Last Wolf Standing (#7, The Mystic Wolves) Read online

  While my answer came out forcefully, it lacked anger. It was a question I would’ve asked myself. “No. As a Pack, we protect ourselves. I expect those who are able to take part in guard duties to help out in whatever way necessary. While I know it may look like we are hiding, do not doubt my meaning. This is solely a precaution. What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t act overly cautious in the face of danger?”

  “You wouldn’t be the Mason we love and trust,” Christopher replied, glaring at Murray. “If this is what you need so you can concentrate on finding Daniel, bringing him home and removing this Master, then we stand behind you fully.”

  Warmth spread through me. “Thank you.” I nodded, acknowledging those who were also showing their agreement. “And please, don’t be afraid to speak up. You were right to ask, Murray. I’m afraid we’re about to enter into darker times than we’ve ever experienced. I’m not going to sugar coat the reality of it to you. We are at war. For those who don’t know, I was challenged three times tonight. First by Paxton, Alpha of the Shaw Buttes Pack, second by Michael Bracken, Alpha of the Silver Canyon Pack, and finally, Daniel. The events that have led up to this moment in time . . . even my mate’s possession by Amber. We do not cower. We do not retreat. We do not take this lightly.” Pausing, my voice lowered as my authority radiated outward, filling the room. “I swear, on my honor, that I will do everything in my power to right these wrongs. I won’t stop until justice has been served.”

  Pride swelled around me—from Darcy through our connection to the faces staring back at me. The days that followed might threaten to crush us beneath brutal blows—maybe even demanding the giving of my life to secure the future of my Pack, but the evil wouldn’t prevail. A common bond of purpose and love united all of us.

  One by one, they came forward. Tears were shed and oaths were given boldly. The Mystic Wolves might have been dealt a shock, but we were nothing if not resilient.

  As Darcy and I gave our goodbyes, we promised to return the next morning, or sooner if we had news. As I closed the door to the ballroom, my chest loosened somewhat and I let out a soft breath.

  “They would follow you to the ends of the earth,” Darcy whispered, bumping my shoulder with hers.

  “I just hope I don’t lead them off the ledge.” I snorted.

  “It’s not like you to be so doubtful.” She was right.

  “I know, but this situation is very different from anything I’ve ever faced. That we’ve ever faced.”

  “Because of Daniel?” Passing by closed doors, we finally returned to the foyer and started climbing the grand staircase.

  “That and something feels . . . different. I can’t put my finger on it, but my gut says this is going to end bloody. I can’t see beyond this fog that clouds my mind.” I didn’t feel my usual confidence, and that bugged me.

  “What you need is sleep.”

  Nothing would have pleased me more than some alone time with my wife. Unfortunately, the odds were rapidly stacking against me. “What I need is answers. Maybe Zane and Devlin have updates, and I expect Wade to be back by now, as well. I don’t think I can sleep until I know everyone is accounted for. There’s too much unpredictability for me to relax.”

  Darcy smiled as she gave me a sidelong glance. “Then let’s hurry to Zane’s office.”

  “No trying to convince me to hold off?”

  “I know you. If this is what you need, then everything else can wait.”

  I knew exactly what she meant by “everything”, my own mind drifting over the last time we’d made love. To me, that did more to heal my body and soul than sleep ever could.

  “As much as I need you right now . . .”

  She interrupted me, pulling me to a stop and pointing her finger. “There’s no need to explain. Just know that while I’m okay with it now, you don’t want me playing the ‘nagging unappreciated wife’ card. I will drag your ass to bed the second I think it’s what’s best for you. Everything else be damned.”

  “You know you’re sexy when you get fiery like this, right?” I couldn’t help myself. I pulled her body up against mine.

  “Just making sure my husband doesn’t do something stupid like neglect himself. I know you have responsibilities and there’s a lot at stake, but you’ve been through hell, remember?” She traced over the scar on my cheek before resting her hands over my chest. Even though my shirt covered it, the skin below was still puckered from where I’d been tortured with hot pokers, salt water preventing it from fully healing. “Yes, you are Alpha, but you are still a man.”

