Page 49 of Wulf’s Pack

Chapter

Twenty-Five

“Half the units on the first floor are already remodeled,” Matt says. “We’d want to soundproof the walls as much as possible, but it wouldn’t take much to make them move-in ready.”

I look around, trying to see what they see, but I’ve never been very construction oriented.

That’s my brother’s area of expertise. Matt definitely knows what he’s doing, though, so if he says it’s a good idea, I trust him.

And besides, we already looked at the other three buildings on the block.

None of them would be easy to convert into residential units.

“No objections, then?” I ask all three of the men with me.

“It’s a great price,” Sean says.

Matt nods enthusiastically. “It’ll take some work, but not as much as you think, and it’s perfect for what we need.”

It’s a big commitment, but it’s necessary, and if I’m being honest, we’re lucky to have it.

It just makes it all feel real. I rub the back of my neck and let out a heavy breath.

“Okay. Let’s do it. Not just this building, though.

Let’s try to get the whole block. Elise’s idea was a good one.

We can figure out what we want to do with the other buildings late?—”

My words are cut off when absolute terror slams into me through my mate bond. My breath is knocked from my lungs, and I stumble. “Alpha!” Matt cries, rushing to my side. “What’s wrong?”

“Skylar,” I gasp, clutching my chest. My heart is racing, and mindless panic is muddling my thoughts. Skylar! I call through the bond. Skylar! What’s wrong?

It’s Victor!

I let out an earth-shattering roar. WHERE ARE YOU?

Enzo’s office. Carl is ? —

She doesn’t finish her sentence. Our connection is cut off. Skylar? Skylar!

For a second my heart stops, but I soon realize our bond is still there; it’s just weak.

Muted. She’s not dead. It has to be another one of Victor’s heinous collars that suppresses her wolf.

Thanks to our mate bond, I can still feel her presence and a hint of her emotions, but I can’t speak to her through the pack bond.

Pain rips through me, and I feel one of my pack bonds sever. A hole opens up in my chest, and I crash to my knees. I scream again, and my wolf howls for the packmate we’ve just lost. It takes me a moment to recognize that it’s Carl whose life has just been snuffed out.

“Alpha!”

“Sir!”

“WULF!”

I force my panic down and focus on my severely distressed packmate. “Victor,” I rasp. “He’s got Skylar. Carl’s dead.”

Matt’s face pales. He helps me to my feet, and as soon as I’m steady, we run as fast as we can back to the warehouse. It’s just down the street, so we’d come here on foot. I’m cursing that decision now. Audrey.

Alpha…

I nearly collapse again with relief when Audrey’s voice enters my mind, but it’s weak. Too weak. And her bond is growing thin. “SHIT!”

I shift right out of my clothes and push myself faster than I’ve ever run before.

Opening my mental link to the entire pack, I shout, Bree, Ben, Isabella, Easton, and Micah, meet me outside in thirty seconds and be ready to fight.

Skylar’s been taken. Carl is dead, and Audrey is fading fast. Everyone else, stay together and stay in the warehouse.

Elise, call Nora Jacobs. Tell her what’s happened and to get to Enzo’s office ASAP.

I’m not sure if he’s been attacked as well.

To their credit, the pack keeps a level head.

I can feel their shock, panic, and grief, but they do as they’re told and send feelings of love and trust back to me.

I can feel them banding together, calling up a well of strength and fierce determination.

Their courage is admirable and just what I need to keep my mind clear. Our pack is small but mighty.

My team is already waiting for me in the SUV when I get there. Ethan is holding the trunk open. I bump my head against Matt’s before jumping in the back of the car. Take care of them. Try to keep them calm, and keep them safe.

I’ll protect them with my life. Bring our girls home, Alpha, and make those bastards pay.

I let loose a growl of agreement and jump in the back of the SUV. Ethan slams it closed and hops in the back seat. Bree tears out of the parking lot as soon as his door’s closed.

