by Raven Steele
Without acknowledging Toby’s body, he said, “Let’s go celebrate. The whole world’s about to change.”
Chapter 26
Shivering at Silas’ words, I wrapped my hands tighter around the steering wheel and leaned into the side of the door. The drive back to Fire Ridge was long and cold, despite the heater running. I felt an ache in my tooth, and wondered if I needed to see a dentist. It also felt more like winter than autumn right now. I glanced at Samira in the rearview mirror. She seemed to feel the chill too. The only one who spoke was Silas when he made a call to Dominic to report our meeting.
Back at the mansion, a party was already in full force. Silas joined them with his arms outstretched, as if he was their savior. He held up the briefcase for everyone to see and yelled, "We're about to get filthy rich!"
The crowd cheered and Dominic slapped Silas on the back, smiling big. "Tell me all about it, brother."
But all grew eerily quiet when Gerald and Luke carried in Toby's body, a blanket covering him. I clamped down on the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm me at the sight. It reminded me of the dozens of bodies, my own family members, I had seen as a child. Ever since, Death had rooted itself in my shadow, just waiting to kill anyone else close to me.
The party quickly turned into a wake. The shifters who were there when we arrived, gathered around the fire, pulling out more beer. Many shared their stories about Toby. I’d only known him a short while, but I understood the respect and love I heard in their words.
They would drink heavily tonight, then take his body to his family. It would be up to them if he had a pack burial or a traditional one. No one worried about what the police would think; everyone knew money would exchange hands and lies would be printed in the papers.
I scratched at my neck, an itch I couldn’t soothe. I thought of Ryder and scanned the crowd but couldn't find him, even though I had spotted his car out front. I wanted to see how he was doing as I hadn’t spoken to him much after we met with the Greybacks. When I couldn’t see him among the pack, I began asking around, but no one had seen him for a while. I began to itch at my arms.
After an hour of no Ryder, I slipped back into the mansion to search for him. Something was wrong. I felt it in my bones and began to wonder if what I was feeling was our blood connection. Ryder would be here for this, if only to know how the meeting went with the Nocturnas.
I stepped close to the sliding glass door, facing the rear of the house. Alcohol had soothed the pack's sorrow for Toby. They were back to being loud and obnoxious. They had a different way of respecting the dead than I was used to.
My gaze settled on Silas and Dominic, sitting on chairs away from the pack. Several others migrated to and around them, trying to catch their eye and be invited into their conversation. I frowned, disapproving. I could never live in someone's shadow like that.
They motioned Luke over and he left his friends to speak to Dominic for a few minutes. I wondered what they were saying. Silas and Luke walked off, probably to grab another beer, and I opened the door. For the most part, I tried to avoid Dominic, but I thought he might’ve sent Ryder off on an errand. So I took a chance and walked forward, rubbing at my arms.
He watched me approach, eyeing me up and down, but didn’t say anything, even when I stopped in front of him.
"Excuse me, Sir.” Ugh, I hated showing him respect.
He lowered his gaze to the beer bottle in his hand and swirled the liquid. "I heard you were instrumental in securing this deal for the pack."
"I only did what was necessary, just like Silas asked."
His eyes slowly met mine. "And did Silas ask you to press a dagger to Mateo’s neck?"
He watched me steadily, his expression giving me no indication of what he was thinking or feeling.
I stepped to the side, watching the pack. “I took the initiative." I wasn't sure if those words would anger or impress him.
“Well, you’ve definitely impressed Silas. He’s particularly smitten with you. But you make me wary. Your eagerness to please has me suspicious."
"It shouldn't, Sir. I’m loyal to the pack."
"You’re ambitious, are you not?"
I turned back to him, searching his eyes. He was worried about it, my ambition. I glanced at Luke, wondering if they’d been talking about me. If Dominic knew how fast and strong I was, he would assume I would want to be Alpha. I couldn't have him thinking along those lines of reasoning. “The height of my ambition is to quit struggling for a living and to be bound to a strong pack. Under your leadership, I think I can have those things."
