack’s feelings. They’re scared and angry and hurting. Their grief is potent. I allow myself to soak it in. They are mine. Their pain is mine. I use it to fuel my rage and my determination. I use it to make me stronger instead of letting it break me.
The Kellers are waiting for us when we get back. The human contractors have been sent home, but Sean is still there, unsurprisingly having stayed with Matthew after I left. With them are two unfamiliar males. Matthew makes quick introductions. “Alpha, this is Sophia’s father, Jack Warner, and Preston’s best friend, Luke Rafferty.”
Jack is a weaker alpha, but still more dominant than any of the Kellers, but Luke is a surprisingly strong alpha. Both men dip their heads respectfully and shake my hand. “I hope you don’t mind us visiting,” Jack says. “When Sophia called, we figured it couldn’t hurt to have a couple extra wolves on hand.”
I’m not too prideful to recognize the truth in that statement. “I understand the need to protect your family, and I’m grateful for your willingness to help.”
“You have the support of the Island Lake Pack as well,” Jack says. “Alpha Fuller saw the news and called me immediately. He understands this is a pack matter, but told me to tell you that he is behind you 100 percent and will help out however he can.”
I’m not that surprised. Last October, Evan Fuller was beta of the Island Lake Pack. His alpha was a nightmare. Alpha Day and many of his top wolves had been abusing their pack. When he planned a takeover of another pack, Nora got involved, and our clan stepped in to help. In large part thanks to us, the Island Lake alpha and all of his corrupt wolves were killed. Evan took over as alpha, and their pack has thrived since.
I nod. “That’s great news. I’ll give him a call. We’re walking a fine line right now. We need to prove ourselves if we don’t want every pack in the country coming to challenge us for Skylar, but I’m willing to take any advice, added security, or perhaps refuge for our non-fighters while we resolve this.”
“We want to help,” Sophia blurts, stepping forward.
I raise my brows in surprise, and she squares her shoulders. Elise, Matt, and Preston step up beside her wearing matching, determined looks. “Skylar is our Luna,” Sophia says stubbornly. “You are our alpha. Carl was our pack. We may not be alphas, but we still want to help. Please don’t hide us away.”
I worry for them, but I can also feel their resolve. It borders on desperation. They want to help the pack, not be a burden or left behind. I can’t blame them, nor can I deny them. They are a part of this pack. They have a right to defend it and seek justice. “Okay. If that’s what you guys want, we’ll figure out the best way to put you to use.”
Matt clears his throat. “Elise, Sophia, and I are all pretty handy with guns.”
I can’t hide my surprise or my curiosity. It’s unusual for underworlders to use guns. They’ve always been more of a human weapon because most underworlders are strong enough to survive being shot. Demons tend to be the only race who consistently uses them.
Matt shrugs a little self-consciously. “When we left our pack and moved into the city, we were packless and defenseless. You saw our neighborhood. It’s not like we could just defend ourselves against the humans in our wolf forms, and we were on the edge of demon territory. We thought it would be best to learn to protect ourselves the only way we could. We’ve all been practicing for the last two years and are proficient with good aim. I know guns won’t do much against wolves, but maybe if we…”
His voice trails off, and he shifts uncomfortably while he stares at the ground. Bree realizes what he’s not saying as quickly as I do and beats me to the punch. “If you use silver bullets.”
Matt bites his lip and nods. Slowly, he forces himself to meet my eyes. “I know using silver on other shifters is reprehensible, but?—”
“Victor and his wolves are evil bastards,” I say. “They don’t deserve a fair fight, and they won’t give you one. There is nothing dishonorable about doing what it takes to defend yourselves.” The whole Keller family looks surprised by my response, but I shrug. “I have no problem with you using silver bullets on our enemies. I only worry about what it will do to you all emotionally, considering what happened to Sophia and Preston.”
Sophia and Preston share a glance and squeeze each other’s hands. “It won’t bother us,” Sophia promises.
Preston nods as well. “I’ll feel better knowing Sophia has the means to protect herself.”
They aren’t lying, and I feel no anxiety through the pack bond, so I accept them at their word and ask Preston another question. “You were stuck in wolf form.”
He nods, but doesn’t look the least bit deterred. “You’re right. I have no idea how to use a gun, but I’m a decent fighter. I’m not an alpha, but our pack used to be a dangerous place for weaker wolves. It was full of bullies.” He nods toward his best friend. “Luke was one of our lead enforcers. He’s been training me for years how to protect myself and my family against stronger more dominant wolves.”
That makes me crack a grin. “You fight dirty.”
Preston’s answering smile is shameless. “Not my fault if overconfident alphas don’t bother to learn to fight smart.”
My grin turns to a full-fledged smile. I love my pack.
“Okay, then.” I rub my hands together. “While we’re waiting for some leads from the FUA, Sophia, if you could please take care of Audrey?”
“Of course, Alpha.”
I turn to Micah, who is still holding our youngest pack member. “Take her to my room. Help Sophia get her cleaned up and let her sleep in my bed.”
