Wolf Bait

Prologue

Jutes- Sleepyhead

Fate is a sick twisted b***h.

When something tragic happens, everyone wants to put in their ten cents. Time heals all wounds. He would want you to move on and be happy. Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah.

You know what my mate would have wanted? To f*****g be here. To have lived a long happy life at my side watching our children grow and leave their mark right next to ours. I think those who don't know what the f**k they're talking about need to shut the f**k up and just leave me the f**k alone with my misery and my urn. The urn contains what's left of the life I was meant to have—the life we were deprived of.

Darren Phurry died at nineteen trying to save the alpha's mate from getting kidnapped. Sure, he died a hero. Beta male dies protecting his Luna. Tale as old as time. But you know what they don't tell you about the hero? Everything that's left behind. Like his eighteen-year-old mate.

I met Darren in the fourth grade when his family joined our pack. Since we were so close in age, our parents made us become friends and it wasn't easy because we were different culturally. He was raised in a traditionalist pack and well, I've been a city wolf my entire life.

We hated each other in those early years. Well into our high school years, actually. Both Betas competing for the position by our alpha's side. Both of us matched in skill. It was magical when we turned sixteen and found out why we got under each other's skin the way we did.

Neither of us questioned it. We didn't hesitate to accept what we were. We had our marks on each other the night after my first shift. We just continued to grow together. He was there when my father was killed in a rogue raid. I was there when his mother died during childbirth the third time around. He was there when my mother couldn't take her mate being gone anymore. In the end, his dad was all we had, and swore to make sure we would make what was left of his life worth it.

Things never work out the way we want them to. You can be the best at something, live a certain way, abide by whatever code you wish, but fate. That gross little b***h, isn't going to give a rat's ass how great you might have become.

Most nights, my destiny ends at the bottom of a bottle in a home where only silence follows. It had been weeks since I'd drunk myself to sleep, but today. On the fifth anniversary of his death, Luna Morgan announced the heir to the pack.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her. After all, Morgan and I grew up together. We were close. She was my best friend. But there's this funny thing about grief and if I could go back, I'd let her die. f**k her and f**k this pack.

As everyone celebrates the joyous announcement of the next alpha of the Red s**t Pack, I sit at their open bar staring at the countless bottles of expensive liquor just sitting around the packhouse. I can't leave. s**t like this is mandatory and just because I'm widowed, doesn't mean I'm an exception to the rule.

"Perry, you came," Morgan's voice feels like claws against a chalkboard to me. I toss back the tequila and nod.

"Didn't have much of a choice," I sigh.

"What was that?" Alpha dumb ass asks. I clear my throat and spin around to face them both.

Morgan used to be a bad b***h. She was a beta-rank she-wolf. She used to mean something. Then she became the alpha's mate and they erased everything that made her special. Maybe it's just the bitterness in me, but no. Yup, it is. I hate her. I hate him and the thing growing inside of her makes me want to hang myself from the California King canopy bed in their room.

"Congratulations," I give them my best smile. "You must be so happy,"

"Perry," my father-in-law's voice sends chills down my spine. It's so close to Darren's and the warning is very clear.

"Thank you," Morgan grins and places her hand over her flat belly. I look down at it and take a set back.

"You got something to say?" Calvin growls.

"Baby," Morgan takes his hand and tries to pull him back.

"No, I'm sick and tired of your s**t," he steps closer.

"Calvin," his father growls from somewhere in the room.

"I bet you are," I meet his challenge.

"Perry, don't give him the satisfaction," Jacob comes over to my side. "Alpha-"

"Tell us what's on your mind, Perry," Calvin pushes. "I think it's been long enough for you to get over your little drunken stupor," he motions to the bar behind me. "You are part of this pack like everyone else. It's time you start acting like it,"

"Or what?" I scoff. I'd like nothing more than for this asshole to kill me. To put me out of my misery. "What are you going to do, Cal?" I tap his chest with the back of my hand. Several growls echo around us. "Are you going to throw me out of your happy party? Hmm? You think I give a f**k?"

"Cal, don't. She's my friend," Morgan tries to pull him back.

"No, I'm not," I growl at her. He doesn't like that. He holds his arm out in front of her protectively and pushes her behind him. "I'm not anyone's friend. I'm not anyone's nothing. The proof lies in your mate standing here carrying your child,"

"I will not hesitate-"

"To what?" I cut him off. "To kill me? Do you know what it's like to lose your mate?" I shove him. Someone pulls Morgan away from us as I step closer to him. "You have no f*****g idea how little f***s I give about you and this pack. Your mate and your child can go f**k themselves for all I care,"

"Perry," Jacob growls grabbing my arm. I stumble back a bit and laugh as the room spins.

"It's a hot sensation, Calvin. It gets so hot that it burns away half your soul," I look up at him through my blurry vision. His disgusted expression clears when tears slide down my pathetic face. I laugh and step closer to him again. "You want to know what's on my mind, Alpha Dumb ass? What's been on my mind for the past five years? My undying wish for Morgan to lie in the grave where my mate sleeps just like you intended for her when you didn't choose her until your girlfriend died,"

Morgan gasps along with some of the other females.

