by Beverly Rae
Signed,
Cauliflower
He’d used her safe word, confirming that he’d written the note. She bit her lip and reread it. The danger was great enough that Daniel was afraid for her. But why? Now that Mysta and Tyler had confirmed that she’d helped them, why was she still in danger? She frowned, knowing the answer. In the pack’s eyes, she was still a hunter and they wanted to hurt her. But why couldn’t Daniel lead her to safety? Could she escape on her own?
Gathering her courage, she dressed, opened the door without making a noise, then slipped out. Sconces cast a yellow glow so she shut off the flashlight and, being as quiet as she could, hurried down the hallway.
Three turns later, Lauren squinted into the dim light and froze, listening to the voices coming toward her. Stifling a giggle, she darted into a dark corner and tried to become one with the wall. Two shifters she didn’t recognize strolled past her, discussing the latest person voted off a popular reality show. She started to let out the breath she’d held in check, then abruptly stopped, caught between breaths. The larger of the two shifters, a black man that towered over the other one, stooped to tie his shoe.
At that moment, the map she clung to dropped to the floor and floated within inches of his heel. If he glanced behind him, he’d see the paper and her escape would fail. Lauren closed her eyes and thought about Daniel, hoping that would squelch her almost overwhelming need to giggle. She kept her eyes shut until, at last, the shifters moved on, their voices trailing behind them. Releasing her pent-up anxiety, she stayed in the dark corner a few moments, giving her wobbly legs time to regain strength. At last, she scooped up the note and moved on.
Luck stayed with Lauren the rest of the way. She tried to hurry while taking care not to rush headlong into danger. How big was this place? If she made a wrong turn, she could wind up in the middle of the mansion instead of finding an exit. Suddenly, moonlight drifted through a side door and she almost squealed with happiness. She reached the door, turned the lock as quietly as she could and stepped into the night air.
Although the fresh air tempted her to stop and enjoy the slight breeze, she kept moving, sprinting down the driveway, certain that at any moment, a werewolf would see her. Lights from an approaching car had her taking refuge behind a row of parked cars and she counted the seconds until it had finally passed.
The main street beckoned, and she rushed down the green expanse of the manicured lawn and through the ornate gates cracked opened just wide enough for her to slip her body through. She took one last look at the mansion and whispered, “Come and find me, Daniel. I’ll be waiting.” Giving a muted shout of victory, she dashed down the road.
Once Lauren was sure no one followed her, she slowed her pace and walked for several miles, heading to a nearby neighborhood, a few bright lights drawing her like a magnet. If she could get to a phone, she could call for help. A taxi sounded like heaven and Lauren wished Daniel had given her a cell phone. Disheveled and dead tired, she trudged into the newly built housing development, hiding in the darkness whenever a car came by.
“Once this is over, I’m going to sit down and never stand up again. Ouch!” She slipped off her boot and dumped out the offending pebble. She scanned the houses, searching for one that still had lights on inside. She was about to walk up the driveway to one house when she saw the mailbox of the house next door. A Support Your City’s Zoo sticker was plastered to the side. “Thank God.”
Tala Wilde, veterinarian and consultant for the zoo, had done a television spot from her home and Lauren was certain this was the place. Ordering her feet to keep moving, Lauren stumbled onto the front porch and pressed the doorbell. “Hello! Can someone please open the door? Tala?”
The door swung open, revealing Tala in sleep shorts and a tank top. “Yes?”
Not giving the woman a chance to reject her, Lauren fell into her arms and, with Tala’s help, shuffled to the sofa. She slipped onto the suede material and soaked in its warmth and comfort. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe how good it feels to sit down. I am so not in shape for what I just went through.”
Tala sat on the ottoman in front of her, her face clouded with concern. “Are you okay? Who are you? What’s going on? And why are you ringing my doorbell at two in the morning? Is there an emergency?”
“Yes, it is. I-I’m sorry to barge in like this, but you were the nearest person I could find to help me. I remember seeing you on television and I remembered your house. I’ll answer all your questions, but could I please have something to drink first? I’m worn out, bruised and blistered.”
