Broken Pieces

Chapter Twenty-Eight

By Roofles

The first thing Barrett woke to was the pain.

Even with his eyes closed, he felt it. Like a hot iron pressing into his side, forcing a weak groaning growl out of him that rose in volume until he was forced to awaken. Teeth grinding together, gums lifting, he bared his fangs as his eyes fluttered opened from the bright light overhead, glaring at anyone around.

The room was empty and silent, with only the wolf within it.

He was on a sofa, in the garage. Their garage. At the wolf house. Barrett could smell the distinct odor of the Alpha permeating every surface as if Reese had rolled around every corner of the room. It smelled of his pack brother, Domino, and even of several other wolves that had earned the right to enter such a place.

He tried to move, to lift his arm but he felt stiff and sore all over. His entire body hurt, and Barrett slumped back into the sofa, weak and powerless.

“Fuck," were the first word out of his mouth. “…Alan?" Was the second.

Only silence met him.

It was strange. Though this place felt familiar, something was off. As if half the room was missing… Reaching up with a weak hand, Barrett felt it. Felt the bandages covering the left side of his face. Over his eyes. He couldn't see out of it.

Despite there being a familiar ceiling overhead, he whimpered.

Barrett, a wolf, a soldier, a bouncer at a night club and now a member, the second of the pack, couldn't see out of his left eye. And he cursed his weakness.

“Fuck," he wanted to scream, to cry out and yell and shout and howl. He didn't. Instead, once more. He spoke. He called out. A single word, a single name. Hoping to be heard. “Alan…?"

Only silence met him.

Barrett tried to adjust his position, trying to sit up but the pain shooting up his side prevented any further movement than a grunting shift of his weight to get off his tail. With shaky, weak hands he reached down to feel the bandages wrapped around his middle and his good eye shot down to look at them.

White and freshly changed. Maybe even from that morning. He felt the fabric with his fingers. Pausing, he looked himself over. He'd been stripped naked and placed underneath a warm comforter.  His left arm was bandaged as well as one of his thighs he found out as he lifted the comforter up.

They had attended to his wounds after…

“Alan," Barret snarled as he sat up. Wincing at the pain in his side bit viciously into him. Cursing, Barrett huffed and grunted, looking around the room quickly. It remained empty as it had before. Half the room still missing as he had to turn his head from one side to the next. “Alan!"

No one answered him but his memories came rushing back, nearly knocking him over as his eyes burned hotly.

Barrett recalled that café. What had happened. He'd accompanied Alan on another outing, but it wasn't with Salt and Pepper, no. It was with that other wolf, PB, to such a place. A café. A harmless, innocent place and yet… Barrett should've known. He knew something was up. He should've trusted his gut, but Alan had looked so happy. Barrett didn't want to ruin that. To ruin his happiness. Happy at the idea, the prospect of hanging out with his old, lost friend again.

To get out and try and help PB relax, always trying to help others above himself.

And now because of Barrett's weakness, he was gone…

“Dammit," he cursed, gritting his teeth to the point he tasted blood as he slammed back into the sofa, covering his good eye with a hand. Forcing himself not to cry. To bury his emotions as he'd been taught.

Barrett had let his personal feelings get in the way. Seeing Alan hurt by that nutty brown furred wolf had triggered him. He wanted to march over there and rip PB's head off for such an insult to his Alpha's mate. To his… friend? To his… mate? Barrett wasn't even sure what Alan was to him anymore. Just that he'd let his guard down. That he had looked away from the threat before him, more concerned about the Alpha-mate and because of that he'd been taken off guard. Even dropping his weapon.

His own carelessly had cost him so much.

The rhino had hit him like a “god damn" truck. Crashing through the café and taking both Barrett and the wall behind him out as he was thrown into the bathroom. A room away from where Alan and Ernie were. Away from his charge. The wolf separated from the Alpha-mate. Barrett could only hope the new recruit could hold his own as Barrett took care of the larger threat, that being the rhino.

He was massive with dark gray skin and tattoos running up and down his arms like sleeves. His horn was tipped with sharp metal that sparkled from the lights above. It glistened with fresh blood and Barrett felt the pain in his arm from where it had gotten him.  

That was how his arm had gotten wounded. That metal tipped horn had dug deep into his arm, ripping through fur and hide and scrapping bone underneath. Barrett was lucky he hadn't lost his arm. Or his life.

Barrett, at the last second, had guarded his vitals from the rhino's horn. Sacrificing his arm and weapon to protect them. The metal tipped horn cut through his suit and bored into his arm. With a heavy flick of their head, the rhino had torn the horn out of Barrett's thick hide and thrown the wolf onto the tiled floor in the bathroom.

The pain was the slap in the face the wolf needed to get his shit together. It wasn't like him to get emotional. This was a job, since the beginning… no matter how he felt, it didn't change the fact he was the current Alpha's second.

Barrett found himself unarmed and down an arm. Not a favorable position for a lone wolf to be in.

Without a gun, the rhino was beginning to posture and mock him.

“Little Wolfie fell down," Dozer, the rhino, mocked. “Can't keep up with the heavy weights, can ya'?" And he charged again.

His heavy steps cracked the tiled floor. Every step shook the room as he built up speed, running at the wolf once more. Charging him blindly.

Barrett might've dropped his gun, but it didn't mean he was helpless. Using his long reach, he snagged one of the sinks from the wall and using his immense strength, fueled by the pain in his arm, Barrett ripped the porcelain sink off the wall. Smashing the sink against the side of the rhino's face, he diverted the charging herbivore straight into one of the stalls that he crashed into and nearly through.

Barrett wasted no time to pounce on top of him. Smashing Dozer's face against the toilet lid and rim, before stuffing his fat snout into the toilet bowl and keeping it there. Drowning him in the water. The rhino's arms flailed, his legs kicked out and one of his fat hands slapped the lever, flushing the toilet allowing him to breathe.

His gasping breaths filled the stalls before a roar of pain ripped out of Dozer's throat as Barrett's teeth ripped off one of his ears. The wolf had been going for the rhino's thick neck but the muscular arms flailing around kept them from reaching, smacking Barrett in the face several times.

With a huff, a flex and a full body jump Dozer through Barrett off him. Forcing the wolf back into the bathroom. Landing on all fours, Barrett righted himself as the rhino swung his head around like a wrecking ball, smashing through the stalls and fuming at the wolf.

“I'll skin you alive, wolf!" Dozer snorted out as his heavy feet smashed against the ground, scratching over it as he revved himself up for another charge.

This was exactly why Barrett hated fighting these thick-headed herbivores. They all tried the same damn tactic. It's like not another single thought could get through their thick skull. Leaping out of the way, the rhino came charging again at him. Using his size, weighty girth, and horn as his only tool to fight with.

Barrett rolled out of the way as the rhino crashed into the wall, getting his head stuck in the wall. Grabbing one of the broken wooden stall boards, Barret brought it down with enough force to smash it over the rhino's back. It shattered into a thousand pieces, making the wolf wince as he backed away.

