Missing Mate (O'Neil Pack Series)

by Roxanne Witherell

  “Jessica? Hey it’s Cindy.” Her co-worker announced. “I need you to come in on Saturday. I forgot the shelter will be bringing in 10 new dogs, and my daughter has gymnastics.”

  “Cindy, I’m not even in Iowa. It took me all day to get here with the twins.” She couldn’t believe this. “I can’t just pack up, and haul tail back right now.”

  “Yes, you will. I covered for you. Now you need to cover for me.”

  Jessica could picture Cindy on the other end pointing her finger at an invisible person, and shaking her head. She said she can’t pack up, and haul ass, but that is exactly what she intends to do. After last night, she can no longer trust herself with Alexander.

  “Look, I hate to do it but I’m pulling seniority. You need to be here on Saturday.” Cindy demanded before the line went dead.

  Jessica looked blankly at the phone. Did she seriously hang up? Jessica put her phone in her pocket then returned to the dining room table for the rest of her coffee. Not sure how to tell Alexander, she decided to write him a letter. She isn’t going to give it to him, just figure out what to say. After spending a few minutes writing, she read the note out loud. She changed a few sentences then read it again.

  “No leave!” Michael screamed from the hall.

  Michael must have heard her. Michael ran back down the hall and slammed his bedroom door. Damn it! She didn’t realize he had awoken. Jessica put down the pen, and went after Michael. Trying to open the bedroom door, she realized Michael is sitting on the other side leaning against the door so she couldn’t open it.

  “Michael, get out from behind the door.” Jessica ordered.

  “No!” Michael shouted. “No leave!”

  “I’m going to open this door, and if you’re behind it you’re going to get hurt.”

  Michael still didn’t move. Jessica turned the doorknob, and slowly put her weight on the door. The door opened, effectively pushing Michael out of the way. He kicked, and started screaming. Madison, not sure of what was going on, grabbed Michael’s foot and pulled him the rest of the way out from the door allowing Jessica to open it all the way.

  Michael finally stopped screaming. He changed to a defying pout with his arms crossed in front of him. Jessica just raised an eyebrow, and looked at him. His fits no longer affect her. Eventually he will learn it doesn’t work on her, and stop. Today isn’t that day, apparently.

  “Michael, I’m sorry but we have to go back. Mommy has to go back to work.” She tried explaining.

  Michael just turned his head away from her, and stared at the wall. It doesn’t matter if he wants to go or not. When she leaves, he will be leaving too. They won’t be leaving until Friday morning, so Michael had one more day to play. Jessica shrugged her shoulders, and walked out.

  “Be sure to leave your attitude in your room before breakfast.” Jessica called out to Michael as she went to the kitchen.

  She doesn’t care if he wants to pout, and whine, as long as, he does it in there. Since they are leaving in the morning, Jessica wants to fix the twins a nice breakfast. Looking in the fridge, she decided scrambled eggs, and bacon would surely cheer Michael up. To top it off she throws in a slice of cheese in with the scrambled eggs.

  Ten minutes later the bacon was frying in the pan. The scent of bacon filled the cabin. Jessica heard the bedroom door open, and wondered briefly which one it would come in.

  “Mommy, I have cookie?” Madison asks coming into the kitchen.

  “Is Michael about to shift?” Jessica asked looking around for the special cookies.

  “He think, not do.”

  Jessica isn’t sure she wants to give Madison the marijuana cookie if Michael isn’t changing. Although it would be better if she already had it in her system in case Michael does shift. Deciding to take a chance, she handed Madison a cookie. Madison took a bite, and ran off into the living room. By the time Jessica started pulling bacon out of the pan; Michael emerged from his room, and went straight to the living room to sit on the couch with Madison.

  As soon as the eggs were done, Jessica started fixing plates, and set them on the table. Michael came running into the dining room and sat down at the table in front of a plate. Madison casually walked in, and sat down at her spot.

  “I’m glad to see the attitude is gone.” Jessica commented as she was putting drinks down at the table.

