In The Heat

Chapter Three

Caroline Ryder

The food was subpar. The cubed cheese had taken on that revolting rubbery texture and the sliced fruit was playing host to a rowdy group of flies. I snacked on a handful of chips but ended up tossing them in the grass when I realized they too, had fallen victim to the heat and grown soggy.

Han stood beside me, yanking at the collar of his black dress shirt. "How much longer do you think we have to stay?" he asked, his pale cheeks flushed with color.

I grimaced as I looked over to our dad. He was talking animatedly with a group of his friends, completely overjoyed with the return of Alpha Tyler Trip and star struck after talking with him. Of course, he'd been angry I had quipped up but my father's anger was never direct or lasting.

I sighed and yanked at the hem of the tight, blue dress. "Knowing Dad, we'll be here all day."

Han rolled his eyes. "Stupid overrated Alphas," he hissed, "Mick and Dad are whipped for the guy—he hasn't done anything for us yet."

"He's the Alpha," I mumbled, only half listening. Han was a professional at ranting. As soon as he found an interesting topic and formed an opinion he was set for the day—for the year. He could talk about the same thing until his tongue fell out of his mouth.

"Sure he is," Han agreed dismissively, "but is he?"

I was looking around the pack house, watching the members of my pack mull around and converse. There were faces I knew, faces I had grown up with and then there were people I had never seen before.

We had lost a significant amount of members during the Feral War—more than any other pack in the East—as because of our diminished numbers, we were forced to take in strays from all over the country.

Everyone seemed to be a good mood for the most part. It was mostly smiles and laughter filling the space as people fought for shade and seating. Kids were running around, screaming and scrambling and screeching with joy. I caught Libby watching them affectionately, her expression made my stomach twist.

I moved my gaze away immediately and caught the Alpha mingling with his pack members. He was a little stiff but friendly enough as he made the rounds, shaking hands and laughing when it was appropriate.

Perhaps unknowingly, the Alpha was constantly being surrounded and surveyed by his inner pack. Rowan, the adorable third in command. Sarah, the stern lead enforcer. Jackie, the kind peacemaker. Aaron, the new lead lookout. Bennie, the gangly Omega.

They watched the Alpha closely, circling and exchanging with one another. I wondered after them for a few minutes, finally deciding that they were worried about their friend and wanted him to do well.

"—and you'd think that a future Alpha would stay and—"

"Han," I interrupted, "he's the Alpha and he's back. You have to give him a chance to impress you."

Han rolled his dark eyes. "Don't see why I should when—" Han quieted down when a group of young men approached, heading for the food laid out beside us. They didn't seem to mind the condition of the appetizers as they scoffed them down, forgoing plates and cutlery.

Han made a small sound of distaste in his throat as he shoved his hands in his pockets and wrinkled his nose. One of the men turned, his lip curling as he caught sight of Han and glared. "You have a problem?"

I elbowed Han in the ribs immediately.

Of course, he couldn't resist being a smartass. "No, man, return to your trough."

The man frowned. "What the hell did you just say?"

Han leaned forward with a smirk. "Oink."

The guy let his assortment of cold cuts fall onto the ground. He was a massive guy with bulging biceps and thighs made for deadlifting. If I had to guess, I'd say he was an enforcer. Considering Han's lean lookout frame, I'd say that my brother had no chance of winning a fist fight.

Damn.

The guy took a few steps towards Han, lip curling as he let out a low snarl. "You'd better watch yourself, kid, I fought in the war."

Han rolled his eyes. He was his own worst enemy at times. "News flash, Wilbur, we didn't win the war—I'm not impressed in the slightest—"

The guy lifted his fist. "Say that again," he dared.

With a crooked grin, Han opened his mouth. "News flash, Wilbur—"

Han's nose sprayed blood.

The guy shook his fist out with a dep growl. "Have a little respect next time, mutt. Especially when you didn't do a thing to help your species."

Han was slowly standing back up. He held his nose but it was no use, blood was already smeared down his face and neck, staining his front teeth red. I saw the wild look in his eyes. Han liked getting hit. He lived for the rush of it. In a way, I suspected this was the only time he really felt anything at all.

"Congrats on fighting in a bullshit war," Han mumbled, "did killing humans make you feel like a big boy, Miss Piggy?"

The guy would've decked Han again if a woman hadn't intervened. She was a stocky girl with long hair, narrow eyes, and a stern expression. I recognized her instantly if only for her legacy as the first female enforcer in our pack's history.

"Do we have a problem here?" Sarah asked as she eyed up Han and then turned to her enforcer. The big guy flexed his fist and then his jaw, a caveman working through complex emotions for the first time.

"No," he rumbled in submission.

"Finally," Han said as he nudged my shoulder, "he stopped squealing."

The guy nearly burst a blood vessel in his eye. "You little—"

Sarah held up her hand. "We're here to protect our pack mates, Wallace, not harm them." The guy, Wallace, made a sound of distaste. Sarah turned to Han, "are you alright?"

Han grinned, a row of red teeth on full display. "Dandy."

I rubbed my eyes. I heard footsteps approaching and turned to see my parents heading our way. I held in a groan and took a deep breath. This was going to be great.

"Han," my father called sharply, using that familiar undertone of disappointment. My father and brother, though alike, had a seriously rocky relationship. They seldom agreed on anything, my brother egged our dad on, my father refused to give Han credit for anything.

Han winced. "Yes?"

"What the hell happened?" my Dad barked in that awful whisper-yell tone.

Sarah stepped in. "My Apologies, Mr. Ryder—my enforcer here has loose fists."

My dad eyed Han resentfully. "Knowing my son he did something to invite the violence."

Sarah sighed, "All the same—should have happened." She laid a hand on her enforcers back and propelled him away, talking lowly in his ear while he cast a long glare towards my brother.

My father and Han started fighting the moment we were alone, each of them waving their hands and scoffing at the other. My mother cast me a sad look from my father's side. She was tired of their constant bickering—more so than anybody else. I knew it caused her pain to see such discord between my father and Han.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." We all turned as Ryan Stellar, former Acting-Alpha and current Beta, approached. He was an alright looking guy but the aggression and chauvinism he wore on his sleeve made him unattractive—not to mention the scar that connected his nose and mouth which gave him a permanent scowl.

His eyes were hard as he appraised my father and even colder when he looked at Han. I got the clear distinction that we were not liked by him. My shoulder slipped in front of Han's without much thought, it was natural to protect him. For a brilliant guy, he could be painfully naïve.

"Beta," my father greeted, far less enthusiastic than he was when meeting Tyler Trip. "It's good to see you. You made an excellent speech."

The Beta didn't even try to charm us like he did other families. "I don't like that you're causing a scene," he said tersely, "it makes you look undisciplined."

"You mean it reflects poorly on you," I said, "in front of the Alpha."

Ryan's lip curled to the point where I could just glimpse his teeth. "I'm surprised to see you here, Caroline—I heard you were taking the loss of your mate hard. What was he again? A healer? Liam wasn't it..."

I heard Han's growl but felt my own resonate in my chest. "I'm surprised you're here too. I thought Alpha Trip would've cast you aside the moment he returned. I guess you'll have to grovel in the shadows again, huh? I supposed you'll miss the power trips and fake loyalty."

I felt my father squeeze my wrist—he wasn't telling me no, just warning me to be careful. To my surprise, Ryan Stellar smiled. It was an awful, ugly thing. "It's a shame your family is so talentless, we could use your spirit in the pack."

My father bristled behind me. "My sons—"

"Are nothing," the Beta finished.

My father looked down, cheeks aflame. Even Han had to lower his head. The fact that none of us had pulled rank was a source of shame for my father who had served as lead lookout for Alpha Vex during his entire rule. My father, who was lookout the day of the fire attack, was promptly dismissed after he failed to see the humans cross our borders. We had been in a self-imposed exile since.

"Just like you'll be soon, I imagine," I threatened quietly. Behind Ryan I watched as Alpha Tyler Trip stopped talking and tilted his head to the side. "The Alpha won't stand your disobedience or scheming forever, Beta."

The Beta looked ready to shift and attack. "We'll see what the Alpha can stand."

My father was outraged. "You dare suggest—"

"Enough," Ryan barked. He looked into my father's eyes as his stare turned dark. "You need to get a handle on your insolent children—especially, your youngest." His eyes fell down to me. "This entire family is a great source of shame for this pack and you are lucky that I've tolerated you for as long as I have. I will be advising Alpha—"

"Beta Stellar!" Mick greeted as he came bounding over, Libby in tow. Mick clapped the Beta on the back and held out a hand. Ryan simply stared at my brother's hand until Mick let it fall. "Uh—how are you?"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Mick," he greeted.

