Dire Wolf Mates - Chapter 120: Chapter 120

Good, but let’s bite him, anyway, growled his Wolf.
But Thor knew better than to throw his weight around. Saying he was a big man was like saying Texas was a big state—at the very least, it was a bland way of describing something that sizeable. The Lone Star state was the second largest state in the country after Alaska. It was fucking vast.
In the same sense, Thor was not simply big. He was the biggest motherfucker in the bar, including a couple of Grizzly Shifters and that fat-headed Lion mate of Sheila’s. Leo was okay, but what was with that fucking hair? The man used more conditioner than all of Thor’s sisters combined, and he’d grown up with three. They were all spread out now across the world, mothers, the lot of them, and happy as little mated clams. But he’d still bet Leo used more hair product than any of them.
It had been a while since he’d checked in on them, and he made a mental note to do that. The line outside was growing, and he calculated the numbers before allowing the next group in. There were legal limits to how many they could have under their roof at one time, and Thor was highly conscientious of that.
He growled at a group of underage Bears, turning the rascals away by pulling his top lip away from his teeth, revealing enormous fangs. Those cubs couldn’t run away fast enough. The next trio were of age, and female, even better for the bar. It might be sexist, but it was the business. Women brought in men, which added up to a packed house, and that added up to paying customers. Sure, their money was mostly made on the market, and gods knew, the Pack had plenty. But there was something about making Serious Moonlight a success that meant a lot to each of them.
Thor didn’t think it would happen, but Derrick had been right about all this. Settling down, growing roots, making a home. Thor had to agree. For the first time, he found contentment in a patch of land. Blue Valley was turning out to be ideal. Now if only he could have a conversation with a certain curly haired beauty, then maybe, just maybe, his Demon Wolf would be okay, too.
Tonight’s band was thumping, some local Wolves singing country rock with a little hip hop thrown in. They were pretty good, but he just wasn’t paying enough attention to really judge. There was a sizeable group of normals amongst the crowd of mostly Shifters, but they were all right, too, seeming to just want to have a good time.
Thor kept an eye on everyone. It was his job, but there was more to it than that. As a Seer, he picked up on auras and inklings, things the Spirits were trying to tell him, messages, and warnings. It was like he was always on, constantly reading from ten different books, in ten different languages. He had to pay attention not to lose track of one or the other.
It was a unique dance he did, keeping steady, maintaining balance. Keeping watch over the Pack and those who meant the most to him was a most sacred duty. For years, he assumed that was why he was not mated. How could he focus on one and the other at the same time? It worried him, even now.
When he wasn’t watching Nica, of course. She was so damn pretty. Far as he could tell, she didn’t seem to know it. Her heart-shaped face was free of makeup, save a little lip gloss. He never really liked artificial things, and Nica was anything but fake. She was more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen.
Thor was a spiritual guy, and he wasn’t all that fond of fake things and materialism. Didn’t matter to him if a person lived in a mansion or a cardboard box, he made up his mind about someone based on how they acted. So far, Nica had been sweet and kind, patient, and hardworking. She was a good one. He could tell.
Suddenly, her head snapped towards him, and Thor froze, thinking he’d been caught staring. But she wasn’t looking at him. Her gaze was fixed beyond where he stood a few feet away from the front door and his usual barstool perch. Her face blanched, and those blue eyes he’d been obsessing over widened with fear. That’s when he smelled them.
Feathers.
Thor turned and spotted them immediately. Six tall, thin Shifters, Crows he was betting, walked into the bar, fanning out and taking up way too much space as far as he was concerned. His Demon Wolf snarled deep inside the metaphysical plane where the beast waited to be called.
Enemies, the animal growled.
Yes, Thor agreed.
Animosity and anger seemed to roll off the males in waves, but it would take a fucking tsunami to knock Thor off his substantial feet. The one in front looked the most dangerous. That had to be the Crow King, Thor assumed. He had a broody expression, muddy eyes, long black hair, and a big nose.
Good. Easy to break, the Demon Wolf inside him snarled.
They advanced, but Thor stopped them, positioning himself in front of the leader. One of the lackeys held their IDs, but Thor did not give two shits about that. He ignored him, focusing on the so-called King. Thor’s Pack bonds lit up, and he felt his Pack mates easing next to him, Cole on his left, and Weylin on his right.
“Pardon us, friend.” The man smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.
“No.” Thor said. His voice had been clear, so he was mildly confused when the fella replied.
“Excuse me?”
“I said, no. You are not welcome here, Crow. Leave. Now.”
“Show him some respect,” one of the lackeys said, stepping forward.
All Thor had to do was flick his gaze in the male’s direction to stop him in his tracks. That laser like focus, and his uncanny ability to see into the minds and hearts of people, was often enough to halt whatever tomfoolery was about to happen. Thor was used to leaving folks shaky and vulnerable when he gazed upon them with the sight.
“Fuck. Off.” Thor growled.
This Murder was tainted. He knew it. They knew it, too. But they were too scared or too lazy to do anything about it. Unfortunately for them, that was not Thor’s problem. The Crows would have to work out their issues themselves. But not here. Not anywhere near Nica.
“Gentlemen, calm yourselves. Our Wolf friends require an introduction,” he explained and raised his hands in a fake gesture of peace. “I am Jack Branwen, King of the Pine Murder. And I demand to speak with your Alpha about returning something he has of mine,” the Crow King sneered.
“There is nothing for you here, Crow. And you are most decidedly unwelcome,” Thor grunted, unfolding his arms.
His chest was heaving and the growl in his chest grew louder with every passing moment. Before he could advance on the hawkish King and his smarmy grin, Cole got in front of him. The gray-eyed Dire Wolf opened his arms, hands spread and nodded to the door.
“Look, tonight we have mixed company,” Cole explained, his intention clear. There were humans in the bar. It was not an ideal time for a fight.
“However, if you would like to arrange a meeting for a later date? Who has a card? No one? No matter. Here is mine,” he said, handing a business card to one of the Crows standing beside the King. “I suggest you leave now and call tomorrow after ten.”
A few more minutes of the Crow King trying to stare Thore down resulted in nothing but frustration for the man with the big nose. Thor could have kept that shit up all fucking day. He even knew the second his eyes bled to black by the way the man startled. The Crow even swallowed a loud gulp full of fear.
Grrrr.
That was a foolish thing to do in front of a predator. Thor pulled on his powers, calling on the Spirits to delve into the man’s mind and heart. Likely, the Crow King did not realize what Thor was, never mind how much he wanted to end him. Blackness and evil intent came back at him, and the Demon Wolf snarled again. The Crow King did not just want Nica. He wanted to break her.
Fuck. No. That was so not going to happen. Thor refused to look away, even when the Crow broke eye contact.
“Fine. Tomorrow,” clipped Jack Branwen.
Then he left with his men, and Thor closed his eyes, trying to rein in his beast. It wasn’t easy when all he wanted to do was follow him outside and tear the piece of shit limb from limb. Derrick would not approve. But as far as the Demon Wolf was concerned, Jack Branwen’s number was up. It was merely a matter of when.