Full Moon on the Lake

by D. M. Angel

  Michael grabbed a bag from the back of the car and unzipped it, took out a gun and handed Derrick the weapon.

  “Here this is loaded and ready to go, just remove the safety. Closing the back of the car, he moved toward the hotel to the front corner and stopped. Looking at Derrick and two of the men he spoke to them,

  “You three,” Michael paused looking pointedly at Derrick continued, “are going to remain outside and guard our backs after we go in. I want no surprises understood?” Derrick nodded.

  Michael felt enough time had passed for everyone to get into position, moved quickly across the front of the hotel followed by Derrick and the rest of the men, staying close to the walls.

  Arriving at one side of the door, the other team moved to the opposite side. Michael pointed to the three men and pointed to the ground, next he pointed to the door. They nodded. To the other team he pointed to his eyes and to the left again pointing to himself then the right. Everyone acknowledged and Michael kicked the door in.

  The banging of the door swinging open abruptly and the sudden bright light made Kate jump in fright. Tied to the bed she couldn’t get down or roll away, so turned her head away from the bright light. She blearily watched the two men jump up from the table at the back of the room facing the intruders coming through the door. Busy preparing to defend against the intruders at the front, they never did see the two men who came out of the bathroom to knock them out from behind. Michael cleared the room then told two of his men to relieve Derrick and have him come in as he holstered his weapon,

  ”Have someone watch at the entrance to the parking lot” he said as he walked slowly over to where Kate lay tied to the bed.

  “And someone tie those two up.”

  He moved slowly and talked to her showing his empty hands proving he was not threat. He was there to help. She stared unfocused at him cautiously and nodded at his offer of assistance. Reaching for the gag he removed it,

  “Kate, I am Michael, Derrick’s Head of security for the pack. We are here to rescue you, Derrick will be here in a moment.”

  “I’m here” Derrick said coming up behind Michael into Kate’s field of vision. “You ok?” Derrick asked as Michael untied her hands as another person untied her legs.

  “I will be.” she replied angrily attempting to sit up but failing miserably. “I’m afraid I may be pretty well drugged though.” She barely got the words out before her head hit the pillow.

  Michael looked down at Kate, a bruise still forming on her left cheek; his face became gruff with anger as he spoke.

  “Derrick, get her back to the pack. Brian! Will! You two go with him.”

  Derrick reached down and picked Kate up from the bed cradling her in his arms. Standing he faced Michael his face stern, a message passed between them without words. Understanding, Michael continued,

  “The rest of us will stay here. We have a mess to clean up.”

  Derrick nodded once then turned and left.

  Kyla did not know how long she sat on the dock or when her feet ended up in the water. Yet that was where they were when Leisa came down and sat beside her. Leisa placed an arm around Kyla’s shoulders,

  “They will be okay you know.” She said more as a statement than a question.

  Kyla sighed,

  “I know.“

  Leisa looked out at the lake mesmerized by the morning sun dancing like sprites on the water.

  “So what is bothering you? Is it Jacob?”

  Kyla glanced down at the little fish nibbling on her toes,

  “No, I know it will take time and patience but he will be fine too.”

  Leisa tilted her head questioningly,

  “Then what is the problem that has you so deep in thought?”

  Kyla stared at the waves hitting the poles of the dock, only to roll back out again and remained quiet. Leisa had many years of learning on how to be patient. Knowing Kyla needed her to help sort out her thoughts, she quietly took her shoes and socks off waiting patiently and dipped her toes in the water.

  “Oooh warm, Nice-e!”

  Kyla looked over at Leisa’s feet in the water, staring blankly finally spoke,

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “Hmmm,” Leisa replied swinging her feet back and forth in the water, “And this is a problem because?”

  Kyla sighed, “Derrick has only been Alpha for ten years.” She paused, waiting for Leisa to say something but she just kept swinging her feet back and forth smoothly moving the water, so she continued. “Derrick wanted to wait until we were in our 50’s to have a kid, that’s still ten years away. What am I going to do?”

