Chapter 8
The clubhouse was charged with tension, the air thick with unspoken words and looming violence. Every man in the room knew what was coming. A war.
The Wolverine MC was done playing defence. They had been attacked on their own turf, their women and home put in the crosshairs, and now it was time to strike back.
Goliath sat at the table with King, Hunter, Fang, Blue and the rest of the core brothers, discussing the attack strategy. A map of the Shadow Riders’ compound lay spread across the table, marked with points of interest, entry points, weak spots, and escape routes.
"We can’t leave the club unprotected," Dixon said, leaning forward, his brow furrowed. "With most of us heading out, this place is a sitting duck."
King exhaled sharply. "That’s why we need to consider moving the women somewhere safe. If the Shadow Riders decide to retaliate while we’re gone, I don’t want them anywhere near this fight."
Fang scoffed, running a hand over his beard. "You really think any of them are gonna go for that? My woman would probably stab me in my sleep if I suggested it."
Hunter, who had been silent up to this point, gritted his teeth. "It’s not about what they want—it’s about keeping them alive."
Goliath’s jaw clenched. He didn’t like the idea of being away from Sofia, not when he had just claimed her, just started to feel her belong to him. But he knew King was right. If the Shadow Riders retaliated at the club while they were gone, Sofia could be in danger.
"We don’t have a choice," King said firmly. "We move them. I don’t care if they fight us on it. It’s happening."
"Where?" Fang asked, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "We can’t just send them to a hotel and hope for the best."
King exhaled, tapping a spot on the map. "We’ll take them to the old safehouse up in the mountains. It’s remote, secure, and stocked with supplies."
Blue nodded. "Good call. There’s only one road in and out, and we’ve still got motion sensors and surveillance set up from last time we used it. If anyone so much as breathes wrong outside that perimeter, we’ll know."
"And who’s staying behind to guard them?" Dash asked. "Because we can’t leave them alone out there."
King's gaze swept over the men before settling on Dash. "You, Rip, and a handful of the prospects will stay with them. I want at least two men patrolling at all times, and no one in or out unless we say so."
Dash nodded, but his jaw ticked with irritation. "I get it, but you know as well as I do that the women aren’t going to go quietly. They’ll fight us every damn step of the way."
King smirked. "Then you better be ready to handle them. Because whether they like it or not, they’re going."
While the men are strategizing Sofia sat on the bed in her room, her mind still reeling from the conversation she had overheard. The men were going to war, and she had no idea what that meant for her.
Alaska knocked once before stepping inside, closing the door behind her. "You, okay?"
Sofia sighed, rubbing her temples. "Define okay."
Alaska smirked but then sat beside her, expression turning serious. "Look, there’s something you need to do before shit gets worse. You need to contact your boss."
Sofia tensed. Jason Rodes. The man who had been her employer for the last five years. The man who trusted her with his secrets, his money, and his shady business.
"I can’t just disappear on him," Sofia admitted. "He won’t take it well."
Alaska leaned back against the headboard, crossing her arms. "Then you better tell him something. Make him think you’re leaving on your terms, not because you’re running from something."
Sofia exhaled sharply. "That’s not going to be easy. Jason doesn’t do ‘no.’ He doesn’t do people leaving. And I know way too much."
Alaska frowned. "How much do you know?"
Sofia hesitated. Too much. Jason owned multiple clubs, ran them with an iron grip. She had always suspected there was more happening behind the scenes—illegal money, underground dealings, but she had never dared to dig too deep.
"Enough to make him paranoid if I suddenly disappear," she admitted. "He trusts me. But I don’t think that trust extends to me walking away."
Alaska sighed. "Shit. That’s a problem."
"Yeah, no kidding."
Alaska studied her for a moment before nodding. "Call him. Make it sound like it was your choice. The last thing you need is him sending people after you thinking you betrayed him."
Sofia swallowed. Jason had hit on her more than once over the years, his attraction to her never subtle, but he had never forced the issue. She had always assumed that was the only reason she had lasted as long as she had in his world—because she never gave in.
"Fine," she muttered. "I’ll call him."
Alaska nodded. "Do it soon, babe. The last thing we need is another war on top of this one."
She paused, then added, "And don’t tell Goliath about Jason just yet."
Sofia blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. "Why not?"
Alaska gave her a knowing look. "Because a mated wolf is possessive as hell, and Goliath would lose his shit if he knew another man had been sniffing around you for years. And if that man was your boss? Someone with power? Goliath wouldn’t just let it go."
Sofia bit her lip, realizing just how true that was. Goliath was already on edge whenever she was out of his sight. If he found out Jason had made moves on her in the past, he might not take it well.
