Discovering Their Wolfen Heritage

by Discovering Her Wolfen Heritage (lit)

  Michael looked up. “What’s with all the wolves, Remus? I’ve never seen so many in one place.”

  “Damn it, Michael, focus,” Remus screamed. “Where is he taking Maddie?”

  “His clinic. He’s taking her back to his clinic. She was always safe there. He protected her from the outside world.”

  “She was never safe there, and he isn’t taking her back to the clinic, at least not now. He knows that’s the first place we’d look for them,” Remus said. He looked at Michael feeling nothing but pity now. Then he caught Latan’s gaze. “I’m not going to get anything out of him. Let’s go. I need to talk to the Elders.” He spoke to the guard. “Keep him here until Latan comes back.”

  As Remus and Latan walked out the door, Michael tried to follow and was pushed back down in his chair. The last thing Remus heard when he shut the door was Michael’s voice. “Forgive me, Maddie, I didn’t understand.”

  Remus looked at Latan. “Do you know where any of the Elders are?”

  Latan scowled. “They’re all in the conference room waiting to rip you a new one. They didn’t like us bringing Michael here at your orders, but they didn’t interfere.”

  “Well, I don’t really care what they did or didn’t like. It was necessary. Wait for me outside. I’ve got to talk to them for a moment, and then we’re going to meet back at the cabin with the other wolves. I want some type of plan to put in effect as soon as we get word where he’s holding her.” Remus turned and walked away, leaving Latan to carry out his orders.

  Remus knocked once on the door to the conference room and then entered without waiting for permission. All five of the Elders were obviously waiting for him and said nothing while they waited for him to speak.

  Remus decided to direct his plea to the head Elder. “Vanard, I come before the Elder’s council to ask a special favor.”

  Vanard’s eyebrows rose and he gazed at Remus for a long time before responding. “What is it that you require, Alpha?”

  Remus walked over to the window and looked out at the mountains in the distance. For the first time, he felt a tingle of fear run up his spine. He knew what he was about to ask the Elders would cost him dearly, he just didn’t know what their price would be. “When my father was still alive he spoke of the council of Elders often. He thought it was important, since I was to take his place as Alpha someday, that I understand how our hierarchy worked. He schooled me in your duties, your authority over the pack, and your importance to the survival of our race.” Remus turned and gazed into Vanard’s eyes. “And he told me of the magic you carry within you.”

  Vanard’s face showed no emotion at all when he spoke. “Go on, Alpha. What is sit you seek? If he told you all about us then you must know that our magic can’t bring your mate home to you.”

  Remus took a deep breath. “I ask for the magic for my mate’s brother, Michael.”

  “This is the human you hold prisoner in our home?” Vanard asked.

  “Yes, I had him brought here so he could not leave without my talking with him and finding out what he knew about Maddie’s kidnapping.”

  “And did you discover the information you needed? Was he involved with the abduction of your mate?” Vanard’s voice had grown cold and angry.

  “Not really. He was duped into believing that Constantine wanted to help her. He let himself be convinced that she was a danger to herself, since she’d been locked up for so much of her life.” Remus ran his fingers through his hair. “He’s as much a victim as Maddie.”

  “Then what is it you wish for us to do, son?” Vanard looked at Remus with compassion showing on his face.

  “I’m going to bring my mate home, Vanard. Michael is her brother, and she loves him dearly. It could be painful for her if he continues to bring up the events from today.” Remus swallowed hard. “I want you to use your magic to take away most of his memory of these events. I only want him to remember that he came to see if Maddie needed to be hospitalized but decided that she was doing all right since she and I got married. I don’t want him to remember any wolves or any abduction or interrogation.” Now Remus waited to see their reaction and find out the cost of what he asked.

  Vanard stared at him long and hard before answering. “What you ask will not be easy, especially since you want part of his memories to remain.” He glanced at the other Elders. “We must have assurances that this type of thing with the humans does not continue to be a problem within the Pack.”

