Christmas with my Off-Limits Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

6. Liam Shadds

Liam Shadds

Chapter Six

I pace the length of our underground meeting room, my footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. The old barn above us creaks and groans under the winter wind, sending dust motes dancing through the dim fluorescent lighting.

Frank and Luca sit at the worn wooden table, their eyes following my movement. The musty scent of earth mingles with leather and motor oil from our gear stashed in the corner, while the room’s chill seeps through my jacket despite the ancient space heater humming in the corner.

Our past is etched into this place - maps of Snowy Pines pinned to the walls, scarred tabletops from countless planning sessions, even the faint traces of whiskey and cigarettes from meetings long ago. The familiar surroundings do little to calm my restless wolf tonight.

“The Iron Wolves are not here for a friendly reunion.”

Frank leans forward, his face etched with concern. “You think Diggs is using the Holiday Race as a cover?”

I nod, running a hand through my hair. “It’s too convenient. He shows up now, after all this time? There’s more to it.”

Luca’s fist hits the table. “We should confront them head-on. Show them Snowy Pines isn’t theirs for the taking.”

“And risk escalating things before we know what we’re dealing with?” Frank counters, his voice steady. “We need to be smart about this.”

I look at Frank, his brow furrowed with concern. “You’re right. Diggs isn’t above hurting innocent people to get to us. Let’s increase patrols around the race route.”

Frank nods, always the voice of reason, his jaw set. “I’ll coordinate with the pack, set up a rotation. We’ll keep it subtle, blend in with the crowds.”

“We watch the Iron Wolves. Close. I want eyes on Diggs and his crew at all times. If they so much as sneeze in the wrong direction, I want to know about it.”

Luca leans forward, his eyes intense. “We can’t forget our territory. The Iron Wolves might use the race as a distraction for a direct attack on the pack.” Luca’s his fingers drum an impatient rhythm on the table. “What if they make a move?”

“We'll divide our forces. Frank, work out the rotation. Half the pack, focus on the race route. Set up checkpoints, keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Luca, you and the other half patrol our territory. I want extra security around the den and our key locations.”

They nod, but they know as well as I do, it’s not enough. It’ll never be enough. My stomach twists. We’re spread too thin. If Diggs is planning something, we need to be ready for anything. But how? The town, the race, the pack... there’s no way to cover everything.

And then there’s Ava. The thought of her sends a jolt through me. I can’t let her get caught in the middle of this, but Diggs has always had a thing for her.

“What about you?” Frank asks, his voice low.

“I’ll split between the two groups and keep an eye on the town center. If Diggs shows his face, I want to be the first to know.”

I meet each of their gazes in turn, steel in my voice. “We must be ready. But we don’t strike first. Understood?”

They both nod, but I see the worry in their eyes. It mirrors my own. There’s a storm brewing, and I’ll be damned if I let it tear through Snowy Pines.

“Frank, reach out to your contacts in town. Find out the scuttlebutt. Luca, I want you to focus on race security. Frank has the route in hand, but see if you can pick up anything about what Diggs is planning.”

“Frank, a thought I’ve just had. The race itself is too juicy a target for him to resist. For every Iron Wolf entrant, I want a Silver Claw assigned to race him, and only him. Stick close the entire race. Don’t let them team up to take out other racers.”

As they stand to leave, I feel a surge of protectiveness. These are my people, my responsibility. I won’t let Diggs or anyone else threaten what we’ve built here.

Luca’s eyes narrow. “And Ava? You know she’ll be right in the thick of things.”

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. “I’ll handle Ava. She’s not our concern right now.” But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. She’s always my concern, whether I want her to be or not.

Diggs is planning God knows what. My pack is in danger. The town is in danger. And Ava... Ava is right in the middle of it, whether she knows it or not. I close my eyes, hoping to push away the image of her that rises unbidden in my mind. I can’t afford distractions and Ava is far more than a distraction.

“Anything else?” I ask, my voice rougher than I intend.

Frank and Luca exchange a glance. “Just... be careful, Liam,” Frank says. “We can’t afford to lose you.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. The weight of their expectations, their trust, settles on my shoulders like a physical thing.

“You be careful out there, too.” My voice is softer now. “Diggs isn’t known for playing fair.”