"Perry," Jacob says gently.

"Part of this pack, hmm? f**k you and this pack," I wipe my tears. "Useless f*****g authority figures. You can't even protect us," I shout needing everyone to know. I pull my blouse down to show them the scars across my chest. "I think I've given enough of my soul and blood to you," I spit at him. "Enough to earn me a f*****g drink, you asshole. I am the best hunter in your f*****g ranks and you know it! So, you can kill me now or you throw me out. I don't give a s**t. Just let me have a drink first,"

The big f*****g i***t stares back at me with disbelief and much to my surprise he nods. The pompous piece of s**t waves his hand. I laugh and spin around to take the shot from the bartender when he slides it across the bar.

"Give her the bottle," he orders.

"Nice," I sing and take the bottle of Casa Blanca when the poor guy offers it to me.

"Let her keep it. It's the last one she'll ever have here. Take her downtown," he adds.

"Jail," I laugh when two guards come over to me. "For what? Telling you to f**k off?"

"Yeah, and for disruption of the peace. Sleep it off, Perry," he turns away to leave. "Oh, and okay. You're out. I, Alpha Calvin Montebello hereby remove you, Pernicious Phurry from the Red Wood Pack. When you're released in the morning, pack your s**t and get the f**k out of my city,"

"Perfect," I raise the bottle when Francis spins me around to get me off the stool. "Great leadership skills, Alfa Pendejo," I laugh as I am escorted out. I point back at him as everyone watches me get thrown out of the packhouse. "Look at them. That piece of s**t and that useless cunt are your pack leaders," I tease. Some of the others try their best not to laugh. "That's who you're trusting your lives to," I take a drink of the bottle I was handed. I chug as much of it as I can to try to stop the buzzing for just a moment. To quiet the low whimpers of my wolf. And then I throw it at him. "b***h," I spit. "Both of you,"

"Get her the f**k out of here," he roars when Morgan starts to cry.

I continue to laugh as my surroundings all blend into pretty colors. I'm shoved into the back seat of a car and taken to the police station. This isn't my finest moment, but at the very least it didn't end in blood this time.

"Sweetheart, I thought we were making progress," Jacob places his hand on my head.

Guilt washes over me because I look this man in the eyes and see the promise I made to Darren all those years ago. The tears come freely now as he looks back at me sympathetically. Unfortunately for the two of us, those same eyes haunt me. They remind me that he's not here anymore and that no matter how long I wait in that empty house, he's never coming back.

"She's pregnant," I slur as he walks me to the usual cell I take up when I'm brought in.

He sighs and turns to face me as the cage rolls open.

"I know, sweetness," he pulls me into a hug. "I wish there was something I could do to help, but I think this is a great start. You don't need to be here anymore,"

"I'm sorry," I choke out taking comfort in his arms for the last time.

Mr. Phurry and I have been drinking buddies for a while now. I supposedly quit last month after I killed a group of rogues just outside the borderline of the city. It comes in waves. The urge to kill is followed by the grief I don't want to feel anymore. I'm only the best huntress on the force because I want anything and anyone to just f*****g kill me already. But I've yet to meet the asshole who can.

Fate hasn't granted me a single moment of peace in so long and I just want it to end. I'm not strong enough to do it myself. I used to think that my mother was weak, but every time I stand in front of the mirror. Every time I hold a gun, every time I have the opportunity to do it, I chicken out. And I think about her. I ask myself, what finally did it? What pushed her over that edge that I can't quite get over? I've asked the tombstone next to my father many times and I've expected an answer. One never comes.

I stare up at the ceiling all night unable to close my eyes. The blinding migraine sets in when the sun comes up. I can't remember the last time I ate or slept. Jacob lets me out in the morning after his shift and drives us both back to my house. In the driveway is a black SUV. One that belongs to the Alpha and I start begging the universe that Morgan doesn't come out of that thing to try and "fix" things. It's five years too late.

Timothy Grant, the new official Beta steps out at the same time I do. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank f**k," I mutter to myself as I approach. "Are you here to make sure I get the f**k out of here quickly?"

"There's been a change of plans, Perry," he sighs and he can't meet my stare. "Why don't you go inside and clean up? Shower and brush your teeth well. You need to look presentable,"

"What's going on, Beta Tim?" Jacob asks.

"I'm not at liberty to say, Jake," he says quietly.

"It's fine, Jacob. Whatever,"

I shower and clean up as best I can. I'm dressed and in the back of the SUV with Jacob following behind.

"I'm really sorry, Perry," Tim says from the front seat. He sent three of his strongest betas for me.

"What does he want? An execution? I didn't have to get pretty for that, Tim,"

"Come on, Perry. You know calling the alpha and his mate bitches isn't enough to get you killed," he scoffs.

"Then what the f**k does he want?" I demand as we arrive at the packhouse.

The others get out of the car first. The SUV is surrounded. My heart starts to beat against my chest hard as he turns around to face me.

