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“This is what I need, Dax, but it remains your choice. I will not force my Alphas to do anything.” His words soothed the beast inside. Knowing I had a choice in the matter of taking on this mess helped calm me. I did not have an excellent track record with Hunters, not after Cassandra. When I needed help the most, I went to her, and as a Hunter, she should have helped. She should have moved mountains as a friend, but instead, she never answered my call. I never saw or heard from Cassandra, and to me, it showed how much Hunters didn’t give a shit about us. I called on other Hunter houses, and no one came, so when the zombies attacked, no one was there to help fight, and so many wolves’ lives were lost.
“Thank you for the choice, Quinn,” I said as a car came to a stop.
“Well, let’s go outside. I will need to know your answer before I leave.” We both stood and made our way to the doors.
* * *
DEVANA
I pulled to a stop in front of a large home with five tall, sexy as hell men following me. I knew they were all wolf shifters, but I could also sense there were other shifters on this property as well.They must take in others.I hit the button to cut the engine. The brothers weren’t hostile towards me, but they weren’t friendly either. I could tell they had no trust in others and probably not Hunters. This mission was also a part of fixing the trust issues with the other species in this world. When I had the vision, I knew I had to help in any way necessary to at least make up for my parent’s ignorance. I opened the door and stepped out just as the doors to the house opened, and Quinn walked out.
“Devana, thank you for coming and for the call,” he said while closing the distance. I could feel his eminent power, and it just seemed to keep growing. I was a seer, but only in the way of demon-related attacks and things that have to do with Hunters. So, when that massacre happened to all those shifters, and I saw the madness in the wolf’s eyes, I knew I had to act. The vision was saturated with the stench of a demon, and I could feel the evil surrounding the smoky gray wolf.
“Thank you for taking the call. I hoped you would take that I will help seriously,” I said. I felt my body freeze up as my senses became aware of another. It was as if my entire body was on fire. I vaguely saw the other five men walking toward the house when I felt the power that rolled over me. It made every single part of my body tingle with anticipation. I took in a sharp breath and my nose filled with a savory scent of spices mixed with the scent of earth. Finally, a tall, lightly tanned man stepped out the doors with such an intense look I caught my breath. His violet eyes held mine as he approached, just as a predator would his prey. I knew this man to be Dax Rayne, the white wolf and the oldest Alpha brother to a family whose children were all born to lead.
“Devana, this…” Quinn started, but I found my voice. I reached out a hand as I let my eyes travel up, jean-covered muscled thighs and up to a chest that was so damn wide I don’t think I could wrap my arms around him. The muscles on his darkly tanned and tattooed arms were bigger than my damn head, but it didn’t stop the need I had to feel them wrapping around me. I blinked as he made his way closer when I finally had my eyes on his face. Those violet eyes captured and then trapped me as a slow sexy-ass grin spread across his thick lips. I took a step back because the smell and damn smile had me damn near wet as hell. Even though I could not stop my feelings, I had to get my shit together. I stood taller and kept my hand out as I raised a brow while he licked his lower lip.
“Daxton Rayne.” I saw Quinn step away quickly as Dax approached me. He looked at him curiously again, but then smirked. I wouldn’t say I liked that smirk or what I thought it meant.
“That’s my name, but you can call me MATE.” His low growl had my eyes widening in shock. Then he turned to Quinn before I could answer or deny his claim on me. “I made my choice, and it’s a go.”
Ialways knew that being an Alpha would be a challenge but being an older brother to six younger siblings was even worse. They all had distinct personalities, weaknesses and strengths, and I was the one who had to help hone each one of them. Having a sister was the hardest of them all, but I enjoyed raising Hayley. It was one of my greatest joys. I became a mother, father, brother and Alpha when my parents died. It was never easy, but it all worked out in the end. Now, something is coming. This life was changing, and I was tasked with handling Pack justice by our leader, the True Alpha Quinn Savir. I was just happy that I wouldn’t have to worry about my little sister getting hurt in the fight to come. I never thought that I would see my sister Hayley so happy and able to accept the Alpha inside of her soul. I didn’t expect her to be Mated to a Vampire, let alone an upper class or Blue Blood. However, I could not deny that she and Camron Sloane made a suitable match. I couldn’t wait to see them once again, but my Pack has to deal with the issue of traitors to our kind living amongst us.
I knew that nothing would ever be the same, and I was correct. Not only have things changed, but all the trouble and bull shit exposed the rot that ingrained itself inside of my Pack. I never believed that something like this could happen to a Pack as old as mine, but if it happened once it could happen again. After hearing what happened with Xavier’s Pack in New York from our Alpha, I knew it was happening to Packs across the globe. When more than one kidnapping happened to the children, I swore to protect them better. I had no choice but to call all of my brothers home. Now all five stared at me with frustration, anticipation and rage. We thought fighting in that battle with the demon Amu would end all this madness, but what it did was focus our attention on more problems threatening our world. Not just the shifter population but the entire world itself, and now our True Alpha has called upon me to help fix one situation. I looked at Max, Malic, Alex, Jarod and Thomas, all Alpha wolves.
“Dax, tell us why exactly we should work with a Hunter? I mean, when in the hell have they given a shit about any species except themselves?” Malic growled. I looked at him and Max, who looked identical and raised a brow. Max sat forward to add more of a laid-back response before his hot head twin could say anything that would make me knock his ass out.
“What Malic is saying, brother, is why do we need their help? We are all here, and we are all Alphas. With you leading, we can handle whatever is thrown our way,” Max said to grunts of approval. I looked towards the doors knowing Devana was outside, still speaking with Quinn. I was not thrilled at all working with Hunters, but this was different.
