Checkmate

  — From the Journals of Aster Ardennes

  Marten distracted himself from the discomfort of the growing distance between himself and Millie by concentrating intently on the road. He glanced over at Adam sitting next to him in the passenger seat. The man had offered to drive, but Marten hated having anyone else at the wheel. Bill and Larry were still back on pack territory. They were wanted in the U.S. for skipping bail after that moronic shoot ‘em up at the hardware store. Even though he’d been ready to wring both their necks for that fiasco, he wasn’t going to risk them getting caught.

  Adam was a fine replacement. Better than most, probably. A little young, mid-twenties probably, but most of his guys were young. The older ones tended to succumb. But Adam was intelligent and thoughtful about his actions, something Marten was learning to value more and more as time went on. And he didn’t need to fill every second of silence with the sound of his own voice. Which was a relief. Although right now, the distraction might have been welcome.

  “Tell me about this territory of theirs,” Marten finally said. He could feel Millie’s anxiety grow as the distance between them stretched, and it was making him a little twitchy himself. Why was Millie so nervous around the pack? She must know he would never let anything happen to her.

  “It’s well-situated. About twenty miles south of the Canadian border. It’s not huge; nothing like what we have, but it’s nestled in a particularly rural area of the Adirondack Mountains and encompasses a valley that runs north to south. There’s a small river that runs right through it, and they have fencing and perimeter alarms ringing the entire property.” Adam turned to him, and Marten spared him a glance. “It’s a nice setup.”

  The man was clearly impressed. Marten quashed a sudden spurt of annoyance. Adam had to be a skilled tracker to have discovered all that—without triggering any of those alarms—and Marten needed men like him. What he did not need was any more of his People admiring Lucas and his achievements.

  “How many men does he have?” He regretted the question as soon as he asked it. It made him sound insecure, but it was too late to bite it back.

  “It’s hard to be certain. They’re very careful about coming and going, keeping the windows up to prevent their scents from giving them away, and of course, they have tinted windows. Don’t get me started on the evasive maneuvers they do before returning to the territory. But we’ve been able to identify several of them from a distance in town and match them up to their vehicles.”

  Again with the admiration. Marten felt a low growl try to rumble up his throat and swallowed it down. But not soon enough. A sudden blast of worry and confusion flooded the bond. Millie’s anxiety was like an itch just under his skin that he couldn’t scratch, but this was even worse. He tried to send reassurance down the bond, but he wasn’t sure it was working.

  Adam seemed to take his silence as disapproval, his scent taking on just a hint of concern. “If I had to guess,” he continued, “I would say about seven or eight males and two to three females, max.”

  That snapped Marten’s attention back to the truck. “That’s all? Are you sure?” He’d lost almost a hundred People over the past six months.

  “Well, it’s hard to say for sure, but the numbers are somewhere around there.”

  Marten met his eyes briefly before silently turning back to the road. That wasn’t what he’d been expecting. The little prince didn’t seem to be picking up too many of his castoffs. Marten was leaving his new mate—upsetting her—for this? Maybe this was a fool’s errand.

  But no. He couldn’t let this go. He needed the Lore Master at the very least. And even if the others decided not to return, they deserved to know about the dangers. The risks. Lucas couldn’t get away with all his lies and deceptions.

  And the little Lore Master. That was one defection Marten couldn’t let slide. He was Dean’s Alpha. And Aster’s too. He suppressed a grimace. It was still hard to come to terms with how close he’d come to making such a huge mistake with her. But fate had intervened. The smaller man should never have been able to beat him, and Marten wasn’t one to ignore the obvious.

  So he’d stepped aside and said the words. Asked the Maiden to bless their union. That had to count for something. Because a pack the size of Mont-Tremblant would be lost without a Lore Master. And the Maiden knew Marten had missed out on even the most basic training.

  Adam had settled back, leaning his head against the headrest. The man showed promise. Clearly he could sense when his Alpha wanted to think. Marten could feel Millie mirroring his determination and allowed his shoulders to relax. He was doing the right thing. Being Alpha meant not always having the luxury to do what you desired. There were responsibilities. But he was used to things being difficult. The anxiety slipping through the bond began to ease and Marten wondered if his own uncertainties had been adding to her concern.

  He really needed that Lore Master. Having left his pack at thirteen, he’d never attended the training that all youths went through around sixteen or seventeen. He had only a vague understanding about the mating bond. What knowledge he had managed to acquire centered around the pack-bond, which had been essential for survival. Millie deserved a mate who wouldn’t make her transition to pack life more difficult with his ignorance. At least he seemed to be doing the right thing now, because it almost felt like the distance between them had stopped growing. Or even… as if it were lessening?

  Marten growled to himself and pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway. A sudden shot of fear coming from Millie had him gritting his teeth and doing his best to send reassuring thoughts her way.

  “What’s happening?” Adam sat up straight and peered around at the darkness off to the right and then the cars’ headlights as they sped past on the highway. The two other vehicles traveling with them pulled over in front of them.

  “We’re waiting for someone.”

