Alphas & Allies Read online

  Antonio’s jaw jumped, but he didn’t move his eyes away. “That’s about what happened, yeah.”

  Cash shrugged. Men like Draton were easy to understand. It just took firm words and no bullshit. Cash thought he understood most walks of life, but it was men like Antonio he didn’t understand.

  The young man sitting across from him had lost the battle three years prior, yet he came running when trouble struck too close to home. The pack wasn’t his anymore, but he was still willing to fight for it. Cash was the no-good bastard that took it all away, yet he was sitting there conversing over dinner.

  “Why do you stay if they hate you?”

  Cash’s eyebrows reached for the ceiling. “Come again?”

  “The town hates you.” Antonio angled his head in the direction of the town’s square.

  “I’m aware they hate me.”

  “Then why stay? Why do you do so much for them if they can’t stand you?”

  “Is there a point to this line of questioning?” Cash narrowed his eyes.

  “The point is that you were willing to shoot me to get this place, deal with men like Draton, and patrol for danger, even though they hate your guts.” Antonio’s brown eyes blazed, and he tightened both fists. The anger burning in his core was filled with fury, loss, and confusion -- a fire Cash knew all too damn well.

  “I want it to make sense,” Antonio finished with a whisper.

  “I shouldn’t have to explain to you that being alpha don’t mean you get perks and smiles, kid.” Cash leaned over and grabbed his half-rolled cigarette. He licked the seam of the paper and finished the roll. “Don’t matter that they hate me. It’s my job to keep them safe and happy.”

  “I could have kept them safe and happy.”

  Cash let that hang in the air as he struck a match and puffed his cigarette to life. The sweet smell of Satyr grown tobacco was rich and earthy, and it burned just right as he took a deep pull.

  He let the smoke pour from his lips and sat forward to mirror the pose across from him. “You ever see what happens when bandits loot a town?”

  Antonio wisely stayed silent, still burning with fury.

  “Thought not. It’s something out of a damn nightmare. If you’re lucky, the pack of thieves will spare anything too small or weak to bite back. If not.” Cash gave a humorless click of his tongue. “Well, then you gotta dig some mighty small graves.”

  “You know this firsthand?” The tone tried to be accusatory, but it fell victim to sounding almost miserably sympathetic.

  Memories threatened to turn the food he just ate sour, but Cash pushed past it. He refused to let the smell of rot and death cloud his mind again. A bitter taste of remorse caused his words to spit with venom.

  “When I rolled up to this town and saw you, no more than a spit of a man with peach fuzz on your chin, I saw the future of this town. I ain’t claiming the women here can’t hold their own, but they got pups and old-timers they’re charged with protecting. There was no force, no fist to follow the alpha’s command.

  “It ain’t your fault the world is cold and hard. It ain’t your fault that we were-folk got rules we gotta follow. I was either gonna have to rip you to pieces or send you off with your tail between your legs to get the pack to follow me.” Cash took another pull from his cigarette and leveled his gaze with Antonio’s. “But if you think I’m the worst thing in this world for taking this town out of the hands of a child to keep another nightmare from happening, then you really are just a stupid kid.”

  Chapter Five

  Antonio didn’t sleep worth a shit.

  Even when he was able to fall into a restless slumber, Cash’s words kept replaying in his head. Not only had the man clearly faced evil beyond Antonio’s worst nightmares, but ’he'd pushed through them all to keep his pack safe.

  His pack.

  His or mine? Can I really call them mine anymore?

  Before Antonio could drink a cup of morning coffee or sink lower in thought, Luis leaned in through the front door with an amused look on his face.

  “Hey, Toni. You got some visitors.”

  “Visitors?” Antonio pushed to his feet, biting back a yawn. It did not bode well that Luis was grinning. Usually that meant Antonio was about to get a headache.

  “Oh, Gavin, I must have some of these blankets for the house. Look at this one. The colors are so vibrant!” Nigel was feeling one of miss Maria’s blankets she was hanging out to dry. He was in his Cervitaur form, as usual, but dressed properly with a robin’s-egg-blue vest and a cream shirt. A beautifully crafted wooden bow was slung over one shoulder, completing his look.