  “What assurances do you want?” Remus asked.

  “There is a price for our help, Alpha, and it’s a steep one.”

  “For God’s sake, just tell me what you want.”

  “We will do as you ask if you are willing to give up the right for your son to inherit your title of Alpha. Since you went against our wishes and mated with someone who cannot produce a full-blooded shifter, we have to find a way to protect the future. We need strong leadership, like you. We won’t have that type of leadership if we continue to intermarry. Eventually our offspring will be entirely human and that is not acceptable.” He walked over to stand beside Remus. “Are you willing to give up your future son’s right to take your place as Alpha some day in order to give your mate peace about today’s events?”

  “I’d do anything for Maddie.”

  Vanard didn’t hesitate. “So be it. It will be done today. I will have someone make sure he gets to the local motel with his automobile after we finish so he thinks he went there after confronting his sister.”

  Remus bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Vanard.” Then he turned and left the room.

  * * * *

  Maddie struggled to wake up. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t move. It was like her arms were glued to the bed. And her head. It hurt so badly.

  Am I sick? Where’s Remus? This doesn’t smell like our bed. Where am I?

  She finally got her eyes to open only to become more confused. She didn’t recognize anything. It was a small room, only the bed and a table with a chair. There was one window, and to her horror it had bars across it. She started to sit up only to realize that she was tied to the bed. Then she remembered.

  Oh God, they drugged me. Michael and Dr. Constantine drugged me. Remus, where are you? I’m scared. I don’t know where I am.

  She was startled when there was a sound of someone unlocking the door. She looked up in alarm as Dr. Constantine walked into the room carrying a tray.

  “Well good, Maddie, I see you’ve finally decided to wake up. I’m sorry about that. I guess I gave you a little more sedative than you needed. I was really worried about your waking up during the long drive, so I gave you a little more than I usually do. You’re going to have a bit of a headache, but it shouldn’t last too long.” He looked at her for a long moment. “I’ll tell you right now there’s no use in trying to use your gift on me the way you did on Michael. I gave you some medication while you were sleeping that will keep you from being able to focus your anger. It’s something I perfected during the last year you lived at the clinic. You’ll find it’s quite effective in keeping you from sending things flying through the air. Of course, there are always side effects, so I’m guessing you’ll feel very weak and tired for the next few days.”

  “Where am I?” Maddie asked weakly.

  “Good, I want you to ask questions. I don’t want us to have any more secrets. That way we’ll work better together. You’re at a little cabin I own, not too far from your former home. It’s isolated and has all the equipment I need to continue with our experiments.” He smiled at her. “I think you’ll be happy here after you accept that you can’t leave. I can tell you that your grandmother Eloise spent some time here, and she came to love being here with me.”

  “You knew my grandmother?”

  “Of course, she was the basis for my whole life’s work. She was a lot older than me, but I came to care for her a great deal. It broke my heart when she was killed.”

  “I don’t understand. How did you know her and what
did you mean when you said she liked this place?”

  Constantine put the tray on the table near the window and then pulled the chair over next to the bed and sat down. “I met your grandmother shortly after she had your father. I was staying here in the cabin with my family for a vacation, and I’d gone out for a walk. It was just pure luck that I managed to see her shift into her wolf.”

  “You saw her shift?” Maddie asked.

  “Oh, yes, Maddie, she was so beautiful. I became quite fascinated with her. So fascinated, in fact, I came back here after I finished college. I wanted to meet the woman who’d been in my dreams for several years, and I wanted to find out what made her like she was. I tried to befriend her and your grandfather. I’d wanted them to introduce me to more of their kind, but they weren’t very welcoming.”

  “More of their kind? You thought Grandfather was a wolf shifter too?”

  “Yes, at first I did. I learned pretty quickly that he was only human. Eloise was somewhat careless, and I managed to catch her alone on several of her runs. She let it slip one day that your father was only half wolf.” Constantine smiled at Maddie. “Back then, I was only interested in studying someone that was full-blooded, so I made a deal with your grandmother.”

  “What kind of deal?” Maddie asked hesitantly.

  “I agreed to leave Victor and Dale alone if she would agree to let me run some, well, some tests on her.”

  Maddie felt sick. “And she agreed to this arrangement?”

  “Well, not at first. Victor had a little accident in his car, and I convinced her that the next time the baby might be with him. She agreed to come here a few times a week after that.”

  “Oh my God, you’re really crazy, like my grandfather said.” Maddie felt the tears falling down her cheeks.

  Constantine looked surprised. “You talked to Victor about me?”

  Maddie sighed and struggled against the bonds holding her arms down. “No, he left me a journal that warned me against you.”

  Constantine chuckled. “So he’s still trying to drive me away, even from the grave.”

  Maddie continued to struggle to free herself, trying not to let the feelings of fear overwhelm her. She was beginning to have a clearer head, but she didn’t want the doctor to know in case he decided to drug her some more. She knew Remus would be looking for her. She just had to hold on until he found her. “Dr. Constantine, please, do you think you could at least untie my arms? It’s not like I can go anywhere.”

  The doctor ignored her request. “You know, Maddie, it grieved me as much as your grandfather when Eloise was killed. It was such a senseless accident, and I missed her so much after she was gone. I couldn’t continue with my research. Your father showed no signs of having the wolf DNA. I thought everything would have to be dropped, and then you fell into my lap as a patient.”

  “How did you know who I was?” she asked.

  “I’d kept up with your father in hopes that his children would show more prominent signs of carrying your grandmother’s genes. You have an unusual DNA marker in your body. I discovered it when you were a patient at the clinic. It was my hope that we’d have many years together for research, but then that lawyer stepped in and got you released. It hasn’t been easy convincing your brother that you would be better off under my care.”

  Maddie was horrified. Oh, no, not Michael. He wouldn’t do this to me. “Are you telling me my brother had something to do with my being here?”

  “Of course, he wants what’s best for you, just like I do. He knows that I’ll look after you and keep you safe. He really does love you, Maddie.”

  Maddie stayed silent. She couldn’t believe Michael would help this madman keep her locked away, not if he really loved her.

  Remus, where are you? Can you hear me? I don’t know how to project my thoughts to you or how to tell if you’re able to hear me. I’m in some cabin. I can only see trees through the windows, and it looks like forest. I’m tied to a bed listening to Dr. Constantine rant on about his research. I’m scared, Remus, scared of what he might do to me. Please, help me, answer me!

  Maddie was startled when Constantine suddenly stood up. “I’m sorry, Maddie, I had brought you some tea but now it’s bound to be cold. I’ll go and make some fresh. Are you hungry?”

  Maddie thought quickly, if he took the time to make her something to eat he’d be gone longer. “Yes, please, I’m feeling very hungry and a little sick at my stomach.”

  “Yes, that’s part of the effect of the drugs. I’ll go make you something hot. We want to keep you in good physical shape now. Don’t fret so, child, I’m not going to hurt you.” He walked over to the door and opened it. Glancing back over his shoulder, he smiled. “I’ll be back in a little bit with something for you to eat. Try and get some rest.”

  Maddie watched as he closed the door. Remus, where are you? I need help!

  * * * *

  Remus sat at the table in the cabin he shared with Maddie and watched his pack mates sitting in front of the fire. For the past few hours they had been waiting to hear from the trackers he sent after Constantine and Maddie. The waiting was beginning to wear on everyone, especially his brothers. He could see in their faces how much they were hurting for him. He’d tried over and over again to touch Maddie’s mind, but he hadn’t been able to sense her after Constantine drove off. The only thing he could figure was that the doctor was keeping her sedated.

  He nearly jumped out of his chair when his cell phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Alpha, we found them.”

