BlackWolf Preserved

by Sydney Addae

  “Wait. Why did I go there first?” It made no sense to her.

  “To see if they recognized or accepted you as Pack.” The look he gave said she should know that.

  It never occurred to her. “Did they?”

  “No.”

  “Come I will show you to your room.”

  “I... I...”

  He pulled her close and held her tight. “Goddess I missed you, Kira.”

  Her beast howled as the link between her and her father opened. A sea of love, pain, sorrow, guilt and fear surged through their link, causing her to lose her balance before he shut it down.

  “Thank you, Goddess,” he whispered and wiped his face while she struggled to remain upright. “Come, your belongings have arrived, I’ll show you your room.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  HAWKE, STORM, AND RENEE arrived in Honduras early the next morning and were met by Duke and taken to the Alpha house. Storm entered Raven’s office to pick up her scent. Renee sat on the corner of the desk watching him work. Hawke remained in the living area examining the Liege devices Lucian had confiscated while Duke leaned against the wall watching Storm.

  “How long ago did she disappear?” Renee asked.

  “The last time I saw her was two nights ago at dinner,” Duke said. “I talked to her the next morning. She said she’d be working from here.” He pointed to her desk.

  Storm leaned forward, brushed his lips against Renee’s, turned and left through the sliding glass door. Renee and Duke stared at him until he was out of sight.

  “When Lucian said La Patron would send Storm, I said a prayer of thanksgiving. If anyone can find Raven, Storm can. He’s phenomenal,” Duke told Renee as he closed and locked the sliding door.

  “He’s a Hunter. A special breed the Goddess created to help Alpha Nikolas. Razor too. That’s why they’ve always been really good at it,” Renee said, proud.

  Duke whistled. “Never heard of anything like that. No one tells us anything. It feels like we’re step-kids or distant cousins left in the dark. We didn’t know anything about the Liege either.”

  Renee’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

  Duke shook his head. “Now this. Raven’s missing.” They entered the living area and strode over to Hawke. “Anything?” Duke asked.

  “Old technology. Haven’t seen these in decades. They still work but they were using improved models decades ago. Wonder where they even found these,” Hawke said staring at the device in his hand.

  “This isn’t what they used to break our links? Or erase her scent?” Duke asked.

  Hawke shook his head. “No. Give me an hour to break this apart. I want to see what they used to make it.” He shook it a few times. “Seems heavier than I remember.” He pulled out his tools and got to work.

  “Duke said they didn’t know about the Liege,” Renee said a few moments later. “How’s that possible?”

  “Alpha didn’t know about it either until he met Asia. Even then he didn’t know much. Not until she rescued Rese and stayed behind,” Hawke said.

  “Wait, Asia rescued Tyrese? When? Where? I can’t see him being captured by anyone. Rese is one tough hombre,” Duke said.

  “Some Princess wanted him to be her prince. He said no,” Renee said with a breezy wave.

  “Princess? Prince?” Duke said as he sat across from her at the table.

  “She had nothing to do with the Liege though,” Renee said. “Hawke was using that reminder as a point of reference for me. The reason I asked how it was possible for Duke and Lucian not to know about the Liege is that they’re BlackWolves in Alpha Nikolas’ line. Konstantin set things up, and he was only involved because of Alpha Nikolas.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Duke said.

  Renee patted his hand. “I know.”

  Hawke continued breaking down the device until all the pieces lay on the table. He examined each piece, grinned and put a part into his pocket. He picked up the next device, broke it apart, searched through the pieces until he came to a particular part, and placed it in his pocket.

  “You find something?” Duke asked.

  “One second,” Hawke said as he broke down the last two devices and placed two parts into his pocket. When he was done, he sat at the table and looked at Duke. “May I have a bottle of water, please?”

  Duke jumped up. “Sure.” He left the room, leaving Hawke and Renee alone.

  “You found something?” Renee asked.

  “Yes.” Hawke stared at the pieces on the table and contacted his Alpha.

  “Hawke?”

