The Change

by C V Leigh

  “Sounds like my whole family is a bunch of…” He wasn’t sure of the right word to use.

  Nathan chortled and crossed his arms. “They’re not the nicest of people, I’m afraid, Michael. They try to make it look like they’re the good guys, but they’re not. Did you know your mum and I were supposed to get married?”

  Michael looked at him with wide eyes.

  “Oh, yes,” Nathan said with a nod. “It was a long time ago now. She was my girlfriend. But there was an accident in our local town. Not here. In England. Some people died, and your Uncle Nicholas convinced everyone we did it. I was sent to live in America, and your mother came to live with the Kincaids.” He shook his head and dropped his gaze to the ground. A heavy sigh rolled out of his chest. “She was kidnapped by them.”

  He shook his head. “No. You’re lying!”

  “I’m sorry, Michael, but I’m not. She’s never been happy here. If she knew I was here, she’d come with me. She’s never loved your father.”

  Fat tears rolled down Michael’s cheeks. “That’s not true.”

  “It is. Think about it. He treats you all like children. He locks you up in Faol Hall, miles away from anywhere. He kept your mother in a cage…a cage.”

  “He wouldn’t do that,” Michael argued.

  “Are you sure?”

  “You’re wrong!”

  “I know how the Kincaid pack works. I know how your grandfather worked, and your dad…” He shook his head. “They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and Alistair Kincaid is rotten fruit.” Nathan shrugged. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I can bet you I’m not. Why don’t you ask them? Ask your mother.”

  Michael thought for a while, sniffing back the tears and wiping at his nose with the back of his hand. He thought and remembered the past few days, the secrets and the whispers, the conversations his family thought he hadn’t heard. “The cage is there for our safety when we have a bad change,” he said quietly. “Everyone knows that. All packs should have them, Dad says.”

  Nathan laughed. “Since when has a cage been for someone’s safety? You think animals at the zoo enjoy being trapped, taken away from their families? No, Michael. Your father has been lying to you this entire time. He’s the enemy. You, your mother and Ben would be much safer with me. In America, I’m part of a pack that doesn’t believe in cages.”

  Michael gasped for air. Thoughts tumbled around his mind. His mum had seemed miserable and complained about being isolated. She’d said she wanted to go for a run, and that his dad was stopping her. She’d asked him not to put her back in the cellar, although they didn’t know he’d heard.

  “Okay,” he said after a while. “I’ll do it. I’ll tell Mum and Ben we’re coming with you.”

  “Good plan, but…” Nathan hesitated.

  “What?”

  “Well, your dad has done such a good job on them, they might not come willingly. They might still believe your dad is the hero.”

  “I could pack bags for us all. They wouldn’t notice. They haven’t noticed any of these things I’ve brought you. I could get everything ready and then lead them out here, and we could go before Dad realises we’re missing. I know how to get the keys to the Land Rover. Uncle Drake keeps them on a hook by the back door. I could load everything in there, and you could wait for us.”

  “What about the security cameras?”

  “There are blind spots all over the place. Uncle Drake is always on at Dad to get them fixed. There’s one behind the garage. You could wait there.”

  “You’re a clever lad,” Nathan said with a smile. “I’m going to make you my second-in-command when we create our new pack. I’ll train you to be Alpha.”

  “Would we move to America? I’ve never been there.”

  “Why not? I have some contacts. I could easily get you some passports with new identities. The American Council has laws in place that mean your dad would never find us. We could start a new life. And I promise, Michael, I would never push you away or fail you the way your dad has.”

  Michael thought about it all and smiled. It would certainly make his dad sorry if they ran away and created a new pack without him. He’d love to train under Nathan. He looked like he might be stronger than his dad and was cleverer than Uncle Jacob. The Kincaids didn’t want or need him. So he’d make a pack of his own. He’d work hard in his training and his education, supported by Nathan, the man his mother truly loved. And one day, he’d become Alpha.

