Connors Pursuit (Amber Woods Shifters)

by Rose, Arabella

  “It will be ok” he whispered in her ear.

  “Listen up everyone. I am going to bring everyone up to speed. I know that everyone knows that Lizzy has a gift of telekinesis of which she helped the amber woods pack in freeing the kidnapped pack females. Of that we owe her a debt.”

  Rumbles of approval echoed around the room. Maybe this won’t be so bad she thought. Marcus had already asked her if he could tell the pack about her bound wolf. At first she had recoiled but after discussion with Connor they had decided it was better to let everyone know so that they had the advantage when they did finally go to Oakfield.

  “Lizzy belonged to the Oakfield pack, which many of you may know due to their track record of appalling methods of pack interaction. One of those was a seer who believed Lizzy was a danger to the pack because of her gift. He convinced the alpha to have her wolf bound over five years ago”

  All eyes swivelled to her and if the ground could swallow her up now she wished it would hurry the hell up. A collection of angry amber eyes looked at her, as her anxiety began to rapidly increase. Connor sensed the change and was on it immediately, knowing how important it was to keep her emotions calm. Stroking the nape of her neck he whispered in her ear.

  “Its ok baby, they are just angry that your wolf was bound, they are feeling your pain, if anything they want to reassure you”

  Lizzy nodded quickly, closing her eyes briefly as he continued to rub circles on her neck. The enforcers all nodded once before turning to their alpha.

  “So, you are all aware of recent developments, when our beta went after Lizzy, including that Connor has taken her as a mate”

  Wolf whistles and cheers erupted in the room. Connor laughed, giving a few enforcers the one finger salute.

  Marcus extended his hand, gesturing for Connor to stand and continue. Lizzy immediately missed the contact as he stood to address the room.

  “Ok settle down. As you know we tried to get Lizzy’s wolf back but the seer is dead. The son Oliver and I had a disagreement, as his intentions were always to mate Lizzy, to breed her so that he could harness her powers in his offspring. Believe me I won the first round”

  Again the room erupted in cheers and growls.

  “Anyway, Luke has been doing some research and has found the order that the seer belonged to, before he was banished for practising dark magic. Tomorrow, we are meeting with them as they believe they can release Lizzy’s wolf”

  Connor looked down at Lizzy as she nibbled her bottom lip. God she had no idea how sexy she looked right now. Clearing his head of lustful thoughts he continued.

  “The order, also known as the winter circle, think that Duncan the seer, bound Lizzy’s wolf for his own gain. The longer she is bound, the more powerful her telekinesis will be. We will not know more until we meet tomorrow. But I only want two head enforcers with me, they are a very private order and we do not want to put Lizzy into anymore danger. If we take the whole pack it is likely they will feel threatened. Therefore, Tristan, Luke, you are with me. I also want Michael as healer in case anything goes wrong”

  He looked down at Lizzy who knew was reading his same train of thought.

  “Second order of business. Lizzy do you want to tell them?”

  For a second her head spun, shit, stand up and talk to a group of enforcers? No point imagining them all naked because she had pretty much glimpsed all of their naked forms when they shifted. Ok she eyed the candy, but a girl can look can’t she? Besides there was only one piece of candy she wanted to lick and he was standing right here. Actually, he was talking to her. Lizzy mentally shook her head at the lustful thoughts before standing up, holding her head high. Taking a deep breath she relayed the threat of Lawson and her brother being contained in the cages.

  “I have a question”

  Tristan raised his hand a little. Lizzy looked at the huge enforcer, his brown hair had been cut short, piercing golden eyes shone at her. Connor had explained that he was of the ancient line, the wolf walkers. Every member of this faction of wolves had the identifiable golden eyes, unique and rare. Lizzy nodded for him to continue.

  “How do we know where he is being held or indeed if he is being held? What if this is all a ruse to get you to Oakfield under false pretences?”

  “I understand what you are saying. It crossed my mind also”

  She picked her bag off the floor and pulled out the linen cloth that the mercenary had gave her. Holding it out to him, she drew a deep breath in when he took it. She had doubts. What if they thought she was lying? What if she was wrong or had go this whole situation wrong? Tristan unfolded the cloth before carefully handling the lock of hair. Gently he inhaled, nodded then passed to Marcus first then the rest of the enforcers.

  “The scent is very fresh, and I can confirm that is Brandon’s hair. I have no doubt that he is there, it’s just a normal day for Lawson and his sick twisted mind”

  Gritting her teeth she felt a new feeling wash over her. Justice. Luke switched on the large screen on the wall, flicking his hands over his laptop.

  “These are the schematics for the Oakfield pack. I have aerial and floor plan details so everybody pay attention”

  His eyes shot to Lizzy who was staring dumbfounded at him.

