Bee's Enraged Beast (James Pack Book 4) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Bee’s Enraged Beast

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Bee’s Enraged Beast

  A James Pack Story

  By Lacey Thorn

  Bee’s Enraged Beast

  by

  Lacey Thorn

  Belinda…

  I don’t belong. Despite my alpha brother’s protection, many in our pack don’t want a freak like me around. My one chance at acceptance lies with my mate. I know he’s searching for me, but he’s not the only one. I don’t want to die without knowing his face, experiencing his touch, feeling his love.

  Beast…

  I don’t belong. With a name like Hannibal, is it any wonder? Most call me Beast, usually in a voice filled with fear. I’m a reaper of sorts. A wolf who hunts down bad wolves, bringing justice for those who most need it. My one shot at acceptance lies in finding my mate. When the man I’m hunting takes a hostage, he signs his death warrant. Once I catch her scent, I know who she is. Mine. Any harm she suffers will be returned tenfold, and her justice will be given in blood and death.

  Copyright

  © 2020, Lacey Thorn

  Bee’s Enraged Beast

  Cover Art by Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

  Edited by Michele Paulin

  Electronic Format ISBN: 978-1-949795-61-5

  Published by: Lacey Thorn Publishing

  Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To every beauty in search of her beast…

  Chapter One

  ~ Belinda ~

  It was going to be bad. The vision came over me with the subtlety of a Mack truck. From what others had said, I knew that if anyone looked at me now, my pupils would appear blown out. If anyone I trusted was near, I’d grab them and speak quickly, conveying everything I saw before it was gone.

  I’m Belinda James. The crazy sister of alpha Bastion James. Many warned him to leave me somewhere, anywhere, but my brother would never discard me. He’s stayed with me every step of the way. Kept me close when our parents found me to be more of a freak than they wanted to handle. I’ve learned the hard way that my brother is the exception when it comes to our society. He loves me, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him, too. But I can’t save him from what he’ll go through. I can’t save either of us.

  Right now, I know two things. In the next few minutes, I’ll be taken by my brother’s enemies. They’ll take me, hurt me, and use me in an attempt to bring him to his knees. Use me to try to destroy him and the pack he’s created. What they don’t expect, and my brother won’t know, is someone else will come for me, too. My mate. I’ve felt him drawing closer. I’ve been patient, but if he doesn’t show up in the next twenty-four hours, I’ll never get the chance to know his touch.

  Actually, there’s one more thing I know. Betrayal from within your pack is the hardest thing to see. Even with my visions, I didn’t know it was coming until seconds ago.

  It came far too late for me to do anything about it. Still, I scan for the closest exit and push my way through the crowd to reach it. I should have known better than to go out without letting my brother or his mate or even Simon know where I was going. But when I’d been offered friendship, I’d grasped at it with both hands. Plus telling Simon would be tantamount to encouraging his crush. And I won’t. I’m not his. We both belong with others. Then again, what do I know?

  Foolish. Naïve. Far too trusting.

  Raina had warned me some in the former Rigton Pack didn’t want my brother to take over. They didn’t believe the Rigton elders had the pack’s best interests at heart when they’d courted an outside alpha. But I hadn’t felt a moment of unease when Cammy had approached, offering friendship.

  I’d taken the fact that she wasn’t originally part of the James Pack as a good sign. Surely, she hadn’t heard all about the alpha’s freaky sister who had visions. She couldn’t hate or fear me as some did. Yet, she’d betrayed me. Betrayed our alpha and our pack. No matter the reason, the die had been cast.

  “Bee, where ya going?” Cammy caught my arm and tried to slow me down.

  I turned with a growl, shoving her off me.

  “Hey, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked.

  “What did you do?” I growled and watched her eyes widen.

  “I…” She shook her head frantically back and forth. “They just want to talk, Bee. Your brother won’t even listen to them. They thought if they could talk to you, you’d put in a good word and get the alpha to meet with them.”

  “They’re going to kill me.”

  Her head began that frantic shaking again. Maybe, that was why I hadn’t picked up on her betrayal. Even she wasn’t aware of what she was doing.

  “Call Bastion or Raina. Now, Cammy. Before it’s too late for both of us.”

  But it was already too late. I knew it the moment they surrounded us—the four men the pack had looked for since Benji Makers had disappeared months ago. Benji had been a member of the former Rigton Pack. He’d made the mistake of thinking Rebel Cameron was his for the taking. Since her mother played whore for his father and his cronies, Benji believed Rebel should fill the same roll for him and his friends. Rebel disagreed, and since it turned out she was the mate of Taylor, one of the inner circle of the James Pack, she had the muscle to back her up. Not that our pack wouldn’t have backed her up either way, but with Taylor there, it prevented her from trying to handle it all on her own.

  It galled me that any woman would ever be forced to deal with an unwanted suitor. It said everything about the male’s character. I mean, Simon fancies himself in love with me, but he’d never do anything to make me feel unsafe. He’d never lay hands on me in a sexual manner without my invitation.