It barely did a thing to the giant of a man, leaving Barrett clueless what to do.

Dozer pulled his head out with a grunt, turning around to look at him as if nothing had happened. Blood was running down the side of his face, but the rhino didn't look bothered in the least as he snorted once more, licking the blood with his tongue.

“Hold still, roadkill. I'll make sure to make it quick!" Dozer was already lowering his head back down as the wolf backed away.

Even with his teeth, Barrett didn't want to risk getting injured further than he had by the rhinoceros. The issue here was that he was unarmed and getting close to the herbivore meant risking getting gored on that horn. It was already dripping with the wolf's blood, and he didn't want to risk him getting a lucky shot in.

Sliding his hands into his pockets, Barrett slipped the brass knuckles he kept tucked away onto his fingers from back in his day as a bouncer at the Diamond Parlor, or so it had been called when Barrett had first joined up with Diamond's crew.

Now here he was defending the mate of the man who had killed her.

Barrett let Dozer charge him. Stepping aside at the last second to deliver a swift, yet powerfully decisive blow to the side of the rhino's skull. Dozer stumbled to the side, thrown off course. Not stopping there, Barrett wailed on the side of the herbivores thick, meaty body and stressed the wound in his arm even further until his fingers went numb and the brass knuckle slipped off his fingers, clattering to the ground covered in blood.

One punch after another, Barrett forced Dozer out of the hole in the wall he'd made. Knocking the rhino onto his ass, the panting wolf decided a tactical retreat was for the best. Down a brass knuckle and without his gun, Barrett needed to rearm himself and find Alan instead of playing with this bonehead.  

Jumping through the hole in the wall, Barrett landed in the main room. He wasn't alone and was already getting pounced on by half a dozen hares. The wolf broke through their meager numbers, striking anyone that dared to get in his way as he regrouped with the wounded Ernie in the room.

The hares had been mercilessly beating on the wolf until Barrett had jumped into the fray. Smacking, hitting, and punching any unlucky enough to get in his way, Barrett eventually helped the younger wolf up and was already barking orders at him.

“Call in backup, now!" Barrett practically howled as he felt the sharp prick of a knife pierce his back. He had stupidly turned his back on the enemy, facing the wolf to try and get him to follow orders and ended up getting hurt in the process.

At least it was in his lower back, near the side and Barrett spun around with a closed fist, bringing the side of it against the hare's skull and sending the Lepus skidding across the ground. They slumped to the floor, unmoving from the blow.

But where there was one hare, three more were happy to take his place and they eagerly jumped on Barrett after their comrade was taken out.

Howling, Barrett tore into the first with his jaws. Grabbing the second by one of their ears, he swung them around into the third. There was a sickening ripping sound, and the hares went tumbling to the side as Barrett looked down at the long bloody ended ear he was still holding from where he'd ripped it off the unfortunate herbivore.

Tossing it aside, he turned around to see the rhino attempting to crawl through the hole in the wall and struggling to get his girthy body through it.

“Use the damn door!" A bovine shouted at him as the bull came from the back room. “Boss is dealing with the kid," he explained to Dozer as the rhino realized his folly and went for the bathroom door.

“Shit, Alan…" Barrett cursed as he faced towards the bull stomping into the room.

Snorting as the rhino had, the bull tossed his head side to side threatening the wolf with his long horns that made it difficult for him to go through the doorway. Bernard's entire body prevented Barrett from proceeding after Alan.

“Should we bring him in as well?" Dozer asked coming up from behind. The two kept their distance from the wolf who was now trapped between the two. “Be nice to have another wolf in the mix," the rhino snorted with laughter showing off his ugly side teeth. “Be a good exhibit this year."

“Boss just wants the kid." The bull shrugged, the two talking around Barrett as if not worried about the wolf. “Some lone wolf doesn't amount to shit." He let out an amused moo. “Just another nameless body to toss in a ditch somewhere."

“What did you do with the human?" Barrett growled low, trying to keep his calm as his fur began to bristle up. The idea of Alan getting hurt was making Barrett's stomach churn and he had to hold back from vomiting at the prospect of the human getting hurt.

“The kid?" The bull blinked at him before letting out another amused snort. “We're saving him from you bastards is what we're doing! Playing with the poor human like that? Should be ashamed of yourselves." The bull shook his head, confusing Barrett further.

“Playing with…?" The wolf couldn't even finish the thought.

“Just like you predators! Kidnapping and toying with your food before eating it." Dozer spat to the side, trying to snarl at the wolf. It was a poor attempt at trying to be menacing when the rhino already naturally was.

He was as tall as Barrett was but wider, thicker and the clothes he was wearing was ripping at the seams trying to keep his bulky body contained within it. The silver tipped horn was elongated by the sharp metal prosthetic Dozer had attached there. Most likely as a replacement for the one he lost due to some kind of black-market trade.

The ivory trade was well known in the underworld. Even though a rhino's horn wasn't ivory, they were still poached for it. Predators would ambush a rhino left alone at night due to their poor vision and strip them of their horns. Usually, felines doing the dirty deed. Leaving them hornless, bloody, and damaged goods on the street after. Others, like elephants, had to travel in groups for the same reason. Their horns being coveted by wealthy predators or even sick herbivores.

Even being one of the largest herbivore species on the planet, they were still endangered in more ways than one.

Barrett was sure that Reese's grandfather had done something similar in the day to pay for The Pack's funds, getting The Pack started with blood money. Diamond and Vicky both had an unnatural interest for the jewelry made out of the stuff. Going through a whole phase of wanting ivory everything.

As pitiful as that might be, these two had targeted his Alpha's mate and they would pay for that. An ear wouldn't be enough as the rhino held the side of his bleeding head.

“Watch this one," Dozer nodded towards Barrett. “He bites." The rhino growled at him, and Barrett was happy to show his bloodied fangs in response to that.

“Backup will be arriving shortly," Ernie, holding his bloody shoulder, told Barrett. “We had a car positioned nearby… just in case."

“Glad I'm so damn suspicious of everyone," Barrett muttered as he faced towards the bull while watching the rhino. “When they charge, just move. Don't try to take it."

“Right…" Ernie grumbled, eying Barrett's blood-soaked arm. “Are you…?"

“Have you seen my gun-," Barrett wanted to ask but just then the bull was running at him.

Those long-curved horns made it difficult to move out of the way. While Barrett wanted to punch the bastards face in, he knew not to try to take a bull head on. Instead, he dove to his right as Ernie dove to the left. Each wolf working in perfect coordination with the other despite the lack of communication. Giving them plenty of room to work with.

Snagging one horn, Ernie grabbed the other. The two wolves in perfect tandem with each other as they twisted the charging bull's horns around, twisting his thick neck, and causing the bovine to go crashing to the floor as one of his feet slipped. The twisted bovine spun around on the ground, horns scrapping over the floor as he fumbled with his balance trying to right himself up after getting one of his horns stuck in the wood.

“Shit! Get them!" Bernard shouted at his partner, struggling to stand back up as he tugged at his horn.