  Michael just looked at his plate. He is probably still mad at her, but he will get over it.

  “I was thinking about maybe going on a walk in a little bit, and letting y’all play some before we go back tomorrow.” Jessica told them.

  Michael finally looked up at her and smiled. He loves being outside. Michael ate quickly, and wanted more bacon. Jessica gladly gave him a second helping. Madison finished her plate but didn’t want anymore. Once breakfast was finished, Jessica cleaned up the dishes. The twins were waiting in their room for Jessica to get their clothes. When Jessica went in the bedroom to see Michael putting on his own clothes; his shirt is inside out but he looks proud of himself regardless.

  “Good job! Let’s flip your shirt around.” She pulled his shirt off, but after she flipped it she gave him shirt for him to put on while she grabbed Madison’s clothes from the dresser drawer that’s already opened.

  Madison put on her t-shirt while Jessica grabbed her a pair of jeans. Jessica left them to put on their socks so she can get dressed herself. She grabbed a fresh cup of coffee before going to her room. On the way back down the hall, she glanced in on the twins.

  She knew it would take them a while, so they would be occupied. Little did she know they would result to putting socks on each other. Madison had her foot in Michael’s lap, and Michael is trying to put her sock on for her. At the same time his foot is on her lap so she could put his sock on for him. It never ceases to amaze her how these two work together, and as twins they do.

  She continued to her room, and set the coffee on the dresser top. Grabbing her clothes, Jessica went into the bathroom to change. Deciding not to put on any make-up, she pulled her hair into a high ponytail to keep it off her neck. Then left the room picking up her coffee on the way out.

  The twins were sitting on the floor in the living room, putting their shoes on the wrong feet. Every time she looks at them she is thankful to have them. Pointing at which shoe goes on which foot, the twins tried again. Jessica sat on the couch, watching them while she finished her coffee.

  “Come on, momma.” Michael said jumping up not even bothering to fasten the velcro.

  “Hold on. Let’s do these straps.” Jessica got up to fasten the straps on both of their shoes.

  Once Jessica put her mug in the sink, she checked the back door to make sure it’s locked. She slipped on her shoes as the twins were begging her to hurry up. Jessica is sure she saw a nature trail the other day after Michael ran off.

  “Alright Michael, we are going on a trail. Do not run off.” She warned Michael. “You may run into a snake, or a bear.”

  “Yes, momma.” Michael said taking her hand, and pulling her towards the steps.

  Jessica looked at her cell phone. It’s almost noon, she didn’t realize the twins slept so long. Putting her phone back in her pocket, she decided they would only stay out for an hour or two. She held both their hands as they went around the cabin to the back. The trail started just after you get into the wood line. You would never know it’s there unless you walked into the woods. They started along the trail.

  The twins were looking around at everything. Michael would even pick up different leaves to smell them then throw them back down. Jessica has noticed that Michael seems to be doing that a lot lately. He would get close to things, and smell them like he was filing the different scents into his memory. Alexander had told her that he will develop better senses, so she let him do what he likes.

  Chapter 23

  Damien

  Damien has been walking these damn woods for hours. He has been trying to find these damn samples, but the plants have been difficu
lt to find. He had thought he spotted one near a small spring about three hundred yards from the main cabin. Once he got up to it, he realized there wasn’t any blooms on it. There were a few wilted ones, making it barely identifiable.

  He turned from the plant to decide where to head next. He hasn’t seen any movement from Ryan or the others, so he didn’t have any worries on being seen. Deciding to head farther down the mountain, Damien shifted to his wolf for faster travel. He may be fast but his wolf is faster. The sooner he finds what he needs the sooner he will be able to leave this desolate place.

  Damien couldn’t wait to get back to the city. There is nothing here in the mountains. He needs clubs, strippers, and alcohol. Although he did see a sign for a gentlemen’s club on the way up here. He may want to stop in and see if he can score another test subject he can play with. He’s getting rather tired of the one female they have now. Plus, the boss will expect her to go to the lab soon. She has already been there the longest. He’d like to have a replacement before he ships her off.

