Chaz (VLG #15)

Chapter Four

Chaz folded his hands in front of him at his waist and kept the anger off his features. Keith Folsom was pissing him off. He watched the ranting Lycan alpha, not moving a muscle. He knew he’d kill the annoying prick if he did. The warehouse was a large building, remote, and at least thirty Lycans surrounded him. The alpha had come with a small army.

“You tell Moe to clear out of that territory if he wants to avoid bloodshed,” Keith warned, flashing his canines. “My pack outnumbers his now. I find it pathetic that he’d send his lead enforcer here, thinking he could intimidate me. I should send you back in pieces.”

Chaz chuckled, amused by the threat.

“You think that’s funny?” Keith snapped his fingers, and six muscled Lycans stepped forward. “These are my lead enforcers. I don’t have just one. My pack has been breeding for over two decades. We have enough mature fighters to take Moe’s territory now.”

Chaz glanced at each of the six. They looked similar enough to Keith that the enforcers had to be his offspring. There were enough variations in their eye and hair color, hinting they came from different mothers, but their facial features were of their father. They appeared to be very close in age. He pegged them all between eighteen and twenty. He had a suspicion that he voiced.

“You have multiple breeders instead of a mate?”

Keith gave a sharp nod. “I selected each bitch for their ability to birth the best bloodlines. My sons are strong. We’ll slaughter your damn pack. I’ll be generous. We don’t want your women. You can take them with you as you flee.”

One of the enforcers snorted. “We don’t want to fuck your sloppy seconds.” The jerk spit on the floor. “Some of you mate humans. Disgusting. No wonder you’re so weak.”

Keith smugly nodded. “We heard Moe took one of those pathetic creatures as his mate. It was good news for you since she’ll only give birth to weaklings, giving you a better chance at becoming alpha. You’re not taking that territory when you get sick of being led by Moe, though. It’s mine.”

Chaz widened his grin. The Lycan really did amuse him.

“Why in the hell do you look happy?” Keith stalked closer.

“You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?” Chaz slowly removed the trench coat he’d put on after getting out of his rental car. He liked to make a statement when confronting assholes. “I don’t know who you get your information from, but you should rip their fucking throat out for making you look like an idiot.”

“He wants to fight,” one of the lead enforcers growled. “I’ll take him.”

Keith raised one hand. “Wait. I want to hear what this stupid bastard has to say. What do you mean by that?”

“You believe I’m Moe’s lead enforcer. Incorrect. You also think Moe’s pack is vulnerable because you’ve got more numbers.” Chaz tossed his coat at least ten feet behind him. “I doubt you had six bitches in your pack with alpha blood in them unless you started fucking your sisters, if you have any. It means you made alliances with other packs to get those women for you to have pups with. How much pressure are they putting on you to take Moe’s territory?”

Rage twisted Keith’s features, and some hair spouted along his cheeks. “I don’t owe anyone shit. No one gives me orders.”

“That’s good to know. That means no other pack will be pissed if I kill you.”

“How dare you threaten me!” Keith’s claws slid out from his fingertips. “I’m going to cut you apart and send you back to Moe a piece at a time.”

Chaz shook his head. “You don’t have a damn clue, do you?”

Keith’s rage built, it being clear from the look in his eyes and the tightening of his body.

“Do you know what strong family bonds are? You’re kind of dense, so I’ll give you the answer. Family means everything. Moe is my uncle. Your other mistake was believing I’m just a Lycan.” Chaz reached up and removed his sunglasses, tossing them backward on top of his coat.

Confusion showed in Keith’s expression as Chaz faced him. He knew his silver eyes normally threw people for a loop and was counting on that. The alpha was getting a clear view of them.

“I didn’t come to ask for peace.” Chaz rolled his shoulders. “That’s another mistake you made. As I said, you should rip out the throat of whoever you have spying on Moe’s pack. They are incompetent as fuck since they didn’t tell you it’s protected by me and mine. It would be a huge mistake if you started a war. Of course, with your numbers, at least there will be enough survivors left to burn your dead. We’re not into killing women and children. That’s all that will remain of your pack if you want a war. Am I clear?”