  There must have been something in his tone that discouraged questions, because Adam sank back into his seat without a word, pulling out his phone and punching in a text. Marten ignored him. Now that he was concentrating on her exact location, he could feel that Millie was moving. That she was getting closer. That she was coming to him.

  He sighed. He probably never should have left her. That was likely something he would know if he’d received the proper training. He hadn’t even realized the People could mate with humans, could bond with them, until they’d discovered the lure woman. Marten rubbed his forehead, wondering if that knowledge might have changed things. Made it possible for him to form a pack years ago.

  It doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t have Millie then. But another voice reminded him, maybe Gary wouldn’t have died. Because new packs might eventually succumb to the Sickness, but it didn’t happen overnight. Forming a pack created a cushion, maybe even a period of decades before the trouble started.

  Could it be that upstart Lucas isn’t such a fool after all?

  Marten let out his breath and leaned back against the headrest. Millie was coming, but it was a very uncomfortable feeling knowing she was out there alone. Without the protection of Pack. He fought the urge to turn around and go to her. But with the divided highway, he was afraid they would shoot right past each other. So he gritted his teeth and did his best to send positive, welcoming thoughts along the bond. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away.

  ** *

  Cray held Elizabeth’s hand as he pulled her through the mudroom door and out into the night. He was trying hard not to lose his mind at the thought of leaving in just a few short minutes, and she knew it. She’d made meatloaf for dinner, which for some reason she’d decided was his favorite meal. He liked her roast beef just as much. And her barbeque brisket. But he knew she’d made the meatloaf just for him. Maybe to soothe him? That was the feeling he was getting through the bond.

  Of course, he hadn’t let her out of his sight since her homicidal ex-boss had abducted her almost three weeks ago, so there had been a lot of soothing vibes coming down
the bond lately. It almost made him smile—Elizabeth, soothing him—but not quite.

  That guy, Greg, the ex-boss, was still out there, and useless Detective Anderson had absolutely nothing to report when Cray had called the man this morning. You’d think one import/export executive wouldn’t be all that difficult to locate, but apparently, Greg was in the wind.

  Cray tried drawing in a calming breath, but it didn’t work. That had been a very bad day. They had snatched Elizabeth right off the street. He’d never felt such mind-numbing fear in his life— and he hoped he never would again.

  Elizabeth made a noise and tried to pull her hand from his, and Cray loosened his hold. “Sorry.”

  “No problem,” she said, gently extracting her hand and rubbing it.

  Damn. “Did I hurt you?”

  “Nope. It’s fine.”

  Cray tried not to watch her surreptitiously shaking out her hand.

  “So. Aster is going with you. I wasn’t expecting that.”

  He shrugged, wishing that weren’t the case. “We have a lot of facilities to cover. He needed the manpower. Or, I guess womanpower, in this case.”

  “Mmm…” Elizabeth said noncommittally. “I wish you weren’t going. I can’t help worrying. It just seems so dangerous.”

  Cray gave her a bland look, and she blinked up at him innocently. She didn’t fool him. She was just trying to distract him from the grinding fear, the gnawing panic the idea of leaving her was causing him. It was so strong he couldn’t completely block it from the bond, and he knew she was feeling it. He put his arm around her shoulders and tucked her in close to his body, walking them around to the front of the house.

  “I’ll be fine, Elizabeth. You know I will be fine.”

  “You better be.” She poked him, none too gently, in the ribs with her fingers. Elizabeth could make a weapon out of those things. “Or I am going to be pretty ticked off at you, mister.”

  He grinned down at her. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay then.”

  “Okay then.”

  They continued walking, the just-past-full moon bathing the grounds in the cool glow of moonlight. After a moment, Elizabeth spoke again.

  “There’s just one thing I can’t figure out.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Aster. Why did she say that to me? That I was keeping you guys in line? I mean, it’s true, but how would she know that?”

  “Oh, that’s easy.” He paused for effect, turning to face out over the river and fighting the smile that tugged at his lips. The meadow grasses waved in the moonlight, the Rabbit River tinkling softly as it meandered over rocks.

  “Do tell,” she said with another poke. Again with the fingers. But it was gentle this time.

  Cray grinned. “She was acknowledging you as the pack’s dominant female.”

  “She what?” Elizabeth broke away from his hold and spun to face him. “What do you mean?”

  She was beautiful, standing with her back to the moon-drenched meadow. The warm light coming through the porch windows cast her features in a soft glow. He shook his head slightly.

  “Really, Elizabeth?”

  He leaned in and kissed her gently while she stood there speechless. She was still gaping at him when he drew back. It made him smile, and his heart clenched, just a little. “You are the dominant female. Anyone can see that. Feel that.”

  “But… But… Aster is like a queen. And she’s a— you know, a Moon person. How can I be the dominant female?”

  “Ah… Yes. That’s quite an honor. It means she thinks you’re doing a good job.”

  “But— how would she even know?”

  “Anyone can feel it, Elizabeth. The pack has a warm, comforting, welcoming feel. You do that.” Pride and a little bit of exasperation tinged his words. How could she not know this?