  “Hey, g’morning sunshine,” Gavin called to Antonio as he let his husband gush about the blanket. Gavin was in his Centaur form. His powerful horse half had an impressive, shiny, midnight black coat that was longer and pure white around the hooves.

  Unlike Nigel, Gavin was not working a put-together outfit on his humanoid half. Instead of a proper outfit, the man wore nothing but the mighty, double-blade ax strapped to his back. The blades were curved just slightly and glinted in the sleepy sunlight.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Antonio rubbed at his eyes, thinking maybe he was just having a weird dream.

  “Luke and Logan ran back last night and said you had a scuffle with some bandits,” Alexis spoke up, adjusting her gun belt. “Figured you could use the help.”

  The two mischievous twins in question were doing a terrible job at ignoring his glaring and were batting their eyes at Luis. His cousin, who was a bastard and a shameless flirt, was grinning at the pretty redheads like he was the gods’ gift to men.

  “They’re seventeen,” Antonio called over, breaking the spell. Luis’s face fell in open heartache.

  “Antonio, how do I inquire about purchasing a blanket or five?” Nigel was asking over the ruckus.

  “I figured that big husband of yours kept your warm enough, Nigel,” Alexis glanced over just in time to see the flush creep up the Cervitaur’s neck as he began to sputter. Gavin only grinned proudly.

  “What’s all this?” Cash’s voice stopped the festivities, though it didn’t help that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Every inch of his impressive torso was on display, and Antonio’s Stonehill pack took their time to drink it in.

  “See?” Luke started in a whisper.

  “Big,” Logan finished.

  “That he is.” Alexis raked her eyes all over the man in open appreciation. Cash gave a little uncomfortable cough.

  “These are my friends from Stonehill.” Antonio stepped in to explain. “They came to help against the bandits.”

  “That right?” Cash scanned over the group: a formidable Centaur with a battle ax, his nimble, archer husband, two trickster coyotes, and a woman with a revolver and a grin. As Antonio braced himself to launch into an argument about their qualifications, Cash gave a slow nod of approval.

  “I appreciate you making the trek,” Cash said. “We can use whatever help you’re offering.”

  A little blossom of pride swelled in Antonio at his group of people being good enough, even if he shouldn’t care less what Cash thought. Antonio knew how well his group fought, experienced it firsthand in their training, but he was used to the world underestimating things.

  The town had started to gather, wondering who the newcomers were. As soon as they realized the odd group was people Antonio knew and apparently came to help, they were immediately treated like wayward family members. Since it was morning and breakfast time, they were herded off by Rosa and the other older female pack members toward something to eat.

  Cash made a move to peel off back toward his house to eat alone.

  “Cash.” Antonio caught his arm just below the elbow, and the bigger man paused. This close, Antonio could drink in more of his scent than he would have liked. Cash smelled like tobacco, midnight dew, and a raw musk that made Antonio’s toes want to curl. He let go of Cash’s arm a little too fast and cleared his throat to gain some his senses bac
k.

  “Come sit with us for breakfast. We need to discuss what we know about the bandits.”

  Cash gave a small growl and glanced toward the square. “Just come to my place after.”

  “You need to come eat with your pack,” Antonio said levelly, trying not to let the words burn at his heart. Cash’s gray eyes flicked to him, and he seemed to deflate around the shoulders.

  “They won’t have me.”

  “Then sit with mine.”

  Cash felt the glaring stares of the pack as he sat down to eat. Breakfast was being served up in large platters and bowls, each one being passed down the table in organized chaos. Scrambled eggs mixed with peppers, spicy sausage, tortillas, and potatoes were traveling from one end of the table to the other. Even with the despised alpha being present, voices talked over each other in comfortable conversation once the food was out.

