Jericho (The Strong Pack)

by Crystal Dawn

  I had finally managed to relax just a little bit. My muscles, cramped from being tense, eased just the slightest amount. I could feel Darnel next to me where our arms lightly touched and it gave me comfort to know that I wasn’t alone. I had finally embraced hope thinking they wouldn’t find us when I felt a hand close around my arm and jerk me out of my hiding place. Vines and bushes scratched at my face as I was dragged up and out of the undergrowth. There was no doubt as I looked at the stranger who held onto my arms and the guard who had betrayed us that I had been captured again.

  I felt a pinch before I could react to defend myself. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Darnel morph and jump at the traitor’s throat. I heard a load noise and saw Darnel fall. I went from fuzzy to blackness.

  *****

  Jericho

  T.J. was going to kill me. I was trying to get ahead at work so I could take off a day to spend with her. I lost track of time and now I was late meeting her. I was told the guard wanted me but it was probably my angry mate that was tired of waiting on me. I heard a lonesome howl soon joined by others. I morphed in midstride needed to get to my mate. A howl like that was a warning of danger. Trouble was visiting our pack lands and my mate was the most likely target. I was a blur as I ran with all the speed I could muster. I saw a guard up ahead. I slowed as I got closer. The looks on their faces were grim.

  “Darnel has been shot halfway down the trail. He clings to life. The other guard had his throat ripped out and it appears Darnel did it. Your mate is nowhere to be found but her scent and the scent of an unknown wolf still linger nearby.” At the end of the report the guard gave me I roared out my pain and fear sounding more like a lion than a wolf. The two guards stepped back nervously.

  I continued down the path to the place my mate had been taken. I paused as two wolves carried Darnel passed me. I morphed back to human form. “Darnel, can you speak?” He didn’t say anything or even show a sign of awareness. “Please Darnel. If you can find the strength to speak tell me where she is.” No sound came from him at all. I waved the wolves on hoping the doctor would help him. He was our only real clue at this time.

  I rounded the bend and there were several guards standing around a human looking body. I came closer and noted his throat had been ripped out viciously. I took in a deep breath. I could smell the irony richness of his blood, the sweet smell of my mate, and the scent of an unknown wolf stirring on the air. I walked around the area taking deep breaths with my eyes closed. The scent of Darnel and my mate mixed on the ground below the underbrush. Did they hide from someone? If so it hadn’t worked. The smell of the other guard mixed with the unknown abductor in areas where my mate and Darnel hadn’t left any scent. Was the guard captured first? I had many questions and no answers. I needed to find her before Seymour’s father did something we would all regret.

  We tracked them to the nearest road where the scent disappeared. I had expected that. I knew Seymour’s father would have her but I had no idea where he might be. Still it was a place to start. I would put out the word to all wolves and our hunter would be activated. I hoped Seymour might try to contact us so he could help us. The council needed to be contacted even though they were worthless. It was more a case of them expecting to be kept informed than us expecting any help from them. My wolves scattered in all directions as I gave out instructions. Now I needed to return to the pack house to inform my dad if he didn’t already know.

  I moved quickly toward the pack house but my dad intercepted me before I made it there. “She’s been taken again and this time it’s not just her. If Seymour’s father finds out about the pup I’m sure he won’t be happy.”

  “Jericho, we’ll get her back. I heard a guard died and another is in bad shape.”

  “We should go to see Darnel. Maybe he’s awake now.”

  “Let’s go.” My dad said as he turned that way and I followed him. We walked around the back of the pack house to where a small hospital section was set up. It was more than most packs would have on site. The doctor had an office where he could research, do paperwork, or meet with someone as he was meeting now with us. He had an exam room but he also had an operating room and two patient rooms. Darnel was now fighting for his life in one of those. The doctor felt that he was at the point now that it could go either way. Heavy blood loss had prevented the naturally fast healing wolves normally have from kicking in. The bullet was a large one and had caused more damage and it had to be removed for healing to start.

  “How were they able to get on pack lands?” The doctor, Sam Goodwin, asked.

  “We don’t know yet, but we are going to find out. We’re hoping Darnel will know.” I said wishing I had a better answer.

  “I’ll let you know if he wakes or if he doesn’t make it.” Sam said effectively dismissing us so he could get back to check on Darnel again.

  We left the small hospital section of the pack house most of us just called Medical. “Do you think he’ll survive?” I asked my dad.

  “I’d always bet on Doc’s skill if it was a close call.” Doc was a very good doctor. He had been human trained but he also had interned with a very famous wolf doctor. Famous among wolves, anyway. He’d gone to France for three years and though it had been many years ago, he kept up on all the latest stuff. He wasn’t conservative, either. He believed in trying alternative medicine when all else failed. He always said at that point there was nothing to lose.

  We left and went to my dad’s office. It was here that we would be able to keep in contact with everyone else and find out if we were any closer to recovering my mate. So far no one had anything positive to report. We didn’t even know for sure how it had happened. The only thing that was becoming clear was we had had at least one traitor among us. We would need to be careful in case there were more. It wouldn’t be long before our hunter would check in.