After relaying directions to Enzo’s office, the car falls silent. The tension is stifling. Isabelle breaks it, quietly asking, “Audrey?”

I haven’t managed to shift back, so I open my link to everyone in the car. Hanging on by a thread.

Bree steps on the gas and runs every light until we’re screeching to a halt outside a small medical complex near the hospital.

We’re the first to arrive aside from a few human bystanders standing around in small huddles, looking horrified and shellshocked.

I burst from the car, and people start running and screaming.

I can’t blame them for fearing my wolf after the fight they must have just witnessed.

I shove my wolf back and shift just as I reach the scene.

The carnage is brutal. The two men from Parker’s security team are dead, and two unfamiliar wolves lie in a bloody, mangled mess beside Carl’s body.

Another rests not far from Audrey. She must have taken him down before the others got her.

Two humans in scrubs are kneeling over her, covered in blood and attempting first aid.

Another human is hunched over Enzo. I send up a prayer that he’s only unconscious and not dead.

Sliding to my knees beside Audrey, I curse at the sight before me.

The poor, brave girl has been eviscerated.

The two humans are basically trying to keep her bowels from spilling onto the ground beside her.

“Audrey, honey, stay with me.” The unconscious girl can’t hear me, but I say the words aloud anyway.

I press my forehead to hers and push as much alpha power into her as I can.

It’s not a cure by any stretch, but it might just be enough to keep her alive until help arrives.

“You’ve got this, sweetheart. Just hang on. Keep fighting.”

“Can she really survive this?” one of the humans asks softly.

The woman is pale and slightly green, but she’s amazingly calm, considering she’s holding Audrey’s intestines in place.

“I’m not sure. Shifters are resilient, but this…” I swallow hard, keeping my focus on her pack bond. “She won’t last long without proper medical care.”

Another woman in scrubs walks over to us on shaky legs. “I’ve called for an ambulance. They should be here any minute. But they’re human. Will they be able to help her?”

I’m touched by the concern these humans are showing for my fallen packmate.

A shifter. Tensions are high between humans and underworlders.

Maybe it’s the medical professionals in them that makes them so compassionate, but whatever it is, I am grateful to them.

“If they can stop the bleeding, she’ll have a chance.

” I look up at the man and woman who are doing their best to help a stranger.

“Thank you,” I croak in a hoarse voice. “She’s still alive because of you.

Whether she makes it or not, I am eternally grateful. ”

A shadow falls over us and a soft, raspy, weak voice says, “Perhaps I can help.”

“Enzo!” I let out a breath when he kneels beside me. “Thank the moon goddess. I wasn’t sure if…” I can’t say it. The thought of my clan brother dead is just too much for me to handle at the moment.

“I’m all right. Just took a hit to the head.”

I nearly cry with relief.

He places his hands over Audrey’s wounds. “Please continue to hold her,” he instructs the two humans. “Try to close the wound as much as you can.”

Neither human says anything as Enzo starts pouring his healing magic into Audrey’s ravished body, but they follow his directions. I hold my breath as I wait to see if he’s too late. He sways to the side, and I reach for him. “Are you okay? Do you have enough strength? Don’t hurt yourself.”

He leans against me, but never breaks his concentration. “I’m okay. Just a bit dizzy.”

The humans both gasp, and I know that Audrey will live. The bleeding has stopped, her insides are moving back into place, and the gaping hole in her stomach is starting to mend shut.

“Impossible,” the human man breathes.

The woman’s voice is full of just as much wonder. “It’s a miracle.”

I push back another bout of emotion. “Yes. Enzo is a miracle worker. I wrap my arm around the shaman’s shoulders and squeeze him gently. “Thank you, brother.”

Audrey wakes with a gasp. She lurches up and cries out, startled. I hold her down and brush her bloody hair back from her face. “Shh, sweetheart. Stay still. I know it hurts, but you’ll be okay soon. Enzo’s fixing you up.”

Tears fill Audrey’s eyes and spill down her temples. “Alpha…”

“Shh. I’m here.”

