by Sydney Addae
“I don’t know.” Lucian searched the area thoroughly. There were muted scents, nothing as strong as Raven’s. If she met someone they hadn’t gotten out the car or truck or whatever mode of transportation they had been in.
“She didn’t cross the road, at least not within a mile of here. I’m not picking up any other scents,” Duke said, staring down the road.
“What would she be doing here? What made her stop working on something she claimed was really important and come to this strip of the road?” Lucian murmured.
“Good question,” Duke said as he pointed down the street. “Want me to follow this road? Ask around to see if anyone saw her?”
Allowing his Alphas to assist in the search was one thing. They were sworn to secrecy. Lucian didn’t want the Pack, in general, to know Raven was missing. She was a high ranking member and greatly loved by parents and kids. The knowledge of her disappearance would spark a massive wave of alarm. Plus, considering his new position as head Alpha over six additional countries, it could undermine his authority, and embolden unknown enemies. For some reason, he had yet to fully understand, the Goddess had a lot of faith in him and he refused to allow anyone to sabotage Her plans. “Not yet. It would set off an alarm, cause problems everywhere. We have to be strategic about how we handle it.”
“Good point, hadn’t thought along those lines. The Pack would panic if they thought something happened to her.” Duke rubbed the back of his neck. “What are we going to do? By tomorrow certain members on her team will know she’s not answering their calls and search for her. What should we tell them?”
Lucian thought about it a few moments longer. “Just that she left on a private job for me and will contact them as soon as she can. In the meantime, I’ll talk to Silas about what’s happened. It’s possible there’s a link we aren’t aware of.”
Duke frowned. “Link? Like what?”
“With the Liege equipment. Grandfather hasn’t explained that to my satisfaction. There’s a whole lot more to it than he’s shared with us. Strange things started happening after their technology showed up on our lands.”
Duke nodded slowly. “You’re right.”
“Hawke or Asia might be able to explain how Raven’s scent suddenly disappeared or why neither of us can link with her.” He exhaled. “Honestly, it’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense.”
“When will you talk to him? Get some direction?” Duke asked as they retraced their steps to the house.
“Tomorrow, after the Alpha challenge.”
THE NEXT DAY, LUCIAN and Duke filtered concerned calls regarding Raven’s silence on critical issues from several of her team members across Pack lands. Lucian’s respect for his sister soared as the full scope of her undertaking the school system became clear. She worked diligently and pushed her team just as hard. It took a lot of fast-talking to convince Raven’s inner circle that she willingly left town without contacting them and giving final instructions. In the end, his word was accepted, and an intermediary plan put in place to keep things moving.
Duke entered Lucian’s office around noon wearing a concerned expression. “This isn’t good.”
“What?” Lucian looked up, saw the dirty white envelope in Duke’s hand and frowned. “What’s that?”
“A message.” He passed the envelope to Lucian.
Opening it, he pulled out a slip of paper and read. He stood quickly, almost toppling over his desk. “Where did this come from?”
“Delivery service. Just got here. Look at it. Check out the postmark.” Duke pointed to the letter.
Lucian looked at the envelope and cursed. “It had to be overnighted.”
Duke nodded. “It was delivered by messenger to my office a few moments ago. And before you ask, the delivery man was human who has worked for the company for over 10 years and had no idea what was in the letter. I questioned him; he spoke the truth. Someone else sent this.”
This whole situation was spiraling out of control. Who was behind this? Was this some sort of test of his position? Or a vendetta? Disgruntled Pack? Lucian rubbed his forehead. “This came from Buena's Aires, Argentina?” He swallowed hard at the ridiculousness of the situation. “Argentina? Do you know how far that is from here? Over 6,000 kilometers,” he yelled. “How? What? Who? Why?”
“Over eight hours by plane,” Duke said softly. “Why did they take her? What do they want?”
Lucian looked at Duke. “You read this right?”
Duke exhaled and nodded.
“It was addressed to Alpha Ricardo.”
