“How did someone have access to an Alpha’s den?” Asia asked and Hawke sensed her concern.
Ulric glanced at Asia and then turned to Angus. “I don’t know.” The tortured look on his face told its own story and touched Hawke. “One moment we were running through the forest during a training and the next they were gone. We searched every inch of the area and there was no trace of them or anyone else.”
“Are you saying there was no scent of an intruder?” Hawke asked, wondering if someone else utilized a device similar to his mate.
“Yes. I mean no. Yes that is what I am saying,” Ulric said watching Hawke.
“And you came to the southern Ukraine? Why?” Angus asked.
“I heard Lord Boris collected black pups.”
“What?” Asia said before Hawke could speak or show his surprise.
Ulric nodded. “That is an old rumor, but once my pups were missing I came north to check into it. So far I have not found anything to connect Boris to the pups or this Lobo place.”
Hawke’s mind latched onto the lack of scent problem. That thread needed unraveling.
“Lobo?” Angus asked, his brows furrowing.
Ulric nodded. “Yes. That is the name I was told.”
“What have you done so far?” Angus asked.
“Chased down every lead, searched too many places to count and saw more than we needed to see. We spoke with the European council before they arrived here. They told me that your presence threatened the lives of the pups because of what happened with the test wolves. That was a red flag. No wolf would be angry over the release of enslaved full bloods. But if there was a chance they spoke the truth I wanted you to stop and go home. Later I discovered they work for the Liege.”
“Are you still linked to Angus? Is that how you found us?” Asia asked.
“Yes. It is also why I’m asking for your help. The three of you have been inside the castle; did you ever see any black pups?” He looked at Hawke.
“No. I have never seen any pups at the castle. But the castle is one of many places the Liege uses. Each place is outfitted for a specific purpose,” Hawke said thinking it through.
Ulric’s gaze dropped.
“Connall said that the Black Wolf Clan was immune to the negative aspects of the drug he and Andrei used to magnify their abilities. It is possible they take the pups to use in experiments,” Asia said watching Hawke and then facing Ulric.
Ulric nodded. “That is my fear.” He looked at Angus. “We need help to find out if Lobo is real, and free the pups. I do not say this for just my pups, but for all black pups, including La Patron’s. None of our pups are safe as long as the Liege uses them for experiments.”
Hawke heard the frustration in the Alpha’s voice and agreed. He glanced at his mate and wondered if they would have pups. The Liege would love a pup from Asia. He shuddered to think of his pup in the hands of his enemies. Asia brushed against his link with a cool calming breeze. She understood his fear and concern, any pups they bore would be targeted by the Liege. Before they started a den the enemy needed to be destroyed.
“I will talk with my Alpha and we will discuss a plan,” Angus said. “You are correct, this problem must be corrected and the Liege must be stopped. No pups, or black clan wolves will be test wolves for the Liege.”
Ulric nodded. “Agreed. Come I have secured a house, we can rest and talk.”
Hawke wondered if Angus would return to Chacal’s.
“Thank you but we have a place to rest and will return there shortly. I wanted to speak with you first. Tomorrow we will talk,” Angus said walking toward his former Alpha.
“Agreed,” Ulric said and left the clearing.
Hawke watched Angus turn and walk in the opposite direction. “What do you think?” He asked Asia who stood next to him staring at the path Ulric had taken.
“No pups should be taken from their den and made slaves to the Liege. Lobo needs to be shut down.” She paused and met his gaze with a concerned look. “Two of the pups they have are yours.”
“What?” Hawke had no idea what she was talking about, he had no pups.
She exhaled and he knew whatever she said next would hit hard. “When I worked in the lab, Chuck or Henry said only two of your pups lived. They said you had pups. The Liege were using you as breeding stock. That was the purpose of the bitches we brought to your lab that night. Didn’t you know that?”
Stunned, Hawke traced his memories and hit a wall. Pain speared his skull and for a few seconds he couldn’t move. “I was never told about any pups. They always provided bitches for sex, and within the past ten years the bitches were always in heat. Hearing you say it now, I can see it, but no… I never knew.” He gazed at his mate and spoke from his heart through their link. “My main concern was the Liege attacking any den you and I would have.” Her eyes widened and she took a step back. He took a step forward. “One day, I want a den… with you. It will happen but first we must make certain our pups will be safe.”
Her mouth opened and closed. Hawke bit back a grin. It was not often she looked uncertain.
“A den? I do not think I can do that,” she whispered.
He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “Don’t worry, I will help. You won’t be alone.”
Her arms tightened around his waist.
Content with her agreement, his beast howled. He placed his finger beneath her chin, stared into her eyes and saw his future. “Thank you.”
She frowned and he wished she could morph into her base form, but it was too risky.
“Why?”
“Because I have a future. I never had one before. A mate, pups, a den… none of those things ever seemed possible before. You have brought the sun into my world. For the first time in my life I am seeing things clear.” Unable to fully explain the jumble of emotions rolling through him, he released the love he felt for her through their link. Her grip tightened around his waist. He held her close as tremors shot through her frame. She grabbed his face, pulled him down and kissed him with so much heat it scorched.
