Hunted Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  “I can’t let you out of my sight.”

  “You did to get the water.”

  Benjamin grumbled. “Use that stall over there.” He gestured toward a row of old horse stalls. “Then at least I can see your feet.”

  “The rope?” I arched a brow.

  “This is why I’ll never be in the alpha’s inner circle.”

  “That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

  He shrugged, but then untied me. “Just don’t try anything. I’m fast and strong.”

  I rubbed my wrists. “I won’t do anything to get you in trouble.” Every step I made hurt worse than the last. I rolled my shoulders back and forth, trying to work out the stiffness again.

  Finally, I made it to the nearest stall. I went in, closed the door, and let my pants fall to my knees. I gasped at the sight of my black and blue skin. It looked far worse than it felt. I squatted over a bale of hay and released the floodgates.

  “Hurry up,” Benjamin called.

  “Can’t rush these things.” I lifted my shirt to see the damage. Long welts covered me where the venomous whip had assaulted me. Bruises in the shape of a shoe covered my ribs.

  I adjusted all my clothes and stumbled out of the stall. Pain shot out from my ribcage. I grasped it and made my way back over to Benjamin. The chain kept getting in my way until I finally sat.

  He held up the rope.

  “Please, no.”

  “I have to.”

  “You don’t.”

  “James will flip out if he sees you untied.”

  “I’d say he passed ‘flipped out’ long ago.”

  We stared each other down.

  “I don’t want to tie your arms.”

  “Then don’t.”

  He muttered under his breath. “I’ll sneak you more water in your cage if you don’t fight me.”

  “What? I have to go back there?”

  “Of course.”

  I threw my head back, hitting the wall. “Help me escape.”

  “I definitely can’t do that.”

  “It’s obvious you don’t agree with the way they’re treating me.”

  “Doesn’t mean I want my life cut short.” He reached for my wrists and I let him tie them up. No sense in getting him in trouble when he was being as helpful as he could, given the circumstances.

  I closed my eyes, hoping for a little sleep.

  Benjamin scrambled to his feet. “Someone’s coming. I have to put the chain back on the hook. Hurry, before we’re both beaten to a pulp.”

  My stomach twisted into a tight knot. “Wait. What about the camera?”

  “It’s just there to scare you. Hurry.”

  Chapter 21

  Toby

  “Are you sure this is the right path?” Tap asked. “We’ve taken too many twists and turns. I swear, we’ve been down this road before.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me,” Soleil said. “I can teleport myself across the world, and I’m confused and dizzy.”

  “I’m doing the best I can,” Frida said.

  I squeezed the steering wheel and tried to push my own frustration down. “I know you are. I appreciate your help, Frida.”

  “Left here,” she said.

  Pain gripped my temples as I turned down a road I was sure we’d been down twice before. It was hard to tell for sure, though, because half the roads looked the same and most of the names sounded the same. In fact, if I didn’t trust Frida, I’d have been seriously doubting her.

  “We’ve definitely seen that house before,” Jet said. “The one with the political signs covering the yard.”

  “I remember that one, too.” Ziamara yawned.

  “I’m doing my best,” Frida said.

  “Maybe we should stop and get something to eat. Everyone’s tired and hungry. I know I am.”

  Everyone else muttered their agreements.

  “I’ll find the main road.” I looked for other cars before making a u-turn.

  “Any way we can redo the locator spell?” Jet asked.

  “I’m low on supplies,” Frida said. “And besides, the one I used was one of my strongest and most reliable ones. It should’ve led us right there. The only thing that makes sense is that they keep moving her around and it’s throwing off the directions in my mind.”

  “We’ll all feel better after we eat,” Tap said.

  I nodded, but of course I wouldn’t be happy until we found Victoria. It was extra-frustrating that she was so close, yet we couldn’t find her. I tried to remember the last place to eat we’d seen, but with all the twists and turns, I couldn’t have been more turned around. Finally, we came to a fish and chips place.

