The Alpha’s Ordeal (Werewolves of Salida #2)
CHAPTER ONE
T he Salida Wolf Pack began to settle down or at least it appeared to once Alpha Eamon Coles put his inner circle in place and purged those who had sought to destroy the pack through murder and deception. The previous Alpha had died without an heir which threw the pack into chaos and members taking sides. Some sought to take over by causing a war with the humans and killing those in consideration for leadership but in the end good overcame evil.
Eamon Coles, the lead enforcer, was raised to the position of Alpha, and he elected his good friend Sean Brendon as his Beta. Noah Avrum, a loyal enforcer, was raised to the position of lead enforcer, and Alpha Coles was currently filling the vacant positions within his pack. Over half the enforcers were in league with those who were working to destroy the Salida Pack, and so were dispatched.
It was a time of flux, but Alpha Coles and his Beta were well up to the task of rebuilding the pack and bringing it back the power and influence it once held among its paranormal neighbors. Traitors were still among them, but it was just a matter of time before they were all found and destroyed.
…
"I'll be home this evening." Troy pulled over to the side of the highway to make his call. His brother Castille was expecting him earlier, but Troy had been held up for a few hours completing another photo shoot among the red rocks of Moab, Utah. It hadn't been far out of his way, and the pay was well worth the side trip.
“The Master discussed with me the prospect of you training for a position on the board.” Castille put it out there for a reaction and Troy was well aware of his desire to have Troy back home and serving within the community. Troy had a hunch it was more Castille’s wish than it was the Master’s.
“Castille I don’t believe I have the patience for such an assignment.” Troy shot back he appreciated his brothers desire to have him home, but the Vampire Board was not something he was at all interested in.
"You're going to age out of the modeling business soon, so it would be a good idea to start considering your options."
"I still look great," Troy said and glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror. "I still have a few years left."
“You’re a vampire you’ll look great for centuries, but you can’t continue to model.” Castille laughed. “Your employers will start to wonder where your fountain of youth is located.”
"True, but the board is so stiff I can't see myself there," Troy whined.
“But it wields a certain measure of power.” Castille was tempting him.
“True and I do love power.” They both laughed and Troy looked forward to getting home and spending time with Castille. He had been working in Europe for the last few months and although he loved modeling, and he loved the money it brought in he knew Castille’s concerns were valid. A vampire cannot be a public face for too long since their faces do not change.
“Drive safe, and I will see you tonight.”
“I will.” Troy closed the call and pulled back onto the highway. He would be taking the turn off for Salida that was coming up in a mile. Normally he would avoid the city due to its over abundance of wolves but today he was in a hurry and cutting through Salida saved him several hours.
He planned to just cut through, no stops, just straight through, so no one would be the wiser. Salida was wolf territory, and for an uninvited vampire to be caught within that territory could be problematic, especially with the upheaval going on in the Salida Pack. It was dark and late, so Troy was confident he could pass through unnoticed since he'd done it many times in the past.
He was casually listening to music and thinking about the next shoot scheduled for next week in Los Angeles when he heard a clank and a sputter and suddenly his ever reliable Subaru rolled to a stop. He managed to get off onto the shoulder of the road and tried several times to get it started but it refused to start.
Troy knew nothing about cars other than how to put in gas so checking the engine would be futile. Once he checked his phone he started to realize the dire predicament he was in. There was no service on this lonely stretch of road. He knew that since he’d taken this short cut before without incident.
His only option was to walk and hopefully get a signal before one of the wolves picked up his scent. Neither his brother nor the Master would thank him for causing a clash with the wolf pack. The Salida Pack was known to be neither friendly nor welcoming, so Troy would do his best not to be discovered. But that hope died the minute a police car with its lights on pulled up and parked directly behind him.
"Shit." He glanced back at them through his side mirror and recognized them as wolves the minute they exited their vehicle. Troy rolled down his window as the tall, thin one approached, and the shorter, heavier one came up on his right.
“You have trouble?” He said and then caught his breath and abruptly took a step back. He scented him and recognized him as vampire. “What are you doing in this territory?” He barked this time, all pleasantries gone.
Troy wasn't sure how to explain himself without making things worse, so he remained silent for the moment. Then, the other cop shouted at him to get out of the car. Troy kept his hands where they could see them and carefully got out of the car and stood next to it. The tall cop approached him slowly and pulled out his gun as he did so. A bullet was not deadly for a vampire, but it could definitely hurt like hell.