  It wasn’t long before calls started coming in one after the other. Every team and certain individuals called to up date us on their results. They were all the same. No one knew where T.J. was and no one could even guess where she’d been taken. We did have one bright spot and that was an unknown wolf had been captured near but not on pack lands. When questioned he refused to identify himself or his purpose in our territory. Our hunters would be bringing him in. While we were waiting for him to arrive, Doc called us with the news that Darnel was awake.

  We hurried to speak to Darnel fearing he wouldn’t stay awake long enough to be questioned. We had a serious breach of security and it needed to be addressed although recovering my mate was the biggest priority. Doc met us at the door and led us to Darnel’s room. Darnel was slightly propped up with two large pillows behind him and the head of the bed slightly raised. His fight with death had left him ashen in a way I had never seen a living wolf. His eyes were red and bloodshot either from injury or tiredness, maybe both. He looked little like the strong, arrogant wolf I knew. His chest was bare and the scarred area where the bullet had gone in was easily seen. I was sure it would be gone in a few days.

  I wasn’t sure he recognized us or that his answers would be lucid if he was strong enough to respond at all. Since we were there we decided to try anyway. “Darnel, can you hear me?” My dad asked speaking gently and just loud enough to be heard.

  “Yes.” He said softly enough that we strained to hear him. His voice was raspy and weak.

  “I need to know what happened. Speak slowly and tell me everything.” My dad said gently but firmly. It was the way he had spoken to my brother and me when we were young pups.

  “Jericho was late. She wouldn’t wait. Run to me. Tried to hide her. Found. Took her. Reefe traitor.” He spoke haltingly and was out of breath by the time he was done.

  “Thank you, Darnel. You did good. We’ll come back when you’re better to talk some more.” Dad said then he turned to lead me out of the room.

  We stepped out of the room. “What do you think?” My dad asked me.

  “It fits with the scents around the spot she was taken from.
Reefe was a traitor. The only thing we need to find out now is if he’s the only one.”

  “I’ll call a meeting with my betas as soon as the stranger has been questioned.” I nodded and we went to our detainment room. It sounded and looked better than a jail but that’s really all it was.

  The stranger was waiting in one of the rooms used for interrogation. My dad walked in and sat down directly across from the wolf and I sat next to my dad. We both just looked at him for a couple minutes taking his measure. He looked right back showing no fear or concern of any kind. In his position most wolves would be very scared.

  “What is your name, wolf?” My dad demanded with authority that left no doubt he was the alpha in charge.

  “Are you the alpha of this territory?” The wolf asked but I thought he already knew.

  “I am.”

  “My name is Newton Giles. I am a warden sent by the council to observe you and Alpha James. I was sent in undercover as a traveler stopping for a few days. What did I do that made your wolves suspicious?”

  “You were a little too interested in what was going on in our pack lands.”

  “I’ll have to stay back a little further next time. I see everyone is all worked up around here. Is something going on?”

  “My son’s mate was abducted. There was at least one traitor in my guards that helped take her. He’s dead now which is good but he died before we could question him.”

  “Need any help?”

  “You wouldn’t know where Alpha James is hiding, would you?”

  The wolf smiled. “I just might know where you can find some of his wolves.” I felt hope shoot through me. Could it be this easy? Every moment she was gone I felt icy fear grip my heart but the hope we could find her soon sent warmth through my body. She and the pup had become my whole reason for living. I watched the warden closely. I was still not sure I trusted him. I knew by the time we left this room our hunter would know if this guy was who he said he was. The second he told us where some James wolves were someone would be sent to check it out. They wouldn’t do anything but shadow them. They would wait until me or my dad were there before they would try to take them. We stared at the man waiting for him to tell us where to go.

  “I’ve heard it called the old Thomas place. I’m sure you know where that is.” I knew the place alright. It was a very nice older house on about a hundred acres. It was out in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors within seeing distance. It was a great place to carry out criminal activity. Since old man Thomas had died five years ago it was empty more often than not. His four kids couldn’t agree on what to do with the house or who got what. They had put a local real estate company in charge of renting it when they could while they fought about who ended up with what.

  I wondered if there was more than one place where his wolves were staying. I wanted my mate back and it didn’t matter what I had to do to get her. Anyone who got in my way would pay. The warden was talking and I hadn’t been listening. I started listening then. “Would you talk me through everything that led up to this? I mean starting with her first association with the son, Seymour.”

  I decided he could be a help so I clued him in. “She met Seymour when she was visiting her cousins near Blake’s pack.”

  “Blake, isn’t he mated to the first white wolf?” He asked though it must have been just to be sure because almost everyone knew that.

  “Yes. He pursued her relentlessly and acted like the perfect lover. She fell for it but no one can pretend to be that good for very long. Once she figured him out, she dumped him, and came back home for good. I don’t know if he had trouble finding her or if he was waiting for something, but he waited almost a year before he came after her. He was too late because we had mated. I think Seymour would have given up but his father wouldn’t let him. They abducted her using a magic user. She got away but almost died in the woods before I found her. Now they have managed to do it again.”

