Chapter 2 - Gunnar

The best way to wake up is a blow job. Nothing revs my engine like waking up to plump lips wrapped around my cock, licking and sucking on it like her favorite lollipop. Too bad that wasn’t how my day started. 

No, my day started with a fucking AIRHORN being blasted near my ear. I jolted out of bed, hands over my ringing ears, certain my eardrums blew. I didn’t care that I was naked or that I knocked whatever her name was out of bed in the process. I turned, looking for the source of this unwelcome wake-up. My eyes narrowed on Holly Boland, who stood with the airhorn in one hand and the other resting on her wide hip, a look of annoyance on her otherwise pretty face. 

I could tell her to smile more, even offer to put a smile on those lips. I could, but I won’t because this is Holly. She would do worse than burst my eardrum for suggesting a spin on my cock could improve her mood. It’s been almost six years since her mate died back in Oregon, and she came home. The only thing that makes her smile is her little boy, Samuel. 

The raven-haired she-wolf that had been in my bed was glaring daggers at Holly. She’s not from Ironfur, so she doesn’t know Holly. All she sees is a female disturbing our sleep. My hearing was already returning, so I could hear the she-wolf growling at Holly as she grabbed the blanket off my bed to cover herself. 

It’s a shame to hide that figure. If she were even half as confident about her body, she would be standing naked like I was. I’m not diving to cover up. I know some of my physical attributes are because I’m of Alpha blood, but I still work hard to maintain this physique. Let Holly get a good, long look at what she could have if she asked nicely. 

“Stop your growling. You fifthly pack whore.” Holly scoffed at the she-wolf. 

“How dare you! Do you know who I am!?” The she-wolf sputtered.

“A filthy pack whore, like I said. I don’t care what your name is or who your daddy is. I may care even less than fuckboi here.” Holly rolled her eyes and gestured to me. 

“Who I would bet never knew your name and never will. Now get your clothes on and get out of my sight, or your precious daddy will get a full report of how you’ve banged your way through every eligible male of ranked blood gathered for the ball.” Holly threatened. 

She would win that bet. I don’t know her name. I never asked. I never ask women their names. They don’t matter. I’m a thirty-year-old unmated male, so of course I fuck around. I don’t get names because I don’t get serious. I would rather remain mateless than take a chosen mate. And the only female’s name I want to know and remember will be my mate’s. 

The she-wolf snarled and did the one thing you never do. She lunged at Holly. Even before Holly met Nigel and moved to Bloodmoon, she was not the wolf you fucked with. She’s taken me, Henrik, Clarence, and even, on the rare occasion, my brother Finn down in sparring fights.

No, we weren’t taking it easy on her. She’d have come at us twice as hard if she thought we went easy on her for being a girl. Holly didn’t slack off in Bloodmoon nor let her heartbreak when she came home dull her skills.

She sidestepped like a matador. All she needed was the funny outfit and red cape to wave around. The she-wolf stumbled, tripping over her feet, and ungracefully busted through the wall, landing on the other side in my twin brother Henrik’s bedroom. A symphony of grumbled curses from my brother and a high-pitched squeal of whoever he’d taken to bed last night. Holly rolled her eyes, unimpressed and bored.

“Gunnar, put your clothes on. Alpha Finn and Beta Clarence are waiting for you and moron number two.” She sighed.

I covered my mouth to cover my chuckle. Having Holly back in Ironfur has been entertaining, that’s for sure. Well, when she’s not in one of her depressed moods. Not that anyone could or would blame her for those. She lost her mate. I don’t care that he died a hero. It doesn’t make the pain hurt less. 

“And maybe be more selective in who you decide to fuck. One broken condom or leg cramp, and you get a weak-ass bitch as a chosen mate.” She added as she ducked and walked through the hole in the wall.

“Henrik! Put your damn clothes on. Alpha Finn and Beta Clarence are waiting.” Holly commanded.

I moved to the hole, leaning down to watch what was happening in my brother’s room. Like me, Henrik hadn’t dived for clothes. Nope, he stood there, laughing and letting it all hangout. Of course, Henrik was laughing too. The brunette he’d had in his bed was still freaking out about the girl breaking through the wall. And the she-wolf I’d had in my bed was only sitting in a daze.

“And you, slut.” Holly pointed at the brunette.

“Get dressed and take that…” She pointed to the raven-haired female that was struggling to stand up. “Trash and get the fuck out.”

“Oh, and you can spare me your lineage. I don’t care who you’re related to.” She rolled her eyes as she walked confidently to Henrik’s door.

“Dumbass one and two, you have five minutes. Be in Alpha Finn’s office, or I will send your mother.” She added before she walked out.

That last threat was the only one that could make Henrik and me rush to throw some clothes on. We may be her youngest pups, but Dowager Luna Anna Kilbourn isn’t someone you want to be on the wrong side of. And if she found these random females in our bedrooms, we would be on her bad side. 

“Get your clothes and get out,” Henrik commanded, pointing to the door.

“What?” His brunette gasped.

“Do you want to deal with Dowager Luna Anna? Because I know we don’t want to deal with our mother.” He arched his brow.

That was enough to shut her up. Everyone went to find their clothes. I ignored the girl I’d fucked while I got dressed till she opened her stupid mouth.

“Stupid jealous cunt.” She’d grumbled.

“Say another word about Holly, and I’ll throw you in the lake because you sound like you need an ice bath.” I threatened, pointing to my window that looked out onto Star Lake.

