Chapter 9

The young beta held the Alpha’s gaze briefly, before he downcast his eyes as a sign of respect. Rand was trying to get on his good side, and also following wolf etiquette. Lycans were taught from cubhood to show ultimate obedience and respect to their Alphas above all, and it could be a matter of death for those who never learned that lesson. Hotheaded Alphas had challenged their wolfkind for such offences as staring them in the eyes too long, among other tiny infractions they saw as disrespect. It was a shame they often let their females be treated with so little of that same respect they demanded. Hypocritical bullshit at its finest.

But Alpha Grey seemed…different. Maybe it was just because Lily was his sister that he’d allowed her to address him without his proper title. He had treated me with more decency than Alpha Roam had. But it was far to early to tell the character of this Alpha. He was likely also a wolf in sheep’s clothing, just waiting for me to let my guard down to pounce. My hackles were raised now more than ever, as men like him could be the most dangerous of all.

The grey wolf did not back down, his stare penetrating at the rival beta who claimed to be his sister’s true mate.

“I’ll guard her with my life,” declared Rand solemnly.

“If you hurt her, I’ll feast on your entrails.”

“Stop it Grey,” warned Lily, “leave my mate be.”

Lily wrapped her arms around her mate’s waist and shot her brother a hard look. Her eyes glowed as her wolf broke through the surface. Even her wolf was telling her Alpha to back off. I liked this she-wolf. Perhaps she was Luna material after all. I remembered her fierceness when I had threatened to shoot her mate. I wasn’t going to underestimate her again. Both men and wolves alike often made that mistake when it came to us females they viewed as the weaker sex, and now I had been a hypocritical asshole myself.  Just because Lily cried and showed other strong emotions did not make her weak. It was often the strongest among us who cried.

Most Alphas would have given it right back, a growl to show their dominance, and an extra dose of their Alpha hormones oozing from their pores, to put their subordinates back in their rightful place. Interesting, that he let what would be a punishable infraction of challenging him like that, and especially in front of an audience, go so easily without repercussions. Many wolves would see it as a weakness to be soft towards even their females.  

Alpha Roam had been ready to teach his own kin a valuable and painful lesson in overstepping his rank among the pack. But looking back, I was a bit surprised he had let his beta have more than one chance to refuse him, most Alphas would have not let even the first act of disobedience slide. And Randon taking a mate from among an enemy pack, had actually been the first strike against him in his Alpha’s eyes. But even I could admit begrudgingly an Alpha could show little tolerance for defiance from his lessers or it would make his fitness to lead be questioned. Lycans waited for their Alphas to be weakened or make what they believed to be questionable judgments to use it as ammunition to throw down the challenge.

But despite being a bit battered, the Alpha of Timberland still stood tall and looked fit for duty. I avoided looking at his sinewy, nude body or in his general direction. I had looked upon him for far too long already. The evidence of which still spread in places I did not want it to. The dark wolf had also helped put that moistness there, but he was an even more dangerous choice to even entertain spicy fantasies with. The sooner I got rid of these wolves, the better.

The grey wolf then opened his leather wallet and removed all the bills he had inside. He laid them atop a table that had managed to survive the battle.

“That’s five hundred and some change. Send me a bill for the rest of the damages. I’m in your debt.”

“We’re even. I don’t need anything from you,” I hissed.

Stubborn ass wolves weren’t the only ones who got wounded prides at the drop of a hat. Maybe I was more like them than I cared to admit.

“I can see that.  I’ll be in touch, for Lily’s sake.”

“Delighted.”

Just what I needed. The more of a presence Alpha Grey made himself around here, the more incentive for his enemies to bring the fight to my doorstep again. And I doubted next time, the dark wolf would come alone. Nope, this had gotten far too personal and his overinflated dick syndrome would want witnesses to his victory over the rival Alpha, and the reclaiming of his disobedient beta. To be fair he did have a large dick, but I meant it more in a metaphorical way.

