Raising the Phoenix Read online

  Lenoir sighed as she wrapped her arms around her body. “That explains everything. You always did love to do the opposite of what you were told.” Then her brow furrowed and she whimpered, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.” I nodded as I watched other kids climb the long, winding hill to the homestead. Roughly fifteen families lived there. There should be so many parents running about collecting together. Instead, I saw none of the adults. Inside me, something died. I think it was hope.

  We stood there for what seemed like hours. My stomach growled, but the thought of eating made me feel sick. Still, I had to remember it wasn’t only about me anymore. Those four years of ultimate freedom during college were over. Now, I had sisters to think of and a pack… Well, we might have still had a pack. I swallowed hard as I worried what would happen to us if we were suddenly completely alone in the world.

  “I’m hungry,” Shelby whispered as she glanced back and forth between me and Lenoir while looking guilty. “I skipped lunch to retake my chemistry exam.”

  “Please. You’d be hungry if you’d had lunch. Face it, you love food.” Lenoir glared at her.

  Shelby’s chin jutted out and she placed her hands on her hips. “You’re just mad I have the good metabolism and can eat anything I want.”

  “Live it up while you can, sister. Remember what Mom always told us?” Her brows rose and she leaned in. “She used to be able to eat whatever she wanted…until she had children.”

  “Yeah, well most men like a woman with some curves.” Shelby stuck her hip out. “Mine can handle a little meat just fine.”

  Lenoir opened her mouth to retaliate, but I couldn’t listen anymore. “Stop,” I moaned. “Go to my car. I have a whole bag of snacks I bought at the grocery store and forgot to bring up to my room in the dorm. Grab the other pups and share!”

  They glanced at me, squealed, and raced back to my vehicle, while gesturing for the others kids to follow them. I shook my head at their antics even as I wondered how they could be so calm at a time like this, when our home had burned down and our parents were missing. I scanned the area. Apparently, the fire was finally under control. The firemen seemed more relaxed. So, I slowly made my way toward the house, careful to stay in the tree line and out of sight.

  I’d made it almost halfway there when I saw numerous sets of eyes on me. For several seconds, I stood there staring apprehensively. I sniffed the air. There was no wildlife nearby. These had to be shifters. The question, of course, was whether or not they were friend or foe. I started to move closer when I heard shouts coming from the firemen.

  “Found a body! No, make that two bodies!”

  Without hesitation, I raced to the main house where I’d grown up. Once a proud two-story plantation style home, the place was now a pile of rubble. I stopped short of the porch and realized they were calling from the back of the house. I walked past charred bushes and shriveled leaves until I reached the veranda. The firemen were lifting debris and moving it, but already I could see two sets of blackened feet.

  While they worked, I stood off to the side, silently waiting to find out if these were my parents. I could feel eyes on me. In an effort to hide my intentions, I gradually turned away from the house, covering my face with my hands. Sure enough, as I studied the forest, I saw a lone set of eyes staring back at me. I bit my lip and moved closer to the house. Before long, the firemen had completely uncovered the bodies.

  “Coroner is on the way,” one commented quietly.

  The one who had been holding me back earlier seemed to suddenly realize I was there. “You need to go back to your car, miss.”

  “They could be my parents. Aren’t you going to need me to identify them anyway.” I clasped my hands in front of my chest as I pleaded my case. “Please don’t make me wonder. I’ll stay here all night worrying over who died in the kitchen.”

  His shoulders slumped and I could feel I’d won him over, but then two detectives rounded the corner and walked up to me. “Who are you?” One asked as he pulled out a notepad and pen.

  “I’m Savannah. Savannah Silver.” I reached for my backpack but quickly realized I’d left it in the car. “My driver’s license is in my car.” I frowned as they studied me.

  “And what are you doing here, Miss Silver?” The second detective tilted his head as he stared.

  “My mother sent me a text. Told me to stay away. Said it wasn’t safe to come home.” I shrugged.

  “So, you rushed right here, I see.” His face was grim.

