by KM Lowe
“I’ve been wracking my brain for the last two hours. I don’t have anything definite yet, but we need to know how many directions they can attack from. I don’t have a pack here that I can call upon to help us. They’ve got the upper hand number-wise, but we have the strength and agility to complete this. We need to keep our wits about us. There won’t be any time for screw-ups. We get in, get the bastards taken care of, and we get the casualties out,” says Jasper
“As simple as that. You missed the part that we can’t get into their camp,” says Callum.
Stracey steps in. “You will. I’ll channel some energy from something or someone. I’ll get you in.”
“Does it need to be someone magical that you channel your energy from?” asks Ashley.
“No. Just someone who is willing for me to tap into their natural energy. Someone who isn’t fighting this battle, because they will feel weak and tired afterwards.”
“I can call Jake.” Ashley stands up and takes a phone from her pocket. “He’ll be happy to help. He isn’t into all of this vampire business anymore, but he is against what’s happening here. He’ll also be on the outside with Stracey if she needs him.”
“Who’s Jake?” Jasper snaps.
“Jake is my father-in-law.”
“Jasper, do you want to organise the teams we’re in? I’m leaving this to you, because I’m not into this. The last time it was Ashley and Dale we were fighting for, and I promised myself and Lavina that this life wouldn’t overtake me anymore.”
“Okay. Well, I hope you’re all right. I hope this does take them by surprise. From what I can see on the map, there is only one way in on foot. Now, these mutts will try anything to get away from us, so we need to be alert. We have three wolves, three vampires, a witch, and a standby vampire. I say we split into two groups. Stracey and Jake will be on the outside. I’ll take Kevin and Lelland with me, leaving Callum to have Ashley and Lavina. We’re split up equally, because I believe with the mixture of powers we have, the better it will help to bring this to a head. We go in, take care of the bastards causing this, and we get out. Anything else is burned to the ground. We don’t want anyone to come back and bite us on the arse.”
This is the first time I’ve seen Jasper in business mode. Same with Callum. The joking and banter has stopped and they’re thinking through every possible setback we may face.
“Jake will meet us at the foot of the mountains in one hour,” Ashley tells us as she sits back down in her seat.
“Good. I say we take a couple of vehicles out to the area Ashley took us to earlier. It’ll be close enough if we need help to get casualties to safety. We can walk the short distance from there. Any questions?”
“Yeah.” Ashley holds her hand up. “What are we not allowed to do? This is the first time I’ve worked alongside the council. Is there anything we should or shouldn’t do?”
I’m glad someone asked this question, because I feel like I’ve been thrown in at the deep end here. I’ve had no training for any of this. I’m just going in here with the power and agility I know I have from my time in my father’s pack of misfits. The only thing he did right was show me how much strength I have.
“Just do whatever you need to survive and get out,” Jasper says, like it’s just common sense.
“They sent us the best person to work with,” Lelland says as he closes the gap between us. “Any time I’ve worked with Jasper in the past, he turns a blind eye to a lot. We’re here on a mission to help the innocent and protect our kind from being public knowledge. The rogues are not our concern, right, Jasper?”
“Right,” Jasper confirms. “Anything else?”
No one answers, but I feel uneasy now. My palms are sweating. My heart is racing. My skin is prickled with goosebumps. This mission is really happening. There’s no more room for gathering information or making plans.
“I’ll be right back. Kev, can I have a minute?”
I nod and follow Jasper through to the study. A part of me is glad of this conversation, but another part of me is a nervous wreck.
Jasper perches on the edge of the desk and I stand in front of him with my arms folded over my chest. I’m not trying to look like a confident, hard man. I’m just trying to hide my nerves and anxiety. If my hands aren’t fidgeting, it might look like I have my head screwed on.
“You want to talk about it, son?”
I let out a sigh and shake my head. I honestly don’t know what to say. For the first time in my life, I feel like me and my beast are two different things. I’m usually on board with my wolf and vice versa, but this is horrible.