They nod, understanding the unspoken worry behind my words.

My phone buzzes, cutting through the tension in the room. I fish it out of my pocket, expecting another update from the pack. Instead, Benny’s name flashes on the screen. A chill runs down my spine before I even read the message.

“Diggs and his guys are at Joe’s Garage. They’ve got Kat and Ava cornered. Hurry.”

Ava. My fingers tighten around the phone, threatening to crack the screen.

“Fuck,” I growl, already moving towards the door. “Frank, Luca, we’ve got trouble. Diggs has made a move.”

Frank’s eyes narrow. “Where?”

“Joe’s Garage. He’s got Kat and Ava cornered. Let’s ride.”

Luca’s fist slams against the table. “That bastard. I’ll tear him apart.”

“Not if I get to him first,” I snarl, my voice barely human. “Frank, 911 the Sheriff. Luca, alert your team.”

I burst out of the meeting room, Frank and Luca hot on my heels. The cold night air hits me like a slap as we race toward our bikes. My mind’s a whirlwind, but one thought cuts through the chaos: Ava’s in danger. The thought of Diggs anywhere near her makes my blood boil.

“Frank, you take point,” I bark, swinging my leg over my bike. “Luca, watch our six.”

I kick my bike to life, the engine’s roar matching the fury in my chest. We tear out of the compound, tires screeching on asphalt. The wind whips at my face, but I barely feel it. All I can think about is getting to that garage.

“Liam, do you have a plan?” Frank’s voice crackles through the helmet comm.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to think past the red haze of anger. “We go in hard and fast. Diggs wants a fight? We’ll give him one he won’t forget.”

“And the girls?” Luca asks, a note of concern in his voice.

My grip tightens on the handlebars. “I’ll get Ava out. You two focus on Kat and keeping the Iron Wolves busy.”

Snowy Pines blurs past us, the familiar streets now a maze we need to navigate as fast as possible. As we race towards Joe’s Garage, every second feels like an eternity. My knuckles are white on the handlebars, every muscle in my body coiled tight. The wolf inside me is snarling, ready for a fight. But all I can think is: Hold on, Ava. I’m coming.

I pull up to Moon Light garage, tires screeching as I bring my bike to a halt. Frank and Luca are cutting their engines in quick succession. I see the Iron Wolves’ bikes parked haphazardly outside the garage. The sight of Sheriff Mooney’s cruiser already parked outside sends a jolt through me—both relief and frustration land in my gut.

“Shit,” Frank mutters, coming up beside me. “This complicates things.”

I nod, my jaw clenching. “We stick to the plan. The sheriff won’t stop us from protecting our own.”

Luca’s eyes are hard as he surveys the garage. “I hear them inside. Diggs and his crew. They’re not bothering to keep quiet.”

My wolf senses kick into overdrive, picking up the scent of fear... and Ava.

“Frank, take the back,” I order, my voice low and dangerous. “Meet us inside. “Luca, you’re with me.

The low rumble of threatening voices drifts out from the building, setting my teeth on edge. My wolf stirs, sensing the danger, ready for a fight. I take a deep breath. Ava’s in there. Kat too. I can’t let my instincts take over completely.

Sheriff Mooney steps out of his cruiser, his face a mask of barely controlled panic. Our eyes meet, and I see the same fear there that’s churning in my gut. For a moment, we’re not alpha and sheriff, just two men terrified for someone we care about.

“Liam,” he acknowledges, voice gruff. “I hope you’re not planning on doing anything stupid.”

I bare my teeth in what might pass for a grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Sheriff. We’re just here to make sure everyone gets home safe.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but there’s no time for arguments. I stride towards the garage entrance, Frank peels off and Luca flanks me. The sheriff falls in step, his hand resting on his holstered gun.

As we near the door, Diggs’ voice rings out, clear and mocking. “Come on, little fox. Show us what you can really do. Or are you just as useless as your mother was?”

Red bleeds into the edges of my vision. How dare he bring up Ava’s mother? The growl that rips from my throat is barely human.

“Liam,” Luca warns, his hand on my arm. “Keep it together. We can’t go in there half-cocked.”

I shake him off, but force myself to take a steadying breath. He’s right. Losing control now won’t help anyone, least of all Ava.