  He hurried back inside the main house with the plan etched into his mind. His mum and Ben were in the library, reading. Tess, his dad, and his uncles were in the cellar, shouting and yelling at each other. They wouldn’t notice if he was missing, nor would they care. They were too busy wrapped up in their own problems to even consider him. He headed for his bedroom and began to pack his bags.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Jacob slammed his hand into the cellar wall. “Fuck!”

  “Calm down,” Derek said. “They don’t know anything.” He watched his twin brother pace around the room.

  “It’s not going to take them long to find the barn, covered in his blood, with a trail leading directly to us.”

  “So, we find Nathan first,” Alistair said. “Drake, were there any problems when you went into town earlier?”

  “None. Everyone was fine.”

  “He’s slipped away every time we got close. It’s like he’s a ghost,” Jacob continued his rant.

  “We have one choice,” Derek suggested tentatively. He knew nobody was going to like the plan circulating in his mind. “We use Megan as bait.”

  “Are you fucking mad?” Jacob stepped towards his brother. “Are you trying to get her killed?”

  Derek planted his hand against Jacob’s chest and stared him down. Jacob twisted on his heel and stomped back to his spot by the fireplace.

  “She made the offer days ago,” Alistair conceded. “I was trying to protect her and said no, but Drake’s right. She’s the one he’s after. He’s drawn to her. We set a trap, we use Megan to lure him in. Once we’ve got him, we put him in the cage and do everything we need to. Nicholas will—”

  “No.” Tess swallowed. The brothers looked at her. Zane remained quiet but kept his eyes fixed on his girlfriend. A tear slid down her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Zane,” she said, sounding choked. She took a USB stick out of her pocket and plugged it into the laptop on the table, then walked away as photographs of Nicholas spilled over the screen.

  Alistair shook his head.

  “You stupid bitch!” Jacob flew across the room. His fist connected with the wall by her head. Brick dust floated to the ground.

  “Get a grip,” Zane snapped, putting himself between Tess and his brother. Derek curled his fingers around Jacob’s bicep.

  “I’m sorry,” Tess cried, her fingers twisting into Zane’s shirt. “I’m so sorry. I saw it, and I wanted to tell you, but Megan—”

  “Megan knows?” Alistair looked at her, his attention piqued.

  She gave a small nod, her cheeks reddened as tears slipped down towards her chin. “When the power came back on, I checked your emails, and that’s what came from CAPA.”

  “Why didn’t either of you say anything?”

  “Megan said we should know for certain first. This doesn’t mean he’s Nathan’s contact, just that he met with him. We were waiting for confirmation from Edinburgh and New York. We didn’t want to cause more friction between the family.”

  “You failed,” Jacob spat.

  “Jake!” Derek tugged him away from her.

  “There’s more,” she said, her voice wavering. “We believe Nicholas let Nathan go all those years ago, that he’s Nicholas’ contact in the States. I think it started out innocently–a way to build a bond between the packs. But when Megan fell pregnant, and Nathan wanted to come back—”

  “It wasn’t meant to happen like this.” Nicholas stood in the doorway at the top of the stairs, rolling up his shirt sleeves. Jacob leapt forward and r
an up the the stairs. He grabbed his uncle’s collar and threw him down the stairs.

  Nicholas landed on his feet, as he always did.

  “Jacob,” Alistair warned. “Let him explain.”

  Jacob growled, then panted for each breath as he fought to control the rage that burned within him.

  “Jake…” Derek took hold of his brother’s arm again. “Cool it, yeah?”

  “Yes,” Nicholas said, eyeing Derek, then turning his gaze on Alistair. “I let him go. You weren’t married then, and she wasn’t a part of the family, only under our care. We needed someone in America. He got in with the American Witches Council and CAPA, feeding us titbits of information about the covens and packs that are in control over there. Unfortunately, we had to give him something in return to keep them thinking Nathan was on their side.” He brushed at his shirt, smoothing the creases. “I didn’t help him to get back in the country, though. I told him to stay away. I made it clear that he was useful, but he wasn’t welcome.”