It’s April, so there’s still snow on the ground. Hell, there is still a layer of ice on the lake. If this bitch could break through a wall, she can break through that ice. I don’t care if she thinks what Holly did or said was disrespectful. No one talks shit about Holly and gets away with it in earshot of a Kilbourn or Folsom.

“So, I’m right. She’s jealous that I was in your bed and not her.” She scoffed.

“You don’t listen well.” I shook my head as I hefted the mouthy bitch over my shoulder.

I didn’t care that she was still basically naked. I am a man of my word. When a Kilbourn says they will do something, they mean it. I ignored the looks I got as I carried her through the Alpha house with her beating on my back, demanding I put her down. 

“Gunnar, what are you doing?” Clarence asked as he leaned out of Finn’s office.

“Little brother, what are you doing with Gamma Marius Tailler of les Griffes Gelées’ daughter?” Finn questioned as he stepped into the hallway.

“Throwing her in the lake,” I grunted out, slapping her bare ass hard in response to her kicking my stomach. 

“Alpha Finn! Make him stop!” The girl shouted.

“Gunnar put her down.” Finn sighed.

“She insulted Holly. And I warned her.” I explained, not slowing down as I marched to the patio doors.

“Oh…” I heard my brother and Clarence exclaim in understanding.

I knew he’d side with me once I mentioned Holly. Those two have been ultra-protective of Holly since she came home. Even if she still won’t treat his chosen mate like family. That’s between those two, and I never wanted to get involved in Holly’s beef with Clarence’s chosen mate, Katherine Bryant.

The she-wolf continued to kick and punch me as I walked barefoot from the deck and through the snow to the pier and tossed her in. She shrieked like a banshee when the thin layer of ice cracked, and her mostly naked ass fell through. I dusted my hands off and walked back inside. I didn’t care about her and wouldn’t stand around while she yelled at me. It’s not like I threw her in a deep area. She’ll live. 

“So, you wanted to see me and Henrik?” I asked when I walked back inside to see Clarence and Finn waiting.

“Yeah, what’s up that you sicked Holly on us?” Henrick asked as he joined us, pulling on his black Henley.

At least the female he spent the night with had the good sense to keep her mouth shut and leave with dignity. I noticed her heading out the front door on her walk of shame. Not that I’d call bedding myself or Henrik something to be ashamed of. 

“Dean called us. He’s picked up the Sicilian Petridis Betas, or the two that will be able to make it.” Clarence said.

“And we care why? Lots of ranked people or their offspring are here for the mate ball. I just threw one in the lake.” I jabbed my thumb over my shoulder.

“Nice, but you should’ve thrown her further.” Henrik chuckled as we fist-bumped.

“They aren’t here for the mate ball. They have been traveling to consider alliances with other packs. Holly is the one that got us on their radar through her connection to Bloodmoon and the Aleph of one of the Sicilian packs.” Finn said. 

“What’s a fucking Aleph?” Henrik wrinkled his nose.

“The Madonie Alpha André D’Amore is gay. His mate Darren Delaney, formerly of Bloodmoon, uses the title Aleph since he’s not a Luna.” Clarence explained, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“D’Amore? Why does that name sound familiar?” I frowned in thought.

“The Mad Alpha of Incubi. That ring a bell?” Finn folded his arms.

“Oh, right. So, it’s his Beta coming?” I nodded.

“He’s one of the Betas coming. Beta Damon Petridis represents Incubi. His daughter Zoe Petridis is the Beta of Nebrodi, where Alpha Alec’s daughter Katrina is Luna. Damon’s son Alexander is the Beta of Madonie but won’t be joining them as he was called back for an emergency.” Finn outlined.

“A female Beta? Don’t you mean her mate is the Beta?” Henrick asked. 

“No, that’s not what we mean. Beta Zoe is the Beta and is unmated. Many packs are progressive enough to have females in the pack’s primary rank.” Finn groaned.

“Keep your sexist world views to yourselves. And don’t say shit like that loud enough for Kenna to hear you. She’s my firstborn and will be Isaiah’s Beta when they grow up.” Clarence growled.

“Yeah. Unless Kenna ends up being Isaiah’s mate.” Henrik waved a dismissive hand.

“Okay, back on topic.” Finn snapped his fingers and used his Alpha command to make us focus.

“You two will be on your best behavior when the Petridis Betas arrive. I do not want to be on the wrong side of those packs. You remember that massive earthquake on the West Coast a couple of years ago?” Finn asked.

“Yeah. What are you saying that was somehow their doing? That was in America, not Italy.” I scoffed.

“It was the Incubi Luna. The deranged Alpha of Demonclaw had kidnapped her sister from Bloodmoon. She went nuclear. And from what Holly said, that’s not the first time.” Clarence said.

Holy shit! One she-wolf caused an earthquake that rocked the whole west coast? The fuck kind of power is that?

“For the love of the Goddess, do not say or do anything that could end up pissing these people off,” Finn stressed.

“You should be more specific,” Henrik said. 

“You know we need things clearly outlined to know what’s expected. Otherwise, it’s up to our interpretation.” I nodded in agreement.

“Fine. You keep your sexist remarks to yourself. You keep your everything…” Finn gestured to our bodies. “To yourselves. I’ve been told Beta Zoe is looking for her mate. So, no fooling around with her. She’s off limits if you want to keep your dicks.”

“Are we clear?” Finn asked, making sure he made eye contact with each of us.

“Yes, Alpha.” We agreed in unison.

“Go help Lorna and Kathrine hang decorations or something. Just stay out of trouble.” Finn commanded, waving us away.

We had our marching orders. I didn’t care what Finn said about not fucking with this Zoe chick. If she’s hot and down to fuck, who am I to say no?