Dirty Laundry

Chapter Nine

By Roofles

The living room was one of the largest rooms in the dog house.

It was taken up mostly by three separate, different style sofa’s that were pushed against each other creating plenty of room for the dog’s to lay out on. A large entertainment center had been set up and installed, practically bolted onto the nearby wall leaving just enough room for those to walk by between the kitchen counter and around out the sliding glass back door.

It was the primary hang out for the canines of the house and Reese, only in recent years, had decided to join them. However, during today there wasn’t a single dog left in the living room as everyone retreated outside while Reese… dealt, with their guests.

Barreth had brought those that had made it out of the club with him. Calling in other detachments around the city, the new “leader” of the pack had come here in order to discuss what was going on in the city. And what to do next.

Barreth was a large handsome wolf with sharp features and a strong jaw line; his muzzle was larger than a normal wolf’s and Logan did not want to be on the other end of that bite. He was a calm, decisive man with a short fuse that followed orders without question. It was understandable that the other wolves would retreat to him for aide and comfort.

A pack, after all, wasn’t one without someone to lead the others. Most were followers. By breed, by nature or just in general there were more followers than there were leaders. And in the recent years, the pack had very few leaders in order to keep all the followers in check.

And that was why they had dog piled into Reese’s house, hoping or praying for their last chance at an alpha stepping up and leading the others. Where that took them? They didn’t seem to care. Even coming here, to this dog house, was better than being leaderless and thus, packless.

Filled with wolves, there was literally no place for Logan to stand other than off to the side as everyone came in. Filling the already small room with bodies. Shoving, moving and pushing past each other roughly a dozen wolves of various sizes had come in.

And just like Logan had seen the dogs do, the wolves weren’t exactly trying to hide the fact they were a bunch of nosy Nancy’s sniffing and inspecting practically everything in the house as they settled into their new… environment.

It took Reese a snarl at one, growling at another and then literally lifting a third by their neck to get the whole group to settle down and “don’t fucking touch a thing!” for any of them to stop inspecting every inch of the place.

Logan noted how Reese stood. Slightly to one side, favoring his right as he asserted dominance over these others. If they found out Reese’s left side was weak… well, that could turn thing ugly fast. Everyone was under the impression that he was the strongest, best candidate to step up and take the mantle of alphaship. Some had even foolishly tried to challenge him already, though not openly, their actions were clear and Reese had to quickly step in to stomp out such sedition.

That energy, that strength made the others listen and gladly obey. Logan almost felt bad for them… almost.

Without a true alpha to lead them, this pack was aimless. They were like wolves without ears or eyes or tails to help guide them, to communicate with each other. Wandering the city, being accused of, yelled at and hated for just being born… They were just blind, deaf, dumb dogs in the end that needed someone to step up and take command. Someone to rally behind.

“Trix and Rox will keep watch outside with their units.” Barreth said to no one in particular as he stood to one side. No one took a seat other than Reese on the center couch. “We’re trying to contact the others…”

“The safe houses were hit as well.” A gray furred female spoke up, most likely belonging to the same litter as Lilith had been. Logan noted how Lilith and Alph weren’t here… Their absence left a hole in his heart. “Our stash was burned… with everything else.” She took a step back, standing guard once more and keeping a close eye on the dogs out back.

As if they’d do anything… Logan wanted to comment on but held his tongue. They were barely tolerating his presence as it was.

“Vicky already withdrew The Pack’s earnings...” Another spoke up, a rather stocky looking red wolf. Hart, Logan recalled his name, looked over everyone in the room before pausing to stare at him. The human frowned at that, wondering how to deal with this situation even before it came up. “What’s he doing here?” Hart questioning, asking one of the others now.

Hart looked confused over the matter as some of the others began bringing it up now that someone else had.

“He’s just a human…” Another muttered darkly, growling now barring their fangs at Logan. “Doesn’t deserve to be involved in pack business…”

“He’s Domino’s twinky little fuck.” Cliff said. Logan took note how the wolf, though wounded, was still alive whereas Alph wasn’t. The two front line guards for the club. They both should’ve been dead or neither. And here Cliff was, still very much alive.

Whereas Alph, Logan’s friend… was missing.

Domino growled at the accusation, glaring at Cliff. He was still breathing heavily and was in no shape to openly put up a fight against him.

“Logan is working with Reese.” Domino snarled getting up in Cliff’s face anyways. It was clearly a very taxing job for the brown wolf who couldn’t match Cliff imposing presence, struggling just to stand.

“So he was a traitor as well?” Cliff just snapped his teeth at Domino, pushing him back with his chest. “Working for the enemy, huh?” Cliff snarled at that, clearly trying to bait Domino into doing something rather foolish and stupid.

Logan had to step in before Domino’s pride would get him killed.

Clifford had mixture of colors of fur ranging from light browns to blacks and even a few streaks of white over his body. He was defiantly a mutt. Even if he was full blood wolf, he came from different lineages and it showed on his body and face making him a prime target for abuse from the others of the pack.

It would explain his inferiority complex and the reason he felt the need to act out more than the others were; maybe in the hopes of earning him brownie points with Reese? Logan wasn’t sure, he just knew he couldn’t let this or any wolf have their way or they’d all end up paying for it.

“Yet you’re the one who crawled here with your tail tucked between your legs.” Logan was the one to bring up making every ear perk up at that. His snarky voice, the body language he exuded, the way Logan didn’t back down or lower his head…

It was all clear the human was egging Cliff on now, turning his attention away from the injured Domino and to the bandaged human.

Logan knew their games. He’d been in this business long enough to figure out what he needed to do. What buttons to put. Sometimes using body language alone was enough. You didn’t always need to use words but, as a human, Logan preferred too. Rather than be as animal as them… And just like with Reese, when he first met him, he baited Cliff into making the first move.

“I’m just following the others, you little-,” Cliff turned on him shoving Domino out of the way. Domino whined at that, holding his shoulder and glaring after the wolf wanting to step in.

No one else moved as the wolf cornered Logan against the wall. He slammed an arm against it, leaning down over the smaller human.

“Little fuck like you think you can hang with the big boys?” Clifford lifted Logan’s chin with a clawed finger, just as he had done in the alleyway getting the human to look down his muzzle into his eyes. “Pity you prefer Domino over a real man…”

“Always a tail chaser, huh, Clifford?” Logan just teased openly as the wolf’s lips lifted high, baring long fangs.

Cliff was threatening to bite the human just as Logan brought the switchblade, he’d kept from Domino, into Clifford’s hand. The sharp knife punctured the back of it, out through the palm and into the wall the hand was resting against making the wolf howl in pain and fury as Logan left it there.