“Of course you can.” Tala darted into the kitchen that opened up to the living room, filled a glass with water and hurried back. “Here you go. How about we start with your name?”
“I’m Lauren Kade.” Lauren took a long drink, then placed the cool glass against her forehead. “Ah, now that’s how I spell relief.”
“Do you feel well enough to tell me what’s going on? Should I call the police?” Tala sat next to her and clasped her hand in hers. “You look like you’ve gone through hell and back. And brought a little bit of hell back with you.”
Lauren giggled, relieved that she could finally tell someone what had happened, and amazed that Lauren had let her into her home. “Thank you for letting me in. I mean, I’m a stranger and all.”
Tala shook her head. “Yes, but you’re obviously someone in need.”
Tala’s eyes flashed, a glint of amber highlighting them—just like Daniel’s did. But Tala couldn’t be a werewolf. Could she? More likely, Lauren was just imagining the change in color. And who could blame her after being held captives by shifters? Lauren paused, then dismissed her suspicions. Now that she was already inside, she had no choice but to trust her. “It’s a long story and not one you’re likely to believe.” She laughed louder, imagining how ludicrous people would find her story. “I’ll get straight to the punch line.” She squeezed her new friend’s hand. “I was kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Tala’s eyes grew wide. “Are you serious?”
“Don’t I look like I’m serious? I escaped tonight and walked all the way here.” She downed the rest of her water. “But that’s not even the wildest part of my story.”
“You’re kidding. What else?”
“Hold on to your shorts because you are not going to buy this, but I swear it’s true.” Lauren paused, reconsidered telling a tale no one would believe, then plunged ahead. “I was kidnapped by werewolves.” Lauren waited for one of two reactions. Either she would react in shock or, more likely, laugh in her face. But Tala did neither one. “Did you hear what I said? I was kidnapped by werewolves.”
Tala nodded, then slipped into the kitchen to refill her drink. “I don’t mean to sound doubtful and you’ve obviously been through something awful, but why do you think they were werewolves?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I saw them change from men into wolves. Big, hairy, wolves that can talk.” Had she said too much? Maybe she should’ve left out the part about talking werewolves.
“Let me make sure I understand you. You think you were taken not by ordinary, run-of-the-mill kidnappers, but by werewolves? And not just any werewolves, but talking werewolves?”
Lauren could see it now. Tala must think she was a wacko. In fact, she’d be lucky if she didn’t call the mental hospital. “I know it sounds like I’ve inhaled way too much nitrous oxide—I’m a dentist—but I’m telling the truth. So help me God.”
“O-kay. Let’s say I believe you. Why would werewolves—and there’s more than one, right?” She continued at Lauren’s nod. “Why would they take you? Did they have a problem with their dental care? I can see how that could cause problems, what with their big teeth.”
“Tala, please. I’m serious.”
Tala’s smile faded, her expression grave. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t make fun of you, but you can understand how difficult this is, can’t you?”
“Sure. I understand your hesitancy.” Lauren
took the leap of faith in her new friend. After all, she was asking her to make a big leap, too, by believing her. “Look, Tala, I have a secret. A secret that can explain why they chose me.”
“O-kay. What’s your secret? And are you sure you want to tell me?”
Tala’s tone was the type doctors used with mentally confused patients, but who could blame her for her skepticism? “Yes, I want to tell you. I’d like someone to know this besides the people who are involved in it.”
Tala leaned forward, her face a blend of pity and concern. “You’re not going to tell me you’re part of some kind of weird cult, are you?”
Was the hunter group a cult? Not in the strictest sense of the word, but it did have similarities. “Yes and no. My boyfriend is part of a hunting group.”
“Are you talking about hunting animals? With guns? And I’m assuming out in the countryside, right? Not that I condone such things, of course. I prefer a more humane ways of dealing with animals.”
“My group hunts in the mountains sometimes, but most of our hunts are in the city.”
