by Delta James
* * *
Shannon figured they’d be able to track the SUV she had stolen. She drove outside the city limits heading west. Along the highway she found a small town that had a used car dealership with a shady owner who wasn’t all that interested in asking questions in order to exchange an almost new SUV for a small sedan.
After exchanging the car, she stopped to buy a no-contract cell phone and gave false information to have a month of unlimited data usage. Her plan was at the end of the month to ditch that phone and buy another. Using the internet, she found a cottage rental on a waterway a short distance outside of Toronto, Ontario. She specifically picked it for its access to water that could be crossed to the United States if needed. Again, she used the false passport to rent the cottage, arranged to rent a boat and have it tied up at the dock, paying cash for both.
Once inside the cottage, she checked and reloaded her rifle. If somehow, they found her, they’d be in for one hell of a fight. She had to think, had to plan—driving around aimlessly was not going to work for long. But more than anything, she had to sleep. She was exhausted. She bolted the door to the cottage and then moved a heavy armoire in front of it. Curled up on the bed with the gun within easy reach, she closed her eyes.
When she awoke later, it was dark outside and she was hungry. It was the first time since the beginning of this nightmare that she was actually hungry and not just going to eat because she had been ordered to do so. Now to figure out what she wanted and where to find it. Once again, her cell phone came to the rescue. She found a local pizza place not too far from her and ordered a pizza to be delivered. She realized as she did so that deMoncada had not lied, her whole world had changed. She’d always liked either a veggie or Hawaiian pizza, but now found she wanted something with lots of meat and minimal vegetables. Another reason to kill him, she thought without much humor.
Shannon had also purchased a large bottle of Diet Coke—her drink of choice in her former life. As she opened it and poured it into one of the cottage’s glasses, she drank down the entire glass without barely stopping to take a breath. She smiled. At least they hadn’t taken that away from her. She couldn’t remember when anything had tasted so good.
Apparently being a wolf increased one’s appetite. She had bought a large pizza thinking she could have leftovers for breakfast and maybe even lunch. She ate the entire thing. She was stuffed, but it had tasted so good. She took a shower with the desk chair wedged under the door handle and the gun close at hand.
She emerged from the bathroom cautiously to ensure no one had found her and been able to get inside. Seeing the armoire still in place and after checking under the bed, Shannon allowed herself to relax and once again to climb into bed and sleep.
* * *
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Marco had joined his comrades that had remained in the city.
“I’ve sent the plane for Mason Daniels. He should be here within the hour and wants to get on her trail as quickly as possible,” said Jean-Michel.
“Will he want to rest...”
Jean-Michel shook his head. “No. The only question that remains is who should go with him?”
Dylan laughed. “Well, we both know sending just you with him is not the best idea.”
“I am sure Mason and I could set aside our differences for the sake of Catherine’s sister.”
Marco chuckled. “Of that, my dear friend, I have no doubt. But let’s just say it might be more conducive to have others there to soothe any ruffled feathers on either man’s part.”
“Or we could totally piss him off and send the girls,” said Oliver with a smile. “I do believe the only person he finds even more vexing than Jean-Michel is my Rozalyn.”
* * *
Catherine had been able to make contact with Skylar, Darby, and Roz. They had arranged to pick her up at the airport and were now riding in the SUV in relative silence. The magnitude of what they were doing was not lost on any of them.
“We’ll get her back,” said Darby quietly as she reached across the seat and squeezed Catherine’s hand.
“So say we all,” said Skylar and Roz in unison.
Catherine smiled. “I know and I can’t thank you enough. I know the answer, but I feel I should say, anyone wanting to back out can do so without my thinking ill of them. She’s my little sister...”
“And so is kin to us all,” said Skylar. “This is what Bae Diogel was about—a safe haven for those who needed it and surely Shannon needs it more than any of the rest whoever found sanctuary with us.”
Darby nodded. “We’ll get her back, and not just physically. Most of us who found our way to Skylar were pretty beat up, but we healed.”
“Speak for yourself, Blondie. I was just dandy. I’d just heard a rumor about a kick-ass group of she-wolves, thought I’d sign on,” said Roz, grinning.
* * *
Will hung up his phone and frowned.
“Bad news?” asked James. “You can opt out if you need to.”
“No. We just may have more of an issue than we thought.”
“What do you mean?”
“The girl we sent to North Carolina? My friend, Josh, called. They’ve got her and she’s going to be fine. His new alpha is the one they call the Welsh wolf. He was like that crazy redheaded she-wolf. He liberated some of the girls deMoncada had. Your mate?”
James nodded. “What about her?”
“You know how deMoncada was touting that she had a turned sister who had produced a shifter-born female?”
“How could I forget? That was her chief recommendation as far as my father was concerned.” He snorted what might have passed for a laugh had the sound not been so bitter and hollow. “That and she would be proof positive that we had more money than most packs will ever have. It’s important to my father that we show that often to people and that they recognize it.”
“Not more than your mate’s brother-in-law.”
“Who is her sister’s mate?”