Cliff swiped a clawed arm wildly as Logan ducked under his arm, the wolf knocking several things off a nearby shelf as Logan snuck behind him easily enough. Cliff was focused on the pain, on his hand being skewered against a wall; not on some small human that slipped past him in front of the eyes of everyone else.

Logan met their eyes. Looking at them one by one as Cliff howled in pain, trying to pull his arm free instead of wisely pulling the blade out of the wall and his hand. Only once Logan made sure everyone was watching, smirking did the human finish this.  

With a swift kick to the back of Cliff’s legs, he brought the wolf to his knees. Logan snatched one of his ears, twisting it and pulling it back as if threatening to rip it off. He couldn’t use his teeth, as a wolf could, so Logan just used his words.

Make a scene. Put this bitch in his place in front of the eyes of the pack. It was the only way any of them would treat him with even a miniscule amount of respect; a respect, Logan knew, would never be akin to that of another wolf. But that was a bridge he’d have to cross when he came to it.

“Listen here, shit eater.” Logan practically snarled into Cliff’s face. “You come into the Alpha’s home looking rather high and mighty for a wolf that couldn’t even protect his territory, running away with a tucked tail.” Logan just spat into Cliff’s face as the wolf whined as his ear was twisted further, his hand thumb tacked to the wall with the switchblade. “Showing him disrespect? Insulting his crew? Those that belong to him? In his home? I should cut out your tongue for such insolence…”

Though Logan was just playing the part, bite when bitten at… the anger was real. Logan wasn’t sure how or why but he knew Cliff was responsible for Alph’s death. He most likely had tucked tail and ran, leaving Alph to deal with the raid while he ran for it to save his own skin.

Such cowardice… sickened him.

Ripping the switchblade out of the wall, Cliff howled once more holding his bleeding hand as Logan kicked him over turning around to point the bloody blade at the others. All of which just stood there, watching the scene without even bothering to offer Clifford a rag to stop the bleeding with.

“Listen up!” Logan shouted in the room. “You lot failed. You all got caught off guard with your heads between your legs, licking your fat cunts.” He glared at each and every one. “Now you’re licking your wounds. You. Came. Here! Don’t forget that.” And Logan wiped the blade off, taking a position closer than he’d done previously and didn’t even bother to look at any of them. “Just be glad I stepped in, before Reese had too…”

In a wolf pack, it was all about where you ranked. Where you placed. Beating, wounding and humiliating Clifford in front of the others had just increased their view of Logan in their eyes. Clifford lost to a human which made him less than one, as far as the rest was concerned.

“Right…” Domino hesitated as Logan offered him some support now.

“You don’t abandon your own.” Logan just muttered to him, now caring if the others heard. “I’m sorry about Alph…”

Domino ears splayed out at that and he gave a single nod. It was custom in the pack to not talk about those who failed or died. It wasn’t out of respect, no. It was so such failings were seen as just that. And those who died, had failed and weren’t remembering.

It didn’t make their deaths any less easier…

“Logan’s with me.” Reese finally spoke, standing up and as he did so everyone else in the room lowered their head. “Vanessa, take Clifford out front… he doesn’t deserve to hear any of this.” Reese nodded towards another female who came over and grabbing Clifford by the scruff of his neck with her rather long, sharp nails.

The wolf whined as he was dragged out the room by the smaller female.

“First thing first.” Reese was annoyed by this. Forced into this role like this. He wanted to blame Logan but knew this was his own fault. His crimes catching up to him finally. It was bound to happen and he knew when it did… he’d end up pulling everyone else into his mess hung up to dry. “The humans? Are off limits. If I see you so much as growl at them, I will rip your fucking muzzle off and add it to my collection!”

Reese could play up his position well enough, having dealt with the pack his entire life. He was his father’s son in the end… the old pack Alpha had been cruel, uncaring and brutal. And Reese had inherited much from his father. In a way, everyone knew Reese was destined to take over the pack someday and maybe that was why they came crawling up to his door. Scratching on it, wanting to be let in…

No one said anything; they just listened as Logan walked Domino over to help him take a seat. A few noted it. Watching the human check up on and care for Domino.

“You’re shoulder opened… but it looks like its closing up again at least… I’ll get some ice, one second.” And Logan was already moving towards the kitchen to grab some. Another wolf beat him to it, giving him the ice pack with a nod before going back to guarding the front door.

There were far more wolves here than Logan had been aware of, which just left him uneasy as he made his way back into the room to help Domino out.

“Second.” Reese waited for Logan before going on, though the others hadn’t noticed. “The dogs here aren’t your chew toys. They aren’t part of the same… pack, you are in. They are separate and are to be left. Alone!” Reese snarled the last word out, gritting his teeth as he bared them for all to see.

Reese clenched his fist painfully tight as he shook in pure rage that filled every ounce of his being in that moment. These dogs were his. He had sworn to protect them and, once more, he was bringing this danger into their lives. He wouldn’t blame a single one if they left.

Many couldn’t stand this life. Many couldn’t sleep with wolves and Reese feared for the worse as his own self hatred consumed him.

Some of the other wolves shuddered, lowering themselves even further before tucking tail. They could smell it. Smell that anger coming off of Reese and assumed it was directed at them instead of at himself.

These were the survivors. Those left behind of the pack. They weren’t leaders, they were followers. Pack members since birth and had never known a life outside of such a life. Coming here wasn’t just natural to them, it was instinctual.

“If you don’t like it, fuck off. The doors right over there! Don’t let it snap your tail off on the way out…” Logan finished for Reese who hadn’t continued. The wolf and him exchanged a look, knowingly. They both had dealt with this enough to know how to act.

How to play along.

What these wolves were expecting of them… and how much they could give them before it got truly ugly.

“Yes, Alpha!” They all said in unison at that. Some eyed Logan, wondering where he fit in all this. Other’s wondered if they took him out, this human, would they be able to be Reese’s right hand man instead.

Even now, after everything, they were just trying to get the biggest share of the pot.

“Continue.” Reese ordered as he took a seat. “And stop fucking hovering. Pisses me off! Sit down already!” He snarled at those standing nearby. They quickly scrambled to pull out the stools to sit on, sat on the floor or took the nearby sofas. Only those standing guard were left standing.

Two wolves got into it, fighting for the spot closest to Reese and Logan just rolled his eyes as they fell to the floor yipping, biting and snarling at each other. Everyone ignored them. This was, after all, commonplace.  