“I honestly don’t know what to say, Jasper. I…” I shrug and let my arms flop down by my sides. There’s no point hiding this from Jasper, because he’s a good leader and he’ll see how on edge I am.
“It’s okay to feel like this. Granted, it hasn’t happened at the perfect time, but these things happen for a reason. The Goddess has obviously picked you for this mission. She believes in you. I believe in you. Your mate will also believe in you.”
I wish everyone would stop assuming I’m about to meet my mate. I’m not mentally or physically ready for any of this. I’m a wolf shifter. A brother. A pack member. I’m not mate material… now or ever.
“I’m not ready. I’ve just found a stable environment that I call home. We’re in the middle of this war amongst our own kind, and my only family is at home worrying about me. What is the Goddess thinking?” If I could stomp my foot and throw a fit, this would be the time to do it.
“I wish I had the answer to that, but no one will truly understand why the Goddess does what she does. She does it to better us. As a shifter, I’m going to tell you the same as I told Markus when Lisa was taken, because I know how much of a pull a mate has on you. I know how difficult it is to keep your head where it needs to be. We go into this together, we come out together. Do not, I repeat, do not go off on your own, no matter what. I can’t go home and tell Lisa we’ve lost you.”
“I won’t, but I don’t think you’d have to tell her. She seems pretty tuned in where I’m concerned. I just wish her vision could tell us more.”
“Me too, but you’re right. Lisa loves you. She’s going to be one powerful shifter when she gets a handle on her power, and she’ll need you by her side.”
I nod, but I’m terrified of not being able to follow orders. I’m terrified of getting someone hurt because my wolf goes off on his own. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with the guilt if anything happens because of me.
***
About an hour later, we’re all making our way to the foot of the mountains. If we weren’t facing this deadly mission, I’d be in awe with the surrounding scenery, smells of nature, and fresh air. It truly is something else. Everything is so open. It even beats the Scottish Highlands, and I never thought I’d hear myself saying that because I love my home country.
We all stop and I spot someone walking from the trees. Immediately, my senses kick in.
“It’s only Jake,” Lelland says.
An older gentleman walks to meet us. He holds his hand out to Lelland, but kisses Ashley on the cheek. “Hello, my dear. I take it you had to strap my son to a bed to be here alone.”
“No. He has some business to attend to with Carlos in Anchorage. He won’t be home until morning. Hopefully, that’s enough time to get this over with, be home, have breakfast on the table for him, and be the dutiful wife everyone thinks I am.”
I find myself laughing at Ashley. She’s feisty, straight to the point, witty… I wouldn’t like to piss her off. I’ve seen her nice side, her caring side, but I’ve also seen her about to rip Callum a new one. I think I’ll stick on her good side.
Jasper steps forward and addresses Jake. “Okay. Thanks for coming out here, Jake. I know this isn’t your thing, but we appreciate it. You’ll be staying on the outside of the perimeter with Stracey. She’s going to channel some of your energy to break their boundary spell. I don’t want you or her a
nywhere near that pack, understood? You keep each other safe and out of the way.”
“What happens if we get in and the boundary spell goes back up? Are we stuck in there?” asks Callum.
This is another question I didn’t have the balls to ask. I’m here to make up the numbers and I don’t want to be a burden.
Stracey clears her throat. “I’ll just have to take it back down again, but if you find their witch in there, take him or her out and you won’t need me at all because the spell will automatically be broken.”
“Any one of them could be the witch.” I speak up for the first time since we left the study over an hour ago.
“We’ll be able to find her. We just need to be alert. We have no idea what we face in here. We have one aim. We get in, we get out. Nothing else matters at the moment. We all understand what we’re doing?”
Whether we understand or not, we agree with Jasper. I feel a little better knowing I’m going in with him. I know in my heart that, no matter what happens, we’ll protect one another. I know that’s why he chose me to go on his team. Being apart, the unknown would drive us crazy.