  Antonio’s pack as he called it, the mixed group of shifters and lone human who traveled from Stonehill to assist, had the same comradery as any other family. It seemed that Antonio had a knack for having people band together.

  It was commendable. Cash stomped down the pang of jealousy he felt from seeing all the smiles.

  “Tell me about these bandits,” the human female, Alexis, said after finishing her bite. Cash could smell the gunpowder and tenacity of this former gunslinger from down the table.

  “The ones that attacked last night were shifters. Apes,” Antonio explained.

  “Hanu,” Alexis corrected, seeming confused. “Odd of them to attack. They’re usually extremely peaceful people.”

  “It wasn’t just them,” one of the twins spoke up, but Cash wasn’t sure which was which. The other nodded quickly.

  “We smelled lots. Maybe ten or so.”

  “A mixed pack of bandits, huh? Well, that ain’t uncommon. If they were Hanu, that meant they were organized and moved as a unit. Y’all are lucky you got the better of them.” Alexis loaded up another tortilla with eggs and onions. “Any idea who they are?”

  “Been told a band called the Devil’s Pack might be roaming nearby.”

  Alexis started coughing and grabbed for her water.

  “I’m guessing that means you know these guys?” Gavin asked as he reached over to smack her back.

  “Heaven, earth, and fucking fire!” Alexis managed.

  “Really, Alexis. We’re having breakfast.” Nigel scowled over his tea, which he had brought himself of course.

  “The Devil’s Pack was the ones responsible for the Scotchville massacre,” Alexis hissed as she leaned over the table, trying to keep her voice low.

  Cash knew the flavor of evil that tale was about. While he wasn’t part of that particular slaughter, the tale was too close to his own scarred past for comfort.

  “The what?” Antonio asked softly.

  “Just as it sounds.” Cash sneered. “Towns are swarmed, looted, and butchered. Scotchville was a town of about a hundred people, all barley farmers. One night, the town was attacked, and all manner of evil befell the townsfolk. Not only did they burn the place to ash, but they also left the people -- all age -- flayed and hung out for the buzzards.”

  The twins swallowed nervously at the same time. Gavin shook his head with disgust while Nigel visibly paled.

  “Bastards,” Nigel whispered. “That’s who these bandits are?”

  “They certainly were attacking last night like maniacs.” Cash gave a slow nod.

  Antonio’s pack grew quiet and solemn, and Cash knew it was only a matter of time before they realized they had bitten off more than they could chew. If the Devil’s Pack were the same brutal bastards that hacked up all the good people of Scotchville, then they were going to be facing off against an evil most foul.

  Hell, he couldn’t blame them for wanting to run. Most would.

  “Well,” Nigel said after a moment, taking a breath and raising his head with all the regal pose his antlers would allow. “What is our plan for attack then?”

  Cash blinked at him.

  “That’s my baby,” Gavin grinned and kissed his husband’s temple, gaining a little slip of a smirk before being chastised for public displays of affection. The twins nodded, determination on their freckled faces. Alexis toasted her water in allegiance.

  Antonio’s chest puffed before turning his bright, brown eyes to Cash. Glowing with pride, with one dimple showing, the young man was something close to captivating.

  Cash focused on his plate to gather his thoughts to the matter at hand.

  “I doubt they’re going to take kindly to us killing their men. We can guarantee another attack,” Cash said once his brain was wrangled properly. “If we know they’re coming to us, we should set up traps.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Alexis agreed.

  “What kind of traps?” Antonio pushed his empty plate away.

  “We can set up some pitfalls and snares. Maybe a couple bear traps too. They’re going to expect us to be ready to shoot, but they won’t see buried traps along the outside of the town,” Cash explained.

  “That’ll give us an advantage for sure. We have numbers on our side, hopefully.” Gavin finished his second plate with a satisfied sigh.

  “You got plenty of guns here, alpha?” Alexis’s question made Antonio flinch just slightly, but Cash seemed to be the only one that took notice.

  “We got guns, but you’re looking at most that will be able to shoot during a fight. Maybe a couple more.” Cash glanced down the table at the packmembers, who were eating and carrying on without looking his way.

