6 comments/ 4429 views/ 13 favorites Beyond the Were War Ch. 01 By: partwolf Author's Note: This story contains elements that may be disturbing to some readers. If you would prefer not to read these elements, I've put a trigger warning (line of +++++) before and after each of those scenes so you can skip if you wish. The scenes are included only to provide background and motivation of the characters involved. The story takes place between the end and the epilogue of Behind the Lines of the Were Wars. I recommend you read that first. -Partwolf Beyond the Were War Ch. 1 "And if I show you my dark side Will you still hold me tonight? And if I open my heart to you And show you my weak side What would you do? Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone? Would you take the children away And leave me alone? And smile in reassurance As you whisper down the phone? Would you send me packing? Or would you take me home?" -Roger Waters, The Final Cut Alpha Robert Hastings had only known fear like this once before, watching his mate bleed out while he carried her towards help. The pit now in his stomach threatened to swallow him whole. He watched as the woman he loved and hoped to mate, Renee Johnson, bled out onto the sand and stone of the amphitheater at Red Rock. His own body was still in shock at what she had just done. She had stood up to a powerful Alpha and refused to play along with his game of dominance and power. Like Gandhi, she had offered to lay down her life for the principle of leaders who served their people, not ruled them. It would have ended in her death, on live TV, to the horror and disgust of human and Were nation alike. Just before she collapsed, Alpha Diggs was in the process of raping one of the women in her pack and she somehow rose up from the ground and killed him. Her last words were not going to be "Asshole" if he could do anything about it. He rushed forward to cradle her head, his tears falling onto her ashen face as he pleaded with her to stay with him. He watched as the doctors and medical personnel rushed forward, surrounding Renee as they opened their kits and went to work. Other Alphas moved him away from the medical staff, and his senior pack members held him in place. Why? Why did he let her enter this ring? Why was the kindest, most reluctant Alpha in the country the one on the ground? Would Luna be so cruel as to give him hope at a future, at a life with a mate again, only to tear it from him again? He was a proud man, but this day had truly broken his spirit. Tears flowed freely as he remained kneeling down at the edge of the challenge circle. His pack members felt his anguish over the Alpha bond. They came down and surrounded him, letting the closeness and contact of the Pack do the talking. Renee's Santa Fe pack members came into the group as well, having bonded during their visit to his Gila pack prior to the Wolfstock festival. Many shifted and howled their grief to the night sky. Other pack Alphas and pack members came down from the stands and joined the large group, surrounding others who were crying and praying to Luna to save this brave woman. Rank, sex, power- none of it mattered as they gathered together with singular purpose. No one spoke, they all watched and prayed as the doctors and nurses worked frantically to stem her bleeding and get replacement blood into her. It took ten minutes before they had her stabilized enough they could move her to an ambulance; as they moved off they could see the bandages, the clamps tying off torn arteries, the bags of blood being squeezed to force more blood in before her heart would give out again. They had already shocked her back to life once. They watched in silence as she was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the nearest hospital. The doctors had spread the word of her blood type through their respective pack bonds, and matches were already heading to the parking lot to go donate. Renee was not just an Alpha to the gathering of werewolves here, she was a hero, a statesman, a mother to be and a hope for a better future. The siren was enough to prod Robert into action. "Derek and Amanda," he called over to the Johnson Pack alpha who was her older brother and his mate, "I have drivers ready to take us to the hospital. Can you join me? I need to speak to you both." Derek nodded his assent, he was still trembling and holding onto Amanda's hand with a death grip. The ride was awkward as no one wanted to start talking. They were all too worried about whether she would make it, but none of the three would voice their concern. They knew it wasn't just Renee in danger, but the twins inside her that were at the 12 week point of her pregnancy. Derek finally broke the silence. "Renee told me she was getting close to you. When she last talked to me I could hear in her voice she was happy again. You challenged for the right to be her mate. As her older brother, I have to ask what your intentions are." Robert sat up a little and looked him in the eye. "I've fallen in love with her. I think she is too. I want to mate her, if she will have me. I got close to her earlier this week but then she pulled away. I think she was trying to protect me." Amanda looked up at him. "Protect you from what?" "From having to watch what I just saw. From feeling the pain of watching someone you care about deeply, slipping away, and there is nothing you can do. Again. I barely survived when my first mate died, I don't know if I can keep going if Renee doesn't recover. I want her by my side, I want her pack to merge with mine and for us to raise her children and have our own. I want the dream back." Renee reached over and took his hand in hers. "She is strong, she will get through this. She's too stubborn to give up now." "I know her strength and courage, she proved that to everyone. I have never been so ashamed to be Were as when I watched an Alpha tear her apart because she wouldn't accept rule by brute force. We have to find a better way as a race, especially now that we are in the open." Derek put his head in his hands. "We will deal with this problem at the Alpha level. Right now I just want to know she will recover. She's been through so much already, I just want her to be happy again." "She was happy. Even though she didn't want the Alpha job, she's a natural for it. People are drawn to her, and she doesn't make others jealous. You should see her face light up when she is with her Pack." "I'm glad she has that," Amanda said. "Ever since she lost her mate she has been moody and withdrawn, with frequent nightmares. She isn't getting enough rest for a pregnant woman." "I've been trying. I know the night she was with me she slept well." Derek tensed, he knew she was a consenting adult but he didn't want to think about his baby sister in bed with a man who wasn't her mate. Yet. "Do you think she is ready to move on from Gary and be mated again?" "I don't know. I'll find out soon, I hope. I don't plan to be apart from her much." Robert sighed. "We have all these Alpha meetings this weekend, I expect some will be delayed tonight but we can't reschedule the weekend. I hate the idea of going even though she would want me there to push through the changes." "Well, we can have Andy represent his Alpha while she is in the hospital. You and I can be at the meetings, and Amanda can stay here. If anything changes she can let us know and we can be here in fifteen minutes if anything changes." Robert nodded. "That will have to do. I'll make sure we have cars and drivers on standby." He gazed off in concentration for a moment. "My Beta is making reservations at the hotel next to the hospital, can I reserve you a room there as well?" "Yes, thank you." Just then the car pulled into the visitor parking lot. Renee was already in surgery, being worked on by a team of human and Were doctors. It was going to be a long night. **Two Years Earlier** Just outside Hachita, NM Carlos Gomez ran into his home like a man whose life was in danger. It was. Running through the kitchen, he looked frantically for his daughter. She had just turned eighteen and was a senior in high school, but not after today. Today they had to run for it. "MARIA!!! Pack quickly, we have to go!" He burst through her door without knocking, finding her on the bed with headphones on as she worked on her homework. The movement was enough to get her attention. "Daddy?" "No time to explain. Pack your bags, take anything you need, I don't know if we will ever be back. We leave in twenty minutes." "Daddy, you're scaring me." "Honey, just do it, please. I'll explain later." He darted out the door to his room. Tossing a couple suitcases on the bed, he frantically threw clothes and valuables in. The last thing to go in were the photos of his late wife Ensuela and their daughter growing up. He pressed the suitcases closed and moved them by the front door. He sensed time was running out. "MARIA! We have to go, like NOW!" As the door was kicked down, he knew it was too late. Two men rushed through, heads covered with black hoods and dressed completely in black, silenced MP5 machine guns sweeping in front of them. Carlos screamed "RUN!!!" and tried to slow them down, but it didn't do any good. The men knocked him on his back and kept going. It was the next two people that he really needed to worry about. They were the people who were spoken of only in nervous whispers, those names which foretold death and suffering. Hell had come to his house. Hell in the form of The Butcher, aka Juan Hernandez, the druglord of Soccoro, and his security chief Ramon Guzman. In seconds, Ramon had flipped the panicked Carlos onto his stomach, handcuffed him, and performed a search with the practiced hand of a veteran policeman. Hauling Carlos to his feet, he looked back at his boss. "Where do you want to do this?" "Basement." Juan moved past, his six foot two frame filling the entryway, moving with the confidence of a man who feared nothing, because no one could touch him. His drug empire was based just across the border from El Paso, controlling smuggling and manufacturing operations in the Mexican state of Chihuahua into New Mexico and West Texas. He ruled with brutal efficiency, demanding loyalty and performance out of his people. Those who could hack it rose and got rich. Those who couldn't became examples to the rest, and not in a good way. Ramon was a former police chief in Chihuahua, Mexico. He was planted there by the Cartel and when the Mexican government finally caught up to him, he escaped to work directly for Juan. He was an expert at getting information from people before they died a slow and painful death. "Get up." He yanked Carlos to his feet, his one hundred forty pounds not even a strain on the big man's muscles. He looped a short piece of rope with T-handles at the end around his throat, then used that to not so gently guide him to the open basement door. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Juan had cleared out a section of the family room and placed a wooden chair in the center of the room. Ramon forced him down, then quickly tied his feet and legs securely to the chair. Finally, he looped the rope up around his handcuffs and through the frame, preventing him from getting up. The two security men had finished their sweep of the house and came down with a bound and hooded Maria in front of them. "Daughter, no one else in the house. Door is closed, we left a TV on upstairs." Juan gestured to the couch and they set her there. "Go back upstairs and keep watch. Make sure the police scanner is monitored." They left quickly, neither really wanted to see what they knew was coming. Juan and Ramon stood there watching Carlos for a few minutes, the only sound in the room the whimpering of Maria as she cried into her hood. Juan sat down in a large overstuffed chair in front of him. "I'm sorry." Carlos looked up. "I fell asleep. It's my fault, please, just let my daughter go. She has nothing to do with this and won't say anything." "It's not as simple as that, and you know it." Juan looked at him with contempt. "You had one job, to overwatch the smuggling route and make sure no DEA or Customs were out there. You falling asleep resulted in five of my men being arrested and a half million dollars worth of my marijuana being seized. I want my money." "I don't have any money." Carlos slouched further down in the chair, as far away as he could get from his former bosses. "If you give me a few days, I might be able to scrape up a few grand. I wouldn't have been doing this if I had that kind of cash!" "That's too bad. It kind of cuts down on your options, doesn't it? Do you have anything else I might want?" Carlos shook his head no. Juan walked over to Maria and pulled the hood off her head. She didn't say a word as Juan looked at her in disgust. She was young and pretty. "Are you a virgin?" Maria was too shocked to answer. Juan slapped her and asked again. "Yes!" She started to sob as the reality of what this man wanted went through her. She didn't want to, but her wolf started to growl. Ramon noticed and his eyes went wide. He pulled a small canister out of a cargo pocket and sprayed it into her face, then spun and sprayed it on Carlos. "You couldn't fucking tell us your daughter is a werewolf?" Ramon backhanded him with such force the chair was knocked over. Ignoring his struggles, he focused back on Maria who was now staring blankly at the wall. Her tears were flowing and she was softly sobbing as the reality of her situation became clear. Carlos begged him to leave her alone. "I'm sorry, he mother was a werewolf, they tell me that a mixed child is delayed in development of their wolves, some never get one. She's never shifted, I don't know if she will! Please, she's so innocent, she won't hurt a fly!" He pulled Juan to the doorway where they couldn't be heard. "Good thing I got her with the wolfsbane before she started to shift. Those things are badass, even as girls." "Carlos isn't one, you check for that before you hire, right?" "I don't think that matters now. The spray will keep them from shifting for at least 24 hours. What do you want to do now?" "Well, we are keeping her. Her being a latent werewolf open up all kinds of possibilities, she might be able to do things yet not be as dangerous as a full one. We have plenty of time to figure it out. As for him, let's play Let's Make a Deal." He grinned. It was a fun game to play with someone, the false hope being smashed was more fun than straight torture. They walked back in and set Carlos back upright. "OK, Carlos, it's time to work this out. You don't have the money, but you have the ability to earn. You owe me $500,000. I don't care if you have to kill for it, steal it, earn it or lay back and take it up the ass for it, I want my fucking money." Carlos sat up. "I'll pay you back, every cent, I promise. I'll do whatever it takes. I just need some time." "Well, I'm not in the mood to leave here without some assurance you are motivated to get me the cash quickly. I want something in return, including something for the interest and the trouble. I want your daughter." "NO, please, she's all I have left, she has nothing to do with this!" "That sucks for you. Here's your choice. I beat you to death in front of your daughter, then torch this place. Or, I let you go but take her as my slave, to serve me until you have paid back every cent." "But that could be years!" "That's only if you lack the motivation to do it faster. A man can make a lot of money quickly if he really wants to." Carlos slumped down, not wanting to do what his selfish interest said. "Take her then." "What? I didn't hear you. Did you just turn your daughter over to me to be my slave until you have paid back the money you owe me?" "Yes. Take her." Maria shook herself free of the daze as what just happened was processed in her brain. "Papa? What did you do, Papa?" She didn't say anything else as Ramon covered her mouth with a long piece of duct tape. She struggled but it was useless. ++++++ Ramon picked her up off the couch and dragged her over to the back of the padded chair, bending her over until her head was into the cushion. Juan took more rope and tied her arms securely to the front legs, while Juan spread her legs wide and tied them to the back legs. She screamed as Juan pulled out a switchblade and started to shred her clothing and underwear. Carlos struggled, but was powerless to help her. Soon she was naked and crying, looking up at her father's face as he sat in the chair. "Ramon. Make sure he watches this." Ramon used more duct tape to tape his eyelids open, then used more duct tape to hold his head in position. "You see, Carlos, normally what I would do is to beat the person who stole from me to death, but I need you to be able to earn. Since you gave up your daughter to me, I'll take my anger out on her hide." "No, please, she did nothing to deserve this!" "You're right, but you made the choice. Now you get to see what happens when people don't do their jobs." Stepping back, he stripped naked. "Just remember, she's taking this to save you." He was fully engorged. Stepping behind her, he lined up and drove himself through her intact hymen with one brutal thrust. She screamed again, and started crying harder, the whole time her eyes begging her father to make them stop. He fucked her brutally before pulling out and spraying his come over her back. It took an hour before his lust and sadistic impulses were sated. Juan walked upstairs to take a shower, leaving Ramon and his men to clean up. ++++++ Ramon went over to her badly beaten body, the deep welts and cuts from the whipping he gave her had left her back, ass and legs a bloody mess. He used her clothing to wipe off the blood, then grabbed a blanket from the couch. Cutting her free, he ignored her moans of pain as he wrapped the blanket around her and carried her up the stairs. His men collected the clothes and other evidence then headed out. When Juan had changed, he walked back downstairs and put a bullet through Carlos's head. His men torched the place as they left. ***** It was Sunday afternoon and the Alpha summit being held in concert with Wolfstock was coming to a close. They had made surprising progress over the last two days, despite the absence of one member and the way all their thoughts kept going to her. It was because of her example that they had focused on the things they could do to live openly and with honor. The first step was to form several councils. The first level was a regional Alpha council, five regions each with about a dozen Packs. Each region would elect one person to elect them in the National Alpha Council, which would be the official voice of their race in dealings with human government and each region. There were objections during the discussions about who would serve on this national council, as it was potentially a power base. The answer came when they realized it didn't have to be the active Alphas, but they could pull from the retired Alphas and Elders among them, people with the respect of all the leaders. The new regional councils would mediate disputes and hold independent pack elections for leadership challenges. The Alphas agreed that anyone taking over a Pack by force would forfeit his own life, the other Alphas committed to do so. The second major item agreed to was a Were Bill of Rights. It codified the progress some Packs had made, ending practices such as forced matings and making rape a capital offense. Common procedures for visiting other packs were agreed to, allowing families and single weres freedom they had never had to find others. It also established the right of each member to voluntarily leave one pack and join another without retribution. Copies were distributed at the final meeting of all gathered Werewolves. There were a few packs with abusive Alphas that were in trouble, but good men would be elected Alpha in each soon. Even the Crested Butte pack remained mostly whole, Blake taking over as Alpha helped stem the tide of people leaving the former Alpha Diggs. It would take a generation or so to work the bad ones out of the system, but they had hope for the future. Beyond the Were War Ch. 01 The event was a huge success on an individual scale. There had been well over a hundred matings announced, matings that were hugely important to the Packs. So many packs were a shell of what they were in the past, and stable families and children were needed to bring them back. Even for those who remained single, contacts had been made and distant families rediscovered. The event broke down the historical fears that had kept packs closed off from each other. Since there were a few single wolves with computer skills, a Wolfbook site (think Facebook with fur) was formed. It ended up being most helpful to arrange regional meetups and parties, and to link extended families. It didn't help find mates directly as that was done by smell, but it made contacts. In later years, they would find the most effective way to find mates at a distance was a traveling box of worn T-shirts in ziplock bags. Each was coded with a name and pack, and single wolves could sniff through to see if anything got a reaction. A chance meeting of a computer geek with a Pack historian led to another breakthrough. The computer expert had been hired at Ancestry.com after the peace treaty, and she saw how antiquated the Pack geneologies and histories were. A few phone calls later, and they had created a private site by which Pack records could be scanned, stored and searched. It would take years to get the information in, but it was a treasure trove. Many families members would be found using this new tool, further breaking down the old boundaries between packs. The event was finally coming to an end. With Renee still unconscious in the hospital, it was left to her brother Derek to give the closing comments. "Fellow werewolves, we have truly made history here this weekend. We leave here not as individuals but as a people, a people who can live openly and freely with the respect of human and Were alike. May the friendships formed here strengthen, and may each annual gathering bring as much harmony and success as this one. May the new matings be fruitful and bring joy to your packs." He paused as the applause died down. "And yet, our hearts ache because the one who is the driving force of this event, a woman who demonstrated her courage and honor to all, remains in a fight for her life. Renee Johnson should be here with...." Everyone held their breath until his smile broke wide on his face. "She's waking up!" The applause and yells nearly brought down the house. "May Luna protect you and guide you, Wolfstock is now closed, now make a hole I have to get to the hospital!" The Betas of the Johnson and Santa Fe packs had already cleared a path and both Alphas raced out. The wolves left behind shifted and howled in thanks. On live TV, much of the nation rejoiced as well. Cartel Safe House, Southern New Mexico 18 months ago Maria woke up when they brought the latest girl in. She sat up from the thin mattress on the concrete floor that formed her bed, pulling the wool blanket around her. She watched the crying woman be pushed into the adjoining cell. Like the others, the woman was naked, bleeding and had been raped repeatedly. The men just locked the door and laughed, leaving the two of them alone in the near dark of the basement. "What's your name?" There was no response, just more sobbing. The woman laid down on the thin mattress and ignored her. It was too bad, she was already defeated. At least the angry ones had a chance. She saw the faraway look in her eyes that told her she had already checked out. She wished again that she didn't have Were ancestry; she knew she was tougher and could heal faster than the whores, daughters and other innocents that came through here. Juan used kidnapping and torture of family members as a means to an end, both because it was effective and because he liked it. He couldn't get it up with a woman who wanted to be with him, it took force and violence to sate his lust. Maria's wolf gave her the ability to take abuse and recover quickly just mean that Juan could beat her, rape her and leave her for dead more often. She always healed up. They knew she would need lots of food to do so, and they would feed her well until she recovered then starve her so she wasn't too strong to resist. The next week, it would all happen again. Six months of this, or so. Time passed quickly when you were locked in a basement, the light never changing, only the shift changes of your captors to mark the time. The next morning, Ms. No Name was dead. Humans he went through quickly because he couldn't hold back on his impulses. Those that survived the first night with him often didn't make it past the second. Some had tried to make friends with her, but she had stopped doing that. It was too hard losing them. One of the men dragged her body out and stuffed her in a 55 gallon drum. Her parents would never know what happened to her. Hector came with her breakfast, and he was smiling. She knew enough to know this wasn't good. "Maria, good morning! Good news, your father has made a good payment this week, so you've been invited to a party to celebrate!" Maria knew better. She had felt the bond with her father break as she was bundled into the van the day they took her, but she was smart enough not to let on that she knew. Like all her pain, she kept it buried deep inside where they couldn't see it. Luis came down the stairs with a syringe in hand and Paco behind him. She knew there were normally four of them in the house, Marco was the fourth but he rarely came downstairs. She heard the electronic lock set and discreetly looked to the video cameras, knowing she was being watched. She and her wolf itched to fight, but didn't have the strength. Her wolf was being suppressed by drugs, she could feel her fighting against the fog in her mind. They both knew now wasn't the time. It was futile to resist when she was called over to get the shot. She could struggle, but that would only result in them using cattle prod and baton on her until she complied. She got plenty of pain as it was, no need to go looking for more. She meekly presented her arm, still slightly bruised from Juan's visit five days ago, and took the shot. The men left her and went back upstairs. She sat down on the bed and curled up; she needed her energy to be ready for the next session. It wasn't until after lunch that she got the first indication of what the shot did. Her scent was first to change, becoming much stronger. She could almost taste the pheremones. Her sex swelled and reddened, and started to leak copiously. Her breasts became super sensitive, the nipples hardened and aroused. She put her hand under her thin T-shirt and rubbed them, but it only made it worse. Her pussy was on fire, and when she touched it the desire to come became almost unbearable. No matter how many times she masturbated, it never quenched her desire. By dinner time she was furiously dry humping the cell bars looking for relief. She was glad when the door opened and the men came to get her. ++++++ She struggled as they took her naked body out, not to get away but to get to them. Her rational mind was on vacation, all that mattered to her now was getting relief. When they pushed her into the room with Juan and a dozen of his associates, it was like they tossed her starving into an all you can eat buffet. She practically tore the pants off the first man she saw, pushing him back on the couch and plunging his cock into her. She screamed with relief but it wasn't enough. Cock after cock she devoured, cock after cock thrust into her, and nothing helped. As soon as one would shoot his load, she would lunge for another to replace it. Mouth, ass, pussy, tits- anywhere was good for her, and all were used to overflowing. The party went well into the night, becoming more violent as the sex and the tequila kept more of them from getting it up again. By the time she was dumped back into her cell, beaten, whipped and fucked more times than anyone should be able to handle, she still couldn't rest. She spent the rest of the night desperately masturbating, hoping that the next orgasm would bring her the relief she needed. It didn't. It took two more days before she was back to normal, two days her jailers took full advantage of. +++++++ Denver General Hospital Renee woke up with the first light of the day, two days since she had been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a normal room and she still couldn't believe she was alive. She gently squeezed her right hand, causing Robert to stir. He hadn't let go of her hand even in sleep for two days. She smiled as she felt his pulse in her hand, looking over to the baby monitor to verify her little ones were still good. The doctors had run a bunch of tests, worried over the loss of blood, but so far it looked like their brain activity was good and they were active. She loved seeing them push and kick each other on the ultrasound scans she got daily. Derek and Amanda were going to stop by before they left town, the demands of their pack called and now that she was awake and healing they could return to Montana. She would missed them. Amanda was already showing signs of being the kind of aunt who would spoil her nephews rotten. Derek was praying she would go into heat soon so they could have their own. Renee felt the call of nature coming, so she squeezed Robert's hand again until he woke up. "Good morning, my love, how are you feeling today?" "Like I'm about to burst. Help me to the bathroom?" Robert disconnected the monitors and picked her up carefully, avoiding the deep slashes as best he could. The mass of injuries was healing now, but the pain was clear. She could have used a bedpan, but she was stubborn. She used the toilet then he moved her into the shower, setting her on a chair before fetching a washcloth and soap. He spent the next half hour gently cleansing her body. She tried not to react to the sharp pains that it sometimes caused, but he could tell. She could tell he was crying as he cared for her, but was polite enough not to let on that she did. By the time he had her dressed and back in bed, she had just enough energy to eat before falling asleep again. She woke up two hours later when Derek and Amanda came in, a huge flat package under his arm. "Good morning, sis, you're looking better today!" Renee slowly sat up with Robert's assistance, then he sat on the bed behind her so she could lean back onto his broad chest. "Better every day. You guys look exhausted though." Amanda hugged her gently. "Yes, it's been a rough patch. Lots of stuff to do for the Pack and for the Council. Speaking of which, we brought you something." Derek laid the package on her lap and stood back. She tore open the paper covering it, revealing a large photograph set into a frame. The print was of a number of happy young couples on the steps at Red Rock, arms around each other and smiling at the camera. Around the outside on the border were hundreds of signatures, thank yous and well wishes. "We got a group shot of all the newly mated pairs that found each other at Wolfstock. Every one of those people is now happy and complete thanks to your idea that brought them together. You've made a huge difference, Renee, this is one way we could thank you." Renee was finding it tough to read as tears ran down her face. "But I didn't really do anything!" Derek shook his head. "Yes, you did it all. You alone recognized the thing we needed was to come together as a people. You created it, organized it, paid for it and ensured its success. You have no idea how much you have done, or how much you mean to us." She laid the framed photo down as her brother and sister embraced her. "I'm going to miss you guys." Renee was still clinging to their hands, even though she knew they had to leave to catch their flight. "You will always be welcome on my territory, especially if you get tired of those cold winters in Montana!" "We'll miss you too," said Derek, "and you're always welcome on our territory if you get tired of the desert heat." He kissed her, Amanda did too, then they left. Renee kept looking at the photo, seeing people she knew or had met, and reading the notes left for her. Truly, the gift of mates was the greatest gift they had been given. She only had a few days with Gary, but a second chance mate was a true blessing. She could feed the bond forming and strengthening with Robert, and suddenly knew what she needed to do. "Robert?" He pulled her close and kissed her neck as she leaned back against him. "Do you love me?" "I've loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you. I love you desperately; I never dreamed I could love anyone again and yet here you are." He slowly kissed along her neck, his hands intertwined with hers on her belly. "Do you want me as your mate?" She felt his head lift off her neck. "Of course, love, I just am patient enough for you to be ready. It's been a rough week and you have a lot to recover from. When you are ready, I would be honored to take you as my mate and Alpha Female." He could feel her tension. "What are you worried about?" "Nothing. Everything. My Pack. Is it too soon after losing my mate? What about my babies? Where do we live? What do I do?" He squeezed her gently. "Do you love me?" She sighed and closed her eyes. "Yes. Since the first time I saw you." "Do you want me as your mate?" "Since the first time I saw you, I was just afraid I would hurt you if I let you too close." He chuckled. "You could never hurt me, just as I could never hurt you. The only thing I fear in life is living it without you." He could feel the bond deepening. "It's not too soon, it's Luna's will that we meet and have this chance. Would Gary want you to pine away for him? From what I've learned of him, I know he wanted you to be happy, I know he wants his children to be happy too. I know I can give that to you." "But they aren't your children, and you're an Alpha. Why would you raise children that aren't your heirs?" "Because they are yours, because you fought for them, lived for them and love them. So will I. If you are willing, I will formally adopt them and they will be as my own." Renee was silent for a few minutes. "What about my Pack?" "Well, you know you aren't numerous, you have no territory, no home, and few warriors. We both know that doing nothing is not an option. On the other hand, you have me, your Pack members are already settling in, and we already have one mating between our Packs. I want them all to join us, to absorb them into the Gila pack, to stay with both of us." "I owe them the choice. At first I was hoping I could just find another Pack for them and I could go back to being just a normal pregnant woman. I guess I'm stuck with being an Alpha now." "You are ANYTHING but normal, my love. And I mean that in a good way." He started nuzzling her neck, softly nipping at her ear. When he moaned into the side of her neck she started squirming. "Robert? I want you to mark me. Make me yours." He stiffened against her. "You aren't near recovered, we need to wait." "I've waited long enough. Besides, what's another wound? It's like another pound to an elephant." He laughed. "Lock the door, Robert, and strip. I need you to make love to me." He grinned as the door clicked. Slowly taking off his shirt, he watched as she pulled the thin hospital gown up over her torn body. She was covered in bruises, had several long lines of stitches holding closed deep cuts, and yet she was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. "Gently, though. You let me know if it hurts." He pushed off his pants and she licked her lips as she saw his erection bounce up in front of her. "Porcupine sex it is." "Porcupine?" "Yes, dear, slow and careful so no one gets hurt!" She held out her hand as he came up on the bed. He knelt at her feet, his strong hands slowly spreading her knees apart. He avoided the cuts and kept her right leg still, knowing her torn hamstring was still early in its recovery. He kissed his way up her thighs, following the strong scent that was uniquely her, the one that called to his very being. He gently spread her lips apart and kissed her swollen clit, before his tongue started laving at her. She was swollen and tender, he wanted to do so much more but he knew she couldn't handle it right now. "Are you sure you want me to continue?" She nodded as he lined up his cock with her. He kept his arms straight and his body off her as he slowly pushed forward. They both groaned in pleasure as she was filled. He paused and looked in her eyes for signs of pain when he was fully seated, but all he could see was love and lust. Her wolf was close. He started to move in and out, careful not to put any weight on her. She played with her breasts for a while, he eyes closing, before placing her hands behind his neck and pulling his head down to hers. "I'm not going to last long," he said. "Me either. Do it. Mate with me." He picked up the pace, still being careful not to move her around too much, and let his teeth shift. He watched her eyes, and when he felt her tense and her eyes go closed she exposed her neck to him. His wolf took over, surging forward and biting deeply into the junction between her neck and shoulder. She cried out as the pain mixed with the pleasure, her teeth also shifting. He started to come, huge spurts of pent up seed filling her up. She moved up and bit his right shoulder, her teeth drawing blood and shaking to ensure it would scar well. He was hers, and she was his. The bond between them exploded their emotions as it fully snapped in place. He could feel her pleasure, and her pain. He knew it was too early, he was hurting her. He carefully moved off of her and went to the bathroom to get some washcloths to clean the blood and come off them both. When he came back, he gently kissed her before cleaning her and covering her up. "I love you, Renee." "I love you too, Robert." She closed her eyes and was asleep immediately. Robert sat in the chair by her, holding her hand, his eyes focused on her breathing. He stayed with her until lunchtime when her Pack arrived. He hated leaving, but she still had her own Pack and they had a lot to talk about. He gently kissed her lips before leaving to have an extended lunch. As soon as her Pack started to enter the room, Wendy let out a scream. "YOU MATED!!!" The rest of the Pack piled into the room, each coming up to hug her and congratulate her. All matings were celebrated, but second mates were rare, mainly because so few survived the loss of their first mate. It took the floor nurse poking her head in and threatening to kick them all out if they didn't quiet down to end the celebration. Renee got right to the point. "Well, I've made my decision as you can see. I'm going to be the Alpha Female of the Gila pack. You each have the freedom to choose your future, I owe you no less. You can go to any pack you wish and your share of the pack assets will go with you. Or, you can stay with Robert and I as members of the Gila pack." "Will they accept us?" Kelly was nervous, she had been through so much and didn't want to leave Renee. "Robert wants you all to be with us, this was his idea. Keep it to yourselves for now, he will be informing his pack once he knows what you all have decided. I just need to know if you want to do that." "YES!" It was a chorus of joy as the tiny little pack accepted. No longer would they have to worry about territory or safety, they all liked the pack they had been staying with and that they would all stay together. "OK, I'll let him know." She used her mate bond to tell him. "We have to have a formal Pack vote with regional Council supervision to make it official, but we will start the process now. I need you guys to head back to New Mexico now. Robert and his Betas will work with you to discuss how we can expand the compound to include you all. The Doc says I'll be able to travel tomorrow, so I'll finish recovering back at home and I can see you there." Beyond the Were War Ch. 01 Home. What a great idea. The next day, a caravan of vehicles left Denver heading for the combined Pack home in New Mexico. Robert as always was by Renee's side, but this was now in the back of an ambulance rented for the trip. The Pack betas and support staff were in three other large SUV's surrounding it. Renee was sleeping, although Robert could see that the turns and bumps of the road would cause her pain. Their pack nurse Wendy was riding shotgun while Terry, their doctor, sat in back monitoring her condition. It wasn't the honeymoon Wendy and Terry expected, but it was the one they got. If Robert was paying attention he would have seen the blushes and smiles as they teased each other through their mate bond. By the time they entered New Mexico, Robert was nearly asleep himself. The cellphone ring jarred him upright. The caller ID said "DEA." "Hello?" What the hell would the Feds want with him? "Alpha Robert Hastings? This is Special Agent in Charge Miller with the Albuquerque office. We raided a house southeast of Santa Fe an hour ago, and we need your help." "If you already raided it, why would you need my help?" "We found someone. A female, injured badly. And she is in wolf form." "Well, tranquilize her. Use a lot." "We thought about that, but the doctor thinks using the tranquilizer gun will be too much for her. She's in rough shape, and none of my men can go down to the basement without her being handled." Robert leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. "OK, we're under an hour out of Santa Fe. I'm in a convoy of four vehicles, I'm in the ambulance with my fiance. Can your men meet us?" "Yes, we'll be on the 285 exit. I'll give you all an escort." "No, we'll just take one vehicle and a couple of my men. I want to get the rest of them home." He hung up and looked over to see Renee staring at him. "You heard?" "Yes. Take Doc with you, Wendy can stay back here with me. Use one of your Betas as a driver and take Caleb with you." "Caleb? Isn't he a little young?" "He's eighteen, and he's Beta material, he needs some time working with other Betas so he can see the job is more than what he saw in his old Pack. He'll do fine. It will help get his mind off his disappointment at not finding his mate there." That was one of the sad parts, the ones that found mates were so happy it was easy to miss the ache of those that still looked. Twenty minutes later, he kissed Renee goodbye and moved to the SUV, a DEA agent joining them in back, and from there a quick ride to the house. SAIC Miller met them in the kitchen. "From what we can tell, the house we hit was a headquarters of sorts. We haven't found drugs, but we have found cash, computers and records that we are going through now. It's the basement that is the problem. The wolf is down there outside the cages and is beyond pissed. No one has gone down there." "What can you tell us about the layout?" "Take a look." He led them to a cabinet where a surveillance system was monitoring the basement from several angles. He counted four dead guys and one she-wolf. He thought they were guys, anyway- you couldn't tell. The bodies had been mutilated, ripped apart, especially their faces and crotches. The wolf was sitting at the base of the stairs, panting heavily, blood dripping from the cuts on her body and pooling on the floor. "OK, here's the plan. Joe will follow me down the stairs. I'll use my Alpha influence to get the wolf to calm down and Joe can get her muzzled. Doc and Caleb then come down with the field stretcher and we restrain her and bring her out. Agent Miller, I want everyone out of the house who isn't needed here. Once we open that door, no one who isn't already Were goes down there until I say so. Agreed?" The DEA agents quickly agreed, frankly this situation scared the shit out of them and they were happy to hand it over. Robert stripped and shifted into wolf form, while Joe stayed human. He would stay at the top of the stairs while his Alpha went down. Robert opened the door and recoiled at the smell- blood, urine, sex and death. The stench was overwhelming to his sensitive nose. The tan wolf with black patches started to growl as soon as the door opened, but when a large male wolf appeared she stopped and tilted her head. Robert carefully avoided the mess of a body near the top of the stairs and confidently walked down, letting his Alpha influence loose on the frightened young wolf. She whined once, then laid down and showed her belly. Robert came over to her and took her neck in his mouth gently then let go. He could see the relief in her eyes as she relaxed, knowing no Were had been part of her captivity. When her adrenaline from her fight finally wore off, she had been exhausted and now that she was safe she passed out. He gently licked at her wounds for a minute to make sure she wasn't waking up, then called his men down. Robert shifted and caught the clothes tossed to him by Caleb. Doc frowned as he examined her. "She's lost a lot of blood, she has numerous deep cuts but none appear to be fatal. I need to do some stitching, but I'd like to do it in a cleaner area than this. Let's get her out of here." Caleb walked forward and set the stretcher on the ground. As the four of them got set to lift her, they froze on a single word he said. "MATE!" Robert stared at Caleb for a moment. "Congratulations. Now let's get your mate out of here." They carefully strapped her down and Caleb took the front end, leading the taller Robert up the stairs as they tried to keep the stretcher level. Joe had run ahead and had cleared the kitchen table and turned on all the lights and they set her down. "Agent Miller, the basement is yours. Caleb, stay by her head, your scent will help her remain calm if she wakes up." He stayed at that end, gently speaking in her ear as he wiped the blood from her face and neck using a washcloth Joe handed him. Doc got an IV started, then began cleaning the wounds on her left side and stitching up the more serious ones. They had been working for twenty minutes when SAIC Miller poked his head in the room. "Alpha Hastings, can I have a word with you?" Robert told them to continue and went to wash up at the sink. Agent Miller took him into the living room. "I need to know what we should do with her. We found her records, she has been a prisoner down there for almost two years. She has been drugged, raped and abused repeatedly. I spoke to the local hospital and they aren't prepared to take a woman who is as unstable as this." "My pack will take her home. We have medical staff, a clinic, and more importantly we have her mate. She will be given the time and help to recover. My doctor will want any records pertaining to her health or care though." "I can get you copies by tonight. I'm glad you can help her, she's been through hell. I need you to see something, though." "What is it?" "It's for your eyes only, I don't need anyone else, especially an overprotective mate, seeing it. You need to see it so you know what you have on your hands. We found video of what happened in that basement." "Bad?" "Worse. I wish we could resurrect those bastards downstairs and kill them all again." Fifteen minutes later, Robert was forcing his wolf back, his stomach revolting as he threw up into the wastebasket. He didn't know her name, but in his mind she was Pack, and the rest of those bastards were going to pay for what they did to her. Beyond the Were War Ch. 02 "The lunatic is in my head. The lunatic is in my head You raise the blade, you make the change You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane. You lock the door And throw away the key There's someone in my head but it's not me. And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear You shout and no one seems to hear. And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes I'll see you on the dark side of the moon." -Pink Floyd, "Brain Damage" Cartel Safe House, North of Los Cruces, NM No one would look him in the eye as he made his way out of his vehicle and down to the basement of the house. It was the first time Juan Hernandez had been to this location, which was only used in emergencies. He had dozens of such safe houses across West Texas and New Mexico, chosen so he was never more than an hour away from one. The houses were normally filled with families, relatives of those he employed, as cover. They got to live in the house under the condition they vacate immediately if they got a phone call with a code word, and they never attempt to enter the basement room with the code key on it. Only Ramon and the two bodyguards knew where the houses were. Ramon Guzman, Juan's security chief, led the way downstairs and left the two bodyguards to watch the front and back of the house. If Juan was pissed at what happened, Ramon was already plotting revenge. He opened up the door to the medium sized room then stepped aside to let Juan past. Inside was a room about 12x12 feet with a desk, cabinets and some cots. Ramon immediately opened one cabinet, lowering the shelf which turned into a desk and then opened the upper cabinets which exposed the satellite phone system and routers. The room wasn't much, but from here Ramon could contact his intelligence and security forces and Juan could direct operations of his drug empire. They could stay here for months if needed, long enough to outlast any police manhunt or cartel war. Juan sat down heavily in a recliner on the far side of the room. They had been only ten minutes from the safe house that the DEA had raided, a house that was not supposed to be a target for anything. They had carefully kept the house separate from the drugs, the human trafficking, and the other cartel businesses. Only a few select people knew about its location, and the guests he invited out for the sex parties were brought out in paneled vans so they could not know where it was. It was his haven, his place to relax and indulge in his sadistic tastes. He felt violated. They had taken away his prize possession from him, the only woman he found who could take everything he could dish out and come back for more. "I'm bringing comms back up now. The codes have all been changed, so even if they crack the security on the gear at the house, they won't be able to track it. Give me ten minutes and I'll have everything back up and running. Why don't you pull up the news and see if they are talking about the raid." Juan grunted, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. They had "gone black" on communications as soon as the alarm on the safe house was triggered in the raid. All cellphones, radios and other devices were destroyed as part of the emergency procedures they implemented. They didn't even use burner cellphones; there were too many ways for them to be intercepted or traced. The government may be incompetent, and its officials corrupt, but the computers collected everything. He was glad that they combined the old fashioned use of couriers, safe houses and limited access over those who trusted the technology. The house should have been so far off the grid that it wouldn't be noticed. When he found the person who screwed up or betrayed him, they would pay dearly. He turned on the news; it was the lead story, but only mentioned the four dead people inside. "There's no mention of Maria. Their standing orders were to execute all prisoners if the house was breached. I need to know if she's dead, and if not where they are hiding her. Lean on our contacts in the DEA, FBI and local police. I also want to verify those four are really dead. It wouldn't be surprising if one of the deaths is being faked, and that's our guy." "I'm on it. While we are at it, we will monitor their families and I'll turn our investigators loose on their activities and histories. If one of them so much as finds a $20 bill in a parking lot, we'll figure it out." "Get one of our people to the morgue, too. I want fingerprints from the corpses to confirm they are our men." "Boss, how far do you want to go on this?" "I want anyone involved dead. I want Maria back. I don't care what it takes, just get it done." Gila Pack Infirmary, New Mexico The light worked its way through Maria's eyelids, disturbing her long rest. She was sore and tired, but also warm. Warm... why is the basement warm... wait a minute, sunlight? She opened her eyes slowly, it took a while to focus. It wasn't the basement. She was in a bed, in a room with tiled walls and a window which let the bright morning sun in. She looked down at her hands, her right hand had a needle and tube in the back and there was a plastic clip on her left index finger. It lead to a machine by the bed that was making a soft beeping sound. Maria had learned to hide the signs of waking up during her imprisonment, not allowing her movement or breath to tip her captors off that she was coming to. It was a habit that was hard to break, so she did her morning inventory. This was another habit she had started to go through her body and see what was hurt and what was not. She focused on her head, then face, down to the neck and shoulders. She could feel bruising on her left cheek and her neck had a sharp pain, she could feel a bandage over it. That was different, normally they wouldn't use those supplies, they would just stick the skin together with super glue. It wasn't like they cared about the scars they would leave behind. Her arms and hands were in bad shape. Lots of cuts she could feel. She slowly tensed and released her muscles, noting the aches and the sharp pains without changing expression. Moving down, her chest was similar, she could feel the tightness of the wrap and the sharp pain when breathing of multiple broken ribs. It was when she concentrated on her torso that she felt the warmth and weight of something across her belly. A trick she had learned was to moan and move a limb, feigning tossing and turning while still asleep. Using that, she rolled a little onto her right side as her arm moved down to her waist. The weight stayed in place as she rolled, and when her hand got close it was grabbed. Opening her eyes, she was looking into the eyes of a young man, naked and by the feel against her hip fully engorged. She screamed and scooted back, in the process losing her balance and falling painfully to the floor on her back. The man reached for her, missed, then jumped off the bed to kneel next to her. NEVER AGAIN, she thought! Letting out a growl, she drew her legs up against her chest and kicked as hard as she could at the body leaning over her. It hurt like hell, but he went flying across the room. It sounded like a watermelon on concrete when his head smacked hard against the wall. He slumped to the ground and didn't move. She tore the IV out of her hand and looked around. It looked like a hospital room, but it wasn't a real one. It was more like a room that was used for it from time to time. She opened up the small closet, there were some clothes- a T-shirt, sweatpants, sweatshirt and socks. All seemed to be about her size so she put them on. There weren't any shoes but she found the creepy naked guy's shoes next to a chair. They were big, but she could tie them tight and they were better than nothing. Making her way to the window, she looked out. It was just after sunrise, and no one was in sight. She could see mountains and scrub in the distance, and in the valley below there were some trees. She opened the window and climbed out, thankful she was on the bottom floor. Whatever this place was, she was getting away from it. Looking back, she saw the man from her bed still unconscious and bleeding a little from the back of his head. She felt guilt for some reason, and almost went back to help him, but the need to get away was stronger. As quickly as she could, she made her way across the yard and into the cover of the trees. Her body ached and she was weak, she needed to put some distance behind her before they found out she was gone or she was a dead woman. What the Cartel did to those who crossed them didn't have to be explained to her. She had seen too many people suffer horribly in that basement before their pleas for death were answered. No, she would kill herself before they could get her again. Setting a path to the north, she pushed herself forward and ignored the pain. Gila Pack House Doc and Wendy knocked anxiously at the Alpha's office door. They weren't looking forward to this visit. Ever since Maria had been rescued, there was an anger in him that was barely repressed. With his new mate still recovering, it was a volatile situation to be bringing him more bad news. "Enter." They opened the large mesquite paneled doorway into his spacious office, stopping before his large wooden desk with their heads bowed respectfully. Alpha Robert Hastings was catching up on paperwork, there were several piles of folders on his desk. When he saw who it was, he opened up his mind link with Renee who was resting in their room; he needed her as the Pack's Alpha Bitch to know about the needs of the women of the pack. "Alpha, I've had a chance to review the files the DEA sent us on Maria's medical history. It... it's not good. They had her for two years, and the files detail the repeated physical and sexual abuse she endured that whole time." Doc's eyes were focused on his Alpha's chest, he could see the anger starting to come forward, his respiration had increased, his grip on the chair rails was enough to turn his knuckles white, and claws were starting to form and dig into the wood. "They knew she had a wolf inside her, and they used chronic low doses of Wolfsbane to suppress it by putting it in her food." "How suppressed?" "Enough that she never shifted. The first entries state that her father is human, her mother was Were, but like many hybrids she didn't shift at an early age. They were careful not to overdose her on it, they didn't want to kill the wolf inside her." "Why not?" Robert sat back, knowing the answer and hating what it meant. "They wanted her to heal like a wolf, right?" Wendy spoke up. "Yes, they kept meticulous records on the injuries she suffered and how long it took her to recover. They got it to the point they could beat her half to death on a Sunday and she would be recovered to do it again the next weekend. They were actually proud of the adjustments they made, the faster she recovered the more they got paid. They developed a regimen of drugs, feeding schedules, and medical treatment for this." "How much damage are we talking?" "It was pretty consistent week to week," Doc said. "She would be brutalized sexually, there was vaginal and anal tearing most weeks. Most of it was plain beatings, though. Broken ribs, other bones from being kicked or dropped. Her jaw was broken half a dozen times, about the same for skull fractures. They didn't even document how many deep cuts or whip lacerations, they just took pictures every day to watch them heal up." Robert's head ached with the news, and he knew there was more to come. "Permanent damage?" "We don't know yet. There are cases out there I've heard of in other Packs where werewolves used wolfsbane doses to temporarily prevent shifting, even high doses to kill the wolves inside for those who couldn't handle our dual personality. It isn't recommended, the side effects varied widely. In any case, it was nothing of this level of detail and duration. Then there is the fact that she hadn't shifted yet, so I think we're in uncharted territory. Honestly, after two years of this I have no idea how her wolf was able to break loose." "And we don't know when she will shift back," Wendy said. "Usually the Alpha influence will cause the shift to occur, but she wasn't raised Pack and might have been too weak to do it. The wolfsbane in her system could also be causing problems. We just don't know." "So what is her prognosis?" "We don't know. She could make a full recovery, she also might never wake up. I'm contacting Pack doctors around the country to see if any can help. We're way outside my experience. I also have concerns about the sex cocktail they were giving her." "What the hell is a sex cocktail?" "As best as I can tell, it's a combination of Rohypnol, the date rape drug, mixed with high doses of progesterone and several other chemicals we use to assist older wolves who want to go into heat. Based on what they describe in the notes, the injections cause her to go into a short but intense heat cycle within about four hours, and the other drugs break down any inhibitions she might have. Essentially, they turn her into a supercharged sex machine, one that will 'fuck anything that moves and a few that don't' as the notes say. They would give it to her before large parties where she was the entertainment, and it would last for more than twelve hours. Dozens of guys would use her in one night. They would do this every month or so." The chair chose that moment to experience complete failure as the arms shattered in Robert's hands. He threw the chair across the room where it broke into pieces against the stone fireplace. They all took a few minutes as Robert struggled to control his breathing and force his wolf back down. When his eyes returned to their normal color, he sat on the chair to the side of his desk. "Side effects?" "We don't know. We would never give a patient this high a dose, it's irresponsible and has probably caused permanent damage to her ovaries. I don't know if she'll ever be able to go into heat naturally or bear children. Of course, all this pales in comparison to the mental damage that has been done. We have no way of knowing how much this repeated abuse has affected her. I expect she will need a lot of therapy to return to anything resembling a normal life." Just then the door opened, Renee was pushed into the room in a wheelchair by her foster daughter Michelle. Her torn Achilles was still immobilized as it healed. "Thank you dear, can you go down to the kitchen and ask them to bring some snacks and tea up to the room? I need to speak to the adults for a while." "Sure Mom, can I go play then?" "Yes, but stay with the other children." She waited until Michelle hand closed the door before she spoke up. "She is to be the mate of a Pack member, that makes her my responsibility. I think we need to bring Caleb up to speed on this. As her mate, he will be the one best able to help her recover." Robert frowned. "He's going to have a hard time hearing it, but you're right, he needs to know the minefield he has to navigate. We're all going to have to be involved in this, the Pack needs to come together around her. Where is Caleb now?" "He's sleeping in her bed in wolf form," said Wendy. "She was having vivid nightmares and would jerk the IV lines out, it got worse if we restrained her, but she calms down with him by her side." She tried to mind link him, but got nothing. "I can't reach him, he must be asleep. I'll go down and get him and check on Maria while I'm down there." She quietly left the room, leaving a still nervous Doc with two pissed off Alphas. Not much was said in the next few minutes as they all struggled to keep their wolves at bay. The silence was broken by Wendy's mental shout: "Caleb is hurt and Maria went out the window!" Robert's command blasted through to all Pack members. "We have a she-wolf who has escaped from the Pack infirmary, all warriors to the borders, all trackers to the main house!" There was a flurry of activity, both mental and physical, as the Pack members rushed to meet the threat. Renee looked up. "Robert, she's scared to death. She isn't a threat to us, we are a threat to her. We need to be careful in how we handle this." He thought about it and nodded. Renee sent out her own mental communication to the combined Pack, since they had mated and her pack had agreed to combine with his, they had gained that ability with each other's members. "Maria is frightened of us, so she is not to be confronted. If you see her, report in and stay out of sight. She is not a threat to the Pack, so be ready to provide assistance if requested. Each patrol should have medical supplies, clothing and a blanket available." Robert got up and turned her wheelchair towards the door. "Let's go make sure Caleb is all right, then we need to have that talk with him." Renee looked up at him and beckoned him down for a kiss. "He needs to be, I don't know how we get her to return if it isn't for her mate." El Paso Information Center Ft. Bliss, Texas Enrique Mendez was on his second day waiting for activity to resume and he was getting restless. He knew the members of the Soccoro Cartel had 'gone dark' after the local DEA agents had raided a safe house, and from past events he knew that they would change everything dealing with communications when they did so. He was counting on it. Enrique had been assigned to the drug war since he graduated from MIT with a Master's degree in computer science. He joined the National Security Agency because he knew what it could do, and he was damn good at his job. The NSA gathered information for all areas involving national security, and that includes the drug trade. He worked harder than anyone, because it was personal. The Butcher had killed his parents while he was in high school. His father was a Major in the Mexican military, his mother an American he met during training with the DEA in Quantico. His Dad was good at his job, and one day he left his house, his wife at his side, and was cut down by Cartel assassins. Enrique wanted revenge, but he wasn't strong or brutal, he was smart. The computers were his weapon. He didn't want to just see Juan Hernandez caught, he wanted the whole organization destroyed, from the lowest level messenger to the very top. Enrique had recognized a few years into his intelligence career with the National Security Administration that it was foolish to try and tap the communications of those in the cartel at high levels. They had too much money, too much technology and too many people who they could put in the way. His strategy was slower but more effective. Instead of targeting from the center out, he worked from the outside in. They would identify the low level members, the retailers, the local distributors. Then he would work his magic with the metadata. Metadata is the voluminous amount of information available and collected by government, private companies and public sources. Pick any person in the country, and the right digital sleuth can put together an amazingly accurate profile of what that person is, what they do and who their friends and associates are. People don't realize what something like Facebook gives to people like him. Your friends, your likes and dislikes, location data, relatives, groups you belong to, games you play- it all can be used to build an accurate profile of you. Combine that with the associations you have, and their associations, and you have even more. People who can use sophisticated programs to sift through the reams of data to find out more about yourself than you realize. If Facebook had existed in the American Revolution, almost all the Colonists rebels would have been identified and tried for treason before the Boston Tea Party even occurred. Such is the power of the profile. Beyond the Were War Ch. 02 The effectiveness increases as the amount of data goes up, and the amount of data becomes unlimited when you work for the NSA. Why? Because the NSA collects EVERYTHING. Every email. Every phone call. Every transaction. So much data they needed to build a huge data center to hold it all near Salt Lake City. All there for him to mine, and mine he did. The data showed him not just the organization, but their habits and tendencies. He used these tendencies to build a spiderweb of connections that spanned the whole Cartel, a web that trapped those at the middle of the web. They may use burner phones, sophisticated scramblers and hidden data, but the NSA supercomputers could still find them. He had phone numbers on alert and sophisticated voice recognition algorithms in place for key lieutenants and lower level members, and by noon he had started to get hits. Enrique's excitement built as the information started to come out. The Cartel was out for revenge, and was putting together a tactical team to retrieve a woman who had escaped from them. He didn't get why, just that Juan demanded she be returned to him and it didn't matter what the cost would be. It was bound to be a lot, because the series of phone calls intercepted showed them getting a big team together. Over forty mercenaries, multiple armored vehicles, heavy weapons and armor plus a helicopter. All for one woman. It didn't make sense until the Cartel mole in the Albuquerque DEA office was intercepted describing where the target was. It was a werewolf pack, the Gila pack to be specific, and that made it a very difficult raid indeed. You had to be stupid or bold to take on a Pack, and Juan wasn't stupid. The strike was going to be in two days. Enrique left work late in the evening, the knowledge of what was going down spinning in his head. He finally had enough information to pass to the DEA about the Cartel mole, but he didn't want to. Cutting out one person who was selling out his country wasn't enough. No, he wanted a more permanent solution to his problem. He wanted revenge, and revenge is a dish best served cold. He headed to the airport and caught a plane to New Mexico. When he got to the rental car lot, he used a burner phone to dial a number he had stored before he left. It took a few rings, but she answered. "Hello, this is Linda Remington." Gila Pack Infirmary New Mexico Robert didn't like using his Alpha power to hold a wolf back, but he was forced to. Caleb had awoken when Wendy found him, and after his scalp was stitched up he was ready to go after her, but then his Alphas arrived and had a long talk. Caleb had passed through shock, horror and blind rage long ago as the story of what had happened to his lovely young mate was told to him. What they had done to her- he would not rest until he had torn each of their throats out and watched their life bleed into the sand. His wolf was in full agreement, that was why only an Alpha command was keeping him from shifting. Renee had seen enough and was sick of his growling. She rolled forward in her wheelchair and without changing expression slapped him so hard he almost fell off the chair. "ENOUGH!" she roared. "There is a time for revenge, but that time is not now. Your mate, the one who completes you, is OUT THERE right now. She's alone, she's frightened, she has no idea where she is and she trusts no one. While you sit here thinking about what YOU would like to do to them, she's in pain." Caleb sat back up, the anger in his eyes replaced by pain. He and his wolf knew she was right. His first responsibility would always be to keep his mate safe. "Where did she go?" "She ran north, but she is still on Pack lands. She is injured but resting right now. We have a patrol nearby that is keeping an eye on her." Renee put her hand over his, helping him to calm himself. "She needs to come back, but I doubt if she will do so willingly and we don't want to push her. You are her mate, you need to go to her and convince her she is safe with you, and safe returning to us. Once she is here, we can help her." "But how? She doesn't know me." "You are her mate, her wolf will be on your side. Your scent will call to her, even if you are just nearby. You have to be patient. This won't be like those other matings you've seen, she is going to be a challenge for you." Caleb sat back, looking far older than his age as the enormity of it all hit him. "Will she ever be back to normal?" Robert put his hand on his shoulder. "Not without you. You need to be there for her, without her mate I'm worried about her." Caleb ran his hand through his hair and started to get up. "Alpha, Madam Alpha, may I be excused? My mate needs me." Renee smiled. "Of course. We have a medic and a jeep outside, they will get you close to her and they have clothes and blankets, plus some food. Take all the time you need, but bring her back here with you." Robert sat by her side, hugging her around the shoulders as they watched him leave. "It's a lot to ask of him, isn't it?" "Yes, but he will do his best with her. Now, what do you say I carry you upstairs and show you how much I'm willing to do for my mate?" She laughed, and he was just about to scoop her up in his arms when Doc and Wendy came in. "Ah, Madam Alpha, since you're here I'd like to check the progress on your leg." Most of the other damage had already healed, but the leg injury was bad and he wanted it immobilized long enough to heal fully. Robert moved to sit behind Renee as she sat at the edge of the hospital bed; even though they were fully mated, and Doc and Wendy were mated, he was still apprehensive of another male coming near his woman. He felt like tearing the arm off any male who would dare to touch her, specially when Doc was going to be touching her thigh. Doc looked at him for permission and he nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist while he watched. The immobilizer was removed and he checked her range of motion and soreness. "It looks good, you can resume walking and low impact activities, but no running or shifting for another two days." "Other activities?" said Robert. Doc laughed. "That's right, new mates. Don't bend her into a pretzel and if she feels pain, stop." Robert grinned and swept her up in his arms, carrying her quickly through the pack house and kicking open the door to his room. "Do you feel up to this, love?" "I feel kind of grungy. You know what I'd like? A hot shower and a long soak in the tub." Robert made a left into the large bathroom, setting her gently on the vanity as he started to fill the jacuzzi tub. Renee started to get up, but one look from Robert stopped her. It was a look of both dominance and lust. "No, love, it's time for me to spoil you." Stepping between her parted legs, he teased her lips and neck as his fingers made quick work of her shirt and bra. Moving his hands down, he let his fingertips graze down her sides, the tingles of the mate bond setting her on fire. She tried to press into him, but he removed her hands from his shoulders and set them on the counter. "It's my turn, you just relax and enjoy." His fingers moved around to her back, his nails lightly scratching as they traveled back up. She arched her back, her firm breasts seeking the hard chest he kept just outside her reach. She whimpered in frustration, wanting his hands on her breasts, on her everywhere, but one look from him was enough to still her. He was looking at her like a starving man at a buffet, he was practically salivating at all that was before him. Robert dropped his hands down to her waist, she was wearing loose cotton pajama bottoms and bikini panties. He leaned forward to possess her mouth as his hands moved inside the waistbands, then they shifted around and down until he was lifting her butt off the counter. He pushed her back slightly, allowing the clothes to shift down before he carefully divested her of her remaining clothing. She shivered at the cold stone on her bare skin, so he lifted her up. Her hands wrapped behind his neck as her legs linked behind his back. He moaned into her mouth as her wet sex ground against the obvious erection in his pants. "You're wearing too much," she said as she slid down his body to the floor. Turning her back on him, she walked into the large limestone shower, making sure her hips swayed in an exaggerated fashion. She turned on the shower and stepped in, but left the glass door open. Reaching for a washcloth, she let out an "oops" as the bar of soap fell to the shower floor. Her muscled backside still facing him, she slowly bent forward, exposing her swollen pussy to him. She looked back between her legs to verify she had his complete attention, then gave her butt a little wiggle as she 'struggled' to pick up the soap. "Robert, can you give me a little help here?" Robert let out a howl as he tore the clothes from his body, his control being tempted far beyond what he was capable of. His erection led the way to the shower as he jumped in and closed the door behind him. He pounced on her, his strong arms lifting her back up as he pressed forward. Renee caught the wall of the shower with her hands, a smile on her face as she felt his need through the bond. He pushed between her legs, bending his knees until his large erection was positioned at her entrance before surging forward. "YES!! Fuck me!" Renee screamed his name as he filled her completely. She felt him reach around to flick her protruding clit as he took her hard and fast. Gentle sex was fun, but she wanted to be dominated today, not coddled. She was an Alpha and she wanted to be taken like one, by one stronger than herself. He pounded up into her, his thrusts hard enough that her feet lifted off the ground as his groin slapped into her ass. She came hard, losing her strength in her arms as her face and breasts flattened against the wall. Robert didn't let up, he was panting with the effort as he fucked her into her second orgasm. His knot started to form, and he pushed it home as she screamed again. The added sensation on her vaginal walls and G-spot spiraled her into yet another round of screaming orgasm. Robert felt the need, but he also wanted to make sure his mate was well and completely loved before he allowed himself his release. Just before it started to get painful, she heard his growl begin. He lifted her clear of the ground, holding her thighs apart as her feet wrapped around the backs of his legs. She was pinned to the tile as his hot come poured into her. He bit down onto her shoulder and that pushed her to the peak, immediately she was screaming out her fourth orgasm. Her body turned to jelly in his arms, and his legs were shaking from holding her up. "Fuck that was hot." Robert was breathing hard as he licked the blood off her shoulder. He pulled her upright and held her back tight to his chest. His knot was still engaged, so he held her in one arm as he turned off the shower and walked over to the jacuzzi. Stepping down into the sunken tub, he started the jets before sitting on the bench, letting her relax against him. Renee enjoyed the feeling of closeness she had in his arms. They didn't say anything for twenty minutes, Robert was idly caressing her as she came down from the high. The emotions and sensations they felt were shared through the bond so no words were necessary. Of course, when Renee tried to spin around on his dick so she could face him, that set off all kinds of delicious feelings inside her. She grinned and started to ride him slowly as his hands reached up to caress her hanging breasts. She had her man, she was going to take advantage of him. Leaning down to kiss him deeply, she moaned as his knot multiplied her pleasure. Robert was caressing her breasts, his thumbs flicking her erect nipples, as he reveled in the feel of his mate. A mate he never expected he would find, but she was HIS now and he would never let her go. Gila Pack Territory Near the northern border Caleb exited the jeep carrying the bag of food, clothes and first aid gear. Using the Pack bond, he got an update from the border sentries who were keeping an eye on Maria from a distance. She was sleeping near the edge of the mesa; she had stopped running when she came to the cliff face and was too tired to find her way around. He asked everyone else to stay out of sight while he tried to get her to trust him. He worked his way over the small hill and saw her sleeping form ahead. He didn't want to scare her, so he stopped a good distance away and sat down on a rock so he would seem less threatening. "Maria." She stirred but didn't wake up, so her tried again. "MARIA! It's Caleb. I'm here to help." Maria's head popped up and she looked at him, shocked that the man who was in her bed earlier had found her. "No... it can't be..." "Maria, I don't want to hurt you, I just" "NO! I can't go back. I'll die before I let him take me back!" She scrambled to her feet. "Maria, please" Maria turned her back on him and ran straight for the edge of the mesa. It was at least a hundred feet down to the rocks below, it would be enough. Caleb was shocked into action when he realized what was going on. He sprung forward, shifting into his wolf form for the speed. Fear filled his mind as he realized he wasn't going to have enough time to catch her. He could see her just a few yards yards from the edge, she was gathering herself to jump. At the last moment her wolf pushed forward and she shifted. Her wolf tried to stop, her claws scratching at the sand and rock below her, but she had too much momentum. Caleb lunged for her as she went over the edge in slow motion. If she died, he was going to die with her. Beyond the Were War Ch. 03 "Where were you when I was burned and broken While the days slipped by from my window watching And where were you when I was hurt and I was helpless 'Cause the things you say and the things you do surround me While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words Dying to believe in what you heard I was staring straight into the shining sun." -Pink Floyd, "Coming Back to Life" KALB Studios Albequerque, NM Linda Remington was walking to her car after a long day of editing footage for an upcoming special when her phone rang. It was an unlisted number, something she normally ignored, but for some reason she took the call. "Hello, this is Linda Remington." The voice on the other side was young, male and had a Spanish accent. "Hello Linda, I have information that I need to present to your Alpha about an upcoming situation. I was hoping you could help put me in touch." Pack business? Huh. "Well, before I do that I need to know who I am talking to and what this is about." She really had better things to do, Andy had been out of town on Pack business after Wolfstock and as new mates they took advantage of all the time they had together. He was insatiable, she merely wanted the sex to continue forever. "I'd rather not talk about it over the phone. I assure you, I am very serious about this and I will not place you in danger. I can meet you in a public place of your choosing and if you don't believe me I'll leave." Linda hesitated, as a somewhat famous person she had to be careful of stalkers and whackos, but something about his tone told her he was sincere in wanting to help. Mind linking Andy, she found out he was at the library finishing up some research on local land ownership. "Fine, but you will have to follow my instructions exactly and an associate of mine will approach you first. Go to the Ernie Pyle Public Library on Girard Boulevard. Request a study room, they will be along the back wall. Along the way, go to the copy machine and make a photocopy of your drivers license. Drop that in the recycle bin next to the machine and don't look back. If everything checks out, a man will knock on the door and come in." The man repeated the instructions and said, "I can do that. It will take me 30 minutes to get there." Linda hung up and picked up the link with Andy again. "Honey, can you check him out and let me know what you think? It may be important or he could be a crackpot." "Of course, dear. If I sense any evasion or danger, I won't let you come in." Sliding into her white Acura, Linda turned the keys and headed towards her mate. Gila Pack Territory Near the northern border Caleb panted as he lay at the edge of the cliff. His body protested any movement and the pain of the many cuts and scrapes from the rocks sent little shocks through his system. Maria was also breathing hard, her blood matting the fur on her neck where Caleb had caught her with his teeth as she madly tried to keep from falling to the valley floor below. She thought she would be dead, but this man- this wolf- had saved her. His jaws had latched onto her and kept her from falling backwards while her back legs found purchase on the sheer rock. She had grabbed onto his neck as well, just above the chest, and that anchor had been enough to get her feet under her until he could pull her back up. Her wolf had betrayed her. She should be dead. She reached into her mind, looking for the place she would be able to talk to her wolf as an equal. "Why?" Her wolf simply replied, "MATE." Puzzled, she looked over at the large gray and white wolf by her. "Because you are mine and I am yours. I have loved you since the first time I saw you and I will be with you for all my days." Maria looked around in a panic. Someone was in her head, something was wrong, yet her wolf was excited and... horny. She was spinning in circles before laying down and exposing her belly to him in her mind. "It's the mate bond, love. It wasn't my intention to claim you until we had time to meet properly, but I can't and won't take it back. I bit your neck, you bit mine, Luna made us mates, we are now bound together. We can communicate like this in wolf form or human. My name is Caleb Forrester, and I love you Maria Gomez." She looked away. "You can't. I'm not worthy of love." "Yet I love you, enough to risk my life, even to die for you. I've loved you since I first saw you in that basement, beat up and covered in blood. Nothing you say or do will ever change my love for you." He leaned over and started to lick the blood from her