Colin stood a few feet away, leaning against a tree, his hands casually pocketed in his jean pockets. He had managed to convince Faye to let him and Justin handle this. He didn't want Faye, with her fragile human heart and body, to be exposed to such danger.
“You have brought him, I see.”
Justin looked up, startled. It was the Elder. The older man stepped out from the shadows and smirked as he made his way towards them, his hands tucked in his black dress slacks.
Colin casually lifted his hand and waved. “Heard you wanted to talk to me,” he said nonchalantly.
A second man stepped out from the shadows and stood beside the Elder. “Bow,” he snarled, “to your Elder.”
Justin smiled, suddenly happy. His new alpha was the only one that required his allegiance, not the little shit currently glaring holes through his head. Colin seemed to share the same sentiment as he came to stand beside his brother. He laid a heavy hand on Justin's shoulder and said gruffly, “With all due respect, Elder, we bow to no one but our alpha. And even she doesn't require that of us.”
“Ahh,” the Elder smiled brightly. “Faye Anders. What a remarkable human. She is human, correct?”
Colin clenched his fist but smiled back. “Yes, my human, in case you hadn't noticed.”
The Elder stepped forward and slowly circled Colin, tapping his hand on his thigh, still with that creepy smile on his face. The man's black dress shoes made no sound on the forest floor.
Justin watched nervously as the Elder murmured under his breath. At least the guy had clothes on this time. However, that couldn't be said about his loyal guard dog. The man watched Colin and the Elder with wary eyes, alert and watchful and naked as the day he was born.
“You have my brother's daughter. You kidnapped her, and you also killed his Promise,” stated Colin solemnly, “which is in direct violation of the code you swore to protect and uphold the day you became Elder.”
The guard dog snarled, the warning clear in his eyes if Colin made anymore accusations.
The Elder only smirked. “You seem very judgmental and knowledgeable about a code that you yourself broke. Are you not supposed to be dead?”
“I wasn't finished yet,” snapped Colin. “By definition of the code, that you so boldly have broken, you are unfit to be Elder.”
A wide smile broke out on the Head Elder's face, and he burst out laughing, wiping fake tears from his face. When he finally caught his breath, he mocked, “And what exactly do you plan on doing about it? Kill me? You have not the capability, little Wolfie.”
Colin snarled, his eyes glowing gold. Justin laid a restraining hand on his arm, but Colin shrugged him off.
“He doesn't have to. I will.”
A quiet snap echoed in the stillness, and the Elder whipped around to see his guard dog lying on the ground, his neck at a weird angle, his eyes wide and full of panic. He was dead. The Elder's eyes narrowed on the woman who stood in front of him, her angry eyes fixed on his. He momentarily stilled. She was the only one who was not vowed to him. She was the only one who could kill him.
“Daughter,” he said, “I am warning you. Do not interfere.”
“It's a bit too late for that,” she said bitterly. “I knew you were unhinged, but it wasn't until this man called me a few days ago that I knew just to what extent. You've been kidnapping and killing and God only knows what else.”
“He broke the code,” snarled the Elder. “Does that not warrant punishment? Would you have him absolved from his crimes?”
“Killing his father and kidnapping a child are far worse crimes than going feral,” snapped the woman, her eyes glowing dark amber. “At least he didn't have control over it. You did. That's right, Father.”
The Elder snarled and lunged at her with deadly speed. Faster still, she spun on her heel and grabbed the back of his neck, bringing his face down unto her knee. With a satisfying crunch, bone cracked and flesh bled. He growled, enraged that she had landed the first blow. She stepped away slightly and beckoned him closer with her hands.
“Is that all you got?” she taunted.
He growled, his wolf quite close to the surface as he fought for control. His fist shot out and nicked her as she dodged, landing on her shoulder instead of her face like he planned. It didn't even seem to faze her.
“All those years of training that you put me through . . .” she mocked. “Now, you can't even land a decent punch. Guess all those broken bones were worth something after all.”
