by Sydney Addae
Table of Contents
BlackWolf Preserved
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Silas brought Razor in front of the Pack and raised his hand for quiet. Tingles ran down his spine and across his skin. Astonished and honored, he went down on one knee and drew Jasmine into his link so she could see what was happening.
Angus, Hawke, Razor, and Storm immediately followed his lead as the atmosphere changed in the room. A bright light filled the space and then dimmed as the Goddess appeared.
“Wow,” Jasmine whispered.
Pack gasped and fell to their knees. No one spoke.
Peace filled Silas as he waited for instructions. A sense of rightness and divine purpose rippled through him. Suddenly he sensed the presence of others and wondered what was going on.
“Today starts a new chapter in BlackWolf history. Your ancestors were lax in seeking answers and assistance over the threat of annihilation that stemmed from jealousy and hatred centuries past. All were warned of the impending disaster.” She paused. “Only one, Alpha Nikolas, reached out for help. I have watched in amazed wonder that none of the BlackWolf Alphas called on Me for assistance as their Packs were destroyed one by one,” She said. “Look around you.”
Silas and the others looked up. The spirits of BlackWolf Clan members surrounded the Goddess with their heads down. “If you had reached out to Me, I would have saved your Pack and lands. You trusted in your own abilities without realizing an unnatural enemy was bent on your death and destruction.” She waved her hand. Alpha Nikolas walked forward and kneeled.
“One Alpha sought My help to save his line from a devious plot to wipe out all BlackWolves.” She looked down at Nikolas. “Your pup was raised to hate you and would’ve destroyed everything your Clan believed in. He died in a challenge by one of your seed and the witch is dead as well.” She looked around the hall. “The remaining Packs in your line will have one Alpha. They will relocate here on Fekete Farkas land in honor of your wisdom and faithfulness to Me.”
“Thank you, Goddess,” Nikolas said.
She nodded and looked at Silas. “Rise, my Wolf.”
Silas stood and met Her gaze.
“You are ever faithful with a true heart of a warrior.” She looked at Nikolas. “Silas Knight is of your line and one you should be proud of. He and Jasmine, his mate, have created a Pack that brings honor to all Wolves. They have represented Me well in all things and he is my Champion.”
Nikolas stared at Silas and dipped his head in a bow before meeting Silas’ gaze again. “I am proud of you and all you’ve done to save our Pack. Thank you for your vigilance and fortitude in bringing justice and healing to our lands.”
Touched, Silas nodded. “It is my honor and service to the Goddess to assist in all things She decrees.”
The Goddess raised her hand. “Razor will be known as Alpha Razor from here forth. You will keep your Hunter abilities but unlike your predecessors, you will be given the ability to create new Hunters to assist in keeping all Pack safe. I have informed Barticus and the other Alphas on the Continent of this. What Carthage did should never have happened.”
Silas wondered what happened with Alpha Carthage but didn’t ask.
Razor remained on his knees and didn’t respond.
“Nikolas do the honors and install Razor as Alpha over your line,” the Goddess said.
Smiling, Silas stepped to the side as a trembling Razor stood wide-eyed as Nikolas solidified and walked toward him.
“I can’t believe Grandfather is missing this,” Angus said to Silas as he stood behind him.
“I sense him. He’s here somewhere,” Silas said not bothering to look. He beamed with pride as Razor was installed as Alpha. Storm and Renee moved to stand behind Silas.
Nikolas looked at Storm for several moments and nodded at him before finishing Razor’s installation. The Pack cheered loud enough to raise the rafters of the building at the sight of their beloved Alpha Nikolas embracing their new Alpha Razor.
“I don’t think Razor will have many problems with this group, do you?” Jasmine asked Silas.
“Not as many as he would’ve had without the Goddess’ assistance,” he said as the Pack kneeled and paid homage to Razor before lining up to offer their necks.
“Are Storm and Renee returning with us or is he being sent on another assignment?” Jasmine asked.
“I don’t know,” he said watching the installation.
The Goddess glowed brightly and disappeared. “Lucian is a BlackWolf in need of your assistance to preserve the line. Razor is not to be involved; this is not his battle. However, there cannot be a repeat of the past. Help Lucian defeat the new enemy at his door to protect the Americas,” She told Silas before disappearing fully.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said and watched as the spirits of the BlackWolves disappeared. Nikolas remained until the last Pack member pledged fealty to Razor. He raised his hand and led the Pack in a cheer before disappearing as well.
“Phenomenal,” Angus said. “It’s times like this that make all the other stuff worthwhile.” He turned and looked at Razor and Trista standing in the middle of Pack. “What an introduction and consolidation. No one can argue his right to lead.”
“Nope, when the Goddess says you’re the one, that settles all disputes,” Hawke said standing next to Angus and Silas.
“Makes my job easier.” Silas looked at Angus. “We still have work to do. Central America. The Goddess is concerned and wants us to help clean up that mess, whatever it is.”
