Betrayed: Book Two - The Road to Redemption

by Nicky Charles

The twitchy feeling faded, so it had likely been nothing. Or maybe it had been the result of Damien messing with her that morning. Damned rogue; she hoped he wasn’t going to be more trouble than he was worth.

  Taking a final look around, she grasped the handle of the large door that gave entrance to the bank and stepped into the cool interior.

  Chapter 4

  When he’d arrived in Chicago the previous day, Damien had taken some time to explore the area around Sam’s pack house. The exhaust fumes and masses of humanity present in a big city made it easier to move about undetected. Still, he hadn’t lingered any longer than necessary, merely getting a basic lay of the land and locating his quarry. He’d been able to pick her out based on Kane’s description of her, though he’d been surprised to see her mount a motorcycle and roar away from the pack house. It hadn’t matched the mental image he’d formed of her and his interest had been piqued.

  Originally, his plan had been to keep her under surveillance for a few days before attempting to make contact. Instead, he’d impulsively followed her last night and now found himself living in the pack house. Had anything ever fallen in to place easier than this?

  Too easy, his wolf complained. We need a challenge—a chase over rough terrain, perhaps—something to stimulate our mind and body. The bland nothingness of their present existence was making the beast restless. Last night’s fight was interesting…

  Damien shook his head, sorry to disappoint the animal, but from what Sam had said, his job was simply to look strong and impressive; that didn’t require much effort.

  His wolf grumbled its discontent before lying down, resting its chin on its paws with a heavy sigh.

  Damien concurred. The spark of interest he’d felt earlier in the day when talking to Sam had faded, leaving him with the flat dead feeling that so often permeated his life. Sitting down on a park bench, he popped open the soda he’d purchased and took a desultory drink, idly wondering how long it would take to get the information Kane needed.

  It was almost noon and the sun beat down with unrelenting strength causing the air to shimmer above the pavement and the smell of pollution to hang in the air. The shade from the trees provided some relief from the heat, but sweat still trickled down his back and water condensed on the sides of the can he was holding.

  The block of natural habitat he found himself in was surrounded by parked cars, brick buildings and the incessant hum that accompanied humanity. Cars and air-conditioners, conversations and sirens, a train rattled along a distant set of tracks. Not many wolves would have the tenacity to handle the constant noise of living in a large city. It was a far cry from the wilderness where song birds and the gentle stirring of leaves in the breeze were the norm.

  For himself, it didn’t matter one way or the other what his surroundings were. He’d kicked around the country enough that he could make any place home for as long or as short a period of time as needed. And right now, Chicago was where he’d hang his hat. He tried to spark some enthusiasm by recalling there was even the added bonus that he had an actual bed, rather than sleeping rough. That point didn’t really cut it though.

  After Sam had left, he’d finished exploring the house. It hadn’t taken long, especially given the fact that it had been strangely empty save the sounds of life coming from the north wing on the second floor. Sam had told him to stay away and he’d decided to follow her orders…for now. That didn’t mean that he hadn’t done some intelligence gathering. Using the scents and sounds he’d determined two Lycans had been in that wing. One male and a female. Her grandfather and…his caretaker?

  Carefully opening the doors of the other rooms he’d discovered there were six occupied bedrooms in the south wing of the second floor. And he seemed to be the only occupant on the third. Sam was being cautious, keeping him away from her family until she knew him better. Smart girl.

  The walk around the neighbourhood had been uneventful as well. As he’d noted yesterday, most of the homes were older and had been turned into multi-family units. Some sat vacant, their windows boarded up and lawns overgrown. At the far end of the street, a few of the buildings were being restored; no doubt by developers hoping the area might transition into a chic, upscale location once more. Other than that, a corner store, a pool hall and bar, a pizza place and few other miscellaneous businesses were all he’d discovered. None seemed to house Lycans, though. That distinctive scent was only concentrated around the pack house.

  The lack of pack members was definitely something he’d have to investigate further, but for now, he’d contact Kane while Sam wasn’t around.