“Hawke…”
The hoarseness of her voice, coupled with her need for him made his blood sizzle. He deepened the kiss, needing more and more. He would never have enough. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he lifted her easily loving the feel of her legs around his waist.
The kiss deepened. And then she released a barrage of emotions through their link. He staggered and then firmed his hold on her ass. Fear of being hurt or deceived, her desire to know who she was, her family, how she wanted to love but was afraid, and those conflicting thoughts ran through the link on a loop. Until finally her need for him, her pride in his work, her excitement at building a future with him and not being alone rolled through their link, bathing him with hope and affection. She called him her do-over. He wondered at the meaning but did not ask, not now, perhaps later.
Hawke gasped and sucked in air. She rested her forehead on his shoulder. They remained in that position while their emotions touched and merged through their link.
“Our ride is here,” Angus yelled.
Hawke placed a kiss on the tip of her nose and let her down. No words were necessary. He took her hand and they followed Angus’ trail to the road where Chacal sat behind the driver’s seat with Angus in the passenger’s side.
Before they reached the car, Alpha Radoff waved from the opposite side of the street and approached them. He looked well considering the last time Hawke had seen the man they had all been under attack.
“It is good to see you are safe and well. I have spoken briefly with Angus, he will bring you current. We will talk more after you are rested. I do not need to tell you the hornet’s nest is truly stirred now, so be careful.” He nodded and returned to the other side of the road where members of his pack waited.
Hawke opened the door for Asia and slid in after her. He met Chacal’s glance in the rear view mirror and pulled Asia close. Chacal nodded and looked ahead.
“We can
talk about all of this later. I must rest and so do you two. A lot of things will be decided in the next few days. But tonight, we savor our victory, Lancaster castle has fallen,” Angus said sounding more like himself.
Asia squeezed his hand and leaned into him. Hawke placed a kiss on her head and looked ahead. She knew better than most how vast the Liege holding were. There were many heads, like a hydra, and she hoped three new ones would not sprout to replace the castle. At any rate, her mate was free; Greggor was dead and somewhere in Hawke’s mind information regarding all the Liege experiments was locked away. Eventually they would defeat the Liege. Pacing. Layers.
Tomorrow Alpha Radoff said.
Asia glanced at the darkening skies as she snuggled closer to Hawke. Tomorrow was a future concern. Tonight she would spend in the arms of her mate.
Chapter 39
Lord Boris sat in the chair staring at the blank monitor as the camera from Councilman Connall flickered and died. Connall was dead. Four bluebirds, the last of their stock, destroyed. Alpha Andrei, dead. Even Greggor, the worthless mutt, died in service to the Liege. After a century of service Lancaster Castle was no more.
The moment Connall’s heart stopped the explosives in his body activated. That explosion triggered another, more deadly one in the base of the building. Boris did not need to watch the news channels to see the destruction of his castle; he sensed the end of an era in his bones.
Seconds turned into minutes and then hours as he waited for the circulation to return to his limbs and mind. Impossible. How did Hawke know? What made him suspect Connall as the answer to the riddle? The Councilman should have bought them more time to set things in place. Instead, the castle fell before Boris’ team arrived. The taste of failure was indeed bitter and one he had little acquaintance with.
He stiffened at the sound of footsteps moving toward the room and turned on the computer.
“Boris.” Roderick’s deep voice scratched against Boris’ tattered nerves. Rather than allow his comrades to sense the depth of his desolation, his brow rose in greeting.
“Roderick.” Boris’ fingers flew across the keyboard, re-running sequences and re-closing files, anything to appear too busy to answer questions or admit the failure of Lancaster Castle.
“Connall is dead.”
“Yes. I know,” Boris said without turning or looking in Roderick’s direction. “I received notice of his termination earlier.”
Roderick moved further into the room and sat across from him. “My men arrived to find Alpha Andrei missing and later dead. Angus and Hawke are still missing.” He paused. “We have lost much these past few days. A high ranking council member, a loyal alpha, a facility we have used for a century and our bluebirds, all gone.”
With each reminder, Boris nodded, ashamed.
Roderick slammed his palm against the table.
Boris’ head snapped up and then he looked away from the anger and derision in Roderick’s gaze.
“Are you trying to ruin our organization?”
“No… no of course not. I made a few bad decisions, but I am working to make things right.”
Roderick snorted. Boris did not blame him, that comment sounded ridiculous.
“How comrade? How will you make this right?”
Boris cleared his throat. “Hawke had help. There was someone else involved, a player we have not identified yet.” He glanced at Roderick and then returned to the keyboard.
“True. Why is this person of interest?”
“Hawke is analytical and would still be running probabilities and sequences if left to him. Someone changed that dynamic. Can that happen with other test subjects? How do we maintain a high level of quality for our customers if anyone can change basic components in our product?”
Roderick stared at him for a few seconds and then started clapping. “Bravo. Bullshit but your delivery was excellent.” He pointed at Boris with a cruel twist of lips. “Do you know why I am here? Alone? The others are angry. Your thoughtless actions have set us back for months and before a vote of credibility is taken, the others want you to step down from Lobo. They no longer feel you should be trusted with such a serious project.”
