NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  “Let’s go talk to the team, babe. For right now that’s all I can promise; if there isn’t any other way, I will figure out a way to deal, okay?”

  “Thanks, Ethan. Hey, just think of it this way, if I can stand up to Matthias, the Overseer will be nothing.”

  “Yeah,” Ethan said, kissing her again because, hell, he just couldn’t help himself. “one day soon you’re going to tell me all about that, but right now isn’t the time, my little bad ass.” The smile Sophie gave him almost made up for the fact that Matthias had taken her, but almost wasn’t good enough.

  Chapter 25

  Walking out into the family room Ethan felt a little calmer, seeing Matthias’s bruised chin and split lip helped a little, but he and his bear wanted more than a few minor cuts and bruises. Matthias was standing away from Jacks, Wyatt, and Peyton. Like always, the man was a loner, he could have worked with them, tried to help them come up with a plan that everyone would benefit from, but as usual, Matthias had his own agenda. Ethan was going to make it clear that Sophie wouldn’t be playing a part in his plans, now or in the future.

  “You have gone too far this time, Matthias, even Senior would be disappointed in your choices. I think your self-imposed exile from our community and people have made you reckless.”

  Matthias didn’t say anything only looked at Ethan. Ethan knew this man, maybe not well, but he knew him. He liked being thought of as the boogie man. He liked the Shifter communities fear of him, and he wasn’t going to give it up anytime soon. Something had happened to Matthias to make him this way, he often wondered what that was and cut the guy some slack; not this time. Placing both Sophie and Peyton in danger was unacceptable, anything could have happened. Shit Peyton had been left drugged and defenseless. That needed to be addressed.

  “Mates are to be protected and cherished, that is crucial in our community, we won’t survive without them, and you threw that all away by putting both Peyton and Sophie at risk. You left Peyton here without the ability to defend herself if someone had come. You, no one else. I’m not even going to go into what you did to Sophie. You have played judge and jury for so long you have forgotten you have rules that you must follow yourself. If I could call another enforcer to judge you right now, I would. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Matthias didn’t make any outward moves to defend his actions, but Ethan had seen the slight softening of his black eyes, the man had regret, which was good enough for now. He hoped that in the future the man would think first before he acted. Endangering a true mate was sacrilege in their community, the penalty death. Ethan didn’t want to see the man dead, but he did want him punished, and he would be talking with Senior.

  Matthias might be the enforcer of the Shifter community, but Declan “Senior” Quinn was the Alpha. He ruled and governed with honor, something Ethan was starting to think Matthias had lost. Looking at Jacks’ bright eyes, Ethan knew that if Senior stood back and did nothing about this, then Alpha Team would be taking matters into their own hands sometime soon. Wyatt was just as pumped, holding on to Peyton like he was afraid she would disappear. Ethan knew how he felt, he hadn’t been able to let go of Sophie since Matthias brought her back to him.

  “Guys, I think I have something that might help,” Peyton said quietly. She didn’t need to speak louder, except for Sophie, they were all Shifters, so even if she had whispered, they would have heard. Ethan and the rest of them looked to Peyton, but Wyatt was still holding on to her; when she went to move, he growled and she cuddled closer, whispering in to his ear. Ethan shut his senses down; this was their moment, he wasn’t going to intrude. Wyatt let her go, but remained close. Peyton went to the kitchen island and turned her laptop around.

  “Sophie, is this the man who was holding you and has your sister?”

  Sophie’s gasp was enough to let Ethan know Peyton had hit pay dirt. Fuck, if she knew who the man was, she also knew where he was.

  “Before my little impromptu nap, I was just getting ready to call all of you,” Peyton said scowling at Matthias. Damn, Ethan was impressed with these woman, they confronted the most feared man in the Shifter community without even blinking an eye. Sophie went to leave his embrace, but he didn’t let her, needing to hold onto her a little longer. He expected a her to grumble or try harder to move away, but she didn’t. Patting him on the chest a couple of times, she got up on her tip toes, and Ethan met her halfway, so that she could kiss his lips.