“That’s kind of dangerous, isn’t it? I mean, an innocent person could get shot.”
“We’re careful not to let that happen.” She let out a sigh. This wasn’t getting any easier. “What we hunt is the hard part.”
Why didn’t Tala seem more surprised? She didn’t seem concerned in the least about what Lauren had told her.
“You hunt werewolves. Is that right?”
She was ashamed and unsettled by Tala’s easy guess, but she had to admit the truth. “That’s right. Or at least I used to. And that’s why the werewolves took me.”
Tala grew quiet, unnerving her even more. When she finally spoke again, it was Lauren’s turn to be shocked. “I believe you.”
“You do?” But how? Hell, she wouldn’t have believed her story had she not lived it. “Why? I mean, telling you that werewolves exist was hard enough, but to say they’re talking werewolves? Well, that’s just stacking lunacy on top of craziness. But you really believe me?”
“Absolutely, I do. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a hard time, but I had to be sure you believed what you were saying. I’ve seen a lot of strange things.”
“Because of your work as a vet and a consultant for the zoo?”
“Because of that as well as other reasons.”
“Other reasons?” Suddenly, Lauren didn’t like the way the conversation was headed. Or the way Tala was looking at her. Like Tala was sizing her up. She rose and edged toward the door. “Uh, you know what? It’s really late. How about I call a cab and wait for it outside so you can get back to sleep? Can I borrow the money to pay for it? I’ll pay you back tomorrow. I swear.”
“Who’s our guest, Tala?”
Lauren twisted in the direction of the voice and Tala’s smile. A large man with long black hair and sparkling, dark eyes pulled Tala into his arms and kissed her. The kiss, lingering long enough to make Lauren uncomfortable and even a bit aroused, finally broke apart.
“Devlin, this is Lauren Kade. Lauren, this is my husband, Devlin.”
Hard dark eyes clamped onto her, stiffening her body. Lauren hoped her unsteady legs would hold her. Panic started to strangle her breath again and she thought about running but doubted her legs would carry her very far. “This is your husband?” Why did he look so familiar?
Should she try to make a break for the door? Yet she doubted she could make it past either Tala or her large husband.
She stood as straight as she could and studied the solemn-faced man, all while trying to quiet the alarm bells clanging in her mind. Their eyes locked onto her, glinting flecks of amber. How had she managed to jump out of the skillet and into the fire? “Tala? Is your husband… Are you a werewolf?”
“Uh-huh. I’m Devlin’s mate and proud of it.”
Had she run back into the pack? Lauren closed her eyes and wished she was in Daniel’s safe arms. Daniel, please help me.
“Lauren, calm down. Everything’s okay. Devlin won’t let anyone hurt you. Will you, honey?”
“Not as long as you’re not out to hurt us.” The amber flecks shown in his eyes, taking over more of the cool brown and warning of the animal lurking below the surface.
“Not me.” She looked longingly past him toward the door. “I love werewolves.” She inwardly winced at her pitiful attempt to placate them. And judging from Tala’s and Devlin’s expressions, they weren’t buying it. In fact, they seemed to be playing with her the way a cat plays with the mouse he’s about to eat.
“By the way, Lauren, I use my maiden name for business, but my married name is Tala Cannon. Devlin is an alpha in the Cannon pack.”
Lauren took off running as though her legs had planned on escaping all along and had forgotten to tell her mind. But she didn’t get far. Devlin’s strong arm wrapped around her, picking her up and plunking her down on the couch. “Stay.”
She obeyed him, too afraid to do anything else. “You’re a Cannon? Oh, shit. That’s the group that kidnapped me.”
“It is?” Devlin took the armchair next to the sofa and Tala sat on the arm. “Why did they do that?” His narrowed eyes zoned in on her, warning her of the raw power he controlled.
“Don’t you know? I mean, you’re an alpha. You’re Daniel’s brother, aren’t you?” Mentioning Daniel’s name calmed her. If Devlin was anything like his brother, maybe she could rest easy.