“What do you do about a rhino?" Ernie asked as Barrett distanced himself from the bovine swinging his head aimlessly around trying to gore them on his horns.

“Dodge!" Barrett shouted as the two wolves moved out of the way of the gray skinned truck careening for them.

The rhino smashed through the tables and chairs, throwing everything else he could grab out of the way as he aimed for Barrett. The wolf expected as such, the man wasn't exactly hard to read. The rhino had targeted him the second Barrett's teeth had bit into his flesh, and he'd been expecting it. Moving back several more steps before rolling to the side, Barrett got out of the way allowing Ernie to flank the rhino.

Dozer's eyes followed him, but his body still kept going forward, smashing into the wall. A bit dazed, the rhino pushed out of the new hole he'd made and came back in for seconds. Barely phased by what had just happened.

“This is why I wish I had my gun!" Barrett snarled as he punched one of the hares trying to get up. Beating the helpless herbivore, venting his rage, before quickly checking their pockets. “The hell," he pulled out a small pocket knife that looked like a toy. “Why don't they carry guns? Fucking prey just asking for it."

Barrett stood back up, holding the dinky knife in his hand as the rhino just looked at it, then at him. Snorting, Dozer was already stomping his foot on the ground. Wiping it across the floor as he began another charge.

The wolf stood his ground this time, moving just enough for the horn only to dig into his side as he grabbed hold of Dozer's head with a hand before driving the knife deep into the side of the rhino's neck. The thick neck nearly broke the dinky knife and Barrett withdrew it just as quickly. Holding on as the rhino continued his charge, trashing the place in the process. Barrett drove the knife over and over again into the side of Dozer's neck as blood spurting and bled from the countless knife wounds he left behind before the rhino came to an abrupt stop.

The sudden stop threw Barrett forward, his nails clawing down the front of Dozer's face as the wolf was thrown into the kitchen and pantry way door. He huffed, breathing heavily and could smell Alan's scent in the air. It led towards the back door and Barret wanted to follow but the heavy, quaking steps forced him to address the rhino again.

Barrett dared to look down the hallway before back at the bleeding rhino before him. Dozer didn't look any better than Barrett felt. Even if the wounds had been shallow, Barrett had stabbed him at least ten times or more. The knife in his hand had broken and yet the wolf had still continued to use the broken metal to jab at the rhino's neck, face and skull until the thing had fallen apart in his hand.

Barrett wiped his hand off, standing back up.

Dozer was already throwing the first punch and Barrett, weakened as he was barely managed to move. The heavy fist felt like a brick across the side of his face and Barrett's head flung in the opposite direction of it. He stumbled into the kitchen before regaining his footing and throwing a fist in turn.

The two duked it out. Hitting and punching the other as best they could as they fought in the cramped space. Barrett slowly losing ground as the rhino kept coming back for more. No matter how many times Barrett hit the man, Dozer was back on his feet ready to throw another fist.

It was heavy. The force of it knocking Barrett over the middle island within the kitchen and he came crashing to the other side. His brain rattled in his head; he coughed blood. Forcing his feet under him as he stood back up, wincing as he swayed on his two feet. Barely able to stand.

“Ready to finish this?" Dozer grinned as the tapped an empty spot on his arm. “Love to add another tattoo in."

“Fuck… you." Barrett spat back wishing he had his gun.

“Shit!" The bovine cursed in the other room and there was a loud crash against the wall, causing the two to look towards the noise. “We got company!" He shouted for Dozer to hear as the bovine struggled to get back to his feet.

“Fuck," Dozer spat blood to the side. One of his eyes refused to remain open as he glared at the wolf. Reaching into his pocket, he fished something out before flinging it at the wolf.

Barrett caught the phone in his hand as the rhino got back up. Dozer snorting blood from one of his nostrils and spat to the other side.

“Change of plans, sunshine." The rhino huffed. “Make sure your Alpha picks up when we call…" Dozer jabbed a finger at him. “Or else! We'll break your toy…"

“The fuck was all this for then?" Barrett gestured between them and their fight. He couldn't keep his left eye open. The rhino had punched the spot so many time it'd swollen and closed.

“What? Can't a guy have a little fun?" Dozer shrugged, rubbing up and down one of the tattoo sleeved arms. “I just enjoy doing my job, puppy."

With that, the rhino gave Barrett a wave before walking back into the café and explained the situation to his partner. The two moved aside, aiming for the doorway that the wolves were now blocking.

“Better step out of my way before I cream you," Dozer tried to say intimidatingly but only got a laugh from one of them.

“Fucking gay," Domino snarled at the rhino. His ears perked up, eyes looking over to see Barrett come out the same way the rhino had. “Where's…?" He began but Barrett shook his head.

“Stand down," Barrett ordered, holding his side. “They got us this time…"

Everyone exchanged looks, an uncomfortable silence settling over the group as they were forced to step aside for them.

“Don't." Barrett warned one of the other wolves accompanying Domino. “Alpha will hear of anything you do from here on…"

“Good." Dozer laughed from the entryway, waving back at them. “That's the plan." And with a snap of his fingers, he winked at the wolves. “Until our next dance, pretty boy." And with a snort, the two horned herbivores left the ruined café.

“Fuck," Barrett cursed as he fell to one knee, wincing as the blood from his side continued to run. “Dammit… Dammit all." His fist punched the ground, breaking the fur and flesh on his knuckles. He deserved feeling this pain after failing his Alpha.

He felt so heavy, weak and Barrett collapsed.

Domino was there to catch him, preventing Barrett from collapsing on the spot as he cursed his own weakness.

“PB… did… did you find that dog?" Barrett panted as blood seeped from his lips, unsure if it was the rhino's or his anymore. “Alan…"

“No sign," one of the wolves said. “We scoped out the area before coming in. There was no one. I'm… I'm sorry, sir. We lost the trace after they got in the van. Some sort of scent bomb they dropped prevented us from following…" They nodded towards Barrett whose face fell further.

“Fuck," Domino could only join in on the cursing. “I'm not looking forward to telling Alpha any of this. At least you're alive."

“Heh, until Reese hears of this…" Barrett muttered more to himself than the others as they carried him away to get treated.

And now here he was, back home, waiting for his judgement to fall. His failure would most likely mean his life. That's how it was in The Pack. Barrett had failed his previous Alpha, and now his new one. He couldn't keep anyone safe. He just kept losing people.

First his sister. And now Alan. He deserved whatever sick thing Reese had planned for him.

As if sensing he was awake, stewing in self-misery, there was a knock on the door. Then a rattle of keys in the lock. Shortly followed by the very wolf Barrett had regretted most at seeing.

There was always something frightening about seeing Reese. He was larger than Barrett was, his fur the color of obsidian that seemed to devour the very light trying to touch it. Even with those aqua blue eyes, the wolf's face was a void as he stalked into the room on heavy paws.  

Reese was large even for a wolf and could match any tiger or polar bear. He was the perfect stock his father had tried to create. A perfect Alpha for others to follow. With long nails, sharp fangs and a body built for fighting, Reese was born a killer.

