by K R Hall
Tracie slowly rolled to her belly, placing her hands on the cot she was laying on to move into a sitting position. If only she could see more of the room that she was in. She could make out another cage that was on the opposite side of the room from her. The room seemed to be large enough to hold two cages.
Memories of the attack started to return. Oh, god! Where was Nate? Was he in that other cage? Was he okay? Tracie wished she understood more about being a shifter so she would be able to tell if Nate was breathing. He had to be alive. Her heart lurched. She couldn’t live without him.
The shadow in front of her moved. Relief flooded her, but she didn’t call out to him. She was afraid of drawing the attention of their captors. Tracie watched as Nathaniel slowly moved to a sitting position and looked around. She smiled when his eyes found hers. Then she remembered that he probably couldn’t see her smile.
“I’m okay, Nate,” Tracie said, trying to reassure him.
“I’m glad. I’m okay as well. The cage is too small for me to shift. If I could, I would be completely healed instantly. I will still heal, but it will take a bit longer,” Nathaniel explained.
The lights suddenly came on. The harshness caused Tracie’s eyes to burn, forcing her to blink a few times before she could see clearly again. She was relieved to be able to see Nathaniel finally. She winced at the sight of his bruises and cuts.
“Ahh, good, you’re awake,” a man said as he walked in through the door. “I’m glad the drugs hadn’t knocked you out too hard. It would suck if you had died.”
Tracie felt as if she would be sick with the way the man was looking at her. How would she and Nate be able to escape? He was a large man. He was bald with tattoos along the back of his head and along what she could see of his arms.
“Who are you, and what do you want with us?” Nathaniel asked.
“Who I am is none of your concern. What I want is the bounty that was put on your heads.”
“What?” Tracie asked, confused.
“This is Maximo’s doing. Whatever he’s paying you, my pack will double it,” Nathaniel said.
“I’m not cheap. I’m listening,” the bald man replied.
***
Meanwhile, back at the Lykos pack, Darias felt like they were wasting precious time. Maximo’s forces could be growing. It was nearing ten. Nathaniel and Tracie had been taken two hours ago.
“We detected seven pumas. We tried to follow them, but reinforcements showed up. There were at least twenty of them,” Stehn informed them.
“We should have known they were coming here. We should have been more prepared,” Barry replied.
“Apparently, Maximo’s not just after Nathaniel if he took Tracie too,” Darias replied.
“It seems to me its revenge against them for what happened to Creed,” Barry replied.
“I would have to agree,” Stehn added.
“Shouldn’t we have gotten a ransom note by now?” Rosalie asked.
“I don’t think a ransom note or call would come in. Maximo will just kill them because he blames them for Creed’s death,” Darias explained. “We all knew when we heard that Maximo had escaped that it was a matter of time before he came after them to exact his revenge.”
“We still haven’t heard anything from them through the pack bonds. They are either still knocked out, too far away, or something else is blocking their thoughts from us,” Barry said.
“It’s possible that they are purposely not responding,” Dante said.
“I hope that’s it,” Rosalie replied.
“We thought that Maximo would try something. We just didn’t expect it to be so soon after he escaped. We need to think of the best course of action,” Darias said.
“Isn’t it obvious? They attacked our people on our land and then kidnapped two of our pack members. I say we fight,” Rosalie said.
“Or die trying. We have no idea where they are. We don’t know how many there are. We have to plan this out carefully,” Darias said. “We can’t go to the puma’s pride lands without some kind of plan. It would be suicidal.”
“Right now, or a week from now – it doesn’t matter. We don’t even have a clear idea of what we’re facing. All the time in the world might not be enough to prepare us for what’s to come,” Dante said.
After a lot of discussions, they had a rescue plan. They were disappointed that none of the neighboring shifter communities had called to offer any help or called with any information.
“Rosalie, you need to stay here with our pups,” Dante said.
“Tracie is my best friend. After god knows what the pumas and Maximo have done to her and Nate, she’s going to need me,” Rosalie argued.
“But…”
“No buts, Dante. Your mom will continue to watch the children. I need this. Tracie needs me,” Rosalie said, cutting her mate off.
“She has a point, Dante,” Darias said.
“Okay. Just promise me you will stay close to me. My wolf needs to make sure you are safe and unharmed,” Dante said, giving in.
“I promise,” Rosalie said before going up on tiptoes to give him a gentle kiss. “Thank you.”
Darias, Barry, Dante, Rosalie, and Stehn left Darias’ office and headed to their vehicles. It was time to rescue Nathaniel and Tracie.
They drove to Nathaniel and Tracie’s home to pick up the scent. It had only been a couple of hours, but the scents were still there. They followed the scents into the treeline and had walked about a mile.
“We have a problem,” Barry muttered after a while.
“What is it?” Darias asked.
“Their scents are gone,” Barry replied.
“That is bad news,” Darias said.
“So which way are we supposed to go now?” Rosalie asked.
“Let’s head back and regroup,” Barry suggested.
They made their way back to Darias’ office. They ate lunch while they planned what to do next.
