2. Milo
MILO
T he night called to him, rich with promise, both lush and bright; only a wolf would find light in the darkness.
To humans, the street was dim, with stretches of gold and blue flickering across the blacktop, spilling from glowing windows and flickering television screens like a net cast over the night.
Milo had only just arrived in town a month or so back. Barely had his feet touched American soil before he found himself tangled in this mess.
He sucked in a sharp breath, pushing it all away, determined not to let his thoughts drag him back to the chaos in his mind.
The distraction had to be forgotten for now.
That was all it was, a distraction. There were more pressing matters now.
Namely, the fantasy of pale thighs wrapped around his head while his tongue lapped greedily at his mate’s sweet cunt.
A shiver ran down his spine. Milo shifted, adjusting himself.
He’d figured his time in the special forces would be a boon for this mission.
It had been, but the real skill in slipping through shadows, unseen and unheard, came from the lupine blood flowing in his veins.
He wasn’t a gifted soldier just because of human talents.
Nestled high between two oak branches, he scanned the area, noting every subtle noise as his head swiveled slowly. It wasn’t likely anybody would find him here, but it was still wise to exercise caution when committing criminal activities.
Milo licked his lips. His attention snapped back to Willow, who was still blissfully unaware.
She was on her back, pleasuring herself, and he had a front-row seat to the show.
He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the exquisite expressions she made as her orgasm built, eyes squeezed tight, lips parted in a perfect O.
His fingers twitched, aching with the need to act, but he stopped himself. What he wouldn’t give to feel her slick mouth around him, to force her to submit with his cock in her throat. The strain in his pants was almost unbearable now.
“What is it, Arlo?” Milo murmured, sensing the presence of his second-in-command behind him. He must have tracked him by scent.
“You need to come home. The McGarvey pack has called a meeting.”
He could hear the crisp press of old snow underfoot as Arlo slowly closed the distance between them.
Milo didn’t respond, instead throwing a quick, scathing glare over his shoulder. He turned back to Willow, still completely unaware, still putting on a show just for him and his unintended, and unwanted, audience.
“She’s not going anywhere, Milo. Leave it.”
He wanted to argue, but instead, he spared one last look at the woman who captivated him so wholly, and then he slipped silently from his perch. He landed softly on the ground, moving like a shadow toward Arlo so they could go back to the waiting car.
***
“Are you fucking serious?”
Milo could kill him. He could twist his head clean off.
“Yeah, well, what was I supposed to do, dude?” Titan squeaked, wringing his hands nervously, the whites of his eyes flashing bright even in the dim light.
“You’re telling me you found a McGarvey wolf on our territory, so you tied him up and shoved him in your trunk?”
Each word raised his blood pressure. This could spiral out of control fast. If McGarvey was feeling unpleasant, he might see this as a declaration of war.
Milo ran his hands down his face and screamed into his palms. Of course, things went to shit as soon as he came back. Of course, this would happen.
“Milo, look, I’m sorry,” Titan sputtered, hands spread out in a pleading gesture. “I know I fucked up. But what if he saw some shit he shouldn’t have? Shouldn’t we, like, question him or something?”
“What we should be questioning is whether or not there’ll be backlash over this little stunt.”
Arlo’s gravelly voice cut through the tension, low but not unkind. The man had the patience of a saint, especially with the youngest member of their pack, who in many ways was still learning the ropes of both being a man and a wolf.
Unfortunately, he was also an idiot.
Milo pinched the bridge of his nose, the weight of the situation landing like a ballistic. After a long pause, he crossed his arms and spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.
“Fine. What’s done is done. Where is he now?”
Titan offered a sheepish smile.
“You’re not fucking serious,” Milo said flatly.
***
The walk to the car was short, urgency making it impossible for Milo to settle himself.
He still couldn’t stop thinking about the incredible scene he’d been blessed enough to witness earlier.
He could be lying in bed now, watching Willow sleep through the cameras he’d installed in her bedroom.
The idea lingered, but he jerked his head toward the car as Titan pressed a button on his keys.
“Well, what do we have here?” Arlo drawled, his gaze fixed on the now-open trunk.
“A punk in a trunk,” Milo chuckled in return, as the three crowded around. The man inside was growling and screaming through the gag, kicking viciously, thrashing as if he could tear through the restraints. He wouldn’t be able to; they were soaked in a nightshade infusion.
“Sorry, bud,” Milo said coolly. “But I don’t think you’re going anywhere. At least, not anytime soon. Titan tells me you were snooping in places you shouldn’t have been. You know what we do to rogue wolves who put their noses where they don’t belong?”