  “I’m safe, it’s okay, but I need to look at that closer, can you let me?”

  Ethan did so, but reluctantly; damn, would this mating ever get easier, would he ever find a time that he didn’t need her close? He doubted it, but even Jacks said that once the bond was completed, his feelings would lessen. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad one. Sophie hadn’t experienced freedom in six years; would he and his bear be able to give her that or would they smoother her, making her less than the person she should be? Fuck!

  Ethan watched as Sophie looked at the screen, he smelled and saw emotions of every kind coming from his girl, and although he didn’t like it, he stood back, waiting to see what she needed. Waiting to see if she would shut down on him and herself, and just deal, or if she would reach out to him when the feelings became too much. When she walked back to him and buried her face in his chest, he had his answer; Sophie needed him. His dominance and presence soothed her as much as her presence and sweet demeanor soothed him. Taking a deep breath, Ethan felt like a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. Sophie might be a strong, formidable woman, but she would always need him as much as he needed her.

  “That’s him, that’s the overseer.” Bringing her head up, she looked him straight in the eyes, “We have him. I can get my sister and nephew back,” she said with tears in her eyes. “We have a chance Ethan, you were right, I should have trusted you, I’m so sorry.”

  “Babe,” was all Ethan said, but it meant so many other things. Hugging her close, he said to the rest of the people in the room, “I think it’s about time we got Sophie’s sister and nephew out of there. What do you think?” Jacks and Wyatt were quick to agree, and Peyton was grinning like the cat who at the canary. Ethan and Sophie owed her a lot.

  It only took them a couple of hours to come up with a plan and call in reinforcements. Charlie Team was going to assist if needed, but hold back until called in; they were in Ohio looking into known Pandora facilities. Matthias had stayed quiet, but Ethan kept an eye on the man. He didn’t doubt that the minute he stopped, Matthias would be out of there, trying to do the lone wolf thing. This was Ethan’s mission, and he wasn’t about to let anyone fuck it up again. He was in charge, even Jacks was letting him set up the rescue.

  Everyone separated off to get ready to hit the road; it would take them about four and a half hours to get to the facility which happened to be in Toledo, Ohio. The place was very close to where Emma had been held, and that concerned all of them. Julius Abernathy had contracted a couple of men to take Emma and impregnate her with Kenna. Abernathy was Ryleigh’s brother and one sadistic son of a bitch. He was dead now, but his fucked-up legacy lived on in both Ryleigh’s and Emma’s nightmares.

  Abernathy had ties to Pandora and Davis Defense; he also had ties to the Association Purist Shifter group. Hell, their own teammate Eli had been a part of the Association, and no one in Alpha had known it. That still burned Ethan’s ass to this day, and he knew the other guys felt the same way. But this Overseer, the one they were dealing with now, was different. Sophie had even said he had a connection to the Association, but wasn’t a part of them any longer. Did that mean there was another group out there gunning for them? Fuck, didn’t they have enough people to worry about?

  Ethan was watching Sophie get dressed, she was so beautiful to him. He was still drawn to saying, fuck it, and taking her the way. He wanted to cement their bond and move forward, but she had been right. To move forward, she needed her sister and nephew safe. He was going to give her that. Peyton had g
iven her some utility pants and a black t-shirt to wear; the clothes didn’t fit all that well, but they would do. This was a mission, and Ethan knew he couldn’t make her stay behind; none of them were staying behind. Maybe he could convince her to stay in the van with Peyton.

  “Don’t even think about it, Ethan. I’m going in with the rest of you, and we aren’t going to debate it. But after this mission, if you want to keep me in your chains, you won’t hear a word of complaint from me, deal?”