“We’re trying to contact the rest, in the city…” Hart went on looking over at the two before shaking it off. It was his job to relay this to the Alpha. This was his own way to increase his pack standing. To become a valuable asset that you wouldn’t leave behind. “And the reserve units outside…”

Barreth nodded at that, one of the few who remained standing on guard.

“How many are left alive… approximately.” Reese just sighed heavily, grumbling to himself as he rubbed his brow. All of this was giving him a headache. He never wanted to deal with this again and here they were, invading his home.

And all Reese could do about it, was blame himself for it.

“Dozens… at most?” Hart frowned and everyone took a moment on that.

They were the only known pack on this side of the states. They had systematically gotten rid of the others over the years and cut out any kind of competition or absorbing them into the fold. They had made it very clear that Washington was theirs and no others were allowed into it. Being so close to the border, they had used that, along with the ports in the city, in order to bring stuff over to increase their substantial wealth.

Wealth that seemed to have burned up with mansion last year and what was left stolen by Vicky.

“And now The Pride is fighting for the leftover scraps.” Logan sighed. A couple of ears turned towards him and the human, reluctantly, stepped forward to take his turn on this. Though he spoke mostly to Reese, planning on tell him everything anyways. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the lions ever since the docks, last year…” He noted.

The wolves grumbled at that, muttering to themselves about their attack that had nearly burned down half the warehouse district. They had gutted, skinned and left nothing but bloody carcasses behind. At the previous Alpha’s orders; Reese’s brother, Bale.

And here Reese was, with blood on his own hands from that very raid.

No matter how hard he tried. No matter where he ran, Reese knew. His past would catch up to him.

“I’m not sure what triggered it… but the call was made. They brought in their own reserve units. Most of those at the scene were green horns. Never seen the front lines before.” Logan just went on, talking to Reese. “The Pride made their move when Vicky sold everyone out.”

Several of the wolves growled and snarled at that. Betrayal in the pack was taken very seriously.

“Why would she…?” Someone spoke up and everyone went a bit timid at the idea.

Most of those here had willingly followed her, hoping she would be the next Alpha to bring the family back to their former glory. Only for her to end up being the final nail in the coffin it seemed.

“She was…” Vanessa muttered, unable to look at anyone.

Barreth was growling very low the entire time without a word.

“Revenge, mostly.” Logan just figured, answering Reese’s unasked question and ignoring the others. “She’s snorting her own merchandise, fucking and drinking at the same time. She probably wants everyone else as miserable as she is after Diamond’s death.” Logan rolled his eyes.

“But she was Alpha…” A smaller, younger wolf spoke up. His voice was shaking as much as he was; he kept looking over at Reese who just ignored him. Timid and afraid. Most likely abused and beaten in the pack for how small he was. Picked on, an easy target who couldn’t defend himself…

“Enough drugs can change anyone, kid.” Logan just stated flatly. “This is why you don’t sample the merch.” Logan wanted to pat the kid on the head and send him out back with the other dogs. He was too young to be dealing with this shit.

“We need to track her down!” Barreth growled now, getting worked up at the betrayal. His whole body was shaking as he panted, breathing heavily with wide eyes. He’d been one of her leading members and hadn’t a clue she had been planning such a thing. “Slit her throat and gut her like a fish…” He clenched his jaws, showing his teeth and shook with visible hatred.

“Unless someone’s been tracking her, she could be in the freaking Bahamas by now.” Logan just said the obvious with a frown, not wanting them distracted from the real issue right now. “The Pride should be the main focus… we can deal with her after securing the city.” Barreth growl at that. “We’ll have the resources then to track her down if she did jump ship.”

“AS long as she gets hers… I don’t care…” Barreth turned away from the others, muttering darkly to himself. All the things he wanted to do to that traitor.

“They’ll have their guard down,” Logan went on. “Cocky, full of themselves after their victory. Dealing with The Pack must’ve taken a hit to their numbers and resources as well. The other gangs in the city will be making their move to try and secure what they can. Which the lions won’t like…” Logan continued bringing up several different issues all at once.

“Scavengers picking at our remains.” A wolf spat to the side making Reese and Logan frown.

“For fuck sake, at least spit in the sink if you have too!” Logan brought up not about to let that drop. The wolf’s ears splayed out for being called out. “You’re not a freaking animal!” He wanted to say more but Reese just shook his head and Logan backed down.

Fuck, he hated playing bad cop. It was easier to be good, slutty cop in order to get the job done than putting on airs like this.

Someone hit the wolf upside the head and growled at him for the Alpha and for Logan’s sake. Most likely trying to kiss the human ass in hopes of increasing their ranking. Logan was already tired of this shit and wasn’t sure how Reese had survived so long dealing with it. They were either trying to kiss your ass or rip your throat out. And sometimes it was hard to tell the difference.

“Ok. What do we do first.” Hart was the one asking, more so to Reese but he was looking at Logan. It was easier dealing with Reese’s mouthpiece, as a lot of the wolves began to see Logan as, than the seven foot jet black furred wolf that reminded them of his father.

Bottled rage, fur and fangs. That’s what Reese was to them. A weapon, a tool that they just hoped wouldn’t end up turning on them too.  

“First? Well… The question is, where are all of you planning on… staying.” Logan frowned looking at those in the room. He was sure there was more out front and even more on the way here. “This place isn’t exactly big enough for the dogs, let alone… wolves.” Logan frowned realizing that when the two mixed, he was going to end up playing mediator the entire time in hopes of keeping the peace.

“Well…” Hart mumbled, the red wolf not looking at anyone as he shuffled his paws on the ground. “We lost the club. Our safe houses as well as the suites downtown we were… renting out…” He mumbled at the end, lowering his head and body as if in apology. Or maybe to make it harder to get at his neck.  

Reese brow furrowed at that, just daring anyone to have the balls to ask to stay here. It was why they had all shown up in the first place after all. A place to curl up in, lick their wounds and plan their next step.

They had nowhere to go that wasn’t compromised and the only place left was Reese’s den. His home, his dog house… the wolves half planning on moving in and kicking the dogs out.

“The lions are on a warpath. They’ll attack any wolf they come across… or any wolf’s home.” Logan said to Reese, keeping his voice down. He didn’t need to shout, knowing they all could hear him perfectly fine. “No one safe without numbers…”

“What about Sarah? And the cubs?” Reese asked finally, looking over at the others talking about his brother’s ex-wife, the den mother of the pack, and where the children were at that was her charge and duty.

“She’s long gone,” Hart just shook his head. “She took the cubs and headed up North to be with the Canada pack.”