“It’s time to end this,” I mutter, more to myself than the others. My wolf roars its agreement, clawing at the surface. I push it back, but just barely. I’ll need that fury soon enough.

I lock eyes with the sheriff one last time. There’s a silent understanding that passes between us. We both know this isn’t going to be resolved with words and handcuffs. Whatever happens in there, we’re in it together.

With a nod to Luca, I step forward and throw open the garage door. The scene inside freezes for a moment—Diggs and his Iron Wolves surround Ava and Kat. The girls are backed against a workbench. Benny put up a fight and is crumpled in a heap on the floor, naked, as are two of the Iron Wolves. Ava’s eyes find mine, a mix of relief and defiance in her gaze.

“Well, well,” Diggs drawls, turning to face us. “Looks like the cavalry’s arrived. You’re just in time for the show, Shadds. And daddy sheriff.”

I bare my teeth, letting a hint of fang show. “The only show here is going to be me kicking your ass back to whatever hole you crawled out of, Diggs.”

“Big words,” he sneers. “Let’s see if you can back them up.”

The tension in the room ratchets up another notch. I feel Frank and Luca, coiled and ready. The sheriff’s hand hovers near his gun.

This is it. No more posturing, no more threats. One way or another, this ends now.

“Care to tell me what’s going on here, Diggs?” Sheriff Mooney’s voice is iron authority, broking no nonsense.

Diggs turns to face us, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh, nothing to worry about. We just want to ensure the girls are safe. After all, we wouldn’t want anything to happen to the ladies... right, boys?”

His mock concern grates on my nerves. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to lunge at him.

“Back off, Diggs,” I growl, taking a step forward.

He chuckles, his eyes gleaming with malice. “It wouldn’t be the first time a little Kitsuné got herself caught up in the crossfire of the wolves’ game... isn’t that right, Sheriff?”

Ava’s eyes widen, a flicker of doubt crosses her face as she turns to stare at her father instead of Diggs.

I glance at Sheriff Mooney, seeing the same tension in his jaw that I feel in mine. But there’s more. If a look could kill, Diggs would be DOA right now. What does Diggs know? What is it that I DON’T know?

“You’re walking a dangerous line, Diggs,” Sheriff Mooney says, his voice carrying the weight of authority even as his hand rests deliberately on his holster. “Threatening these girls, holding them against their will, these are federal crimes and serious offenses. Walk away now, while you still can.”

The garage feels smaller by the second, the air thick with tension. Frank and Luca have moved to flank me, ready to intervene if this goes south. Diggs’ crew edges closer to the exits, but their leader stands his ground, practically vibrating with fury.

“Offense?” Diggs spits the word like venom. “You want to talk about offenses, Sheriff? How about we discuss how you buried evidence about what really happened to your wife? How many supernatural ‘incidents’ did you cover up before Elara paid the price?”

The accusation hits like a physical blow. I watch Sheriff Mooney’s face pale slightly, though his stance remains rigid. Ava’s sharp intake of breath draws my attention—she’s trembling now, her eyes darting between her father and Diggs.

“That’s enough,” I growl, taking a step forward. The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees as Diggs turns his attention back to me.

“Oh, it’s far from enough,” he sneers. “Your precious Shadow Claw pack has been enabling this corruption for years. Ask your sheriff here how many bodies he’s buried to keep your secrets safe. Ask him what really happened the night his wife died.”

The tension in the room ratchets up with every word. Frank has joined us from the back. He and Luca flank me, ready to move at my signal. But Diggs isn’t done.

Diggs leans in close to Ava, grasping her wrist to bring her closer. His voice is pitched low, but clear enough for all to hear. “Your mother thought she could play with the big boys too, you know. Look where that got her.”

Ava’s face pales as she snatches her arm away from Diggs, and I see red. I lunge forward, a growl ripping from my throat. “Get your grimy paws off her!”

Diggs steps back, hands raised in mock surrender. “Easy there, alpha. Wouldn’t want to start something you can’t finish. After all, I might know a thing or two that could change everything in this town. Don’t you want to find out what I know?”

I freeze, my mind racing. What could he possibly know? Is he bluffing? I exchange a glance with Sheriff Mooney, seeing my uncertainty mirrored in his eyes.

