The Missing Wolf: The Familiar Empire Series

by Bailey, G.

  “Ana,” Liam sighs as I turn my head, my eyes colliding with his. Mason and Alex are sitting next to him, and they both sharply turn their heads to look at me pretty much at the same time as they unleash a barrage of questions on me.

  “Are you alright, Sia?” Mason asks as Liam takes my hand in his.

  “Who did this? I’m going to kill them,” Alex growls, standing up and looking furious.

  “Did you see anyone, Ana? Anything?” Liam asks me a bit more gently than the other two.

  “Enough. I need to be alone with my patient. So that means all three of you should go and get a drink while I check her over. The questions can all wait,” Estelle demands, appearing in the middle of the curtains.

  “Yes, a drink is a good idea,” Liam nods, but Alex and Mason don’t look that happy to leave, until Liam practically pushes them outside. Estelle pulls the curtains closed as tears prick my eyes.

  “I’m so sorry. I promise I was driving safely, and this car just came out of nowhere behind me. It waited until I was near the corner of the road before driving into the back of me, and it made the car spin. I’m so sorr—” I blurt out.

  “If you think I care anything about the car, you must have hit your head harder than I thought. I only care that you got out the car before it set on fire,” Estelle interrupts me.

  “Someone dragged me away,” I whisper as she lets me go and frowns down at me.

  “Did you recognise them?” she asks. “Liam was with Silver and Shadow when Shadow passed out, and then he knew something had happened to you. They came here and then backtracked until they found you alone.”

  “I didn’t recognise him,” I lie, because the truth is too messed up.

  “Right now, I’m both your doctor and friend. As your doctor, I’m letting you know you will need a few days in here to recover. Your nose and ankle are broken, you have a bad concussion that has kept you sleeping for twenty-four hours, and your arm is a little burnt, but we heal much quicker than humans with some help.” She taps the IV bag I’m strapped up to. “As your friend, I’m demanding you take it easy. I’m doing fifteen-minute checks on you all day to make sure of it. Would you like anything, sweetheart?”

  “A drink of water would be lovely, thank you so much. I promise I’m going to buy you a new car even if takes me a while to save up,” I firmly say, though my croaky voice is pretty hard to understand.

  “You will not,” she warns me and hugs me gently once more. After she gets me a glass of water and I sip some, she takes the cup from me and places it on the side table. It’s only then I see how stressed she is and tired. “You really scared me today, Anastasia. I’m so happy to see you awake and on the mend.”

  “Same here,” I chuckle, placing my hand on hers. Somehow Estelle has become the aunt I’ve never had, and I really care about her. “Where is Shadow? You said he passed out?”

  “You are both mentally linked. If he dies, so do you. It’s the same the other way around, so when you passed out, so did he. I’ve got Shadow in the vets, where he is being pampered and looked after as you recover. Tomorrow he can come here,” she tells me, and I feel so bad that he is going through the same thing as I am. I know the vets are at the back of this building, and I can sense Shadow is nearby anyway. It comforts me to know they are looking after him.

  “Thank you,” I whisper.

  “Oh, and Raine was here all day, but Hugh forced her to go and rest. I will let her know you’re awake, if you want?” she asks. “And I have to tell Hugh.”

  “It’s okay,” I say, and she smiles at me, heading out of the curtains. I lift my blanket up as I sit up and see my foot is in a cast. I flinch as I rest a hand on my face, knowing I must look a right picture. I smile at the six bunches of flowers, a dozen cards on the side and a few boxes of chocolates. It makes me feel loved and safe to see them. I must thank everyone that sent anything for me.

  “Fancy boot you have there,” Mason jokes as he walks in the room, followed by Alex and Liam. They go back to their seats, but they pull them closer to the bed this time.

  “What happened?” Alex asks, crossing his arms tightly. I quickly give them a run down, leaving out two important details that I don’t know if I should tell them. The cloaked man’s existence and the fact he said I shouldn’t trust these three.

  I also leave out I had another dream and that this time, I remember it way more clearly than the others.