  It only took two rings for Kane to pick up.

  “Sinclair here.”

  “Kane, it’s me.” Damien relaxed, stretching out his legs and hooking one arm over the backrest of the bench. It was only around his old friends that he felt anything that even resembled a spark of life inside. Part of him craved that connection; the sense of belonging, of knowing that someone actually cared. It was rather like holding one’s hands in front of a fire after being out in the cold; warm and comforting as the heat seeped in, causing nerve endings to prickle with returning awareness. Of course, if you lingered too long or got too close, you’d get burned and he couldn’t risk that. His world might be cold, but he wouldn’t get hurt. Blocks of ice didn’t feel.

  No, he warmed himself on the fringes of friendship, making mild enquiries about their lives, watching with interest and then withdrawing to safety if he felt himself getting too close. He wasn’t hiding from life, merely keeping it at a strategically safe distance.

  “How did Ryne’s bonding ceremony go?”

  “He was disappointingly cooperative.” The discontent in Kane’s voice was easy to hear.

  “Really?” Damien laughed softly, knowing Kane had probably hoped to gloat over his brother as he finally bowed to tradition. Ryne had been unofficially mated to Melody Greene for some time but had never gone through a formal bonding ceremony. Upon learning this, Elise had quickly set out to remedy the situation and in less than twenty-four hours had managed to get Ryne to agree to tie the knot with Mel.

  “Yes. From the way he was acting, you’d have thought it was his own idea.”

  “Typical.” Damien smiled as memories of their younger escapades came to mind. “Ryne always did know how to turn the tables in his own favour.”

  Kane grunted in agreement. “So, what have you learned about the Chicago pack? I assume that’s why you called.”

  Damien easily shifted into work mode, once again cool and unfeeling. “Not much new to report since last night. Sam is accepting me as the rogue she intended to hire and—”

  “She?” Kane figuratively jumped on the word. “Harper is still hiding behind that girl?”

  “Yes…and no.”

  “Explain.”

  “It seems that Sam Harper, Sr., has been incapacitated for some time and Samantha Harper is the acting Alpha.”

  “Acting Alpha? What the hell does that mean?”

  “Exactly what it sounds like, I suppose. From what she’s told me, she’s calling the shots, running the whole place. Old man Harper just hasn’t officially abdicated yet.”

  “That’s ridiculous. A territory that size can’t be run by a slip of a girl.”

  “Hardly a girl. Early twenties with a pretty good right hook.” Damien wiggled his jaw. It was still tender from where Sam had slugged him the previous evening.

  Kane snorted. “A lucky punch, no doubt. And you were always a soft touch around a good looking female.”

  “Perhaps.” Damien didn’t refute his friend’s statement, but in reality being a ‘soft touch’ hadn’t factored into the fight’s outcome last night. Sam was a damned good fighter. She’d made a few mistakes but with some extra training… He jerked his attention back to what Kane was saying.

  “If she’s been functioning as the de facto Alpha for several years, and it’s never been reported to Lycan Link, I might have a case against the Chicago pack. I’ll have to c
heck the Book of the Law, but this might be the wedge I need to start my takeover bid.”

  If anyone knew the Book of the Law, it was Kane. In the time that Damien had stayed with Kane’s pack, he’d been impressed with how knowledgeable Kane was and the dedication he showed for his job. Of course, that dedication to the pack also meant less time for Kane’s family. Damien hoped that the information he was providing would help his friend quickly win his claim to Chicago so Kane could get some balance back in his life.

  A bit of movement at the far end of the park caught his attention and he realized it was Sam Harper. “I have to go, Kane. I’ll be in touch.” He put his phone away and turned slightly so he could watch Sam’s approach more easily.

  She strode along a pathway that cut through the park, head high, spine straight, hands tucked in her back pockets. Her stance pushed her breasts forward and Damien eyed them appreciatively before shifting his focus to her face. Sunlight filtered through breaks in the trees and, in those moments, highlighted her violet eyes.

