Pressing his lips to his mark on my neck, he rested there. “She loves you, Maeleigh. Remember that.”
I allowed myself to savor the moment, even while keeping the urge to turn and kiss him at bay. “I know.” He moved then, drawing my shirt to the side to reach the other mark, his wolf’s mark. Instead of kissing it though, his tongue tasted it before he rested his mouth over it, mimicking the bite with his fangs, lightly holding there, causing a warm shiver to course through my body. His chest rumbled in appreciation. Reaching behind me, I speared my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck, encouragingly.
The hand wrapped around my waste tightened as he used the other to guide my face to the side. He released my shoulder and brought his mouth to mine for a devouring kiss. I sighed into him, letting the moment take me away from my thoughts.
***
I woke up to Gearden jerking my shoulder. Still blinking everything into focus, I saw him yanking on a shirt as he peered out the window. Something had happened.
“What is it?”
He turned to look at me, waiting as I pulled a large hoodie over my head. When my head popped back into view, I grabbed my phone before taking his offered hand and we raced for the stairs.
“A car just peeled out of here like a bat out of hell.” He took care to lead, keeping his body in front of mine.
“What? Was it someone we know?”
At the bottom of the stairs, he stopped before turning the corner to the hall, which led to the foyer. He glanced at me before he checked the corner. “I don’t know.” His whole demeanor had my wolf at the forefront, anticipating a fight. “But it left something behind.”
Not knowing what he meant, I followed him around the corner and to the foyer where the front door stood wide open, someone had turned on a spotlight. When the hell did they get a spotlight? I could see shadows of people running back and forth. I felt like I was in a trance, watching the light rapidly blink as shadows crossed it.
“They need help. Stay here.” He didn’t wait for my reply before he jogged outside. I made quick work of the last remaining feet to the doorway and peered out. I could see Danny, Jolleen and Liam crowded around someone on the driveway, a few feet from the steps. Catching something from my peripheral, I looked up in time to see Brianna launch herself at me, giving me a hard hug.
I felt her chin move against my shoulder, and I knew she said something. I didn’t fault her for momentarily forgetting that I couldn’t hear her. When she pulled away, I signed, “ARE YOU OK?”
Thankfully, she remembered that little bit that I’ve taught her so far, and nodded, shaking her right fist to sign, “YES.”
“What happened?” I asked her, signing simultaneously.
I could see she took a moment to gather her thoughts and what signs to use to help her explain. “MAN…HURT…UMM… CAR.”
“WAS HE DRIVING?”
She shook her head vigorously, holding her hand up again, pinching her thumb and two fingers together to say, “NO, NO, NO.” She struggled with the next words.
Finally, I took pity on her, “JUST USE LETTERS.”
Relieved, she started to sign each word using the alphabet. Slowly. “BEATEN. PUSHED. OUT. CAR.”
My eyes rounded. “WHO?”
A sad look crossed her face. “JERRY.”
Turning back to the scene on the driveway I saw Liam crouch down to lift the man. With the assistance of the others, they got him up from the hard ground and slowly made their way to the door. Bri and I shuffled out of the way, closing the door as they all came inside. Ro came down the stairs just as they were passing him on their way to the kitchen.
“What can I do?” I asked Bri as we both followed them in.
Ro said something to Bri and she answered as she got information thrown at her from Gearden. She looked at me from the other side of the table and pointed to the door, then signed, “LOOK OUT FOR DOCTOR.” I nodded and went back to the door to stand on the porch. Once I was stationed, my eyes glued to the bottom of the driveway, my phone vibrated in my sweater’s front pocket. After I pulled it out, I saw the message someone sent me from an Unknown number. It read: SOON.
My head jerked up and I looked around, as if I might spot them lurking nearby. But I didn’t see anything other than the trees and bushes swaying in the gentle breeze. I took a step off the porch to, I don’t know what, maybe go looking for something that probably wasn’t there, but I didn’t get the chance. A car turned up the driveway just then, halting me. When it pulled up and the doc got out, he waved me over to hand me a large medical bag, he’d come prepared.
