§
Clouds rolled in and the skies darkened as rain began falling. Esme flitted around Jared in the lobby, almost dancing in excitement. Nothing seemed to keep her down long. She picked up several travel brochures and quickly read them as they waited for Granger to finish.
Granger turned at the front desk and smiled as Esme rushed to pick up a blanket a child dropped from his stroller. He caught Jared’s eye and sent him a telepathic message.
“Go on, if you like. I can catch up as soon as I’m done here.”
Jared nodded and walked over to Esme, who spoke with the child’s mother. “Are you ready, ma petit louve? Granger says he’ll meet us there.”
After a quick goodbye, Jared escorted Esme out of the lobby. He frowned when he saw how hard it rained. “Would you like me to call a cab?”
“Oh, no. I love walking in the rain. The brochure says the casino is only three blocks away on Park Street West. Come on. It’ll be fun.” They were under a fabric awning at the hotel entrance. Esme grabbed Jared’s hand and pulled him into the rain.
They stopped and waited for the light to change before crossing the street. Esme kept lifting her face up to the rain. Once Jared saw her tongue peek out. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to catch rain on my tongue. Didn’t you do things like that while growing up?” Esme looked at him with concern. For the first time, Jared didn’t know what to say.
How could he explain that his Alpha training started at birth? He’d never considered trying anything so frivolous.
“It’s all right. I can tell you never have. Catching snowflakes on your tongue is much more exciting. The snow is cold, and you feel it as it melts. I’ll have to teach you how to have fun, Jared.”
Fun? Did she think he was unable to have fun? He was having “fun” right now, watching his crazy mate playing as rain darkened her hair and plastered it to her face.
The light turned green, and Jared stepped off the sidewalk. A sudden roaring filled the air. Esme screamed his name and yanked him back. He fell to the sidewalk. A rush of air told him how close he’d been to the speeding car.
“Oh, my god. Jared, are you all right? Did I hurt you? That car almost hit you.” Esme ran her hands over his body.
Jared shook his head, trying to clear it, as he sat up. He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “I’m fine, Esme. Your quick thinking saved me. Thank you. I never saw the car coming. He must have missed the light change.”
Strong arms slipped under Jared and lifted him up.
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that, Jared,” Granger said, setting him on his feet. “I saw the whole thing from the hotel entrance. The car looked a lot like the sedan the English Alpha lent us.”
Esme gasped, rising to her feet. “Do you think someone did this on purpose? Should we call the police?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Jared said. “I’m fine, as you can see, and we have no proof this wasn’t just an unfortunate accident.” He adjusted his clothes before reaching for Esme’s hand. “We’ve missed the light.”
“Let’s get a cab, Jared. Walking in the rain isn’t fun anymore.”
“Don’t let this rob you of your joy, Esme. Walking in the rain can be fun if you let it.” Jared squeezed her hand, wanting to reassure her. Nothing should be allowed to steal the smile from her face.
“I know, Jared. Let’s take a cab anyway. That way we can get to the casino sooner. Besides, the rental car will be here before we know it, and the search for Norris will continue.”
Norris, it always came back to Norris. Jared would be glad when Esme’s every thought wasn’t about her brother. He nodded, and Granger hailed a cab. After a moment, they climbed in and told the driver their destination. As Jared settled in the seat, Esme leaned against him, her arm around his waist. He decided to try to have fun at the casino. Not for his sake, but for Esme’s. He could give her that much.
§
Esme held tight to Jared’s hand as they walked into the casino. The noise hit her first, then the smells. Bells rang, lights flashed, music played from speakers. It was a little intimidating, but also exciting. Many different smells touched her nose—perfume, deodorant, sweat, machine oil and food from the dining room. They went up and registered at the desk. Jared took one of the plastic cards they gave them and Granger took the other.
Jared turned and looked at her. “Would you like to try the slots or play poker?”
“I don’t know how to play poker,” Esme admitted.
“Then, perhaps the slots would be best,” Jared said.
“I’m going to hit a poker table,” Granger said with a wink. “I’m feeling lucky.”
With a little wave, Granger headed toward the tables. Jared directed Esme to the side of the room where there were rows of machines with flashing lights. Several women were laughing and joking with each other near the end of one row.
“Have a seat, ma petit louve.” Jared inserted the plastic card given to them at the front desk into a slot on the machine. “You push this button here. The wheels spin, and if they line up correctly, you win.”
Eager to give it a try, Esme sat down and pushed the button. The wheels turned and the lights flashed, and the symbols didn’t line up. She glanced up at Jared.
“Try it again. It may take a while to actually win something.” Jared squeezed her shoulders.
Esme nodded and pushed the button again. The wheels turned and the lights flashed and this time a bell rang. Esme bounced in her seat. “What did I win? What did I win?”
Jared chuckled. “You won a pound. Try again, push the button.”
“Oh.” Esme pushed the button. More lights flashed and the wheels turned. This time nothing. Esme continued playing.
She glanced at the women at the end of the row. They were still laughing and chatting with each other as they used the machines. One of the younger ones kept looking at Jared. Although, when Esme glanced at him, he didn’t appear to have noticed the woman’s attention. He smiled down at Esme.
