by Jana Leigh
She looked at Teagan and frowned. There was a rustling outside of the door and she turned ready to protect her Alpha and mate. In her hands were both of the guns she had taken with her to the challenge. She wished she really had used them when they found out what was happening. It would have solved a lot of problems. Her father came in the door and held up his hands.
“Lower them,” he ordered and Cloe snapped back and put the guns back in her pockets and turned back to Quin.
“What’s going on out there?” Cloe said quietly and began hooking things up.
“Braden took Hope,” her father said quietly. They heard Quin’s heart rate speed up like he could hear what they were saying.
“Fuck.” Teagan said. “Where are Cami and Jaden?”
“Searching. But that is not why I came by. They called from the compound and are bringing Jo and Tey’s twins here right now,” her father said.
“Shit, where are they hurt?” Cloe said close to tears. She was holding it together by a thread and hearing about Hope and then the twins; she was about ready to lose it.
“No, no. They’re not hurt. Apparently while you were all gone up at the challenge, they healed Jordan, I mean healed like completely. So they’re bringing them here to see if they can help Quin.” Her father said.
Teagan stood with his mouth open and Cloe shook her head. “Really?”
“Crazy I know, but I guess each of the Chosen’s children will have other powers. I can’t wait to see what yours will do.” He smiled and she felt a twinge.
There was a flurry of activity and she saw Jo and Tey racing in, each with a child in their arms. They both looked grief stricken even though they held their children. She suspected that was what the rest of the Council would look like too. They had become a family in the last year. It was going to be bad if something happened to one of the children.
Christian held out his hand and put it on Quin’s face. She saw his heart rate slow down and the blood pressure lower. Then Cassandra put her hand on the Alpha’s chest and hummed. Cloe watched closely and after a few moments, she saw Quin’s heart rate grow stronger. It was working. Quin moved his head a little but the children yelled and Tey reached to his friend and whispered to him, “Hold still for a second.” Quin nodded and remained still and the room was silent. Finally, the twins took their hands off of their Alpha, sighed, and promptly fell asleep in their parent’s arms. Cloe stepped up and took the vitals of the babies; she needed to make sure they had not done anything to hurt themselves. But they were just asleep.
Teagan helped Quin up and then he roared in anger. The babies jerked a little but were too tired to respond to their Alpha’s call. He looked at Cloe's father and said, “Help me get the word out for the Council to return to the Council meeting room.” He snarled. “I am going to get my mates, and then we are gonna get my daughter back.” They nodded and watched as Quin shifted and ran from the room. He was going to have a battle ahead of him getting Cami and Jaden to come back to the meeting place.
***
Ruby looked down at the two small babies that lay on either side of her. Levi had gotten her cleaned up and propped up with pillows against the wall so she was at least a little comfortable. He had done so well, even when she screamed at him that it was his entire fault that she was pregnant and alone. She could tell that it had hurt him a little when she had said it but before she could even apologize, the next pain had hit. She knew that she would deal with it when he came back in from taking out the sheets.
He had been so calm and loving, she felt like they were truly connected now. When he saw his son born, he had cried and laid him gently on her stomach before catching their impatient girl who came out only minutes later. He had fallen in love with their children at first glance and Ruby knew he would be a wonderful father.
Levi would do everything he wanted his father and mother to do with him as a child.
She could see the giant softy playing dress up and tea party with their girl and then catch with their boy. It would be a great life.
Levi walked back into the house and smiled at her. “All cleaned up. We are gonna have to get to Cloe and go to the clinic soon. I have not heard what is going on yet. I will not leave you, but we may have to chance it in the car.” He said and came to her side and put his hand on their daughter’s head. They had a list of names but they would not actually name them until Reggie was here. It would be wrong. But she looked down at her children and smiled. She knew the perfect names but she wanted to share it with both of her mates at the same time.
“Well, we do what we have too. I’m scared about what is happening back at the Bed and Breakfast. I have heard howling over the last few minutes and I know something has happened,” Ruby said.
Levi nodded and then kissed her gently. “I just want to tell you again how proud I am of you, how much I love you. I adore our children and Reggie. I promise to be a great father and husband from here on out. My kids will never wonder whether I love them,” he said and kissed both of their sleeping heads.
Ruby looked at him with tear filled eyes and said, “Oh honey, I know that. I want to tell you how sorry I was for screaming at you like that during the labor. I would never want you to think this was your fault. You help deliver your children, there is no better gift. I love you and Reggie,” she said and sniffed. “Besides, if you had paid attention in class, you’d know that all women yell at their husbands when their going through transition.” Levi laughed and kissed her head and said, “Hey, I know, that I do remember from the class, never to take what women in labor say personally. I will admit that I did have a moment there, but it passed because I trust in you and our bond with Reggie. It is long lasting and secure. Besides, I kinda felt lucky you didn’t call me more names like Cloe is going to do. I really feel sorry for Teagan and Darien. Have you heard her cuss? Man they are in for it. You only called me a ‘dirty bastard’ a few times so I count myself lucky.”