Duke looked at it again. “I missed that. Someone took Raven thinking Uncle Ricardo was still Alpha?”
That opened a whole new set of problems. His Uncle had taken over the Pack after Lucian’s father, Alpha Josef died and allowed Franz, a military soldier to use Pack members for drug experiments. The drugs had been killing their beasts and changed their behavior. His Uncle, Duke, and Tasha had all been addicted.
“It’s possible. “Lucian closed his eyes briefly as he thought of the days his Uncle led the Pack. The man had been heartless and cruel and petty. There was no telling what he did to members or other Packs. Times had been dark and ugly back then. Lucian and Raven lived away from the Alpha house to separate themselves from him and his dirty dealings.
“Did Uncle Ricardo cheat people?” He looked at Duke.
Duke’s face reddened and jaw tightened as he met Lucian’s gaze. “I’m sure he did. I don’t know if he dealt with anyone outside our Pack other than a couple of gangs. He never involved us, well me, that deep into his business. Mostly it was him and Franz, sometimes Tasha. Things were wild and crazy back then,” Duke murmured turning away.
“But Raven had nothing to do with Uncle Ricardo’s schemes. Nothing at all.” Lucian held up the letter. “All it says is they’ve taken her and she’ll return soon. Soon? How long is soon? What do they need with her? And who are they? Who took Raven and how?” He slammed the paper onto his desk as his voice rose. His beast stirred. Lately, it seemed he went from crisis to crisis, draining him.
“I don’t know,” Duke said, in a voice filled with pain.
Raven was their rock. She kept them balanced and optimistic. On days when the new position of Alpha weighed him down, she encouraged him, offered suggestions on how to make life better. She was the sunshine on most of his dreary days. The thought of something bad happening to her broke his heart and hurt his spirit.
It took everything within him not to fly down to Argentina and what? Knock on doors? Seek assistance from Alphas he didn’t know? How would he secure their permission to cross their lands? What if one of them were involved in some way? No, he needed to be strategic, gather information regarding Packs in that area and put out feelers.
Plus, he needed to install this last Alpha to bring all seven countries under his leadership. Corvis had been an outcast with the previous Alpha because he disagreed with the direction the Pack was headed. He had been in the process of leaving Costa Rica when Lucian won the Alpha challenge against the old Alpha. When Lucian asked the remaining Pack members if there was anyone in Costa Rica with the heart of a wolf, one they would like to see as their new Alpha to serve under Lucian, Corvis’ name came up more than all the others. He and his mate were good people with a love for the members and land.
This week, Lucian would introduce the new Alpha and work in Costa Rica alongside Corvis to bring things in order. Lucian envisioned long days and nights dealing with the administrative aspects of the Pack and the social obligations that were just as important if not more so. The timing sucked all around.
Lucian glanced at his brother and realized he couldn’t send him to handle the installation either. As Honduras’ Alpha, Duke’s Pack was the largest so far and he was stretched with daily challenges. He needed to remain here to keep an eye on the Pack while Lucian trained Corvis. Hands tied, he reached out to his mentor and friend. “Silas, I need your help, Raven has been kidnapped.”
“What
? What did you say?” Silas asked.
Lucian repeated his comment.
“How? I don’t understand how that could happen,” Silas sounded as baffled as Lucian had been.
Lucian explained everything that happened yesterday and the overnight letter from Argentina. Neither spoke for several moments.
“It was addressed to your Uncle?”
“Yes.” There was no need to explain his Uncle’s unsavory past to Silas, he had been here when his Uncle was murdered.
“Let me check with Hawke on something.”
Pleased he would get some help, Lucian returned to his bedroom to retrieve his packed luggage. He would be leaving for Costa Rica within the hour.
Duke’s brow rose when Lucian returned to the living room. “You’re still going?”