  No, Rebel shouldn’t have needed muscle. A woman’s word should be enough. No should mean no. Period. But scum existed in every society, and they believed they had the right to take whatever they wanted. Rebel’s mate, Taylor, had done his best to beat some sense into Benji. He would have killed him if others hadn’t hidden Benji while Taylor cared for his mate. They should have let Taylor kill him.

  None of it mattered now. Bastion knew Benji had inside help. Now, I knew who that was. Cammy. He’d hooked up with his three buddies, and somehow, they’d slunk back to create trouble. Trouble involved taking a huge helping of Belinda James.

  “Hey, baby, where you two going this early? The night’s just starting.”

  One of the guys with Benji stepped into Cammy and dropped a kiss on her lips before tugging her into his side.

  “Hey, Hutch. We were just heading toward the bathroom,” Cammy lied.

  Benji shook his head, gaze narrowed and focused completely on me. “You want to head out the backdoor? Let’s go. I don’t have time for this shit, anyway. You know who I am?”

  I nodded. There wa
s no reason to lie. He knew I was aware.

  “Good. That saves time. Your brother’s man took something that belonged to me. Now, I’m taking something that belongs to him. If you’re a real good girl, you might make it back to your loser pack in one piece.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him. I’m sure it didn’t.

  “I thought the night was only beginning,” I offered, glancing around, desperate to catch the sympathetic gaze of anyone around. But I wasn’t familiar with this bar. It wasn’t one the James Pack frequented. It was one where no one knew me. One populated by too many humans for me to do anything to draw attention to the fact I wasn’t human. What had been enticing when Cammy suggested it was so much more than I’d bargained for. No one here would help me.

  “Oh, it is, sweet thing,” one of the others said, running his hand over my ass. I met his gaze and let him see what I thought of his touch. He swallowed but forced out a laugh as if I didn’t scare him. I did. I smelled it. Alpha blood. My father was an alpha. My brother was an alpha. My mate, who was even now searching for me, had alpha blood. If any of the men surrounding me thought I’d go down easily, they had no clue who they were dealing with.

  “Hands off for now,” Benji warned.

  “For now,” the ass toucher vowed, but I had no trouble seeing the lust in his gaze. He wouldn’t get his hands on me again. Next time, I’d break them. Break him.

  My vision had been clear. Me lying in a pool of blood, completely destroyed while they circled me.

  It was what could happen. What might happen. It wasn’t set in stone. My visions never were. The opportunity for things to change always existed. I clung to that probability. I wasn’t easy, and I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  Benji stepped into me. So close there was no missing the brush of his body against mine. The fanning of his breath over my cheek. “I’d hate for any innocent humans to die tonight. Keep your head down and your mouth shut. Don’t draw attention, or their blood will be on your head. Understood?”

  I nodded, but under my lashes, my gaze scanned. All I needed was one person to look at me, to really look at me and see I was in trouble. There were other wolves here. The damn bar was in Rigton County which meant someone here should realize who I was. I usually hated the gossip that preceded me. People thought they knew who I was without ever meeting me. I’d take it now. See the dark hair and the blue eyes so light people refer to them as eerie. Someone look at me!

  Benji’s hand was firm on my back. He didn’t dip lower, didn’t fondle or caress my ass in any lewd gesture. It didn’t matter. I knew what he was capable of. I’d spoken with Taylor’s mate, Rebbie, as well as my brother’s mate, Raina. Benji was capable of extreme violence. He’d been ready to beat and rape Rebbie before she’d knocked him out cold and fled, right into the path of her mate. Hell, I’d seen her possible outcome if Taylor hadn’t made it to her in time when Benji had snuck back to attack her again. I’d seen my own fate if help didn’t show up soon.

  Ideas bloomed in my head. I might have a way to buy some time. Not here though. I’d have to let them take me, no matter how much my wolf fought against such a thing. She wanted freedom to fight or run, if needed.

  “Where are we going?” Cammy chattered behind me. Most likely, she was escorted by the one who’d hugged up against her earlier. “I thought we were going to dance for a little bit. Hang out. Where are we headed, Hutch?”

  “Be quiet,” Hutch ordered, and from her cut off squeal, I assumed he’d done something physical to reprimand her for the questions.

  “Everything okay here?”

  I glanced quickly at the man who’d stepped in front of us. Human. Male. Big but nothing when compared to the pack of mangy wolves surrounding me. Perhaps, I should have been more specific when I’d beseeched the universe for someone to see me. I should have asked for one of the wolves loitering around to notice me. Not a human. His blood would stain my hands if I pressed for help now. No, I’d gotten myself into this mess, and I’d have to get myself out. Or survive long enough for real help to arrive.

  “My girl’s had a little too much to drink,” Benji said in that smarmy tone slick bastards used to communicate with one another. I swear every woman has met that type at one time or another in her life. “She wants some fresh air and a warm bed.”

  The wolves with him laughed, but the human earned my respect when he looked directly at me. No smile. No returned humor.

