“Maybe,” I responded. “It’s worth a shot.”
“For the record, I still think this is a terrible idea,” Dom stated bluntly and I tilted my head in acknowledgement. “But if you think sending Gregory in alone is the best chance we have of creating some type of alliance with the witches, I’ll trust your judgement.”
I glanced down, caught off guard by his faith in me. “Gregory seems confident that he can convince Mildred.”
Dom gripped my shoulder. “I heard Gregory, but it’s your opinion I trust.”
“Even after I let you down?”
His mouth twisted ruefully. “I let you down first.” My forehead wrinkled and he sighed. “I knew you wanted to visit the Ghost Pack and I resisted. I kept putting you off, even while letting you travel the country.”
“Why is that?”
He shook his head. “You know? I don’t know why. When Trent came back from their lands, it spooked me. Then your dad died, and somehow it all became connected in my mind.” He swallowed, glancing away from me. “I kept having this feeling that if I let you go there then I’d lose you.” A self-deprecating laugh huffed from him. “Guess I wasn’t wrong.”
“You haven’t lost me,” I contended, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re talking about Gregory.”
“Right now we’re talking about Gregory, but we both know it’s only a matter of time before you go back for Dru,” he replied knowingly.
“That doesn’t mean I’m leaving the Pack,” I argued and he dropped his gaze. “Am I?” I asked, the world tilting under me as I considered the possibility. “Am I leaving the Pack? Is that what you’re trying to tell me? Dru or our Pack?”
“No.” He grabbed me by the back of the neck, shaking me lightly. “No. That’s not what I’m saying at all.” He tilted my head so we were eye to eye. “I’ve waited a long time to see you happy.” He smiled ruefully. “I just didn’t expect your mate to be a different species.” I thrust my arm out and he dodged, chuckling before he sobered. “It’s just this is the first time in years I’ve seen you so focused. She’s what you want and I support you completely. I just don’t want you to think you need to do this alone. We’re your Pack, we’re here for you.”
I nodded. “I know that. It’s the reason I came back. I know I can’t do this alone, not if I want to do it right,” I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat as I admitted, “I want to do this right. I messed up the first time with Dru but there’s nothing more important to me than keeping her safe and happy. She feels like home.”
“Then we do this….together.”
“Together,” I echoed as the door to the Pack House opened and Anna and Gregory stepped out.
“Is everything alright?” Anna inquired, looking between us and we nodded. “Gregory says it’s time.”
“You’re going now?” I asked in surprise and he nodded, giving me a shrewd glance.
“No time like the present, otherwise you’ll beat me there,” he replied, his hands resting on his cane. “And I don’t think Mildred will appreciate another surprise visit from you.”
“You think she’ll be more welcoming to you?” I asked doubtfully, remembering the way she’d blasted him off their lands. “She seemed as happy to see you gone as she was me.”
“Let’s just say, I know her better than she realizes.” He smiled grimly. “If she was as unhappy as she said she was at seeing me, then I’d be dead not limping.”
“Comforting,” Dom muttered, his gaze sweeping over us. “You two are certifiable.”
“I’m going too,” Monster announced, appearing behind Dom, Jess hot on his heels.
“No,” several voices spoke at once, including Dylan who had been lurking around the corner of the building.
“You can’t stop me,” Monster said defiantly and Dom’s nostrils flared.
“Can’t I?” Dom questioned dangerously. “I am still your Alpha, am I not?” Monster didn’t bend, meeting Dom’s gaze unflinchingly. “You are underage and under the custody of your father, who I’m positive doesn’t want you running directly into a dangerous and volatile situation.” Dom tried a different tactic but Monster wasn’t swayed.
“I’m going.”
“No, you’re not,” Jess snapped, tugging on Monster’s arm, but he didn’t budge from his stare down with Dom. “You are not going. Why would you even want to go? They don’t exactly like us.”
“Some of them do,” he replied and I knew exactly who he was talking about. “She needs my protection.”