One of Keith’s sons spoke low. “What’s wrong with his eyes?”

“Shut up,” Keith snapped. “How dare you threaten me.”

“Oh, I dare.” Chaz turned his head, glancing at every Lycan in the room. “Are the six enforcers your only family members here?” He stared back at Keith. “It will be easy to slaughter the males of your pack here. Family is everything, so I’ll spare your sons. I’m just here to make a point. I’m talking about a total blood bath. Of course, that woman near the back door won’t die. As I said, I don’t kill women.”

Some of the males, including the alpha, snarled.

Chaz turned his head, smiling at the Lycan woman. “You’d live. Just don’t attack me. I will knock your ass out if you come at me with claws.” He winked before focusing on Keith again. “How do you want this to go down? Words or actions?”

“You are going to die,” Keith snarled. “I know what you are. You can’t win against these numbers.”

Chaz reached for the front of his dress shirt, unbuttoned it, took it off, and threw it behind him with his coat and sunglasses. “My twin wanted to tag along this morning, but I told him no. He would have just killed you all and called it a day since he’s always been more emotional than I am. I’m into giving warnings. I did that. Speak now about who is family, or it’s your fault if they die.”

Keith ripped off his T-shirt and shoved his pants down, kicking them free. “We’re about to fight a VampLycan,” he announced. “Prepare to shift and attack when I do.”

“All of us?” One of his enforcers frowned.

“He knows he can’t beat me on his own.” Chaz shrugged.

“It’s not fair,” that same enforcer argued. “There’s no integrity in that, Father. I refuse to stand with you on this.”

“Wow, some good got through that fucked up gene pool. You must have gotten integrity from your mother because your father sure doesn’t know the meaning of the word. What’s your name?” Chaz was starting to like the outspoken Lycan enforcer.

The enforcer hesitated. “Corlin.”

“Well, Corlin, your father there knows he’d die if he challenged me to settle the territory war he’s been planning. What number in line are you?”

“Firstborn.”

“Shut up,” Keith snarled. “Don’t talk to the dead.”

“I’m still alive.” Chaz kept his gaze on Corlin. “You’re in charge if your father dies. That might not be a bad thing since you seem to be the smart one.”

Corlin clamped his mouth closed.

“Oh, and by the way…” Chaz smirked at Keith. “You’re batting zero today on intelligence points, asshole. I’m not a VampLycan.”

Corlin cleared his throat. “What are you?”

“You’re about to find out,” Chaz rasped.

Keith had more hair sprouting from his body. His face transformed, too, as his mouth pushed out into a full snout with fangs. He snarled. “What you are is dead. Attack!” He lunged forward.

Motion surged all around Chaz. He sucked in a sharp breath, tensed, and shelled his body. His wings ripped free from his rapidly hardening skin at the same time. It hurt, but he ignored the pain. The first Lycan jumped on his back, and he spun fast, fully extending his wings. The idiot was thrown brutally into a wall.

Chaz took them down as they came at him in fur. Bodies flew when they impacted with his shelled limbs and wings. It had to feel like being slammed with a wall of stone for the stupid bastards. Yelps sounded around him from their pain.

He forced his own claws to slide out of his fingertips and attacked Keith as the alpha tried to go for his throat. Chaz ripped open the Lycan’s stomach with one hand and used his other one to punch the bastard in the face. Bones broke under the impact of his fist, sending the alpha sprawling on his back and sliding across the floor until he slammed into another Lycan.

Chaz spun the other way, his wings hitting more of the advancing pack, brutally flinging them toward the walls. He grabbed the woman who came at him in a partial shift, twisting her in his arms so her back was to his chest. He used his shelled wings again to batter the attacking pack by doing another spin.

“Do you really want a piece of me, honey? Rethink it.” Chaz threw her out of the fighting. She hit the floor about ten feet away and rolled.

