Wolf Triplets (Triplet Harems Book 3) Page 4

  “Fucking hell,” he said. Then he turned to the bartender. “Four double whiskeys. We’re gonna need them.”

  Moments later, the four of them were seated at a booth. Hunter took a long draw of his booze, the whiskey barely quelling the fire in his belly. He glanced at the rest of the bar, the other shifters there still taking sidelong looks at him and his brothers.

  “What’s going on?” demanded Hunter.

  “First of all, tell us your name,” demanded Jake.

  “Yeah,” said the man. “My name. I’m Taylor—of the Shorn Fur pack. You guys know my people, right? Peaceful, don’t like to start shit. Especially not with wolves like you guys.”

  “Yeah,” said Hunter. “Smart like that. Now get to talking.”

  He looked over the brothers, the shocked expression still on his face. “You all...you were supposed to be dead.”

  “Why?” snarled Jake. “Someone just tried to kill us. Why?”

  Taylor sipped his drink, and the worried expression in his eyes told Hunter that he had news he wasn’t keen on sharing.

  Bad news.

  “You all...haven’t heard, have you?”

  “Get to it,” said Hunter. “Right now.”

  Another deep breath, another sip of whiskey.

  “There’s...been a war. The packs around you guys, they attacked last night.”

  “What?” the brothers said the same word at the same time.

  “Yeah. Underhanded shit. Not sure of who led it all, but there was an invasion. The packs banded together behind the Redtooths’ back, came up with some plan to cut the head off your people and divide up the land.”

  Hunter’s heart raced again. He didn’t know what to say.

  “How did it go down?” asked Jake.

  “They moved in fast. There...were a hell of a lot of casualties. Most of the older members of the pack were killed or hurt bad. I only heard this morning—my pack fled the area after they heard, didn’t want to be the next on the chopping block. And the attack was supposed to be all at once. They were going to take out all the alphas of the pack, including you guys. That’s how it was supposed to go down.”

  Neither of the brothers said a word, and Hunter knew they were all thinking the same thing. If what Sam said was true, their pack had been decimated.

  “But...they’re not all dead, right?” asked Jake. “They can’t be.”

  “Not everyone,” said Sam. “One of the alphas took on the leader of the attack, wounded him badly but got killed in the process. They pulled back for the time being, but it’s only a matter of time before they return.”

  “Dad...” said Jake. “Did you hear anything about our dad?”

  Hunter was speechless. Their father, one of the senior members of the pack, would likely be high on their list of targets. But he wasn’t with the pack at the time—he had power and money and divided his presence between the land in rural Illinois and his apartment in Chicago.

  “Not a thing,” he said. “Only that they were planning on taking out all of the alphas at once, like I said. Your father’s an alpha, so...”

  He didn’t need to finish his sentence. If their father wasn’t already dead, he was a target just like they’d been.

  “Then we have to move,” said Jake. “We have to find him and make sure he’s OK. Right fucking now.”

  “Is there anything else,” said Bryce. “Anything we need to know?”

  “I...I don’t know,” said Sam. “I only heard rumors, talk. And I didn’t in a million years think I would be the one to break it to you. A war’s on—no doubt about it. No one’s safe.”

  Hunter threw back the last of his whiskey, the brothers doing the same.

  They had to move. It was all on the line.

  CHAPTER 5

  Bryce

  They reached the skyscraper where their father lived, the building reaching all the way into the evening sky.

  “No answer,” said Bryce, checking his phone again. “You think he’s—”

  “Don’t want to hear it,” said Hunter. “No guessing, no speculating.”

  They’d been trying to reach their father since leaving the bar. Each had called and texted, hoping to find some confirmation that he was OK. But nothing so far, nothing to reassure them.

  Together, they entered the massive lobby of the building, men and women—the elite of the city—milling in and out. It was another night in the city for them, but for the brothers, everything had changed. All that they’d known had come to a crashing halt, their world turned upside down.

  They checked in at the front desk, the clerk there giving them a guest pass for the apartment. That in hand, Bryce led them to the elevator that went straight to the top of the building.

  Bryce’s gut was tense. He didn’t know what to expect. The building was secure, more or less a fortress. But if they’d been attacked, then there was a good chance their father had been too.

  He closed his eyes as the doors opened, prepared for the worst. But when he opened them, relief washed over his body.

  Their father, Michael Stone, was there, dressed in his usual sleek suit. Michael was trim, but well-built, his body carrying the same obvious power as his sons. His hair was jet-black, slicked behind his ears, his eyes ice-blue.

  He stood in the middle of the modern penthouse apartment, the towers of the city framing him in the tall windows behind. A phone was to his ear, and his blue eyes went wide as he saw his sons approach.

  “They’re here,” he said to whoever was on the other line. “Thank God—they’re here.”

  He hung up the phone and shoved it into his pocket before running over to the brothers.

  “Boys!” he said, his eyes still wide. “Are...are you OK?”

  “Are you OK?” asked Bryce. “Dad, what the hell happened?”

  Michael shook his head. “It’s a fucking nightmare. Sit down.”