  “Sir. Someone is using old Liege equipment to ship parts.”

  “What? What kind of parts?”

  “I’d say for other devices but can’t be sure. Someone’s probably stealing these parts and don’t want to get caught so they send them here in these old models. Who’d pay them any attention? Lucian and his crew have no idea about the Liege. If you hadn’t seen and confiscated those pieces during your vacation, someone would have a stockpile of parts with no one being the wiser.”

  “Any idea who’s coming for those parts?”

  “Not at the moment. I’ve collected five parts and will be able to tell more once I’m in the lab. Storm’s tracking and I’m going to answer Duke’s questions regarding the Liege.”

  “Good. Have him open a channel with Lucian or you do it so you only need to tell them once. I should hear from Storm soon. Have you heard from Thomas?”

  “Not yet. They’re heading to a small town in Northern Italy to check out the last name on Angus’ list. Thomas will scan his memories and let us know if he had anything to do with Lucian or any Pack,” Hawke said taking a sip of water.

  “Sounds good. Talk with you later.”

  “Thank you,” Hawke told Duke.

  Duke nodded.

  “Would you like to link with Lucian for the information regarding the Liege or shall I?” Hawke asked.

  “I’ll link with him. He’s installing an Alpha and may need to step aside for a moment,” Duke said.

  Hawke nodded and glanced at Renee who remained quiet. Once La Patron gave Hawke and Storm instructions to come assist Alpha Lucian, Renee had asked if she could come. Hawke was pleasantly surprised when Alpha permitted her to tag along given her previous behavior. Since she had been rude to him and Asia during her parents’ vacation and punished for it, she had been skittish around him, not saying much.

  Duke nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  “Since Renee’s already mentioned the connection to our clan, I’ll start there. Alpha Nikolas and Konstantin were paired. It’s a process that links a human and full-blood, extends the human’s life, gives them extra abilities, that kind of thing. This happened during a time with mages and sorcery and the Goddess allowed it. It’s no longer permitted.” He looked at Duke who stared wide-eyed at him.

  “Alpha Nikolas was concerned about his Pack, his kin and used a ritual to protect his lineage. We learned from the Goddess he was the only Alpha who sought Her help to save his Pack. Otherwise, there would be no BlackWolf Clan. Be glad you’re in his line,” Hawke said.

  “Ecstatic,” Duke said with a look of amazement.

  “Konstantin wanted to make sure we always had land, food, protection, forests, and set aside money for that purpose. He also charged a group of men, his roundtable, to oversee it in case anything happened to him. We recently learned, Alpha Nothwulf killed Alpha Nikolas through unsavory means not long after the ritual. Konstantin died a month later.” He met Duke’s fascinated gaze. “That roundtable turned into the Liege.”

  “What?” Duke jumped up, mouth agape.

  Hawke nodded and shared how they created an agreement with the Alphas to assist them, then found loopholes to use Pack members in experiments. Developed devices and equipment to use against Pack and humans and sold their services to the highest bidder. Hawke didn’t spare himself either. He admitted to working in the Liege’s labs, creating equipment, showed Duke the scars from his man
y surgeries, explained how the computer chip controlled him, shared how they bred him without his knowledge. An hour and a half passed before Hawke stopped, took a deep breath and met Duke’s shocked gaze.

  “Any questions?”

  “I... I can’t imagine.... Had no idea any of this was going on against our Clan. And this was legal? They had an agreement that allowed them to enter Pack lands?” Duke asked.

  “Yes. However, very few newer Pack Alphas knew of the agreement. I suspect Granira brought it to our attention so Clell could become Alpha. Once we learned of the contract and that they’d violated it, we broke it. Asia killed most of the Liege. A few newer ones are locked away in her father’s dungeons. But the ones who authorized and benefited from the experiments during the time I was there are all dead,” Hawke said.

  “It’s unbelievable,” Duke whispered while staring at the floor. “That’s the evil coming here? Someone’s resurrected them and moving to Central America?” He looked at Hawke.

