Inequities

by Jambrea Jo Jones

  Ryerson hated the man with a passion he usually held in check. Well no more. His wrath would be known. He raised his gun and held his aim true and got the cocksucker in the hind leg. The yelp was small. Ryerson looked behind him, but no one rushed out of the house. Good. He moved silently towards his prey.

  Chapter Seven

  Something wasn’t right. Russ lifted his nose, but didn’t smell anything. But the feeling wouldn’t go away. He turned to his little fox and was about to shift when he was hit in the back paw. He yelped and shifted as fast as he could. Contrary to the myth, you didn’t heal instantly after that first shift. It took a few times and still it wouldn’t completely heal without help.

  Russ clutched his leg and looked around. He needed to get Vivian to safety. When he went down, she shifted as well.

  “Run.”

  “No way am I leaving you here. What happened?” Vivian looked around.

  Good, she was being cautious.

  “I was shot. You need to get to safety.”

  “Not without you.” Vivian reached down to help him to his feet.

  “Well, well, well. Looky what we have here. An abomination of mating. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. Vivian, you should be ashamed of yourself. Think of your children. Do you really want to have to put them down? Come with me and I won’t tell a soul. Promise. We’ll keep it between us. And if he already got you with child? I’ll take care of the beast for you.”

  The hatred rolling off the man was palpable.

  “What have you done, Ryerson?” Vivian stood her ground. If it was in a different situation he’d be so proud of his little Amazon, but the crazy had a gun. “I know my parents told you to go home and leave me.”

  “You’re under duress. Understandable. That or the wolves brainwashed you. Let’s go home.” Ryerson made a grab for Vivian.

  Russ growled low in his throat. No way was this happening. He threw his head back to howl.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” Ryerson had the gun aimed at Vivian’s head. He couldn’t chance it.

  “It’s okay, Russ. I’ll go with him. Find me.”

  “Now, now, none of that, Vivian. He won’t be going anywhere.”

  Another shot echoed in the twilight. Russ’ world went dark and there was nothing he could do about it. The bastard had won.

  Russ didn’t know how much time had passed. He’d blacked out against the pain. The bullet had hit his shoulder just missing his heart. He needed help. No way could he leave Vivian in the crazy man’s hands. Who knew what he would do? Russ had a feeling Vivian wouldn’t make it home alive. There was something in Ryerson’s gaze that would haunt Russ until the day he died. The man was crazy. And if Russ wasn’t mistaken—magic drugged. The power the fox held didn’t feel natural to Russ. He’d seen it one other time, right before his parents died. The other shifter didn’t seem—right. There was no other word for it. Russ could smell the imbalance before his pack mate was brought down and Ryerson smelt the same to Russ. Unnatural.

  He was naked and helpless, but not for long. Russ howled at the moon. The back door crashed open and Greycen stumbled out with Peter, Max and David on his heels.

  “Bella told us to hurry. What the hell happened?” Greycen demanded. “Where is Vivian?”

  When this was over he owed Bella a big kiss. Thank goodness the Ancients had given her a vision.

  “Ryerson has her and he’s magic drugged. There is no telling what he’ll do.”

  “You need to shift a couple times so we can get looking. I’ll go get some bandages.” Peter rushed back to the house.

  “Get him clothes too,” Max called to Peter.

  “I need someone to start following her scent. Greycen? You’ve know her the longest. Go. Find her. Max, go with him. You have the magic in case you need to counter anything Ryerson throws out there. I’ll be close behind.” Russ would have justice in this.

  “I’ve never dealt with a magic drugged person. I have no experience and you know my power is still new to me. I could fuck up.”

  “I have faith in you, Max. You’re strong. Just focus on getting her back,” Russ encouraged.

  “I can go,” Peter broke in as he handed the clothes over to Russ along with the bandages.

  “What?” Greycen answered for him.

  “I know some about being drugged with magic. I can help.”

  Russ didn’t have time to question Peter on where he’d experienced the drug. There would be time for that later.

  “Then go. The three of you leave now. There is no telling what he’ll do in his rage and Vivian has to be scared. Hurry.”

  The three men turned and walked off into the night. Russ had never wanted to follow so badly in his life. Vivian, his life, was out there somewhere and he needed to get her back. Peter had dropped the bandages. Russ sopped up some of the blood and was about to reach in for the bullet when a pair of hands stopped him.