  Kyla looked up to see Leisa smiling at her, “Have a baby.” She offered.

  “It’s not that simple Leisa, Derrick will be upset, it is too early.”

  Leisa pulled her feet out of the water and turned to look at Kyla, tears were running down her face. Leisa reached up and wiped them away.

  “Dear there are times in life where we just don’t have a say in what is going to happen, we just learn to accept it.” Leisa smiled, “Besides Derrick is going to be head over heels over this you watch, that man will make a wonderful father, and you will be a wonderful mother.”

  “You think so?” Kyla asked hopeful.

  “Yes, I do. Now get your shoes on and let’s get up to the house there is a car coming up the road.” Leisa said calmingly, motherly.

  They walked up to the driveway when the car came around the bend and Kyla could see Derrick in the front seat.

  “Leisa, let’s not say anything just yet. Lets’ get through this then, I will tell Derrick.”

  Leisa looking at the car waiting spoke softly,

  “All right dear, but don’t wait too long. It is not like you could hide it from him for very long.” She snickered smiling.

  Derrick pulled up next to Leisa and Kyla and stopped. Brian opened the door as Derrick came around handing Kate up out of his lap. Derrick took her, turned and headed quickly into the cabin. Kyla walking ahead of him holding the door open as Derrick walked in and set the unconscious Kate on the now empty bed and Doc got to work.

  When Derrick stood he turned around and kissed Kyla soundly, watching her closely. She kissed him back but seemed to keep her attention on Kate. Grabbing her around the waist asked quietly,

  “What wrong?”

  Kyla glanced up her eyes looked far away and sad,

  “Nothing, we will talk later.” She whispered, and turned back to watch Doc work on Kate. Derrick looked over to Leisa as she stepped up beside them, questioning her with a look. Leisa just smiled back.

  Doc stood, “It looks to be the same sedative they used on Serena, and she will be fine. She just needs to rest and be look after today. With a couple of day’s rest she and Serena will be their old selves again. Doc smiled at that and turned, “I need to get back to the pack. Someone wanna drive an old man home?”

  Derrick watching Kyla confused, “I’ll take you,” he paused a second troubled by Kyla; “I need to brief the council.” Kyla looked up and smiled at him, kissed his cheek and pulled out of his arms to make some coffee. Her smile Derrick noticed did not reach her eyes.

  Those members of the council in the cabin rose to leave for the meeting. Derrick decided he would talk to Kyla later in private. Right now, he needed to update everyone in the council but; as soon as he was finished, he would find out what was wrong. To find out what had changed her mood to one he could not recognize. It was more than just what was going on between Jacob and Kate. He could feel it through their bond; he just could not see what it was.

  10

  The ride in was quiet and uneventful, Doc explaining to Derrick that Jace had taken Serena back home to rest and that Jacob was being held in security. The reports he got from Thomas said, Jacob was lucid and had some control, yet was extremely agitated more often than not, and seemed to be getting worse. Doc needed more information to know what direction he needed to go, to save Jacob. Derrick thought the same thing. The
y needed to find the information on how to help Jacob’s wolf and Jacob to come to terms with what was happening. To find a way to calm him or there would be no mating. The idea brushed briefly into Derrick’s mind, “I don’t want to have to put Jacob down.’ Derrick shook his head to clear the unsettling thought from his mind.

  Derrick made his report to the council answering what seemed to be many repetitive and unanswerable questions, and then Michael entered the room later that morning with his report, starting the whole thing over. Everyone was still at the council meeting when he arrived. Michael made his report to the council as well as Derrick saving time. What Derrick thought would be fast and hopefully easy meeting; ended up taking longer than he really wanted it to take. He was only half-attentive to his surroundings worrying about Kyla and whatever it was that was bothering her. He desperately wanted to get back to her, not sit here and listen to the same questions being asked and answered over and over.

  At one point, he sat hardly listening to the room as he watched Kyla walking by the council room heading to the kitchens deep in thought. She sent some refreshments and a late lunch into the council room via other pack mates. Derrick noticed she did not come herself.