“I’ve been out of the state for a while. And yes, Daniel’s one of my brothers. But the pack has never kidnapped anyone. Exactly who took you?”
“Daniel, Tucker and the others took me. They caught me when I got separated from the rest of my group.”
“Which group is that?”
Lauren didn’t want to tell him. Once he found out she was a hunter, who knew what he’d do. She looked at Tala and sent her a silent plea although she knew it useless
“Honey, Lauren is a hunter. Or used to be.” Tala held up her hand to calm his flash of anger. “Now hold up. Don’t react too hastily. Remember that Sydney grew up with hunters, so don’t jump to conclusions. Let’s hear what she has to say first.” Tala gestured for her to hurry up and explained, “Sydney is mated to the other Cannon brother, Jason.”
Encouraged by Tala’s readiness to listen, Lauren told them everything from the first day she met John to the way Daniel had helped her escape the mansion. By the time she’d finished, she hoped she’d gained a little of their trust. At least enough to keep her safe until they contacted Daniel.
“What the hell is going on?”
Lauren flew off the sofa to find a very sexy, but none-too-happy Daniel striding into the room. She barreled into him, relief swamping through her. She was safe now that he was here.
Daniel held her at arms’ length. “Lauren, why the hell did you come here? I helped you escape and, instead of running to freedom and a human friend, you come to a shifter’s home? You’re just lucky I came to talk to my brother.”
Okay, maybe she wasn’t safe after all. The emotion of the past few days, the fear and anger, welled up inside her to reach a boiling point.
“Back off, buster.” Daniel actually took a step back, almost making her smile. “I did go to a human’s home. Or at least I thought she was human. How was I to know she’d mated a werewolf? It’s not like they had a welcome mat saying ‘Werewolves Welcomed’, ya know?”
“She’s right, Daniel. She just stumbled onto us.” Tala slipped her arm around her husband.
Lauren pointed at Tala, emphasizing her point. “Yeah, that’s right. I had no idea that I’d gone from one house of shifters straight into another one. But at least this one has fewer werewolves to contend with. Plus, I don’t think they plan on locking me up.” Worry replaced her irritation, lessening her strength. “You don’t, do you?”
Devlin raised his hand, silencing the others. “If I have a say in this matter—and as an alpha I do—then I think locking her in the mansion and throwing away the key is a damn good idea.”
Chapter Nine
“Oh, my God.” Lauren struggled to pull in the next breath. Was she born under an unlucky star? Or was her crappy luck her own fault? Not that it mattered now. She was knee-deep in trouble.
“Hang on. I didn’t set her free only to have you take her right back.” Daniel took her by the arm, helping her to make it back to the sofa. “We made a mistake in kidnapping her.” He closed his eyes and heaved a big sigh. “I made a mistake in kidnapping her.”
“Why did you take her in the first place?” Devlin crossed his arms, a silent defiant gesture.
“My plan was to go on the offensive. Instead of always running from the hunters and reacting to what they put in motion, I wanted to hit them first for once.”
“Like a preemptive strike?”
“That’s it exactly. I wanted the hunters to feel what it was like to be the hunted. Haven’t we all had the same idea at one time or another?”
A few moments of silence passed as the shifters reflected on Daniel’s words. Lauren had to admit, if Daniel’s idea was to make hunters know how shifters felt, he’d certainly made his point with her.
“I get that. I do.” Devlin relaxed. “Bro, I understand where you’re coming from. Torrie’s death, then what happened to Mysta and Tyler made you want revenge, but changing a policy we’ve held for years was not your decision to make. You should’ve gone to the council first. Or at least presented it to Jason and me.”
“Yeah, I know. I realized my mistake the second we found our hunter.” He glanced at her. “But by then, it was too late.”
Lauren wanted to touch him, to tell him he was forgiven. Instead, she resisted the urge and looked to Devlin. “So does this mean you’re not going to throw me to the wolves again?” She shot them a tentative grin.
