Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

S ince Fell had walked over to talk with Zorion, Patrin tilted his head back to study the two-story house. The construction crew was very competent. The roof was on, windows were in. He nodded at Ramón. "Over the last month, I've enjoyed watching this go up. You don't usually work on Saturdays though."

"We want the place weather-proofed before the storm tomorrow." With obvious pleasure, the male watched his crew working. "We're finishing up now, and I'm sending everyone home."

"Ah, Fell and I have good timing. Any chance I could talk to your wolves before they leave?"

"Sure." Ramón grinned. "I heard what you've been doing and wondered when you'd get to us. Let me round them up."

As he jogged into the house, Zorion and Fell wandered over.

Zorion tipped his head respectfully. "Alpha."

"Zorion."

Before they could talk, wolves in the crew started gathering around Patrin.

Okay then. He spoke just loud enough for the group to hear. "As you know, Fell and I are still putting paws to the trail after being away from the Daonain so long. We're also learning how to be good pack leaders for you."

"At least you're gonna try. That's more effort than we've seen in a long time," Killian said to general agreement, warming Patrin's heart.

"We want to meet everyone, informally, for a couple of reasons. First is…" Patrin sighed. Over the past couple of days, they'd talked to most of the pack—and his speech hadn't gotten easier. "During the last hunt, I used the pack bonds to get the wolves with me to halt until the deer reached the best spot to attack."

All the crew had been in his group.

"Yeah," Jalen snickered. "My mate stopped so fast, I tripped over her. She bit me."

The female beside Jalen punched him in the arm. "You deserved it, bumble-paws."

Everyone grinned.

A knot in Patrin's gut relaxed. "As it happens, Moya got angry at me for using the pack bonds, partly because of how Brett coerced wolves to attack cats."

Faces darkened.

Terence looked particularly pissed off. Brett had influenced him to attack a cat on the crew. "The coward should join a coyote pack. It's where he belongs."

Beside Patrin, Fell snorted a laugh.

Patrin forged on. "After talking with Moya and Fell, I wanted to be honest with our wolves. As alpha, I promise to only use pack bonds as they're intended—to keep the pack safe or to direct the hunt. I will never use the ties for my own selfish interests."

Arms crossed over his chest, Killian made a growling sound of approval. "I like how you nosed the problem right out there for us to sniff. You got my trust, Alpha."

The rumbling sound of agreement vibrated along the pack bonds.

"Part one is handled," Ramón said with a grin. "What's the second part?"

"We'd like to hear if you or any wolf has problems the pack can help with. The pack should be helping our older wolves, cubs, and mothers."

"It's like going into battle—your team has your back," Fell said, his voice low.

The ensuing lively discussion lasted until Patrin realized the sun was low in the west. "All right, wolves. Come to the pack house early for the monthly run, and we'll keep figuring out ways to help."

"A meeting I might finally enjoy," Alana said. "It's gotta be better than being ordered to dump my mate because he's a cat."

Her crewmates grinned.

"We'll keep our cat." Jalen waggled his eyebrows at Alana. "But your wolf mate is far, far better in bed."

Alana thumped him. "The cat wasn't the one who ate chili, then farted so bad during sex we had to sleep in the living room."

As the entire crew busted up laughing, Patrin grinned and headed away with Fell. "That ran long. I need to shower and get my tail to the Bullwhacker for work."

"Poor pitiful Top Dog." Fell easily dodged Patrin's backhand. "Moya and I are grocery shopping. She wants to stock up for the storm tomorrow and do some baking tonight in case the power goes out."

Baking? Even in human form, Patrin could almost feel his ears perk up. "Can you talk her into making that chocolate cake with frosting in the middle and top?"

All the frosting. So good.

"Do my best, oh beloved littermate…"—Fell smirked—"if she's not too tired after making me cherry pies."

Beloved littermate, my tail . A shove rammed his beloved littermate into an apple tree hard enough a pixie woke and scolded them both.

A little before sunset, Moya crossed the square with Fell beside her. The male had insisted on adding several items to her grocery list—all of them for making cakes and pies. "You two are going to end up so portly your bellies'll drag on the ground during pack runs."

"You think?" Fell took her hand and ran it down the hard ridges of his abdomen.

When her cheeks turned hot, he gave her a slow, very warm, smile. Because she'd totally licked each one of those ridges last night.

