R H Y S 

Dace was waiting for me outside when I got to the bar, cigarette between his lips. “Took you long enough.” The smoke plumed between us as he tossed it to the ground and stamped it out with his foot.

“Let’s go.” I brushed past him and opened the door, a closed sign posted in the window. I stepped into the room to find quite a few men – twenty or so – from the pack going quiet when I entered the room. This bar was one of the businesses that the pack owned and ran. Which made it easier to get away with moments like this one without drawing too much attention.

“I didn’t know I had called a meeting…”

“You didn’t.” A tall, lanky figure separated from the group. “I did.”

I met Allen’s dark gaze, taking in the run-down look of his clothes. He’d probably just finished his shift at the garage. The grease still stained his hands as if he hadn’t taken the time to wash them. He was a damn good mechanic but he was also one gigantic pain in my ass. He was always starting trouble and sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. It was no real surprise to me that he’d been the one to call this gathering as he’d never been my biggest fan, and it had only gotten worse over time. I did my best not to interact with him but he liked to go out of his way to get my attention. I had a feeling that there was one way this thing would eventually end between us and that was with my teeth buried in his throat.

But for now, I would humor him.

“Is there a problem?”

“Don’t know, been hearin’ things around town.”

I shrugged. “People like to talk.”

“That they do,” he agreed. “But it’s the things they are sayin’ that disturb me.”

“I’m not the conversation police. You don’t like what people say, don’t listen.”

Dace chuckled beside me.

“Seems to me like your tryin’ to hide things.”

“If there was anything for any of you to know I would have shared it.”

“You sure about that?”

There were a few lingering and questioning gazes from the crowd.

“You calling me a liar?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Course not. I just find it interesting that Seth says he saw Dace disposin’ of a body the other day. And Camila came in here today fussin’ about a human girl staying at your house.” He knew what he was doing, trying to sow dissent among the pack. “But you’re here sayin’ that there isn’t anything for us to know.”

“Is that true?” Owen rose up from his seat, confusion written on his face. He’d been the one who had tried to scare her off the other day. “That girl is still at your house?”

“Still?” Allen interjected.

I let my gaze scan the group of men, young and old, they looked to me as their leader. I could lie but that wasn’t the kind of Alpha or man I wanted to be. There was glimmer of shame in my heart, knowing they would feel betrayed after everything they’d been through. I breathed in deep, ready to own up to my decision to protect Dove, no matter how selfish that choice had been. “It’s true.”

I crossed my arms over my chest as the surprise and suspicion worked through the crowd of males.

“What about the body?” Seth stood up.

Dace glanced in my direction. I cleared my throat, and the room went silent.

“Two unsanctioned wolves entered into the territory and attempted to take the female in question. Dace provided assistance. One of them was killed and the other got away.”

Gasps were followed by manic whispers. Tactfulness was not something I had been born with or had since learned. It didn’t matter though, I wanted to keep things honest and upfront with my pack mates. It was how my father had failed but it wouldn’t be that way with me.

“He’s gonna get us all killed over a pair of tits.”

I held back the urge to sneer, turning my gaze toward Allen. He wasn’t the most educated member of the pack and his father’s prejudice and ignorance toward humans had spoiled him. We were all naturally suspicious, our history littered with tales of strife between our two peoples, but most of us knew humans weren’t all bad. That wasn’t the case with Allen.

“Last time I checked it was my job as Alpha to protect this territory and all the people in it.” The murmurs in the room dissipated. I turned my gaze from Allen. “Humans included.”

“But do you really think it’s smart to help this human?” Owen asked.

Before I could respond Allen was already jumping at the opportunity to incite more outrage. “Just run her out of town. We don’t need to be courtin’ trouble that none of us asked for.”

There was murmurs and nods of agreement.

“Even if I sent her away…” Which I certainly had no intention of doing. “I can’t ignore the threat this wolf now poses.”

“He’s lyin’,” Allen remarked to the group before turning his gaze to me. “Your just like your daddy. Got yourself a taste for the humans.”

“Watch it, Allen. You’re walking a thin line,” Dace warned as he took a step toward him, getting a dirty look in the process as Allen turned back to address the group. I clenched my hand into fists to keep from grabbing him. I had no plans to be a tyrant but it was hard to cage the beast inside of me when someone presented a challenge.

“I think it might be time to consider some different leadership.” There were a couple of nods of agreement and murmurs.

There it was. The real reason he had called this meeting and I understood it. Things didn’t look favorably for me at the moment, it was the perfect time to push his own agenda. I clenched my jaw, breathing deep as I stepped forward.

“Listen—” I raised my hands and the room grew quiet. “I know that this must look bad to you, but I need you to trust me for a little while longer. I’ve just as much at stake – if not more than any of you. I promise that nothing is more important to me than this pack. Nothing.”

There was a stretch of silence, skeptical gazes being tossed around. Owen was the first one to step forward, expression stern. “I’ll trust you, Alpha.” He bowed his head, body stiff. I knew it must have taken a lot for him to agree to trust me, and I was thankful for it. After that the others followed his lead – one after another – repledging their alliance to me. Dace gave me a small smile, respect glimmering in his gaze before he turned away and pulling his cigarettes from his jacket pocket.

Allen approached me last. “Rhys.”

“Allen.”

He glanced towards the others, before stepping closer to me. He reached out his hand and pulled me into an embrace. I had to hold back the urge to growl. “You should be careful not to get too attached…humans are such fragile things.”

“Are you threatening me?”

He pulled back, grinning. “Of course not. Just cautioning you, Alpha.”

I watched him as he walked away and out of the bar. I wanted to protect Dove, but it appeared that I had only put her into a more dangerous situation.