by Sydney Addae
Just as Quinn prepared to rush them, two other full-bloods dressed in black approached from the woods and attacked the six.
"KnightForce," Ramos said. They watched the two agents take on the rebels, moments later the rebels lay prostrate on the ground. One KnightForce agent nodded in their direction and then placed cuffs on the rebels.
"This way," Ramos said. They jogged toward the copse of trees and through them.
Small huts nestled beneath tall pine trees made them invisible from above. No one opened their doors or stopped Quinn's party as they strode toward the parked van in the middle of the path. In the distance a shaft of sunlight broke through the trees, shining on a small vegetable garden.
"Did you know these houses were here?" Quinn asked his uncle while searching for Jackie's scent.
"I've heard rebels had small towns hidden in the mountains but this is my first time seeing one." Ramos started running. He passed the van and left the small huts behind. Climbing through the mountainous vegetation, he continued until they reached a small clearing. Below, a stone house sat beneath large branches which hid the building from above.
Once the rebel's van started moving Jackie exhaled. So far they'd pulled it off without anyone getting hurt. She prayed the pups were safe wherever the van was headed. She shook with the need to contact her mate. No one ever mentioned this hollow feeling growing inside the longer they were apart or the escalating sense of loss and anxiety gripping her. The positive effect from their mental link grew distant with each passing minute.
"Are you okay, Renee?" Jackie peeked beneath her eyelids to see her sister. Renee lay in next to Nionis across from Jackie.
"Will you and Daddy stop asking me that? I was trained just like you and the boys how to defend myself. Just because I'm an artist--"
"Sorry," Jackie cut her off before the conversation dived into a discussion of the merits of art over other disciplines. Renee was never too tired to talk art. Considering their father planned to merge with Renee and deal with the rebels through her, his asking about her mental and physical condition was critical. If Renee wasn't up to par, when their father linked to her and took over her vision, it could harm Renee.
"Nee, you okay?" Jackie asked Nionis.
"Yeah, uncomfortable in this position but basically good." She paused. "I haven't told Daddy what's going on yet."
"What? You told me to tell my dad," Jackie said trying to remain still as if she were still impacted by the smoke bomb.
Nionis gasped. "You told him?"
"Yeah. He's not happy and will probably have more to say later but for now he's standing by."
"Standing by?" Nionis sounded confused.
"To help catch the rebels and hopefully find out who's leading them in this area."
"Oh, so he thought it was a good idea to play along as bait?"
Jackie snorted at the hopeful sound in Nionis' voice. "No. He hated it and had a few words to say about it but in the end understood why we're doing it." It had helped when she reminded him of KnightForce's failure to get as far as she and Nionis had in a much shorter period of time. He grunted instead of agreeing with her but she'd take that as consent. One thing she knew with absolute certainty, the three of them weren't alone. Her father intended to ride Renee's beast to see the rebels and handle them personally. This would be the last kidnapping any of them would ever do. He agreed to wait until she and Nionis rescued the pups before terminating the rebels.
"That's good I guess. I haven't heard from my dad yet..."
"I'm sure Daddy told him what's going on," Jackie said with confidence. Neither of their parents saw them as full grown pups and would continue to watch over them as if they were still in the den.
"Don't talk around me," Renee complained. "Let me hear what you guys are talking about."
Jackie opened their link and brought Renee current on their conversation.
"How'd he take the news of your mating?" Nionis asked.
Renee chuckled.
Jackie bit back a groan. "Okay I guess. He already knew and asked why'd I taken so long to tell him and Mama."
"Wow. What did you tell him?" Nionis asked.
"Yeah, what'd you tell him?" Renee asked.
Jackie's skin tightened as her face warmed. "Reminded him of the mating heat," she said softly.
Renee's squeal raced down the link but not in the van, something she'd mastered since they were children. "Goddess I wish I could've seen Daddy's face when you said that. Pray he doesn't kill Quinn for making you walk crooked."
"I don't walk crooked," Jackie snapped, aggravated with the restrictions of lying still and defending herself.