neck. His tongue felt good, and her body tingled where they touched. She couldn't help but relax as she felt the love pushing through the bond at her. "Caleb... where am I?" "You are on Gila pack lands, and under the protection of our Alphas. The Feds raided that house you were held in shortly after you turned on your captors. You were badly injured, so we brought you back here to heal." "I don't know if I will every heal." "I can't change anything that happened to you, it makes me furious to know but I can only change your future. I want you to be happy, to be loved, to have family and Pack and a life together." Maria closed her eyes. "I used to dream of that, but that was before they changed me. Now I'm a monster. My wolf has only come forward twice, and she scares the hell out of me. I should have died today. You should have let me end this." "Why? How could you see yourself as a monster when I can feel your pain and loss?" Maria sat up on her haunches, her eyes closing with the slight pain. "You saw the basement. You saw what I did to those people. My wolf is a monster, she can't be trusted around people." Caleb rolled onto his stomach then shifted, his excitement hidden from her as he gained his human form. She blushed and looked away from him. She had seen plenty of naked men, but never had she wanted to SEE a man naked until now. Her wolf was urging her to go to him, to make love to him, to make pups with him. "I did see the room. I also heard about what happened in that room. There were monsters in the basement, but you were not one of them." "Didn't you see them? I didn't just kill them. I shredded them. I couldn't stop my wolf, she kept tearing into them even after they were dead. Monstrous. Evil. My wolf is dangerous." Her wolf growled in her mind, she was strong and had struck back, she didn't appreciate her human's attitude. "Because it is primal? Violent when threatened? Prone to rage? So is mine. Our wolves have those parts of our makeup that make our human side uncomfortable at times. Yet, they also have the instinct to sense danger, to protect, to procreate, even to raise our young. Your wolf is no different from mine, or any other. It watched, it plotted, and it reacted with sudden violence when it saw the chance to break free. I love your wolf. She is strong, patient, intelligent and decisive. She kept you alive, didn't she?" Maria laid down and set her head on her paws. "She did. Even with the drugs holding her back, I could feel her inside me. I finally figured out they were putting the wolfsbane in my water each morning, so the last month I was there I poured it into the drain. She got stronger, and told me we would get out. I told her I didn't know how to fight, I wasn't strong, and she told me not to worry, that when the time came she would take care of me. I'd never shifted before, I didn't know what was going on." Caleb pulled her into his lap as he gently stroked her side. "How old are you, Maria?" "I had just turned 18 when they took me. I was a high school student, I had college plans, I was saving myself for the man I would marry. That was two years ago. Now I have nothing." "Do you have any family we can contact?" "Not any more. My father was killed by the Cartel, my mother died when I was sixteen. I have no one. I'm a worthless used up whore that no one wants." "No, you have me. You saved yourself, you stayed alive long enough for me to find you. You are noo whore, you are a victim. You never gave your body, they always took it. Giving is a choice no one can take from you. When you are ready, I will still be your first, the one you have given yourself to." He continued to stroke her side as she fell asleep. "I love you, Maria." Ernie Pyle Library Albuquerque, NM Andy kept a low profile as he read the newspaper, discreetly keeping an eye on the entrance as he waited for the man to arrive. Linda was waiting in her car a block away, just to be safe. He mind linked his lovely new mate as he sat. "Love, how did work go today?" "It was interesting. The station is working on a new story; apparently, there are predators out there who are raping women after pretending they are werewolves who have just found their mates." "That works?" "It can. They prey on single women, especially ones who look lonely. I told you before Wolfstock, you wouldn't believe how many ladies would give anything to give up the dating scene and just find their mate like we do. When the man gets them to believe they are his, they go with him and by the time they figure out they aren't Were it is too late, they are already tied up and helpless." "That sucks. Any ideas?" "Well, we just need to reinforce the difference between real and fake." "I can help you, we're kind of famous that way." He could feel over the bond she was blushing...and getting horny as she recalled their day together in the woods. "Real mates, he will put her feelings and safety first, never hurting her or making her uncomfortable. It would be like hurting himself." "I was thinking something simpler, like the eye color changing as the wolf comes forward. I need a catch phrase though." "Get Wolfy or Get Lost?" He smiled as he felt her crack up laughing. "I think we should take a long run tonight, I feel like some wolf loving myself." "I could go for that. Can you teach me to hunt?" "I'd love to... wait.. I think this may be the guy." A man in his mid-twenties was fishing in his wallet as he stood at the copy machine. He didn't look like much; Hispanic, about five foot seven, thin and pale. He was wearing a Star Wars shirt and jeans. "He looks like a computer geek, not a fighter. He's wearing more electronics on his belt than I own." The man dumped the paper in the recycle and walked to the back of the library. Waiting a few minutes, Andy retrieved the document and sat at his laptop. "Enrique Manuel Mendez, age 25, Texas drivers license... let me see what I can find." Linda also had her laptop out, and soon they had the basics. Linda found the key information first. "Andy, his parents were killed by the cartel. If he has information, it will be against them." Andy agreed. "I found some stuff on him at MIT, but he goes dark after that. Either he's paranoid or part of government, maybe both. I'm going to talk to him." He walked to the back study room, knocked and entered. Enrique stood and extended his hand as the stranger came in. "Enrique Mendez, pleased to meet you." "Andy Miller. I'm a Beta in the Gila pack and Linda's mate." He mind linked Linda to come in, he sensed no danger from this human, just a need for revenge. "Linda is on her way, you can start talking now, she can listen in through me." "I assume you have checked out my background before coming in?" Andy nodded. "Then you know my hatred for the drug cartels, and Juan Hernandez in particular. I've come across information about his cartel concerning your pack." "How did you get this information?" "I work for the National Security Administration. I'm a liason with the Drug Enforcement Agency at their office in Fort Bliss. Just so you know, even admitting to my employment could get me fired, and what I will reveal to you could put me in prison, so I appreciate your discretion when it comes to the source of this information." "As long as you are honest and forthcoming, we will protect your secrets. I don't need to know everything, just enough to satisfy myself that you should meet our Alpha pair. What kind of information are we talking about?" "You have something that Juan wants bad. A female he considers his, and he is willing to attack your Pack to retrieve her." He set a voice recorder on the table and played a conversation he had recorded at work, the tactical team leader discussing the target with one of his squad leaders. Andy found himself squeezing the arm of the chair, fighting the need to change forms as his anger grew. New mates were insanely protective and this danger had him shaking. Linda came in the room and put her hands on his shoulders, he relaxed and his eyes changed back to normal as she drew the fear out of him. "I'm Linda. Can you come with us? This is something our Alphas need to hear about immediately." "Of course. Can we grab something to eat on the way out of town, though? I'm starving." Linda laughed. "Of course, I'm still getting used to my new metabolism and my mate here goes nuts if my stomach growls. Let's go." They climbed into Linda's SUV and drove off. They were too far away to link with the Alphas, but they made a phone call and verified they could meet in their office as soon as they arrived. Robert would arrange for the Betas to be there too. Johnson Pack Camp Montana Derek walked hand in hand with Amanda to the hill overlooking the construction of the new Pack House. As soon as the war ended, he had set people to get plans and construction started; his Pack was still in Army tents, some here and some around their own caves until something permanent was ready. The site was located across the valley from the bombed-out remains of the previous lodge. They had hired every construction company in the area, it seemed. The foundation for the huge home had been poured, the first floor framed, and the lodgepole pines that would form the first two stories had been cut, numbered and stacked. He pointed out the entrance to the Safe Room to his mate, the heavy steel door leading to a sub-basement. "It's made with reinforced concrete walls three feet thick, and self contained ventilation and plumbing. It will survive most anything." Renee hugged his waist, the loss of all those pack members still stung years later. Derek still felt responsible even though he wasn't Alpha when the Air Force had bombed the first lodge early in the Were War. "How long until we can move people in?" "We will have it weather tight in a week, it will take another month to be livable. We are focusing on getting one residence wing and the kitchens ready first. The rest we will finish over the winter, including the offices and quarters for the Pack leadership. I want to move everyone back here first, I've rented some trailers and we can use some tents in the meantime. The old caves will be completely searched soon." It had been a long and painful past few months, following the stress of the five previous years. It was only lately that the Pack had reason to celebrate. The loss of Renee as she took over the Santa Fe pack had been tough, she had been a tough fighter and true leader in the Pack. They all watched what happened with Alpha Diggs, and it was not easy to see her being torn apart like that. It wasn't until after that day things turned around. They had come back from Wolfstock down a few female members to mates in other Packs, but a dozen of their men had found mates. "Even with the new members, we still won't fill up a wing of this home. It will take generations to gain back what we lost." He squeezed her side to him as the memories of his childhood in the old Lodge hit him. "We have our Pack, the new mates, and we have a bunch of potential members on the way. It will fill up quicker than you think." There were a number of werewolves who had survived the war alone or in small groups, and a number of smaller packs decided to merge with others as they didn't have the size to defend a territory. Derek and Renee were good leaders and attracted people to them, and the TV coverage helped a lot. More were showing up every week as they recovered from the war. Wolves instinctively seek the shelter and companionship of a Pack, and never feel complete without one. Wolfstock and the contacts made there had brought a number of these people to their lands, hoping to join their Pack. They weren't rogues- wolves who had given into their primal side- they were just unaffiliated. The wolves were given a provisional status and allowed to stay through a probationary period before being considered for full membership. The new mates and relatives had a different path to membership. If you had a kin claim and agreed to submit yourself to the Alpha's leadership, you were immediately accepted. "It will be beautiful when it is done, and I can't wait to see it fill up. Derek, you've guided this Pack through a lot. You are a strong man, a strong Alpha and a strong mate. You have nothing to feel sorry about." Amanda moved around to hug him, her arms wrapping around his thick chest as she breathed in his scent. "What do you have in store for our quarters?" Derek moved her back to his side and started to walk down to the building site. "Let's get some safety gear on and take a walk. I'll get a copy of the plans and we can walk it down." Amanda took his hand and squeezed it. "I hope you have enough rooms for us. I can't wait to decorate the nursery." She left him behind, his mouth open as he stared at her retreating ass. She blocked his thoughts from her mind to keep him off balance. "Does this mean..." He shook his head, his mouth open as her words bounced around his head. His wolf was forward in his mind as he ran up to her and picked her up bridal style. "Are you..." "Can't you smell them?" She hid her smile as she nipped at his shoulder. She let out a squeal as he dropped her shoulders, his arms locking around her thighs as he lifted her upside down until his nose was buried between her legs. He took a deep breath, then another, his hands shaking as he squeezed her tight. "HEY! Put me down... Daddy." Gila Pack House Administrative Wing Andy led his mate and Enrique through the double doors that led to the conference room. He expected Enrique to be a little intimidated by the number and size of the Were that were waiting for him, but the little man was confident and unafraid. They made their way to the head of the table where he introduced him to his Alpha pair. Robert stood to his full height and shook his hand, his left hand staying with Renee as she remained seated. "Welcome to the Gila Pack, I am Robert Hastings and this is my mate Renee." Renee shook his hand. "I'm sorry I'm not getting up, I'm still healing and somebody insists I sit and rest." Her eyes flicked up to her mate, the playful challenge in them. "I understand, I thank you for all you have done in the name of peace and I am honored to meet you." Robert then had everyone introduce themselves as Linda and Andy took their places at the table. "Before I begin, I need to give you some background so you can understand what I am giving you and why." He gave a quick synopsis of his life, the loss of his parents, his schooling, and his recognition that the path to justice for him lay at the keyboard and not behind a gun. "So, I am currently an NSA employee working with the DEA. I have at my disposal the entire electronic surveillance capability of the US government, and years of experience in monitoring the activities of the drug cartels. I would ask that my involvement remain secret; if word of what I am telling you gets out, the best case for me is life in prison." Robert pondered this for a minute, his Betas silent as they were not to speak in meetings unless asked. Pack bonds were used to keep Pack business private. "So why would you bring this to us? Why not just tell the DEA what is going on and let them handle it?" Beyond the Were War Ch. 03 "Because I want my justice. I want these bastards dead." Renee shook her head. "We have treaties, we have to remain within the law. We can't just go out there and kill for you. Why would we involve ourselves in a drug war?" "You are already involved but don't know it. The drug war is coming for you. Juan is desperate to retrieve a 'Maria.' She is very important to him, I don't know why, but he's willing to spend millions to get her back. You have her." "Yes, we have her. She was tortured and raped by him and others for two years before she was rescued and brought here to recover. She found her mate among us, she is now part of our Pack." Robert looked around the room. "NO ONE harms one of our Pack. He won't get near her." The Betas nodded their heads silently, each knowing that they would die for their own mates and to protect their Pack. "So again, why not just tell the DEA?" "The DEA is corrupt, the cartels have bought them off. They give up some small time guys, the occasional big bust to show how the 'drug war' is working, but it's a drop in the bucket. It's just a business expense to them, we catch a wheelbarrow while the semi truck rolls past. The cartels have money, technology, manpower- they hire highly skilled people with military and intelligence backgrounds to do their work. What they can't control directly they buy. The DEA deputy agent in command in Albuquerque is controlled by the cartels, as are a number of public officials. If I turn the information over, they will hear about it and avoid capture." "Aren't there people you can trust?" "Not enough. They own law enforcement, the courts, the border. Even the CIA is in bed with them. Langley is propping up the Soccora cartel. They are giving them guns, money and intelligence in the hope of damaging the more dangerous Gulf and Cali cartels. Juan is a ruthless druglord, but he's THEIR druglord so he can't be touched. In short, they won't find justice in our system. That's why I have to go outside of government to seek my justice. I need your help to hurt them badly." Renee looked at him, staring into his eyes and finding him to be truthful. "So then, what is this information you need us to see?" Enrique asked for a flash drive to be plugged into the computer and projector in the room soon filled the screen with the presentation he had worked on during the drive down. He showed them the structure of the cartel, with photos of the major players and background. "I'll leave you this data so you can get any info you need, this is just the highlights. I really want to focus on these files." With that, he replayed the phone calls he recently intercepted. "As you can see, you can expect a large, highly trained paramilitary force to attack your Pack in the next 48 hours with the intent of retrieving Maria. They will be heavily armed and their weapons will be tailored to werewolves- silver bullets with Wolfsbane cores. They won't care how many they kill to achieve this, they are being well paid for this." Enrique had to stop talking, the room was alive with low growls, the wolves were straining to hold back the shift at the threat to their pack. Finally, Robert stood up and glared at them, his Alpha influence enough to shove their wolves back. He looked over at Renee. "I believe that under the law, Pack lands are governed by Pack law in the event of an attack, right?" Renee shook her head. "Yes, if it was off our land we would be under Federal or State jurisdiction, but we have been granted autonomy if they knowingly trespass." "Good. Under Pack law, if they attack their lives are forfeit. None are to be left alive. We will make them vanish as if they never existed." Enrique smiled. "I believe we understand each other perfectly. If you will excuse me, I need to get back to Texas and resume my duties before anyone notices my absence. It has been an honor meeting you." Robert and Renee shook his hand, and Robert handed him a card with direct contact numbers. "The first number is my private cell, the second and the email is our security post. It is manned 24/7." "Thank you. I will speak in code, your Aunt Mable is the raiding party. If I get additional details about when she is arriving or her travel path, I'll let you know so you can welcome her when she arrives." "Thank you again. You are a friend to the Gila Pack, let us know if you need anything." With that, Andy and Linda escorted him out the door and back to their vehicle. They would drive him back to the library to pick up his car. Once he was gone, the meeting took a somber change. "OK, we know who and about when. I need defensive plans readied NOW." He looked at Jose, his third in command. "I'm putting you in charge of those not fighting. I want the women and children in the caves, guarded by a third of our warriors. Let those know who have relatives in nearby packs that this would be a good time to visit, they just have to keep it low key. We don't want to advertise something is wrong." His eyes then dropped down to Renee's. "Love, I want you to go visit your brother. I don't want you anywhere near this when it goes down." Renee bristled. "I'm the Alpha Bitch of this Pack, I'm meant to be here, not hidden away." "I know you are, but you are also recovering from serious wounds and pregnant with twins. I won't be able to focus on the threat knowing you are in danger, and I know you too well to think you will stay in the caves and not fight. You are strong, but I am not when it comes to the thought of losing you. Please, go see them. Take Michelle and a few others, you can charter a plane and be there in the morning." Renee sighed, defeated. "Thank you." Everyone stood as Robert held out his hand for Renee. "We meet here in two hours. Meet with your groups and be ready to update me on your plans." They stayed standing still until their Alphas had left the room, then the meeting quickly broke up. As they were leaving, Anna entered the room to clean up the refreshments and drinks that had been provided for the meeting. She made it a step into the room before freezing, her eyes starting to glow as her wolf pushed forward. "MATE!" She had her nose up, sniffing, frantically looking for the source of that smell that made her insides squishy and called to her very nature. The Betas stood to the side, waiting for her to clear each of them, since she was one of the new members that had joined from the Santa Fe pack with Renee. She followed the scent out of the room and the building, making it outside just in time to see the vehicle leaving. Shifting into her small brown and tan wolf, she took off after it, giving up the chase only when she reached the limits of the Pack lands. She howled her loss before turning back. She would find out who was in that car, mark him and never let him go. Johnson Pack Tents Montana Derek angrily paced outside the tent as he spoke on the satellite phone, his anger washing off him in waves. Robert wouldn't send his mate away without there being danger, but he was carefully talking around it as if nothing was going on. "Of course, Robert, we'd love to have her visit. Amanda misses her and she is always welcome here. We will keep her and any others you send safe and entertained." "I appreciate that, Derek. We don't have much time, I need her to travel in the morning." "No problem, we've got a plane on standby and can be at the airport by eight AM. Say, as long as we're sending a plane, I've got a few unattached males who have requested to visit other packs. They'd like to do some hunting as well, some of them are great shots and would love to do some long-range hunting on varmint down in the desert. Do you think they could come?" "Yes, we'd love to show them around. We've got a big event coming up tomorrow, tell them to bring lots of ammo. They were talking smack with my guys. Talk is cheap,they better be able to back it up out there." "Sounds great, I'll put a dozen or so on the jet and you can send it back with Renee and her friends. I'm sure she misses the cool mountain air by now." "Thanks Derek. Are you going to tell Amanda she is coming or keep it a surprise?" "Robert, I think this week is going to be full of surprises. They can stay as long as they want, just let me know and I'll jet them back to you. Thanks for the call." Derek turned off the phone and walked around, he didn't want to upset Amanda quite yet. His protective streak had gone off the charts since she said she was pregnant. They hadn't told the pack yet, he thought it would be fun to wait until Renee was here to share the news. He mind linked his Betas and the warriors he had in mind and told them to meet him at the ruins of the lodge in five minutes. Stripping and shifting to his wolf form, he took off, hoping to burn some of his frustration out before they got there. Two hours later, a dozen of his toughest warriors were wheels up with their gear. They had two sniper teams of two each, each outfitted with Barrett .50 caliber rifles ideal for long range shots, and plenty of ammo including armor piercing. Robert was a good man and now his kin with Renee's mating, and they took care of their own. Beyond the Were War Ch. 04 "The dogs of war don't negotiate The dogs of war won't capitulate They will take and you will give And you must die so that they may live " -Pink Floyd, "The Dogs of War" Gila Pack Territory Near the northern border Maria woke up quickly from her sleep, her muzzle rising from where it had been resting on Caleb's lap. Her ears were up, and she was searching about. The movement woke Caleb up and he shifted into wolf form, her alarm through the bond had been enough to wake his protective instinct. "What is it?" Caleb was also searching but heard nothing. "Small engine, too small to be a car, probably all terrain vehicles. Coming our way fast." Maria's eyes were focused to the south, but Caleb didn't hear anything. "Come on, let's get away from the cliff and get a better look." They both moved off silently to the southwest, heading for a rocky crag with plenty of places to hide. They shifted to human form when they reached his backpack and changed into clothes; Caleb turned away from her, knowing she would be self conscious over her body and its scars. When they had shorts and T-shirts on, he grabbed the pack and they walked up until they found a good spot to sit and wait. Caleb mind linked with the Pack members that were stationed around them, but no one knew anything or heard anything. It took ten minutes for an ATV to appear in the distance, with two riders. Caleb glanced at his mate. "How the heck did you hear them that far away?" "I spent two years in a basement with occasional light and nothing to do. My only defense was my hearing. My wolf couldn't develop other things but our hearing is outstanding. I could hear everything that happened in that house." "Didn't they know you were listening?" "I never let on I heard anything. Most of the times, I would lie there and not move, because moving meant I was healing and healing meant I could be used again. Focusing on what they were saying became my way to keep from going nuts. I would hear, catalog and remember everything. I knew if I ever got out I needed to be able to bear witness to what these guys did. Along the way I learned their deepest secrets." "I just can't believe they would be so unconcerned with you." "Well, they really didn't understand just how much I heard because they couldn't hear it. The house was a safe house and party house for upper level Cartel members. They said a lot of things they shouldn't. I don't think they thought I would ever leave there alive so they didn't guard themselves or what went on there." "So what did you learn?" "Everything. Names of members and their duties. Phone numbers. Addresses. Safe houses. Distribution centers. Smuggling routes and timing. I heard it all and I kept it up here." She tapped her head. "I know more about their operation than Juan does." Caleb recognized the ATV just as the scouts mind linked with the info. "Our Alphas are coming. Robert and Renee Hastings. They are good people, you are safe with them. Robert was the wolf who came down the stairs to get you out of that place. Come on, I'll introduce you." Robert had just stopped as they made it off the rocks. He got off and gently lifted Renee off and set her beside him. Caleb waited for them to brush the dust off before he approached, his hand gently urging his mate forward. "Alpha Robert, Alpha Renee, may I introduce my mate Maria." Maria stayed close by his side, nervously shifting from foot to foot as she felt the power of the Alphas before her. She didn't look up, her mother once told her that looking senior wolves in the eyes was a challenge and she didn't want to get in trouble. "Thank you for bringing me to your Pack." When nothing was said, she looked up nervously. "I'm sorry, I didn't grow up in a Pack, I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Renee walked up to her, slightly limping still, and put her hands on her shoulders. "Welcome Maria to the Gila Pack." She gave her a hug, leaning in to get a good sniff of her neck. "Since your mate is Pack, you are too. I'm so happy you are healing up and for Caleb, I just didn't expect you would have claimed each other so quickly!" Maria's face turned deep red as she pulled the T-shirt over the mark that was at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Caleb spoke up first. "Yeah, Alpha, I didn't mean to do it so soon either but it happened and I couldn't be happier to have my mate at my side." Robert stayed back, he could smell how nervous she was and with everything she went through he didn't want to stress her more. He'd let her come to him. "Congratulations you two. I'm happy to see you up and about, you gave us quite a scare." "Thank you Alpha. I don't remember much of you, but I remember how my wolf settled down and felt safe when you got to me. I hadn't felt that since my father was alive." Robert smiled at her, sending warmth over the pack bond that was now formed since she had mated Caleb. "Well, I meant to get you back home, and Renee can't run yet so if you can go with her, I need to speak to Caleb for a bit while we run home." Caleb went to say something but stilled at a look from his Alpha- there was something else going on. Turning to his mate, Caleb smiled and said, "That's a good idea, Maria. You can get to know Renee on the way back and see the pack doctor to make sure everything is OK. I will be an hour or so behind you." Maria thought about it, she WAS hungry and Renee made her feel safe too. The run out here had been painful, riding back sounded better. She needed some time to think about this whole mate thing too. "OK, I like the idea of being back before sunset. Will you come see me when you get back?" "Of course, I will be there before you get to bed. I love you Maria." Maria blushed, and turned to Renee who took her to the ATV and started it up. A minute later, they were on their way back. "I'm sorry about this, Caleb, but I have to get her back to the Pack lodge and I needed time to speak to you without her around. She's been targeted by the Cartel, and they know she is here. Juan wants her back." Caleb let out a strangled growl before shifting into his wolf form and taking off after his mate. Robert expected this, so he shifted as well and chased after him. He let him exhaust himself in a sprint, then pulled alongside when his pace dropped to something more sustainable. "We got information that the Cartel is planning to attack our Pack in the next 48 hours to get her back. They won't succeed. She is Pack and we protect our own." Caleb growled. "Why would they care about her?" "We don't know, but he's spending a lot of money and hiring a lot of mercenaries to get her. It's a kidnapping plan, not an execution. He wants her alive." "He will never get her. She will kill herself first." "Why do you say that?" "When she saw me this afternoon, she thought I was one of them at first. She turned around and tried to jump off the cliff." It was silent for a while. "So how did you stop her?" "I didn't. Her wolf took over because she knew I was her mate. I grabbed her neck just before she fell. I came so close to losing her, I'm still shaking when I think about it." "Hell of a way to stake your claim on her." "Yeah, she's scared and thinks she doesn't deserve love, that she has done terrible things. I'm making progress, but it will be a long time before we fully mate. I think she will freak if I go to my human form in bed with her again. She doesn't mind my wolf form, though." "Keep using that then. Trust takes time to build, her wolf is on your side so that should help." They loped along in silence for a while, eating up the miles back to the house. "Alpha, there's something else you should be aware of. She heard a lot when she was held in that basement, far more than they would know or suspect. If they knew she had that kind of information, they would kill her on sight." They could see the lights of the pack house in the distance. "Where am I moving her to until this blows over?" "You aren't. She will stay at the pack house, and when the attack comes she can go to the safe room." "Why wouldn't we hide her somewhere?" "Well, we can't protect her anywhere else with the numbers we can here. And the second thing is we WANT them to attack us, at a time and place we know, rather than when we don't. We know who the mercenaries are, what they are bringing and when it will be. We're taking those fuckers on, and they are dead men as soon as they cross into our territory." "What about the leadership?" "Let's get past this attack first. I promise you though, if we capture anyone who was in on the abuse of your mate you two will get first crack at justice." Gila Pack House New Mexico Renee helped Maria off the ATV and walked up from the driveway to the house. "This is the main Pack House, it contains quarters for the Alphas, Betas and other senior leadership in the east wing. The west wing is administrative offices, meeting rooms and the like. The north wing contains bachelor quarters for the unmated wolves, guest rooms, and recreational facilities. The center portion has a dining hall and kitchen, along with the Pack meeting room. Since your mate is a Beta, you will have rooms here." "This place is HUGE! How did you hide it during the war?" "In plain sight. It was a private timeshare resort according to all the paperwork and tax records. They just didn't know that all the timeshare owners were wolves. The Pack stayed out of the war as much as they could, and we are remote enough that we escaped notice." Renee wished their pack had been able to do that, but there were too many ties to the community back then and they were found out. She gave her a quick tour, ended up in the gardens behind the house. "This is my favorite place to relax." Renee walked around the cactus garden that bordered a large pond hidden under a Japanese pagoda structure. Maria caught movement in the pond, moving to the edge she saw dozens of brightly colored large fish swimming about in the shaded waters. "They are so beautiful!" She watched as different ones swam by, some red and white, others red white and black, yellow, silver, black and white... no two were alike. The smallest were the size of her hand, while the largest were as long as her arm. "They are koi, Japanese carp. Bred for their patterns, but I find them to be very relaxing to sit and watch. Here, take a handful of food and toss it in." Maria took the pellets and tossed them in the water in front of her. Immediately every fish in the pond made a beeline for her, fighting with each other in their haste to get the evening treat. Some almost came out of the water as they tried to climb over each other to get at them. "Take a few pellets and hold them in the palm of your hand right at the water level." She did, and a huge yellow koi swam over and started to eat out of her hand, his mouth almost big enough to suck her hand into it. "That's Sunny, she's my favorite. She'll give you a kiss if you lean over." "I'm not going to get mated and then kiss a fish!" She pulled her empty hand back out and took the disinfectant wipe Renee handed her. "They are so beautiful." "Come on up here, we can keep an eye on them while we eat dinner." She led her to a platform in the back which had a half dozen round tables, one of them was set with two dinners. "I figured you would be hungry so I had dinner brought up here. We can sit and I can answer any questions you have." Maria was so hungry, she didn't speak for the first five minutes as she devoured the Tex-Mex spread before her. When she looked up at the amused face of her Alpha Bitch, she realized that she had been stuffing her face and ignoring her hostess. Her face turned red. "I'm sorry, I was just so hungry..." "It's all right. I imagine this is quite a change for you." Maria looked scared for a moment. "You don't have to go through what happened, the DEA sent over files and we have a good idea already. I just wanted you to know that our Pack is here to help you through this any way we can. If you feel like talking, come to me or any of the friends you will make. I know some things will be difficult to talk to your mate about, talking to another woman may help." Maria sat there thinking for a moment. "My mother died before we could talk about what it meant to be a wolf. As a half-breed, a null, my Dad says she didn't know if I would ever shift. We stayed isolated during the war, and you are the first werewolves I've met outside of my Mom. So now.. I don't know anything. I don't know enough right now to ask questions." "You will have them, though. Your mate is a good man, he will help you through the changes." "I don't even know what it means to have a mate. This," she said touching the scar on her neck, "happened when he grabbed me. I thought they had caught me again, that he was one of them, and I was going to kill myself. My wolf took over right before I could jump. She didn't want to die, she grabbed on to him and he saved her." "Of course he did. Your wolf is also you, but your wolf sees things a little different. She recognizes her mate by his scent, and her instinct is to claim him and to be with him. Your human part was being self destructive so she took over to save you." "So now he owns me or something?" "Well, he will be very possessive and protective of you, but it isn't ownership. He and his wolf love you and want to make you happy. He would cut his heart out before he would hurt you. And do you know what? You are starting to feel the same way about him." "I am not!" Renee laughed. "I suppose that's why you only settled down in the clinic when he was with you. Your nightmares were so strong while you were out he had to climb up on the bed with you and hold you to stop them. Your wolf recognizes him, and is comfortable with him because she knows he is her other half. It's why you didn't freak out when he pulled you up, and why you were calm enough to fall asleep in his lap today. Search your feelings, you know it is true. Deep down, you trust him and you want him. That is the nature of the mate bond you have formed." Maria sat back and closed her eyes for a moment. "He makes me feel warm inside, and safe. Other men make me nervous and afraid, but he doesn't." Renee just smiled. "And... he's hot. I couldn't help peeking when he changed." She giggled and her face blushed as she thought about how her eyes had been so close to his privates when she was had her wolf head on his lap. He smelled so good, and it was all she could do not to stare. Or lick it to see what it tasted like. "So how does mating work?" "Well, for two werewolves it is pretty simple. You recognize each other by smell, then mark each other by placing a bite on each others neck. That allows you to communicate by mental bond. The final step is to bite each other during sex. That opens up the full bond, you will be able to sense each other's thoughts, emotions and feelings. You will in effect merge minds with him, and for the rest of your lives you will be together." "I don't know if I can love someone... you know, physically... after all I've been through. Every time I think about it, my mind is overwhelmed with memories, with pain, with humiliation. They've ruined me." She looked down at her half-eaten food, the tears coming to her face. "It won't be easy, but you will never heal without the bond being complete. Your wolf will help you, she knows what you need. Your mate is patient, he will wait for you." "I don't deserve him. He deserves something more than... this." She looked down at the scars that covered her body. Renee reached over and held her hand. "Luna does not make mistakes. She gives you not just the mate you deserve, but the mate you need." Reaching up to wipe a tear away, she continued. "The last two years for you has been horrible, but you have your whole life ahead of you. You can't let your past ruin your future. And he," she said while looking out to where the two wolves were making a rapid approach, "is your future." Maria felt her insides warm as she watched the pair of wolves running towards them. The larger wolf shifted into human form at the edge of the garden and rushed in to pick his mate up bridal style. "I have something to give you before you leave in the morning," Robert said with a grin. He said, "Excuse me Maria," then turned for the doors. Renee reached a hand down just enough to cup his balls. "I don't think my gift is ready yet." Robert didn't even slow down as he captured her lips with a short kiss. "I'm pretty sure it will be ready by the time I get my gift unwrapped." Maria giggled at the Alpha pair as he carried her inside. They were clearly in love with each other and it made her long for someone like that. Her stare was interrupted when a cold nose pressed against her neck. "Aiiee! Caleb! That's cold!" Caleb tilted his wolf head to the right, his tongue lolling out as he panted from the exertion of the long run home. "Marie, I'm going to go inside and get something to eat, maybe some dessert for us both. Will you wait for me here?" "Yes... can you bring out a juice for me? I just want to sit and watch the fish for a few minutes." Caleb trotted up to the house, changing into human form at the doors. She checked out his firm backside as he reached into a box containing clothing to get himself a T-shirt and shorts. Yes, she had a fine man right there. "You know I can hear your thoughts now," he said with a grin. Marie blushed and turned away, walking to the side of the pond and finding the container of food. Maybe the fish could distract her from the feelings she was getting, feelings she wasn't comfortable in acting upon yet. He returned five minutes later with a huge sandwich, two pieces of cherry cheesecake and two large glasses of orange juice. "Will you join me, love?" Maria got up but couldn't bring herself to get closer than across the table from him. She set herself down in the chair, sitting so far back she had to lean forward to get the juice. "I'm sorry... I just..." "It's OK. I'm just happy to be with you. Would it be easier if I changed back to wolf form?" "Yes, but not yet. I'm doing all right, I'm just skittish. Men around me haven't been good for me lately." She drained her juice and then picked up the cheesecake. "Oh, man... this stuff is good!" "Julie has been on a baking kick lately. She ran the kitchens in our old Pack, and has gone a little nuts since she got to the pack house. She can't get over the size of the kitchen!" "What was your old pack