It wasn't that, though, that scared Barrett. He had seen plenty of predators and hunters in his day. It was the empty expression in those eyes that made Reese the predator that he was, feared even by his own pack.

Every step he took made Barrett shudder, unable to look at him any longer as he bowed his head in shame.

“Alpha…" Barrett greeted him with an apology. “I'm sorry, Alpha. I failed you… I failed him, your mate.. Alpha-mate…"

Reese stepped past him, not even looking at the wolf. Nodding towards the door, the heavy metal door shut behind him. Barrett could hear it locking from the other side, trapping the two in the room together.

The silence dragged on, and Barrett was unsure if he should say something further until Reese spoke.

“Do you know what day it is?" Reese asked and Barrett jumped slightly at his words.

“Uh…" Barrett could barely think, and his thoughts kept stumbling over each other as he tried to answer. “Monday…?"

“Tuesday." Reese corrected sharply, still not looking at his half-brother. Barrett winced from the cold tone Reese had used. “Today is Tuesday. And you know what Tuesday means?"

“W-what is that, sir?" Barrett asked because he didn't know how else to answer.

“Tacos." Reese said, turning to look at him.

“Tacos…" Barrett honestly didn't know how to answer that, and his jaw was left hanging open after repeating the word.

“Tuesday's are for tacos, Barrett. Taco Tuesdays. That's how it's supposed to be. What normal people do..." Reese tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck before continuing in a low growl as he began to pace. Never a good sign to see an Alpha do. “Alan would always go out of his way to make The Pack tacos. He didn't have to, of course. But he enjoyed it. He enjoyed rolling out the corn tortillas. Hand making each one for The Pack. Cutting the lettuce, tomatoes, shredding the cheese, cooking the meat with a mixture of refried beans in it to stretch it out to make sure everyone got some. Heh, everyone…"

Reese paused, a thousand and one thoughts running behind his eyes as he stood there. Motionless. Thinking of that thought.

“I don't like everyone, Barrett." Reese said coldly, a low deep growl filling the otherwise silent room. “I do not like people, in general. They annoy me. Their insistent talking and whining and complaining, bitching about everything in their daily lives as if… as if I'm supposed to give a damn." He snorted as if finding the thought amusing. “Their smell. I hate their smell. Their rank, nasty smell… But not with him… it's rare, maybe a once in a lifetime thing for me, really, not to be annoyed by someone… to enjoy their smell, like that. Even you annoy me. The Pack annoys me. So many people… annoy me."

Reese turned to look at him, tilting his head to the side to look at Barrett as if he were some stranger he'd never met instead of a half-brother.

“Today is Tuesday, Barrett." Reese repeated himself. “And here I am, without my tacos…" His lip quivered, the tip of his fangs showing. “Now then. What can I do to fix this? TO fix how… annoyed I feel by this. I ask for so very little in the end, Barrett. I ask for very little from fucktards like you and the rest of this god damn mother fucking pack!" Reese turned on him. Taking a single step forward.

Barrett winced with every step Reese took until his older brother was before him, towering over him and looking down at the injured wolf beneath him.

With a hand, Reese reached down to touch the side of Barrett's face. Looking into it. Tracing out the scars on it before running his hand down to his side. Barrett bit back the whine that tried to escape him as Reese poked and prodded at his wound as if wanting to feel it, to make sure it was real, and that Barrett wasn't faking the injury. Toying with his wound, digging his clawed finger into it until the scent of blood filled the room as the freshly changed white bandages began to redden.  

“Down," Reese said, and Barrett scrambled to do so. Practically falling off the sofa so that Reese might sit in the spot that Barrett had been in. Barrett hit the floor with a thud, shuddering as he laid their before his Alpha.

The sofa sunk in from where Reese sat as he pulled out the phone Barrett had been tossed. He looked at the device as if studying, trying to figure out some secret code to it as the wolf laid before Reese's feet with his head lowered. Barrett tried not to shiver as one of Reese's paws lifted and placed itself on his face, forcing his head against the carpet. Pushing his snout roughly against the texture of it.  

“T-they said they would call…" Barrett tried to explain.

“I know." Reese said as if he knew everything already. “They already have. The bastard called me expecting to extort my aide by stealing my mate." Reese nearly crushed the phone in one hand before stopping himself. “They want us to fight against the lions, again. To stop Kincaid from running for mayor, so they can put their puppet in the spot instead."

Reese tossed the phone to the side as he rested back on the sofa, stretching out his right arm while leaving his left to lazily stay on his lap. He took his other paw and began rubbing it over Barrett's face, scenting the wolf in the process. Rubbing and petting and squeezing Barrett's face between his large paws. Squeezing it like a tomato ready to be popped…

“Ernie already told me everything that he saw transpire in the café." Reese closed his eyes, resting back as if he enjoyed this. Stepping on his brother who groveled before him. “I figured out what's going on with those bastards. What they want. Why they touched my things…" Reese's lip quivered before he huffed out a long breath. “You see, I was going to do to you whatever they did to Alan but he… heh, they let me talk to him."

Barrett's ears perked up at that, his eye looking up between Reese's toes to try to figure out what he meant by that.

“They let me talk to Alan. To let me know he was okay, for now. That they could hurt him whenever they wanted… and you know what he, my mate, said first?" Reese glanced down at Barrett staring up at him. “He asked if you were okay."

“Wha-," Barrett wasn't even allowed to finish the thought.

In a flash, Reese was on top of Barrett. Pinning him down to the ground as his clawed fingers squeezed and tightened around Barret's throat, choking the life out of him as Reese snarled into his half-brother's face.

“He asked… about you." Reese fangs were bared and, for a second, he even thought about ripping Barrett's throat out. Instead, his nose bumped it. Into his neck. Sniffing him as his fingers relaxed, sniffing Barrett's neck as just the hint of teeth and tongue touched him. Reminding Barrett how easy it would've been to rip his throat out, depending on what he said next. “He likes you…"

Barrett swallowed.

“Y-yes, Alpha…" Barrett confirmed as Reese waited for his words. Waiting for Barrett to confirm Reese's suspicions.

“My mate, likes you." Reese huffed out as if amused, letting go as fast as he had taken his brother down. Reese crouched over Barrett's body, just crouched over him as he tilted his neck to the other side. “He asked about you… first." Reese's fangs flashed. “Maybe I've been neglecting him." Reese stood up and eased back onto the sofa.

Barrett laid there, on the floor, before him like a wolfskin rug. Reese put his feet back on him as Barrett prostrate himself before his Alpha.

“Maybe you did something I haven't…?" Reese toyed with the thought, thinking it over. “Is he bored with me… no. Not Alan. Here I was worried about Peanut Butter coming back into our lives, but instead you were there… always there. With my mate."

“I…" Barrett wasn't sure what to say to that. To say to keep Reese's anger in check. “You ordered. He was…" Barrett shuddered as he felt Reese step down on his wound, lightly. Applying just enough pressure to remind Barrett of the situation he was in. “We had sex." The paw pressed harder. “But he only thought of you," Barrett ended up whimpered, closing his eyes. “Even with me inside him, all he thought of was you, Alpha."

