Page 33

Stacy

We’re at the town hall for Erica’s birthday party and the birthday girl seems tipsy. And very happy.

The party has so many people. It’s been quite overwhelming. Considering the fact that she’s also meeting most of the pack for the first time, I’m so glad a party for me isn’t my initiation into the pack. I mean, I’m meeting them all too but she’s up on a dais sitting on a special throne in order to get as much attention as possible. Even the way she’s dressed with a pageant sash shows she’s queen for the night and she’s basking in the attention, clearly an extrovert.

People have been kind to me, but I’m overwhelmed. I see that they’re curious. I’ve been greeted by many men, women, even some kids. I haven’t sensed any judgement coming from anyone, but they’re definitely curious, maybe even pitying and it’s been a lot.

When Tyson and Mason come over with their women and my eyes meet the eyes of the petite blonde on Tyson’s arm, I very nearly burst into tears.

Tyson says, “Stacy Blackwood, this is my Ivy.”

She reaches out to shake my hand and when she takes it, she squeezes it and gives me an expression that says Bailey is right: I have nothing to worry about from Ivy Savage.

“Hi Stacy. Good to meet you,” she says.

“You, too, Ivy,” I say shakily. “I’m sorry for what I did,” I add. “I know I didn’t just hurt Tyson, I also hurt you by making you afraid and I really do regret that.”

The fact that I caused her any hurt at all is devastating to me. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if someone shot Grey.

She smiles warmly, understanding lighting her unique-looking purplish eyes. “I get it. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, too. Congratulations on finding Greyson. I hope you’ll both be very happy together.”

Mason’s mate, Ivy’s voluptuous dark-haired sister speaks up.

“We should do a dinner next weekend, shouldn’t we Doggo? All four couples. Shouldn’t we? I think we should. So… we will. Okay? I’m Amelia, by the way, friends call me Amie, so… call me Amie.”

She’s kind of fierce. And lovely.

“Sure,” Mason agrees, seeming amused. “Whatever you want, wildberry.”

“Hi Amie, nice to meet you,” I say. “I’m so sorry for what my brother did to Mason. The guns…”

“You don’t need to apologize for your brother, girlfriend,” Amie asserts, then demands, “Give me your number.” She pulls out her phone. “I’ll make plans and text you the details.”

I clear my throat. “I… don’t have my phone and I don’t remember the number, it’s only a disposable, but I’ll, I’ll…”

“Phone’s at Joel’s, Blossom,” Grey replies. “But screen’s got a huge crack. I’ll get you a new one. Girls, you can text her on my line until I get that sorted.”

Both women smile and agree before Amie grabs her sister’s hand and says, “Ooh, food. Let’s go check out some food.”

“Blergh,” Ivy grumbles. “We’re both pregnant and she has a love for food and I’m having trouble tolerating it.”

“Congratulations to you both,” I say.

“Thanks. Later!” Ivy waves.

Amie says and does the same.

“Text me so I can put you in my phone, Grey? You have my number?” Amie asks.

“I’ll get ‘em from Bailey.” Grey says.

***

I don’t want to ask when we’ll get to go back to the house, but I’m hoping it’s soon. This night has been a lot.

Once I get a chance to decompress and process all of it, I know I’ll be excited about what the future could hold with a village this large. I can’t help but think of the girls back home. I would love to regale them with tales of what this pack is like, what the village is like, and how there’s this awesome party space and everyone here works together to bring food and shower someone with gifts. I’d love to watch hope fill their eyes that a life like this is possible.

Some of the gifts Erica opened are expensive. Some of them are handmade. There have been happy faces of all ages here, though the few children who came were here just to say hello and have birthday cake, it seems, and then they left.

Grey said there are a lot more kids in the pack than those who came by, and that there are family parties as well as adults only parties, depending on the occasion. I’m in awe of seeing so many healthy, happy faces of all ages.

He has been good about sticking close, but so many have been coming over to greet him and obviously also to meet me that it’s made me feel a little claustrophobic. He’s got so much respect, it seems. He’s well loved. I know if I wasn’t so nervous and out of my element that I’d feel nothing but pride being on his arm.

“I need the restroom,” I say softly as Atticus and Lucy Savage leave our table. They’re Riley Savage’s parents and they were both very friendly.

“Need me to walk you there?” he asks with affection, squeezing my leg.

