“We’ll do this as long as it takes because you going to him isn’t an option.” He scowls. “We’re doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.”
“Maybe we should send everyone away,” I suggest. I’m just throwing options out at this point because the pack lockdown and patrols aren’t going to work forever. “We buy plane tickets for everyone, and we just send them away. Far, far away from here and Nicolai.” I wave my hands around me as I speak.
“We can’t send them away from their home, Pru,” Ryker sighs. “Besides, we’re stronger together and as a pack. It’s in our blood. We’re pack animals, and we need each other.”
I stop in my pacing and throw my hands up in the air. “Then what do we do!”
Ryker’s expression softens as he walks over to me. “We keep doing what we’re already doing.”
“It doesn’t feel like enough.” I walk into his open arms and interlock mine around his lower back. Resting my head against his chest, I listen to his heartbeat. I find comfort in the sound. It soothes me, and I feel my wolf relax inside me. “I won’t let anyone else die.”
Ryker doesn’t say anything back. Instead, he rests his head on top of mine, and we enjoy the moment of calmness together. It feels like ages ago that we spent the night together in the house he bought for us. I would give anything to have the contented happiness I felt in those moments back. The sense of uncertainty and fear has replaced those happy feelings is all-consuming, and I’m afraid they’ll never go away.
There are only a few options for how this is going to end, and I’m not optimistic about it ending in my favor. I know the only way I make it out of this is if Nicolai dies. And I wouldn’t mind being the one to end him.
The sound of the front door opening and then hitting the wall behind it with a bang has us jumping back from each other. We both rush around the corner and find a very weak and bloody looking Avery.
My body fills with dread when I take in her battered state. Blood drips from a long slash mark across her face, and her arms are marred with defensive marks. I halt in my steps and watch Ryker catch her in his arms before her body crashes to the floor. Her legs are unable to hold her up anymore, and Ryker scoops her up.
Wait!
“Avery, where is Remi?” I question, my voice full of panic. Avery doesn’t answer me. Instead, she stares up at Ryker with wild-looking eyes. “Avery!” I shout, trying to get her attention.
“They came out of nowhere,” she slurs.
“Who did?” Ryker asks, his voice softer than mine. “Where is Remington?”
“Nicolai’s men.” Avery’s head bobs back when she answers him. “We didn’t hear them approaching, they came out of nowhere,” she repeats.
Losing patience, I march over and grab her chin with my hand and jerk her head to look at me. “You’re not answering us. Where is Remington?”
I barely notice her warm blood trickle down my fingers. Her amber eyes stare at me, and I can see they’re regaining some of their focus. “They have her—they took her.”
“Oh, God!” I cry before I break into a sprint down the hallway toward the office everyone is still sitting in. I try not to let my mind stray to what Nicolai could be doing to Remi or what he’s going to do, and still, the image of Remi’s body being strung up in a tree like Halle’s fills my head. I crash through the oak doors at full speed, and everyone’s head spins around to look at me.
“Pruitt, what’s happening?” Elias asks, standing up from his seat behind the desk.
“Nicolai has Remington.”
No one is making any sense because they’re all speaking and yelling over each other. The noise at this point just sounds like a constant buzzing in my head. People keep pushing and bumping into me too. Elias had called a lot of enforces and pack members back to the house, and they have all crammed into the living room. I stand in the middle, glaring down at my feet as I process what’s happening. My body is humming with anger, and I can feel my wolf pacing back and forth in my head.
I can’t believe Nicolai has Remi. I want to yell at Elias and Ryker for believing the patrol groups would keep everyone safe. I want to yell at myself for knowing everyone wasn’t safe but not doing anything about it. I want to scream at Nicolai for killing Hallie and taking Remington.
But mainly, right now, I want to yell at everyone to be quiet and be still for one minute so we can all catch our breaths. So that’s what I do.
I climb onto the coffee table so everyone can see and hear me when I address them. “Everyone shut up!” I feel the rush of power escape me when I yell. I watch as one by one the people in the room stop talking and moving before turning to look at me. All except one, a middle-aged man in a collared shirt still complains to his friend. “Hey! Yes, you in the green polo, shut up!”
“Pru, what are you—“ Ranger starts to ask, but the glare I give him promptly shuts him up.
“I know you’re all scared and worried for Remington, but yelling and talking over each other isn’t going to get us anywhere. So enough of that—I’m begging you to stop.” I’ve always hated public speaking. Talking to all these people makes my palms sweat, but I push forward. “The plan we have in place right now isn’t working. We all knew that when Hallie was killed and now Remington has been taken too. So we are—I am—changing the plan. You’re my pack, and it’s my birthright to lead and protect you. So that’s what I’m going to do.” I feel Ryker’s and Elias’ gazes on me, but I don’t look at them. “I was reminded tonight that we’re pack animals, and we’re stronger together. Here’s what we’re going to do, we’re going to get through this together in this house. Everyone is going to come here, and we’ll fortify this house.”
Sorry, I just offered up your home Margot…
“There are sixty-some members of the pack, and you expect us all to stay here?” a woman calls out.
