Savage Surrender: A Dire Wolves Mission (The Devil's Dires Book 1) (12 page)

T
he roar
of incoming vehicles met Bez’s ears barely an hour after the fight ended. He looked up from his spot on the front porch, gripping Sariel tighter. They’d each gotten dressed in the sweat pants and T-shirts Bez had found in one of the closets inside the house before making their way to the porch, neither wanting to go back inside with the body and the bloodstained floors. Bez sat with his back against the wall and Sariel curled in his lap, her head resting on his chest. Angelita lay beside them with her head on his knee and her paw on Sariel’s hand. The three cuddled together in what reminded Bez of a puppy pile, all touching, all warm and safe.

And he had to admit, he liked it.

Angelita heard the approaching fleet a few moments after Bez, her ears pricking. She whined as the sound grew louder, the air practically vibrating with the rumble of large combustion engines.

“We’re good, little one,” Bez said, smoothing his hand over her head. “It’s my pack.”

Sariel didn’t respond, just pressed herself against Bez’s chest and held tight to his arms. Something he found to his liking. Bez’s Dire brothers turned onto the driveway mere moments later. Two rode in on motorcycles, the third bringing up the rear in a behemoth of a Suburban. The truck’s windows shook with the percussive sound of the hard rock the driver was blasting, making Bez’s ears hurt. Still, he’d never been so grateful to see them.

“Stay here,” he whispered to Sariel as he glanced at Angelita. “You, too.”

With one final stroke of his mate’s arm, Bez lifted her and placed her next to Angelita, letting them form their own pile while he stood up and strode off the porch. Chin up, chest out, ready to defend his actions, Bez approached his brethren. Mammon was the first off his bike.

“What’s up, Bez? We hunting tonight?”

“Negative.” Bez gave the man a big, back-slapping hug. “All targets have been eliminated.”

Levi hopped out of the truck, meeting Bez for another rough greeting. “I thought the mission was retrieval, not elimination.”

“It was.” Bez waited for Thaus to stroll over from his bike. Bigger than the other Dires, the man exuded a sense of malice that most people found off-putting. It had never bothered Bez in the past, but knowing his mate was close by made him reevaluate. Thaus would probably terrify Sariel. He would definitely scare the little wolf. Something Bez found objectionable.

Bez looked each man in the eye as they formed a small circle. “The mission changed when I found the camp. There were two Omegas, not one.”

“Standard collateral issue during retrieval,” Thaus murmured, his disapproval clear. “Acquire the target as ordered and reconvene at a later time to strategize for the second retrieval.”

Bez shook his head. “I couldn’t leave her behind. She’s an Omega.”

“We would have gone back for her,” Thaus replied. “Taking her when you were unprepared endangered the life of the target. You should have left the extra until we could assemble a proper team.”

“She’s not just an extra. I couldn’t leave her because she’s—” Bez paused, the words harder to say than he could have guessed “—she’s my mate.”

The three Dires didn’t respond, didn’t move or even blink as they stared at him. Bez didn’t flinch under their scrutiny. He’d been ready for them to doubt him—their history definitely indicated they would never find mates. Hell, they probably thought he’d lost his mind.

“Not possible,” Thaus grunted.

“Truth.” Bez growled in warning, letting his wolf come to the surface. He knew they’d have to see the truth if his wolf claimed her; he just hoped they would believe the man first. “I found my mate, and there was no fucking way I was leaving her in that camp with those men. The bastards were going to use her as werewolf bait. There was no time. I made the call based on the situation I was in, and I’d do it again.”

Levi shook his head. “Blaze is going to—”

“Blaze will just have to accept my actions.”

Levi’s eyes went wide, his surprise evident. Bez had never gone against Blaze. Not once in all their years working for him. For him to be willing to risk Blaze’s ire certainly seemed to indicate the gravity of the situation in which Bez found himself.

“Show me,” Thaus said, still not sounding as if he even believed in the possibility of a Dire mating.

