Chapter Twenty-Three
The phone call came at dawn.
“Rogues spotted on the western border,” Matthew reported, his voice grim through the speaker. “Three separate sightings in the last two hours. Pack members reported missing livestock and supplies.”
Leyden sat up in bed, careful not to disturb Connor still sleeping against his side. “How many?”
“At least six. Maybe more.” Matthew paused. “Marcus caught a scent. Says it’s familiar. Thinks one of them might be Clancy.”
Leyden’s jaw tightened. Clancy had been one of the eight enforcers who’d challenged him alongside Rolf. Banished, but apparently not gone.
“Get Janet and the new enforcers ready. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Already done.” Matthew hesitated. “Leyden, this feels coordinated. They’re testing our defenses.”
“Then we’ll show them exactly what happens when they test me.”
Connor stirred as Leyden ended the call, green eyes blinking open. “What’s wrong?”
“Rogues on the western border. Former enforcers causing trouble.” Leyden slipped out of bed, already pulling on clothes. “I need to handle it before they get bolder.”
Connor sat up, sheets pooling around his waist. “I’m coming with you.”
“Connor…”
“Don’t.” Connor’s voice went flat. Dangerous. “I’m alpha mate. The security of this pack is my responsibility. You’re not leaving me behind.”
Leyden’s first instinct was to argue. He wanted to lock Connor in the house. But Connor was right. And more importantly, Leyden couldn’t treat him like something fragile when Connor had already proven he was strong enough to stand beside him.
“Fine,” Leyden said. “But you stay close. These aren’t random rogues. They’re wolves with a grudge.”
Connor was already dressing, movements efficient. “If they’re the ones I’m thinking about then good. I’ve got a few grudges of my own.”
/~/~/~/~/
Janet and five new enforcers waited at the pack house door, armed and tense. Marcus shifted from foot to foot, agitation rolling off him in waves.
“There were three more sightings,” Marcus reported. “They stole medical supplies from the Porters’ barn. Killed two of Walter’s chickens just to be cruel.”
Leyden’s wolf snarled beneath his skin. Harassment. Psychological warfare designed to make the pack feel unsafe.
“Any injuries to pack members?”
“Not yet,” Janet said. “But George said one of them got close to his daughter when she was walking home from school yesterday. Didn’t touch her, just...watched.”
Leyden’s hands fisted. Threatening children crossed every line.
Connor stepped closer, his presence solid at Leyden’s side. “Where were the last sightings?”
“Western ridge near the old logging road.” Marcus pulled out his phone, showing the mapped locations. “They’re circling the same area. Like they’re waiting for something.”
“They’re waiting for us,” Connor said grimly. “They want a confrontation.”
Leyden studied the map, noting the pattern. Connor was right - the rogues were being too obvious. Too careless. Baiting them.
Fine. Leyden would give them exactly what they wanted.
“Janet, take two enforcers and approach from the north. Marcus, circle around from the south with the others.” Leyden’s alpha power rolled through his voice, commanding absolute obedience. “Connor and I will come through the center. Drive them toward us.”
“Alpha…” Marcus started.
“That’s an order.”
The enforcers moved out, disappearing into the trees. Connor stood beside Leyden, face carved from stone.
“You think it’s Clancy,” Connor said. Not a question.
“I know it is. He was always vindictive. Probably convinced the others that I’m weak because I defended you.”
Connor’s eyes flashed gold. “Good. I’ve been wanting a word with him about that.”
Leyden caught Connor’s wrist before he could stalk into the forest. “We do this smart. No unnecessary risks.”
“Understood.” Connor’s wolf pressed close to the surface. “But if he threatens you…”
“Then you let me handle it. I’m the alpha.”
“And I’m your mate.” Connor’s voice dropped to a growl. “Nobody touches you. Not on my watch.”
The possessiveness in Connor’s tone sent heat straight through Leyden’s chest. The man who the Fates determined perfect for him was ready to fight beside him – fight for him. He really is perfect for me.
“Come on,” Leyden said. “Let’s go remind these assholes why they got banished in the first place.”
/~/~/~/~/
They found the rogues exactly where Marcus had indicated they would be - waiting in a clearing near the old logging road.
Six wolves in human form, all Leyden’s former enforcers. Clancy stood at the center, arms crossed and a sneer twisting his face.
“Alpha Leyden,” Clancy drawled, making the title sound like an insult. “I figured you’d show up eventually. You could never bear it if anyone was having fun in your territory.”