  “I’m surprised the council didn’t issue a cease and desist order. They usually do in cases like this.” The warden said.

  “They did but Alpha James chose to ignore it. Now he has my mate and she is expecting a pup.”

  “Damn, he’s not going to like that news. Do you have your wolves at the Thomas place yet?” The warden asked.

  I looked at my dad because I wasn’t sure but he should know. Anytime before we stepped into an interrogation room at least one of us wore an earpiece to communicate with those watching on the other side of the glass.

  “Yes, they just arrived there. They haven’t seen anyone moving inside yet.” My dad said after a pause where I’m sure he was listening to someone outside.

  “Should we get over there?” I asked my dad really feeling the need to be involved.

  “We can’t even be sure they are still there. It might be best to just send them in now. Time is passing quickly.”

  I knew what he meant. The more time that passed the worse things were for T.J.. “Do what you think is best, but let’s head over there so I can be with her if she’s found.” My dad nodded and Newton followed us as we left to meet the team that was even now headed into the old Thomas place.

  Chapter 9

  Again

  *****

  T.J.

  My family often teased me that the T really stood for trouble. I had never been what I would call bad, just a little wild and free. I liked to sneak off to go skinny dipping in the early spring, I had my first taste of alcohol at the age of twelve, and I started dating at the age of fourteen without the knowledge of my parents. I had never really gotten into trouble with the law or ever hurt anyone. The only exception to that was a few bullies I had gone round and round with. I couldn’t stand to see someone different or weak picked on. It was my number one per peeve. I always figured having some principles made me a better person. This jerk wad that seemed to have me now, well he had no principles.

  I woke up maybe an hour ago with pain around my wrists and ankles where some shithead had tied me just tight enough to be sure it would hurt. My attempts to free myself had just caused more pain without really helping matters any. I just knew, though I couldn’t say why, that Seymour’s jerk wad father had captured me. I tried not to think about what that might mean, but it was hard to keep my mind away from it. I didn’t think anyone had come in here to see me yet but since I had been out most of the time I couldn’t be sure. I looked around the room I was in thinking it looked familiar. I was in a bedroom. I didn’t think it was the master because it wasn’t very large and it was very feminine. The walls were mauve with flower borders that matched the bedspread and shams. I would guess it was designed for a girl.

  It had the feel of a hotel room because there wasn’t anything personal in it but it lacked the impersonal feel most hotel rooms had. It was almost cozy and welcoming even though it was showing signs of use. I looked around to see if there was anything I could use to free myself but the room had been picked clean of any useful objects. The bed was a heavy old fashioned four poster that was made back in the day when things were made to last. A modern bed might not have held up to me pulling on it with all my wolf strength. A wave of hopelessness hit me as I evaluated my circumstances. My only way out of this bed was through someone else’s intervention. I would only be freed my another’s hand, either my abductor’s or my savior’s, whoever came for me first.

  I heard noises in the hall as others talked or walked by but no one stopped to enter. I wasn’t sure if I should be grateful for that or not. Time just slipped away as I drifted in and out of sleep. I knew I couldn’t escape and I both wanted and feared for something to happen. I hoped Jericho would come for me before my mind unhinged from the combination of fear and boredom I felt. I knew eventually someone had to come but I was surprised when they did. “I wanted to come sooner but my father wouldn’t allow me. I brought you some food. I’ll have to feed you because I can’t let you out of your bindings. It’s because of last time.” Seymour explained as he set the tray down on th
e nightstand. “I hoped never to see you again.”

  “I hoped for the same but apparently we didn’t wish hard enough.” I said with a slight smile. It wasn’t his fault I was tied to a bed. He had warned us and that was all he could do. I wasn’t sure where we went wrong only that we had overlooked something. They had captured me easily. I was sure the guard Darnel had gone after had betrayed us. I hoped Jericho knew so he could look for other traitors.

  Seymour fed me a ham sandwich and chips. He had a couple child’s juice boxes too. When I was through eating I felt better. I guess being abducted makes you hungry. “Thank you.” I was sure he knew I meant for trying to warn us and for feeding me. He nodded before he picked up the tray and left.

  I was left with just my own company once more. I listened to sounds in the background and I thought I heard some louder noises. I missed Jericho and I just wanted to be at home with him.

  *****

  Jericho

  The driver was going much too slow. I considered having him stop so I could drag him out and take his place. I would get this SUV moving. It was a dirt road but you could still move along a little. My dad was tapping his fingers on his armrest which was a sign that he was frustrated too. Newton was in the back next to me. He looked as calm as he had earlier. The wolf sure managed to keep his emotions under control. No one was talking. Dad was listening to his earpiece getting up to the minute reports on what was going on. The driver was pretending to concentrate on driving. I say pretending because he was so slow it shouldn’t take much effort. Newton and I …well we just didn’t have much to say. I was ready for some action. If I got the opportunity, Seymour’s dad would be dead. That way we would never have to worry about him again.