  “I have my ways” he whispered knowingly, tapping the side of his nose.

  She knew he was good, you had to be as an ex-warrior of the country’s top security firm. Damn he was clever and sneaky. The lights were dimmed as Luke went over layout and possible weak spots. Connor had been silently watching Lizzy since she had stood up and faced the pack. It took some courage to do that and he was so proud of her. Her beautiful mouth dropped open slightly and her heart rate picked up a notch. Understanding entered his mind. Following her gaze she was looking at the place she used to call home, knowing that somewhere her brother lay within those walls. Without thought he pulled her into his lap, holding her tight around the waist. Those stunning hazel eyes widened, just as a coy smile passed over her briefly. Distracted he had realised Luke had finished talking.

  “Lizzy?.......” Luke asked.

  “Oh, erm sorry can you repeat that?”

  The room broke out in laughter, obviously seeing the couple had been a little distracted. Marcus raised his hand and all fell silent again.

  “I said do you have any idea where they could be keeping him?”

  She slid of Connors lap and walked to the TV screen. Memories assaulted her of the cries of pack members that had been punished. Their lonesome howls of pain would echo in the night. She remembered the night she had gone to the pack hall go search for Brandon after her had gone in search of food in the kitchens. He was a growing wolf attested to the fact that he could eat the whole family out of house and home. Oliver was sitting in quiet conversation with an enforcer. As her boots echoed gently on the wooden floors, a cry resonated through the floor and travelled through her body. Instinctively, she had looked down as another cry much weaker reached her sensitive ears.

  “Have something to say she wolf?”

  Oliver had been watching her, his leery stare raking over her young body. She did not want to feel the wrath of his anger or worse be put into the holding cells. Lizzy shook her head to somehow free the memories, the words ringing in her head.

  “There have holding cells, underneath the main hall. I have never been down there but it was well known that all punished wolves were put in the cages for sometimes up to a month, depending on the crime”

  “Holy shit Lizzy, I knew that your old pack was bad, but holding cells? What kind of sick bastard thinks that containing a wolf makes it calmer? How you have come out sane in all of this is a miracle in itself”

  Brianna was standing now, hands on the table, squinting to get a better look at the screen. Marcus was pushing her seat under her, urging the alpha female to sit back down. But in true Bri fashion she was having none of it. Waving him off she went to stand next to Lizzy, giving her a big hug. Yeah it was girly but Lizzy appreciated
the gesture.

  “Sane honey? I had you fooled” she laughed quietly.

  “Does the council know of these practices?” Tristan asked.

  “The thing you have to understand with Lawson is that he is a very rich man, has shares all over the place and his hands in many dirty transactions. A few of the wolves that have left have tried to have him brought in for questioning but every time, he wriggles free”

  Marcus who had given up trying to get his female seated, grunted his disapproval.

  “Have you seen the cages Lizzy?”

  Connor asked the question so out of the blue, it startled her, his voice adding strength to hers.

  “No. But I have heard rumours from those that were confined for punishment. How the cages were small and confined and very hard to break, even for a wolf. It was also rumoured that they are not locked by manual locks, they are secured with an electronic keypad device that only Lawson’s trusted enforcers have the access codes for. Oh and in addition, if the wolves were really unlucky they would be caged on the full moon, unable to shift properly or run with the call of Lunar”

  Every enforcer in the room growled filling the space with undeniable anger and frustration. Marcus stilled. She watched as he let his eyes scan over his enforcers then on his mate. Tilting his head, with their apparent telepathic communication he came to stand in front of his men.

  “Lizzy is a member of this pack now and such will be protected like pack. When she left Oakfield she left behind the life that she had grown up against, only bringing harsh memories with her. Amber woods needs to bring her closure, reunite her with her brother and bring to justice this that were wronged under Lawson’s rule. We know there are twelve wolves left that are loyal to him and his son Oliver. There are four females left, which seem to be controlled by the pack. Lizzy do you think they would leave willingly?”

  Lizzy stuttered slightly as she answered. She had been so entranced by the words of Marcus, how he recognised her as a member of his pack, it had faltered her in her speech for a while.

  “I’m not sure, when Connor and I saw them they were quite neglected, almost broken”

  Connor could see the haunting images flit across her face. In a few strides he was next to her pulling her into his arms. Gently he lightly caressed the top of her head with soft kisses.

  “Ok, then we have to be careful, I want a team specifically for the women. I want twelve of my men on their enforcers. Connor, Luke and Tristan are to locate and release Brandon. As you are aware under pack law, if one of our own has been threatened or harmed, we are within our rights to challenge that, in whatever capacity that may be. Adrianna, you are in charge of the female search”

  Adrianna nodded her understanding.

