FINLEY POV
For three solid days, I have listened to Killian mope about running the cameras or brag about his council missions with Darcy. It is at the point where each time he opens his mouth, I want to tear my ears off. I can no longer eat or sleep. I am just seething. His ego is the size of Alaska and I just want him to shut up so we can complete our job. Today alone has been particularly bad.
"Hey Fin, you good," Lewis asks as we walk into the cave we are calling home for the night.
I nod without meeting his concerned gaze and he sighs.
"I haven't heard a wisecrack in over 48 hours," Lewis says, digging deeper, and I grind my teeth.
Usually, I disguise a bad mood, concern, or give advice through light-hearted jokes, but I feel too sick to my stomach to laugh about anything right now. Even a fake laugh would make my mouth fill with bile right now.
Killian just finished describing how much he is looking forward to returning to his wife for some much-needed sexual time, and I almost lost it. I am pretty sure my entire pack knows my wolf has chosen Darcy, but Killian is still blissfully unaware.
"I hate him too, but another capable male in the pack isn't a bad thing," Lewis whispers when I don't answer him and I growl before moving to the farthest corner.
I sit down against the rocky wall and Lewis just gives me a look filled with pity. I knew this trip would be hard but I never imagined it would change me. I am becoming someone I don't recognize.
"You going to help start a fire or sit there," Killian asks as he comes in carrying wood and spots me sitting against the wall.
Lewis instantly looks worried, but I can't bring myself to care about his discomfort. I can't take one more minute of this asshole's disrespect.
He hadn't even come all the way inside before jumping on me. I have helped with every chore every night so far. There is no reason for his statement other than to call me out. He looks down on me because I am a fourth-born Alpha, and I can't take anymore. He thinks he is the strongest wolf on this trip. He thinks he outranks me in the pack.
"Shut the fuck up. Even if I chose not to help, you wouldn't have any say in it," I snap as I stand to my feet.
He drops the wood and his mouth almost goes slack from the shock of my outburst, but he manages to save face by sneering.
"Is that so," he says and I wordlessly walk toward him.
We are both dressed only in shorts since we shifted not long ago so our muscles are on clear display.
He flexes as I approach, but I keep my body relaxed and ready. When it comes to muscle mass Killian has me beat, but I have always made the most of my slim and toned body by being fast. My older brothers didn't go easy on me due to my age or size growing up. So sparing was grueling, but rewarding.
"It is," I growl and he has the audacity to smirk before throwing the first punch.
I duck since I was expecting the move and when I come back up I punch him directly in the adam's apple. He instantly gags and grabs his throat with both hands. I ignore the obvious submission and punch the left side of his abdomen with all the strength I have. His body drops to the ground instantly with one hand on his ribs and the other on his throat.
"Like I said. You wouldn't have any say. I outrank every fucking person here. You better remember that next time you want to pop off," I snarl down at him as Lewis keeps his head down.
I pick up the wood and toss it in the fire pit area we have used for 7 years.
"Sorry Lewis," I mumble before returning to my corner.
Lewis just mumbles a quick "no problem" before lighting the wood and pulling out some of the perishable food.
Killian does a few more minutes of rolling around and groaning while his bones heal, before standing up and leaving the cave wordlessly.
"Shit. That was intense. Glad we hunted the rabbit beforehand," Lewis says after the meat is cooked and he has plated the veggies with it.
He brings over my share and I take it from him with a blank face.
I thought silencing Killian would bring me relief, but it didn't. Causing him pain did nothing to disperse my own. He will still return to Darcy and she will still welcome him with open arms. Teaching him a lesson does nothing to solve my real problem.
"You think he will be back before it goes bad," Lewis asks after a few minutes and I shrug.
"If he wants his food he should be here to eat it... You cooked. You eat it," I reply and Lewis nods before taking what was left for Killian.
We ate a medium-sized elk last night in wolf form for the Rangers' camera. Killian will be fine if he misses this meal. There wasn't much meat on the small animal anyway.
Eating a small meal over a fire doesn't do much for us physically, but it keeps our human mind intact on long trips like this. Killian can do without the human interaction tonight.
"Tomorrow we have to go another 20 miles East. That area tends to have a large prey population. We need to hunt there, but we need to make it look like the whole pack was present. Motion camera #6 should catch us mid-chase if we plan it right," Lewis says as he strategizes and eats.
I nod. I wish I could feel better and act more like myself now that I have punched Killian. Lewis deserves a conversation. Benji and him normally bond during these runs, and this time, he is stuck with a sulking wolf instead.
"Sure. You know the drill better than I do," I reply as I bite into another juicy piece of rabbit that I can't enjoy.
Killian's scent returns and I focus my gaze on the entrance to the cave. If he comes in looking for round two I need to be ready. But when I spot him, instead of seeing wounded pride or anger, I see submission. His eyes are downcast as he enters. He doesn't even glance at us. He takes the remaining vegetables from the bag and sits by the wall silently.
Lewis finishes his plate and wipes it off before sticking it back in the hatch.
"I have first rotation," he says before heading for the opening and I give him a nod as he exits.
Killian finishes his sad dinner after a couple more minutes and lays down to sleep while I stare at him.
My brain just won't let up. I know it would be beneficial for the trip if I set some boundaries, but I hate speaking with him. Now is a good time to talk since he is calm, though, and I have to accept all aspects of being a leader. If I am going to put him in his place I have to act like his leader afterward. That's what it is to be in a pack.
Just as I open my mouth to talk about what happened and how we will act moving forward the phone rings. Pure terror bolts through me as the sound seems to shake the cave walls. Lewis comes running back inside in wolf form as I rip the hatch door back open.