Lucian didn’t want to go or stay. Operating on fumes he needed a break, a day off to re-center, rather than share his disquiet he answered with a safe reply. “I can’t neglect my duties to the Goddess. It’s Her decree that all of Central America be united beneath one Alpha.” Feeling like the biggest fraud, he placed his suitcase in the foyer for the driver without looking at Duke.
“Si, si, I understand.” Duke waved his hand. “But... but what about Raven? We need to find her. Help her escape whatever’s going on. Just because our beasts are at ease over her not being in danger now, that could change in a second.”
“I know. I’ve asked Silas for help. Plus, Grandfather should return soon and will be able to offer additional assistance. Believe me when I say my thoughts are constantly on Raven. I’m working to bring her home,” Lucian said in a strong tone, almost daring Duke to question him again.
Duke held his gaze a few seconds before turning away and staring at his hands. “I feel useless. I don’t know what to do.” He ran his hand through his hair and slumped in the seat.
“Work with your team to keep Honduras running smoothly. The last thing I want is a report that someone has attacked our lands thinking we’re distracted or worse, weak. Don’t let that happen. Do not lose ground.”
Duke shook his head slowly. “I won’t.” Standing, he turned, left the room and then the house.
Lucian shut his eyes and counted to 10 before releasing a long breath. Just as Duke and Tasha had been close, Raven and he had always been the closest of the four litter-mates. “Goddess, I pray you keep Raven safe, unharmed, unmolested and protected until she’s found and returns home.”
He had to trust the Goddess to protect her or lose his mind. The idea that someone sexually molested or assaulted Raven made him nauseous. It took a few moments but eventually peace settled on his shoulders allowing him to take a deep breath and release it gradually.
Lucian’s beast wouldn’t allow him to stop being Alpha no matter how much he wanted to toss everything aside and search for Raven.
“Lucian. Hawke says there are Liege devices that could mask her scent. There are also devices that interfere with links. I’ve experienced it myself and know it’s true.”
Lucian’s heart fell. He hadn’t expected to hear that. “My education regarding the Liege is faulty and I’m tired of being in the dark, learning after the fact of what they can do. It’s time someone gave me the full story about them, don’t you agree?”
“Yes. Especially with Raven missing. Hawke is getting his brother Niall settled and will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. He’ll look at the equipment, as well as give you the history of the Liege. They held him captive for over 30 years in a lab,” Silas said.
Lucian sat down hard rubbing his forehead. “How long have they been dealing with Pack?”
“Over a century. It’s a long story and Hawke will share it with you as well as remain to help get things sorted out. Also, I’m sending my son, Storm. Renee will probably come with him. Storm is the best Hunter I have. If Raven is in Central America, he’ll find her. He’ll need to get her scent first.”
“I remember Storm,” Lucian said relieved. “He’s a great Hunter. I’ll be in Costa Rica for the rest of the week installing a new Alpha. Have Storm, Renee, and Hawke come to the Alpha House in Honduras. Duke will receive them. Storm can access Raven’s room to get whatever he needs for the hunt.” He paused. “I don’t think she’s here. In Central America, I mean.”
“Probably not, but we need to remove that possibility. Once Storm eliminates it, I’ll send him to Argentina. It’s important to eliminate as many areas as quickly as possible,” Silas said.
“I agree.” Lucian paused. “Why is my beast not upset? Or angry? My sister has been taken and cut off from me, her Alpha,” he asked Silas.
“Has she mentioned meeting anyone lately? Anyone who made her uncomfortable or that she was attracted to?”
“No. No one.”
“If she has come across her mate, if he’s taken her that would be one reason your beast has no reaction. A mate can never harm his mate.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right,” Lucian said, surprised. Had Raven’s mate called her from the road and she answered? “Why would our links not work for that? I would be happy for her if that happened.”
“Good question. I don’t have an answer, which leads me to another reason your beast isn’t reacting to Raven’s disappearance. It’s possible that she’s unconscious or in a comatose state and her beast is unresponsive because of that.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes, it is. I experienced it once myself. Her body could be healing or something along those lines. Also, there is technology that will mimic that effect amongst our kind. If someone is using Liege technology on her, she could be in an induced comatose state using specific equipment where nothing works or responds,” Silas said.