  “You know what? I never got your name.” I wrapped my arms around my body. “And if you can’t understand why I’d rush home from college to check on my family, then screw you.” I turned and strode toward the firemen. The one who spoke to me stood there with his mouth gaping. Must not have been a lot of people who spoke their mind anymore. I was too tired for pleasantries, especially when they weren’t being pleasant. I took a deep breath and finally looked at the bodies.

  The man seemed to have a chest wound. Even in a shifter, with the right bullet, this was deadly. I recognized the watch on his arm. This was definitely my father. Then I studied my mother. She was holding him. Immediately, I knew what had happened. He was killed and she chose to die with him, just like she’d sworn years before. I felt like someone had kicked me in the gut. I couldn’t breathe. No matter how much air I gulped in, I couldn’t fill my lungs. Soon, my eyes overflowed, and warm, salty tears dripped down my face. I swallowed hard to hold back the sobs.

  “Do you know them?” The man who seemed to be the lead detective stared at me, waiting for an answer.

  I nodded, fervently. “My parents. These are my parents.”

  2

  My knees threatened to buckle. Then I felt two strong arms wrap around me. When I looked up, I realized the fireman had come to my rescue. “Thank you.” My voice sounded strained even to me.

  “It could be hours before the fire is completely out and the chief investigator declares it safe enough for you to pick through.” His brow furrowed. “I’m guessing you’ll want to try to salvage whatever you can.”

  I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes. I grew up here. This is the only home I’ve ever known.” I felt like I was being watched. When I scanned the woods, I saw eyes staring back at me from the dark. There was a good chance whoever killed my parents was out there watching and waiting. Inside, I could feel my wolf snarling, and I knew I had to get out of there before I revealed my abilities. I blew out a breath. “Okay. I’ll take my sisters and get some food, but then I’m coming back.”

  He studied me for a moment before responding. “I’m going to stay here and watch over the place until you return.” He stared out into the woods, much like I had moments before.

  My eyes narrowed and I tried to sniff deeply without being too obvious. Now that the smoke had cleared some, my olfactory senses could process scents other than the overpowering odor of our burning home. A second later, I detected what I was seeking out. The fireman was a wolf shifter too. Then he interrupted my thoughts.

  “There are some terrible people in this world, people who would take advantage of the fire and rifle through this mess to steal from you.” He slowly released me and took a step back. “I won’t let that happen. I promise.” There was something in the way he said it, in the way he glared into the woods while he spoke. I actually believed him.

  “I appreciate this. I won’t be long.” I turned and raced back to the car. When I arrived, I found Tanner herding all the kids together and my sisters staring at him with such admiration, I wanted to puke. “What are you doing?” I snapped. “And when did you arrive?”

  He raised both hands and took a step back. “I’ve been here about fifteen minutes. Came straight from work. Just trying to help.”

  I could feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck and I knew why. The pack was my responsibility. My father had been the Alpha. I didn’t want even another pack member trying to take over my role. “A car would help. Or a van.
Don’t suppose you have one of those?”

  “Actually, I have an Expedition.” Tanner proudly jerked his thumb toward the vehicle parked behind mine. “I can seat eight, maybe nine if they’re tiny.” He grinned.

  I did a quick head count. One thing was obvious: there were no adults in the group. “Where are all the parents?” I frowned as I looked around our homestead. Most of the outbuildings were intact, as well as the other cottages. The fire had been completely concentrated around my family’s home.

  “I heard some noise coming from the forest. I’m guessing they all shifted and ran. The kids were at school, so they focused on saving themselves.” He shrugged.

  This went against everything I’d been raised to believe. Why did no one rush to protect the Alpha? Who killed my parents?

  “We have too many kids to all fit in the two vehicles.” I sighed as I searched out my parents’ minivan. I saw it sitting in front of the detached garage, unscathed. All these years of downplaying their wealth to keep us safe. Still, they were probably killed for it anyway. I yanked open my vehicle door and pulled my keys from the ignition. Before I started college, my parents had entrusted me with all kinds of information and paperwork, but most importantly, with all the keys. I slowly removed the one for the minivan. “Which one of you wants to drive?” I glanced back and forth between Lenoir and Shelby.

