He shook his head. “I... I don't know, Chase. I went to get her and she's not there, but Rachel was. She's unconscious and there's blood all over the floor.”
Chase snarled and took off at a run towards her house. “Get the others,” he shouted over his shoulder as he topped the little hill and flew towards Carson's house. Flinging open the door he took the steps two at time then turned the corner towards her room. Stopping dead in his tracks he saw the still form of his mate's best friend... and no sign of his love. The beast inside rose up snarling in outrage, demanding they find her now, but he pushed him back down. Not now. I have to see to the girl. We'll deal with everything else in a moment, he chastised the beast. His wolf backed down, marginally, and began to pace. Internally, he agreed with the beast, but right now he was needed here. Rachel required medical attention and as much as he didn't like to think about it, he couldn't worry about Carson's absence. Well, not yet.
He checked her pulse and felt relieved finding it a bit thready but beating steadily and she was breathing evenly. He pulled her eyelids back and checked her pupils, finding them sluggish but responsive. Turning her head slightly he gently probed the back of her head and found a gash leaking sticky blood onto the floor. Even as he watched it slowed considerably. Thank Luna for a wolf's metabolism that fostered speedy recovery.
A pair of feet stood just inside his peripheral vision. Not even checking to see who they belonged to he snapped, “I need my bag; it's in my office by the desk. Also, bring a stretcher and blankets. We need to get her to the hall before shock sets in.” The feet took off back down stairs where he could detect several wolves had gathered. Sitting back on his heels, he surveyed the destruction of the room. Clothes littered the floor and bed, the drawers pulled out haphazardly and spilling their contents everywhere. Inhaling, he could smell Carson's scent. His wolf perked up again and began to whine. Our mate needs us. The beast inside clawed at his ribs to escape. We need to find her NOW. It snarled. Chase closed his eyes and after several moments, he forced it to retreat only after promising me they would find her as soon as Rachel was stable.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the bag was dropped beside him along with a blanket and stretcher. Opening the bag, he quickly pulled out instruments and began to assess her condition in more depth. Deciding she was stable enough to move, he carefully applied gauze to her head and pulled the stretcher over. Five minutes later, with blankets tucked around her form and two burly Enforcers handling the stretcher, they made their way down stairs, through the mass of people and out the door. It was another twenty minutes before she regained consciousness and Chase sent one of the nearby wolves for Jeff. Thanks to that metabolism, the wound was already healing and aside from a slight headache, she wouldn't be any the less for wear from her experience. Once he was satisfied she was completely out of danger, he picked up her hand and looked into her eyes. “Rachel,” his voice cracked from the strain of holding back his beast this long. “Where's Carson?”
She closed her eyes and licked her lips. He picked up a cup with ice chips in it and gave her a few. “Not too fast. You have a slight concussion and I don't want you vomiting.” She took the chips and let them melt on her tongue, the water sliding down her parched throat.
The door to the hall opened and Jeff hurried in followed by Councilors Oliver and Gretchen along with one of the Enforcers. “Nick said she was awake?” he asked, the stress clear on his features. Chase nodded briefly then turned back to her. “Rachel, where's Carson? What happened? What do you remember?”
Her gaze swept the room before returning to Chase's worried one. “It's a little fuzzy,” she began.
He swallowed and fought to keep his wolf calmed. “I know it is. Just take your time.” He couldn't keep the impatience out of his voice. “Please try.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. “I remember Carson yelling for help because she had misplaced the broach. We found it and there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it...” she wrinkled her brow.
“You answered the door. Who was there, Rachel?” Jeff prodded gently.
She closed her eyes again and then they flew open. “I remember. I opened the door and he was standing there. I thought it was strange because Cay was supposed to come get her.”
“Who?” Chase had stood, his wolf straining, waiting to know who would pay for taking their mate. “Who was it Rachel?”
She shook her head. “I don't understand why he would hurt me? “ She looked around at the faces staring at her. It seemed impossible but she remembered so vividly now as he had growled at her, locking his hand around her neck. She could close her eyes and see the madness in his golden eyes as he had slammed her into the door casing before the world winked out in a burst of bright colored stars. She had trusted him – everyone had trusted him. He was, after all, the one entrusted with the pack's safety.
“It was Micah,” she whispered. “Micah Simpson.”
There was a roar of anguish thundering through the hall then hands were on Chase's arms, his shoulders, holding him back. He wanted to find that miserable flea encrusted mongrel, tear him apart until there was nothing left but blood and a memory.
“Chase, pull in your wolf!” Jeff snarled at him, using his alpha to try and force him to obey.
The words that forced out of his mouth were half growl, half human. “Our mate. He has our mate!” The world had turned monotone gray, scents were sharper, hearing enhanced. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the human was flung away as the raging beast ripped control from him. Fur, thick, red and full, sprouted from his skin, covering him from head to toe. A burst of pain made him draw a breath as his bones cracked, reformed, sinews and muscles realigned. Throwing his head back, he felt the pinch as sharp fangs ruptured his gums and he snarled. The clothing he had been wearing shredded and flew from his body in a circle. The wolf turned and snapped at the humans holding him back, but they danced just out of reach. The beast would not give up and continued to struggle against them. Finally, a set of jaws latched onto the back his neck and the hands pulled away. He felt the power of his alpha pressing down on his conscious and reluctantly obeyed, whining softly and lowering himself to the floor submissively. The pressure stayed for a moment more then was gone. In his place, a man stood, his dark green eyes glowing eerily.
“Shift back,” Jeff growled at him. “NOW!”
The wolf cringed and pulled back, giving dominance back to Chase. Quickly, he shifted to human form before the beast could again wrest control. He stood among the shreds of cloth that had been his bonding suit with his head lowered, breathing hard in the fury that he barely contained. “I apologize, Alpha. I thought I could control him,” he said. “She is our mate,” he offered in explanation.
“And my daughter and the pack's dreamer. We will get her back, but you have to keep your head,” Jeff chastised him. Putting a hand on the healer's arm, he softened his words. “We will get her back, but it’s going to take brains not brawn.” Turning to his people he spotted Will glowering nearby. “Gather together the males and start a search. She hasn't been gone that long, so her scent has to be close.”
His beta nodded and started to leave.
“And Will,” Jeff's voice had deepened as his own eyes took on a golden sheen, “try to bring him back alive. At least for now, until we get some answers.”
Will nodded with barely suppressed rage, “I'll try my best, Alpha.”
CHAPTER 14
The deep black darkness slowly receded until her consciousness began to resurface. There was a rotten musky odor of old wood and composting vegetation, compounded with dry dust and mold which made her sneeze. On top of that, her body felt sluggish and unresponsive. Slowly Carson opened her eyes and blinked several times before forcing her head to move and look around. She was sitting in a smallish room, no more than eight feet wide, ten feet long, made from rough log walls with a dirt floor. Above her, the low pitched roof stretched with dirty thatch falling through the cracks. Dull moonlig
ht slid through a single dirty window situated near the top of one wall. It had to be some sort of shack, but not one that she could recall being in before. It looked old and rickety as if a good wind might send it to the ground in a heap of debris. She sat in the middle of the room, tied to chair and so weak that she could barely hold her head up, much less pull enough energy together to free herself. Her muscles felt like lead and her head throbbed; it didn't just hurt, it was a baby elephant dancing on her skull. She moaned and closed her eyes letting her head tip back wearily. Though her body was tired, her senses slowly sharpened and she could hear the heartbeat of someone in the corner, could even smell his scent. It was familiar and she worked to pull the memory out of her addled brain.
“Feeling better?”
Her eyes snapped open and she raised her head, staring at him. “Micah?” she asked incredulously. “Is it really you?”
He grinned and crossed the hard packed floor to stand before her in the pool of moonlight. Setting his feet shoulder width apart, he clasped his hands behind his back and began to rock back and forth. “Yes, Princess, it's me.”