  The boys didn’t need to be told twice. The three of them sat on the massive couch, their father standing before them.

  “There’s been an attack,” said Michael. “And they’re going to be coming for all of us.”

  “They’ve already come for us,” Bryce said. “We just got jumped by some fuckers in an alley.”

  “Are you serious?” asked Michael. “What happened?”

  “We’re still alive,” said Jake. “Took out all those pricks. Only the alpha that was with them survived, some shithead named Jasper.”

  Without a word, Michael took a seat in the chair across from them, letting out a sigh as he did.

  “And they’re coming for you, Dad,” said Bryce. “They’re coming for all the alphas of the pack.”

  “I know. The news...it’s fucking bad. Twenty alphas in the pack, only five are left. And four of them are in this room.”

  The brothers regarded one another with the same shocked expression.

  “Who’s the other one?” asked Hunter.

  “James,” said Michael. “James Shaw.”

  “Fuck,” said Jake. “Casey’s dad?”

  “The old drunk?” asked Jake.

  Casey Shaw. Bryce sat back in his seat, memories washing over them. He and Casey had a...complicated history.

  Actually, he knew that to call it “complicated” was a hell of an understatement. He’d known her since they were kids, having been members of the same pack. It was when there had been peace between the clans, no war, no troubles.

  The packs of the regions lived in something like harmony, the younger members socializing together, forming little cliques. Bryce and his brothers ran with some of the other alphas—alphas Bryce realized now were likely the enemy.

  He’d always had his eye on Casey, who’d grown from a gawky kid to a gorgeous woman. And they’d dated for a time.

  It hadn’t ended well.

  “You all there, Bryce?” the voice of his father cut through his thoughts.

  “Yeah. Just...processing this shit.”

  “I get it,” said Michael. “But we’re goi
ng to need to focus.”

  “What’s the story?” asked Jake. “We’re the only alphas that are left?”

  “Aside from James, yeah,” said Michael. “And he’s been wounded. More than that, he’s not exactly in a position to lead the pack.”

  “Then it’s you,” said Hunter. “You’re the alpha now.”

  Michael nodded. “Something like that. James is technically the one in charge, being a senior alpha. But he’s not taking the attack well. He lost his brother, Sam.”

  “Fucking hell,” said Bryce. “Then...what’s going to happen?”

  “I’m going to stay in touch with the rest of the pack from here. You know that my business in the city is necessary to keep the pack afloat with income.”

  Bryce nodded. His father had gone to the city years ago, founding a small group of investment firms that had grown over time into one of the most successful conglomerates in the city. He’d earned millions since they were kids, and funneled most of that money back into the pack.

  When Bryce was a kid, he and his brothers had lived comfortable, rich lives, taking full advantage of their family’s money. Some had thought that they’d become spoiled—little rich brats who didn’t know the value of hard work.

  And maybe they were right. But Bryce pushed all that aside and tried to focus.

  “You mean you’re just going to stay here?” asked Jake.

  “I know the pack needs me—they need all of us. But my place is here. If I were to abandon my business, it’d wreck the pack as surely as another attack would. And...”

  He trailed off, clearly not comfortable with what he had to say.

  “And...you boys are going to need to be ready if...anything were to happen to me.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” asked Hunter, his tone heated.

  “It means exactly what I said,” Michael continued, his voice stern. “When you three came to the city to go to school, it wasn’t so you all could fuck around, party, and screw human females—it was so one day you’d be ready to lead. I’m not going to be around forever, and you three are going to need to run this company one day. And more than that, you’re going to need to imprint.”

  “Imprint on an omega?” asked Bryce. “Now?”

  “Sooner than later. You know how wars work—the alphas are killed, and the omegas are taken for breeding. We have several strong omegas in our pack, and they’re likely a big part of the reason why the other wolves decided to attack. Luckily, they didn’t take any of them.”

  “Good,” said Jake. “And we’re going to keep it that way.”

  “So,” said Hunter. “What’s the plan? You stay here, and we stay here with you?”

  Michael shook his head. “I’m going to speak with your school, pull some strings and get things put on hold. For now, your place is with the tribe. The Redtooth pack needs leadership, and if alphas don’t step up and leave, then we’re sitting ducks for the next attack.”

  “Wait,” said Jake. “We’re dropping out of college?”

  “Don’t you get it?” snarled Michael. “The future of the pack is at stake. More important things are happening than you three graduating. And besides—it’s only being put on hold, like I said. When this crisis is over, you’ll be able to go back and finish your studies.”

  Bryce still tried to wrap his head around it all. So much was going on, and part of him felt he wasn’t prepared for it.

  “You’re all going back to the sticks—tonight. Once you’re there, you’re going to link up with James. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to him, and from what I hear, he’s in no condition to lead. If necessary, you three are going to be my stand-ins for the leader of the pack.”

  “And what are we supposed to do?” asked Jake.

  “Take charge. Being alpha is all about protection—you protect the pack, you protect the omegas. It’s a hard job, and not everyone is up to the task. But I’m convinced you three are. And if you need me, I’ll be here.”

  The three brothers regarded one another, and Bryce could tell they were as wrapped up in their thoughts as he was.