Jess’s eyes narrowed and then she screeched, “This is about a girl?” She threw her hands up and we all flinched. “Of course it is. Of course it’s a girl. What was I thinking? You’re sixteen so of course….girls.”
“You were sixteen when you met Dom,” he retorted and she pointed her finger at him, almost poking him in the nose.
“Seventeen going on eighteen, thank you very much and we’re mates, totally different situation,” she corrected him and he looked down. “It is a totally different situation, right? Right?” She asked a little desperately, glancing at Dom. “Please tell me it’s different,” she begged and I stared at my feet, not wanting to be the one to tell her. “Oh God, I’m not ready.” She crouched, staring blindly at our knees. “I thought I had time….boys take longer to mature.” She smacked Monster’s shin and he jerked. “Why do you have to be so advanced? Can’t you just not do this?”
“I don’t know. Can I?” He questioned and she shot up.
“Do not turn this around on me,” she threatened and he held up his hands. She had to look up at him since he’d topped six feet at some point while I’d been gone and he still wasn’t finished growing. His auburn hair glowed in the sunlight and even with the youthful planes of his face we could see the man he would become. “You don’t even know her.”
“That’s not how this works,” he reminded her tiredly. “I heard her in my head. You know that’s an indication of a mate bond.”
“But she’s a witch,” I pointed out. “Which means Paige can project her voice. I hear her too.”
Monster’s gaze snapped to mine and there was no mistaking his hostility. “She’s mine,” he growled possessively, stepping forward as his eyes glittered with challenge. Dylan was next to him in an instant and I tensed automatically. “You can’t have her.”
“I don’t want her,” I replied, holding his gaze. “I want Dru.” I narrowed my eyes. “Paige isn’t a toy to be fought over,” I warned him. “She’s an amazing woman and if you want to claim her, then you better make sure you deserve her.”
He deflated, all the bluster leaving him in a rush as he dropped his gaze. “She’s….important. I can feel it, but I don’t understand it.” He lifted his shoulder. “I feel this need to protect her.”
Dom exhaled loudly as Jess frowned. “Dad’s going to be pissed,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Of course he and Wren had to take the kids to Disneyland this week.” She wagged her finger at Monster. “You still can’t go though.”
“She’s right,” I interjected before he started arguing. “We need to let Gregory go and talk to Mildred.” I recognized the stubborn set of his jaw since it matched my own. “I understand how you feel.” He didn’t look convinced so I opened my connection to the Pack and let my emotions flood through it, not holding back the agony of having to break the mate bond or the clawing need to be with Dru.
He hit the ground as Dom doubled over and still I didn’t stop it, letting those emotions flow out, but I was careful not to flood the entire Pack. Jess gripped Dom’s arm, her expression panicked. “What’s going on?” she screamed, telling me Dom must have blocked her so she wouldn’t feel it. My gaze locked with Monster as Dylan whimpered next to him. It was almost cruel, but when he mouthed, “Stop,” I did.
Dom slowly straightened and Dylan helped Monster to his feet. “You okay?” Monster asked Dylan, patting his shoulder and he nodded.
“I didn’t let him feel it,” I told
Monster. “He’s upset because you were.” I shot a glance at Dom. “Sorry. I couldn’t stop you from getting blasted.”
Dom nodded, hooking his arm around Jess when she started for me. “Don’t. He’s been through enough,” Dom ordered and Jess froze, staring up at him in surprise. “I’m sorry, Caleb. I didn’t know. I couldn’t even begin to imagine.” Lines bracketed his mouth as he swallowed. “Come on. I feel the need to hold you,” he told Jess, squeezing her hard enough to make her eyes widen. “Monster, you understand now?” Monster nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Good.” He glanced at Gregory. “Be careful.”
Gregory nodded silently as Dom escorted Jess away, his arm still wrapped around her tightly. “We’ll fix this,” Gregory promised me and I nodded, not entirely sure how, but unable to contemplate failure. “Anna, do you release me?”
She nodded, her eyes red, but she didn’t allow her emotions to escape as she rested her hand on his shoulder. “Gregory, you are released from this Pack. Free to roam and join another Pack. You will be missed.” I could see when she broke the connection because Gregory winced, and I knew the echoing emptiness he must be feeling.