"Hey, Fell!" A couple of tall, lanky young men—no, she caught their scent, young shifters, approached. Brown eyes, brown hair, and obviously siblings. "Did you and Patrin know Wells is in town?"

"Is he?" Fell smiled down at Moya and pointed at the male on the left. "Fletcher." The one on the right. "Kennard. Shifter-soldiers."

The two couldn't be much older than eighteen, although Kennard's face was scarred enough to have been in a war. "It's good to meet you both. Are you living in Ailill Ridge now?"

"Yes, ma'am," Kennard said, bobbing his head.

"Ma'am?" Moya raised her eyebrows.

Fletcher grinned. "We work out at the Summerland Ranch, and our boss, Daniel, fostered in Texas. And talks like it too. Guess we've picked up some country."

"Oh, Daniel, right. I understand." Moya laughed and glanced at Fell. "He and Tanner are Heather's littermates, if you haven't met them yet."

"Not wolves?"

"Bears, both of them." Fletcher grinned. "Kinda laid-back and fun. Good bosses."

Moya smiled at the two former captives bursting with health and enthusiasm. Daniel and Tanner would be amazing mentors, and their ranch would be the perfect place for these young males to finish growing into their paws.

Fell's eyes narrowed, and his question, "What drew Wells here?" made Moya stiffen. Was that spymaster going to pull Patrin and Fell back into his clutches?

Kennard caught on to the tone in Fell's voice. "Nothing for, uh… business . Grandsire's visiting until Tuesday and brought an old friend from Cold Creek."

"Thorson's his name. He's one scary werecat, and he brought Wells with him." Fletcher grinned. "I bet Wells will swing into town and look you two up on Monday."

Moya checked Fell's expression and was surprised at the slight smile. "You want to see that human?"

"Sure." Fell looked down then, as if he understood how appalled she was, kissed the top of her head. "He was as dedicated to eliminating the Scythe as we were. And he was careful with us. I think he forgot we're not his regular human soldiers who'd signed up."

"Oh." She crossed her arms over her chest, not sure she'd be so quick to forgive the spymaster.

"He's why we have money and IDs," Kennard added.

"Hey, brawd, we need to get going." Fletcher poked Kennard in the ribs. "Tanner'll skin us if we don't get the truck loaded up and back on time."

"Right, right." Kennard half-smiled at Moya and lifted his chin at Fell.

Fell did a chin-lift in return.

"Good to see you, Fell, and meet you, Moya." Fletcher grinned at them and chased after his brother toward the ranch and farm supply store.

"They seem to be bouncing back from the Scythe." In fact, she'd seen the two at Gatherings, but hadn't paid them any attention. Too young. Actually, most males seemed too young even when they were her age.

Patrin and Fell, though, sometimes seemed as if they were already in their forties.

A sound caught her ears, and she paused.

"A baby crying?" Fell looked around.

"Oh, over there." Moya pointed to a bench outside the grocery where one of the pack's new mothers appeared close to tears herself.

With Fell following, Moya hurried over. "Glenys, what's wrong?"

Glenys was in her mid-thirties with dark auburn hair cut short and pale skin. She visibly tried to stifle her tears as she cuddled her two infants on her lap. "It's just… I need to get groceries before the storm tomorrow, and I don't have enough hands."

"We have plenty. Give me one." Moya looked down at the tiny cubling, still so new as to have only wispy blond fuzz on his head. "Aren't you precious? This is Cadfan, right?"

Glenys' blue eyes lightened with a mama's pride. "Yes."

"Here, you hold him, Fell." She allowed no trace of inner laughter to show as she arranged the big warrior's arms to hold the infant properly. "Support his head like this. With all those muscles, you won't even notice his weight."

Glenys tensed as if she thought Fell would bury his fangs in Moya's neck.

Giving Fell a pat, Moya took Gruffudd, the dark-haired baby. "Don't worry, Glenys. Our beta might look mean, but he has a soft heart for females and cubs."

He was staring down at Cadfan with the most enchantingly worried, tender expression on his hard face.

After a moment, Glenys whispered, "Awww, who would have known."

" Right? Go on and do your shopping. We'll wait out here and have some quality cub time." Moya snuggled the infant closer, knowing Glenys could hear the happiness in her voice. "Thanks to the Scythe, our alpha and beta know everything about the needs of teenaged males, but nothing about younger cubs and females and seniors—and they want to learn."