“And why didn’t you lot follow her…?” Reese frowned wanting them out of his damn house. It would take weeks to get their scent out of the carpet. Sure, they’d all have to pay a tithe, a payment monthly, in order to join up and stay in the pack. It was better than here.

“Well…” Once more, there was a pause as they exchanged looks with each other.

Logan could’ve easily just thrown Reese under the bus. Tell them he was their new Alpha and just let him sort it all out. He still felt like he owed it to him, and those out back, to do something. Logan was already formulating an idea in his head. Reese, however, beat him to it.

“I own the entire block…” Reese spoke up getting their attention. “The entire area belongs to me.” The wolf grumbled once more. “I just hadn’t had the time to repair some of the houses on it yet…”

“How many freaking places DO you own?” Logan frowned, wondering if it was some strange dominance thing the wolf had or if it was just that. A wolf, a canine thing to own property and thus territory.

“We can stay here, while-,” Hart spoke up hopefully.

“No.” Reese moved his hand down, glaring at the stocky red wolf who retreated underneath that scrutinizing gaze. “If you lot stay here your gonna end up hurting my things.” Reese stood up at that, snarling now at the lot of them. He had half a mind to start ripping throats out or just barking until they all left. Whatever was easier. “Those out back? This house? This damn block!” He practically shouted if he weren’t snarling so much. “Belong to me!”

And the other wolves backed away.

“You lot just think you can come in here when you have no other fucking god damn options and just…” His face twitched, his nails digging into the back of one of the sofas. That alone told Logan why all three of this couches were different styles. They kept needing to be replaced.

Reese was about to lose it. His eyes had sunken in, fangs showing, ears up and there was a deadly calm that washed over his body putting everyone on edge.  

“We can protect what’s yours.” Barreth spoke up, coming back into to the conversation as a whole. “The sentries warded off a few… strays, coming to take a looksie at what was going on.” The wolf nodded towards Reese. “We aren’t… lone survivors. Like you. We can’t… live, without…” Barreth growled at the end.

“You’re saying you’re offering your services as hired guards in return for housing?” Logan offered instead. Barreth gave him a look before nodding dumbly. “You lot will keep an eye out, keep the area safe so that Reese can continue what he wants to do…” Logan gave Reese a look and a weak shrug. “That’s… something. At least…”

“Payment in the form of services instead of money,” Reese almost snorted a laugh at. Of course Logan would bring something like that up, having practically done that for a living.

“They can protect the area you own. Protect the dogs…” Logan made sure to bring up. “AS well as anyone else you bring in, like humans… you could expand your sphere of influence this way as well and help more people out…” Logan hadn’t even realized he’d been petting Domino’s hand this entire time until the wolf shifted at his side.

Logan let go quickly, moving over to give him space.

“What about the trade?” Hart brought up, looking at the others. Logan could practically see the red wolf push glasses up his snout, wanting to talk about the books and The Pack’s earnings call like the accountant he basically was.

“You’d have to get real jobs, dude.” Logan had to stop himself from laughing. “You’d also have to rebuild the houses yourselves… Seeing as how you don’t exactly have the funds anymore to pay someone else too. Get your hands dirty, for a change, in normal labor. Instead of, well…” Logan frowned not wanting to mention what they actually did for a living.  

That made several of the wolves exchange looks.

“Not only that, you wouldn’t be able to go around intimidating everyone either. You’d have to follow the rules. Fit in. Be nice to humans… to dogs.” Logan went on hoping this was exactly what he needed to say to get them all to pack their bags and leave. He’d notice their uncomfortable glances and the looks on their faces, reading their body language easily enough. “Reese would be more of a… land lord, than your usual Alpha.”

Several of them muttered to themselves, talking about it.

“No more of that freedom. Just nine to five jobs trying to fit in like everyone else does.” Logan was taking far more delight in this than he wanted to admit seeing them become so uncomfortable with the idea.

That they would have to try and become a productive part of society, for a change.

They had been at the top of the world once. Bale’s pack had been known and feared by everyone west of the Rocky Mountains. They were an elite group that could walk with their heads held high, proud while they reaped the rewards from others sufferings.

To become some average blue collar Joe wasn’t on their list of things to do and Logan was sure most of them would just up and leave. Once The Pride was dealt with that was. They’d find someone, some other Alpha to mooch off of instead. They couldn’t leave the high life they’d known and grew up in.

This was the perfect tactic to use against those who were willing to kill, sell drugs, run prostitution rings and traffic illegal’s. Threaten them with a boring, mundane lifestyle where all their old skills and knowledge would become useless in.

Logan would find some other means to clean up the city. Without The Pack around, he was sure the police force could put their resources on focusing on The Pride instead and maybe manage to even to-

“I’ll stay.” Domino spoke up getting a few looks. “I don’t know if I’ll be good at… that. Life. Style… But, I can help. Protect dogs and humans here. Alpha. If you let me.” Domino turned towards Reese before lowering his head. “I just request… I can take Logan as my mate.”

Logan frowned at that. Having the wolf admit it, openly, in front of everyone was embarrassing enough without him asking permission from someone else too. Let alone discussing this with Logan!

Everyone was listening in, watching Reese who was just staring at Domino as if he were an idiot.

“Reese doesn’t do that.” Logan held his sharp tongue back at the idea of being peddled off like some kind of merchandise. This wasn’t the time for that. He’d beat Domino’s ass later for thinking the wolf could just claim him.

“What?” Domino was the one frowning now looking over at him, then at Reese. “Can we not… mate in this pack?” That got several murmurs from the others. “Please, Alpha! I-,” Domino began getting worked up.

At least under Vicky’s rule they could fuck who they wanted. To be denied that would be too much for most of them in itself.

“No, no. Not what I meant.” Logan muttered, taking a moment to stop himself at yelling at these stupid wolves. “Reese doesn’t assign mates or dates or whatever!” Logan rolled his eyes, waving the idea away. “The person you should be asking is them, not Reese, if they’ll date you. You aren’t just… just… handed them! Right… Reese?”

Logan frowned a bit; maybe he had overstepped his bounds. He thought this pack was different. Seeing the dogs together with who they were with was a big deal to outsiders like him. Such things didn’t happen, from what Logan knew, in other packs. Alpha assigned such things. Assigned mates and even forced some to breed like animals…

“Wait, we get to choose… who we’re with?” Hart spoke up looking at Reese now. The stocky red furred wolf looked shocked by the revelation, confirming Logan’s suspicion about other packs.