“Think we’re going to need more people than just us for the rescue,” Dante suggested.
“I disagree. We need the element of surprise. More than the five of us would be too many, and we could be detected easier,” Darias replied.
“The nearest puma pride to us is between Oceanside and Carlsbad. It’s a three-mile stretch. I would venture to guess that they have Nathaniel and Tracie, or they know something about their abduction,” Barry announced. “Maybe we should call them.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I don’t want to tip off whoever has Nate and Tracie, forcing them to move,” Darias replied.
“Do we have a new plan to get to the puma pride land?” Rosalie asked.
“I do. Barry and Dante, I want you to go in wolf form to the left of the building. If you see, sense, scent, or hear something off, let the rest of us know immediately. Stehn, you and Rosalie will accompany me as we go through the right side,” Darias explained.
“Great, let’s go then,” Stehn replied.
Now that they had a new plan, they were off to the puma pride. Excitement spread through everyone now that they were going to rescue Nathaniel and Tracie. It was an eight-hour drive. They should arrive about nine that night.
They parked by a hotel in Carlsbad before they would shift into their wolves; they sprayed the scent blocker on themselves and made their way to Oceanside. With their keen smell, they were sure to find the location of the puma pride compound. They could use their telepathy to communicate with each other in their shifted forms.
Without their heightened sense of smell, they would not have discovered the compound easily. The entrance was hidden in the rocks that were behind Lifeguard Tower number nine in Pacific Tides, which was almost halfway between Oceanside and Carlsbad.
Barry and Dante went around the rocks to check to see if there were other entrances. It wouldn’t be good if the pumas escaped from another entry as they went in from the lifeguard stand. They silently made their way in the dark.
“There’s no other entryway in the rocks. The rocks en
d at the parking lot,” Barry said telepathically.
“Come back here. We will go inside together,” Darias replied.
“There doesn’t seem to be any guard nor alarm system,” Stehn said when Barry and Dante joined them.
The five of them made their way down a rocky corridor in their wolf forms. There was a double metal door at the end of the passage. They all shifted quickly. Darias had quietly pulled on one of the doorknobs. It opened quietly; the hinges must have been well oiled as there were no squeaking sounds. He peeked through the crack to see what lay beyond the door.
“There is another hallway and many doors. It’s dimly lit and seems deserted,” Darias explained telepathically.
“Could you scent any pumas?” Barry asked.
“Could you scent Nate or Tracie?” Rosalie asked.
“I caught traces of pumas, but not Nate and Tracie. They could have scent blockers on them. Let’s not give up hope.”
“Our element of surprise won’t last long. We must try to find them quickly,” Stehn said.
Dante and Barry opened the doors on the hallway’s left side, while the others opened the doors on the opposite side. They had made it to the fourth set of doors when they heard a woman scream. They had been discovered. Nothing deterred them. They wouldn’t leave here without Nathaniel and Tracie.
Darias moved to the next door when he picked up Nathaniel’s scent. It was faint. The scent blocker must be wearing off. He yanked the door open and rushed inside. An alarm started going off as he spotted Nathaniel. He was lying on a cot on the far wall. At the sound of Darias’ footsteps, he turned his head to the door.
“We’ve got Tracie,” Barry called out.
They didn’t have much time for their rescue. The pumas would be on them quickly.
“The hallway is still clear,” Rosalie said quietly.
“Hello, Darias,” Nathaniel said. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Nate. Dante and Barry have Tracie.”
“They initially had us in cages in a room together. Then they drugged us and moved us to separate rooms. My wolf has been going crazy trying to get to her,” Nathaniel said as he walked to the door.
The hallway was still empty, but it wouldn’t last for long. Darias and Nathaniel entered the hallway at the same time as Barry, Dante, and Tracie.
“Quickly,” Darias urged.
A deep voice came over an intercom after the alarm had stopped blaring.
“This is Alpha Alexander Marrow,” the voice said. “I don’t know who you are, but I assume that you are here for the two wolves we have in our custody for Maximo. Leave now, and we will spare their lives and yours.”
The alpha obviously didn’t know that they had rescued Nathaniel and Tracie. They exchanged amused looks.
“You may think you’ve won, but you’re wrong. Maximo will not rest until he gets his revenge. The wolves will never be safe,” Alpha Alexander said.
They were at the entry door quickly, ready to put the pumas behind them.
“We’re free,” Tracie whispered as they exited the building.
“Tracie, I vow to you right now; you will always remain free as long as I live,” Nathaniel replied.
Nathaniel held Tracie in the back seat of Darias’ vehicle as they drove back to Rainbow.
Chapter 11
Three days after Nathaniel and Tracie were rescued, the pumas turned Maximo over to the Shifter Council. The council put out a one million reward for information that led to his capture. Once Maximo was in the custody of the council, they stripped him of his wolf soul. He would now age as a human and spend the rest of his days in prison.
Six months later, at the mating ceremony.
