by DJ Phoenix
He took a step closer to her and tried to grab her hair again, but she was ready and able to evade his assault.
“Fight!” her wolf yelled at her, and she did.
Luke
The tunnel was tall enough for all of them to walk upright and wide enough to allow four men to walk side by side. It looked like the other tunnels Luke had walked through. It had strong metal beams forming the support needed to keep the ceiling and walls from caving, beams were spread throughout the long tunnel every six feet, and torches were attached to beams every twelve feet. They looked like they had never been lit.
As they walked farther into the tunnel, Cynthia’s scent hit his senses. His wolf wanted to howl his distress and excitement at finally having a trail to follow, but Luke kept him under control. They didn’t know what awaited them in the darkness, and it was best to keep as quiet as possible.
They were moving fast when they came to a rounded room. They came to a halt as they took in the three different passageways exiting from the room. Luke’s frustration grew, and he almost lost the thin control he was keeping on his wolf. His nostrils flared and his breathing increased as he ran a hand through his hair.
Matt stepped closer to the tunnels. “We can split up.”
Luke’s stomach knotted, that same feeling he got every time his senses warned him something was wrong. “No. There’s three tunnels for a reason. Only one is the way out. The other two must be dead ends. If this was a way to escape the town in case of discovery, I would have done the same in an attempt to buy us time to get away. We just have to figure out which way leads out.” Luke stepped up to the first tunnel and took a deep breath. His mate’s scent wasn’t there. He moved to the center tunnel and did the same, but couldn’t pick up a scent there, either. He approached the last tunnel’s entrance and found no sign of his mate’s scent. He stepped away and a roar rumbled through his chest, filling the small room and echoing back at him. His body vibrated with the need to shift and hunt. He would hunt the bastard that had dared take his mate. If anything happened to her, he would tear the bastard apart piece by piece.
Adam’s hand was on his shoulder unexpectedly, a brave or stupid move considering he was on the verge of losing all control of his beast. Something cool yet comforting spread though his body and suddenly he was able to focus again. “If you allow me, Alpha, I can check the tunnels a lot quicker.”
Luke nodded once. The hand that had been on his shoulder disappeared and a raven flapped his wings as it flew into the first tunnel. The wait was excruciating; every minute that passed Luke felt like he was being consumed by dense smoke, making it harder to breath. His mate was out there—who knew what she was going through—and he was stuck underground!
Five minutes later, the raven flew out of the first tunnel and straight into the second, never stopping its momentum. Luke growled, and the three men standing with him all took defensive postures, ready to move as soon as the Fae gave signal.
Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait long. Less than three minutes later a flash filled the circular room and Adam appeared. “The first tunnel is a dead end.” He pointed to the one he had just exited. “This one has a fault running across it about three miles in. It’s impossible for anything without wings to cross. The way out has to be that one.” Adam pointed to the third tunnel. “Would you like me to check before we all go through?”
Luke took a look at his pack mates. More than anything they were family, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt they would follow him, no questions asked. They could rush in and they would all face what came together. He had a responsibility to all of them, though; it was his duty to keep them safe. “Take a look before we all run in blind.”
Before the Fae could turn into his raven form, Matt spoke. “Luke, we’re wasting time. We’re all grown ass men and we know there’s danger ahead. That has to be the way out, so let’s go, we’re with you.”
Luke looked at his friends and took in their determined expressions. Yeah, they’d follow him into hell if that’s where he was going. They all gave a subtle nod in response. “Let’s go then.”
This tunnel was smaller than the one they had been traveling. The narrow passageway only allowed for one person at a time to fit, and they could barely stand. Evan had to slouch as he walked so his head wouldn’t hit the top.
The slow trek was driving Luke mad. He had picked up his mate’s scent when they entered the tunnel, but now it was gone. His wolf was so on edge that each minute that passed made it that much harder for him to keep his human form. As they moved farther into the tunnel, the scent of candy apples reached Luke’s senses. It was barely there, but it was enough for his wolf to recognize it belonged to their mate.
As the scent became stronger, Luke’s struggle with his wolf became almost unbearable. The beast was beyond reason. All it knew was that their mate was out of their protection and her lingering scent meant she had been there not too long ago. The beast wanted to hunt; the need to pierce the neck of the one that had dared touch their mate was all he could think of.
The tunnel opened to a small alcove surrounded by rock. It was a dead end! There was no door visible and no other way out. Luke roared his beast’s distress and anger into the small space. His Alpha wolf power poured out of him as he searched the rock. His nostrils flared and his mate’s scent filled his senses; it was not as old. She had been here, and if she had been here then she had been taken out from here. He just needed to find the way out. “Her scent is fresher here. There has to be a way out. Search the rock.”
In unison, the three wolves and one Fae moved to different areas of the surrounding rock. Luke used his senses as he approached. He took deep breaths, searching for an area where his mate’s scent was more prominent. The area where her scent lingered most didn’t look any different than the rest of the rock. There was no evidence of a door, yet he knew there had to be one.
