Pack Wars Complete Box Set: Paranormal Menage Werewolf Military Heroes

by Vella Day

  Statler smiled. “I want you to convince Ms. Wagner to leave town. Tell her if she stays, the men she seems attached to will meet with an unfortunate accident. Killing her will be the next step if she doesn’t cooperate, but I’m sure you will be able to persuade her.”

  At least his boss wasn’t demanding to see her dead body. “I can do that, but it seems to me that if we can produce this cousin, Mackenzie will go on her way.”

  Statler shook his head. The slight lift to his lips implied he couldn’t believe Jay’s naiveté. “It’s too late.”

  “What’s too late, sir?

  “I’m afraid she’s gone. Along with the others.”

  He truly wasn’t following. “I thought you didn’t know who’d purchased her—just that she’d been given as a present.”

  Statler dragged a hand down his chin. “You’ll find out sooner or later, so I’ll tell you what I can. Werewolves are such vulnerable creatures.”

  “Sir?” Was Statler losing it? Both of them were werewolves, and Jay certainly didn’t consider himself vulnerable. Hell, unless he was shot in the heart with a poisonous bullet or had his throat ripped out, he could survive almost any injury. Even broken bones only took minutes to heal.

  “The Colters are a dying breed. They are being eliminated faster than we can find people to join our cause.”

  “Many groups can say the same—teachers, doctors, policemen, to name a few.”

  “This is different, and you know it. We have to do something to preserve our kind.” A slight smile lifted his lips. “We now have genetically altered werewolves who can resist the effects of the poison.”

  Had Statler gone crazy? “Sir, I’m not a scientist, but it would take hundreds if not thousands of years for the wolf population to mutate like that.”

  Statler laughed, and Jay had to grit his teeth not to attack the arrogant son of a bitch.

  “Science is amazing, is it not?” Statler leaned forward on his elbows. “We need more workers. Workers who can survive battle after battle and not fail. We have a facility where scientists have spent several decades perfecting this alteration, but we need to do it faster. Our scientists have discovered that by using female human blood and their enzymes, they can form the perfect werewolf. A super wolf, so to speak.”

  Jay’s blood turned cold as he put the facts together. “Are you saying those women who were purchased will be used in this scientific experiment?” He widened his eyes as he smiled, pretending this was the most ingenious plot in the world, when in fact it horrified him.

  “Precisely. The details aren’t important. Suffice it to say, this new breed will be hard to kill or maim.”

  “That’s astounding. So you’re saying the scientists have figured out the secret to immortality?” It wasn’t possible. These new creatures had to have their own form of kryptonite.

  Statler laughed. “No, my son. Not at all. We’ll live a normal span, but it most likely won’t be from combat that causes our premature death. The only way to kill the enhanced wolves is to rip out their throats. Bullets will be useless.”

  “I’m impressed, sir. You said I’d find out sooner or later. Are you saying we’re getting some of these super soldiers in Florida?”

  He grinned. “They’re already here.”

  * * *

  As soon as Jay stepped out of Statler’s office, his mind sped a million miles an hour, trying to decide what to do. First and foremost, he needed to speak with Kenzie. And soon. He had to convince her to leave town. Telling her that Cheryl might be who-knows-where, undergoing some horrific experiments, would be painful, but Kenzie needed to understand what was at stake. Jay had to emphasize that not only would her men’s lives be at stake if she didn’t do as Paul Statler suggested, so would his. Statler didn’t take kindly to failure.

  From what Kenzie said, even if she went back to Indiana, there was no guarantee that Sam and Brandon would lie low. Jay had to warn them, that if they caused any more trouble, Jay would be tasked to organize a team to take them down.

  He wanted to call his roommate to explain the situation and to ask his opinion. While Riley wasn’t involved in the human trafficking aspect of the Colter organization, he knew a lot about Statler and what he might do. Jay called him and explained the situation.

  “How are you going to handle this?” Riley sounded worried.

  “What choice do I have?”