“Are you having fun, sweetheart?” He rubbed her shoulder before running his hand up to the nape of her neck.
His warm fingers on her cool skin made her shiver. It was suddenly hard to think of anything except the feeling of his skin on hers. “Yes, this is very exciting. Can we walk around? I want to see everything.”
“Of course. Anytime you’re ready.” Jared showed her how to cash out her winnings, then leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
Esme felt warm all over. She patted his hand, which still rested on her shoulder, before Jared wrapped his arm around her waist as they strolled toward the back of the building.
Loud music started, coming from one side of the establishment, and they wandered in that direction. They walked into a lounge. A bar covered with pink lights stood at one end. Up on a raised dais a band played.
Esme recognized the song they were performing, and soon her foot tapped along with the beat. An older couple got up from one of the tables and began to dance. Esme watched in fascination as the older man twirled his partner. They were very good. It was apparent they’d danced together for many years.
“Do you dance, Jared?” Esme held her breath, waiting for his answer. Would he think her silly?
“I’ve been known to, on occasion. Would you like to?”
Esme nodded. Her voice caught in her throat. Jared took her by the arm and led her onto the wood dance floor. She was surprised by how much she wanted to dance with him, even though she’d never danced with a man. He pulled her into his arms, and they began to move together.
Esme took a step and tripped, accidently stepping on Jared’s foot. He grabbed her around the waist to steady her.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you? I’ve never danced,” Esme said. Her face warmed, and she lowered her eyes.
Jared put his hand to her chin and lifted her head to look at him. “You’ve never danced?” He frowned.
“Not with a partner. I’ve watche
d it on television. They always make it look easy. The cancer came along about the time my parents were willing to allow me to go to a school dance. Being sick, I never had the opportunity.”
“You are a natural, ma petit. Just let me lead you.”
§
Jared concentrated on the mating bond, following the link back to Esme’s mind. He joined their thoughts, pulling Esme into the connection. He sent her reassurance through the bond and began to dance, leading Esme around the room.
Through the heartmate bond, they became two pieces of a whole. Jared let the music take them. Esme responded in kind, her steps following his. She looked up at him, her face glowing with happiness, as he twirled her around the room.
He smiled in return, feeling her joy through their link. When the song ended, they were both breathless and happy. Several onlookers clapped for the two couples on the floor. Jared pulled Esme close to hug her. Being with her gave him such a sense of freedom—freedom to have fun and be Jared the man, instead of Jared the Alpha.
The next song started, a slow love song. Jared continued to hold Esme close. She put her arms around his neck and played with his hair. He moved her with the music, feeling each word in his heart. How lucky he was to have Esme as his mate. He sent his feelings through the mating bond, swamping Esme with love.
She gasped and stared into his eyes, her lip quivered. She pulled his head down and kissed him. This kiss was anything but tentative. Jared responded in kind, his wolf rising to the surface, hungry for its mate.
He licked her lips, demanding entrance. She responded immediately, her tongue dueling with his. Jared pulled her closer, needing to feel her pressed against him, needing her to feel how his body craved hers.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Jared growled low in his throat. “Here you are … I hate to interrupt, but the car is here, and if you don’t stop devouring each other, you might get yourselves kicked out.”
Reluctantly, Jared broke their kiss. Esme looked up at him, her eyes glassy with desire and her lips moist from his kisses. He glanced at Granger. “Do you know how lousy your timing is?”
“Well, that depends. If you want to be arrested for indecent displays of affection … This is England after all.” Granger smirked.
“Very funny. We weren’t doing anything wrong, and you know it.” Jared glared at Granger.
“Maybe, maybe not. But you were headed in that direction. Come on. The car is waiting out front. Time to get back on the road.”
Jared looked down at Esme. She gazed up at him, her eyes clear. He hated to let her go. Leaning down, he kissed her on the nose. “Our chariot awaits …”
Esme nodded, and Jared let his arms fall to his sides. She stepped back out of his embrace, then grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you, Jared. That was the best dance I ever had.”
“It was the only dance, ma petit louve. I’ll make sure, it isn’t your last.” Jared leaned close to whisper in her ear. “I liked having you in my arms.”
Esme shivered and licked her lips. “I liked it too.”
“Come on, you two. I’m feeling very left out here, you know. You two could burn the house down with one look.” Granger waved them ahead.
As Jared walked by Granger, he couldn’t resist teasing his friend. “Get a mate, Granger. Then, you won’t feel left out.”
Esme giggled. Her gaze went back and forth between the two men.
“Easy for you to say. The heartmate bond snapped into place for you two. I’m still waiting for mine.”
Jared wasn’t fooled by Granger’s teasing tone. He looked sad. “It will happen for you, Granger. I’m sure of it.”
§
Esme slipped into the front passenger seat, while Granger and Jared put the bags in the trunk. The suitcases had arrived from London, which was a relief. If Esme heard Granger complain again about not having clean clothes, she would scream.