  “I’ll drive!” Shelby grinned and grabbed for the key.

  “I’ll ride with Tanner.” Lenoir blushed and looked away.

  I rolled my eyes. “Awesome. Let’s go to the Asheville Phoenix House. It’s half an hour away. I’ll order us pizzas to be delivered.”

  “Sounds great, but I know nothing of the place.” Tanner chuckled as he smiled down at my little sister.

  “Right. Why would you?” I shook my head. “Follow me.” Then everyone climbed into the vehicles and drove off.

  The littlest pups had chosen to ride with me. I could sense how close to tears most of them were at the moment. “Let me order pizza and then we’ll talk, okay?” One by one, they all nodded. So, I made my call and stuck to the basics, a couple of larges with extra cheese, a couple of larges with pepperoni, and four two-liters of soda. Then I blew out a breath and prepared to address the pups. “I’m sure you have questions,” I began.

  “Where’s my mommy?” The little girl in the back seat whimpered.

  “Well, I don’t know. When I arrived, everyone was gone. They’re probably hiding. This is why I’m going to go back with Tanner after dinner. We can pick up your parents and everyone can be together.”

  “Because the pack always stays together?” The boy beside me wore a hopeful expression on his face.

  “Always. Nothing can keep the Phoenix Pack down. This is just a stumbling block. We’re all gonna be just fine.” I nodded in my most reassuring manner, but I felt like a fraud.

  We rode in silence for the next twenty minutes. When we finally pulled into the driveway, the kids pressed their faces to the windows, except for the little girl in the middle. She complained. “I wanna see! Move your fat head.”

  “Patience. We’ll be there in a minute.” I sighed.

  “How long is this driveway? It looks longer than the one to the homestead.” The boy beside me was practically bouncing out of his seat.

  “Maybe.” I stopped in front of the gate and punched in the code on the keypad beside the entrance. Slowly, the metal creaked open, and we eased through the opening with the rest of the caravan sneaking in behind us. Finally, I pulled around the circular drive and came to a stop in front of the steps to the main house. I’d only been there a few times and each time I had, I was struck by the grandeur of the place. Asheville Phoenix House looked like an antebellum plantation, complete with sweeping staircases, countless Corinthian columns, and three spacious stories. I smiled as the kids gasped when they exited from my vehicle.

  “We’re staying here?” The little girl’s eyes were wide with surprise.

  I nodded. “Yes, for tonight and maybe for as long as it takes.” I bit my lip. The thought of rebuilding was daunting. “Pizza should be here soon. Let me unlock the door and then you can explore.”

  I trudged up the porch steps and found the key on my keyring. Then I opened the door, stepped inside, and turned on the lights before I let them enter. “Be careful. This place is old. Don’t break anything.”

  They rushed to the bottom of the three-story spiral staircase. I could hear them, their excitement, their curiosity, but I was more concerned with other matters, like our safety and security, like rounding up the rest of the pack, like leading us toward a brighter future.

  Tanner strutted up the steps and joined me on the porch. “So, what’s the plan?” He puffed out his chest some. As the oldest male there, though younger than me by two years, I’m sure he thought it would only be a matter of time until he was in charge. This only strengthened my resolve to lead us.

  “We eat. We leave Lenoir and Shelby in charge of the little ones, then we go back to the homestead and try to collect the rest of our pack.” I shrugged as if this should all be obvious to him.

  He tugged at his chin a minute. “Okay, well, I’ll drive, since I have the bigger vehicle.” The he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Right. Or we could take two vehicles because some might not have a way to get here, and we don’t want to have to make multiple trips.” My brow rose in challenge.

  “I can see that.” He opened his mouth and I expected him to argue, only a buzzing sound emanating from the house interrupted. He jumped, but I simply wandered to the security pad on the inside wall and answered the gate alarm. I held the button on the intercom. “Who is it, please?” Then I released to hear the response.

  “Pizza.”

  “Come in.” I pressed the button to open the gate.

