Tasting the Enemy

Elaine POV

"Where's everyone running to?" I asked Quin.

Her big green eyes followed the excited faces running out of the school hall.

"I think there's a fight."

"Another one?"

She nodded.

I've been here my entire high school life and we hadn't had this much excitement ever. It was the last two months of high school and suddenly there were food fights, brawls, pranks and more! Someone wanted to leave a mark on the school.

Unfortunately, I was related to that someone.

"Blazer?" I sighed.

She shot me a naughty look. "We'll never know unless we join them."

She grabbed my arm. "Come on!"

I was dragged into the parking lot where two black Bentleys parked in front of my brother and his dumb friend's Porsche and Range Rover.

"Who are they?" I hissed.

Quin shrugged and folded her arms. "They have money though."

The crowd tightened around those squabbling. Even with wolf hearing I couldn't hear what the commotion was about. I could bet my new phone that Blazer had something to do with it.

"Fight, fight, fight!" The crowd chanted.

"Oh no," I whimpered.

Quin shoved bodies, clearing my path to the front.

"What are you waiting for Shaw?" Blazer mocked a tall blond guy dressed in black leather.

Shaw? From the Blood Moon pack? Claw High was Black Claw territory they weren't allowed here. Another man with tanned skin, deep brown eyes and chestnut hair leaned against the other Bentley.

I hadn't seen the Shaw boys in years when relations between our packs were better. Not long before that, an incident happened that claimed dozens of lives.

"I'll wipe your face on the gravel, Ryker."

"You didn't like your welcome back present?"

I shut my eyes and sighed. Blazer went to Blood Moon territory? Dad's going to kill him! If he isn't murdered here.

"Damn, that's Lucas Shaw? He's hot," Quin said.

Last I saw him when he was a scrawny egotistic young Alpha wolf with a poor fashion sense. Now he was a man with broad shoulders, thick thighs and muscular arms. Lucas was the last of four boys.

"I guess he filled out," I swallowed.

Lucas's jaw clenched and Blazer barked a laugh.

"You're a fucking bastard, Blazer." Lucas's fist connected with Blazer's jaw sending him smack into the ground.

The crowd hissed and gasped. The guy leaning against the Bentley shot up only to linger behind Lucas. My brother groaned. His dumb friends didn't flinch.

"Don't tell me you've already had enough," Lucas said.

His leather boot hit Blazer's gut and my brother groaned.

"Get up," I whispered.

Why did Blazer pick fights when he knew he couldn't fight?

A crushing heavy red truck drove into the parking lot. Part of the crowd scattered as the vehicle made a screeching halt next to the Bentleys. What now? My stomach dropped when an older version of Lucas stormed out of the car.

Part of the crowd vanished. I watched as he commanded his way to the centre of the conflict. He had hair longer than Lucas. It was wet as if he'd rushed out of the shower. Unlike his brother, he wasn't drowning in leather. A simple white shirt and black pants were enough.

"Lucas," he barked.

Azaire Shaw. The oldest Shaw brother. He left town years ago and Lucas followed shortly after.

"This isn't the place," Azaire said.

"I've already started, bro. Might as well finish him off."

"How could you let him come here?" Azaire snapped at the other gorgeous man.

"He was going to come anyway the prick deserves it. Blood Moon women are off limits to Ryker punks."

Blazer rolled on his back and laughed, blood stained his teeth.

"They enjoyed it. Especially Francine. I can still hear her now."

I winced. What's wrong with him?

The one with brown hair's calmness melted away replaced by a violent fire. He grabbed Blazer by his collar. "What did you do to my sister you prick?!"

"She didn't complain," Blazer spat.

My brother hit the ground a second time. I glanced at his friends but they cowered away. My brother was getting his ass kicked and he just took it. I broke free from Quin and threw myself in front of Blazer as a size ten boot aimed for his gut.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Lucas yelled.

"Elaine," Blazer hissed.

"He's sorry, okay? That's enough."

Lucas stared at his counterparts. Azaire glared at me and my brother.

"I'd like to hear that from him," the third unnamed one said.

He bore a resemblance to the brothers. He could be a cousin.

"I'm not sorry. Those whores wanted it."

The cousin's nostrils flared. I shut my eyes and used my body to shield Blazer.