“I think I’ll try to do this all by myself,” I say. “Try not to break my ankles, that is…”

He looks concerned.

I wave it off. “A joke,” I say. “I’m fine; back in a minute.”

He squeezes my hand with affection and kisses my throat before I walk toward the nearest restroom, which is down the hall at the back of the space.

“Come dance with us when you get back,” Erica, the birthday girl, calls to me.

Her cheeks are flushed, and she looks like she’s having a lot of fun. Even if I knew how to dance, I couldn’t while wearing these shoes. The balls of my feet feel like they’re on fire and I’ve got blisters forming on the back of both heels. But I like the idea of dancing with friends. The girls on the dance floor look like they’re having fun.

Once I’m in the restroom and have used the facilities, I take a minute alone in the stall to take a few deep breaths.

This wasn’t so bad. I’ve faced everyone I’ve wronged, and nobody seems to be holding a grudge. The man named Lorenzo told me he hears I make special treats, and I can make up for the pie incident by making him some of those.

I felt beyond awkward but appreciated the effort he made. The other two alphas that got the herb both came over to greet us and seem like they’re holding no ill will. Even Finnegan said hello and gave me a smile. It seemed a little forced, but I suspected he’s trying to make up for upsetting Grey. And maybe he was just nervous about coming near Grey after upsetting him.

I’m glad I came, because I’ve seen what’s possible here. It hasn’t even been the entire pack here tonight. I’m filled with so much hope for my people back home. I’m excited about the possibilities, though terrified of what might have to happen to get us there. I’m also hopeful for me.

A future here. With Grey. With friends. Maybe even with a family of our own.

I place my hand on my belly and hope. I hope hard I’ll get to be pregnant soon, that I can have the experience with Ivy and Amie. That our kids will grow up together to build a strong bond.

While daydreaming about this, I hear someone come in.

Taking one more deep breath, I exit the stall and move to the sink to wash my hands beside an attractive, tall blonde who is at the mirror applying lipstick and studying my reflection.

“Hello,” she greets sunnily. “We haven’t met yet.”

“Hello. Stacy Meadows.”

“You mean Blackwood,” she corrects. “I’m Sherry Creed.”

“Right. I keep forgetting about my new last name. Creed? Are you related to Jase?”

“Jason’s my older brother,” she advises, then plants her hand on her waist and leans on one foot. “So, question…how many of our pack members got your special brew?”

I’m taken aback.

“You know…” She holds her index and middle fingers on both hands up to draw air quotes. “ Special brew .” She winks.

“I… three. But I –”

“Because I’d love to know what you used. I can think of a few people I’d love to brew a little something.” She cackles evilly.

And I’m thrown. Is this supposed to be a joke?

“Chances are, you’ll get away with not ever having to cook for one of these things though, huh? They’ll ask you to bring napkins or paper plates. My mother had us cooking at the crack of dawn today for this. Ugh. Hate domestic shit. Chipped a nail peeling carrots.”

She examines her manicure with irritation.

“Well, it was nice to meet you. I should…” I gesture to the door.

“So, is Grey an absolute animal in bed or what? Heard you two were shift-fucking in the woods the other night and that it was insanely hot to watch.”

I’m taken aback.

She keeps talking. “I made a pass at him once, when I was about sixteen, seventeen, but he wouldn’t go there with me. Bro code. Best friend’s sister and all. Couldn’t resist trying with all that confident hot alpha vibe he has goin’ on, you know? But I have heard from someone who knows that he’s bossy in bed in the best way. Still true?”

The door to the bathroom opens and my heart stops.

Because it’s my brother coming in. But his eyes aren’t on me. They’re on Sherry Creed. And while I recognize the look of lust on his face, it’s out of place. He’s here. In the Arcana Falls town hall during Erica Young’s birthday party! Here in this ladies’ bathroom.

“Wyatt?” I breathe in shock.

He’s statue-still, staring at Jase’s sister.

My heartrate kicks up and I feel a little vertigo as I process his presence. How did he get in here? What is he up to? Why is he looking at Jase’s sister like he’s about to rip her clothes off and mount her?

I grab her hand and her eyes dart to me with concern. I’m about to make a move, about to tug her so we can scoot by him to get to Grey as fast as possible, but he seems to shake himself out of what looks like a spell to turn his gaze to me with absolute disgust. He reaches out and grabs my wrist tight. So tight, I’m surprised my bones don’t snap.

