Judah (The Strong Pack Book 3) Read online

Jude had missed many things about pack life, but the military had many of the same services, but the food wasn’t as good. Lack of privacy was an issue in both places but here his bedroom was his sanctuary. No one, not even a maid, entered without permission. On cleaning day, the room was left open or the maid skipped it. Things were simple here, he’d stay in the pack house until he found a place he wanted to build a home.

  Maybe it was the feelings Mal had generated or maybe it was jealousy over the relationships his dad and his brother had with their mates, but Jude found himself wanting more. Getting ready for bed, thoughts of Mal ran through his mind. He really needed to stop thinking about her because he’d ruined anything that could have developed between them. There was nothing left as far as she was concerned and he needed to get that through his head.

  He lay down in his bed naked, as he usually was, trying to sleep, but finding his hand moving to his cock with thoughts of the now blonde beauty running through his mind. It seemed the harder he tried to forget her, the more she was on his mind. Finally, knowing there was no other way to get to sleep, he grabbed a hold of his cock firmly rubbing up and down his long length. Fast and hard he stroked as he thought about how it would feel to sink deep inside Mal. She’d be hot and wet, tight as hell. He’d sink so deep she’d scream from the pleasure until they both found their release. About that time he’d found his climax, with ropes of sticky white cum squirting all over his belly.

  Yeah, he was sleepy now so he reached over picking up his T-shirt. He wiped up all his essence then tossed it back on the floor. Maybe he should do his own laundry this week, since that wasn’t the first time this week he’d cleaned off a load of cum from his stomach. That female was helping him develop strength in his hand from the workout it was getting. It wasn’t the way he wanted to get stronger, but he didn’t feel attracted to any other females. He fussed around shifting to get comfortable, finally falling asleep, but the blonde witch visited him in his sleep too.

  He woke at dawn. It was earlier than he wanted to but he hopped out of bed looking for a sign of what might have disturbed him. Dressing swiftly, he hurried downstairs where a handful of people spoke quietly while they ate. There was nothing to see here. Continuing outside, he searched the perimeter finding a fallen guard. Thankfully he was stunned, not dead. The location was near Jericho’s home so he headed there first. Later, he was thankful he did.

  The scent of a dozen wolves filled his nose. These were not typical soldiers who kept fastidiously clean, these were filthy, and their personal scent mixed with the sweat of several days or in some cases a week or more. Rogues, he would guess and the worst kind. These lived in their wolf forms coming out only when hired to do some misdeed. Speed poured into him as he rushed to assist his brother or whoever the target might be.

  Shock hit him when he arrived as T.J., his brother’s mate, held off three ratty looking wolves. In wolf form she was spectacular, not average but far above. She could fight too, as one of the wolves who got too close discovered to his detriment. Jude morphed to his big black wolf then jumped in taking down a wolf from behind in two seconds before moving on to the next, only to find the last dispatched by his new sister. None of these wolves would stand against them again.

  They both turned to run into the house where Jericho was surrounded, his body covered with bites. They’d not piled on him, taking him down, in order to defeat him. Nine wolves could take any single wolf down. These wolves had taunted him, torturing him with fear for his pup. Now they would pay because Jude and T.J. took down a wolf each before the others realized they were there. It was a good argument for bathing. Their sour smell had blocked them from picking up approaching adversaries. It was also why Jude didn’t scent Mal as she jumped into the battle.

  He almost stopped just to watch her. These wolves didn’t have a chance as these white wolves tore into them. Mal was almost as large as he was and twice as fierce. When she growled at the enemy, they started looking for ways to escape. Her eyes glowed with unnatural strength. Her ears were tipped in a brown that almost looked red. Was that even possible that the two strongest bloodlines, for a wolf, were combined in her? That would explain the speed and strength she was displaying. Jude would admit that was one she-wolf he would hate to fight.

  Between the four of them the mangy wolves were dispatched. T.J. and Jericho ran to check on their pup. Jude and Mal followed, relieved to see the little one asleep in his crib. This attack, sneaky and almost successful, emphasized the need for greater security as soon as possible. He got on the phone immediately giving his dad a report. Someone would be sent to revive the guard, then a thorough search of the whole property would be made.

  If they had left anything, listening devices, bombs, or other unfriendly items, he would find them. This was something he was familiar with, this he could do. His dad came running through the door assuring himself they were all well.

  “Thank you both for protecting my family.”

  “They are our family too.” Mal insisted.

  “I know but not everyone enters a fray where they are seriously outnumbered. It’s impressive that you were able to defeat so many.”

  “Not wishing to belittle what happened here, but they were rogues of the worst variety. Two to one would have been no problem for any of us. They had an advantage of three to one, nine on one with Jericho to begin with. Instead of taking him out to complete their mission, they taunted and tortured him. This was no grab and run abduction. This was a planned attempt to cause mayhem and make the pack members doubt our ability to protect them.”

  “I see it the same way. We need to forge ahead with our plans. Mal, could you help us set up a website and a business office for the security company.”