  Remus was delighted to hear the voice of his pack mate. “Where”

  “Thirty miles south on State Road Seven there’s a cut off to a dirt road. About six miles in there is a lone cabin, very isolated, surrounded by dense forest. It’s going to be a piece of cake to sneak up on it.” The young wolf’s voice sounded excited, like he couldn’t wait to take on the mission.

  “Don’t do anything,” Remus exclaimed, “unless her life is in immediate danger. We can be there in less than an hour.” Remus looked at Latan as he came to stand beside him, and he couldn’t stop his voice from quivering when he spoke again. “Have you seen her?”

  “Affirmative, Alpha. The room she’s being held in has one window that’s barred. She’s been restrained on a bed. The doctor spent some time in there sitting and talking, but he left the room a few minutes ago. I had to wait to call until I could sneak away from the house.”

  “All right, sit tight. We’re on our way.” Remus hung up the phone and looked at his brother. “Did you hear?”

  “Enough. You ready to go get your mate?” Latan replied.

  Remus looked over at his pack mates who were all staring at him. “My mate’s safety is our top priority. I want her back unharmed.” Remus let the anger he’d been holding back fill his soul. “Take Constantine down any way you can.” Remus stopped talking as a feeling of fear washed over him.

  “Remus, what’s wrong?” Latan asked.

  Remus ignored him for a moment and just concentrated on what he was feeling.

  Fear, helplessness, anger. These aren’t my feelings. They’re coming from Maddie. Baby, can you hear me? I’m coming for you. Hang on, I’ll be there soon.

  Remus looked at Latan. “I can feel her now. She awake, and she’s scared. I can’t hear her words, only feel what she’s feeling.” Remus glanced at the other wolves. “Let’s shift and take care of business.”

  * * * *

  Maddie cringed as the door opened and Constantine came back in carrying another tray. She watched as he pulled the table over by the bed and set the tray down. She could see it had a bowl of some kind of soup and a cup that was probably tea. She shook with fear when he laid a small towel across her chest and tucked it under her chin.

  “I’m sorry, Maddie, but I figured you’d rather have the towel than be covered in soup. I’m afraid I don’t have much experience in feeding someone. I was afraid I’d make a mess.”

  “Why can’t you just untie
me and let me feed myself?” she asked.

  “Not just yet. I’d rather wait until you’re more settled here before I give you much freedom.” He picked up the bowl and spoon and leaned close to her face. “Now, be a good girl and eat this. You need to keep your strength up.”

  Maddie was just about to refuse when she felt Remus’s presence. She could sense him getting closer. Maybe if she kept the doctor busy feeding her she could give Remus the time he needed to get to her. Slowly, she opened her mouth and let him feed her the soup.

  * * * *

  Remus watched as his pack mates surrounded the small cabin. It was almost too easy. The place was surrounded by forest on three sides. It made for perfect cover and easy to sneak up on. He hoped they hadn’t overlooked anything.

  He sent a telepathic message to Ethan and Latan. Are you in position? Their affirmative responses came back immediately. Okay, let’s do it.

  Remus led the way as the group, half in human form and half in wolf shape, converged on their target. Silently, he approached the window and looked inside. Fury raised inside him as he watched Constantine wipe his mate’s face with a towel. He couldn’t feel her emotions anymore, and it was worrying him.

  Latan, he’s in the room with Maddie. Be as quiet as you can and go in the back door. Ethan, you go in the front. I’ll let you know if he starts to leave the room.

  * * * *

  Maddie was feeling very drowsy and dizzy. “What have you done? I don’t feel so good.”

  Constantine wiped off the soup that had dribbled on her chin, then sat back and stared at her. “I thought it best if you rested for a while. I’m going to want to do some testing later, and it would be better if you didn’t fight me.”

  Maddie struggled to stay alert. She couldn’t sense Remus anymore. “What kind of testing?”