In Too Deep: Adirondack Pack, #5

By K.C. Stewart

Alpha assistant, Lylia has a secret—a secret she'll do anything to keep from the Adirondack pack. Paying off the Canidae pack is becoming increasingly more difficult. With her finances running low, Lylia knows she has to do something.

Visiting enforcer, Miles knows that something is shady with Lylia. She's hiding something and he knows it. Determined to uncover her secrets, Miles follows Lylia into enemy territory. What Miles discovers is more devastating than he could have imagined. Now, Miles and Lylia must work together to destroy their rivals once and for all. But will teaming up lead to something more—something deeper—neither expected?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.C. Stewart
• Release date: May 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386200291

K.C. Stewart

K.C. Stewart is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Hailey Holloway series and most recently, the Adirondack Pack series. All her life she had fantasized and day-dreamed on a regular basis but it wasn’t until she began writing short stories that she made those fantasies a reality. She has graduated to novels but still dabbles in the occasional flash fiction and short story. Because of her love for reading and the written word, K.C. is currently working towards her Masters in Library Science. When she isn’t taking photographs, studying or writing, she is supporting a very real gummy bear habit. Currently, she lives with her husband and pack of german sheperds.

Book preview

One

"To date, you've paid sixty-four thousand seven hundred and fifty-two dollars. Why? Because you’re an idiot."

Lylia counted out the most recent deposit amount, only five hundred this time, which meant the next one was going to destroy her bank account. Something needed to change. How much longer would she be able to keep this up?

For the last three years, Lylia had been blackmailed by persons unknown.

Well, that wasn't the entire truth. She may not know the name of the person doing this but there was no doubt in her mind that it was Canidae; the group of shifters who embraced the raw, untamed nature of the wolf and wanted their kind to be known and feared by the world. Lylia would even go so far as to name the individual pack doing this.

It was a misconception that only one group called themselves Canidae. In reality, there was a whole subculture within their community who had always gone by that name. She knew that not all Canidae packs were vicious. Most, in fact, were harmless, merely wanting to live in harmony with their wolf. She knew that all of this trouble was being caused by one renegade pack. She knew because she grew up Canidae.

It wasn't a common practice but there were a dozen or so packs out there that preferred the wolf life. Her parents, although, not living in their old pack, were still living in a Canidae pack in West Virginia. They were peaceful people, nothing like the monsters that had taken it upon themselves to disrupt everything their elders stood for.

Lylia took a breath and sealed the envelope. She was at the start of a hiking trail. It was her lunch hour and she needed to get back. Lylia slipped from the car and looked around. No other cars were parked in the small gravel lot. Didn't mean she was alone, though.

Her booties, skinny jeans and blouse didn't allow her to blend with the normal clothing preferences of someone going on a hike. She needed to make it fast or risk questions. Lylia darted onto the trail and almost immediately off again. There was a tree right at the start with a large hole in it. The drop place changed every month but this one was used fairly often. Lylia shoved the envelope into the hole and left as quickly as she could.

She no longer felt the rush of adrenaline or fear of getting caught. Years of blackmail had hardened her to it. In fact, sometimes she wondered why she cared at all. Would it really be such a bad thing if her Alpha, Owen, knew about her origins? The pack might label her a traitor but she knew in her gut that Owen would let her tell her story. She'd still be handed over to the visiting enforcer and probably killed depending on his judgment. Tall, muscular, dark hair and light, piercing eyes; he had a face that didn't invite conversation and an attitude to match. Ever since he arrived at their doorstep, she had avoided all contact with the man.

Miles loathed Canidae. His wife had been taken by them and he had never found her. When it came to Canidae interrogations, he had a reputation. Lylia would be lucky if he made it a quick death, and death was definitely on the table.

For years, she had worked the problem but the longer it took her to find a solution, the guiltier she appeared. Lylia should have gone to her alpha or the enforcer after she received the first letter. Shoulda, coulda, woulda didn't get her any closer to not being dead though. When it came to Canidae, everyone acted first and thought later. So what if she had left the pack? Her parents were still active Canidae members, although the peaceful kind. But that didn’t make her look any less traitorous. Lylia paid, though. She had never broken the Adirondack Pack's trust. Lylia paid every time, on time.

She gripped the steering wheel with both hands and stared at the tree holding her money. This was not the life she would have chosen for herself. A month before her eighteenth birthday, Lylia had left her pack. She had abandoned her home, family and way of life. It had been entirely for her safety and it had been her parents who had urged her to run. In those unsteady days, it had been run, conform or die.