“SO… you did fuck him." Reese licked over one of his fangs, easing up his foot. “Good." That made Barrett's ears perk up and he looked at him.

“S-sir…?" Barrett whimpered, unsure what to say.

“I would have killed you if you dared lie to me." Reese eased up, stepping to the side as he looked down at Barrett. “There were so many different ways I could bury you… if you dared to lie to me."

“Y-yes, sir. No, sir. I would never lie to you…" Barrett lowered his head down. “I live and breathe for the Alpha… my duty, my life, is for you and your own."

“Good. Just wanted to remind you of that. You are the only one I trust with my mate," Reese eased up further as he rested back. “I know you Barrett. Hell, I left mother in your care…" Reese picked at his nails, thinking that over. “Though, Vicky had it coming in the end. After all the schemes she tried to pull… I think she was… content. With that." He shrugged a shoulder. “I just wanted to make sure you'd never lie to me. Especially about my mate."

“N-no, sir. Reese… brother, I never would." Barret got up slowly, wincing before bowing back down with his hands on the ground, practically kissing Reese's feet.

“Good." Reese rested back, legs open. He looked down at the wolf. “Come here," he ordered, and Barrett scooted closer. Between Reese's legs and rested his head on Reese's lap. “It's been a long while since we talked…" Reese pet over Barrett's hair slowly, using a clawed finger to fuss with it before scratching behind one ear.

“Y-yes, sir…" Barrett closed his eyes, resting on his brother's lap. “We haven't done something like this in a while…"

“Others would misunderstand." Reese sighed, as he continued to pet Barrett as if he were some kind of lap dog. “They would think this was sexual or some fucked up shit." Reese spat to the side. “I can't just… bond with my brother without it being seen as sick or perverse, or some kind of power play…" The wolf growled. “They don't understand pack brothers at all…"

“Alan does…" Barrett muttered, and he looked up at Reese as the wolf looked down on him, waiting for him to continue. “I think Alan is… is a perfect wolf mate for you, brother."

“Yes… Yes, I agree. Alan is the only one who can understand me…" Reese ran a finger over the side of Barrett's face, looking at the bandages on the other side. “Did they hurt you much…?" He forced himself to ask. Reese, even now, barely caring for Barrett.

If it wasn't the fact that Alan had asked for him, wanting to make sure Barrett was safe… Reese wasn't sure what he might've done to the wolf, even being his half-brother, for his failure.

“No. It was my mistake…" Barrett admitted, closing his eye, and turning his head slightly. His muzzle bumped up Reese's shirt and the other wolf lifted it up so that Barrett could nose his fur. To smell Reese's potent musk and to find comfort within it. “I dared to take my eyes off the enemy. I was… worried… about Alan and that moment of weakness was all it took to disarm me. I am a failure."

Reese put his shirt down over Barrett's nose as he rested back. Letting the wolf stay close like this with him.

It had been ages since Reese had found the need or want to sleep in a wolf pile. It had been a week ago that he, Alan, Barrett, Salt, and Pepper had. It was something Reese had forgotten about. That comfort that a pack bond could bring you. To know there were others that you could connect with through touch and smell. To lay on one another and share your strength through that contact.

“Do you love him…?" Reese asked, curious to hear the question. Unsure what he might do if Barrett did or not.

“As a pack brother, I do." Barrett said and Reese was content with that. “Though, I would not do such things with Salt or Pepper, I feel a familiar… bond with them. It is strange. Our family was separated but you brought us back together, as one."

“Or tried to." Reese flashed a fang, a low rumble filling his chest. A hand reached up, slipping under his shirt, to pet at his stomach as if to ease the anger. It felt nice so Reese didn't tell Barrett to stop.

“How long have I been out?" Barrett had to know.

“Three days…" Reese answered and an awkward silence silence settled over the two.

There was a knock on the door and the two wolves ears perked up at that. Barrett made to move away but Reese stopped him.

“No," Reese ordered. “This is our family. Our pack. Not theirs… never forget that. This is our pack…"

“Y-yes brother. You are right." Barrett said as he rested back onto Reese's lap. He could smell his brother's musk and the heat of his groin but said nothing as he scooted closer to him. Barrett was sure Reese was getting aroused by this play of power but refused to comment on it.

“Come in." Reese barked and the door unlocked before Domino did.

Domino glanced between the two but said nothing as he paid his respect to his Alpha.

“Why do you interrupt me?" Reese said, not evening including Barrett in this. It was best if he, in a way, left Barrett out. The wolves wouldn't question such actions, but others might. Plenty of wolves in the pack slept together. It was natural for them.

It was normal… something Reese was trying to be.

“We found him, sir." Domino bowed again. Reese quirked an eyebrow, waiting for Domino to clarify. “The traitor."

“Ah, yes. Bring him in." Reese nodded. “Wait," he stopped Domino who paused in the doorway. “You are allowed to join us. It might be good if you did, Domino." Reese eyes were half open as he thought about it. “I haven't given my more… trusted wolves, the attention they deserve. Please. Join us after you bring that filth in with you."

“Yes, Alpha. Thank you, Alpha." Domino bowed twice more before leaving the room quickly.

“Reese…" Barrett growled low after it was just the two of them. He tried to pull his head back, but Reese kept a strong hand on the back of it.

“Shush. You are injured. Just rest…" Reese said in a low growl. “When I take back my mate, I expect you to continue to watch over him… to even join us, from now on. If Alan Desires." Reese said, never allowing Barrett to have a choice in the matter. Only Alan had that luxury with him.  

Barrett closed his eyes, taking a slow deep breath of his Alpha before giving a single nod.

“Yes, thank you, Alpha. I will. I will forever be in your care then…" Barrett settled back in and felt one of Reese's legs curl around his back, pulling him a couple inches closer.

It wasn't long before the door opened once more, and a naked nutty brown furred wolf was thrown into the room before them. His arms were tied up behind his back and a bag had been placed over PB's head. It looked like someone had roughed him up a bit, not that Reese said anything about it as the door was shut behind Domino.

Leaving just the four wolves in the room.

“Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter…" Reese licked over one of his fangs as he looked down at the wolf lying on the floor. “It's been a while."

The only response he got was a whimper from the naked, tied up wolf in front of him. Reese could smell him. His fear and pain. PB's body trembled before him as Reese sat there on the sofa.

“You know… wait," Reese lifted up his right hand and flicked a finger at the wolf. “Uncover his head. I want to see his stupid face."

“Yes, sir." Domino nodded before walking over and ripping the bag off PB's head. The wolf head snapped back from the force before his chin hit the ground as he was unceremoniously dropped onto the ground before Reese. “The traitor you requested us to find…"

“Traitor?" PB coughed. “I can't be a traitor to those who stabbed me in the back first!"

“So, you thought to stab us in turn?" Reese lifted an eyebrow up as PB looked over at him, then at Barrett. PB pulled back in disgust.

