by Olivia Arran
I grabbed the bag that was still looped around my neck, pulling out some jeans and thumbing my cell from a pocket.
No updates. Shit. We were running out of time. Once word got back to wherever the hell they were hiding, Eric’s lieutenants were going to—
I abruptly cut off that train of thought, unable to stomach going there.
I tugged on the jeans, snapping the buttons shut. Maybe Tarq would be good for Amanda, get her to loosen up, get over losing James, and enjoy life a little. I smothered another snort. Like I was one to talk…
Whatever. I had a job to do, a promise to keep.
I quickly dialed a number, waiting impatiently for it to connect.
“Yup, Sheriff’s Department,” a male voice answered on the third ring.
“Ryan, Sean here. Any news?”
I could hear the other man shifting in his chair, the frame squeaking in protest. “Nope. Sorry, man. We’ve checked the town, and I’ve spoken to my brothers. She’s not on Everson land.” His voice was rough and growly, a bit like the bear shifter himself.
“So, we’ve ruled out Colstone, Smithrock, Everson, and Craggstone Town.” I listed the areas, picturing them in my head.
“Yeah. And your Alpha has been in talks with the Council — he says that the dragon and horse Council members have been in contact with their local…herds…wings…whatever the fuck they are. They haven’t seen her either.”
Shit. “Good to know, they were next on my list.”
“What about the local jaguar pride?”
“The what? Where?” To my knowledge, there wasn’t one near here.
The man chuckled on the other end of the line. “Keep forgetting — cats tend to stay away from dogs.” Ryan laughed.
“Get on with it.” I growled, near the end of my patience. My skin was starting to feel tight, tension thrumming through me. “Why would they take her near a jaguar pride? They might be Eric’s goons, but they’re not stupid. Those cats would eat them alive for harming one of their own.”
“You might be right, but it’s worth a shot. The more people we have looking for your Lisa, the better, I’d say—”
“She’s not mine—” I snapped back quickly.
“He doth protest a little too much.”
I cut him off, the singsong phrase shooting a little too close to the truth for comfort. “Where is the damn pride?”
“Other side of Smithrock, but further south — near the border. You’ll see a valley, behind a large rock formation. It’s a little hidden, they like it that way—”
“I’ll find it—”
“Be careful, they don’t like outsiders coming in. And like I said, they don’t like dogs.”
“Well, they don’t have a choice. This canine is coming visiting,” I replied firmly, wondering if this was Lisa’s pride. And why the hell didn’t I know about it — it was practically on our fucking doorstep!
“Good luck, call me if you need any more help,” Ryan broke into my thoughts. “And, Sean?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re lucky to have found her. You have a chance most of us would kill for. Don’t fuck it up, alright?” Then he hung up, leaving me staring at the cell in my hand, stunned.
Fuck it up? There was nothing to fuck up.
Find the girl. Get her out. Move on.
Easy. Right?
***
Sean
I paused at the top of the ridge, looking down at the valley sprawled below. Ryan had been right. It was well hidden, but I didn’t smell any big cats.
I took another deep sniff, sorting through the scents. Fir trees, grass, fresh rain, the old scent of a rabbits trail. Maybe he was wrong, or I had got my directions mixed up, but I didn’t think so. Something about this place just seemed off. I couldn’t put a finger on it but—
“Who are you, and what do you want?” a low voice demanded, from somewhere…above. I glanced up, clamping down on any visible reaction — only years of training stopped me from jumping a mile. Where? My eyes narrowed, scanning the tree. There! Camouflaged by tree branches, a man crouched, his sun-licked skin coated with a sheen of sweat, a cloth looped loosely around his waist.
How the hell?
“Now, where the hell did you pop up from?” I replied, keeping my tone even, betraying nothing. “I’m just out for a nice walk, taking in the beautiful scenery, minding my own business—”
“Like hell you are, canine,” the man growled, baring his teeth.
Canine. Well that answered one question. But, who was he — and why couldn’t I smell him?