Boris mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. “What? A credibility vote? Over this? That is absurd.” He refused to believe anyone with half a brain questioned his loyalty to the group. Until recently his exemplary record shined brighter than anyone else, Roderick included. The Lobo project was his creation. How dare they expect him to relinquish control when his team was on the brink of a major breakthrough?
Roderick sat back in the chair and laced his fingers on his lap. “Absurd? If memory serves me correctly, and I am sure it does, you petitioned this type of vote for far less infractions from the other Lords, including myself.”
Boris mouth went dry. He tried to defend his previous actions. “No, that is not true. Well it may be true but at the time the situation was critical.”
“The others believe the current situation is critical. You removed creatures with major deficiencies to fight a battle for you before they were ready. Now we must start from the beginning with that project without Hawke. According to the lab his files are riddled with errors. That sounds critical to me, comrade.”
“Yes, but at the time we all agreed the bluebirds were the best weapon to capture Angus and return Hawke to the lab. I did not make that decision alone and refuse to shoulder the full responsibility.”
“Perhaps. But, our warehouses are almost empty. We have lost capable researchers. For now, we must fill the orders to replenish our coffers. The others feel and I agree, you must take a break from seeking vengeance.”
“Vengeance? When?” Boris stalled, unable to believe anyone saw through his motives. He had covered his tracks well.
Roderick waved a hand. “Tell me you are not plotting revenge on Hawke and this person who helped him? You are a creature of habit, mean, nasty and vindictive. It makes you a great Liege Lord. You were too focused on your personal battles and lost sight of the broader vision which serves and impacts us all.”
“Hawke is a key, just as Asia is a key. Hawke unlocked many mysteries of the Black wolf. To merge beast and man without a melt-down, the study must continue or we have lost the battle.”
“That has never been the battle for the Liege. It has always been your crusade and as long as profits flowed, we agreed. Now, the reins must be pulled back so that we can regroup and prioritize.”
Boris listened in horrified silence as years of personal sacrifice were whitewashed with the equivalent of a gold watch retirement speech. Roderick couldn’t be serious. Pull the reins? On his research? He was the reason these men lived long lives and now they wanted him to stop? He could not. More to the point, he would not.
“I trust we can agree that the needs of the group rank higher than the individual.” Roderick repeated a phrase Boris always used to justify disciplinary actions amongst them.
“Do you believe continued research of the Black wolf is in opposition to future success of this organization?” Boris asked while staring at Roderick. The man had no idea what lengths Boris would tread to reach the brass ring. For him, that ring meant the merger of man and beast at will. He refused to allow anyone to interfere.
“No, I agree we need to continue research. The merger can happen and when we perfect the transition, the world will be ours. Imagine mass production of our shining star, Asia, at will. Or Hawke.”
Boris frowned and glanced at the computer screen again. “Asia… have we located her?”
“No? Why?” Roderick sat forward.
“What if?” Boris pulled up clips from the previous fights with the bluebirds, and Greggor and stared. Could it be?
“What?” Roderick demanded.
“What if Asia is on the continent?” He glanced at Roderick and enjoyed the look of shock on his face.
“What?”
“What if she met Hawke and helped him escape?”
Slack-jawed Roderick slumped
in his chair. “How? How would she have done that?”
Pleased to have Roderick’s attention diverted, Boris keyed in Asia’s file and ran a probability study. The odds were not in her favor but he could not let go of the idea she was somehow involved in this recent setback.
“Angus Black Wolf wears a bracelet…”
“Yes a chameleon. I am not certain all that it does but he alters his appearance.”
Boris deflated. The odds were Angus helped Hawke. But why? They were not from the same clan. According to his spies, Angus arrived after Hawke left the castle. None of this made sense.
“What are you thinking?” Roderick asked.
Boris explained the twists and turns of events.
“Makes more sense that Angus helped Hawke. But how does that explain the chip? Alpha Andrei said Hawke’s mate could stop the chip from functioning.”
The two men looked at each other.
Roderick smiled. “Hawke and Angus? Mates?”
Boris’ heart sped as he ran another probability study using Angus’ information. He grinned. “Yes, there is a high probability on that match. That explains why Angus is here; he came to rescue his mate. The bond is strong.” Boris congratulated himself for revealing an important piece of information.
“I want that bracelet,” Roderick said looking at Boris with a calculating smile. “Imagine being anyone in the world. We could run governments and raise an army for our bidding.”
Boris nodded with understanding. Now he wondered if he had been played by a masterful hand. Had the others sent Roderick? Or had the cunning man seen his current failures as an opportunity to barter a deal?
“If the bracelet delivers as you believe then it would indeed be worth whatever is involved to retrieve such a prize.” Boris waited for Roderick to make an offer.
“It does indeed.” Roderick frowned. “There is a problem with how it works but I am sure we can work around that.” His eyes narrowed while looking at Boris.
“If we take Angus or Hawke, one will bring the other. This time go and oversee the operation yourself. No more Alphas or hybrids. You need to be on the continent working this coup.”
Sword of Inquest (La Patron's Sword Book 1) Page 23