"Answer me, vampire." He said with considerably more malice.
"I was taking a shortcut home. I'm from the Denver Coven." Troy did not elaborate and kept his eyes on both officers.
“What is your name?”
“Troy Florin.” The officer got up close attempting to intimidate with his size and proximity. The name on the guys shirt was Bates and the other one who was now only a few feet to Troy’s right was Mason. Troy maintained his composure but did not challenge or antagonize. He had the feeling these two, Bates and Mason could go off with very little provocation.
“Why did you stop here?” Bates once again shouted at him.
“There is something wrong with my car.”
"You have no right to be here without permission, vampire, and we are within our rights to kill you right here and toss your body into the woods." That was rather harsh and not completely correct.
“No, you’re not within your rights. The agreement states that unless the offender is apprehended while committing a major crime that the offender will be taken into custody, and his leadership will be contacted.” Troy reminded them of the truth.
"You attacked my friend here, and I had to kill you in order to save him." Bates was a total lying bastard. Troy wondered if he handled all of his duties in this matter.
"Go for it." Troy taunted. "Let's see how far your lies will take you, perhaps all the way to the grave." Troy did not doubt Castille would avenge him. "I am not without friends and influence." He'd just as soon not die, but he refused to cower to this guy.
Bates gripped him roughly on the shoulder and slammed him back against his car. "You think you can just breeze through our land as if it was nothing." He was becoming angry. "You vampires think you're better than everyone else, and our rules don't apply to you." He grabbed Troy by the hair and punched him several times in the stomach. It hurt, but nothing too serious. The guy was working off some deep-seated issues, and Troy was the unfortunate recipient.
“Take it easy Bates let’s just take him back to the station and have the Sheriff work this out.” Mason was more level headed than Troy had given him credit.
"Vampires have been treating us like shit for centuries, and this is my opportunity to give a little back." Bates smiled, but he was dead in the eyes. "I'm not going to miss it." He followed that statement with another slug to Troy's midsection and a sharp knee to the groin. "Get the cuffs." He yelled at Mason.
“Use your own.” Mason shot back.
"I left them at home." He smiled sickly and tried to push Troy to his knees, but Troy resisted. He could handle a little beat down, but there was no way in hell he was going to get on his knees for this asshole.
Mason came up and cuffed Troy's hands behind his back and pulled Bates away from him. "Leave him be, damn it." Mason was okay, maybe not great, but he was okay in Troy's book. Bates stumbled back and reached out to take hold of Troy again, but Mason blocked him.
"I handle him; you drive." Mason manhandled him into the back seat and slid in next to him. Bates took the driver's seat, but he didn't look happy about it.
"Your car will be impounded." Mason told him, "And you will be allowed to make a call when you reach the station after you've been processed." He was sounding like a legit lawman now and not a fuckwit like his friend, and Troy could appreciate that.
Troy planned to call Castille as soon as he had the opportunity. It wasn't going to be pretty, but these fucking assholes deserved to meet the man known as Black Heart. Yeah, his brother had a terrifying reputation, and it was well-earned.
The tall one grabbed him out of the back of the vehicle and practically dragged him up the steps and into the station. He then bounced him off every piece of furniture between the door and the lockup and tossed him inside, slamming the door behind him. "Fucking vampire." He spat out. Troy jumped to his feet and stared at the deputy, taking in every aspect of his gaunt, pimply face. "What the fuck are you looking at?" He shouted.
"I'm going to remember you." He paused and then added. "Dog." He stated the last with as much derision as he could force into one word. The dog lunged at him, but it was all show, and he quickly stepped back when the Sheriff stormed into the room.
"What in the hell is going on here?" He was larger than the others and broader he too was wolf, but he had an intelligence about him that the other two did not possess. It was obvious why he was the Sheriff. The two deputies did not respond immediately as the Sheriff took in the scene.
He walked over to the cell and motioned for Troy to step forward. “Turn around.” He said and Troy complied. He reached through the bars and removed the cuffs from Troy’s wrists. “Take a seat.” He said and Troy walked over to the metal bench fastened to the wall and sat down rubbing his wrists and giving everyone in the room a solid dose of stink eye.
The Sheriff turned on the two deputies who had brought him in and ordered them to his office. Troy had exceptional hearing, so he was able to listen to some of it, especially when the Sheriff went off on Bates. It was mildly gratifying.