by Brenda Trim
Again, he tried to open his eyes, but they refused to cooperate. In fact, not one part of his body reacted to his mental command. And, who the fuck was Elaine?
“Oh, good. Now we can get down to business,” replied a female. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t put a face to it. He tried to recall the last remembered but his mind was a blank.
“Hey, werewolf, wake up,” the female demanded. This time the sound was louder as if she was shouting directly into his ear.
Werewolf? What in the hell was going on?
Images suddenly flashed through Ryan’s mind. Handcuffs. Cell. Jensen’s wife. The Ravin attacking. And, getting shot. His heart raced as he recollected where he was, and his eyes popped wide.
“Ah, there you are. I apologize for the restraints, but after your earlier display, you left me no choice. You’ve been given a muscle relaxer which is why you’re probably feeling a little groggy,” Elaine muttered as she hovered above Ryan.
A little groggy? More like stoned out of his fucking mind.
Now that his eyes were open, Ryan glanced down and noticed he was tied to a metal table. A blood pressure cuff was secured around one ankle, and an IV protruded from his hairy hand. The occasional beep told Ryan medical equipment was nearby, but he couldn’t lift his head to see where it was. His eyes scanned as much of the room as possible, and he immediately spotted several burly males standing nearby, watching his every move.
“So, let me explain how this works,” Elaine informed him, making Ryan’s gaze shift to her shit-brown eyes.
The movement made his head throb to the point he thought it would explode. And, nausea churned in his gut, making his mouth water. What kind of drugs did she give him? Or was it the result of his bullet wound? He’d been shot several times throughout his life and, not once, did it feel like this. It must be the drugs, he concluded as he glared at the female.
Her short blonde hair was perfectly styled, as was her makeup. What he wouldn’t give to slide a claw through her flawless complexion. The Ravin wanted to slice more than her face. It wanted to shatter Elaine’s sternum then rip every organ from her body. The mere thought of such savagery made Ryan want to vomit, but the creature didn’t give a shit what he thought. The Ravin had one goal, and that was to devour Elaine.
Her voice snagged Ryan’s attention. “We will inject anesthesia into your IV but not enough to knock you out. I need you awake so the shift can take place. Then the electric current will pass through the electrode pads on your temples. I imagine you will feel some discomfort but know that it only lasts about sixty seconds. As soon as the shift takes place, we will draw blood, and then you will stay here during recovery. As soon as you’ve regained your strength, we will transport you back to your cell. From what I can see, you’re a healthy specimen, so I assume you’ll be back to yourself in a few days. Do you have any questions before we begin?” Elaine asked with a smile like she was his fucking surgeon about to perform an outpatient procedure.
“Yeah,” snarled the Ravin. “When I get out of here…would you like me to hook you up to this machine before I bash in your fucking skull?”
Her upper lip trembled slightly then contorted to a sneer. “Werewolf, do not push me. I have the power to light you up with so much electricity you’ll end up a drooling, rabid dog covered in piss and shit.”
“Mrs. Jensen, Kelly Thompson from Fortified Investigations is on the phone,” interrupted a soft voice. Ryan tried to turn his head so he could see the female, but his muscles refused to budge.
“Looks like you get a brief break, werewolf. Think about what I said. I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Elaine muttered then walked away. The clack of her heels on the concrete overshadowed the beep of the medical equipment as she exited the room.
Ryan screamed in his head as loud as he could. He needed the Ravin to listen to him. They couldn’t afford to taunt Elaine, not when she was holding all the cards. The way Ryan saw it, their best chance at surviving this ordeal was to cooperate and allow the shift to take place. That would buy some time so they could figure out their next move. Unfortunately, the Ravin wasn’t having it. He refused to allow Ryan’s wolf back into the picture.
Ryan closed his eyes and shut out the world. He might not have control over his body anymore, but no one could take away his thoughts or feelings. He reached deep, trying to connect to his wolf.
Silence answered in return.
Served him right for shutting out his true nature. He had no right to turn his back on his inner animal. Every decision had consequences, and this was a hefty fucking price to pay for believing in the Ravin over his other half.