“Thank you,” I murmured, appreciating the sacrifice he was making.
“Thank you,” he replied, surprising me. His mouth curved. “You’ve given me the chance to fix something I’d long given up on.” He inhaled, his smile widening as he looked north. “Even this old dog can learn something new.”
“Good luck,” I offered, holding out my hand and he took it.
“I’ll see you soon,” he answered, blowing out a breath as he chuckled. “Feels funny not having the Pack link.”
“You’re not alone,” I stated and he nodded to us before heading to the edge of the forest, casting his cane aside as he shifted into his wolf and disappeared into the tree line.
“I need to go talk to,” Anna waved her hand, “People.” She leaned against Trent whose expression was hard to decipher. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead and Trent looked straight at me and this time there was no mistaking the blame in his gaze.
“I didn’t make this choice for him,” I defended myself but he only shook his head, leading Anna away. “He’s never going to like me,” I told Monster, who shrugged awkwardly. “You’re not going to follow Gregory, are you?”
“No, I’m going home,” he answered and I turned to leave, trusting he would do what he said. “Caleb,” he called and I paused. “I’m sorry about Dru. I hope it works out.” I nodded, shoving my hands in my pockets as I wandered to the cabin at the end of the row of cabins. It used to belong to Dom and then his sister, Sam, but now it stood empty. I didn’t really want to deal with anyone so I figured I’d crash there for the night.
I walked up the steps, hearing them creak under my weight, and I hesitated at the door, memories flashing through my mind. I’d spent many nights on Dom’s couch, unable to deal with Dad and then later because I couldn’t deal with the silence of his absence.
I twisted the knob, pushing the door open, then stopped, as we stared at each other in surprise. “Mom?”
Chapter Fifteen
Dru
It wasn’t long before Dumb and Dumber showed up, stomping through the woods with less finesse than a herd of elephants. “You think this is a good idea?” I recognized the young, reedy voice and if I could have I would have rolled my eyes.
“Do I think this is a good idea?” The other idiot repeated mockingly. “I don’t know, you think having money is a good idea?”
“These things can kill you,” the other one squeaked and my impression of him went up a notch. “And selling them at the auction is dangerous.”
“It’s paralyzed,” the older man dismissed as if that somehow made me less dangerous and I decided to kill him first. “It’s not the first time I’ve done this, ya know.”
“It still feels wrong,” the kid replied, their voices close but I couldn’t see them since I was lying sideways where Strickland had dropped me. “We should just leave these things alone.”
“It’s easy money and you like money,” the other one cajoled and I got the impression he needed the kid for something. Bait, maybe or a patsy, either way, I had no intention of showing mercy. “Besides, it’s no different than killing a wolf. We’re doing a service.”
“They’re people though. Aren’t’ they?”
“If you can call something that turns into an animal people,” the other one scoffed. “They don’t have brains. It’ll kill you in a second. It’s worse than an animal.”
Rage burned inside of me, eating away at whatever Strickland had injected me with, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I could move.
“Aha, here it is,” the other guy shouted gleefully and I heard him stop next to me. “Pretty little thing.”
“It’s a girl,” the kid announced, gulping as he came around to my head. “I didn’t know we were getting no girl.”
“She’ll get a real good price,” the other man chortled and his hand touched my hair. I couldn’t do anything except glare and the kid stumbled back.
“I don’t think she likes you touching her,” he said, staring at my blue eye in horror.
“She’s paralyzed. What’s she going to do?” He questioned, his hand drifting lower and I suddenly wished I had Paige’s ability to project thoughts and emotions because I would terrify this bastard.
“Are you sure she’s a wolf?” The kid whispered, not taking his eyes off me.
“Yeah, they have girl ones, but they’re rare. She’s worth a fortune.” I heard the greed in his voice as he grabbed one of my arms. “Come on, now. Help me get her to the truck.” The kid came up hesitantly, his hand hovering by my arm. “Grab it,” the other man ordered and he jumped, taking my arm. Together, they dragged me further through the woods until we came to a dirt track and a pickup truck. “Toss her in the back,” the older man grunted. “But don’t bruise it. She’s worth more not bruised.”