like?" "It was... brutal. The old alpha ruled by intimidation and did what he wanted. I was so glad when Renee killed him." Maria looked shocked. "Renee? Alpha Bitch Renee who I just ate dinner with?" "Yes, she's quite the fighter and a great leader. We were all so happy for her to find Robert. She got a second chance mate, something few wolves ever see. Her first mate was killed just a few days after they mated, leaving her pregnant with twins. Robert lost his mate a long time ago. They make a good couple, don't they?" "Yes... I didn't know that she had been through so much." "That's not the all of it, but she's happy now. A strong Pack starts with a good Alpha pair, that sets the tone for the entire group." He looked down to see that all the food was gone and caught a yawn when she wasn't looking. "I think it is time we get you to bed. I'd like to have you stay with me in my room, but if that makes you uncomfortable I can sleep outside the door." "I can't be that close to you, but you can sleep in the room in wolf form. I think I can handle that. Just don't scare me by waking me up with you naked next to me." Caleb laughed. "Yeah, that didn't work so well. I still have the bruise from where you kicked me." Maria put a shocked look on. "That was my fault, I curled up by you in wolf form and shifted during the night. I'm actually impressed that you were able to take me out so quickly even while hurt. You're stronger than you think, Maria." He stood up and collected the dishes to take back in, then they walked to the house. Beyond the Were War Ch. 04 They stopped at the kitchen, then went to the wing where Caleb's room was. Maria became more and more nervous as they went, and Caleb could pick up on it. "What is it, love?" "It's too much. Too many people, the walls are too close, the rooms feel like they are collapsing on us." Caleb turned around and led her back outside. "I should have thought about that. After two years locked in a basement, you probably want to see the stars at night. I have the perfect place for you." He led her to the corner of the garden to a pergola, below it four cables suspended a queen size bed covered with pillows, gently rocking in the breeze. "People sometimes use this to nap, but it will be perfect for you. There is an outdoor shower and bathroom right back there, if you start I'll find you some clothes and change the sheets for you." Maria smiled, this was PERFECT. She entered the bathhouse, taking a hot shower for the first time in years. As she washed the grime off her skin, uncovering the scars and bruises below, she thought back to what Renee had told her. It was time for her to live. Maybe even love. She felt clean and safe again. She dressed in the pajamas that had been left on the table just inside the door and slid on the flip flops with them. By the time she got back out, the bed was ready and she climbed in. It was kind of like a hammock, but she could see the garden and the stars starting to come out in the twilight. Caleb disappeared into the bathhouse and she listened to the sound of his shower. In the distance, a wolf let out a howl, then another answered it. She snuggled down into the covers as her wolf trotted out and laid down under the bed. She tried to sleep, but her wolf wasn't letting her. Her wolf wanted her mate. "Caleb?" He looked up at her. "Can... can you come up here with me?" She thought he grinned before he jumped up on the bed, starting it to rock. She opened the covers so he could lay down in front of her. Pulling them back up, she hugged his chest and buried her face in the fur on his neck. She quickly fell into a deep sleep. Cartel Operations Center New Mexico "Juan, the preparations have been made. The team will be ready to assault the pack house at noon tomorrow, as scheduled." Ramon was nervous, Juan had been paranoid about a potential traitor in the ranks since their safe house had been raided. He looked like he hadn't slept much. "Good. I want you to send an emissary to meet with their Alpha at 11 am tomorrow. Give them one chance to hand her over, and if they don't we attack as scheduled. Make sure it is someone we can afford to lose." Gila Pack House New Mexico Anna stood nervously before the door. After failing to catch the car speeding off with her mate, she had returned to the main house and started looking for answers. She asked every Beta she could find for his name, but the answer was the same- it was not their place to tell her. She was not going to let her mate slip through her fingers, though. That was why she was standing here, waiting for the sounds of lovemaking behind the door to end so she could interrupt. She could hear the moans, the screams of ecstasy, the slap of flesh against flesh, and it made her jealous. This was what she had always wanted for herself, someone who would love her like that, who would be made just for her. She waited silently for half an hour before she heard someone get off the bed and go into the bathroom. Now or never, she thought. She knocked on the door. "Alphas? It's Anna. May I have a quick word with you please?" She waited patiently, and soon there was a click of the door and Renee stood there in a robe. She smelled of sex and sweat and happiness. "Come on in, Anna. What can we do for you?" Robert walked out of the bathroom, silk boxers on, his strong build making for a dominant display. "Alphas, I found my mate, but he left before I could see him." Robert walked over and cupped her face, smiling warmly. "So that was why you were pestering my Betas all night." Anna lowered her head, embarrassed. "I couldn't give you his name for a few reasons. First off, he is involved with us in some very important business and I can't have him distracted or interrupted. Second, he is human." "You should know that this complicates mating quite a bit. It is very difficult for the wolf to hold back, but we have laws about this," said Renee. "The last human we brought into the Pack was Linda Remington. Andy is a strong wolf, a Beta, yet he still defied Alpha command and mated without permission. He was kicked out of his old Pack for that. I'm sorry, we can't just turn you loose on him." Anna sighed; everyone knew about Andy and Linda, heck, it was on live TV. Her wolf was impatient, though. "You won't keep him away from me, will you?" Renee gave her a hug. "Of course not, we just have to take things a lot slower and in a different manner than if he was a wolf. You can't just jump him and take him where he falls, as much as your wolf wants to. You have to get to know him as a person, get him to love you enough to agree to the mating, and the change if he wants that too. It could take months before you are fully mated." Anna started to shake, her wolf did not like the idea of her mate being out there, unmarked and unclaimed, and out of her arms. "We will introduce you the next time he visits. His name is Enrique and he lives near El Paso. You will be allowed to date him if he wishes to do so, but those dates will be supervised discreetly. If you both come to us and ask for permission, we will give it to you, but he also needs to get permission from a human judge. To do so otherwise could expose you to charges of unlawful turning, and that could be a death sentence." Robert brought them both into his strong arms. "We want this to happen for you, Anna. I command you not to bite or attempt to turn your mate until you have our permission to do so. Do you understand?" "Yes, Alphas, I understand I cannot bite or attempt to turn my mate without your permission." She hugged them back, her wolf basking in their attention. "When can I meet him?" Robert stepped back. "We have to get past some things in the next few days before it will be safe to bring him here. If that doesn't work, we will get you to him. We won't stand in the way of you getting to know your mate. He is a good man and a friend to the pack, I would be honored to have him become your mate." Renee turned and walked her to the door. "Enrique was born in Mexico and emigrated here as a child. His parents are dead, he lives alone in an apartment and works for the Government as a computer expert. He is single and there were no signs he is dating. He's not a fighter in the conventional sense, but in a more modern way he is a strong warrior. Go back to your room and dream about your mate, and figure out how you will handle the whole dating thing." "Thank you Alpha Renee. Travel safely, and have a good visit with your old Pack." Renee closed the door and leaned back against it. "They're dropping like flies, aren't they?" Robert laughed. "Yes, I think we need to get started on a Pack nursery soon. Our twins are just the start of a baby boom." He shucked his boxers and walked to the bathroom. "I need a shower, why don't you join me and I'll get you cleaned up for bed?" "Why not?" She tossed her robe onto the chair and walked into the shower behind him. He moved back out of the warm spray, allowing her to rinse off. Grabbing a washcloth, he put some of her soap on it- scent free, of course, since Werewolves hated strong smells- and began to wash her back. She quickly relaxed under his caresses as he finished her shoulders and arms and moved down to her legs. She leaned forward, her arms against the front wall, as the cloth worked its way back up to the junction of her legs. She expected him to linger there, but he cleaned it and kept going up. He moved it up her sides to her shoulders again, then back down. When he got to her tender breasts she thought he would linger there, like always, but he moved further down. He let the washcloth drop when her stomach was cleaned, his fingers splayed over the baby bump that was becoming more prominent now. He gently turned her around and sank down to kiss her belly. "I can't believe how my life has changed, love. I have a mate again, I have babies on the way, my Pack is strong and getting stronger every day. Luna has truly blessed us as second mates." He pressed his cheek against her stomach, his hands wrapping around her waist as he began to cry. Renee hugged him to her. "Yes, she has. There is a part of me that will forever be empty where he was, but there is another part I didn't know about that is now full with you. My babies gave me a reason not to kill myself, but you have given me a reason to live. I love you, Robert." She returned the favor, washing him gently, before they returned to the bed. They fell asleep entwined in each other. El Paso, Texas Enrique's apartment The alarm woke him at six. Enrique yawned, his flight had gotten in late last night and by the time he caught up on emails he only had a few hours to sleep. He dressed quickly, work would be veryi important today. Grabbing some chocolate donuts and an energy drink, he heading out to his car and drove to the base. He played with his badge as he walked into the non-descript building that housed the El Paso Information Center. It was a nervous habit, and he was right to be nervous. If anyone figured out what he was doing, he would be interred at a CIA black site before he could blink. He had too much access to too much information to even go to trial, they'd probably just make him disappear. It didn't matter, though- he was close to getting his revenge, and his new allies were strong enough to take Juan down. As he sat at his console, he went through the motions of his normal job, occasionally putting in the codes for the searches involving the attack on the Gila pack. He didn't get anything until after nine, but what he got was exactly what he was looking for. He didn't try to sneak anything out, he had a photographic memory and it wasn't like they needed proof. It was better just to move on to other searches for a few minutes before stepping out. "Geoff, I'm going on a caffeine and sugar run. You need anything?" Geoff looked up from his console next to him. "Yeah, get me a cherry Slurpee and a king size Milky Way." Enrique walked out to his car and drove to the 7-11 on base. In the parking lot, he pulled out a burner phone and texted a single message: "Aunt Mabel is stuck on Highway 60, she will be there about noon." A minute later came the reply. "Thanks, we'll go pick her up." He hoped they were ready for what was coming. Gila Pack House New Mexico Robert led the men into the house, their gear in cases and bags with them. The leader of them, a Beta named Will, broke off to go with Robert as the rest were led to their rooms. Renee, Michelle and a dozen other pregnant or unmated women were on their way to Montana. She had gotten a text they were taking off as they returned from the private airport, he was anxious without her but was glad she was out of the danger zone. When Robert led Will into the conference room with all the Betas, the talking stopped and they all stood while he went to the head of the table. With a nod, they sat down. A map of the territory was spread out on the table. Robert looked each in the eye before speaking. "Are we ready?" "Yes, Alpha." His long time Beta, Daniel, was in charge of planning. "We identified five different ways that a column of vehicles could reach the house. I have a Beta in charge of each one, and we have been burying explosives and setting up fighting positions in each since last night." "Surveillance?" "Each approach has coverage by at least two Pack wolves with rifles, as well as our normal patrols. I have Omegas in surveillance positions providing 360 degree coverage of our territory. As soon as they make a move, we will know about it. I have a reserve force of 50 warriors here at the house ready to move out to meet them now that the Johnson Pack warriors are here. Another 30 are remaining to protect the safe room." Just then there was a beep from the cellphone in Robert's pocket. Aunt Mabel was coming. "They are coming via Highway 40. They should be here at noon. Load up, we'll figure out where to put everyone when we get to the ambush point." Robert was almost to the vehicles when he was mind-linked by a sentry at the northern entrance. "Alpha, there is a man here who insists he needs to see you. He said Juan Hernandez sent him with a message for you." Robert stopped and went back inside. "Fine. Search him for weapons then escort him to my office." He mind linked his personal guard and let them know what was happening. He had to listen to the messenger to avoid tipping them off. He ordered Caleb to move Maria to the ceremonial area out of view of the house, he didn't want them anywhere near when a Cartel guy was here. It took twenty minutes for the guy to arrive. He looked slick, confident and deadly. "Alpha Hastings, my name is Gabe. May we speak in private?" "Certainly, right this way." He left the link open to his guards and Betas. They sat in his office, and Robert offered him a whiskey. "What can I do for you?" "My boss needs your help. He lost something a few days ago and he has information showing you now have it, and he would appreciate getting it back." "What is it?" "A woman named Maria. She is very important to him." "That's not a problem. Come on, we'll go get her." Robert got up and led their way out of the house. He could smell the confusion and panic in Gabe, he really didn't think they would roll over and let him have another wolf. He followed Robert over a small hill, below them was a circle of stones about twenty yards in diameter with sand in the middle. He could see a man and a woman on the far side. As they entered the circle, he recognized Maria. "Maria, do you recognize this guy?" "Gabe Hernandez, deputy Operations director for the New Mexico sector. Married, two children, lives on Highland Drive in Albequerque. He is responsible for smuggling and distribution activities, but may lose his job soon because of the high capture rate of drugs. He also prefers anal sex, especially when he is choking the woman with a chain." Gabe paled as he looked around, the circle and the area behind him were now full of werewolves and the man next to Maria was boring a hole in his head with his eyes. "Gabe, Maria is all yours. All you have to do is take her away from her mate, Caleb." At that, Caleb and Maria shifted into their wolves. Gabe tried to turn and run, but Robert grabbed him and tossed him into the middle of the challenge circle. The two wolves circled him, both snarling at him with their hackles up. Caleb rushed him, jumping for his face, and Gabe raised his hands to protect himself. Caleb bit deeply into his left forearm, his momentum spinning him around as he shook until loud snaps indicated his arm was broken. Gabe let out a scream, but it was interrupted when he saw Maria coming at him. Maria lunged low, her teeth spread wide as she reached his groin. He let out an ungodly wail as her sharp teeth tore at his balls, ripping them from his body. He saw them fall to the sand as her teeth continued to tear at him. His screaming was ended only when Caleb ripped his throat out. Robert smiled. If they wanted war, he'd give them a WAR. Beyond the Were War Ch. 05 "Sweetheart sweetheart are you fast asleep? Good. 'Cause that's the only time that I can really speak to you. And there is something that I've locked away A memory that is too painful To withstand the light of day." Pink Floyd, "The Heroes Return" Gila Pack House New Mexico Alpha Robert Hastings walked back into his office flanked by his Betas, having left orders for the mess in the challenge circle. He had directed them to wrap Gabe's body in a tarp and place it by the driveway to the house for now. Maria and Caleb were on their way to the outdoor shower to clean off the blood from their brief but satisfying fight. He had just enough time to strip, leaving shorts and a shirt tied to his leg, before shifting and letting out a war howl. "Reserve group with me, home defense warriors to your posts, all non-combatants to the safe room." It was nearly time for the attack and the plans were in place. The safe room in the basement would contain all the children, pregnant women and elderly who were not fighting. The wolves left to guard them were on each side of the heavy steel door, their mates inside. They would die before anyone got past them. The reaction team warriors met their Alpha as he moved with speed and purpose towards the ambush site on the east side of the territory near the Highway 40 exit. Will, senior Beta of the group from the Johnson Pack, ran just behind him. His men and their gear were already in a truck on the way there. There was no mental chatter, the group was totally focused on the fight ahead. "Alpha, contact, we have six vehicles in a column that just blew past the sentry post. Ed was able to take cover, he verified they were shooting silver and wolfsbane ammunition. He was shot once but it isn't bad, it went through his right arm. We've got an armored HUMVEE in the lead, followed by four black armored SUV's and a military ambulance. We can't spot occupants, but estimate the attack force at between twenty and forty. Lead vehicle was using automatic carbines and machine pistols. They are traveling down the entrance road at high speed, five minutes to the ambush point." "Understood, everyone keep your heads down. Wendy, you respond to help Ed, Doc you stay back near the ambush point. Places, everyone, check in with your Betas when in position. Betas, report to me when your groups are ready." The pack members were settling in, the plan was good, they were ready for this. His lead beta Daniel and the Beta in charge of defending this approach, Alex, were already in the command post they had set up when the group arrived. Alex moved off with the reinforcements, directing them to positions on the cliff before and after the ambush point. The chosen position for the ambush was perfect; as the road went through the canyon the river below curved about 70 degrees below them. The road was about fifty feet above the river, with rockslides and large boulders below. On the uphill side the road was cut close to the overhanging cliffs, with just a narrow ditch to catch the rocks that would travel down from up to a hundred feet above. The road was just wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other, and there was no safe place to pull off. Along the top of the cliff were numerous large boulders and cracks that were perfect hiding holes for the dozens of wolves and their weapons. Yes, weapons. The Gila Pack hadn't gotten into open combat during the Were War, preferring to stay hidden, but they had been ready. They had prepared for human attack for decades and they trained relentlessly in the open desert. Marksmanship training had been mandatory for all pack members, as was self defense. The defenders were more than capable of defending themselves. The opposite side of the canyon, about 200 yards away, was similar in nature and was now populated by a dozen wolves with scoped high power rifles. The Johnson Pack snipers with the .50 cal rifles were on top of the canyon, with commanding views and overlapping fields of fire. Their job would be to defeat the armored vehicles, and to do so they had rounds with armor piercing tungsten tips. "Alpha, two minutes out." They could hear the column of vehicles approaching. Alex had returned to the post. He had designed the defense and he would run it. "All stations, remain hidden until after the explosion and make sure you are taking cover if you are near the blast zone." Alex looked at his Alpha and senior Betas. "We did some timing with our test blasts, that rock with the red 'x' on it is the trigger point. When the lead vehicle reaches that, we unleash hell on them." They were about 400 yards away, watching with compact binoculars, when the column came into view. "Wait... Wait... five... four... three... two... one...GO GO GO." A series of loud explosions was the first indication the mercenaries had that their lives would end. A series of holes had been drilled through the rock of the cliff above the road, with explosive charges lowered into each and connected with detonating cord to a blasting cap. Alex had an explosives expert on the hand trigger, when he twisted the device it started a chain reaction explosion that sheared a sixty foot section of cliff face from the rock behind it. The wall of rock crashed down the mountain, burying the armored HUMVEE and two Suburbans below the bouncing rock chunks. The remaining vehicles escaped being crushed but had their own problems. The third SUV swerved to avoid the rocks, but went off the road. It bounced and rolled a half dozen times before coming to rest on the rocks near the river. "Team 1, cover the SUV by the river and keep them pinned down." Riflemen from both sides of the river started to pepper the armored vehicle with fire, seeking out the openings created by popped out glass and twisted metal. The last SUV swerved towards the cliff face, stopping just before it hit it. A half dozen mercenaries spilled out, seeking cover between the vehicle and the cliff face. The ambulance stopped but was soon disabled by the .50 caliber rifles, it wasn't as hard a target as the other vehicles. The heavy rounds punched into the engine block as other riflemen took out the wheels and windows. Half the people inside were dead before they could get a door open. Three men armed with rifles dove to the ground and ran for the SUV ahead of them, but only one made it. It truly was a turkey shoot. The Pack held superior firing positions, including directly above the vehicles once the defenders rushed forward to the new overhang left by the explosives. There was no place for them to hide. The volume of fire lessened over the next few minutes as there was simply nothing left moving to shoot at. The forward vehicles had been flattened, no movement had been sensed from them yet. The SUV by the river had started to return fire but the accurate rifle fire had quickly stopped that. The remaining vehicles on the road were turned into Swiss cheese. Finally, the shooting stopped. Alpha Hastings surveyed the destruction. "Stay in position until I tell you. Anything that moves, kill it." For a long minute nothing moved. A white shirt appeared from below the SUV on the road, a bloodied arm waving it. The man made it halfway out from under the truck. "Sniper, take him." A shot rang out and the man dropped to the ground and stopped moving. Will looked at the Alpha with surprise on his face. "No prisoners? You didn't honor a white flag?" Robert sneered. "These fuckers were going to attack women and children in order to retrieve a drug lord's fuck toy. Imagine how many casualties we would have taken if they made it to the Pack house, if we hadn't found out they were coming. They have no honor. They get no mercy." Just then a sentry at the northeast corner of the territory called in. "Alpha, inbound helicopter, it's running fast and low. I can see men in the open doors, they have machine guns hanging from cables." Robert stood up and blasted over the pack bonds. "OK everyone there is a hostile helicopter inbound. Everyone take cover immediately, shift if you need to, and hide your weapons." Looking over at Will he said, "Do you think your men can take it down?" "Yes, it wouldn't be the first time for them." He shifted focus to the Johnson Pack bond and contacted his team. "OK, I need the .50's hidden and ready to go. You two coordinate the first shot, everyone else open up when they do." Turning back to Robert, he smiled. "Our guys will be ready. Tell yours to stay hidden until it's over." Robert passed that along. It took a few minutes until they all heard the sound of the helicopter coming in along the river. The command post had been well camouflaged, with netting and canvas covered with native plants from the area. The helicopter was only a bit higher than the surrounding canyon as it bore down on the attack vehicles. He could see the confusion on the part of the pilot through his binoculars as the helicopter made its first pass, their hiding was successful as the gunners found no targets. The helicopter banked to turn over the river and slowed down to make a closer path. The helicopter went into a hover just above the river, and ropes were tossed out the side to the ground below. Will was listening over his bond and passing it along to Robert. "Ready for coordinated fire, three two one..." The sound of the big 50 caliber rifles never made it to the pilot, the supersonic rounds arrived first. One sniper put his round through the canopy and blew the pilot's head out the other side. The second sniper put his armor piercing round through the gearbox of the helicopter, just below the blades. The gearbox ate itself in an explosion of oil and parts. The helicopter started to spin, making a half turn before slamming to the ground below. All snipers on both sides of the canyon then opened up on the helicopter, which exploded leaving no survivors. Robert turned to talk over his Pack bond. "All Betas, report in with status and casualties." Each group leader checked in, no one had any significant injuries, just a few cuts and scrapes that would be healed before they could get back to the house. It was a complete victory. "Teams B and C, approach and clear the vehicles." A dozen armed wolves carefully moved forward, leapfrogging each other as they used cover to approach the ambush site. It took ten minutes to verify there were no survivors. "Great job everyone, you defended your Pack with skill and courage. Collect the weapons, ammunition and anything of intelligence valve. Stack the bodies by the side of the road and start working on clearing a path through this mess so we can use it again." "Yes, Alpha, we will bring in the heavy equipment and we will have this open within an hour." Alex was still keyed up, this was the first engagement he had been in command of and he was so proud of his Pack and his defense plan. "Alex, you did a great job today. You did me proud." Will basked in the approval of his Alpha before asking to be excused to supervise the cleanup. Gila Pack House New Mexico Robert and his senior Betas had returned a few minutes ago to the cheers and hugs of Pack members gathered in front of the steps. Mates embraced each other, the men getting checked for injuries discreetly while they kissed. The Alpha didn't have that, his mate was up in Montana, safely under the protection of the Johnson Pack alphas. Robert and his senior Betas made their way to his office. "Keep quiet, I need to make a phone call." Pulling out the business card he had been given, he dialed the number for the Albequerque DEA office. "Agent in Charge Michael Miller speaking." "Mr. Miller, this is Robert Hastings. I need you to come see me immediately at my Pack house, and I need you to do this without alerting the rest of your staff." There was a pause. "What do you need to see me about?" "I can't discuss it over the phone, but it is very important you see this. You can't discuss this either, your Deputy Agent in Charge, Kim Corrigan, is a Cartel double agent. I'm not sure of who else in the office may be compromised." "How do you know that?" "I can't talk about that over the phone either, but my information is very reliable. I will see what evidence I can get you, but for now this needs to happen without anyone else knowing." There was dead silence for a time as he was on hold. "OK, I told my people a personal issue came up and I have to leave the office for the day." "That's fine." Robert gave him the address of the Pack house for his GPS. "I will have an escort for you when you turn off the interstate." "OK, I have to grab lunch on the way out of town and it will take me about 90 minutes to get there. I'll have lots of questions for you, Alpha Hastings, and I'll expect proof." "You'll get it. See you soon." Agent Miller hung up, gathered his briefcase and headed out the door to his office. He didn't notice that his Deputy Agent in Charge had taken a headphone out of her ear and was texting someone on her cellphone after he walked by. No one questioned her when she went into his office and removed the device from the bottom of his phone. Meanwhile, Robert made a second call on his satellite phone. "Renee? We're all right. No casualties." Cartel Safe House Near Albequerque Juan was nervously pacing the basement as he waited for news. Gabe had not been heard from since he arrived at Pack territory; he had discreetly sent a man past the entrance and his vehicle was still there. That wasn't surprising, he didn't expect the werewolves to react positively to a demand to turn over his Maria. What made him nervous was the silence from the attack team. They had checked in just after entering but had not been heard from since. Radio and cellphone communications were silent, and they should have reported back an hour ago. "Have you tried contacting them?" "Of course, boss, but I get nothing. It's like they disappeared into thin air. We have to assume they are dead." Carlos was nervous, Juan didn't react well to failure and it looked like all the money he put into retrieving Maria had been lost. "I think we underestimated what they would be willing to do to protect her. They are risking an all-out war here." "Risking?" He kicked the door in anger. "Fuck these guys, they just GOT themselves an all-out war. I want them DEAD. I want their families DEAD. I want them to be the example we need to get the other Packs in line." Carlos sighed, he was more of a thoughtful tactician in these things, and going to war was not going to go well. "I know you're pissed, but we have to step back a little here. This isn't the Mexican government we're dealing with here. These wolves just survived five plus years fighting the American military on their own. You can't buy them, their pack bonds are stronger as are their family bonds, and I won't even go into what they will do for their mates. Even though the Gila Pack is isolated, they are related by mating to many of the other packs. We go in half-cocked and we could end up with every werewolf in the country after us." "So you just want to let them keep my Maria? Just forget about the men we just lost? They killed a senior member of my Cartel!" "I didn't say that, Juan, I just said we have to be more careful about how we do this. We need to find out how they found out about our attack and squash that leak HARD. Until we know, we can't really move against them. Then we need some real intelligence on the Pack and their members. We take some time, find their weaknesses, then exploit them. Now, would you be satisfied if they give Maria back or are you intent on wiping them out?" Juan flopped down into the chair, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers as he thought about it. "OK, so the mercenaries we lost are not a big deal, they weren't our guys anyway so we're only out the cash. Gabe was not a huge loss, but we can't allow them to get away with it either. What we need is leverage, a way to get them to turn her over and pay me enough to make up for my losses. We need to grab something they will pay a lot of money for." "Well, Alpha Hastings is newly mated. His mate is pregnant with twins, and she's rich- she got millions in restitution. If we had her, the Alpha would pay anything to get her back- even if it meant turning over a member of his Pack to us. We'll give him no choice in the matter." Juan smiled. "You're right." He got up and walked over to the computer system that Carlos was using. "Call our contact at the NSA. See if anyone has been doing queries related to our Cartel or the Gila pack. Also, have our men dig into the phone and internet communications to and among the men on that raid. Find that mole." Carlos nodded. "And find out where Renee Hastings is." Gila Pack House Alpha Hasting's Conference Room The Betas gathered around the table, most with their mates, and that included Maria who nervously sat behind Caleb away from the others. She needed a lot of persuasion to go into that room, and that was one reason Robert asked the mates to come too. He smiled as they all got comfortable, some of the women were still in their mate's laps, others holding hands. "Today was a good day for the Pack. We defended ourselves from a sneak attack, and we did so without casualties." The gathered wolves clapped and congratulated each other, especially those involved in planning the defense. "It would be fitting to celebrate, but it isn't the time now. What was it Admiral Yamamoto said after Pearl Harbor? 'I fear we have woken a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve.' The Socorro cartel is going to focus all their resources on us, on destroying us, and they won't give up on getting Maria back. We need to talk about how we are going to deal with that." "Well, how about we attack them?" Beta Alex stood and addressed the room. "They've attacked us first, I say we go after them right now. We get their safe houses, we call allied packs, and we just take them out before they have a chance to plan the next attack." A number of Betas agreed, their wolves didn't like threats to their Pack and preferred direct action. Will stood. "Are you forgetting that they are human, living among humans?" He looked around. "The only reason this worked for us is because we were defending ourselves on Pack lands. If we go out there and start fighting, innocent humans are going to get hurt. We'll be in violation of the treaties that ended this war, and public opinion will turn against us. We can't give the Government another reason to go after us." Heads started to lower as his words sunk in. "We don't even know if we can find them. These guys are rich and paranoid, if we start attacking and don't take them all out we've lost. No, you are better off staying on your own land. You have contacts with the military, with the DEA, with the FBI. Use them to take out the Cartel, and use wolves to protect wolves." Robert stood up and all the conversation stilled. "I agree with Will that we can't attack now, we simply don't know enough. I also agree that we have to focus on protecting our territory. Alex, I need you and two others to focus on that. When we are done here, I will be meeting with the head of the DEA office, and I'll get him up to speed on the threat and see what he can do to help. Joe, I need you to set up a conference call with all the Alphas in the country late this afternoon. Whatever we decide to do will affect all of us, so I need to get them up to speed on what is happening." Heads nodded around the room. "Meanwhile, this Pack is on lockdown. No one travels outside Pack lands without my permission, and in groups of at least three. The safe room is to be kept ready to go at all time, and I expect at least two dozen warriors to remain within sight of the Pack house at all times. If your family is not here, either get them here now or have them seek safety with an allied Pack and follow the same rules. Make no mistake, our entire Pack is a target. These bastards don't respect anything, they will kill your children in front of you and not think twice about it. Keep that in mind as we plan our defenses." Beyond the Were War Ch. 05 The men were about to stand up when Maria's nervous voice came from the back of the room. "Alpha Robert, I think we know more about the Cartel than you think." "What do you mean, Maria?" "I spent two years listening to every conversation that happened in that house. I had nothing to do but memorize and categorize. I need to work with someone get all that knowledge out of my head and put it to use." She kept her head down, she didn't want to see anyone looking at her with pity because of how she had received the information. Robert walked over and knelt before her. "Our expert on the Cartels is in El Paso. Unfortunately, he has to stay there in order to keep an eye out for further attacks. I can't risk you calling him, it might expose him." "Then send me to him." She looked up so he could see the determination in her eyes. She couldn't fight, but she WAS valuable and she could help get revenge against the bastards that did this to her. "It would only take a couple of days working together, and then we might have enough information to plan an attack." Caleb picked her up and sat her on his lap, worry in his eyes. "I just found you, Maria, everything in me just wants to keep you safe." She stroked his arm to calm him down. He was amazed that she sat there without being afraid, the mating bond was strengthening. "I know, Caleb, but I have to do this. I know Juan, and he'll never give up. I will never be safe until he is dead. You come with me, send some others if you have to, but we need to know. This has to stop before a whole bunch of innocent people get hurt." She picked up his arms and wrapped them around her, it actually felt good, her wolf was content and safe and her human side was getting used to the idea of having a mate. "You are a brave young woman, Maria, and I'm proud you are Pack." Robert patted her shoulder before returning to the front of the room. "You are right. We need you and Enrique to pool your knowledge, and we need you to do this now. Andy, I'd like you and Linda to go with them. Enrique already knows and trusts you. I will contact the El Paso Alpha and ask him for his support and permission for you to be on his territory. Oh, and you are taking Anna with you." "Anna? She's not a fighter." Linda looked at him in surprise. "No, she's Enrique's mate." There were smiles all around, everyone had fallen in love with Anna and her kitchen skills since the packs had combined. It also tied Enrique to the Pack, and that was good for both of them. "You should know that Anna and I have talked, she is under Alpha command not to turn or mate him without permission. I'm sure you can reinforce the importance of that on the trip." Andy bowed his head in embarrassment. "I need you to leave tonight, we'll sneak you out and you can take the back roads to El Paso. Stay out of sight, find a hotel near Enrique's apartment to work out of. Don't contact us unless it is an emergency, we don't know if they are able to tap our communications. When you have all the intelligence organized, bring them all back." "And Enrique?" "Anna needs to be with her Pack, and I'm pretty sure Enrique will want to be with her. If not, ask the El Paso pack if they will allow her to stay under their protection. We just can't leave her unprotected off Pack lands." "Yes, Alpha, it shall be done. We can leave within the hour." Everyone started to get up again when Maria spoke up, her voice more confident this time. "Alpha, there is more than one way to fight the Cartel than just killing them." "What do you mean, Maria?" "Cartels function on money, because money is power. They need money to pay their people, to pay bribes, to keep the operation going. Business is good. They make so much cash that handling it is a huge problem. They have to move it around, launder it through fake transactions, route it through offshore banks, even smuggle it back to Mexico. The Federal Government has been putting the squeeze on them lately, so more and more money is piling up in their vault waiting to be transported to Mexico. I'm talking about hundreds of millions of dollars, and I know where it is." Everyone was looking at her in shock. Caleb asked first. "Where is it, love?" "The cartel bought a defunct savings and loan building near Albuquerque a decade ago using a shell company. They lease it to a legitimate business, but the vault is hidden in a section they don't rent and they only go in there during off hours when they need to move something. Only a few people know about it, and all are incredibly loyal to Juan." Robert frowned. "That doesn't help much, none of us know how to crack a bank vault." Maria's smile lit up the room. "You don't have to crack it if you know the combination. And I know the combination. Someone shouldn't have kept repeating it to himself in his room while he was trying to memorize it." There were gasps around the room as she was handed a piece of paper and a pen. Thirty seconds later, they had the information they would need. "The bills are stored on wrapped pallets, so you'll need pallet jacks to move them. Take the gold and bearer bonds first, then the cash. What you can't take you should destroy. They don't keep guards there, but they have it alarmed and under surveillance so you'll have to be quick." Robert smiled. "Bob, Ryan, you're with me. Pick a dozen good fighters and be ready to go by nightfall. Send three men ahead to start surveillance on the building, put an explosives guy in the group with them to set a few surprises if the bad guys show up. Rent a truck if we don't have one we can use. We'll also need a couple SUV's or trucks and a cargo truck, plus everyone needs to be armed in case we need to fight our way out of there. Now get going everyone, I