  “You think Sam and this Brandon guy are going to welcome you into their home? If they’re as good as Statler makes them out to be, they’ll maim first and ask questions later.”

  This was the part he’d been wrestling with. “I have to come clean.”

  Riley actually laughed. “Break your cover? The cover you’ve spent years putting in place?”

  “Statler left me little choice. I think I should escort Kenzie back to Indiana to make sure she stays put. I’ll let Statler think Sam and Brandon killed me.”

  He and Riley discussed what their boss would think if Jay did this. It didn’t look good no matter which option he chose.

  Riley blew out a breath. “Let me talk to our chief and see if I can put my investigation on hold. I’m almost finished here anyway. Perhaps if we can make headway into breaking this human trafficking ring, you won’t be hung out to dry. Besides, if I’m home, I can be your eyes and ears. And trust me, I will mourn your death with the greatest of sorrow.”

  Jay chuckled. “Please. No funeral.”

  “Sure. But don’t think that when you come back, a few people won’t be freaked out.”

  “If I come back.” The idea of giving up everything pained him. “I hope I’m doing the right thing.” He prayed he wasn’t putting Cheryl Johnson in more danger by leaving. This scientific lab could be anywhere in the world, and he had no idea where to look. Fuck.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Mac sat at the table with Brandon finishing her breakfast. She pushed the soggy flakes around the bowl, not really interested in eating, but knowing she should. The coffee had gone cold, but she’d been too distraught to pour another cup.

  “Do you think Sam will call?” He’d left two days ago, and she was worried. God, but she’d really messed things up.

  Even after getting caught, she believed she’d been right in watching William Daniels’s house. Look who’d come to visit him—the head of the Colters. That implied either Daniels needed legal help or he was up to no good. Most likely both scenarios were true.

  “Eventually.” Brandon pushed back his chair. “I know this is going to be hard, darlin’, but I’ve got things to do today. If I don’t lock you in, Sam will literally tear me limb from limb when he gets back.”

  “How about if I promise not to go out?” In all honesty, she almost didn’t want to leave the house. “I’ve only investigated the first six men on the list. I have four more to go. That will take up the rest of the day.”

  He moved behind her and ran his warm palms down her face, and then pulled back her hair. She loved his touch, but right now, it didn’t boost her mood like it usually did.

  “You’ve promised before,” he said in a gentle tone.

  Actually, she hadn’t really promised, she’d just hinted that she’d stay put, but she didn’t have the energy to quibble. “Fine.”

  Before he could clean the table of their food, the front door bell rang. She looked up at Brandon. “Would Sam ring the doorbell?”

  “It’s not Sam. My bones are cracking, and that means one thing.”

  Her pulse soared. “Oh, shit. Should I hide?”

  “Just stay here.” Brandon strode to the front door and pulled it open. “What are you doing here, Wagner?”

  Mac froze. Jay was here? She rushed to diffuse the potential confrontation. She stood behind Brandon just in case Jay had come for some reason other than to visit. In his hand was some kind of badge.

  “Jaybird. What’s going on?”

  “Kenzie. I’ve come to explain a few things. I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a moment of yo
ur time.” He then looked at Brandon.

  Hair on the back of Brandon’s hands sprouted. Crap. He glanced back at her. “Do you know anything about this?” Brandon’s voice sounded like he was stepping on glass shards.

  “No! How would I? But let’s hear him out. Please?” Jay would never hurt her. They’d been through too much together.

  Brandon’s hands returned to normal. “Come in.”

  Jay stepped inside. “Where’s your cousin, Brandon?”

  Why didn’t he ask her? She answered anyway. “Sam isn’t here.”

  “Can you call him? This is truly a matter of life and death.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Yours.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Mine?”

  Brandon wrapped an arm around her waist. “Maybe we should take this to the living room.”

  Had he not helped her, Mac was sure her knees might have given out. She and Brandon sat next to each other on the couch while Jay sat across from them.