“Yes, I do. It’s a really big house.” I’ve lost track of how many bathrooms are in this place. “So go. Collect your families and your things. No one travels alone, especially women and children. Watch each other’s backs. Enforcers, how many of you are there?”
“Eight.” Logan steps forward with two other muscular men at his side. I recognize one as Kody, and the other is a dark-haired man I’ve never met.
“It’s going to be a long night, and I apologize, but you guys will be stationed around the outside of the house. Anyone else who feels up to it is more than welcome to join them. The more eyes and ears, the better.” I look between the three enforcers standing there.
“Yes, Alpha.” Kody nods his head respectfully.
“What? No, I’m not…” I trail off. How can I deny being the alpha when I just commanded a room full of people? “Just let me know if you need more manpower out there. I’m sure we can find some volunteers to help you boys out.” I sigh, not knowing what else to say.
After the people file out of the room and all that remains are the Weylyns, I climb down from the coffee table and give Margot and Elias a sheepish look. “I’m sorry I offered up your house.” I bite my lip. “I didn’t know what else to do, and it’s the only plan I could come up with. Oh, and I’m sorry I stood on your furniture, Margot.”
“It’s a good plan, Pruitt,” Elias says. “You were a natural up there.”
“I’m also sorry I undermined your authority, I just couldn’t allow anything else to happen to one of them,” I tell him.
“How can I be mad when you’re doing what you were destined to do.” Elias gives me a reassuring smile. “They’re your pack, you’re their alpha.”
“I don’t think I’m ready.” I still haven’t been able to shift, and with this whole Nicolai situation, I may never get the chance to be their alpha.
I look over at Margot since she’s been silent the whole time. The second we make eye contact, her eyes fill with tears and drip down her face.
“Margot, I’m sorry.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. I feel her shoulders shake as she cries against me.
> “I keep thinking about what he might be doing to her,” she sobs. “She’s my little girl, and she’s probably so scared.”
“We’ll figure something out. I promise we’ll get her back,” I say as I pull away from Margot. I watch as Elias pulls his mate into his side and holds her close. I can see her visibly calm being close to her mate, something I’ve personally experienced with Ryker.
I turn and look at him. He’s been standing silently across the room, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time. I can always feel his presence through the pack link when he’s close. I felt alone a lot growing up, and now I’m never alone.
“Come here,” he says, reaching out through the link. I feel his mind brush up against mine, causing me to shutter as chills shoot down my spine.
I cross the room and lean against the wall that he’s next too. He reaches over and interlocks our fingers before bringing our joined hands up to his mouth and placing a soft kiss to the back of mine.
“It was amazing to see you take charge like that. You’re a natural leader.” His voice is quiet as he speaks. “I knew you would be.”
“I’m still not ready to be alpha.” I shake my head. “We need to get Remi back before I can even consider leading the pack.”
“Remi is strong.” Ryker’s thumb starts to move back and forth over my knuckles. “Almost as strong as you are.”
“At least she’s able to shift.”
“She won’t be able to if Nicolai puts a silver collar or cuffs on her.”
“Wait!” I jerk back. “Silver actually affects wolf shifters? Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“Sorry, I thought you knew.” He shrugs. “Silver makes us weak. It won’t kill us, but it’ll make us just weak enough we can’t shift.”
Something dawns on me, and I stifle a laugh with my other hand.
“What?” Ryker asks.
“I remembered I got Remington a pair of antique silver earrings for her birthday.” I laugh. “And now I know why she never wears them.”
“I’m sure she appreciated the thought.” He smiles. “But I’m also sure she laughed her ass off later when you weren’t there.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she did too.” I crinkle my nose.
My phone ringing cuts through the room, and I pull it out of my back pocket. The smile that was on my face disappears when is see the caller ID picture on my phone screen. It’s of Remi making a funny face at the camera while wearing reindeer antlers on her head in a Christmas onesie. I had taken the picture this past Christmas Eve when she came over to exchange gifts.
I accept the call and hit the speaker option so fast I almost drop the phone.
“Remington?” I croak as I look at Ryker.
Everyone in the room heard me answer the phone, and they all come rushing over to me so they can listen to the call. The line is quiet for a second, but I hear breathing coming from the other side, so I know someone is there.
“Who is this?”
“Your friend is quite pretty,” the person on the other end of the phone answers. “She’s a pretty good fighter too. She took out one of my men before we could get her into the car.”
The world around me stills, and my blood runs cold with fear as I place the owner of the voice. It’s a voice that will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. Margot gasps, and her hand flies to her mouth to silence any other sounds of her distress.
“Nicolai,” I say with a sneer.
“Hello, Grey,” he purrs back. “I’m sorry it had to come to this. I truly thought I could be more patient and allow you to come to me. But as it turns out, I’m not. I’ve decided to give you a little—push.”
“Don’t hurt her,” I warn him. My voice is strong, despite the fact my whole body is shaking with fear.
“Well, Grey, that it is entirely up to you.” The tone of his voice is full of delight. He enjoys torturing me. “You willingly come to me, and I’ll send Little Miss Remington back to her family. Reluctantly, of course, since she’s such a strong and attractive specimen.”
“I…” I mutter, trailing off.