I’m going crazy as it is, never mind being away from Jasper. For some reason, I feel grounded when I’m around him. My wolf still misbehaves, but I feel like I have a little bit more control.
Walking up the mountain is easy. We make it in good time and I stop beside Jasper when he stops walking. Stracey moves away from him and starts getting ready for whatever magic she’s going to do. She kneels on the ground and I wander off to the side a few feet away. I won’t go too far, but I need to be moving. Watching magic always puts me on edge. I need a clear head now more than ever. I can’t get stuck in the past.
“Jasper,” Stracey whispers, making me turn back to the group. “You’ll have five minutes to get everyone in before I have to release the spell. I need to keep my energy for getting you out if you don’t find their witch.”
“Understood.” Jasper waves his hands to the guys behind us. Our team is behind Jasper, and Callum’s team is behind him. “Stracey.” Jasper turns back to his woman and our group stops beside him.
Stracey stands up quickly. “Don’t, Jasper. Just do what you have to.”
I feel for Jasper. This isn’t easy for him, having me and Stracey here. I’m just glad it’s me witnessing her harsh tone, because Markus or Joel probably wouldn’t have let that slide without saying something. More so Joel, because I know he’s had words with her before.
“Jake, I need you to stand with your legs hip width apart. Hold your hands out to the side, and with your right hand, take my hand in yours. You’ll feel little electric currents running through your body when the spell starts, but you’ll be perfectly safe.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m made of the strong stuff. If you can turn into a vampire after a bear attack, you can do anything.”
I’m intrigued by this old man. There seems much more to his story, but bear attack? Wow. And I thought I had it bad. The only difference between them and us is that we’re born shifters. I think vampires need to be bitten before they’re turned, so I guess they all have some story to tell regarding their change of lifestyle.
“Ready?” Stracey asks, and we all nod.
The moment the spell starts, my wolf pounces around. He’s knocking my concentration off. I wish I could give the beast a tranquiliser to shut it up.
“Jasper, go,” Stracey says quickly, but then continues her chant.
I don’t hesitate to follow Jasper. The moment we step through the barrier, my senses kick in. The smell of blood and fear lingers in the air, but I keep quiet and follow Jasper and Lelland. Callum has already separated from us and this feels like the calm before the storm.
“We’re getting closer. I can smell them. We need to shift here, Kev. You ready?” asks Jasper.
“I’ve been ready from late last night, Jasper. My wolf is howling to get out.” I shake my head in disgust at my wolf’s behaviour.
“Okay. Stay quiet and low to the ground until we can move in.”
We strip out of our clothes and leave them in a pile behind some bushes. I don’t think I’ve ever shifted so quickly before. I usually hear my bones breaking and aligning. Watch nails appear, and fur, until I stand on four very large feet. But I hear and feel nothing. I’m focused on the task at hand.
“Jesus Christ, Jasper. I forgot how big you are,” says Lelland quietly.
If I could laugh as a wolf, I would. I remember the first time I saw Jasper in wolf form. I was terrified to move or say a word. I think I just said anything he wanted to hear, but he’s a big gentle giant with family and friends. It’s his enemy I feel sorry for, because he doesn’t give them much time to act.
“Mangy mutts stink.” Lelland waves his hand in front of his face and I snarl at him. “Not you two. I can tolerate you. You’re clean.”
As much as I hate the word mutt, I have to agree with Lelland. You can always tell when you’re near a rogue pack, because health and hygiene go out of the window.
“Let’s keep moving forward.”
I move at one side of Lelland and keep my focus. It’s just a matter of time before things erupt. I can’t help but think their witch isn’t that powerful after all, because my father’s witch would have known the moment the barrier was broken, no matter who broke it. I expected us to get ambushed the moment we crossed over, but so far… nothing.
“Jasper, Callum is on the top of that cave. They can see us. Do you want them to stay there?” asks Lelland.
