Fangs of Vengeance Read online

  Oh Carl, if you only knew half of what he’s scared of doing in bed. Most women don’t have to worry about claws tearing the sheets and other more squishy things into shreds; or two inch fangs biting into them during a moment of passion and lost control. I sure hope Richard finally sat him down and talked about this with him.

  “I’ve got complete faith in the both of you. I may not be as young as I once was; but I’ve got a safe bet about what’s going on in his head. Because it’s the same stuff I worried about. You’re both going to be fine. Trust me.” He leaned back and winked at her.

  Becca took a deep steadying breath and squared her shoulders. The blush faded and her smirk returned. “Thanks Old Man.”

  “Hey. That’s part of the job description you know.” He threw a thumbs-up behind him. “Now, we need to get back on the bus. There’s just one last thing I gotta know.” She quirked an auburn eyebrow questioningly. “Tell me you got something to wear that’ll knock his socks off tomorrow night.”

  Still smirking, Becca replied, “You better believe it bucko.” She winked. “Not just his socks either.

  Carl couldn’t stop laughing until they pulled out of the parking lot.

  Chapter 2

  “Sometimes, it really sucks to be a werewolf,” the old man muttered under his breath. Taking the envelope from Greg Trevor, he placed it in his coat pocket. Richard Harper knew that the man’s stench wouldn’t leave his coat for a month, even after washing it a few times. I love being able to smell a rose from a football field away ; a burger grilling over at the diner from inside the store. But days when I have to meet with people who think a shower is only a suggestion makes me regret this snout of mine. He sighed. That was my favorite jacket. With a soft grunt, Richard threw the jacket as far from him as possible. He left his office and headed back out to the main sales floor of Ford’s Hardware.

  He had owned the store for almost forty years, seeing it through good times and bad. Despite the larger retail stores offering more items than he could ever possibly afford to sell, he was such a pillar to the local contractors that they always went to him first. It also didn’t hurt that those same contractors had come to the store when they were in their training pants with their fathers with Richard always having a sweet treat for them ready either. He had always planned to pass it on to his son Keith one day and spend time out fishing at Cooper’s Lake from dawn to dusk. He imagined himself bouncing grandkids and great-grandkids on his knee and telling them tall tales and stories. Fate had other plans.

  Gazing out at the empty store from the main counter, Richard’s memories started to replay that day in all its brutality and horror.

  He had just gotten home from taking Steve to the movies when the phone rang. His parents, Keith and Sarah, had been trying for years to have another child but were unsuccessful. Then, almost like a true Christmas miracle, Sarah had found out she was pregnant on Steve’s ninth birthday. That was one of the happiest winters he had ever had. Four months later, he had his darkest. Steve had needed a distraction while his parents went for their first sonogram. They were all so happy; then the kitchen phone rang.

  It was the receptionist from St. Christopher’s. She told Richard that there had been an accident and he needed to get to the emergency room immediately. He barely remembered the frantic drive to the hospital aside from getting Steve secured in the back seat. If it hadn’t been the middle of the afternoon, he’d have gone full wolf and sprinted over anything in his path to get there even quicker; any onlookers be damned. Just about breaking down the sliding glass doors of the front entrance, he ran straight to the receptionist. She told him that the attending physician would be right out and explain what was going on. I was so close to tearing that desk she sat behind into splinters. This was my family for Christ’s sake!

  It was only a minute or two but for Richard, it was an eternity. Just before he tore the entire waiting room apart, a short stocky man in scrubs approached him. The slow cadence of his walk, the way he met Richard’s eye told him everything before even speaking a word. Some kid, who could barely shave, had lost control of his car impressing some buddies and veered into the oncoming lane. He hit Keith’s car head-on at fifty miles per hour. The ensuing crash killed Keith instantly, while the resulting fire overcame Sarah’s natural were-healing ability, sending both her and their unborn child after him. If it wasn’t for the little boy sitting in that old plastic chair too stunned to fully realize what just happened to the three most important people in his life, Richard would have stormed out, found that kid’s parents or whoever the hell had taught him to drive, then feasted on their hearts without any regrets. But looking into those wide hazel eyes, all the rage and fury that his wolf was screaming out at him vanished in an instant. He immediately ran and wrapped up the boy into his arms, both weeping.

  Raising the corner of his apron to wipe away the moisture from his eyes, Richard started walking the aisles of the store and let the ghosts come. Here an image of Keith showing Steve the difference between a standard and Phillips head screwdriver. Over there Steve now a teen sweeping the floor during a summer break. On the stoop outside the entrance, Steve down on one knee proposing to a weeping Becca. The old store wasn’t just a place to sell hammers and nails. It was so much more than that. The day would come when he would have to close it up for good. He didn’t want to but he knew that he wouldn’t force Steve to take it over for him. They young man’s life had changed and Richard couldn’t be happier for him. The kid did alright for what happened to him. Sarah, you’d be so proud of him. Keith, he looks so much like you that, sometimes, I have to catch myself from calling him by your name. God, I wish you could see him. I miss you so much. May the winds be ever at your backs and your hunts successful. I love you both.

