Isaiah's Haven

Epilogue

Life had been a whirlwind of activity the past ten days. The damage to the club had been repaired and they’d done some needed renovations to the place as well since they were closed anyway.

Isaiah had integrated himself easily into the pack, taking control without ruffling too much fur. Both her sons looked to him for direction. It had taken the other four a little longer to trust him fully. But he was endlessly patient with all of them.

Now they were in North Carolina at Wolf Creek and she was about to meet his alpha and his family. Her children stood behind them and she could sense their tension. They’d never been around so many pureblooded werewolves before. At least not ones who didn’t want to kill them.

The compound was situated in the midst of a dense forest, accessible only by truck, and that’s only if you knew where you were going. The road was well hidden for the protection of the pack. A large wooden fence surrounded the small cluster of homes. With the rough mountain terrain behind them, they were well fortified.

Isaiah had told her that most of the pack was spread out over their land. Many were artisans and craftspeople. Others grew organic produce, selling it to local restaurants. They lived simply, keeping a low profile and protecting the pack from the outside world.

A shiver went down her spine and she glanced over her shoulder, not only to check on the rest of her pack, but to make certain the gates to the compound were still wide open in case they needed to make a run for it. Not that she expected to have to, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“Everything will be fine.”

She realized she’d almost come to a complete stop. Meredith peered up at Isaiah and smiled. “I trust you.”

A look of pure male satisfaction crossed his face and he turned to watch a tall man exit the largest home. This must be the alpha, James Riley. He was a few inches shorter than Isaiah but that in no way diminished the aura of pure power rolling off him in waves. His hair was brown, but was silvering at the sides. It was a sign of his maturity. His golden-brown eyes were piercing as he studied all of them.

Meredith straightened, throwing her shoulders back and meeting his gaze. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, but it was what she had to do. He was an alpha, but so was she. His pack was larger than hers, but that didn’t mean the responsibilities weren’t the same.

James sauntered down the steps and walked toward them, his gait measured and steady. She sensed other wolves around them, but knew none of them would acknowledge them until the alpha did.

Several large males hovered off to the side. Waiting. Watching.

The tension grew as James stopped about five feet in front of them. “Welcome home, Isaiah.”

Isaiah nodded, acknowledging the greeting. “I bring greetings from the Haven pack out of Chicago.”

Meredith jerked slightly, but kept her composure. She’d never given her pack a formal name. Really hadn’t considered it. But it sounded right. And it gave them more status.

Isaiah’s arm came around her as he pulled her close to his side. “This is my mate, Meredith Striker.”

She could feel heat creeping up her cheeks. In spite of the fact that she’d willingly mated with Isaiah, it was still weird getting used to being called Striker instead of Cross. She could have kept her own name, but knew that her taking Isaiah’s name meant so much to him. In spite of his stalwart outward appearance, he had insecurities just as she did.

She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riley.”

His hand engulfed hers as he shook it. “Please, call me James. Welcome to Wolf Creek.”

Meredith turned to her pack. “I’d like to introduce you to my children.”

They stepped forward as she called their names, inclining their heads slightly as James acknowledged them. She watched for any indication that he would treat Kevin, Teague, Neema or Hank differently from the rest of them, but he greeted them all the same.

When the formal introduction was done, four males stepped from the shadows and a female stepped out from the open doorway of one of the smaller homes. She recognized the male who went to greet the female. It was Joshua, Isaiah’s brother. The woman must be his mate, Alexandra. She was a tall female with short, glossy brown hair and silvery gray eyes. Her lanky build and coloring was similar to her father.

The other three men looked incredibly familiar. Isaiah was an older, more rugged version. These males had to be his brothers.

They came toward them as a group, stopping just behind James. Alexandra broke rank and hurried toward her. “You must be Meredith. I’m so glad to meet you.” The younger woman opened her arms and hugged Meredith, taking her off-guard.

She returned the hug, truly touched by the warm welcome.

“Call me Alex. I know we’re going to be good friends. After all, we have a lot in common.” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned at her mate, who smiled indulgently at her.

Alex continued to greet the rest of the pack, putting them at ease. Before long, Meredith found herself ensconced in a comfortable chair in a fairly large living room. Food and drink were abundant as the two families chatted and got to know one another.