 I refused to entertain any thoughts of that the more the grey eyed Alpha graced my fine dining establishment with the pleasure of his company, the more chance my parched lady garden was likely to end its current drought.

“Be good Lil. I’ll see you soon. Call me if you need anything at all.”

The little she-wolf softened, “Are you okay to make it home Grey in your condition?”

He showed teeth, though this time by the force of his smile, “Just flesh wounds. I’ll be good as new soon. I won’t even need to see the pack healer.”

“Take care brother. May The Moon keep you in its favor.”

The Alpha gave Randon a final look, the warning clear in his stormy eyes that spoke of violence if any harm befell his sister in his absence. He gifted me a look that I could not quite read, and I didn’t really want to, before he too merged with the darkness. Rand held Lily close as the sounds of an engine faded, but no more tears fell from her eyes.

“Well I guess we should clean this place up,” spoke Rand.

I shook my head, “We already have the door taken care of, the rest of this mess isn’t going anywhere. It’s been a long night and I’m sure you two are exhausted. I’ll show you where you can sleep. We can figure the rest out in the morning.”

Technically, it was morning already, what a fantastic way to start the day. I still had five hours left of my eleven p.m. to seven a.m. shift. Even before I was turned, I’d been more of a night owl. Wolves were nocturnal creatures by nature. And my circadian rhythm hadn’t needed much adjusting in that regard at least.

Most of the other wolfy side effects that had come along after being infected by lycanthropy at nineteen, sucked. Improved hearing and sense of smells were both a blessing and a curse, and far too many bodies in this town did not wash often enough. I had overheard about things I never wanted to know and could not unhear that made me look at some of the townies differently afterwards. Being physically stronger was a mixed bag between breaking things, but not needing a man to move heavy things for me or open stubborn jars. The more intense orgasms were definitely a plus. But turning into a monster once a month, and not referring to my period by the way, was the worst.

Once I got the mates settled, I intended to come back here and be productive. I had a table or two in storage, and some extra chairs floating around here somewhere, I’d just have to make do until I could order some new. The gears in my head turned with my to do list. Top of that list included contacting my two dayshift gals Jackie and Lynn to let them no not to come in at seven sharp. I would give them a tall tale about a pipe bursting or something. Hopefully, I could have this place up and running by the dinner rush tonight.

“You have been too kind. Thanks so much for everything,” said Lily.

“We’re truly grateful for what you’ve done for us tonight, Miss White. And we won’t forget it,” added Rand.

“Please call me Onie. And no problem at all. Follow me.”

But it had been a problem. Giving these mates sanctuary on my land had been a huge, colossal galaxy- sized problem. But I put on my best customer service smile and led them out the back door. I gave them the ten-cent tour, pointing out my cabin which set about five hundred yards behind the diner. When Mom had first bought the place, we’d lived in a camper trailer out back. It was cramped but cozy and some of my best memories were made there. Our cabin was custom built a couple years after when the diner was finally turning a sizable enough profit, as Mom refused to dip into my college fund or trust.

This place had been Mom’s dream, and now it was mine, a piece of her that remained on this Earth. She had loved it here and so did I. She’d always dreamed of opening a restaurant of her own, to pass along family recipes to fill hungry bellies. But it was sad it had taken Daddy’s death to make it happen. Mom had used some of the money she’d gotten in the settlement after his tragic death in a construction site accident, to buy this land. It would have made Daddy proud that she had followed her dreams even though he wasn’t here to share it with her.

That was another reason I would fight to my dying breath for this place. To honor my mother, her memory, and her legacy. I refused to let the brutal way her life was taken from her, overshadow the beautiful parts of her life and the essence of the kind soul she was. I had avenged her death though it could never bring her back. I had made sure the taint of my stepfather could never rot and spread through this land, I’d buried him not only wrapped in iron and chains, but also encased in cement.

To me Mountaintop was hallowed ground. And if these wolves, thought they could desecrate it, they had another thing coming.