Avenger (Outsider Series)

by Smeltzer, Micalea

  As my family and friends stood, watching me, I finally got the strength to stand once more.

  Garrett, Sophie’s dad, was the first to approach me.

  “We’re going to get her back.”

  I nodded, but I wasn’t so sure.

  Sixteen.

  Caeden

  Eight days.

  One hundred and ninety-two hours.

  Eleven thousand five hundred and twenty minutes.

  Six hundred ninety-two thousand and two hundred seconds.

  That was how long Sophie had been gone.

  How was it possible that I continued to live and function without my heart and soul?

  I wasn’t sleeping.

  I wasn’t eating.

  I was existing.

  Going through the motions with no destination.

  I was half out of my mind and there was nothing I could do to change it. Sophie was gone, and I couldn’t find her. I’d been searching and searching, and always came up empty. I was tempted to rip out Cody and Baxter’s throats just to feel like I was doing something.

  I’d never been a violent person, but losing Sophie again was making me more animal than man. Being separated from your mate was a painful thing and I wasn’t even experiencing those affects because the baby disrupted our connection. Despite that, I knew she wasn’t dead. I’d feel it if…if he killed her. I almost threw up at the very thought. I hoped, wherever she was, that she knew I’d find her.

  * * *

  Sophie

  My whole body hurt like I’d been run over by a car…actually a train seemed more accurate.

  I wouldn’t summit to Travis’ delusion that we were going to be a family, so he hit me. A lot.

  I was close to giving in though.

  Not because I was hurting—even though I was—and not because I’d given up. I could take anything he dealt me. But I was concerned about the baby. He moved inside me restlessly and it was like he was aware that we were in danger. I couldn’t keep letting Travis hurt me, because it hurt Beau.

  I had resolved that when he returned to the room I was confined in, I’d play into his fantasy. I wasn’t an actress, but when you’re in a life or death situation, the things you can do are pretty remarkable.

  I sat up, which was difficult with my arms chained above my head, and licked my parched lips. It had been a while since Travis had visited me, and he hadn’t brought water or food with him then. I think his new tactic, instead of violence, was to starve me until I caved to his demands. Little did he know that I was already there.

  “Mommy’s going to protect you,” I whispered to my bump. Talking to the baby was the only thing keeping me sane.

  I took a deep breath and started counting the cracks and dents in the ceiling. It was the only thing I had to do that passed the time. Boredom was a killer. And while counting wasn’t fun, it was something.

  Maybe if I was nice to Travis he’d let me have a TV.

  I wondered if I could sweet-talk him into unchaining me? I didn’t think any amount of eyelash batting on my part would get him to let me leave this room, but if I got unchained at least my arms would have relief and I’d be free to move about.

  I sighed loudly, my breath the only sound in the room except for the steady humming of the heater.

  My arms and wrists had long since gone numb, and the pain from my dislocated shoulder was just a dull throb now.

  I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths.

  I felt like I’d been here forever, and I wondered how long I could possibly survive this. I knew Caeden would be looking for me, but he couldn’t just storm in here and take me back. I knew from the sounds I heard outside my door, that there were way more people here than Travis, and I was sure they were his mutants. I shuddered at the thought of him unleashing one of those things on me. I still couldn’t get the image out of my head of the one that killed Logan. I knew that was something that would haunt me for the rest of my life—whether my life ended soon or I managed to live to be old and gray.

  My eyes popped open as I heard shuffling footsteps outside my door. I swallowed thickly, hearing the click of the deadbolt and then watching the knob turn slowly. So far, Travis had been the only person to ‘visit’ me, but I still feared that he might send one of his mutants in here to finish me off.

  The door opened completely and Travis stood with a tray of food. “Morning, sunshine,” he grinned, kicking the heavy door closed behind him.

  He laid the tray across my lap and sat on the foot of the bed. “Eat up. I know you must be hungry.”

  And you must be crazy.

  “I can’t move my arms.” I shook the chains for emphasis.

  “Oh, of course, I forgot.”

  He moved and I dared to hope he was going to unchain me. He scooted closer and grabbed a piece of toast covered in butter off the plate. “Here,” he held it to my lips.

  I fought tears. He wasn’t going to unchain me. There was no telling how long he’d leave me like this.

  I hesitated before taking a bite, thinking for a moment that it was possible that he’d poisoned it. But that wasn’t Travis’ style. He preferred to spill your blood and guts everywhere.

  I opened my mouth, tearing off a piece of the bread and chewing slowly.

  “Good girl,” he crooned and I half expected him to do something silly like pet my head.

  I took another bite, my stomach churning with the sudden intake of food. I’d have to be careful or I’d make myself sick if I ate too much.

  I finished the half slice of toast and he held a glass of water to my lips. I greedily swallowed down the cool liquid.

  He held the other slice of toast up to my lips and I ate it slowly. Never, in a million years, would I have guessed that I’d have Travis hand feeding me. True, he’d kidnapped me, but he’d never been compassionate. You’d think he wouldn’t care if I starved to death.

  I finished the toast and water and Travis removed the tray from my lap. I expected him to leave, but he didn’t. He left the tray by the door and returned to sit on the end of the bed.