  “I thought I was your hero?” I asked playfully.

  “That, too. You’re everyone’s hero.”

  Holding on tightly to the woman I loved, I smiled. “My cape was burned with the house.”

  “I’m sure Vlad has some in his closet.” A second passed before we both exploded into laughter. The sound of it was music to my ears and I kissed her impulsively. She brought so much to our mating, so much to me. There wasn’t a day I didn’t thank God for bringing her into my life.

  “I’d say get a room, but I’m assuming you still want to talk.” Devlin’s sarcastic tone did nothing to dampen the hope still resonating through me. Peering around him, Zane stood by the lit fireplace, grinning.

  “Just give me another moment.” Winking, I cupped Darcy’s face, pressing my mouth against hers before deepening the kiss. It caught her by surprise, but it didn’t diminish her enthusiasm as she clung to the front of my shirt.

  “See what I have to put up with?” Devlin snorted, his voice faint as my focus rested firmly on my wife.

  Zane burst into laughter as I finally released Darcy from my grasp. “Leave them alone. I think it’s sweet. True love.”

  “Try not to gag there, buddy.” I joked, patting Devlin’s arm as we entered past him.

  “Niece. Remember.”

  “I do. And again, wife.”

  “Shall we get down to business?” Darcy interjected, cocking her brow at both of us. Instantly, we sobered up.

  Closing the door behind him, Devlin’s features matched my own as unspoken words passed between us.

  We needed a solid plan and quickly.

  Chapter Four

  Mason

  “I don’t know about everyone else, but I could use a stiff drink.” Zane chuckled, already making his way over to where he kept decanters filled with a variety of top-shelf and rare liquor. “Name your poison.”

  While I wanted to keep a level head, there was no denying a little whiskey would go a long way toward settling the unease coursing through my body. “My usual.”

  Nodding, Zane poured out a healthy helping of the amber liquid. “I have something special for the rest of us.” He reached below and revealed a small refrigerator hidden behind one of the wooden panels. “It’s a blend that I’ve developed over the years.”

  He didn’t say another word and I watched as Darcy cautiously took a sniff once he handed her a crystal tumbler. “Zane?” I asked, curious. Her nose crinkled at first, but when she downed the entire glass in one mouthful. My question was answered.

  Blood.

  “What was that?” Her eyes sparkled and I could feel the energy slowly creeping through her system via our mental connection. It eased the exhaustion I could sense within her.

  “I like to call it Zane’s Royal Elixir.” Devlin laughed, draining his own drink. “Hits the spot every time.”

  There was a hint of a blush over the king’s features. “It’s simply a mixture of magically boosted blood, a few herbs, and vodka.”

  “Well, it’s delicious.” Darcy licked her lips and held her tumbler out for another serving.

  Ever the gracious host, Zane poured a little extra this time. “It’s been a trying evening; and with much still to do, I figured we could all use something to help keep us focused.”

  “And alcohol will do that?” It was my turn to smirk, the welcomed burn of whiskey heating my stomach.

  Zane shrugged, finally ta
king a seat. “It’s purely medicinal. I believe our Darcy’s already feeling much better.”

  Sure enough, there was a beautiful glow now skating over her skin. I’d worried about what kind of toll tonight would take on her vampiric nature. While she still had moments where she struggled to gauge her thirst, any hint of hunger had now evaporated.

  “I’ll have to get the recipe from you.” I wanted something that could help my mate that quickly.

  “Absolutely. It’s your choice as to which type and brand of alcohol you use, depending on your preference. I’ve found, over the years, vodka is my personal favorite. Of course, I can even show you how to mix it, yourself, once everything returns to normal.”

  The comment made me snort. We were so far from normal right now that I didn’t think we’d ever find our way back.

  “Should we start discussing crocheting and Pinterest now?” Darcy piped up, a definite shine blazing in her eyes—one that tempted me to pull her onto my lap and kiss her. “You know, since we’re all just sitting around discussing mixology as amateur bartenders and ignoring the fact we’ve got more pressing matters to address.”