“How is it we weren’t warned this could happen?” Lucian demanded, angry. Why choose him as Alpha and keep him blinded by these possibilities? It made no sense.
“Ask Grandfather when he returns,” Silas said.
“Believe me I will. I had no idea any of this was possible. Was there a way to prevent these devices from putting her in a coma?” Lucian asked.
“Possibly. Hawke is the best person to ask those questions,” Silas said.
Lucian took a deep breath to beat down the rising anger. “Do you think someone took her because my Uncle used drugs or allowed the military to run tests on our Pack?” He prayed that had nothing to do with it but needed to ask.
“My first thought is no because the remaining Pack took the antidote and haven’t relapsed. However, anything’s possible,” Silas said. “Who would know about Ricardo’s activities?”
“Franz, he’s in a military prison somewhere or dead. Tasha’s dead and Duke says he wasn’t involved at that level. I don’t know if my Uncle worked outside the Pack but I don’t think so. No one has ever said if he did or not.” He paused. “Several Packs left Honduras and settled in other countries. They refused to ever have a Saldivar Alpha again and left for South America or Mexico.”
“They did you a favor, saved you a lot of headaches,” Silas said. “Ask Pedro and the others if Ricardo dealt with other Packs, made enemies or anything along those lines. It’s best to eliminate those possible avenues first,” Silas suggested.
“Will do. I appreciate your assistance in this matter. Raven and I are close, she’s my best friend and sister.”
“I know,” Silas said. “I have a soft spot for her as well. She’s a bright diamond in your Pack. We’ll find her.”
A knot in Lucian’s chest eased at Silas’ decree. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe he and his Pack couldn’t find Raven. Eventually, they would. But Silas’ resources and centuries of experience would find her faster, hopefully before anything irreversible happened.
“Thank you. It means a lot knowing you’ll work with us to find her,” Lucian said moments later.
“No problem. We’re wrapping up the celebration here. Razor is the new Alpha. The Goddess appeared and named him the winner of the challenge. Considering four Packs are being consolidated i
nto one, Her timing was perfect,” Silas said.
“Four into one? I bet there’s an interesting story behind that. One I’d love to hear once Hawke arrives.” Lucian waved the driver inside and pointed to his lone suitcase.
The driver picked it up and walked outside.
Lucian followed and slid into the back seat.
“This is one challenge we’ll be talking about for years to come. I’m sure Hawke will enjoy the re-telling,” Silas said. “If you need anything else, just reach out.”
“Thank you, I appreciate all of your help. Tell Lady Jasmine I said hello and send fond wishes.”
“Will do. Keep your head up. Help is on the way. I’ll let you know when they board the plane headed in your direction,” Silas said.
“One question. What if the ones who took her are human? The Liege were humans, right?”
“Yes, they were,” Silas said.
“Are we restricted from dealing with humans in a case like this? The kidnapping of my litter-mate? Pack member?” Lucian asked.
“No, you’re not. If a human took her, you can do whatever’s necessary to save her... without exposing what you are,” Silas said.
“Much appreciated. Again, thanks.” He disconnected, leaned back in his seat, looked at the rolling countryside and contacted his Alphas. “Do you know if my Uncle was involved with other Packs or people while he dealt with Franz? Someone the two of them may have cheated or mishandled to the point they’d hold a grudge?”
The answer was the same among all of them. “No. Not that they knew of.”
During that time, it was every Pack for themselves with no one Alpha in charge. Surely one of his current Alphas would’ve heard something if his Uncle sold drugs to humans or offended other Packs. Lucian rubbed his forehead and stared at the diamond and onyx ring Raven gave him for Christmas last year. “Ask around. Someone may have heard something. Franz was all over the place dealing drugs and weapons. I can’t believe he and my Uncle treated everyone honorably.”
“Yes, Sir,” the Alphas responded one by one.