  Apparently his dad had already discussed this with her. While she was riding a battle high wasn’t the best or fairest time to hit her with this, but it assured the yes he received. She would be here for a month or more to complete the work. Why was Jude so damn happy about that? His wolf yipped and chased his tail more excited than he’d been in ages. It was amazing what hope could do.

  When he followed his dad outside, Jude saw the guards had been doubled. He also suggested setting check in times at fifteen minutes, just for now, instead of thirty. Perimeter alarms and video cameras would be added too. Pack safety was paramount, no one would cause harm to his people. Jude realized that he was now fully onboard and committed to his pack as he had never been before. There was no more divided loyalties and the only thing that would ever again be more important to him than his pack would be his mate and pups.

  He saw moisture pool in his dad’s eyes as he realized he finally had his son back. Not that he’d cry, not his old man, he was too strong and that was okay. Even if he had, Jude would have lost no respect for him. He had seen men break down after battle. Even the bravest and strongest males needed to release emotions occasionally or they would go crazy. The other option to crying was the best, fucking took the extra energy and emotions out of a wolf like nothing else. The way Jericho and T.J. were looking at each other, the second they were alone they would fall into each other’s arms. Of course that would be a while, since the dead needed to be removed and the blood cleaned up.

  Jude felt it was time to give them that opportunity. His dad and him left them alone with a guard at the door. It was just a way for everyone to feel safer, an attack again this soon after losing a dozen mercenaries was highly unlikely, but it made them all feel better. The fact that even the guard taken out in the attack had survived made everyone feel better too. The most likely conclusion in that was the attackers had only done what was needed to get the guard out of the way before proceeding to their goal. They knew Jericho would take time to torture properly. It had been their undoing and it would give us grounds to call in the council.

  They would expect little help from them, Damon might send them a team since Chief had finally been taken out. Besides, Jude could connect the blood drug to Kirk. They had given them, all the soldiers wor
king with Jude himself included, blood drug before certain missions. Kirk was careful not to addict them, the army would have asked questions. The connection should be enough to get them some help. When he told his father, his eyes glowed telling him he was excited about the help it could give them.

  Leading the way to the dining room, his dad and Mal followed him. Jericho and T.J would be busy for a while but he wasn’t surprised when Sherona joined them moments after they’d sat down. They were in the private dining room used for meetings and entertaining guests. One of the kitchen staff hurried out to serve them, bringing a tray of coffee, tea, water, and two types of juice. Once drinks were given out, orders were taken before the girl disappeared quickly and quietly.

  “We have a lot to do in a short time. I’d best get a list together to divide among ourselves. Some calls I must make as pack alpha. It’ll be my place to call Damon. He’s our contact at the council if we want results. I’ll also have to call Tyne because this is a favor he’s granting an old friend. That leaves organizing to Mal, gathering applications to Sherona, and selecting applicants to Jude. Everyone agreeable?” His dad asked but he expected no dissent.

  Chapter 2

  Stay or Go?

  Mal sat quietly listening as Jude and Aristotle discussed the recent attack and their plans to add security for the pack. She was a scrapper herself never avoiding a good bar fight if she could participate. Since she’d gone through the change becoming a wolf, she avoided fights with humans. It wouldn’t be fair to fight someone without the strength, speed, and healing abilities she had. Mal would admit, to herself alone, that she had been in her element kicking the asses of those mangy dishonorable wolves. The fact that she was fighting for her family only added to the sense of righteousness and accomplishment winning had given her.

  That she could kick ass, without taking names, among males even though she was a delicate, she had to snort, female, only added to the exhilaration of the battle. Even as a human she’d been an accomplished fighter since she’d hung out with motorcycle gangs all her life. Her dad ran one of the meanest known or rather known more as a legend. They were secretive, living in the shadows staying mostly at their own bar, Badass Drop Inn. Yeah it was a weird name and his gang, because it was made up of criminals and misanthropes, was called Skull Riders. They adorned their bikes, gear, and just about everything around them with skulls of all kinds.

  Since she had never known her mom, she was daddy’s little girl. Sometimes he seemed to forget she wasn’t a son. She’d loved riding behind him on the open road as a child then beside him when she’d become a teenager able to handle her own bike. Even before she was old enough to have a license because they were, after all, an outlaw biker gang. Law enforcement kept their distance unless they had no choice, and her father either kept his guys under control or made sure they were smart enough not to get caught.

  Aristotle had paused looking at her. She nodded so he would go on hoping she hadn’t agreed to something that she’d regret. “Good. I’ll let Sherona organize you while I go make the necessary calls.” Aristotle smiled happily. That wasn’t a good sign.

  As soon as he was out of sight she leaned into Sherona whispering in her ear. “What did I just agree to?”

  “You agreed to stay indefinitely to help in whatever way you could.” Sherona smiled shamelessly.

  Mal knew her cousins wanted her to stay. They had also had high hopes she and Jude would get together. Now that things had happened between them, it would be a cold day in hell before she’d date him. The male was a jerk. An attractive badass, totally her type of male, but he was also a jerk which she couldn’t tolerate. Not that the sinfully gorgeous guy wanted anything but a piece of ass anyway. She repeated to herself again that Jude is a jerk.

