7. Sawyer

Chapter 7

Sawyer

" I f anything important comes up, call me on my cell," Cooper said.

"I've got everything under control," I reassured him.

I ushered him out the pack house front door with a confident smile.

Benny, ever the loyal companion, trotted beside me, his little legs working double-time to keep up.

"Don't keep Miles waiting," I reminded him.

"Alright then," Cooper finally conceded, but not before giving me one last scrutinizing look, as if to double-check that he could truly entrust me with this responsibility.

I guided him to his truck and stood there, watching as it rolled down the driveway and out towards the compound gates.

Although I'd told him there was nothing to worry about, my stomach was a tangle of nerves, twisting tighter with each passing second.

This wasn't just a routine night—it was the first time Cooper had entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility as his second.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.

All I needed to do was keep a close eye on the pack tonight. Simple, right? If a problem cropped up, I'd handle it.

I didn't want to disturb Cooper on his date night with Miles, not when they so rarely got time alone together.

I could do this. I had to do this. Turning away from the now empty driveway, I headed back inside the pack house.

The familiar sounds of laughter and conversation guided me to the dining hall, where the pack members who lived here had gathered for dinner.

The warm, homey smell of cooked meat and fresh bread greeted me as I stepped inside.

I grabbed a plate, my eyes scanning the room as I moved through the line.

I greeted pack members, asking how they were, doing my best to mimic the way Cooper always checked in on everyone.

He had a way of making people feel seen, and I wanted to ensure that they knew I was just as approachable, just as ready to listen to their problems if their lead alpha wasn't around.

Benny was a real help. Every pack member I spoke to couldn't seem to resist bending down to pet him or tell him what a good boy he was.

The little guy was like a magnet for affection, and I was grateful for the distraction he provided, allowing me to relax just a bit.

"Hey, how's it going?" Griffin asked as he joined my table, sliding onto the bench across from me.

Benny, who was lying contentedly next to me, perked up and gave Griffin a bark of greeting.

Griffin grinned, reaching down to rub Benny's ear.

"Fine," I answered, then narrowed my eyes at him. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a date?"

To be honest, I was relieved Griffin was around.

It wasn't that I wasn't confident in my duties, but having reliable backup in case of an emergency never hurt.

"Well, my date canceled on me, and Tom's handling the bar for now. I figured I'd get some dinner here before going back," Griffin said, his tone casual, though I could sense a bit of disappointment beneath the surface.

As I finished my meal, the tension that had been coiled tight in my gut began to unwind. Maybe I was worried over nothing.

Everything was calm, the pack members were in good spirits, and there hadn't been so much as a peep of trouble.

"I'd better return to the bar," Griffin said after we'd had a couple of beers. He stood up, stretching before grabbing his jacket. "Text me if you need me."

"Will do," I said, watching as he made his way out of the dining hall.

I glanced at my phone, hoping for a text from Casey. Maybe he was busy, I told myself. No big deal.

But just as I was about to put my phone away, I heard a series of low, menacing growls coming from the back of the house.

My heart rate spiked, adrenaline flooding my veins. I was on my feet in an instant, muscles tense and ready to spring into action.

Before I could investigate, Gordon came bursting into the dining hall, his eyes wide and frantic as they searched the room.

His gaze locked on me, relief flashing across his face as I quickly made my way over, Benny obediently at my heels.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice low and urgent as I fell into step beside him.

"I was heading to the pack house when I saw Garth and Lee arguing," Gordon said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Their words turned into blows, then Garth shifted first…"

Damn it. I knew Garth was a loose cannon, but I hadn't expected things to escalate this quickly.

My gut twisted as we reached the back of the house and stepped out onto the challenge circle.

There they were, locked in a vicious fight. Garth and Lee, both in their wolf forms, were circling each other with bared teeth and bristling fur.

Although it appeared both wolves were evenly matched, Lee was getting on in years, while Garth was in his prime.

This wasn't a fair fight.

"Keep an eye on Benny," I said, my tone firm as I lifted the little dachshund and handed him to a surprised Gordon.

Benny let out a small whine, but I knew it was for the best.

I couldn't risk him getting between two angry wolves; he was too loyal for his own good and would try to defend me if I got caught up in the fight.

I had no choice but to break it up myself. The weight of the responsibility Cooper had entrusted to me hung heavy in my mind.

I couldn't let him down—not on the very first night he'd ever left me in charge.

I stepped into the circle, my eyes locked on the two wolves as I let my own shift begin.

Bones cracked and muscles stretched as I transformed, the familiar rush of power surging through me.

In moments, I stood on four legs, my senses sharper, my instincts heightened.

I growled low in my throat, a warning sound that cut through the snarls and yelps of the fight.

Lee and Garth paused, their heads snapping in my direction as they registered my presence.

Garth's eyes gleamed with challenge, and I knew he was spoiling for a fight with anyone, even me.

But I wasn't here to indulge him—I was here to end this before it got any worse.

With a snarl, I lunged at Garth, my larger form knocking him off balance.

He hit the ground with a thud, but was back on his feet in an instant, teeth flashing as he went for my throat.

I sidestepped, my movements quick and precise, and delivered a sharp bite to his flank, just enough to let him know I wasn't playing around.