  Oh, and the weird voices talking about my blood. I think I might have been hallucinating them though. After I’m done, they all look between each other with a look I can’t quite figure out, and I don’t like it.

  “Would you three lie to me about anything?” I softly ask, watching their every reaction.

  One thing flashes across their faces, each of them mimicking the next.

  Guilt.

  “No,” Liam answers, but I know he is lying to me.

  “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I actually was stupid enough to think we were friends and I could trust you three…but right now, I don’t trust any of you,” I say, feeling more hurt than I thought I would. At some point, I’ve tricked myself into thinking these guys were something more than strangers I lived with.

  “Anything we don’t tell you is to keep you safe,” Liam tries to explain. It’s just a shitty excuse though.

  “I never asked you to keep me safe. I never asked you for anything, while we are on it,” I remind them. “But I am asking for the truth right now.”

  “We know that, but you’re so innocent in this world. You aren’t ready for the truth,” Mason gently says.

  “Like the truth about what Shadow is. What ancient familiars are?” I question.

  “Ana,” Alex warns.

  “Get out. Just get the hell out,” I demand. I curl up into a ball as what I think is Liam’s hand rests on the middle of my back.

  “I’m sorry this happened, but we promise it won’t again,” he vows, but it makes me wonder how he can promise something like that.

  Unless he knows who did this.

  Unless the cloaked man was right.

  The second I’m alone, I let out the tears I’ve held back.

  Trust is not just given in the Familiar Empire, and it seems like there isn’t much of it to go around.

  I wonder which company delivers super-hot guys?

  “You have a delivery of three super-sexy, looking-sorry-for-themselves guys at the door,” Raine says, leaning against the door to her bedroom. It’s been a week since the accident, and even though I’ve been fine since a few days after, I still haven’t wanted to go home to the guys or see them. Estelle isn’t letting me back to work until next week, and now it’s Saturday and I’ve pretty much moped in Raine’s apartment all week. I look down at Shadow on the floor, stretched out and looking comfy as always.

  “What do you think, Shadow?” I ask. He huffs, likely still mad at them like I am.

  “My opinion is that you need to figure this shit out with them. They wouldn’t come here three times every single day if they didn’t care, Ana,” she suggests. “Come on, Shadow. I’m taking Kiwi for a walk, you should come too.” Shadow, the little betrayer who loves Raine and Kiwi, all but bolts to the front door.

  “Tell them to wait in the lounge. I’m just going to clean up,” I say, and Raine smiles widely like an excited bunny.

  “Yay!” she squeals, shutting the bedroom door. I quickly change out of my pyjamas and into ripped jeggings and a blue shirt that has a peace symbol on it. It rather makes me smile, considering the situation. My hand freezes on the door handle, and I remind myself that I’m in control.

  I can do this. I turn the handle and walk out into the tiny living room, which feels more than cramped with these three sitting in here. Alex and Mason take up the three-seater sofa, their legs spread apart and their eyes watching me. They both have dark jeans on, big brown jackets, and yet they couldn’t be more different. Liam is looking out the window instead of sitting in the only chair lef
t in the room, but he turns to me when I come in. He has black trousers and a white shirt on with a black jacket undone. I trace my eyes over them, and I hate how much the first thought that comes to my mind is how much I’ve missed them.

  I would be lying if I said that I didn’t think about them every other second of the day.

  And I don’t know if they feel the same way or if they miss me at all.

  But here they are.

  “I’m going to tell you some of the truth, and then I want you to tell me something truthful in return. Deal?” I start off, needing to tell them the reason why I’ve been avoiding them.

  “Deal,” each of them echoes.

  “A man pulled me away from the car when it was on fire. I would have been seriously burnt if he hadn’t. He walked away, but before he left, he said I shouldn’t trust you three,” I tell them, and they actually all look a little thrown back. “Then I asked you questions in the infirmary, and I knew you were lying. Adding the two together makes me wonder if I can trust you or if it’s better I ask Hugh to find me somewhere else to live.”

