Chapter 3
Simon followed Garon’s directions to a gravel road that was barely visible due to the large trees surrounding it.
The spring leaves from the oaks created a canopy that blocked out what little light the night sky provided.
About a hundred feet in, Simon could see a tall fence that ran in both directions, and the road was blocked by a large black gate.
His headlights only allowed him to see so far, so Simon stopped in front of the gate and looked to Garon for further direction.
The boy pushed the button to lower his window and made a low yipping sound.
A moment later, a lower yip was returned, and a man stepped out of the woods with a large, almost black wolf at his side.
Having never been this close to a werewolf, it shocked Simon how big these men could become in animal form.
The humans seemed just as big, as evidenced by the man who now approached Simon’s car.
Dressed all in black, his bald head reflected what little light could be found.
He rested his hand on the holstered weapon at his side, and Simon had no doubt he would draw and fire before Simon even realized he’d moved.
Needless to say, Simon stayed very still.
The man approached Garon’s side of the car and leaned in to sniff and rub against the boy.
He reached in and petted the other children for a moment as well.
Movement on his side of the car drew Simon’s attention.
The wolf had come around to stare at him through the side window.
Its breath fogged up the glass slightly with each exhale.
With a gulp, Simon jerked his eyes back to the front.
Garon reached over and patted Simon’s arm, and Simon jumped. The boy grinned and turned back to the man at his window. “We need to see Alpha, Cade.”
“I’ve already called to him,” Cade replied. “He’s out searching. You okay?”
Garon nodded and turned back to Simon. Garon smiled and tried to reassure him. “It’ll be okay. You don’t have to be worried.”
Simon glanced over at the wolf staring in his window, then back to the boy. “Easy for you to say.”
Garon barked out a little laugh and turned back to Cade. The man rested his hand on Garon’s shoulder, squeezed slightly with his fingers, and rubbed a little path back and forth with his thumb. Cade’s hand seemed so large against the boy’s shoulder, reminding Simon again how young these kids were.
He could feel the excited energy building in them and wondered why they weren’t all jumping out of the car.
They all seemed to know they had to stay where they were.
Even the little one sat contentedly in the backseat, curled up against one of the other kids.
She smiled now, her little cheeks revealing dimples that had Simon giving her a quick grin in return from the rearview mirror.
Staring ahead again, Simon began to pick out the shapes of other wolves on the darkened side of the gate. Now that his eyes were adjusting, he saw they were all huge and would be eye to eye with him where he sat in the car.
None of them looked pleased.
Simon’s fight-or-flight instinct was going crazy, with every fiber of his being screaming at him to get the hell out of there and away from all the weres.
Just when Simon thought he would crack from the tension, Garon turned and looked out the back window.
A black SUV appeared and slid to a stop inches from Simon’s bumper, its headlights lighting up the interior of the car in a sudden burst of brightness.
A large man stepped out of the passenger’s side and came toward the car.
As big as the bald guy with the gun, the new man’s hair was almost totally gray.
Even his mustache and beard were gray. And so was his shirt.
Before he could take the time to wonder over the odd color choice, Simon could feel the strength of the gray guy’s presence, even without opening his magic to see him more clearly.
His power was so forceful it made Simon’s breath hitch, and he leaned back in his seat, trying to keep from having a panic attack and embarrassing himself.
All the kids yipped happily and bounced around. They’d been waiting for this man. It really didn’t surprise Simon at all. Anyone that powerful had to be in charge.
Simon’s theory was confirmed when the man nodded, and Cade opened the back door. The kids piled out and surrounded the man. He dropped to one knee, petting them all and, Simon noticed, sniffing them. This man was the alpha of the pack, a term Simon had only read about.
Garon opened his door and stepped out. The alpha met his eyes, and Garon grinned and ran the few steps to him.
The alpha stood, scooped Garon up against him, and held him tight.
They rubbed their faces together for several long moments.
The alpha’s eyes met Simon’s through the window.
Simon could read the distrust and anger there, but also a touch of gratitude.
Simon’s panic settled a notch. He might make it out of this yet.
Although the alpha still held Garon tight against him, the boy turned his head and unwrapped one arm from the man’s neck. He beckoned to Simon, and Simon reluctantly opened his door and climbed out of the car.
The wolf at his window stalked immediately to his side.
It intimidated the hell out of Simon, especially as he drew closer to the alpha and saw how huge the man was.
Simon was not exactly short at five foot ten, but this guy seemed to tower over him.
As he forced himself closer, Simon realized the alpha wasn’t actually that much bigger—only three or four inches at most—but his substantial presence made him seem like a giant.
Simon felt a tickle in his mind. Garon was trying to communicate with him through their link. Tearing his focus away from the alpha wolf was a challenge, but Simon opened himself up and heard the boy. What is your name? Garon asked.
He’d never gotten around to introducing himself. Simon, he answered.
Garon nodded and turned back to the alpha.
Holy shit, Simon thought, he’s the alpha’s son.
The light from the cars illuminated the area enough that Simon could see their eyes were the same clear shade of blue, and although Garon’s dark brown hair contrasted sharply against the alpha’s gray, the resemblance between them was unmistakable.