  “I’m talking to the lady. Are you okay, miss?”

  Benji’s claws dug into my side, and I cleared my throat quickly.

  “It’s so warm in here.” I fanned my face and stumbled into Benji, throwing an elbow into his stomach in retaliation as I did. “Benji, I need that fresh air. I think I’m going to be sick.” I gagged. Not hard to do when I recalled the vision I’d been hit with earlier.

  I glanced up at the human. I wanted to remember his face. He’d offered help, and though I couldn’t accept it, I’d repay him for the kindness. I kept one hand over my mouth as I met his gaze. “I’m fine. Really. Thank you.” I gagged again, almost managing to retch with that one. “Air. I need air.”

  He nodded as he finally stepped aside, and Benji took the opportunity to jerk me closer as he led me outside. His grip was bruising, just shy of bone breaking as he practically shoved me ahead of him out the door.

  “Bastion’s going to come for you,” I murmured.

  “Oh, I’m counting on it, sweetheart. Him and that behemoth that mated my whore. I’ll enjoy killing them both. If you’re still alive, we might have some fun. If.” He laughed, with his buddies joining in as we moved across the parking lot.

  Cammy said something then yelped. I glanced back to check on her and felt a sharp prick against my neck. Like a bee sting. I slapped at it but my coordination was suddenly non-existent. I stumbled and would have gone to my knees if Benji hadn’t caught me. His face was in mine.

  “I should apologize for using you. Tell you how hard it will be to put my hands on you. To break your bones and watch you bleed.” His breath tickled my ear. “But I won’t lie. I’m going to enjoy every moment of it. Revel in every scream I pull from your lips. I’m going to love breaking you. And the best part is no one other than your brother will even care. You’re not a very popular wolf, are you, Belinda?”

  He laughed again. Laughed as a door was opened, and I was tossed inside like a bag of garbage. Cammy followed after me. She was out cold while I fought whatever Benji had injected me with.

  “He’s coming for you.” My words were barely a whisper, and he leaned closer.

  “I’m counting on it.”

  “Not…Bastion…” I forced my eyes open, forced my lips and tongue to cooperate.

  “Who else do you think is coming?” Benji scoffed.

  I pulled together every ounce of my strength and used it. “My mate.” The words were hard, firm. The same as my teeth when I snapped for his earlobe.

  His scream was music to my ears. Pain exploded along my jaw as I was struck hard. Once, twice, then a third time. Blood filled my mouth. His. Mine.

  “He’s coming for me.” The whisper was more of a reminder to me than a warning to them. They weren’t listening anyway. “He’s coming.” And I needed to stay alive until he got there and helped me get away.

  Another hard hit. The strike landing at my temple. Bright lights exploded behind my eyes. Then nothing but darkness.

  Chapter Two

  ~Hannibal~

  The men I followed were close. They’d been at the hotel within the last few hours. Their scents were still strong inside the room. The foursome who’d left a wake of devastation in their path. I had basic information on all of them. It was my job to collect all four and see that they paid for the lives they’d destroyed.

  Hannibal Craig. That’s me. Though most know me as Beast due to my immense size. Some think I’m rather scary. I guess it’s understandable given my height and muscle, which is massive even by shifter standards. Just shy of seven feet tal
l and almost three hundred pounds—okay. Over three hundred, but barely. And all of it solid muscle.

  My size makes it hard to fit in anywhere. Alphas don’t want a mean motherfucker like me hanging around. Even as muscle. What if I got ideas? Wanted to take the pack for myself. As if I want that headache. All I want is to find my mate. I know she’s out there. I can’t explain it, but I swear there are times I feel her. As if she’s reaching for me, beckoning for me to come find her. And I’m always searching.

  I’m a lone wolf for the most part. I spend most of my time traveling around, hunting down rogue wolves who’ve picked the wrong people to fuck with. The four I currently hunted were the worst of the worst. They preyed on women. Story was one of them had been hurt bad. Bad enough his wolf DNA had struggled to heal him. But our genetics are superior, and eventually, they kicked in. Good for him. Not so good for the woman who’d given him shelter while he healed.

  Whatever sob story his buddies had given her had been lies. They’d taken an elder wolf and slit her throat. Hell of a way to say thank you. Still, that had been a better outcome than what they’d done to her granddaughter when she’d shown up to check on the older woman. They’d put her through hell, and still, she hadn’t faltered when she’d approached me with her request. She wanted those responsible brought back for her pack to deal with. She wanted to watch them die. I understood that need, but I’d made no promises other than death. Sometimes, situations were out of my hands. Sometimes, wolves preferred to fight to the death rather than be captured, and all too often, I was happy to oblige.

  The hotel room had been cleared of any belongings, though they’d left it in complete disrepair. Not messy but torn apart. The picture from the wall was in pieces on the carpet. Bed frame broken. The bathroom was littered with glass.

  I hated wolves who thought they were above everything and everyone. These four screamed it. I’d enjoy showing them the folly of their ways. First, I had to find them.