  “Quite the system we have here.” Tanner studied it.

  I nodded. “Too bad there wasn’t anything like this at the homestead. My father wanted to downplay our wealth.” I shrugged. “I’ll handle things differently.” Then I turned on my heels and skipped down the steps to meet the food.

  Tanner followed and soon held all the pizzas while I paid. Then I grabbed the bags with the soda and we mounted the stairs once more to feed the kids while the pizza delivery man drove out through the gates.

  “Dinner!” I made my way to the enormous eat-in kitchen. This wasn’t the night for formality. We’d eat around the counter and on the kitchen table. Hell, some could sit in the keeping room for all I cared.

  As I passed out pizza and directed pups to seats, Tanner followed behind pouring soda. “I couldn’t help but notice your comment a few minutes ago,” he murmured as we made our way back to the island.

  “Oh? Which one?” I could feel my wolf snarling again. I wouldn’t be able to hold her back much longer.

  He shrugged. “You know, the one about how you’ll do things differently.”

  “Yeah. What about it?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  Tanner cleared his throat. “Well, Savvy, the packs are always lead by the Alpha.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Uh huh. They have been.”

  “So, what makes you think you’re going to be running things now? I mean, just because your father was the Alpha…” His voice trailed off when he saw my face.

  I pointed to the French doors off the kitchen. “Outside. Go,” I gritted out. I watched as his eyes widened. “I’m going to show you why I’m the Alpha now.”

  3

  Tanner strode to the door, opened it, and gestured for me to go first. I gnawed on my lip as I stormed past him. Maybe he had intended to have a conversation, but I had something a little more assertive planned. From the veranda, I stomped down to the lawn. When I hit the grass, I whirled around to face him. The way he leisurely strolled down the stairs irritated me even more.

  He rolled up his sleeves. “Now, Savvy. There’s no need for you to get upset.” He flashed a smile. I’d seen other girls, my sisters included, swo
on over him. My reaction was considerably different. His behavior felt condescending.

  “Really, Tanner? And why should I remain calm? How do other wolves act when their superiority is being questioned?” I could feel the growl in my throat. My wolf yearned to be free.

  “Superiority?” His brows rose. “Savvy, you’re sweet. You’re like the princess of the pack.”

  “The what? You think I’m a princess?” I spat the words. “You don’t know me at all.” My hands fisted at my sides.

  “I don’t know you well, but you were raised as the Alpha’s daughter. It’s not like you were groomed to run things.” He shrugged.

  I glared at him. “Wasn’t I?” With an arm, I made a sweeping gesture around the estate. “You knew nothing of this place. You are probably completely unaware of any of our holdings, right?”

  “Well, no, but I meant in a more physical sense.” Tanner tugged at his collar and I knew I’d hit a nerve. He needed me. Alienating me would mean more than simply losing my respect. He’d lose access to everything the Alpha pack owned.

  “It’s all being handed down to me,” I whispered. “My sisters will get a nice lump sum, but the rest is mine. My father told me this long ago, when he realized he wouldn’t have a son.” I stepped closer. To my satisfaction, Tanner struggled to hold his ground. I smiled in a way that made him positively flinch. “Know what else?” He shook his head. “My father taught me to defend what’s mine.”

  Tanner swallowed hard. “We’re all taught how to take care of ourselves.”

  “Try me.” I snarled. In an instant, I had shifted and stood on a pile of my clothes. My lips curled back to reveal my teeth. A growl emanated from my throat.

  Holding his hands up, Tanner murmured, “We don’t have to do this, Savvy.”

  In response, I snapped at him. Until he shifted, we wouldn’t be able to speak. The psychic connection only worked in wolf form.

  His eyes were wide, but I watched him work to cover his fear. “Fine.” He smirked. “Your funeral.” Then he stood before me, on all fours, looking about the size I imagined. While I had blue eyes and dark charcoal fur mixed with white and a pure white underbelly, Tanner was a reddish brown with matching hazel eyes. I could easily be mistaken for a large husky. He was all wolf.