  “Find James, find Casey—start there. Protect the two of them, and find out what kind of shape the rest of the pack is in. Because if we’re weak, you know the rest of the wolves won’t waste any time in finishing us off.”

  Michael stood up.

  “I’ll take care of everything here. Go to the airport now. I’ll get your flight on my jet arranged, and you should be back with the tribe by tomorrow morning. I expect you all to be rested and ready—the time for fucking around is over. The Redtooth pack is depending on it. Now go.”

  There was no softness to his voice. Bryce knew that when their father spoke in that tone, there was no point in trying to argue.

  “The car will be waiting for you outside. Don’t bother packing. You need anything, you tell me. And...good luck, sons.”

  Without another word, the brothers rose and left. Just as their father had said, a black half-limo awaited them in the street in front of the building. The drive to the airport was silent, each of the brothers considering their future ahead.

  After a short trip, they were there. The car pulled onto the runway, their family’s private jet ready for them. The jet was top-of-the-line, the interior more like a luxury apartment than any regular plane – even had separate bedrooms for all of the brothers. The brothers strapped in and were soon in the air.

  Bryce broke the silence.

  “I need a fucking drink.” He rose and went to the bar, the buzz from their night out fading.

  “That a good idea?” asked Hunter. “Dad said—”

  “I know what the fuck Dad said,” snapped Bryce. “And if we’re going to have a hell of a time ahead of us, then I’m going to get while the getting’s good.”

  “Fuck,” said Jake. “Same here.”

  Hunter shook his head. “Fine. Pour me one, too.”

  Bryce went to the whiskey, pouring them each three glasses and bringing the bottle with him when he went back to sit down. The brothers sipped, each still lost in his own thoughts.

  “This is a fucking nightmare,” said Jake. “What the hell are we supposed to do?”

  “You heard what Dad said,” said Hunter. “We need to get there and lead. Find James and see what the fuck kind of condition he’s in.”

  Bryce shook his head. “Figures that the one alpha still standing is a fucking drunk. Wonder what Casey is making of all this.”

  At the mention of Casey, another silence fell. Bryce glanced around, trying to read his brother’s faces.

  He knew something was up right away.

  “Wait a second,” he said. “You all...have some kind of history with her?”

  Hunter laughed, sitting back and holding his drink in front of his chest. “Something like that,” he said.

  “Let’s hear it,” said Bryce. “If we’re all going to be looking after her, we need to know all the information.”

  Hunter took a long sip of his drink, the sounds of the jet engines filling the air.

  “She and I...well, we were always the brainy types—you had your art, Bryce, and you had your sports, Jake.”

  “Right,” said Jake. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”

  Hunter went on. “Well, when we all went to high school in town, I didn’t waste any time getting to the top of the class. Almost the top, actually. Casey was fucking smart as shit, and when we realized the two of us kept going back and forth between the semesters for the valedictorian spot, we kinda started competing with each other.”

  “That right?” asked Bryce.

  “That’s right. And one night we decided to study together. It was supposed to be about getting ready for some test, but I think the two of us wanted to spy on the other, see if we could learn any tricks about getting ahead. Long story short, she caught me looking at her work, and we started arguing. And when we started arguing...”

  Hunter smirked.

  “...
It became something else.”

  “You screwed?” asked Bryce.

  “We did. Just the one time, though. Neither of us talked about it after that.” He looked around at Jake and Bryce. “Let me guess—you guys had something else going on with her?”

  Jake laughed.

  “Same shit, kinda. We were at some party in town one night, and I don’t know if she was drunk or what, but she decided to bust my balls about the way I teased her all the time. Making a long story short like you, Hunt, we argued, and the fight eventually went to the bedroom. Same as you—we never talked about that shit ever again.”

  Hunter laughed, and Bryce did the same.

  “What about you, B?” asked Hunter. “What’s your story with her?”

  “Man, even worse than that. We had art class together, and I decided she’d be the perfect muse or whatever the fuck for my art. I went to her place a few times, painted her picture. Each time she wore fewer and fewer clothes, until she got buck-ass naked for me one day. Didn’t get far into the work that day. We actually dated for a little bit, until I left her for some beta female who’s name I don’t even remember.”

  Jake laughed. “So you’re telling me that we’ve all got history with this girl? We’ve got to look out for her, and she’s got reason to punch us all in the fucking face the second she sees us?”

  “Sounds about that way,” said Bryce. “But we’re gonna have to put all that shit behind us. Like Dad said, bigger things to worry about now, right?”

  “Right,” said Hunter. “We’re going to have to work together. And if she’s one of the omegas of the pack...”

  He didn’t need to finish the sentence. Alphas and omegas—they went together like chocolate and peanut butter.

  “Fucking hell,” said Bryce. “What a mess.”

  Bryce threw back his drink.

  “I’m gonna get some sleep. Got a hell of a day ahead of us.”

  “No shit,” said Jake. “Same here.”

  “Make that three.”

  The brothers went to separate bedrooms. Bryce was out the moment he put his head on the pillow. He knew his life was about to change for good, that nothing would be the same in the pack.