Page 19 of The Alpha’s Forced Plus-Size Mate (Silverfang Creek Wolves #3)

The call came just before dawn, my phone vibrating on the nightstand like it had a vendetta against sleep. I was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, my thoughts a jumbled mess of plans and contingencies. As I answered, a voice crackled on the other end.

“They’ve gathered,” the scout reported, his tone clipped and urgent. “Small field outside town off Timber Road. At least a dozen. Maybe more.”

I cursed under my breath, the weight of the inevitable settling on my shoulders. The battle was today, just like the demons promised. “Stay there. Keep eyes on them, but don’t engage,” I ordered. “I’ll rally the pack.”

As I hung up, I turned to the bed where Naomi lay curled under the blankets, her chest rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep. She looked peaceful, her face soft and untroubled in the pale light creeping through the curtains. For a fleeting moment, I considered letting her stay behind, away from the chaos about to unfold. But I knew her too well. Naomi would fight, not just for herself but for the pack.

She’d never forgive me if I tried to leave her behind.

I leaned down, brushing my fingers along her cheek. “Naomi,” I said softly. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked up at me, confusion quickly giving way to clarity.

“What’s going on?” She was still warm and sleepy, and the urge to lay back down and gather her back into my arms was intense.

“It’s time.”

“They’re here aren’t they?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “We’ve got to get ready.”

She sat up, determination already etched across her features. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

In less than an hour, the house buzzed with urgency. Faye sat at the kitchen table, murmuring incantations as she practiced her charms. Saul was by the door, checking over his gear. I double-checked my weapons as well—a set of silver-edged knives, the spelled shotgun, and a Glock loaded with blessed rounds.

I sent out a message to the pack, keeping everything as clear and concise as I possibly could. “Demons have gathered outside town. All willing to fight, meet at the field off Timber Road. This is our chance to show them what the Red Canines are made of.”

Responses came quickly, some eager, others hesitant. Not everyone was a fighter, and I didn’t blame them for staying back. But those who answered the call—they were mine to protect, to lead.

When it was time to leave, I grabbed my leather jacket and slung my knife belt over my shoulder. Naomi appeared beside me, dressed for the fight in sturdy boots and a jacket that hugged her curves. She carried a small pack filled with the luck charms Faye had made, her expression resolute.

“You’re riding with me.”

She smiled up at me, a bright spot in the face of the darkness of the upcoming battle. “There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.”

Naomi followed me out to the driveway, where my Harley gleamed under the morning light. Faye climbed into Saul’s truck, her hands clasping the spell book she carried like it was a lifeline. Naomi climbed onto the back of the bike, her arms wrapping around my waist without hesitation. The warmth of her touch grounded me, even as the tension of what lay ahead coiled in my gut.

“Hold on tight,” I told her over my shoulder. “Don’t let go.”

I felt her lay her cheek against my back. “I won’t.”

I handed her a helmet, pulling on my own afterward. With a growl of the engine, we tore out of the driveway, Saul’s truck rumbling behind us. The wind whipped past us as we raced toward the field, the horizon brightening with the gracefully rising sun.

This wasn’t just a fight. It was a stand, a declaration. We weren’t going to let these demons take what was ours. Not our land, not our people, and sure as hell not my mate.

I wouldn’t lose her. Fate be damned. Naomi was never leaving my life.

The roar of engines echoed through the empty streets. It was early, and most of the human residents of Athens were still sleeping. It was only the Red Canines that had early morning wars to fight.

As we sped toward the field, the sound multiplied. The rumble bounced off the buildings and spread out into the countryside like a war cry. At first, it was just Saul’s truck rumbling behind us, but soon, a low, familiar growl joined in. A lone motorcycle appeared in my side mirror, pulling up beside us. Then another. And another.

The Red Canines.

Naomi leaned closer, her voice just audible over the wind. “They’re coming.”