Why had he fallen for the Ravin’s seduction? For what? Power? It seemed so unimportant now. The truth was, Ryan had everything he needed before the Ravin entered his life.
He had a home at Safe Haven, surrounded by his fellow wolves and his loving family. He could only imagine how upset and disappointed his sisters must be with him. Not to mention, Lawson.
For so many years, Ryan was jealous of his younger brother. But what was Lawson’s actual wrongdoing? Loving him? Because that’s what his brother had done from day one. It was Ryan’s insecurities that brought on envy and resentment. What he wouldn’t give to make it right. If this didn’t turn out in his favor, Ryan didn’t want Lawson to think he didn’t love him. Because he did.
And then there was Cassie. His sweet, fun-loving, spirited female. She’d brought so much to his life in such a short time. And he never bothered telling her. She deserved to know how much he adored her. She was the first female that grounded Ryan. She made him want to settle down for the first time in his eighty-five years. Why couldn’t he see it then? Why was it he had to hit his lowest point to appreciate all the good in his life?
A faint howl echoed in a remote part of his mind. His thoughts came to a sudden stop as he focused. Another faint howl. His wolf. Thank the Goddess it wasn’t gone. Ryan was ready to fall on his knees and pledge allegiance to his inner animal but was strapped to a table because he was an imbecile.
Oh, how he wanted to feel his animal again. To run from the Ravin and this shithole. He would give anything to escape the nightmare and allow his wolf to lead them home.
The Ravin roared, trying to override Ryan’s connection but he shut out the creature. He would not let it take control of his thoughts when that was all he had left. He would die before he severed the thin strand tethering him to his wolf.
The sound of heels clicking drew Ryan’s attention.
“Everything okay, boss?” asked one of the males standing guard when Elaine waltzed into the room.
“Nothing I can’t handle. Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Time to meet your wolf,” Elaine quipped as she walked over and stood beside the metal table.
Fear crept in as Ryan wondered what would happen next. He didn’t know anything about electroshock therapy except that it was primarily used on humans to offset certain mental health conditions. He had no idea what side effects might occur for shifters. What if he lost his memory? Or worse, what if he was left with a scrambled brain, unable to function normally.
Ryan thought about his mother and her strong spiritual beliefs. He wasn’t a male of faith, and rarely prayed, but he called upon the Goddess Gaia. He asked that she give him strength and guidance. He asked for forgiveness. He’d made so many poor choices and prayed for the chance to make amends.
Suddenly, sharp and intense pain assaulted Ryan’s mind. It felt like a chainsaw cutting his skull, and he was helpless to stop it. He tried clutching his head to diffuse the intensity of the torment, but the restraints held him in place. All he could do was scream.
And scream he did.
His back arched off the table, and his body jerked as every muscle tightened the moment electricity coursed through his system. It was fire and ice combined into one torturous attack on every nerve ending. Ryan never felt such pain before and begged the goddess to end his life so he wouldn’t have to endure the agony a second longe
r.
And then his wails turned to growls as the Ravin tried to break free of the restraints. Power surged through his body, and the excruciating pain diminished to the point Ryan could think again. Perhaps the creature could beat the odds stacked against them. One leg broke free of the restraint, and the Ravin kicked a nearby guard in the head. The male went flying across the room and slammed into the wall. The leather strap around his left arm snapped and the Ravin swung out, trying to strike Elaine.
Unfortunately, he missed and then Ryan’s brief elation deflated like a bicycle tire in winter as three males jumped on top of the Ravin. One of the males grabbed his unsecured ankle and, moments later, Ryan was tied and bound again. The Ravin growled and snarled, baring its teeth in rage.
“Hit him again. Harder this time!” shouted Elaine, and in the next breath, Ryan felt a jolt so intense he was certain it was the end.
Death knocking at his door. His eyes rolled back in his head, and his entire body jerked uncontrollably. The taste of copper filled his mouth, and he wondered if he’d bitten his tongue or lip. He tried to yell and beg Elaine to stop but his jaw locked in place. All he could do was pray to die.
