In the Alpha’s Arms

Some Grudges Don’t Die (Conclusion)

Showcases were nothing like competitions. Or perhaps it was the inherent differences between people on the east coast and west coast. But the place felt stuffy Luxurious but uptight. Lita briskly moved out of the way of two women who were barrelling toward the outdoor pool of the Ritzy hotel, each with a glass of champagne in their hands. Ace laughed as he saddled the bugs up beside her. It wasn’t the glamour of the hotel that told her showcases were different, it was the sheer number of people. How many were werewolves, she couldn’t readily tell, but in the lobby where they stood, Lita counted at least a hundred other people.

So much for starting small as her first outing as an official Luna. She shook her head.

The competition hotel had been nice too. And the penthouse bar was wonderful. But none of it felt pretentious like things did here. Maybe she was just being pissy after the flight, stuck in the middle because Cole had to have the aisle seat for safety. And Stace pouted about needing the window seat. It had been a miserable few hours. But maybe it was also because this was a homecoming of sorts. Her parents–all of them were in the city somewhere. Even Brian was here somewhere. That knowledge unsettled her a bit. But then she touched her brand and felt all the love flow through her.

She watched Cole use his shoulder to work two gawkers out of the way at the front desk so he could pick up the room keys. Watching the Alpha energy pour off of him always got her excited and she stilled the Bush growing inside of her. She hoped one day soon, there’d be something else growing inside her but they had all the time in the world. She could wait.

Watching the way he brushed off the glances of pretty bystanders had her unable to hide a smile. He was hers just as she was his. Eyeing the pool through luxurious glass doors, Lita counted at least another hundred people. She’d thought the competition had been packed. But if they weren’t even in the conference room yet, she could only imagine how many bodies would be crammed together.

Thankfully, Cole assured her they had special seating as one of the main showcase guests.

“Got the keys,” Cole growled irritably. “Let’s the get the hell out of here before I murder someone.”

Ace shoved his shoulder, “Be fucking nice. You certainly aren’t going to win any new pack memberships through your good looks and charm.”

Lita hadn’t meant to laugh but Cole’s way expression made her burst out in a high–pitched sound that could only be described as a Hyena.

“Best to send me ahead to smooth talk the guests tonight, pall. Wouldn’t want you biting anyone’s head off.

“Keep talking shit I’ll think you’re trying to challenge me as Alpha of this pack,” Cole bared his teeth but Lita caught the playful gleam in his eyes. They’d already discussed Ace’s future plans. He had no desire to run his own pack, taking up full time fighting instead, as Cole decided to step out of the ring permanently. She felt a silent joy at that too. For Cole, for Ace, and for laz too. Whatever had happened between Ace and Jaz had him in a much better mood. Even though she hadn’t come along for the showcase, Ace was still far closer to being his usual cocky self than the depressed asshole he had been

*Now why the hell would I take on all the pack work when I could just be the face of the brand?” Ace’s feral smile had Cole barking a laugh as he turned away. Cole grumbled something about Alpha–holes but he was already walking away toward the elevators,

“Wait the hell up, Cole, damn these bags aren’t going to carry themselves, Ace called after him. The others had finally finished unloaded the bags and Stace draped her heavy arm over Lita’s shoulders.

“Glad to see Alpha’s still in high spirits,” she rolled her eyes. “What are you wearing to the light fight tonight?”

Lita shrugged, “Haven’t thought about it. Something for the weather. I’ve been dying for the cold weather to break so I’m at least going to show some skin. If I didn’t pack anything good, I’ll just hit a mall”

“Hey-” Alex called over, Brody and Mark saddling up beside him, each with duffel bags in their hands, “You better not buy anything else while were here Lita. These bags are heavy enough as it ist”

“Stop crying!” Stace teased, sticking out her tongue, “And we’re in public… it’s Luna to you.”

“Yeal Gymhead,” Lita smirked, propping her hand on her hip. The old nickname settled warmly in her chest. It felt familiar. Out at a fight with her family. Her pack. Lita took a deep breath, ‘Come on, I’m starving and I want to get a nap in before I kill it on the dancefloor tonight.”

“You’re not wearing anything on the list! Cole yelled from in front of them. By the list, he meant the list of outfits that most often got him into fights, She snickered with Stace, knowing good and well she’d be wearing exactly that

“Are you sure he’s not forty?” Stace said under her breath with a smile, “He grumbles like

e it.

before he hears you,” Lits tucked into the elevator beside Cole, making room for the others. Ansires scowled from outside the

Don’t Die

back. “Oh don’t worry about me!” he

Brody guffawed as

gusto. He could be worse than Ace

same thing herself. Would she? “Honestly, I

wasn’t sure at first. But there’s no one here I need to see.” She smiled at him,

dinged as if on cue and the expanse of the penthouse suite came into

body whistled. Brody

to Cole, interlacing their fingers as he pulled her along, “You certainly didn’t spare any expense this

wanted you to do it in style.” Kissing her forehead and nudged her

door, “Don’t take too long, I might get lonely.” That

Lita walk away, Cole wondered how angry she would be if he took too long. As soon as the door

to do. Stace looked up from the couch to give him a hard smile. Vicious. That’s

experienced. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that. Instead, he would try his best to fill her life with pure joy. But Jetting go” for Lita meant forgiveness without retribution. And as much as Cole wanted to be that

A better man would have honored his Luna’s sentiments. Elise certainly would have cautioned him from this path. While he took her council occasionally, on certain things she would never understand, Cole could only be

the cart behind him, “You’re all bastards. Bastards who

expression, and pulled out his phone,

expect me back. But let’s not push the

ago. Cole took his own phone out of his pocket and waited for the text to appear.

he smiled and for old time’s sake, Cole didn’t mind the violence he let

only warning Colle had before the front door swung open. He subtly tucked his nose down, ignoring the fresh sweep of piss from the hallway. The derelict apartment building had absolutely no positive attributes, except cheap rent. Oh, how the mighty have fallen,

was the living room, Cole had an ideal position to see without being seen. Looking around, he took a small joy in how little the man had. Cole worried the exile had been an illusion. Plenty of wolves with connections ended up living lives that were just as privileged outside of pack life as

to snoop. He’d found more than one rambling letter addressed to Lita. The dark pleading of a ruined man. A man that ruined himself, no less. Now Cole was here to ruin him further

Crudges Don’t

roared through him at the thought of someone like that looking at any part of his Luna. Cole had

to keep Lita’s personal photos on display in his shithole of an apartment. Like he hadn’t misused every single bit of trast she had ever given him. Cole had already shredded and disposed of them if only to remove that extra layer of his sick obsession. He’d destroyed the letters too. And the scraps of paper with her old phone number

his first re–entry into the world of such dark things. He wasn’t a killer by nature and he certainly would never want to do it again. But

bruises. The blood he’d seen dried on her floor in the shape of her delicate, malnourished

to the abuser. He didn’t recognize his own voice and that gave him immense satisfaction.

worried.

he’d aged a decade. His eyes were sunken, his skin yellowed and oily in the cheap fluorescent lighting.

Brian stumbled again, unsteady on his feet. Cole took a deep breath, brushing his sweaty palms against his

both accounts. Taking a few casual steps forward, Cole

a murder charge? In the empty packlands of Maxim’s compound murder was one thing. But here in the bustling city, it would be hard to get away with. Werewolf law wasn’t an argument that would stick especially if no one knew it existed. Dragging out one