I led him back to the kitchen, where he took over the situation, getting information from Liam as he, too, gave directions, sending out orders for people to get or do things. Seeing the room was crowded, I left it and went into the living room to sit and wait on the formal couch there. Recalling the message, I pulled out my phone and looked it over, double checking the number, confirming that it was blocked, no way to track it. There was no doubt in my mind the message was referring to what was done to Jerry.
I stared down, unseeingly, at the foreboding words. It was only when movement caught my eye that I snapped out of it and looked up. Ro had come in, followed by Bri. Ro didn’t bother to sit, propping himself up against the wall instead, crossing his arms across his chest. Ignoring his brooding, Bri came to sit beside me, giving me a comforting smile. “Is he okay?” I asked her.
She shrugged, the smile fading as worry marred her features. “They aren’t sure.”
I didn’t ask for details, knowing I could get more information from Gearden or Liam whenever they came back out. It was an hour, probably longer, before Jolleen stepped out. The tank top she wore had blood smeared on the front, worrying me more than I was before. Bri and I stood up in anticipation while Ro pushed off from where he stayed that whole time, at the wall. “How is he?”
She tilted her head, and I readied myself for the worst. When she spoke though, I couldn’t make it out. Bri’s body seemed to loosen though, so I hoped it was good news. Turning to her, she clarified, “He’s going to be okay.”
I let out a relieved breath that seemed to shudder, almost like a nervous laugh. Thank goodness. As Bri and Ro surrounded Jolleen, bombarding her with questions, I didn’t feel left out. Rather, my mind turned to think on something else. Why did I feel so attached to Jerry? I barely knew the man. He wasn’t even a part of this pack.
“My pack.” Luna’s voice had my back straightening.
“What?” Luna’s words didn’t just confuse me, it sent a shiver down my spine.
But he’s not. He’s a rogue.”
The challenging growl that echoed in my head made me jump. “Pack.”
I guess it didn’t matter to Luna that he wasn’t a part of McIntire pack. She’d claimed him. Now, to figure out what the hell that even meant.
“Maeleigh?” Gearden’s mind touched mine, searching me out.
“I’m here.”
“Jerry’s awake.”
“Oh, thank god. I was so worried—”
“He’s asking for you.”
“What?” To say I was confused would be an understatement.
“Come into the kitchen.” I didn’t think to deny him. Like Luna said, he was pack. I could feel it.
The kitchen was still now, giving the man on the table room to rest, I assume.
Gearden looked up from his seat next to Jerry’s head, Liam was speaking with the doctor near the stove. The other man had a cup of coffee he was warming his hands with as he spoke with the alpha.
“It’s okay.” Gearden nodded to Jerry, who turned to look my way. His face was nearly unrecognizable. A long gash on his left side marred his flesh from temple to cheek and caused the eye to swell shut. Though, it could also have been the fact that it looked like someone used his face as a punching bag, too. His nose still had blood draining from it, and the white of his other eye was bloody from popped vessels. I didn’t dare look at the rest of him
for fear of what other damage I’d find. My stomach was already cramping from the looks of the horror someone could inflict on another.
At my approach, Jerry tried to sit up, rapidly saying something to me, drawing my attention to a split in the corner of his lips when he winced instead. Shaking my head, I rushed the rest of the way to him. “Don’t,” I said. Despite my words, he tried again, only, when he opened his mouth to speak, he halted and turned to Gearden, saying something to him instead.
“He wants me to interpret for him,” Gearden told me and he nodded to the other man.
“They took my family,” Gearden relayed for him.
All the things I imagined him to say, that was not it.
“What? Who?” I clasped his hand, holding it tight.
“Vic. He has them at his compound.” The agony on his face clenched at my heart.
I pressed my other hand on his forehead, careful not to touch his wounds. “Why, Jerry? Why did they take them?”
He winced, but it wasn’t from pain this time. “Because they know I’ve said something to you, about the Hunters. Vic said it was to teach me a lesson.”