I pull out the satellite phone and hesitate for a second before saying anything.
Anyone could be hurt. So much has happened to us I would believe anything at this point. The father of Mike and Boyd's deceased mates could be retaliating. He could have sent an assassin to kill our females. Darcy...
"What's wrong," I ask as true fear fills my veins with ice and I hear Stan sigh.
"We are all fine... It's dad. He's sick. Pack doctor can't figure it out. He can't fulfill his duties right now. Daniel is needed here. I am basically human. Emma is enjoying her first semester at a college across the country. It has to be you, Fin. You need to go home and help Mom," Stanley says.
DARCY POV"We are all fine... It's dad. He's sick. Pack doctor can't figure it out. He can't fulfill his duties right now. Daniel is needed here. I am basically human. Emma is enjoying her first semester at a college across the country. It has to be you, Fin. You need to go home and help mom," Stanley says as Tabitha rubs his back.He is keeping his tone even for his younger brother, but we can all see his face. He looks practically ill as he relays the news about Alpha Forest to Finley.Marcie called four or five hours ago and Stanley has done nothing but plan. He immediately started emailing the Northern Gray pack's doctor and corresponding with Emma, who sounds like a brat."Yeah....""Yes, he is okay.""No, Dan said for all three of you to go. It gets dicey in those woods so you need the backup, Fin. Once you get there Lewis and Killian can return. Grab your packs and head that way tonight. Mom needs you now," Stanley says as he brings his hand to his forehead.My heart twists a l
FINLEY POVDad's sick.The biggest strongest wolf I know is sick. He is never sick. He is like a mountain. He is always standing tall. Nothing shakes Dad. He is my hero. He has always been the male we can count on for everything. Every problem we have ever had has been solved by Dad. How can he be sick? Lewis whines from beside me as he senses my mood, but I keep my muzzle pointed straight. Getting to the Northern pack will take us all night and I don't have the energy or patience to address anyone. I just want to run. I can't take anymore. I feel as if my body is constantly anxious. It has been one blow after another... Adam killing his mother and abducting Samantha and Angelica, Lauren betraying us and killing David, Mariah losing her son, Grace and Andrew dying, Stanley coming back from death, and Darcy showing up married. Now Dad is sick, and I am losing my composure. I have tried to remain positive. I have been the one to offer support to the others. I have tried to keep my em
LEWIS POV"Finally. I can not wait to charge my phone," Killian grumbles as we pull our clothes from our packs and I freeze. Finley is radiating so much emotion and any slight comment could set him off. I glance over at him to find his usual cheerful face drawn into a deep frown. The skin between his eyebrows looks like mountains it is so scrunched. He must be focused on his dad. Killian's negative attitude doesn't seem to matter to him anymore. "Lewis, take Killian to the guest house we normally use, then meet me at the main house," Fin mumbles in a low unfamiliar voice as he finishes buttoning his jeans. "Got it," I reply trying to sound light and agreeable. He needs me to comply right now and I have no problem doing just that. Killian is shooting daggers at him for some reason, but I won't add anything to his plate. If he wants me to drop the brat off at a separate location I will. Fin gives me a single nod before walking off in the direction of the Gray home and I turn my at
FINLEY POV"I hate to break this up, but Forest's condition needs to be addressed before you can properly get to know one another," Mom says, as Killian stares at Darcy's look alike like a deer in headlights. Marcie leads Bella away, and I am slow to follow behind them. My instincts are telling me this is a good thing. Killian has found his mate and Darcy should be free. My wolf feels content and happy, but my heart feels as if there is a wall. After that barn conversation with Darcy, my feelings toward her seem cold. She chose him over me. Nothing else really matters at this point. No matter what Killian decides, my mate already chose and she didn't choose me. "Stay out here, boys," Mom says quietly as we approach her bedroom and my head clears a little. I stop right outside their door as concern for my Dad returns full force. The issues with my mate and her husband can wait. They don't concern me anyway. Lewis comes to a halt beside me, looking anxious, and Killian stays back a
DARCY POV "Fin sounded so worried about his mom and his dad. The Doctor has all but confirmed Forest has cancer. Now we are just waiting to know the specifics from the blood tests," Sam whispers to the other females and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My senses are on high alert. It's been almost 24 hours since Lewis sent a message saying they had arrived in the Northern Gray pack, but Killian has yet to call or message me. I have left him a dozen voice-mails and texted countless times. Lewis and Finley have been checking in and calling the others with updates, but Killian isn't responding to me. "I am sure it is hard accepting that Forest is sick... Are we sure we can help with the treatments? I mean, yes, a few doctors know about us, but a specialist. That is someone who will be hard to find. What if they are out of the country," Mariah asks in a gentler tone than usual. Trevor touches her cheek, and her attention turns from Samantha to him. I look her ove
FINLEY POV The gentle neighs from the horses around me filter through my sensitive ears as my brain continues to drift through thought. Food, water and reproduction, those are the only things wild animals care about. The horses we tend to and the cattle we raise have no drama in their lives. They live every day as if it were their last. They learn from their pasts, but they do not dwell on their futures. They do not plan. Their lives are lived day by day. If only I could shut that part of my brain off too. If only I couldn't dream or wish about the things I want for tomorrow. If only I were a wolf all the time. "Fin? You in here man," Lewis calls and my head snaps in the direction of the tack room door.I don't know how long I have been standing in front of the manure shovels and wheelbarrels, but it must have been a while for Lewis to come looking for me."Yeah, just putting up," I say in an easy going tone to bypass any suspension about why it's taking me so long to come inside