Leyden stepped into the clearing, Connor a half-step behind and to his left. Perfect positioning - close enough to defend, far enough to react independently.
“You’ve ten seconds to leave my territory before I rip your throats out.”
Clancy laughed. “Tough talk from an alpha who can’t even fuck his own mate.”
The other rogues snickered. Leyden felt Connor’s rage spike through the bond, but his mate stayed still.
That was good. Clancy wanted a reaction, he wanted them angry and sloppy.
“Eight seconds,” Leyden said calmly.
“We’re not going anywhere.” Clancy took a step forward. “You banished us for defending the pack’s honor. For pointing out that you’re too weak to lead.”
“You attacked me in a group of nine because you didn’t have the balls to challenge me properly.” Leyden’s alpha power flooded the clearing, pressing down on every wolf present. “That’s not defending honor. That’s cowardice.”
Several rogues flinched. But Clancy held his ground, defiance burning in his eyes.
“Maybe. But at least we can satisfy our mates.” Clancy’s gaze slid to Connor, predatory and cruel.
“I’ll bet Connor’s real lonely, warming your bed every night with nothing to show for it, but then no, it’s not like that, is it.
It’s him who’s telling you no. Maybe when we’re done with you, we’ll show him what a real wolf feels like. ”
Connor exploded. There was no other word for it. One second he was standing beside Leyden. The next, his wolf tore free in a shower of shredded clothes - massive, snarling and showing his teeth. He launched himself at Clancy without hesitation, jaws snapping for his throat.
The rogues scattered. Two shifted immediately, leaping to Clancy’s defense. The others hesitated just long enough for Leyden to shift and join the fight.
His wolf hit the ground running, his alpha power radiating like a weapon. One rogue went down immediately, his throat crushed beneath Leyden’s jaws.
Through the bond, Leyden felt Connor’s cold fury. Calculated violence. No hesitation, no mercy. Connor’s teeth found a rogue’s shoulder, tearing muscle and sinew. The wolf yelped and retreated, limping badly.
Clancy shifted, a scarred gray wolf with hate burning in his eyes. He circled Connor, waiting for an opening.
Leyden moved to intercept, but Connor’s consciousness brushed against his through their bond. I’ve got him. Watch the others.
Trust. Partnership. Connor wasn’t asking for protection - he was coordinating their attack.
Leyden spun toward the three remaining rogues circling them. He had to give them a chance, sending out his alpha power in an effort to make them submit.
One wolf dropped to his belly immediately. But the other two hesitated.
Big mistake.
Leyden tore into them, claws raking across ribs, teeth finding vulnerable throats. Non-lethal wounds, but devastating. Enough to send a message.
Through the bond, Leyden tracked Connor’s fight with Clancy. The rogue was larger, but Connor fought like the machine Davis had always said he was - precise, brutal, relentless.
Clancy lunged. Connor sidestepped and his jaws closed around Clancy’s hind leg, crushing bone. Clancy howled and collapsed. Before he could recover, Connor’s teeth found his throat.
And held it. Connor didn’t take the killing bite. He just kept Clancy pinned, growling a warning.
The message was clear. Submit or die. Clancy went limp beneath Connor’s jaws.
Leyden shifted back to human form, standing over the defeated wolves. Connor released Clancy’s throat but remained in wolf form, guarding.
“You’re done,” Leyden said coldly. “All of you. If I catch you on my territory again, I won’t be merciful. And if you ever threaten my mate again…” He let the promise hang, unfinished but unmistakable.
Clancy shifted back, blood streaming from his throat and leg. “You can’t win forever. Someone will challenge you eventually.”
“Let them try.” Leyden crouched down, his alpha power made the air thick. “But they won’t succeed. Do you know why?”
Clancy just glared.
“Because I’m not fighting alone anymore.” Leyden rested his hand on Connor’s wolf’s massive head. “My mate fights beside me. And together, we’re stronger than any challenge you could throw at us.”
Connor’s wolf rumbled agreement, satisfaction flowing through the bond.
Leyden stood. “Get out of my territory. Now.”
The rogues limped into the forest, Clancy supported by the two who’d submitted. Leyden watched until they disappeared completely, then turned to Connor’s wolf.
Connor shifted back, gloriously naked and streaked with blood that wasn’t his.
“Well,” Connor said, breathing hard. “That felt good.”
Leyden laughed, exhausted and exhilarated. “You’re terrifying when you’re angry.”