  “Is this good enough?” I asked.

  Everyone agreed. We piled out and went inside. My stomach rumbled once I could smell the food. Fish and chips had never smelled so good, and with my pre-full-moon hunger, I could probably eat three full plates and still be hungry. Given the way the other wolves ordered, I knew I wasn’t alone.

  The teen girl taking our order looked at us like we were crazy as we ordered the food. She handed me a plastic number. “It might take a little longer than normal with such a large order.”

  “No problem. Thank you.”

  We pulled some tables together and made ourselves comfortable. Ziamara pulled her rainbow hair into a ponytail. “Are we close to finding Victoria? I’m really worried.”

  “It’s like I explained about the darkness,” Frida said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “What was it doing, exactly?” I sipped my highly-caffeinated pop.

  Frida frowned. “During the spell, every time I got close, it diverted me.”

  “Just like now,” Jet said.

  “Is that why your nose bled?” I asked.

  She nodded. “It was working against me.”

  Tap pressed his palms on the table. “Just as something is now.”

  “Maybe we should do another spell,” Soleil said.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not going to put Frida at risk. We’ll work with what we have. The vision may be muddied, but we’ve worked with less.”

  We discussed options until three people brought over our orders. They had to pull another table over and put some of the food on that because it wouldn’t all fit. We scarfed down our meal in relative silence. As predicted, I was still hungry after eating three platefuls, but I felt better—ready to keep searching despite whatever was trying to keep us from finding Victoria.

  Other patrons gave us strange looks. Usually, we would have taken some in to-go containers to avoid raising suspicions.

  Once we got into the Hummer, Frida spoke up. “I’m not sure if it’s the food or from having taken a break, but I feel like I can see the path more clearly now.”

  “Seems suspicious to me,” Jet said.

  “Everything seems suspicious to you,” Brick muttered.

  Tap chuckled.

  I started the engine and backed out of the parking spot. “Buckle up and hold on, everyone.” I turned to Frida. “Where to?”

  “Head back the same way we came. I see a road we haven’t gone down yet.”

  The tires squealed as I tore out of the parking lot. I broke every speed limit on the way back to where we came. Just as I was about to turn down the same road we’d seen at least three times, Frida interrupted my concentration.

  “Turn left here instead of right.”

  I did, and we followed a narrow road full of leaves in the road. It wasn’t well-cared for like the others we’d seen. The houses were also different. Each yard had overgrown lawns and each home was in dire need of repair. “Maybe this is a good sign?”

  “Let’s hope,” Jet said.

  “Not for the people who live here,” Ziamara said. “This place looks miserable.”

  The road continued until it looked more like an abandoned county road instead of a neighborhood in a small town. Then fields of hay and cows showed up on either side.

  “Where are we going?�
�� Brick asked.

  “Hopefully to find Victoria,” I mumbled.

  After miles of farmland, we came to a dirt road leading into a forest.

  “Is this a public road?” Ziamara asked.

  “If we get shot at, then we know it’s not,” Jet teased.

  “You’re a lot of help.”

  I turned to Frida. “Is this still part of your vision?”

  “It is. Keep going until we reach the end of the road. There should be a barn not far away.”

  “In the middle of the woods?” Jet exclaimed.

  “It’s no weirder than a bar in the middle of the woods,” Tap said.

  “Yeah, it is,” Jet argued. “Barns aren’t in the middle of the woods. You saw the other ones—they’re in big, open fields.”

  “Well,” I said. “If Victoria is in or near the barn, I don’t care how weird it is. I just want to get her back and never let her go.” Relief washed through me, thinking how close we were to making that a reality.

  We drove on in silence for nearly twenty minutes until the road finally came to an abrupt end. I cut the engine and turned to Frida. “Where’s Victoria?”

  “I’m pretty sure the barn isn’t far away.”

