Chance Lost

by Jo Larue

  Lying on his back, Jack shifted his front appendages into arms and hands. He reached up and felt around the collar for a latch. Once he found it and released the collar, it fell to the floor. Inspecting his body for more traps and finding none, he shifted completely into his human form. His clothes were nearly rags and smelled burnt, but they at least covered the important parts.

  His captor must have hinged all this on the collar, because there wasn’t a keyed lock on the cage. He opened it and carefully moved from room to room, finding the place empty. He found the drugs that were used to put him to sleep. Jack seethed with anger when he discovered the bottle and house smelled like the Beta from the wolf pack. He’d locked his scent down in his brain at Chance’s house the night she was attacked. The man would pay, but first he had to get to Sylas.

  Wasting no more time, Jack left the house. Once he was far enough away from civilization he shifted back to his puma form and ran towards his house.

  Jack arrived at his property and shifted when a man holding a high-powered rifle aimed directly at his chest confronted him. His confusion doubled when he saw more guards headed his way. He could tell from their scent that they were all shifters. Jack kept his arms in the air as he asked for the person in charge.

  Jack heard the man before he saw him. He was barking orders for the others to lower their weapons. The guard reached out to shake his hand once he was close enough. “I know who you are, Jack, and we’ve been waiting on you. Please come with me, I have the key to your place and you can shower and change. I will explain everything to you when you are finished.” Jack could only nod. This seemed to be a day full of confusion. He could only hope this man knew all the right answers.

  Chapter 32

  Chance was chewing the last bite of her dinner when Sylas’ phone chimed, signaling a text message. He turned with a huge smile and showed it to her.

  “Jack here. Did you miss me, Kitty?”

  They gave a collective sigh of relief as Sylas sent him a text back.

  “Sylas and Chance on this end.

  We both missed your ugly puss!

  Where the fuck you been?”

  “In a cage. Big bad wolf had me.

  He huffed but forgot to puff. Where r u?”

  “Holed up. Sending directions.

  Get a guard to bring you.

  Use roundabout and make sure not followed.

  Explain later. Good to know you’re alive, Puss-n-boots.

  BTW – Chance says it’s about fuckin’ time.”

  “Kiss that woman silly for me.

  On my way, Sylvester.”

  Sylas put his phone down after sending directions and smiled at her. “He should be here within two hours. It gives me time to do as requested. Besides, dessert sounds good.”

  Chance grinned and took his hand when offered. He stood and pulled her tightly to him. He nuzzled her neck as he ran his hands slowly down her spine to her buttocks, pulling her up so she could wrap her long legs around him. Chance couldn’t suppress a giggle when he started purring into her cleavage. The feel of his whiskers abrading her skin, along with the rumble, tickled. She took a handful of black hair and pulled his head up so she could kiss him. She poured all of her relief at having Jack back into it. Hell, they both did.

  Lighter spirits cleaned up the dishes from dinner. When finished, Sylas went to the back to take a shower. Chance debated a whole minute before she stripped off her clothes and joined him. She’d never showered with a man before and this was one of many firsts to cross off her bucket list.

  Sylas was standing with his back to her when she opened the door and soundlessly closed it behind her. She pressed up against him and heard him moan at the feel of her skin against his. He reached back and pulled her around him, placing her under the warm spray. Chance reached for the bar of soap and started washing him down with it. His muscle definition was more pronounced with the slick soap and water and she enjoyed learning his body this way.

  His cock was standing erect and swollen with her ministrations and she sunk to her knees to wash him up close and personal with her lips and tongue. Sylas pulled her hair loose from the bun she had it in and then sunk his hands deep into the strands. He watched her suck and lick him and she dared him with her eyes to look away. She could feel his legs trembling and it excited her to know she held this much power over him.

  Sylas leaned his shoulders against the shower wall to keep standing upright. He guided her with his hands and hip thrusts into her willing mouth. He came in quick bursts when she ran a fingernail down the sensitive skin behind his now tight sack. She swallowed every drop relishing the taste of him. Sylas groaned watching her and she smiled when he instantly grew hard again. He pulled her up and kissed her like there were no more tomorrows.

  “Shit baby, I could watch you do that all day, but Jack will be here soon. It’s my turn to wash you, love.”

  Sylas washed her slowly, enjoying the fact that his hands were making her squirm with need. He turned washing her tresses into a sensual massage. She moaned and melted into his hands. He turned her to the wall to brace her hands against and placed his still hard shaft between the cheeks of her ass, grinding as he slid his hand down her front and found her throbbing nub waiting for him. For once, Chance was grateful for a plump behind. Feeling him grinding against her like this was an erotic overload. She reached behind her with a handful of long silky pleasure and held it against him as he moved. Chance couldn’t tell if Sylas growled or moaned as his pleasure increased from the feel of it against his cock and legs.

  “You’re so perfect for me, baby. Goddess help me, I want you,” he whispered in her ear, driving her closer.