I glanced back briefly, catching sight of more headlights cutting through the morning haze. One by one, they fell into formation, their riders clad in leather and resolve. My throat felt tight, not with fear but with something fierce and proud.

The pack was answering my call.

By the time we reached the outskirts of town, there were at least twenty bikes surrounding us, their engines harmonizing in a rumble that vibrated in my bones. Familiar faces turned toward me as they rode up—wolves I’d fought beside, laughed with, and was going to bleed for.

Penny and Rhonda rode in tandem, their expressions determined. Big Jake was there too, his hulking frame unmistakable even beneath his jacket. Finn, who’d once doubted me, raised a fist in silent acknowledgment as he pulled up beside me.

The sheer number of them—it was overwhelming. Naomi’s arms tightened around my waist, and when I looked over my shoulder, I caught her expression. There was awe in her eyes but also worry. She knew what this meant. How many of us might not ride back?

I focused ahead, keeping my jaw clenched and my thoughts steady. This was bigger than just survival. This was about proving we were more than our past mistakes, that the Red Canines were a pack worth fighting for.

The group swelled as we drew closer to the field, bikes flanking us on either side until we were a thundering army on wheels. The sight of it—of us—made something shift inside of me. These weren’t just pack members. They were family. Naomi leaned closer again, her voice a little softer this time. “They trust you.”

I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the handlebars tighter. “They trust us,” I corrected.

The field loomed ahead, bathed in the faint orange light of the rising sun. I slowed the bike as we approached, signaling for the others to spread out. The promise of a fight was hanging heavy in the air. The grass, damp with dew, shimmered. It was beautiful, sure, but the scene was far from peaceful.

At the far end of the clearing, the demons waited, a grotesque, writhing mass of human shapes twisted into something unholy. Their eyes glowed faintly in the dawn, their inhuman grins promising violence. They shifted restlessly, their clawed fingers twitching like they couldn’t wait to dig into flesh. Some looked more human than others, so fresh that they’d be able to pass as normal on the streets. Others seemed like they were melting before our eyes, deep into the process of decomposition, reeking and falling apart.

The pack and I pulled into formation, bikes fanning out to encircle me. The growl of engines faded as, one by one, we killed them. Naomi slid off the back of my bike, her hand brushing against my shoulder before she joined Faye and Saul. I stayed seated for a moment longer, taking in the sheer number of pack members that had shown up.

Dozens of them stood with their bikes now parked in an imposing semi-circle. My heart swelled. We were the Red Canines, loud and defiant. Every face turned toward me, waiting for my word. I glanced toward the demons again. They hadn’t moved closer, but their presence was creeping over the field. I didn’t let myself dwell on what might happen if we lost.

We weren’t going to lose. We couldn’t. Not when we were standing on the edge of becoming the pack we always should have been. I raised my voice, letting it carry over the stillness.

“This is it,” I began, pacing in front of the pack. “This is what we’ve been waiting for!”

The crowd let out a low growl of agreement.

“They think they can break us. They think we’re still the same scrappy, out-of-control pack we used to be. But look at us!” I gestured around, my voice rising. “We are the Red Canines, and today, we remind them who they’re messing with!”

A roar went up from the group, fierce and unrelenting. The sound made my blood pump harder, adrenaline roaring through my veins.

“They’re here to take what’s ours.” I scanned their faces, locking eyes with as many of them as I could. “They’re not just fighting me. They’re fighting all of us. And we’re fighting for our mates. Our pups. Our future.”

The response was deafening—a unified bellow. My wolves. My pack.

I stepped forward, planting my feet firmly on the ground, and let my voice drop just enough to be heard clearly over the noise. “After this, those demons will know better than to ever cross us again.”

Then, the time for talk was over. The first demon charged across the field, and my shotgun felt like an extension of my arm as I leveled it and fired. The blast rocked through my body, the sound cashing over the field. The demon’s stolen body jerked back before exploding in a burst of white light, disintegrating into ash.

“Hold the line!” I shouted.