After all, a pack was made to raise the cubs together. A village to raise a child. Not individuals raising their own. That was something humans did, not wolves.

Reese grunted his reply, wishing Logan hadn’t brought that up.

“I am… open… to those dating who they wish, as long as it doesn’t interfere or affect the pack…” Reese grumbled in agreement, nodding once. “As long as you can pay your dues, bills and shit… I don’t care.” Reese grumbled some more.

There was several mutterings at that. A change of tone, more upbeat and hopeful now. While there was clear sacrifices that needed to be made there were clearly plenty of benefits from this as well.

“Can we date… non-wolves?” One asked, eying Logan and Domino suspiciously.

“Don’t care.” Reese just stated flatly.

“Well, pack ranking is based off your job as well. Not how strong you are!” Logan tried to toss in, trying to get them to back down from this. He gave Reese a look as if pleading for him to say or do something.

The look on Reese’s face told Logan what was going on.

Just as Clem had said. Reese took in strays. He took in the broken, tossed out “dogs” that others, that society didn’t want anymore and let them lick their wounds and recover under his protection. These wolves were just that. A messed up group of misfits that had somehow managed to survive the raids, the attacks, pack life and society as a whole.

They all looked beat up, disheveled and several of them were in need of a good long scrub down. They wanted to shower, to relax for once in their life and maybe even settle down. All of which, Logan had never seen in his line of work.

Were the wolves wanting this. Or were they just following the new Alpha’s word as law as they had done with the previous ones.

“Like I could land myself a real job.” One of the wolves actually laughed, talking with their friend. The two were standing closer than they had been previously and the look in the mixed brown and black fur wolves faces… told Logan the two were already seeing each other, in secret, on the side.

If they lived here, under Reese’s rule, they wouldn’t have to hide anymore.

“I just work from home.” The other said. “They don’t even know I’m a wolf.” They laughed lightly, the stress seeming to melt away from the two as their hands brushed together, looking into each others eyes before withdrawing as suddenly as it had happened.

Others trickled out of the room, emptying it even further. Such talks weren’t for them. Some wolves preferred what they did. The dirtier side of things. They would cooperate with the others but they wouldn’t be part of what was forming here, a new pack created from the remnants of the old ones.

“As long as The Pride is dealt with,” Barreth was the one to bring up, steering the conversation back around onto the main topic and the point of all this. Why they were even here. “And Vicky is hunted down… I care not, what rules you place… I will follow them.” Barreth conceded with a bowed head, gritting his teeth.

Swallowing his pride.

All for the sake of revenge.

Logan noted how a couple of the other wolves had slipped out front during all this talk. Most likely not wanting any part of this. Once the word got around what kind of pack Reese had and was creating, the other wolves were most likely to back off. To find others, like the Canada pack, to join and return to their old way of life.

Once things were finished here in the city that was. Logan doubted even Barreth would stick around after Vicky was dealt with.

Still, Logan was surprised a good couple hours later how many were sticking around.

Out front along the broken, uneven road were several heavy duty SUVs and a couple of hummers that Logan was sure were once used by the military. All of them were painted a glossy black as they parked out front, taking up the whole road. Lined with gold and markings of their old Alpha, Bale, these vehicles must’ve survived the fires up in the hills where their mansion used to sit.

And now here they all were, in this shitty neighborhood on a nameless street rebuilding from the ashes. The side doors and backs of each vehicle were open as supplies were being unloaded, tents were being set up and it looked like a long stay was ahead of most of them.

Much to the dog house’s original residence concerns.

“We’ll need to pave the road…” Hart was already getting in on it with Logan as if assigned to him, which annoyed the human who just wanted some peace and quiet. “Order the wood for the houses… until then; we’ll set up tents along three and four.” Hart pointed to some lawns before rambling about the expenses of everything.

Hart had already assigned numbers to the houses on the road. Eight in total that stretched from one side and down the other. A long, uneven road that seemed out of place in the middle of the field surrounding them. In a way, it was a perfect location to set up a new base. Something Hart had picked up on instantly.

A place that seemed to have been long forgotten by the city and those who lived there. Even the other neighboring suburbs were distance from them. It was only a couple of blocks away and yet felt far longer. This plot of land must’ve been designated as new housing, only for halfway through construction to be abandoned.

Seemed fitting for the lot of them. Abandoned dogs, wolves and humans alike… living here. Something Logan noticed while Hart seemed to miss the big picture, focusing on the strategic advantages of such a place over anything else.

The stocky red furred wolf had a square jaw and an even squarer head. With boxy shoulders and a flat chest, Hart was almost as short as Logan was tall and was talking with the human as if they were in a downtown realtor’s office rather than in the middle of “new pack territory.”

New pack? Logan had to stop himself from laughing. They looked like a bunch of stray dogs, the lot of them… out in the field, licking their wounds trying to prepare for the coming storm.

“We’ll keep guards posted around the clock over there, there, there and… there.” Hart just went on, talking about all this information Logan really didn’t need to know. He didn’t exactly plan to stick around as long as he had.

There were things in the city… someone, he needed to check in on.

Logan wanted to check in on Domino, though, while he was still forced to remain here. He wanted to make sure Alan and the others were ok too... He defiantly needed to check in on Reese to make sure the wolf didn’t snap and rip someone’s head off. And just as Logan was about to find a chance to escape, a new car pulled up out front with a very uncomfortable looking boxer in the driver seat.

Clem and some white furred wolf in the passenger seat just sat there, uncomfortably as every head, ear and set of eyes turned on them. Oh, right, Logan thought… there was also his fellow officer he needed to keep safe too.

The list was ever growing it seemed…

“He’s a friendly!” Logan was already shouting at several of the wolves who had circled in on the vehicle. The human left Hart behind to deal with the finer details while defusing yet another firefight before it could break out. Logan business was in protecting people, not rebuilding “wolfdale” as some were beginning to call it. “He’s with Reese. Do. Not. Shoot!” He shouted at a pair of wolves, pushing another’s weapon down with the palm of his hand and outright shoving a fourth out of the way.  

Several of the wolves looked over at Logan before lowering their guns, stashing them away underneath their coats before going back to their business as Logan came over to help Clem and a new, white furred wolf, out.

How many damn wolves were going to show up?

“Uh... what did I miss?” Clem was flabbergasted as he looked around at the large tents being set up in the yards, at the dozens of vehicles parked around and at the numerous wolves marching about like army ants rebuilding their colony.

“A lot…” Logan just grumbled, shaking his head as he looked at the wolf with Clem.