He nodded, accepting my answer. "What can I do for you tonight?"
"I am looking for Ryder. Have you seen him recently?" I resisted the urge to claw at my flesh. Ryder was in trouble; I just knew it. This feeling, the crawling on my skin as if someone had dumped a jar of ants all over my body, had to be our blood connection. And it was only growing stronger. I needed to find Ryder, and fast.
Dominic rubbed the stubble on his face. "I wondered where he ran off to. Is his car out front?"
“Yeah, but I've searched inside and all the outbuildings. I can't find him anywhere."
Dominic tightened his lips. "I sent him on an errand earlier this afternoon. That was the last time I saw him but if his car is here…"
“I’ll check the inside of his vehicle then. Maybe there's something there."
"If not, check Sinsual. He goes there sometimes, as I'm sure you know. How is work going, anyway? Is Eddie treating you good? Because if he isn't, we could break his legs." He chuckled, but I couldn't tell if he was serious or not.
"Eddie’s great, actually.” I left before any more words could be spoken. I had to find Ryder.
I circled the house, a growing sickness in my stomach now. Whatever Ryder had done for Dominic, he had been alone. So much could've happened. Especially since our visit to the Greybacks. They could want revenge for his role in what happened.
Ryder's car was parked further away from Fire Ridge than where he usually parked. I should've noticed this sooner. I opened the front door and looked inside using the light from my cell phone. Nothing looked out of place. It was a newer vehicle, which was meticulously clean, surprising for a shifter. We tended to be a sloppy species. Chalk that up to the wolf inside of us.
I was about to pull away when I spotted a folded up piece of paper on the passenger seat. I leaned over the center console and grabbed it. I slid behind the steering wheel and unfolded it.
"Ryder is a Greyback. He is OURS.”
I lowered the note in my lap, my mind scrambling.
They took him.
They took him and brought his car all the way back here, and no one fucking noticed. I balled up my fist and smashed it into the steering wheel several times. Where was our security?
With the note in hand, I jogged back to Dominic. Silas was back and Luke stood a few feet away. I handed the note to Dominic. "They took him."
"Took who?" Silas leaned forward.
I gave the note to Dominic and answered Silas. "Ryder. They took him, and they brought his car back. How the hell did they get past our security?"
Dominic handed Silas the note. Luke stepped closer to read it over Silas’ shoulder.
Silas looked at me, his face expressionless. “Well, he is a Greyback.”
Dominic lifted his hands. "Let's not jump to conclusions. The note doesn't say anything about taking him. They just said he's a Greyback. Maybe he wrote this note to himself and then split town.” There was a gleam in his eye, and the side of his lips turned up, as if he’d just made a joke. The worst one I’ve ever heard.
I frowned, realizing they really didn’t care.
"He would never go back there,” I said. “I know how much he hated his father."
Silas flipped the note with his finger. "This tells us nothing. Let's just wait a few days and see if he returns."
Dominic nodded. “I agree. I’m sure he’ll turn up naked and with leaves in his hair. L
ike I said, he probably just went for a run.”
“I don’t think so. After what you made him do," I looked pointedly at Silas, "to their pack, they’ll want revenge. We'll be lucky if they haven’t killed him already.”
Silas uncrossed his legs and leaned toward me. "Did you just counter your Alpha?”
I lowered my head in submission. "I apologize. I meant no disrespect,” I glanced back up into Dominic’s eyes, “but the Greybacks will hurt Ryder. He’s our pack member. We have a duty to rescue him."
Luke appeared at my side. "I agree with her.”
"Of course you do,” Silas said, a smile tickling the sides of his mouth.
Luke turned to him. “What's that supposed to mean?"
Dominic put his hand out to silence everyone. "We don't know for sure what happened, but I do know I will not risk any more pack members tonight. Not when we've already lost one of our own." He put on a somber expression the way one might slip on a Halloween mask. “But if Ryder is not back by tomorrow night, then we'll send over a couple of our men to talk to Jackson.”