All around me, the pack fought with everything they had. Gunshots cracked through the air, knives flashed in the sunlight, and the ground was littered with spent shell casings and streaks of blood. The demons were relentless, their movements jerky and unnatural, but they came at us with precision, their eyes burning with hatred.

Naomi stayed at my side, her face pale. She gripped her spelled knife tightly, her knuckles white against the hilt. Every part of me wanted to shield her, to pull her back and keep her from the madness. But through the mate - bond, I could feel her, and it helped me keep tabs on her. It was a layer of safety I was thankful for.

“Stay close,” I growled, barely sparing her a glance as I reloaded the shotgun.

When one of the demons lunged too close, she was already moving, her blade slicing upward. The demon let out a guttural cry before its body burst into ash. The spelled blades could kill two, maybe three demons if we were lucky, and that had been her first. Naomi looked shocked but held strong, widening her stance and waiting for the next danger.

God, she was beautiful—fierce, capable, and terrifyingly exposed. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her, but there was no time to get distracted, so I relied on the bond.

Another demon rushed me, screeching. I brought the shotgun up just in time, pulling the trigger. The blast sent it reeling, its stolen body crumpling before disappearing in another bright flash of light. A single arm survived the explosion, falling blackened to the grass, fingers still twitching.

The pack was holding its own, but it wasn’t without cost. A cry of pain tore through the air, and I turned just in time to see one of my men fall, a demon ripping into him. My gut clenched as he managed to fire a shot into the creature’s face even as he went down, taking it with him.

“Behind you!” Naomi’s voice rang out, and I whirled, my knife already in hand. I slashed upward, the blade sinking into the demon’s chest. It hissed before exploding into ash, the dust settling on my boots.

“Thanks,” I grunted, grabbing her arm to pull her closer.

“I’m not going anywhere!” she swore, teeth clenched.

Good, because I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.

The demons came in waves, their bodies twisted and wrong as they charged. Their howls were like nails on a chalkboard, setting my teeth on edge. I fired shot after shot, each blast a momentary relief as another enemy turned to ash.

But the fight wasn’t just physical. Every time a demon fell, I couldn’t help but see the human body it had stolen. I told myself they were already gone, their souls devoured or destroyed, but it didn’t make the weight on my chest any lighter.

Another wolf cried out as claws raked across his side. He managed to take the demon down, but the sight of him bleeding in the dirt made my blood boil. This wasn’t just a fight. It was a goddamn war, and we were paying the price.

When the last two demons broke away, their inky black eyes locking on me, I raised my shotgun again, ready to fire. But they didn’t attack.

“This isn’t over,” one hissed, its voice like gravel scraping over steel. Then they turned and ran, their twisted forms disappearing into the tree line.

It was the end. We’d done it.

I didn’t lower my weapon until the sound of their footsteps faded completely. Around me, the pack was catching their breath, their weapons hanging at their sides. Three of our own lay dead. I couldn’t take my eyes off their crumpled forms, my chest tightening like a vise. Naomi’s hand slipped into mine, her touch keeping my rage at bay. I glanced at her, her face streaked with ash and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“We made it,” she said, her voice cracking.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Not all of us.”

Slowly, the exhausted pack gathered around me, some of them actively bleeding, but at least all the survivors were on their feet. Some were reluctant to leave the fallen—Vince, the older wolf that had spoken up at the bar, and two other younger males, Tim and Ken.

“Bring them home,” I called out, so tired that it was difficult to raise my voice loud enough to be heard. “We'll honor them properly. They fought like warriors, and they’ll be remembered as such.”

A few heads nodded, and the wolves began to move, carrying our fallen brothers back to the few parked trucks as tears streamed down their faces. The pack was solemn, the weight of loss heavy. I let the silence linger for a moment before raising my voice again.

“But tonight,” I said, forcing strength into my tone, “we celebrate. Not just for them but for us. We stood together, shoulder to shoulder, and we won. Against demons, against odds that would’ve crushed anyone else. The Red Canines are still standing, and that means something.”