“Silas, I need your help, Raven has been kidnapped,” Lucian said.
CHAPTER ONE
Two Days Earlier...
Alpha Lucian, leader of all Central American Wolves, sat at a table having a meal in a new Pack owned restaurant in Honduras, with several Pack businessmen discussing challenges they were facing with expansion, construction, and human interference. The Goddess required they work within the confines of human laws as much as possible while remaining separate. Dealing with building permits, land transfers, and other red-tape often required a delicate dance.
“I am aware and have heard rumors that the death of Estevan Cortes, a former member of a South American... illegal business enterprise has re-opened negotiations in certain areas of Central America.” He looked at the men closely. “Let me make my position clear in case you’ve been contacted or have intentions to enter discussions with any of the Cartel’s representatives. I am not my Uncle, the former Alpha. We do not use Pack in experiments or give them drugs. None of the Packs beneath my banner is to be involved with any illegal human activities, period. I saw the death and destruction of my litter-mate after becoming addicted to experimental drugs....” He paused as a vision of Tasha lying on the ground with her head at an unnatural angle flashed before him. “I will not tolerate our pups or people becoming enslaved by drugs, weapons trades or allowing access for these illegal operations across our lands.”
“What if they... those who were allowed access before don’t listen or threaten us?”
“Reach out to your Alpha, we’ll handle it.” The men appeared startled and then slowly relaxed.
“Thank you, that is a relief. I have been contacted to allow carriers to use my land and will reach out to Alpha Solo after this meeting so he can take care of it,” one of the men said.
“That’s the proper way to deal with it,” Lucian encouraged. The conversation delved into other issues around illegal activities.
“Lucian!” Raven called through their link.
“Raven?” He half-listened to the conversation flowing around him as he called out to his litter-mate. She sounded upset, possibly afraid or a combination of both which wasn’t like her at all. Raven was one of the strongest people he knew.
He called her name again. Nothing.
After a few minutes, he stood. “Gentlemen, I have to check on something and will meet with you at our normal time in two weeks. If you need me before then, contact me,” he said as he left the restaurant.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Lucian ran the short distance to the Alpha house where he and his two litter-mates, Duke and Raven, lived. He moved quickly through the living areas, stopped in the middle of his home and looked around. “Raven?” When he received no response, he continued toward the screened patio.
“Lucian?” Silas Knight, Alpha of the North American continent, called.
“Hello, Silas.” Hands on hips, brows furrowed, Lucian scanned the area for Raven again.
“I am in the middle of an Alpha Challenge for Alpha Nikolas’ Pack, Feke Farkas. Are you or any of your Alphas interested in competing?”
Lucian fought back a snort. Every day he expected the Goddess to recant his recent promotion to lead all the Central American Packs. Right now, he couldn’t even locate his sister let alone fight to rule more full-bloods. “As tempting as that sounds, my plate is full solidifying the Central American Packs beneath my authority. It’s taking all of my energy and attention.” Lucian ran a hand through his hair while returning inside and walking toward Raven’s bedroom. He had already checked there but had no idea where else to search.
“I wasn’t sure and thought to ask. If you need anything let me know,” Silas said.
“Grandfather’s here. He’s been here for several days. Let’s just say I appreciated him more in my dreams than in person. The man speaks in riddles which take too long to figure out. He keeps promising to explain the Liege but gives us bits and pieces which makes everything more confusing.” Lucian sighed his frustration at the older man or being or whatever Grandfather was.
“Trust me, I’m aware of how the old man acts and understand completely. Hawke or Asia are the best people to explain and answer questions regarding the Liege. Soon as we’re done here, I’ll have one of them contact you and the others for a crash course,” Silas said.
Relieved to make progress in that area, Lucian released a pent up breath. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
“No problem. I’ll get back to you soon,” Silas promised.
“Thank you, again.” Lucian bit down on the corner of his mouth to keep from bringing up Raven’s disappearance. They would search every inch of Central America first before bringing in anyone else.
“Have you found her?” Duke his other litter-mate asked.
“No.” Lucian frowned. “One moment she called out to me, the next I can’t feel her. It’s like she vanished which makes no sense.” He spun around in the living room. “She was just here. I know it.”
“Same here. I heard her call out and then nothing. I don’t understand what’s going on. Didn’t realize it was possible to hide from litter-mates. Blood calls to blood,” Duke said entering the living room.
“Exactly.” Lucian stared down the hall toward Raven’s room.
“She’s not dead,” Duke said.
“I know that,” Lucian growled before meeting his brother’s gaze. “I’d know if she was. As her Alpha, I should be able to find her anywhere in the world... but I can’t. Our links are down. Not broken, more like off-line. Something’s interfering with my connection to her.” He met Duke’s uncertain gaze. “That’s not supposed to happen.”
“No. It’s not,” Duke said as he moved closer and clapped Lucian’s right shoulder. “We’ll find her.”
