Chapter 8 ~ You’re Always My Hero

The morning of Valerie’s birthday dawned stormy.. Winds were howling.. pouring rain beat out a rhythm on the windows. Delilah ran into Valerie’s room.. bouncing into the middle of the bed.. “Get up.. Get up! It’s your birthday.. You get to find out today! Why aren’t you excited?”

Valerie whispered “I’m scared, Lilah. So scared. I don’t think I can survive it if he isn’t my mate. I have loved him longer than I can remember. If he isn’t my mate.. I won’t be able to stay here and watch him with his true mate every day.”

Delilah pulled her into her arms.. and kissed the top of her head. She crawled under the covers with Valerie.. and pulled them up over their heads.

She smiled “Then we are just going to stay in the room all day.. together.. safe and secure in our little fort I just made. We don’t need no stinking men! It is better to have loved and not know.. than to leave our safe haven.” Valerie giggled “You’re a dork.. but okay.. I get it. May as well find out.”

Delilah jumped up and said “Wash your face and braid your hair.. for Goddess’ sake.. chew a few tictacs or something.. I am finding you something kee-yute to wear! My girl has to look irresistible!”

The girls skipped downstairs to the dining room.. and as soon as they stepped through the door, Hunter practically tackled Valerie.. his wolf growling ‘Mate’ and Delilah squealed.. clapping her hands and giggling.

Maddox leaned down and whispered “I think you’re more excited than they are.” She laughed and said “You’re quite possibly right! An hour ago, my best friend had made up her mind to leave if Hunter wasn’t her mate. He is. So she’s staying. And I’m not losing somebody else important to me. Yep! I’m more excited!”

Maddox laughed and led her to her seat. Valerie and Hunter hadn’t moved. Even when Delaney walked in with Venom and their children. Delaney was smiling ear to ear “Are we having a bonding ceremony tonight, as well?” Hunter yelled “Fuck yes, we are! I have waited my whole life for my little Dove!”

The storm had cleared away.. leaving the air smelling fresh and clean. A slight breeze kept it cool enough for the four ladies to decorate the stage and surrounding area of the garden. Vicki was intertwining vines and flowers.. making a beautiful garland to drape across the stage front.

Delaney suggested the girls all go to town for dresses for the ceremony.. and they all agreed that Trenton Falls was the better bet to get what they needed.

As they were leaving, Maddox stopped Delilah “I have been meaning to ask you.. will you be joining my club.. pack.. or staying with my sister.. here in their territory.

She grinned “I want to join yours.. but I’m not eighteen for three months, and your sister is my legal guardian. So I don’t know if she’d let me.. not sure if I have the nerve to ask.” He laughed.. telling her “I’ll take care of it.” She nodded.. running to catch up with the other three.

All four of them found dresses.. Delaney’s was a bright green floor length sundress.. soft, polished cotton.. with hawaiian plumeria embroidered halfway up the skirt. Vicki chose a cocktail length crepe.. spaghetti strapped fitted bodice.. with a flaired skirt.. empire waistline.. in baby blue… It showed off her adorable baby bump beautifully.

Delilah chose a ruby red bodycon styled dress.. with side cutouts.. while Valerie’s was a pink blush strapless floor length gown.. corset backed..silk.. with lace overlay. She looked gorgeous.. and just like a bride.

Delaney’s eyes filled with tears, she whispered “My first little girl is getting married.” Valerie hugged her tight and sniffled “I will never be able to repay you for everything you have done for me. You have taught me so much.” Delaney smiled “Honey.. you taught me. I will miss you.. but I will always be just a phone call away.”

The group decided to have lunch at a restaurant in town.. laughing and enjoying their meal. Delaney happened to notice a man walking into the bank across the street.. she mind linked Snake and Axe to watch the bank front.. that she thought she saw someone she recognized.. but felt he was out of place here in Trenton Falls.

Their food had just been delivered, when Snake murmured “Queen.. heads up” They watched across the street.. as Max Unger walked out of the bank.. looking around, as if he suspected someone spying on him.. before ducking into an alleyway..

Axe asked “Should I follow?” Delaney shook her head “Gizmo still has the hack codes for these cameras.. let him know we need him to access them.. What the fuck!?”