He lunged at her again, and with one sidestep, she spun around and took him to the ground by tripping him. Her boot nearly crushed his windpipe as she applied force to his throat. His body bucked, and his eyes became wide as he fought to get free. She pursed her lips and laughed. “Who knew that you were training me to kill you someday?”
She applied more pressure and let up just as he was about to pass out. She leaned down close to his ear as she whispered, “Beg, dearest daddy. Beg for me to let you live. I might consider it.”
She lifted her boot and slammed it to his side, wrenching a high wail of pain from the man. He balled up, trying to catch his breath, but she was relentless. She demanded answers from him. Yelled at him. Cursed him.
Colin and Justin watched with grave faces as tears rolled down her face. The rest of the council stood at the tree line and slowly emerged to see the death of their leader. They could not interfere. To do so would be to lose their own positions to death. With one last kick, the woman knelt and pulled the former Elder's head up so he was looking up at her with his two very swollen eyes. His nose was crooked and leaking blood, and his mouth had lost several teeth.
“Rosalie . . .” he muttered weakly.
She smirked. “I'm surprised you even know my name,” she spat, “seeing as how you never used it.”
His eyes closed and she snapped, “Look at me, you bastard.”
“What was your fixation with this family?” she demanded. “Why would you go to such great lengths to punish them?”
“It wasn't about Colin at all,” answered the fallen Elder. “Never was.”
“Then what?!” screeched Rosalie, her dark hair whipping in the wind. “I saw the notes and the maps and the great lengths you went to find Colin. Why?”
The Elder opened his mouth to speak, but he gurgled up blood in the process. Rosalie wrinkled her nose, disgusted at the blood that sprayed across her shirt. That was just gross, she thought
“Speak!” she bellowed.
But he couldn't, and with an exasperated sigh, she dropped his head. She slowly pulled out a knife from her boot as he watched in dread. “Remember this knife?” she said softly. “I threw it at you when I was twelve years old. Nicked your ear.” She paused and held his gaze as she said, “Now, it will kill you.”
Quickly, she slashed his throat, feeling like she would throw up as the blood spray hit her face. The life left the Head Elder's eyes, and she got up, looking like some sort of avenging angel with the blood drenching her body.
She turned and met Colin's gaze. “He was bound to silence,” she said quietly, still clutching her knife in her hand, “But I give you my word. Whatever it was he spoke of, I will do my best to find it out and right the wrongs of my father.”
Colin nodded gratefully to her, and they watched as the rest of the council quickly moved in to dispose of the two bodies.
“My daughter?” questioned Justin anxiously.
“I will take you to her,” answered Rosalie tiredly, her eyes following the mangled body of the man she called father as he was carted away.
“The council has been born anew. And as of this moment, I solemnly vow to see changes wrought in my time as Head Elder. I will not allow what has gone on here today to ever occur again.”
CHAPTER twenty-nine
She heard a door clang shut somewhere down the hallway and sat up straight, her eyes bright with excitement as she waited. It was Amy's turn today. She liked Amy. Amy told her stories and brought her more food than the o
ther one did. She pulled eagerly on the chain attaching her to the wall, her thin wrist threatening to snap under her efforts to break away. She frowned, sitting back down on the makeshift pallet and pulling her threadbare dress down over her knees with a dirty hand.
She needed to be patient. That's what Amy said. It was best to be patient because things never happened any faster than they were supposed to. It didn't quite make sense, but if Amy said it, it should be obeyed. The sound of footsteps became louder and closer until they stopped outside her metal door. Smiling, she stood and eagerly waited, her brown hair stringy and tangled on her back. She was hungry, but she was happier to see Amy. The scrape of a key in the lock made her bounce on her toes. Slowly, the door was pushed open.
“Amy,” she joyfully whisper-shouted.
But the two people standing in the doorway did not include Amy. She backed into the corner of the room, as far away from them as she could, her blue eyes wide with fright.