Alaska smirked at her expression. "Trust me, I know from experience. Dash, nearly ripped a bartender’s throat out just for winking at me once. And that was when we were just figuring things out. Imagine what Goliath would do if he knew some powerful asshole had been trying to get into your bed for years."
Sofia exhaled sharply. "Yeah… I don’t think he would handle that well."
"Understatement of the year," Alaska said, chuckling. "So, call Jason, do what you need to do, but keep that little detail to yourself. No need to light that fire under Goliath’s ass. He’s already got enough burning him up over you."
Sofia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's still… a lot. Having a mate. I never imagined my life would turn out like this. It’s like one moment I was running for my life, and now, I belong to someone—someone who’s so intense I can barely think straight when he looks at me."
Alaska grinned. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Mated wolves aren’t like regular men. When they find their mate, it’s game over. No second-guessing, no doubts. They know, and they make sure you do too. And Goliath? He’s one of the most possessive bastards I’ve ever seen."
Sofia bit her lip, heat creeping up her neck. "You’re not wrong. He… he watches me like I’m the only thing that matters. It’s overwhelming. And the things he says—"
Alaska waggled her brows. "Oh? What kind of things?"
Sofia exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Last night, after everything, he told me, ‘You’re mine, Sofia. There’s no running from this. No running from me.’ And the way he said it, I swear my whole body just—"
Alaska whooped, laughing. "Oh, babe, you’re in deep. And trust me, it only gets worse. Once they’ve claimed you, their instincts kick in even harder. You might as well get used to being followed, touched, and kissed every damn time you breathe."
Sofia groaned. "He’s already like that. Every time I turn around, he’s there, touching me, pulling me close, making sure everyone in this club knows I belong to him."
Alaska smirked. "And let’s be real—you love it."
Sofia opened her mouth to argue but quickly snapped it shut. Because, deep down, she did love it. And that scared her more than anything."
As they stepped out of the room and made their way toward the bar area, the sharp sound of raised voices caught their attention.
"I said I'm not leaving!" Siena's voice rang out, firm, defiant.
Alaska and Sofia exchanged a glance before moving closer, slipping into the common area where Siena was standing toe-to-toe with her mate, Blue.
Blue’s jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, trying to keep control of his temper. "This isn’t a discussion, Siena. It’s an order. We’re getting you all out of here before shit goes down."
Siena’s eyes blazed with fury. "Since when do you order me around? I’m not some fragile thing that needs protecting! This is my home too!"
Alaska muttered under her breath, "Oh, hell no," just as Goliath’s heavy footsteps approached from behind them.
Before Sofia could turn, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against a wall of muscle. Her breath hitched as he dipped his head, his lips brushing against her ear. Then, without hesitation, he tilted her chin up and kissed her.
It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a claim, a reminder, a warning. His tongue swept into her mouth, taking, owning.
Sofia’s knees weakened, her hands gripping his cut as the room around them faded.
"Is what Siena saying true?" Alaska’s voice broke through the haze, sharp with irritation.
Goliath grunted against Sofia’s lips before pulling back, his gaze locking onto Alaska’s. "Yeah. The women are leaving. It’s already decided."
Alaska whirled around; her fury immediate. "I need to find Dash."
Sofia barely had time to catch her breath before Goliath’s golden eyes flicked back to her.
"That includes you," he said, his voice gravel and dominance. "You’re going with them."
Sofia's breath hitched, her body going rigid. "And what if they find me there? What if I'm not safe?"
Goliath's golden eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "They won't. I'll make damn sure of it."
She swallowed hard. "You can’t promise that, Goliath. You won’t even be there—"
His grip on her waist tightened. "Listen to me, Sofia. I will hunt down every last one of those bastards before I let them get anywhere near you. You are mine. And no one—no one—threatens what’s mine and lives."
His voice was pure fire and steel, his possessiveness so absolute it sent shivers down her spine.
"You think sending me away is going to help?" she challenged, frustration lacing her voice. "I belong with you, that is what you said!"
Goliath growled, his nostrils flaring. "You belong safe. And the safest place for you is away from here."
The tension snapped between them. Sofia shoved against his chest, her pulse hammering. "I don’t need you deciding what’s best for me!"
Goliath’s eyes blazed as he yanked her hard against him, his grip possessive, unyielding. His mouth crashed down onto hers, claiming her in a punishing kiss, his tongue dominating, demanding submission.
Sofia moaned into his mouth, her frustration melting into something just as dangerous—need. She clawed at his shoulders, her body igniting under the sheer force of him.
When he finally pulled back, she was breathless, dazed, completely undone.
His large hand came up, cupping her cheek with surprising gentleness, his thumb stroking her skin. "You are my mate, Sofia. And I will destroy anyone who tries to take you from me."
Her heart pounded at his words, her body still buzzing from his kiss. But deep down, she knew he meant every word.