  “And she’s in there?”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “Wait,” Brick said. “What if your father and his pack are in there?”

  I looked around our group, my nerves on edge. I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, and given how many werewolves my father had rounded up, it seemed likely we’d all end up injured if not dead.

  “Toby?” Jet asked.

  I frowned. “We should call to find out how far away the others are.”

  “Or,” Soleil said, “we can check it out without storming the place. What if they’re keeping her there, but staying somewhere else? He probably only has two or three guys watching her. We can take them. I could drink the essence from three if I have to. No more without getting sick, though.”

  “They have assault weapons,” I said. “We’ve got knives and a few guns with silver bullets, but I doubt we could even stand up to two or three of them.”

  Tap started texting. “I know some mesmers in the area. They could jam those weapons with just a thought.”

  I thought about it. “Let’s tell the others what’s going on and then check it out. We might be able to get her without much trouble. If it turns out to be more than we can handle, we’ll wait for the others to arrive.”

  Everyone agreed.

  Jet pulled out his phone. “I’ll make some calls and then catch up with you guys once the others are caught up. There are a number werewolf packs in the area.”

  “Okay. I want to check everything out first before we all storm in.” I turned to Frida. “Where to?”

  “Follow me.” She headed into the thick trees.

  “I’m right behind you,” Brick said.

  I turned to the others. “You all stay here and fill in the others when they arrive.”

  “I’m going with you,” Jet insisted.

  “No, you’re staying here to lead the others.”

  Soleil stepped forward. “I’m coming. You’re not going to stop me.”

  I nodded. My heart raced as we walked along the mossy path. Twigs crunched underfoot as we followed Frida in what felt like circles in silence. Finally, she stopped. In front of us loomed an old barn that had long ago lost its paint. Most of the beams were cracked and chipping. I was afraid to touch anything for fear the entire structure would collapse.

  Holding my breath, I turned to Frida and arched a brow.

  She nodded and indicated for me to lead the way. I walked ahead while studying the building. There were no doors leading inside from where we stood.

  I indicated for the others to stay put, and I crept around the right side of the building, sniffing the air for other werewolves. I couldn’t pick anything up, but my father always kept a large enough supply of wolfsbane on him to cover the scent of five packs.

  The next side of the structure had no doors, either. I peeked in between some broken boards, but saw only hay. It appeared to be stacked up against the wall—and it wouldn’t have surprised me if that was the only thing holding up the barn.

  My pulse raced through me as I made my way around to the other side of the building.

  A door. It would probably crumble if I pulled on it, but I didn’t care. I reached for the knob and turned the handle. It barely budged. I gave it a good yank and it creaked open, sending a flurry of dust at me. It took all of my self-control not to sneeze. I tiptoed inside and looked around.

  Nobody was in sight. I couldn’t smell any werewolves other than my friends outside. I went back to them. Disappointment flooded me.

  They all gave me questioning looks. I gestured for them to follow me. Once inside, I clenched my fists. “Tear this place apart! The spell led us here. Victoria had to have left a clue.”

  We all spread around, digging around hay bales and exploring stalls. Brick and Soleil went up a rickety ladder to the upper level. The wood beneath their feet—and over our heads—creaked and groaned, threatening to break any moment.

  I ran around the periphery of the building. If anyone had been there, they were gone now. I sniffed the air, but couldn’t pick up Victoria’s scent. They had probably managed to mask it.

  Soleil came down. “Nothing up there.”

  “Or in the stalls.” Frida came over.

  Brick turned to Frida. “You’re sure she was here? This place doesn’t seem like it’s been touched in ages.”

  “This is where the spell led me,” Frida said. “She had to have been here recently.”

  “That’s where we wanted it to lead you,” came a male voice from behind.

  I spun around. Norman, one of my father’s best friends, stood behind us with his arms folded across his chest.

  “What do you mean?” I demanded.

