by Bianca D'Arc
She stood up and went to the little window in her small room and looked out from an oblique angle, not allowing herself to be seen from below. That was another move that surprised him. She was learning stealth. He and his brothers had showed her these things before, but she hadn’t really been using them, except in games. Now, she was starting to act like a true shifter—still little, but more adult in her ways with every day.
“I’ll stay inside as long as I have to if it means you’ll get him, Grif,” Belinda surprised him yet again by stating as she looked out the window covertly.
He felt his heart swell with both pride and love for his brave little sister – the only female left in his immediate family. He hadn’t been a good enough protector of his older sister and their mother, but he’d give his life before he let anything happen to this brave little girl.
And now that he had Lindsey by his side… Nothing and no one would stop him from protecting his family. He’d done what he could before, but even he had to admit Jackie had been an adult and they’d all thought she’d been happily mated. Nobody really could have known that her so-called mate would turn on her.
The death of their mother was an act of insanity perpetrated by not one, but two evil mages who had used their magical skills to foul the trail and made it all but impossible to detect their presence. It had taken Slade—a mythical snowcat shifter—to track them. Even then, he was no match for the pair on his own. It had taken all the skills of a powerful priestess and the cunning of the Redstone Clan to bring them both to heel and serve justice.
Nobody blamed Grif for his mother’s murder. Nobody, but himself.
There might have been something he could have done to protect her. He didn’t know what, but something. Something he’d missed. Or overlooked.
He felt the same way, deep down, over Jackie’s death. The guilt he carried over both deaths ate at his soul.
But he wouldn’t let that stop him from protecting what was left of his family—and his new mate—as best he could. In fact, it only made him extra diligent. He wouldn’t lose any more people to Timmons. Never again.
Either Timmons would die…or Grif would die trying to kill him. It was as simple as that.
If a sacrifice needed to be made to bring Timmons to justice, Grif was fully prepared to make it. He didn’t want to leave his new mate alone, but this had been going on too long to back down now. He loved Lindsey enough to do anything to be certain Timmons couldn’t harm her, or the rest of his family, ever again.
“You have to go,” Belinda’s voice came to him, pulling him from his grim thoughts. “The werewolf Alpha is here. Steve is walking him in right now. I’ll be okay now, Grif. You go do what you need to do to keep us all safe.”
Belinda turned to him and gave him a quick hug around the waist before turning away, going to the little desk with its pink accessories over in one corner. She turned on her little light and began writing in a little pink notebook, seemingly at peace.
Grif was dumbfounded by the change in her mood. His baby sister was growing up. He looked over at Lindsey and his heart was warmed by her smile. She stood and joined him, and they both walked out of the small room together leaving the girl at her desk.
“Do you really think she’s okay?” Grif asked as soon as they were out of earshot of Belinda’s room.
“If she’s not now, she will be. That’s one strong little girl.”
Grif liked the admiration and affection in Lindsey’s voice. It was good that his females liked each other. He hoped Lindsey would find the same affection for other members of his extended family and Clan once she began to settle into her new role as his mate. One day, depending on what the Clan thought of her, she might even step into the rather large shoes his mother had left behind as matriarch of the Clan. Only time would tell, but Grif thought if anyone could fill that role, it would be Lindsey with her big heart and daring soul.
Grif put his arm around Lindsey’s shoulders and tugged her close to his side. She looked up at him as they paused near the top of the stairs.
“I’m sorry all this is happening now, but I have to end this chase with Timmons. Whatever happens, I have to keep you and Belinda safe and finish this mess with my former brother-in-law. He has to be held accountable for what he’s done.”
Lindsey gave him a little hug and looked up into his eyes. Her gaze with filled with understanding.
“I see how this hurts you and terrorizes Belinda. I’ll help in whatever way I can to see justice served. I don’t want you all to suffer this way if there’s anything I can do.”