  “I don’t know,” Hawke said.

  “What did you find in those devices?” Duke asked.

  “Parts.”

  Duke frowned. “Parts? What kind of parts?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll know more when I get them back to the lab,” Hawke said.

  “What’s going on?” Duke asked, his gaze flew from Hawke to Renee and back to Hawke. “Is someone after my brother? Or La Patron?”

  “Why do you think they’re after my Dad?” Renee asked.

  Duke met her gaze. “Central America.” He held his hands close together. “North America.” He opened them wide. “We’re small potatoes and on La Patron’s borders. Whatever severely impacts us will leak onto his lands.”

  “Mexico, you mean?” Renee said.

  Duke nodded. “He’s Alpha over that continent.”

  “I don’t have an answer to your question, Duke. But we’re looking into it. Alpha Lucian and La Patron are working together for answers,” Hawke said.

  “I know and we really appreciate the help,” Duke said.

  “Help? What kind of help?” Grandfather said entering the room. He walked toward Renee smiling. “Such a treat to have my beautiful granddaughter here for a visit.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek.

  Renee grinned after kissing his cheek. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Hawke. Duke.” Grandfather looked around. “Where’s Lucian? Storm?”

  “Lucian has an Alpha installation in Costa Rica,” Duke said.

  “That’s right,” Grandfather said taking a seat near the table. “Where’s Storm?”

  “Hunting. Raven’s missing. We haven’t seen her since that last time you were here for dinner,” Duke said.

  Grandfather’s smile vanished as he leaned forward. “What? Missing? What kind of missing?” He looked at Hawke and then Duke. “Where is she?”

  “We received a note saying she was safe and would be returned later. Storm is searching for her now,” Duke said.

  “Why wasn’t I called?” Grandfather demanded.

  Duke stared at him. “We didn’t know when you left.”

  Grandfather stared at Duke a few moments and leaned back in his seat. “My apologies. Razor, my grandson fought and won the Alpha challenge of Alpha Nikolas’ Pack. Once I learned he would compete, I believed he needed my support and left to see... I should’ve told you.”

  Duke waved his hand. “You don’t report to me or Lucian.” Neither do we report to you was left unsaid.

  “If anyone can find my sweet Raven, Storm can,” Grandfather murmured. No one spoke. “Why did Silas send you, Hawke?”

  Hawke waved at the piece on the table. “To examine the old equipment.”

  “And to explain to us about the Liege,” Duke said in a huff. “Someone should’ve told us how dangerous they were before Raven was taken.”

  “What? Are you saying there’s a connection?” Grandfather’s gaze narrowed on Duke.

  “We cannot link to her. Her Alpha’s link is broken,” Duke said. “Who or what else could do that?”

  Grandfather’s gaze widened. “Broken?” he whispered.

  “Blood calls to blood and we cannot find her,” Duke said.

  Grandfather opened his mouth and closed it. “You told them about the Liege?” He looked at Hawke.

  “Yes,” Hawke said as he contacted Silas to listen in on the conversation.

  “There were things...,” Grandfather shook his head. “This is a mess.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” Silas asked Hawke. “He looks scared.”

  “I don’t know for certain but I think he’s upset I told them about the Liege,” Hawke said.

  “Why? Never mind, I’ll talk to him in a few minutes once I’m done here,” La Patron said.

  Renee looked up, stood and walked down the hall. Moments later, Storm returned with her. He looked at Grandfather for a brief second and nodded. He spoke to Hawke and La Patron.

  “She’s not here. They took her away in an airplane. I checked the flight log for the past two days. There were no flights to Argentina. The private flights were to New York. From there they could go anywhere. I have the flight log information so those flights can be checked.”

  “Good work and thank you,” La Patron said. “I’ll talk to Lucian. We’ll make plans and let you know what to do.”

  Storm took Renee’s hand, and they left the room.

  “What happened?” Duke asked.

