43. Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-One
Cujo
“I’m sorry, the woman is what?” Grim tosses his hands up, and I’m a bit surprised that our road captain’s being such a little bitch. He’s usually made of tougher stuff than this.
“She’s in witness protection. There’s some stupid-ass pack who thinks they need to kill her.
” Gy’s voice is crisp and clear, echoing off the walls of Church—our soundproof meeting room.
The table we sit around is old and scarred, etched with our three-headed dog symbol that signifies the Hellbent Hounds.
This is a space for concerns and connection.
Where we discuss pressing club business.
It’s closed to anyone outside of patched members, and today, I think some of them should have a little chat with my blade.
As Gy talks, my eyes wander over each brother.
Garmr, Orthos, Grim, Fenrir, and finally our president, Cerberus.
The Hellbent Hounds have never run away from a fight, but the fight has never been over a woman before.
Now, I take in each man’s expression, wondering whether they’re going to be at my back, or if Gytrash and I will go it alone.
“That tiny little omega?” Orthos asks, his face contorting with confusion. “What the fuck could she have done?” His question brings a growl to my chest. How dare they blame my honeybee? The feral sound coming from me brings all eyes my way, and the pheromones in the room rise.
“Fuck you for saying that,” I snarl, daring him to come at me. As an enforcer, Orthos is under my control in the MC hierarchy, but the Alpha is still a dominant beast. It would be easy for me to put him down, but years of loyalty keep my hand away from my knife.
“No harm meant, brother. I just can’t imagine why anyone would go after her. She seems benign enough—even if she stabbed you.” He runs his fingers over his hair, not quite meeting my eye.
“She didn’t do anything. Willow, along with her three sisters, was abducted by a group that calls itself Pack Mordred.
Fen’s been doing some digging on them. As far as we can tell, there’s no clear connection to the girls or their family.
Not much is known about these fucks. They were only established a few months before the attack and abduction,” Gy divulges the information we’ve gathered.
Six members. Alphas and Betas—no identified omega.
The reading on them has been dry as dirt.
Instead of listening, I study the men around me. Friend? Ally? Useless? Thankfully, the more they hear, the angrier they become. Proving that dedicating my life to the Hounds was the right choice.
Cerberus sits at the head of the table, running his fingers through his graying hair as he digests the information. He allows Gy’s statement to settle before speaking up.
“We faced greater dangers than this before. They aren’t military.
Sound like sick fucks. World would be a better place without them.
” His words calm my soul, and the rest of my brothers nod in agreement.
Vindication pours through my veins until Cerberus fixes his stare on mine.
“But we don’t take action for outsiders. ”
Gy snarls, but before he gets a chance to speak, I’m already on my feet. My chair crashes against the back wall with a loud bang. “You know she’s not a fucking outsider.” The wood grain of the table scrapes my knuckles as I slam my fist into it.
“You’ve claimed her, given her your bite? Your cut?” Orthos’ question is sharp and to the point, and my head snaps around to glare at him.
“Not yet, but we’ve only just met her.” He frowns at my explanation, and I know this fight isn’t over.
“Well then, bring it back to the table when she’s yours. You know we don’t get involved in the problems of randoms and side pieces,” Garmr jumps in harshly, and I bristle at his tone.
Willow is so much more than that; she’s everything. If he keeps talking like that, I’m gonna rearrange his stupid fucking face.
My honeybee is lightness and air, sweet nectar, and a warm summer’s day. She loves animals, is kind to everyone, and floats through the world, breathing in life. She’s got enough sass to make it as an ol’ lady. And I’m going to make her mine.
“She is our scent-match. Of course we’re going to claim her. Plus, Mama C is under our protection too, and she doesn’t have a bite,” Gy speaks up, standing to his full height. Garmr folds his arms over his chest mutinously. Maybe it’s time for him to lose an arm…
“That’s cause betas don’t do that shit. She has a fuckin’ cut.” Garmr leans back in his seat as though the argument’s already been decided.
Orthos and Grim, on the other hand, nod in agreement.
Good men. “Look, we’re going to protect her, and we’re going to take care of any threats to her, regardless of whether you help or not.
Obviously, we’d appreciate backup. She’s living in my house now, and I’m not going anywhere unless you’re challenging me for VP. ”
The level of threat in the room grows palpable.
No one would throw down a gauntlet against our VP, and certainly not with me backing him up.
Garmr has deadly skills, but as a beta, he doesn’t stack up in size or strength.
Sure, he could use dynamite to blow us to high heaven, but there isn’t any here.
“All this over a piece of snatch that don’t even know our world,” Garmr scoffs, and I’ve had enough. With a snarl, I prowl around the round table, pleased when Garmr’s scent sharpens with nerves.
Showing extreme restraint for the sanctity of Church, I loom over him.
“Cerberus. She’s our ol’ lady. Claiming her right now. But I’ll bite her when we’re ready. Not ’cause someone’s being a fucking asshole. Stand with me and be my brother. Or don’t and I’ll never have your back again.” Bitterness rolls from my pores as I stare Garmr down.
Cerberus bangs his stupid gavel, then clears his throat, but I refuse to take my eyes off Garmr.
“Vote begins now. Raise your hand if you agree on Willow being under Hounds’ protection. Don’t, then keep it down. All in favor?”
Orthos and Fenrir’s hands shoot into the air.
Grim is slower, but he joins them.
Not remaining neutral, Cerberus raises his.
And finally, when he sees the overwhelming majority, Garmr lifts his hand begrudgingly, snorting like an angry bull.
“Might get us all killed for Willow's cunt,” he mutters, and I pierce him with my gaze.
“Something you need to share with the class?” Gy asks.
“No.”
“Then keep her name out of your fucking mouth.” My tone is low and threatening, my growl so menacing that he pales.
Garmr rolls his eyes and throws up his hands in disgust. “Fine, but if someone’s gonna die over the little bitch, it’s not gonna be me.”
“Since Garmr’s being such a twat, and we’re in a voting mood, I think we should consider patching in the prospects.” Fen draws everyone’s attention his way.
“Who are you thinking’s worthy?” Cerberus gestures for us to take our seats, and though fury still pulses through me, I rein in my temper.
“Puppy, one hundred percent. Whelp, I like what I’m seeing.” I nod along with my brothers, agreeing with Fen’s assessment.
“Can’t say I disagree. Let’s vote on it. Raise ’em for Puppy.” Cerberus takes the vote. All hands go up.
“Whelp.” There’s a sudden frantic rapping on the door.
With nearly everyone in Church, the prospects, Willow, and Mama C are the only ones who would be knocking. We’re all on our feet instantly.
“Enter!” Cerberus yells, and Whelp throws the door open, his face flushed and angry.
“Some fuckers just blew through the gate in an SUV. They’re using a speaker and demanding to see Dean. Who the hell is Dean?”
Me. My hand falls to the gun at my hip.
“Where are the women?” Cerberus demands, panic creeping in.
“Puppy ran to bring them inside.” Thank fuck for that. “Not sure where Pup is.”
Boots scuff along the floor as Cerberus heads out the door. “All right, well, let’s go find out what on earth this is about.”
But I have a sneaking suspicion I already know. Few people call me Dean…
It takes mere seconds to get from Church, at the back of our clubhouse, and I shove my way in front of my brothers, reaching for the door.
“The fuck are you doing, Cujo? This place is a fort. We can defend it best from in here.”
“There’s no threat. Just some very pissed-off feds…”
Hopefully, they aren’t mad enough to shoot.