N. Walters - Alexandra's Legacy

Joshua released a long, steady sigh. “I hate to break this up, but we need to leave. There are probably others scouring the woods and we’re still about a two- or three-hour hike from the compound.”

Isaiah nodded. “I’ll go on and scout ahead. Not all of the men of the Wolf Creek pack are stupid enough to follow Luther and his ilk. I’m willing to bet that many of them don’t even know what’s happened. I expect the Carlos family didn’t exactly challenge Ian in the traditional manner. Knowing them, they probably attacked Ian when he wasn’t expecting it.”

“I’d say you’re right about that.” Tension flowed from Joshua in waves. “Go.”

Isaiah inclined his head and began to strip off his clothing. When he was naked, he shifted and loped off into the woods. Simon came forward and gathered his brother’s clothing.

Levi and Micah went around the clearing, gathering all the weapons. When they were done the group headed out in the direction that Isaiah had gone.

James’ blood began to boil as the reality of his brother’s death washed over him. He would have his vengeance. Somehow. His gaze landed on Alex and a sense of peace enveloped him. Her presence alone was enough to bring him some comfort. This was why he was here. His daughter would be safe, no matter what the cost to himself. He owed her that much.

As he continued to watch her, Alex reached out and twined her fingers with Joshua’s, following him into the woods. She was limping slightly and he could see blood had seeped through his shirt in several places. Joshua’s back looked much worse, but he ignored it as he leaned down to listen to whatever Alex was saying to him.

They might not be officially bonded, but James could see the connection was there. Alex glanced back over her shoulder then and smiled at him. His little girl was gone forever, replaced by a woman any man would be proud of.

No, his daughter no longer needed him, but his pack did.

It felt strange to be returning home after all these years. But it felt good. The time had come for James LeVeau Riley to reclaim his lost life.

Joshua kept all his senses sharp, constantly searching the wind for the stench of bounty hunters and rogue werewolves. From what he’d learned, they not only had to deal with enemies from without, but traitors from within the pack as well.

Alex stirred beside him, drawing his attention. “How are you feeling?” He didn’t like the fact they’d been unable to do anything about her injuries. He wanted her home where he could take care of her.

“Shouldn’t that be my line?” She rubbed her hand gently over his injured arm. “I can’t begin to imagine how you’re feeling right now. To have your own people betray you like that.” Alex sighed and shook her head. “I know you’ve got to be hurt and angry. I know you feel as if you failed Ian and want to avenge him somehow.”

Once again he was reminded of just how lucky he was to have found this special woman. She understood him better than anyone else ever had. “I did fail him. We all did. We are the Striker family, the protectors of the pack. We never should have left him unguarded in the compound.”

That’s what burned in his gut worst of all. He and his family had always been responsible for the safety of the pack and the alpha couple.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Then whose is it?” he countered angrily. “It is our responsibility. My responsibility.”

“You have to let it go, Joshua.” Her fingers tightened around his. “You were doing what Ian asked you to do, what your alpha commanded you to do. You were fulfilling your duty to him and the pack.” Alex scowled at him. “We’ve had this discussion before. You’re not omnipotent.”

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease some of the tension that rested there. The gashes on his arms, back and chest pained him, but it was the ache in his heart that hurt the most.

“Give it time.” Her voice was low and soft, a balm to his battered soul.

He knew Alex was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. All any of them could do was go forward and face whatever lay on the path ahead of them. They were almost at the compound.

Alex stumbled and he caught her easily in his arms. She had to be close to collapsing, but she never uttered a complaint. Her face was chalky, her lips pale. Dark circles ringed beneath her eyes and the bruise on her face was a sickly yellow and black. He knew her body was battered and bruised as well and that her arms and feet needed tending.

He pulled her to a halt, picked her up and placed her on a tree that had fallen across the path. “Rest.” She didn’t like his order and made to stand. “We need to wait for Isaiah. It won’t do for us to go into this blind. We’re less than an hour away.”

“Oh.” She settled back on the log and sighed. “I guess that makes sense.”

Joshua fought back a grin as he watched her. “Glad you think so,” he added wryly.

The others came up alongside them with James in the lead. “How much longer until Isaiah gets back?”

“Not long.” Joshua knew his brother would be back as quickly as possible.

The words were barely out of his mouth when Isaiah appeared from between two trees. He didn’t waste any time, shifting back to his human form immediately. He launched straight into his news. “Ian and Patrice are dead.” The news was as stark and blunt as his voice. “Luther and his brothers took them unawares. They didn’t make it.”

Joshua flicked his gaze toward James. The older man stood there, still as a statue, and absorbed the blow. His brother and sister-in-law were both gone.

“What about the others involved in this betrayal?” Joshua turned his attention back to Isaiah.

“Some of the younger pups of the Brody family are waiting at the compound.” An unholy smile lit Isaiah’s face as he took his clothing from Simon and pulled on his jeans. “Seems they want to challenge you, brother. They think they can defeat the Striker.”

Joshua swallowed back his anger. So much loss. So much death, and all of it unnecessary. No wonder their kind was dying out. They couldn’t stop this incessant fighting amongst themselves. He felt Alex’s hand at the base of his spine. The heat from her palm, the contact between them, soothed him. “They are welcome to try.”

He felt Alex’s fingers jerk against his skin, but she said nothing, made no protest. She’d faced nothing but violence since she entered his world. He honestly was afraid she wouldn’t want to stay with him in Wolf Creek. And who would blame her? Certainly not him. At this point, he wasn’t sure he wanted to stay any longer. He was tired. Tired of all the fighting and death. And what was it all for?

Alex leaned into his side, her softness nestling against his hard body and he swallowed back the surge of emotion that threatened to overwhelm him.

This is what he fought for. For the chance to have a few moments of peace. To protect a special woman like Alex. For a chance to rebuild their society.

He wanted to howl, to change into his wolf form and run free through the woods with Alex by his side. He wanted to curl up after a long hard day with Alex in his big bed and spend all night making love to her. He wanted to fall asleep with her curled in his arms and wake in the morning with her still there.

And he would have it too. Determination fired him again, pushing away his fatigue. “What about the elders of the family. Donovan Brody isn’t a stupid man.” The Brody loyalty had never been in doubt until this moment and Joshua found it disconcerting. Donovan was not only a good friend, but also a man whose opinion he respected.