  “Let me help.” Valerie looked off to were Max disappeared.

  “He’ll be fine.” Russ assured her.

  “I know.” Valerie turned to his wound. “I’ll get the bullet out and you can shift. It should heal it up enough for you to function. I know you’re going to charge after them.” Valerie was efficient and Russ was ready to go in a matter of minutes.

  But he had to do something first. As much as he didn’t like Vivian’s old tribe, he needed to warn her parents on what might be coming their way. He wouldn’t give Ryerson what he wanted, no matter what. There would be no war between the foxes and wolves. Something would have to be done with the attitude the den seemed to have, but that could be taken care of after Vivian was safe where she belonged. Maybe they could plan a trip out.

  Plan firm in mind, Russ went to get dressed and grab the phone Vivian had used to make her call earlier.

  Time to get his family home and settled. He’d send David and Bella back to investigate and if things were good, the pack would be home by tomorrow. It was about damn time for things to return to normal. The fucking Ancients had better be done with their testing. They needed a break. He knew they were the ruling force and the creators of shifters, but enough was enough.

  “Did you hear that?” Russ looked up towards the heavens. “We need a break. You can’t keep throwing this shit at us. We took care of the Vessel. Give us peace.”

  A gentle breeze was his only warning.

  Bringing the tribes together will be the last test of your worthiness. We need a strong front as we go forward. Shifters will be exposed. Soon. If we are not united much will be lost. The Vessel going home is the beginning of the end of our hiding in plain sight. Find your mate and hurry. You’re running out of time.

  Pain slammed into his head. It was always like that when the Ancients talked to him. Fuck. Russ staggered and fell on his ass clutching his forehead. Russ bolted up and raced to the house. He knew where Ryerson was taking Vivian and he didn’t have much time.

  * * * *

  “Where are you taking me?” Vivian wrapped her arms around herself, wanting to hide her nakedness.

  “Shut up and put this on. You disgust me.” Ryerson took his shirt off and threw it at Vivian.

  She didn’t want his scent on her, but she wanted him looking at her even less.

  “If I disgust you, why didn’t you kill me when you shot Russ?”

  Oh, god. Russ. He’d gone down and not moved. He couldn’t be dead. Fate wasn’t that cruel. She refused to believe that he would be taken away from her. Vivian covered her mouth to hold in the scream. She wouldn’t cry. Not in front of Ryerson. She stood up straight and glared.

  “Because, Princess, I need a body to show Mom and Dad.”

  A body? What was he talking about? Oh. No.

  “You’re going to kill me. Why didn’t you already?” Vivian resigned herself to the worst. As much as she wanted Russ to save her, she was going to have to get herself out of this mess. And she didn’t have the first clue on how to do that. She wasn’t a warrior.
She had bodyguards for goodness sake.

  “I didn’t want any more of your friends to come out. Did you rut with them all? Fucking beasts. You should have stayed home like a good little girl and fallen in with my plans. But no, you had me traipsing all over the place going after your ass. You’ll pay for that.”

  “Mom and Dad won’t believe you.”

  “Yes, they will.” Ryerson’s eyes flared an unnatural red.

  What was wrong with him? Ryerson had always been ruthless, but this was new. He held no magic that she knew of. None of her den was strong with it.

  “Even if they do, how are you going to get rid of them and take over?”

  “War my dear. Plain and simple. They will be casualties after they’ve declared me their heir. Then I don’t need them and the tribe will be mine. Now shut up. I need to get a little further away before I take care of you. Make sure I’m not followed.”

  Her parents were going to die and it was her fault. Damn it. She’d told them to make Ryerson their heir. After they saw her dead body, it would be easier to hand things over. Her den might not understand that love was all that mattered and killing her parents would only make things worse.

  What was she going to do? Vivian looked around the landscape to see if there was anything around to help her, but she was drawing a blank. Ryerson was stronger than her. She’d need something to give her leverage over him. The area had very little vegetation and no fallen tree trunks to help.

  Vivian stumbled over a root in the ground. Maybe she could slow things down? Someone had to know something was wrong by now. Didn’t they? She hated feeling like a damsel in distress. She was alpha. Not some weak-willed ninny.

  She twisted her ankle in the root. Purposely landing on it wrong. It hurt, but was worth it to slow Ryerson down. If he were to be believed he wouldn’t kill her yet.

  “What the fuck? Get up.”