“Marco DeMedici. Word is he’s willing to pay a lot of money for any information leading to finding her. DeMedici is one of the leaders of the Coalition. I don’t know about your father, but mine wants nothing to do with ruffling any of their feathers. If what the girl said is true, you need to give up on the notion of claiming Shannon. If DeMedici finds out you’re the one who bought her, he’ll kill you... well, that or her sister will. They say the Madonna of the DeMedici is every bit as formidable as her mate.”
James shook his head. “I’ll say it again... I will understand if you need to distance yourself from this. But she is my fated mate and she will be mine. DeMedici is smart. He’ll have claimed dominion over her so I’ll need to convince him of that.”
“The man is notorious for his temper. DeMoncada abused her and sold her to you. That’s going to take a lot of convincing on your part.”
“And I’m infamous for my charm,” he said, flashing the smile that had always served him well. “She will be mine, Will. Did your friend tell you anything else?”
“Only that several of the Coalition members were rumored to be in Montreal and headed to Toronto where they believe she has traded the SUV for a different vehicle. By the way, they have Mason Daniels with them. That man can track a snake on concrete.”
James grinned. “Does your friend have an address? Sounds like I should join forces with these gentlemen.”
“James, are you daft? They’re as likely to kill you as look at you. They say the alpha of New Orleans is a stone-cold killer. And you’re well... you. Killing them at the gaming tables in Monaco is a bit different than hand-to-hand combat.”
“But I spent more than a decade in NATO Intelligence. And I still do odd jobs for them now and then.” He smiled at the look of shock on his friend’s face. “I know all of these men—have either met them or know them by reputation. Jean-Michel Gautier is no killer, but he will kill if the need arises. Don’t look so shocked, Will. If you or anyone else had known what I was doing, I’d neve
r have been nearly as effective as I was. I’ve met the Welsh wolf twice. The first time, I arranged an introduction to Mason Daniels, who helped Griffin find and extract Marco DeMedici when he was being held prisoner.”
Will shook his head, grinning and laughing. “You never cease to amaze me. Although I should have suspected there was something more to you than what you led others to believe. I don’t believe fate gifts a mate to those who have lived a wastrel’s life.”
James smiled again. “I should tell you that alphas do not choose ranking members of their pack from those ranks either.”
“You mean to challenge your father...”
“I intend to lead the pack at Ravenscar back to its roots of courage and honor. My father and his ranking members will be given a chance to leave as will those who wish to follow the old ways. All of the women will be offered a place of refuge with or without their mate. And if they so choose, one of my first acts as alpha will be to dissolve their unions.”
Will looked at him, slowly shaking his head. “You do realize the irony of that—you’ll give them safe refuge but you’re determined to bring Shannon to heel.”
“That seeming contradiction had not escaped me. However, none of the pairings in my father’s pack are fated mates and Shannon is mine. There are certain ancient traditions that should be upheld...” James shook his head. “Honestly? I’m not sure what I’ll do if I can’t convince her. I only pray that deMoncada didn’t break her and that she will find the courage to listen to her heart and choose to embrace her destiny with me.”
James was amused, watching Will trying to reconcile the man he thought his friend had been with the one he was now revealing himself to be. A man with whom he might not only find a rollicking good friendship but a place in this world. “Earlier you said that alphas do not choose their beta or their omega from wolves not worthy and that your pack will become like those of the Coalition...”
“I mean to become a member of that Coalition,” interrupted James.
“I’m no alpha. My father knows that... he’s always known that although he tries to convince me and everyone else that I am. I’m no beta either... but James, I’d make a damn good omega.”
James caught and held his friend’s eye. “I was rather hoping you’d come to that conclusion.”
Will straightened himself. “The omega of Ravenscar. I like the sound of that, Alpha.”
“I do too. I think it suits you well. Now, let’s see if we can meet up with the other members of the Coalition and convince them they need to help me bring Shannon home safely.”
* * *
The women arrived in Toronto. Skylar smiled. So far there had been no sign of their mates.
“This is going much better than I had thought it would. Ava must be doing one hell of a job misdirecting the boys.”
Darby shook her head. “Don’t kid yourselves. As soon as Shannon is out of harm’s way and they catch up with us, our butts are toast!”
“I suggest we all find a nice sunny island with rum cocktails with little umbrellas and hang out until they get over being pissed,” suggested Roz.
“Have you got until hell freezes over?” teased Catherine.
They all laughed. It wasn’t that they took what they were doing lightly. In fact, it was quite the opposite. They knew that their goal would not be easily obtained, but each woman felt she had no choice but to be there and lend a hand.
“Well, if we’re going to stay ahead of them, we need to get a move on,” said Skylar.
They loaded into the SUV and headed for the coordinates sent to them by Ava.
Chapter Thirteen
Will emerged from his room in their suite the next morning to find James working away.
“I had them bring up coffee. I figured once you were up, we could order breakfast, figure out our game plan, and go from there.”
James turned to look at his old friend, who was smiling, pouring himself a cup of coffee, and shaking his head.
“What?” he asked.