Mick turned to Han, his eyebrows shooting skyward. "What happened, Han?"

Han grinned, the blood now darker and caked around his nose and mouth. "Got into a fight with a rather rowdy strip of bacon."

Mick frowned, opening his mouth to inquire when Ryan interrupted him. "We will be speaking again soon, Mr. Ryder." His exit was swift and sure, leaving us all tense and unsure.

Mick smiled and kissed the back of Libby's hand. "He's a little more intense than I remember," he noted, "anyways, Alpha Trip and I had a great chat—I hadn't realized how much I missed the guy."

For the first time, I was thankful Mick was here to talk about himself.

My father and mother were fighting under their breaths. I watched them out of the corner of my eye as I pretended to listen to Mick go on and on about the Alpha and the friendship he was sure they'd eventually have. I watched my mother shake her head and then my father walked away.

I frowned and slipped away from my family, pursuing my father as he headed down the dirt road that led away from the pack's territory. I was about to call out to him when I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Alpha Tyler Trip.

He was nearly a foot taller than me and double my width. Tall, broad, handsome—he was everything an Alpha was supposed to be. His eyes were green and gentle, his jaw structured and covered in stubble, his hair cropped and clean. He was gorgeous, of course, but I noted his beauty in more of a clinical sense than a romantic one.

"Alpha," I greeted, reluctantly letting my father escape.

He nodded his head, eyes tensing. "Caroline, right?"

I felt my stomach clench. "You got it."

The Alpha rubbed the back of his neck. "I heard you speaking to Ryan."

A slew of curses came to mind. "Oh—sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"Don't apologize," the Alpha interrupted, "it was nice to hear."

"He's a douche," I said unapologetically.

The Alpha chuckled. I was stunned by the sound and from the looks of it, so was he. "I don't know when he became like that. But I guess I'm a little behind. Nothing is really the same as it was before, is it?"

I frowned, my head tilting to the side as I mulled that thought over. Nothing was the same, not my pack, not my family, certainly not me. The Feral War had taken everything and warped it. I had a mate before the war, status in my pack, a loving family, a sense of self and direction. I had none of those things now.

"Whenever you need me to mouth off, just call," I said sarcastically.

The Alpha looked at me with fresh eyes, his mouth still holding that small smile. "This might be odd for me to say but I feel a kinship with you and—"

"Trip!"

The Alpha jumped, his expression changing completely as Rowan—his third—ran over. "Initiation time," Rowan said with a wide grin. His eyes were round and wide and baby blue. He smiled at me, one side of his mouth picking up and rounding his cheeks. "Hey, there. You're Mick Ryder's little sister right?"

I grimaced. "Unfortunately."

Rowan laughed. "Right—anyway, our Alpha here needs to join me up at the pack house."

Alpha tipped his head in my general direction before taking off with Rowan. I watched the two men as they walked and spoke quietly, their heads bowed together. Rowan peeked back at me only for Trip to lay a hand on his shoulder and direct him forward again.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach, catching me completely off guard. I clutched my abdomen, my breath rushing out of my mouth as my heart stilled in my chest. I hadn't felt anything close since Liam...since he...

Tears sprung hot and fast. I tipped my face upwards and blinked rapidly, trying to dispel them before they dropped. I saw Han wave at me from up the road and waved back, taking only a moment longer to collect myself before I trudged back up to the pack house.

The rest of the ceremony was mostly formality. After Alpha Vex died, Tyler Trip was sworn in by the pack elders almost immediately. It had been quick and private, happening without much warning to Tyler or the pack. His inner pack had been formed out of his closest friends only days before he took off to enlist.

Today was an affirmation of the promise he made to the pack as Alpha and a show for the members who were upset to have missed out on his initiation the first time around. Naturally, Han thought the whole event was a giant waste of time and I had to endure his ranting the entire time the elders spoke.

I watched the young Alpha with a renewed interest. He was solemn as he listened to his rights and responsibilities, serious as the elders asked for his oath, sincere as he devoted his life to the protection and prosperity of the pack. Before the elders once again made his rule official, the Alpha turned to the pack.

His gaze was enough to command silence. Everyone watched him with anticipation and respect. My father, who had returned just in time, was almost shaking with pride as the rightful Alpha addressed us.

