by Celeste Raye
What he did notice was the sound of Isabo's voice. It was so out of place, and for a moment, he had been worried that something had happened to her. Once he heard the conversation Isabo and some unknown gentleman had, he realized the truth.
He kept listening, even though it was breaking his heart. It wasn't like they knew each other enough for a Fred to have any permanent feelings towards her, but the feelings were strong enough that he felt betrayal. The bitterness was unavoidable and invaded his every fiber.
From what he gathered, they were the Bennigans, or what was left of them, and the point of him being there was simple revenge. Fred tried to steel himself to the idea of what they were going to do to him, but no matter how hard he tried, there was still fear slipping in. But the betrayal was the worst. It was suffocating to his senses.
The voices trailed off, and then the little bit of blinding light he had been able to focus on was gone. Now he was steeped back in darkness so black, he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. Fred knew that he had to be underground. Likely a basement and there was no telling whose house he was under. There was no telling his family where he was because they were gone, and when they came back, they were going to have the ancients to deal with.
Fred was starting to worry that maybe it would be so much on his brother’s plates that they wouldn't even notice him gone. How would they find him anyway? It wasn’t like he’d told anyone his plans. Claire knew that he had a date, but the details had been too vague to go off of.
He assured himself that it wouldn't happen, but it was hard to shake. The feeling that he was alone was almost as bad as the idea that Isabo had something to do with it. That she had forced him into a situation for him to be tortured was cataclysmic. All of the feelings he felt for her were slapping him in the face now, telling him he was an idiot.
Fred tried to stay awake as long as he could. He was so intent on hatching a plan to get out of there that he exhausted himself. Maybe it was the tranquilizer drugs working out of his system, but his mind was shutting down.
He drifted off to sleep in the only position that he could find that made him comfortable. His hands were tied behind his back, and he had to lay on his side a little bit. There was a part of him that didn't want to see what tomorrow would bring. The only thing he’d had to look forward to in a very long time had turned into betrayal. Maybe that was his sign that women just weren't for him. Love wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
It was certainly starting to feel that way, and Fred’s optimism, couldn’t touch reality, no matter how well he tried to spin it.
“So, are you going to tell me what the hell you were doing? I mean, you have to understand our surprise when you changed the spot and didn’t even tell us, Isabo. It doesn’t look good. It looks like you betrayed us.”
Isabo tried to void her expression of any emotions. She knew that it wasn't going to do her any good with Jasper to feel anything. He could see through her in a moment, and Isabo wasn't good at being cold.
“I don't know what I was doing, Jasper.”
He scoffed and told her that she was going to have to have a better explanation than that.
Isabo had hoped that he would just let it go, but he wasn't going to. He was still staring at her intently, waiting for an answer. Isabo didn't know how she was supposed to explain it, that she felt a connection to a complete stranger that was strong enough for her to betray her family. There was no way to put that into words that Jasper would ever understand because Isabo doubted he had ever found love.
“I don't know, Jasper; you know that I've never done anything like this. I've always stayed out of the violent side of the clan. The idea of torturing somebody is hard for me to get behind. I know it has to be done, but it's tough for me.”
“And what about now? Our plans haven’t changed just because you grew a conscience.”
“No, I see how intent you are on doing this, and I don't blame you for it. You know that I want revenge as well, I just wouldn't have gone this route. Who am I to say, though, that this is the right or the wrong way? I have no clue.”
Jasper nodded his head and agreed. Isabo was just playing into what she knew he wanted to hear. Her cousin had lost himself along the way. It was most likely because he lost everything and everyone he had ever known. It was understandable, but that didn't mean that she wanted to be privy to the revenge that was going to be wrought because of it. Isabo was still hoping that there was a way for everyone to come out of it alive.
“So, what do you need me to do, Jasper?”
“You don't need to do anything now, Isabo. All I needed you to do was get him here, and here he is. I can do the rest with Brick’s help. You don’t have to get your lily-white hands dirty.”
Isabo didn't like the sound of that because she wouldn't be able to help Fred out of it. If Jasper and Brick pushed her away, there was no telling what was going to happen to Fred. Her mind was already playing out the scenarios, and each one left her sick to her stomach. She had to convince him that there was a better way.
“I thought you said you were going to use him for ransom, not torture for the pleasure of it.”
“I don't think I remember tying myself to any one method Isabo. Why do you care so much what happens to him?”
The suspicion was back in his eyes, and Isabo tried to dissuade him from it. It wasn't going to do her any good if Jasper was looking at her sideways all the time. There had to be something that she could say to get them back on track. It felt like everything she was saying at the moment, was making him look at her even harder.
“I don't care what happens to him necessarily. It's just the idea of violence, I guess. I was hoping that you will be able to use him to get the witch and his brother to come to save him, then you could just take them out. Easily and quickly. Then you could do whatever you wanted with the bodies, and the revenge would be done.”