  Once again Damien was struck by how odd the colour was for a Lycan. No doubt there was a bit of Witch or Fae in her background.

  Fae.

  Beth had been part Fae, but there was nothing ethereal or fanciful about Sam. The woman seemed as down to earth and practical as they came.

  “Damien.” She spoke his name as soon as she caught sight of him and veered off the path towards where he sat. He didn’t stand as she approached though he could tell by the look on her face she’d expected him to. And it wasn’t that he didn’t feel the pull of her authority. It was the inexplicable need to push her buttons that kept him seated. Both he and his wolf watched with interest to see how she’d respond.

  Sam stopped a few feet away. He nodded and took a swig from his can of soda. The briefest hint of irritation passed over her face.

  “Comfortable?” She queried.

  “Yep.” He nodded and then patted the space beside him. “Sit down and take a load off your feet.”

  Much to his surprise she did. And then grabbed the soda from his hand.

  “Hey!” He protested, caught off guard by her move.

  “Hay is for horses.” She quipped. And bringing the can to her lips, she proceeded to take a long drink.

  Damien watched as she drank, noting the faint movements of her throat as she swallowed, the way her lids half covered her eyes as if she were savouring the taste of the carbonated beverage. When she’d had her fill, she handed the can back to him and wiped her mouth on her hand. “Thanks. It’s a scorcher today and I needed that.”

  He gave the can a shake. Empty.

  Sam raised her brows as if she had no idea what his problem might be.

  Giving her a dirty look, he crushed it in his hand and then tossed it in the recycling bin that stood a few feet away.

  “And swoosh. Nothin’ but net! A basketball star in the making.” A soft, husky laugh accompanied her comment on his perfect aim.

  The sound of her laughter caught his attention. So far, she’d shown about as much personality as a cactus in a desert; only her prickliness breaking through her bland exterior. He eyed her curiously.

  “And you’re a soda thief in the making. Ever heard of asking first?”

  She shrugged. “Why? You’re a member of the pack now. Pack shares.”

  He opened his mouth but couldn’t think of a comeback. “Point to you.”

  “Naturally.”

  “Cocky little thing, aren’t you?”

  “Yep.” She stretched her arms out so that her elbows were on the back of the bench and extended her legs out in front of her, crossing them casually at the ankles. Then she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “You got a problem with that?”

  He shook his head and felt the edges of his mouth curving upward, the action feeling almost unnatural. There’d been little to smile about in the past few years. Narrowing his eyes, he resumed a serious expression and studied the female beside him, wondering how she’d garnered such a response from him.

  Something about her demeanour made her seem younger at the moment. The lines of tension around her eyes and mouth were gone. Mimicking her pose, he let out a long, slow breath. The sun had shifted and he was no longer in the protection of the shade. “Is it always this hot in your city?”

  “In the summer it is, though usually it starts to cool down by now.” She tilted her head back so her face was raised to the sun and closed her eyes. “I try to absorb as much of the warmth now as I can. Winter is a bitch here.”

  “You don’t like the cold?”

  “I don’t mind it, but it’s easier to move about in the summer. No tell-tale tracks in the snow.”

  Damien studied her full, red lips, noting how they were curved into a self-satisfied smile. “What are you looking so pleased about?”

  She shrugged, eyes still closed. “A successful morning. I got a lot accomplished, dealt with a few pressing financial issues much faster than I’d thought and now I’m ahead of schedule. It’s a beautiful day, plus, it isn’t often I have time to sit and enjoy my territory.” Her chest rose and fell as she inhaled deeply. “Smell that? Papa Tony’s Pizzeria – he just took one out of the oven. He makes them with extra cheese for me. And the fresh tar? They’re fixing the pot hole around the corner from the pack house; I damned near lost the front wheel off my bike in it last week.”

  Damien watched her out of the corner of his eye as he sniffed the air, sifting through the multitude of scents to find the ones she was describing. The expression on her face, the way she spoke; it was obvious Sam felt a deep connection with her territory. A breeze came by and the edges of her long front fringe moved slightly revealing more of her face.

