Wanted_Undead or Alive

by Kerrelyn Sparks

  Rhett stopped in the middle of the yard. “I’ve already been hunting tonight. And I’ve caught the most amazing prey.”

  Caddoc lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed? Where is this prey of yours?”

  Rhett glanced back, motioning to Dimitri. The Malcontent grabbed Brynley and zoomed forward, depositing her next to Rhett. He dashed back to the woods and Corky.

  It seemed odd to Brynley that no one looked surprised that Rhett traveled with a few Malcontents. Apparently, they were accustomed to seeing him with vampires. But they were surprised by her appearance. Murmurs spread among the werewolves till everyone in the yard was staring at her.

  She took a deep breath and looked up at her father.

  He stared at her. At first she thought his face completely expressionless, but then she noticed the clenched jaw and eyes so intense he could probably kill a deer without touching it. He was pissed. Well, she supposed she had caused him some embarrassment by running away from the wedding he’d planned. That had been a rule drummed into her and Phil since infancy. Never, ever contradict or embarrass their father in front of his minions.

  “I’ve brought her home,” Rhett boasted. “And she’s agreed to marry me in three days.”

  Caddoc’s eyes narrowed. “Has she?”

  He didn’t trust her. Well, he was right. She had no intention of marrying Rhett. Ever.

  “Brynley!” a female voice squealed. A pretty young woman in a flowery cocktail dress ran across the patio, or attempted to. With a laugh, she kicked off her high-heeled sandals and sprinted barefoot across the yard.

  Brynley’s heart expanded. “Glynis.” She grinned when her sister threw her arms around her with an exuberant hug.

  They’d always hugged, especially after Mom had died and Phil had left. As the only females in the family, they’d clung to each other for support. They’d always understood there were no hugs to be had from their father or Glynis’s twin brother, Howell.

  “Thank you, Rhett! I knew you could do it.” Glynis grinned at him, then at Brynley. “I’ve been begging him to bring you home.”

  “Mission accomplished.” Rhett winked at her.

  She giggled and pulled Brynley toward the patio. “Isn’t he dreamy?” she whispered.

  More like a nightmare. “Glynis, we need to talk.”

  “I know!” Glynis frowned at her. “I was so devastated when you ran away. If you had just stayed one more day, you would have met Rhett, and you would have seen how perfect he is for you.” She glanced toward their father and lowered her voice. “And you wouldn’t have upset you know who.”

  Brynley stopped about six feet from the patio, where her father was still staring at her.

  Glynis stepped between them, a wide grin plastered on her pretty face. “Brynley’s come home, Dad! Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Bless her, Brynley thought. Glynis had always wanted to believe they were a happy family. This was the only world she knew, so she clung to the notion that it was a good one. Brynley had never had the heart to purposely burst the pretty bubble her sister lived in. She’d protected her over the years in hopes that her sister would escape by marrying a nice werewolf who would treat her well. Whenever a questionable guy had shown interest in her, Brynley had chased him off.

  Caddoc glanced at Glynis, then back at Brynley. “I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do. Glynis, she will share your room until the wedding.”

  Glynis clapped her hands together and grinned at Brynley. “We’ll have so much fun! It’ll be like summer camp.”

  Poor Glynis. She didn’t realize she’d just been assigned twenty-four-hour guard duty.

  Caddoc motioned to three of his minions, who were, thankfully, dressed. “See that my daughters are . . . comfortable.”

  “Yes, master.” They bowed their heads.

  Three more bodyguards. Her father was making sure she’d have no chance to escape.

  One of the guards strode toward the house and opened the back door. “This way.”

  Glynis linked her arm with Brynley’s. “I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. I’m so glad you’re back home. I missed you terribly!”

  “I missed you, too,” Brynley murmured, glancing back to find the other two guards behind them, steering them like cattle into a pen.

  “And we have wedding plans to make!” Glynis pulled her inside. “I’m so excited!”

  Brynley winced as the door slammed shut behind her. She was back home.

  In prison.

