Nine

 

Gauge couldn’t take back those three words he said to her. During the trip up to Greyson Creek, his mind repeated that moment over and over. “I love you.” He’d never said those words to anyone before, and even he was surprised that he’d poured out his heart so willingly. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how scared he was. Scared of losing everything if he failed. Scared of losing her. There was too much to worry about, and his mind wasn’t thinking straight. He felt conflicted. Had he said those words out of fear, or was that really his heart talking?

Even during the trip, Aniyah hadn’t acknowledged it. Instead, she asked about his family. He told her about everything, including the drama between his brothers, but he wondered if she even cared. The night before, when he’d told her he loved her, she’d simply smiled and kissed him. Maybe she was unsure as well. Maybe his words meant nothing to her.

He gripped the steering wheel, trying to get his mind off it. He had more important things to worry about, like saving his entire clan and his legacy. He wished he hadn’t caved when Aniyah suggested they take her car. Gauge felt much calmer on his motorcycle. But they’d packed Aniyah’s car with enough home-cooked food to last the clan a week. Gauge hoped to put an end to the war well before then, though. If he was lucky, perhaps he could end it in a single night.

During his time away, his clan mates and Axle had been training hard and preparing. After recently talking to Barron and giving him the latest update, Gauge hoped that Barron would come through as he’d promised. The Blacktail Clan was a formidable family of bear shifters who occupied a high place in the shifter community’s hierarchy. When he’d become best friends with Barron, Gauge would never have guessed it would turn out to be one of the greatest decisions he ever made.

Gauge arrived at Greyson Creek and turned down the inconspicuous dirt trail that led toward the cabin. He’d never driven a car through here, but the trees were cleared enough that a small one like Aniyah’s could fit. They bumped and jostled about as he slowly navigated through the thick foliage. The area around them grew darker the deeper into the forest they went.

“Where in the hell are we going?” Aniyah asked.

“Home,” Gauge replied, remaining focused on the bumpy trail ahead. Finally, he spotted the soft glow of lights from the cabin. When they were halfway there, Gauge saw two sets of glowing dots reflecting from the car’s headlights. The dots scrambled away into the darkness.

Aniyah gasped. “What was that? More wolves?”

“No, some of my clan’s patrols. They will come alert us if danger is near.”

He drove up to the cabin and parked out front. Before getting out, he placed his hand over Aniyah’s. “Mind the guys. They have not been around a female in a long time. If any of them give you trouble, let me know.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Really? Well, there’s nothing a nice, shiny metal bat won’t fix.” She reached in the backseat and pulled out a metal Slugger.

He blinked. “Damn, someone came prepared.”

“Damn straight.”

They got out of the car and started unloading the food, then Gauge caught the scents of two of his clan mates. He looked up. One of them hopped down from the trees, while the other approached from the shadows of the underbrush.

“Welcome back, boss,” Dayton said. The blond-haired, averaged-sized man had a surprisingly big heart. He could be as gentle as a kitten or as fierce as a clan of bears. Over the very short time Gauge had been around the rest of his new clan mates, he’d learned all about them.

Standing next to Dayton was Cory. Though he was the smallest member of the group, that didn’t hinder his exceptional fighting ability.

Aniyah jumped and spun, facing the two men. “Who are you guys?”

Cory lifted an eyebrow. “We should be asking you that.”

Gauge acknowledged the two men with a warning growl. “This is my mate, Aniyah. You two would do well to watch your tone around her.”

Dayton averted his gaze. Cory sucked in a breath and regarded Gauge warily. “Of course. Whatever you say, boss.”

Gauge gave them both a curt nod and brushed past them. He led Aniyah inside the cabin.

“You’re really the boss here?” Aniyah whispered when they were far enough away from the two clan mates.

He quirked a smile. “I am.”

Inside, Weston was checking the windows carefully while Axle was in the main living area, punching a hanging canvas bag that hung from the ceiling. The furniture had been shoved aside against the wall, leaving a wide-open space for Axle to train.

Frowning, Gauge walked over to the bag and held it steady before it could sway back to Axle.

Axle stopped in mid-punch and acknowledged Gauge with a start. “Oh, you’re back. I’m ready to skin some wolves, since you don’t trust me to patrol with the others.”

“No one wants to deal with your shit, Axle,” Weston said, continuing to check the security of the windows.

Axle flicked his gaze at Aniyah. “I still think we should take the fight to them.”

Gauge caught his brother’s gaze at her and narrowed his eyes. “We’ve done it your way already. It sucked. Unlike you, I have a more sound plan. Just be ready when the time comes.” He released the bag.

“Ehh…” Axle resumed punching the bag.

“All points of entry are secure,” Weston reported, returning to them. “The enemy will have a hell of a time breaking through the reinforced glass.”

Gauge nodded. “Call the others back from patrol.”

Weston did a mock salute and headed for the front door. He opened it, and Barron stood at the doorstep, flanked by Cory and Dayton, whose faces were pale. Weston regarded Barron with awe, as the big man easily towered over him.

 

Gauge beamed at the sight of his friend. “Barron! You made it!”

Barron cast a brief glance at the other clan mates and huffed. The others stepped aside to let him in. Weston left, gathering Dayton and Cory along the way. Barron and Gauge embraced briefly then bumped fists.