  “You’ll need to speak to your Alpha,” Hawke said. “Remember, this is an Alpha to Alpha collaboration.”

  “Yes, right.” Duke wiped his face. “It doesn’t look good. I mean, he didn’t have Raven with him. Where is she? Who took her and why?”

  No one answered.

  Minutes later, Duke walked out the front door, down the steps and ran toward the forest.

  “One, two, three, four—” Hawke counted silently.

  “How much did you tell them? About the Liege?” Grandfather asked as he moved to sit at the table with Hawke.

  “Mostly my personal story,” Hawke said as he stacked the devices to the side of the table.

  Grandfather closed his eyes and looked as if he was in pain. “She didn’t want them to know the details. Just an overview.”

  Hawke didn’t ask who She was, he knew.

  “She gave specific instructions not to tell them everything. She doesn’t want Lucian distracted, that’s why I haven’t over-shared and given a lot of information.”

  “Sir?”

  “Hawke?”

  “Seems the old man had been given instructions from the Goddess to give vague information to Lucian.” He told him what Grandfather said and allowed him to listen to the one-sided rant.

  “Now what am I supposed to tell Her? No doubt Lucian’s spooked. Duke’s running ragged in the woods. If this Pack fractures because of this I’m not responsible,” Grandfather hissed.

  “If you were here, you could’ve told me or my Alpha the Goddess’ instructions. But you were not. Lucian asked, and I answered. Your vague answers have confused him to the point he reached out and asked for help from someone else while you were supposed to be assisting him,” Hawke said, channeling his Alpha.

  Grandfather’s face stiffened in outrage as he glared at Hawke. “I know that’s you talking Silas and I hope you’re that bold when you stand before the Goddess to explain this.” He stood and walked out of the room.

  “Hawke, come on home. There’s nothing else you can do there. I’m sending Storm to Argentina to track whoever sent the envelope. It’s a long shot but we have to try. Jacques is looking up those private flights that arrived in New York from Honduras. One went to Athens, Greece. Another to Milan, Italy. Once Storm finishes in Argentina, I’ll send him to Milan and then to Athens if necessary. We’re not giving up.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A week passed and her father nor mother changed their minds about her remaining in South America for six months. Zoe refused to bring it up again and stopped t
aking her Mom’s calls. Instead, she caught up on her reading. There was a tap on the door.

  “Sir?” she said recognizing her Sire’s scent.

  “Come ride into town with me,” he said and walked off.

  Eager to see more than fields and animals, she jumped off the bed, looked down at her snug jeans and crop top. Should she change? It was so hot and her father wouldn’t crank up the AC as she’d asked many times. Instead, he had a ceiling fan installed in her room and turned it on. She looked in the mirror sideways and front.

  This would do. Grabbing her tablet, she stuffed it into one of her favorite large purses and closed the door. Tempted to lock it, she stared at the knob a few seconds.

  Two trunks with her clothes, shoes, books, and personal items arrived an hour after her father introduced himself, reminding her how completely she had been played. Several Pack members had made remarks over her having so many things, and a couple times her room had been entered when she wasn’t there.

  Since she had no key to unlock the room, there was no purpose in locking it.

  “Kira,” her father called, galvanizing her into action.

  “Coming.” With one last glance in the hall mirror, she walked downstairs and out the house. He stood next to a late model, black shiny truck talking to Thiago. He glanced at her, nodded and continued listening to her father.

  Zoe climbed into the front seat and turned on the car to start the AC. She slid on her sunglasses, placed the ear-buds in her ears and listened to music on her phone. Her father slid beside her and they drove in silence. The past few days they entered an easy truce. He didn’t bother her and she didn’t bother him unless there was something specific the other needed.

  In the distance, she saw a large building. It reminded her of one of those old Catholic chapels she read about in school. “What’s that?”

  “A chapel.”

  “You’re Catholic?”

  He frowned. “No. We follow and worship the Goddess. When I moved here from Honduras, I built that in honor of your mother. Her father was a priest for the Goddess for many years. No one goes there now.”