Milo reached down, grabbing the man by the throat and pinning him against the polyester lining of the trunk. Their captive went wild, twisting and screeching in rage, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
“Aw, come on, Milo,” Titan piped up. “You’re really scaring him. ”
“He should be fucking scared,” Milo snapped. “You don’t step onto my territory whenever you damn well please. There are consequences.”
It was all for the show, of course. He wouldn’t hurt him. Not while the fate of the entire city depended on Colin’s grace. A war between them would spell disaster for the human inhabitants of the city’s underbelly. The casualties would be a problem for them all.
“Are you going to behave if I untie you?” Milo asked flatly, receiving only an angry thrash in return. He couldn’t blame the guy. If it were him, he’d be just as eager to lash out once freed.
But that wasn’t something Milo wanted to deal with right now.
“I’ll leave you in here to think about things. Just chill for a while, alright?”
With that, the trunk slammed shut, and the three men turned back into the manor, waiting for the McGarvey pack to arrive.
***
The sound of an engine broke the silence. The manor was well-hidden, tucked deep into the suburbs, surrounded by trees and acreage. They owned apartments in the city, but wolves weren’t made for concrete and steel. This place would always be home.
Milo, with Arlo and Titan by his side, strode out of the entryway, chest out, chin high. He would bow to no wolf, regardless of circumstance. His boots crunched the gravel, but the tires of the black SUV did the same, louder, as it pulled into the driveway.
The four doors swung open, and out climbed the McGarvey pack. Milo didn’t recognize the others, but he knew Colin McGarvey, their alpha, and Jenner, the alpha’s personal bitch.
“What a beautiful evening, Mr. Schwarz. Don’t you think?” McGarvey said, pleasant but cold. Milo didn’t buy it. McGarvey would tear his throat out without hesitation if the opportunity arose.
“I believe we have something of yours.”
“I believe you do,” McGarvey responded, his voice now cool and dry.
“I apologize for the oversight.”
McGarvey twirled his mustache, his eyes narrowing as the silence collected once more. He was thankful that the smell of fear wasn’t permeating the air. Milo had been worried that Titan would cower in the presence of McGarvey.
It was good to know the kid had balls. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be an issue in the future.
“Well, mistakes do happen. I suppose we could overlook this, couldn’t we, gentlemen?”
The two men at McGarvey’s side grunted in agreement, Jenner flashing a sly smile.
Little weasel , Milo growled inwardly.
Out loud, he said, “Alright, well, we appreciate your understanding, McGarvey. If you follow Arlo, he’ll help you retrieve your man.”
It was odd that McGarvey was so controlled. It was in his nature, but even he should be more volatile about one of his pack members being taken in such a way.
“Thomas, Chuck,” McGarvey called, snapping his fingers.
Arlo motioned to the two men who followed, leading them toward Titan’s car.
McGarvey spoke again.
“So, enjoying being home? You’ve had quite the adventure.”
Milo grunted, narrowing his eyes. It was a sore point for him, his extended absence from the pack.
“It’s been great.”
Milo wouldn’t entertain small talk with a rival alpha. McGarvey had a way of extracting information without you even realizing it, stealing pieces of knowledge from seemingly inconsequential snippets.
“Such a lovely time of year. So many scents in the air. It’s… tantalizing.”
Milo’s ears perked, but he kept his face impassive.
“Sure is. Really love the flowers and the birds.”
McGarvey smiled at the lackluster reply.
“The birds and the bees, as well.” A scuffle caught Milo’s attention.
Titan dove out of the way as the previously tied-up man lunged after him.
Rolling his eyes, Milo glanced back at McGarvey.
The man’s eyes had never left him. His icy blue gaze sent a chill down Milo’s spine.
“Alright, enough. Let’s go,” McGarvey barked, turning his gaze back to the car.
The kidnapped man stormed past them, throwing open the door to the SUV and slamming himself inside.
“So dramatic, isn’t he?” McGarvey murmured, amused.
“I might have been more so, myself,” Milo responded dryly.
“I’m sure you would. It’s higher stakes when you suddenly have so much to lose.”
That caught Milo’s attention. He couldn’ t possibly be talking about Willow. They shouldn’t even know about her. No one outside of his pack did. He declined to respond, however, and raise even higher the guillotine hanging overhead.
“You’re absolutely right. Good night, McGarvey. Let’s not do this again.”
With that, Milo turned sharply, Arlo and Titan following, and the three walked away, not once looking back.