  “I left for a while to give you time to think,” his hand skated up my calf, stopping at my knee, and I tried not to shudder. Thank goodness I at least had a blanket covering my legs. “I hope, now, that you’ve come to appreciate what I’ve given you.” His gaze flicked around them room before those black, lifeless, eyes landed on me again.

  I swallowed thickly, preparing myself to lie. “I have.”

  It was only two words, two words I’d barely been able to whisper, but Travis smiled from ear to ear. I don’t think I’d ever seen him smile. He wasn’t as scary, and seemed more human. But the smile didn’t fool me. Travis was a killer, and the minute I didn’t play along with his game he wouldn’t hesitate to slit my throat.

  “Good,” he patted my knee affectionately. He leaned close to me, his face only centimeters from mine. I held my breath, not wanting to inhale the same air he was breathing. “I have a reward for you.”

  A-a reward?” I stuttered.

  “Mhmm,” he hummed as he stood. He reached above my head and undid the binding on my hands. My arms flopped to my sides, the muscles feeling dead. I could feel the blood flowing through my veins trying to bring life back to the limbs.

  Before I could rejoice too much, he had my hands strapped again, but this time beside me and I’d take that over having them above my head any day.

  “Better?” He asked.

  I nodded. “But my shoulder—”

  “Oh, yes, your shoulder,” he smiled sardonically. “Bite this,” he grabbed a blanket, shoving it at my mouth. I bit down on the fabric as he shoved my shoulder back into place. The blanket muffled my scream and Travis laughed. The bastard received some kind of sick twisted joy upon seeing people in pain.

  He took the blanket and dropped it on the floor. “I’ll be back soon.” He bent, brushing his lips over my cheek. Bile rose in my throat, but I was careful to school my features. He had to believe I was giving in to
him. It was my only hope of survival.

  “Travis?” I said in a small meek voice, trying to play the damsel in distress.

  “Yes,” he stopped by the door, the tray in his hands.

  “I’m really bored. Do you think I could have a TV or some books? Something?” I held my breath, hoping he didn’t blow up at my request.

  He smiled like the damn cat that at the canary. “If you keep up good behavior, I’m sure we can work something out.”

  With that, he left.

  I let out a sigh of relief.

  He hadn’t said no, and he hadn’t blown up, and for now I was able to move my arms more freely. I hoped I could keep up my acting. I stared at the window, covered by a heavy curtain, wondering whether it was day or night…wondering what Caeden was doing, and praying he’d find me in time.

  Seventeen.

  Caeden

  I ran the sander over the wood again and again, the buzzing of the motor loud enough to momentarily block out my thoughts. I didn’t feel human anymore. Sophie had been gone for two whole weeks, and I had nothing to show for my efforts of trying to find her. It was like she’d become a ghost. I’d checked out the shack he’d held her in before, nothing. I kept checking though—for any sign that someone had been there. I’d even went to Travis’ parents’ house—well, what had been their home before they died. That turned out to be a dead end too. As was the cave where he’d been with his mutants. Travis had a talent for evading me, and it was really pissing me off. Sophie was strong, and I prayed that she wasn’t giving up on me—I’d never forgive myself if she did.

  The whir of the sander cut off and I turned sharply to see Nolan standing by the outlet, the plug clasped in his hand.

  “Oops,” he smirked.

  “What do you want?” I gave him the iciest glare I could.

  “You’ve been holed up in here for two days. I thought I should check on you…” He paused. “What the hell is it that you’re doing?”

  I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t go away if I ignored him. “I’m making a crib for the baby.”

  Nolan frowned and his brows formed a line as he contemplated what he was going to say next. Something told me I wasn’t going to like it one bit.

  “Do you think that’s wise?” He finally said a few minutes later.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

  “Well,” he swung the cord around, “you know…they might not come…back.”

  All the blood drained from my body, or at least it felt like that. “They’re coming back.”

  “Caeden,” he dropped the cord, and came closer to me, “you need to prepare yourself for—”

  “No,” I shook my head. “No. I don’t need to prepare myself for anything.”

  He stopped, tilting his head to study me. “I just think—”

  “I don’t have time to listen to this.” I put the sander down and strode around him. “Why don’t you get out of my house and leave me alone? Huh? How does that sound?”

  “Caeden, I’m your friend,” he grabbed my shoulder, digging his fingers in so I couldn’t move. “I’m going to sound like a chick saying this, but I’m really worried about you,” he looked me up and down.

  I knew what he saw, and smelled. My jeans and shirt were covered in stains, my hair was greasy and hung limply in my eyes because I hadn’t gotten it cut in way too long, and I smelled like I hadn’t showered in a week…which was exactly when I’d showered last.

  “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.” I roughly shook off his hold. I knew I was being an ass, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t need Nolan, or anyone, worrying about me. That only managed to make me feel guilty—and I already felt guilty enough losing Sophie. I knew I wasn’t the one that was with her when she was taken, but I should have been a damn tyrant and not let her leave. I’d worried about her getting too weak going out for too long, but I hadn’t believed something like this could happen and that made me so naïve it was laugh worthy. Clearly, I truly wasn’t cut out to be an Alpha.