Then my injured leg flared up in protest but I did my best to ignore the pain. Showing weakness now wasn't a good idea.

Lee stayed back, his breathing heavy as he watched the exchange.

I could see the weariness in his eyes, the understanding that this fight wasn't one he could win, even if he had the heart for it.

Garth snarled again, but there was hesitation in his movements now. He glanced at me, then at Lee.

Garth knew he was outmatched. I pressed my advantage, snapping at him until he backed down, his tail lowering in submission.

With one final growl, I stepped forward, asserting my dominance, making it clear that this fight was over.

Garth held my gaze for before finally slinking away, his ears pinned back in defeat.

I shifted back, my body aching from the quick change. I donned my clothes.

My leg was throbbing but I gritted my teeth and turned to Lee, who was still in his wolf form, panting heavily.

"Shift back, Lee," I said, my voice firm but not unkind. "It's over."

He obeyed, his body shrinking and reshaping until he stood before me, a weary old man with too many battles behind him.

"Thank you, Sawyer," he said, his voice rough with exhaustion. "I don't know what got into him."

"Doesn't matter," I replied, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "What matters is that you're okay. Go inside, get some rest."

As Lee walked away, I turned back to Gordon, who still held Benny in his arms. The little dog was squirming, eager to get back to me.

"Nice job," Gordon said, handing Benny back to me.

I took him, feeling the warmth of his small body against mine, and a sense of relief washed over me.

"Thanks," I replied, my voice softer now. "Let's keep this between us for now, alright? Cooper doesn't need to know."

Gordon nodded. As we made our way back to the pack house, Benny nestled against me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I'd done it.

I'd handled the situation without needing to call Cooper, proving to myself that I was ready for the responsibilities that came with being second-in-command.

After dropping Lee off with Devon, our pack healer, I returned to the dining hall, trying to shake off the tension from earlier.

The night had been quiet so far, but my nerves were on edge, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.

I couldn't stop thinking about my leg, how it had slowed me down during the fight.

If I was being honest, I'd gotten lucky. Garth had backed down, but I knew it wasn't out of respect or fear.

He saw the odds—Lee and I together—and knew he'd lose. But if it had been just me…

I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the wave of frustration that washed over me. Garth was becoming a real problem.

Maybe keeping this incident from Cooper wasn't the smartest idea, but I didn't want to ruin his night with Miles.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was out of my depth.

As I made my way back to the dining hall, the air felt charged, thick with unease.

Some of the pack members were still there, finishing up their meals, chatting quietly.

But there was a tension in the room, a sense that everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

My eyes scanned the room, making sure everything was in order, when the door swung open.

Garth stepped inside, his presence like a dark cloud rolling in.

The room stilled, and I noticed several pack members tense up, their eyes flicking nervously between Garth and me.

I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on, refusing to back down.

I wondered if he was foolish enough to challenge me here, in front of everyone.

For a moment, our eyes locked, a silent battle of wills. Garth's gaze was cold, calculating, his lips curling into a sneer.

He was testing me, I could see it in the way his eyes narrowed, waiting for me to flinch, to show any sign of weakness.

But I didn't. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Then, to my surprise, his expression shifted. That sneer turned into a smug smile, one that made my blood boil.

"What am I doing here, wasting my time with you losers?" he drawled, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I've got a date with a certain handsome pet groomer."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Casey. There was no way that could be true.

Garth had no genuine interest in him; this was just another one of his twisted games, a way to get under my skin.

And damn it, it was working. I realized I was already halfway out of my seat, anger bubbling up, threatening to spill over.

Benny, sensing the shift in my mood, tugged at the edge of my jacket, his small body trying to hold me back from doing something stupid.

I could feel my heart pounding, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

I wanted to lunge at Garth, to wipe that smug look off his face, but I knew that was exactly what he wanted.

Garth's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched me struggle to keep my cool.

He gave me a challenging stare, as if daring me to make a move. But then, just as quickly, he laughed—a low, mocking sound that grated on my nerves.

"See you around, Sawyer," he said, his tone dripping with false sweetness.

Without another word, he turned and sauntered out of the hall, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

I stood there, trembling with anger, my fists still clenched, trying to calm the storm inside me.

Benny pressed against my leg, his small body a comforting presence amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Garth was playing a dangerous game, and I needed to be careful.

I couldn't let him get to me like this.

But no matter how hard I tried to push it down, the thought of Casey with Garth gnawed at me, fueling the fire in my chest.

Benny looked up at me, his eyes wide and concerned.

I knelt down, running a hand through his fur, trying to find some calm in the simple, steady rhythm.

"It's okay, bud," I muttered, more to myself than to him. "We'll handle this. I just need to keep my head on straight."

But even as I said the words, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was only the beginning.

Garth was a problem I couldn't ignore any longer, and I needed to find a way to deal with him before things spiraled out of control.

Because if he really did go after Casey…

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. I couldn't let myself go there, not yet.

First, I needed to make sure the pack was safe, to get through the night without any more incidents.

But once Cooper was back… we'd have to deal with Garth, one way or another. And I had a feeling it wasn't going to be pretty.