  Lizzy looked to the petite female, so Adrianna was her name? She did not even think that they had female enforcers. To look at her, anyone would presume she could not handle herself, but Lizzy could see the taut lines of her sculpted body under her jeans and sweater. All this talk of people fighting for her old pack had her wondering what the heck her role was. Pulling out of Connors arms she faced Marcus.

  “Erm alpha? What is my role?”

  Marcus looked to Connor briefly, a quick silent communication through their pack link.

  “You are to stay here with Brianna, if you were to come you increase the risk tenfold of you being harmed. You would be walking into Lawson’s trap”

  Brianna jumped to her feet again, hands on hips.

  “Now hang on a minute, don’t you think you need a bloody good tracker on the case? Hello? Standing here?!”

  “Baby, you are not going on this case, end of story. Have you forgotten you are carrying our cubs?”

  Huffing she glared at him.

  “Considering I have been throwing up for the past few weeks then no I have not forgotten………..”

  “The answer is no Baby”

  Lizzy could feel the power he rolled over her as she watched Brianna open and close her mouth several times before narrowing her eyes at her mate.

  “Fine” she snarled.

  “I can help alpha”

  She did not know where she got the courage from, but something so deep inside of her took hold. Connor pulled her closer. She could feel the betas energy seeping into her. The hard set of his jaw told her he was not happy.

  “Don’t even think about it Lizzy, I will not have you putting yourself in danger, you will listen to me on this for once. You are not to go”

  She growled low, which surprised him briefly, His hand clutched the back of her neck, showing her his dominance of her mate. Yeah well, whatever, beta, this is my old pack and I have a right to end this. As she lowered her eyes in what he thought was submission he released her neck rubbing circles in a soothing motion. Which gave her precisely the opportunity to state her case to the alpha.

  “Alpha, I have a question”

  Marcus nodded once for her to speak.

  “Look, I get that I may not be good at hand to hand combat but I know the layout of the place better than anyone. It is my brother locked up and it is my right to find him. There is also the issue of the cages. The chances of getting the access codes will be difficult. Let me go on the mission, I am one big access code, I can use my telekinesis”

  “No Lizzy, what if something goes wrong? What if Lawson or worse that fuckwit Oliver gets his hands on you? It’s far too much of a risk baby, I will not allow it”

  Connor vibrated with anger. He wanted to wipe out this pack in one raid, take away every possible chance that Lizzy could be harmed. He admired her courage for stepping up and stating her case to Marcus, but he just could not let her be on this mission. Kissing her forehead, he heard her exhale slowly, suppressed frustration palpable. And then said alpha spoke, with every other enforcer encouraging him.

  “Connor, I completely understand your need to protect Lizzy, I fully appreciate the overwhelming need to protect, but, she may have a point”

  “Alpha…………….” Connor started.

  “Just here me out. She is right that she knows the place inside out and if the cage is electronically coded then she will be able to get them open without hesitation”

  Marcus looked to Lizzy.

  “This is your brother Lizzy and we will help you in any way we can. Yes you may come…………”

  Conor growled low in his throat but one look of amber alpha eyes had him reluctantly lowering his gaze. Marcus flickered his eyes to Connor before continuing.

  “However, there will be rules and orders which you will obey. I will not have this pack compromised by impulsive decisions. Connor is right, your place is to be home safe, it is his right as your mate to protect you. Under no circumstance you are to be alone at any time. You will be with Connor. I know you cannot shift which is why you need the support of the head enforcers. Obviously if the meeting with the order is successful that may change. Finally Lawson and Oliver no doubt will be within the pack walls. Connor it is your call on this, they threatened your mate, how do you want to handle this?”

  Feeling thankful that his alpha gave him this choice he walked slowly around the room, carefully going over every possible way to maim the so called leader and finish them off once and for all.

  “Let me kill the fuckers”

  Luke cleared his throat.

  “As much as I would agree we have to take into consideration the council. To kill the alpha and heir of another pack would bring them down on us like a ton of bricks, it could get messy”

  “Not as messy as it would get if I rip their lying tongues out”

  “Connor, the only way you can kill them would be to do so in self defence. Other than that they have to be handed over to the council so they can be judged by the appalling actions of cruelty to their pack” Marcus added.

  “Then I hope they attack me, because I will never let them near my mate again” He growled low and deadly as he once again pulled Lizzy into the comfort of his arms.

  “Ok, then lets d
eal with the order first tomorrow. Then we do what amber woods does best. Fight for the good of the pack, in particular. Look after our own”.

  Lizzy felt all eyes settle on her, as each and every enforcer bowed their heads in respect. It was a good job she had her head on Connors shoulders, because the tears forming in her eyes would make this a real girlie moment.