Ruby blushed and hid her face for a moment. It had been funny, and Ruby had thought about calling him much worse, but she had not wanted to piss him off. “Let’s get this show on the road.” She said and then yelled in surprise when the front door burst open.
Reggie stood there panting, looking around wildly. His clothes were in shreds hanging from his body because of the fast shift he had done at the compound. Because Ruby had screamed, she woke the babies and they began crying. Reggie looked stunned and then walked slowly inside the room and knelt next to them.
“Shhh,” Ruby said bouncing them awkwardly. Levi took their daughter and moved around so he was next to Reggie. “Hey, Reg, say hello to our daughter.” Reggie smiled and kissed the top of the now quiet girl. “She’s so tiny, is she okay? I guess I know who she’s going to favor,” Reggie said softly.
“Nah, she’s gonna be a daddy’s girl. Both daddies. Tea parties and all.” Levi said and looked at Reggie and smiled. “I love you,” he said firmly.
Reggie’s eyes widened and he responded instantly. “I love you too.”
“Here, hold your son.” Ruby said and held the now quiet boy out. Reggie took him gently and held him close. Ruby put her hand to her mouth to keep from crying or laughing. She did not know which because she felt so many things right now. They were finally all together and safe.
“Wow,” Reggie said and kissed his son. “Wait,” He said and looked around the room.
“Where is the doctor?”
Levi laughed and kissed his mate again and said, “You’re looking at him. We had a few problems at first cause you know how I was freaked out by the whole video thing. But thank the Gods our little mate here can multi task. She walked me through it while calling me a mother fucker and a dirty bastard.”
Reggie threw back his head and laughed. “Nice. Well we certainly make some beautiful babies. Shit, babies,” Reggie said and looked sad. “We have to get back to the Bed and Breakfast. They took Hope, Cami is freaking out, and Jo’s babies are glow worms that heal so Quin is almost back to n
ormal but pissed and I’m pretty sure they were saying something about a lynching. So we gotta move.”
Levi jumped up and said quickly, “Let’s go. We have to help the Council, they are our family. I will not let them down.”
Reggie nodded and felt something significant had happened while he was gone, but they would have time talk later. For now, he had to agree, they needed all of them around to help right now.
Levi bent and put their daughter back in Ruby’s arms and then lifted both of them up and carried them to the car. Reggie and she settled in the back and Levi jumped in the front seat.
“Let’s go.”
***
Roarke carried the still sleeping child into the small apartment Barbara lived in. The older woman was pacing and talking to herself. He shook his head and looked around for Lola.
“Barbara?” Roarke said and the woman stopped and focused on the child sleeping in his arms.
“Oh, is it Reggie’s?” She said excitedly.
Lola came in from the other room and looked at the child distastefully. “Really? I thought we were getting those women. I would have preferred it. Just so you know, I do not do diapers.”
Barbara glared at the other woman. Lola had been getting on her last nerve; first, she insults her son and now this. She longed to rip her throat out. “Shut up you bitch.” Lola growled and would have stalked over to the older woman but Roarke growled also.
She stood back and put her head down. Barbara turned again. “So who is this?” Roarke shrugged his shoulders and said, “It is the Alphas child but she will be our Master’s soon. Poor thing will be an orphan.”
Barbara frowned and said, “Braden? Well that is good, because Reggie will want to find a more appropriate wolf for a mate and have children.” She sighed and held out her hands. “But I will take care of her until the Master decides what he wants done.” Lola made a sound and then stomped into the kitchen again. Roarke rolled his eyes and said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Barbara nodded and turned with the child in her arms. Good, she was still sleeping, Roarke thought. That would at least last for a while. Maybe by the time she woke up, Braden will have made a decision about what he wanted to do. Right now, he was getting ready to call the Alphas. Roarke had warned him to make sure that he timed it perfectly. They could still be able to trace them. And since Braden was in the warehouse, they could find their headquarters.
“Lola,” Barbara said sharply.
The younger woman came back into the room looking bored. She had a glass of wine in her hand, sipped it slowly, and said, “You bellowed?”
“We need to find a place to lay her down. Go into the spare room and make a bed for her. I will have to get a crib up here quickly but for now making a pillow bed should do.” Lola rolled her eyes and walked into the spare bedroom where they had held Ruby and Reggie before. Lola tossed a few pillows on the floor and then kicked them until they were in a circle. Then looked at the old woman and left the room.
“Useless,” Barbara murmured and laid the child down and then went into the other room to call for a crib.
***
Bama watched from the roof top and saw then carry the small child out of the back seat.
Oh my Gods, they had not taken the women, they had taken a child. She shivered and then looked around. She could not wait. She had to get the child away from these monsters. She had to belong to someone at the Milliken compound.
Bama sent the pigeons to sit on the window sills and send her images of what they saw.
She put the much lighter duffle on the roof edge, shifted and flew off. She soared in circles overhead using the images from the pigeons to know when to act. Now, they’d left the baby alone in the bedroom. She swung over and picked up her bag and then dove down to the wide ledge off the bedroom.