She blinked at him and sighed wearily. “This isn't a very funny joke. Untie me please.” She struggled weakly then realized he hadn't moved. “Micah?”
The frown that marred his face was focused on her. Slowly he took a step forward.
“Yes my mate?” His golden gaze flickered openly over her body, a smile and nod of appreciation accompanied it. Reaching out with one hand, he wrapped a single ringlet around his finger then let it go.
She shivered as a feeling of unease crept up her back leaving icy goose bumps behind. Swallowing, she forced herself to look in his face. “M...mate?,” she croaked.
“Yes. We will be mated soon, you and I, and then we will rule Sapphire Lake together.” He leaned forward and closed his eyes, taking a long draw of her scent. “A long reign that will be continued with our pups. Well, once I grow bored of ruling. Things will be different, you see. Different and so much better for all werewolves. We'll take our rightful place and the humans will take theirs – as our servants.” He opened his eyes again. “And you will be right at my side, my mate.”
She shook her head. “No. You're mistaken. I'm not...”
He took a menacing step forward. “I'm not mistaken” he snarled at her. “You are definitely my mate, Carson. Willing would be preferable, but unwilling works just as well for me.” He licked his lips.
“I'll never be your mate!” She whispered. Terror froze her blood and she began to pull harder. “Let me go, Micah. I have to go home, get back to Chase.”
In an instant his hand grasped her neck, squeezing until her air was almost cut off. She quit struggling and stared up at him with wide eyes. He snarled, “Chase is just a healer. You are a dreamer. You deserve a real wolf that can keep you safe, protect you against the horrors of the world. You need someone older, wiser...”
“Or Insane,” her wolf mumbled. She was finally rousing from the adrenaline pumping through their shared body.
“... and stronger. You deserve someone like me,” He finished.
“Like you?” She hissed at him incredulously. She resumed her struggles, pulling hard at the bindings, causing them to bite into her flesh and spill small trickles of her blood. “Have you lost your mind?”
He raised his hand as if to strike her and she flinched. He let his hand drop and took a step back, letting her neck go. She took several deep breaths then began to struggle again. The wooden chair creaked then a loud pop echoed in the room. She almost howled in joy when she felt one of the ropes loosen marginally.
He hurried to a corner then returned with a small syringe. “We can't have you hurting yourself,” he mumbled.
“What is that?” Her eyes were fixed on the syringe.
“Just a little wolf's bane serum.” He thrust the syringe in her leg but only pushed the plunger half way. “Enough to make you docile but not knock you completely out. Don't want you comatose when I claim you.” He snickered.
“Wolf's bane? What's that?,” she asked.
He capped the syringe and took a step back. “Wolf's bane is a little drug that works on weres. It suppresses your beast, effectively putting it to sleep, taking with it its superhuman strength, hearing and smell.”
Carson hissed, knowing she was in big trouble. As the drug raced through her body, she felt her beast curl up and fall unconscious, even as she mentally screamed for her to stay awake. But it was just too strong and soon she was left alone, human, weak and drowsy, facing the grinning smirk of her once friend and protector. She struggled to keep talking, “Why do you keep saying that?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Say what?”
“That you are going to claim me,” she whispered.
He laughed. “Well, because I am. You see, you were going to be my mate. The night of the run, it was me who was to beat all the others and capture, claim and imprint you. But that was then. Now, we're doing this the slower, easier way.”
She shook her head, eyes widening in fright. Swallowing she forced herself to look into his eyes and not flinch. “Micah, I have a mate. You know that. We are going to be bond...” She flinched as he let out a snarl and began to pace.
“He is not your mate, I am! Just as I've always known I would be alpha, I knew I would have you at my side as my mate. I've known it ever since before you left to go do that training. You were too young then, but now,” his eyes raked her form appreciatively, “that’s not a problem. You have definitely grown out of that gangly teen that left us three years ago and I have to admit, I rather like how well you’ve filled out.”
She licked her lips nervously. “I’m not meant for you. I belong to Ch...”