Bez nodded and turned back toward the porch. His wolf paced in his mind, angry that his brothers didn’t believe him, but Bez wasn’t ready to give up the hope that they would. They’d lived far too long mateless to be willing to accept this new bond without reservation. Bez understood that. Didn’t make it any easier, though, to be doubted by his pack.

Bez rushed up the stairs to a very curious Sariel. “Come.”

He held out his hand, furrowing his brow when anger flashed in her eyes. Angelita growled softly, a warning sound. One he understood and took to heart.

“Please, Freckles. Come with me?”

Sariel paused, looking past him to where the other Dires stood before placing her little hand in his. That moment, the amount of trust she gave him, was enough to soften the fury boiling up inside. Enough to shove all the worry to the back of his mind. They’d deal with his pack together.

Bez led her to where his brothers stood, keeping her tucked into his side. She trembled as she walked, though she never tried to stop him, allowing him to lead her where he wanted to go. Another sign of trust he appreciated. Angelita trailed after them, refusing to be left behind.

“Brothers, this is Omega Sariel. She’s my mate.” Bez stood with Sariel by his side, staring each man down in turn. This was his mate, his fated match, and no one would refuse him his right to call her that so long as she allowed it.

Silence stretched between the groups, tense and dark. Bez’s wolf surged forward, ready for a fight. Bez knew the guys would sense the shift, feel the power of his wolf. Hell, they’d see it in the swirl of his blue eyes. His wolf would stake their claim for them if he had to; he’d also fight one of his own brothers for his mate. No one would be keeping Sariel and him apart.

Finally, after far longer than Bez was happy to wait, Thaus huffed.

“One of our own, come home to us at last.” He leaned down to Sariel’s height and gave her his best interpretation of a grin. “Blessings to you, Omega, and welcome to our Dire Wolf pack.”

“Hey,” Levi called, giving Sariel a fake pout. “Don’t we get a chance to meet our little sister? Or are you going to hide behind the big lug here forever?”

Bez laughed and urged Sariel to take a step in front of him, keeping his arms wrapped around her shoulders. “Sariel, this is Mammon, Levi, and Thaus. Three of my Dire Wolf brothers.”

“Uh…hi.” Sariel waved, clinging to Bez’s arm with her other hand. He hated that the guys frightened her, but he knew she’d learn to trust them all. She was pack now, and Dires would fight to the death for their pack.

As Bez cuddled Sariel closer, wanting to offer his body as protection from the other Dires she saw as a bit of a threat, Thaus smirked.

“Blaze is still going to have your pelt.”

“
I
have to commend you
, Bez,” Dante said as he looked over the little cabin by the lake. “You really pulled this one off, even with the added challenges the job presented.”

Bez pursed his lips. “Challenges, sir?”

“Well, meeting your mate can be rather distracting. I should know; I’ve been through it twice.” He glanced over his shoulder to where Blaze and Moira stood. The curvy shewolf leaned against the side of the helicopter that would be taking her and her mates back to the airport with Angelita. Blaze, on the other hand, paced and yelled into his phone, obviously upset. Most likely about Bez killing off the kidnappers. Something Bez was still waiting to hear about from the leader of the NALB.

“I have no idea how you managed to keep the Omega safe when your mate was threatened,” Dante said, drawing Bez’s attention back to him. “I don’t think I could have done it.”

Before Bez could answer, Sariel herself walked up, sliding her arm around Bez’s waist. “He was very calm and focused. There was no way he could have failed.”

“Of course not. Bez never fails.” Dante smiled, turning to Bez’s mate. “I’m quite happy to meet you, Omega Sariel. I have to admit, your story has taken me a bit by surprise. An Omega we knew nothing about and a Dire Wolf with a mate, who would have thought?”

“Not me, sir.” Bez grinned as Sariel smacked him in the chest.

“She’s got your number, Bez. I’d be careful with your words.” Dante glanced between the two, grin firmly in place. “I’m thrilled he found you, Sariel. Bez here needs a good strong woman by his side.”

Sariel grinned. “As do most men.”

Bez rolled his eyes at Dante’s laugh, and he hugged his mate closer to feel her giggle. “Are you heading right back to Chicago?”

“Yes, Moira and I want to update the Feral Breed specialists on this incident as soon as we can convene the team. We’ll need them to help us find this north camp.” He raised an eyebrow at the two of them. “Especially with our most successful hunter out for a few weeks.”

“Out?” Sariel asked, looking up at Bez with wide eyes. He glared at Dante, having not had the time to tell her the news yet.

“Bez has a mate now,” Dante said with a smile. “I think he’d like to take a little time to settle in to your relationship. Blaze and I did the same after Moira joined our triad. It made the transition for her much easier. Besides, our boy here deserves a break.”

“Our boy deserves a disciplinary hearing,” Blaze said, storming over. Anger poured off him, from the stiff set of his shoulders to the hard glare on his face.

“Blaze,” Dante started, but his mate wouldn’t let him finish. Blaze stalked right up to Bez, nearly bumping into Sariel. Bez growled and pulled his mate to the side, moving her out of the way as much as possible while keeping a hand on her arm.

“You were to retrieve the kidnappers, not eliminate them.”

Bez growled, refusing to back down. “They were a threat to two Omegas.”

“They were the key to finding the others, and you slaughtered them without permission. There had to have been another way.”

Levi appeared almost out of nowhere, sliding into a spot on Bez’s flank. “Are you doubting the word of a Dire Wolf, sir?”

Blaze took a step back from the pair, growling. “None of you has ever given me reason to before today.”

Before Bez could react, Thaus stepped between him and Bez, flanked by Mammon. A wall of Dire muscle blocking Bez from the person they saw as a threat, tucking Sariel behind them as well. Something Bez noted with appreciation.

“Our allegiance—while graciously shared with you, Blaze—is primarily for our pack,” Thaus said, glaring at the NALB president. “Sariel is an Omega, of the lineage of the Dires. She is from the blood of our pack and, therefore, under our protection. Dire Beelzebub was acting with the full support of all the Dire Wolves in retrieving and protecting her.”

Blaze and Thaus stared one another down, neither willing to lose the challenge the other threw. Bez stood at his brother’s shoulder, ready to jump in and defend his actions again. For all the years he’d worked with Blaze, he’d never seen the man so wound up, so angry. But Bez refused to apologize—his mate had been in danger. A fact that justified his actions…period.

Finally, Blaze huffed, glancing from one Dire shifter to the next. “All the Omegas are in danger.”

“And we’ll do our absolute best to protect them,” Thaus said, moving to stand beside Sariel. “Every last one of them.”

“You’d better.” Blaze shook his head, his anger deflating a bit. “I apologize, Sariel. I’m concerned for your Omega sisters.”

“As am I, President Blasius.” Sariel stood her ground, head up, staring hard at the powerful shifter. Bez practically burned with pride for his mate, whose bravery continued to impress him.

Blaze smiled, the tension in the air drifting away as he shook his head. “Please, call me Blaze.”

Angelita padded up cautiously, staying close to Sariel as she regarded the new shifters on the property. Bez and his three Dire Wolf brothers had been joined by eight members from the nearest Feral Breed denhouse, all ready to protect the young Omega. The reactions from the men ranged from relief to disappointment when they realized Bez had already exterminated the targets plus a werewolf. His own pack more disappointed than the others. Especially Levi, who had a slight werewolf obsession.

“Bez, great job on this mission,” Blaze said. Bez knew that was about as much of an apology as he’d get, not that the words mattered. As long as his mate and their bond were respected, he’d continue fighting to keep the Omegas safe. All of the Omegas.

“Thank you, sir.”

“And congratulations on your mating. Please, take some time to settle in to your new life. We need more Dire Wolves in the world.” Blaze smiled and glanced back at the chopper, but Bez focused on Sariel. Her face had fallen, her eyes dropping to the red wolf leaning into her leg. She couldn’t have children, which meant no new Dires. Bez was fine with that, was happy to share his life with only her, but by the look in her eyes, Sariel might want more. And the more at this point was Angelita.

“More Dires?” Levi asked, chuckling. “Shit, that’s all we need. Tiny terrors running all over the place and terrorizing all the supernaturals.”

