The Broken Wolf

(4) Dominic

“You shouldn’t do this.” Kara’s soft voice comes from the doorway and I don’t look up from the mess of papers at my desk.

The pack has continued to grow at a steady pace wayward wolves with nowhere else to go making their home within our hills. And with the growth the ever-present problems continue to manifest. From something as simple as minor disagreements between pack mates to ensuring trade with the humans continues steadily to keeping diplomatic peace with neighboring packs. At times I miss the days when the pack was smaller, when the only obstacle we faced was the forest and our own determination to survive.

“Its already done.” I mutter knowing what she’s referring to. To who. My mate has hardly left my mind in all these five days. Focusing on paperwork barely keeps me from running to Harrow lands and bringing her here,

“When you called for counsel I told you this would end badly for you.” Kara adds tone still soft though when I glance at her I find pity in her gaze. Whether for me or the girl I have a difficult time deciding. “You’ve involved an innocent soul in your vendetta.”

For the girl then.

I growl a low warning sound she ignores, “Its done.”

“So you plan to bring her here, and what? Subject her to the hatred this pack holds for her family?” Kara asks her voice dripping with disappointment as she steps further into the room. “I’ve never known you to be so cruel.”

I rescued Kara from the jaw of her moon-touched father, she knows exactly how cruel I can be.

“You know as well as I do the attack must be provoked from their side. They have ties to the crown, we make one wrong move and we’ll be destroyed.” I level her with an even stare. “If it takes bringing her here then so be it. The moment she or any member of her kin step a foot out of place we will decimate them.”

“All this to get to Jason Harrow,” She narrows her eyes. “And what happens after? To her, to Elodie?”

“She’ll be released.” My wolf shifts awkwardly his nose pressing to the boundary between us, he’s suddenly uncomfortable.

Kara holds my gaze for a moment longer before shaking her head and taking a step back, “Sure. Haze sent me to tell you the car is ready.”

I stand, “You should have led with that.” Walking around her I pause beside her and glance down at her, “I’m doing this for the pack.”

“Of course, anything for the pack.” She parrots back her green eyes flashing.

The half-witch has spoken in riddles from time to time, dealing with her means being used to that fact. Still I can’t help the gnawing feeling suddenly growing at the base of my throat.

“Yes,” I say my wolf riding my voice. “Anything for the pack.

#

Haze and Jasper accompany me to Harrow lands, my two right hand men are silent the entire ride. They’ve been on board with the plan since the beginning, then again they don’t share Kara’s cryptic sentimentality. They, like I do, view all the members of that family culpable the sins of the father.

“There.” Jasper points at a sharp bend in the road almost imperceptible.

I feel the moment we cross into Harrow territory my wolf growls the sound shaking the windows, I would know this place even in my sleep.

Jasper and Haze are just as tense their wolves itching to take their skin no doubt as memories resurface.

“Be on guard.” I warn as we approach the pack lodge. Wolves stand outside wide curious eyes studying our car as it comes to a stop.

Restlessness has settled in my chest fueled by my wolves desire to gnash his teeth again Alpha Harrow’s neck.

All in due time.

I will have him see the pack his family has ruled for so many decades crumble, his family destroyed, then and only then will I rip his insignificant life away from him.

My wolf rumbles in satisfaction.

The Grand Viceroy greets us as we step out, a hush falling over the crowd as they watch with bated breathe.

“Alpha Dominic De Leon.” She smiles diplomatically. “Nice of you to join us.”

“Thank you for being here.” I smile back smooth and even no hint of deception in my tone. Her eyes narrow slightly but she nods.

“Anything for a long trusted friend.” She motions to the pack behind her. “Alpha Jason will be out shortly he’s just saying his goodbyes.”

Saying his goodbyes or wasting my time, I bite my tongue.

A few minutes pass and then out he comes, just as I remember him. He’s heavyset for a wolf, always has been, dark eyes fixed on a glare as he approaches.

“Alpha Dominic.” He says, he sounds as restrained as he did the night of the party. His eyes betray his rage.

“Alpha Jason.” I grin. “These are my second and third Jasper and Haze.” I motion to the two who stand at my back.

“You would leave your pack unprotected?” He asks genuine confusion flashing over his face.

My grin morphs to something more sadistic, “My pack is never unprotected.”

His expression returns to that thinly veiled rage, its at that moment the door re-opens and it takes everything in me not to move.

Adorned in a simple yellow sundress that reach down past her knees and hangs off her shoulder Elodie steps into the sunlight and seems to glow.

Literally.

My mark rests firmly a at the base of her neck a warning to all that she now belongs with me. Eyes the color of sweetened honey blink as she seems to take in the scene before her. Her fingers fist at the skirt of her dress and she hesitates at the top of the steps. She’s shoved forward lightly and its then I notice Selene Harow at her side. I cut a low rumble of warning off before I make a fool of myself.

“My daughter.” Jason smirks eyes alight with a knowing that unsettles me.

Elodie steps to his side, she’s stands a foot shorter now without the gaudy heels she wore to the party. Her hair is braided pulled away from her face rebellious strands curling around her ears. She looks to her father and then nervously to me.

“Hello.” She says voice even and clear even as she stands unsurely. And although it isn’t the first time I’ve heard her speak still something pulses in my chest.

“Where are your bags?” I ask eyeing her empty hands.

She hesitates looks at her father again and my wolf, or maybe it me, almost growls to get her attention back.

“Is it not a mates duty to provide?” Jason snarls eyes gleaming.

My wolf bristles at the commanding tone, I wrestle him down.

Elodie studies us with a wary expression eyes flicking back to my guards then back around again. Very well, if they want to play this game. Lets play.

“Grand Viceroy.” I nod my head to the woman who has stood silently aside the entire time. Then I grab my mate by the crook of her elbow and not so gently push her into the car.