“This is a bad idea.” I agreed with the kid as one of my toes curled, and a tingling sensation started to trickle through my extremities. This had become a very bad idea…for them. “We should leave her here.”
“Hell, no, boy, and if I hear another word out of you, I’ll leave you here.” The tailgate slammed shut. “Now get in the damn truck before I leave you out here for her friends to find.”
The boy scurried to the truck door and I heard two doors slam shut as I tried to wiggle more fingers and toes, but nothing else happened and I resigned myself to wait it out. We drove for a long time on the dirt track, my body bouncing all over the truck bed, until we finally turned onto a gravel road which wasn’t much better.
I knew we were headed south, and my heart rate kicked up as the truck slowed, but we just turned onto another road, this one paved. Adrenaline surged through me as I managed to curl my hand into a fist. Just a little longer, I promised myself.
Seconds turned to minutes and I could feel my chest rise and fall, then I could bend my arms and legs. Power surged through me, energizing my muscles and I prepared to launch myself out of the truck. If I could reach the trees then I would be on familiar territory and there was no way they’d get the upper hand. Dense forest lined the road on either side, but we were going fast, too fast for me to jump without hurting myself. I needed to slow them down.
My fingers tingled as power pulsed through me, stronger than I’d ever felt, and I smiled as I spread my hand and the truck started to levitate. I released it and felt the jolt when the tires touched back down. The two idiots in the truck were yelling in panic, and the truck started to slow. My legs tensed, ready to spring out of the truck bed, when the truck swerved, brakes squealing and I was thrown against the cab, my head slamming against metal. Spots filled my eyes, but I couldn’t let the opportunity escape me.
A gunshot rang out as I scrambled over the side of the truck and I heard a howl cut off abruptly. I crouched behind the truck as the doors flew open, �
�What are you doing, Chuck?” The kid shouted, standing behind the door like he was scared of whatever they’d just shot.
“You see the size of this thing?” Chuck shouted, excitement filling his voice and I lowered myself until I could see under the truck and my eyes rounded at the sight of the massive wolf lying on the ground. It was hands down the biggest wolf I’d ever seen and my heart started to hammer as I glanced at the forest. I knew I could make it, but as Chuck started to drag the wolf toward the truck, I knew I couldn’t leave it.
“Luke, get over here and help me,” Chuck yelled, sounding entirely too happy. Luke edged away from the door, reluctantly going over to Chuck. “We’re gonna be rich. Two of ‘em. That’s gotta be a record.”
“Shit,” I muttered, slithering back over the truck side as they bent over the humongous wolf shifter. I wasn’t sure why it hadn’t shifted back into human form, but I also knew I couldn’t leave a defenseless wolf at their mercy. I laid back down, trying to remember how I’d been positioned, but it didn’t matter as they lowered the tailgate.
“Geez, this thing is a monster,” Chuck grunted. “Even dead, it’ll fetch a good price. Some dumb fool will want to stuff it.” They managed to shove the wolf all the way in and when it’s fur brushed against my skin I knew it wasn’t dead.
A howl pierced the night and a prickle went through me. Something was out there and it was not happy. The tailgate slammed shut and the men ran to get back into the truck. I stretched my hand out, touching the wolf, and sensed the life fading from him. I shook him gently, hissing, “Shift.” I knew a shift would save his life but when he didn’t respond I crawled over him. I couldn’t go around – he took up the entire truck bed.
Dark fur hid the wound and I ran my hand over his side until I touched wet fur and pulled my hand back to find blood coating my fingers. “Shit,” I muttered again, wishing Paige was here. “Why don’t you shift?” I grumbled under my breath. “It would save us both a lot of trouble.” He didn’t hear me or wouldn’t respond and I dug my fingers back into his fur until I found the hole in his side.
Lone Wolf (The Pack Book 5) Page 15