Muscle memory kicks in and I avert my eyes and show my neck.

“Oh God, Wyatt,” I whisper. “Please, please tell me you’re not here to cause more problems.”

I dare to glance at his face and his expression sours even further while he pulls his hand back like he’s about to backhand me.

“Cause problems? Are you for fucking real, Stacy?”

“Please talk this out with them,” I request. “I really think there’s an amicable way to deal with this. If you–”

“Shut your fuckin’ mouth, traitorous bitch,” he grinds out. “I’m about to deal with this all right. I’m about to shake things up in a big way. Since you didn’t fuckin’ help I’ll remember your treason when I take this land for myself. The land, the pack, and especially this sweet thing here.” He grabs Sherry by hooking a hand around her neck and pulling her to his body.

“Who the hell do you think you are putting your hands on me?” Sherry demands, hands up and trying to push him away, but he’s not budging.

“I’m the man of your dreams, sweet thing. The one you’ve been waiting for.”

She jerks with shock as he puts his mouth on hers.

I’ve never seen my brother kiss another female. It’s shocking and gross, because he licks her mouth. She struggles and recoils while she wipes her mouth, eyeing the knife in his hand as she does.

Oh no. A knife?

“Excuse me but what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she demands with what looks like false bravado because she’s still looking at the knife.

“I’m about to shake some shit up. And surprise, surprise, you get a front row seat, by my side. Fuck, this is a nice side effect. Never believed in this shit before but yeah, I get it. You’re one lucky lady. I’m taking this place and you…” he points the knife at her “get to be my queen.”

“Wyatt, seriously, please listen–”

His eyes bounce to me with hatred in them. “Shut your fuckin’ mouth. How dare you even speak to me without permission. Not the way I planned to do this tonight, but let’s go end this shit.” Wyatt’s eyes narrow, zeroing in on something on me. “Look at that ridiculous fuckin’ thing on your neck. I should cut it off you.” He points the knife at me with a sneer. “You’ve got a lot of shit to answer for, slut. Spreadin’ your legs for the enemy? And you fuckin’ stink, covered in that scent? I oughta cut that off your throat and make you bathe in bleach to get that stench off you.”

Sherry begins backing up.

“Tyson Savage isn’t what you think, Wyatt. I did what you asked, and he survived, but I found out a lot of things. Things that could help us. If he killed Father, it’s because his uncle forced him. These people aren’t an abomination. They could actually help us. It’s not too late. You could sit down with them and–”

He releases me and quickly switches the knife to his other hand, pointing it at me as he reaches out to snatch her wrist too before she gets past him.

“Definitely too late. And you’ve been no help whatsoever. In fact you’ve been feeding them information, haven’t you? So I’m gonna remember that when this is over. Believe that.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask, horrified.

I don’t like how confident he is. He’s here in this town hall with loads of people, with all the alphas in attendance. And here he is looking like he thinks he’s holding all the cards.

He has something planned. I just don’t know what, though I already know it’s not good. I suspect there’s more happening here than him planning to point a knife at the council here. He has no scent so he’s obviously masked, but to walk in here so blatantly like this?

“Is this asshole the one who made you shoot Ty? Poison the pack members? Attacked Riley and shot those guys with poison darts?” Sherry demands. “You’re in big trouble, man. You should do what your sister says and beg my brother and the other council members for mercy.”

“You two can flap your gums to one another later on when I don’t got shit to get done on a deadline. And when I don’t have to listen to you while you do it. Fuckin’ females. Though this one’ll be under my heel for a while after the traitorous shit she’s pulled.” He gestures to me. “And you…” He eyes Sherry hungrily, “You’ll definitely be under me in every way you can be for the foreseeable future. Fuck me, but you smell better than any bitch I’ve ever scented. Your scent drew me here. The fact my traitorous bitch of a sister was here with you shows me this is my time. My night. It’s all comin’ together.” He smiles wide like the evil villain he is.

“Wy, please listen…”

“Shut the fuck up,” Wyatt growls and pulls us both out of the bathroom and the knife is very close to my throat as we move toward a strange buzz.

There’s a major ruckus of discordant noise happening and I don’t have any idea what it is.

He tries to take us to the nearby exit, but a shadow moves in and calls out, “What the fuck? Release those women and stand down. Now!”

Cade. One of the men I gave the herb to.

“Unhand those women right now,” he repeats in a thunderous tone.

