Chapter 10 - River

All I wanted to do was rip that rogue to shreds when I saw him. And Lunar was on board with that line of thinking. Knowing Leo is our mate sealed the deal for him. I was barely holding back my rage, so to try and hold Lunar back… HA impossible. With a menacing snarl in my head, I could feel his power surging through me.

I was ready to make a move when I felt myself being held back, literally. ‘Keep your clam, River. We are in a mixed company and cannot risk exposure.’ Dad’s voice filled my head.

‘But…’ I started to protest as the hand on my other shoulder squeezed harder.

‘Listen to your dad. Not only do we want to minimize exposure of the supernatural to humans but think of Leo. We need to ensure they remain safe.’ David joined the conversation.

‘Fine. Then what do we do? I want that rogue dead. He is touching my mate. He is scaring my mate. He needs to die.’ I grumbled.

‘Here’s the play. Chief, is there enough material in this cement for you to bring Leo to us?’ David asked, tapping his foot on the ground.

‘I can feel enough materials that I can do something subtle.’ Dad confirmed.

‘Good. We make our way closer to minimize the distance. I can scent the Everclaw pack closing in. So we’ll have back-up pretty fast. Once Leo is safe, you make your move, River. Don’t go full throttle. Just enough to create a visual distraction. I’ll bring the rogue down and let Everclaw deal with him for entering their territory.’ David outlined the plan.

It was a solid plan, and I was ready to implement it. It took more control than I thought I could not to shift and rip this rogue’s throat out when he opened his mouth.

“One of you Tucker?” The scumbag asked, nodding at us. “Don’t get any closer if you want this little lamb returned unharmed.” He warned, subtly showing a knife pressed against Leo’s side.

We need to speed this up because I’m seeing red. I want to bury that knife in this rogue’s throat. How dare he threaten my Bunno!? I don’t want to hand him over to Everclaw. I want to kill him here, and no. Fuck the consequences.

“None of us are Tucker,” Dad spoke first, holding a hand up and taking a half step closer. To anyone who doesn’t know what he can do, it may appear he’s trying to suggest everyone remain calm. But I know better. He’s calling out to the bits of rocks that are used to make the cement we are standing on.“But we will need you to put the knife down and let them go before you get hurt.”

“Not happening. She’s my golden ticket. So unless you can offer me something better, I’ll take my cash cow with me.” He sneered, digging his claws into Leo’s shoulder as he started to sidestep, looking to get around us. Oh, that shit ain’t happening.

“My dad warned you. Get your fucking hands off MY BUNNO.” I snarled, Lunar’s voice overlapping with mine.

‘Now.’ Dad called in the link as I felt the ground move.

As soon as I saw Leo starting to be carried away from the rogue, I let Lunar’s power out. Not all of it, David said not to go full throttle. The lights in the station started to shake and get brighter, nearly burning out as I used them to blind the rogue and distract him as David tackled him. In all, it was over very quickly.

‘Tone it down, River. I’ve got him, and Everclaw has moved in.’ David instructed.

I pulled my power back and felt my body shaking with rage as I looked at the rogue smashed face first to the ground with David putting him under arrest. Everclaw wolves in police uniforms had guns trained on him as others instructed people to keep moving.

“What the hell just happened?” Leo’s voice pulled me out of my rage.

“Leo…” I called out their name as I turned and quickly took them from dad’s arms, crushing them against me.

It’s been two years since I’ve been able to hold them, which was too long, but we’re together now, and they are my mate. So nothing and no one can ever separate us again. Or at least, as far as I’m concerned, nothing can separate us.

Their parents are fucked after the sex trafficking charge David dropped on them. And as long as Leo confirms the allegations, they should stick, and they will not hold any rights to them by human laws. And by werewolf laws, I’m Leo’s mate, and therefore they belong with me.

“We will take the rogue from here.” Someone from Everclaw advised. “Our Alpha Jackson has instructed us to bring all of you back to our pack house to rest before returning to Bloodmoon.”

I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I just wanted to head straight home, but I suppose after the long drive here, dad and David could use the rest. And we probably can’t just refuse the hospitality of the local Alpha. I wouldn’t want to get Bloodmoon in trouble with any other packs.

“We appreciate Alpha Jackson’s hospitality. We will follow you in our vehicle.” Dad bowed his head.

“Come on, love birds. You can get reacquainted in the backseat.” David gestured for Leo and me to follow him. “You can make out, but no fucking or marking. I don’t need that mental trauma, let alone having to do a deep clean to get the smell out.” He taunted, making Leo blush as we headed for his jeep.

I chuckled while dad rolled his eyes, smacking David in the head. “Stop giving my kid ideas.”

“I don’t need David to give me ideas, dad. I’ve had that idea for years.” I snickered.