He was tall, which annoyed Logan even further as Ralph stepped out to look around before focusing on him. His fur was a snowy white, like freshly fallen snow. It looked unimaginably soft and Logan had to resist petting it as the wolf turned to look at the human. His tail curled with a wag and he tilted his head, very dog like, in greetings.

“You must be Logan.” Ralph said, offering a hand. Logan took it in a firm handshake Ralph easily matched. “I’m Ralph. Alan’s friend. Ex-coworker. Ex-lover…”

“Ralph…” Logan took a second sorting the files in his head before finding the right one he needed. “Oh! Yes, you also worked at Inc. Co. then?”

Ralph wagged his curled tail.

“That would be me! Yes. I’m popular here still, huh?” Ralph just grinned at the prospect. “Everyone still talking about good old Ralph?”

“More like infamous.” Clem rolled his eyes, pushing past the two who kept pace with the boxer who was heading inside.

The group was stopped at the front door by Barreth before being thoroughly checked, making Logan feel like he was back at the club, before any of them were let inside.

“Standard procedure.” Barreth explained not even looking at them as he stood guard once more.

“Things have defiantly changed…” Ralph noted as he looked around, walking into the room. His nose wrinkled from the combined scents of the wolves in the already musky dog house. “Maybe leave the door open, yeah?”

“What good it would do.” Logan muttered. “Even I can smell it.” He noted as he gave a couple curt nods to a few wolves inside. They had set up a surveillance station in the living room while they waited for one of the tents out front to be ready, not wanting their laptops to get ruined in case of rain.

Hart was with them and was already approaching Logan who quickly waved him off.

“Handle it. I got to report to Alpha.” Logan just said not even breaking his pace out into the back yard. Clem and Ralph exchange a quick look before following after quickly and not daring to meet anyone eyes.

The backyard had seen as much activity as anywhere else on the block. Several tents had been set up in the back of the football field sized back yard. Large green covered tents that easily could house a dozen wolves in itself. Logan walked right past the two guards who both stopped Clem and Ralph.

“They’re with me…” Logan just said and they stepped aside. “It’s a long story.” He just shrugged at the look Clem gave him.

“Alpha! There you are!” Ralph was already laughing as he came into the room, all wags as he greeted Alan with open arms. The two exchanging a hug as the human got off the old dusty brown couch that had been set up on a carpeted plot within the tent.

Several of the other dogs had stayed in here as well. Playing board games, texting on their phones and overall treating this like some kind of giant sized sleep over. Several sleeping bags were unrolled on the floor around a portable TV that Togo and Charles were currently playing games on.

Apparently they were going to have a movie night… while the city burned and wolves encroached on their territory; Logan would never understand dogs…

There weren’t any wolves inside except for Reese who was busying himself looked as if he were going to maul someone or pass out. Or maul someone while passing out. The jet black furred wolf barely acknowledged the three of them as he laid back down, one arm over his eyes as he continued to growl low to himself. Mumbling incoherently about all this.

“Ralph! It’s so good to see you again! How are you and… you know, doing?” Alan just asked as the two began talking like chatty school girls. Logan and Clem left them be as they came over to check on Reese.

“I hate this.” Reese said before either spoke. He didn’t move his arm, just laying there sprawled out and looking half dead.

“We could just tell them to go… and hope for the best?” Logan offered weakly with a laugh.

“Yeah, about that… someone has got to explain to me what the actual fuck is going on!” Clem growled looking around the room as if waiting for someone to step forward and do so.

For the next couple hours Clem was caught up with the going-on of the dog house, the pack, the pride and just everything in general. He informed them of what he’d heard from his end and the new found riots going on in the city as the three of them discussed what was next.

“Apparently the other gangs are making their move…” Clem explained. “The cackle of hyenas, the murder of crows and some stray dog gang… they all want in on the left over territory now that the wolves are out of the scene.”

Someone growled outside hearing that but the lot ignored them.

“What’s the plan then?” Logan just asked looking at the others. “Can’t exactly just let them all kill each other… can we?”

Reese just sighed, sitting up finally and gave a single nod in reply.

“We wait?” Logan was the one to frown at that, sitting on the sofa with Reese and Alan. Clem had dragged over an ice chest to sit on, getting up every now and then to get new drinks from it for everyone.

“Let them deal with their own mess for once.” Reese grumbled bitterly. He’d been pulled into pack affairs whenever the shit hit the fan and they needed help cleaning it up. “Let them all kill each other… then clean up and bury the mess after.” Reese muttered, saying exactly what he’d been taught in the pack.

Bale had a nasty habit of stirring up trouble and letting the other groups fight each other to the death; even being the one causing the problem, Bale would feign ignorance to the matter. Only to swoop in at the end and take over after burying anyone who remained…

A cold, cruel and very efficient tactic. Reese did not like taking notes from his brother but understood that sometimes a few eggs needed to be broken to make an omelet.

“Well, yeah. If they could just do that. They would’ve by now...” Logan frowned at that, thinking it over. “I mean, I’m the new guy here… but they did come to you for support.” Logan just thought aloud, thinking about Domino. “Waiting would be safest but also riskiest… We could be attacked here as well.”

“When did you care so much about these wolves?” Clem snorted in reply, taking another long drink.

Logan took a moment on that before sighing, shaking his head recalling the young wolf he had seen in the living room this morning.

“Most of them… are probably just… decent well rounded people, in the end of things. But those who aren’t? Are like rotting applies in a bin; they’ll sour the rest. You have to find and weed them out… or you’ll end up with another Vicky on your hands.” Logan closed his fingers together, looking at Reese. “This includes other gangs as well. Not just the wolves here or the lion’s of The Pride. Going out there guns blazing won’t solve anything… sitting in here while the city burns, won’t either…”

He had no problem kicking the rest of these criminals out on the street, where they belonged… he didn’t want Domino and a few of the others though getting caught up in all this nonsense. It was pathetic. Petty squabbling like this. Getting revenge for such things. Getting back at those that wronged you just for the sake of it wasn’t what Logan had gone into this line of work for…

However, Logan knew he would have too in order to stop other innocent lives from being taken. That’s what one should do, to kill those who would kill others in the future; not seeking vengeance against those who already committed murder...

“The dead don’t tell tales…” Logan muttered, looking down at his hands, thinking of his brother…

“The other gangs are acting up. Keeping The Pride’s attention for the time being. The stray dogs expanding their influence with the wolves missing…” Clem went on as Logan sat there, half-listening to it all as he toyed with his phone in one hand.