  Looking out the main display window, he saw the sun starting to set. Good job old man! You’re going on and on about tardiness to the boy; and if you don’t get a move on you’re going to be late to the party! Speaking of which---. He picked up the handset he kept in his pocket when he was away from the counter and dialed Steve.

  “Hey Pops.”

  “Just checking in boy. Wanted to tell you that Trevor dropped off the payment.”

  “Great! Little extra for the honeymoon then!”

  “Also, you are on the way aren’t you?”

  “Yep. Was just about to hop in the truck and head out. Want me to pick you up on the way?”

  “Not a bad idea. Also there’s something we need to talk about. Wolf to wolf.”

  “No problem. I’ll be there in a few minutes then. See you soon Pops.”

  “See you soon.”

  Hanging up the phone, Richard flipped the Open sign over to Closed and started locking up. The store had been quiet all day and he knew no one would fault him for closing up a little early the day before his grandson’s wedding. Locking the front door, Richard took one last look around the shop, smiled and started closing up. He went to the office to pick up his second favorite jacket. He began waiting for Steve by the rear entrance. He’d take the payment over to the bank on his way to the chapel in the morning and give a little something extra as a surprise. It wasn’t every day that your only grandson was getting married to the most beautiful EMT in the state after all.

  Steve drove them through town and out into the surrounding countryside where Becca’s parents, Alan and Kiera, lived, he looked over to his grandfather. “So Pops, what’s so important you’d want to talk about? Is this about me not coming to the last few pack meetings?”

  “No. But since you brought it up, you do need to attend those. Those meetings help keep you up to date with what’s been going on with the pack and are important to our survival.”

  “Survival Pops?” Steve replied incredulously. “This isn’t the wild frontier or dark ages anymore. We don’t need to hunt when we’ve got all-night diners and grocery stores. We don’t even have to worry about hunters anymore. Since that sparkling vampire series came out, if anyone even saw a werewolf no
w, they’d want our autograph and a selfie rather than putting a silver bullet in our skull. Plus, it’s always been the same topic every time. No one even challenges your authority as Alpha anymore. Everyone seems content with the way things are and no one wants to rock the boat. About the only thing those meetings are worth anymore is when the kids start hitting puberty and their wolves begin coming out. Growing hair in odd places is weird enough, but having it grow everywhere while instead of just having your voice crack but howling at odd hours of the night can scare the crap out of you. So knowing that someone is there to explain what’s going on does help...especially for those kids whose parents couldn’t explain it,” he finished quietly. Glancing over at Richard, Steve was quick to add, “You did great at it Pops. Don’t get me wrong. But I just wish Mom had been there to walk me through it. Once I was old enough to understand just how different our family was, I would dream about running through the woods with her, tracking a deer or something, and just have some time together that no one else could. I know you did awesome because everything you taught me was what you taught her but…” he left the sentence hanging in mid-air.

  “I know Steve. I know what you mean. The bond between a wolf and their cubs is a strong one. Any replacement, no matter how well intentioned, just can’t make up the difference. I don’t like how cavalier you’re being about the pack and neither would your mother. But you’re a man now and responsible for your own decisions. That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about though. We’ve been dancing around this for a long time and I should have discussed this with you a lot sooner. That’s my fault. Regardless, we have to talk about it. Otherwise, you could do some serious damage to Becca.”

  “Oh god! I knew it. I knew we were going to have the sex talk! Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that is?!” Steve threw one hand up in exclamation.

  Richard replied mildly, “Is it any more uncomfortable than having to have the same conversation with your daughter.”

  Steve winced at that. “Besides,” Richard continued, “it’s the Alpha’s duty to make sure that those going into were-human pairings know exactly what they’re doing to be safe. I could tell you stories of wolves I knew personally who thought they knew everything beforehand, only to later pay for it in blood. I’m not letting that happen to the two of you. So whether you like it or not, we are having this discussion, and you are not leaving this truck until I finish. Got it?”

  “Yes sir,” Steve replied humbly.

  “First, there’s a lot more to being a werewolf than just the perks of night vision, enhanced senses, and the ability to snap a tree in half with our bare hands. We each have our inner wolf; which, from the way you’re acting, I can tell you aren’t listening to it near as well as you should be. Now I’m just as guilty of that. I’ll admit things are a lot easier around here than in the past so maybe we have lost a step or two. However, if there is one thing our inner wolves enjoy more than hunting, it’s mating.” Steve tried very hard to not roll his eyes. “The desire to breed and produce offspring is one of the most inbred traits a wolf has, and, when it comes to sex, they can be downright authoritative about it. If you’re not careful, the wolf can take control and the results will be---,” Richard paused for a moment. “Messy.”