Receiving a disbelieving look, Fell murmured, "Moya's right. We do."

"Oh." Glenys stared at Fell, simply shocked. And wasn't that an indication of how intolerable the last couple of alphas had been.

A crease appeared in Fell's cheek. "Go shop. We'll be here."

Glenys' relief changed her whole face. "Wow. Okay, thank you!" She disappeared into the store on light feet.

Fell frowned after her. "She doesn't have help?"

"The cubs are Gatherbred, and she doesn't have mates. I think a couple of her friends are helping her, but… It can be embarrassing to always need help." Moya kissed the infant's tiny dark head, enjoying the milky baby fragrance. "The pack in my town…"

When her voice died, Fell tilted his head and prompted, "The pack under the alpha who messed up your life?"

She stilled and had to remind herself it was in the past. "Yes. He was a good alpha except for his obsession with me. Mothers with cubs got some financial aid and cub-sitting help from the pack. Stuff like that. André's trying to get the whole clan organized to support the shifters who need help. Nonetheless, a wolf pack should do better."

"Yeah." Fell smiled at her. "Breanne said alpha females coordinate help for females and cubs. Like you already do."

"I do some, yes." She couldn't order other wolves around. Those were alpha female responsibilities. She mostly volunteered herself and her friends.

If she was the alpha, she'd have the power to set up a support system for pack members needing help. "I might have to call Breanne," she muttered.

"There you go." As Cadfan waved an arm in the air, Fell touched it. His thumb was almost as big as the tiny fist. "So fucking little."

Watching him with the infant was melting her ovaries. And more… Even though almost dark of the moon, her desire for him was reaching full moon levels.

Fell rubbed his knuckles over Moya's cheek with the same tenderness as he'd touched the cub's hand. "I like seeing you with a baby."

After kissing Gruffudd's little head, she rubbed her cheek against Fell's callused fingers. How could he be so deadly…and so sweet? "I feel the same way about you."

When she met his gaze, the love in his eyes filled her world.

After Glenys finished shopping, they helped her carry her groceries home and returned to do their own grocery shopping.

Leaving the store, Moya frowned at Fell and the three canvas market bags on his arm. He'd let her carry only one.

Males. His over-protectiveness was annoying…yet she also felt all warm and loved. How confusing.

In the darkening town square, the streetlights flickered on, one by one. Fell scowled up at them. "Short days suck."

He was so cute. "Tomorrow will be worse, what with a blizzard and at least a foot of snow." Moya switched the bag to her other arm. "I was enjoying snow-free days."

"Easier on paws. Mateo talked about a sledding day?"

"Oh, right. The town's cordoning off a street for the younglings to sled on." She grinned. "Poor Talitha and Eileen. The cubs are going to come home cold and drenched."

When Fell made a rather disgusted sound, Moya was startled. He didn't like sledding? Oh, he was looking off to the left, and she followed his gaze.

A fair number of people were around the square, especially near the bar and Shamrock. More at the grocery.

And uh-oh, there were three females heading straight for them. Tall Deidre, the latest of Brett's short-lived alpha females, was accompanied by short, chronically pouting Cosette, who'd briefly been one of Roger's alpha females. Gretchen's sister, Sarah, walked beside them.

"Moya!" Deidre shouted. "You effing slut ."

Ignoring Fell's low growl, Moya asked politely in her professional storekeeper's tone, "What seems to be the problem?"

Deidre didn't lower her voice. "You're the problem. Acting like you're the alpha female."

Fell's growl grew louder. "This is a public place. Keep it down."

Deidre flinched, obviously not having realized Moya's companion was their beta. But, as typical with self-absorbed individuals, she barreled ahead anyway. "You're not the alpha female, Moya. I am."

Moya blamed Roger and Brett for this idiocy. They'd told each mate-of-the-month she was the alpha female. As if a male could bestow the title. "Did you challenge the previous alpha female?"

Surprised, Deidre glanced at Cosette. "No. When Brett took over, Cosette, uh…

Cosette wrinkled her nose. "Brett's a real maggot, so I quit."

"So, Deidre, you think you got the title simply for fucking Brett at the time?" Moya deliberately used the unattractive human term for mating. "Are you performing the responsibilities of the alpha female—setting up cubsitting, arranging help for our older pack members, checking on all our females to?—"

"Whyever would I do that?" Deidre was wide-eyed.

"Alpha is more than a title," Fell snapped.

