The room hadn’t been used in some time, if the layer of dust on the nightstand was any indication. I didn’t care. I’d be up at dawn, hopefully before Declan and Rafe, so I could check things out without them breathing down my neck. I wasn’t sure what was driving me more insane, Declan and his fake polite demeanor, or Rafe and his flagrant hatred for me.
When I got up in the morning, I made quick work of packing up my stuff and taking it out to my car. I wanted to make sure there would be nothing preventing me from leaving as soon as I needed to do so. I preferred to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Once my stuff was situated, I took in the area. Guards were still present. There was nowhere outside the house that I could see where I might be able to look around without being watched. It made my skin crawl that the people here had to live like that.
I headed back inside, venturing to the kitchen first. Nobody was around, but a small selection of food was laid out. I picked at a few choices while listening for any sounds of others being awake yet.
Nothing could be heard, so I made my way down the halls. Most of the doors were closed, and I wasn’t stupid enough to open any without knowing what was on the other side. There was a chance I’d walk into a room already occupied and be unable to explain myself. That was the quickest way to get kicked out of here before I even had the chance to learn anything.
When I got to Declan’s office, the door was cracked open.
Letting myself in, I was surprised to find the room was empty. I sat in the chair, leaning forward to check out whatever was left on the desk. There was only a note that said “J–Sunday”. Today was Sunday, so my curiosity was piqued.
I glanced around some more, but Declan was keeping everything tidy. He was smarter than I gave him credit for originally.
Getting up, I left the office and decided to explore wherever I could just to keep myself busy until Declan or Rafe decided to grace me with their presence.
“We appreciate your interest in our pack, Cord,” Declan offered. “I hope it was everything you expected it to be.”
I wanted to gag. He was so full of bullshit. I had been paraded around their pack and shown whatever they wanted me to see. Every pack member had the same fake-ass smile on their faces, except Rafe. He was the only one who couldn’t keep up the façade.
If I had any hope of finding anything out, I needed to stick around without them knowing.
“It certainly was.” I pasted on my own fake smile. “I look forward to seeing you both again soon in Arizona for the gathering.”
We finished our goodbyes and I took off. Nobody followed me, and it was nearing dusk, so I decided to park my truck ten miles outside their pack’s territory, then shift into wolf form. I’d get back to the pack faster with my wolf and it would be easier to stay undetected.
When the sun had fully set, I made my way through the trees as inconspicuously as possible. I stayed low to the ground and moved swiftly. I had already scoped out a good spot where I hadn’t seen any guards patrolling earlier. There were enough trees to keep me out of sight, but it would put me close enough to hear anyone arriving. I’d just have to hope it was enough.
An hour later, when I was bedded down into my spot, a white cargo van pulled in. A woman stepped out, and I wondered if she was the “J” that had been referenced on the note I saw earlier. She went inside but was back out immediately. Declan trailed behind her, not appearing pleased with her arrival.
They made their way back to the vehicle, which was better for me. She parked near enough to the brush that I was able to slowly make my way toward them. I could no longer see them, but at least I could hear, and that was more important.
“What do you mean ‘they didn’t survive’?” Declan snapped.
“Humans are pathetic. I’m not sure what you expected. Your men need to be more selective if you want better results. It’s certainly not my fault.”
Fuck. She wasn’t just another shifter. She was a witch at minimum. More likely a sorceress if she was able to change the essence of humans.
“What did you do with the bodies?” he asked, calmer this time.
She laughed in an unkind way. “They’re in the back with the live ones. I didn’t sign on to be your garbage service. Do whatever you want with them.”
“Woman, you test my patience,” Declan growled, then paused.
A few beeps that sounded like a phone reached me. “Get out here. I need you to do something,” he ordered whoever he had called, then let out a heavy sigh. “Tell me something good.”
“There are six more who have shifted. Though, one refuses to shift back to human form. You’ll have to coerce her. She’s tied up in the back.”
I saw Rafe exit the house, heading toward where I knew Declan and the woman to be.
“What do you need?” Rafe droned.
“Get the truck and toss the bodies from the van in the lake to the east.”
“Now?” Rafe complained.
The sound of a thud resounded around us. “Yes, boy. Now. And I don’t want to hear anything about it. Just get it done.”
Rafe trudged off, and I inched forward in an attempt to get a better vantage point, but I heard the snap of a branch behind me.
I glanced back but couldn’t see anything. Since I’d heard enough, I decided not to be stupid. It was time to get home and figure out what my dad planned to do with this information. I knew what I wanted to do, but the likelihood of us agreeing on anything moving forward was slim to none.
Chapter 8
Three days had passed with no progress made toward stopping Declan and the sorceress he was involved with. When I retold everything I’d overheard to Augie and my dad, Augie immediately pulled out his tablet for research. He figured out pretty quickly that there was no way a witch would hold enough power to do what the woman had talked about that night.
She was indeed a sorceress.
I had been a mess since I got back home. At every turn, I felt like I was being watched. So, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for something, but I didn’t know what. In hopes of shaking the dark feelings, I went to see Taya. I needed her bright light.