He’d never considered death until now. Somehow, he imagined it differently. He’d heard stories from others who described their life flashing before them. He recalled his mother when she passed away. She was content and peaceful. Ryan’s experience was nothing like that. It was filled with pain, confusion, and chaos.
And then the strangest thing happened. A growl escaped, but it wasn’t the Ravin this time. This was a howl. A call of the wild.
His wolf. Emerging from the depths of his soul.
Ryan had no idea if he shifted or if it was merely a figment of his imagination, but in the next blink, his tan-colored wolf appeared. It was the most incredible sensation, and Ryan shouted his triumph.
Another blast of current hit his system, and everything blurred. Ryan couldn’t decipher between reality and fantasy. In the next breath, Cassie was there. She was naked, moaning her pleasures as she straddled his hips. It felt so incredibly good to be inside her again, and Ryan relished the feel of her soft curves. And then the image altered. Cassie was still there, but she was packing her things and then stormed from Ryan’s bedroom. He tried to call her back, but she ignored him.
Again, the scene changed. Ryan felt his wolf break free of the restraints, and they ran down the hallway, escaping the prison. He imagined running down the hallway toward the exit only to slam into a locked door. Then he saw himself tied down while tubes drained every ounce of his blood. He was dying, and no one was there to rescue him.
And then an image of the Ravin appeared. He refused to leave Ryan’s body, and the creature was feasting on a human’s flesh. Ryan screamed and tried to fight the Ravin, but it laughed as it taunted him. The image dissolved and was replaced by his wolf. His inner animal attacked the Ravin, ripping every limb from its body.
As each of the Ravin’s limbs were shredded, Ryan felt a bit of the Ravin’s hold over him disappear. Encouraged, he urged his wolf to dominate and take out the vile creature that controlled his movements too long. Claws seemed to be embedded in his heart, and with each tug, a deep groove was sliced through the organ.
Cassie’s sweet smile flashed through his mind and gave him the strength to pry the claws from his heart and push them from his body.
Dark clouds drifted away, and the moon filled the night sky. His wolf howled its victory and reclaimed its rightful place by Ryan’s side.
Ryan felt a rumble deep inside and knew it wasn’t a dream. His wolf was there and was prepared to fight until the very end.
Chapter 14
Bart sat quietly in the rear of the van, listening to the conversation between Lawson and the other shifters. The long drive from Hollow Rock to Nashville had given Bart a glimpse into Lawson’s leadership, and he couldn’t deny he was impressed. The others clearly respected the guy and were eager to follow the alpha’s every command.
He glanced toward Liv sitting in the passenger seat. When he first agreed to ride along to the facility, Bart dreaded the thought of watching the lovesick couple. To his surprise, and utter relief, their interaction hadn’t bothered him. Maybe he was finally getting over his feelings for Liv.
It was evident she loved Lawson, and the man’s devotion to Liv was undeniable. All anyone had to do was see the way Lawson looked at her. Like she was his entire world. The truth was, Bart was happy for Liv. Everyone should be so lucky to find such happiness.
Bart’s inner ruminations dissolved when the van hit a large pothole and Bart slammed against the side window.
“Yo, dude, drive much?” blurted Knox, a pack member, and Lawson’s right hand since Ryan went MIA.
“It’s better than your sorry-ass, all-over-the-road bullshit,” Lawson countered with a chuckle.
“I’m a fantastic driver. Just ask Ashley. She’ll attest to my skills behind the wheel,” Knox quipped with a smirk.
“Too much information,” Devin chimed in from the seat in front of Bart.
He didn’t know much about the shifter, but Devin seemed like a straight-up kind of guy, and Bart appreciated that. He didn’t care for the bull-shitter types. Unfortunately, they were a dime a dozen in the political world. That was one thing he could say about the shifters he’d met. For the most part, they were honest, hard-working, and dependable. Humans could stand to learn a few things from the species.