In time he would find his sister, of that he had no doubt. The idea someone or something could enter his home undetected and take Raven while breaking their connection chilled him to his core. How could he lead and protect Pack if an enemy could do that? “Has Grandfather returned?”
Duke looked around as if the old man reclined on the sofa. “No. I haven’t seen him since last night.” He frowned. “Now that I think about it, I left Grandfather and Raven in here talking after dinner. Haven’t seen her since, just that brief mental contact a short time ago.”
Lucian frowned. “What are you saying?”
Duke shrugged. “Just making an observation.”
“Grandfather didn’t have anything to do with Raven not responding to her Alpha. He doesn’t have that authority,” Lucian snapped.
Duke held up his hands. “Alright. As I said, it was an observation, nothing more.”
“Sorry. This whole thing.” Lucian sat heavily on the sofa with his face in his hands. “Raven? Where is she? Has someone taken her? If so where? Why? More importantly, how were our links severed? Why can’t I sense her beast?”
Duke sat across from him. “I didn’t realize your links were severed.”
Lucian hadn’t meant to share that bit of information.
“Have you talked to the Goddess? About the severed links?” Duke asked when he didn’t say anything.
Lucian didn’t want to ask or mention this serious problem to the Goddess. “No. I’m going to try and work this out by myself first. Maybe ask Silas if he’s ever heard of severed links, get more information. My beast isn’t sensing Raven’s in danger.” He met Duke’s gaze. “Yours?”
“No. I’m not sensing danger either. If I didn’t know better I’d think she was having a romantic liaison and didn’t want us to know about it. But with all the problems we’ve had lately, that’s the last thing she would do,” Duke said.
Lucian had thought about that. Raven knew he would support any male she chose which meant there was no reason for her to sneak around or hide her interest in a guy. “I’ve got the Alphas searching their lands for her but I don’t think they’ll find her. Not yet.”
“Which means what?” Duke asked.
“I don’t know what it means,” Lucian said frustrated. His gut said Raven had been taken by force but wasn’t hurt. How could she be taken off Pack lands? Lands under his command, his security? Agitated over the idea someone breached their den, his beast strained against him with the urge to hunt and destroy the challenger. He leashed his beast, fought down the anger and sorrow over her absence, so he could think clearly.
His Uncle, the previous Alpha, had been killed by Lucian’s littermate, Tasha, in a power grab. Was there a similar plot afoot? Would they use Raven as a lever or pawn for some reason? Everyone knew how close he and Raven were. She was his biggest supporter, closest ally, and Beta in every sense of the meaning even though she lacked the title. He didn’t know how he would govern the Pack without her.
“Are you sure she was in the house when she called out?” Duke asked.
Lucian opened his mouth to say yes and paused. Was he certain? Like Duke, he hadn’t seen her since last night at dinner. This morning she planned to work from her office at the house but that didn’t mean she didn’t leave. Granted, he picked up her presence earlier when he went to his morning meeting, but she could’ve left.
“No, I’m not positive. It’s possible she was somewhere else,” Lucian said. “Is someone challenging me?” He looked at Duke.
“What?”
Duke’s brows furrowed as he met Lucian’s serious gaze.
“Am I being challenged? My authority?” Under no circumstances would he allow chaos or his Goddess given position to be taken. He was not his Uncle.
They stared at each other for a few moments.
“Not anymore. I’ve not heard any complaints from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Panama, or El Salvador. We had no problems announcing the Goddess’ plan to make you Alpha of all the countries. Only Costa Rica fought against your authority and lost. The Alphas are doing well, very busy since there’s a lot to do, but they are loyal to the Goddess and you,” Duke said. “Why do you ask?”
Lucian didn’t want to remind Duke of Tasha’s actions against their Uncle, especially since Duke had been just as strung out on the drugs as Tasha had been.
“It seems an arrogant move to take her from my lands, don’t you agree?”
“Definitely. But you aren’t sure she was here,” Duke said.
“Let’s see if we can pick up her scent.”
Duke nodded as he stood. “I was just thinking that.”
They walked down the hall toward Raven’s bedroom. “I’ll check her office,” Duke said, veering left.
Lucian hadn’t checked the office which showed how rattled he had been to hear his sister call out. Her scent filled his nostrils. He opened the window, looked on the ground for fresh tracks and saw none. “Where are you, Raven?”
No answer.
“Lucian?” Duke called.
Lucian locked the window and moved quickly to Raven’s office where she worked as the School Administrator for the Pack.
Duke stood near the opened sliding glass door. “I think she left through here.”
“Was it opened when you came in?” Lucian couldn’t believe he missed that.
“No. It was closed but not locked.”
They inhaled deeply and walked outside. Jogging, they followed her scent several miles until it reached a back road that headed into town. Raven’s scent stopped abruptly.
“It stops here.” Duke looked around. “No tire tracks on the side of the road. Did she meet someone?” He looked at Lucian as if he had all the answers and wasn’t as much in the dark as him.