It was hard for her to say such things and knowing who it was she was talking about, but Isabo had to keep going. She had to convince Jasper that she was just as cold and calculated as he was. That was the only thing he understood. Strength, or the puffed-up version of strength that he had. Isabo hoped that she had done enough. Said enough.
“I didn't know that you had thought about it so much. The way that you were trying to save him last night made me think you cared.”
“I want to save lives, but I understand when it needs to be taken. I will not get any pleasure out of killing him or his family. Just like I hope they didn't get any pleasure out of killing ours, and if they did, let us not be like them. We are better than them, Jasper, and you know it.”
Playing on Jasper's ego, he immediately agreed. His head was nodding hard. That was exactly what he wanted to hear, and she smiled to herself. If nothing else, at least he was easier to handle that way.
She rubbed her wrists and tried to forget that the very cousin that she was talking to now was the one that had thrown her into a basement only a few hours before. She couldn't let her guard down for even a moment, because if she did, it would be catastrophic for Fred.
“That is the great thing about this, Isabo; you don't have to worry about the ins and the outs. We're going to take care of all this. All you have to do is sit back and relax from this point on. I will let you know when it's done and our family has been avenged. That's all I can do right now.”
Isabo knew that she had to get in one way or another, but it felt like if she said anything else, she would be pushing it. Jasper was making it clear that she wasn't wanted. Isabo could understand that sentiment, so she had to make him need her. Isabo just didn’t know how she was going to do it yet.
Chapter Ten
After a lot of deliberation, Isabo decided that the best thing she could do was find the two people that Jasper was actually looking for. He wanted the witch that had killed everyone and Donovan, who had killed and tortured many people years before. Isabo wasn't thinking about their safety at all. She was thinking about Fred’s
and how she couldn't let their sins be paid for by him.
So, she went to the clubhouse of the Rebel Bears and asked to speak to their leader. When they wanted to know who was requesting such a thing, Isabo kept the fact that she was a Bennigan from them. She figured it wouldn't get her an audience any faster, and if it did, it certainly wouldn't be for a good reason. The guy was going to be mad enough when he found out what she had to say anyway. She hoped that he was at least half as fair as his younger brother thought he was.
A blonde named Alexis that seemed human told her to wait a moment. Isabo had given a different last name, the one that she had given Fred before. At least the human couldn't tell that she was lying.
It was another ten minutes before she came back out with a frown on her face. “My husband is going to take a moment. He is quite busy, as you can imagine. Are you sure that you want to wait around for another half an hour or so to see him? If you tell me what it is about, I can relay the message and get you out of here a lot sooner.”
Isabo didn't know if she was really interested in helping her out or if she was just being nosey. She wasn't going to tell her anything and instead, just smiled and said that she didn't mind waiting.
The blonde was stiff as she left, and Isabo didn’t let it bother her. It's not like she knew her or would have to be around her again. Even if there was a chance that one day, they would be family. Isabo just shook her head at the thought.
The last thought ran through her mind so quickly that it confused her because Isabo legitimately didn't know where it came from. She was so wrapped up in the idea that the woman was jealous of her that she didn't even see the writing on the wall. Maybe it wasn't safe for her to be there after all.
The man that came into the room looked a little bit like Fred, but he was almost twice the size and obviously older. There was an authority that entered the room right along with him, and Isabo didn't even have to ask who it was. It must be Jake, the Alpha. She was sure of it.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here, demanding an audience?”
He looked tense like he’d had a bad day or he had heard a lot of news that wasn't so good since he had returned. He was intimidating, but that was probably the point. She had to look past it, or she wasn’t going to be able to get it out.
“I am here to talk about your brother.”
“Which one? I got three of them. So, you're going to have to narrow it down a bit.”
“Well, I guess I want to talk to you about the one that's missing right now. He's been missing since yesterday, right?”
That alarmed Jake, and the intimidation factor seemed to triple from that point on. He looked at Isabo like he might slice her throat. She was shaking inside, trying not to meet his gaze.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She was a little put-off, but instead of being offended, she just shrugged it off.
“Your brother Fred has been kidnapped, and he is going to be held ransom for Donovan and the witch that killed all the Bennigans a few months back. If the two of them do not come forward when asked, they're going to torture Fred. They're probably already torturing him right now as we speak.”
Jake's expression turned murderous. “Who are you again?”
“Isabo Bennigan.”
“So, you were sent here to give me that message?”
Isabo shook her head.
“No one sent me here. I'm here on his behalf. I can see what they are willing to do to him, and he doesn't deserve it. If what my cousin says is true and it really was Donovan and the witch that caused all of the troubles for my clan, then they should come forward and face what is to come next. It shouldn't be put on your youngest brother’s shoulders. He doesn't deserve any of it.”
“I have to say I tend to agree with you. Fred has done no wrong.”