“Pruitt isn’t going anywhere.” Ryker snatches the phone out of my hand as he yells at the man on the other side. “If you hurt my sister, I swear to God, I will make you wish you were dead.”
“Ah, Ryker. I was hoping you were going to be around when I called.” Nicolai’s cheerful tone picks up a notch when he talks to Ryker. “I thought I had made it abundantly clear my only interest is in Grey Thorne. I am more than happy to trade Remington for her.”
“And we thought we had made it pretty clear you aren’t getting her,” Ryker growls back.
“So, you’re willing to let your sister die instead of handing Grey over?” Nicolai questions.
Margot chokes back a sob, and Elias takes a step forward. I watch as the helpless looks on both their faces intensifies. I can’t imagine how hard it is for them right now.
Ryker pauses for a second before he speaks. “No one is going to die, but you,” he snarls into the phone. “Nicolai Volkov, I formally challenge you to a fight to the death.”
It’s me who’s gasping in shock this time.
29
Ryker
Nicolai was quick to accept my challenge. He even seemed excited over the prospect of it. We agreed on meeting at a large open field in the middle of the forest, north of the property at sunrise tomorrow. He’s to bring Remington, and we were told to bring Pruitt. Which I told him wasn’t happening. He shrugged it off since he believes he will win and be able to come and collect her for himself.
We’ve been setting up a plan for the duel tomorrow for the past two hours. We’re leaving two enforcers and Sawyer at the house with Pruitt. They have instructions to get her out of Montana as quickly as they can if I’m not able to beat Nicolai. Based on how fast he can move, and how hard he could hit the other day, he will not be easily defeated.
My mother has been sobbing in the corner, and Pruitt has been fuming in the other room since I disconnected the call. She won’t even look at me when I go in and check on her. She’s furious I would make this decision without consulting her. But she was right when she said we couldn’t hide away and protect every pack member forever and just hope Nicolai gives up.
And now he has my sister.
“Who’s staying here with Pru again?” Ransom asks. We sit around the dining room table, going over the plans. Ransom sits across from me next to Ranger, and Dad sits at the head of the table. Enforcers are in the other available seats.
Kody speaks up first. “I would like to offer to stay with her if that’s okay?”
“I’ll stay as well,” Gage offers. He’s about thirty with dark hair and a bushy beard. He’s our head enforcer and one of the stronger pack members. I’m thankful that he’s offered to protect my mate.
“Thank you both.” I nod at them. “You’ll stay here along with Sawyer, and if this doesn’t go our way, you know the plan.”
“Yes.” Kody nods. “We grab Pru then the aunt, and we head to the safe house in Colorado.”
“What about Noah?” Ransom interjects.
“I’ve kept him in the loop,” Dad tells him. “He’s aware of the plan, and as long as both Pruitt and Addison are safe, he doesn’t care that they leave Montana.”
“You three realize you aren’t going to be able to come home for a while, right?” Ranger questions them.
“We understand and are willing to make that sacrifice if it means we keep them safe,” Gage says. He’s always been loyal to the pack, but we’re going to have to test that loyalty now.
“You’re all good men,” Dad tells them both.
Knowing there’s someone I need to go talk to, I stand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very pissed off mate I need to go talk to. I’ll be back in a couple minutes, and we can go over the plan again.”
“Best of luck, dude,” Kody says. "I saw her fight Remington, and all I can say is, I would not want to be on that she wolf’s shit list.” He
whistles.
I chuckle and shrug off his comment, but I know he’s right.
I’m in deep shit.
I knew she was mad, but I hadn’t imagined she was angry enough to throw an old football trophy at my head when I enter my bedroom. I barely duck out of the way in time before it goes crashing into the wall next to me. I watch as drywall pieces fall to the floor and land around the broken trophy.
“Really?” I shout, shutting the door behind me. “I won that trophy in elementary school.”
“I don’t care,” she snaps, crossing her arms over her breasts. “How could you do this?”
“It’s the only way I can think of to protect both you and Remington.” I sigh. “What other choice did I have? There were no good options available, Pru. It was either sacrifice you to save Remington or sacrifice Remington to save you, and I couldn’t live with myself if I had to choose.” I lock the door and turn back to her. “So, I’m not going to choose.”
“You did make a choice, though.” She glares. “You chose to sacrifice yourself instead.”
“Hell, yes, I did!” I yell at her. Her arms drop to her sides, and she takes a step back. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or Remington.”
“But if you die tomorrow, you’re going to leave me behind.” Her voice breaks. “And then what?”
“There is a possibility I could win the challenge,” I point out as I walk toward her. My wolf is nudging me from my head, urging me to comfort our mate.
“You could die.”
“I could win,” I counter.
“I’m not willing to take that chance,” she sniffs.
I stand in front of her and watch the tears stream down her face. “You’re so strong,” I tell her as I wipe away one of the tears with my finger. “You’re probably the strongest person I know.”
“Really? Because I feel like I’ve been crying a lot lately.” She turns her head away from me when I try to tilt her chin up so I can look her in the eye.
Wolf Bound (The White Wolf Prophecy Book 1) Page 21