  He scrubbed a hand down his chin. “I’m not sure where to begin.” Jay tossed his badge to Brandon. “I’ve been working undercover for the FBI for seven years now. I can give you the number to call if you want verification.”

  Brandon passed the badge to Mac. “They know about werewolves in the FBI?” The fear in Brandon’s voice tore at her.

  “No. They believe I’m just another human. I figure what they don’t know won’t hurt them. My job is to investigate human trafficking.”

  Her heart soared. “You’re a good guy!”

  Jay chuckled. “Yeah, Kenzie. If I’d had the okay, I would have told you before.”

  His words took a minute to sink in. “Why tell me now?”

  “I’m afraid your little stunt at Medlock’s got my boss’s attention.”

  She made a T with her hands. “Time out. Your boss? The FBI is here?”

  “No. I meant my Colter boss—Paul Statler.”

  That was what her men had told her.

  Brandon leaned forward. “So you admit to working for that scum?”

  Jay didn’t flinch. “I’m undercover as a Colter in his organization though I have dealt with Harvey Couch and a few of his other not so wonderful friends.”

  Brandon seemed ready to do battle. “Why should we believe you?”

  “Call General Armand. I’ve been secretly handing him intel for years.”

  “I will.” Brandon pulled his phone from his pocket, got up, and left the room.

  As pleased as she was that her cousin wasn’t some evil man, he still hadn’t explained his presence. “I’m confused. Medlock seemed to believe my story about wanting to learn more about him.”

  Brandon walked back in. “I do apologize for misjudging you.”

  “No problem. That just means I did a good job convincing the world that I’m evil. All part of my cover. I was about to tell Kenzie that it wasn’t her wandering into Medlock’s bedroom that got her noticed. It was when Statler visited Carl Daniels’s home and Statler smelled your jasmine perfume. Apparently, you had it on the day you went to his office to find out about Cheryl.”

  This was terrible. “I didn’t even think about that. I swear I didn’t have on any perfume at Daniels’s home. I know better, so maybe my clothing carried my scent—a scent that only a werewolf could smell.” Damn. How could she have been so careless?

  Brandon grabbed her hand. “All the more reason not to go out ever again.”

  “I’m afraid,” Jay said, “it gets a lot worse.” He told them that Statler suspected him and Sam of tussling with some wolves at John Hood’s house as well as at Carl Hampton’s place.”

  Waving a dismissive hand, Brandon leaned back. “He can’t know that.”

  “Apparently, he does. The two teams compared notes. Your fighting skills are legendary.”

  He shrugged. “So what. They can’t prove it was us, and even if they could, so what?”

  “I don’t think Statler and his men care if you had a good reason to be there or not. They think the three of you are a menace to their organization, and they want you taken out.”

  Mac freaked out. “Taken out? Can you be more specific?”

  Brandon grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry, darlin’. No one is going to harm you.”

  Easy for him to say. Even if she didn’t investigate any more—which would be next to impossible—Statler and his men could find her at the grocery store or at the gas station. “I can’t stay locked up twenty-four hours a day.”

  Jay leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I’m going to be blunt. Statler asked me to do the deed if you don’t cooperate and leave town now.”

  Conflicting emotions charged through her. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He shook his head. “You’re right, which is why I need to leave town with you. My failure to carry out his request will mean my certain death.”

  Concern filled Brandon’s face. “There must be another way. According to the General, your intel has been invaluable to us.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  She jumped up, but Brandon pulled her down again. She glared at him. “I’m not leaving until I find Cheryl.” Pain sliced across Brandon’s face. “And I’m not leaving you and Sam either.”

  Brandon faced Jay. “Once they realize Mackenzie is still here, do you think they’ll send someone else to kill her?”

  “Actually, they plan on killing you and Sam if she stays. They probably think a woman can’t do all that much harm. That being said, if she snoops, they will kill her.”