  Keeping an eye out for more samples, Damien ran in a zigzag pattern down the mountain. He has a feeling he is going to have to risk going to the neighboring mountain. Maybe that’s why Ryan hasn’t sent any. The resources on this mountain must be used up already.

  He was able to cover a lot of ground in short amount of time. Weaving through the trees, and dodging fallen branches. He saw a few more vines but still no blooms. Upon closer inspection, you can tell by the clean cut that it had already been harvested.

  Almost an hour later he came up to a dried up, creek bed. Looking, on the other side, he noticed an area that may have what he’s looking for. He leaps to the other side of the creek bed. Damien knows he is no longer on the small mountain his boss’ cabin is on. Instead it is the larger neighboring mountain. If he stays in the woods, hopefully no one will see him. He doesn’t want to go too far up the mountain. He knows there’s a wolf pack on the mountain somewhere so he’ll stick to the lower elevation. The farther up he goes, the more noticeable he will be. The lake is to the north, and east of the larger mountain. He knows not to get too close to the lake.

  He follows a small path he sees off to the right. He stays off the path so he’s not seen. After running about fifty yards up, he heard noises off in the distance. He crouched down near a bush close to the trail. He can just make out a woman’s voice. Suddenly the wind began to come in behind him; blowing his scent straight up the trail. A moment later he heard the noise of a shifter.

  Damien doesn’t need a confrontation so he retreated a few dozen yards. Not hearing the shifter make any moves towards him, he tucked in behind a bush to wait them out. Maybe the shifter didn’t catch his scent.

  Slowly a shifter pup came into view. The idea light began to brighten. If he can’t find the samples, the next best thing is to bring back a new test subject. He may earn a nice bonus for a pup. He needed to investigate this a little. No way would a shifter let their pup run loose. He took a step forward but he ended up shaking the bush, just enough that it drew the pups attention his way. The pup barked, and took off running in his direction. He heard a woman scream out for ‘Michael’, just before she came into view with a little girl beside her holding her hand.

  Two humans are all that is with the pup? This is too easy, he thought. He could snatch the pup up, and there would be no way the humans would catch him. He crouched back down, so the humans won’t see him until the last minute. He couldn’t believe the pup is coming to him. The woman seems to be slowing. Either that or the little girl is slowing her down. This couldn’t get any more perfect.

  As the pup neared the bush, he slowed down a bit. His nose was stuck up in the air. If he’s going to do this it needs to be now, or the pup is going to turn and run. Once the pup crouched down to see under the bush, he springs into action. The pup yelped when he seen the big bad wolf coming. However, Damien is too fast. He pounced on the pup to insure he didn’t go anywhere. The woman and little girl screamed out.

  He picked the pup up by the nap of the neck. The woman released the little girl’s hand, and bolted towards them. Damien turned and ran straight down the trail.

  “Damn you, Alexander!” The woman screamed. “Bring him back! You won’t get away with this!”

  If he didn’t have the pup in his mouth he would be smiling. Not only did he get the pup, but someone else is going to take the blame for it. This couldn’t have gone better even if he had planned it himself.

  The pup squirmed slightly so Damien tightened his bite. Causing the pup to whine but he stopped moving. He stopped on the trail and looked back. The woman and little girl were still running but there’s no way they will be able to catch up. Turning back around, he took off again. Once he was out of sight from the humans he turned off the trail. With luck, they will follow the trail instead of him.

  He leaped across the creek bed, and ran up the other side. He could still hear the woman screaming for her child but she was no longer in view. Every now and then he would glance back to make sure no one is following him. Once he was on the smaller mountain he ran straight for his truck. No reason to stick around. He needs to put as much distance between them as he can.

  It took some time to get back to his truck. His truck was halfway up the small mountain. He left it just off the main road, tucked behind some brush. Once he got up to the truck, he went around to the back. He needed to shift to drive. He knows the second he sets the pup down he will try to run off. Instead of setting the pup on the ground, Damien stood on his hind legs to set the pup in the back.