“You’re doing it, just by being here, by my side, kitten. I’ve never understood the strength a mate can give to her man, just by being there. I’m learning. And I thank the Lady every day that She made you, just for me.” He dipped his head and gave her a quick kiss, wishing he had time for more, but he could already hear the downstairs door opening and Matt returning with the werewolf Alpha.
Lindsey reached up and held him there for just a moment, looking deep into his eyes. “I won’t pretend to understand your world yet, Grif, but if there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I really do want to help.”
Oh yeah, this was his mate. She was as fierce, in her way, as his mother had been, though Lindsey had only been a shapeshifter for a few days. She had the spirit of the Alpha female down pat. She would be a fierce protector and he had to respect that.
“Okay, kitten. We’re partners now. For good times and bad. I’ll do my best to remember that.”
“That’s all I ask.” She let him go and they walked down the stairs to greet the werewolf.
It was more than a little embarrassing at first to be around Logan—and Steve—after what had happened the last time she’d seen the werewolf Alpha, but the men’s casual attitude and Grif’s reassuring arm around her shoulders went a long way toward setting her at ease as she sat at his side on the couch. The others were arrayed around the living room and they were all focused on the battle plan they were formulating.
They’d exchanged quick greetings, then all sat down. Matt had told Logan about seeing their ex-brother-in-law in town and Steve had laid out what they knew about Timmons from both years ago and recent reports. He’d also given Logan a small plastic bag that held what looked like an old bandana that apparently held Timmons’ scent.
Lindsey was curious about whether her newly sharpened sense of smell would be able to let her track someone by scent, but she’d ask Grif about it later, when they had time. Right now, she was doing her best to sit back and listen. Drawing attention to herself wasn’t on her agenda for the evening.
This hunt was clearly the men’s purview. They’d been shifters all their lives and knew what they were capable of. By comparison, she was the rankest novice. She wanted to know what was happening, but she knew her contribution—at least to this phase of the operation—would be necessarily limited.
After Logan had been brought up to speed and had asked some questions of his own, Grif finally spoke up. He seemed reluctant at first. She felt the tension in him when he removed his arm from around her shoulders and sat forward on the couch, steepling his hands before speaking his piece. Lindsey wondered what he had up his sleeve and why he was so hesitant to tell Logan about whatever it was.
“Alpha, there’s something else you need to know,” Grif began. Everyone stilled and looked to the Redstone Clan leader. “While I want and need the help of your Pack on this—if for no other reason than to keep them out of harm’s way—I also called in a few other resources. Catching Timmons is too important to leave any stone unturned and he’s already proved he can outrun the best trackers money can buy. I hired a team of specialists to aid in running him to ground.”
“Who did you call?” Logan’s eyes narrowed, but he was reacting more calmly than the others appeared to expect.
“Have you heard about the group of ex-Spec Ops shifters gathered around a former colleague of mine and Steve’s?” Grif seemed to be dancing around identif
ying exactly who he’d contacted. Lindsey figured such information was on a need-to-know basis and unless Logan already knew about the team of shifter warriors, Grif would be circumspect in what he revealed about them. Interesting.
“Jesse Moore’s crew?” Logan asked, his tension easing visibly. “Hell, if you hadn’t already called them, I was going to suggest it.”
“You know Jesse?” Grif asked cautiously and with just a hint of surprise.
“I’ve known all the Moores since I was just a pup. My mother was from their Pack. I still have family there and we have friendly relations between the two Packs. Theirs is a lot bigger than mine, of course, but we get together a few times a year so the youngsters can make friends and look for potential mates.”
“Thank heaven,” Grif muttered with real feeling. “I was worried you’d take exception to my hiring them. This is your territory and you’ve been very indulgent since the little matter of Lindsey was resolved.” Grif reached for her hand and clasped it warmly. “I know I’m a visitor here, regardless of how big my Clan is out west. I didn’t want to step on your toes.”