Confused, I frowned at him. “What makes him think he had any sort of loyalty from you?” I seethed. It didn’t make sense. Other than to just be cruel, what did Vic have to gain by taking Jerry’s family?
“It doesn’t matter to him. He still believes I should have joined his pack. I’ve offended him. And no one offends the Westboro alpha.” The direness in his words was carried through by Gearden and I felt a shiver run through my bones. The urge to tuck into myself and avoid all of this was there, but Luna helped me push it back.
“You don’t belong to him.” I told him, my throat untightening.
“No, I—”
“You belong with us.” Gearden’s eyes flared at my words but I didn’t waste time to explain myself. Removing my hand from his head, I clasped his between both of mine, squeezing it. I felt a promise come from me into our link. I’d find his family and bring them back. It wasn’t just Luna speaking either. We were going to return his family. I released his hand and stepped back, looking to Liam who was now starring at us, more than likely having listened in on the conversation. I didn’t shy away from it though. I lifted my chin daringly. Would he refuse Jerry from the pack?
Sensing my concern, he looked to Jerry. “You’re a McIntire, Jerry. You and your family.”
Relieved, the tension in Jerry’s body leaked out, allowing him to close his eyes.
Liam looked to the doctor who said something.
“The doc wants us to let him rest. He and Dad are going to move him to the guest room upstairs.”
Nodding, I walked towards the living room once again. “We’ll let the others know, the Callway’s, and my dad,” I told him. At the doorway, I peered around the corner to see him still standing at the table, staring at me. “I’ll have Bri call the others.” Leaving him there, I met the others, finding Jolleen missing though.
“What did he say?” Bri asked as she approached me.
“Vic has his family.”
Bri gasped as Ro cursed and rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. I felt Gearden enter the room behind me. Looking back at him, I raised a brow. “I called Shane. He’s going to call the others, tell them to meet us here.”
“What’s going on?” Bri glanced between us both. I let Gearden answer though, remembering that he was alpha, like his dad.
“We’re going after Jerry’s family.”
Ro dropped his hand and stood tall; his brows drawn together in a resolved look.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gearden
Eyes bouncing around the room to gauge everyone’s reaction, Bri finally spoke. “That would mean declaring war on the Westboros.”
I wasn’t sure if Maeleigh understood her completely, but she looked at me in concern. I wonder if she knew that’s what her promise to Jerry had meant when she gave it. Probably not, but I doubt my dad would argue. He’d just proclaimed Jerry and his family as McIntires, and we protected our own.
“They’re holding members of our pack hostage,” I told her. Ro was already on board, I just waited to see what Bri’s move would be.
I didn’t have to wait long. She narrowed her eyes at me, understanding clear in her expression and nodded. “When do we leave?”
“Soon.” Mom walked in then, wearing a clean shirt. The tense energy in the room was enough to put her back up. “Dad’s claimed Jerry as pack. Vic’s kidnapped his family.”
“Did you call everyone?” Just like an alpha’s mate, she was already on the same page as we were. I could hear Dad’s footsteps coming down the stairs then. Turning to Maeleigh fully, I looked her up and down. Her wolf was close to the surface, I could feel it. “Are you ready for this? There’ll be fighting.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Luna’s prepared. And I don’t think either of us would forgive myself if I stayed back.”
Remembering Dad’s words to me when Maeleigh was taken just a few weeks ago, I looked into her eyes. “We do this as a pack, Maeleigh,” I warned her. She’d never been on a hunt and had only shifted once. She could either be a liability or an asset, if her wolf really was a Luna. No matter what her wolf’s strength, if she went about it solo, she could get herself or anyone else killed.
The nod she gave me was firm, the message received.
Dad strode in, having already changed out of his bloody clothes and into a pair of slacks and a navy polo shirt. All eyes went to him, but he looked at us expectantly. “Well, fill me in.”
I did. It didn’t take long since not much has happened just yet, but he approved of it all. Maeleigh may have overstepped herself, especially since she didn’t quite have a ranking yet in the pack, but Dad didn’t argue. I could see the admiration she had for him for that alone.