"He's selling you, Perry. To the highest bidder,"

"What?" I keep my eyes on him. He lowers his gaze as one of the guards pulls me out of the back seat. "No," I try to protest, but it's too early for this s**t. I haven't slept in a while. I was drunk off my ass a few hours ago and my wolf hasn't been a help outside of hunting in a long time. "You can't f*****g do that,"

My arms and legs are cuffed as I try to get the guards off me.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jacob demands.

"Take him," Tim orders. Some of the guards go over to him.

"Don't you f*****g dare touch him. Tim, don't hurt him! Tim!"

"I'm not. I promise," he says as I'm hauled inside.

"Let go of me you f*****g assholes," I growl.

One of them slips up and I take my opportunity to swing my arms around to the next one. Tim manages to catch me by my hair before I can break for the door. I kick and scream as I am dragged into the packhouse.

"Enough!" Alpha asshole shouts. His hand cracks against my face and I fall to my knees as blood floods my mouth.

"You will always be the biggest f*****g b***h I've ever met," I scream and spit the mouthful of blood at him. He steps back wiping it with the back of his hand. His boot comes up and he kicks me on my stomach. The air is knocked out of me and I heave dryly as the tequila threatens to come up. "Kicking a female in cuffs," I laugh. "A p***y on top of being a b***h. Great father you'll make,"

"That's enough, both of you," a gruff voice stops him.

I feel the tremble of submission in my body. I'm used to the force of an alpha. There are several living here. I've had to interact with all of them including this i***t. This is more than that. Far worse than an alpha wolf. A lycan. An alpha or maybe, considering the force pressing down on me, it might be the Lycan king himself. Calvin grips a fistful of my hair and raises my head up enough so he can look me in the eyes.

"See how much you're going to be running your mouth when the Lycans stick their huge monster d***s in it," he laughs.

"It took you five years to get Morgan pregnant. That's probably how small yours is," I grin.

He pulls back to hit me again and I brace myself but the hit never comes. I look up to see that the Lycan is holding Calvin's arm.

"Let her go. She belongs to me now. Damage her any further and I will let my Beta have his way with anyone he sees fit here,"

Calvin and I turn to see a huge black man smirk at Calvin before the Lycan Beta turns his attention to Morgan who is standing with Calvin's mother. He immediately releases me and I laugh again.

"You can't do this," Jacob shouts from behind me. "Perry hasn't done anything wrong to you, you f*****g coward,"

"Jake, stop," I look back at him.

"No," he shakes his head. "No, it can't end this way. I refuse to see my son's mate like this. We'll leave, Alpha Calvin. You'll never see us again. Just let her go,"

"Bring the elder with us," the Lycan orders.

"No, leave him alone," I try to stand and stumble forward. A hand grips my throat and I'm lifted up until I'm standing on my tiptoes.

"You have no right to make demands, little wolf," he growls into my ear. Everything inside of me screams: run. So I stay very still. "You have disrespected your alphas long enough. You've gotten yourself thrown out of your pack. That rebellion in you stops here. What is your name?"

"Perry,"

"Excuse me?" he growls pulling me closer to him. "You want to say that again? Properly, please,"

"My name is Pernicious Phurry, sir," I answer formally.

"That is a very intriguing name, Pernicious Phurry. Your name from now on will be Perry Prince,"

"I request to keep my mate's surname, sir. It's all I have left of him," I keep my eyes on the floor. "Not a demand, just a request,"

"You said she was unmated," he looks back at Calvin.

"She is. Her mate died five years ago. Back when Liam was storming the packlands looking for his mate,"

"I see," he nods. "Two hundred thousand it is then," my wolf stirs in me at the mention of how much my life is worth to this asshole. "I'll give you fifty for the old man,"

"Yeah, okay," Calvin agrees.

The lycan releases me and goes over to Calvin. My eyes land on Morgan. She's crying again. It's all she ever does. Former Luna Catherine steps in front of her to block her from my view.

"You were warned," Catherine says with tears streaming down her face.

"You got quite the deal there, Luna Catherine. A bargain. All it cost you was two hundred and fifty thousand. Oh, yeah, and my entire life," I scoff. "I hope that baby burns this f*****g s**t hole to the ground,"

"You don't mean that," Morgan cries.

"Oh, I do. With every piece of what's left of my soul, Morgan. Enjoy your happiness while it lasts,"

"Let's go before you say something really stupid," the Lycan grips my arm and starts pushing me back the way I had been dragged in.

Jacob and I are shoved into the backseat of an SUV.

"What about our things?" Jacob asks.

"I'll send for them," the Lycan promises. He looks between the two of us and sighs. "Look at me, Perry," when I don't move he grips my chin and forces me to look at him. "If it's death you want, you're in luck,"

"Good. Let's hope you get your money's worth," I meet his gaze. I've never seen eyes like his. They're a pretty shade of soft purple. They almost glow against the contrast of the gray stormy sky behind him. "Maybe you're the monster who can finally send me home,"