"You were," Nionis said.
"Yeah, I noticed that familiar stroll, Mama, Danielle, and Rose all walk like that sometimes," Renee said.
"And you," Nionis told Renee. "That's how we all knew when you and Tomas were having sex."
Renee's sigh was just as irritating as her squeal. "Yeah, Tomas is something else. He's got mad skills."
Jackie didn't bother responding. Renee and Tomas had something special even if they weren't mates, Jackie knew Renee cared deeply for him.
"Someone's coming," Nionis said.
"It's not Quinn," Jackie said, disappointed her mate hadn't arrived yet. Her beast had been manageable during the drive but now wanted their mate.
"No. But they're on their way. Chip's okay, for some reason the chemicals damaged his lungs, he's been taken to the clinic. Alpha Gilbert's upset. KnightForce is involved," Nionis told them.
"Good," Renee said. "They should've been here by now."
"We had a lead on them," Nionis reminded her.
The door opened. Jackie was lifted and removed from the van. Cool air brushed against her fevered skin as she was taken a few steps forward. Footsteps echoed on wood, the door opened and warm, stale air assaulted her nostrils just as the pups, Craig and Sean, scents reached her. Inhaling, she searched for Penny and Marsha and found those as well.
"The pups are here," Jackie told the others.
"Let's get them and get out of here," Renee said.
"Good idea. Renee, tell Daddy we're inside, he'll tell you what to do," Jackie said.
"Okay."
"Nionis, do not allow them to cuff or gas us. Daddy will keep me and Renee clear of the gas, and I'll help you if Ramos can't," Jackie said while being placed on a hard surface. She opened her eyes and rolled to the right before the shackles could be placed on her legs.
"Hey, get back up here." A large beefy hand reached for her. She backed away and looked around. Two other full bloods tried to recapture Nionis and Renee. One second the big men were lunging at them, the next they lay whimpering on the ground writhing in pain.
"Ask Daddy if you need to stay here with these three or can you walk through the house with us?" Jackie told Renee.
"He said to go with you, he wants to see everything," Renee said as the wolves stopped moving. Jackie left the room and peeked into the hall. Although she smelled the pups, she wasn't sure how to reach them. They left the room and slowly searched all the rooms on that level.
Nothing.
Jackie remembered the safe house and its basement. "Touch the walls, look for a lever or something to open a door leading downstairs," she told them. They spread out. Nionis went to the kitchen. Renee the bedroom. Jackie re-entered the room they'd been taken.
Stepping over the dead wolves, she spread her palms over the walls, pushing, tapping and searching for a way to the pups. Nothing. Frustrated, she looked around the room one last time before leaving. The table with the cuffs sat in the middle. Where were they going to put Renee and Nionis? Jackie wondered? Why bring them in here with no place to secure them?
She strode to the table and looked beneath it. There were two buttons attached to the side. She pushed one. A series of clicks sounded and the wall moved.
"I found it," she told the others and moved slowly toward the opening.
Renee and Nionis came up behind her.
"Daddy said for me to go first," Renee said moving forward.
Jackie and Nionis stood aside as Renee walked through the entrance down the steps.
"Sean, Marsha and the others are down here," Nionis said in a pleased tone. The door slid shut behind them. "Shit," Nionis muttered. "I lost Ramos."
"What?" Jackie said, shutting Renee out of this conversation. Her sister glanced back at her and nodded she understood.
"I don't think it's because of where we are, we just hit a bump. He should be back soon."
"Is Daddy still with you?" Jackie asked Renee.
"Oh yeah, and he's pissed. Mama's keeping him calm but she's upset this is happening too," Renee said and then stopped.
"Six people behind that door," Jackie said. "Not all are our pups."
"Let me try and get a read on them," Nionis said closing her eyes. For a few seconds, no one spoke. "One caregiver, the rest pups." She looked at Jackie. "Marsha's in bad shape. They beat her, Penny's sitting with her but she's bleeding. We need Quinn here now."