I continue combing my fingers through her hair and reach out to her through our pack bond.

I’m relieved to feel it much stronger. I pass along more alpha power and feelings of comfort and peace.

She lets out a sob and holds up her hand.

I grasp it, not caring that I’m getting covered in blood. “They took her,” she croaks.

I gulp and push conviction into my voice. “We will get her back.”

“Carl…is he…?”

I close my eyes against the sting of tears and shake my head. Audrey squeezes my hand in a bone-crushing grip and sobs again. “I tried,” she cries. “There were too many. They took us by surprise. They were so strong.”

Bree crouches down beside me and takes Audrey’s hand from me. “It’s not your fault. You fought bravely. You even got one of the bastards. We couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Audrey’s lip quivers, but she stops her sobs and finally loses the battle with sleep. Healing takes it out of you, and after what Audrey went through, she’ll probably be out for hours if not a day.

The world around me penetrates the bubble I’ve been in, and I take note of the chaos. Sirens are blaring, and lights are flashing. Cops, firemen, and paramedics are swarming us. I can tell the paramedics want to step in, but it’s clear that Enzo doesn’t need help.

Nora and Gorgeous are here. Nora is talking to Ben and Isabella, and Gorgeous is working with a handful of other FUA agents to keep the crowd back. Ethan and Micah are scanning the surroundings on high alert, standing sentry around us. Judging by their attentiveness, they’ve been well trained.

Relief hits me knowing that I have backup in Carl’s absence.

Then guilt kicks me in the stomach for already thinking of replacing the bear shifter when his body’s still warm.

And finally, grief swamps me. Sadness for my friend, fear for the future, pain knowing that I was his alpha, and I couldn’t keep him safe.

Devastation at how I’ve failed my mate. Crippling fear about what she must be going through.

What that bastard might be doing to her.

My breaths become shallow, my chest starts to hurt, my head starts to swim, and my body begins to shake.

The world is closing in on me. It’s all too much.

The weight of it all crushes me. I stumble back and plop hard on my ass.

For one long moment, the feelings overwhelm me, but I push it all aside.

I can’t fall apart. I have a pack now. I have a mate. And they need me.

Something hardens in my gut. It takes a moment to recognize it as resolve.

It’s a combination of anger, fear, love, and pride.

Together, those things meld into a steely ball of determination.

I may have spent my life content to do my own thing, but I am the son of an alpha and was raised as such.

I have been taught to lead. I’ve been trained to fight in both wolf and human form.

I am one of the strongest wolves in Michigan.

I am smart. I am loyal. I’m compassionate, honest, and fair.

I. Am. Alpha.

Surging to my feet, I blast out a wave of dominance that has everyone present stopping what they’re doing and paying attention.

My pack gathers around me instantly, ready and waiting for my instruction.

There is not an ounce of doubt among them.

Their loyalty and faith in me might be premature, but I will earn it.

I will do right by my pack. Starting now.

The carefree bartender who avoids relationships and shirks responsibility is gone.

I am Wulf Winters. Alpha of the new Detroit Shifter Pack.

And I am going to prove to the world that you do not mess with me.

You do not threaten me or try to take what is mine.

I meet the gazes of each of my pack members and watch as my strength becomes theirs. Their courage and grit pulse through our pack bond, matching my own. “This ends now,” I say in a low, lethal voice that bleeds with my thirst for vengeance. “Victor Santos is a dead man walking.”

My vow is met with fierce growls from my packmates that only feed my bloodlust.

“They are strong, but we will be stronger. We have to be. Skylar is counting on us.”

Bree gives me a sharp nod. “We’ll get her back, Alpha.”

I clench my hands into fists. “We’ll do more than that.

We’re going to decimate them. We’ll wipe every last one of them from this Earth and send a message to the world that you don’t mess with the Detroit pack.

You don’t threaten us, and you don’t take what is ours.

” I meet the eyes of each of my shifters. “Are you with me?”

“100 percent, Alpha,” Easton says, and the others nod.