Chapter 1
Ford
It had been a few weeks since the coyotes had attacked our lodge. Grant was healing better and my sister, Violet, was taking care of him. As much as I disliked the fact that one of my best friends was with my baby sister, I knew it was for the best. I could see how much they cared for one another, and based on how Grant fought those coyotes, I knew he would do anything to protect her. Which was the most important thing to me.
Now, we just had to figure out a way to end the threat of the coyotes for good.
Since the attack, things had been fairly quiet, but I knew it was only a matter of time before they coyotes attacked us again. While our clan was strong, I was starting to wonder if we needed extra help in dealing with the coyotes. They have proved to be a lot bigger of a threat to our clan than we originally thought.
I had called a meeting with the clan that night to discuss how we could handle the threat of the coyotes. Lincoln, Jackson and even Grant were all there along with the rest of our clan.
“Since killing their Alpha didn’t stop them, we need to think of something else,” I said.
“Is there a way we could just take them all out?” Jackson asked. I let out a sigh. Taking out a whole pack wasn’t something that I wanted to do.
“While I hate some of the coyotes, I don’t think the entire pack is to blame. I don’t want to be responsible for killing innocent shifters.” A murmur of agreement resounded in the living room.
“Are there any other clans we could reach out to for help?” Grant asked.
“Sadly no,” I said shaking my head. “The closest clan to us is in Texas. That is a bit of jump to help out shifters they don’t even know. Even if we are all bears.”
“What about other shifters?” Lincoln asked.
I never really thought about bringing other shifters into our fight with the coyotes. Mainly because, I didn’t want to cause any more bloodshed of innocent life. But Lincoln had a point. My thoughts went to the Canyon Hollow Wolf Pack.
“I know someone I can reach out to, but I know it will be at a price,” I said.
***
As the rest of the clan left the lodge, Lincoln turned to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“You sure you want to do this?”
“What other choice do we have? The only thing we can do is reach out to someone else for help.”
“I know man, you just don’t know what they will ask for the help.”
I let out a sigh. Lincoln was right. I had no idea what their Alpha would ask for in return, or if he would even agree to the help. But I couldn’t just sit around and wait for the next attack from the coyotes. I smiled at Lincoln and walked him to the door.
“Don’t worry about it, Lincoln,” I said. “Whatever they ask for, I will figure it out.”
As soon as everyone was gone, I walked into a room that I had turned into an office and I shut the door. I sat down in my comfy leather chair and picked up my cell phone and scrolled until I found the wolf packs Alpha’s number.
James Evans.
The Canyon Hollow Wolf Pack had been around the area for about as long as our clan had. Previous Alphas, long before our time, had settled a treaty between our clan and their pack. We would stay out of their business, as long as they stayed out of ours.
And it worked.
We never had any conflict with the wolves. They mainly kept to themselves. This would be the first time that our clan reached out to them for actual help.
James answered on the first ring.
“Ford! It’s been awhile since I heard from you,” he said. I always enjoyed how laid-back James usually was.
“Hi James, how have things been going?”
“Pretty much the same around here, how about things with you?”
“Things are going well.”
“I heard you guys have been fighting with the coyote pack,” quickly switching from small talk.
“Actually, that is the reason I am calling.”
“We haven’t aligned with them, if that is what you are going to ask,” James said.
“No, I didn’t think you would. I was wondering if we could use your help. Even with their Alpha dead, they don’t seem to be backing off. I am getting tired of the useless bloodshed. I want the fight between our clan and their pack to finally be finished. And the only way I can see that is if we gain strength in numbers.”
“You want our pack to align with your clan,” James said flatly.
“I know it is a big ask, James. But I wouldn’t be coming to you if I didn’t have any other option.”
There was a long moment of silence on the other end. For a moment, I thought James had hung up on me, but when I looked at my phone, the call was still connected. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“That is a big ask, Ford. But I think I might have a solution.”
“What will it take?” I asked holding my breath.
“My daughter,” James said.
“What about your daughter?” I asked.
“If our pack aligns with yours. Then you need to marry my daughter.”