My ears picked up the sound of a vehicle outside.
“They’re arriving,” Bri said, heading for the door. We all followed her. Shane parked his old mini cooper tight against the garage door. Before he popped his door open though, another car zoomed in beside him, a fancy Volkswagen. Once the second was parked, both drivers and passengers climbed out, including from the backseats. Caleb arrived with Kassady and Freya and Shane came with his dad, Zeke, and Jackson. An old, grey wolf came trotting up the side of the driveway, padding up the stairs. I looked down at him as he glanced up at me. “Hi, Grandpa.”
He licked my hand and proceeded inside. He no longer participated in the hunts, not usually. Whenever there was a hunt, he usually stayed home to watch over the young ones, including Rowen.
I could hear mom talking to him inside, giving him instructions. More cars arrived, unloading even more wolves and druids. When Ben arrived in his BMW, I looked over my shoulder to Dad. He calmly looked back at me. “He should be here.”
Damn it if he wasn’t right. He should be here, but that didn’t make it any less uncomfortable. I looked back to Maeleigh who was just now stepping out behind me. Her gaze immediately found her dad and she watched him with sadness in her eyes. Ben glanced up then and spotted his daughter from across the drive and gave her a small smile. He hung back though, waiting. I wasn’t sure what exactly he was waiting for, but I appreciated the distance. He wasn’t alone for long, though. A few seconds later, the Callway three approached him. They looked refreshed and ready. No, more than that, they looked excited. Like they’d been waiting for a hunt like this to come along for ages.
So, they were that type, I thought.
Grayson sauntered over to talk to Dad.
“Do we know where we’re going?”
Liam didn’t move from his spot on the other side of the door, unwavering. “The Westboro compound is known.”
The other alpha treaded lightly, I could see, trying to gain information but still remain respectful. He was a guest. He didn’t have to go along with us. But I think Dad picked up on the eager anticipation him, Adam and Sharla were emanating. “Well, we’ll take your lead, Liam,” he sai
d, holding his hand out to him. Dad nodded and briefly shook it before Grayson went back to his pack members to wait. Ben hung back with them, I noticed, and that was fine by me. I hated all the secrets he was keeping from Maeleigh, as well as Dad. The pack was now in danger because of what Maeleigh was, and we weren’t even sure we knew more than the enemy. It wasn’t right and I didn’t blame Maeleigh for keeping her father at a distance.
“Should he come with us?” Dad’s question broke me from my perusal of the four standing on the outskirts of the growing crowd of McIntires.
I didn’t need to play dumb. He knew who I was throwing daggers at with my eyes. Sighing, I looked over at him. “He’s a good fighter and knows his magic.”
“I’m just not so sure that’s a good thing.”
Shrugging, I gazed back to the other man. “We’ll see, I guess.” I knew Dad was only asking me about Ben to feel out whether my thoughts were similar to his. I was always an alpha in training, which I took seriously.
A new thought came to mind before Dad approached the large group of people gathered together below the steps. Maeleigh would do well to have similar lessons.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Alistahr
I hate the damned cold. I was Summer fae, damn it, I didn’t belong in the damned cold. Cinching up the zipper to my oversized coat up my neck, nearly tearing off a piece of skin there, I climbed the steps to the queen’s rental once again. The regal looking brick building was one of four others attached to one another. Queen Selena didn’t travel away from faerie often, but when she did, she liked to stay in the old houses. Go figure. I’d bet money that she felt a connection to the old spirits that resided in them. No one knew how old she was, but she was there when fae was segregated from the upper world. Usually, I kept my distance unless she had a paying job for me. As the Unseelie ruler of all those who chose to deflect from the obligatory underworld prison and live above, it didn’t matter that I was a Summer faerie. Light or dark didn’t matter after you left the arms of your people. The peace treaty with the humans required us to live in our magical hills and never to leave. Never to see the sunlight again. And I couldn’t do it. We all didn’t survive though. Like I told Ben and his daughter, those who strayed away from the queen, turned into something else, no longer faerie.
The Chase: Book 2 in The Hunt Series Page 16