  “Did you let him go in Taedmorden?” Alistair asked.

  “No. I was trying to find out who else was involved. He got away, and I promise you, Alistair, you know as much as I do.”

  “How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Jacob asked, an unspoken threat underlying his tone.

  “We’ll deal with this later,” Alistair said. “Right now, Nathan is our priority. The police aren’t going to leave this alone. We need to find him before they do.”

  As if on cue, a helicopter flew over the house.

  “Jacob, Drake.” Alistair pointed at the twins. “Find him. But stay in human form. The last thing we need is more damned wolf rumours.” He turned to Tess. “You and Zane prepare the tranquilisers and meet them in the forest. I’ll get Megan. We’ll meet by the garages. It’s an open space, close to the house. Nicholas, you stay with the children. Any questions?”

  A series of head shakes.

  “Good. And be ready. We don’t know how badly injured he is, or what he’s capable of.”

  * * *

  The cage was old and beginning to rust. It had been years since anyone had been through a change so bad it warranted use. Apart from Megan. A heavy weight sat in Zane’s chest. If her issues were being caused by her pregnancy, and it was indeed a surviving female child, then he was taking no chances with Tess. As much as he wanted children of his own, he couldn’t bear to watch her go through that and be responsible…

  “What are you thinking about?” Tess asked, lifting a heavy bag onto the table.

  “Nothing,” he said, shaking his head and offering her a smile.

  She tugged the zip back to reveal the rifle that lived at the bottom. She removed it and examined it. “I’ve never had to use one before.”

  “Here.” Zane moved behind her, then showed her how to open the chamber and load it. He helped her slide a dart in. “Now aim and shoot.”

  “You make it sound so easy,” she said despondently. “I don’t know if I can do this.” She pushed the rifle back at him.

  Zane frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s all my fault. I’ve lied to you all.” She blew out a breath and twisted to face him. “I’m not good enough for you.”

  “Don’t say that.” He used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the tears brimming on her lashes. “You did what you thought was best.”

  “I know, but—”

  “But nothing.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He took the rifle from her. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We can handle this. I’ll meet you upstairs.”

  Tess left the room, her tiny feet tip-tapping up the wooden steps to the kitchen. Zane glanced at the cage. It had already been prepared, with chains hanging off the walls, ready to restrain Nathan in either human or wolf form. There was no bed, no blankets or pillow. They would give him nothing that could be used against them. A camcorder had been placed on a tripod, ready to record everything that took place. The table held Jacob’s favourite tools of torture.

  Zane swallowed as he looked at them. As the only doctor in the family, it would be his job to keep Nathan alive. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

  * * *

  Michael sprinted back to the barn, ignoring the tracks he left. They’d be leaving soon so it wouldn’t matter if his dad or uncles found out Nathan had been staying in the barn this whole time, or that Michael had been helping him. He pushed the doors open, then buckled over to fill his lungs, and slung his bag to the ground.

  “Where’s your mother?” Nathan snapped angrily.

  “She… she’s with Dad. Ben was with Uncle Nicholas. They’re…” Another breath.

  “They’re what?”

  “They’re after you. They’re going to find you. We need to get Mum and Ben, and leave now.”

  “Shit!” Nathan punched the door. Wood splintered around his fist and fell to the cobbled ground. “You failed.”

  “No! Nathan, I—”

  “Your father’s right. You’re useless. You’ll never make a good pack leader. I should have killed you the moment I laid eyes on you.” His eyes flecked with yellow. A growl emanated from deep within his chest.

  Before Michael could run, Nathan grabbed his coat and yanked him off the ground. Michael clawed at his hands and kicked out, but Nathan just stood there and laughed. “Let’s go find your worthless family,” he said, spittle flying through the air. “It’s time to finish this.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Alistair pressed his back into the garage wall. Megan stood in the open, unprotected and alone. Even though he could see her, he still felt like she was completely out of reach. He looked up at the cameras mounted on the corner of the main house, each one pointed in the opposite direction. One overlooked the driveway, the other the gardens. Neither covered where they stood, and he didn’t hold much hope in them catching anything. Nathan had managed to elude their security system before now. Still, the garage was a weak spot that should have been dealt with.