“What are you going to do, Liam?” Diggs taunts me, his voice dripping with false sweetness. “Rush in here and force my hand? Or will you stand by and let me have my fun with your precious girls?”

I take another step forward, my wolf clawing at the surface, begging to be unleashed. But Sheriff Mooney’s hand on my arm stops me.

“You’re making a mistake, Diggs,” the Sheriff says, his voice firm. “I won’t hesitate to arrest you and turn you over to the feds. I don’t believe you’ll survive long in a federal pen, son.”

Diggs throws his head back and howls, the sound echoing off the garage walls, making my wolf bristle at the challenge in the sound. “I am not your son, Daniel Mooney. And your badge, sheriff , doesn’t mean much when faced with real power. You should know that by now.”

I see Sheriff Mooney’s jaw tighten. His hand instinctively moves, gripping his holstered weapon with white knuckles showing. The slight tremor in his fingers doesn’t escape my notice—it’s the same reaction I’ve seen whenever the supernatural aspects of our town are brought up.

Diggs’ smirk widens, his eyes glinting with malicious satisfaction at the sheriff’s discomfort. “Think carefully about your next move, boys. This game’s just getting started.” His voice drips with contempt as he shifts his weight, clearly enjoying the tension crackling through the air. I smell the bitter scent of his hatred mixing with the sheriff’s anxiety, creating a toxic atmosphere that makes my wolf want to bare its teeth.

Ava, in a surprising move, steps forward and slaps Diggs across the face. “How dare you, Diggs Fireclaw? Jeeze, are you still 12 years old bullying everybody on the playground? I asked you to leave. The time for you to go has passed.”

Getting even closer, she pokes his chest with a pointy finger. “I don’t know what games you are playing, and I don’t care.”

“And if you ever bad mouth my mother to me again, you’d better be wearing a steel jock protector because I’m going to destroy your balls with my knee.”

She raises her knee, jamming it into his crotch. “Get the hell out of my garage and don’t come back!”

Ava’s sudden outburst stuns everyone into silence. For what feels like an eternity, no one moves a muscle. I’m frozen in place, torn between pride at Ava’s fierce display and fear for her safety.

And in an instant, the tension snaps. The Iron Wolves ranged behind Diggs lunge toward Ava, their faces twisted with rage and barely controlled shifts. My instincts kick in, and I spring forward, my betas flanking me as we move to protect her. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sheriff Mooney draw his weapon, his voice booming across the crowd as he orders everyone to freeze.

But it’s Diggs who surprises us. His initial anger morphs into confusion. His brow furrows as he processes Ava’s slap and knee invasion. To my utter disbelief, a glimmer of admiration flashes in his eyes and he throws his head back, braying a hearty laugh that echoes through the tense atmosphere.

“Stand down, Iron Wolves,” he orders and steps back himself. He chuckles and opens his arms wide in a surrender pose. “I apologize, folks. Seems I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

He waves his men off, and they back down, still eyeing Ava angrily as sprouting claws and growling canines retract.

I remain on high alert, not trusting this sudden change in Diggs’s demeanor. But for now, at least, the immediate danger backs out of the garage.

“Frank, Luca. Follow them. Make sure they leave. Luca, put someone else on Diggs surveillance. Benny’s gonna need downtime.”

I watch as Kat rushes to Benny’s side; her face etched with worry. She gently checks him over, her hands moving with practiced care as she assesses his injuries. They speak softly and I see the relief wash over her when she realizes he’s not seriously hurt. There’s a tenderness in her touch that speaks volumes, but I keep my expression neutral.

I’ve known about them for a while now and have turned a blind eye. It’s a concern for another day and they deserve the chance of happiness together. Theirs is a doomed relationship under this community’s attitudes and rules.

Benny and the two Lone Wolves must have shifted in front of Ava and Kat. Game changer. They’ve exposed us, threatening the delicate balance shifters maintain, hiding in plain sight amid the human population. I wonder if that was Diggs’ intention coming here?

“Dad, I’m not leaving Snowy Pines!”

I turn to see Ava talking with her father, who has obviously not learned his lesson after all these years. One does not order Ava. I suppress a humorless grin and walk over to join them. Looks like a referee might be needed.