"Oliver!" Azaire barked. "Not her!"

"Hey!"

I glanced up and my heart slammed forward. Nikolas, our older brother marched toward us with Dad's official beta behind him.

"This is forbidden territory."

When Nik appeared the crowd scattered apart from Quin. Azaire shoved Lucas back and met Nik face to face.

"Your brother crossed the line when he came to our territory. Lucas was just getting even."

Nik's nostrils flared. "Blazer, take Elaine to the car."

"What?"

Blazer snatched me off the ground and carried me to Nik's SUV.

"You can pick me up but you can't fight back? What is wrong with you?"

"Quiet, Elaine. You could have messed things up for us."

He opened the back door and tossed me inside as if I were a sweater.

"You planned this?"

Blazer climbed into the passenger seat and wiped blood off his mouth.

"You need to learn to mind your own business, little sister."

"I wasn't going to watch you die."

"I didn't plan on it. Nik and I have a plan."

"What's that?"

He rolled his eyes and groaned. Blazer and I were four months apart. We didn't share the same Mom. None of us did. Nik was the only legitimate heir. His Mom was the Luna of the pack. Everyone loved her. While Blazer lived in the Alpha's house since he was born I only came around when I was six and had to live with the omegas until the Luna passed away suddenly when I was thirteen. We had minimal interaction but I knew she hated me. I was proof her husband cheated again.

"Look. There isn't enough room in this town for the two of us. Now that they have a new Alpha they're vulnerable. Nik thinks we can take them."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. You have to talk to Dad the second we're home."

I swallowed. "Why?"

"Just do it, Elaine and not a word about this."

Nik wasn't a wayward son. He didn't do anything without Dad's approval which meant Dad was in on this scheme to get rid of the Blood Moon Pack. That meant they had to start from the top. Getting rid of the sexy Shaw men.

"Go on," Nik said.

"What's this about?" I asked and then stared at Dad's office door.

I wasn't allowed to walk in whenever I wanted.

Nik groaned and Blazer grunted.

"It's about your plans after you're done with high school. Now will you go inside or do I have to open the door for you?" Nik asked.

"Well, you could be a gentleman from time to time."

My brother shot me daggers.

"I'm going!"

Dad sat behind his desk. He looked up and nodded at Nik behind me.

"Don't go far," he told them. "Close the door," he ordered me.

I sat across from him. He scrutinized a map before swiping it off the table.

"Elaine," he said.

"Dad."

I wasn't Daddy's little girl. We barely spent time together. He demanded respect more than love. He danced with me once at a wolf awakening ceremony because it was the Father's obligation to dance with their daughters. Soon after that, we found out about the blessing and the curse.

He folded his arms on the table and stared at me with his tense green eyes. They reminded me of Azaire's hazel eyes. With his long blond hair and full beard, he reminded me of a Viking. I snapped out of it.

"Avena told me about your plans to travel for medical school."

Avena was Dad's right-hand witch and she ran the pack house since the pack had no Luna she took up most of the Luna's responsibilities.

"Yes, I've applied to the best schools with really good scholarships. You don't even need to do anything I've got everything mapped out-"

Dad's smile caught me off guard. "The pack would love to see the Alpha's daughter doing so well."

My heart raced faster. I didn't believe he brought me here to congratulate me or encourage me.

"I think I have a chance of getting a scholarship or two. My grades are good."

"I know they are Elaine. You'll make a great doctor but you have to put your plans on hold."

My heart slammed forward. "On hold?"

"Because of your engagement."

I stuck my nails into my thigh to prevent the outburst. Engagement! Dad didn't do well with outbursts or being questioned but an engagement? Wasn't I supposed to be in on something like this? Shouldn't I know who I'm getting engaged to?

"To Alpha Keegan's son, Neel."

"The guy who braids his beard?"

Dad grimaced. "That's not relevant. This arrangement is beneficial to taking over the town. Keegan's pack is our closest neighbour and we need to form an alliance before the Shaw bunch does something like annex their territory."

"But an arranged marriage? Is that necessary? Isn't there someone Nik can marry? He's the one destined to be Alpha."

"It wouldn't be beneficial for us. You're the Alpha's daughter. Your duty is to the pack before anyone else."