have some phone calls to make!" Robert had just enough time to secure permission for his group to travel to El Paso pack lands through the other Alphas. Alpha Marino of the El Paso pack had not only agreed to host his group, but committed to protect them as well. He was outraged that they had done that to Maria, and was no friend to the cartels who smuggled drugs and people over his lands. "Alpha, Agent Miller is here and said you are expecting him." The call over the Pack bond interrupted his planning for the conference call, but he needed to talk to him. "Escort him to the ambush site, I'll meet you there." Twenty minutes later, he had made his way over the rockpile that was being cleared by a dozen men and some heavy equipment. He walked towards Agent Miller, who was getting out of his car and surveying the scene in shock. The helicopter was still burning below them and the bodies were being stacked in front of his car. "Agent Miller, sorry to call you away but as you can see we needed to talk." "What the hell happened here, Alpha Hastings? This place looks like a war zone." "Exactly that. These men," he lead him to the bodies, "attacked without provocation. They were hired by Juan Hernandez to kidnap Maria back from us. We're still trying to recover bodies from the first few cars buried up ahead, but we estimate at least thirty took part, plus another four to six in the helicopter." He picked up one of the pistols that had been captured and ejected the magazine. "They came in armed with silver bullets with wolfsbane cores; we've also captured grenades and rocket launchers. They could have destroyed my pack if we hadn't gotten a warning." "Casualties on your side?" When he was told none, he was shocked. "Who warned you?" Robert just smiled. "We have our friends too. Since they are on our land, my rules apply." "What do you need my help for? Do you want me to process the scene, take the bodies, what?" "I just want you to know what is going on because this is going to blow up in the next few days. The Socorro Cartel attacked us, and we're going to hit back... hard. I'm trying to minimize the blowback on you and the civilians of this area." Agent Miller pulled out his phone. "Can I take the bodies?" When Robert shook his head no, he started taking pictures of the faces of each of the men. "I'll run these through our computers when I get back, at least then we will know who is involved. Robert, you know you can't wage war on my streets. I have to advise you to stay within the law and the treaties. I understand you want them, but I need you to let me do it." "If you can help us take them down, I'll help you with the information you need to do it. I won't limit myself, though." "Just understand that if any of your men break the law, they will be prosecuted like any other criminal. Think about what your are doing, I'd hate to see people turning against the werewolves again." "Me too. Here, I have something for you." He handed him a piece of paper. "One of our people put together a list of known smuggling routes and transit houses for the Cartel. I figured you could use some wins early on." Agent Miller read through the list, excitement in his eyes as he noted the detail. This he could do. "OK, Alpha, I think we understand each other. Do not hesitate to call me if you come up with anything else." They shook hands and he returned to his vehicle, turning around and heading back tailed by the sentry vehicle. The drive back to the office was long, but the new knowledge was bouncing around in his head. He would have been on the phone already, but the warning about the mole kept him from doing so. This would have to be done quietly, using only people he knew he could trust, if they were to keep Juan from escaping justice. He was flipping through the pictures on his phone at a stoplight in southern Albuquerque when an old Ford van pulled next to him. He didn't notice the van. He didn't notice the man getting out and running away. He didn't notice anything before the explosion tore through the street, ripping his car apart and killing him instantly. El Paso Pack House Alpha's Office Alpha Marino looked at his top Betas, they knew this news wasn't good. "Men, we have guests coming tomorrow. They need our help and our protection and I've promised that to Alpha Hastings." "Who is coming, sir?" James, his top Beta, asked from his seat across the desk. "Two are well known- Linda Remington and her mate Andy Miller plus a junior Beta. They are protecting two females in their pack and they have some business in town. We are to support and defend, nothing else. Put good people on it, they will be in the town and we don't want human entanglement." Rico, his Beta in charge of patrol, looked up. "What are we protecting them from, Alpha?" "The Socorro cartel is after one of the women, but all are in danger. I want you all to listen in to this conference call and we will discuss it more afterwards." He set up his computer for the call, logging in to a meeting website that could handle the traffic of the forty some Alphas represented. When the meeting started, Alpha Hastings briefed everyone on the events of the past few days. There was anger at hearing of Maria's treatment, followed by outrage at the attack on the Gila Pack. In the end, the Alphas agreed that they would assist in the war on the Socorro cartel as they could. Border packs agreed to track and intercept (or call the Feds to report) any smuggling on their lands. They also agreed that it would be wise to keep the Packs on lockdown for a while, reducing the danger of members away from the territory from being picked off. One of the California Alphas asked about his area, under the control of a different Cartel. For those areas, it was agreed they would monitor but not interfere, there was no point in expanding the war to other cartels right now. With that, the conference call ended. James started speaking as soon as his Alpha clicked off the conference. "Sir, this is a big deal. The Socorro cartel is in control of this area, and if anything happens to them the Gulf cartel is ready to move in. We don't want to get in the middle of this fight." Some of the younger Betas wanted to take stronger action, but their Alpha cut them off. "We will help our guests, but as for the rest- we will watch only. I want the border guard doubled, and put wolves in surveillance positions. Everyone else stays within five minutes of the Pack house. I want everyone back here until I say otherwise, no work, no off territory residences. Understood?" He gave the instruction over the Pack link, along with a notification that a Pack meeting would be held that night at 10 pm. It was time to get back on a war footing after their brief freedom. Johnson Pack Site Montana Alpha Derek stood on the large rock at the edge of the clearing, his Pack gathered in the field around him. He glanced back at his mate, Amanda. She was holding hands with Renee, both of them were over the moon with happiness. Amanda's secret didn't last long once Renee got her in the car, the smell was noticed almost immediately and she had gone silent until she heard the extra heartbeat. Derek was hoping his hearing would come back soon after the shriek Renee let out. "Johnson Pack! Luna has truly blessed us this night. Here to visit is our former Next Alpha and now Alpha Bitch of the Gila Pack, Renee Hastings!" The Pack went wild, it was the first time any had seen her since she was severely injured at Wolfstock. Renee stepped up next to her brother and embraced him before waving at her friends. "But that is not all. Not only have we been blessed with new matings..." he paused waiting for the applause to die down. It was only after he gestured for the seventeen new mated pairs to stand and be recognized that the crowd quieted again. "She has also blessed us by restoring the fertility of our wolves, allowing us to continue our lines and grow our Pack. For the first time in five years, we have pregnant women among us to honor and protect. Can the pregnant women stand and be recognized?" There were cheers as four women in the Pack stood, followed by Renee stepping forward, her baby bump already in place from the twins. The cheers quieted for a second when Amanda stepped up and placed her hands protectively on her belly. The shock quickly faded and the roar was deafening- the Alphas were expecting! This was great news for the Pack, not only would it solidify the heir but it was good luck. It took a few minutes for the noise to die down before Derek could get control again. "Tonight we hunt. Tomorrow we feast!" Pulling off his clothes, he quickly shifted into his wolf, followed by the rest of the pack. He let out a powerful howl, soon joined by his mate and Renee, then by the rest of the Pack. He led the men out of the clearing on one side, while Amanda led the women out the other. The older warriors, Renee, and the younger ones all stayed in the clearing. The day passed into night. Renee sat by the bonfire that had been put together for the celebration, her foster daughter Michelle asleep by her with her head in her lap. It had been an exhausting day, from the flight to the excitement, and being a few months pregnant with twins didn't help. She just wanted to make sure everyone made it back all right. Pack runs were great fun, but weird things could happen on a hunt. She heard the howls of celebration well before she could see them. Amanda came back first, a hundred pound wild boar in her mouth. Four other women had smaller hogs, which was good as the smaller the wild pig the better the flavor. They dragged them to the fire where the older women quickly started to butcher them and get them on a spit over the hot coals. Twenty minutes later, there was a cheer as Derek led the men back. He was dragging a large elk in his powerful jaws, two men next to him helping to bring the animal home as it was three times his size. Another two men dragged a smaller animal in. Dropping the beast at his mate's feet, he sat back and howled in victory, the rest of the Pack joining in. They would eat well in the morning! The mated pairs quickly headed off to their tents, the successful hunts were a powerful aphrodisiac to their wolves and Derek wouldn't be shocked in more pups were sired tonight. He shifted back, the blood on his face and chest matching that of Amanda, and they headed off to the stream to clean up prior to bed. Renee carried Michelle back to the tent and tucked her into her cot before turning in herself. The pregnant women had been talking while waiting for the men, they weren't prepared for babies in the Pack. All of the furniture, supplies and accessories were lost early in the war, and nobody even had maternity clothes. They looked at each other and nodded- ROAD TRIP! Tomorrow they would head to the city and start getting what they needed. Renee went to sleep happy, feeding off the energy of her old pack. El Paso Pack Boundary West Texas Linda was quietly singing along with the radio as she arrived at the rendezvous point, trying to stay alert despite it being four in the morning. She and Andy had been alternating tanks this trip, he was asleep in the passenger seat and snoring softly. In the back, Anna was curled up in one corner while Caleb was in the other, with Maria tucked into his side. It had been a long but quiet ride. She saw the flash of lights from the car parked on the side of the road and pulled up next to it. Two men got out and came to her window, they introduced themselves as Brett and Alec and that their Alpha had assigned them as security. "Hi, I'm Linda, and this," pointing to the man who was rubbing his eyes in the passenger seat, "is my mate Andy. In back you have Anna on the far side, Caleb and Maria." Nobody in back had stirred and she wasn't going to wake them up." "So what is the plan?" "I need to get Maria to our man in town. He doesn't know we are coming so we will show up at his apartment and hope he is home. If he agrees we should be there all day." "OK, sounds like you just need stakeout and backup then. We will follow you and set up nearby." They exchanged phone numbers so they could stay in contact. Soon they were back on the road and, after stopping for coffee and some groceries, they arrived just before sunrise at Enrique's apartment. "Since he only knows Andy and I, the rest of you stay here until I call you." Anna was wide awake and nervous, she was about to meet her mate and was already fighting the urge to shift and just take him. The two got out of the car and walked to his apartment building, then took the elevator to unit 3C. They knocked loudly, but got no answer. They kept knocking until their hearing picked up the sound of a door opening, and a minute later a sleepy Enrique showed up at the door. "Hello Enrique, I'm sorry we showed up so early and without notice, but it is very important we talk to you." He looked at them for a moment before he recognized them and stepped aside. She handed him a tall coffee as they entered his place. It was a typical bachelor apartment, not much on the walls, the living room was centered around a huge flat panel TV and gaming system, and the kitchen looked like the only thing that got used was the microwave. "I'm sorry, it takes me a bit to get going in the morning, I was up late last night doing some work." He gestured for them to sit on the large L-shaped couch in the living room. "First of all, my Alpha would like to convey his thanks for the information you brought us. Because of it, we were able to stop the attackers and we did not have any losses on our side. It would have been a lot different without you." Enrique smiled, happy that they were OK. "We are now at war with the Socorro cartel, and that is where we need your help. I brought with me someone who has inside knowledge of the Cartel, and needs help getting it out of her memories and incorporated into what we already know. I also brought her mate and another person to help us out while we are here. What I'm asking for is for you to call in sick to work today so we can focus on getting this together before we plan our next move." Beyond the Were War Ch. 05 "Of course I'll be here. I'll do whatever you need to get these guys." Andy smiled back at him. "I have to warn you before we bring her in. She was freed from the Cartel just a few days ago, she was the personal sex slave of Juan and shared with dozens of his men. She went through unspeakable hell for two years. Her mate Caleb will not leave her side, his touch is what keeps her from having a breakdown or running off when other males are around. You don't need to pity her or treat her differently, just keep your distance and stay professional." He nodded in understanding. "Is it all right if I bring them in?" "Yes, but can you give me an hour to clean up and shower first? I wasn't expecting guests." "Sure. Do you mind if we go get some stuff to make us all breakfast?" "I'm not much of a cook..." "That's OK, we'll take care of it if you don't mind us using your kitchen." They left and went to the grocery store, Anna went in and came back with a whole cartful of supplies. "Hey, we've got five werewolves to feed and my mate won't be eating Ramen noodles any more. I know enough about human males to know the way to their heart is through their stomach." Andy laughed at this. "Or a little lower." He yelped as Linda backhanded him. "What?" "They don't need to know about that!" She crossed her arms across her chest, making her breasts stick out even more. "Even if it was true." This got all of them to laugh. This time they all got out and went to the apartment. They were all let in and Linda did the introductions. Caleb shook his hand firmly, but Maria just looked at him quickly before tucking herself back against his side. Enrique moved along, and when he saw Anna it was like time stopped. She looked up at him, her wolf close in her mind as his scent danced around her. He smelled... well, amazing. Her eyes looked him up and down, appreciating his compact muscles and dark hair. She started to think about how those arms would feel around her, and this had her wolf jumping up and down in her mind demanding that she mark him before someone else could lay a claim. She had to close her eyes and kick her wolf back down. When she opened them again, he had moved closer to her and was reaching for her hand. She was frozen as he lifted it up to his lips, tingles flowing through her arm as he touched her. When he placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles, her knees went weak and she fought to stay in place. He seemed to be just as affected. He couldn't tear his eyes off hers once he looked into them. He didn't believe in love at first sight until now. It was just like when Michael Corleone saw the woman in Corsica and fell in love, it was the Thunderbolt. He could feel the sparks and didn't want to let go. "Welcome to my home..." He looked at her, waiting for her to respond. "Anna. My name is Anna Thompson. Thank you for all you have done for our Pack, Enrique." "There is no need, it was the right thing to do." He forced himself to look around, but kept hold of her hand. "Please, let me show you around. Let's just put the groceries on the counter for now." He led them all through the apartment, showing them the bathroom and all, but it was the spare bedroom that he needed them to see. It had an electronic lock on the door, he punched the combo, opened it and turned on the lights. It wasn't a bedroom at all, it was an intelligence center. The walls were covered with photos and lines showing relationships. A large computer desk was in the center, with several large monitors attached. Low bookcases held file cabinets and folders. He opened the closed and pulled out some folding chairs. "This is my work room. You are the first people I've ever let in here." They fanned out around the room, Maria was focused on the photos but held tight to Caleb. Every once in a while she would freeze and close her eyes for a moment before she could move on. "I have a photographic memory, so when I see stuff at work I can come home and transfer it to my system. I have the entire Cartel on a database where I can look for relationships and tendencies. Whatever you need to figure out, I can try to help." Maria had finished looking around the room and sat down in a chair. Her voice was weak, but her face was determined. "I know.. lots of different things. I forced myself to memorize things after I learned them, but I have trouble just getting the memories out." "How do you remember best?" "If you give me a face or a name, I can try and recall what I know about them. Same thing with places. You ask, I answer, and maybe that triggers me to remember more. We should get started, this could take days and I don't know what part of what I know will be important." Anna stood up and left. "You all get to work, I'll take care of breakfast." She touched Enrique's arm as she left, the tingles in her fingers distracting her. She leaned in by his ear. "Is there something I can make for you?" She felt her cheek almost explode as his hand came up to her cheek. "Why don't you make me what you like, I'm sure I will love anything from you." She was reluctant to pull away, but this wasn't the time to claim him. She walked out to his bachelor pad kitchen and started putting groceries away. She smiled and sang to herself as she was doing it. This wouldn't be so bad, she thought. He felt their connection already and she just had to take her time so she didn't scare him away. Babies 'R Us Billings, Montana The three big vans emptied in the parking lot, and a dozen excited women piled out followed by three large and bored men. Escorting women buying maternity and baby stuff wasn't exactly the glory detail for a Pack beta, you understand, but the Alpha Females would have to be protected. They had gotten a late start, the hunt the previous night had turned into a party and feast that lasted well into the morning. Renee hadn't gotten to sleep until past ten, so they had agreed to make a late shopping run. They stopped for dinner at a nice Italian place, then to the mall. People better watch out, she thought, you've got a bunch of hormonal pregnant women with credit cars on the move! They split up once they got inside, leaving on e Beta with the cars and another two near the front. Renee went to the maternity clothing section, she could get the stuff for the nursery back home but she was running out of things that went around her growing belly. She found a few dresses she liked and headed back to the dressing rooms. There were so many human scents around she didn't notice anything before she felt the prick as the needle went into her neck. A hand was around her mouth, normally her strength would have been enough but she was already slipping into unconsciousness. Her last thought was to mind link for help but this wasn't her Pack anymore and no one heard her. Carter's Temporary Agency (Formerly New Mexico Secure Savings and Loan) West suburbs of Albuquerque It had taken another day to get the planning done and rent the vehicles, so they didn't arrive at the site until just after midnight. Robert watched his team go into action from the SUV with the tinted windows across the street. Thre men had already broken in and were at the vault, through the pack bond he got updates on their progress. A moving van with a lift gate was backing up to the door, and another two SUV's on either side had their backs open and people streaming out. Three more pallet jacks were on their way in before he got word the vault doors were open. "All clear, Alpha." He had sentries three blocks away in every direction to give warning of any Cartel response, all were heavily armed. "Holy shit, boss... she wasn't lying." "Cut the chatter, men. Get it loaded and out now." Men with large duffel bags started to scoop money, bonds, gold and jewelry while others moved their pallet jacks into place for the money. It wasn't easy to maneuver the pallets of cash out, but the men were disciplined and prepared so it went like clockwork. "Four minutes." They had set a limit of eight minutes to get out of there. The first pallets were on the lift gate at the five minute point, the bags being tossed into the backs of the SUV's. "Five minutes." One more trip for bags and the two SUV's started to pull away, turning in different directions. They would take different ways back to the territory. "Six minutes." The second set of pallets was now being placed on the lift gate. The remaining men met a panel truck as it stopped and the back opened. Each man grabbed a body, hoisting it on his shoulder and sprinting into the vault with it. "Seven minutes." The last men were being taken in, and two more SUV's pulled up so men could load. The moving van door was closed and it was pulling away, followed shortly by the rest of the men. Only Robert's vehicle remained waiting, because he wasn't done yet. "Eight minutes." Each vehicle checked in, all were clear and on their way back. Each large vehicle was escorted by at least two other vehicles, and they were ready for opposition with pistols at the ready and rifles by their sides. "Nine minutes." Shortly after his men on the east side reported two vehicles approaching at high speed. "Gila pack members, clear out and meet back home." He watched as the Cartel gunmen passed his car and verified that they were armed before turning to the man in the back seat. "Jose, wait until they stop." The vehicles pulled up next to the open doors, screeching to a halt as armed men jumped out. Jose pushed a button and the night lit up; Claymore mines exploded from the front and back. The ball bearings tore through men, vehicles and equipment without mercy. "Let's go, people." The SUV pulled into the street, heading back home. The Gila pack was now the richest pack in the entire world. Enrique's Apartment El Paso "Come on guys, it's time to get some rest." Anna walked up behind Enrique, rubbing his shoulders as he sat at the computer. Except for bathroom and the meals she had cooked for them during the day, they had been in this room all day and half the night. Enrique started to object, but she was having none of it. "You should know that sleep is a weapon, you need to be sharp if you are to find what you need. Linda, you and Andy need to head back to the hotel, and take Caleb and Maria with you. We can meet back here at eight in the morning." "What about you, Anna?" Anna just smiled. "I have things to take care of here. Enrique, you don't mind if I stay, do you?" He smiled and kissed her hand. "Good. Say goodnight and get off to the shower, I'll get them going. Enrique did what she asked, and soon was daydreaming about the beautiful young woman in the next room. She had driven him to distraction all day long, and more than once he had to adjust his package as his erection became uncomfortable. She was attentive, kind, a great cook, and he couldn't stand being away from her. His erection was on the move again, he reached for the body wash and got his hands soapy. It would be better for him if he took care of this now. He moved his hand over his glans, moving in a circle as he worked it to full hardness. He closed his eyes and pictured her in his mind, remembering the feeling of her nipples rubbing his back as she worked out the kinks on his shoulders. He screamed when the curtain was moved and a smaller hand covered his. "Let me take care of this." Anna didn't let go of his cock as she moved into the shower in front of him. He went to say something, but she pulled him down into a kiss instead. She didn't really know what to do, but she followed his lead as he pulled her close. He cupped her face with his hands, tilting his head slightly to allow the kiss to deepen. She moved her hand around his shaft in time with his tongue, which was exploring her mouth and twirling around her tongue. He head was spinning as his dominance took hold. She let go of his cock, moving her hands up to his neck as she pressed her wet sex into his groin. She was rapidly losing control as she started to move her pussy lips along his hard shaft. She needed him, and needed him now. She raised her leg, hooking it around his waist as she pulled herself up. "Please... I need you." He looked into her eyes and felt like he was drowning in the feelings he had for her. He reached down and cupped her firm ass, lifting her up easily. She reached down and positioned him at her entrance before sinking down on him. She couldn't help but let out a pained yip as he tore through her maidenhead. She buried her face in his chest, not wanting him to see her pain. "Anna... am I your first?" He used his nose to move her head back so he could see her lovely eyes. "Yes... and my only. I know it seems rushed, but I knew you were my mate before I even laid eyes on you." His eyes were an open book to her as the emotions played through them- shock, lust, love and acceptance. He hadn't moved, he didn't say anything, just held her while he was buried to the hilt in her and waited for her to say something. "And I don't regret a thing, Enrique. I need you to make me yours now." "It all makes sense now, Anna. I think I love you too." He reached up and turned off the shower, then told her to hold on tight. Without withdrawing, he moved them out of the shower and the bathroom and over to his bed. Bending over, he laid her gently on top and scooted them to the middle. "Your first time shouldn't be in the shower, Anna. Let me make love to your properly." He took her mouth with his lips, aggressively this time, as he started to rock his hips back. She moaned into his mouth as the sensation moved through her, then her eyes went wide and he plunged home again. She moved her legs up, her heels crossed behind his pale ass, trying to drive him even deeper with every thrust. Her arms moved up and down his sides, leaving scratches behind as he drove her lust higher and higher. The tension started in her toes, but quickly moved up her legs until her core exploded from the sensation. "ENRIQUE!!" Her head moved from side to side as she felt his hot come shooting deep within her. He collapsed onto her before rolling to the side, still buried inside her. She heard the door to the apartment crash open and the sound of booted feet. She rolled away and shifted into her brown and white wolf just as the door to their bedroom was kicked open. Two men dressed in black poured in, their suppressed machine pistols spraying the room. She leaped for the first man, her teeth finding his neck and ripping it out. She turned for the second man, but his head was already bitten off by the werewolf that had just run into the room. Both shifted back, uncaring of the blood or the dead men. She recognized Brett from the El Paso pack. "I saw these men coming in, I couldn't get here fast enough. I've contacted my Alpha, he is sending men." They heard a gurgling sound in the room. Anna dove over the bed to find Enrique on the floor, blood coming out of his mouth as he held his hand to a bloody spot on the right side of his chest. "Anna... love... you..." Unknown Location Renee fought the darkness in her mind, focusing on her other senses as she started to wake up. She was in a box, there was very little light, just enough of an opening for air to make its way in. Her arms and legs were bound with chain, she could tell it was silver by the way it heated her skin. She couldn't feel her wolf, they must have injected her with wolfsbane to keep her down. Whatever vehicle she was in had stopped and when the door went open she could smell the aviation fuel. She was loaded into an aircraft, and as it took off, all she could do was pray to Luna she would get out of this alive. Beyond the Were War Ch. 06 "Remember when you were young, You shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond. Now there's a look in your eyes, Like black holes in the sky. Shine on you crazy diamond. You were caught on the crossfire Of childhood and stardom, Blown on the steel breeze. Come on you target for faraway laughter, Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!" -Pink Floyd, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" Johnson Pack Camp Alpha's office "What do you mean you can't find Renee?" Derek jumped up from his desk, his Beta had called from the parking lot of the Babies 'R Us. "When was she last seen?" "About an hour ago, sir. The women split up to do their shopping, she was last seen going back to the dressing room. No one saw anything and no other werewolves have been in the store." "Did you follow her scent?" "Yes, it was difficult, but we found it going through the back of the store and out the back. There was a human smell mixed with her. We are talking to the manager right now, trying to go through the security footage, but the trail is cold. They must have had a car waiting outside." "Anyone able to make mental contact with her?" "No, the other women of her Pack can't sense her. She's either too far away or unconscious. No one felt a bond breaking, so she is still alive. There was a syringe on the floor, the police have it now. We didn't have a choice, the store called them when we found the evidence she had been kidnapped." Derek sat down again. "That may be to our advantage. Get the word out to the media that she is missing, that will give us the best chance of someone spotting her. Don't do it yourself, use some of the other women from the Pack. I want Amanda and the other women back here now, though. Load them up and send them back, I'll send someone to get you later." Fuck. He had promised to keep Renee and the other women safe and she had been kidnapped right under their noses. This wasn't going to be a fun phone call. He lifted the phone and dialed his brother. He went straight to voice mail. None of the Betas answered either. Cartel Safe House Outskirts of Albuquerque "GODDAMMIT, REPORT!" Juan thundered over the cellphone, his legendary temper starting to get the best of him. Carlos was working through the video footage of their vault, trying to figure out what had happened since the alarms had gone off. It wasn't good, it looked like a professional job- men dressed in black, faces covered, gloves on. He watched as they entered and opened the vault, his eyes refusing to believe what they were seeing. They didn't use explosives, or safecracking equipment- they just opened the damn door! Juan's pacing was not getting any better. His men had arrived at the vault, only to be blown apart by another ambush. Half his men were killed, most were injured. They were forced to abandon the dead and flee from the sirens they heard coming, the explosions had attracted too much attention. They didn't even have time to check out the vault. Juan crushed the phone under his heel and kicked a hole in the wall. He couldn't believe what was happening. It took a few minutes to calm down enough that he could join Carlos in watching the security footage. The thieves were numerous and efficient, the vault was emptied out in mere minutes. "It has to be the Gulf cartel- no one else is that well trained. How long since the alarm?" "Six minutes twenty seconds right here." Carlos was impressed as well. It wasn't for a few minutes when they saw what was being brought back in that they figured it out. "MOTHERFUCKERS!! I'll kill them ALL!" As the men carried the bodies past the camera, he could clearly make out the uniforms and faces of his assault team. The fucking wolves were bringing his men back to the near empty vault! "Boss, the police are arriving at the vault. Anything in there is lost. It's too late." He could see the emotions in Juan's face, he needed to kill someone for this and quick. "Boss, you need to know something. The people who did this knew the combination to the vault. We have a traitor among us." "How many people know that combination?" "Other than the two of us, only three people." Juan stared him down. "I'll get them here. We'll figure this out and people will pay for what they have done." "Them... and their families. I want vengeance of biblical proportion." Enrique's Apartment El Paso, Texas Anna picked Enrique up and set him on the bed, moving pillows to keep his head up. She tore off a pillowcase and used it to press to the front of his chest, hoping to staunch the blood. She checked his back and didn't find an exit wound. "Enrique you can't die on me! Hold on!" Brett was in contact with Pack members, but the shots in the apartment building won't go unnoticed. "We've got to get him out of here, we can call 911 and get an ambulance." Enrique had lost consciousness, his face was pale and she could hear his heart starting to slow. "He won't last that long." Making her decision, she partially shifted her jaw and lunged forward, biting him deeply at the junction of his neck and shoulder. It may not work, but she knew deep down the change was his only chance. She released his neck, licking the blood clean as she moved slowly back. "Grab some clothes, we've got to get out of here. Have your Pack doctor meet us at your territory." She waited for Brett to pull on a T-shirt and basketball shorts before she switched places with him, finding clothes for herself she tore off a length of sheet and tied it around his chest to keep the makeshift bandage in place. "Go into the spare bedroom, grab the laptop computer and the files and bring them with you. I'll meet you downstairs." He quickly left as she wrapped her mate in the dark sheets. He was still breathing, there was still a chance. She stepped around the bodies of the Cartel hit men and out the door, ignoring the looks from the residents who were poking their heads out. She made it out the front door, she could hear the sirens, they didn't have much time. She ran as fast as she could while carrying her mate to the SUV parked just down the street. Brett sprinted past her, opening the rear door and helping her lay Enrique on the back seat. She hopped in and he ran around to the driver's side. Anna kept pressure on the wound as he took off. "Brett, drive like your life depends on it." He did. "I contacted Alec, he will go to the apartment and talk to the police. He will tell them that Enrique is a werewolf and is being taken for treatment." He went quiet again as he talked over the mental bond. "Our Alpha is already making phone calls. He is friendly with the chief of police. I have asked that he have the police secure the crime scene." "Good, but we don't want them searching the apartment. If they ask about the locked room, stall them, make them get a search warrant." She focused on her mate, checking his vitals, before continuing. "Did you tell him about me biting him?" "Yes, I had to, the doctor needed to know. Why?" "I was under Alpha command not to bite him. I shouldn't have done it, but... I had to. I can't lose him after just finding him." "Don't worry about that right now, let's get him help." Brett focused on the driving for a while, they were tearing down the highway outside of town towards the Pack lands. "Why would hit men want him dead?" "He's the one who tipped us off to the Cartel attack. They must have figured out he was the source." Enrique started to cough, blood spraying from his mouth onto his face. Anna lifted him up, cleaning the blood from his face with her shirt, then moved him so he was lying on his side with his head in her lap. "He's starting to breathe easier, the healing has started." One interesting thing about turns into werewolves was that healing was one of the first signs of a change. It was a survival mechanism, first to stay alive and then... "You don't have any sedatives in the car, do you?" "Why?" "He's starting to get warm, the turn will be on him soon. He could come out in a rage, he needs to be sedated heavily to allow himself to fully heal first." Brett was silent for a minute. "We're still twenty minutes away from the border of our Pack lands. Our doctor is coming out to meet us, she's a few miles away." As soon as they saw the vehicle cross the median and pull to the side, they slowed down and pulled next to it. The door opened and a young woman jumped in carrying a black bag, and they were off again, followed by the other vehicle. "I'm Doctor Julia Jones, I need you to move into the front seat while I take care of him." Anna hesitated for just a second before complying, forcing her wolf down as she didn't want to leave her mate with a strange woman. The woman examined Enrique for a few minutes, using a light in her mouth and the interior lights of the car. "Brett, I need more light. Got any flashlights?" He went to hand one back but she shook him off. "Give it to her. Anna, I need you to keep that light focused on the gunshot wound, all right?" She opened her bag and removed a large syringe, pulling out a bottle she drew most of the liquid into it before plunging it into his neck. Anna was concentrating to force back her wolf, she knew he needed to be sedated but this was hard to watch. That was nothing compared to what she had to watch next. The doctor cleaned his chest area with a betadyne pad, then made a horizontal incision with a scalpel. She ignored the blood, placing a clamp in the opening she spread the ribs apart as she cut through to his lungs. Still holding a powerful flashlight in her teeth, she moved her gloved hand into his chest until she found the bullet and tossed it on the floor. She kept moving around until she had found the source of the bleeding and had brought the torn artery into view. She pulled out a stitch kit, closed the hole in the artery, then moved things back into place. She used tape to hold the skin together and keep air from getting in, then inserted a chest tube and portable vacuum device into the side of his chest to reinflate his lung. Anna was relieved as his breathing returned to normal. She pulled the surgical gloves off and tossed them on the floor. "Shit, that was close." Pulling an IV kit out of her bag, she hung it from the panic bar and put the needle in the back of his hand. "This will help restore from his blood loss until we can get back and start a transfusion." "He'll make it?" "We'll know in the next 24 hours. It was a bad wound, and then you have the stress of the change. I'll keep him sedated for a few days, but when he turns we have to keep him from turning feral. You are his mate, right?" Anna blushed. "Yes, but we hadn't really talked about any of this. I... I just bit him because I thought I was losing him." "It's a good thing you did, he would have bled out before the ambulance arrived if you didn't." "Doc... he needs to be dead." She saw her confusion. "Look, he works for the government in a top secret job that he used to help us. When the cops go through his apartment, it's going to get out what he was doing- or the NSA will just send their people over. He told us that if they ever found out about what he was doing it wouldn't mean being arrested, they would just 'disappear' him. What he knows is far too dangerous. Plus, the Cartel tried to kill him and lost two men doing it, they won't fail a second time. We need to make it look like they got him, or he will never be safe." "How many people know he is alive?" "Right now just us. We need to make everyone think that he died on the way here. I'll have my pack mates help me prepare the body, and we will return him to our pack for burial. We need to be convincing or it will get back to them that he might be alive. Not even the Alpha can know. Doc... can you do this? Can you sign a death certificate for us?" Julia sat back and thought about it. If she was found out she could lose her license, but she was Pack first and Pack protected their own. "Yes, I can do it. I'll fill it out when I get back to my office. I'll also have to fake an autopsy report and treatment record, but I can do that too. Just make sure he never surfaces again." She paused for a second, closing her eyes. "Alpha Marino, I'm sorry, but Anna's mate didn't make it. The wound was too severe for the change to take place." She was silent for a few minutes. "Yes sir, we are a few minutes out. Can you ask my nurse to meet me at the infirmary, and to bring a body bag and a gurney?" Another pause. "No, Anna is not doing well. They didn't fully mate, but she's... she's not responding right now. I'm going to give her a sedative to help her through this. She needs to be back with her Pack as soon as possible, you know how tough this will be for her. He died in her arms..." She opened her eyes again. "So here's the deal. The other members of your Pack will meet us when we arrived. I'm going to give you a fast-acting sedative to knock you out, that way you don't have to try and act out the loss of your mate. Brett and I will transfer him to the body bag and I'll