"Daddy can help her," Jackie said moving closer to the door, examining the locks and security system. It looked familiar. "We have this system at my job." She placed her hand above the palm scanner, felt the familiar heat and jerked it back. "Any ideas on how to get through this door?"
"Try the handle, see if it's locked," Nionis said and then shrugged. "Always rule out the easiest probabilities first."
Renee strode to the door, and turned the handle hard. It opened. She looked at Jackie with a raised brow and tilted head. "Didn't expect that."
"Me neither," Jackie said listening to the chatter of the pups. She hadn't expected to hear them talking and laughing. Renee stepped inside and strode down the empty hall until she came to a door. Opening it, she looked inside. The chatter stopped for a few seconds and started again. Nionis and Jackie continued forward searching for Marsha and Penny. After opening two more doors, they finally found the girls in the last room. Marsha lay cuffed and bleeding to a table similar to the one upstairs. Penny was cuffed to a chair next to the bed. Fear filled her eyes when they entered.
"What?... Help Marsha. I'm scared she's dying. They... help her please." She pointed to the young woman on the table who bled from numerous cuts and bruises.
"Renee," Jackie called. "We need Daddy's help in here." She looked at Nionis who stood next to Penny. "Go watch the children so they aren't scared. Help will be here soon."
Penny wiped tears from her cheeks as she continued watching Marsha. "She wouldn't let them hurt me, so they beat her," she whispered.
Nionis left and a few seconds later Renee entered and strode to the foot of the bed. She grabbed the metal cuff on Marsha's ankle and pulled it apart. Jackie pulled the cuff apart from her arm and rubbed it gently.
"Step back," Renee said, glancing at Jackie.
Seeing her father's piercing gaze in Renee's eyes, Jackie moved. The next second Marsha lay on the table as a wolf. Renee placed her hands on the beast and closed her eyes. Jackie sensed her father work on healing the young wolf and sent a prayer for Marsha's recovery. When Renee stepped back, Jackie went to her and placed her arm around her sister.
"You okay?" she asked searching Renee's eyes to make sure she was fine.
"Yeah. It takes a bit out of you even if the energy's not yours. Daddy's catching his breath right now. Mom's on standby. Release her from the chair, she looks uncomfortable." Renee waved at Penny who stared at Marsha.
With another look at her sister, Jackie moved quickly to Penny and snapped the cuff holding her to the chair.
"Thanks," Penny said. "Is she going to be alright?" She glanced at Jackie and then back at Marsha's still form.
"In time," Renee said and walked out the room.
Jackie rubbed Marsha's head a few times and was rewarded when the pup licked her palm. Penny stood and started stroking Marsha as well. The door opened. Craig ran to Jackie and threw his short arms around her leg.
"You came for me." He rubbed his face against her leg.
"Of course, I was afraid something happened to you," Jackie said her heart full at seeing the small pup. He raised his arms and she lifted him. Laughter bubbled from her throat as he placed kisses on her face and laid his head on her chest. She looked toward the door and saw Renee, but it was her father's eyes watching.
"How are the other children?" Jackie asked.
"They're settling, Nionis is speaking with them getting the story about the kidnapping. The caretaker isn't a rebel per se, she cooks and cares for the pups, like a day-care," Renee said. "Of course, she doesn't think she's done anything wrong by not reporting this to Alpha Gilbert. It was a job, one that paid well and she enjoyed caring for the pups. She's more concerned about the pups’ future than her own."
Jackie didn't know what to say about that and left it alone. "Quinn's here."
Renee turned, looked down the hall and back at her. "Is he?"
Jackie's heart raced. Craig lifted his head and looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"Quinn's here." Smiling she looked into the pup's face and back at Marsha who remained on the table.
Craig's face scrunched. "Quinn? The big one?"
Technically Antwan was the biggest but she considered her mate big as well. She nodded. "Yes, he's my mate." Hearing the words uttered from her mouth filled her with excitement and expectation. Giddy with pleasure she twirled the pup around in her arms while laughing for no particular reason other than sheer happiness.