“I knew you were a freak." PB snarled, trying to bare the fangs he didn't have at Reese. “Alan hasn't been gone for three days and you…"

“Why is Alan gone?" Reese interrupted PB's rant, inspecting his nails once more without even looking at PB. “Why is my mate not here with me? Explain that to me, Peanut Butter."

Barrett glanced over at PB, glaring daggers at the wolf. If Reese hadn't restrained him with his leg, Barrett would've lunged at the other wolf. Reese could feel Barrett shaking with anger and pet the back of his head as if to calm him down.

“He… he left…" PB lied so easily that even Reese was impressed.

“Heh," Reese laughed. “Hah." He laughed again. “Hahah," he burst out laughing. Laughter that turned into a deep growling bark at the end as he wiped the drool from his lips. “Oh, PB. How you have and haven't changed…"

PB glared at him, trying to sit up but finding it difficult with his hands bound.

“You still have that look in your eyes. That defiance… I should be impressed. After everything. After all your stupid mistakes and choices… you can still act and pretend like you are somehow the victim in all this." Reese voice was jovial at first but turned cold by the end, growling out the words. “Always the victim. No matter what happens to others, somehow, you are the one that's been wronged…"

“Like you're one to talk, Reese! I know the sick things you've done." PB glared back, fur standing up. Reese quirked an eyebrow. “Don't act like I'm the one who did wrong here. You, The Pack, all of you deserve this!"

“You don't even try to hide how weak and pathetic you are anymore, huh? Not when Alan isn't here… acting like the sick, lame dog that limped in off the streets in front of him. Now trying to show your teeth. Your bite, your bark..." Reese picked at his teeth. “You're a better liar than I thought." He flicked something to the side. “Or is it a lie…?"

PB faltered at that, pulling back.

“Domino." Reese said without taking his eyes off PB. The other wolf walked over and handed him a glass vial. “Ah, half empty already. Damn…" Reese said eying the golden liquid sloshing around inside. “You really just took supplements to feel… normal?" Reese almost said with pity.

“T-they help!" PB snarled and, for a moment, he looked like a real wolf. Not the damaged dog that he had become. The drug still coursing through his system gave him the bite that he had lost. Making him feel… normal.

“Primal is a lot stronger these days than I remember." Reese handed the vial back to Domino who safely tucked it away. “Makes carnivores feel like predators! Or so they say," Reese offered with a weak shrug of his shoulders. “You take the stuff, and it helps you feel like the real deal again. Instead of what you actually are…"

PB glared before scoffing and looking away.

“You wouldn't understand…" PB muttered bitterly.

“You're right, I wouldn't." Reese relaxed his leg and bent down to nose at the other wolf between his legs. He sniffed over Barrett's head and even nipped at one of his ears. “See this? This is what a true wolf is like. You find it disgusting for brothers to be this close…?"

“You all are sick." PB spat back. “You deserve each other as far as I'm concerned!"

“You little prick," Barrett snarled now but Reese bumped his muzzle against his and he eased up. The two rubbed their muzzles together before Reese rested back.

“Not like I could do something like this with Bale," Reese chuckled, recalling his full-blooded brother. “But I'm sure even he did this with the Dice brothers…" Reese patted Barrett's head. “I'm beginning to understand why. It does feel good, bonding with those you… trust." Reese had to force himself to say the word.

“Sick." PB couldn't even look at them, eying the door instead. As if believing that because he'd been on Primal he could break down the locked, metal door. Reese found it amusing. How delusional that stuff made someone. “You all deserve each other. Sniffing and sleeping with…"

How much artificial courage it could give them.

“Maybe," Barrett spoke up. He sat up, glaring at PB before offering a cruel smile. “Alan didn't seem to mind."

A shuddered ran down PB's spine and he turned quickly to look at the wolf.

“What did you say…" PB snout crinkled up as he bared his dentures at the wolf. “Say that again to me, you fucking little,"

“Enough." Reese cut in with a loud, commanding voice. A single word that made the other three wolves flinch back and lower their heads. “Barrett," Reese said to the wolf. “I got this," he chuckled, and the wolf nodded. Reese pushed his head back between his legs. “PB, you came to me asking for help. Only to betray us. Good job."

Domino and PB both looked confused at that as Reese gave him three slow claps.

“You got one over on me. I had let my guard down around you and you took advantage of that." Reese stopped clapping. “After what father had done to you? I get it. What The Pack had done to you? I understand, I do. I'd have done the very same thing." Reese admitted and got another look from the two wolves as Barrett pushed his snout against him. “Though, I'd have killed everyone in The Pack and burned down their homes, hunted down their friends and family and made them suffer for such an insult… salt the earth and more…"

Reese let those words sink in as PB's face fell.

“You know what I did to Bale, when I got my hands on him?" Reese asked PB whose face would've gone pale if it wasn't for all that fur. “I cut him. I plucked his ears off his stupid head like flower pedals. I broke his nose, I smashed his ribs, I cracked his thigh and even cut off his tail… just like what happened to you." Reese grinned at the end, showing all his fangs. “I hurt Bale because of what he did to you. I punished him, for you. For myself. For Alan… now then, PB. What am I going to do with you…? What kind of punishment do you deserve…?"

PB swallowed, pulling back and away from Reese.

“You should've expected this! You got your revenge, you hurt me, hurt us… did you not expect consequences for you actions? Again… Again, you expect to walk away free and unharmed. Pathetic. You see. The problem is…? Alan is fine. For the time being," Reese said, and it was only then Domino understand why Reese was playing with PB like this. If Alan had a single scratch on him, Domino was sure Reese would've strangled PB to death on the spot. “They kidnapped him to use against me. They won't hurt him so long as I pretend to go along with their sick games…" Reese paused at that.

PB was shaking, unable to look at Reese. Was he worried about Alan's safety? Or did he worry what would happen to him if something happened to Alan? Reese didn't know. He barely understood people as it was, let alone when it got this complicated and fucked up. And with how damaged and broken PB had become, Reese would never understand him. Ever.

“For the time being, I just want to… understand things." Reese toyed with the idea. “Why you did this? I get it. I do. But what about Gristle then…? Was our uncle actually in danger or…?"

“Uncle?" Domino asked, unable to help himself. Reese ear flicked as he looked at the wolf. “S-sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, sir."

“Domino." Reese said his name and the wolf went tense. “You have a thing for humans, correct?" Reese asked and Domino's ears folded back.

“Just one, sir." Domino admitted. “T-though I respect and honor the Alpha-mate but would never try and…" Domino was shaking.

“Good. Then we won't have an issue." Reese said, looking back at PB. “There is no need to hide it, is there, Peanut Butter…? Or should I say, brother?" Reese said. The other wolves tensed, not wanting to address the taboo of mentioning actual familiar bonds between pack members. “We have the same mother, like you, Barrett."

Barrett was the one to flinch this time, his hand gripping Reese's thigh. He froze, unsure what to say to that. How to process Reese's words or this revelation, or if he even cared. Such familiar bonds weren't common with wolf packs. There were pack brothers, bonding sessions but being related by blood hadn't meant much before.

Before now.

