Wolf Untamed by Alexis Calder

11

Sheila was sitting in a lawn chair outside her tent. Next to her was a little folding table and another chair. Two mugs sat on the table. “Did I interrupt?”

She grinned and jumped from her seat. I was swept up into a bone-crushing hug. “I was so worried about you. I can’t believe they caught you.” She released me from the hug but kept her hands on my shoulders. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you? And please for the love of the moon goddess, take me to Wolf Creek with you next time so I can beat the shit of those assholes.”

“I missed you too,” I said.

“Tell me you’re not going back there,” she said. “Cause I heard a rumor that I’m not fond of.”

“Where did you hear this rumor?” I asked.

“I guess it was more of a heads-up than a rumor. Alec says you’re going to go back,” she said. “But he’s mum on the fucking details. Since when does he leave me out of shit?”

She sounded hurt and it made me think Alec probably had been honest when he told me that he’d acted alone. “Sit, sit. I hoped you’d come. Coffee is likely cold by now, but it’s still coffee.”

“I’ll let you two catch up,” Kyle said. “I’m going to check out the camp. Think you can keep out of trouble while I’m away?”

“I’ll do my best,” I said.

“We’ll be here,” Sheila said. “I promise she’ll be safe with me.”

Kyle didn’t look like he fully trusted her, but he nodded. “Holler if you need me.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Thank you.”

“First of all, your new bodyguard is super cute. Seems pretty dedicated to you,” she said.

“We’ve been through a lot already,” I said.

“You trust him?” she asked.

“Well enough,” I said.

“Tell me everything,” Sheila said. “What the fuck happened after you left? I thought you and Alec were going to break that bond to your mate. Then he comes back and says you’re captured and then he vanishes. Malcom said he was captured too. I’m totally lost.”

I settled into the chair and picked up the surprisingly still warm coffee. After a few glorious sips, I set the mug back on the table. “You want me to start from the beginning?”

“Please. I thought I was in the loop, but I guess I wasn’t. Honestly, I knew Alec was up to something but I figured he’d tell me in his own time.” She set her cup down. “Lola, what the fuck happened?”

So many people were after me at this point, I figured it didn’t matter if I let Sheila in on it. There were countless ways for all of this to go south, I might as well have a friend who cared on my side.

“How much do you want to know?” I asked. “Cause I’m not sure I understand it all, and honestly, I don’t think I can ever look at Alec the same way again. I know he’s your best friend.”

“Spill.”

I took a deep breath and explained the whole thing. I told her about the recipe for the toxin and Alec selling me out. I glossed over the most gruesome details about my week of captivity, but gave her the gist. When I explained how Kyle helped me get out, her jaw dropped fully open.

“Wait. Alec sold you out to your old pack?” Her eyes narrowed and her expression looked murderous. “I’m going to kill him.”

“Wait,” I said. “Kyle told me he used the money to help me with something even more complicated, if you can believe it.”

“What the fuck could be more complicated?” she asked.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to share that part,” I admitted.

“He had no right,” Sheila said. “He never should have done that to you.”

“I know,” I agreed.

“I wanted to be the cool aunt to your kids,” she said with a pout.

I nearly spit out my coffee. “We hooked up one time. We weren’t even an official couple and you were planning on us having kids?”

She shrugged. “I was pretty sure it was one of those soulmate forever things.”

“I have a mate, remember. He tried to kill me. I’m not sure I’m in the market for one ever again.” Maybe it was good that Alec and I didn’t go further. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be in the place to give my heart to someone.

“That’s why it was perfect. Alec lost his mate tragically. Yours deserves a torturous, fiery death. Oh, please tell me he went down when Kyle started the fire.” Sheila jumped a little in her seat, a bit too excited about the thought of someone dying horribly. But then again, this was Tyler.

“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I still feel the bond and if he was dead, I don’t think I would,” I said.

Her shoulders slumped. “That sucks.”

“Tell me about it,” I said.

“You up for the party tonight?” She lifted her cup in the direction of the pile of wood ready for the bonfire.

“I’ll be there.”

She quirked a brow. “Tell me that means what I think it means.”

I grinned. “I’m going to shift.”

She squealed and nearly dumped the remains of her cup on me as she leaped from her chair to give me another hug. “You are going to have the best time.”

My stomach twisted into nervous knots, but I knew I had to complete the shift before I could attempt any of the other things I needed to do. Connecting with my wolf would bring additional perks. Aside from being faster in wolf form, I should have added strength and healing. Plus, I could connect better with those in my pack.

I frowned, a little sad about that. Would I feel the emotions of shifters in Wolf Creek or would that be barred from me since I wasn’t there? I had no idea how this was going to play out. There wasn’t much choice other than taking it one day at a time.

“Tell me what I missed while I was away,” I prompted. A subject change was very much needed. I was tired of the constant worry and speculation.

She told me about her dates with Anja and how they’d decided they were going to try a long-term thing for a while. It was adorable how her whole face lit up when she talked about her.

“Mind if I cut in?”

I’d been so engrossed in Sheila’s conversation, I hadn’t noticed that we had a visitor. Malcom was standing in front of us, a camp chair in his arms.

He set the chair down in front of us, forming a little circle. “Welcome back, Lola.”

“Thanks.” I wasn’t sure how to engage with Malcom. He’d been the one to warn me about Alec. Did that mean he’d known the plan the whole time or was he just wary of the camp’s leader?

“I’m glad to see you’re okay,” he said. “I’m sorry for what he put you through.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You knew.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“Wait, you were in on this but nobody told me?” Sheila gasped. “Since when are you inner circle and I’m on the outs? What the fuck?”

“I was the backup plan. I didn’t find out until Alec came back to camp,” he said. “If they didn’t make it out by the full moon, I was on deck.”

“Why the full moon?” I asked.

“Cause there was a chance you could both shift your way out on the full moon if you were trapped.”

All my anger returned. “You do realize my mate was threatening to complete the bond without my consent? His father was encouraging him to do so. If he’d gotten his wish, I’d be trapped in a bond with him. What were you two thinking?”

Malcom’s expression darkened. “He did what?”

“You heard me,” I snapped. I wasn’t eager to repeat it.

“I’m going to kill that bastard,” he said with a growl.

“Get in line,” Sheila said.

“Great, you all want to kill Tyler, but it doesn’t fix what I just went through or what he could have done to me. Why did you go along with that? You were the one warning me to keep my distance,” I pointed out.

“That was before I knew the details about your history,” he said.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I asked.

“It seems you and me have something in common,” Malcom said.

“We do?” I lifted a skeptical brow. “Do you have a mate who wanted you dead too?”

“No, I’ve never formed a bond,” he said.

“What could possibly justify you going along with that plan?” I demanded.

“First of all, I didn’t know what Alec had in mind until after he already handed you over. Second, I agreed to help get you out,” Malcom said.

“Okay, fine. But why? Why did Alec get you involved and why did you agree to help?” I asked.

“I’m not an asshole. I wasn’t going to let you die there. Of course I’d help.”

“Why wait, then?” I asked.

“Alec had a plan,” he said. “And he told me why he did it.”

“The money thing?” I wasn’t buying it.

“We share the same blood,” he said. “You’re not the only one with daddy issues.”

My lips parted in surprise. Was he saying what I think he was saying? “It can’t be…”

“Welcome to the fucked-up family tree,” he said. “I don’t agree with Alec’s actions, but you need that spell.”

“What is he talking about? What spell?” Sheila asked. “What am I missing?”

“That’s why you’ve never shared your story,” I said. “You were hiding.”

“Bingo,” Malcom said.

“How?” I couldn’t finish the thought but Malcom seemed to read what I was asking.

“What is going on here?” Sheila repeated. “Please help. I’m lost.”

I couldn’t focus on her right now, I was far too engrossed in what Malcom had to say. “Explain yourself.”

“I found out about seven years ago. My mom told me the truth about my dad when I had my first shift. I was a late bloomer at fifteen.” He shrugged. “She told me I should run so he wouldn’t find me. I had a few run-ins with the law, if you know what I mean, and I made friends with a witch. Worked for her for two years in exchange for a masking spell. Figured if I was off-grid for two years, they’d count me as dead. Then I came here. I didn’t know we shared this until after you left. When Alec came back, he told me what he did and about your dad. So, I finally shared my story and I offered to help.”

“Holy shit.” I stared at him, open mouthed. I have a brother. Things kept getting weirder and weirder.

“Is this supposed to make sense?” Sheila asked. “Who are you hiding from?”

I looked at Malcom. This wasn’t just my secret to tell anymore, it was his, too. I stared at him, still dumbfounded by this new information. “When you’re ready to share, I’ll share.”

“Please, someone, tell me what is going on here,” Sheila said, exasperated.

“We have the same father,” Malcom said.

“I was sort of guessing that. It’s weird, but not that weird. Lots of shifters can’t keep their dicks in their pants.” She looked from me to Malcom a few times. “But explain the rest. I know there’s more.”

“Our dad is Spencer Lupton,” Malcom said.

“Oh, fuck. I thought I had it bad. Neither of you are supposed to exist.” Her brow furrowed. “Wait, isn’t he in jail?”