When I opened my mouth to argue, he interrupted me. “That's my final answer."
I bit down hard, my jaw aching from the sudden pain. I could try to kill them both right now. Behind me, two men howled into the night. Others joined them. Way too many to fight. Besides, I didn’t dare waste a second.
If they weren't going to save Ryder, then I would.
Chapter 27
“Briar.” Luke shot into the house after me. “I know you’re going to look for Ryder.”
I didn’t look back at him. “Am not.”
He grabbed my arm, stilling me.
“If I’ve learned anything about you, it’s that you do what you want and ask questions later.”
“Well, you’d be wrong. You just saw me ask Dominic if I could go there.”
He turned me around. “But you’re going there anyway.”
“I promise, I’m not going.” I took a step backwards heading for the bathroom. “Don’t follow me.”
“I don’t believe you.” He kept following.
When I reached the bathroom door, I pressed my back against it and did a little dance. “I have to pee.”
He remained frozen in place, his arms crossed at his chest.
I locked eyes with him. “Fine. You can come in with me.”
He leaned against the wall, a smile threatening to break. “Not this time. But I’ll wait for you out here.”
“Good.” I shut the door in his face, then turned on the water just a trickle in case he was listening for bathroom sounds. This might fool him.
I faced myself in the mirror, considering him. If I told him the truth, he might rat me out. But, I might be able to talk him into going. He could be a big help, especially if I got caught and had to fight my way out.
Except, if I went alone, I could take care of things my way and not have to worry about what Luke saw. It was decided. I turned the water off, waited a moment, then turned it back on, like I was washing my hands. A few deep breaths later, I climbed out the window.
It didn’t take me long to find an available car. By the way the pack was drinking tonight, not many would be driving home. I drove slowly, trying not to bring any attention to the fact that I was sneaking out. The guards at the gate didn’t stop me; I’d run enough errands for Silas by now that they were used to me coming and going.
I left the property and exhaled, glad that it was me who’d driven to the Dreilinger swamps last time, otherwise I probably would’ve gotten lost. The closer I came, the more I began to panic. The itch I’d experienced earlier had turned into full on plague. My bones ached, moisture left my mouth, and my throat felt swollen. Everything in me screamed to hurry.
When I was within a mile of the swamps, I pulled off the side of the road as far as I could and sprinted through the trees using my sense of smell to guide me. I considered shifting into a wolf, but then I would be naked should I need to shift back into a human. That's always awkward in any situation. Best I stay human for as long as possible.
The forest was shrouded in heavy darkness. The canopy above me, despite it being fall, was still so thick, the moon’s light was unable to break the barrier. I didn’t mind. I liked having to rely on my wolf senses to navigate. It made me feel powerful and part of something greater—the night.
Fallen leaves crunched beneath my foot falls. The smell of shifter wolves grew, which meant I was close. Before I advanced further, I figured I’d have to do something about my scent. Couldn't have security catching on to me this early in the game. Maybe I could find another pile of shit to mask my odor, but once a year was more than enough. Besides, there were other ways to sneak up on enemies.
I sniffed the air and expanded my hearing. All kinds of animals lived in these woods, more than around Fire Ridge. I could smell and hear them all. I just had to find the right one.
A flash of white through the darkness caught my attention. I cut to my left. The animal I tracked wouldn't be my first choice, but it was a step above smearing myself with horse manure. If I had more time, I might seek out a fox’s den, or even a raccoon’s. Rolling around in the dirt might work too, but for a quick fix, a skunk’s spray would have to do.
I leapt over a bush and into a tree, my claws latching onto its rough surface, to give me a bird’s eye view of the forest floor. I spotted the creature off to my right. I leapt from my perch and made what I thought was an accurate boogeyman cry to startle the skunk. He lifted his tail, and I turned my head just as the smelly blast hit me.
