2. Mike

TWO

The Wolfe's Den was busier than usual. Mike walked into the bar expecting the laidback, quiet atmosphere he was used to but was surprised to see bodies packed side by side around the counter while they waited for their beers.

At least Aric and Jordan's business was doing well. It took him a minute before he found the table he was looking for. Aric, Caleb, and Nate already had their drinks in front of them, but as soon as they saw him, grins lit up their circle.

"Finally back from Vegas," Caleb said as Mike pulled up a chair. "It's good to have you back. What are you drinking?"

"It's good to be back," Mike admitted. "Blue Moon. Thanks."

Aric got up to get another round for everyone. "It's on me."

"Good," Nate called. "Put in an order for those fried pickle chips. Oh, and I want a rare burger, the Smokehouse Burger. Anyone else?"

When everyone had ordered their food, Nate settled down and turned his gaze to Mike.

"Feels like a lifetime since we took down Caleb's uncle," Nate said. He brought his mostly empty beer bottle to his lips before polishing it off. "I think that was the last time we were all together."

Mike nodded. They had all fought side by side to take down Caleb's uncle, the abusive, psychotic Rocco … so that Caleb could take control of the Rahound pack and heal the community.

"How's that going?" Mike questioned.

Caleb leaned back in his chair. "Ellie and I have been working hard to bring peace to the pack. It hasn't always been easy, but honestly, it's going well. I can't complain. Things are so smooth that Ellie has had time to focus on a new venture."

"Oh, yeah?" Mike prodded with interest.

"She was sick of being the only Wolfe child without her own business so she's in the process of opening a wine and tapas bar called Indulge. You would think, being in her final trimester, she'd slow down, but not Ellie. She's still ready to go. She's literally out to here."

He held his hand about two feet away from his stomach in an exaggerated example of how pregnant his wife was, and the men laughed.

Impressed, Mike clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "Ellie never had an off button," Mike said affectionately. "But that's fantastic news. I'm glad everything worked out for you two."

Mike's green eyes began following Aric as he walked back with a tray of beers. He handed Mike a brown bottle of Blue Moon, which he accepted gratefully.

"This establishment doesn't serve Blue Moon with oranges? Do you not serve margaritas with lime?" Mike joked.

Aric grinned. "Gotta specify, buddy. How's everything going out in Vegas?"

Mike shrugged a broad shoulder. "Pretty good, actually. Nicole killed Grady Harris; I think you guys know that. Now, she and Jake have taken over the Vegas pack. They're doing great, and they're well-loved within their community. But the Vegas pack is so different from the Blue Creek pack. One of Nic and Jake's biggest challenges is getting to know everyone because of the sheer size of the pack. We're guessing Grady was able to kill his father and take the alpha role so quietly because the pack is so spread out."

Aric downed half his beer as he listened intently to Mike's story. "I can't tell you how much we appreciate you going to Vegas to help."

"Yeah," Nate added. "Thank you. You have no idea what it means to us."

Mike brushed off their gratitude with a wave of his large hand. "Anytime, guys. You know that."

"You dismiss us, but I wish I could have gone myself," Aric said. He took another sip of his beer. "Being second in line to run the Blue Creek Wolfe Pack, I have duties here, and Nate and Karla have the triplets. You going in our place was a huge help and a relief."

Their appreciation wasn't lost upon Mike. He was grateful that he was in a position where he could help his brothers. "It's more than just helping you guys keep an eye on the clubs. I'm glad I can do it."

One of the waitresses walked over with a smile on her pretty face. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and she smiled appreciatively at Mike. "Can I get you guys another round?"

"Absolutely," Mike said. "This one's on me."

"The hell it is," Caleb said. "Thanks, Sarah. Keep 'em coming."

She smiled at them and walked away. "She was eyeing you, Mike," Caleb grinned.

"I don't have time," Mike said immediately. He had no interest in dealing with the confines of a relationship. "So, tell me more about the clubs."

Nate shrugged. "I'm stretched thin watching The Naked Wolf and The Thirsty Wolf. I've got The Sassy Wolf, and I'm worried I won't do a good job with my own pub. At least Mason has Lael managing The Thirsty Wolf."

He grinned. "She's been there, what? How many years now? I don't even know. She knows all the ins and outs, and she's a witch who can see the future. That helps keep trouble away, which is mighty convenient, I might add. To give credit where credit is due, Karla has really stepped up. She's been an absolute asset, and I don't know what I would do without her."

That took Mike by surprise. He set his bottle on the table and then immediately picked it back up when two waitresses brought out the food. The smell of fried appetizers and greasy burgers wafted through the air, and he immediately reached for a deep-fried pickle.

"Fuck, that's hot," he growled. After washing it down with more beer, he turned his attention back to Nate. "How is it possible that Karla is working that much with the triplets at home?"

Nate finished chewing a massive bite of his burger before answering. "We hired a nanny, Beatriz. Oh, my God, the woman is a gift. The kids love her. She loves the kids. We wouldn't be able to do it without her."

"No kidding. Well, now that I'm back, I'm happy to help with the clubs, too. As long as Tristan doesn't need me for anything else."

"Thanks," Nate said with a mouthful of food. "My father will be thrilled to have his best enforcer back."

Mike took a bite of his burger, and caught Aric's eye. He immediately lowered his gaze, but the strange look wasn't lost upon Mike. "What?" he questioned.

Aric and Nate exchanged a look. "He should know," Aric growled, even though to Mike, it looked like Aric would rather not discuss whatever was on his mind.

"Know what?" Mike asked, his interest piqued.

The tension at the table became palpable. Caleb set his bloody burger down. Aric's attention became completely focused on the chair he was sitting on, and Nate ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"What the hell is going on?" Mike snarled. "Someone tell me."

Nate sighed. "The Wolfe Pack is currently facing a … drug problem."

Mike raised a dark brow in response. "What do you … mean? Drugs don't affect shifters."

"I wish," Caleb piped up. "There's a designer drug out now that makes wolves monstrous and their psyches crazed. They turn into these rabid animals that cannot be controlled. I've never seen anything like it."

Mike frowned, horrified at the news. "Why the hell would anyone want that? How do you fix it?"

Aric shrugged. "There's no cure that we could find. Once a shifter uses too much, there's no coming back from that feral, rabid state. They have to be … taken out."

Nate leaned in close to Mike. "My father had to exterminate two pack members. He tried everything to help them, Mike. Absolutely everything he could think of, but they were uncontrollable. They were a danger to everyone, including women and children."

Mike leaned back in his chair, trying to process everything they had just told him. He knew Tristan felt horrible about having to take down his own pack members. He also knew the alpha would never do something like that unless it was absolutely necessary.

Caleb pushed Mike's beer toward him before taking a long swig of his own. "This is supposed to be a relaxing night. We thought you should know what's going on, but for tonight, let's put our worries to the side. We might have sent Tristan to Nate's to spoil his grandkids. Kelvin went with him to help babysit so we could let loose a little bit. Let's go crash the ladies' night."

Mike's eyes grew wide at the sacrilegious suggestion. "Is that wise?"

"You kidding? Ellie is so proud of her new bar that she'll give us a free pass. She's been dying to show it off to anyone that'll step foot in there."

Nate was inclined to agree with his friend. "I don't think the women will care, honestly. He's not kidding when he says Ellie will open those doors to anyone who wants to see it. Besides, I'm sure they would love to see you, Mike. It's been a while."

Mike popped the rest of his burger in his mouth and washed it down with the remains of his beer. "Sounds good to me. I'd love to see what Ellie did with that old building."

The four of them stood and pushed their chairs in before making their way out the door.