Before Reese had begun collecting his discarded, abandoned brothers and sisters and starting a new pack with them.

“Peanut Butter's mother was Vicky. The same as mine and Barrett's mother. Even if our fathers are different, we are still all related. Partially." Reese explained. “As the new Alpha I was given all of this confidential information. Everyone's birth parents. To make sure I don't allow those related to produce offspring. My father was a sick wolf, but he was very careful with this. Something I do agree with. That some shouldn't produce offspring…"

Reese said the words coldly, thinking of himself. Knowing that if he were ever to have pups, one might end up like he was.

“Once I was given this information. I decided to change up The Pack. I went around and found our brothers and sisters. Offering them a place here, in our pack. To be a family pack instead of before," though Reese said these words everyone there understood it still meant he would be on top of The Pack's hierarchy. “Reunite the family. Bring us all together… for tacos." Reese said with a low growl.

Domino and PB didn't understand what he meant but Barrett did.

“I was hoping to try and be a normal wolf, again, maybe PB… to have a family with my mate. Find my brothers. Do some bonding. Show off my mate and all I've done to build a den for him and my own… only for you to ruin it all, Peanut Butter." Reese sighed, shaking his head. “I'm not a man of many words, PB."

“You sure do love hearing yourself talk…" PB answered back. He had a lot more bite when he was hopped up on Primal it seemed.

“…Why do you think that is?" Reese asked and PB couldn't answer. “These words are meant for you and me. Barrett is recovering and Domino is my third in charge and needs to know what's going on." Reese continued to explain as if PB were stupid. “I was going to invite you and Uncle Gristle to return, if you wanted. Soon. Eventually. Once I had things… set up."

“Like I'd ever want to return here…" PB growled.

“I'd give you your own place. A small plot of land in pack territory. You're rent and taxes would be less than others because of your pups and… situation. Gristle could maybe even retire!" Reese chuckled at the thought, shaking his head. “Everything had been going according to plan. Worked out even the smaller details. Then you go and fuck it all up, just like before."

PB turned away at that.

“Going to blame me for what happened...?" PB cursed Reese. “I always knew you thought it was my fault that Mauler did that to me."

“You could've just left." Reese stated as a cold fact. “Everyone, and I mean everyone, told you not to do it. Me, Gristle, fuck even Bale told you not to do it! But no. You had to make a scene. You craved their attention and acceptance until the very end. Making a scene like that…? You think father didn't know about you and Alan? He knew. He just didn't give a shit! Not until you made it public to everyone in front of him… where he had to do something."

Reese snarled out to the point drool trickled down his chin and spittle flew in the air.

“I always thought father was a piece of shit. The worst of the worst… but then there are people like you." Reese was glad Barrett was there or he'd have gone over and punched PB in the face. “You want to hurt me? Fine. Go ahead! The Pack? Sure, makes sense! But Alan?" And Reese did get up at that.

Barrett moved out of the way, tucking his tail as he kept his head down. Even Domino backed down at the sheer anger radiating off Reese as he glared hatefully down at PB whimpering on the floor before him now.

“You had to bring Alan into this? The one man in the world you know doesn't deserve this shit. You are so arrogant and conceded that you don't even care for anyone but yourself, even now! Even twenty damn years later! You are still pulling this shit, PB!" Reese howled in fury at the wolf who wet himself now at this point as Reese loomed over him, blocking the light out with his body and casting PB in his shadow. “I've always… hated you." Reese said the words around clenched teeth, balling his fists up tightly to the point his entire arms were shaking, trying to hold himself back. “I hated how much you've had. How handsome you looked. How you could make friend with those who weren't wolves! I hated that you were everything I had ever wanted to be… and I hated, more than anything else, that Alan looked at you before he did me…"

Reese's whole body went rigid as if about to pounce and maul the other wolf. His fangs flashed before he turned away from PB.

“But I never thought… even after all these years, you'd hurt him. Again." Reese took a second on that as he pulled a small box from within his coat. He popped it open, looking at the wedding ring inside of it. “I tried… so hard. Everyday of my life. TO be… normal. Like you were born as. I followed your example. I envied you… but this? PB," Reese snapped the box shut and tucked it away and looked at the wolf. “What do you expect me to do…? After what you did."

“I… Gristle… my pups… I had to do something." PB tried to explain, to say, to tell Reese who looked at him with eyes he wasn't familiar with. Possibly, in the first time in his life, Reese looked at PB with pity.

“Mother gave me a lot of things PB when she betrayed her old pack... Not just Salt and Pepper," PB noted how Reese referred to his brothers as objects or things to own. “She gave me what she'd swiped from The Pack. All the money she hoarded away…? She dumped onto my lap. All I had to do was take the position of Alpha… and watch over our brothers. That's what she wanted from me in the end."

Reese actually laughed. A cruel, harsh sound as he covered his face with a clawed hand, glaring down at PB between his split fingers.

“She was so far gone at the end, PB. She tried to kill me, her son, that she wanted to leave everything with… Thankfully, when she was in her right mind? She left herself a note. Or, rather, a note for me. Explaining what her goals had been." Reese said the words slowly, as if trying to understand what he was supposed to feel in that moment when a mother does that for her child.

“You were born to become Alpha." PB spat out. Trying to grasp onto anything.

“You're right… even if I never wanted to. I did. I became what they made me…" Reese turned to look at PB, facing him now with his full body. “I had everything planned out. I already bought the land, legally mind you. I was rebuilding it. Expanding. Growing my territory and then I was going to offer you an olive branch, for nothing. You wouldn't have had to have done a thing. But you just couldn't wait… Gristle was aware of my plans. I'm sure he had let you know, if only a little. In his own way," Reese rolled his eyes before sighing and shaking his head. “Were you that jealous of me…? That I, Reese, son of the Alpha, was doing so well? Or did you just despise me because Alan chose me over you in the end…?"

PB couldn't answer him because the nutty brown furred wolf didn't know anymore. All he knew was the hate he felt for The Pack that had… stolen, everything from him. The drugs had taken the rest.  

“It was supposed to be taco night, tonight." Reese looked up now, closing his eyes. “Alan goes out of his way to make corn tacos from scratch for us. All of us. With fresh tomatoes from his garden and cheese he grated together with Salt and Pepper, two of your other brothers you don't care about… we aren't having tacos tonight, PB. I am not eating tacos. That does not make me happy…"

“GO fucking buy some then!" PB snapped at him suddenly. Jaws snapping together several times as he bit out wildly. Reese lifted an arm, stopping Domino from intervening as the other wolf was planning to come over and kick some sense into PB.

He looked like a feral, wild animal before them. Fur sticking up, unwashed, as he snapped his teeth with wide bloodshot eyes.

“Disgusting," Domino spat, stepping back.  