I lift my head to look up around me, but I don’t see them. A small gust of wind picks up and a scent gets stuck in my nose. The hair on the back of my neck rises and I dig my nails into the ground to keep control. With every step, I scratch my paws across the ground. Concentrate.
I notice the cave up ahead and Jasper walks away first. I growl as he blocks my entrance. Thankfully, he takes no notice and carries on into the open cave. Lelland’s like a sandwich in between both of us. I keep my head down, nose trailing across the ground. The smell of blood and urine has my wolf whining softly. He sounds distraught.
Then out of nowhere, a scream and a cry has me jolting upright. Without another thought, my wolf takes off in front of Jasper. I don’t care what I face at the other end of this cave, I just need to get to something. Anything. I just hope my wolf knows what he’s looking for, because I certainly don’t.
I stop dead as the cave opens up into a huge open space. Stacked from floor to ceiling are cages full of girls. Some don’t even look aware that we’re here. Some look curious, but relieved. I look to my side and see a table in the corner. My wolf howls and follows through with a growl. I take off with the girl in sight, and the three mangy mutts that come from nowhere are no match for my anger. I rip their throats out and let their limp bodies fall to the ground. I make my way to the table. The look of the girl lying lifeless on the table, her body bruised and battered, has my wolf whining. I nudge the side of her face with my nose, but nothing. I can hear her faint heartbeat, but I don’t think she can suffer like this for much longer.
I hear a loud growl from behind me and I turn swiftly. Jasper is on the ground. I spot a wolf coming from the side and there’s no way he’s taking Jasper out. I leap into the air and knock the wolf away from Jasper. I look over my shoulder and see his leg is badly damaged. I want to go to him, but I don’t know what to do. I stand still until Jasper growls at me, and I know then he’s telling me to help the others. I’m on autopilot as I take out a few more rogue wolves. Their blood leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Even their blood is rotten to the core. I carry on fighting alongside Callum. It seems that there were more wolves in here than we originally thought, but between us and the vampires, we’re on target.
“Kevin!”
I hear someone yell my name from behind. The moment I look over my shoulder and see Lelland and Jasper with the girl my wolf has claimed, I growl louder than I’ve ever growled before. I leap across the cave and stop in front
of Lelland. My wolf won’t back down, and I can’t control him.
“Kevin, it’s fine. We’re going to help you get her out. You and I are leaving now. You need to shift, because I can’t put pressure on my leg.” Jasper tries to soothe me. It’s clearly working, because my wolf backs down a little and I try to initiate my shift into human form.
It takes a little longer than when I first shifted today, but within thirty seconds, I stand naked in front of Jasper and Lelland. I move past Lelland and lift the girl into my arms. I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I feel this need to get her to safety. Protect her. Love her. I can’t help but notice how cold her body is. She’s not responsive at all and her heart rate is even slower than when I first checked her over. Lelland lifts her arm over her chest and I nod in his direction. I walk a few feet away and notice Jasper isn’t at my side. I turn around and see he’s really struggling to walk. I start to make my way back to him, but he waves me off like I’m being crazy.
“Just get to Stracey. I’ll be right behind you. Lelland, have you located their witch?”
“Not yet. I’d be helping you back to Stracey if we had. I’ll take care of it. We have Callum on our side. If you think you can manage on the outside, send Jake back in.”
I take off as fast as I can. I hate leaving Jasper, but I can’t carry the girl and Jasper at the same time. I know the quicker I get the girl to Stracey, the quicker I can come back for Jasper.
“Please be okay,” I whisper to the girl.
I spot Stracey and Jake up ahead. I run as fast as I can without causing myself or the girl any damage. I have no idea if she’ll pull through this, but I know that I’ll do everything in my power to help her.
“Oh my God. What happened?” Stracey asks as I lay the girl down on the ground.
“We found her like this. You need to help her, Strace. Please.” I plead with the healer to do everything she can. Her eyes meet mine and an understanding passes through us. I know my girl is in good hands.