Chaz felt a little guilty when she stayed down for long seconds. It had probably hurt, but she shouldn’t have broken bones. He leaped upward, unshelled enough to lighten his body, and flapped his wings. He landed above them on a beam twenty-five feet up, staring down.

Keith sat on the floor still, clutching his ripped-open stomach. Blood spilled over his claws. It wasn’t a killing injury, but he’d hurt until it healed. Other Lycans were injured. Some of them had broken limbs. Chaz spotted Corlin standing in the same spot, still in his skin. The enforcer hadn’t attacked him. Their gazes met.

“I could kill them all.” Chaz sighed. “I’d rather not do that. They have families, too. I’ve made my point. Moe’s territory isn’t ever going to be yours. It’s protected by me and mine. That would include Gargoyles, GarLycans, and VampLycans. One GarLycan did this. That’s what I am. I speak for all the clans. Our pure-blooded Lycan family members left Alaska to settle in the lower states.”

Chaz paused for long seconds to let that information sink into everyone. “Moe is blood family to me. The clans would rise against anyone who harmed someone from that pack. We’d descend on you from the sky one night. You’d never see us coming until the bodies began piling up. Revenge would be ours. No one touches Moe or his pack. Need I say more?”

Corlin paled but gave a sharp nod. “Understood.”

“Fuck you,” Keith screamed. “Get her!”

Chaz looked down at the alpha and jumped off the beam, landing in a crouch by him. “I didn’t hit you that damn hard to cause significate brain damage. You’ll heal. Also, I’m not a woman, so don’t act all dazed and confused. Look at your people. They are hurt but alive. Call it a fucking day and buy land instead if you want more territory. You worked too hard to build your pack into what it has become just to ask them to be slaughtered over your wounded pride. It’s what it would amount to. You can’t win a war if you attack Moe.”

The back door opened, and Chaz turned his head. Shock hit him as a big Lycan male came in with a small woman held against his front. He had her secured there with his arm around her waist. She dangled in his hold, her feet about a foot off the floor. The Lycan had his claws from his other hand extended against the woman’s throat.

Shoni didn’t kick or fight her captor but clutched his arm wrapped around her waist. Pure terror showed in her wide gray-blue eyes. The big Lycan holding her flashed fangs and snarled.

Chaz hoped he hid his emotions well as he recovered from that nasty surprise. The fucking Lycans had grabbed Shoni. They’d brought her to use against him. Rage burned inside him that they’d dare do something so shameful. It was a new level of low to use innocent beings as leverage.

“He’ll tear her throat out,” Keith threatened. “I give you my word that she’ll live after this is over if you surrender to me now. Soften your skin and bow down. I’ll make your death quick.”

Chaz had to look away from Shoni. He glared at Keith. “Why in the hell would I let you kill me?”

“We have your mate.” Keith smirked.

It amazed Chaz that the stupid bastard led a pack and that someone hadn’t killed him sooner. “Why would you think that human is my mate?”

Uncertainty flashed in the alpha’s eyes, but it was gone in a flash. “I have some human spies working for my pack. They were watching you with your mate this morning at the hotel.”

Fury filled Chaz. “You’re insanely stupid and have utterly incompetent people working for your pack. I’d be so embarrassed if I were you. I haven’t even fucked that human. I kissed her for luck. I would have grabbed any woman to do that. Not that I need luck, but…” He shrugged. “I’m not mated, asshole.”

The alpha paled. “You’re lying.”

Chaz grinned coldly at the bastard. “I don’t need to make up shit. It’s the truth. I’m not mated. You should know a fact about the Alaskan clans—we don’t go far from our homes after we’re mated. I wouldn’t be standing here dealing with you if I had one. I’d be in Alaska with her. Another clan member would have shown up here to warn you off.”

He paused to let that information sink in before speaking again. “I don’t know that human beyond running into her at the hotel and kissing her this morning before I came here. I overheard her family giving her some shit about being single and thought ‘what the hell’ by taking advantage of the situation.”