  Frantic, Steve answered,“What?! You mean I’d hurt Becca?! What am I supposed to do Pops? I’m pretty sure thinking and keeping control are at the bottom of the list when it comes to sex. I’m already staying up nights thinking about losing it and turning into a wolf and doing something nasty, and that was before I knew my wolf would be growling at the door just waiting to step in and finish the job!”

  Richard raised a placating hand. “Now Steve don’t go into a panic. Wolves mate for life and...well….the more you do it, the less the wolf will act up as it settles into who you’ve chosen. That said the first few nights, maybe even a month, you have to be careful and let the wolf know that you’re the one calling the shots and not him. Also, you now know to be alert and I can’t even believe I’m saying this but since you’re so out of tune with yours, he may not even put up that much of a fight. Just remember to meditate and practice your control before you and Becca get anywhere close to the starting line let alone the main event.”

  “You know that’s tomorrow right Pops? Not a whole lot of time to go all zen.”

  Richard chuckled. “Don’t worry. It usually took me about five minutes or so. So while Becca is getting ready with whatever she has planned for you, use that time to prepare yourself as well.” Steve’s fair complexion had turned an alarming shade of crimson at the thought of just what the love of his life might be planning to wear or not wear for their first night together. They hadn’t even seen each other naked yet though not for lack of trying on Steve’s part.

  “Don’t worry too much Steve. It’ll be fine. Trust me. If wolves had to worry about tearing their human mates into bloody ribbons every single time they had sex, do you honestly think your mother or you would be here?”

  Letting out a deep breath, Steve’s blush started fading with a smile starting to creep across his face. “Thanks Pops. I appreciate the heads-up, and for your looking out for me. I know you just want us to be happy and we love you for that.” Steve sat quietly as they drove for a couple more minutes. Trying to lighten the mood a bit, he said, “So you all ready for your toast Mr. Best Man?”

  “Oh yes. Don’t worry about that. I’ve made sure that it’s equal parts complementary and downright scathing in its embarrassment. But there is one other thing you need to know Steve.”

  “What’s that Pops?”

  “Us wolves have a tendency to prefer certain positions more often than our human counterparts.” He paused for a moment. “How does Becca feel about doggy-style?”

  Steve’s blush returned with a vengeance while Richard let out a deep belly laugh that almost turned into a howl.

  Chapter 3

  Alan Thomas Daniels was a happy man. A successful banker and loan officer at Derrick’s Falls Credit Union, he had spent a career helping families find the futures and dreams they wanted. Some didn’t succeed, or course, but he never lost his sense of goodwill. He enjoyed coming to work with a smile on his face to see what new challenges the day would bring. He always left satisfied with a hard day’s work. But that wasn’t what was putting the ear-to-ear grin on his face just then. It was watching the drop-dead gorgeous woman across the room fiddling with some of the trim on their daughter’s wedding dress. A stubborn piece of lace just would not stay put no matter how many safety pins she seemed to use. Alan knew she was just being facetious. Becca and her had already spent countless hours making sure the dress fit her athletic frame to a T. He fully expected to see a certain young man’s jaw drop when he saw Becca standing at the foot of the aisle, arm in arm with him, walking towards him to the beat of the rented pipe organ playing that time-honored march.

  I’m going to have make sure he doesn’t sneak up here for a peek. I’m not superstitious but with my baby girl’s perfect day, I’m going to make sure nothing goes wrong if I can help it! Becca and her parents had been fighting a battle on and off for the past two months to keep him from seeing even a hint of brilliant white fabric. Who knew Kiera was such a traditionalist? Though to be fair, I’ve been acting just the same. I can’t believe the day is just about here already. You plan and plan and know that it’s coming; but until it does, it’s just a day on the calendar. Seems just like yesterday Becca was in pigtails and overalls with a scraped elbow; now she’s out saving lives and starting a family of her own. Where did the time go? Leaning back in his favorite reading chair, Alan watched his wife of twenty-five years fuss over their daughter’s dress and let the memories roll over him like a tide.

  He thought that he had always lived a good life; trying to follow the example his parents had set for him. He was the first member of their family to go to college; and with his knack for math and figures, he knew the world of finance was his calling. He had worked his way up from being a simple
teller; still helping out occasionally whenever someone was sick or on a vacation. Truth be told, he enjoyed seeing people and spending a few minutes chatting with them. Just about all their clients knew him by face, with most them on a first-name basis with him. Since the credit union was closed on weekends, he would spend his free days visiting the retirement complex and help the residents with some basic finances or chores. He still remembered that fateful Saturday morning when she had walked into his life.

  Kiera Elizabeth Smith had just moved into town and was starting up her own catering business. She had brought over some trial dishes for the residents to get their opinions on the cooking and started chatting with the balding thirty year old man in her lunch line who had just helped Mrs. Montgomery with her tax return. I still don’t know what I said to her that made her stop and talk to me. Here I was talking about ways to help her grow her business and all the boring claptrap of running it and all I wanted to do was drown in those soft sea green eyes of hers. Her auburn hair sparkled in the sunlight of that window and I’ll never forget it. It was like she was bathed in flame, a phoenix in flight.