by Kate Douglas
Tinker frowned. Obviously he didn’t get it. Before Lisa could explain, her wolven ears picked up a distant rumble.
Tinker spun his head around and looked toward the closed barn door. “Damn it, Lisa. You be careful or I’m going to be so pissed at you.” He winked at her to take the sting of his words away, and shifted. Tinker was even more beautiful as a wolf than he was in human form. Lisa watched him drift silently into the shadows toward the back of the barn.
An errant thought flitted through her mind: The few days since she’d first shifted had been so busy, she and Tinker still hadn’t had sex as wolves. The first time didn’t really count, since her shift had occurred in the midst of her climax.
As sexy as he looked as a man, he was even more luscious as a wolf. She stared into the shadows where he’d disappeared, imagining his wolven body covering hers, wondering what the difference would be, what it would feel like to have that powerful wolven cock fill her. It certainly gave her something to look forward to, once this whole mess was cleared up.
You guys okay in there? Sounds like someone’s coming. Tia’s soft voice filled Lisa’s mind.
Luc’s mental voice was firm and powerful. Lisa recognized the traits of a natural leader in everything he said and did. Now that she’d seen Luc in action, Tinker’s love and respect for the man made even more sense. Even if you’re a long way from us, Luc said, Tia and I will be able to pick up your mental voice, so don’t forget to project. We’ve learned to work together to increase our power to both read and transmit.
We’re fine, Tinker said, his words echoing in Lisa’s mind. Lisa’s in her cage, and I’m in position. Tia, have you got a read on the transmitter?
Working perfectly. Be careful, Tink. We love you both.
I love you, too. Can’t wait until Lisa gets to know both of you a whole lot better.
The sexual innuendo in Tinker’s slow comment took some of the pressure off Lisa. If he was back to thinking about sex, he must not be as concerned as she assumed he was about potential problems.
Tinker’s soft voice wiped out that reassuring thought. I love you, Lisa. Now, please, don’t worry. I’m doing enough of that for both of us. His laughter rolled through her mind, a gentle balm to her suddenly ragged nerves. Remember, he said, we’re professionals. Pack Dynamics does covert government work all the time, and we’re damned good at our jobs.
Do you wing it on those jobs?
No, sweetie. Never. We always have a plan. You come up with one yet?
I’m working on it. Lisa sensed Tinker transmitting his thoughts to her on a tighter range, unheard by either Luc or Tia. She’d have to learn how to do that. There were so many things about this body she didn’t understand. For now, though, she felt warmth blossom in her chest at the concern in his voice as she crouched down in her cage and waited.
Lisa tried to spot Tinker on the far side of the barn, but he stayed to the shadows where he blended completely. Luckily there was enough junk in here to give him plenty of hiding places. If she couldn’t see him with her enhanced Chanku vision, she doubted anyone else could either.
The sound of a vehicle grew closer. Lisa realized she was shivering, whether from fear or an excess of adrenaline she wasn’t sure. She hoped Luc and Tia were hidden well enough. They’d parked off the road, but in an area where they should be able to get out quickly enough to follow whatever vehicle hauled Lisa away. Tinker would follow close behind, staying to the woods and relaying directions to Luc and Tia; then, when they finally got out of the maze of fire and service roads and reached a main route, he planned to get in the car with them while they followed Lisa’s captors as closely as possible.
The barn door slid open, creaking loudly on rusty hinges. The sun had risen, and the two men coming through the door were backlit by the bright rays. Lisa couldn’t see them well, though the silhouette of one of the men looked vaguely familiar.
Once they stepped beyond the glare, she quickly recognized Charles Dunlop by the style of his stride and the shape of his protruding belly. He appeared to be armed. When he passed through the door into the barn, she saw the gun more clearly but had no idea if it was loaded with bullets or darts. The other man wasn’t familiar, but he was large and powerful-looking and made the hair on Lisa’s neck stand up. She growled, a low threatening sound that rumbled up out of her chest.
It sounded so great and felt so good, she did it again.