“Good morning, Brother.” Taya grinned as she greeted me in her room. “What’s going on?”
I took a seat on the bed next to her. “Not much. Just wanted to come see you before I started my patrol shift. I’ll be running the property line for most of the day.”
I took in her messy side braid with red streaks popping in and out of sight, her lilac eyes so full of life. Just being in the same room with her chased away some of the darkness I had felt seeping in since I left Declan’s.
“You don’t seem too excited about that… Is everything okay?”
I refocused my attention. “Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine. Just tired. Still playing catch-up on my sleep from being gone for so many days.”
“Alright. Well, you know I’m here if you need to vent. Even if it’s about boring alpha-in-training stuff.”
I wanted to say, “if you only knew”, but I was aware I couldn’t. I stood to leave, knowing if I didn’t do so now, I’d say something I wasn’t supposed to divulge. The Decennial Gathering was only four days away, so it was almost time to tell her everything. I didn’t need to screw it up before then and piss off our dad.
I tugged her up by her hand. “I’m going to head out.” My arms wrapped around her, not wanting to let go. The hug lasted longer than normal, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt tears prick at my eyes.
I reined in my emotions before speaking. “I love you, Taya.”
She pulled back, eyes suspicious. “I love you, too. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Everything is fine,” I repeated with a smile. “I’ll be back for dinner. Save a seat for me.”
Kissing the top of her head, my footsteps were heavy walking out of her room. My wolf rumbled. He didn’t like my human emotions. He was ready to take over and go on the hunt. It had been a sh
itty few days all around, and I couldn’t blame my wolf.
We were raised to protect. Trying to be patient when we knew people needed help was not easy.
I stopped by my dad’s office before heading outside. He was on the phone, but he waved me in right away. I took a seat as he wrapped up the call.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, voice full of concern.
“I’m doing okay. Something still doesn’t feel right, but I don’t know what it is.”
“There’s a storm raging inside of you, Son. I feel it anytime you’re near. I hate to say this, but I think you need to step away from this. I’m bringing Davis in on everything today anyway. Let him take over. You’ve done more than most would in this scenario, given your position. There’s no reason for you to feel so unsettled.”
My heart constricted. I hated that he could feel my unease, but at the same time, it made it easier not having to explain something I didn’t quite understand myself.
“After you meet with Davis, the four of us can decide how to proceed together,” I added. “I’m going to the Decennial Gathering regardless, so I won’t be walking away just yet.”
“Very well. Let’s catch up after your shift today.” Making his way around the desk, he gestured for me to stand. “Everything is going to be okay. Try not to stress so much.”
I stood, accepting the hug he was offering. “Yup. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
I turned for the door, giving him one last cursory glance. The disapproving look on his face told me he didn’t believe me, but he was going to let it go. For now.
I checked the time. I was going to be late for my shift if I didn’t move my ass. Each of the pack members took turns contributing to the pack. I chose patrol. It fit me, and I enjoyed it most days.
Today was not one of those days.
Regardless of my time with Taya and the talk with my dad, the darkness eating away at me was still hard to keep at bay. It became even worse when I was by myself. My mind wandered to dark places when I didn’t have the distraction of company.
Tough shit, I told myself. I had a job to do, and today, it was patrolling the perimeter of our property. I’d have to man up and deal with it.
Stopping off at one of the outbuildings, I left my clothes and phone inside. If I had to be alone, I’d at least let my wolf be in charge.
“Hey, Cord,” Sam called. “Just ended night shift. Nothing out of place, as usual.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you tonight.”
Once Sam left, I chose to shift hard and fast, knowing it wasn’t natural to enjoy the pain but needing it anyway. The slow and easy shift was not what I craved then.
The hair swayed over my form as I shook out my fur and headed out, nose to the ground to begin my route, searching for anything that didn’t belong. Regardless of Sam’s report that there was nothing to worry about, I’d remain vigilant. I’d seen firsthand how quickly that could change.
Our property was hundreds of acres. Each of the shifters on guard duty had a section they oversaw. I’d run a stretch of twenty acres, searching for scents that shouldn’t be there. Thankfully, I’d only had it happen once, but it was enough to remind me each day I was out here that I needed to be mindful of my surroundings.
My wolf growled, seeking to take charge. I trusted him enough to know he was aware we had a job to do, regardless of how pissed off we were at the moment, so I let his mind push forward and fully take charge. His speed picked up, and I barely felt the pads of his feet touch the ground.
For several hours into my shift, it was just as Sam had said. Nothing out of the ordinary. My wolf had calmed down and pushed the darkness back, but I still had that niggling feeling that I was being watched. I couldn’t pick up any scents near me, so I forced the uneasy feeling away.
The sun was high up in the sky, and the warmth made me slow down. I did another round of my section before taking a break beneath a tree near the middle of the border. When we were on patrol, we didn’t need to run the entire time, just circle around a couple times an hour. I hadn’t stopped once since I started this morning and figured I was due for a moment of rest.