“Welcome to all who have come to participate in this sacred event. As alpha, I’m delighted to officiate over this mating ceremony between Nathaniel Thibault and Tracie Lowe,” Darias stated proudly. “As we get ready to begin this ceremony, I ask that you enter into a moment of reflection and meditation and remember your own relationships. Renew in your mind and heart your vows and your commitments as we celebrate the bond between Nathaniel and Tracie.”
“Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own free will and if she has her family’s blessing. Tracie, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?”
“Yes, it is true.”
“Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say,” Darias said as he held a rope up for all to see.
“We are gathered in the presence of the fruitful trees, the flowing waters, the warming sun, and the sighing air, and in the sight of the Goddess of our Blessed Earth to celebrate the joining of our friends Nathaniel and Tracie in union by the fasting of their hands in ancient rite.
This is the Cord of Hand fastening, it will bind Nathaniel and Tracie together with bonds of love. For such bonds to be strong, they need support - not only from the couple themselves but from the Goddess and God. But most of all, they will need the support of their community. When I bind their hands together, please focus on this Cord and let your support flow as loving strength into it,” Darias said.
“Friends, Tracie and Nathaniel have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their mating. The words that will be spoken here today are sacred, although these words are not what joins these two. Indeed, it is not I who is joining these two today at all, nor is it this ceremony. We are not here to mark the start of a relationship; we are here to recognize a bond that already exists.
May I have the rings, please?”
“Tracie, please repeat after me.”
“I, Tracie, take you, Nathaniel, as my soul mate and companion. I want you to always know that I will be by your side through the good and bad. Though life may not always be as perfect as it is at this moment, I vow to always keep my love as pure as it is today. I promise to be there for you in your laughter and your tears, in your sickness and your health, in your comfort and your fears, in your poverty and your wealth. I know that our love is heaven sent, and I promise to be there for you for all your life, come what may.”
“Nathaniel, please repeat after me.”
“I, Nathaniel, take you, Tracie, as my soul mate and companion. I want you to always know that I will be by your side through the good and bad. Though life may not always be as perfect as it is at this moment, I vow to always keep my love as pure as it is today. I promise to be there for you in your laughter and your tears, in your sickness and your health, in your comfort and your fears, in your poverty and your wealth. I know that our love is heaven sent, and I promise to be there for you for all your life, come what may.”
“For as much as Nathaniel and Tracie have thus pledged themselves to each other in the presence of this pack, I do now, by virtue of the authority vested in me, pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Nathaniel and Tracie leaned toward each other and shared a gentle kiss.
“Now and forever may both of you be united in love and harmony; may both of you share your moods and your dreams with loving care; may both of you keep trust in each other, constant and deep; may you find joy in life and warm contentment as spouses. You are standing on the threshold of a new life. Nathaniel and Tracie; go now and walk the ways of the world together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth. Ladies and gentlemen, I now introduce you to Nathaniel and Tracie Thibault,” Darias concluded.
***
The late winter sun shone through their bedroom window and into Nathaniel’s eyes, waking him. He got himself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Once he finished his business, he headed to the kitchen to prepare two cups of coffee. It was great to have a coffee pot with a timer.
Nathaniel stopped in the bedroom doorway to watch Tracie. The sheets had shifted to her waist, exposing her rosebud nipples. She was lying there like one of those classical pai
ntings you see in museums. Her hair fanned over the pillow. Blood rushed to his cock, making him instantly hard.
Tracie’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked around the bedroom until she spotted Nathaniel standing in the doorway. She smiled when she spotted his erection.
“Put those down,” Tracie commanded.
Nathaniel put them on the dresser.
“Come here,” she cooed.
Tracie reclined on the bed, smiling as she opened her legs.
Nathaniel padded over to the bed then climbed onto the bed. He hovered over Tracie on his hands and knees. His cock grazed her inner thigh, causing her to shiver in anticipation. She trailed her fingers up his arms and down his chest. He bent his head, brushing his lips against hers. He licked her lip, demanding entrance. Their tongues met and danced over one another in a sensual dance. Then he moved to her neck trailing kisses over to his mark.
He continued kissing and nipping down to one of her nipples. Nathaniel took the nipple between his teeth and bit down. Tracie moaned. He moved to her other breast, tweaking and teasing it before pulling the hard nub into his mouth.
Nathaniel moved down her body, nipping and kissing his way down, stopping briefly to lave his tongue in her belly button. He continued until he reached the juncture between her legs. He paused to breathe her in. He licked her from back to front. His thumb worked her clit until the little nub was swollen, standing proud from under its hood. Rubbing his thumb over Tracie’s clit, his fingers slipped into her deeply, pumping in and out.
Tracie’s hips began writhing, and she was gasping with pleasure as Nathaniel continued licking and sucking her clit, sucking it into his mouth, then releasing it and blowing on it. He spread her legs wider, holding her thighs wide open; he dipped his tongue in and out of her soaking wet pussy. She was so wet and aroused it was easy for him to slip a finger into the little puckered rosebud, with another in her pussy, while his tongue danced over her clit. Tracie was close to an orgasm, begging him for more.
“Cum for me, Tracie,” Nathaniel ordered.