  “We’re gonna need as much help as we can get.” A scowl creased Alexis’s features.

  We’re going to need that and a damn prayer.

  Chapter Six

  “You really think this is going to work?” Luis passed Antonio rope for the snares, exiting the small supply shed behind his home.

  “It can’t hurt.” Antonio shouldered the rope and began heading out of town. “Seems like a sound idea to me.”

  “Yeah, well. I guess he’s good for something.”

  Antonio let out a sigh and turned back toward his cousin. “That’s not fair.”

  “Oh?” Luis snorted a bitter laugh. “You wanna talk fair? About him?”

  “I think I get more to say about what’s fair than anyone.”

  The look of shame that passed over Luis’s face told Antonio he got the point.

  Antonio continued. “Luis, anyone here died an unnatural death, gone hungry, or went without medicine?”

  Luis shook his head, eyes down.

  “You don’t have to like him, but he’s alpha. He’s been good to you all.” Antonio put his hand on his cousin’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “He deserves your respect, and he needs your help. Please.”

  “My help?” Luis glanced up, his dark brow cocked in a quizzical fashion.

  “If the pack sees us helping him, they’ll follow. I need for the town to follow his lead.”

  “This whole thing is stupid, Toni. Not the traps. I mean this...whole bullshit with how alpha works. You shouldn’t have had to get shot. You shouldn’t have to have left!”

  A stab of remorse rippled through him, and he gave a shrug. “It’s tradition, Lu.”

  “It’s stupid.”

  A familiar scent drifted over like a whisper, and Antonio followed it to where Matias stood. Like Luis, he had grown up quite a bit since they last saw each other. He was still tall and skinny, but his ears didn’t stick out as much as they used to. Big, doe-like eyes blinked at him in complete surprise.

  “Antonio?”

  “Hey, Matias.” Antonio smiled. “Long time no see.”

  “Where the hell have you been?” Luis chimed in. “You missed dinner and breakfast. You got the shits?”

  Matias blushed horribly and scowled. “Shut up, Luis. Antonio….are you going to be alpha again?”

  The way his eyes widened made him look almost like he was going into heat. Antonio turned his nose away a little to avoid smelling anyt
hing that would confirm that.

  “Help us set up traps for the bandits. We could use the extra help,” Antonio said, tossing the rope Matias’s way. The lanky man fumbled with it a moment but nodded quickly.

  * * *

  Setting the traps was grueling work and took longer than they would have liked. Because Cash was thorough, Nigel was bitching, the twins kept trying to play pranks between flirting with Luis -- who of course was not helping the situation -- it took a couple hours to get everything put into place. By the end of the day, the outside of Guarida was a maze of traps both incapacitating and deadly. It wouldn’t keep the bandits out forever; it sure as hell would give them a leg up.

  Cash was rubbing at his arm when they were making their way back into town. A small drop of blood was beginning to seep through the fabric of his shirt, making the air smell a bit like copper. Antonio recognized it as where the silver bullet had sliced him the night before, and realized he never did get treatment for it.

  Water was brought over to the returning party to help hydrate and cool, and Cash seemed surprised when he was not ignored.

  “Traps are a good idea,” Rosa was remarking as she put some damp cloth on the back of Logan’s neck. Their pale skin was pink from the sun, and it was bringing out the mama wolf in her.

  “They were Cash’s idea,” Luis said.

  Rosa glanced in Cash’s direction before sniffing the air. “Are you cut?”

  “Bullet grazed me last night. Nothing serious.” Cash went to take another drink of water, but Rosa had appeared at his side and was forcing his sleeve up. Cash winced but allowed it.

  “Have you done anything to clean it?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She snorted in a way that in Rosa meant “you’re doing it wrong.” “From now on, you go get salve from Angelina so you don’t get a fever. You men think you’re made of iron until you get infections. Then you drop dead. Ugh, you’re filthy. Go get a bath. You all go bathe before dinner, or you don’t eat.”