“Would you feel the same if it were Taria?” I shot back. I looked at each of my brothers in the eye and saw the answer to that question. Without a doubt, they would help if it were her asking. However, I also saw tension with just her name being mentioned. Crazy shit was happening at every turn, and Taria was caught up in a bad way, but our Alpha asked us to take care of business to do what is needed on his end.
“That isn’t fair, Dax. She is different. That entire situation is unique when it comes to her. That is one of Hayley’s best friends, so that makes her family. Plus, she is cool as shit and acts nothing like the other bitch ass Hunters who haven’t been doing their fucking job!” I inclined my head at Alex’s tone and narrowed my eyes at all of them. I saw Thomas, the youngest of us, shift uncomfortably at the anger filling the room. He was usually quiet when things got heated. Not taking any sides but always ready to pull us apart and calm things down. That has always been a gift of his since he was born. He did not even cry when he came out. He just opened his large brown eyes and looked around before falling back to sleep. So, it surprised me when he cleared his throat and leaned forward with his arms resting on his knees.
“Normally, I let all of you act like idiots and talk a lot of shit before Dax has to beat your ass into submission, but I cannot sit this one out.” Thomas, when he spoke, it was always very calming. You could feel the tension leave your body with each low timbre of his voice. When he was ready for a Pack, I knew that he would be one of the best Alpha wolves in this lifetime. “What it seems like you all forgot is that Quinn requested this from Dax. Our True Alpha, someone we all never thought we would see in our lifetime, came to our home and asked our brother, our Alpha, for help. He could have commanded Dax to do it and work with a Hunter, but he did not. Our brother, hell, our family never backs down from any situation. Our Alpha accepted this mission, and yes, we share our concerns, but ultimately, we follow his lead. We all are Alphas to the core, but we all will follow our brother until we form our own Packs. Things are changing. Our world is changing so, should we? No matter what Hunters have done in the past, we show them that we are better because our Pack does not turn our backs to those in need of our help.”
I watched as my brothers looked at their little brother in shock. It was rare that Thomas spoke that much in one sitting. I didn’t stop the satisfied smile that crossed my face as each of them looked back at me.
“Shit, kid, I didn’t even know you could speak!” Jarod laughed. “I guess we also don’t have a choice because big brother Dax is out here claiming his Mate. Did I hear that correctly, Dax? Is that Hunter, your Mate, and that’s why you decided to do this?” Jarod asked. He was smiling, but I could tell he was earnest for once. Five sets of eyes landed on me in a challenge. I fought the urge to make them submit to me, knowing it wasn’t a challenge of dominance but of the truth.
“Before I even give you that answer, tell me will you help me bring down this fake ass True Alpha or not?” I asked instead. If I gave them the answer that, “your damn right, she was my Mate,” I knew without a shadow of a doubt they would do it out of honor. I needed to see if they would ride with me into battle because they wanted to. I saw the glances they threw at each other and wasn’t surprised when Thomas stood and took a knee in front of me. I clenched my jaw, keeping my mouth shut and my energy down. I wanted them to have their own will, not the pull of my Alpha energy. As one, the rest of my brother stood and kneeled. Malic looked up at me, and his steel-gray eyes held respect and determination.
“You know we always have your back no matter what the fuck is the problem. This family always rides with each other no matter what is going on.” I took a deep breath, feeling our bond as Pack members, brothers and Alpha’s woven tightly together once again.
“Now, if all this bowing and bull shit is over, tell us if it’s true or not. Is that sexy ass Hunter outside really your Mate?” Jarod smiled. I felt jealousy running through my veins and overpowered me as I tackled his ass to the ground.
* * *
DEVANA
My body was still buzzing after being so close to that wolf. Hell, Dax wasn’t just a mere wolf, but the way my body reacted to just the presence of him told me I needed to keep my distance. Shit, him yelling out this whole Mate thing was another reason for me to deal with this mission, establish a new relationship with the shifters and get out of here. I could not help that my thoughts kept sliding back to his tanned skin, jet black hair, his tall frame with muscled arms roped with veins. His violet eyes pinned me to the spot, and the heat in them burned every part of my body that his gaze roamed.
“Vana?” I blinked and looked up. Quinn was watching me with concern, but when I met his eyes, he grinned. Oh, no! Hell no! I don’t care what he thinks. Nothing is happening with that wolf! Not a damn thing.
“Yeah, yes, I hear you. I know how some shifters feel about us Hunters, but I hope this will help get us on the right track. My parents were in the wrong, and we should have stepped up and thought for ourselves. Still, it’s no excuse for how things have been handled.” I said expertly, shifting the conversation away from what he was thinking. Quinn nodded.
“Yeah, we learned lessons on all sides. Honestly, all of us on this earth has been played. The games evil has been playing have been happening before either of us was even a thought. My shifters will show you respect. We all need to learn to work together if we are to save everyone.” He said, opening his arms wide. I knew what he meant, and he wasn’t wrong about it. Things were happening in this world, and not for the better. We spoke for a few more moments before he had to leave. I knew this was all new to him, and he had a ton on his plate, but I wish he could have stayed a bit longer. I took in a deep breath, trying to center myself before confronting this Alpha. I could not believe he announced that I was his Mate like that shit was a done deal. I wasn’t a shifter, and whatever his belief, it had nothing to do with me. I turned and looked back at the enormous house when I realized someone was standing in front of me. I looked down into the wide tawny eyes of a little girl. Her hair was a mess of curls that went every which way, but she was so cute I had to smile. I looked, but I didn’t see anyone who could help me with her. I knew little about kids at all and even less about shifter children.
“Ahh, hi. Can I help you with something?” I smiled. I glanced around once more and back to the little girl. She cocked her head from side to side while staring at me. I ran my fingers through my short locks, removing them from my face.