  He laughed and blocked the door. “I mean, we know powerful witches, too. She was never here. You’re not going to find Victoria that easily. James has already given her a good beating, but that’s just the beginning—he’s only getting warmed up. The best part is, we’re nowhere near the camp. You’ve been on a goose chase in the wrong direction.”

  I reached into the inside of my pocket for my silver-bullet bearing gun.

  Norman shook his head and aimed his rifle at me. “Do that, and I’m forced to kill you.”

  I lunged for him. Five more men came inside, all bearing fully-automatic guns. I froze, skidding on hay, mid-stride.

  “Have a seat,” Norman flicked a nod toward the nearest wall.

  Chapter 22

  Victoria

  Wilson shoved me in the cage and locked the door. “You’ve got plenty to think about until the next time you’re allowed out.”

  I landed on the cement, scraping my cheek along the way until I crashed against the bars on the far side. Wilson stormed away, spraying dirt into the cage.

  Charles whined and nudged me with his nose through the bars.

  “I’m okay,” I muttered.

  He whined again.

  Groaning, I pushed myself to sitting. “See? I’m fine.” I moved the chain out from under me and dug pebbles out from my knees. Any more crawling and my pants would turn into shorts.

  My entire body hurt, but there was nothing I could do about it. I lay on the concrete, doing my best to get comfortable—or at least be in as little agony as possible.

  Charles whined again.

  “I just need some sleep. It’ll help my body recover.”

  He pushed his nose through the bars and whined. I reached out and rubbed his muzzle as my eyes closed. I drifted to sleep and dreamed of running from monsters through a dark and treacherous forest.

  Laughter woke me. I cracked one eye. Wilson leaned against the cage with a phone to his ear. He laughed again. “Yeah, I’m stuck on babysitting duty for the pathetic piece of crap. What I wouldn’t give to just kill her myself. I would, too, if Jame
s wouldn’t kick me into next year for it.”

  I sat up and glared at him. My head ached something fierce. I tried rubbing it, but couldn’t with the spiked collar in the way. At least my wounds all felt better—even the ones laced with vampire venom. I cringed just thinking about it.

  “Uh-huh,” Wilson continued. “By the time James is done with her, we’re all going to be begging him to just kill her.” He laughed again. “I know, right? Well, he hasn’t said it, but I think he’s planning on forcing Toby into doing it. Can you imagine?”

  I gasped. There was no way Toby would kill me—he would never be able to live with himself. It would eat him alive and he would never forgive himself. Of course, that was probably the point. But it didn’t matter. He would never do it.

  What did worry me was whatever James had in mind that would lead up to that. It had to be beyond horrible. And if Toby didn’t do as his father wanted, would James kill him? Who was I kidding? He’d not only murder his firstborn, but he’d enjoy every moment of it.

  “I just can’t wait for all this to finally be over.” Wilson swung a whip in front of him. “I’m sick to death of the whole pack being focused on those two losers. Good riddance.”

  An ache ran through my right leg. I readjusted my position and the chain leash clinked against the floor.

  Wilson spun around and glared at me. “I gotta go.” He slid the phone into his coat pocket.

  I braced myself for a temper tantrum, and whatever that might mean for me.

  He hit a couple bars. “I don’t care what you heard—think you can do anything about any of it?” His eyes narrowed at me, and then he stormed over to a nearby tree and made another call out of my earshot.

  Charles whined. I rubbed his muzzle absentmindedly for a while.

  “I’m going to look for a way out of here.” I scratched the top of Charles’s head and struggled to get up without letting the chain make any noise. Just about everything hurt. It would’ve been easier to list what didn’t ache.

  I glanced over at Wilson. He was too distracted with his call to notice me. I wandered around the cage, studying the bars. I didn’t notice anything unusual—any loose ones that I could work out. None were cracked or broken. Nothing I would want to grab and try to loosen. I studied the ceiling and the floor, but there was no way out, short of using magic or a key, and I had neither.