  “You’re not fine.” Nolan grabbed me again and this time, he wasn’t nearly as gentle. He shoved me into the wall hard enough that the drywall caved a bit where my shoulder hit it. He held me up by the collar of my shirt and glared at me. “Why is it so hard for you to admit that you’re not okay? It doesn’t make you weak. You have a pack for a reason, Cay-berry, use them to get your girl back. Sulking like a baby isn’t helping Sophie and it isn’t helping you feel better. You need to do something!” He shoved me again, still holding onto my shirt. It was like he thought he could shake some sense into me.

  “I’m trying to do something!” I yelled. “I’ve been trying to do something! There’s only so much I can do before—” I stopped myself. I couldn’t say it.

  “Before what? Before you give up?”

  I nodded. Looking back at the half built crib. “I have to believe they’re alive, but it’s getting harder to think I’m ever going to find them.”

  “God, you’re such a Debby Downer,” he shook me again. I knew I could shake him off in a second, but for some reason I didn’t. I think somehow, I knew I needed to hear what he had to say even if it hurt to hear. “You’re sulking and pouting while your wife, your mate, is out there fighting for her life against a sociopath. Think about that.” He gave me one last hard shove before letting me go. Shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what an idiot I was, he left the garage.

  I let out a deep pent up breath and stared up at the ceiling. I didn’t know what more I could do, except tear the world apart to find her. And I’d do it, because I’d do anything for Sophie.

  I felt a new resolve roll through my body.

  I’d find her and she’d be fine. So, would Beau.

  And I’d gladly watch the life drain from Travis’ eyes when I got my hands on him.

  * * *

  “Where are you going?” Nolan stood at the bottom of the stairs with his arms crossed over his chest. He was starting to feel like an annoying babysitter.

  “Why does it matter to you?” I strode right past him, heading for the garage.

  “Because I’m your friend. If you’re going somewhere, I’m going with you.”

  “I don’t need you to come with me.” The duffel bag of clothes thumped against my thigh. “I can handle this just fine on my own.”

  “Yeah, just like you’ve been handling everything just fine on your own. You need to stop going off by yourself.” He shimmied around me so that he stood between the door and me. “If you don’t want me to go with you, then ask Bentley, or your brother. Someone. You don’t have to do this by yourself, Caeden. You have a pack for a reason, utilize them. A lone wolf is a dead wolf, you know that.”

  I swallowed thickly. “What do they say about lone tigers?”

  “That they’re super smart and kick ass,” he smirked.

  “Fine,” I sighed dejectedly, “you can come, but if you piss me off I might punch you in the face just for the fun of it.”

  Nolan grinned. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Eyeing my bag, he said, “Looks like I better pack some clothes. Apparently you’re not planning on coming back for a while.”

  I shrugged. “I thought I should be prepared.”

  “Don’t. Leave.” He enunciated each word carefully as he backed away from the door. He eyed me, daring me to leave without him. I’m not gonna lie, I thought about it. I didn’t need to the extra baggage of Nolan breathing down my neck and criticizing every decision I made. But I figured he’d give me the third degree if I did, and I didn’t need to hear it.

  He returned not even two minutes later. “Ready.”

  “Don’t make me regret this,” I warned him, grabbing the key fob for my Jeep.

  “Never, Cay-berry. Let’s go on a road trip.” He smiled giddily. “I hope you have some M&Ms.”

  Yeah, I was so going to end up punching him in the face.

  * * *

  “This is where they kept her the first time, isn’t it?�
�� Nolan asked, hanging back behind me.

  “Yeah.” I bent down, rubbing my fingers in the dirt. I’d been here a few times in the past two weeks. Each time I was hoping to find something, but I always turned up empty. She wasn’t here. Travis wasn’t here. And there was no sign that mutants had ever been here. This place was abandoned. If you entered the shack—it was too small to even be considered a cottage or house—there was still a stain on the floor where Travis’ father had bled out. The body was gone though, either taken by his pack, or eaten by scavengers. A knife speared the door and the wood was tinted a dark rust color in places. I was sure it was a result of Travis killing his father. Maybe he’d pinned his head there—that sounded like something a sociopath like Travis would do.

  I straightened, tilting my head back and breathing in the cold air. Over a year ago, he’d held her here and I’d nearly lost my girl before I even had the chance to tell her I loved her. I knew now why so many people said to make every moment count—you never knew which moment would be your last.

  “What are you hoping to find here?” Nolan asked, his boots crunching the ground beneath their soles.

  I turned my head to look over my shoulder at him. Squinting at the brightness of the sun, I replied, “Nothing. I know I’ll find nothing. But being here, it gives me clarity.” I swallowed thickly and went back to drawing random designs in the dirt. The ground was cold and unyielding, but I found something satisfactory in forcing it to move. I didn’t know what I was drawing and I didn’t care. It was a release.

  “I don’t follow.” He crouched beside me, his breath forming fog in the cold air.

  “Because, this is where I found her before. If I found her once, I can find her again…or so I keep telling myself.”