take him in to do the paperwork. It will take about an hour, then I'll have your pack mates load you both up and take you home." Anna paused. "Will he be all right on the drive?" "It's a chance you'll have to take, the fewer people that know the better. He's stable now, the change should help him heal. I'll put a syringe and drug in the bag for you, he will need another shot in six hours. After that your pack healer can take over. Again, the fewer people that know the better. Pick out a new name for him before you get there." "I've always like the name..." "Don't tell us. We don't want to know. Just keep him safe. He can't get fingerprinted, he can't contact anyone from his previous life. It would be best if he never left Pack lands." Anna smiled, her job was in the Pack house, she could keep him close, there was work for him there and they could be happy and safe. Cartel Safe House Outskirts of El Paso The cargo van pulled into the garage, the door to the suburban home closing before the men got out. Four men entered the van and used crowbars to take the top off of the transport box. Two stood by with tasers while the other two removed the unconscious woman. She was carried feet first into the kitchen, then down to the basement. The pregnant female was taken into a cell, her arms and legs shacked to a steel bed frame with silver cuffs. The men locked the door as they left. She was in an 8 by 8 foot cage with a concrete floor and back wall. The rest of the room was bare except for a steel chair fixed to the floor and a wall with various torture equipment on it. The men left without speaking, they were highly paid to keep quiet and ignore what happened down here. Pack SUV I-25 south of Albuquerque Robert checked in with each of his men, thanking them for their efforts. Their plan had gone off without a hitch, they were in and out before the Cartel could respond and they had left their message behind. They were operating under strict radio silence, cellphones had been left behind and all communications were by Pack bond, so nothing could be intercepted. Maria was right, this felt really good- they had dealt a huge blow to the Cartel. "Joe, turn on the radio, let's see if they are saying anything about us." "Sure, Alpha. Nothing much on the police scanner now, anyway. They haven't even gone in yet, they have the perimeter secured and are waiting for the Bomb Squad and ATF." It took a few minutes to get to the top of the hour on the news-talk station, and the news was sure interesting. "KALB news talk, our top stories tonight. Albuquerque police have not released a statement yet on an explosion involving several vehicles outside a commercial building on the 1400 block of Mesa Avenue. Initial reports are that multiple men were killed when explosions tore through a pair of SUVs. The killings are suspected to be drug related. In other news, the car bombing death of Albuquerque DEA Agent in Charge Michael Miller this afternoon remains under investigation, DEA officials believe it was related to his work and vow to bring his killers to justice. Three people injured in the blast remain hospitalized." "Fuck, who the hell can I trust at the DEA now?" His thoughts were cut short by the next piece of news. "Local Were leader and symbol of the Were War, Renee Johnson-Hastings, was kidnapped shortly after 8 pm from a Babies R Us store in Billings, Montana. Video surveillance footage showed masked men injecting her with a drug then carrying her to a waiting vehicle. The FBI is requesting anyone with information regarding this abduction to call their hotline at 1-877-FBI-TIPS." The roar let loose by Robert nearly deafened everyone in the vehicle. "GET US BACK HOME NOW." Cartel Operations Center Las Cruces, NM Juan walked into the interrogation room, following Carlos. Both were pissed. Three men were blindfolded, naked and bound in the room, their hands tied to eye bolts on the rafters above. "Boss, as you requested they have been kept ignorant of why they are here." "Good." He looked with disgust at the formerly trusted men he had before him. All were senior in his organization and had been with him from the early days, but one of them was a traitor. "OK, boys, this is how it is. One of you has worked with the werewolves to steal my money out of the vault. If you admit to it now, I'll make your death quick and your family will be spared. If not," he looked each in the eye, "they will not be." He turned to Carlos. "Cut them down and leave them in here. You have one hour to figure out who the traitor is. If no one admits to it, I'll assume you are all guilty." One of the men dared to question him. "Boss, please, I've done nothing!" Juan pulled out his gold-plated .45 caliber pistol and pointed it at his face. "Those bastards came into MY place!" He moved the pistol down and shot him in the left leg. "They opened MY vault!" He shot his right leg. "They took MY money!" He shot him in the left hand. "And someone in here gave them the combination!" One more shot, this to the right hand. The man writhed about on the floor, scared to even look at the man he once considered a father figure. Juan pointed the gun at the others, all immediately lowered their eyes. "You have one hour to figure it out." Carlos followed him out of the room, the door locked securely behind them. "Boss, you know you won't get a solid answer out of this." "I know. See what they say, then kill them all." Gila Pack House Garage New Mexico The caravan of vehicles arrived and parked in the underground garage. They should have been ecstatic at their successful raid, but the mood was somber and angry. Their Luna had been taken from them. As soon as they were back on Pack lands, Robert was on the phone with Derek. The news wasn't good. They had no clues as to where she was, but the police and the Pack warriors and trackers were still out there looking. Derek had placed the rest of his pack on lockdown, including the remainder of the mates and children from the Gila pack. They were in the safe area with his own pregnant women and children, protected by him and his strongest men. Robert had already mind-linked with his Betas to find they had already taken that action and all were safe. It was back to protecting the vulnerable and his lands. El Paso Pack Clinic Texas The SUV pulled into the Pack driveway and slowly moved towards the clinic. The road was lined with El Paso Pack wolves, some shifted, some not, but all there to provide support to a woman who just lost her mate. Their wolves knew instinctually that their support, their touch, their presence might help the widow from spinning into darkness. The loss of a mate usually meant such a deep depression that the person became suicidal or gave themselves completely over to the wolf side, becoming a danger to everyone. It didn't matter to them that the widow wasn't from their Pack, she was under their protection. Beyond the Were War Ch. 06 The vehicle stopped in front of the clinic where a wheelchair and gurney were waiting. The four Gila pack wolves along with a nurse were waiting. Caleb opened the door and removed Anna's seatbelt before lifting her out and over to the wheelchair that Maria was holding. Anna was still asleep. "Sedative, she was starting to lose it in the car and we couldn't calm her down." They wheeled her into the clinic. The nurse then rolled the gurney up near the side door and handed Julia a body bag. She unfolded it on the floor then she and Brett lifted Enrique off the seat and into it, zipping it nearly closed. Brett looked out at Linda and Andy. "Take his feet, we'll pass him out to you." Nodding, both took hold of the end of the body bag and they worked him feet first onto the gurney. Both exited the vehicle, their clothes soaked in blood and their faces somber. Julia turned to her Alpha, who was standing next to the gurney, his hand on the railing. "Alpha, I need to do an autopsy and fill out the paperwork, then I will release his body. Andy, do you want him burned here or are you going to return to Gila?" "We'll take him home. Our business here is done, and with everything going on our Alpha will want everyone back." They had heard the news about Renee as well, it had passed like lightning through the El Paso pack bonds when it came over the radio. "I understand. I will alert your Alpha." Andy shook his head no. "Please don't do that, the Cartel must have been able to intercept communications in order to figure out Enrique was a threat to them. I can't trust anything but face to face or a Pack bond. We just need to leave, quickly and quietly." As the gurney started to move, the Alpha stripped and shifted, those in his Pack in human form following. He let out a powerful, mournful howl. The second time, his Luna joined in followed by the Betas. The third and final howl was joined in by the entire Pack. Cartel Operations Center Las Cruces, NM "Get some men to bury them out in the desert." Carlos nodded, wiping the blood splatter from his face as they exited the room. In the end, no one knew anything so Juan killed them all. "At least we have some good news. Renee Hastings is secure in the El Paso safe house." "Good. Arrange transport for us, I want to talk to her in person. She's the key, Robert will do anything to keep her alive, including giving all the money back." "Will you be satisfied with just getting the money, boss?" "No. They will pay with their lives." He turned back to his most trusted adviser. Carlos nodded, trying to figure out where he was going. "Now let's get out of here, I don't want to spend another moment in the presence of a traitor." El Paso Pack Clinic Texas "Anna, it's best if you just continue playing as if you are sleeping, fewer questions and problems that way." She nodded. "In this bag I've put the supplies you will need for the trip. I need you to change his dressing if it soaks through, and in four hours I need you to give him this shot. I've written up the real record of what happened, you need to give that to your Pack doctor when you arrive." She then turned to Linda and Andy. "Drive straight back to your Pack, don't stop for anything. Keep him flat in the back and covered with a blanket, make sure no one can see him from the outside. And keep your speed under control, you can't afford to get pulled over." "Yes ma'am, we'll take good care of him." Andy helped her move him onto the gurney, then they zipped up the body bag leaving a few inches open at the top for air. "Thank you again for the help with this, he's an important guy to Anna and our Pack." "It's my pleasure, just make sure you keep him hidden. If his true identity comes out, I'll lose my medical license for falsifying the death certificate. Get him a new identity soon and make it a good one." "I wouldn't worry about that, he's a computer genius. Next week you won't find anything about him except the obituary." Linda walked in, having just come from the Alpha's office. "We should get going if you guys are ready." Julia handed her a manila envelope. "OK, here are copies of his autopsy and death certificate. I've already made the phone call to the county, since the autopsy is done I told them I've released him for burial. By the time people figure it out you'll be back home. Good luck, everyone." She hugged them goodbye and watched as they wheeled the gurney out to the SUV, Anna asleep and held in Andy's arms. They laid Enrique in the back cargo area and buckled Anna in the seat row just in front of it. Caleb and Maria were already in the middle seats, and Linda entered the passenger side. Andy paused before getting in, turning to face the Alpha and his Betas lined up behind him. "Alpha Marino, I and my Pack appreciate your assistance in this time of trouble. I will be sure to convey that to my Alpha on my return." "Thank you as well, Beta Andy, and may you find your Luna soon and safe." Nodding, Andy got in and they pulled away from the house. "Anna, don't wake up until I tell you we are outside Pack lands, all right? Let's settle in, we will stop for lunch in a couple hours." Cartel Safe House Outskirts of El Paso Doctor Hector Martinez nervously stood at the door of the basement. His family practice normally did not involve house calls, but when you are basically owned by the Cartel, you do what they tell you. Hippocratic oath be damned. He was regretting every decision that led to this point, starting with accepting money under the table to patch up a man with a gunshot wound. His greed kept him going deeper, to pay off his loans, his house, to buy stuff for his family. When he wanted out, they laughed at him. "Shut up and take the money, Hector, your family lives as long as you do as you are told." The call an hour earlier had been cryptic, just to have his Were kit and to be outside his house in ten minutes. Men had come in a cargo van, loading him in the back he was blindfolded until he was in the garage of a house. "Here's the deal, Hector. We have a werewolf down there. She was injected eight hours ago with 2.5 mg of midazolam and again with 2.5 mg four hours ago. The first shot also included 5 mg of wolfsbane to keep her wolf inactive. Your job is to check her over and make sure that she remains stable and sedated for the next six hours. When that time is up, she needs to be conscious but minimally functional until we're done. Keep her wolf down the whole time, understand?" "Yes, I do. Did she have any adverse reaction to the injections?" "Not yet. Keep it that way. Oh, and she's several months pregnant with twins." Hector's anger was building, he couldn't believe they had given that sedative to a pregnant woman with no medical supervision. Screw it up and she could lose her babies, even her life. He gripped his bag tighter. "She is an important hostage to us, if she dies so do you. Understand, Hector?" He nodded. The door was opened for him. "Come on, let's get this over with." The guard brought him down the stairs and unlocked the door to the cell. "I need to take a dump, I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes. Don't worry, those chains are silver, she won't be able to escape or hurt you, and she has enough wolfsbane in her to keep a shift away." The man left him alone in the cell with a woman. Looking over, he recognized her as Renee Johnson-Hastings. FUCK. How could they do this to her after all she had been through? And why was the Cartel holding a Werewolf Alpha hostage? He didn't have time to figure out all the reasons, but he knew he had to help her. He couldn't live with himself if he was a part of her death. Moving over to the bed, he moved her hair out of her face and lifted her eyelids to check her pupils. She should be starting to wake up soon, he thought, as he checked their response. Turning to his bag, he prepared an injection and administered it into her arm. The stimulant would counter the effect of the sedative while the second chemical would block the Wolfsbane. It didn't take long for her eyes to open, but before she could do anything he had to warn her. "Renee, I am Dr. Martinez. I am going to help you. They are watching us, so it is very important that you not respond to anything I say or do. Don't open your eyes, don't move, don't change your breathing or they will figure out that I'm not on their side. If you understand, move your thumb slightly." He waited until he saw it happen, then continued to whisper, low enough so any microphones wouldn't pick it up but loud enough for her sensitive werewolf hearing. "I was told to keep you sedated for another six hours. You need to pretend you are still unconscious during that time, but the drug I just gave you will allow your wolf to come forward again soon. Whatever you do, don't shift or give any indications your wolf is present. Right now you are locked in a cell, you will have to choose your time carefully. I will be back in five hours to check on you again. Good luck, Mrs. Hastings, you're going to need it." During their conversation he had completed taking her vitals and checked the heartbeats of her twins. He stood up when the guard came back and unlocked the cell. "She's doing well, the babies are fine and she should remain unconscious for another five to six hours." "OK, come back upstairs with me and we wait." Gila Pack SUV I-10 near Crestland, TX Andy relaxed as the city of El Paso faded in the rear view mirror. The El Paso pack escort had left them twenty minutes earlier, now they just had to make it home without any Border Patrol searches or other stops. He set the cruise control at 61 and tried to settle further into the seat for the long trip. "CAN ANYONE HEAR ME THIS IS RENEE HASTINGS." The voice thundered through the Pack link, Andy hit the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road as Linda responded. "Renee this is Linda can you hear me?" Nothing. "Renee this is Linda Remington can you hear me?" Andy tried next, but was not successful. "CAN ANYONE HEAR ME THIS IS RENEE HASTINGS." They tried again, she was too far away to link with. It was only her Alpha power that allowed her to broadcast farther than a normal Pack wolf. Linda looked across at Andy. "Pull over and park, I need to make a phone call." She frantically dialed a number on her cellphone while she looked through the glove compartment for a map. "Alpha Marino? This is Linda. Say, you remember that thing we lost? I just got an idea of where it might be, but our car is having trouble. Do you think you could send a couple of strong young men out to meet me? I might need help loading it up." There was silence on the line while he thought about it, but she heard him agree. Soon it was time to say goodbye after making arrangements to meet at the parking lot of the student center of University of Texas-El Paso. She was confident her message got across, however coded it was so it wouldn't be obvious to monitoring. Two carloads of Betas and Warriors were going to meet her soon. Andy had turned around and they were heading back by the time she was off the phone. "So what's your plan?" Linda turned around and looked at Anna, Caleb and Maria. "You three are going to drop us off and travel back to the Pack without us. We'll hook up with the El Paso pack Betas and search for Renee." Maria looked back at her. "How will you find her?" Linda pointed at the map. "We know an Alpha can broadcast about twenty miles while a Pack wolf can communicate about ten. We're going to drive around until we can link to her, then draw a ten mile circle around that spot. We go until we can't link any more, then draw another circle. You get enough data points and you can narrow down where she is." Maria looked doubtful. "That still could be a huge area in a city like this." "Then we'll drive through the area hoping to catch her scent, or that she can give us some details on where she is so we can get to her. That's why I need the help of the El Paso pack, we need some muscle and we need cars. Andy, you'll drive in a vehicle with one group and I'll go to the other. When you make or lose contact, give me a call or link to me and tell me the location, I'll keep up the map." She made contact just before they reached UTEP. "Renee, this is Linda, can you hear me?" "LINDA! I HEAR YOU! Where are you?" "We are just west of El Paso near the university. Where are you and are you all right?" "I'm OK, I'm chained up and locked in a cage but physically OK. I'm in a basement of a house, no idea where, I was out when they brought me here. Why are you here?" "We came to El Paso to help Anna get to know Enrique, but that went south pretty quick. Cartel gunmen broke in and shot him, she had to bite him to save his life. He's still out, we are taking him back home and getting him a new identity. Now, what else can you tell us about your surroundings?" "Not much. I can't hear much traffic or noise from outside. They have at least three men here plus a doctor. The doctor is helping me, I don't know why, but he gave me something to counteract their drugs so I could use my wolf again. He told me to play possum until the time is right." Linda smiled, if the doctor was helping she would not be knocked out again. "OK, our plan is to use the mind link range to narrow down where you are. Andy and I will be joining with El Paso pack wolves to search for you. We will go in and out of range for a while, don't broadcast to us unless you need to, just answer when one of us calls, all right?" "I'll do what I can. Doc said that in five hours or so there is something going on I need to be conscious for. Hurry up, I don't want to know what that is." Gila Pack House, Alpha Office New Mexico "Alpha, we have two men at the east entrance who want to see you. Both are unarmed and say they represent the Gulf and Pacific cartels respectively." Alpha Robert Hastings looked up from his desk in surprise, the fatigue evident on his face from his lack of sleep and the emotions of the past day. "Search them thoroughly, blindfold them and bring them to the house." He sent for his Betas to join him, this could prove interesting. Twenty minutes later, they were in the conference room when two men in expensive suits arrived. "I'm Alpha Hastings, what is your business with me?" His voice dripped with disdain, he didn't differentiate between Cartels when all were involved with drugs, human trafficking and kidnapping. "Alpha, thank you for seeing us. I am Robert Johnson, I am a lawyer for the leader of the Gulf Cartel. My colleague is Victor Alvarez, he is a negotiator for the Pacific cartel. We have come here under the authority of our bosses to keep your battle with the Socorro cartel from becoming an all out war." "Why would you be concerned with that?" Victor looked around the room. "Look, we understand how this started and why you are going after them so hard. We respect that. It does have the potential to affect our business, though. The killing of a senior DEA agent, explosions in the streets of a major city, kidnapping of celebrities... all of it could result in problems for us. We also don't want to see Packs in our territories pulled into a war against us, we have nothing against them. We would rather work with you to eliminate your problem and reach an understanding that allows us to live without conflict." Robert sat back in his chair. He didn't like who these men represented, but he was also realistic. He couldn't let his Pack go to war in the civilian world either. "So what are you offering?" "Our assistance in taking out the Socorro cartel and its leadership without the involvement of werewolves. It is much easier for the public to accept a war between cartels than between cartels and civilians, or cartels and Packs." "We can provide you intelligence and some support in that effort. As you probably know, we are totally defensive right now and my mate is being held by the Cartel. Any assistance you could provide in returning her would go a long way with us and our allies." "We understand that and we are already working our sources for leads," Robert said. "Juan wants something, do you know what it is?" "Well, he wanted his fuck toy back but she's Pack and he can't have her. Oh, and he probably wants all his money back." Victor laughed. "We figured that was you. That must have really pissed him off, and it weakens him significantly." He pulled two cards out of his jacket. "This is contact information for our intelligence centers, there are multiple means of contacting them. If you have anything that can help, you can pass it along to those numbers and we will get it to the right people." Robert sighed loudly. "Yeah, we don't trust electronic communication that much these days. We had a contact within the NSA who was giving us intel, but they must have tracked him down because he was shot and killed last night." He turned to one of his Betas. "Make two copies of the intel he provided us and give these men a copy. You should know that he had access to pretty much anything, and now Juan's contacts must have the same. He also told us that the deputy at the Albuquerque DEA was a Cartel plant, since the car bombing that means the whole office is tainted." "What do you want from us?" "I want you to take these bastards out. I don't care about low level guys, and I don't want their families hurt, but the leadership needs to go and I don't want anyone taking their place. The cartel just needs to end. After that, I don't want an alliance, just an understanding. We can never be friends, too much of what you do offends what we are. We can stay out of each other's way. I want Pack borders recognized by the Cartels so you stay off our lands, and we will leave you alone as long as you leave our Packs alone. If you come on our lands, we will impose our justice on you, and Pack law is death to those who rape, kidnap, or harm children; no trial, just death." Victor and Robert conversed quietly, the wolves could hear them but pretended not to. Finally, Victor spoke. "Our organizations would accept such an understanding. We would ask that you not actively aid the authorities against us if we are not on your lands, of course." He and Robert stood and offered their hands. "So it shall be done. I will inform the Alphas of the arrangement. It would be best if a representative of your organization visited each Alpha in your territory to exchange contact information and affirm this in person." Robert then handed them each a flash drive. "On here is the information we have on the Socorro cartel. Detailed information on the leadership, their homes, habits, and anything else. Known safe houses, meeting places, smuggling routes. I suggest you act on it quickly before he changes things." Victor smiled. "We each have teams standing by to do just that. We will take care of Juan and Carlos and all there men soon." Robert's face hardened. "If you capture one of them alive, I would appreciate the chance to end their lives personally when you have what you need from them. I want them dead most of all, so don't wait for me. Kill those fuckers wherever you find them." Cartel Safe House Outskirts of El Paso The five hours had passed slowly for Renee, she had focused on two things- helping Andy and Linda figure out what area she was located in, and trying to get clues as to where she was. Both efforts were slow. They had her narrowed down to an area about four miles square, and were now driving through the streets hoping to find her scent. She knew that would be a tough thing. The opening of the door interrupted her thoughts, she remained 'unconscious' and focused on not moving or reacting as the men came down the stairs and her cell was unlocked. She could smell the guard from before and Dr. Martinez. Beyond the Were War Ch. 06 "It will just take me a few minutes. I have to examine her to see how she is reacting to the treatment first, then I have to give her an injection to bring her part way out of her sleep. I'll also get more wolfsbane into her." He took her pulse, listened to her breathing and checked her belly before giving her a shot. "She is doing fine. She should wake up in the next ten minutes or so, but it will take a couple hours before the sedative is completely gone from her system." Renee knew the timing of what she had to do, she started singing a song in her mind that she knew was three minutes long. Do it five times, then she would start to wake up. She could hear equipment being set up in the room during the third and fourth run through. Before she got to the last time, the door opened and a number of men came down the stairs. "Are we ready?" "Yes, Juan, everything is set up for the Skype." "Good, wake the bitch up and let's get this started." A couple of guards entered the cell and one started slapping her face. She resisted the urge to kill him and slowly came awake. Looking around, she saw Juan and Carlos standing outside. "You know who I am?" She nodded. "You are going to be on video soon with your mate. Your only chance of getting out of this alive is if you both do what you are told. Do you understand me?" Renee nodded. "Good. Start the video conference." Gila Pack House, Alpha Office New Mexico Robert looked up at his computer, wondering who it was who was trying to Skype him. He didn't use the service much, and he didn't recognize the number. The name came up as Juan and Renee. He accepted the call, and was greeted by a man he wanted dead more than anyone. He started to record the conversation. "Alpha Hastings, I have something of yours." He moved the camera back so he could see that Juan was sitting on a bed, and Renee was chained on it. She looked at him, she was alive but not really sharp, probably still drugged. "Renee, say hello to your mate." "Robert... I'm ok. The babies are OK." Juan then covered her mouth with duct tape. "This is going to be a short call, Robert. You have things I want. I want Maria. I want my money. And I want revenge for the men you killed. If you deliver those things to me- every dollar, Maria, and yourself to my justice- then Renee will be released. Your Pack will be without you, but they will have Renee back and she will bring forth the next generation. If not... well, you know how I liked to use Maria. Renee is a bit old for me, but I'll make due. I'll be sure to send you videos of all the fun I have with her." "You bastard, I'll fucking skin you alive!" "No, Robert, you won't. In the end, you'll sacrifice everything to save your mate. Noble, but stupid. Get everything ready, in two hours I will call you back and give you a location to bring it to. I shouldn't have to say this, but if you bring in the cops, if you send your wolves out after me, if you try anything stupid... she will suffer for it. My men haven't had a good gang rape in a while. I don't think your babies will survive, though, they can be a bit rough with a new toy. Accept your fate, Robert, and she lives." The conversation was stopped. He called his Betas in while he started to watch it again, looking for clues. They watched it a half dozen time before it was noticed. "Boss, what is she doing with her right foot?" As they watched, they could see she would twitch it to the outside in seemingly random patterns, but the rest of her body was still. It was Will, the Johnson pack Beta, who figured it out. "It's a tap code. They used to use it in Vietnam, we learned it because it could be used when a mind link couldn't. Back the tape up and get me a pen and paper." As he took them, he explained. "The tap code is a grid, made up of one to five taps. The first gives you the row- the way to remember is 'American Football League Quits Victorious.' The second set of taps is the column. Let's see what she is saying." They watched the video, pausing after each set. "Don't do it rescue coming. Love you." Gila Pack Vehicle I-10, Gas station Caleb was filling the tank and Maria was in using the restroom while Anna was checking on Enrique. His vitals were still good, she changed his dressing and it was looking better. It was time for his injection. She found the syringe in her bag, removed the cap and held it up to push the air out. She screamed when something grabbed her arm. Her reflex was to clench her fist, which caused the contents of the syringe to spray out into the car. She looked down, his arm was on hers, his face clenched in pain. He was starting to change. "What happened?" Caleb had run around to the passenger door and was looking back at her. "He's starting to change, he's waking up." "Shit, well, give him the shot and that should knock him out for a few more hours." "I can't. He scared me and the shot is gone now. He's going to wake up, he's going to change. We need to get him out of here now, and away from all these people before he goes into a rage." She mind liked with Maria, who came running back to the car. "Maria, get back here with me, help me keep control of him. Caleb... drive. Drive to the middle of nowhere and get there fast." Caleb put it in gear and tore out of the gas station, heading north away from town. "Anna... it's up to you. You have to keep him calm, get him to recognize you as his mate. If he goes into a rage and we can't get him to come back to us, we'll have to put him down." Anna laid down next to her sleeping mate. "He'll come back to me. He has to." Beyond the Were War Ch. 07 "I get this feelin' I may know you As a lover and friend But this voice keeps whisperin' in my other ear Tells me I may never see you again 'Cause I get a peaceful easy feelin' And I know you won't let me down 'Cause I'm already standing I'm already standing Yes I'm already standing on the ground." Eagles, "Peaceful Easy Feeling" Cartel Safe House Outskirts of El Paso Juan answered the phone, it seemed like that was all he could do now. "Boss, it's Ricardo. The safe house on Mesa Drive is under attack. There are at least a dozen men out there, we're completely defensive. We need help now!" "Ricardo, you aren't the only one. Dig in, do what you can to hold out until I can get reinforcements there. Make sure you destroy the communications and the information in the safe now, got it? I'll have people there in thirty minutes, just hang on." "Yes sir. We'll hold for you." The line went dead. Carlos looked over. "Who are you sending?" Juan looked over at him. "I don't fucking HAVE anyone to send. They're already out or dead. I just can't tell them that or those fuckers would just surrender and not finish the job." He paced back over to the desk. Carlos was busy working communications, everything had gone to complete shit in the last hour. They had alarms at three different safe houses, two of their distribution centers were under attack, and a number of smuggling teams were missing. The spotters they employed reported it wasn't the Feds, it looked like Cartel "rip teams." These were highly trained mercenaries that specialized in stealing from other Cartel smugglers and taking their cargo from them. They seemed to be everywhere at once, and it was overwhelming them. They just didn't have enough people to defend everything after all the losses they had suffered in the aborted Gila attack. Juan was furious beyond words. The safe houses were his biggest concern, few people knew their locations yet they had still been attacked. There were no places left he trusted to hide in since he didn't know for sure who the spy was and how much information they had been given. "Carlos, I've seen enough. Give the order to evacuate the remaining safe houses and locations. Have them load up everything they can, then tell them to go hide and call in when they are in a secure location." He slammed his fists on the desk in frustration, his empire was crumbling and he was powerless to stop it. "Already done, boss. Out of the eight safe houses, we now have four under attack, none of those are still responding. I've told everyone to go silent for the next 24 hours, I don't want anyone tipping off the other cartels as to where they have gone. My concern now is you. We need to get you out of here, I don't know if this location was compromised as well." He was already starting to disconnect the computers and communication equipment for the move. "Not yet. I know Hastings is behind this somehow, he must be in league with the other Cartels. He probably used my money to buy them off. Before we go, we're going to send him a message. Set up the Skype up here, and bring Renee up here. Make sure the Doc wakes her up, I want her screams to be heard loud and clear." Carlos hesitated, everything in him said to flee but he saw the look in Juan's eyes. "OK, boss. I'll have it set up in twenty minutes. Meanwhile, you should pack. As soon as we're done with the conference we need to get going, find some place to hide for a few days." El Paso Pack Territory Western end Hector led the three person patrol along the border of their pack territory, his gray and white wolf in the lead of the column. His Pack was on a war footing now, with everything happening with the Socorro cartel his Alpha had brought everyone in to the main house. The ones who couldn't fight, the children, pregnant women and elderly were in the basement of the Pack house near their safe room. The basement was guarded by the last line, including his mate Corona. Alpha Merino had kept about half his best warriors back to guard the house itself, while others secured the borders. Hector stopped and growled as he picked up the recent scents where they came through the barbed wire fence that marked the outside of their territory. There were twenty or so humans, he could also smell the marijuana and the weapons. He broadcasted his findings over the Pack link. "Alpha, it's a small group, on foot, heading north east. By the scent it was recent, they are still on our territory." Alpha Merino wasn't taking any chances, he didn't want any Cartel members anywhere near his Pack and in the direction they were going it would be uncomfortably close. He also had agreed with the other Alphas to hit Socorro cartel people when they could, and it was their smuggling routes that went through this area, the Gulf cartel operated further east. "Track them and observe, report in when you find them. Mike, take three warriors with you and move to intercept. Let's figure out what they are doing." "Yes Alpha. Let's move, Joe you stay to the east and keep an eye out for anyone else while we are tracking. I don't want them getting close to the Pack house without warning. Move from hill to hill quickly and move on when we have caught up. Mark, you're with me, I'll track, you keep your eyes up." The group moved out, Joe moving a half mile to the east in the grassy rolling hillsides. Tracking wasn't really a challenge, the trail looked to have been used many times before from the old scents and the trash left behind. Empty water bottles and food wrappers were tossed onto the ground, Mike was a little pissed at this as it was their territory. They hadn't patrolled much of it during the War but now it was time to assert their ownership again. The wolves moved quickly since the scent trail was so clear, it only took them ten minutes before they had the group in sight. "Alpha, warriors, we count twenty six in the group. Three men are armed, the rest appear to be mules and are carrying water jugs and a bale of marijuana. Of the mules, there are eight women and twelve men, of those a half dozen are underage and three are babies." There was a pause before their Alpha responded. "Mike, you and your men get ahead of them and set an ambush. Use the rifles and take out the armed men. Hector, you and your team stay in wolf form and follow at a distance. When the attack starts, you go in and finish off any resistance." "What about the people, boss?" "Have them drop their loads and escort them off Pack lands if you don't deem them a threat. Let's try and keep the collateral damage down, remember that these migrants aren't the ones we are at war with, we are at war with those who exploit them." Mike spoke up. "I know a good ambush point, it's about a half hour's walk from where they are now. We'll head there and set up, I'll let you know when we are in place." "Good," Alpha Merino responded. "Remember to coordinate your attack. I don't want them to have a chance to get a shot off, stay safe out there." Gila Pack SUV Near Vado, New Mexico Maria jumped out to open the cattle fence that led into the foothills east of town. As soon as it was open, Caleb rolled through, waiting only until she hopped back in before he floored it down the dirt trail. "I think if we can get to those hills, we can be out of sight and far enough away that if he goes feral we have time to deal with it before he gets to any human population." His look betrayed his careful wording, taking down an enraged newly turned wolf was dangerous and he'd prefer his mate was nowhere near it. Maria reached over for his hand. "Anna will do what she needs to do, I have faith that she can bring him through the change." He squeezed her hand tight, his left hand gripping the wheel as they bounced along the dirt path. "Anna, what is your plan?" Anna poked her head back above the seat, she had been using a towel and ice water to keep Enrique's temperature down as the change started to hit his body. "Renee told us what she did with Gary and his forced change, it is basically the same. I'm going to stay as close to him as I can, bury him in my scent, and hope that his wolf recognizes his mate and that calms him down." "And if he doesn't?" "He will have to tear me apart before I let him go. I need you to promise me, if I can't stop him, you'll do what you need to do. I don't want you hurt, I don't want others hurt because of him." Maria looked back at the gun case under the back seat. "We will give you time and space, and keep the vehicle well away. Caleb, if this goes bad you will take care of Enrique and I will go to Anna." "Agreed. But it's going to be fine. If anyone can find a way to calm the beast, it's Anna." They wound through the hills for another ten minutes before Caleb pulled over. "There. That looks like a good place." There was a small spring feeding a stream, and a grassy area under a large oak tree that would give them shade and comfort. "Come on, let's get him out." Working as a team, they passed Enrique out to a waiting Caleb who carried him bridal style to the grass where Anna had run ahead to lay down a blanket. "Thank you, I've got it from here." Anna jumped up and gave Maria a big hug. "If something happens to me, I want you two to forgive yourselves and move on. You are going to have a long, happy life together and raise a bunch of pups." "Anna, you're going to be there to spoil them and give them treats when they come see you in the kitchen. You do whatever it takes to be with your man, do you hear me?" She nodded. "OK, we are going to pull back and wait back there. We won't get out of the car unless you tell us to or we see it isn't working. Good luck, Anna, may the luck of the Luna be with you." Anna turned around, not wanting them to see her tears as they walked away. She arranged Enrique on the blanket, stripping her dress off she folded it and placed it under his head. She would shift when he did, she thought. She noted his fever was down as she lay beside him, her head on his shoulder on the side away from the injury. Every time he twitched or made a noise, she hugged him tighter. She kept her hair near his face, making sure that with every breath he took in the smell of his mate. El Paso Pack Territory Western Side "Everyone, it looks like they are taking a break. They stopped near that tree up ahead and are taking the packs off." Hector watched as one armed man stayed on point while two others walked along the line. "Joe, come back to us. We need you here, the ambush point is only two more miles ahead." "Coming, Hector. Mike, how far is your team from the