  “I can’t.” Vivian played up the whine in her voice. He needed to think her weak. “I—it hurts. I twisted it.”

  Ryerson bent down and dragged her to her feet before hoisting her over his shoulder. She should have thought of that. It wouldn’t slow him down too much. How much time had passed? Had someone found Russ? Was he still alive?

  Please be alive. Oh, God. Please. I love you. Don’t die.

  Now that she was hidden from Ryerson’s view she let the tears fall. Her heart hurt and she couldn’t imagine a life without Russ. Not that it would matter if Ryerson succeeded in killing her. It took her a few minutes to realise the good thing about her position. She could reach the gun. The idiot had put it in his pants. It peeked out.

  Vivian took a deep breath, closed her eyes and made the grab. She threw her weight at his back making his balance off. He stumbled and she fell, the gun now in her possession. She shuffled away from him. The leaves and twigs dug into her ass.

  She could do this. Save herself. The only problem she had was not knowing where she was and how far they’d walked. She needed civilisation, but she had nowhere to hide the gun. She’d have to take over now.

  “Stay where you are,” Vivian shouted.

  He laughed. The stupid crazy man—laughed.

  “Put the gun down, Vivian.”

  She had this strange urge to listen to his command. Vivian shook her head. No. She was in control.

  “I said stand down or I will shoot you.”

  “You don’t have it in you. Give it to me.”

  Ryerson got off the ground and stalked towards her. She didn’t want to, but she wasn’t letting him take over. She closed her eyes and squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened.

  “Stay back.” Vivian moved backward.

  What was wrong with the gun? It didn’t fire and he was getting closer. Safety. Shit. Yes, she had to take it off. He wouldn’t have the weapon down his pants ready to fire. Vivian took a second to look down at the gun. That was all he needed. Ryerson pounced on her as she switched the safety to the off position. Her finger squeezed and the gun went off.

  They both froze. Vivian didn’t feel any pain. Had she hit him? She needed him down for the count. The only drawback to her twisting her ankle was she couldn’t run. If she shifted—she could do this.

  Ryerson fell to the ground, but she couldn’t see where he was hit. Vivian threw the gun as hard as she could, away from Ryerson. She wouldn’t be able to hold on to it when she changed. She took the shirt off and shifted. Her fox was strong. The shift took some of the burn off her leg. Not looking back she turned and raced in the direction they’d come from. Back to Russ.

  A hand stopped her. She let out a high-pitched yap and bit at the fingers. She had to run. So close to being free. He’d tricked her. Vivian nipped and yapped. Long and loud. Someone had to be out there.

  “You bitch.” Ryerson slammed her into the ground forcing her to shift back. She couldn’t move. It was too late. He’d kill her now for sure.

  I love you, Russ. Sorry. I’m so sorry.

  Chapter Eight

  Russ had caught up with the others. It wasn’t too hard, with the Ancients help he’d known right where he needed to be.

  “Wait. Did you hear that?” Russ halted the others.

  There it was again. Screams like someone was being attacked. It had to be Vivian.

  “Don’t.” Greycen stopped his mad dash.

  “Let go of me if you want to keep that hand.”

  “Listen to me. We can’t charge in there. We could make things worse.”

  Russ paused and took a deep breath. Greycen was right. He would take the man’s counsel.

  “You’re right. Split up. Max, come with me. Peter and Greycen work your way around so we can come at this bastard from both sides. I want him surrounded and he is mine. Are we clear?”

  Nods followed his announcement. He’d kill Ryerson for harming a hair on Vivian’s head.

  Max powered up his hands. The flashes of light still held Russ in awe. To have that power would be wondrous, but it didn’t make him feel less anymore. He was strong in his own way. His power was in his leadership. Why the fuck it’d taken him this long to figure out he had no idea. Zareb had as much as told him that a good leader used his people’s strengths for the greater good of the tribe. And Zareb should know.

  Calm. Focus. He would do this and no one would get hurt. Well, except Ryerson. He would bruise the fox a little before bringing him down. His own den could bring him to justice.

  “Keep it light. I don’t want him dead. Yet,” Russ whispered to Max.

  Max winked at him and continued on. If the situation wasn’t so dire, he might have laughed. They got closer to the sounds. Then silence. Russ closed his eyes. He couldn’t rush in. She might get hurt worse.

  Russ looked at the scene before him and saw red. