Brother Wolf

Ch 13 Alpha

"Positions, people," Mac called out.

Adrenaline caused my heart to beat faster as I watched everyone go past me in the overgrown field. My body automatically adjusted in response to my anticipation. From the outside, I still looked human, but I felt that subtle pressure within my skull that meant my brain had changed to that odd combination of man and wolf.

Part of my sensory input was processed by the beast part of who I was. I knew my nose was slightly wider, sifting through scents without thought. My eyes kept catching details that human eyes would miss. I knew automatically what caused every rustle in the grass I heard. Opening my mouth, I could even taste the scents of the field around me. Everything within me was focused on the hunt. To my wolf nature, my prey was being herded toward me.

I was finally going to face the man who had once put such terror into the heart of Lone Wolf. I had delayed, giving Maximus a chance to take over the leadership of his pack. Michael had paid the price for my delay. I was eager to confront the warped alpha who had kidnapped and abused children, the man who had grown more restless as he became aware of Spirit Wolf's attention upon him. I could feel the Spirit of the Wolf stirring within me- a hunter's focus on the approaching vehicle. I had no concern for the area behind me. To the wolf, my pack ranged behind me. To the man I was, I could only contemplate Mac's plan.

Mac had strung contractor ribbon through the narrow stand of woods behind us, so Michael, Josh, and the other non-fighters could easily find the RV if they needed to. Derrick was set up there, monitoring the security cameras he'd set up. Simeon was out of the way, keeping him company. My cousin Anna was on the roof of the RV with a tranquilizer gun.

Anna had arrived with her grandfather late last night, much to Mac's disconcertion. I couldn't help but be amused by how spellbound Mac was with Anna. It began when he had admired the way she handled her sawed-off shotgun during my rescue from the caves. Her ability to not only stand up to him, but push back, had irrevocably caught Mac's interest. When she wouldn't leave, Mac finally gave her a position that would keep her safe from accidental wolf bites.

In the field, Cherokee stood at my right side, with a clear view of his son at the end of the arc, ready to motion Josh to leave if needed. Arctic stood at my other shoulder. Mac and Ed were set up on the road in front of me, where they would stand a good ways behind the incoming vehicle after it parked. Mac wanted to guarantee the s.o.b. who waylaid his bro, as he put it, didn't have an avenue of escape.

"The stupid wuss," Mac growled. I turned my attention to where Mac was looking. Jax was dragging Michael my way, trying to tug Michael's shirt off as they came.

"It'll be better if he does it," Jax said.

"Does what," I asked in confusion. My vision doubled for a moment as I became more human to deal with the teens. "Jax, you and Michael need to head back to your assigned position. You did promise..."

"I'll be good," the teen interrupted irritably. "We need you to cover Michael in your scent. That way, they won't dare attack him like they did when he first shifted," Jax said, his voice shaded by anger at the thought of the fight Lone Wolf had mentioned.

Michael stood there looking uncomfortable, holding himself stiffly, his shirt clenched in his fist.

"Jax, what are you talking about?" I asked.

"Cover him in your scent," Jax said again, a hint of unease coming over the teen. "Please," he begged almost desperately. "That's why Michael is scared of shifting. They attacked him. I can't let them hurt him again."

Jax was starting to panic, gripping Michael's arm tightly, pulling him forward a little more. He glanced toward the dust being thrown up by the approaching vehicle, looking back at me with desperation.