“Back off or this one gets her throat slit,” Wyatt threatens with the knife pointed an inch from my mate mark.

“Don’t shield yourself with females, you piece of shit. Let them go and take me on.” Cade wiggles his fingers in a ‘come at me’ gesture.

“Out of the way.” he warns. “Or Greyson Blackwood’s cunt gets her throat slit.”

“You’re not getting past me with these women,” Cade denies.

“Fuck,” Wyatt grumbles under his breath and turns us the other way, taking us to where everyone is, where there’s a deafening noise of phones ringing, music playing, and a whole lot of buzzing.

I see Greyson immediately, close to the hallway. He was on his way to me. He must have sensed my panic.

“What the fuck?” Grey demands in a scary voice.

“I’m takin’ my sister and this woman!” Wyatt shouts. “If any of you try and stop me the girl we took dies. And possibly this one.” His arm tightens around my throat painfully.

But I can’t think about the pain because Grey suddenly has blood streaming down his face. What on earth happened? Panic envelopes me. Did Wyatt find a way to poison him? Oh God, no.

Suddenly the knife flies out of Wyatt’s hand and lands in the ceiling beam directly above us.

“Not only do you need to let my wife go,” Greyson shouts, “You need to send the woman you’ve nabbed back in here. Or… I end you.”

My mate is truly terrifying in this moment. And I’m not the only one who thinks so, because Wyatt’s grip loosens enough I can instantly run to Grey who catches me and grips me tight.

I survey his face, and he doesn’t seem hurt. He seems enraged. The blood coming down his cheeks comes from his eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it; it’s absolutely frightening.

Wyatt’s eyes bounce between Greyson and the knife up in the ceiling.

“And my sister, fuckwad,” Jase yells.

“No,” Wyatt denies. “Got here to get my sister and caught her scent. Turns out she’s mine.”

“What?” Sherry asks, looking bewildered, shaking her head no .

“Yeah.” Wyatt signals his nose. “Who’da thunk it?”

“Let her go, then call whoever you need to call to get the woman you kidnapped back in here,” Greyson snaps.

Who did my brother kidnap? My eyes dart around the space. Many of the people here for the party have gone and come to think of it, much of the room emptied as we came in.

Erica’s still here.

“I need assurances I’m gonna be let go,” Wyatt says with a devious smile I know all too well.

He’s playing a game.

“You’re not in a position to bargain, asshole,” Grey tells him, his hold on me tightening.

I’m beyond relieved to be in his arms, but I don’t like my brother’s body language. He has an ace up his sleeve. Who did he kidnap? Not all the council members are here. Tyson Savage isn’t here. Neither is Mason.

Greyson goes on, “It’s obvious you used a scent mask to get in here. What else have you pulled tonight?”

“Wouldn’t you all like to know?” my brother quips cockily.

“Send her in or suffer,” Riley demands. “ And let go of Sherry.”

Wyatt pulls his phone out of his pocket without letting go of Sherry. “My phone’s still fucked,” he says casually.

“Wyatt, please let her go,” I try.

“Can’t.” He shrugs. “Let me go, let me take her …” Sherry looks at Jase pleadingly – “and…” Wyatt shrugs. “I’ll have my guys let the witch go. Fair trade.”

Wyatt’s smile slips. “Who… who are you?”

I don’t know who he’s talking to at first.

“You’re not the witch that was at that cabin, are you?” Wyatt asks. “You a twin?”

He’s talking to Erica.

“Why the fuck do you think we’d let you trade?” Jase asks.

“Caught her scent on the way in here tonight. She’s gotta come with me. No ifs or buts about it. Unmated alpha here. This one’s my mate. But who the fuck are you?” He’s looking at Erica still. “Are you the one who tried to set me on fire? Who fried two of my betas? Thought I knew your scent, but it was covered by his claiming scent.”

“You fucking jerk,” Erica yells. “You have my sister! You thought she was me? Maybe I’ll melt you right now.”

Tiny blue sparks float around the crown of her head, almost like glowing but separated pieces of a halo. My heart pounds harder than it has ever pounded as I hang onto Grey for dear life, hoping that whatever my brother has planned, it goes wrong for him, that nobody gets hurt, that we get through this night unscathed somehow.

Erica shoots imaginary daggers from her eyes at my brother, but maybe they’re not imaginary because smoke floats around Wyatt’s shoulders.

Sherry gasps.