“No harm done,” Logan assured them. “Jesse’s guys will probably check in with my security team as a matter of course. They know these woods pretty well. I let them run maneuvers through my territory when they want to sharpen their skills and they’ve taught my guys a thing or two. The folks who make up my security team were either regular Army or Marines back in the day. Not Special Operators. Though they still are pretty sharp. Still, Jesse’s guys are even sharper. And younger.”
“All right then. Steve called them in right after I called you. What’s the ETA?” Grif looked to Steve for the information.
“Boots on the ground in about an hour. I figure they’ll send someone to liaise with Logan, and everyone else will probably convene around our cabin. They’ll take up guard positions in the woods and send one or two men in to strategize with us.”
“Guard posts are good for now, but I’m going to want to go on the offensive. Timmons has been left loose too long as it is. I want him caught and dealt with once and for all.”
“Sanction?” Logan asked with a grave expression and though the phrasing was odd, Lindsey had a sinking feeling she knew what he was asking. They were discussing whether or not they were going to kill Timmons.
Lindsey’s stomach clenched. Here it was. The stark reminder that these guys were not entirely human. They were predators who occasionally dressed up in human form. But the heart of the beast was still there. The cold-blooded killer lurked in their hearts. Lindsey wasn’t sure just how to deal with that aspect of her new friends.
“I want to hear what he has to say first. The evidence is there. Gathered too late to do anything useful with it – except present it to the Lords and get their ruling in absentia. They’ve already given me leave to deal with it as I will – up to and including the ultimate sanction.” Grif’s eyes went cold. “I’ve wanted that bastard dead so bad I could taste it, but the saner side of me wants to hear what he has to say first. If we can take him alive, then fine. If not, nobody’s going to get in trouble for killing him while in pursuit.”
Logan swallowed. He was taking Grif’s words very seriously.
Maybe they weren’t as bloodthirsty as she feared.
“Good to know,” Logan said in a subdued tone.
Chapter Thirteen
Like clockwork, about an hour later, there was a knock on the cabin’s front door. Logan had left earlier to gather his Pack and make sure everyone was accounted for. Nobody would be running loose until Timmons had been dealt with. Steve and Matt were both outside—Steve on the perimeter, hidden in the tree line and Matt in the barn.
Belinda had stayed up in her room. Grif didn’t like the fear he could smell on her, but there was nothing he could do about it now. On second thought—he was doing the best he could to eliminate that fear once and for all by bringing the situation with Timmons to a head. Once he was gone, then Belinda might be able to lose that fear and embrace joy again. It was one of his most fervent wishes.
Lindsey had remained downstairs, only going upstairs to check on Belinda from time to time and bring her a tray with snacks and pop. Grif liked the way Lindsey supported not only him, but his little sister. Lindsey had a soft spot for Belinda, which boded well for their future as a family. And Belinda already looked up to Lindsey, quite obviously happy to have a female in the immediate family again.
Grif opened the door, knowing it had to be one of Moore’s men. Nobody else could’ve gotten past both Steve and Matt without there being some kind of disturbance. Sure enough, the face that greeted him was a familiar one.
“Arlo,” Grif greeted the man, offering his hand. “Good of you to come.”
The other man didn’t smile, but then, neither did Grif. This wasn’t a happy reunion. Or at least, the reason Grif was seeing one of Jesse Moore’s top men on his doorstep was not a happy one. Grif was relieved to have skilled backup. He knew Arlo’s background and abilities. The Redstone’s odds of coming out of this intact had just increased exponentially because Arlo was just the tip of the spear. He was just a single representative of a force that was most likely even now deploying into the woods all around the house.
“Glad to assist, Alpha.” Arlo nodded, one hand resting on the assault rifle slung across his chest with easy familiarity. He was in cammo from head to toe and looked ready for anything.
“Come in,” Grif invited, opening the door wider and inviting the ex-soldier into the cabin.
He wouldn’t ask Arlo to remove his weapon. The man was a shifter. His entire body was a weapon. If he meant harm to anyone inside the cabin, Grif would deal with it, but pigs would sooner fly than Arlo would betray him. Grif was staking more than just his life on that belief, but he didn’t think he was wrong.