Snake looked across at the bank.. seeing Dylan and Cabot come out of the bank.. carrying a briefcase.. Delaney whispered “What the fuck is going on?”

Delaney turned and mind linked Vicki 🐺 We need to get out of town.. Max Unger is here in Trenton Falls.. with my ex and Venom’s brother.

Vicki turned to Delilah “Sweetie.. Can you go get the car and bring it to the door? My tummy is cramping a little bit.. so I think I should limit walking too far.” Delilah jumped up to do just that.. never questioning reasons.

Delaney smiled, once the two young women had gone to get the car.. “Smart idea.. It minimizes our exposure.. and I would just as soon Max didn’t know he was spotted.. well.. Cabot and Dylan, either.. But they would be easier to explain. Max would know we were suspicious.”

By the time the girls had returned home, Venom led them to the office.. and asked what they saw.. and asked Delaney what she suspected.

She responded “I didn’t see Cabot or Dylan go in the bank.. and I had only a glimpse of Max as he went in. He was inside less than a half hour. When he came out.. I made sure it was him. His body language was screaming he didn’t want to be recognized. He pulled his coat collar up around his ears.. tucking his head closer to his shoulders. He was furtively looking around him.. and sticking to shadows. Cabot and Dylan had no such qualms.. They came out of the bank.. less than five minutes after Unger.. carrying a briefcase. Just sauntered off down the street.”

Venom nodded.. “Was Max in uniform? Axe.. run a check on him. I want to know what he’s been doing the past five years. We don’t know if the three of them have connected somehow… but it’s too much of a coincidence.”

Delaney replied “Max was in a civilian suit.. his hair is longer.. and he has a mustache now.”

Snake shakes his head “What are the odds? Five years ago.. he managed to insert himself into our investigation into Slate.. and as soon as we begin an investigation into two Alphas trying to cause us problems.. he pokes his head out of his hole. I agree. I don’t believe in that much of a coincidence.”

Delaney asked “Vicki.. did you recognize any of them? Were any of their faces familiar?” Vicki shook her head no “I didn’t see anyone’s faces.. when they had me locked up… well.. the two that took me away.. but we were always kept in the hold.. If I could hear their voices, maybe.. that I could probably recognize.”

Venom looked over at Gizmo.. who responded “On it! I can find something.. I’m sure.” He stood up and went over to the laptop…

Venom said “Let’s do that! But.. don’t tell her who she’s listening to.. and mix in some random ones.. Our subconscious remembers, recognizes things.. we don’t realize we know.”

As the moon was rising.. everyone had gathered on the south of Venom’s territory.. at the site of the original clubhouse. All eyes facing the stage, Venom performed the ceremony that would make Maddox Alpha..

Right before their very eyes, Maddox’s entire body swelled.. muscles extended and grew.. his height increased by a couple inches.. His aura strengthened and every wolf felt it.

Maddox stepped off the stage.. taking the ceremonial dagger.. he stood in the center of the property. Slicing a deep gash into the palm of his left hand, he made a tight fist.. allowing his blood to drip into the earth “By my heart.. and with my blood.. I claim this land in the name of Alpha Maddox Quinn.. and Warrior Wolves Two Pack.”

The earth underneath their feet rolled and grumbled.. The moon shone down in a bright beam of light.. a beacon illuminated the entire twenty five hundred acres.. Blessed by the Goddess Herself.

Venom performed the induction ceremony.. making Maddox president of the second chapter of Warrior Wolves, M.C. Then Maddox ascended his inner circle.. as well as swearing them in as officers for the club.

Everyone who was joining southside.. were sworn in.. and recited the oaths of fealty to the club.. then pledged loyalty to their Alpha. They all removed their old cuts.. tossing them onto the bonfire.. before wearing the new ones.. signifying the new chapter was open for business.

Venom helped Maddox perform the bonding ceremony for Hunter and Dove.. then the celebration began with their first ever pack run.

An hour later, Delaney found her little brother.. leaned against a tree.. proudly looking out over his pack.. “The property deeds.. the insurance policies.. and the bank accounts are all ready to be transferred into your name.. We will take care of all of that Monday. I am so proud of you, Buddy Roe! You are becoming such a strong man.. and your heart is still pure. You’re always my hero!”