  Chapter Twenty

  Brynley paced around her sister’s large bedroom suite. It was no wonder pack members thought they were princesses. Glynis’s king-sized bed was covered with Egyptian cotton sheets and a pink satin duvet. The large armoire housed a big flat-screen television and library of DVDs.

  The adjoining bathroom sported gold-plated fixtures on the marble sink and giant Jacuzzi tub. The walk-in shower was lined with marble and boasted three spray nozzles. No bathroom window for escape.

  She eyed the white marble floor and thought of Phineas and Jack lying helpless on the bare wooden floor of her brother’s cabin. Were they still paralyzed? If she escaped, would Rhett call Kyle and order him to stake them? Maybe she should give them more time before she made her move.

  She wandered back into the bedroom.

  “Come on, Bryn.” Glynis patted a spot next to her on the bed. “Tell me where you’ve been. What have you been doing?”

  “Teaching school.” She peered out her sister’s large upstairs window. It was a big drop to the ground below. But not so bad if she had a rope. Or expensive Egyptian cotton sheets.

  The circular drive in front of the house was jammed with SUVs and pickup trucks from the hundred or so guests attending the Hunt. Maybe she could borrow one. It was common for her father’s guests to leave the keys in the vehicles in case one needed to be moved. No one worried about robbery here. There were always a few guards on duty.

  Besides, anyone who messed with her father or his property would find himself mauled to death by a pack of wolves. Anyone who helped her escape would probably face a similar fate. She was on her own.

  “Do you like teaching?” Glynis asked. “The kids aren’t mean to you?”

  “The kids are grateful they have a home.” She glanced back at her sister. “I’m mostly teaching the Lost Boys.”

  “What Lost Boys?”

  Brynley sighed. “I’m afraid I’ve overprotected you.” It had felt necessary when her sister was eleven and mourning the loss of her mother, but unfortunately, it had become a habit that was hard to break. “Glynis, our father banishes young boys from the pack. Just like he did Phil.”

  She blinked. “Phil chose to leave—”

  “No. Our father kicked him out. He does it to boys every year. Some of them as young as twelve years old.”

  Glynis shifted uneasily on the bed. “I didn’t realize they were so young. We’re not supposed to talk about them. Once they’re out of the pack, they—”

  “They still exist. Imagine being without your home and family—”

  “Don’t.” Glynis shuddered. “They wouldn’t have been banished if they hadn’t misbehaved.”

  “How can you say that? These are young boys with nowhere to go.”

  Glynis gave her an injured look. “I’m not heartless, you know. I’m glad you found a home for them. But you weren’t banished like them. Your home is here.”

  “Doing what?” Brynley muttered as she sprawled into an armchair upholstered with pink roses. “You’re twenty-three years old, Glyn. Don’t you want to do more than play hostess every month for the Hunt?”

  She looked indignant. “I do plenty of things. I get to travel—”

  “With an escort.”

  She waved that aside. “I feel safer with them. And I get to shop—”

  “With Dad’s money.”

  Glynis huffed. “Well, someday I hope to marry, but Dad insists that you get married first.”

  Brynley dropped
her head back on the cushion. “No wonder you’re eager to marry me off.”

  “Brynley!” Glynis tossed a pink satin pillow at her. “Don’t make me sound so selfish. I want you to be happy. And Rhett really wants to marry you. He promised me he would be a good husband to you.”

  Brynley groaned.

  “He’s handsome and charming.” Glynis ticked off a list on her fingers. “He’s a powerful Alpha. He’s almost as rich as Dad. He has a dozen ranches in Alaska and one here so you could always spend time here in your old hunting grounds. And they call him the King of Alaska! That would make you a queen.”

  “He already has a queen. A vampire named Corky who’s probably his mistress.”

  Glynis rolled her eyes. “He’s a very virile man, Bryn. You couldn’t expect him to stay celibate while he was waiting for you to return.”

  Brynley gave her sister a worried look. “Have you fallen for him?”

  “No.” She blushed. “I’m interested in someone else.”

  “Really?” Brynley sat forward. “Who?”

  Glynis’s blush deepened. “He’s a werewolf, but not an Alpha. He’s not interested in power or land. He’s an artist. Dad hired him to paint a mural in the great hall, and when no one was looking, I would bring him water to drink. He’s so sweet. Not at all like . . .”