  Her bone structure was delicate. High cheekbones, a small chin, a fine nose with a hint of an up-tilt near the end. Her skin tones spoke of a French background, or maybe Italian…? His gaze rested on her lips once more; the lower one was enticingly plump and he wondered what it would be like to gently nibble on it or trace it with his tongue…

  A truck’s horn blared directly across from them and Damien jerked in surprise then growled. Sam snorted and sat upright.

  “You get used to it after a while. Horns, sirens, train whistles – to me, they’re like the bird calls the country packs have to deal with.”

  Damien scowled at the delivery van’s driver who was now arguing with a cabbie over a parking space. He was inexplicably angry with them…or was he angry at himself? The way he’d been staring at Sam, contemplating kissing her… What was he thinking? He was here to do a job not ogle the local women. And since when did females catch his eye, anymore? Not since Beth had he—

  “Come on.” Sam got to her feet, thankfully oblivious of his wayward thoughts. “I’ll treat you to a slice of Papa Tony’s. Then you’ll know what real pizza tastes like.”

  “Sure. That’d be great.” Damien stood up and followed her, trying not to stare at how her jeans clung to her cute butt. He ran his hand through his hair, completely thrown off by his reaction to her. His inner wolf was equally puzzled by this new type of Alpha and cocked its head to the side while it studied the Lycan walking ahead of them.

  ~~~

  Elise pushed open the door to the room she and Kane were using while staying at her brother-in-law’s home. There was a celebration going on downstairs, but Kane had excused himself to take a call. That had been over half an hour ago. Worried that something was wrong, she’d come looking for him.

  Ryne’s home was a sprawling old Victorian place built on a large property a few miles outside the small town of Stump River. The building had fallen into disrepair, but Ryne’s pack was slowly returning the place to its former glory. This particular room had recently been finished and boasted an ensuite bathroom, comfortable furnishings and a spectacular view of the forest that surrounded the house.

  Her mate presently stood with one arm braced against the window frame and, to a casual onlooker, he might look like he was observing the fall colours th
at were appearing on the trees. However, another glance revealed he had his cell phone in his hand and was focused on the conversation, not the view.

  Elise leaned her shoulder against the doorjamb and crossed her arms, unashamedly listening in on the conversation. They were blood bonded mates. There were no secrets between them. As the trend of the conversation became apparent, she sighed. Pack business. Again.

  Kane, seemingly unaware of her presence, kept talking. “That’s right. I’m looking for information about Alphas abdicating their role or appointing an ‘acting-Alpha’ if they are temporarily incapacitated ... No. Not a Beta … Are there any precedents? … Uh huh … Yeah ... Okay. Get back to me as soon as you can.”

  He ended the call and appeared about to make another, when she quipped lightly. “Must be a pretty important call if you don’t even notice that I’m standing right behind you.”

  Kane gave a slight jolt and turned. “Elise!”

  Obviously he’d been so engrossed in his conversation that he really hadn’t registered her presence. It was a bit demoralizing.

  Elise stepped into the room and trailed her hand lightly over the engraved wooden post that edged the footboard of the bed. She glanced at her mate out of the corner of her eye and gave a wistful smile. “There was a time when I’d never have been able to sneak past your radar. You’d have pounced and had me pinned to the bed within seconds of entering the room.”

  “Sorry. I was…” He held up the phone and shrugged smiling ruefully.

  “I know.” She returned his smile, but it was forced. Kane had promised to make this a ‘work free’ getaway. She parroted his all too frequent excuse. “You had a call you had to make. It couldn’t wait. It was only supposed to take a minute, but it turned out it was more complicated than planned.”

  “Yeah.” At least he looked uncomfortable making the admission. “The first one was from Damien. He had some information about Chicago—”

  “The first one?”

  He ignored her indignant statement. “And I wanted to get the ball rolling. I have John doing some research for me so that when we get back home I can start to act on the takeover.”