Judah (The Strong Pack Book 3) Read online

  Talk turned toward the fight with several hints being bandied about that he thought referred to Devon ferreting out information. Lack of information had prevented them from pursuing and attacking their enemy. If Devon could answer some of the questions they had, it might make all the difference.

  “You’re not usually so quiet.” Mal whispered.

  “Neither are you. You’re not eating well either.”

  “Touché. Devon’s gone and something’s up.”

  “Yes.”

  “You noticed and didn’t say anything?”

  “What did you want me to say? It’s clearly part of a secret plan they don’t want any attention drawn to.”

  “If we aren’t safe here, where are we safe?”

  “You remember the little girl that gave out information to save her brother? Until we defeat them we’re safe nowhere.” As he said it, he realized how sad it sounded but they couldn’t take any chances.

  “So tell me, Ari, what is the plan for now?” Alex said, almost as if he was reading from a script.

  “We will wait until they make their next move, but we will be prepared. My guards are ready, our perimeter secure, if they attack again we will win.”

  “Will you be doing any training exercises? We’ve heard you are starting some kind of program.”

  “Yes, that isn’t scheduled for a couple more weeks, but if you want a workout in the morning, we will find someone for you to go a few rounds with.”

  Alex looked around the room. “Maybe you should find more than one?”

  Frankie snorted which made everyone chuckle. “Do you wish to take me on little wolf?” Alex said eyeing her as only a predator could.

  “You wish.” She answered sarcastically.

  “So tomorrow we will battle.” Alex answered as if it was now decided.

  Jude didn’t think it would be a fair battle. Frankie had a reputation of being a good fighter for a human when she’d been with the human FBI. She’d only changed a few months ago and not really had adequate time to adjust to her wolf or learn her new powers and strengths that had come with the change even in human form. Still, if they were battling, he wouldn’t miss it for the world. He’d heard a lot about white wolf viciousness and yes, he’d seen a bit, but Frankie would have to exercise control since it wasn’t a real fight.

  It would also be interesting to watch one of the top three vampires on the continent battle a little wolf. Why did he even want to? If he won everyone would say she was a much smaller and less powerful opponent. If he lost he would never live it down.

  Everyone was eating now, but Jude and Mal were through with little reason to remain since they weren’t involved in the conversation which was mainly Alex teasing Frankie, while she practiced her acid tongue on him. Frankie was actually very good at insults, especially to Alex’s sexual abilities.

  “Would you enjoy going for a walk?” He asked Mal.

  “Sounds lovely.” She replied leaving him stunned but happy. He gave their excuses as they beat a hasty retreat.

  The air was cool after the heat of the dining room and he noticed the sharp points of her nipples against the T-shirt she wore today, with the skin tight jeans that showcased her ass. Realizing he wasn’t the only one that had noticed her, made him want to move their relationship forward faster before someone else tried to move in and he had to kill them. It was only the fact that he knew that would make her run the other way that made him slow down his approach. She was cooperating, so he’d be a fool to push her.

  Mal walked beside him so he moved closer wrapping his arm around her. He felt her warmth sink into him and it felt good. The fact that she didn’t brush him off felt even better. Maybe she was coming to terms with what they were to each other. Nothing would make him happier than if she accepted his claim and claimed him in return.

  “It’s lovely out here, quiet too.” She observed.

  “Not everyone likes the quiet. It’s also flat out here with more fields than anything. We were lucky to claim wooded land when the pack first settled here.”

  “You must have a strong attachment to this land. It’s ben in your pack and your family for hundreds of years. I can’t imagine how that feels.”

  “Every pack feels territorial about their land.”

  “We traveled all over when I was growing up. My white wolf family was a bit like a pack, but no one knew it at the time. They grounded me.”

  “Children need that. I’m glad Ariel and the others did that for you.”

  “She still does it every summer for others like me. She also funds a camp similar to it for poor and orphaned children.”

  “Ariel sounds more like a saint than a wolf.”