“I expect that one day everyone will turn on me, PB… I'm prepared for that. Even you. Maybe that's why I wanted to try and bond with our brothers before then…? Maybe then they might even hesitate before stabbing me in the back, heh." Reese sighed, feeling so tired of it all. “I thought, or should say, I knew you would try this. Something. That's why you showed up… and I was actually going to let you. Eventually. To get your revenge… But even I wasn't prepared for what you did in the end. I never thought or dreamt that you… I didn't expect you to sell out Alan. Not him. Not the one person who believed in you still. Believed in you even now. Trusted you… loved you," Reese look at PB with blank eyes. “You just had to bring him into this. Forcing my hand."

“You think Alan would ever forgive you when he finds out?" PB scooted back, away from Reese who approached him slowly.

“No." Reese said. “He wouldn't." The wolf crouched down before PB who pulled back, turning his muzzle away as he closed his eyes, whimpering. “See, that's the thing." Reese said in a low growl, a warm breath brushing PB's nub of an ear. “He wouldn't… so I have to make sure no one, ever, finds out what I'm willing to do, to keep him safe and happy…"

Reese's right hand reach out, fingers curling around his neck as Reese squeezed around PB's throat, choking him. The wolf kicked out, struggling underneath his vicelike grip. One hand was all Reese needed to strangle his half-brother.

“That's why I should've kept you buried underneath six feet of concrete," Reese said as his fingers tightened and he watched PB gag, drool running down the side of his muzzle as his eyes looked around the room desperately for someone to do something. For anyone to help him. No one even lifted a paw to assist him. “Hidden away. I should have killed you that day myself." Alan would've. Alan would've stepped in. The human was the only one who would've helped PB. “Taken Alan away before you could hurt him like this," Reese just watched as the life drained from PB's face as it dawned on the other wolf. That the one person he betrayed was the one person in the world that would still help him, even now. That everyone else would abandon him. “You hurt him… now I'll hurt you." Reese snarled, holding the wolf down with one hand as he choked the naked, tied up wolf. “I've always hated you… because, even now, you think this is about you."

“A-Al…Lan…" PB choked, trying to cry out for help. For aide. To ask for the one person that wasn't there, because of him.

Reese just watched as the light began to fade from his half-brothers eyes. Watching as PB's struggles began to die down and the wolf began to grow limp in his grasp.

There was a shuffle to his side and from the corner of his eye, Reese saw Domino check his phone.

“S-sir!" He said loudly.

“What is it? I'm a little busy at the moment…" Reese snarled down into PB's face.

“It's Logan. He said he found where Alan is!" Domino quickly told him.

Reese threw PB back against the ground as he let go. The back of PB's head made a loud thud against the floor as the wolf turned on his side, coughing and gasping for breath as he curled up in on himself.

“What…?" Reese stood up slowly, looking at Domino. The wolf shirked away from that stare he got from the other wolf.

“L-Logan sent me a text, see!" Domino showed his phone. “He said to keep radio silent, but it looks like he found where they're holding Alan…"

Reese let out a slow, drawn-out breath before opening his eyes again as he dragged a clawed hand down his face.  

“I see," Reese tsked. “Lucky. Lucky as always," Reese glared back at PB. “Even now, you think I stopped because of you." Reese tsked, turning away from the pathetic creature before him. “Supervised visits." Reese suddenly said getting a look from the other two wolves as PB continued to cough on the floor. “Lock him away until we can get him treated for his drug addiction. Then, with supervised visits, he can see Alan and the pups."

“My… pups?" PB coughed, wanting to rub his neck but unable to break free of the bindings on his wrists. They were cutting through his fur and burning the hide underneath as he tried to sit back up.

“No." Reese voice was cold as ice and Domino even flinched at the word. “They are my pups, now. Everything in this pack belongs to me. Alan will enjoy having them when he returns, anyways." Reese tilted his head, closing his eyes as he thought that over. His tail wagged, if only once. “Huh, I never thought this was how I'd get pups but… that's alright. They are still, in a way, related to me. It's only polite for an uncle to watch his nephew and nieces, raising them as his own while they're biological father goes through drug therapy…"

“You can't…" PB whined out.

“You abandoned them long ago." Reese glanced over at PB. “Gristle told me everything. We've been communicating for some time now, PB. You're the only one unaware of all that goes on in the world. You rather suck down some Primal instead of seeing the pain you cause everyone around you. It would be a mercy, to kill you. For everyone's sake… but no. I'm going to fix you," a smile pulled up on the corner of Reese's muzzle. “I will make you a handsome wolf, again, and then I will pull your strings as you dance for me, in the palm of my hand, so that Alan can believe that you aren't as fucked up as the rest of us. That you didn't mean to hurt him. That the scars you left on Alan's heart can finally heal… Domino."

With a snap of his fingers, the wolf jumped to attention.

“I am trusting you with this…" Reese said, and Domino nodded. “I want him locked away. Safely. Make sure he is watched around the clock by someone. Don't let him try something… stupid. It would be a shame if we found him hanging in his cell," Reese actually laughed at the dark thought. “I am trying to be a better Alpha than those before me," he adjusted his tie before walking back over to the sofa to take a seat.

Barrett exchanged a look with Domino before nodding at him and going back over to lay on Reese's thigh. Domino walked over and by the scruff of his neck, pulled PB up.

“I am expanding pack territory. I have the funds for it thanks to Vicky. I've made deals with the other gangs. I'll rip the head off of those who think they can use my mate as some kind of leverage to control MY pack…" Reese laughed as he rested back. “I have the ones I can trust around me," Reese pet the back of Barrett's hand. “I'll have my mate with me soon, again. We have pups now even! My, he'll be surprised by that… maybe we'll have a taco party, yes. I think Alan would like that."

Then, slowly, Reese opened his eyes to look at PB staring right at him.

“I will have everything in the palm of my hand PB when you return. I will show you everything. All that I have accomplished and the breakthroughs I have made for wolf kind. We'll have a territory again, like in the old days. Legally speaking so no one can get in our way. I'll invite the dogs to return, give them their own little section that they can call dogland or whatever the fuck they want." Reese laughed and he smiled at PB. “Except for you PB. Everyone will have their happily ever after. But not you. Never you. You will live as I see fit and suffer, knowing that I have everything you ever coveted or dreamt of… The next time you see me? You'll be the one envying me…"

And with that, PB was pulled out of the room by Domino as Reese stroked the back of Barrett's neck.

“Barrett," Reese said his name and the wolf opened his eyes to look at him. “What do you say to all of this…?"

“I think you should've…" Barrett held his tongue, wanting PB to just go away already. He'd already ruined everything for them. But this… even if it was the wrong reasons to do it, Reese was doing everything he and the other wolves hoped him, as their Alpha, would accomplish. To give them a place to call home. “I always knew you were the right wolf to be Alpha."

“Good." Reese smiled at that. “Once my mate returns to me, a new era for wolf kind will start here. Wolves, dogs, all canines… I will change things for them all. Give them a place to call home… where they can be themselves, away from those who victimized them out there in the world… a place to belong."

“Yes, my Alpha…" Barrett agreed with him.

Reese didn't explain further.

Not wanting to admit he would do all this because, back in the day, he had failed PB. Unable to stop what had happened to him. Unable to save him, Reese swore he would save all he could in the future… for Alan's sake.