  Now she turned unbelieving eyes to her cousin. “Want to try again?”

  “Okay. Maybe you just agreed to stay and help with the current problem.” Yeah, that was more like it. She liked this pack, they were a good bunch of people. “You’re our organizer. We need to get the security company started so we’ll have training in place. You’ll work with Jude.” Damn if Sherona didn’t smirk. Bitch!

  “What was that?” Sherona asked.

  “Nothing. I’ll need information to get started. Do you have an office where I can work?”

  “Sure, I have an office with an assistant’s office beside it. I don’t have an assistant yet. I’m just getting started around here.” Sherona’s eyes sparkled along with the grin on her face Mal knew she was up to no good.

  Mal followed her down a hallway she’d never paid attention to before. This damn place was huge, like a small castle. It looked like it was a row of offices and if her sense of direction was right, the connecting hall past Sherona’s office was the one Ari’s office was located on. Close but not too close. The office Sherona showed her into was a good size. She had a desk and a table that would work for bigger projects. There was a slightly outdated computer, copier/fax machine, and a calculator in another corner of the office. Once she had everything updated and a few assistants of her own, she’d be in good shape. Mal planned to get things done so she could leave. Digging around in the office, she was surprised by the knock on the door.

  Lifting her head up quick she hit it on the underside of the desk. For a moment she saw stars. “Shit!”

  “I’m sorry.” Jude said but he didn’t look sorry, not in the least. She snorted. “I didn’t intend you to bump your head. My plan was for us to go over the plan for getting the business going.” He smiled looking innocent as an angel but the secret was already out. There was a devil hidden inside that male.

  “Alright. Why don’t you come in, sit down, and we’ll discuss what’s going to happen.” She’d agreed to this so getting a quick start made sense. Mal told herself she could do it. There were harder things in life than working with this male for a limited time.

  “Tell me what will we do first?” Jude asked.

  “Your father wants the training program in place. He wants it set up here. I’ll get a website set up for you that will pull in trainees from outside that will pay to learn self-defense or be certified as guards.”

  “Explain how this helps us?”

  “You’ll get the first choice from the successful trainees when picking new employees. The rest will create income so your new business doesn’t milk the pack dry. Startup costs can be high under the best circumstances. Luckily, your pack already has a building in town they can renovate to establish this business in. Once the training program is started, we will work on selling alarm systems and other security equipment to both businesses and private individuals. The last thing we’ll add is guard services including the armored car services.”

  “How long will this take?”

  “Once we start the training it will take anywhere from two to six weeks to get trainees through the program. The two week program is self-defense and other than income it won’t affect your business. After the four week training you’ll have guards available that can monitor cameras, cover doors, or sit at desks. For a high risk job, your people will need the six week training. It will cover weapons, first aid, and how to recognize a potentially dangerous item like a bomb. The additional training is priceless if you’re guarding the homes and persons of wealthy and/or celebrity people.”

  “Is all this the result of research or do you have a background in this?”

  “My dad owns a security business on the east coast. I’ve had all the training and used to work for him once in a while.”

  “Why didn’t you stick with it?”

  “I found a talent for anything computer related. His sites are still something I work with and every other year I go through extended guard training. but I haven’t worked for him in several years.”

  “Is he where your white wolf blood comes from?”

  “No, I assume it’s my mother.”

  “Assume?”

  “I never knew her. She split when I was a baby.”

 
“I’m sorry to hear that. All I had was my dad and brother too.”

  “I had my cousins. Aunt Daisy tracked me down and talked my dad into letting me go to reunions when I was young. They are some cool people, my white wolf cousins.” Mal grinned with memories. It hadn’t been normal, not the way most people thought of normal but it had been a great childhood. None of her cousins ever made her feel less or weird.

  “Mal?” Jude whispered. “Where did you go Sweetheart?”

  “Years in the past.” She admitted. Sometimes she wished she could just live there.

  “Come back. We need you.”

  “Yeah, I’m back. Let’s get to work.”

  By lunch time she had a roughly designed website. Jude had made the choices in script, colors, and pictures to send the message he wanted potential customers to get. It really wasn’t that hard to set up a site with all the tools he had at her disposal. Choices were limited to about a dozen and only a few items could be customized. That’s what she would be doing later.

  Jude escorted her to lunch. He was so different now from the angry wolf she’d dealt with before. If she hadn’t been there, she would say this male was not the one she’d had the disagreement with. Mal knew she needed to tread carefully, falling for this male was not in the cards. Being used and thrown aside was not what she wanted for herself. She brought her mind back to what was going on now. They were lunching in the alpha’s dining room. The server brought her sweet ice tea and it looked like that was what Jude had too.

  Because they dined in this room more than most, the staff in here knew what they would want to drink. As far as other things went they still asked for their order. Mal tried not to look at Jude as they waited for their meal. “Nothing to say now?” He asked.

  “I’ll lose my voice if I say much more.” She was only half joking. Jude had milked her for business and personal information nonstop while they had their meeting. What more could he possibly want to know?