  Sylas kept a hand busy pulling and tweaking her nipples. When she was close, he extended his fangs and bit down on her shoulder, bringing them both to exploding climaxes. Sylas held Chance up when her knees tried to give out and waited patiently for her regain control. The water was getting cooler, so they finished rinsing off and got out.

  Sylas toweled her dry, kissing all the exposed parts he could reach. “I love you, Chance Cadens, and I can’t wait until I can make proper love to you and claim you as my mate.”

  “You already have me, Sylas Taiken. I was yours the moment you waited for me to speak that night at the bar. But I understand and hopefully we can make it official soon. I want it as much as you do, my sweet sexy cat.” She kissed him and helped him dry off too.

  “Your eyes are glowing, baby. That ought to give old Jack a start to his already over active imagination.”

  Sylas chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t believe he made it out in one piece. I can’t wait to hear this story. He will be here soon and as much as I enjoy looking at you naked, I don’t want that tomcat pawing after you.”

  Reaching into one of the drawers under the bed and drawing out a pair of brown leather pants and one of her matching corset tops, Sylas grinned as he handed them to Chance. He remembered her penchant for going commando and commented he loved knowing she was always dressed that way. He grabbed boxers and sweat pants for himself. They dressed quickly, needing to clear and make the other bed for Jack to use.

  “I wonder if he’s eaten? Should I make him something?” Chance asked as she watched Sylas tuck the last corner of the bedspread into place.

  “I don’t know, he didn’t say, but maybe we could put a couple bottles of beer on ice. I know he won’t turn that down.”

  Sylas grinned and then patted her on the behind as she went to put the beer in the freezer.

  Twenty minutes later they heard car tires crunching outside and Sylas asked her to stay inside while he made sure it was safe. Chance watched out the window and as soon as she saw Jack getting out of the car she forgot her orders. She ran outside to jump on Jack, giving him a full body hug with her legs wrapped around him tight.

  “Whoa! Missed me that much did you, Chance? I like it but not so sure your man does.” He chuckled and gave her another tight squeeze before letting her down. Ch
ance felt the tears falling as she blushed and stepped back to let Sylas in for a fist bump and a playful cub-like head-butt and nuzzle.

  “Don’t you ever scare me like that again, Jack. My heart can’t take it.” She gave him another quick hug and let Sylas pull her into his arms. She stared at Jack, unable to look away now that he was back. She noticed his eyes widen as he looked at her. Then he looked up at Sylas’ grinning face.

  “I think I have lots to catch up on, little miss glowing eyes! Got a cold beer? Food? I’m starving!”

  Chance laughed as they went inside. She grabbed him a beer and set about making him dinner, while Sylas caught Jack up on all he missed. She broiled him a thick cut of steak and nuked a baked potato. She set it on the table in front of him with other sides and trimmings.

  “Rare and still sizzling, Jack, and there’s more if you’re still hungry.”

  From the best they could figure out, the Beta grabbed him from the bar right before it exploded and took him away without being seen. It seemed he was missing about four days. Time was starting to mesh together with all the excitement. Jack told them how he got away and his shock at finding armed guards on his property.

  “That was Chance’s doing. She wanted to make sure they didn’t ruin your home like they did the bar.”

  Chance chimed in, no longer able to contain her thoughts, “Your bar is gone, Jack. I thought I lost both of you. Sylas went in to find you and almost didn’t make it out.”

  The tears fell again with the fresh reminder of almost losing the family she had come to know and love. She stood up, suddenly self-conscious about the tears.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry like this. You both mean the world to me. I’m going to take a walk for a few minutes and compose myself.”

  Jack reached for her arm and pulled her down into his lap. He looked at Sylas and dared him to say anything. “I know she’s your gal, but this old puma needs another hug and I think she needs a Jack hug too.”

  Sylas smiled at them both. He knew it was something they both needed. He got up to clean up Jack’s now empty plates and Chance knew it was his way of giving them a moment to sort out the rush of emotions she was going through.

  “This old man will always be here for both of you, Chance. I consider you part of my family now too. Besides, I would much rather look at you than his ugly puss any day of the week. No more worries now, okay?”

  Chance nodded, giving him another hug. Sylas came back to join them. She smiled at Jack, kissed his cheek, and moved over to Sylas’ lap where she belonged. She heard Jack chuckle when she closed her eyes and nuzzled his neck. Thirsty, she got up to get them all another beer and this time chose to sit in a chair next to Sylas so she could admire both her men.

  Sylas filled Jack in on the rest of their plans and then relayed what his mother had said. Jack was shocked that Lachesis told him to leave the old Beta alone. He agreed to abide by her rules because he didn’t need her upset with him, but that was the only reason.

  Chance smiled while they talked. She spoke up a couple of times adding her two cents here and there. Jack went into a conniption fit when Sylas got to the part about her being used as bait. Sylas stopped him with a hand on his arm when he went to stand up sputtering, “Oh, hell no!”