  Megan walked across the gravel towards the edge where the grass met the drive. Small stones crunched under her boots. She tugged the sleeves of her jacket down over her fingers. Flecks of snow fell, melting before they hit the ground.

  “He’s going to know it’s a trap,” Tess whispered from behind him.

  “Where’s Zane?” Alistair shot back.

  “He’s on his way. Look, Alistair, I need to apologise—”

  “Bad timing.” He focused on Megan.

  “Nathan’s going to smell us a mile off. He knows you would never let Megan wander the grounds unguarded.”

  “Of course he will. He’ll know exactly what we’re doing.”

  “Then… I don’t understand.”

  “He wants Megan, and he’ll take any risk to get her. He’s injured, and he’s desperate. If this doesn’t work, then—”

  Zane arrived with the bag and dumped it by Alistair’s feet. He took out a rifle and aimed it at Megan.

  “Don’t you dare miss.”

  “One day, you’ll trust me,” Zane said, pushing the butt of the rifle into his shoulder.

  “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be putting my wife’s life in your hands.”

  “I know you’re there,” Megan called out.

  Nathan came into view.

  “Alistair…” Nicholas arrived, followed by Ben.

  “What the fuck, Nicholas? Where’s Michael?” Alistair kept his voice hushed.

  Nicholas hesitated. “I don’t know. I went to the kitchen to get them some drinks, and when I came back, he was gone.”

  “He’s playing in the barn,” Ben said.

  “You may as well tell them all to come out,” Nathan shouted.

  “I’m alone,” Megan said. “I knew you’d find me. I knew they…” She paused. “I’m here. Leave them out of it.”

  “Where’s your guard dog?” Nathan mocked. “I’m not stupid enough to think they’d give
you up willingly. I can smell them.” He gave a wicked grin, one Alistair wanted to wipe off his smug face. He made to step forward, but Tess grabbed his arm and shook her head.

  “The police are looking for you,” Megan said. “They came here and questioned Nicholas. I saw the photographs of you both.”

  “I had to see you.” He closed the space between them, stroked her arms. He glanced behind him at the sound of a snapping twig. “Is that you, Jacob? Why don’t you come out and bring your friend with you?”

  Jacob and Drake walked out of the forest and headed towards Nathan and Megan.

  “And you, Alistair,” Nathan called towards the garages.

  “Don’t go,” Tess said, but Alistair pulled from her grip and made his way into the open, keeping his eyes on Megan.

  “This doesn’t have to get ugly,” he said, standing within touching distance of his wife. “Come inside, and we can talk about this. Reach some kind of arrangement.”

  Nathan laughed. “How stupid do you think I am?” He nodded towards the garages, where Zane lay in wait with the rifle.

  “We just want to ask you a few questions, that’s all.”

  “You mean, you want to know who my contacts are. Who do I have working on the inside of Sanguis Luna Law? I believe you’re very well acquainted with one of my associates. Where is Nicholas, anyway?”

  “He’s told us everything,” Jacob snarled. “We don’t have secrets.”

  Nathan’s laugh echoed around them. “You don’t keep very good tabs on your pups, either,” he sneered. “Come on out, Michael.”

  Michael stepped from the shadows, his face red and streaked with tears. “I’m sorry, Dad,” he cried. Alistair swallowed. Everything in him ached to run to his son, but he knew he had to stay calm. Still, he could do nothing to stop the shake in his hands.

  “We met yesterday,” Nathan explained. “In fact, we’ve had a couple of meetings, haven’t we, Michael?”

  Another helicopter flew overhead, the roar of its engines deafening. Alistair ducked and grabbed Megan’s arm. “Now, Zane! Now!” He pulled Megan out of the way and dove to the gravel. They landed with a thud, Megan exhaling a heavy breath when her stomach connected with his elbow.