  The pup scrambled to the other side of the truck, looking for a way out. Damien shifted with ease. Before going around to get the pup, he opened the passenger door, and pulled his clothes out. Not wanted to expose himself to the child, he pulled his pants on before going around the truck. He came around the truck just in time to see the pup’s attempt at jumping out, instead he landed on the edge, and more like tumbled out.

  “Where are you going little fella?” Damien caught him before he landed on the hard ground.

  The pup tried to fight him. So he did the only thing he could think of, pick him up by his scruff. He opened the driver’s door, and put the pup inside. Slipping his shirt on, he sat down on the seat. A small growl came from the pup. Of course, he ignored it. What’s a little pup going to do?

  Just as he lifts his foot to put his shoes on, the little hellion bit onto his arm, and doesn’t let go. Damien popped the pup on the nose, making him release his bite. The pup whined, and jumped down to the floor board scooting as far away from Damien as he could. He nodded when the pup was all the way by the door. It’ll be good if he’ll stay there the entire ride back to the warehouse.

  He didn’t waste any time getting on the road. He’s lucky he has a full tank of gas. This way he doesn’t have to stop until he is well out of the mountain range. The roads are full of twists, and turns. He’d rather be going much faster so he stepped on the gas. In the days he has been here, he hasn’t seen much traffic on this mountain. He came to an unexpected sharp turn, and the rear of the truck skidded sideways to catch up.

  He knew his luck wasn’t going to last long. A golden jeep with a light bar on top happened to be coming around the next bend. He must have seen Damien’s reckless driving because the light bar on top started flashing blue, and a siren screamed out. Thankfully the siren was cut off when Damien slowed down. He can play this off. It’s bound to happen all the time on these roads. He pushed his jacket off the seat, so that it will cover the pup.

  “Don’t move.” He ordered. “Don’t make a sound.”

  Damien isn’t worried about humans, not even a human cop. He just doesn’t want the shifters to find out he is here. Regardless they will find out soon enough, he is sure of that.

  He pulled over to the side of the road once he was around the turns. The cop pulled in behind him. The cop got out of the jeep, and started towards the truck. He’s an older man with head full of gray hair. He wouldn’t
be surprised if the man is bald under his hat. As the cop approached the door, he rolled down his window.

  “I’m sorry officer. The turn was a little sharper than I expected.” Damien explained, hoping he can get away with a warning.

  “License, registration, and proof of insurance.” The officer held out his hand.

  Damien opened the glove box to get all the necessary documents. When he closed the glove box, it must have scared the pup because he jumped, making the jacket slide off. The officer now had a clear view of the pup. He hoped the officer wouldn’t notice the pup. Seeing how the officer pulled his gun, and pointed it straight at him, it’s safe to say the pup had been spotted.

  “Put your hands up, and get out of the truck.” The officer ordered.

  Damien doesn’t have time for this but he will play along for a minute. He raises his hands so the officer can see them. Opening his door from the outside, Damien slowly got out. He made sure the pup didn’t slip out, and closed the door.

  “Turn around, lean your chest against the hood, and put your hands behind your head.”

  He did what he was told. He placed his hands on the back of his head, and leaned across the hood. He just had to wait for the right moment. When he heard to officer holster his weapon, Damien took advantage. He whipped around swinging his clawed hand out. It caught the officer across the chest, and face. The officer immediately went down to the pavement. Blood started pooling around his head. Damien didn’t see the need to do anymore damage. The old man will bleed out shortly.

  Taking the officer’s gun, Damien jumped back in his truck, and peeled down the road. They weren’t far from the bottom of the mountain. Once they get on the interstate he will be home free. The pup whined, and let out some pathetic excuse for a howl.

  “You did it to him. I told you not to move.” Damien informed him. “See what happens when you don’t do what you’re told? People get hurt.” In response the pup went silent, curling up on the floorboard. He didn’t make a sound the rest of the way.