“Then what are we going to do about it? My cousins are not men that are going to listen to reason. If something doesn't happen soon, then I don't know what they’re going to do to him. I don't even want to think about it, because it makes me sick.”
Jake looked at her with curiosity. “Why are you here?”
She looked at him, confused. Did he not just hear what she said?
“I just told you.”
“Yeah, yeah, I heard that you are here to help, but why? I'm not saying that I’m not grateful for you telling me this information, especially if you really are telling the truth and your family did not send you here. But then again, I have to wonder why you felt so strongly to come here and tell me? How do you know Fred?”
Another question without a clear answer. Isabo was floundering again for what to say. How could she say anything when Jake was looking at her as though he was ready to rip her throat out? Her instinct was to turn into her wolf, but Isabo knew that it wouldn’t be enough. She was going to have to somehow explain it all to him.
“I met your brother not too long ago, and let's just say that he made an impression on me. He is probably one of the purest people I've ever met. I will tell you now that I was supposed to help with this plan, but after meeting Fred, there's no way that I can be a part of it. I also can't stand by and let it happen. So, if you want to help him, you need to do it now.”
Isabo was afraid to look at the guy, but she finally did. She had to know what he was thinking, and for a moment, all she could see was a whole lot of anger. That was to be expected. What she was telling him couldn't be something that was pleasant by any stretch of the imagination.
She waited for him to say something, and then after a moment, he just kind of nodded his head.
“Fred always gets that reaction from people. There is no way to hate him. It seems like maybe there is more between the two of you, but I guess that is for later.”
Isabo felt her face flush, and she wished that she weren't so fair-skinned. It would have been nice if she could have held that emotion in.
“So, why don't you just tell us where he is being kept and we can go get him?”
That was, of course, the easiest way to take care of it, but she knew that it was going to end very badly for Jasper and Brick if she did it that way. As much as she didn't agree with their choice and how they dealt with their grief, Isabo was desperately looking for a way to get everyone out alive. She hadn't figured out how that was supposed to happen, but she was working on it, and the first step was to get their replacements there.
“As much as I would like to do that Jake, you have to know that I won't be able to. After what happened to the rest of my family, my mother and father and sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, you can imagine that I’m not eager to go that route.”
“So, what are you suggesting?”
“That the people they want take his place like it is intended. Then your brother doesn't have to pay for your sins.”
“And you said that they want who?”
“They want Donovan and the witch. I don't know who she is exactly, just the one that destroyed our clan. They take his place, and he is able to go free.”
“Then what?”
She kind of shrugged and said that she didn't have an idea. Isabo wasn't thinking about them or anything else. She was only thinking about helping the sweet man that had taken her breath away and made her rethink everything. The rest was up to them.
After a moment, Jake smiled. “I can't say that I like your proposal very well, but I would agree that getting my brother out of there as quickly as possible is the best plan of action. You're right when you say he doesn't deserve such a thing. He really doesn't.”
She had to believe that he was telling the truth and he would do like she asked. Isabo just didn't realize that it was going to take a little longer than she had hoped. Her heart fell when he told her that it would take a couple of days for his brother and the witch to get back before they could take his place. That made Isabo nervous because she was afraid that something would happen to Fred before that.
When she said as much to Jake about it, he offered himself. Th
at’s what she’d needed to hear. She wanted Fred out of there immediately.
“What do you mean?”
“Take me with you, and I will trade myself for Fred. Then Donovan and Charlie's wife will get there eventually. I don't know how any of this is going to work out, but you are right to say that Fred is innocent. Of all of us, he is the least to deserve any of it. Let me talk to a couple of people, and then I will go with you. Then you can take Fred home, and Donovan can take over when he gets here.”
“How about I come back in an hour with an answer?”
Jake agreed and said that he would be waiting. Isabo had a bad feeling. It just seemed too easy. Or was he really that willing to give himself up? The way Fred had talked about his brother, that would be in line with his supposed personality. But that could all be a ruse, and the only way that it was going to work was if she had some assurances, which she knew was going to come from Jasper.
The only problem was that Jasper didn't want to talk about it. He wanted her out of the situation because of how she had acted. If only she had known that she could so quickly fix it. Maybe she would have pushed a little harder the night before. Now she was going to have to go to him and explain how she had gone behind his back once again. He would either be happy or he would feel betrayed again. Either way could end complicated for her.
Chapter Eleven
Jasper was quite excited to hear that she had convinced the leader to take his brother’s place. While Jake wasn't necessarily the person that they wanted, he would do until the two they wanted were available.
Fred felt pain in every inch of his body. When he heard that his older brother was there to take his place, he immediately felt relief that made him feel bad. He wasn't supposed to feel relief. He was supposed to endure like the rest of his brothers were able to do. There was so much that made him feel useless at the moment, and the idea that he was suddenly free and the relief that came from it was the worst of all.