“Only when someone threatens what’s mine.” Connor stepped closer, unconcerned with his nudity. “Nobody talks about you like that. Nobody.”
The possessiveness in Connor’s voice sent heat coiling through Leyden’s gut.
“We fought well together,” Leyden said.
“We did.” Connor’s hand found Leyden’s, fingers threading together. “It felt like we were one mind. I knew exactly where you’d be, what you needed.”
It was their bond, of course. Something those idiots would never understand. But Leyden hoped they got the message. Him and Connor together, they were unstoppable.
/~/~/~/~/
The sun had risen, and Leyden and Connor were enjoying an early breakfast and coffee when Matthew’s voice crackled through the radio. “The territory’s clear. Those rogues are long gone.”
Leyden acknowledged the report, then turned to Connor. “We should check in with the pack. Let them all see that we’re all right instead of having them rely on gossip. It will help them feel more secure after the scare.”
It sounded like a simple enough thing to do when he said it – something that would take an hour or so at most. But as they started visiting the families, Leyden realized a lot of them needed more than a quick few minutes reassurance.
He and Connor were plied with food and drinks at every house as the pack members did their best to show their appreciation.
Sarah hugged them both, thanking them for protecting her children. Walter shook their hands, respect clear in his eyes. Even the younger wolves like Marcus and Janet approached with obvious admiration.
“You two fight like one person,” Marcus said, awe written across his face. “I’ve never seen coordination like that.”
Connor shrugged, uncomfortable with praise. But through the bond, Leyden felt his mate’s quiet pride.
They checked every family, every pack member, making sure there was no further damage or losses, and checking on every person. They reassured the worried and accepted the thanks and food from the grateful.
By the time they returned to the pack house, darkness had fallen and exhaustion dragged at Leyden’s bones.
Connor locked the front door behind them. “Shower?”
Leyden nodded, too tired to speak.
They showered separately - Connor still needed that privacy sometimes. But when Leyden emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around his hips, Connor was already in bed waiting.
Leyden hesitated at the sight. Connor had pulled back the covers on Leyden’s side, an invitation.
“Come to bed,” Connor said quietly.
Leyden pulled on sleep pants and a T-shirt and then slid under the covers. Connor immediately curled against his side, head resting on Leyden’s chest.
Closer than usual. Much closer.
Leyden’s arms came around Connor automatically, holding him safe. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Connor’s breath warmed Leyden’s skin through his T-shirt. “Just...need to know you’re here. That you’re safe.”
Of course. Leyden wanted to smack his head on the headboard.
They’d spent literally all day caring for the pack members, but Leyden hadn’t taken even five minutes to make sure his mate was all right.
Now he realized there was a problem, Leyden could feel through their bond that Connor had been scared – not for himself but for Leyden.
“I’m here,” Leyden murmured against Connor’s hair. “I’m safe. We both are.”
Connor’s arm draped across Leyden’s waist, holding tight. “When Clancy threatened you, I…” His voice cracked and Connor swallowed and tried again. “I was so angry. I couldn’t think. I just needed him down, I needed him to stop talking about hurting you.”
“I know.” Leyden’s hand stroked Connor’s back in soothing circles. “I felt the same when he threatened you.”
“Through the bond?”
“Yeah. Your fury became mine. Protecting you was the only thing that mattered.”
Connor was quiet for a long moment, his heartbeat steady against Leyden’s ribs. “I’m not used to this. Caring this much. Needing someone safe.”
“Me neither.” Leyden kissed the top of Connor’s head. “But I like it. It means a lot to me knowing you care.”
“I do.” Connor’s fingers curled into Leyden’s shirt, clutching. “More than I thought possible.”
They lay tangled together in the darkness, Connor’s weight a solid comfort against Leyden’s chest. Through the bond, Leyden felt Connor’s anxiety slowly draining away, replaced by contentment.
Intimacy of the warmest kind. Something deeper than sex – trust, vulnerability, and the simple need to be close.
Connor shifted slightly, pressing even closer. His leg hooked over Leyden’s thigh, anchoring them together as if he was worried Leyden was going to disappear.
Reaching down, Leyden found Connor’s hand, threading their fingers together against his chest.
“Sleep,” Leyden whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Connor’s breath evened out almost immediately. But even in sleep, he didn’t pull away. He just burrowed closer, seeking warmth and safety.
This, right here, is everything, Leyden thought as he drifted off to sleep.