  “Well, now that you’ve mentioned it,” Devlin interrupted, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his knees. “OMG! I found this wicked craft project that was pinned the other night. We should totally get together and make it! Here, let me pull it up on my phone.”

  It was during moments like these that the similarities between uncle and niece were blatantly obvious—even down to the same sarcastic, snarky sense of humor.

  Placing my empty tumbler beside me on the side table, I rolled my eyes at both of them. “Fine, fine. There’s no need to be smart asses. Can’t a guy take a minute to just breathe and enjoy his whiskey in peace?”

  “By all means, honey.” Darcy smiled, winking back at me. “I’m just teasing.”

  “I wasn’t,” Devlin grumbled, completely failing to hide his own grin. “Pinterest is my Zen. I could pin and post for hours.”

  “Yes, Vlad,” I answered, already predicting his response.

  Bulls-eye. “Take. That. Back.”

  “Hey, I’m not judging. What a man does with his spare time is his own business. Frankly, I always thought you were more the bedazzling kind. At least I know where to send our young Pack members when they need help with their school projects.”

  “Hater,” Devlin mumbled under his breath.

  “Martha Stewart.” I mouthed in returned. Devlin’s gaze narrowed, but his smile never faltered. This was a side to our relationship I’d come to appreciate.

  “And now that we’ve had a brief chance to relax, it’s time to get serious,” Zane interrupted.

  “Saved by your boss,” I mocked, grateful for the last few seconds of light, easy-going conversation.

  Darcy coughed, tilting her head to the side.

  “Look who’s talking?” Devlin goaded, earning himself a glare from his niece.

  “As Zane was saying.” Sitting back in her chair, Darcy crossed her legs and let out a pensive breath. “I don’t even know where to begin to try and understand how this all happened.”

  I could feel everyone’s eyes resting on me. “It’s all linked together—your possession, the challenges, the Master making a move with Daniel.”

  “So you believe the Master is acting through Daniel as Amber did through Darcy?” Zane asked.

  Each time the Master’s name was joined in the same sentence with my best friend, I inwardly flinched. “While I still haven’t figured out how he managed it, that’s what my gut says. There’s no way Daniel is the mastermind behind all this. He has no motivation for it.”

  “Didn’t you say that the Master, or Daniel, said he was sick of always playing second best to you? You don’t think that could be true?” Devlin asked, quickly filling Zane in on the gist of Daniel’s taunts through our challenge.

  “Those were merely words designed to throw me off my guard. I don’t believe them for a second. I’ve known that man all my life. I would know if he’d been harboring some secret agenda to destroy me.”

  “But you weren’t immediately aware of Amber supplanting your mate.”

  A growl rose fast and hard through my chest, erupting angrily from my mouth. Sharpened nails shot through the ends of my fingers and I gripped my chair arms to keep me from lashing out. “She had also just gone through a vampire conversion and none of us knew what to expect.” I gritted out through my teeth, defending myself. While the question was justified, it still didn’t prevent the brutal barb of truth from piercing me.

  Those had been extraordinary circumstances—ones I’d never gone through before. Who could have imagined an old flame, hell-bent on claiming me as her mate, could have possessed Darcy? Amber’s jealousy and insanity had pushed her to take desperate measures, making a deal with the devil that eventually led to her discovery and death.

  It had been a bitter pill to swallow when I realized I hadn’t immediately known something was wrong—instead believing Darcy was simply adjusting to her new predator nature.

  I would never forgive myself for that, despite her assurances.

  My beloved mate had almost died and slipped away from me forever. Any reminder of that was torturous.

  “I know.” Devlin’s voice softened. “I wasn’t accusing you of anything, Mason. It was just a thought-provoking question that needed to be asked. Personally, I agree with you. I’ve spent time with Daniel recently and I don’t believe he’s capable of that level of duplicity.”