  “We don’t want that, but we can’t tell you to trust us,” Liam speaks first, sounding resigned to his fate.

  “But if you decide to trust us, we promise to always protect you from our past no matter where it leads us all. That’s not a decision we have come to lightly, but Ana, we are making this offer now. Trust us and we will protect you from this world you don’t understand yet,” Mason adds in. “And not understanding this world is better for you. We all wish we knew less.”

  “Hell, if you decide never to see us again, you still have our protection,” Liam says with a small smile. “I don’t know what you’ve done to us, Ana, but we like you, and that doesn’t happen often.”

  “Not if she walks away from us, she doesn’t get our help,” Alex grumbles. I’m surprised he agrees with protecting me at all.

  Liam glares at Alex. “You’re kidding yourself if you think that, mate.”

  “Enough, guys,” I say, and I sigh. “I trust you, but I need to know your past isn’t going to hurt me.”

  “We have secrets, Sia, but doesn’t everyone?” Mason asks. “Our secrets are ours. They have nothing to do with you as far as we know, so they can’t hurt you.”

  “Then I will come home,” I say, making my mind up. I basically made that decision the second I let them in the room.

  “Thank fuck. I’m tired of hearing Liam crying in his room like a baby,” Alex jokily groans, and it makes me smile.

  “Fuck you, I don’t cry,” Liam grunts, throwing a pillow at Alex that hits his head.

  “You have shit reaction skills, mate,” Mason laughs as Alex throws the pillow back at Liam.

  “Are you well enough for a short pit stop on the way home?” Mason asks, standing up and stretching. My eyes are glued to the little bit of taut stomach I see that makes me have to clear my throat and remember what he said. His eyes are amused as I look up. Busted.

  “I’m fine, honestly. I healed a few days ago, and even though my ankle sometimes hurts a little, it’s nothing that stops me moving around,” I tell them.

  “We will still take it easy,” Liam suggests and steps closer to me. “But we thought you’d enjoy where we want to take you.”

  “Sure. Give me a minute to pack my things and leave a note for Raine and Shadow,” I say.

  “Raine said to tell you she is taking Shadow back to our cabin because she knew you’d cave,” Alex cockily says as I get to the bedroom door. I chuckle and shake my head as I open the door.

  Raine was right.

  * * *

  “Where are we going then?” I ask as I warm my cold hands on the heater in the middle of me and Liam. Liam changes gear as Mason answers me.

  “On the outskirts of the empire is where Chew lives.”

  “Chew?” I question the strange name.

  “Yeah, it’s weird. Actually, no one knows his real name; that’s what we all get,” Liam adds in.

  “He’s a fucking nutcase, you forgot to add that one,” Alex groans, sounding like he really doesn’t want to be here. I glance back at him, finding his eyes fixed on me, and he only looks away after a long pause. I turn back and curl up into my seat, enjoying the warmth of the car.

  “Okay, why are we going to see a weirdo in the woods?” I ask.

  “Ignore Alex. Chew is harmless, and he grows Christmas trees. I know it’s a few weeks early, but we thought you’d like to put a tree up. We have decorations at home,” Mason explains.

  “I’d love that,” I say, feeling a little sad that this is my first Christmas I won’t be helping Phoebe put up the decorations with Bethany offering her “expert” opinion from the sofa. “I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas already.”

  “I’ve not bought a gift for a girl in years. It’s going to be odd to go shopping,” Liam adds in as we turn into a long driveway. I wonder what I should get these three and when I could go shopping without them around. I guess I could think of an idea and ask Estelle to get it for me and sneak it into work. Then the guys wouldn’t see it.

  “Do you think Hugh would send my sisters presents if I bought and wrapped them up?” I ask, and there’s an awkward silence.

  “I don’t think so, Sia,” Mason bursts my bubble. “Hugh is firm on the zero contact between families on the outside for a while.”

