3. Griffin

- If Tomorrow Never Comes–BadWolves Ice Nine Kills-

Pacing the deck seems to have become a new favorite pastime of mine as I listen to Conrad, Ambrose, and Nicolai talking about Grace. Ambrose and Conrad recount Grace’s creation to Nicolai and I watch the horror morph on his face. Grace is battle born, created through trauma and the love of her sire. The near death experience created a Moon Wolf, one of the strongest of us all. In a fight, I honestly believe she would defeat Ethan in a heartbeat. But her sire bond to him would never allow her to raise fang or claw to him in anger.

“Griff?” Conrad steps into my path and stops me in my tracks. With the exasperated look on his face and the shaking of his head. I can tell he’s been trying to get my attention for a while.

“Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts. What were you saying?” I lower my head slightly to him and Nicolai in apology.

“Nic is offering to help build a house on the border of both pack lands, so we would be able to move between the two easily.” Conrad motions back to Nicolai and he comes forward with a tablet and a map program pulled up.

“If it would please our mate, I would like to build her the house of her dreams on the border of both packs. With her taking me as a mate, it joins both of our packs and easily doubles our numbers combined.” Nicolai shows me a plot of land that is already flat and clear, with a stream running alongside of the site.

It would be the most practical solution for housing, and running both packs to have a central house that we could live in. Our original houses can be used when there’s extended business in either pack. “Logistically, it’s brilliant. We just need to get Grace out of her fight-or-flight stage when it comes to you, Nic. No offense, with her being a new wolf, adjusting to the four of us hasn’t been easy for her. Adding a fifth mate, I think tossed her over the edge.” I start pacing, trying to parse all the information.

“Whatever time she needs, I will wait as long as it takes.” Nicolai sighs and runs his fingers through his long hair.

“We appreciate that.” Conrad says and rests a hand on Nicolai’s shoulder, trying to comfort him.

“How are we going to present the idea to Grace?” Conrad looks between Nic and me.

“Easy, we send Barrett.” Beaming, I look between the other two alphas and they nod agreeing with me.

“Sounds like a solid idea. I’ll go talk to him for us.” Conrad offers, then shakes Nic’s hand before leaving.

Staring at the map again and the plot of land that is being suggested. “Let’s take a drive to the site.” Glancing up, I motion to where my truck is parked, and we head that way. Climbing into the truck, Nicolai tells me which direction to head. The scenic trail winds through the back parts of the pack property, heading towards the Volkov property line.

“Not much further down the trail.” Nicolai says as he motions towards the fork in the road. “Head down the right trail and we should see the open field.” Nicolai looks up and then points excitedly. “It’s right over there.”

Stopping the truck, we park close to the field and climb out of the vehicle. The thick scent of cedar and the water from the stream soothes my wolf. The breeze blows gently, carrying the fresh scent of wildflowers. The birds chirp singing their song to each other. I feel peace and calm standing here looking over everything. “Grace will love it here.” I say more to myself than anyone else.

“I’m glad you approve. Shall I have the construction crew start breaking ground?” Nicolai pulls his phone out of his pocket, ready to make the call.

“We better wait until after her heat so we can bring her here.” Walking along the trail near the suggested house site, I can’t help but smile. “I don’t think we have anything to be concerned about. With as peaceful as this place is, she will love it.” Laughing to myself, I turn to face Nic. “Offer the construction of the house as a mating gift. My brothers and I will offer her the plot of land the house is going to be built on. That should help make things go over easier.”

Nicolai smiles and looks back at his map program. “Seems a small price to pay to have a happy mate. Thank you for suggesting it Griffin.” Nic raises his phone to his ear and makes several short phone calls to contractors to get house plans for a grand alpha house. He finishes his call, then turns to face me. “We will have plans by the end of next week. All things considered, with Grace’s heat starting, I will return to visit the following Monday.” He forces a smile, and I know he would rather be with her for this.

“That’s very gracious of you. I’m sure … If I talk to the others…” I try to parse out how to present the idea of him being with us when he lays a hand on my shoulder.

“No, she’s not comfortable with my presence. She should have a beautiful love filled experience, not a stressful one.” He smiles and nods. I can tell by the way he’s standing he will not be swayed. In his day job, besides being an alpha, he’s a CEO of a major construction business. His group has done most of the construction for the high-rises and the malls and local entertainment. Nic has turned his father’s five crew construction business into a one hundred crew corporation. Each year, they donate two weeks to repair a business or recreation center for the youth. If they don’t need repair, he improves them as his way of giving back.

“I’ll let her know you put her and her feelings first. Come on, I’ll give you a ride back so you can pick up your mom and daughter.” Smiling, I motion to the truck and he complies.

I listen to Nicolai make several phone calls to his crews, checking on the different stages of construction he has going at the same times. He laughs to himself, then shakes his head. “What’s so funny?” My curiosity has gotten the better of me.

He nods slowly, looking at his phone, then holds it up, facing me. “My best friend’s mate delivered their first child today. A beautiful little girl they named Olivia.” He smiles fondly down at the image on his phone. “I remember when Nina was born. She came into the world silently, then opened her eyes the minute she was clear of her mother.” He sigh then his mood shifts. “It was a flurry of activity after that. Apparently, my little angel tore her mother up on the way out.” Nic turns and looks out the window, and I stop the truck.

“Say no more, friend. It was horrible that she lost her mother.” I rest a hand on his shoulder and give it a squeeze.

“I wonder how Grace survived it? The pack doctor said that it’s extremely rare for a human to survive birthing a pup.” He sticks his phone in his pocket and turns to face me. The corners of his eyes are tight and the creases in his brow visible. His scent slowly changes and he’s radiating stress and anxiety.