“This is just a whole other side to you I never even knew existed. Don’t get me wrong, I like it and its probably time we both decided to act like responsible, mature wolves... wait, that’s wrong, I need to do that. Apparently, you’ve been doing it for quite some time. NATO Intelligence, huh?”
James grinned. “Don’t feel bad that I fooled you. For what it’s worth, the only reason I didn’t tell you was because I felt you were safer not knowing. I never worried that if you found out you wouldn’t have my back and keep your mouth shut.”
“Thanks, James. I appreciate that. I don’t know about you, but I’m ravenous and since we don’t have any girls up here, I suppose I’ll have to settle for food.”
“You’ll live,” James commiserated with his friend.
“Says the guy who has a fated mate out there...”
* * *
Skylar was driving the SUV. They were headed toward Montreal to see if they could pick up her trial.
“You’re awfully quiet, Catherine,” said Darby.
“I don’t understand why she bolted. I know she was put through hell, but didn’t she understand when you said that you all knew me and that I’d been looking for her?”
“I think she was overwhelmed... I think it just got to her...”
Tears filled Catherine’s eyes. “That’s so unlike Shannon. What did he do to her?” she whispered as she wiped them away and then said, “Do we have anything on deMoncada?”
“We know he got out of the house,” said Roz. “Our biggest fear is that he’ll be tracking Shannon as well. It’s doubtful she knows there is a tracking device. From what the men have said, he’s a nasty piece of work.”
Catherine nodded. “Marco loathes the man and everything he stands for.”
“Forgive me for asking the obvious question,” said Darby, “and I probably should have asked it earlier, but what if she doesn’t want to come with us? You aren’t planning to force her, are you? I’m not sure I could be a party to that. We all know what it’s like to be given no choice as to our own future. I know it worked out well for all of us, but we also all knew we had met our fated mates regardless of how much we tried to resist that.”
“But none of us was tortured for a year. I want to make sure my sister is all right. We’ve taken in a lot of the girls that both Riley and Griffin were able to locate and free. It takes them a while to find themselves again. Once I know Shannon will be all right, I’ll support her being wherever and whoever she wants to be.”
Roz leaned over and took Catherine’s hand. “It will be all right. We’re going to find her and keep her safe. There’s plenty of time for figuring out everything else down the road.”
* * *
“That is not the look of a happy wolf,” said Jean-Michel, glancing at Marco.
“No. It would seem that my beloved mate has taken it upon herself once again to enlist the aid of her companions to do precisely what I told her not to.”
Mason Daniels had joined them and shook his head, smiling ruefully at Oliver. “This is the kind of foolishness those of you who think I’m too much of a stickler for the old ways could avoid. My Dani is at home with our pack. And there she will stay.”
Dylan walked forward to shake his hand. “Mason, it’s finally good to meet you in person. And from what Skylar tells me, I’m not so sure your Dani is quite as obedient as you might like to think. Remember, she was a member of Bae Diogel for some time and we have found those ties run deep.”
Oliver nodded. “Especially when they feel we are in the wrong. Damn it. I should have sent Roz home. Bash could have kept her in line.”
“And Skylar would have been safer if Nick had been able to keep her under lock and key.”
Jean-Michel laughed. The other four men looked at him, not understanding the source of his amusement.
“Do you honestly believe that? If I could have sent Darby home to New Orleans to be watched over by JD, it would have done no good; I should have known that. She
tried to tell me not to try to restrict them to the sidelines, but I refused to hear what she was actually saying. That we could bring them along or they’d go by themselves. Come now, Marco, did you really believe your Catherine would stay put when finding her sister is this close?”
Marco shook his head and started to chuckle. “As usual, the evil pirate has a point. And he’s right. I know Catherine better than that.”
Mason smiled. “I’m just glad we don’t live closer to any of you. I had enough trouble getting our girls to settle back down after Roz left. That girl is a menace, Halsey.”
Oliver began to laugh. “That she is, but she’s my menace and I can’t imagine how dull life would be without her.”
“Dylan,” started Mason, “you can’t agree with them. Surely you expected Skylar to do as she was told.”
Dylan joined in the collective laughter. “That’s the funniest part... I did expect her to. What I based that expectation on, I’ll never know, but I did expect it.”
At that point the other four alphas laughed uproariously at Mason, who failed to see the humor in the situation.
* * *
Shannon knew staying in one place until she had more of a plan to find and kill deMoncada was not wise. But the cottage she’d taken refuge in was peaceful and she felt she could easily defend herself there if she had to. She needed a headquarters of sorts to be able to form and then implement her plan. Being close to Toronto and the US border meant it had built-in escape routes.
She watched the sun rise. Shannon doubted she’d take for granted the beauty of that simple daily occurrence ever again. She found she had come to relish feeling the sunlight and the fresh air on her face. She’d been cooped up far too long in deMoncada’s fortress with only filtered sunlight and stale, recirculated air.
Her tasks today included going into Toronto, using a passport to open an account, and depositing some of the US funds into that. She planned to deposit half of the cash over the next week or so in various locations of the bank so as to ensure her deposits didn’t raise any questions. The other half of the cash she planned to keep as she knew for some of the things she needed to purchase, cash would be the only acceptable exchange.