  “She’s both.” Mal said seriously.

  Jude was getting an insight to her loyalties, but he suspected she wasn’t the only one tied to Ariel, not just by blood but by love. “Maybe someday I will get to meet her. You make her sound remarkable.”

  “If I ever have pups, they will go there in the summer.”

  The thought of Mal round with pups, his pups, struck him speechless. He was screwed and he knew it. Nothing would ever be right in his life again until this she-wolf was completely his. She needed to be bitten, bonded, and bred. Damn! He did sound like a caveman.

  “It’ll be a full moon tomorrow night, making it a great night for a run.” Jude said changing the subject. He didn’t know Ariel, had never gone to summer camp, and had no idea what to say that didn’t sound stupid.

  “Yeah, you guys usually have a pack run, don’t you?”

  “When there aren’t enemies at the gate waiting to grab up any unsuspecting stragglers. There’ll be a few anyway who don’t listen to the warnings and they’ll run anyway. I hope none of them run afoul of Kirk.”

  “My concern is that they might attack because of that.”

  “Did you see something?”

  “No vision, just concern.”

  The sounds of a large group talking and joking grew nearer. “Hey, Mal. Are you hiding over there?” a voice asked then the others laughed.

  “No need for me to hide since I’m the toughest bitch around.”

  “You may have been before I came visiting.”

  “Aw, you’re still lying to yourself, Cuz. It’s a bad habit you should have broken by now.”

  “You mean like your habit of dreaming you are tougher and stronger than you are?”

  “You’re lucky you’re fighting an old as dirt vamp tomorrow or I might be tempted to knock some sense into you. You’ll need to be in decent shape to teach him something about the ladies in our family.”

  “Don’t worry, Cuz. The lesson is all planned out.”

  By now Frankie was right beside Mal. “Don’t let him piss you off too. He’ll try.”

  “He tries all the time.”

  “And he succeeds once in a while?”

  Frankie smiled and Jude thought she looked like an angel. “Maybe once or twice. I’m not as good at pissing people off as you are, Mal.” Mal arched her brow. “I’m still working on it. Hey, you’ll be there, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss you handing out an ass kicking for anything. You’re a thing of beauty to watch.”

  “So who is he?”

  “We work together. He’s Ari’s youngest son.”

  “Oh, I think you do more than work together. A romantic walk in the moonlight?”

  “No, a perimeter check in progress.”

  “That’s your best excuse? You’re slipping girl.”

  “What are you guys up to?”

  Mal grabbed the girl in a hug. “I’ve missed you, you dirty little witch.”

  “Aw, you say the sweetest things. If you were just a sexy alpha, it would do me some good.” Harry replied.

  “There’s a sexy alpha of some sort waiting for you down the line.” Mal encouraged.

  “Yeah, the problem is he’s down the line running away.”

  “You talking about your dream lover, Harry?” Cherry cut in.


  “Shut it or I’ll unload secrets about you.”

  “There aren’t any to tell.”

  “How about that guy you were talking to on the plane?”

  “What guy?” Emy popped into the conversation.

  “The one that was chatting Cherry up on the plane.”

  “You mean the old guy? He could have been her great grandfather.” Emy observed.

  “There you are!” Harm hollered. “Have you been hiding from me?”

  “Not on your life, Harm. Had I not been busy, I would have kicked your ass before lunch time.”

  “You and what army?” Harm asked.

  “Me and the wolf within, which is more than an army!”

  “Yeah, whatever. You’re lucky we need to save most of our strength in case of attack but tomorrow for training, it’s you and me.” Harm invited.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Now what does a bitch have to do to get some quiet time around here?” Mal asked.

  Without bothering to answer her cousins just backed off and disappeared. “Are you guys always like that?”

  “No, usually we’re worse.”

  Jude tried to envision that, but fell short. They were a crazy bunch it seemed. He and Mal continued around the perimeter. It was the best way to make his time with her last, since the perimeter was long. They got to one of the most secluded parts. It was the furthest from the pack house isolating it.