The police mostly likely had their hands full. It was kind of funny, in a sick way. At least when The Pack was around, their criminal empire had kept the other street gangs in check making it manageable for the police force. Organized crime, sadly in a way, had its merits.

If The Pride took over would it be like that…? Would Reese’s new pack be like that? He doubted the latter and feared for the former. And just what that would mean for the police officer.

His phone buzzed just then and Logan was half hoping to see Sloan’s number on the screen. It was Domino, the other person he needed to talk too and yet didn’t exactly want too.

“Can we talk? Garage.” The text only read and Logan excused himself from the others.

“You aren’t planning to do anything stupid, right?” Clem made sure to ask, catching the human’s arm as he walked past.

“I’ll let you know, before I go.” Logan promised Alan who had gotten up with him. “Just stay… here.” He looked around the makeshift living room tent they had made for the dogs during all this. “I’ll… we’ll, handle this. Alright?” Logan smiled at the human, turning his hand around to give Clem’s arm a strong squeeze in turn.

Logan feared what it would cost him, this time, in order to protect those he cared and loved…

Before Logan knew it, Alan gave him a strong tackle of a hug. It hurt, his wounds still recovering as the human made sure he promised to come back.

“Yeah, yeah. We still got thanksgiving to look forward too. Let’s clean this mess up before then, yeah?” Logan just gave Reese and Clem a nod before heading inside. They all needed their alone time, anyways. Logan was still an outsider and knew they didn’t or wouldn’t see him as one of their own.

Which was for the best; when Logan was gone… they wouldn’t miss him either.

Logan didn’t make it two steps into the house before Hart intercepted him, already starting up talking about things. Logan figured the red wolf was using him to try and get close to Reese. To kiss his ass and have the good word spread to the Alpha. He wasn’t in the mood for any more of this political bullshit and pushed past Hart.

“Wait, there’s still-,” Hart just continued with a low whine.

“Look!” Logan spun around to face him, just laying it all out for the confused wolf. “I’m covered in wounds, kay? I’m sure I’m bleeding, yet again! I haven’t slept in like forty eight hours. I got a massive, splitting headache where my skull was nearly smashed in! I killed like, five people, in the last twelve hours and I really, really need to fap one out. Just, give me two fucking minutes.” Logan just stated taking a moment to breathe before walking into the garage and locking the door behind him from the key Clem had given him.

He ignored the other wolves watching him, not wanting to get to know any of their names. After all, when you got to know someone… cared for someone… like Alph and Lilith at the club… then you were hurt, when they were gone.

The garage had been opened and filled with various supplies from their hideouts before being shut and locked once more. Boxes and crates sat nearby with enough ammunition to wage a war Logan was sure. He ignored it all, not in the mood with just how many crimes he was breaking as he turned back towards the corner where Domino was tucked in.

The faded brown leather sofa was worn and torn and most likely was one of the sofas used in the living room months ago before it was replaced. There was a rug of carpet that looked as if it had been ripped out of someone’s floor and placed underneath it. A box TV set was nearby with something droning on as the large brown furred wolf lazed nearby.

Domino was shirtless; the front of his pants zipped open, shoes and socks missing as he checked on his phone once more. Domino’s shoulder was bandaged, matching his arm and side where he’d been shot. His fur was well groomed and it was clear Domino had tried to make himself presentable at the last minute notice. Claws, however, didn’t work as well as a comb and some gel which resulting in the large dark brownie furred wolf looking disheveled and extra fluffy.

One ear perked up, his eyes looking up at Logan before back down on his phone.

“You’re alone?” Domino asked, sounding surprised that one of the others hadn’t tagged along.

“Hard enough getting these tails off my back.” Logan just offered in return walking over. He wasn’t sure he should take a seat or not as he stood there, looking at the injured wolf. “You… need anything?”

“Just took some painkillers.” Domino shook his head as he sat up, putting down a leg and giving Logan enough room to sit on the edge of the sofa. Logan didn’t and only at that did the wolf finally just ask, “Can we… talk?”

“About?” Logan countered quickly enough keeping his tone even as he stood there, looking at him. Deflecting the affectionate tone Domino had used with a cold one. Logan tried so hard to keep business and pleasure separate and yet, here he was, risking everything for this wolf…

“About… this. Us. Anything-,” Domino sat up a bit more, wincing as he did so and letting out a sharp breath.

“Fuck, Dom. Take it easy.” Logan sighed, the resolved he had deflating away as he quickly came over to check on the wolf, making sure his bandages were on properly. “You almost died and here you are…” Logan grumbled. “I couldn’t protect you…” Logan bit his lip, not wanting to say anything more.

Domino’s ear twitched, watching the human look him over. Logan’s hand trailing through his chest fur and brushed a nipple, the human making sure nothing else had gone unnoticed. It was more clinical than it was affectionate… and yet, those eyes on him, made the wolf feel very small as Logan, once more, took control.  

“You almost died too…” Domino noted as Logan eased up and took a seat nearby finally between the large wolf’s legs.

“It happens.” Logan shrugged casually as he rested back against Domino’s leg and looked at what he was watching. It was some sort of soap opera in Spanish. Giving Dom a look, the wolf explained.

“It’s one of the VHS available…” He motioned at the VHS player nearby and the stack of old black and white movies and shows. “Apparently Alpha is a big fan of these cheesy soaps…”

“You wanted to talk about that?” Logan just teased giving him a look, running a hand up the inside of Domino’s leg making the wolf wish he had taken his pants off. “Or just wanted company watching Esmerelda find out her half-brother José is in fact her real missing brother Andre.” Domino just gave him a look. “Or you want a quickie?” Logan offered instead eyes roaming down Domino’s exposed chest down between his legs and at the tent forming there.

“Or we could talk.” The wolf brought up once more, looking at the human. His ears were splayed out and though Logan couldn’t smell it, it was rather evident the wolf was aroused by the human’s offer. They both had planned to hook up with each other the previous night, before the raid on the club distracted them from it.

“About...?” Logan just went on not missing a beat. Domino’s ears folded back at that, his eyes looking away from the human sitting between his legs. Touching him, petting him like this…

“We’ve been together… ish… for over a year now, Logan.” Domino grunted, pushing himself up a bit more to look at the human across from him and trying to ignore the twitch of his cock as Logan’s fingers gripped and pulled, dragging on the wolf’s leg as he sat up.

“And…?” Logan was the one a bit confused by this now. He knew what Domino was getting at but seeing the larger canine fidget like this was amusing, he couldn’t lie. Still, he thought he’d made it very clear this was business. Not anything more than a… transaction between the two.