  Getting closer to the fall season, it had started getting dark outside when Derrick stopped the meeting frustrated at the lack of a solution to the problems they all faced. “We can sit here all night but we have gone as far as we can at this point. Michael will keep the increase in security up until further notice. As soon as Kate is better we will get more information from her. Caleb has calls out to other packs to see if there is something we can do to help Jacob.” He held his hand up to stop the questions that were about to be repeated over the concerns with Jacob. “At this point there is nothing more we can do. It is late we have been here all day. Go home!” with that Derrick rose and left the room, heading to his office.

  Michael and Caleb followed him. “Damn windbags, they irritated the crap out’a me too!” Caleb chuckled in agreement.

  Derrick smiled “So, Michael what did you not tell the council?” He looked at Michael letting him know he knew he had left something out. Michael gave out an exaggerated sigh. Caleb raised an eyebrow astonished to realize he had not caught the missing information that Michael left out when he gave his report.

  “The guy called Henderson said that the Client seemed very insistence that the package needed to be returned. He was offered a lot of money to get Kate back, and I mean a lot. Have to hand it to the man he never gave up Bentleys name directly no matter what we did. He did hint he was not the only ones working on the contract, to achieve that end.”

  Derrick walked around his desk and sat, motioning to the others to sit as well. Michael continued after everyone was comfortable. “I have Brian looking for as much information into Bentley and all of his associates and operations. As soon as we have what we need I will let you know.” Pausing to see if anyone was going to speak before he continued when Caleb and Derrick looked expectant.

  “I would advise you get Kate inside the pack perimeter, it will be easier to guard her closer to the pack house instead of the outer limits.

  Caleb nodded agreement then spoke, “It would be beneficial to Jacob as well, and if she were closer and he could see and feel her safe he may just calm down.”

  “Fine, I will talk to Kyla as soon as we leave here to see what she can arrange.” Stopping suddenly in frustration, “Damn it, after I go see about Jacob. Has he been told Kate is back and safe?”

  Michael nodded his head a sad look on his face that suddenly turned angry. “I told him, but I left out the bruises on her face, her stomach and ribs and everywhere else those bastards hit her.” Michael explained further, when he saw the questioning looks in the men. “I got to the cabin first thinking you would be there, Leisa had just called Doc. Kate woke up and when Kyla had tried to help her sit up she screamed. It seem that she may have put up a pretty good fight at one point.” Michael laughed.

  “When the other four got back, we lined them all up for questioning and noticed bruises and scratches on almost all of them. Guess she got in a few well aimed kicks in too.” Michael informed them smiling. “I just don’t understand them hurting her like that. When Doc got through with her she had two broken and bruised ribs, bruises on her stomach and back, and he thinks her leg may be broken.” He looked up serious, one eyebrow raised, “It was probably a good thing we didn’t know all of that when we questioned them.”

  All three men nodded in agreement leaving unsaid of all the things they were thinking they would have liked to do to those men. You just did not hit women. For any reason. They were valued, precious to the pack to the future. Without them, there would be nothing. No softness, no beauty to be seen in the world, no children’s laughter. The world would be a dark place without their light.

  “So, what did you do with them?” Derrick asked realizing Michael had not said.

  “Oh well, after we finished we call the cops and let them know there had been a kidnapping and that they needed to come pick them up. I talked to the chief, filled out a report and he wants to talk to you and Kate tomorrow. ” He was not too happy we handled the problem without consulting him first. Pulling a paper out of his shirt he handed it to Derrick, “Here is a copy of the report.”

  Derrick took it, ‘there was another problem he needed to handle’ he thought as he set it on his desk, “Fine, good job. I will read this tomorrow.” Looking at Caleb, “I need to go talk to Jacob. Can you come up with a plan to help him get back to normal? Sounds like I am going to need all my men to deal with all of this.”