“Look at this, Bill. The kid was right.” Dunlop squatted down in front of her cage. “This one is wild. Beautiful. See, there’s no tag in the ear. I had no idea there were any wild wolves left in this part of the country. Someone’s going to pay top dollar to hunt this little bitch.”
Hunt? Lisa sent her comment to Luc and Tia as well as Tinker. You were right, Luc. It’s Dunlop and one other guy. That’s why the wolves have been disappearing. They’re prey.
Remember what I said about Dunlop’s hunting preserve? You’d fetch a lot of money from some jerk who wants to hunt a wild predator.
Oh, Luc…you’re such a sweet talker. Lisa relaxed a bit more when everyone laughed at her silly comment.
Bill, the large man with Dunlop, kicked Lisa’s cage. She snarled and threw herself at the metal door, assuming that was the reaction he wanted. Dunlop grabbed his arm. “Hey, don’t do that. I don’t want her pelt damaged. These guys pay the big bucks for a good trophy.”
“I wanted to see if she had any spirit.”
“She’s wild. What do you expect? Back the truck up to the door so we can load the cage. It’s heavier than it looks.” Dunlop walked away, headed in the direction where Tinker hid in the shadows.
“Yeah. All right.” Bill squatted down and stared at Lisa for a long moment. She pressed her nose against the bars and stared right back at him, but kept a low, threatening rumble emanating from her gut.
“You think you’re so tough.” He punched her through the slats so quickly, Lisa didn’t have time to move. She yelped in pain when his big fist connected with her nose.
Tinker charged out of the shadows and grabbed the man by the back of his neck. He had him down, throat bleeding, before Lisa had time to react.
Dunlop raced across the barn, aimed his gun and fired. The dart caught Tinker in the left shoulder. He released his victim’s throat and snapped at the dart, but he wasn’t quick enough, and he couldn’t reach it.
While Lisa watched in horror, Tinker snapped ineffectively at the dart, snarled, and lowered his head, and then slowly folded in upon himself. She cried out, silently, to Luc and Tia. Her plea was met with a stunned silence.
Lisa threw herself at the locked gate, biting and snapping at the metal, fighting the need to regain her human form and merely open the lock.
Dunlop yelled at his assistant to quit griping and help him. The man rose slowly, holding a hand over his bleeding throat. “What the fuck do you want me to do?”
Dunlop glared at him. “I told you to leave her alone, damn it. Find the spare portable kennel. It should be big enough. One of those for carrying dogs on planes. Should be in one of the stalls at the back of the barn.”
“That damned wolf almost tore out my fucking throat, and all you can think of is a carrier?”
Dunlop laughed. “Quit bitching. There’s a bonus in it for you if we get this beast caged before the tranquilizer wears off. Do you have any idea what one of our great white hunters would pay to hunt a male wolf in his prime? This animal is gorgeous. I’ve never seen one this big and healthy.”
“He fuckin’ tried to kill me. What if he’s rabid? The fucking thing might be rabid!”
“I’m more concerned about what he might’ve caught from you. Get moving!” Dunlop laughed as his wounded assistant lurched toward the back of the barn in search of the carrier. Lisa snarled and bared her teeth, but both men ignored her. She searched frantically for Tinker’s thoughts and found nothing except the profound lack of his presence. Whatever drug coursed through his system had knocked him completely unconscious.
Lisa stayed in his thoughts, hoping her voice would be the first thing he heard as consciousness returned. He couldn’t shift. She wouldn’t let him.
The cage holding Lisa along with Tinker’s oversized carrier were loaded in the back of a newer four-wheel-drive pickup, then covered with a blue tarp. The first part of their trip along the service road was fairly rough, but Lisa felt the change immediately when they turned onto the highway.
Luc? Tia? We’re on the main road. I think they turned left. Can you follow?
Luc’s voice filled Lisa’s mind. He sounded calm, self-assured. We’ve got you. Is Tinker still out?