  “Our father?”

  Glynis winced. “I’m not blind. I can see how Dad and the other Alphas behave.”

  Brynley sighed. “Our father’s not going to allow you to date a guy who’s not an Alpha or doesn’t own land.”

  Glynis hung her head. “I know.”

  “Then why do you stay here?”

  Her eyes widened with surprise. “Where else would I go? I live here. I have most everything I could want here.” She smiled. “Especially now that you’re back. I want you to be happy, too. And I think Rhett is perfect for you. You were always the strong and fearless one, and he’s that way, too.”

  “Me? Strong and fearless?” Brynley shook her head. She’d lived most of her life in fear of her father.

  “Yes, you are,” Glynis insisted. “You’ve done all kinds of things I would never have the nerve to do. You went off to college, you joined the rodeo, you’re teaching school.” Her eyes glimmered with tears. “You’re always leaving me. And I need you here.”

  “Oh, Glynis.” Brynley sat beside her on the bed and hugged her. She couldn’t blame her sister for taking comfort by clinging to the security of the Lycan world. Unfortunately, the world that made Glynis feel safe made her feel trapped.

  “Please give Rhett a chance,” Glynis begged with tears in her eyes. “He wants you. And it’s not just for power and prestige. He’s taken a real interest in you. He’s always asking me questions about you. What do you like? What do you dream about? Where do you go when you want to be alone?”

  Brynley winced. “You told him about Phil’s cabin?”

  “Sure. I told him lots of things. I want you to be happy with him.”

  She felt the prison bars closing in.

  “He plans to court you, you know.” Glynis beamed with excitement. “So you’ll be happy to marry him. Isn’t that romantic?”

  Brynley started to explain that Rhett’s idea of romance was threatening to kill others so she would submit. But as she studied her sister’s hopeful smile, she couldn’t bring herself to tarnish the gilded cage her sister enjoyed living in.

  “And only three days to the wedding!” Glynis clasped her hands together. “It’s so exciting! And guess what? Dad had a beautiful gown made for you for the last wedding. It’s still hanging in your closet.”

  A seed of panic stirred in Brynley’s chest. She had to get out of here. If only she could teleport like the— She gasped. That was it! All she had to do was call a Vamp, and he’d teleport in and swoosh! She’d be outta here!

  “You look shocked.” Glynis grinned. “But don’t worry. I’ve seen the gown, and it’s really lovely.”

  Brynley nodded. She needed a phone. Her gaze swept the room. No phone in sight. But close to the door there was a bombé chest with Glynis’s bright red designer handbag sitting on top. There had to be a cell phone inside. What wealthy young lady didn’t own a cell phone?

  “I’ll be your maid of honor, right?” Glynis asked.

  Brynley nodded, still focused on the red handbag. Her portal to freedom.

  “Oh, I bought the cutest dress the other day in Billings. It’s teal-green. Is that all right for the wedding?”

  “Why don’t you try it on?” Brynley suggested. “I’d love to see it.”

  Glynis jumped to her feet. “That’s a great idea! Then you can help me decide which shoes to wear with it.” She dashed into her giant walk-in closet. “I’ll just be a sec!”

  “Take your time.” Brynley rushed over to the red handbag and dug through its cavernous interior. No phone? She checked inside pockets, outside pockets. Dammit. She opened the drawers of the bombé chest. Scarves, mittens, hats, berets, gloves.

  She ran to the bedside tables and checked the drawers. No phone. There had to be a phone somewhere in this damned house. Her bedroom had a phone. At least it had before she’d run away. It was just down the hall.

  She eased open the door, and a guard quickly appeared.

  “Can I help you?”

  He was a new guard, probably from a pack far away in Idaho. The other two guards stood nearby. Strangers to her, but loyal to her father.

  She cleared her throat. “I thought I’d go to my bedroom for a second. My wedding dress is there, and I’d like to see it.”

  “We’ll arrange it,” the guard responded. “Anything else?”