  Ethan loved her smile, and he liked what she was saying even more; he didn’t particularly like chains, but he had some silk ropes that would look gorgeous wrapped around her body. He liked the idea of Sophie tied up, helpless for whatever he wanted to give her, and he would give it to her, but only pleasure. She deserved lots of pleasure, and he knew he could deliver.

  “I’ll remember you said that, Pet, because when this mission is over, I plan to do all kinds of dirty things to this body,” Ethan said, rubbing his hands over her back, ending at her butt, cupping it, giving it a nice squeeze.

  “I’m looking forward to it, Master,” Sophie winked at him.

  Cheeky little pet didn’t know what she was asking for, and Ethan couldn't wait to show her. His dick was hard as stone, he wanted to throw her down on the bed and fuck her, but he wouldn’t short change either of them; there wasn’t enough time to do everything he wanted to right now.

  “Babe, we have to stop if you want to go on this mission because right now the only thing I can think of is getting you naked and feeling how wet you are for me.” Sophie laughed. Fuck, she was perfect. “Let’s get you some jewelry.” When Sophie looked at him confused, he laughed; it felt good to laugh. “Oh, I didn’t tell you about my toy box, did I?”

  “No,” Sophie said cautiously. Ethan laughed harder.

  “Don’t worry, this one is for missions, the other one is at home, and I plan on making sure you become very acquainted with it later; I think you’re going to like all my surprises.”

  Sophie looked down, but Ethan hadn’t missed the slight smile on her face, she was aroused by what he was saying. He went to his bag on the bed and started to pull things out, and Sophie, his little curious girl, started grabbing things.

  “Ethan these are so beautiful, but why in the world would you be carrying around jewelry? I mean I love it, but maybe we should just put it away for a time we could go out or something, I don’t want to ruin it.

  “You like it? Ethan laughed.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty but…”

  “Babe, these are weapons; watch.” Ethan pulled the gold necklace from its box and showed her how it turned into a garrote. He then explained the beads on the bracelet; each one had a different purpose, poison, explosive, and sedation. The earrings, which looked like simple diamond solitaries, were actually tracking devices. But he wasn’t done. He pulled out the hair pins. They had another tracker in them, but if you touched the centered stone, they turned into throwing star, lethal and deadly.

  He wished he had brought more with him; now that he had a mate, he knew he would be spending a lot more time coming up with ways to protect and keep her safe. When he pulled out a syringe and the little packet from his bag, he watched as Sophie cringed back a little, but still remained by his side. Sitting down on the bed he patted his lap and said, ‘Come here, baby.’ When she did, he smiled.

  “This is a tracker which goes under the skin,” he said, holding up the syringe. “Wyatt and Tori, a member of the Holly Group, came up with it. It’s not detectable and only removable if a person knows where to look. I would like you to consider letting me implant it. All the members on the teams and the mates have them. I promise you only Wyatt and Tori have the ability to use the trackers. I want to make sure you’re safe, but shit can happen, and I want to be able to find you if it does. Can you do this for me?” Sophie nodded, but that wasn’t good enough.

  “I need the words, Babe. I won’t do anything you don’t want, and I don’t want you to agree to do this if it isn’t something you can live with. I know all your movements have been watched and orchestrated for a long time, and this tracker might make you feel restrained, I don’t want that. You’re free, it’s just a precaution. When Matthias took you and I didn’t know where you were, it tore at me; I don’t want that again. I need to know where you are and that you’re safe.”

  “I agree, Ethan, I want you to be able to find me no matter what. It doesn’t freak me out, but I hate needles,” Sophie said, cringing.

  “Yeah, I’m not a fan myself, but I promise to be quick, and look at it is way, at least I’ll get to see that gorgeous ass.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me, stand up and bend over, placing your hands on the bed. I’ll even promise to kiss it all better when I’m done,” Ethan laughed. Sophie did as he asked, and Ethan got to work undoing and pulling her pants down, groaning at the sight before him; all he wanted to do was take her from behind. Hell, a quickie was sounding better and better. The little minx then started to wiggle her ass, winking at him over her shoulder.