"I'm sorry I left. I did so with the intention of finding honor and protecting our pack and our species. I know some of you believe I achieved none of these things while others believe I have. Whatever you believe, I want to ask for your forgiveness—for your acceptance—before I become your Alpha once again."

My father was the first to bow his head. "Dimitt."

The word sent a wave a shock through me. I hadn't heard in since the day Liam was attacked. Since the day I held him in my arms as Alpha Vex laid his hand on my shoulder and begged me to forgive him. Since the day I died.

"Dimitt," Mick and Libby mumbled together, bowing their heads in unison. The rest of the pack mumbled, yelled, hollered, whispered the word. They repeated it until it became a chant, until even Han was forced to say it.

When I looked up I could've sworn Tyler Trip was staring directly at me.

"Dimitt," I said, voice tight as my throat squeezed shut.

The Alpha nodded and turned to the elders before completing his initiation. He turned to the pack after a lifted a hand only to be met with a roar of applause and exultation. The Alpha smiled and waved and thanked people but there was something amiss. I knew what it was as soon as he met my eyes. He was an empty man being chased by a ghost. I knew this because I was empty too and I felt haunted and comforted by a man who was no longer by my side.

Whatever Han said, I knew in that moment that Alpha Tyler Trip would be the best Alpha this pack would ever see.

An hour later we all escaped the overheated van and piled into our tiny house. My father disappeared to the woods and my mother slipped into her garden. Mick and Libby had retreated to their bedroom, giggling behind the door when they thought no one was listening.

Han and I sat in the living room, Han with a bag of frozen peas slapped to his face as he finally relented and admitted that being punched in the face by an enforcer hurt like a bitch. I kicked off my sneakers and pulled my knees to my chest, wincing when the zipper of the blue dress dug into my side.

"How long before the Alpha makes us move?" Han asked, voice muffled by the frozen vegetables. His nose was completely swollen and congested with blood, only making him sound nasally and blocked.

I shrugged, I had been thinking the same. "Not long," I wagered, "a month?"

"Dad's going to have a heart attack," Han said, peeling the peas away and wincing when he touched his nose. It was purple now.

"Mom will miss her garden," I noted absently.

Han slapped the bag back to his face. "Fuck the garden."

We ate a big meal that night to celebrate the new Alpha. No one really felt like eating though, it was hot and humid and stuffy. Han pointed this out and got dad all riled up. It escalated into a fight which ended with everyone cleaning up in silence and retreating to our separate corners.

I laid in my single bed that night, eyes on the ceiling as I listened to my family. Our house was small enough and my hearing good enough that if I really concentrated I could hear little traces of everyone. My dad's snoring, Han's garbage music, Mick's laughter, my mother's gentle humming.

I rolled over on my mattress and stared at the woven rug in the center of my room, remembering another time, another place, another me when Liam had been alive. I remembered the first time we slept in the same room, remembered my father making sure Liam was nowhere near the bed as he camped out on the floor. He was happy to do so, enthralled that we were able to be so close.

My heart constricted and I clutched my sheets tightly in my fists, riding through the waves of pain as the memory faded. I hadn't dared conjure an image of his face, a snippet of his voice, a memory of his mannerisms. I hadn't since he died. Wouldn't until I was taking my last breath.

My greatest fear was that I had forgotten these things, that when it came time, I wouldn't be able to remember what he looked like, how he laughed, the tone of his voice.

That fear gripped me tightly, forcing my eyes wide open and stealing the breath from my chest. I missed him so much that the feeling transcended physical pain—in the height of my grief I felt like I no longer existed at all, like I had been consumed by it.

I closed my eyes, begging for sleep—for any reprieve—as I tried to let my thoughts wander away on their own. Slowly, other thoughts came and I grasped onto them tightly, working to develop them as I focused on my memories from this afternoon and analyzed them.

I thought of the Alpha. Of the way he looked at me. At the way he looked. I felt the same buzz from earlier, the same rush when I thought of his eyes meeting mine. He had tilted his head to the side and studied me, had told his friend something to make him look back in my direction. I toyed with these thoughts, slowly calming down as I got further and further from the more dangerous memories.

Alpha Tyler Trip wanted something from me, that much I had deduced.

I just had to find out what. 

* * * 

This is an excerpt only as the rights to this story has been bought by Inkitt for their new reading app, Galatea!

If you'd like to continue reading, you can find me on Galatea under "Abigail Lynne" or by searching for the "Wolves of the West: The Feral War" series!

Thanks so much! (: