Torren felt bile rise in his throat at the thought off all those wolves inter-mating. It was sick and twisted, and he wanted no part of it. The world would be better off if Gwen’s old pack were wiped out, but Torren knew he could never harm innocent people. And not all of those wolves had volunteered for the life they led. But something needed to be done, and Gwen’s father needed to be taken out.
A twig snapped behind him and he turned his head enough to catch Rafe and Kaito coming toward them. Now that he had backup, he wouldn’t have to worry quite as much about Olivia, and maybe he could end the problem once and for all. If he could take out the older wolf, then Gwen’s old pack could go their separate ways, find new homes and have a chance at a good life. And those who wouldn’t accept a change would have to be eliminated. There was no getting around that.
“And you,” the Alpha snarled at Rafe. “I knew you’d try to save your precious Alpha female, so one of my wolves took care of you. It seems he failed. I was going to kill the bitch and I knew Torren would blame Seamus. All three of them could have been wiped out and then your pack would have needed a strong Alpha leader. I would have, of course, stepped in.”
Torren handed Olivia to Kaito. “Watch over my mate.”
Kaito nodded and pulled Olivia toward the trees, getting her out of the way of the impending fight. Torren looked at Seamus, catching the other wolf’s attention.
“I’m going to offer you vengeance for your mate, with some assistance. Help me now, and you can go wherever you want when this is over,” Torren said.
The older Alpha laughed. “You really think the three of you can take me on? I’m twice as old and experienced as all of you put together.”
“Maybe,” Rafe said with a smile. “But it means you’re slower too. And I’m liking our three-to-one odds. Normally I don’t believe in ganging up on someone, but you are a seriously fucked-up Alpha. We’ll be doing the world a favor by ending your miserable life.”
Gwen’s father snarled and shifted to his wolf faster than Torren would have thought possible. He and the others shifted as well, and he lunged at the other Alpha. His teeth sank into the older wolf’s shoulder, as Rafe landed on the Alpha’s back, going for his neck. Seamus lunged from the other side, latching onto a leg. Snapping, snarling, and biting at any part of the older wolf they could, the three went after the Alpha with everything they had, knowing they couldn’t lose. Not only was his Olivia’s life at stake, but so was the rest of his pack. And Torren would rather die than let the twisted male take over.
Torren could feel himself slowing, and noticed the other two were losing their momentum as well. All three had received bites from the older wolf, and the worst part was that the older Alpha was still standing. Rafe clawed at the male’s back and bit into his ear, causing the older Alpha to throw back his head and howl in agony. It was the break Torren had been waiting for. He moved lightning fast and sank his teeth into the Alpha’s throat, tearing out a chunk.
The older wolf fell to the ground, blood pouring from the gaping wound in his neck. The three wolves backed off and shifted back to human form. Torren was covered in blood and held out a hand to keep Olivia back. She didn’t have his immunity, and there was no telling if the older Alpha was carrying any diseases. With the inbreeding making him weaker, and the life he’d led, Torren wouldn’t rule anything out.
“Keep your distance, sweetheart. I don’t want any of his blood to get on you.”
Kaito held onto Olivia, making sure she didn’t get any closer.
“Now what?” Seamus said.
Rafe looked at Torren. “What do we do about his pack?”
“Set them free and take out any other rotten wolves. The innocent people deserve a chance to have a better life. Maybe they can find their fated mates.”
Seamus looked thoughtful. “Will you accept any of them into your pack? There are a lot of younger wolves who haven’t taken mates yet, forced or otherwise. They’re inbred, but if you’re going to let them live, they could benefit from having a just and honorable Alpha like you.”
“I’ll accept them if that’s what they want,” Torren said.
“The older ones, like the Alpha’s male relatives, will be the ones who need to be wiped out. They insisted on the inter-mating, not caring if the males had to force themselves on the females or not. None of the women in the pack asked for that life. I think Gwen could rest in peace if she knew they had the chance she was never given,” Seamus said.
“Then we’ll welcome them too,” Torren said. “You have my word.”
Rafe rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll work on getting the lodge rebuilt and set up for guests until we can build more homes. They may have to share a communal living space until we get everything sorted.”
“I think we’ll need to make some repairs first,” Torren said, thinking about the fire. “There’s always the community hall if we can’t get the lodge ready in time, but it’s really damn small.”
“I don’t think they’ll care,” Seamus said. “None of the matings that I know of are fated. I don’t know of any female in that pack who has been bitten and claimed completely. They’ll welcome the chance to have a new life.”
“Seamus, I know I’m not your Alpha, but I’d like you to go with three of my males. I’ll send my enforcer and two other trusted wolves. They’ll clean out the bad wolves, and I want you to help them get the rest settled either here or help them find a new place to live. When you’re done, you’re free to go wherever you’d like,” Torren said.
“Or you could remain with us,” Olivia said, coming to stand beside Torren but not touching him. “I know you only came after me because you were grieving and hurting. You’re not a bad wolf, Seamus. You deserve a second chance just as much as the others.”
Seamus bowed his head, came forward, and dropped to his knees at Olivia’s feet.
“I swear my life to you. I accept you as my Alpha female, and will protect you with my last breath,” Seamus said. “And I’m so damn sorry for trying to hurt you.”
Torren was surprised at the turn of events, but proud of his mate. By showing the other wolf kindness, it seemed she’d gained a protector for life, other than him of course. As far as he was concerned, his mate could never have too many wolves watching over her.
Seamus looked at Torren. “If you’ll have me in your pack, I’ll swear my allegiance to you.”
Torren shook his head. “You can remain, but you don’t have to do that. You’ve just given your vow to my mate, and that’s good enough. If she’s accepting of you, then so am I. Get cleaned up and rest. Tomorrow I want a team of you to visit your old pack and handle matters.”
“We’ll take care of this,” Rafe said with a wave of his hand toward the dead Alpha. “Take Olivia home. Both of you could probably use a shower and some time to yourselves.”
Torren nodded. “Let me know if there are any problems. I want him burned, no trace left.”
The other wolves nodded and Torren began leading the way back to the cabin, careful not to touch his mate.