  Could you arrange to jump off a cliff? “I’m a bit hungry.” Actually, after killing that deer and having wild sex with Phineas, she was starving. She needed to keep her strength up.

  “We’ll have a tray brought up for you.”

  Before she could say anything else, the guard shut the door in her face.

  “What do you think?” Glynis bounced from the closet, wearing a beautiful teal-green dress.

  I think I’m screwed. She heaved a big sigh. “It’s lovely.”

  With a laugh, Glynis twirled in a circle. “Only three days till your wedding!”

  Three days to escape. She wondered again how Phineas was doing. She should have told him she loved him while she had the chance.

  The sat phone buzzed again. Phineas groaned inwardly. Freemont had to know something was wrong. He was going to get chewed out for sure if—

  Four forms materialized nearby. Zoltan with Roman hitching a ride. Vanda giving Gregori a ride. Of course. Freemont’s choices had been limited to those Vamps who had teleported here before. Zoltan and Vanda. The location of the cabin was embedded in their psychic memory. And they’d brought Roman and Gregori, because most of the MacKay employees were still in Russia and Eastern Europe.

  Zoltan and Roman were armed with swords, Gregori with an automatic pistol, and Vanda with a whip.

  Roman sheathed his sword. “Jack? Phineas? Are you all right?” He knelt beside Phineas. “Can you talk?”

  Phineas blinked.

  “We’re not alone.” Zoltan pointed his sword toward the couch. “Let’s get back to Romatech now.”

  “Just a minute.” Roman picked a dart off the floor and looked curiously at it. “I think they were drugged.”

  “It must be Nightshade,” Gregori said. “I don’t think they can move.”

  A groan sounded from the couch, then a sleepy “What the hell?”

  “Vanda,” Zoltan whispered. “Go. Take Jack with you.”

  She fell to her knees beside Jack, wrapped her arms around him, and vanished.

  “Roman, take Phin—” Zoltan stopped.

  A huge growl sounded behind Phineas, and he knew Kyle must have shifted.

  “Watch out!” Zoltan shouted.

  Roman jumped back just as the werewolf leaped, his vicious jaws snapping.

  Gunshots fired, and the wolf jolted
in midair, then landed with a thud on top of Phineas. He winced inwardly as the two-hundred-pound weight squirmed in death throes on his torso.

  Zoltan shoved the wolf off him, and it shimmered, returning to human form.

  “Shit,” Gregori said softly, the gun still in his hand. “Is he dead?”

  Zoltan felt for a pulse on Kyle’s neck. “He’s gone.”

  Gregori grimaced, then muttered another curse.

  “You had no choice,” Roman told him. “He was attacking us.”

  Gregori holstered his gun. “I thought he was going to bite you. I just meant to stop him. I didn’t mean to . . . Shit!” He paced away.

  Phineas blinked slowly. Nate Carson would have a lot to deal with when he woke up. His first night as a vampire. And the news that his brother was dead.

  Zoltan straightened and looked around the cabin. “Brynley’s gone. The werewolves must have taken her.”

  Phineas managed to make a sound something like a moan.

  Zoltan leaned over him. “We’ll get her back.”

  Roman knelt beside him. “The drug should wear off during your death-sleep. Tomorrow night, you’ll be as good as new.”

  “And tomorrow night, we’ll have a small army,” Gregori added. “Angus ordered everybody to return to New York. They’ll arrive tomorrow.”

  Zoltan picked him up. “We’ll find her, Phineas. Mark my word.”

  The next night, Phineas awoke in his basement bedroom at Romatech. Alone. It was only last night when he’d kissed Brynley in this bed. Just last night when he’d made love to her by the Cloud Peak Glacier.

  Frustration seethed in him that he had spent the rest of the night drugged and entirely helpless, unable to rescue her. He guzzled down two bottles of blood, threw on some clothes, and zoomed upstairs to the MacKay security office.

  “Hey, bro!” Freemont grinned at him from behind the desk. “You’re looking a lot better. Last night, you looked kinda stiff.”

  “What took you so long to send someone? We could have fried there on the floor if the sun had risen!”

  “Dude, it was only fifteen minutes.”