  “Trust me, Jack. She has this. Chance showed me right quick she can handle it.” She smirked when she saw Sylas unconsciously cover his balls with his hand. She started laughing when Jack noticed and raised his eyebrows.

  “She got the better of you, eh pussy? It’s about time she beat your ass!”

  “She did catch me off guard…” Chance punched him in the arm, effectively cutting him off.

  “Okay, okay. It was my fault, but she will not be put into any kind of danger until after we mate. Our time is getting closer every day and I’m hoping by the end of this week, it can happen. Once we mate and she can shift, I’ll feel much more comfortable letting her bait them in. Once her eyes continue to glow and not fade, it will be our cue to set things into motion.”

  “Yeah, I see they are already fading. How long is the glow lasting now?”

  “This time it was about four hours. It extends by about an hour or more every time I give her a nudge with my bite.”

  “Well, don’t let me keep you. Go get your bite on, Morris.” Jack smiled at them both with a goofy lopsided grin.

  Right as he spoke the words, Jack inadvertently let out a long yawn and Chance took the cue to show him to his room.

  “Everything here is yours to use, Jack. I bought this motor home to keep all of us safe until Craven is no longer a threat. What’s ours is yours and I hope you’ll be comfortable. If you need anything else, just make a list and I’ll make sure we get it for you.”

  Chance gave him another quick hug before she stepped away.

  “I’m just glad you’re okay, Jack.” She gave him one of best smiles and turned to go be with her man.

  Things were finally as they should be. Jack was alive and safe and she was another day closer to becoming the mate of the most powerful earthbound immortal ever. She wasn’t going to let anyone hurt another hair on either male. She would die before she let that happen. She raised her head and vowed it silently to Lachesis and hoped she heard it, because she meant every word.

  Chapter 33

  Dakota stared at his phone in disbelief before putting it back to his ear. Hell, he still didn’t believe all he was hearing from the person on the other end of the call. He needed to sit down to listen after the first minute of the conversation. If what was being said was true, then his life just changed for the better. Now all he had to do was figure out how to fix the problem before it was too late. He ran once, he wouldn’t do it again. It didn’t matter what his reasons were at the time; he was a different person now. He was a better man. He had years of street smarts and life experiences on his side this time. He would make it right somehow.

  Dakota said his goodbyes and hung up. He needed to find this girl and fast. There were things to take care of, but he wasn’t one for leaving a job undone, no matter how crazy his employer was. He shifted and stepped out of the cave to sniff the air. His black wolf form kept him hidden in the shadows and it was needed today. The sky was void of clouds and the air was clean and crisp from the small shower that rolled through the night before. The sun burned off the last of the mountain mists and if he wasn’t careful he might be seen.

  The girl’s scent was everywhere on the land near the construction. They didn’t clear-cut the trees and he was thankful. He could get closer than normal to the humans working on the site. He got a good whiff of a male wolf shifter too; in fact, his scent was very strong near the digging. Alpha males had their own scent and this one was exuding an Alpha scent that seemed strangely familiar. Dakota knew this because he was also an Alpha. Was he here working with the humans? Dakota backed away from the area carefully. Last thing he needed was trouble. He was close and he could feel it all the way to his bones. His instincts were telling him to stay here. She would come back and he would be waiting.

  * * * *

  Trey spotted the black wolf just before he pulled back into the tree line. So the tracker is still here. He didn’t expect to see him, positive he would have left by now. He wondered if they were both on the right track waiting for Chance to show up here. He was still worried he wouldn’t be able to get to her before the tracker did. The construction was progressing much faster now since the digging was completed. They poured all the concrete for the lower floors and added the steel infrastructure for it. The towers were completed, along with the mill down at the stream. He was now working on digging the cable ditches, which was taking longer than expected due to terrain and tree roots.

  Trey had been sleeping in his vehicle offsite, but gave that up and moved it onto the property in a secluded area of woods near the entrance. There was still no sign of the pack, but it didn’t mean they weren’t there or watching. He wasn’t getting much sleep these days. Between working and stayi
ng up at night looking for pack members, he was snatching four hours a day at most. He was starting to get paranoid, which was affecting his decision making.

  One slipup and he was caught. The nightmares were not helping either. He kept dreaming snatches of the night his parents were killed. He was too young at the time to remember much, but bits and pieces would come in his sleep. It was mostly the screaming he remembered, and when they came, he would jolt awake, shivering with fear.

  Trey knew he was a survivor of a terrible tragedy and he was bound and determined to find a way to avert another with his old pack. He saw what was happening and feared they would pay the price for Craven’s doings. Get his female and save the pack was the mantra keeping him straight or at least he hoped it was. He wasn’t so sure any more. He had way too much time on his hands to think while running the backhoe. Things were coming to a head sooner than later and he could feel it. Just like the tracker though, he would have to wait.