She could put names to all his brothers now. Micah was tall with medium brown hair and chocolate colored eyes. Levi looked exactly like him, except he was the somber one of the twins. Simon was the youngest of the Striker brothers. His hair was black and he was a serious soul. He was chatting with Hank and his voice had almost a musical quality about it.

“How are you doing?” Isaiah perched on the arm of her chair and touched his hand to her head, smoothing down her hair. He hadn’t been more than five feet from her side since they arrived.

“I’m good.”

“Simon is bunking with the twins tonight and giving up his house for us. Michael and Benjamin are going to stay with them at Levi and Micah’s place, but I thought you’d feel more comfortable having the other four with us.”

Isaiah was so thoughtful, always thinking about what she wanted or needed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His gaze heated and she felt a familiar warmth fill her. He only had to look at her and she wanted him. It had been that way from the beginning and she didn’t expect it to change any time soon, if ever.

“In fact, I think you’re tired after the long drive.”

“But we stopped at a motel last night and finished the drive this morning.” She knew what he wanted, but couldn’t resist teasing him.

His eyes darkened and he slid his arm over her back. “I insist. As your mate it’s my job to look after your health.”

She forced a fake yawn, hiding her smile behind her hand. “Well, I am a little tired. A nap might be just what I need.”

Isaiah stood and held out his hand. “Meredith needs her rest,” he announced to the rest of the room. With that, he scooped her into his arms and strode from the place.

Laughter followed them. Meredith couldn’t bring herself to care as he carried her out the door and across the compound to his brother’s home. He headed straight for the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him.

He dropped down on the bed with her in his arms and rolled until she was beneath him. Meredith hooked her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Batting her eyelashes, she played with the hair at his nape. “Suddenly I’m not so sleepy anymore.”

Isaiah laughed and kissed her. Soon neither of them was laughing. The shadows lengthened in the room as the afternoon waned and they loved one another.

Later that night, Isaiah stood at the edge of the woods. He’d already shifted into his wolf form. Now he was waiting for his pack to join him. One by one they appeared, also in their lupine forms. Michael and Ben. Teague and Neema. Kevin and Hank. Still, he waited for the one who mattered most.

Meredith.

She emerged from the darkness, a female wolf, her coat shiny and black. He waited as she padded to his side. Ready?

Yes.

He loved being able to communicate like this with her, loved the sensation of belonging with someone, to someone. He hadn’t realized how lonely he’d been until Meredith had come into his life.

Tipping back his head, he howled long and loud, announcing the presence of his pack and promising swift retribution to any who might think to threaten them.

An answering howl rose from the woods. He recognized his brother. Soon Joshua’s voice was joined by others until every Striker brother could be heard. He might have left the Wolf Creek pack, but the bond he shared with his family was unbreakable.

They’d be returning to Chicago in two days. The club had already been closed for far too long. Not that money was an issue. As he’d told Meredith, he had more than enough in investments to keep them all. But he understood and respected the fact that they all wanted to earn their own way. Now that he was there, the others could choose different careers if they wanted, or they could remain at Haven. Either way was fine with him. They would always be a part of the pack.

He nudged the sleek black wolf with his muzzle, whirled around and began to run fast and hard through the woods. She followed him and the rest of the pack joined in. He matched his stride to hers, while keeping an eye on the others.

They ran freely, romping and playing like puppies and Isaiah loved every minute of it. He was proud of his pack and of his mate.

There was a short howl and then his brothers joined them, along with James and Alexandra. Isaiah and James took the lead. Meredith stayed close by his side. He didn’t worry about his pack. Not with his brothers here to add their protection.

He glanced over at Meredith. She gave him a wolf grin and let go a little yip. He caught a glimpse of what was in her mind. Naked limbs entwined. Hard thrusts as he took her. He stumbled. Recovering quickly, he began to herd her back toward the compound. He was suddenly in the mood to make love to his mate.

Happiness flowed through Meredith. She hadn’t felt this free, this alive since she was a pup. Isaiah ran beside her. Her mate. Her companion. Her lover.