“Nailed it,” I murmured, staying in the cloud of stink for only a second. Any longer and it might be too obvious. Plus, it made me sick to my stomach, and I couldn’t have the aroma of vomit out-smelling my skunk perfume. I hurried away holding back several coughs, tears stinging my eyes. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.
A steady light shined through a wall of trees. I was close. I crouched low in the underbrush and moved as stealthily as a mountain lion. The large barn was just up ahead, the Greybacks’ home on the left. Behind it, I spotted the small shacks, moonlight reflecting off their tin roofs. I wondered if some of their pack lived inside them. A lot of shifters didn't care where they laid their head, as long as there was shelter.
I listened to the various sounds scattered over the property. Most of them were people talking and laughing, along with the occasional sloshing of heavy drinking. Guess all packs had something in common.
But there was one noise that made me cock my head to the right, toward the large barn. A girl was crying while someone else spoke in angry spouts.
Making sure I was alone, I darted across the lawn to an old truck and peeked around. A soft light glowed from one of the barn windows, but it was too high for me to peek through. Two shifters guarded the large barn door. I left my hiding spot and sprinted around to the back to conceal myself behind a thick oak tree.
So far so good. The smell of skunk was working. They probably had at least a dozen guards patrolling, but as long as I was quiet, I'd go unnoticed.
Poking my head out, I risked a glance at the barn. There was an opening on the second floor, with stacks of hay just as high. Other than making a grand entrance, this was the only way in. I ran and leapt high onto one of the stacks. I landed soundlessly and scrambled my way up into the entrance. I was on a dusty loft overlooking the barn, cobwebs at every turn. I cringed and silently wiped at my arms just in case. I hated spiders.
Moving further upon old wooden planks into the darkness, I quickly melted into the shadows and sniffed the air. There was an odor that didn't smell right. It was hard to separate it from the normal barn smells of animal waste and dusty hay, but whatever it was, it set my already agitated nerves on edge.
"You shouldn't have come here," a deep voice said behind me.
My heart fell into my stomach, and I froze. So much for not getting caught.
I glanced behind me, but to my relief there was no one there. The male voice was comin
g from below me, the deep sound carrying through the rafters.
A girl sobbed uncontrollably. "We were friends. That used to mean something.”
"It used to," the same male voice said.
“How could you come back here, with them?” The poor girl’s voice held an edge of uncontrollable rage.
“I didn’t have a choice.”
My head jerked up. Ryder. He had breathed the words as if there was barely any air left in his lungs. I was right. They had taken him.
I crept near the edge of the balcony and peered down but was met with darkness. I moved to a narrow walkway, risking its proximity to the voices for a better view.
"The moment you left us, you became a stranger to me," the man's voice continued. It was laced in cruelty and spite. "I regret the day you were ever born."
I slowly peeked over the edge and sucked in a hitched breath. The faint light of a small lantern revealed Ryder hanging from the rafters, both his hands tied high above his head. His toes just barely grazed the floor, enough to tease him. His shirt had been stripped and his back whipped. The word “traitor” had been carved into his chest. Beneath him, a pool of blood slowly grew.
I gripped a wooden board until I thought it would snap. Damn Silas. And damn Dominic for not listening to me.
The girl who had lost her eyes sat near Ryder's legs. She had white bandages covering both of them but she kept touching at them as if her eyes might magically reappear.
"I'm sorry,” Ryder said, his voice raspy and weak. He winced through each word, his face pinched in pain. By the large purple bruise on each side of his chest, I wouldn't be surprised if he had broken ribs also.
The girl lifted her head toward him, frowning. "You're sorry?" Her voice rose. “Sorry?”
Through an agony-filled exhale, Ryder said, "There was nothing I could do."
He squinted his eyes, grunting in pain, as the girl pulled on his legs, hauling herself slowly to her feet. Her hands felt for his stomach. "You could have said no."
Her fingers balled into her palm, and she pulled back her fist before punching into his stomach. Air exploded from his lungs. "You are a coward!” she yelled. "A coward!"