The door to the basement opened. Renee stepped aside and leaned against the wall watching.
"Jackie?" Quinn's voice filled the air and his footsteps followed. Seconds later he raced into the room, picked her up and while holding both her and Craig, kissed her. She wrapped one arm around his shoulder holding him close, enjoying the pleasure of his touch and scent.
"Are you okay? We saw the bodies upstairs..." he asked stepping back giving her a quick visual examination before pulling her close again.
"Yes. I'm fine. Marsha's not." She met his gaze and then looked at the pup on the table.
"You got her to shift?" Holding her hand, he stepped toward the table and placed his hand on Marsha who raised her head to look at him and then lay it back down.
"No. Daddy pulled her wolf." She prayed he wouldn't say anything out of line.
"Good, that's the best thing for her." He kissed the back of Jackie's hand before releasing it and examined Marsha. "Lots of blood on the floor. How bad was she?" He patted Penny's shoulder as he walked around her to see his patient better.
"Really bad." Jackie looked at Penny and then at Quinn. This wasn't the time to get into specifics. Penny's eyes still appeared haunted.
He nodded. "I need to exam her human side if that's possible. We're too far from a dual-natured clinic to work on her in this form. I'll use the human supplies they have here." He opened drawers filled with instruments she had no idea how to use.
"Hello Renee, thank you for assisting my mate in remaining safe," Quinn said in an off-handed fashion.
Renee smiled and nodded.
Quinn washed his hands and tried to keep them from trembling. The high levels of energy in this room scared Ramos and Antwan. The two opted to go to Nionis, grab the pups and leave rather than face La Patron. Since his mate's energy was the same as before, Quinn assumed La Patron had merged with Renee.
The energy spiked.
Marsha gasped and curled on her side, shivering in human form on the table.
Quinn cursed when he saw what they'd done to her and forgot about La Patron. "Craig, Penny, go get something to eat in the other room. We need to work on Marsha."
"No. I'm staying with her," Penny said, her mouth set in a stubborn line.
Quinn placed the needle, thread, gauze and other things he needed on the small table next to the bed. "As soon as I'm done you can come back. Go now. Not asking. I've got work to do."
Jackie extended her hand to Penny who took it and walked out while looking ov
er her shoulder at Marsha. Quinn cleaned and reopened some of the cuts that had begun healing wrong.
Marsha screamed when he popped her bone back in place.
Jackie returned and looked at him.
"Hold her for me, if we don't set this right she won't have the full use of her arm." He refused to think of the assholes who did this to the young pup, not now, later he'd get a name or description for Antwan or KnightForce.
With his mate assisting, the meticulous work on Marsha was easier. After a few minutes, she knew the names of the instruments he needed and had them ready before he asked. "I wish our mental links were back," he thought.
"I heard that," Jackie said with excitement. "Say something else."
"In a few hours, I plan to ride you so hard with my dick you'll be too tired to run into danger again." He winked at her pinked cheeks. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes perv. Our links are working again."
"Does this mean your dad saved the day?" He hadn't wanted to ask but couldn't help it now that they were almost done with Marsha.
"Saved the day? Depends on your definition and who you speak to. Could we have disabled or taken out those three upstairs? Yes." She pulled out her pouch of blades and showed him the sharp edges. "I'm really good with these. So is Renee. Nionis is just an all-out fighter. But we'll never know because my dad refused to take a chance and demanded we stand down."
Quinn didn't know what to say. She sounded pissed but he wasn't sure.
"The only reason he didn't ride shotgun with me instead of Renee is I'm mated. I don't think he wanted to chance seeing anything." She grinned.
"He said that?" Quinn asked as he finished stitching a large gash in Marsha's thigh.
"No, he wouldn't admit that. Will she be okay?" Jackie rubbed Marsha's forehead. "She's hotter than normal."
"Her body's fighting for survival, the extra heat's normal." He wiped his hand and looked at the young wolf. "Those bastards need to be strung up for this. She's just a pup."
"Agreed," Jackie said. "You didn't answer my question. Will she be okay?"