I think he might be coming to. I hope he is. I hear him panting in the cage next to me, but I can’t see or read him. God, Luc…do you think he’s okay? What if they gave him too much of the drug? What if he doesn’t wake up? He doesn’t hear me when I try to communicate. If he tries to shift, he’ll kill himself. His cage is too small, it’s—
It’s okay. I see the truck. You’re about a half mile ahead of us. Hang in there. Keep talking to him. Let him know he can’t shift now. We won’t let anything happen to either one of you.
Tinker sensed the walls of the carrier first, the closeness of the space that held him, and immediately recognized it as one of those portable kennels for transporting large dogs. He almost shifted but figured he needed a clear mind before attempting anything.
When in doubt, don’t. He would have grinned if he’d had lips instead of a muzzle. Ulrich Mason’s oft-repeated words of caution popping into his head were stronger than his desire to touch the world with human hands.
He saw vague images of two men in his mind’s eye, and the taste of blood was rich and coppery in his mouth, but he couldn’t recall why. His memories were cloudy and indistinct. Awareness drifted away, then returned, like ocean tides carrying little bits of clarity back with each wave. Faintly, as quiet as the beat of a butterfly’s wings, Lisa’s voice spread over his consciousness.
He felt her love, felt the strength of her fear. Heard her warning in time with the beating of his heart.
Don’t shift. I love you, Tink. Please don’t shift.
Lisa?
Tink! You’re awake! I’ve been so worried. Are you okay?
Yeah. I think so. He tried to stand up, but the carrier was too small. He stretched his legs as best he could, discovered his parts all worked, and curled back up into a fairly compact ball for a wolf his size. Everything seems okay, but I’ve got really tight quarters. Doubt I could shift even if I wanted to. How long have I been out?
Not long. Maybe a half hour or so. Luc and Tia aren’t very far behind us.
Good. What direction are we heading?
North, I think. Maybe northeast. I can’t tell for sure because the tarp they threw over us blocks out the view. Is that where Dunlop’s hunting club is? At least now we know for sure it’s Dunlop.
Yep. That we do. That’s the right direction. It’s about an hour’s drive from the sanctuary, according to Luc. Luc?
I’m here, bud.
Tinker felt himself relax. Good. There was no need to say more. His packmates were close by. They would help him keep Lisa safe.
As if she sensed his thoughts, Lisa’s voice filled his mind. You did that on purpose, didn’t you, Tink? You got yourself captured on purpose. How could you?
Tinker almost laughed. He might need Luc and Tia to keep him safe from Lisa. She sounded totally pissed right now.
Well, that bastard made it so easy. No point in denying it, I guess, but think, Lisa. How could I not? I love you. He crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin on his front paws. No way in hell would he let her do this on her own. She was his mate, even if she didn’t understand the rules. One of these days she’d figure out what the whole bonding thing meant.
Chanku mated for life. Lisa was his, and he’d die protecting her before he’d let anything happen.
Tinker felt confirmation from his packmate. Luc understood, though Tia’s grumbling was almost audible in the background. Tinker imagined she was talking privately with Lisa, most likely complaining about the bossiness of men. He sighed. Lisa on her own was bad enough. Add Tia Mason to the mix and he was in deep shit. Sighing again, Tinker rested his chin on his paws and listened to the sound of the wheels on the pavement.
Chapter 10
Lisa couldn’t believe she’d actually fallen asleep, but the sound of tires on gravel awakened her to the reality of thirst and stiff muscles and the fact she was still a wolf.
Tinker? Luc? Tia? Are you guys there?
Right next to you, sweetie. I wondered if you were going to wake up.
Tinker! I can’t believe I fell asleep. Are Tia and Luc close?
About a mile back. I think we went through a security gate a while ago. They have to hide the car and come in on foot. Luc said the property is heavily guarded and fenced, but they’ll figure out a way to get inside.
Lisa sighed and wished she could stretch. It was hot in the cage, and she worried about Tinker, shoved into a pet carrier much too small for his large wolven body.
The truck rolled to a stop. A minute later, the blue tarp was pulled off the back of the truck. Lisa almost sighed with the welcoming blast of cool air. They’d stopped in front of a large shed, and she immediately quit worrying about the size of the carrier and lack of air.