  Elizabeth opened her mouth, staring at him in disbelief. “I don’t do that. That’s everyone.”

  “Trust me, Elizabeth. You do a lot of it.”

  He pulled her in close and sighed, wrapping both arms around her and resting his cheek against the top of her head. This woman. This human. So strong. And she didn’t even realize.

  He let her familiar scent envelop him, surrounding him like the deep silent recesses of the primeval forest, its hidden dark secrets alive with mystery. The light fragrant notes of lilies of the valley floated above the more earthy tones in complete harmony. He breathed it in. Elizabeth.

  He held her for a long moment before pulling back. “That’s another reason Lucas let Aster come. He trusts you to keep everyone together. Comfortable.” He thought briefly of Mari. “Safe.”

  “Me?” Her voice squeaked a little. “Lyla is the one who’s going to keep everyone safe.”

  He pulled back and looked down at her. “You do it too, okay? Keep everyone in the pack house, lock the doors, and whatever you do— don’t tell ghost stories.”

  That got the smile he was hoping for.

  “Got it. No ghost stories.”

  He smiled down at her, trying to ignore the twisting in his heart. Then he pulled her in for one more tight hug. If Lucas was leaving Mari undefended, Cray would have to find the strength to do it too. The very existence of the People was on the line.

  But it felt like something had grabbed onto his soul and was trying to pull it out of his body through his heart. He gritted his teeth and released Elizabeth, turning them back toward the porch.

  It was time.

  Chapter 26

  The word Equality in chess refers to a point in the game when neither opponent has the advantage. This can change on the very next turn as one player or the other either improves their position or takes the initiative.

  — From the Journals of Aster Ardennes

  Millie arrived with a screech of brakes and a torrent of emotion. She was out of her car—the car she insisted on bringing to Canada with her—almost before it came to a full stop. Marten scrambled out of the driver’s side door and rushed to meet her before she got hit by one of the cars speeding along the highway.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing, Marten Shaleback? You were just leaving? After all your talk about— forever? And then you just get in your car and leave?”

  He could feel her confusion and hurt, but for once Millie had let her worry slip to the background and hit him with a solid blast of anger. He wasn’t prepared for it.

  He took her by the upper arms, pulling her with him off to the side of the road while she pummeled him in the chest with her diminutive fists. They were surprisingly fierce and effective, forcing Marten to rock back under the onslaught.

  “Millie, I told you I had business to attend to. I told you I would be back by morning.”

  “Business? Business? What kind of business has you seething with anger and resentment? I’ll tell you what kind! The bad kind! And you never said you were going so far—”

  She broke off, sobbing, and Marten enveloped her in his arms, feeling completely lost. What had he done wrong? He wasn’t sure.

  “This is your fault. All of this is your fault. These crazy feelings, these wild emotions, this weird connection, forcing me to feel your feelings—to miss you—to need you near me, and you just get in your car and leave?”

  The last word was almost a wail, and Marten had no idea what to do.

  “No. No, Millie. I wouldn’t leave. I was just…” leaving. Shit. I left her alone in a situation that she has no understanding of. A place where she knew no one and made her anxious and afraid. I should be whipped.

  “I have some important business. I never wanted to leave you. I didn’t want to make you unhappy. I was coming right back. Millie,” he drew back and shook her gently. “Millie, come on, surely you know I would never want to make you unhappy. Never. Say you forgive me.”

  “Well, I don’t. How dare you drag me off to Canada to live with—werewolves—” She broke off and stomped one of her small feet for emphasis, “—and then just leave.”

>   She looked up at him through wet lashes, her green brown eyes glistening with tears, and he felt a stab straight to his heart. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. And then she stabbed him again with her next words.

  “And don’t tell me you weren’t up to no good. Because I felt it. Marten, we are now a team, and if you think I am going to stand by and let you make all bad choices—”

  “No. No, Millie. I’m not up to… no good. I’m doing pack business. Important business.” But inside he was wincing. He sincerely hoped she never found out about Aster…

  “Prove it. Take me with you.”

  Marten stared at her for a moment, his mouth partially open. When had his little Millie gotten so fierce? “Okay.” He paused for a moment, trying to think how he could make this work. If she stayed in the car… “Okay, I will. Come, Millie. Come ride with me. I will have someone come get your car and take it back to the territory. Will that be all right?”

  She gave him a long, assessing look. “Okay. I guess that’s fine.” She sounded grudging, but he’d take it. They slipped the keys under the mat and Marten made the call to have Bill send someone to collect it. He got back into the driver’s side of his SUV, with Millie settled next to him in the passenger seat.

  He glanced cautiously at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring stoically ahead. He wasn’t positive he wanted alone time with her just now—it would give her the opportunity to prolong their fight—but he’d sent Adam to another car anyway. Just in case Millie had more to say to him. He was preparing to pull out into traffic when Adam trotted back and poked his head in the window.

  “Boss, just wanted to let you know I got a report from Henry. I left him to watch the front gate. There’s a lot of activity right now. Five different vehicles just left the territory. Not sure if that’s significant or not, but I thought I’d let you know.”