Whispers came from some of the pack, most voicing their terror and wish to flee the warehouse. None moved, though. They were probably just as afraid of their insanely stupid alpha as they were of him.

Chaz glared at the alpha, letting his anger show. “I don’t like assholes who hide behind innocent women, though. Release the human now, or you’re dead. I enjoy taking out murderers. It’s fun.”

The alpha still didn’t look convinced.

Chaz stepped closer to him. “Release the innocent human, or I’m going to slaughter everyone in this room except your smart son and the bitch. I’m starting to like him, and I already told the bitch I wouldn’t kill her. I always keep my word.”

Corlin spoke before his father could. “Release the human, Thorton.”

“Don’t,” the alpha snarled. Keith turned his head to his oldest son. “Stay out of this, Corlin. You don’t speak for our pack.”

“He’s a fucking GarLycan. You just saw him tossing off our people with ease. They didn’t hurt him at all. Not even a scratch is on him. I believe that she’s not his mate. Someone like him would want a strong breeder. Not that.” Corlin waved his hand toward Shoni. “She’s small and weak.”

“That entire pack is weak,” the alpha snapped. “Moe mated to a human.”

“The GarLycan isn’t part of their pack, though, is he, Father?” Corlin cleared his throat and softened his tone. “We should let the human go and do as he says. We could expand our territory another way.”

“No. I want Moe’s territory. I’m not giving up that lake, all the businesses he owns, or all the nice homes he’s built for his pack. It’s going to be ours!”

Chaz was done. He stared at the Lycan holding Shoni. “You make her bleed or hurt that innocent human in any way, and I’m going to torture you for hours until you beg me to kill you. Understand? Be more afraid of me than your idiot alpha. I’m about to deal with him.”

He glanced at the assembled pack next, making eye contact with them. “Get back against the walls and stay there if you want to live. Otherwise, say your last prayer to whoever you believe in.” He finally glared at alpha. “End this now or I will by killing you.”

The alpha’s oldest son backed away and lowered his head. Some of the pack retreated seconds later, putting their backs against the walls. The Lycan at the door holding Shoni hesitated for long seconds but gently lowered her to the floor. He kept hold of her waist, but his claws left her throat. That was good enough for Chaz.

Outrage had Keith Folsom snarling as he rose to his feet. His body had healed enough that the bleeding had slowed. “Kill her.”

Chaz had enough. Keith hadn’t heeded his warnings. It was time to kill. He used his wings and claws to attack the Lycans still following the idiot alpha. That included five of the six lead enforcers. They screamed in agony as he ripped them apart, flinging them aside as he made his way toward their father.

Keith attempted to flee, but Chaz was on him in seconds and simply removed his head. It was brutal but fast. He let the body drop, and the attack instantly stopped.

Chaz turned, watching the remaining pack to see if any would come at him again. They didn’t. It was over since he’d just taken out their alpha. “I don’t want to lead you assholes if that’s what you’re thinking.” He wanted to be clear about that. Alpha challenges were usually done to take over control of the pack.

He stepped over the body of one of the now-dead enforcers, holding the stare of the only remaining son in the room of the previous alpha. “You’re in charge now, Alpha Corlin. Never go after Moe’s pack, or I’ll be back with dozens of my clan. Be smarter than your father. There’s nothing but certain death if any of yours go after them. We’d hunt down every member who lifted a claw against Moe’s pack. They are protected. That includes all the humans in his territory. They aren’t fodder in your need to take more territory. Am I clear?”

Corlin nodded. He turned his head. “Release her, Thorton.”

“But she’s seen too much,” the stupid Lycan whispered.

“I’ll handle her.” Chaz shook his claws, trying to rid himself of some of the blood. “I’ll have a VampLycan wipe her memories. There’s some nearby.” He turned to one of the Lycans pressed tight against the wall who had listened to him. “Get me some water to wash off with, please.”

The male rushed toward the door and fled. Chaz figured he had a fifty/fifty chance of the Lycan returning.

He faced Corlin. “I want your word that Moe’s pack is safe. Otherwise, I might as well finish this today. No way am I allowing you to hurt anyone in that pack.”

“You have my word.” Corlin stepped forward. “I didn’t agree with my father.” He glanced at the pieces of the corpses and then quickly looked away. “My mother was one of his breeders. Keith threatened war with other packs, forced them to hand over a female to breed with, and once his children were born, he sent the women back home. I never even got to meet my mother. None of the others did, either.”

“Not surprising,” Chaz admitted. “Be a better alpha. I did some research before I came here. There’s tons of land for sale by humans. Maybe you should buy it instead of going to war with other Lycans. That’s the smarter move to make in these modern times. You never want to draw the attention of humans.”

Corlin seemed to be listening, so Chaz continued to give him advice.

“Moe’s pack is tightly bonded in that community. Your father was too stupid to understand killing their members would have drawn a lot of attention. I hope you aren’t one of those idiots who thinks it would be a good idea to reveal our kind to the humans. That would be a huge mistake and not only make you an enemy of humans, but every other pack, clan, and nest would come after you. Some of them wouldn’t even spare your children. Nobody wants that.”

The doors opened, and the Lycan returned, carrying three gallons of water. The door remained open as he entered the warehouse. He slowly approached Chaz but set them on the floor a good five feet away. He kept his head down, his gaze on the floor, as he retreated to a far wall.

“Thanks.” Chaz approached and checked the seals to make sure they hadn’t been tampered with before opening one. He bent over to dump the water over his hair, trying to avoid soaking his pants and boots. Then he used the other gallons to cleanse his upper body and wings that had been splattered with blood. He let his body absorb his wings and straightened up.

He finally glanced over at Shoni. The Lycan kept a hold of her by the arm, but she stared at him with wide, terrified eyes. He tore his attention away and walked to his shirt. It had been splattered with blood. He checked his coat next. It had fared better since his shirt had mostly covered it.

He put it on but kept his skin slightly shelled. The sunglasses were fine, too. He put those back on. Then he addressed Corlin once again. “Are we done here? I want your word that Moe and his pack are safe.”

“You have it.”

Chaz studied the new alpha’s face, not seeing deception there. “You really never want to see me again. Break your word, and I will return with my clan. We’ll hunt every one of your pack down. There’s nowhere you can flee that we wouldn’t find. Only mothers and younglings will survive because that’s all the mercy we would show. Moe and his people are always off-limits. Don’t even think about any of them. The humans in his territory are included under our protection. I like to be clear, so it needed to be repeated.”

Chaz motioned toward the ones who’d retreated against the walls to avoid dying. “I wanted witnesses left alive. I don’t enjoy killing, but I won’t hesitate. Next time, I’ll bring some VampLycans along as well as men from my clan. Just so you know, they have family in packs, too, and would reign hell over anyone who hurt them. That’s why I’m suggesting you buy land instead of taking it by force. Whatever pack you go after might be protected by them. Our clans are tightly aligned to family, which means if they ask for our help, we show up with them. It’s all about the food chain, isn’t it? We’re at the top. Don’t grow too cocky to ever forget that like your father did.”

Chaz turned and strode toward the Lycan holding Shoni. She visibly trembled as he approached, and a whimper came from her slightly parted lips. He inwardly flinched but refused to unshell his body until they were both away from the Lycans. He didn’t trust them. The Lycan holding Shoni released her arm fast and backed away.

Chaz just scooped her into his arms, holding Shoni close to his chest. She whimpered again but didn’t fight him. He used his boot to kick the door closed behind them as they left the warehouse and was grateful he’d put on his sunglasses before they’d stepped outside. The sun was bright.

He advanced quickly to where he’d parked and walked around the rental car to make sure no one had fucked with it. He’d parked in an area with a lot of loose dirt on the ground. The only footprints were from his boots. He stopped at the passenger side to set her back on her feet. Shoni almost collapsed. He kept hold of her.