The car the English Alpha sent was a good-sized sedan with leather seats. Esme didn’t look forward to being stuck inside a car for more than seven hours. At least, it was roomy.
Jared opened the driver’s side door and smiled at her as he got in. Granger climbed into the backseat, and they headed back to the M1 highway.
“We should be able to make Aberdeen tonight, if we don’t make many stops,” Granger said from the back.
“Well, then, I guess we push through. Everyone get comfortable.” Jared winked at Esme.
She reached over and patted his leg. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
§
Norris went from patient to patient, checking their vital signs and giving them the next dose of morphine. He hated knowing that pain would soon wake them from their drugged states. For the moment, everyone seemed fine.
Norris remembered how quickly Esme started feeling pain from the change as lycan cells spread throughout her body. He had sedated Esme, slowly working up to using morphine. Now, morphine was already in the patients’ systems. However, the more lycan cells there were in their bodies, the less time morphine worked.
He’d lied when he told the nurse the change could take as long as five days. Esme had shifted after a few hours. He didn’t want the nurse to make plans to transfer the patients. He wouldn’t be able to get them out if she suspected they would be changing that soon. He didn’t need any thugs forcing the wolves into cages.
A small moan came from one of the women, Miss Scott. Her head began to thrash as she awoke. Norris shuddered in sympathy. The pain must have been horrible to wake her. He walked to her bed and pressed the button for another dose of morphine. What he was doing was dangerous to a human, but it wouldn’t be long now before the patients were fully lycan.
He took the woman’s hand. “I know it hurts. When the pain is gone, the cancer will be gone, too. Hang on. Try to sleep if you can.”
Her silver-gray eyes looked up at him. Tears glistened in her lashes. “Thank you, doctor,” she whispered. Her eyes closed slowly as she drifted back to sleep.
§
Granger moaned in the back seat. Esme looked behind her, worried that something was wrong. Granger had fallen asleep an hour ago. Now, he seemed to be sweating. He moaned again. Esme reached over the seat and felt his head.
“Jared, Granger is burning up. I think he’s sick.”
“That’s impossible. Lycan’s don’t get sick. Granger, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”
Granger moaned again. Jared used his Alpha voice, calling to his friend telepathically as well as vocally. “Granger!”
“The pain. It hurts. I hurt all over,” Granger mumbled before he sat up. He blinked his eyes and looked around. “What happened? Where are we?” Granger rubbed his chest.
“Not far from the Scottish border. What is wrong with you? Should I pull over?” Jared frowned and looked at Granger in the rearview mirror.
“No, I’m okay now. For a moment there, I felt like I was someone else, or maybe linked to someone else. There was a lot of pain.” Granger shook his head, his hand resting on his heart.
Esme looked back at Granger and gasped. “Granger, look. A mating bond, at least a thread of one …”
“Holy heavens! She’s right. Great Goddess Asena, I have a mate …Wait, that pain I felt must be hers. We have to find her and help her. Something is really wrong.”
“Can you re-establish the link with her? It would help to know where she is.” Jared glanced back at Granger.
“Right. I’ll try.”
Granger closed his eyes and went into a trance. Esme knew some part of him wasn’t present anymore. Granger jerked, and his eyes flew open. “She’s with Norris. He’s doing something to her. I saw him for a moment in her mind, then everything went dark. I think he drugged her. I’m going to kill him. If he harms one hair on her head, he will answer to me.”
“Now, Granger, we don’t know that my brother is hurting her. He could be trying to help her. Did you see anything else?” Esme asked.
“Well,
they did seem to be in a clinic of some kind. Maybe you’re right, Esme. I’m sorry if I jumped to conclusions.”
“It’s okay. I understand. Congratulations on finding your mate. Here, have some water.” Esme handed a bottle of water to Granger.
“I haven’t found her yet. But I will.” He took the bottle and downed half the contents.
“You can follow the mating bond to her. She can’t hide from you,” Jared said.
“And if she’s with Norris, we can find him too.” Esme smiled.
Chapter Seven
Norris sat and put his head in his hands. Things were getting progressively worse. All the patients were in extreme pain, and a morphine dose alleviated the pain for only a very short time. Nurse Campbell had come in to help and now washed the patients with cool cloths.
In a few hours, morphine would be useless. Shifting into a wolf would be the only thing that would help after that. Esme accomplished it the first time on her own, probably by accident. Then, she hadn’t known how to shift back to her human form. She stayed in her wolf form for three days before she could shift back.
Norris got up. “I’m going to get something to drink. I’ll be right back.”
The nurse nodded and watched as he went down the hall. Norris hurried to the room where he and Nurse Campbell changed into scrubs. The nurse hadn’t noticed that Norris watched while she opened her locker and put away her things, including the key card to the door. He quickly turned the dial of her locker and took her card out. He put it in his pants pocket.
He grabbed a bottle of water and made his way back to the patients’ rooms. The three men didn’t seem to be reacting to the lycan cells quite as quickly as the women. Morphine still worked to some extent in the men. Norris wasn’t sure why. Was there something different about the cells Pierre donated?
§
Granger writhed on the back seat of the car. Sweat dripped from his face.
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