“Why don’t you come down here and we’ll talk, like civilized people?”
The man stared at me, his face still hidden by foliage with only his eyes burning bright. Almond shaped eyes, the color of stained oak…
“Lisa,” I whispered, shock jolting through me as recognition struck. I had found her pride, now I only had to find her kin.
“What did you just say?” The man swung himself easily down from the tree, landing silently on his feet. He was of average height, packed with a sleek kind of muscle that you didn’t notice at first — until he moved, and then you could see power rippling beneath his skin. His face was angular, from his sharp nose down to a square jaw, one that was gritted in annoyance. His eyes though — they were all Lisa. And his mouth…and his skin…
“I said — what did you just say?” the man barked out, stalking toward me.
I shook off my surprise, pulling myself together. “You look just like her, y’know,” I drawled, baiting the man. I could easily take him, and my beast rumbled in agreement.
He stopped sharply, hands twitching by his sides. “Watch it canine, you’re trespassing. Now, who do I supposedly look like?”
“Do you know a woman by the name of Lisa?” I asked casually, pretending to brush a speck of dust from my jeans. Direct the conversation — first rule.
“Lisa? No, I thought you said something else…” he muttered, confusion flitting through his eyes. “Now, leave — you’re not welcome here. Not without an invitation.” Confidently turning his back, he sauntered away through the long grass toward the sloping walls of the ravine.
I had to admire his balls. I was nearly twice his size and at least a foot taller, yet he dismissed me like I was a human!
“How do you hide your scent?”
“None of your business, wolf,” he threw the words over his shoulder.
“Oh, I think you might find that it is. Especially if you’re harboring kidnappers in your pride…” I growled, letting my beast’s power carry the warning.
He stopped again, his back betraying his sudden tension. “Kidnappers? Who’s been kidnapped? This ‘Lisa’ you’re talking about?”
“If you know where she is…”
He spun around. “What does she look like?”
“Why the fuck should that matter? Either you have her, or you don’t!” I took a step toward him. If he had her…
“We don’t— It’s just— Shit…” he muttered. “My sister— I think she might be missing. She hasn’t answered my calls — and she always does. And now you show up…something’s wrong. What does this ‘Lisa’ look like?” He repeated the question urgently, worry clear on his face.
Wheels finally started to turn in my brain.
“Your sister’s name?” I asked.
“Luisa.”
Right. No wonder they looked so alike. I conjured up an image of Lisa, which was not difficult since she seemed lodged in my mind.
“She’s tiny, about 5’3” — unless she’s wearing those skyscraper heels she seems to love. Brown, almond-shaped eyes, heart shaped face with cute little dimples, wide smile,” — luscious lips — “mad, crazy hair, her skin’s lightly tanned, lighter than mine — more gold like yours.” Looks like satin, with curves that just won’t quit, I added silently. “She’s filled with an unstoppable kind of energy, always moving, always having fun. A spark…” I trailed off, remembering how it had felt when that
spark had been aimed at me.
“Sounds like Luisa.” Shock was clear in the other man’s voice. Shock and worry. “But what’s she doing mixed up with a pack of wolves? And, why is she calling herself Lisa?” He muttered to himself. Then with a jolt, he looked at me, pinning me with his gaze. “And, why the hell did you let her get kidnapped?” he growled, striding toward me.
A growl spilled from my lips at the challenge, even if he was Lisa’s brother, I couldn’t let it go. I strode forward, meeting him halfway, letting my beast bleed gold in my eyes. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to, feline?”
“A wolf that let my sister get kidnapped, by the sounds of it!”
“I’m the Beta of the Colstone Pack, so back the fuck down. And, we didn’t let your sister get kidnapped; she was in the packhouse. It’s meant to be a safe place,” I added as an afterthought, the truth of his words hitting home — we had — no, I had…
“Sure sounds like a safe place.”