"I know that-"

"If you did then you wouldn't be fighting this."

"I have dreams!"

"That you can pursue later Elaine. You're marrying Neel and that's final."

I stood abruptly. He couldn't make me marry that drunk. He had a reputation for being a smelly, womanizing pig. My body vibrated with nerves just thinking about being mated to Neel. Dad stood too and slammed his fist on the table.

"I'm warning you, Elaine-"

"You didn't even ask me!"

"Was I supposed to? He's a good Alpha and this engagement will benefit all of us."

He means it will benefit him.

"Elaine if you leave the pack without fulfilling this deal then you can forget about my help. Have you forgotten about your defective wolf? How difficult it is for you every full moon."

I turned away. "Your brothers won't help either. They're loyal."

"I'm trying to be loyal but you're pushing me too far."

"Fuck that!"

I flinched.

"You can try to run Elaine but I'll have you hunted and brought back. I won't ruin this deal because of you."

I turned on my heels and stormed out. My brothers shot to their feet when I opened the door.

"You both knew!" I accused.

"He's not that bad a guy," Nik said.

"Then you marry him!" I stomped off.

Blazer snickered as I passed the stairs and walked out the front door. I couldn't run this was the only home I'd ever known and the full moon was four days away. I needed their help to get me through the full moon. My curse made it agonizing to shift under the full moon. If it weren't for my Dad, I believe I wouldn't have made it through a full moon.

Couldn't he have chosen someone bearable? Azaire Shaw came to mind.

I groaned. He's the enemy.

Though the way he stopped Oliver from possibly hurting me played on a loop. The assertiveness in his tone and the deep husky tone could command an entire pack. It was like music to my ears.

I eradicated Azaire from my mind. I stood outside my home and stared at the four mountains that surrounded our pack. There was a world out there waiting for me. College was my one shot a freedom. Leaving the pain of being an unwanted illegitimate child. They always treated me like I was good for nothing. My hand trembled and my lip quivered but tears wouldn't solve my problems.

Dad knew I couldn't put my plans on hold. After getting married I'd be expected to have children. Three years after the first one I'd have to have another one. There would be no time for medical school. I saw my dreams slither down a drain. I can't go through with this.

The front door burst open. Nik and Blazer followed by high-ranked wolves marched toward the parking lot.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"The pack council called an emergency meeting," Nik grumbled a response.

"Is it serious?"

"Damn yeah, Elaine," Blazer said.

"No, you can't come. Get inside don't make Dad madder than he already is," Nik ordered

After what he told me I didn't want to be around him but I did want to know what was going on in the meeting. It sounded like a welcome distraction. While the shifters piled into the cars I spun and darted into the house.

"Where do you think you're going?" Opal popped her head into my room.

"To a party," I lied.

"On a Wednesday night?" She raised her right brow and crossed her arms.

"It's a senior's thing. You wouldn't remember what it's like."

She threw her head back and laughed. "I'm not that old, Elaine. You're going to the meeting, aren't you?"

"Of course not. Nik told me not to."

She closed the door behind her and sighed. "Since when do you do things that Nik says? Come on I'll drive you."

I could have taken an SUV but Opal's car wasn't monitored like the others.

Opal was the daughter of the late Luna's best friend. She lived in the mansion next door but she hung out here frequently. She practically grew up here so the guys and I referred to her as our cousin.

We climbed into Opal's blue mini-cooper and buckled up.

"Why won't your brother let you go to the meeting? As the Alpha's daughter surely, you're allowed."

"Long story," I mumbled. "I guess it's a good time to tell you about my engagement."

Opal slammed on the brakes. I lurched forward and scanned the dark road for animals or stray bikes.

"What?!" I gasped.

"You're getting married? To who?"

I groaned. "I'm not sure if it's something I'm going to do yet."

"Oh, you haven't said yes yet. I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

When your brothers are two brooding Alphas the offers are few and the ones that come are just to prove they're good enough to conquer the Alpha's daughter. So I've only had a few real boyfriends and a lot of mistakes.

"It's an arranged marriage, Opal."

My eyes stung. This didn't feel real.

"Oh... maybe he isn't horrible."

"It's Neel," I deadpanned.

"From the White Mountain Pack? Eww!"

Thank you! Someone who gets it.

"I mean, I'm sure he cleaned up."

I laughed. We neared city hall. Opal drove passed it and parked in front of a café.

"Bentleys," I whispered as we climbed out of the car.

"What's wrong with them?"

"The Shaw boys are here."

The large and commanding red truck was parked next to the black Bentley. Azaire was here.

"Oh. Since Richmond became Alpha, Azaire came back and became Beta."

"What? Azaire's the oldest."

"I know, but who knows what happens on Blood Moon territory? I know where we get to hear everything."

Opal led me to the back of the building where a set of stairs took us to the basement. I could smell the rats and the roaches. Eavesdropping wasn't worth this much. Opal opened another door leading to a tight room with air vents in the walls.

"How did you find this place?" I asked.

"Shh... they'll hear us."

The shifters on the other side of the wall yelled and spoke over one another. It was impossible to make sense of things.

"This has gone on long enough!" A seasoned male voice yelled followed by a fist on a table. "We have lines for a reason. The Black Claw boys were wrong for crossing them."

"Hey! Lake Ion is neutral territory just because Blood Moon shifters dominate it doesn't make it yours. Another reason why this town's not big enough for the two of us." Nik's voice was laced with venom.

"Watch it kid, don't start a fight you can't win," Azaire said calmly.

Black Claw has great shifters. Dad drilled them to be the best it was Blood Claw who needed to be worried. If Dad's plan to join with The White Mountain pack worked then our pack would only get stronger.

I wished they'd do it without involving me.

"I'm not going to take shit from a beta," Nik spat.

"Take it from the Alpha, you don't want to fight us. We'll take apart your shiny pack in seconds." I assumed that was Azaire's brother Richmond.

"We're not here to fight we're here about the increasing number of wolf's bane popping up in town and the stupid fight that broke out at the high school."

"Wolf bane?" I whispered.

Opal frowned. "A friend of mine barely made it after an incident in a bar she worked at."

"So far the Blood Moon pack hasn't had any cases but my pack's had the highest numbers." A chill ran up my spine and my blood turned cold. That voice was familiar but I couldn't place a face to a voice.

"It's Neel," Opal hissed.

I bit my tongue. "I have to get out of here."

I shuffled out of the little room and tripped over a box in the basement. Opal called but I didn't stop until I was out of the building.

"Don't you want to see him?" Opal asked.

"What? No! How could he agree to this?"

"You don't know that he has. Give him a chance to explain himself."

I sighed. Opal was too nice but she was right maybe Neel has grown up since I last saw him and he wasn't keen on this engagement.

I crossed my fingers.

***

I worked at Hannman's Lodge on the weekends. I planned to extend my working hours since summer break was coming up. Quin pranced into the lodge wearing a grey bodysuit with shorts and flops. She looked awesome compared to my baggy pants, small company shirt and messy bun. I was on clean-up duty.

"I can't believe you skipped a party to work," she said.

"I had the night shift and I couldn't get out of it." It wasn't a total lie. Quin knew parties weren't my thing.

She rolled her eyes. "The Shaws were there. Turned out to be an awesome party."

"I'm sure you had fun with Jenifer and Helen." The other cheerleaders on the team.

Even after all the years of high school Jenifer, Helen and I never achieved best friend status but Quin was adamant about keeping me around so we had to put up with each other.

"Why were the Shaws there? Wasn't it a Black Claw party?"

She lifted a shoulder. "Neutral ground. We'll be seeing a lot of Lucas Shaw," she smirked deviously.

"Quin..." she knew the consequences of getting involved with them.

She turned her glare on me. "Stop. How could you not tell me about your engagement? I had to find out from an invite. What the hell Elaine?"

"What?" I exclaimed.

They sent out invites without my permission.

"You heard me. You're engaged to one of the strongest Alpha's around. Not even Alpha Richmond can compare."

He's also a big oaf, who loves booze and women.

"It's arranged," I protested.

"Doesn't matter just means your Dad has good taste. I want in on this wedding. Maid of honour?" Her eyes beamed with excitement.

At least one of us was excited about this forced marriage.

How could they do this? They wanted me to dress up and move like a puppet. My Father's puppet. The full moon was in a few days I couldn't run and I couldn't fight my fate. As Quin spoke, defeat settled into my soul.