  “Okay, I get it,” I say even when I really don’t and I hate it. I lift my legs up on the seat and wrap my arms around them as I watch the snow fall off the trees in the wind. This place is so beautiful. As a kid, I always thought my dream home was by the sea with beaches and bright sun all year round, but now I’m living in the snow and forest, I can’t see myself on a beach anymore.

  This place is more homey to me now. It’s funny how experience makes you change your mind about your dreams. The rest of the drive is silent as I try not to get upset that I can’t send my sisters a little gift. I miss them more and more each day, and Christmas is just a reminder of the distance between us.

  Even though I’ve found a home here, it still feels like I’m a million lightyears away from my family. A strange house slowly comes into view with massive turrets, stone walls and a small door. There are no windows that I can see, and on each side of the house are dozens of Christmas trees all stood up. Several cars are parked outside as people walk around, and one little girl in a red coat runs between the trees. I get out, feeling my sore ankle as I take my first few steps. Like he just knows, Mason wraps an arm around my waist, helping me walk to the trees.

  “You can choose any one you like,” Liam adds in. Alex stays with the car, leaning back and watching as I turn to look at him before focusing forward.

  “What about this one?” I ask, pointing to a chubby tree which isn’t as tall as the others. It’s a little different, and I rather like it. The guys both agree, and before I can blink, Mason picks me up and carries me back to the car.

  “I’m not that sick, I can walk,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. He turns to me, and our faces are so close.

  “I know, but I’d rather hold you,” he replies, and in some ways, that is sweet.

  Christmas with three guys, a wolf, a fox, an eagle and a snake is not how I ever expected to spend the holiday.

  But for some reason, it feels perfect.

  Chop, chop, chop that wood as I drool.

  “Hey, Mason, do you know where the box of tree decorations is?” I ask him as he cuts wood outside. Like a deer trapped in headlights, I just stare as he lifts the axe, swinging it down onto the wood and chopping it perfectly in half. Sweat covers his chest, making his muscles shine as he turns to me and smiles.

  A sexy smile. God, these roommates were put on earth to kill me. I’m sure of it.

  “What did you say?” Mason asks, tugging out his ear pods.

  “I, err, was looking for the tree decorations. Liam and Alex said you put them away last year, and they aren’t sure where. Anyway, they sent me to ask while they have
popped to the shop because the lights have a few bulbs that have gone, and they are going to replace them,” I run on, having no clue what crap is spilling out of my mouth.

  “Sure. They are in my room. I’m going to finish these last three logs, and then I’ll meet you up there,” he tells me, wiping sweat off his forehead. I resist the urge to check my mouth for the drool that is likely there.

  “Thanks,” I say, pulling my gaze away, but he stops me from moving far.

  “Next time, I could invite you to watch me cut wood. You certainly look like you enjoyed watching,” he teases, and I don’t have an answer, so I run away as quickly as I can and head up the stairs. I push the door to Mason’s room open and see Hex outside on the balcony. I head over, sliding the glass door back and stepping out. Hex is as white as the falling snow, almost perfectly blended into his surroundings except for his beak.

  “Hey, Hex. What’s it like to fly?” I question as he leans down, putting himself at eye level with me. I reach up and move my hand down his soft feathers. “I guess, for you, being on the ground must feel like a trap when you could fly away. I’ve never been on an airplane before, did you know that?” I laugh to myself. “Of course you wouldn’t know that. I’m plain old rambling now.”

  “I ramble to Hex a lot; he is a good listener,” Mason’s voice makes me jump, and I turn back just in time to see him pull his shirt on. “I’m certain he knows how to fall asleep with his eyes open when he is listening to me.”

  “I’ve heard birds can do that,” I reply, and he smiles. Hex spreads out his wings and takes off into the sky, flickering snow all over me. I rush inside, and Mason pulls the door closed as I wipe off snow from my clothes.

  “The decorations,” Mason remembers why I’m here, and he heads into the closet at the back of the room. After a long pause, he comes out with a cardboard box and places it on the bed. “We might need to go through the box, as I don’t remember what’s in there. Last year a few things got broken, and I just threw it all into the box.”