Clamping down on the urge wipe the sneer off his face, I leaned closer, crowding the smaller man. “If you don’t know where she is then I have no need of you.” Then I grinned, the smile of someone who didn’t give a shit. Okay, the smile might have a touch of manic in it, but relaxing the tight rein I kept on my temper felt real good. A little too good. Walking a fine line, I reminded myself.
Seeing something in my eyes, he nodded, wary respect reflected in his own. “I’m going with you—”
“No, you’re not.” I shut him down and strode off.
“You’re going to need me—”
“I don’t need anyone.”
“I’m her twin! We have a bond!” he shouted after me.
Well, fuck.
He had more than me, then. I took a deep breath. Resigning myself, I jerked my head in assent.
“Better catch up then, we’re up against a ticking clock.”
CHAPTER THREE
Sean
“Who took her?” the guy — Luis — asked, pushing aside thick foliage as we trudged deeper into the forest.
“Smithrock Pack—”
“Those fucking rabid—”
I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “Not the whole pack. Eric, the Alpha’s son is — was — a sick, twisted bastard. He was poisoning the pack, trying to take over. He killed his own mother. He had a thing for Kara—”
“Kara? Luisa’s friend?”
“She told you about her?”
“Yeah. Said she had found a stray, someone who needed help. That was Luisa — always with the big heart. Got her in all kinds of trouble when we were kids.” He shrugged, chuckling to himself.
“She’s Lisa, now. And yeah, she helped Kara, got mixed up in it all, and Eric took her as leverage.”
“But Eric is dead now? You said ‘was’.”
“James, my Alpha, challenged him — and won. From what I hear, Eric didn’t play fair and deserved what was coming to him. He killed his own Alpha, in front of the Council. His own goddamn father! Now James is acting Alpha of the Smithrock Pack, much to his bemusement. ”
“I’ve heard of the Council,” Luis said casually, flicking a leaf off his shoulder. “The jaguar member is one of my uncles,” he added as explanation. He shrugged, continuing, “It’s a small world. So, what’s your interest in my sister?”
My defenses immediately slammed up tight. “No interest, except that she was taken on our land…and is the best friend of the Alpha’s new mate.”
“Ah, Kara. So, that’s how she plays into this.”
I grunted, pushing ahead. We didn’t have a clue where we were headed, just following some sort of internal radar that Luis claimed to have.
“So…she’s nothing to you?” he pressed, catching up.
I gave another grunt. Jeez, I sounded like a caveman! But, I couldn’t force the words out. She should mean nothing to me. I had decided that she didn’t. But, my beast didn’t like that one bit — snapping and snarling at me.
Calm the fuck down!
He was driving me crazy! Pushing to have his way.
Luis seemed to accept my answer, changing direction and pushing ahead. “She’s this way.”
“How do you know — for sure?” My words were clipped, but I was bone tired. Tired of fighting my beast, tired of having to be in control all the time…tired of being scared to death that I wasn’t going to find her in time. That was the worst. With every passing minute I couldn’t stop the horrifying visions that crammed into my brain. Lisa being tortured, Lisa being beaten, Lisa being— I shuddered, my chest tight. No way, not while I was still breathing.
Luis looked at me, brows raised at my strangled breathing. “The bond. I know when she’s close, and that way—” he pointed to the right, “—is closer to Luisa.”
“Lisa,” I corrected automatically. “Why did she change her name?”
“Hell if I know, man. I didn’t even know anything was up with her. She checked in, as usual, a few days ago — told me she was taking a trip from the pride to see Kara, and that I shouldn’t worry. She always called or texted, didn’t like me visiting. It must be over a year since I last saw her. Shit! I should have known something was up, and trusted my instincts. But, for the last year she’s kept her half of the bond shut down tight. No emotions. I can track her, but I can’t feel her! If she hadn’t shut me out…I could have done something!” He kicked a broken tree stump in frustration.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. Even only knowing her a short while, I do know that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Regular little spitfire, your sister.”