“I was born before he took the throne. Lola’s mom was pregnant with her when Spencer tried to take the throne. And it turns out, both our moms kept us from him so he didn’t know about us.” Malcom turned to me. “Unless your mom told him. But Alec said Spencer didn’t know.”

“She told me she fled when she found out she was pregnant,” I said. “Do you think she knew what he had planned?”

“It doesn’t really matter,” Malcom said. “I guess my mom got lucky. She says they broke up a week before she found out she was pregnant. She never bothered to tell him cause she said she didn’t want to deal with the drama of raising me as the bastard of a royal. A few years later, he got busted. Turns out, she made the right call.”

“Does he know about you now?” I asked. “I guess he knows about me.”

“I don’t think so. And I’m good keeping it that way,” he added.

“Kyle said he’s already given some blood to do the spell. You’re going with me, right? You should have your claim broken too. Just in case.”

He shook his head. “I’m not worried about me. The masking spells seemed to have done the trick. Besides, I was clearly born before the edict about him not procreating. I’m probably safe. It’s you who is far more at risk.”

“Your mom kicked you out,” I said. “You’re clearly not safe.”

“If they were going to come for me, they would have already,” he said.

“No way.” I shook my head. “I’m not doing it solo. If the king could come after me, what’s to stop him from coming after you? And what kind of monster wants to kill children, anyway? The king sounds awful.”

“I’ve never seen him do anything to help shifters in our community. The alphas run everything and there’s nothing to keep them in check. I don’t even know why he still has that title,” Sheila said.

“Maybe he shouldn’t,” Malcom said. “Who knows, maybe our dad had the right idea.”

“I doubt we’ll ever know,” I said. “It’s not like we can ask him, right?”

“Alec talked to him,” Malcom said.

There was a piece of me that wanted to meet my father and ask him to explain himself. Everyone who was supposed to protect me as a child let me down. What would make him any different? “It doesn’t matter. We have what we need from him. We don’t need to go down that path.”

I caught sight of Kyle walking toward us and I waved him over. He glared at Malcom as he approached. Kyle was taking this protector thing pretty seriously.

I jumped from my chair and met him before he reached the rest of the group. “Have fun exploring?” I asked.

“It’s nice here,” he said.

“Did you hear about Malcom in all the other secrets you learned about me before I learned about them?” I asked.

“Name didn’t come up,” he replied.

“Well, it turns out I have a brother from a different mother,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

“For real?” His brow furrowed.

“I guess so,” I said.

“Well, I suppose we recruit him,” he said. “The rest of the camp seems happy to stay here, unaffiliated.”

“You were asking people to join us on our possible suicidal crusade?” I hissed. “Why would you do that?”

“I didn’t ask them directly,” he assured me. “I just asked them how they liked being here and if they’d ever go back to a pack.”

“Oh, that’s not suspicious at all.” I rolled my eyes.

Malcom was approaching so I gave Kyle a little nudge. “Meet Malcom, my brother.” It sounded weird saying the words but I had no doubts he was honest with me. I somehow knew.

Kyle extended his hand and Malcom accepted. After an awkward handshake, the two males stared each other down for a moment.

“Well, this is awkward.” Sheila had joined us in the little circle we formed near her tent.

“Kyle, Malcom; Malcom, Kyle,” I said. “Now we all know each other.”

“You’re telling the truth?” Kyle asked. “About your father?”

“It’s my deepest, darkest secret, so maybe not say it so loudly,” Malcom said.

“Alright. So you’re going help us, right?” Kyle said, cutting to the chase.

“Um, sure, but I usually like to know what I’m getting into,” he replied.

“Alec didn’t tell either of you why I might return to Wolf Creek after all this, did he?” I asked.

“I imagine it’s to break that bond,” Sheila said.

“There’s more,” I admitted.

“Lola, I don’t think you should…” Kyle didn’t get to finish his warning before I lifted my shirt and pulled my waistband down just enough to show my mark.

“…show them,” he finished with a sigh.

“Holy shit, is that?” Sheila leaned in and then looked up at me. “You’re an alpha.”

“That’s impossible,” Malcom said.

“Hey, you’ve heard my story. I doubt it’s as rare as the packs want us to think. The males just want to keep the power,” Sheila said.

“You’re going to challenge the alpha,” Malcom said.

“I’m going to challenge the alpha,” I agreed.

“You’re insane,” Malcom replied. “But I’m in.”

“Same,” Sheila said. “I might not have my mark anymore, but for you, I’d step up and fulfill my role as a protector.”

I hadn’t expected so much support. For a kid who grew up with no friends, I sure had come a long way.