They’d spent the afternoon heating up the sheets, their naked bodies sliding over one another as they’d made love again and again. And still, she wanted him.

She purposely planted some images in her mind and sent them to him. He stumbled and she gave a yip of laughter. Isaiah immediately began edging her toward home. And she knew what was in store when he got her there. She picked up the pace and raced him all the way back.

Back in Chicago, Steve Macmillan swore as he tossed his cell phone down on the table. “We’ve got werewolves after us. Those mangy mutts were supposed to find and eliminate those stinking half-breeds, not come after us.”

“You can’t trust a dog not to turn on you.” Red Coulter, an old buddy of his father’s tapped his pipe against an ashtray. “You ought to know that, boy. Your daddy taught you better than that.”

Steve raked his fingers through his blond hair. “I know, Red. I don’t mind taking ’em out if they’re easy pickings, but I’ve got better things to do with my time than chase down some crazy purist wolves hell-bent on revenge. Mitch said that he and Bob must have misunderstood what they’d seen at that club, that there were no werewolves there, half-breed or otherwise. He thinks that what they saw was nothing more than a big fucking dog. Now I’ve got some powerful werewolves pissed off at us.” His fingers clenched into fists. If he had Mitch or Bob close to him, he’d gladly choke them for the mess they were in.

“I’ve already wasted time and manpower I couldn’t afford to lose.” The death of several good men in the park raid, men he trusted, still angered him.

“I know.” Red gave him an understanding nod. “I know you want that bitch that done killed your pa.”

That was an understatement. Steve would kill her when he found her, but not before he made her pay for what she’d done. There were a lot of hunters out there who’d pay good money to fuck a she-wolf. He’d use her to fatten his wallet until there was nothing left to use. Then he’d kill her.

“What did that new guy Quinn say?”

Steve focused on Red. “I’d set him to watching the park. He didn’t see a damn thing. It’s been quiet at Riley’s Garage for weeks too. I think that might be a dead end.

“The wolf pack the boys fought must have just been passing through the city. I’ve never known a wolf that could stand living in a crowd. Those bloodsucking vampires are another thing altogether.” Steve sure as hell didn’t want to fight those creatures and left them to the crazy-assed hunters who specialized in vampires.

“Sure enough,” Red agreed. “What about those purist werewolves who are on our tail?”

Steve picked up his rifle and loaded it with silver bullets. “I need a new winter coat.”

Red laughed at the joke and rose from the table. “Let’s get Quinn and my boys and do us some hunting.”

He grabbed his gear and followed Red out to the truck. He shut the door of the dingy motel room behind him, eager for the chase. Steve knew it was time to leave Chicago behind and start searching the surrounding states. He had a female to find.

And when he did there would be hell to pay.

He smiled as he tossed his belongings behind the seat, stowed his rifle in the gun rack and climbed into his truck.

Quinn lay on his back, arms stacked behind his head, staring at the ceiling. The mattress sagged and several springs dug into his back. The room stank of stale cigarette smoke. The faucet in the bathroom dripped—a never-ending torture.

He closed his eyes, shutting out the sight of water stains. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about the smell or the dripping faucet. It was simply another crappy room in an equally crappy motel.

He didn’t have a book to read. Nor did he have his wood carving tools. Nothing to pass the time. Like the rest of his life, everything was packed away. Waiting.

All he could do was lie here and think. Remember.

He’d been doing this for a year and it was starting to eat at his soul.

Was it worth it?

His pale blue eyes snapped open and he rolled over and sat on the side of the bed. “Hell, yes,” he muttered. If it took another year or ten, he wasn’t stopping. Not until he found—

The ringing of his phone rudely interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at the call display. He thumbed the talk button and held the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”

“We’re moving out.” Macmillan didn’t bother to identify himself. He rarely did. “We’re heading to Kentucky.” He rattled off the meeting point and hung up.

Quinn stared at his phone. It would be so easy just to walk away from all of this. His duffle bag contained a few changes of clothing and weapons. He had no ID, nothing that could trace him to his old life.

He raked his hand through his shoulder-length hair and stood. “Not today.”

He shouldered his duffle and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. He would find out what happened to his twin if it was the last thing he did.