  “And remember,” Zane interjected smoothly. “We were all fooled by Amber. We each tested Darcy and found nothing amiss. What is important is that once there was a suspicion of something, you acted on it, Mason. ”

  “So, we’re all in agreement that Daniel is being possessed?” Ever the peacemaker, Darcy steered the discussion back on topic.

  “Do we know who this Master is? Other than an asshole?” Devlin asked.

  “He’s a dead man once I find him.” He was responsible for so much pain and drama. He’d become the target for all my frustrations and aggression. “I don’t know why he chose Daniel as his vessel, but if he wanted to piss me off, mission accomplished.”

  Zane nodded. “Well, the first thing we need to do is find out who the Master is, what he wants, and where he is basing his operations. If we can capture him, then Vivien can remove his spirit from Daniel.”

  “Once my second-in-charge is free and clear, I vote we destroy this bastard once and for all.” I didn’t bother hiding my blood-thirsty tone. “He’s going to be protected. Helena stands by his side and does his bidding. Paxton and Michael spouted a lot of ‘Master propaganda’ during their challenges with me, before I killed them. They believed in his promises and had chosen to follow him.”

  “Where do their Packs now stand?” Zane asked.

  “As of now, they belong to me, by right as the victor. Normally, I would travel to their properties, meet with everyone, and begin the transition of incorporating them into my Pack. But, unfortunately, I don’t know when that will happen.”

  “Do you foresee any issues?” Devlin queried. Concern furrowed his brow and I understood why. Wolves without a strong Alpha and consistent leadership ran the risk of becoming unruly and rogue. It happened, occasionally, where wolves would go off alone, but entire Packs? It was dangerous, at best, even without some psychotic usurper trying to undermine authority in a bold attempt for power and control.

  “If I don’t get out there soon, yes . . . possibly. Especially Michael’s. There’s always been a level of hostility and resentment between us over my refusal to marry his daughter. There’s no telling what damage has been done because of it.” The last time I’d visited the Silver Canyon wolves, everything had outwardly appeared fine, but there’d been no denying the subtle indifference from some of the older members. “As for Paxton’s group. It will depend on whether he had started indoctrinating them in the Master’s rhetoric.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened. “So
they may have already started defecting over to his ranks?”

  “Maybe,” I answered. “The only way to assess the situation is for me to go there or send someone on my behalf. This would be where, normally, I’d send Daniel, but . . .”

  “That’s not possible now. How about Wade?” At the mention of my new Pack Enforcer, I realized I’d yet to see him since arriving at Zane’s home.

  “Speaking of Wade, I didn’t remember seeing him, or Moses, in the ballroom. They should be here talking this through with us.” The last I’d heard, Wade had been out gathering members and directing them here. But that had been hours ago.

  Pulling out my phone, the screen lit up with missed messages. Amongst them, I saw Wade’s name. “Okay, that answers that question. They’re together and will come directly once they’re done.” Scanning the entire text, relief coursed through me. Wade had stepped in and made sure the remaining Alphas in the area had safe passage back to their territories.

  “You made a wise choice in promoting the young wolf to Pack Enforcer. I speak from experience . . . it’s imperative that the ones you allow in your inner circle be worthy of that trust.” Zane’s voice lowered as he cast his own Enforcer and friend a warm glance. The relationship between him and Devlin was one of the strongest I’d ever witnessed—going beyond the bond of king and subject to one much, much deeper. They were generally private about the history they shared, but I knew a few of the details.

  These were two men, regardless of rank, who would give their life for the other.

  “I trust Wade implicitly. It was a recent decision, long overdue. In all the confusion and chaos, I’d forgotten some of the Alphas hadn’t journeyed home after Paxton’s death. I’m grateful Wade had the foresight to take care of it.”

  “Will Moses be staying, as well, or do you think he will leave?” Darcy’s soft, feminine voice filled their air. She’d been quietly listening and it was good to see her speak up. I wasn’t a man who felt a woman shouldn’t voice her opinions over politics or Pack business. I valued her thoughts and marveled at the perspective she often brought to each discussion.