Axle stopped punching the bag and observed with a frown.

Barron scanned the room, his gaze pausing briefly on Axle and narrowing then returning to Gauge. “Nice place. It’s as my parents described.”

Gauge gave a hollow laugh then realized this was the first time Barron had been to the Whitetide Territory since Axle’s takeover.

“So you’re Barron Austin of the Blacktail Clan,” Aniyah said, stepping closer to him and Gauge. “Gauge told me a lot about you.”

Barron regarded Aniyah with a soft smile. “Good things, I hope.” He turned to Gauge and nodded. “You were right, man. She’s a keeper.”

Blushing, Aniyah playfully punched Gauge in the arm.

“Damn right, she is.” Smiling sheepishly, Gauge wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “So? Are you guys in place?” he asked, acknowledging his clan mates again.

Barron shook his head. “Only six were willing to come. We’re camped out not far from here.”

Gauge deflated. “Only six of you guys? We’re still outnumbered.”

“I did my best.” Barron pointed to Axle, who was standing on a stepladder, unhooking the canvas bag from the ceiling. “Blame your brother Axle for completely dividing the shifter community and making everyone believe the Whitetide are nothing but a bunch of assholes.”

At the mention of his name, Axle paused and regarded Gauge and Barron with a scowl. “You don’t know a damn thing about me, Barron, so shut the hell up.”

Barron folded his arms, flexing his thick muscles. “I stayed out of clan politics, but my parents remember what the Whitetide once were, before you took over and made them what they are now. None of us would be in this mess if you hadn’t fucked up.”

Axle let the canvas bag drop. It landed with a loud thump. He hopped off the stepladder and approached Barron, but Gauge put a hand to his chest, stopping him.

“Enough.” He looked back at Barron. “Both of you. We can’t change the past.”

Part of him felt the urge to bite back those words, but it was too late. It stung like hell to think of working with someone like Axle, who’d broken Gauge’s trust. But in the short time since Gauge had taken on the role as Alpha leader, he’d quickly learned that in a desperate time when his family’s honor was at stake, there would be no enemies among his clan mates, but comrades in arms.

***

Aniyah couldn’t believe that her sweet, caring Gauge had another side that was so raw and unnerving. Even when he’d told her all about his family’s troubles, she hadn’t realized just how horrible his situation had been. She couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to be rejected by her own family and not be able to do anything about it. Family—the ones you’re supposed to love and trust. And yet there she stood, before Gauge and his sworn enemy. Gauge’s new leadership role seemed to bring out another, stronger part of him, which she admired.

The woods at Greyson Creek seemed spooky at night, and yet they were peaceful. The cabin was in a perfect location to really get away from it all. She could definitely see herself living there with Gauge, away from the stresses of life in the city. Besides, she wasn’t far from Ron’s store, and there was, no doubt, a small town nearby where she could open her own bakery. If she stayed with Gauge, her dreams could very well become a reality. The Whitetide Clan seemed more than welcoming of her, though being the only female was odd. Gauge had said that Axle could never keep a mate, and he’d disallowed the other clan mates from mating as well. It must’ve been terrible for all the men, being banned from sex, love, and hope for a sustainable future for the clan. No wonder Axle was the most hated leader. And no wonder Gauge and his younger brother had left.

Aniyah watched Axle lean the heavy canvas punching bag against the wall in the corner of the main living area. He took off his bag gloves and set them in a storage closet that was full of various sports equipment. She noticed a slight pained look on his face. After learning about Axle’s misdeeds, she had conflicting feelings about him. She wanted to feel sorry for Axle, but she also hated bullies and tyrants. Being a leader didn’t mean being an asshole. She wondered if Axle had a story of his own that no one, not even his brothers, knew that had driven him to such action.

The sound of furious scratching came from the front door, interrupting Aniyah’s thoughts. While Gauge and Barron continued talking, Axle, grumbling under his breath, went to the door and answered it. A large tiger stood at the doorway before him, its lush orange coat stained with blood. Gauge and Barron stopped talking and looked at the tiger.

The tiger growled at Gauge, causing him to start and look deeply contemplative about something.

“Shit!” He rubbed his temples, as if listening to something in his mind.

Barron’s gaze bounced from Gauge to the tiger. “Is it time?” he asked Gauge.

Gauge nodded. “Two Dessar were spotted sneaking past the eastern marker.”

“They’re going to ambush—attack from all sides,” Barron confirmed.

Aniyah bit her bottom lip, feeling the tension in the air rise. She was as ready as she was going to be to handle an ambush. “So where are we going first?”

Gauge looked her way. “You’re staying here and defending the cabin. Weston will be here with you, as well.”

“Defend the cabin? That doesn’t sound very exciting. Is that your way of saying ‘stay here where it’s safe’?” Fuming, she crossed her arms. “Don’t treat me like some defenseless little flower. You said so yourself that you guys are outnumbered. You’re going to need all the help you can get.”

Gauge shook his head. “I’ve no doubt you can fight. But a shifter will overwhelm any human in close combat. I don’t want you hurt.”

She flared her nostrils in frustration. He was probably right, but she wasn’t about to sit around and do nothing while Gauge was out there, fighting for his life. If he thought being human was a handicap that prevented her from defending the people she loved, she would prove otherwise. The night was not over yet.