“I know you’re afraid.” He kept his voice low. Lycans had good hearing. “Get in the car. I won’t hurt you.”

Tears filled her eyes as she peered up at him.

“I don’t lie. I would have let them kill you if I meant you harm. Get in the car. We’ll talk once we’re out of here.”

She gave a sharp nod, turned, and tried to open the car door. Her hands trembled too badly. He moved closer and brushed against her body but opened the door for her. She climbed in, and he closed the door once her limbs were out of the way.

Then, he rounded the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. As soon as he closed the door, he finally unshelled his body and removed the fob from his coat pocket. The engine started right up. He backed away from the warehouse, keeping his attention focused on their surroundings. It was possible more Lycans may attempt to attack him for killing their alpha.

“You probably have a lot of questions. I’ll answer them after you put on your seatbelt.” He put on his to cease the onboard computer from beeping.

The woman seated next to him didn’t say a word. Shoni did fumble with the belt, though, and managed to get it hooked. He heard the click. The last thing he needed was a cop to pull them over for not wearing them. Not all of them would be working for the pack and would have heard to avoid him at all costs after what just happened.

Chaz sighed. “All you need to know is that you’re safe. I’m sorry that you got dragged into this.”

“You do lie,” she finally whispered, her voice so soft he strained to hear her. “You said you were a business negotiator last night.”

He hid a smile. “That was me negotiating. The pack I just had a meeting with wanted to attack another one. Some Lycans only understand violence. I’m sorry you had to see that, but they were assholes who would have killed you. Better some of them dying than you.”

“What are you?”

“GarLycan.” He glanced at her and saw her confusion. He turned his attention back on the road, still half expecting an attack from the pack.

“My father is a Gargoyle. My mother was a Lycan. She passed away some years ago. It’s just my father and twin brother now in our immediate family.” He paused. “Actually, my brother just mated, so we have a human now, too. You probably use the term Werewolf instead of Lycan. That’s what those assholes in the warehouse were. Surprise. Humans aren’t the only humanoid beings that exist in this world.”

“Oh shit.”

“Focus on the good news.”

It took her seconds before she spoke. “What’s that?”

“I’m damn good at what I do, and we’re both alive. There won’t be a war between two Lycan packs. That would have spilled over into your town and the other one involved. We always try like hell to keep humans out of our lives, but the pack that lives by your town had a crazy shithead for an alpha who probably wouldn’t have bothered to conceal what he was doing when he declared war. That meant a lot of innocents would have died as fodder. Now, it’s over before it ever began. That’s what I do. End shit before it blows up.”

“What are you going to do with me?”

He glanced at her before watching the road again. “I’m not going to hurt you, Shoni. We’re going to stay together until I can get a VampLycan to come here or find a trustworthy Vampire in your town to make you forget you were ever taken. All the things you saw will be erased. It will be like it never happened. Relax. You’re going to be fine and won’t even know any of this shit went down.”

“I’m so confused.”

“Vampires can erase memories. VampLycans are half Vampire and Lycan. They can wipe away memories, too. It’s not that complicated. Movies are mostly fantasy about other species, but some got that trait right.”

“I think I want to throw up now.”

He grimaced. “Please don’t, or at least wait until we’re clear of this area. I wouldn’t put it past some of those bastards to try to get revenge over me killing their alpha. We don’t want to be attacked while I pull over for you to get sick. It’s going to take some time for Corlin to gain control of his people.”

She was silent for long minutes. “Okay. I’ll puke later. I want to live.”

He grinned, finding her amusing.

“I guess your ovaries are fine now.” He glanced at her.

She blushed.

“Women aren’t so drawn to me after they realize what I am. Now you know what’s wrong with me and why I’m still single. Don’t be afraid, though, Shoni. I’m not human, but I’m also not an asshole who hurts women unless I need to throw them off me during an attack. Even then, I try like hell not to injure them.”