“Oh, my Goddess…” Leo groaned, covering their face with both hands. “Can this not be how I met your dad and packmate? We have a LOT to talk about, Mister suddenly a werewolf.” They poked me before climbing into the backseat.

“Yeah… about that.” I sighed, getting in next to them. As they started to buckle up on the other side of the seat, I yanked them closer. “You’re short. You can sit in the center. I want you as close as possible.”

“Don’t get all bossy, Wolfie. Now start explaining yourself.” Leo playfully pouted but didn’t fight me as they buckled in the center spot.

“Sage and I are hybrids. Sperm donor kept that detail from mom and then ditched her for his mate.” I snorted, thinking about how their dad must have known but kept us all in the dark. “So I never knew, but I pet your dickbag dad knew we were hybrids but didn’t open his fat mouth cause that would mean we belong in your world.”

“That’s probably true. Dad was uncannily happy when you moved away. So how did you end up finding out? Is it because of your mom’s boyfriend?” Leo nodded to Hale in the front seat.

Dad smiled, turning in his seat to offer his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Leo. Hale Shelton. And I’m Erin’s mate. She is my second chance mate.” He explained, unzipping his jacket enough to show his two marks. No one can explain why his old mark from his matting with Austin’s mom is still there, but we chalked it up to that’s how it goes with second chances. The new doesn’t erase the old.

“Oh, that’s like a fairytale then. A second chance and a human. You’re a living legend.” Leo blinked, shaking his hand. “And it’s nice to meet you too. I look forward to meeting Austin and Suzie too. I’ve heard so much about everyone from River and Sage.”

“Oh, Dad’s more than a living legend because of mom. Dad lost his wolf when Austin’s mom passed away. But Jason returned to protect Sage and me from our dickweed sperm donor.” I excitedly explained.

“So you know the basics of the story about how dad and mom met on a dating app.” I started to jump into things. “And I told you that sperm donor came knocking, and dad sent him packing. Well, take all that and add in werewolves, and that sperm donor is an Alpha, well, not by blood. His mate was the only kid of an Alpha. He came knocking wanting one of us to be his heir since his mate died.”

“And the final fight was so damn epic. Sperm donor is about to lunge at mom and me, and BAM!” I accented my final word by making an explosion with my hands. “Dad leaps in but as a WHITE wolf. I’ve learned that those are rare. And damn, is Jason powerful. He controls the ground. He caged sperm donor until Alpha Logan and others arrived to take him away.”

“Wow! A second chance human mate and to have a white wolf gifted back to him.” Leo blinked. “The Goddess truly favors you. I’m happy she gave you Erin and returned your wolf because you saved River.” They smiled.

“I don’t like to think that the Goddess favors me more than others. But I am forever grateful to her for this second chance to have a mate, and my wolf restored.” Dad nodded.

“So, do I get an introduction? Or am I just the dude that’s driving?” David teased.

“Oh, right. So I’ve told you I’d been going to the gym and had a fitness trainer. Well, that’s him. Leo, meet David Bryant, aka stripper cop.” I snickered, making introductions.

“I am not a stripper.” David rolled his eyes. “This kid has been calling me that since I showed up at their door to check on Hale when his son Austin got worried. I am, however, an Oregon State Trooper. I’d offer to shake your hand, but I’m driving.”

“Nice to meet you, David. Thank you both for coming with River and helping get me away from that rogue. He was planning to turn me over to Fucker Prickface.” Leo wrinkled their nose as they mentioned Fucker.

“Prickface? I like that, but I’ve been calling him Fucker Prescunt. And we know all about it. David has a guy on the inside. Your dad was arrested in Chicago on suspicion of human, child, sex trafficking.” I snickered as I imagined their dad in jail trying to say it was all a big mistake.

“What? Wait, seriously?” Leo blinked. “How did you pull that off?”

“State Trooper, kid. I have connections. My partner back in Oregon knows an air marshal. They caught your dad after getting a tip that he was coming trying to sell you to Tucker. Tucker managed to get away but don’t worry. We’ll take care of his ass too.” David smirked.

As he looked at the rearview, his expression changed. “What’s wrong? I asked, looking behind us. I frowned because there was a car behind us, but it didn’t look like one of the cop cars the Everclaw pack was driving. This looks like a rental truck.

“New message from Ryan.” The music switched over to the computer voice of David’s phone. A message from Ryan cannot be a good thing, especially with that truck behind us that shouldn’t be there.

“Tucker is right behind you. He knows you have Leo and has already taken out the Everclaw patrol car behind you. I’m in a car behind him, so I’m limited on what support I can give.”

This bastard just isn’t giving up? If he wants a fight, he’ll fucking have one. Cause NO ONE is taking my Bunno away from me.