As Nic spoke about what happened with Nina’s mom, I text my mom and she recounts how Grace survived. “Mom says that Grace tore some, but Ashina was calm through the delivery. She must have kicked as she was being pulled free and that’s when she got cut. Right at the very end.” I read through the rest of the message and smile. “Mom also said that Grace was listening to her happy music, and was kept calm through the birth. Perhaps that made a difference.”

“Perhaps … Nina’s mom was terrified of delivering our baby. She knew what I was and maybe if she didn’t know, she would still be alive today?” He shrugs his shoulders and fires off texts to someone.

“We can’t live in the past, man. We learn from it and move on. That’s all we can do.” I’m trying to be positive for his sake. I can see the loss of the baby momma weighs heavily on him.

“Nina is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She gives me a purpose. Now, with Grace and Ashina, I have three females to worry about constantly.” The tension that marred his features slowly melts away.

“Team work man. Oh, before I forget. Ethan was the one that turned her. He bit her as his wolf when she was dying.” The horrible memories spurn me to drive again. I need to see Grace is alright with my own eyes.

“Near-death experiences forge some of the strongest bonds. His beast is as primal as hers is, so their bond logically will be the strongest. It takes a strong, confident man to admit to his brother’s bond being stronger. You’re a good brother and alpha Griffin.” Nicolai smiles as he sends several more texts. “Apparently, both grandmothers are keeping the babies. My mom says the heat may change Grace’s mind since her wolf knows I’m a mate and I need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.” He shrugs his shoulders and looks down at his phone. “Apparently, Andrea and my beta have started dating. They”re not mates, but they are interested in each other.”

Nodding slowly, I listen to what he’s saying, and I know it’s true. I’ve seen it with other poly families that had a late addition to their den. As much as the female rails against the addition of another mate, her heat, and her wolf gets her to see the light. It’s not that she’s losing touch with her other mates, it’s that she’s gaining another to help with everything. “Sounds reasonable. I’ve seen it happen before. I’ll give you the keys to the guest house close to our home so you can be nearby if she needs you.” Reaching into the center console of the truck, I pull out a set of keys. Because of all the visiting alphas, I keep the spare set of keys with me at all times.

As we pull up to the front of the house, there’s a huge gathering and I can clearly hear the shouting from inside the truck. Ethan has a beta held against the house by his throat, screaming at him. Leaping out of the truck, I run to Ethan prepared to separate him from the beta. That is until I catch the scent on the male, he smells like Roxy. “What is the meaning of this?” I scream, trying to get everyone’s attention and hopefully, some answers.

“Remember how we couldn’t figure out how Roxy got out of the holding cell?” Ethan growls through gritted teeth, staring up at Philip. “This fucknut let the bitch loose after he fucked her. By the smell of it, he’s still fucking her. He’s psycho pussytized.”

Arching a brow, I stare at my brother. “So this asshole let her loose because she fucked him.” I stare at our beta disappointed in him. “You realize you have put your Luna and the pack in danger by what you have done.” Narrowing my eyes, I nod at Ethan and he lowers the beta to the ground so he can answer.

“I’d do it again. Roxy should be Luna, not some turned wolf.” He grits his teeth, attempting to growl at Ethan.

Walking towards us, I see Grace. She absolutely looks feral. Her eyes glow with the power of her wolf and its fur races along the length of her arms. “You realize the skank is sleeping with my ex, right? She doesn’t love you. She used you to get free.” Grace’s moves are slow and calculated as she sizes the male up, watching his every move and reaction.

“She loves me.” He screams, fighting against Ethan’s grip.

Grace laughs and it honestly sounds like she’s a little unhinged. “Love? She doesn’t know the meaning of the word. You’re a means to an end.” Grace looks around at the gathered pack mates, then back to the beta. “Where’s your precious Roxy now? Why doesn’t she challenge me for your life?” Grace gets in Philip’s face and bares her elongated canines at him in challenge.

“She loves me, and she’ll kill you.” He leans forward and growls in her face.

Time seems to slow as she turns to look up at Ethan. Her eyes shift back to their human blue. “This beta has threatened the life of the packs, Luna. He has assisted in the escape of an accomplice of the person who assisted in my abduction and almost murder.” She turns her murderous gaze on me and I feel a chill run down my spine. “Griff, what is the punishment befitting his crime?”

“Death.” Falls from my lips and I watch the color drain from Philip’s face.

Grace looks up at Ethan again and nods her head slightly. That motion set the beast loose. Ethan snaps Philip’s neck with minimal effort and lets his body hit the wood deck. The thud echoes in the silence as our pack mates stare on.

I move to stand before them and raise my hands to get their attention. “The safety of the pack is our priority. Anyone that would undermine the structure and the safety of everyone will be punished to the full extent of pack law. We have endured attacks by rogues apparently assisted by some of our own. Innocent people have been harmed, and others killed indiscriminately.” I watch the reaction of our pack mates and they nod and go about their way.

“Pack law is tough but fair.” Ethan rests a hand on my shoulder, the same hand that took the betrayer’s life.

“It is, but I don’t always like metering it out.” I glance over at my twin as I watch Grace in the background jump on Conrad’s back and run off.

Ethan steps into my field of view. “You need to fix the bond. If you need me, I’ll be right there with you.” The fucker smirks and heads into the house. On his right shoulder I can see dried blood, and I know our mate had spent time with my identical twin in my absence. I’m jealous…

The opening and closing of car doors catch my attention and I watch Nic load his mother and daughter into his car to take them home. Looking across to the guest house, I stare at it for several moments.

This week can make or break two bonds.

Hopefully, everything works out for the best.