One was a man. A tall man who looked sad. The woman also looked sad as she gazed around, but the woman also looked scary.
“What's your name, sweetie?” The woman's voice was gruff, not kind. But she made no move to come into the room.
No matter; she knew that she was to respond anyway. Amy had told her that no matter what, she was to always respond and quickly. She might not get hit that way. Maybe they would leave quicker.
“Emma.”
“How old are you?”
“Seven.”
The woman sighed tiredly and nodded to the man. “She's yours. Past the resemblance, she's the only child in this filthy place. Take her and leave.”
Emma was beginning to panic. Was the angry woman giving her away? Why? She hadn't done anything wrong. She was supposed to wait for Amy to bring her lunch. That's what always happened.
Emma pressed herself further into the corner, her eyes full of panic as the man advanced. He stopped, his expression pained when he saw that he frightened her, and he knelt down with a wince, his knees cracking.
“Hello,” he said gently. “That's a pretty name you have there. Can you tell me who gave it to you?”
The woman left them alone, the metal door open and swinging wide on its hinges. Emma's eyes warily flitted from the man to the door.
“Amy,” she finally answered. “She said she did.”
The man nodded. He seemed to be in search for something to say.
“What's your name?”
Justin's snapped at the shyly put question. He saw his daughter still hugging the wall, but curiosity was shining in her blue eyes. It looked just like his dead wife's. He swallowed the lump in his throat and said, “Justin, my sweet.”
She frowned, her tiny brows puckering on her pixie face. He longed to reach out and hold her and tell her she would never have to frown again.
“I'm here to take you away from here,” he began, wondering how on earth he was going to tell her. There were so many things she didn't know. And he had no clue how to tell her. He needed to wait until he could talk to Faye. She would help him.
Emma’s eyes grew excited. “Are you my prince?” she gasped, clasping her hands together.
“Well . . . I-I,” Justin stammered, confused at the turn in conversation.
“You have to be,” she implored. “Amy told me my prince would come someday and rescue us.”
Justin could have cried. He shoved the threatening wave of emotion down and nodded. “I'm you're prince, sweetheart.”
She bounced on the tip of her toes and squealed before calming herself down quickly. Slowly, she edged toward him and asked carefully, “You won't hurt me?”
He shook his head forcefully, his heart cracking straight down the middle. She nodded, satisfied, and reached out her hand to touch his arm.
“Oh,” she murmured. “You're warm.”
Justin felt the cold from her tiny palm through the sleeve of his Henley. He slowly reached out his hand and she placed her palm in his. She watched as he unlocked the shackle around her wrist.
The chain clattered to the cold floor and she flinched. She twisted her hands in front of her, not knowing what to do next.
“Can I pick you up?” Justin was practically pleading, his arms aching to hold her.
She thought for a minute and then nodded emphatically. “Of course! The prince is supposed to carry the princess! We should go find Amy.”
Justin instantly swept her up and held her close, startling her with his abruptness. His beard tickled her cheek and she giggled.
“Scratchy.” She hesitantly touched his scruff.
He chuckled under his breath, rubbing his cheek against her hand as she shrieked, shying away. She patted his arm, snuggling into him. Justin felt like he could suddenly breathe for the first time in seven years.
He got up, holding her tightly, and headed for the door. It was time to take his Emma home.
He left the barren little stone-cold room that had apparently housed his daughter for the past seven years of her life and thanked the God in Heaven she was still alive. She clung to him like a little monkey, her arms tight around his neck as he walked, her head swiveling back and forth like a pendulum as she looked around. But then again, Justin held her just as tightly, wondering if he could ever let go again.
At the head of the stairs, Rosalie stood, her eyes misting over as she looked at his child. She nodded to him and he paused in his steps.
“There's a woman named Amy,” said Justin. “Find her and reward her for keeping my daughter alive.”
“Must have been a fellow prisoner,” murmured Rosalie softly. “I will do my best, Justin. You have my word. If she is still alive, I will find her.”
