Page 4 of A Wolf of War
“Aw, come on, Milo,” Titan piped up. “You’re really scaring him.”
“He should be fucking scared,” Milo snapped. “You don’t step onto my territory whenever you damn well please. There are consequences.”
It was all for the show, of course. He wouldn’t hurt him. Not while the fate of the entire city depended on Colin’s grace. A war between them would spell disaster for the human inhabitants of the city’s underbelly. The casualties would be a problem for them all.
“Are you going to behave if I untie you?” Milo asked flatly, receiving only an angry thrash in return. He couldn’t blame the guy. If it were him, he’d be just as eager to lash out once freed.
But that wasn’t something Milo wanted to deal with right now.
“I’ll leave you in here to think about things. Just chill for a while, alright?”
With that, the trunk slammed shut, and the three men turned back into the manor, waiting for the McGarvey pack to arrive.
***
The soundof an engine broke the silence. The manor was well-hidden, tucked deep into the suburbs, surrounded by trees and acreage. They owned apartments in the city, but wolves weren’t made for concrete and steel.This place would always be home.
Milo, with Arlo and Titan by his side, strode out of the entryway, chest out, chin high. He would bow to no wolf, regardless of circumstance. His boots crunched the gravel, but the tires of the black SUV did the same, louder, as it pulled into the driveway.
The four doors swung open, and out climbed the McGarvey pack. Milo didn’t recognize the others, but he knew Colin McGarvey, their alpha, and Jenner, the alpha’s personal bitch.
“What a beautiful evening, Mr. Schwarz. Don’t you think?” McGarvey said, pleasant but cold. Milo didn’t buy it. McGarvey would tear his throat out without hesitation if the opportunity arose.
“I believe we have something of yours.”
“I believe you do,” McGarvey responded, his voice now cool and dry.
“I apologize for the oversight.”
McGarvey twirled his mustache, his eyes narrowing as the silence collected once more. He was thankful that the smell of fear wasn’t permeating the air. Milo had been worried that Titan would cower in the presence of McGarvey.
It was good to know the kid had balls. Hopefully,that wouldn’t be an issue in the future.
“Well, mistakes do happen. I suppose we could overlook this, couldn’t we, gentlemen?”
The two men at McGarvey’s side grunted in agreement, Jenner flashing a sly smile.
Little weasel, Milo growled inwardly.
Out loud, he said, “Alright, well, we appreciate your understanding, McGarvey. If you follow Arlo, he’ll help you retrieve your man.”
It was odd that McGarvey was so controlled. It was in his nature, but even he should be more volatile about one of his pack members being taken in such a way.
“Thomas, Chuck,” McGarvey called, snapping his fingers.
Arlo motioned to the two men who followed, leading them toward Titan’s car.
McGarvey spoke again.
“So, enjoying being home? You’ve had quite the adventure.”
Milo grunted, narrowing his eyes. It was a sore point for him, his extended absence from the pack.
“It’s been great.”
Milo wouldn’t entertain small talk with a rivalalpha. McGarvey had a way of extracting information without you even realizing it, stealing pieces of knowledge from seemingly inconsequential snippets.
“Such a lovely time of year. So many scents in the air. It’s… tantalizing.”
