****
The first thing I noticed was my ability to move, and next the incessant pacing of my wolf. Before I could act and see why things had changed, I heard a loud noise that sounded strangely like a door being ripped off its hinges.
“Where is she?” the voice demanded.
“Mason?” I finally opened my eyes and found myself surrounded by the familiarity of my bedroom. Looking around the concerned faces of Devlin and Daniel, I saw a much disheveled Alpha storming towards me. Scooping me up in his arms, crushing me against his chest, he practically bellowed for an update.
“I’m not sure what happened. No one saw her come back, or any sign of who took her. One minute her room was empty, and the next April came running out screaming she was here. I’ve asked those who’ve been patrolling the grounds and they all say the same thing—they saw nothing.” Daniel spoke firm and clearly, delivering his report.
I went to speak and share where I’d been, but it was as if I was invisible, the men talking over me and amongst each other.
“What about now? Who’s looking for any indication of the intruder? Someone can’t just waltz in and out of here, however they damn well please, or whenever they feel like it.” Mason’s roar made me flinch with its intensity. “I want this entire place put on extreme lock down. No one breathes without me knowing. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mason. I’ve already issued the alert.”
“Heads will roll if this happens again. Whoever this is doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.” Mason turned slightly before continuing. “It goes without saying this person is mine. No interference from you, or your Enforcers. I want full authority to deal with the culprit myself.”
I could feel the tension building in Mason—he was like a tight string of elastic ready to snap at any second.
“No one questions your right,” Devlin answered. “You may want to let Darcy down, however. I’m pretty sure she has things to share, and your crushing her is only preventing her from breathing. She’s safe, Alpha.”
“Don’t presume to tell me what to do, vampire.”
I was shocked at the hostility I heard. I’d never heard Mason speak like that before—especially to someone he counted as a close friend.
“Do not let your anger and frustration cloud your judgment, wolf. I am not your enemy. I am, as always, amongst your friends. I’m merely pointing out the fact she has tried to speak, but is not being heard. Now is not the time to give in to your temper.”
It was a testament to their friendship as I felt the man I love step back, the struggle just under his skin as he reined himself in. Not many people would get away with speaking to the Alpha that way without facing consequences.
Suddenly, I was being transferred into a different set of arms—Daniel’s. I turned to look toward Mason. He was shaking with power, running his fingers through his hair, his eyes practically blazing with the sign of his wolf. He was fighting instincts, the need to kill and maim, and I reached out to him through our connection.
I’m okay. I’m safe. I tried to infuse my words with all the love I had. I hated seeing him so riled up, his control hanging in the balance, but either my message never reached him or he was too far gone. I gestured for Daniel to lower me to the ground, thanking him and Devlin for being here before returning to sit on the edge of my bed to wait.
Mason finally calmed, his fists unclenching, but he still carried a hardened expression on his face—the Alpha ever present, the man who was my lover and mate off to the side.
Glancing around to the others, I took in a deep breath and began relaying Avery’s message. Once I was done, there was a brief lull of silence before all three exploded into action, a mass of comments and curses flying. Having everything out in the open showed just how serious the matter had become.
Devlin excused himself, phone all already out and his king’s number being dialed. Daniel was listening intently to Mason as he ordered for everyone to meet again to discuss and come up with an effective strategy. Each had a task to perform—all but me.
“What would you have me do, Mason?” I looked up expectantly. I knew there wasn’t much I was able to do, but I wanted to be useful. Not just as his future mate, but as a member of the pack.
I was taken aback when he growled at me. “You can stay in your room, with guards at your door and window until I deem it’s safe for you to leave.”
I snorted, shaking my head slightly. “I understand your concern. Really I do, but keeping me a prisoner isn’t going to solve this, and I honestly don’t think Avery is going to return for me. He’s delivered his message, I’ve served my purpose. He’ll be waiting for your response now. Let me help.” I reached out to touch him, my hand resting gently on his arm. “I’m safe. We didn’t know what we were facing and now we do. It’ll be okay.”
He shook his head. “I thought you were safe before, Darcy. Here in our home and on pack land. No one should’ve been able to get to you, but he did. I know you don’t think so, but I can’t think if I don’t know every precaution has been taken.”
“I agree with being careful. I don’t ever want to be taken from you again, but please don’t turn me into another hostage. If it gives you peace of mind, assign someone to stay with me when you can’t. Just let me move around if I want. Don’t put me in a gilded cage.” I added an extra layer of pleading to my voice. I needed to reach him.
“Fine, just no leaving the property. I don’t mean to be insensitive, I just want you safe. I need to know I can find you whenever I want to touch and see you. Avery may have a death wish coming after me, but he knows enough to recognize you as my Achilles heel. I refuse to lose you.”
He pulled me into another embrace, this one much gentler than the last. I could feel his heartbeat pounding inside his chest, adrenaline causing his body to prepare itself. There would be no relaxing or lazing about together until this was over. I stretched upward to place a kiss on his lips, hoping he’d take the bait and give in to a few moments of savoring each other, but he offered back a perfunctory peck before releasing me.
“Stay in your room until I can find someone. It shouldn’t take long, and then you’re free to roam. I also want you checking in with me every hour on the hour. No texting. I want to hear your voice.”
I tried hard not to roll my eyes at what I saw as overkill, and nodded. He left without touching me, his mind elsewhere, and I let out a sigh as I looked around my room. What was I possibly going to do while I waited?
Remembering the romance novel I only read half way through, I flopped myself on my bed and got comfortable. Finding the place my bookmark was protecting, I willed myself to focus on the story and the happily ever after the hero and heroine were desperate for.
I just hoped I still had one of my own.
Chapter Seventeen
The Mystic Wolves (#1, The Mystic Wolves) Page 19