CHAPTER thirty
“Oh Justin,” murmured Faye. “She's precious.”
Emma stirred sleepily on Justin's shoulder. Gently, Faye took the child in her arms and rocked them both. She was in awe of the small little girl. Her long brown hair was tangled and dirty, and there were dirt smudges on her pert little nose, but she was hands down the prettiest child Faye had ever seen.
“You guys got some good genes,” she murmured.
“Our children will be beautiful,” whispered Colin in her ear with a sly grin, and Faye almost choked on her own spit.
“Kids?” she gasped, not having thought of that yet.
“No,” answered Colin, confused, “not baby goats. Children.”
Faye stared at him for a moment and then facepalmed. “I can't deal with you right now,” she grumbled.
Justin appeared, confused and overwhelmed as he paced in front of her, his hands alternately tugging at his beard and his hair.
“Now, what do I do?” he asked, turning his dark eyes to Faye pleadingly.
“It's late,” said Faye comfortingly. “We wash her up and put her to bed. What's her name?”
“Emma,” answered Justin, smiling a little as he said his daughter's name. “Some woman named Amy gave her the name.”
“It fits her dainty little self,” murmured Faye, brushing a strand of hair out of the little fairy's face as she continued to sleep, most likely worn out from the days excitement.
Colin nodded to Justin and clapped his brother on the back. “We shall let you two have the master bedroom. She needs a nice bed to sleep in,” murmured Colin.
For the past few days, Colin and Faye had been staying with Justin. Faye let it be known that she had claimed Justin as part of their miniature clan. She had to get ahold of those alpha-like tendencies, she realized. She didn't necessarily care to add anyone else to their family at the moment.
Several minutes later, Emma was tucked in bed, sleeping soundly with Justin watching over her. Faye patted his shoulder before she walked out and said, “Make sure you rest, Justin. Long day tomorrow.”
He nodded, his eyes never leaving the tiny little girl in his bed. “I will,” he said, and Faye knew it was a bare-faced lie. He would spend all night watching her sleep.
Colin lay sprawled in front of the fire in the liv
ing room with several blankets stacked on the floor. Faye landed beside him with a sigh, curling up and laying her head on his chest while he sat halfway up, propped against the couch. Silence filled the room for a moment before Faye looked up and said, “Two days left.”
Colin tightened his hold on her as he stared into the flames. “I am ready to be home,” he murmured, stroking the strip of skin on her back where her shirt exposed a strip of tan skin. Faye shivered and closed her eyes, listening to the heartbeat pounding away in his chest under her ear. “Me too,” she said. “Justin and Emma will come with us?”
He nodded and said in a low voice, “I think Justin is ready to leave this place behind. Too many bad memories on this mountain.”
Faye sat up and then gently leaned in, brushing her nose against his. “I love you,” she said softly.
Colin smiled, leaning his forehead against hers, his arms winding around her as he tugged her into his lap.
“Think Nikolai has eaten all of my chickens?” she asked with a smile as she stroked his forearms.
Colin chuckled. He shook his head and nipped her lips with his teeth.
“Bad Wolfie.” She shoved him back playfully.
He leaned forward and nipped at her bottom lip playfully again before leaning back in and claiming her mouth for a leisurely locking of lips. His mouth pressed to hers, sipping gently as if she were the finest wine. When he pulled away, she was breathless. Her eyes closed as her chest heaved for breath. She nearly took out his chin as she dropped her head down and snuggled into him. A soft laugh escaped her mouth a moment later.
“What?” he asked, smiling and resting his chin on top of her head.
She let out another little giggle, the sound making his heart expand several sizes. She whispered, “I'm just so happy. To have you. And I didn't expect it to feel like this.”
He nuzzled his nose into her hair and smiled as he kissed his way down to her neck. She let out a squeal, trying to muffle her laughter as he attacked her neck with kisses, his scratchy beard tickling the living daylights out of her.
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