Luis huffed, obviously still blaming himself. “Sure is, world wouldn’t be the same if she wasn’t around.”
He was right. The world needed someone like Lisa, she made it a more…interesting place. Fun, exciting. Life with her would be a rollercoaster. Just thinking about her made my blood quicken and my cock twitch. Wildcat, she had said — yeah, I could imagine that. I smirked at my beast’s immediate enthusiasm.
Nope, I’m not budging on this one, I warned him. Control — remember? I have to have it — and she makes me lose it.
My smirk dimmed, as regret filled me. My temper, my uncontrollable rage, it was my cross to bear — my inheritance, you could say. It had to be controlled. And, that was that.
“She’s this way,” Luis said, the urgency in his tone snapping me out of the mental flagellation I had been indulging in.
We were far beyond Smithrock land now, crossed over the border and into neutral territory, as far as I could tell.
“Down here.” The smaller man crept ahead, his lithe form making quick work of the difficult terrain, his footsteps barely making a sound. Though light-footed myself, I felt like a bolder crashing through the forest next to him.
“Stop,” he hissed, hand held up in the universal halt signal. Dropping to his stomach, he wiggled forward through the thick undergrowth, his movements careful and silent.
Quickly, I did the same, sniffing the air. The musky stench of male wolves reached my nose, along with the sweet smell of feline — the tang of oranges laced with orchids…Lisa! Which reminded me… “Why the hell can’t I smell you?” I hissed, careful to keep my voice down.
“Later, man.” He waved off the question, all his focus ahead. “She’s here. Look.” He nodded toward a small stone building, barely still standing — its walls crumbling and roof sagging.
Smoke curled from the chimney, a sure sign of inhabitants. I flicked my eyes over the building, quickly cataloguing all entrances and exits. Noting the bars on one window, I stifled a growl. Those bastards were keeping her caged, like an animal.
“So, what now?” Luis whispered, a matching fury in his eyes.
What I wanted to do was storm the building, claws flying and teeth ripping. I clamped down hard on my beast, wrestling for control, as he snarled and lurched at my skin. I couldn’t lose control. They could kill her before we reached her. Finally getting him to submit, I blinked, the haze of red fading once again.
We needed intel…and a plan.
“For now, we watch, and we wait.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Lisa
I sat slouched in the same corner as earlier, staring at my hands while my foot tapped out a staccato rhythm, willing a plan to come to mind. There had to be something I could do, I was a jaguar, after all — and I had been taught how to fight. Last resort, I could shift and try to fight my way out of here.
They were either gonna just kill me, or rape and kill me, or — even worse — rape and keep me. My stomach clenched at the thought, icy fear shooting through me. I wouldn’t let that happen. No way. Nope.
I jumped to my feet, finally ditching my heels, though I immediately mourned the certain loss of my favorite pair of skyscrapers. Flexing my hands, I rolled my shoulders, trying to work myself up. I had to do something. All this sitting around and waiting for the sky to fall just wasn’t me. I was an action kinda girl, take charge and screw the consequences. The exact opposite of my twin, mom always used to say, fondness on her face. I charged toward things rather than waiting for a more natural progression. Always going one hundred miles an hour, another of her favorite ways of describing me.
Bouncing from the ball of one foot to the other, I wracked my brain.
Think, Lisa, think!
Distract one, take him out, then use him as a shield—? Nah, not gonna work. They’re bigger and stronger, and outnumber me. But, are they faster? And, can they climb?
I strode over to the door, pulling up short as male voices filtered through the wood, much louder this time. They were arguing, heated, and extremely pissed off.
Arguing about going to find out what the hell was keeping Eric.
“Like fuck, you will,” Gary snarled — I’d recognize his voice anywhere now, “I’ll go, you stay here and watch the prisoner…and don’t fucking touch her, or I’ll kill you myself. She’s mine. The designation from the Sunclaw Pack will be here soon with the merchandise and further instructions, so don’t fuck up.”