There were murmurs of agreement, low growls of approval that slowly grew louder. I scanned the faces of my pack, their exhaustion mingling with hope.

“And starting tonight,” I continued, “we’re changing this pack for the better. No more drugs. No more guns. We’re done with the shit that’s dragged us down for years. We’re going straight.”

That got a reaction. A ripple of shock passed through the crowd. Some looked tentatively agreeable, while others exchanged uneasy glances. I met their eyes, one by one, daring them to challenge me. A bolt of shock ripped through me when I saw Julian at the back of the crowd, his face turned away from me. He had come to fight? I had expected him to avoid the battle, considering how much of an asshole he had been, but seeing him there gave me a small kennel of hope for my friend.

“This pack has a future,” I said, addressing the pack once more. “One with mates, pups, and peace. But that future doesn’t come with dirty money and a trail of bodies. We’re better than that. We have to be.”

The voices grew louder. There was support and resistance. I could see the tension brewing, especially in Julian. He stood with four others near the back, his jaw tight, arms crossed, eyes burning into me.

“For tonight—rest, eat good food, and hold your loved ones close. We’ll figure out the changes later, but we’ve done more than enough for today.”

As the pack began to disperse, the din of voices fading, Julian stepped forward with his crew—Rick, Kane, Tanner, and Liam. Everyone stopped once more, turning back to see what the new disturbance was.

“You really think this is gonna work?” Julian said, his voice laced with disbelief. “You’re just gonna flip a switch, and everyone’s gonna be okay with losing everything we’ve built? The guns, the drugs, the money—it’s what kept this pack alive, Danny.”

I squared my shoulders, meeting his glare. “The guns, drugs, and money also brought us bloodshed, arrests, and most of the pack without mates. I’m done with it, Julian. We’re done with it.”

Julian let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You don’t speak for all of us.”

“Wrong. I’m the Alpha,” I growled. “I do speak for all of us.”

A furious energy crackled between us, and I could see the decision forming in his eyes before he even said the words. I wanted to pull him back, to make him reconsider, but I couldn’t lower myself in front of my pack—not even for my best friend.

I was the Alpha, and I had to stand tall.

“You’re not my Alpha,” he spat. “Or theirs.” He gestured to his crew. “We’re out. We’re starting our own pack, one that doesn’t forget who we are.”

“You walk away now,” I said, danger ringing in my words, “and you’re not coming back. Ever, Julian.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. “Oh, I’ll be back, Danny. And when I am, you’ll regret abandoning your brothers.”

With that, he turned on his heel, his crew following him as they stalked off toward their bikes. I didn’t move, my fists clenched at my sides as their engines roared to life and they disappeared into the distance.

It was hard to breathe. My head swam. Julian—he’d really done it, and on the day of our victory, no less. A piece of my heart turned black.

The pack was quiet, the absence of Julian and his crew leaving a noticeable void. I felt Naomi’s hand slip into mine, but her skin was cold. I looked down at her, her expression troubled, guilt written all over her face.

“Naomi,” I reached down, turning to face her fully. “What is it, Mate?”

She shook her head, her eyes shimmering. “I—I feel like this is my fault. Julian—he wouldn’t have left if I hadn’t—”

“Stop.” My voice came out firmer than I intended, but I needed her to hear me.”This isn’t on you. Julian made his choice. None of us made it for him, especially not you.”

“But if I hadn’t—”

“You’re everything to me,” I cut her off, pulling her closer. “You’re my mate, my queen, and this pack needs you. I need you. We’re building something better, Naomi, and I can’t do it without you.”

Her breath stuttered, and for a moment, I thought she might argue again. But then she nodded, leaning into me, her head resting against my chest.

“I’m with you,” she breathed.

“Good,” I said, wrapping my arms around her. “Because we’ve got a long road ahead.”