Two men came out to the truck hauling a large cart. Lisa and Tinker both growled. The men came to a halt. “Two? I thought you only needed one.”
Dunlop walked around the side of the truck and stepped into view. “They’re wild. Seth darted the bitch last night, and the male was in the barn this morning. I have no idea how he got in. Must be a loose board somewhere, but he’s probably her mate. We can charge five times the regular rate for this pair, and I bet we’ll have a waiting list.”
“When do you plan to turn them out?”
Lisa recognized Bill, the one Tinker had bitten. He’d joined the other three near the back of the truck. She noticed he wore a blood-soaked scarf tied around his throat.
“Not right away. I want them used to the area. Plus they’ll need enough time for the drug to get out of their systems. Put them in the holding pen for now.” Dunlop turned away and moved out of Lisa’s line of vision, but his voice carried. “And, Bill, keep your hands off those two. I don’t want anything to happen to either one of them. Any injuries, any problems, you’re out of here.”
Tinker snarled, as if adding emphasis to Dunlop’s words.
One of the two men with the cart yelled out to Dunlop. “You want them in separate pens?”
“Nah. It’s obvious they’re a pair. Put them together. We can advertise the chance to hunt a pack. Make sure they get fresh water.”
Is there any time limit on how long we can stay in wolf form? Lisa braced herself as the two men unloaded her cage and placed it on the wheeled cart. She was facing away from the truck, though, and couldn’t see Tinker when they moved his carrier.
I don’t think so. Oof. Jesus, you think they’d be a little more careful with my precious hide.
Lisa heard a deep snarl. You okay?
Yeah, they just tilted it wrong. Anyway, I’ve been on assignment with Luc where we worked the whole job on four legs. Two, sometimes three, weeks.
“Be careful with the big one. He looks really pissed.”
Lisa heard laughter, but she couldn’t see who was talking.
“Wouldn’t you be, too, if someone stuck you in a carrier this small? Ya know, I sure wish we didn’t have to do this.”
Lisa felt the cart jerk forward.
“You’re not getting cold feet, are you? I told you exactly what this job entailed, and you sure seemed excited about it when you started.”
“They’re just so damned beautiful. I hate to think of some rich bastard blowing them away just for the thrill of killing something smarter than he is.”
“Hey, you got the mone
y, you can do whatever you please. Look at Dunlop.”
“It’s even worse with him. He’s already rich. He just likes killing stuff.”
“Nah, he just likes the power. Likes having something other rich guys want. In this case, it’s endangered species to hunt. C’mon. We’ll put them in the pen on the north side. It’s big enough they can stretch their legs, and there’s plenty of shade. Ya never know. Smart as these critters are, they might just get away.”
Laughter rang out. “Yeah, or kill the son of a bitch who ends up hunting them. Did you check out Bill’s throat? I’m kind of sorry the wolf missed.”
“He’s such a bastard.” More laughter. Lisa heard grunting and groaning as her cage was shoved up against a wire kennel door that appeared to open into a small room of some sort. The door opened just as someone banged loudly on the back of her carrier. Lisa was out of the cage, through the shed, and standing in a large fenced enclosure before she even realized she’d moved.
Tinker joined her a moment later. They both turned around at the sound of the door slamming shut. Come on. Wild wolves would run. Look nervous.
Shit. That’s easy. I am nervous. Lisa took off after Tinker. He raced into a small grove of trees, then came up short on the other side when he reached the fence. Head down, feet pacing a steady rhythm, he followed a well-worn track around the perimeter of their pen.
Lisa followed, though she managed to glance around at their surroundings. Their pen was fairly large, the size of a typical suburban backyard. An eight-foot-high chain-link fence surrounded it, and there were at least two gates with padlocks on them and on the door into the enclosed shed where they’d first been released.
Even in human form, Lisa knew she’d have a tough time getting out of this one. She sniffed the air and realized there recently had been other animals inside their pen, not all of them wolves. Lisa didn’t want to think of their fate. She wondered where Luc and Tia were, wondered how long Dunlop planned to hold them before turning them out for the hunt.