With his hands searching the rock, he bit back the distaste of having to ask the Fae for help again. His mate needed him, and he would put his pride aside no matter how painful that was. “Adam, can you do your thing like back in the house? Here … her scent is strongest here.” Luke stepped back, allowing Adam to approach the rock he had just been searching.
“Of course, Alpha.” Adam placed his hands on the face of the rock and they began to glow. “There it is. It’s … been magically sealed.” Adam’s hands kept glowing, and the Fae looked stoic. The only sign of the effort he exerted was the beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Just as suddenly as Adam’s hands began to glow, they stopped. “This door was sealed with Fae magic. Now there’s no doubt one of my kind is involved. For that I am sorry, Alpha. I assure you they will be dealt with. Because of the magic holding the door closed and hidden, I cannot open the door quietly. You will have to be ready for whatever is on the other side as soon as I get it open.”
Luke nodded his understanding at the Fae. “You get that door open, and we will deal with whatever is on the other side.” Then he turned to his friends. “Our first priority is to find my mate. Keep your eyes open and be alert, and if possible, capture someone to interrogate.”
Adam turned his attention to the rock wall. He heard the men behind him moving about and assumed they were getting into some kind of formation. When the sounds behind him ceased, Adam let go of the ball of energy he had been forming between his hands.
Chapter 27
Cynthia
Cynthia’s head rattled as her ex shook her for the umpteenth time. He kept asking for something she didn’t know anything about. How she wished her parents had confided in her and her sister, that they would have told them who and what they truly were. Maybe if they would have, she would have a clue as to what this brute was asking about. Maybe if they had, she would have been able to tap into her magic and use it to protect herself.
Her cheek stung from the slaps he had given her, she was sure several ribs were fractured, her eye was almost swollen shut, and her head throbbed like nothing s
he’d ever felt before. She had fought back just as her wolf had urged her to, but she had definitely gotten the worst of it. All he had to show of her defensive efforts were several deep scratches on his face and some loss of hair from where she had pulled it out.
She had to do something. If she didn’t get some respite, she was going to pass out, and who knew what he would do to her then. The need to stay alert kept her going, but the pain was beginning to take its toll on her body and brain.
Dylan’s enraged face came close to hers and spittle dripped onto her chest as he yelled. “Your mother took the pendant!” His hands were vise grips on her upper arms as he took hold of her and shook. “You will tell me—”
His rant was cut short by a loud explosion shaking the floor beneath them. He threw her across the room, and her forehead hit the edge of the bed frame.
Cynthia managed not to pass out as her ex stormed out of the room. She heard the locks on the door engage, and she slumped on the floor. Every move she made brought on some kind of pain. She didn’t remember his beatings being this severe, but then he had always beaten her after drinking, and he wasn’t drunk now—she was sure that made his swings more accurate.
The sound of furniture crashing and breaking reached Cynthia’s ears, and she stood. Her knees wobbled with the effort it took to stand, but she made herself move to the door. She knew it was locked, but she tried the knob anyway; yep, locked. More crashing and growls. Her heart leaped with hope. Could it be? Had Luke found her?
Then a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. If Luke was out there, if anyone from the pack was out there, Dylan would hurt them just to get back at her, or worse, torture them to get her to talk. Except she had no idea what Dylan was talking about. He had mentioned a pendant, but Cynthia hadn’t inherited any pendants. She had never seen her mom wear any such jewelry, either. She wouldn’t even be able to lie, because she had no idea what the thing Dylan was looking for looked like.
The noise beyond the door got louder. Cynthia couldn’t sort through all the ruckus. There was no way to tell how many were out there or who they were. What if it wasn’t Luke? What if it was someone out to get Dylan and she got caught in the middle? She needed to find a way to get out of there.
Luke
The door exploded inward into an empty basement. Luke was through the gaping hole and dust in a heartbeat. They had all partially shifted, only letting their wolf claws and canines out. The Fae had taken on an eerie glow, and his hands held the same kind of light they had before he blew up the door they had just come through.
Luke approached the door leading into the house and listened. He heard a door slam from what sounded like an upstairs bedroom, but no other noise. “Keep your eyes and ears open, we don’t know how many might be inside.”
The kitchen was quiet for what seemed like a second before two burly men rushed in, their footsteps heavy as they pounded on the kitchen tile. Matt and Evan met them head on, the sound of flesh hitting flesh resonating through the open kitchen. Claws slashed through skin and blood sprayed the oak cabinets as the four men fought to outdo each other. Knowing their friends could handle the challenge, Luke made his way past them as the four fighting men crashed into the kitchen island. Joe and the Fae followed close behind.
A fist connected with Luke’s jaw as he entered the living space, throwing him off balance. He shook the impact away and faced the attacker. He was a tall and thickly built man; muscles rippled as he flexed his arms. Luke sniffed the air and that elusive scent hit his senses; they were masking their scent. There was no way to know what they were with whatever they were using to mask their true scents, but it was clear they weren’t human.