Lylia had confessed all to Jett, Owen's father and previous Alpha, when she arrived. He had convinced her to stay. He promised her a home and protection, which is exactly what he had given her. No one knew of her past here, Jett had taken that to the grave. However, that is also how she got into the mess she was in now.

And that's why you pay, she said, to the quiet car. For your life. Canidae drained her dry every few weeks. If she had the means to leave, she wasn't sure she would. They'd find her again and just ask for more. At least here, she had an honorable alpha who she truly believed would listen if it ever came out. That might be all she would get but it would be enough.

It would have to be enough.

Lylia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had a few weeks to put this behind her, to live. She started her car, backed out of her spot and started back to the pack house.

I have an idea, Miles said, with a roughness in his voice that spoke more of his annoyance than sarcasm. Let's gather all of the most dominant assholes from Maryland to Maine and put them in a room together. I'm sure their productivity will be legendary. He wasn't looking at Owen, even though he was speaking to him, there was too much going on for him to risk looking away now. The strained energy of the room had turned sour and violent. Miles scanned over the tables of male alphas who were currently having a pissing contest with the only female alpha in the room.

I'll admit, Owen said, with a grunt. I had hoped for better.

No, what he hoped for was a miracle. There was a reason wolves lived in packs and not intermingled like this. When the most dominant of them met someone their equal, chaos ensued. Most could keep their shit together when it was a small grouping but there were a dozen pack alphas here along with their enforcers and high ranking pack members. It was a lot of testosterone.

God, it's like watching time rewind. Who knew so many of them would be more upset over Savannah becoming alpha of Champlain pack then of Canidae killing our kind?

It had been hard keeping everyone on track. Owen was trying but each of them was used to being the loudest voice in the room, now they weren't. They picked fights with those they thought were weaker than them in order to find a new ranking among the alphas. They all took Savannah as easy prey but she was more dominant than most of the men there. She also had more control than many of them and knew which battles needed to be fought.

Look, Charles, if you want to whip out your dick and compare it with mine, that's fine. You'll be disappointed with the results. My metaphorical dick is quite large with some big heavy balls to offset the length and girth but I'm sure your manly alpha ego can handle it, Savannah said, while holding up her hand like she was cupping said balls. But, and I hope I speak for most everyone here, I think we better head back to the topic at hand before Owen whips out his dick and puts all of us to shame.

All eyes cut to where Owen was watching, his face void of all expression. They had been discussing what options they had for Canidae. Nothing good yet. At least, that's what Miles thought. He hadn't had a chance to talk it over with Owen but from the seething silence that was pulsing from him, he'd say he wasn't too pleased with the progress either.

From what they'd gathered, no one had issues like the Adirondack Pack was facing. A death here and there, wolves being rumored to have been recruited and leaving their home packs. There were a few, like Miles, who had a personal stake in this but most had come out of curiosity. It meant that the Canidae problem wasn't as widespread as they were led to believe. That meant something, Miles just wasn't sure what that was yet.

That's probably the smartest thing I've heard all day, Savannah, Owen said. Now if everyone would please be seated.

There were a few in the group who blatantly disregarded Owen and turned their backs to continue whatever conversation they were having. Miles knew the kind of alpha that Owen was. He looked laid back and from the outside, he was lenient with his pack, but after spending the last few weeks there, Miles could say first hand that that wasn't the case. What Owen had was respect. He didn't need to command his pack because they respected him enough to do without commanding.

The assholes of the group who, coincidentally, were also the ones rumored to be Canidae sympathizers, had no idea the beast they would unleash if they kept this bullshit up.

I said sit down, Owen growled.

Miles felt the command ripple across his skin. Had he not already been sitting, his butt would have dropped instantly. Surprised faces looked up to where Owen was sitting, hands folded on the table, waiting patiently for orders to be followed. One by one each fought and lost the battle, eventually taking their seats.

Owen rubbed a rough hand over his jaw. This isn't going well. I think we all need some time to collect ourselves. Let's break for some lunch, clear our heads and meet back here in two hours.

Various grunts of acknowledgment met their ears as people began to push back their seats and leave.

Miles followed Owen out. They walked silently down the hall to the stairs that lead to the guest rooms upstairs. Savannah's pack owned an inn and had agreed to host this retreat. That meant they had land to run on and didn't have to hide their wolves from any humans. All those working were shifters.