Liv turned in her seat, wrinkling her nose. “I’m with you, Devin. The image of Knox driving Miss Ashley is something I won’t be able to erase from my brain,” she professed, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Bart glanced at his phone when the screen lit up with a text message. It was Kelly, asking him about his trip to Nashville. It was the third one today. It seemed odd that she was so interested in this particular facility. Why did she care one way or the other? Then again, she could be using it as an excuse to reach out to him. He hadn’t asked her out in a couple of weeks, and Bart knew she wanted a relationship with him.
Kelly wasn’t exactly what he was looking for long-term, but he did enjoy her company. Not to mention she was wild in bed. Perhaps he should date her for the time being. After all, it wasn’t like he had to marry her.
He typed a reply and told her they were in Nashville and almost to their destination. He asked if she’d like to get together Friday night, adding that he missed her and even added the kissy-face emoji women seemed to love. What was it with their incessant need for mushy bullshit? He didn’t get it.
His screen lit up again as Kelly responded with a picture. It was of her, blowing him a kiss. She was wearing a low-cut top, and her cleavage took up most of the screen. Her message read, “I can’t wait to show you how much I miss you!” with several lip emojis followed by a winky-face. Bart could only imagine what the hellcat had in mind.
“What’s that devilish grin about?” Liv asked and waggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, you know. Same old BS,” he replied with a wink. It felt good, the two of them cutting up like old times.
“Mm-hmm,” she countered then turned back around as Lawson pulled into a vacant parking lot. Bart breathed a sigh of relief at seeing the empty lot. The facility was obviously closed today. Maybe this would be a simple rush in and rush out kind of deal.
“Alright, time to put on your game faces,” Lawson announced and pulled into one of the spaces close to the entrance and parked. He swiveled in his seat and faced the small group.
“Does everyone understand our plan? Assuming I’m correct, and shifters are inside, we do this as quickly as possible. Hopefully, no one gets hurt,” he explained.
Devin opened the sliding door of the van and hopped out. He walked to the rear of the van and opened the back door. As soon as Bart heard the cock of a gun, his head jerked toward the shifter.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Bart blurted, and his eyes popped wide.
He’d never seen such a vast supply of arsen
al. He had no idea they stored that kind of weaponry in the back of their van. There were shotguns, pistols, rifles, and enough bullets to fight a cavalry.
“What’s it look like? I’m sure as hell not going in unprepared,” Devin answered as he strapped on weapons and grabbed a backpack. “I suggest you do the same,” he added.
“You didn’t mention all this,” Bart snapped and turned to glare at Lawson. “This isn’t just illegal, Lawson. It’s downright criminal.”
“Look, Bart. You need to understand we don’t play by the rules when we do this. And that’s because your fucking kind doesn’t play by them, either. Now, if you don’t want to go in with us, that’s your choice, but I didn’t drive all the way to Nashville to go in and just look around. I will take whatever steps necessary to protect myself, Liv, and my shifters,” Lawson relayed, pinning Bart with steel-gray eyes.
Bart sat there for several seconds, considering what he should do. Part of him wanted to stay in the van and let them deal with it on their own. This wasn’t his battle. He was there as a witness, not a crusader. He had to consider his reputation and what might happen to his career if they charged in the building, guns blazing. Then again, he needed the shifter community to support him. It could make a huge difference in his campaign come reelection.
Bart glanced at the weaponry again. Luckily, he spent most of his childhood hunting with his father and uncle, so he knew his way around many types of guns. He reached over the seat and grabbed a handgun and ammo then loaded the chamber. He stepped out of the van and shoved the gun into his waistband and pulled his shirt over it, concealing the weapon. Hopefully, he wouldn’t need to use it. Knox and Lawson exited the van and retrieved several firearms and ammunition. When Liv joined Lawson’s side, Bart noticed she wasn’t carrying a weapon, and that worried him.
“You aren’t grabbing a gun?” Bart asked and locked gazes with her.
Her long red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her green eyes were filled with concern. He knew Liv well enough to know she didn’t like this situation any more than he did.