  “I smell something.” Jude said. Mal stood still breathing in deeply trying to scent what he had. Her senses would continue to grow stronger, but some made wolves never reached the levels of most born ones.

  “I can scent it too now. Magic.” She said. “Where is the sentry?” Mal had been around witches that were relatives enough to know the scent.

  Jude and Mal began to search, finally finding him under some bushes. Jude let out a howl, it was a warning to all that something was amiss. Somewhere, there was an intruder. That they had gotten through the witch’s protective spell and avoided all the traps and Tyne’s little devices, was amazing. They had to discover how, to prevent it from occurring again. A blur was headed their way.

  “He’s trying to get out where he got in. We need to make sure we catch him.” Jude instructed. It amazed him how confidant he felt with Mal by his side. There was a time when he thought his mate would be behind him so he could protect her. She would let him make the decisions, all the important ones, because he was stronger and smarter. Mal had changed his way of thinking.

  The blur was almost to him and they moved slightly so they could best cover the hole he would try to slip out through. They moved with one mind, it amazed him how she seemed to know what he would do and reacted accordingly. Both their arms reached out as the blur was on them and they grasped each other’s hand. He was moving so fast that their arms moved forward then sprung back like a rubber band. The male flew back landing on his back staring up with eyes wide open unmoving.

  Jude wondered if he was dead or just knocked out. Since dead males, him being a wolf and not human, tell no tales, he hoped he was still alive. Others headed toward them. His dad was in the lead with most of the new arrivals behind him. Alex, Tudor, and Tank all came into view.

  “What happened here?” Ari asked.

  “We were walking the perimeter and came to this spot. The smell of magic lingered. We looked for the guard who was knocked out and under a bush. I sent up a warning. This male came running back to leave the way he entered. We stopped him.”

  “He lives.” Alex pronounced. Vampires were exceptional at picking up heart beats.

  “I’m amazed you recognized the smell of magic.” Tudor observed.

  “I didn’t. Mal did.” Tudor nodded like that didn’t surprise him.

  “Someone weakened the witch’s protection, but that works in our favor. I hate witches that mess with protective spells.” Tudor got a look of concentration on his face. He chanted softly in a sing song voice. A terrible scream rent the night. Tudor smiled gleefully. “They won’t be messing with any other witch’s spells again. He looked more like a demon than a witch at that moment.

  Everyone wondered what he had done but no one was brave enough to ask. Chanting a little louder, the perimeter fence began to glow. “He’s reinforcing the spell where it was weakened.” Mal whispered. Jude had guessed as much but he just nodded.

  Next time there was magic to be scented, he would know it. He’d now gotten a schnoz full of the magical odor. It was distinctive once he got a dose of it and Tudor’s magic was strong enough to burn his nose and make his eyes water. Something he was sure few others could do. Having Tudor here had already come in handy and he suspected the talents of all the new visitors would eventually be used too.

  “I wonder what his intentions were and if he completed them?” Tank asked out loud. Everyone turned to him because they had all wondered the same things.

  “He’s too addled to question.” Alex said sending an accusing look to Jude and Mal.

  “Like you’re gentle on captured enemies.” Frankie said with a snort.

  “Female you are pushing me.”

  “So?”

  “Tred carefully or some of those things you wonder about late at night will be revealed.”

  Frankie turned bright red then stomped off. If Alex meant to pursue her, he was doing everything wrong. Jude had been told those two had worked on the Chief case together for months and got along worse now than they had in the beginning. Everyone agreed it was Alex’s fault. He was arrogant, rude, and crude.

  “Who is going to handle the prisoner?” Tank asked.

  “Would you like to?” Ari asked.

  “Don’t mind if I do. I’ll let you know when I have something.” Tank threw the male over his shoulder and strode off in the direction of the pack house. They must have visited the small prison on the tour so Tank knew where it was or he would have asked.