There was something though about teasing, controlling and manipulating these larger predators that really did get Logan going. He blamed it on what happened during his childhood… The fact Logan was a smaller human only seemed to add to the excitement of it as he strung them along, using them and gaining everything he needed before cutting the cord. Leash, collar, rope and tie them up… All for Logan’s benefit.

Domino took a moment on what he said, looking at him before his eyes fell downcast between the empty spot between them. The distance there. He wished Logan would climb up into his lap. Cuddling him, like he did at the club. Domino never needed to ask, to use words… Logan had just submitted to him.

That person now was gone and what sat before him might as well have been someone entirely different. Domino just needed to know if that was a good or bad thing…

Logan had been coming around the club over a year on his case “reporting” on Diamond and her pack; apparently he’d been working for Reese…? He wasn’t sure. Domino wasn’t sure how long that had been going on. How much Logan was keeping from him despite all their nights together.

Domino had begun looking forward to the excited Logan brought with him. Logan wasn’t just a kinky dude that was into the wolf, he was actually someone Domino could talk with. Make fun of the others with. Someone that had always been on his side. Unlike the other wolves who had their own lives or kept it impersonal, he thought Logan might understand where others wouldn’t... Where Domino was coming from.

Just two scarred over souls finding comfort in each other.  

But now everything seemed to be different. Logan was different than what Domino thought he was. If Domino ever knew who he even was to begin with…

“I don’t even know you…” Domino flatly said. “Like, anything about you… if Logan is even your real name. Or just…?”  

“And I don’t know you, Dom.” Logan face faltered. “Sure, we’ve done a lot of stuff… together. But that’s the thing, sex is impersonal. It’s fun and empty. Besides, I was just using you for my own benefit…” Logan added, distancing them even further. Or trying too. As if trying to push Domino away before he got too close.

Someone Logan would miss, when he was gone too…

“Then why did you come to the club the other night?” Dom didn’t let that fly, didn’t let the human weasel his way out of this so easily. “It couldn’t have just been for quickie… You even showed up without texting first!” Domino growled, getting worked up.  

Domino felt betrayed by that, the simplest things that Logan over looked. Showing up without warning like that, being there for Domino. Risking everything for the wolf he barely even knew…

“About not texting you?” Logan was the one confused now.

“About loving me!” Domino snapped his jaws before his eyes widen and the wolf pulled back, retreating away as if he were afraid of Logan. Afraid of what this human meant to him. How much that single touch on his leg had meant just now… for Logan to show up, unannounced at the club.

How, without even realizing it, Logan had been courting the wolf this entire time. And what that meant when Domino, without words, had accepted it. Had accepted joining Logan and turning on his old pack, to be with him and his new one…

This was why wolves were only allowed to date within the pack; their own kind. There were certain things that didn’t connect between different species. Didn’t translate. Such as a wolf’s attachment and commitment to their mate. Non-wolves wouldn’t be able to feel what Dom was for Logan…

That wolves, when bonded, mated and paired for life. Even after twenty years, Domino would wait for Logan, this human, who could never feel that attachment as a wolf could for another. That Domino would never forget his smell, his scent and would track him down, hunt him like a predator would its prey…

It was one of the main reasons why the wolf population was dwindling.

That packs controlled who could and how many had offspring. And the attachment that wolves felt for their mates. It was what Bale and Reese’s father had feared the most; losing his pack due to this bond, this attachment that the wolves would form for others. At what that meant for their already thin numbers.

“It wasn’t like I’d just leave you, Dom. We’re… friends, right?” Logan offered weakly. “Sure, in the beginning it was to get something from you… but… but, well, you have a big dick, dude. It was fun. And you were chill, unlike a lot of the other guys there. But it was just a means to an end…” Logan was stammering, talking faster now. “ It-It just happened to turn into something… more, is all.” Logan rolled his hand, his laughing dying and fading away as his pained eyes looked away from the face staring at him.

“And that more…” Dom pressed, gripping at it with both hands. The wolf feared, with how Logan had worked him over, charmed him, groomed him, coaxed and loved him… feared that he couldn’t ever let this human go. Not now. Not ever…  

Logan had just been doing his job. Maybe a little too damn well to get this wolf to open up to him. To tell him secrets of the pack. To get Domino to protect him from the other wolves in the club. To be there whenever Logan texted or messaged him. To get this wolf to betray his own all in the hopes of keeping him close…

Just as Logan had been doing. To keep his informant close. To use him, to abuse him, to love him, to entice each sweet word out his quivering throat as his dick throbbed and dripped with pre at his touch… Logan coaxing every drop, every word from the wolf in the alleyway behind the club.

“Dom.” Logan reached out and the wolf took a sharp breath between clenched teeth at Logan’s touch. “I…” Logan faltered; his words didn’t want to seem to come out. He wanted to lie. To tell him exactly what the wolf needed to hear or what he wanted to hear.

To get him to leave him alone. To push him away. To distance himself once more from those he loved and cared for…

To tell him sweet little lies as he stroked and rubbed the wolf between the legs; to tease and coax out that whimpering whine before letting Dom pass out in the messy glory and aftermath of his release. Allowing Logan to slip out, away… distancing himself once more before this wolf, this man… before anyone, could get close again.

And to leave their nails, their scars in his flesh…

“I need to go.” Logan was trying to get up. He was shaking. Why was he shaking? This wasn’t like him. He was better than this!

Was it the lack of sleep? Was it the drugs he took for the pain? He hadn’t drunk anything today… he just felt so tired. When was the last time he had even had a proper night’s sleep? All Logan knew was that he needed to leave. Now. To get away before he did something risky, something impulsive… something he couldn’t take back.

And even before the human could rise to his feet, he felt Domino’s hand grab his wrist. Holding him securely as that face full of brown fur looked at him, almost pleadingly.

Please don’t say it, Logan just looked at the wolf before him. Their eyes meeting and his heart melting.

And Domino whispered two words Logan felt like a weight in fall into his stomach.

“Don’t go…”

And Logan fell into Domino arms. He was pulled into his embrace as their lips met and their body connected once more as Logan’s phone slipped out of his front pocket and onto the floor…

Just as it buzzed, landing face door on the carpeted floor.

A single text read on the front. From a certain lion no one in the pack knew about… A message for Logan as he made out with the wolf he was slowly, but surely, falling for. And afraid… afraid of what that meant for everything he’d been working for his entire life.

And what it meant, to let someone in… and to feel their claws, once more, digging into his heart as they ripped his flesh open and let the blood weep, like tears, down his back…

And just how many lives, this time, it would cost him…