Garon met the alpha’s eyes again. “Dad? Can you put me down now?” His voice held the slightest tone of exasperation, and Simon forced himself not to smile. Safely home by his father’s side, Garon received a reassuring hug and rebounded into a growing boy who didn’t want to be babied.
The alpha reluctantly lowered his son to the ground and took a moment to brush Garon’s hair out of his eyes before settling his hand on his son’s neck to keep him close.
When he leaned into his father’s strong legs, Garon’s actions belied his earlier bravado.
“Dad, this is Simon, friend of the High Moon Pack.”
Simon noticed the tightening of the alpha’s body at Garon’s declaration, and tensed, but no one made a move toward him.
Everyone waited to see the alpha’s reaction.
He looked Simon up and down in a frankly assessing manner.
Simon wondered if he imagined the heat in the stare, but his body reacted anyway.
Blood began to pool in places he would rather it didn’t when surrounded by an angry pack of wolves.
The alpha reached some sort of conclusion and stepped forward, his son by his side. “Welcome, Simon, friend of the High Moon Pack. I am Gray, Alpha of the High Moon Pack. Thank you for returning my son and our cubs.”
Unsure of the protocol in the situation, Simon recognized the formality of the speech and bowed his head slightly. “You’re welcome?”
Simon wasn’t quite able to keep the question out of his voice.
His knees shook a bit from anxiety, and his heart pounded double time in his chest. It didn’t help that the alpha took one step closer to him.
He gave Simon a second look, and this time Simon had no doubt the alpha was checking him out.
It sparked something inside him that he didn’t need to be thinking about.
Garon and the other cubs snickered and drew Gray’s attention to them. They quieted immediately, but the distraction allowed Simon to get his thoughts back on track. His cheeks heated with embarrassment, but he fought the impulse to keep his eyes lowered.
As powerful as Gray was, he wasn’t Simon’s alpha. Simon knew better than to appear too submissive, even if his overactive hormones wanted him to roll over and beg.
Gray gestured to the combination of men and wolves surrounding him. “Take the cubs to the meeting hall. Gather everyone together. Liam, with me.”
Everyone rushed to do as their alpha commanded, and the cubs were piled into the SUV Gray had arrived in.
Big, bald Cade turned to lift the little one, but she slipped away and ran back to Simon.
The wolf who had intimidated Simon earlier stepped in her way, but she darted around him and lifted her arms to Simon.
He picked her up, keeping one eye on the wolf standing beside him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, then snuggled her face into his neck.
Simon hugged her gently, then set her back on the ground. As she ran back to the SUV, he realized she still had his jacket wrapped around her. It made him smile. She could have it; he had an old one in the back of his closet.
When everyone was through the gate, Gray returned his attention to Simon.
They locked eyes for a long moment, and Simon’s knees went wobbly again.
The intensity of his stare, his sheer potency, drew Simon under his spell.
The moment seemed to stretch on and on before the alpha finally spoke.
“Explain to me how you have our missing cubs.”
His voice was softer now, which surprised Simon. He’d expected more of that anger, perhaps a threat or two, or at the very least a strongly worded demand for answers. There was none of that in Gray’s words or even in his tone. Just the softest statement, his eyes locked on Simon’s.
Unsure of how much he should actually reveal, Simon tried to find some reasonable explanation. He couldn’t. What would these wolves do to him if they knew a mage stood right here in front of them?
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the desire he felt to throw himself at the alpha sent his thoughts scattering, while warning signals tap-danced up and down his spine.
Gray took a step closer. Simon fought to keep his breathing under control. “Simon, my son has made you a friend of our pack. This means that we cannot harm you. You are under our protection.”
Simon’s eyes widened, and he stepped back. “How did you…?”
“I can smell your fear. Now tell me what I want to know.”
Feeling the hole he’d dug for himself get deeper, Simon let out a frustrated breath and began.
“I am Simon Osbourne, Apprentice Mage of the Earthhavens.” Watching Gray’s eyes widen, Simon rushed on.
“I know I’m not supposed to get involved with you guys, but I could hear them in my head, calling for help.
What was I supposed to do? I knew they were kids, cubs, whatever you call them, and no one else was coming.
I couldn’t just leave them there to die!
So I went there and found them and got them out and brought them home. That’s it. I swear it.”
Gray’s eyes darkened, and Simon didn’t know what the new expression meant. “Who took my son, Simon? Who had our cubs?”
Oh God, that look.
The illusion of gentleness became the stare of an alpha determined to get what he wanted.
Simon replied, “A demon and two human men. The demon drained them of their energy somehow.” At the word demon, the wolf at Gray’s side began to growl, and Simon took another step back.
“I’ll tell you where they are, but please, you have to let me go.
I’m going to be in so much trouble as it is. ”
Gray stepped forward and reached toward Simon. Simon flinched but relaxed when he felt Gray’s hand on his face, gently wiping below his nose. “Were you injured?”
The blood from his nose created a deep-red streak on Gray’s thumb. Simon shook his head. “No, I’m okay. Just drained a bit. Can I go?”
“Yes, Simon, you can go. Just as soon as you tell me where to find them.”
Simon gave Gray detailed directions back to the house.