ambush site?" Mike's team had moved by vehicle to a point well ahead of the intruders then dismounted to go on foot to the ambush site. They had stayed in human form since they were armed with high powered rifles. "We've got another mile to go, should be in place in the next fifteen minutes." Joe's tan and black wolf moved quickly back to them, covering the half mile in just a couple minutes. "Good, should be plenty of time now that they've..." Joe froze, his nose to the ground as he picked up the trail. His tail raised high in the air as he started sniffing and jumping around. Hector looked at him. "Joe, what's going on?" "MATE!! Mate is here. She's here. She's here. Must get her." Hector jumped in front of him. "OK, she's here, you can keep her safe, but first we have to take care of the bad guys, right? We don't want her getting hurt because you do something stupid." Joe's ears went back at the rebuke, he wanted to find her but he knew Hector was right. "When the attack starts, I want you to go to the unarmed people and keep them safe. Mark and I will go in and make sure the Cartel guys are dead. OK?" Joe nodded his head. "Good. We wait for the ambush and follow the plan." Hector turned around at the sound of the screaming. The two armed men had pulled two young women from the line and were pulling them over to a tree. They were resisting, at least they were until one was brutally backhanded to the ground. They pulled them over, tying their hands to ropes already hanging from the tree, before cutting their clothes off and tossing them into the branches. He remembered reading something about this in the paper. Joe recognized what it was first. "It's a fucking rape tree. Those bastards! They are going to rape my..." He took off at a dead run. His mate was in danger, there was nothing they could say or do to stop him, so they went after him. Joe was blazing over the ground straight for the tree, his paws tearing up the ground. Hector linked to everyone. "Change of plans, we're going in now. Mark, you follow Joe in and take care of those two guards. I'll take the one back at the people. Mike, drop your stuff and shift, get here now because if Joe's mate is hurt I don't know what kind of rage he'll go into." Alpha Merino was about to cut in and order Joe to stop, but he knew no Alpha command would stop a wolf protecting his mate. "Kill the fuckers, and do it quickly." Cartel Safe House Outskirts of El Paso Dr. Martinez was once again locked into the room with Renee, but this time a guard was waiting outside for him to get done. He reached into his bag and prepared an injection. "This will counteract the sedative so she can move and feel again. It also contains enough wolfsbane to keep that side dormant for another six hours." "Just shoot her up, Doc, the boss wants her upstairs now." "OK, let me just check her vitals." He leaned his head over hers as he listened to her heartbeat, close enough to whisper knowing her hearing was better than the guard's. "Mrs. Hastings, they are going to move you soon but they will torture you first. You can't shift or show signs of it until you have the opportunity to escape, or they will kill us both." He continued to examine her, then checked the condition of her babies. Looking back, he motioned to the guard. "Give her a couple minutes and she will be able to walk." "Get out of here, Doc, you should return to your room until we call you to fix her up." Doc stood and nodded, he was under no illusions as to what that meant, he had patched up enough people after these sessions. He went up the stairs and out. The guard unlocked her wrists from the shackles and chains, then sat her up, keeping the ankle chains on while he handcuffed her with silver-coated shackles behind her back. He then freed her feet, shifting her feet to the concrete floor below the bed. "Don't give me any problems, lady, you'll get enough pain without what I can give you." He pulled her roughly up, she faked being unsteady on her legs so he had to assist her out and up the stairs. He pulled her into the living room of the house, it was well lit but not from natural light, the windows were all covered. The room was rustic, with hand hewn wooden beams running across the short length. There were only a few couches along the outside, and some video equipment on a tripod. It would have been a comfortable place to visit, if it wasn't for the evil men on those couches, or chains hanging from those beams. The guard led her to the center of the room, facing Juan and Carlos. She was about to say something when she heard a noise, a chain was being lowered in front of her face, a steel ring at the bottom of it. A guard to her right was operating the controls and stopped it when it was at the level of her chest. He then moved in front of her, opened the hinged ring, and placed it around her neck, locking it with a padlock that was in his pocket. "Strip her." Juan was staring at her like the sexual predator he was, his eyes flashing lust and evil. The first guard withdrew a knife and cut her clothing from her, leaving her naked, her arms still bound and unable to hide the swell of her belly from them. "Renee Hastings, thank you for coming. You're going to be in another video soon, the good news is that you get to see your mate again. Before we do that, though, we need to set the tone of the conversation. I need to make sure that he does what I tell him without question." "Fuck you, Juan. You're a dead man walking." Juan laughed, then gestured at the guard by the winch. The cable tightened, pulling her under it then up on her toes. He watched her struggle helplessly as she was lifted off the ground, the steel bar pressing hard into her neck and cutting off her breath. Renee stopped moving to conserve her air, and for half a minute she swung gently in the air as her face turned purple before she was let back down. She gasped in the air through her sore throat, not yet able to get her heels down she stayed on her toes. "You'll learn to watch your mouth and do what you're told. If you don't, we'll do it again. Now, let's get you ready, shall we?" Juan walked over in front of her and pulled out his favorite whip. "Remove the cuffs and secure her arms out of the way." The guards moved forward with manacles and chain, quickly attaching them to chains hanging from adjacent beams so she couldn't lower her arms below her shoulders. The new position kept her from twisting her body much, but her arms were too wide to be of use in pulling herself up to breathe better. Juan gestured and gave her a little more slack on her neck ring, allowing her feet to go flat at shoulder width. "Get the video ready to go." The man brought a portable phone over, setting it up for the call to the Gila Pack Alpha. "First, I have a few frustrations to work out, and with what your Pack has done to mine, this will feel pretty good. Please don't pass out too soon, and feel free to scream as much as you want, the walls are soundproofed and no one will hear you except us and your mate." He nodded to the cameraman to start the call, meanwhile he moved around behind the helpless Renee. He waited for the screen to show Robert in his pack office. His voice was muted. "Robert, Robert... what have you done. It would have been so much easier if you had just cooperated. Don't say anything, I'm not listening anyway. I just want you to watch the woman you love suffer for what you have done. It's a pity, she is a beautiful young lady, and pregnant too." CRACK! The whip scored her back, leaving torn skin behind in a line from shoulder to hip. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!The camera moved around her as he continued to lay into her, moving from her teeth gritted with pain to the bloody mess that now extended down past her butt to her upper legs. "Come on, bitch, don't be shy. I know it hurts." "Fuck you, Juan. We will have our revenge, and you will suffer long before you die." Juan pointed at the guard, she was once again hoisted into the air by her neck, this time he left her until just before she passed out. He grinned as he watched Robert on the video link, his wolf was going crazy in him as he watched his mate approach death. He wasn't satisfied with her reaction to the whipping, and watching her being tortured in front of the man she loved had made him impossibly hard. "Let her down, and give her some slack again." When she had caught her breath, he went around and grabbed her hair, lifting her head up to the camera and her mate. "When you fuck me, I'll fuck you right back. And I'll do it in front of your loved ones." Moving behind her, he dropped his pants and let his throbbing erection out. "Your heart may belong to him, but your ass is mine." He grabbed her hips and lined himself up before pushing in with one long, brutal thrust. Renee screamed as she felt she was being split apart, but she was helpless to stop it. Juan quickly found his rhythm, pounding her torn ass with his hips in time with her screams of pain. His face was a mask of evil, satisfied that he was getting the reaction he needed to find his pleasure. Renee kept trying to move away, but couldn't; only the blood from her torn sphincter provided lubrication as he debased her fully. It seemed like hours but was only a few minutes before Juan pulled out, the video catching the spurt of his seed onto her torn and bleeding back. Beyond the Were War Ch. 07 Juan looked into the camera. "YOU did this. Everything that happens to her is YOUR fault, you proud sonafabitch. Look at how well you protected the most important thing in your life." He gestured to the cameraman to unmute the other side of the conversation. "I'LL FUCKING SKIN YOU ALIVE! YOU ARE DEAD!" Robert was on the verge of shifting, his nails lengthening and cutting the skin of his palms as he fought for control. "No... you won't. You will do EXACTLY what I tell you or your woman here will spend the rest of her short and pain filled life as the fuck toy of every swinging dick who owes me a favor. She will be well used, trust me on that. So, here is what you will do. Have you loaded all my money back into a truck for me?" Robert closed his eyes, then relaxed and opened them. "Yes, I have it ready to go." "And Maria, you must bring her." "I can't, she's not here. She went to visit relatives in Texas." Juan looked at him, trying to see if he was lying. "You call her and tell her to meet you at the Super 8 hotel off University Avenue in El Paso tomorrow at noon. If she doesn't show up..." "I know, Renee dies." "Good, you understand me now. Bring only your driver's license and cash, no phones. You are going to drive it out of your Pack lands and head east on I-10 towards Texas. One of my associates will meet up with you. He is going to scan it for bugs, communications devices and any other crap you might think of pulling. He will then join you in the cab and you will drive where he tells you to go. Nobody else leaves your Pack lands, I have people watching. If you try anything, if anyone follows you, if a cop even takes an interest in your truck, she will die. You will die. I will kill every member of your pack and you will become just a memory. Do you understand me?" "Yes, I understand." Robert sat back, defeated. "I hope so, for her sake." He gestured across his throat and cut the phone call. "Take her down, knock her out and load her up." El Paso Pack SUV West El Paso, Texas Andy was furiously clenching and relaxing his fists, trying to fight off the change. Renee had been broadcasting what was happening over the link, and what they were doing to his Luna had him seeing blood. Linda was near a breakdown as she drove a few miles away, they were desperately seeking her scent in the area they suspected she was being held but they were running out of time. They needed to do something different. "Renee, can you give me any more details on where you might be?" Renee came back, even her mental bond showed the pain she was enduring. "Residential area, rambler construction. It has a four pane picture window to the right of the front door, probably set apart from other houses as he said no one would hear me. It has exposed wood beams in the ceiling, so look for something built in the 50's or 60's, it isn't that big a house either." "OK, that helps. Hang in there, Renee, we're coming for you." Pulling up Google, they started to narrow down the possible locations to a few neighborhoods. Using Street View, he started looking for possibles as they car sped to the first location. "Andy, they've given me a... shot... shit." "Renee?" Nothing. "RENEE!" Andy looked at the El Paso betas. "They've knocked her out again." He sighed, this was making the job much tougher, and they were running out of time. Near Vado, New Mexico Anna watched nervously as the change started to come upon her mate. His eyes hadn't opened, but the random pops and moves under his skin told her everything she needed to know. The next few minutes would see him through or send him spinning into madness. She removed her underwear, tossing it aside as she rolled over the top of him. Her plan was simple- cling tight to him through the change and make sure her scent was in his nose until he recognized her as his mate and calmed down. She looked back to where the SUV was parked with Caleb and Maria. They were well back, for their safety as well as hers. A new werewolf with his mate could be dangerous to anyone around as they sorted through the emotions and the instincts. She nodded her head, then turned back to her mate. His face was starting to reform, his nose lengthening into a snout, his teeth growing in and sharpening. Fur was erupting on his naked form, and his limbs started to flail about. She dropped herself onto him, pressing her entire body close to his as she gripped his legs with hers and her arms held tight around his shoulders. She kept her head down and away from his teeth, pressing it into the junction of his shoulder and neck so her hair would be in his face. The sound of bones popping and reforming became rapid like a machine gun, then just as soon as it stopped. She lifted up as he rolled onto his side. He was a good looking wolf, she thought appreciatively, mostly black with some brown and tan spots and white socks. She moved her head to stare into the eyes of her mate. That's when he lunged forward and bit her. She screamed as his teeth tore through the flesh of her shoulder, tearing muscle and sinew as he shook his head. She rolled onto her back as he let her go, her eyes begging him to stop as he bit into the arm that was trying to protect her neck. There was a sickening crunch as his jaws crushed the bones in her arm, then he let go again. He stood over her, teeth exposed and growling, as she begged him to stop. He was about to tear into her again when the pain hit his back leg, followed by the sound of a gunshot. He spun around, seeing the vehicle and the man with the rifle, and paused briefly before taking off into the bushes. By the time Maria reached Anna, the blood was spurting in streams from her torn shoulder to the rock and sand below. She tore her shirt off and slapped it on the flesh, causing Anna to scream as she applied pressure. Caleb had run past them hoping to get in another shot, but Enrique's wolf had taken him too quickly away, he knew without shifting to wolf form he'd never catch him. He looked back, he couldn't lose Anna either, and from the bond he knew she wouldn't last long without assistance. He ran back to them, picking Anna up along with the blanket as Maria kept the pressure on the wound. They loaded her in the back of the SUV and Caleb jumped into the drivers seat. They tore back to the interstate at high speed. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911, he needed help and he needed it now. A State Patrol cruiser met them back at the interstate and escorted them to the clinic in Las Cruces. It was a tough day for the dispatcher, not only did they have a severely injured werewolf coming to a human hospital but they had a feral wolf on the loose out there. El Paso Pack Territory Western Side Joe was completely focused on the woman at the tree and the man who was slapping her, trying to get her to open her mouth and take his semi-hard cock in it. His vision was tunneled on her eyes as he flew into the clearing at full speed. He leaped into the air, jaws open, and before the man could turn around he had his neck pinned in his powerful jaws. He chomped down, his wolf giddy at the taste of his blood as his momentum pulled him off his feet. Twisting and shaking his head, there was a sickening crunch and the man dropped to the ground. Mark entered the clearing just as the second man had dropped his captive and was bringing his rifle up. It wasn't fast enough, Mark's chocolate colored wolf slammed into his chest at full speed. He heard the sound of multiple ribs breaking as the guard was knocked off his feet. Mark skidded to a stop, turned and pounced. He got to his throat and with a strong jerk he tore it open. While the arterial spray was covering them with blood, he jumped in again and bit the hand off that was holding the rifle. He spat the appendange at his feet, then jumped back in for his belly. He tore him to pieces within seconds, ignoring the screams of the women still tied to the tree. Hector was last, his man saw the wolves and tried to run for it. Bad idea to run from a wolf. Hector quickly caught up to him and launched himself onto his back, pushing him roughly to the ground. There was a wet thunk as his head hit a rock and he went still. "Everyone good?" He got an assent from his team members, then opened the link to the other patrol and his Alpha. "Alpha, we have two guards dead and I have one knocked out. What do you want me to do with him?" "See if he knows anything that would justify saving his life. If not, kill him." Hector tied his man up using zip ties he found in his pockets, then threw him over his shoulder and carried him back to the others. He looked over to Joe and Mark; Joe had a young woman in his lap, hugging her tightly while he whispered in her ear. Mark was cutting the second woman down, she had passed out from the fright of the incident. The men and women who had been taking a break were now in small clusters, holding on to each other in fear. "You are now under the protection of Alpha Merino and the El Paso pack. We mean you no harm." One of the men looked up. "What will happen to us?" "You will leave your burdens here and come with us. We will talk to each of you and if you are no threat we will drive you to the northern border and let you go there. Our fight is only with the Cartel." An hour later, vehicles were being loaded to take most of them away. The two dead guards were buried, and the last one was wishing he was dead. He gave up a key piece of information in exchange for his life- the location of the wholesale distribution center near their territory. Six hours later, the El Paso pack had gained a new Pack member, eliminated another twenty Cartel men, and confiscated 6.7 million in cash an gold. The drugs they left for the DEA to find with an anonymous phone call. Given everything else that had happened that day, it was all blamed on a Cartel war and no one suspected a thing. Gila Pack House New Mexico "Boss, are you sure you want to do this?" His Betas were lined up by the truck, worry clear on their faces. It went against every instinct they had to let their Alpha leave them for certain death. Rico jumped down from the cab of the truck, the radio in his hand, the GPS disabled. "Madam Alpha Renee did tell us that we shouldn't do it, that rescue was coming." Robert let a long breath out. "I got a call from Alpha Merino. They found the place in El Paso where Renee was being held, but she wasn't there. She was taken in a truck by Juan and Carlos. They were unable to find her." He turned to them all. "I'm not the future of this pack, Renee and the pups she is carrying is. I don't care about the money, I care about her. So if I have to die to give her that future, then that is what I will do. My final command to you all is that no one is to go after me, no one leaves the territory. Thank you all, and may Luna bless you and your families." He turned his back on his men and stepped up into the truck. He put it in gear and started to move out the driveway. Tears filled his eyes, his Pack members had turned out lining the long driveway. Most were shifted and lifted their heads and howled as he passed by. Using the Pack link, he talked to them all. "I love each and every one of you, and I want you all to live your lives to your fullest. Support Alpha Renee when she returns." No one followed as he drove to the interstate. Foothills near Vado, New Mexico Enrique battled the wolf in his mind for control. The long run had allowed some of the adrenaline to leave his body, and his wolf collapsed down to the sand. He licked at the bullet wound in his rear leg, cleaning the dried blood off his fur. It was a clean through and through wound and was already healing up. As he panted heavily, his mind kept going back to what happened when he woke up and shifted. He had hurt her. Anna was his mate, and he had torn her apart. Her blood was on his fur, and his wolf was arguing with him in his mind. He wanted to go back to her, to see her again, but Enrique knew that they would be hunted. He didn't want to be shot again. Eventually, he was able to merge his human side with his wolf side and bring the emotions under control again. He rose up on his four legs and started to circle back to where he had come from, but got himself a good five hundred yards away from his original track. He moved quickly and quietly, his wolf side understanding the importance of stealth as they returned. When he crept to the top of the hill, he could see they were all gone. Trotting down to where he changed, he could smell the blood and the stale scent of his mate; moving further west, he tracked them to the tire tracks. There was nothing else to do but find her. He sat and let out a mournful howl, listening for a reply but there was none. He started to trot along the road, his mind reliving that moment over and over. He had to hope she was still alive, if he had killed her he didn't want to live. I-25 Southbound Just north of Los Cruces, NM Alpha Hastings continued to drive at the posted speed limit towards his death. He looked over at Victor, a Cartel hit man who had stopped him just outside Pack lands. He didn't say much, he just kept his nickel-plated .45 in his lap as he watched Robert. He could smell the wolfsbane that no doubt covered the silver ammunition he would be carrying. He had handcuffed his right wrist to the steering wheel to make sure he didn't try something. He never said a word, just gestured to drive. Robert had followed instructions and had left everyone on his territory, but the Cartel didn't know about the people he already had in Texas, and they couldn't detect his mind linking. His Alpha call was sent out periodically, but he didn't expect a response yet. He was shocked when a voice replied. "Alpha, it's Caleb, where are you?" "I'm on I-25 just coming south into Los Cruces, and I need help. The Cartel is forcing me to trade myself and the money for Renee, and I don't have any backup. I need you guys to get ahead of me and wait for my signal." There was a pause. "I can help, but the others are busy. Anna is in surgery, Enrique hurt her badly and is now rogue. I have to leave Maria with her. Linda and Andy went back to El Paso to search for Renee. I'll head out to the vehicle. Where are they sending you?" "Texas. It won't be El Paso, though, Alpha Merino already hit their safe house and Renee was gone." "Or somewhere in between. I'm going to gas up and check my guns, let me know when you are coming up on Lohman Avenue and I'll jump on the freeway ahead of you. I also have to call Alpha Merino and see if he can send someone to help Anna and Maria while I am gone." "OK, just be generic when you talk to them, remember we don't know how much of our communications is monitored. Maria, you stay strong for us, link with me if you get scared. You can do this." He sent feelings of love and acceptance down the bond, and she instantly felt better. "Got it boss, good luck." For the first time since leaving, Robert began to think they might get out of this. Backup would help, but until Renee was free he had to go along with their plan. El Paso Pack House Texas Alpha Merino took the call from Caleb. "I need help, Alpha, a friend of ours is hurt and in surgery at the Los Cruces Area Hospital. She will need someone to help the human doctors, and we will need transport for her when she is released. Can you help us?" His response was immediate. "Yes, I think we can do that. I will send your friends your way as well. Let me call you back." Mind linking with his Betas in town, he directed them to leave for the Los Cruces area immediately with Linda and Andy, then he mind linked with the pack doctor and asked her to take a driver and go as well. He was taking a chance, but when Alpha Hastings described the directions he was given he figured that was a good direction for now. Julia was on the road ten minutes later, using her cellphone she called ahead to the hospital and gave them her contact info should the surgeon have any questions about working on werewolves. She found out she was still in surgery, they had stopped the major blood loss and were doing reconstruction of her shoulder at the time. She should be in recovery by the time they arrived. Cartel Van South of Los Cruces Carlos exited the interstate at the Vado exit and headed east past the gas station. "There is nothing out her but dirt and rock, I've used it before to hide bodies. It will work for what we need." They made their way down the rough track before taking a dirt path off towards the foothills. "Boss, how are we going to play this?" "We'll get him here, bind him up, then rape and kill his woman in front of him before we kill him. Then we go back to El Paso and pick up Maria." Juan made a call to him man in the truck, and told him directions. He smiled, revenge was a dish best served cold, and it was very cold out in the desert at night. Gila Truck South of Los Cruces Robert drove along the interstate, the sun setting to his right. His hearing had allowed him to hear the directions, so he passed them along the Pack bond to Caleb and Maria. Maria agreed to use a hospital phone to call Andy, and Caleb raced ahead to the exit before they could arrive. Robert preached caution, though. "I don't know if they will have lookouts or something already set up, so you can't approach by vehicle. Find a place to park and go wolf, head east and wait for me." "Got it, boss. I'll be at the exit in ten minutes then I'll run ahead. Keep in touch, all right?" Foothills east of Vado, NM Caleb worked his way through the brush and scrub, moving towards the foothills ahead. He figured they wouldn't do anything in the wide open expanses so he kept going. His mind was so focused on where he was going he didn't notice a wolf was coming towards him until it was nearly on him. He spun around at the noise, his hackles up as he faced a wolf. Not just any wolf. Enrique. The rogue who nearly killed Anna. Without thinking, he attacked. Lunging forward he got his teeth on the back of his neck and bit down, but something was different. Enrique didn't fight him, he just fell to the ground and went limp. His submission triggered something in him, so Caleb let go. Enrique stayed down, exposing his throat and stomach to him in the universal language of submission. "Enrique... are you in control of your wolf?" He tried to get through, but Enrique wasn't accepted into the pack yet so there was no bond that would work. He stepped back and shifted into his human form. "Enrique... you need to shift. Close your eyes and look into your mind, find your wolf. Let your human walk forward and your wolf retreat." He tried to coach him through the change but couldn't make it work. "All right, we'll have to do it this way. I need your help, Alpha Hastings is in trouble and they are coming this way. I need you to stay with me and help us. Can you do that?" Enrique nodded his head, then stood up. "OK, follow me. We're heading towards the hills to wait for them." As they walked along, he tried to contact Maria but they were too far away. He tried a different tact. "Alpha, I'm nearly in place and I have some good news for you." "I could use some, Caleb. We're a mile away from the exit now." "I found help. Enrique came back, he gained control of his wolf. I can't talk him through shifting back but he is with me now and all right. Can you let Maria and Anna know?" "Of course. I'm so glad he pulled through, Anna needs him to get better." They pushed forward, knowing time was short. His senses were paying attention, and they smelled the humans before they came into view. They slowly crept to the top of the hill and looked over at the van. Two men were in view, they were drinking beer and smoking marijuana. Both carried pistols, and one had an AK-47 strapped to his back. The van was closed, they focused on scent and identified Renee as being in the van. Caleb tried the link to her, but she didn't respond. "Alpha, we found them. Two men, both armed, Renee is in the van, I can't tell for sure if someone else is in there with her." Beyond the Were War Ch. 07 "Stay put. You wait for our signal, if you do it at the wrong time they will kill both of us. We just exited, we'll be there soon." Caleb moved back down the hill out of sight and shifted so he could communicate. "OK, Robert is coming. There is one armed guard with him, plus these two. Your responsibility is to take out the guard who is coming with the Alpha. I'll take care of the other two. You understand?" Enrique shook his head. "Good. They will drive through that way, I need you to loop around behind them and get as close to them as you can without being seen. Don't do a thing until you see one of us start the attack. And Enrique- don't hold back. These guys are evil, you kill your man and only then do you think about helping us. Can you do that?" He shook his head again, then moved off. Caleb moved around the other way, setting himself in a place where he could see the back of the van and the area where the men were. It stopped in the clearing, its lights illuminating the area flat area and the men standing behind it. "Leave it running and get out." Robert exited the van, his guard coming up behind him. He used the silver handcuffs to bind his arms behind him before marching him forward, his pistol to the back of his head. Juan looked back at Carlos. "Wake her up and bring her out here. It's time for the show." Carlos returned a minute later, half dragging a near unconscious and naked Renee out of the van and pulled her towards the circle. He pushed her to Juan, who grabbed her by the hair and forced her to her knees. Renee looked like she needed a standing 8-count, but her voice was clear. "I'm better than I look, wait for my signal then do whatever you need to do to get free. Juan is mine, you get the others. Got me?" Robert and Caleb answered, Caleb letting them know that Enrique was standing by to take out Robert's guard. Renee was hardly listening as Juan raged at Robert, blaming him for all the losses he had suffered. It was a long list, and when he was done they got to the part she was looking for. Juan sneered. "When people do me wrong, I don't just kill them. I have them watch as their entire world is stripped away. She was your mate, but she's my bitch now. " He unzipped his jeans and pulled his dick out, then pushed it into her face. "Suck it, bitch. The better you suck the quicker I'll make his death." Renee looked over at Robert, then looked at the eyes of the man above her. She sighed and looked back down, trying to look defeated. She reached up with her hands, cupping his balls and lifting his rod to her lips, then drew it slowly into her mouth. She got it all the way into her throat before letting it go, repeating it a few times until she saw him take his eyes off her as the pleasure coursed through him. She blasted through the link. "Three, two, one..." As she was counting down, she let her teeth partially shift, becoming sharper as her canines lengthened. They would never know that trusting the Doctor to keep her pumped with wolfsbane was their downfall, she thought. She drew him deep again before biting down HARD and pulling back. His scream kicked everything into action. Renee shifted into her wolf and knocked Juan to the ground. When he went for his gun, she bit his fingers off and tossed it away. Caleb rushed forward from his spot just behind the van and leaped onto Carlos' back. His teeth clamped down on the back of his neck, and twisting and pulling down he heard a loud crack as they fell to the ground. Caleb kept pulling until his head was detached from his body. Robert used the distraction to drop to his knees, getting the gun away from his head. He spun and kicked his leg, with his were strength he collapsed the guard's knee from the side. The man screamed adn dropped his gun. Robert was leaping to his feet but wasn't needed. Enrique raced into the clearing and tore his throat out. The clearing was silent except for their breathing, and the pain filled cries of Juan. "Everyone all right?" Robert got nods, then turned to Caleb who had shifted back. "Get the key and unlock me." While he was doing that, Renee picked up the torn dick off the ground and walked towards Juan. "I wish every person you hurt could see this now," Renee said. She forced his jaw open, then shoved the appendage into his throat, cutting off his air supply. He struggled against her, but she pinned his arms to his sides. She watched his eyes roll back as death started to take him. With one last twitch, he went still and she dropped him to the ground. Robert turned her to him, pulling him into his strong arms. "Baby, are you all right?" "I'm fine. It's over now. Can we just go home?" "We have to pick up some people along the way, but yes." They walked over to Enrique, who was on his stomach and watching. He rolled on his belly as they approached. "Enrique, it is good to see you. Anna is going to pull through, we'll take you to her as soon as you can shift." He put his hand around his throat. "I accept you into the Gila Pack and offer my thanks for what you have done for us." He felt the Alpha bond form, and with that was able to mind link. Robert talked him through the shift, and soon he was standing in front of them. Both embraced him, then were joined by Caleb. "Come on, let's find some clothes and get out of here." They managed to find enough to cover up things until they could get to town, even though they were bloodstained. "Leave them for the scavengers," Robert said as they stripped the bodies of weapons and cash. Renee and Robert headed for the truck while Caleb and Enrique took the van. They used Caleb's cell phone to update Alpha Merino, then stopped at a Target to get clothing and food for the trip. Renee rushed into the hospital waiting room and hugged Maria tightly. "How is she doing?" "She's out of surgery now and in the recovery room. With her healing kicking in, Julia thinks she can be released tomorrow. She'll have one impressive mating mark, though." "Good." She looked over at Enrique, he was relieved but apprehensive. The guilt of hurting his mate still affected him, he wasn't sure if she would ever forgive him for what he had done. Maria spoke up. "She's already forgiven you, she did that as you were running away. She knows you didn't mean to harm her." They waited patiently until Linda and Andy came in. Eventually, Anna was in a private room and they were all able to see her for a few minutes. "We need to get back home," said Robert, "but not until tomorrow. We all need some rest." They checked in to a local hotel, Enrique volunteering to stay with the truck. Caleb and Maria would take shifts through the night so they could each get some sleep. It wasn't wise to leave hundreds of millions of dollars unattended. They got adjoining suites, and it was soon clear the rooms were not soundproofed to werewolf standards. Andy pulled Linda to the bathroom, climbing in the shower with her and making energetic and loud love for the next hour. Robert was older and more patient, so he took his time. Drawing the Jacuzzi bath, he slowly undressed Renee, covering each inch of exposed skin with his kisses. "I can't lose you again, I never want you away from my side for as long as we live." She ran her fingers through his hair as he moved down her body, shivering as he gently licked at her puckered nipples before moving on to her sensitive stomach. On his knees, he kissed her swollen belly and wrapped his arms around her waist as he pressed his ears to it. "I can hear them, they are strong, just like you." "I just want things to be simple again, Robert." Renee shivered as his breath went over her newly exposed sex as her panties dropped to her ankles. "All I could think about was getting back to you. I would go through anything to get back to you." She caressed his arms as he moved back up, taking her hands he helped her down into the bath. "Let me love you, my love." Robert sat across from her in the bath, he lifted her legs up above his. She rested her head back on the edge of the tub, her hands gripping the edge as he floated her body to the top of the water. The bubbles and bath oils washed her tension away as Robert started kissing his way up her thighs. She moaned as his fingers spread across her ass, lifting her slightly out of the water where his lips were waiting for her. She moved her hips up, trying to force his face into her, but he wouldn't allow it. His tongue lightly traced her lips, spreading them open and exposing her fully to him. He moved slowly, using more and more of his tongue with each circle until his mouth was pressed upon her. He used his tongue to lick deeply into her, shifting it slightly to reach every nook and cranny as he drove her to the brink, only to slow down and leave her panting. "Please, don't tease me..." She looked down and his eyes told her to be patient. She laid her head back and stared at the ceiling as the burning started deep in her sex, the need increasing as he moved a hand up and started rubbing her button while he rapidly licked at her tunnel. She took a few quick breaths, trying to hold it off but he would have none of that. When he sucked hard on her clit while flicking his tongue rapidly over it, she broke. Her body went taut, jerking once, then again, finally she almost came out of the tub as she lost control and her legs straightened. She screamed his name as her juices squirted onto her face. He stroked her body as she came back down, easing her back into the tub as she regained control. It took a few minutes before she could raise her head and look at him. He was smug, knowing he had rocked her world, but the lust was also clear in his eyes. "I'm sorry, love, but I have to reclaim you. I can't bear to have another man's scent on any part of you." He pulled her shoulders and laid her on his chest, roughly taking her mouth with his. She was lost in the sensation of it all, her lips and tongue were tingling, her breasts were moving slowly up and down on his chest hairs, and his rod was rubbing against her in a delicious way. He didn't stop the kiss, he just lifted her by the hips and positioned her above his throbbing erection. She moaned into his mouth as she slowly lowered herself on to him. "I love you, Robert. Take me, and don't hold back. I need you to possess me." He looked into her eyes and saw the need, he moved slowly in her but the water kept him from truly moving as he wanted. "Wrap around me, love, we're going to bed." Lifting her slowly, he walked out of the tub, his cock buried deep within her as she clung to his neck. He moved to the king sized bed and laid his love out on it, following down as they never stopped contact. She kept her legs in place around him as he started to drive into her, harder and harder, his arms extended just enough to keep weight off her belly. He leaned down and possessed her mouth with his kiss as they came together, this time he bit her shoulder as his seed poured deep into her. They lay together catching their breath when Andy's voice came over the Pack link. "Alphas... I apologize in advance if you don't get sleep tonight, but Linda is in heat, so..." They laughed. Renee answered for them, "You better take care of her then, we'll have room service send up something for you when you take a break." The next morning, you couldn't get the smile off their faces. "Her scent changed," said Andy. "We're pregnant!" Renee hugged them both, while Robert gave a hug and a back slap. "Congratulations, we'll be sure to give you practice changing diapers before your little ones arrive!" Andy looked at Robert with horror, somehow diapers drove home his impending fatherhood more than her scent did. It was going to be quite the baby boom, they thought. Renee looked over the group as they loaded into the vehicles after leaving the hospital the next day. She was happy, mated, pregnant and her pack was prospering. Life was good. The procession headed north, back to their home. Beyond the Were War Ch. 08 "Hey you, out there on your own Sitting naked by the phone Would you touch me? Hey you, with you ear against the wall Waiting for someone to call out Would you touch me? Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone? Open your heart, I'm coming home." -Pink Floyd, "Hey You" Hotel Parking Lot Los Cruces, NM Caleb and Maria waved at Enrique, it was two AM and he was going to get some sleep before the morning. Caleb had offered to take the rest of the night, but Maria didn't want to be left alone in their room. They had napped together, fully clothed on top of the sheets. It was progress, Caleb thought, his mate was becoming more comfortable with him in human form. They sat in the darkened cab of the cargo truck, guarding the fortune in drug money and gold that had almost been returned to the Cartel in exchange for their Alpha. The window was cracked open slightly, but they kept the engine and radio off. They had a job to do, and part of it was to watch the mirrors and make sure nothing happened until everyone was up in the morning. That didn't mean they couldn't be comfortable; they had brought down a blanket and used it to cover them as Anna burrowed into his side, her head on his shoulder. He gently kissed her head, his love pushing through their mate bond as best it could since their mating wasn't complete yet. They had claimed each other, sort of... it wasn't meant as that, but when they bit each others necks in wolf form the bond had formed. Completing it would require them to bite each other while making love, and that may take a while. Maria had a lot to work though to get past her treatment at the hands of the Cartel. He had been warned it might take months, even years, before she might be able to complete the bond. It made Caleb furious, but that was all in the past now. The men who did this to her were dead. As they were driving to the hotel, she had asked him to show her what happened in the desert. He projected his memories to her, she got to see Juan and Carlos again and it had shaken her. Watching them die should have provided closure, but it didn't. He had just held her, she didn't say much of anything that night and now she just seemed tired. "Sleep, love, I'll keep the watch." She opened her eyes and looked up at his. "I'm afraid, Caleb. I'm afraid he will still own my dreams." Caleb rubbed her back. "Then we will make new dreams, and kick his out. He's gone now, love, and I have you now. I'll never hurt you, I'll never let anything happen to you. You and I will have a life together, we will be happy and your dreams will make you smile again." She sat up a little and put her hand on his cheek. "I can feel that deep inside, I just have a hard time trusting that to be true. I want it to be true. I love you, Caleb, and I will be yours and yours alone." She stared into his eyes, he could see the desire and doubt warring in them until they clouded over. She pulled his face to hers, and their lips touched ever so gently for the first time. She felt her lips coming alive with the tingles and the sensations of being with her mate. Caleb allowed her to lead as she moved her lips along his, before the tip of her tongue parted his lips. He opened his mouth and allowed her entry, her tongue gently twirling around his as she pulled him closer. Her breathing shortened and her face blushed as her body responded in a way she didn't know was still possible. It was desire. She could feel it deep within her chest, moving through to her core. Her nipples had swollen and hardened, and her sex was swelling with blood and lubrication. They could smell her arousal, and she pulled back from him, confused. She looked at him, she loved him, but the thought of doing those things again had her mind screaming no. Those things were painful, they were degrading, they were things she had sworn never to do again. Caleb understood what was going on when he smelled her fear, he expected that to happen, but to have her kiss him was a victory. He let her move down to his shoulder again where she could hide the emotions on her face from him. He kissed her hair gently as he pulled her close to his chest again. "Thank you, my love, that was amazing. Just as you are." Maria was trying not to cry but was losing. "I'm not, I'm broken, I can't even kiss you without being afraid of everything. I'm not much of a mate to you. I'm sorry I can't do those things. You deserve better." Caleb picked her up gently and set her on his thighs, her legs straddling him. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head up from were she was hiding it so he could look into her eyes. "Maria, look in my eyes. You are my mate, I want no one but you. You are not broken, you are healing, and every time you face your fears and move past them you make me so proud of you. It wasn't that long ago you kicked me across the room and knocked me out, and now you are able to touch me and hold me. You just kissed me of your own free will, and it was the kind of kiss I was dreaming about. The kiss of a mate, the kiss of desire, the kiss of love." He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumbs as he held her face gently. "We have all the time in the world, my love. We will get through this together. Understand?" She nodded. "Good. I think you should lay down and get some sleep, but I'd like to kiss you before you do that." Maria smiled and closed her eyes, her lips parted slightly and he saw her lick them in anticipation. As softly as he could, he leaned forward into her lips while his fingers caressed the back of her head. This kiss quickly escalated, her moan of pleasure leading him to push forward, his tongue exploring her mouth as he started to possess her. Her hands fisted on his shirt before she opened her hands and started to run her fingers over his chest. He allowed the kiss to go on until he felt her getting nervous again and pulled back. "I love you, Maria, and we will do that many times in the future." "I think I would like that." Maria sat back and yawned. "You are right love, sleep would be good right now." He helped get the blanket over her as she laid on her side in the seat, her head in his lap, his throbbing erection pulled out of the way before she could notice it. She was asleep before it went down. Again. El Paso Pack House Texas Dacia sat at the table, picking at the food in front of her. She was still shaking, the adrenaline had worn off now and she was exhausted. She really didn't know what all had happened. One moment she was tied up and preparing to be raped, and the next she was safe in the arms of a naked man. He should have scared her to death, but he was gentle and comforting. She had pressed herself into him, feeling safe, without knowing why, and had fallen asleep. Her mind didn't care that the naked man had moments before been a huge wolf. It was a safety she had not felt since leaving her father's arms in El Salvador before beginning her journey to America. The journey was difficult for her. The conditions were horrible, crowded trains, poor sanitation, and being taken advantage of at every turn. They were more cattle than people to the smugglers; the more they could fit into a truck or container the more profit. Young girls such as her, being 19 and traveling without a male protector, had it even worse. She hadn't made it through Mexico before her belongings and money had been taken. Stuck in a strange town, she was forced into slavery to pay for the rest of her transit. She was still going to America, but instead of working in a hospital as a nurse she would be kept in a whorehouse until her debt was paid off. Men in the trucks would rape her, then sell her to others. No one dared say no to the Cartel gunmen. It was best to just endure it and hope you could escape someday, the other women told her. She woke up when the vehicles stopped. The naked mad now had shorts on and he carried her bridal style into the medical center and left her with an older lady. She was given a quick examination by a nurse, got a shower and clean clothes, and then was taken to a building with a large dining room. The people were friendly, and didn't seem offended when she didn't speak to them. Her savior came and sat a few feet from her, bringing her an ice cream cone and some more water. She smiled then looked away, blushing at the thoughts going through her. He was a good looking man, tall and strong, with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. She could feel his eyes on her, and she looked back, seeing the love and concern in his eyes. "Are you afraid, Daria?" He was reading her body language. The nurse had warned him she might be hesitant to be around men after being attacked, plus there was the whole werewolf thing. She was a stranger and a human. Daria smiled briefly. "I was, but it is better now. I just don't understand everything that is going on right now. What will happen with me?" Joe didn't want to scare her away. He needed time to let the mating bond work before she decided to leave. "You are safe here with my Pack. We are all werewolves, and when we rescued you our Alpha placed you under his protection. No one will harm you, and any of us will help you with whatever you need. You will get a chance to rest and recover, then you will be free to stay with us- or leave if you want." He licked at his melting cone, and watched as she ate her own. "The bad people you were with are gone, you will never see them again. The others with you were taken to our north border and allowed to continue on their journey. The other girl who was tied up at the tree, she was put in touch with her family and is waiting for them in El Paso" He could see her relief. "Do you have anyone in the United States you can stay with?" "No, we couldn't afford to send more than one of us. I was hoping to make enough money to bring my mother and father here in a few years." "Well, I would like you will stay with us and allow me to help you." "Why? I don't know you, Joe." She kept her eyes down lest they betray her interest. "I want to get to know you, Daria. I think there is something between us, a little spark that with time and care will turn into a roaring fire. You are strong and beautiful and you call to my heart, little one." Daria blushed, she couldn't admit to him how he made her feel. She didn't know that as a wolf he could smell her reaction. "I'm sorry, Joe, I'm not right for you. I've done terrible things, sinful things that I am ashamed of. You are young, brave and handsome, surely you can find a better woman than me." She wouldn't look at him, and she couldn't eat any more either. She put her silverware and glass on her plate and got up to clean them. Joe linked to Mark and asked him to bring his mate to the lounge room. He helped her with the plates, guiding her away from the dishes as "you are our guest and we have Pack members who will do this." He led her to the large room to a sitting area by the fire, giving her a seat on a comfortable chair. As Mark and his mate Lynn approached, he stood and introduced them to Daria. "I'm glad to see you are doing well and that we got there before they could do anything more." Mark saw she looked puzzled, so he continued. "I rescued the other woman at the tree, my wolf was the large brown one." Daria stood up and gave him a quick hug. "Thank you, Mari helped me after they... before..." She looked at her shoes, unable to continue. Lynn pulled her into a hug, and for the next few minutes she comforted her as she let out the emotions she had been hiding. Her sobs broke Joe's heart, he wanted to be there but Mark gestured no. He reached out and held her hand, the tingles racing up his arm, and smiled when she gripped it back. Mark got her some tissues and when she was settled again Lynn sat down with her on the big chair, but she still held Joe's hand. "Daria, how much do you know about werewolves?" "Not much. We don't have any in my village, and I just saw a few stories on television about them when we were waiting around." Joe looked at her hand. "Werewolves believe that they have three parts to their soul. Our human mind, our wolf, and our mate. Without our mate, we are not complete. From the time we are of age, there is no greater goal for us than to find our mate and become one with them. Our mate shares a bond that is deeper than love. We mate for life. It is so deep that when a mate dies, the widow will often decide to die rather than go on living without their other half. It is not easy, though. Some of us find mates immediately, while others go their whole lives looking and never find him or her." Daria looked at him with sadness. "You are a good man, Joe, I will pray every night for you to find your mate." Joe smiled at her. "With us, it is not the same as with humans. Our wolf recognizes our mate by her smell, and our human side falls in love afterwards. There is only one mate for each werewolf, and when Luna, our God, pairs us up she is never wrong." He could see Daria was even more confused. "I asked Mark and Lynn to join us because they have been mates for four months now. Lynn, can you tell us how you found Mark?" Lynn held Daria's other hand as she talked. "Well, the war had ended and our Pack was able to go to town again after all those years. I was with a group of us that were going to the grocery store. As we got to the front doors, I smelled this amazing smell- leather, pine, and fresh rain. My wolf was going nuts in my mind, bouncing around yelling 'MATE MATE MATE.' I looked around, and Mark was walking out with his deli meal. He was big and handsome and I couldn't help myself." She blushed deeply as Mark chuckled. Daria looked at him. "What did you do?" "I basically assaulted him. I ran over, jumped up and grabbed him by the neck while my legs wrapped around his waist. I said 'My name is Lynn, what's yours' and then I kissed him for a solid minute before I let him answer. Best kiss of my life." "Mark, what did you do?" "I was shocked, but something about her made this all seem right. Eventually she explained who she was and who I was to her. Every time I touched her these tingles would go through my body. I took her home and we ended up talking and making love for three days straight. When we finally left my apartment, we met with her Alpha and started the process for me to be turned. A week later I was a werewolf and her man." "You were human?" "Yes, until she turned me. Once I also had a wolf, he recognized her as his mate immediately and we completed the mating. The last four months have been the best of my life. She's everything I could ask for, and I love being part of this Pack. It's like the big family I always wanted." "Do you miss being human?" "Why? I'm stronger, my senses are better, I'm healthier and I have a mate. You wouldn't believe what the mating bond is like; not only can we communicate mind to mind, but I can feel her emotions, feel what she feels. It's such a close bond that it's like we're one being, not two. The sex is mind blowing, too." He pulled Lynn close to his side and kissed her deeply as she looked at him. "I know you will have questions, and any of us will be happy to help you answer them. We'll leave you two alone and we can talk again in the morning if you wish." Lynn gave her another quick hug and they walked away hand in hand, at least until he grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder as he took the stairs two at a time. Daria sat in the chair, just looking at the fire. "I'm tired, where can I sleep?" Joe led her up the stairs to the third floor and down a long hallway to a room. He opened up the guest room, it wasn't large but was comfortable with a queen sized bed and small bathroom attached. "There are towels and fresh clothes in this closet, the housekeeper took a guess at your size so if there are any problems just let someone know. May I stop by in the morning to bring you to breakfast?" "That would be nice. Thank you, Joe, this day was not what I expected." "Sleep well, I will come get you at eight." He kissed her hand and watched as she closed the door behind him. He started to move away, but stopped and stripped in the hallway. Changing back into his tan and black wolf, he curled up in front of her door to wait for the morning. Hotel Parking Lot Los Cruces, NM It was pushing four AM, the lot was silent, and there was nothing for Caleb to do except rub his hand gently up and down Maria's arm as she slept. Her head was in his lap, she was on her side on the bench seat with the hotel extra blanket covering her up. He couldn't have the radio on, he had a job to do, and everyone else was asleep. Maria started to twitch a little, and he looked at her face. Her eyes started to move, she was dreaming now, and he wondered what her dream was. The smell told him; she was getting aroused. This had him hardening immediately, a common occurrence for him since they hadn't been intimate yet. His dick was getting stuck, so he carefully adjusted his package to be more comfortable in the basketball shorts he had on. Maria stirred at the movement, her hand coming up onto his bare leg just below her face. He could see her nose working, her wolf was forward and was smelling him strongly now. Her hand moved up, following his inner thigh, and snaked under his loose athletic shorts. Caleb froze, not knowing how to handle this. Her hand moved around and he jumped a little when she reached his balls. She moved her fingertips around them, cupping them in her hand and rolling them. Her eyes were still closed, but her fingers kept moving. She moved higher, her fingers gently tracing his large cock until they reached the head. She gripped it, not quite able to reach all the way around, and began to move slowly up and down. Caleb's heart rate was up and he could feel and smell the pre-cum dripping out. Too petrified to move, he watched as her face rose up and smelled him deeply. Her eyes were closed but he lips were now parted, her tongue flicking out like a snake trying to smell its prey. She pulled his cock closer to her face, and he held his breath as he lifted the shorts aside to give her access. Caleb didn't know why this was happening, but he was powerless to stop it. His wolf was whining in his mind, hoping for more, and she gave it to him. Without warning she stuck out her tongue and licked him from base to tip. He sucked in his breath, focusing to keep from coming at the first contact but his mind was going nuts. He let out a strangled moan when she covered him with her mouth and took him deep. She sucked hard as she dropped down, and it felt like nothing he had ever experienced. She kept going, reaching the back of her throat with him, and when she started to gag he put his hand down on the back of her head to stop her. Her eyes flew open, and she spit him out. Looking up in panic then back down, she jumped away from him and opened the door. She jumped out before he could stop her. She cried in pain when she fell on the pavement, her legs tangled in the blanket around her. Caleb slid across to the door just in time to see her throw up into the bushes. "Maria, please..." "LEAVE ME ALONE!" She ran away, heading for the hotel lobby. His wolf was urging him to go anyway, but he had a job and he couldn't leave the truck unguarded. He tried to contact her through the bond and she was blocking him. He tried to reach his Alphas but they were asleep and he didn't want to force it. "SHIT SHIT SHIT!" He banged his head against the wheel. Just when he thought she was making progress, he lets his hardon scare her away. He sat there for ten minutes trying to figure out his next move. "Caleb," came Renee's voice in his head. "Maria is with us, she is safe and going back to sleep. Can you tell me what happened?" He projected what occurred to her. "I think her wolf is far more ready for you than her human side is. When you put your hand on her neck, she said it reminded her of what they used to do to her and she freaked out. She's afraid you'll reject her now because she's so broken she can't even take care of your needs." Beyond the Were War Ch. 08 "Renee, you know I'll wait as long as it takes." "I told her that. We'll talk in the morning, she feels terrible so just love her and don't bring it up until she is ready to talk about it." "Got it. I learned one good thing, though." "What, that you can survive blue balls?" Caleb laughed. "I've had those before. No, I learned her wolf is on my side." Room 322 Los Cruces Hospital, NM Enrique's head popped up as soon as the door opened, the nurse came in and stood next to the bed. He was in a chair, his hand holding hers as it had been all night. The clock said 0430. "Wake up Anna, time for your sleeping pill!" She stirred, and glared at the nurse, clearly not a morning person. She looked at Enrique as she sat up. "YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE ALIVE!" She tried to get to him but the nurse and Enrique worked together to keep her in the bed. "Yes, love, I'm here. You need to rest, though. I'm so sorry this happened to you." He didn't want to say more around the nurse so he waited for her to take vitals and give her the pill, then leave. As soon as she was out the door, he moved around and lifted the blanket, sliding in next to his mate. He rested his head on her uninjured shoulder and they both started to cry. "I thought I killed you," he sobbed. "I thought I lost you," she cried. They didn't have to say anything else, they just held each other until they fell asleep. Pacifico Sur Cartel Headquarters Near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Hector Beltron was tired and the cocaine no longer had its desired effect. He had been up for forty five hours now, and every second of that was tension filled. The war that broke out between the Gila pack and the Socorro cartel had been a godsend for them. Not only did the wolves take out some of their rival cartel's leadership, but the intelligence they provided was spot on. It allowed his men to capture territory, men, drugs, smuggling routes and guns. He had nearly doubled his power and influence. The gains were good, but they had to be solidified. He wasn't the only one moving in on the territory, the Gulf cartel had been given the same information and had worked in from the other side. It was like late in World War II when the Russians and the Allies were rushing for Berlin, and whoever got there first set the line. Hector wanted that line to stay east of El Paso. The west Texas and New Mexico area was good for smuggling and he wanted it under his control. He looked around the room, his brothers and lieutenants were at the conference table, the flat panels around the outside showing updates and live feeds from various places. The raids had been a remarkable success, Juan's people were overwhelmed and lacking backup quickly surrendered. He held hundreds now, most of which were eager to spill their knowledge and pledge their allegiance to him. He had it all, he thought, except for the werewolves. They were the wildcard in all this. They had been granted special status by the Government after the war, and as such were allowed to control their territories. The DEA stayed out of their way, so they would be great assets in smuggling if it wasn't for their reluctance to get involved. Victor Alvarez was the sharpest lawyer in the country, and one of Hector's key advisers. He was standing in front of an interactive projection board, it showed the previous borders for the Cartels updated with current gains. He had added in the known territories of the wolf packs. "Boss, this is what I was talking about. The Gila pack," pointing to an area in New Mexico, "helped us with the intel but they insisted on being a no go zone for our smuggling. Keeping to that agreement will squeeze down our routes here and here and make us vulnerable to DEA and Customs patrols. The Santa Fe pack doesn't seem to be active anymore, but they are located here. It's really the El Paso pack that is key to our new area. If we can get them to cooperate, we solidify our routes all the way to the major interstates and cities. If not, and we have to go around them, it puts us in direct conflict with the Gulf cartel routes in West Texas." "So how do we get them to give us access to their land?" "I'm not sure. They want to control their land, that's instinctual for them. Asking for transit rights won't work. We could partner with them, allow them to take over a portion of a route for a cut. That might help with some of them, at least those that need money." "Everybody needs money." "Not all of them find money a problem. Most of the packs are doing well, they got reparations from the war. The Gila and El Paso packs are not ever likely to need us, though." Hector stood next to him at the map. "Why not? We can make them rich." "Too late. The El Paso pack? Before we could get our guys there, they had taken down a Cartel safe house in the city. They left a few guys tied up, and we found out from them that the house held a safe containing about six million in cash plus diamonds and gold. It was gone. Last night we got word their pack had taken out one of Juan's smuggling teams on their land. Brutal shit, they tore some of his guys apart, then took the mules to the north end of the territory and let them go. They didn't care about the people, but they left the drugs on the ground. Millions in coke and marijuana just sitting there by the trail like it was nothing to them." Hector paused, it wouldn't be good if the Alpha of that pack was morally opposed to drugs and human trafficking. "How about the Gila pack?" "They are untouchable. Word is that they were behind that heist at the old S&L in Albuquerque where Juan kept his cash. They took close to a billion in cash and gold, and they left millions in drugs behind for the Feds. They won't let us on their land, they made that clear. If they don't want to play, we won't be able to buy them." Hector wasn't used to being told no. "Oh, we can buy them, but not with cash. We just need to find something they value more than money and use that against them." He tapped the screen, thinking of what to do. They had taken note of how Juan's attack on their pack had been stopped cold; their mole in the DEA had gotten them details. They were pretty fucking brutal, disciplined and brazen as hell. Leaving the bodies in the vault for Juan to find? Fucking genius. He knew they would be powerful allies or bitter enemies soon. "Manyana. Rico, you stay here, wake me up if anything important happens. The rest of you, start getting some sleep. This war won't be won in the next few hours." He lifted up his phone and spoke briefly. "Have her prepared and in my bed in thirty minutes, I need some relief tonight." As he was turning to leave, Rico took a phone call and waved to stop him. "Boss... Juan and Carlos are dead. Their bodies were found in the desert. He's sending photos." A few minutes later, the crime scene photos were up on the screen. There was no doubt of who it was, or how brutal the deaths had been. Hector looked closer at the closeup of Juan's face. "What is in his mouth?" "His dick." Hector smiled. He liked these guys, he really did. Hopefully they would listen to reason. El Paso Pack House Texas Dacia's nightmares had returned. She was on her back, the man was fucking her, and she was crying. This time it was a little different, a large wolf knocked him off and dragged him away. She woke up, covered in sweat, her sheets tossed off the bed in her struggles. She tried to get back to sleep, but it wouldn't come to her. She needed him. God help her, she didn't know why, but just being with him chased the bad feelings away. She muttered to herself, she shouldn't be doing this, she should be a good girl and save herself for marriage like her mom used to tell her. Except she had nothing to save anymore, her purity was long gone now. Her head was still trying to get around the whole mate thing. It seemed too good to be true, but she had seen the way the mates looked at each other, how they treated each other. She wanted that. She wanted Joe. She got out of the comfortable bed, pulling her T-shirt down before going to the bathroom and washing her face. She found a comb and ran it through her straight hair, making it look nice again. She didn't want to look like hell when she went to his room. Just showing up was going to be embarrassing enough. Her, with just a shirt and shorts on, going to a man's room she barely knew in the middle of the night because she wanted him to make love to her. She wanted him bad. She could feel her body preparing for him. She stood at the door, her doubts taking one more shot at talking her out of this, telling her that she wouldn't get hurt if she went back to her bed. He didn't really want her, he was just being nice. Who would want a damaged, weak human like her with all these strong, beautiful werewolves around? They wouldn't be raped. They wouldn't be like her, and she could never be like them. Doubt turned her around, but before she let go of the doorknob one thought broke through it all. She had to give Joe a chance. She couldn't leave and spend her life wondering. She opened the door and started out, only to kick a big furball on the floor. The tan and black wolf awoke quickly with a growl, his head snapping around to look at her and then up to her face. His anger quickly vanished, replaced by confusion and love in his eyes. "Joe?" He nodded his head, his tongue hanging out the side, his tail slapping the floor as he looked deep into her eyes. "Can you... can you come to bed with me? I had a bad dream." He stood up and followed her inside, watching as she made the bed then slid in and moved over. He jumped up when she patted the bed. Turning around three times, he settled into the middle and she curled herself around him before bringing the sheets over them both. Joe was in heaven as she stroked and hugged him. She wasn't afraid, which was great. Whe he smelled her arousal it got him hard immediately. He stretched his head forward to get her to scratch behind his ears, and when she found the secret spot his leg started twitching causing her to laugh. She ran her hands over his powerful chest and down to his stomach. She felt the muscles underneath, and brushed against his red tip. He tried not to react as her nipples mashed against the fur on his back. Things were getting hot. "Wow, you're like my big hot water bottle! I'm getting a little too warm." Joe's mouth was open as she sat up, taking her oversized T-shirt off she tossed it into the corner, quickly followed by her shorts. Just like that, his mate was naked in bed with him and he didn't know what to do. She kicked the covers off and just laid there on her back, looking over at him. The last straw was when her hand slowly traveled down past her stomach, barely touching the dark hair of her sex before a finger split her sex. Before the moan left her lips, he shifted back to human form, his hard cock straining to touch her hip. "Daria... if you don't ask me to leave I won't be able to resist you. I'll make you mine and never let you go." He watched her close her eyes, then she opened them again and he lost his very soul in them as she said the words he was praying for. "If I am yours, Joe, then take me. I need you so much." "I am yours and you are mine, Daria. I will love you, protect you and care for you until my last breath." He rolled towards her and onto his hands and knees, slowly moving himself above her as his lips found hers. All the love, all the passion, the tingles, the bond, it all exploded into their minds as he lowered himself onto her. His tip spread her engorged lips, pressing forward slowly as they kissed. She pulled him into her, her legs coming up and wrapping around his waist. She used her heels to pull him in until she felt every inch of him inside her. It was glorious. Joe paused, just letting the sensation flow through him. Daria's head was back, her eyes closed, and a low moan worked its way out. He slowly pulled out, her sex fighting him every inch to try and keep him in place. He watched her face as he moved forward again, then again. She was urging him on, she didn't want slow, she wanted him to claim her, to take her, to make her his once and for all. "You won't hurt me, Joe. I need you now, and I want you to claim me, to change me, to make me yours forever." Joe picked up the pace, and she began to grunt each time he drove into her. She moved her hands down and grabbed his ass cheeks, urging him along as her knees fell to the side to allow him to pound her clit with each thrust. "I can't turn you yet, I won't bite you, but I will mark you." He kept his teeth from shifting, resisting his wolf with the promise of more later. He couldn't draw blood until he had permission to turn her, but his teeth left impressions on the skin at the junction of her neck and shoulder. His scent would cling there. This would tell others she was his and that would satisfy his wolf for now. He picked up the pace, she was moving her head side to side as the sensations started to overwhelm her. He felt her sex clamping on to him, and she let out a scream as her feet pushed her off the bed and up to him. He thrust into her through it, his own need combining with her release to send him over the edge. She fell back to the bed as his seed filled her, and he followed her down as he collapsed, keeping himself firmly within her. They were both breathing heavily. Joe hugged her to him and rolled her with him so he didn't fall out. He kissed her head as she rubbed her face on his chest, her hands feeling all over his body as if to convince her it was all real. "I love you, Daria. I've loved you since the moment I picked up your scent." "I love you, Joe." They were both asleep by the time he slipped out of her. She was his, and she was home. Hotel Room Los Cruces, NM Maria moved Renee's hand off of her hip without waking her. She looked at the clock, it was 5:32. She had been hiding in her Alpha's bed long enough. Hiding from her fears. Hiding from having that talk that she needed to have with him if they were to be together. It was time for her to face him again. She pulled on the shoes she had and quietly exited the room. As she went through the lobby she saw they had a continental breakfast set out, so she got a travel coffee, some juice and some pastries and walked out to the back parking lot. She stopped when the truck was in sight, gathering her courage, then walked over to his window. She hoped he wouldn't be able to tell how nervous she was. She hoped a lot of things as she watched him roll the window down. "Maria, I'm so sorry. Can we talk about this?" She smiled and handed up the drinks and food. "That's why I'm here. Take mine and I'll come up there." She hopped up in the passenger side and sat with her back to the door. "Caleb, I need to explain some things to you, and I just need you to listen to me or I'll lose my nerve and not be able to finish. OK?" Caleb reached out his hand and took hers. "I'll listen to you as long as you want, please just hold my hand and know that I love you, no matter what you say. When you are done I have some things to say as well." Maria looked down as she started to talk. "When I was taken, I was a virgin. I was a good girl, saving myself for my husband, and was just worried about college and jobs; I didn't even have a boyfriend. Those men.. they took all that from me. They did... they... used me. Harshly and often. They would beat me and force me to service them. If I didn't do it right, if I resisted, they would punish me severely. Sex for me became something I did to avoid more pain. Sex always involved pain. They taught me with a fist and a whip how they liked things, and how to satisfy them. I thought I would never get out of there, that I would die one day because they would finally beat and raped me to death." Caleb was clenching and releasing his free hand and rolling his neck, trying to keep his wolf down. He felt like a failure, his mate was hurt and he wasn't there to save her. He could tell this was making her nervous, so he took a deep breath and let it out, and thought about her kissing him. He squeezed her hand gently before she continued. "When my wolf started getting stronger, she helped. She told me there was hope, that somewhere out there was a man who was made just for me. A man who would never hurt me, who would love me more than life itself. I used to laugh at her, thinking that my life couldn't have a happy ending. My wolf took over and helped us get out of there. It was hard for me to accept freedom when you found me." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I feel bad for you because you deserve so much more. I love you, you make me feel safe and loved and I try to do things and then the old memories come back. Last night... my wolf wanted you, I wanted you. It was all going great until you touched the back of my head and the memories burst forth. They used to grab the back of my head as they forced themselves into my throat. Sometimes I'd pass out because they wouldn't let me breathe. I know you wouldn't do that, but I panicked and I'm sorry." She looked down at her hand, so small in his. He was moving his thumb slowly over the back of her hand, and it was sending tingles down it. "As I was sitting up there with Renee, unable to sleep, I was thinking about what I wanted now that I'm free. I don't want them ruling my life anymore. I realized that I wanted you. I want to be your mate. I want you to love me. I want to give you children and grow old with you." She finally got the courage to look up, and when she saw the love in his eyes she broke down crying. Caleb gathered her into his lap and held her tight as she sobbed onto his shoulder, the hurt and pain finally let go. He didn't say anything, he just rocked her gently and kissed her hair. It took ten minutes before the crying and the hiccups finally stopped. She pushed herself up and they looked at each other. He had been crying too, but she was a hot mess. Eyes puffy, snot running from her nose, lips swollen, hair tangled. She wanted to turn away but he cupped her face with his hands. "Maria, can I say what I want to say now?" She nodded, anticipating a rejection. "You have never been more beautiful than you are now." She shook her head no, he couldn't mean that. "You are so strong, so determined. I'm so glad I'm your mate, and I promise to love you forever. I want to make a family with you and grow old with you. I want to hold your hand on the porch as we rock and watch our grandchildren play in the yard." She gaped at him, mouth open and shock in her eyes, so he took advantage and pulled her into a deep, possessive kiss. He poured all his love into it, and she returned it. When they finally broke apart, they were flushed and breathing heavily. Caleb used the Alpha link for a moment then looked at her again. "Maria, why don't you go up to our room, take a shower and order us a big breakfast. I'll be relieved here in a few minutes and I'll join you. We still have a little time before we have to leave." She smiled and got out, and he was still watching her backside in those shorts when the door opened again. "Things better now?" Robert jumped up into the cab. "I got this, you take care of your mate. I'll let you know when we have to leave, since we can't get Anna out of the hospital until at least nine." "Thanks, Alpha. I just don't know how to get through mating with her, which we both want, without her past coming up to interfere again." Robert reached into the map pocket of his door and took out a coil of thin rope. "Maria has a fear of being forced and controlled, so give her all the control. Let her take the lead." Caleb smiled and jumped out. When he reached their room, he heard Maria in the shower. Knocking on the door, she said that breakfast would be here in half an hour. Plenty of time to try this out. He stripped and pulled the comforter off the bed. Taking the knife, he cut two lengths of rope and tied one to each corner of the headboard. He set pillows near the top, then tied slipknots in each rope and laid on his back before pulling them tight on his wrists. He had just gotten settled when Maria walked out. Beyond the Were War Ch. 08 She stopped and covered her mouth in shock at the sight. Her man, her strong Beta male with all those muscles and scars and that angry-looking cock sticking up, was helpless as a baby before her. "Caleb... what are you doing?" "I'm giving you a chance to do whatever you want, however you want, and nothing will stop you." He looked at her with lust in his eyes. "But only until breakfast arrives, you have to cover me up by then." "I don't think YOU," she said as she walked to the side of the bed, "are in any position to tell ME what I can do. Maybe I'll invite her in and show her what a fine specimen of a man I have at my mercy." She grinned when she saw fear flash through his eyes and he involuntarily jerked at the bindings. She ran her fingers up his tanned thigh as she licked her lips. "Or not. I don't think I want to share this, and I have unfinished business here." She pulled the towel off her body, smirking at the lust in his eyes as he raked her body. She found a T-shirt and put it over his face, keeping him from being able to see what she was going to do next. Caleb's wolf was going nuts, first at being in such a vulnerable situation but then at what she might be doing. He used all his senses to track her movements. Of all the things he thought she might do, what she actually did surprised the hell out of him. With no warning, her mouth was covering the top of his dick and she plunged all the way down until her nose was tickling his balls. "HOLY SHIT MARIA!" She didn't say anything, she just slowly rose back up, licking around his shaft, until plunging him all the way down into her throat again. Her right hand moved and started scratching his balls lightly while her left hand was jacking his shaft every time she pulled up. She would pause near the top and suck the head so hard he thought it might pop. He wasn't going to last long, and she wasn't going to let him. "Oh baby that is so good I'm going to come I'm..." He lost the ability to speak as his hips rose off the bed, and she kept sucking until every drop had been swallowed. "Tasty. I think I will have to do that again if you don't mind." "Are you kidding me? You can do that whenever you want." "Can you get that thing hard again? I don't think I'm done with you yet." She leaned over and pulled off the shirt, bending down so he could suck on her nipples. It didn't take long for him to recover. "Now, unless you tell me to leave I'm going to be a fully mated woman before breakfast arrives. You all right with that?" "I wouldn't have it any other way, Maria. Take me. Make me yours." His wolf was confused because that wasn't how it was supposed to go, but he was so happy right now he'd let her do anything. She climbed on top of his chest and grabbed the top of the headboard, bringing her needy pussy up to his face. He licked her with relish, her moans and movements music to his ears. When she was ready, she moved down his chest and grabbed his rod, placing it at her sex before plunging down on it. "Fuck YES!" Her eyes were closed and her mouth open as she rotated her hips on him, grinding her pelvis into him. "It's SO GOOD!" She placed her hands on his chest and started to move up and down on him. Caleb was helpless to do anything but moan and encourage her, and she was coming to life on him. She moved faster and faster, building to a climax, and when it hit she lunged down and bit his shoulder. "MARIA!!" He screamed her name as his own orgasm coursed through him, the contractions almost painful as he drove up into her. The bond blossomed between them, and the sensation was so great she collapsed onto him. With his last spurt, he partially shifted his teeth and bit into her shoulder again. He could feel everything she did now, her emotions were now his, and first among them was happiness. She had overcome it all and found what she wanted. Then there was knocking at the door. "ROOM SERVICE!"