"Alas, this is true." Moya gave her a sympathetic smile. "You have to protect and care for all the members of the pack."

Exchanging an appalled look with Cosette, Deidre shook her head. "I don't… I don't want to."

"Of course you don't." Moya smiled at the young female who was just twenty-two. Despite being only twenty-four, between the trauma in Stanislaus Territory and running a business, Moya felt much, much older. "This is your time to have fun. Someday maybe, you'll want those responsibilities. For now, I'm taking them on."

Deidre nodded, then frowned at losing the respected title.

"Do I need to challenge you?" Moya looked her straight in the eyes, showing she'd flatten the female if needed. Even if Deidre was half a foot taller.

"No, uh-uh, no way. I'm good." Deidre bowed her head slightly. "Alpha." She did the same with Fell. "Beta."

She dragged her companions away fast, as if a gnome had fastened its teeth in her tail.

As Moya and Fell headed toward the walkway beside Espresso Books, Fell was quoting under his breath, "‘ No, uh-uh, no way' ."

"Shut up." With a growl, she pinched his very tight butt.

The gnome-brain chuckled.

Although she scowled at him, inside she was filled with happiness. Because when he first arrived, he'd been almost completely silent and never even smiled.

She moved the grocery bag to her other arm. Honestly, the damn thing was growing heavier. "I can't believe you talked me into making cherry pie. You're going to learn to bake this week."

"Sure," he said agreeably. His eyes crinkled with his smile. "Cooking means eating. I'm in." Glancing down, he stopped.

"What?"

A gnome's beady black eyes stared at them from behind the storm drain grating.

Taking a piece of pastry from his pocket, Fell set it on the grate.

A second later, a small hand swiped the pastry.

" You feed them too?"

He shrugged. "Patrin couldn't today. And it's cold out."

Awww.

"You and Patrin, the toughest of the tough. So deadly you can take on entire legions of humans and win." She snorted. "Complete tenderhearted softies."

Fell glowered at her—and she busted out laughing.

As they moved past the gnome, she noticed the three females had joined Gretchen in front of the diner.

"Gretchen!" Invading her sister's space, Sarah shouted, "You are a total loser ."

"I'm not." Gretchen retreated a step, her fair face growing even whiter.

Around the square, people were turning to look.

"You're worthless at running the B ugly character," Fell said under his breath.

From the way Gretchen stiffened, she heard him.

Moya held out her hand. "Let's get you up and on your feet."

Mouth tight, Gretchen glanced around, then took the assistance and even let Moya steady her for a second.

"All right, what's going on here?" Bron strode across the square. The Chief of Police badge on her leather coat glinted under the streetlights.

Oh, won't this be a fine day. Ramón, Zorion, can you bail me out of jail? "Um, hi, Chief."

"Evening, Chief." Fell pointed to Gretchen whose face had gone pale. "She challenged and lost." He pointed to Moya. "She won."

Bron's mouth twitched upward before she regained control. Her hardass attitude was becoming legendary in the territory. "Wolves, settle your pack business outside of town."

Gretchen nodded.

Exhaling in relief, Moya nodded. "Yes, Chief. Sorry."

With a huff of annoyance, Bron stalked away, past the other three females.

Tears in her eyes, Gretchen walked slowly toward her B&B. Not toward her sister, Moya noticed.

"Loser." With a sneer, Sarah followed after Gretchen.

Great family there. Moya felt another moment of pity for Gretchen. The female had done a lot of spiteful things, but no one should be tormented like that.

Was there a way to help?

"C'mon, Alpha." Fell grabbed all the grocery sacks in one hand.

Oh, wow, I'm officially the alpha female of the pack. The reality bubbled up inside her, making her want to laugh…or flee.

He slung an arm around Moya's shoulders. "We'll ice your knuckles. Didn't we teach you to aim for soft spots?"

Moya snorted. "Fell, you taught me to aim for the fatal spots. I'm not going to kill members of the pack."

"Oh. Right." They walked a few steps. "In that case, good aim."

"Thank you." A couple of steps later, she caught the scent of pure lust.

"Fell?" Looking up, she met his gaze.

There was so much heat in his eyes that fire licked through her body. She looked down and saw a thick bulge in his jeans. "Bad wolf. Bad, bad wolf."

"Not my fault." With an almost silent laugh, he pulled her closer. "You're fucking sexy when you fight. Supper will be late tonight."