  While she wanted to claim she could do plenty of harm, it wouldn’t do anyone any good right now. Her heart broke. She’d never do anything to put either Brandon or Sam in jeopardy, but she couldn’t leave either. “There has to be another solution.” Desperation poured out of her.

  Jay blew out a breath. “I need to tell you one more thing before you make up your mind. It shocked the hell out of me when Statler told me.” Jay explained about how the abducted women had been taken to some facility where the scientists were doing experiments on them, all to create altered werewolves capable of surviving poisonous bullets.

  Mac sat there stunned. “That’s horrific. Do you think it’s true, though? Or was Statler telling you this so that I’d go home?” Poor Cheryl. If a heart could break, Mac’s would be split in half.

  “I wish I knew. I can’t be certain if he suspects me of being a traitor or not. Statler wouldn’t give me a lot of details. He claimed that some of these enhanced werewolves are already here and more are on their way. Apparently, Cheryl has already been sent away.”

  The rest of the air in her lungs escaped, and she collapsed back onto the sofa. This had to be a lie. Her mind refused to wrap around the whole concept. Not only did the Colters want her gone, if she didn’t get out of Gulfside, her men would be targeted, too. Then the real shock sunk in. “Do you think that’s where Cheryl is? At this facility where they plan to do experiments on her?” Mac planted her palms over her face, the horror far greater than she was ready to bear.

  “I can’t be sure of anything, Kenzie.” Jay blew out a breath. “But I can’t afford to doubt him. There is no question in my mind that we have to leave soon.”

  Brandon pulled out his phone again. “General Armand needs to be informed.”

  Jay held up a hand. “I’ve already disclosed everything to him before I came over here—in case you and your cousin gave me an inhospitable reception.”

  Brandon stuffed his phone in his pocket. “Why do you think so many men would go through the process of buying the women only to send them off to be specimens? One of the men on the list was human for Christ’s sake.”

  “I have no idea. Look, I don’t like it anymore than you do, Brandon. Hell, I’ve spent years cultivating this undercover gig. I’ve helped The Pack take down Harvey Couch and helped blow the whistle on John Hood. To leave before all these women are found kills me. I just learned about this diabolical plan, and I’m sick to my stomach. These enhanced werewolves can’t be
killed by conventional methods. Do you have any idea the damage they could inflict on our society?”

  She and Brandon both sat there stunned. He tapped his foot to a beat only he could hear, and his nails grew.

  Mac placed a hand on his arm. “What do you think we should do?” He was part of the equation as much as she was.

  “We have no choice. You need to go back to Indiana where you’ll be safe. It’s Christmas Eve. I’m sure your mom will want to spend time with you for the holidays.”

  Guilt swamped her. Mac hadn’t paid attention to the days. “What about Cheryl?” She glanced between him and Jay.

  Jay stood. “Cheryl might be gone, Kenzie. We have to face that fact.”

  He was wrong. He had to be. “Did he tell you that Cheryl was for sure one of these women at the facility?”

  “Yes. For the sake of Brandon and Sam, you need to go pack. If you aren’t out of here by tomorrow, there will probably be a swarm of Colters around the house. You only have so many bullets to fend them off. God help you all if any of them are these super werewolves.”

  She slumped back in her seat. “I guess I better call the airport.”

  “I already took the liberty of checking. We can leave at four this afternoon out of Orlando.”

  Tears dripped over the edges of her lid. “I never thought it would come to this.”

  “You don’t have to tell me. My superior is far from happy, but he understands. They’d spent a lot of money getting me in place, and now I’ve come up empty-handed.”

  She’d really messed things up for more than just Jay. “I’m sorry.”

  Her cousin checked his cell. “It’s nine now. I’ll pick you up in three hours. It’ll take us a while to get to the airport.”

  Brandon hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “It’ll be okay.”

  No, it wouldn’t. “What about Sam?” She swiped a tear from her cheek. Not saying goodbye to him would be terrible.

  “He’ll understand.”

  She twisted toward Jay. “Do you think I can Skype them or call when I get back to Indiana?” How far would this isolation reach?