Thaus snorted a laugh. “That’d only be yours, Levi.”

“Mine? Hell no. Never going to happen.” Levi shook his head, firm in his denial.

Blaze laughed. “Now you’ve done it.”

Levi’s brow drew down in confusion. “Done what?”

“Tempted the fates. Expect to be mated next, young Leviathan.” Blaze grinned and raised his eyebrows almost in a challenge. “I look forward to seeing the type of woman strong enough to tame the likes of you.”

Levi huffed, looking irritated. “With all due respect, sir—you’re crazy. Bez here is the first Dire to find his mate in centuries. I don’t see anyone of the rest of us pairing up anytime soon.”

Blaze just grinned. “We shall see, boy. We shall see.”

With a single lift of Blaze’s arm, the blades on the helicopter began to spin, indicating it was time for them to leave.

Dante smiled down at the little wolf who was still wrapped around Sariel’s leg. “Well, young one. Looks like it’s our time to go.”

Angelita whined and crept back, almost hiding behind Bez’s mate. Bez growled on instinct, the fear in his charge something he didn’t like. He almost wanted to tell the men no, that Angelita would be coming with him and Sariel. But, not for the first time, his mate beat him to it.

Sariel dropped to her knees and pulled the wolf into her arms. “You call me when they’re done pumping you for information, ya hear? I’ll come running.”

“
We’ll
come running.” Bez offered the wolf a pat on the head. He brought his gaze up to a furious-looking Blaze. “Angelita is part of our pack now, part of the Dire legend. Once the brass is finished, she’ll be coming home to live with Sariel and me.”

“Bez,” Dante said, a warning in his voice.

“She’s old enough to decide for herself.” Sariel stood tall, her voice forceful even in the face of such powerful shifters. A perfect example of the strength and bravery of the Omegas. “What do you say, Angelita? Want us to come get you from Chicago in a few weeks?”

The young wolf barked and weaved herself between the legs of Bez and Sariel, making her preference known.

Bez raised an eyebrow at Blaze. “Decision’s made. Sariel and I will see you in three weeks to pick up Angelita.”

“I can bring her back,” Levi said, dropping down to wrap an arm around the wolf. Staking his claim for his pack in every motion. “I’m heading up to Chicago to meet with Shadow from the Feral Breed. I’ll bring her to you when I’m finished.”

“Even better.” Bez patted Angelita on the head. “You’re safe with my brother. He’ll look out for you, okay? And you keep trying to come back to your human side while you’re there. It’s hard but worth it.”

The little wolf huffed but headed for the helicopter, her tail tucked low and her head down. Bez felt an odd pang in his heart watching Angelita walk off, knowing how much the girl meant to his mate…and to him. The little wolf walked slowly across the grass, obviously scared. But she’d be back soon, and she and Sariel would become his responsibility. One he took on with a sense of honor and pride.

The Dire Wolves stood together, watching the shifters head for the chopper. Mammon, Levi, and Thaus… His brothers, his pack. They formed a subtle V, keeping Sariel between them, guarding the new shewolf added to their ranks. And though Bez had no idea how her presence would go over with the entire team, he knew they would all protect her. She was an Omega, one of their own, their bonds hidden for centuries, the women practically lost in plain sight.

And so was Angelita.

Without thought to what he was doing, Bez stepped forward and whistled. Blaze, Dante, and Angelita all turned as they reached the chopper, joining Moira in looking over the Dire pack.

“Your pack deserves justice, Angelita. And we’re going to get that for you.” Bez glanced at his teammates, knowing they’d all follow his lead if he set the mandate. “We’ll track them all. Every shifter or werewolf who took part in the murder of your kin. We’ll track them, and we’ll catch them. And when we do, we’ll eliminate the threat they pose. You will never be harmed again. On our honor.”

The other Dire men repeated the vow, heads up and voices strong. Bez knew the challenge he’d laid down, knew the difficulties and danger that would come from it, but he wouldn’t let the girl down. He’d never fail an Omega again, and his team wouldn’t fail him.