Arlo entered and his glance darted around the room, taking in every possible threat while Grif closed the door and then led him toward the coffee table they’d been using for laptops and data collation. Arlo sat on the edge of the sofa at Grif’s gesture and looked quickly at the data the brothers had collected.
“Jesse sends his regards. He’s on another mission at the moment, but the rest of the team is at your disposal,” Arlo reported as he read through the few reports they’d printed out.
“How many men?”
Grif felt a moment of panic. They needed every skilled hand they could get on this. Timmons we too slippery. He’d escaped expert trackers for months. He could easily slip away this time too, and Grif wouldn’t allow that. This threat to his family had to end here and now.
“Two squads surrounding the perimeter of the cabin. I’ve got another squad out hunting with some of the wolves. If they find the target, orders are to herd him toward us here.” Arlo finally looked up at Grif, having finished with the reports. “Do you have any objections to that, Alpha? I figured you’d want to witness the capture or kill.”
“Witness? Hell, I want in on it!” Grif let a little of his frustration show.
Arlo quirked a smile in response. Grif knew Arlo understood how Grif needed to see justice done with every fiber of his being. He wanted his teeth on Timmons’ neck. He wanted his claws in Timmons’ flesh. The beast wanted vengeance.
“Understood.” Arlo nodded respectfully and stood. “I’ve got eyes in the air as well as on the ground.”
Grif took that statement to mean some of the raptor shifters that were rumored to be part of Moore’s team were actively pursuing Timmons’ trail. All the better.
“No word yet, I presume?” Grif asked as they stood. Arlo didn’t seem in a hurry to leave.
Arlo tapped his ear. “Nothing worth reporting yet, but I expect some action soon. I assume the females are here. Do you want them extracted?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Lindsey’s voice came from the doorway to the kitchen and Grif realized she’d been listening in. He sighed and realized she was right. He motioned for her to join them.
“Arlo, thi
s is Lindsey. My mate. Up ‘til a few days ago, she was completely human. Now, she’s cougar, but not used to it. Go easy on her.” The warning was couched in a friendly tone, but it was a warning nonetheless. Grif would brook no disrespect to his lady.
“Ma’am,” Arlo nodded respectfully, though one of his eyebrows rose at Grif’s talk of her being a newly made cougar. Still, Arlo was discrete and didn’t ask the obvious question. There would be time for explanations later, if they all lived through this.
“Nice to meet you,” Lindsey replied. “And I meant what I said.” She turned to Grif as she stood at his side. “I’m not leaving.”
“It’s okay, kitten. I wasn’t going to send you anywhere. I think you and Belinda are both safest with me and my brothers. I trust your people, Arlo, but I don’t trust Timmons. He’s escaped expert trackers too many times before. He’s got skills and I don’t want to take any more chances than I have to with my sister or my mate. They stay.”
“Understood,” Arlo nodded as if it didn’t matter to him one way or the other. It was clear he was deferring to Grif as the Alpha, and Grif appreciated it.
Arlo reached into his pocket and came out with a small earpiece, handing it to Grif. He’d used many like it in his time as a Green Beret, though they’d gotten smaller over the years.
“I stopped on the way in and gave one to Steve as well,” Arlo said as Grif put the thing in his ear and did a com check.
He could hear the intermittent reports from the team and it made him feel a lot better. They weren’t all alone in the wilderness anymore. There was a support team of skilled fighters ready to help defend and protect…and serve up justice to a creature who had escaped it for much too long.
“I’ve also got one very special team working in town.” Arlo’s expression was a little more closed when he mentioned the last component of his group. Grif was instantly curious, but he knew enough not to ask for too many details about Moore’s men. They were secretive by nature to protect their civilian identities and loved ones. “Jason’s best tracker and a small support team. She’s got mad skills and is working on picking up the trail from the store where your brother had contact with Timmons. She got the scent from Logan’s people and is already on the job.”