How'd it go? Mira asked, the second the door opened. She was sitting on the couch in their room, her foot bouncing rapidly. She wasn't happy when Owen asked her to stay behind this morning. Miles agreed with him though. They needed to get a feel for the environment before they let her come along. He would have done the same thing with his Mate.

As expected, he said, sitting down beside her. Everyone mostly argued.

No fights?

He shook his head. None that were physical.

So I can come this afternoon? she asked, brightening up.

Miles grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sat on the chair beside them. While they argued over Mira attending the next session, he checked his phone. His alpha from the Susquehanna Pack had texted him. Miles was on loan from his pack to the Adirondack Pack. There were not enough enforcers to go around. It wasn't a job many volunteered for. Often times packs had to borrow a neighboring pack's enforcer if the situation was severe. Miles was there to help train the Adirondack Pack's new Enforcer, Carter Bennett. He was a local cop; a steady guy who Miles liked. He wouldn't need much training once he agreed to take the position. Neither Owen nor Miles thought he would turn it down.

This was the first time he was seeing his alpha since being contracted out to the AP. He assumed Ian wanted to get together to catch up but the text was something else entirely.

Owen, he said, interrupting their debate. We've got an issue.

Of course we do. There are a dozen alphas under one roof. There are bound to be a few popping up.

Miles looked up from his phone to find Owen leaned forward and rubbing his head. Mira stood mumbling something about Tylenol for his headache and left the room.

Canidae is rumored to be here, Miles said, when she was gone.

Owen's chest expanded and exhaled a sigh. Dammit. I thought we'd have a few days before they caught wind. Who'd they come with?

That was the thing about Owen, he was always five steps ahead of everyone else. Back in his pack, Miles was always the one ahead but here he felt like he was always catching up.

Ian didn't know who. I'll reach out to a few of the enforcers I know here and see if any of them heard anything.

Owen nodded. Guess that settles that. Rabbit! he yelled and she popped her head out of the bathroom looking guilty. Mira was a known eavesdropper and not a very good one at that.

Uh, yeah?

Owen's lips ticked with a smile. The man had it bad for the curvy little sprite. You are not coming this afternoon.

Mira stepped into the hallway, hands on her hips, readying her argument. But-

Nope. Not hearing it. Owen held up a hand, cutting her off. You are not coming along because we are going home.

Really? she asked. Miles wanted to ask the same thing.

She walked over and dropped some pills in his hand and put a glass of water on the table in front of him. Owen tugged her down beside him and kissed her before tossing back the pain meds and washing them down with water.

Yes, really. It may seem like we are retreating and you would be right, that is exactly what we are doing. Canidae is targeting my pack so that means they will either try something here where I am vulnerable or try something back home where the pack is unprotected.

They are not unprotected. Tyson is there and Carter...

He shook his head. No. Best place for us to be is back home.

This wasn't going anywhere, anyway, Miles added. I noted who the sympathizers were and who we could count on. I think that's going to be about as much as we are going to get.

Owen nodded. Agreed. We'll compare notes when we get back. Rabbit, start packing. Miles, I want you to head back now. Tell Carter and Lylia what's going on. We are going to head to the elders before coming home.

We are? Mira asked, still sitting in his lap.

Owen leaned in and kissed her. We are. There are a few I want you to meet, a few submissives who can answer the questions you have.

Her eyes slid over to Miles who hadn't shown any kind of surprise at the news. It wasn't supposed to be common knowledge that Mira and Sadie's father was a shifter and the sisters had been submissives, but this was the pack and it was known by everyone. They were all just being polite by not talking about it to Mira or Sadie.

Do you want me to tell the alphas anything? Miles asked.

No. I'll inform Savannah and she can handle it from there.

Miles nodded. I'll stop by and tell Ian as well. He'll stick around in case any of them try to give her a hard time.

Owen chuckled as he helped Mira to her feet and stood himself. I don't think she'll need much help. She has a long, thick dick and big balls, remember?

Two

Miles had stopped by Ian's room before he left. It felt good to see his Alpha again. Owen had been more than hospitable but Ian and the Susquehanna pack were his home. He was filled in on the happenings back home. Hopefully, he'd be able to go back there soon. Carter wouldn't need much training and he'd have Tyson, the retired enforcer, to ask any questions he might have later on.

He headed back to New York calling Carter on the way. The wolf was staying at the pack house while Owen was gone as sort of a trial run. Miles wouldn't get in the way of that. Owen still wouldn't be back for a few days and Miles planned on going for a long run--at least a night or two--in the mountains.

After informing Lylia about Owen and Mira, he'd take off. It had been a couple months since he checked out for a few days and just