My eyes closed, still in wolf form, relaxing, but still listening for anything that didn’t belong. I heard squirrels scurrying up the trees and through the foliage, a flock of turkeys gathering nearby, birds calling, and the small creek that fed into the lake on our property. Everything was as it should have been.
Until it wasn’t.
Everything I had been focusing on except the water went quiet. Eerily so. My wolf tensed, searching for what was coming. The hairs on my neck rose as my wolf stood up, prepared for whatever had scared the animals into silence.
What began to piss me off was that I could feel the presence of someone, just as I had been the last couple of days, but I couldn’t pick up anything tangible. Knowing that Declan was messing with a sorceress had me on edge, and worried I was missing something important.
Just as I had decided to turn back for home to grab my dad and Augie, the sound of footsteps reached me. Someone was coming, and they weren’t a friend.
“Cord,” the voice snarled. “Where are you headed?”
I turned to find Rafe flanked by six wolves.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Someone must have saw me that night when I went back. I was seriously outnumbered, and I needed to get out of here. I didn’t want to bring the fight to the pack, but I was dead if I didn’t get help. I wasn’t stupid enough to believe I could take on all seven of them on my own.
Through our alpha bond, I reached out to my dad, but I wasn’t sure it would work. He’d been picking up on my emotions lately and would probably assume I was just sorting through everything again. I had been so angry and paranoid lately that the spike in fear and adrenaline was nothing new.
Tilting my head, I snarled at Rafe and his pack of mutts. Not all of them appeared as eager to attack a lone wolf, but there was enough hatred there to know I was in deep shit. I considered shifting back to human to communicate with him, but I was stronger and faster in my wolf form. There was no way I was risking it.
Rafe tsked. “Nothing to say? Oh, that’s right. You prefer to just spy on people instead.” His head flicked to the wolf on his right. “This one saw you racing back to your truck after you were supposed to be gone. Why couldn’t you leave things be? We weren’t bothering you…yet. Now we have no choice but to attack sooner and stop you from telling more people what you think you heard.”
My wolf growled and snapped at him. I had so much I wanted to say, but considering he barely spoke five words to me when I was in Colorado, I was curious about what he would say now. Backing up slowly, I tried to gauge how much of a head start I could get if I decided to run.
They weren’t here for a fight. They were here to kill.
Rafe cackled. “There’s no running back to daddy today, Cord. Look around you. I didn’t come unprepared. I’ve been watching you since you left. I knew when to strike, and you won’t walk away from this. It’s the price you’ll pay for being a nosy bastard.”
The fucking sorceress must have put a blocker on their scents. Sure as shit, there were three more wolves closing in behind me. There would be no chance to run. My only hope was to take out as many of them as I could before they took me down.
The thought of Taya and how much this would hurt her crossed my mind. My twin and best friend. I was glad that I went to see her this morning. Augie would take care of her. He was the best friend and best pseudo-brother we ever could have asked for in this life. He would stand up for her when I no longer could and keep her in line when she needed it, just as he’d done for me these past years.
Rage filled me.
I was ready.
Without waiting for Rafe to say another word, I moved in, but he stepped back as his wolves pushed forward. I didn’t hesitate. It was kill or be killed. I knew the latter was a high probability, but if I was going down, it would be while giving them as much hell a
s I could.
Without a thought, my jaws came down on the first wolf’s neck. I didn’t stop until I heard the crack of bones and spat the lifeless body out just in time to be hit from both sides. Teeth sank into my back. Another came for my front. I snarled and snapped in every direction, placing hits wherever I was able, as often as I could.
I took two more wolves down before it became too much. Blood poured from several deep wounds along my neck and back, leaving me beaten and tired. I didn’t want to give up; I needed to keep trying. I needed to keep my family safe.
“Enough,” Rafe bellowed, and the wolves on top of me retreated, but only by inches.
I had nowhere to go.
“I want the satisfaction of killing the Chief Alpha’s son. Just as he took something from my father, I will take something from him.”
That’s when everything clicked.
Declan was still pissed that my dad had been chosen as Chief Alpha instead of him, more than a decade ago. He had been planning his revenge for a long time. The only thing I regretted most right then, was knowing I wouldn’t be able to warn my family. They would have to figure this out on their own.
Yet, I knew they would. I knew Taya would step in, kicking ass and taking names. She’d been born to do it but let me take the responsibility. I had no doubts she would make me proud.
I inched forward, needing to give this fight one more go. I wouldn’t bow down and let Rafe kill me without continuing to fight back, even if I had little to give.
I would defend my pack with my last breath.
Rafe was as cocky as ever. He was right, he had the upper hand, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t hurt him. He took a step forward, hands reaching for my neck.
Whimpering, I rolled to my side, letting him get closer.
“You would have made a pathetic alpha,” he spat. “I’m doing your pack a favor.”
When he was inches from me, I turned my head, sinking my teeth into his arm before raking my claws across his chest. I didn’t have enough strength for a kill shot, but he’d think of me every time he looked in the mirror. There was no doubt about that.
Shades of Secrecy: Prequel Novella (Raven Point Pack Trilogy) Page 5