She checked the window. It was locked. Palvo! She partially shifted her shoulders and arms, reached into her bag, and found her lock picks in the side compartment. She unlocked the window and then lifted it, shifting the rest of her body as she swung inside.
She landed and then her bag fell into the room with a small thump. The noise was small, but a wolf paying attention would certainly have heard it. She sprang into a Capoeira defensive posture but obviously, no one was listening, because she waited and no one came in.
She turned and opened the window wide and then walked to the floor where the child was sleeping. She went and looked down; she was so peaceful and beautiful. Bama smiled when the girl smiled in her sleep.
She quickly snatched a throw from the end of the bed and folded it into her duffel; she put it on the floor near the baby and stopped to listen. Still she heard the murmur of vices in the other room. The two women were at it again, hell, they fought all the time.
Bama leaned down and whispered into the girl’s ear, “Hey, baby girl. My name is Bama; I am going to take you to your mommy and daddy, okay? Just be quite while we get out of here.”
She saw the child’s eyes flutter and look at her confused. Then she looked around the room and back at Bama. She smiled and nodded. Bama let out the breath she was holding. What a good baby.
She lifted the child, put her in the duffle, and then lifted her up. “This may be a little scary, but I promise I will not drop you,” she whispered and went to the window and crawled out and stood on the ledge. She attached the duffel’s handles to her ankle straps with jesses and then shifted.
The pain in her legs shot up and she missed a flap. Damn it, she had put too much of a strain on the ankles she thought, Mildred had warned her not to push it. Bama looked to the sky and flew higher; she didn’t want Braden or any of his men to see in which direction she ultimately headed in, for now, she flew north.
***
Braden watched as the harpy eagle flew out the window and across the sky, holding the child in its talons. He panted heavily, still in his wolf form, trying to bring his anger under control.
“Well if you ask me, good riddance. We don’t want that baby, we want Reggie’s baby,” said Barbara, sitting across the room on the sofa, within minutes Braden was on her and had ripped out her throat. Not done, he sprang next to two guards. All the others in the room froze, not wishing to draw his attention.
Roarke made eye contact with two of his lieutenants and gave the slightest nod. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Braden shift. He had blood dripping from his lips and smeared across his neck and torso.
“Where is the loyalty!” he shouted. “Why can’t anybody follow simple instructions, once again our plans were defeated because I’m surrounded by cowards and idiots! Must I think of everything? Must I spell out each and every act I expect you to take?” He continued to storm back and forth across the room, ranting at the failure to successfully take Lacy and Jordan. “You imbeciles couldn’t even hold onto a baby! I told you to get all the children and you only bring one! And within an hour, you’ve lost her again to that fucking bird!” He didn’t even notice that as he continued around the room that he was walking through the blood of his own men. He kicked the bodies as he passed by again. “I will not fail! I will be the head of the New Council if I have to kill every man, woman and child in Milliken, Colorado! Well, except my mates.” And his ranting became muttering. “I must have my mates. They will give me the children I need, I will have the power…”
He stood naked at the window mumbling as Roarke, Lola and the remaining wolves inched their way out of the room. This was not the first time Braden had thrown himself into a rage, it was the first time he’d killed his own men. They all knew he’d stand alone and plot and plan for hours. Then he’d call them all together to give them orders, not even remembering what he’d done.
Roarke took the opportunity to meet with his two lieutenants up on the roof. He kept a wary eye on any birds in the vicinity and only saw the occasional pigeon. He’d learned that lesson well.
“Patrick, start moving the men out tonight in ones and twos. Have most travel by paw and the rest by ca
r. We want to leave most of the vehicles here so our leaving won’t be noticed.”
“Yes Sir, we have plenty of alternate transportation available in the new place.” Even here, they were careful not to name a city or state. They both spoke in soft voices.
“I’m sure the council will strike against Braden within twenty four hours. He won’t be aware we’re gone until he calls for help and there isn’t any,” annswered Roarke “I’ll leave last, after I’ve emptied the safe and uploaded the virus into the server. By morning all the files will be corrupted, there won’t be anything left for them to find, every connection will be gone.”
“We were careful, boss, even if they looked now, they wouldn’t find us,” promised Patrick.
“True, but this way, they’ll chase their tails for weeks, perhaps longer trying to recover data that isn’t there. By then we’ll be settled in and ready to begin with my plans. We’d better go back now, before we’re missed. You go first; I’ll follow in five minutes.” As Patrick walked back in to the building, Roarke took one last walk around the roof.
Nope, only pigeons and they weren’t close enough to hear. He threw a pebble at one and several of them flew off. That damn bitch is making me paranoid, he thought to himself and then turned to go in and pamper to the speedily falling, insane Braden once again.
***
Cami ran to the south looking for a scent of her child. She had to be here somewhere.
And when she found the bastard who took her, they would wish they were dead. She stopped and howled again. Her wolf was pushing her to run to Denver. And she would have if Jaden had not found her.