  Caleb looked thoughtful for a moment, “We will definitely need Kate here. I will contact everyone I know from the older packs again and see what they have found out and get you some ideas tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Good.” Derrick stood, “You all get some rest I am going to check on Jacob, then I need to find Kyla.”

  Caleb cleared his throat, “I noticed she seemed distracted, is everything alright?” Concern evident in his eyes.

  Derrick looked at the two men as they stood in the door, “I don’t know, it could be everything that is going on” he swept his hand out, “but something tells me it is more. I need to talk to her but we have been so busy.”

  “It could just be all this stuff going on with Kate and Jacob.” Michael offered, “Her being so abused has me rattled, it is probably worse for women to see a friend in that condition.” Derrick nodded in agreement, yet, knowing in his heart, that was not the problem.

  Caleb laid a hand on his shoulder, “Be patient, she’ll come around when she is ready.” Derrick watched Caleb as he left wondering if he knew more than he was saying. Would she talk to Caleb and not him? ‘No.’ he decided, she would not. Rubbing his hand through his hair in the frustrated tell he always had he left the room.

  Jacob sat squatting in the corner his arms resting on his knees and his head down when Derrick walked into the room. Derrick walked up to the cage and looked in on his friend, knowing he was not asleep. “Jacob?”

  Jacob raised his head, slowly. Derrick didn’t recognize his friend in the face that looked up at him. “Jacob, come on man, shake it off.”

  A low growl started out of Jacob’s chest getting louder as it reached his throat. Suddenly he pounced at the cage reaching for Derrick, his nails elongated as Jacob half changed to his wolf. Derrick jumped back just out of reach.

  “Let. Me. Out.” Jacob threatened in a deep resounding growl.

  Derrick looked at his friend feeling destitute to help him. “You know I can’t.” Derrick sighed, “You have got to get it together. Look at you, if Kate came in here you would scare her away!”

  Jacob roared in frustration and paced the cage like a trapped animal. Derrick watched for a few minutes, confused as to why Jacob was in such bad shape. What was different from this mating than any other? Was it Jacob himself or something more? Making a decision, Derrick grabbed a chair setting it in front of the cage and sat do
wn. He sat quietly watching Jacob pace. Jacob stopped after a while and turned to Derrick.

  “I can feel she needs me. Let me out!” he pleaded one more time.

  Derrick sighed, “Dude, you need to sit tight and get it together.” Jacob stared at him looking Derrick in the eyes sighing he dropped to the floor crossing his legs.

  Derrick waited to see if Jacob was actually calm, or if it was an illusion to throw him off.

  “Jacob, Kate is fine and safe at the cabin.” Derrick decided. He needed to tell him everything. “She has guards at the cabin as well as around the cabin. When Doc clears it, we will try and move her here to one of the spare rooms tomorrow.”

  Jacob’s look intensified but he did not move a muscle. Nevertheless, his right eye twitched slightly, “Try?”

  Derrick realized his mistake shook his head and sighed. “Jacob, you need to stay calm.”

  Jacob barely moved, yet growled, “Tell me!”

  “Michael left some things out to protect you.” Derrick Admitted.

  Jacob sat straighter, his gaze penetrating, and growled, “TELL ME!”

  Shaking his head Derrick looked at Jacob hoping for understanding from him started talking.

  “You knew she was sedated when they took her right?” Jacob nodded once his eyes never leaving Derrick’s eyes daring him to lie to him. Derrick took a deep breath as he rubbed his hand through his hair stalling. Jacob stared unmoving.

  “She didn’t stay sedated.” He started reluctantly, “When she came out of it,” Derrick paused knowingly to gage what Jacob’s reaction would be.

  “TELL. ME!” Jacob roared threateningly. Derrick watched as every muscle rippled and tensed.

  Blowing out a breath, “She fought them Jacob, she fought them well. She left them hurting, she gave them bruises and scratches, even kicked a couple of them.” Derrick laughed uncomfortably trying to lighten the sting of what he was going to say next. Jacob Growled menacingly when Derrick stopped.