Joe was tackled into a wall by another man. He, too, looked well-built, but Joe was like a tank, so at least they were well matched. Fists flew and grunts resonated through the house. The Fae was nowhere to be seen, so Luke only hoped as he fought the man off of himself that the Fae was alright. He didn’t know how well versed in fighting their race was, so he hoped Adam could handle himself.
Luke threw the man he was fighting through a window and watched as he landed in a heap on the dirt driveway outside. He waited an extra second to make sure the man stayed down, then turned. Luke froze where he stood. The man descending the stairs in a rush hadn’t changed much through the years. He wore his hair short and styled now instead of what had been his usual long mane tied at the nape, but his eyes had the same cruel look they had the last time Luke had seen him.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the great Clear Creek Alpha. Tell me, Alpha, what brings you here?”
Luke made his wolf stay still as he stared the man down. “Why are you here, Dylan? I banned you from my territory.”
“Oh, that’s right, well, it’s about time the tides changed a bit, don’t you think? We think so. We are here to revolutionize this pack. Bring it something new, like a new pack Alpha. So, since you’re here, I officially challenge you for the Alpha position.”
A growl rose in Luke’s chest. “You dare challenge me!?”
“Let’s just say I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. And now that it’s here, let’s not waste any more time.” Joe had efficiently dispatched the shifter he had been fighting and was now standing next to Luke. Dylan looked to Joe. “Joe, you are an elder, and therefore you can be the witness to this challenge.” Then he looked back to Luke. “Shall we?” Dylan stepped closer, assuming a fighting stance.
Luke took up his fighting stance, and the two men began to circle each other. “You dare come to my territory after what you did? Any other pack Alpha would have killed you then, but I showed you mercy!”
“You showed weakness. You don’t have what it takes to protect this pack, but I do, and today they will all know it.”
“Well, you didn’t deserve the mercy I showed you then, and you sure as hell aren’t getting it now.” Luke waited patiently for Dylan to strike first. It was a measured act, one aimed at gauging an opponent’s abilities and weaknesses. His father had taught him that many years ago, and he would honor his father by following his wise instruction.
Dylan’s anger rose at the control he saw in Luke; the Alpha assumed himself better than him. But he would show him. He would destroy Luke and take all he held dear. He had orchestrated the plan that had taken the old Alpha’s life many years ago. Now he would take his son’s life and his pack. And he would maybe even keep his mate as a whore for the pack. His men would enjoy a fine piece of ass like hers, and they deserved the reward. “After I’m done with you, I’m going to finish what I started with your mate. I might even consider showing her mercy and keeping her around as the pack whore.”
Luke’s wolf rose to the surface. He knew his eyes were glowing, and his Alpha power was oozing out of him, filling the room. He could see how uncomfortable it was making Dylan by the way he loosened his shirt button and sweat beaded his forehead. The man looked around the room, probably looking for his men. Thankfully there had only been four with him. Two were out cold and Matt and Evan had the other two under control; neither would be coming to help him.
With one last look around the room, Dylan sprung. He swung a clawed hand, slashing Luke’s chest; blood quickly bubbled to the surface, permeating his ceremonial shirt.
Luke landed a clawed hand across Dylan’s left shoulder, tearing into the muscle, and blood squirted out of the wound, rendering it useless until it healed.
Dylan let out a roar and attacked again. He was fierce in his attack, but despite the evidence of training, he didn’t have the experience.
Luke kept his distance, not giving his opponent a chance to make contact while the man alternated his attempted attacks between clawed open-hand swings and fists. A frustrated yell came from somewhere upstairs, and Luke’s blood boiled—it was his mate. She was somewhere in the second floor and he needed to get to her. That knowledge sprung him into action, and his fist connected with Dylan’s jaw. He heard a satisfying crack and swung again, connecting wi
th the man’s nose. Blood sprayed the floor. Luke didn’t let up on his swings until the man stumbled backward, bumping into a wall.
A scream rang through the house and time stopped. Dylan was attempting to stay upright by leaning on the wall. Luke’s blood went cold as he registered his mate’s scream, the worst scenarios running through his mind in quick succession. She appeared on the stairs, and, for a moment, he could breathe. Then Luke took in his mate’s appearance and growled deep in his throat. She had a bruised and swollen eye, her jaw looked to be forming a bruise, there was a gash on her forehead where blood still flowed, her hair looked like it had been yanked out of what had once been a braid, and she was gingerly holding her side.
His body shook with rage, and before he could consider the impact his actions would have on her, he lunged for the man attempting to regain his footing against the wall. He grabbed Dylan by the throat and squeezed. He would die for hurting his mate, but his wolf yearned to revel in their enemy’s pain first. As he held the man by the throat, just barely allowing oxygen down, Luke ran his sharp claws down the man’s right arm, shredding muscle and tendons. Blood poured from the wound and his wolf basked in the scent of their opponent’s blood permeating the air.