“YOU BELONG TO ME!” Flecks of spittle foamed at his lips as his arms flew out with aggravation. “It was me that watched you. I was the one to follow you when you went on your runs. I stayed nearby when you got lost in daydreams at the lake. Me, Carson. I have always been there for you. Me!” His eyes glowed as he stared at her. Taking three steps, he bent over until their noses were almost touching. “Not your father, not your brother, not your healer joke of a suitor; it was always me. You don't even know what I've had to go through to get here, what I’ve done!”
Her heart dropped into her stomach and the icy tendrils of dread crawled up her back. She swallowed again, then let her eyes close. At that moment, Carson had an epiphany; Micah Simpson was truly, completely, totally and utterly insane. Panic flared hot in her and she frantically tried to rouse her wolf. Come on girl, I need you. Wake up! It was no use; the serum had her knocked completely out. She fought to calm herself, remembering what her father had taught her 'Always keep a calm head and think through a situation and if that doesn't work – stall!' “What... what have you done, Micah?” She asked the question even though she was sure she wouldn’t like his answer.
He took a step back and grinned at her. “Did you like my gifts? I left them for you at your house. I even left one for you on your rock at the lake. Mating offerings. You know that males used to do that. They would prove to the female that they were capable of taking care of them and providing for them. I believe in the old ways. My mother always taught me that the old ways were the best ways.” He crossed his arms over his chest and watched her face.
She whimpered as realization dawned on it. “You killed Leo,” she whispered.
“I did what I had to do,” he shrugged. “He went poking around where he wasn’t supposed to be and found something he shouldn't have. It was just dumb luck that I happened to be walking by and intercepted him looking for your father. He never even knew it was coming. You should have seen the look of surprise on his face.” He chuckled, obviously very pleased with himself, and walked closer to her, driving his nose deep into the hollow of her neck and shoulder. Slowly he breathed her scent then puffed into her hair, putting his scent on her. “Mine,” he murmured.
She turned her head to the side, away from him, and shuddered. Now would be
a really good time to get up. Move your furry ass! She screamed to her animal. There was no answer.
He made his way behind her and untied the ropes securing her to the chair but leaving the ones binding her arms together behind her back. “Bathroom break,” he stated and tugged on the rope.
She chewed her lip a moment. “Can't you untie my hands at least? It's going to be hard to go like this.”
He shook his head. “It's like this or not at all. I'm not going to take a chance on your abilities. What's it going to be, Princess?”
She sighed and nodded. “Okay.”
“Good girl,” he said approvingly, then led her outside and to a nearby bush.
Carson was mortified. “I can't...” She whispered then swallowing, her face turning a deep red. Please Micah, I can't even pull down...”
He sighed. Reaching under the dirty rag of her dress, he locked his fingers in the hip of her panties and ripped them off. “There. I'll even turn my back.” He wrapped the rope around his hand, “Just to make sure you don't get lost,” then turned around.
When she was finished, Micah led her back to the chair in the shack and secured her once again. Taking a step back he caressed her face then moved his hand towards the back of her head. Slowly, he slipped his fingers up and pulled down the artful waterfall of curls that Rachel had created in her hair. He chuckled low in his throat. “You'll come around soon enough.” Lifting a strand to his lips, he kissed it. “Mmmm. I could devour you.” He opened his eyes and she was faced with the golden stare of his wolf. Letting her hair go, he shuddered, whispering, “and I will...soon.”
She squeezed her eyes closed, not wanting to see the madness staring at her. She heard him back away, then the door opened and closed. Then she was alone.
.-~*~-.
The pack room was crammed with bodies. Will stood at one end, talking to Patrick, newly elevated Captain, as the scout reports filtered in. Near the front, Miriah was talking with Emma as the two of them tried desperately to keep Chase calm. Pacing nearby, Cayson was shoving his fingers through his hair in frustration and mumbled to himself. The door opened and Jeff strolled in, making his way through the crowd and hopped up on the platform. Raising his hands, he yelled above the din, “attention, everyone”
Shattered Dreams Page 13