  Now the rest of them just stood there with nothing to say. “I’m ready to get some rest.” Alex said as he turned and walked toward the pack house. Jude didn’t know much about vampires but from what he’d seen lately they ate food and slept. He wasn’t sure they needed either but they seemed to like it. Maybe it came from trying to fit in with humans in the world they dominated.

  “I’m ready too. It’s been a long day.” Tudor stated as he walked away.

  “The guards will be fine as they are for tonight. After what Tudor did they’ll be afraid to attack. Hopefully in the morning we’ll know what they wanted.” His dad said. He looked weary.

  “Get some sleep, Dad. Things will seem better in the morning.” Jude said it and he believed it.

  The others trailed off one at a time and now it was just the two of them. “Come to my room, Mal?” She nodded. Apparently she was growing tired of fighting him off at every turn. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

  His room wasn’t far once they made it into the pack house. His room was generous with a king sized bed and a large bathroom. The intention was that it would accommodate him even after mating if need be. “Nice room.” Mal praised.

  “Thanks.” It was uber male, the colors were shades of blue. The fabrics used were soft and comfortable. The floor like most of the pack house was dark hard wood. Throw rugs softened the look. The bath had been remodeled recently to give it the look of a spa in various shades of brown. It had a jetted tub many females would kill for and a large shower with a dozen spray jets that males tended to love. “Maybe the room will convince you to stay awhile.”

  “Romancing is such hard work.” Mal said sarcastically, but it lacked her usual venom.

  Jude started to strip as she shamelessly watched his every move and each portion of his body as it was revealed. “Shouldn’t you be taking something off too?”

  “Nope. I’m enjoying watching you.”

  “Now I’m done. Do you need help?” Jude stepped up to her and started to pull her shirt over her head. He tossed it to the floor carelessly.

  “Go fill the t
ub and I’ll be ready in a second.” She suggested with her eyes full of promise.

  Jude set the temperature on the water and pushed down the plug. Finding some scented bath soap, he put just a little in, remembering when he was young and had used too much. He’d been mopping up bubbles for hours. He’d not wanted his dad to find out but he’d known something was up right away. Later, he’d admitted it was the sweet smell of the floor.

  Turning, he saw his mate naked and irresistible. How had he ever thought he could just love her and leave her? She came closer and he met her halfway, pulling her into his arms for a kiss that shook him down to his toes. She shivered in his arms leading him to believe she felt the same way. His hands stroked her back and he reached lower to squeeze her ass cheeks lightly.

  “The tub is almost full.” Mal pointed out.

  It irked him that she was clear headed enough to notice that. He’d have to work harder to make her lose that control. She climbed into the tub then he slid in behind her. The water was just hot enough that the heat sank in relaxing them. Mal felt wonderful naked with her silky skin pressed up against him but he wanted more. Nuzzling her neck, he slid his hands around to fondle her breasts. Pinching her nipples, he loved the way they hardened and extended. Later he planned to suck on them for a long while.

  His hard cock was rubbing against her and he felt rocked by a driving need to sink inside her. Reaching his hand under her, he sank a finger into her channel as she bent over to give him better access. He added a finger stretching her gently. This was more about her enjoyment than his because he needed to impress her to keep her at his side. She was slick and easily taking his two large fingers so he pulled her up on his lap then impaled her on his cock.

  He growled, it felt so good to be sunk inside his mate. His hands at her hips guided and aided her in moving up and down his hard shaft. “Damn you are hot and tight.”

  “Feels good. So good.” She cried as he slammed her down on his lap.

  Their movements grew harder and faster as he felt both of them approaching the edge of release. It caught him off guard when she tightened like a vise, squeezing the cum right out of him in the throes of her own orgasm. Never had he felt anything like it. They splashed and thrashed in the water as the strength of their climax hit, then slowly eased until they were just writhing against each other breathing heavy while trying to calm their bodies down.