  “Come on, Master, get on with it.”

  Ethan couldn’t resist, he slapped her once, then again. He loved the way her skin instantly pinked from the slap of his hand. Her moan and increased scent almost pushed him over the edge.

  Quickly loading the syringe, Ethan did just as he promised, and once the transmitter was in place, he kissed the globe of Sophie ass. He might have lingered a little longer than necessary, but hell he wanted her. Jacks pounding on the door saying it was time to head out, was not welcome. Groaning, Ethan stood up and adjusted himself in his pants; with the way things were going he was going to have permeant zipper marks on his dick.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, helping Sophie fix her pants, he held her close.

  “As long as you’re with me, Ethan, I’m ready for anything, let’s do this.”

  Chapter 26

  Sophie wanted to groan. They were all crammed into the van waiting for something, what that was she didn’t know, but she knew they were just waiting. The trip down to Ohio from Michigan had been awful; they blew two tires and only had one spare, so they had to call in a repair service. Then Peyton started getting car sick causing them to stop every twenty miles or so, just so she could puke her guts out. Sophie felt sorry for her. At one point, she offered to stay behind, but none of them were having that, so they continued and stopped every time she needed it. About half way there the vans heater stopped working. It wasn’t that cold outside, but it was enough to make it uncomfortable.

  When they finally made it to their destination, Jacks received a call from someone named Carter saying that Charlie Team had done the recon on the facility, but had to pull back due to unforeseen circumstances. That meant the five of them—Ethan, Jacks, Wyatt, her and Matthias—were the only ones who would be going in. Sophie was pretty sure that Peyton was pregnant which lead to another set of complications. Wyatt didn’t want to leave her with no back up, so that brought their rescue crew down to four. Sophie didn’t trust Matthias to follow any plan they came up with; he had his own reasons for wanting Carley and her nephew out of the facility, and she knew that he would have to be watched.

  Peyton was able to tap into a WiFi connection at some business close by and get the plans to the building, but when Sophie looked at them, she realized that they weren’t the same as she remembered. The hallways and rooms didn’t add up to what she remembered. Most of her time at the facility was spent in one room, but she was often taken out to go to the labs or to leave through the front or back doors. The plans in front of her weren’t the same. The building itself was an old warehouse in a pretty industrial area of town. There were a few houses here and there, but not much else except for garbage and waste. Most of the other warehouses looked deserted and run down.

  “Okay, listen up. Sophie and I are going to go through the front after Wyatt and Peyton disengage their security system. Jacks will take the back exit. Charlie let us know that no one has co
me in or out in at least five hours. There are only the two doors and one bigger garage door on the south side; that is going to be your point of entry, Matthias. All the windows are either barred or painted over. You need to ignore the plans since Sophie has already confirmed they’re not as she remembered. Heat signature evaluation from Charlie says that there are six people on the premises, most located on the west side of the building. From what Sophie told me that is where the labs are located. It also looks like there’s a guard posted at each exit, so that leaves three people in the lab. If we assume one is Carley, then it should be an easy in and out. Gear up, we go in five.”

  Ethan kept his eye on Sophie while he was speaking with Peyton and Wyatt; they needed to monitor the police and fire bands just to make sure there weren’t any additional people attending this party. If he had his way, he would eliminate the Overseer and his crew rather than take them in, but Jacks had nicked that plan. They needed information; Ethan knew it, he just didn’t like it. He wouldn’t hesitate though if provoked or attacked. Sophie and Carly’s nightmare ended today. Then they could heal, hopefully together back at Alpha’s base.

  Ethan watched as Jacks and then Matthias made their way to the back of the building; once they were out of sight, he turned to Sophie.

  “Okay babe, we are going to go in that door. You let me go first, I will take the guard down. You start towards the labs, but do not go in without me. You wait until I catch up, and we’ll go together. Do you understand?”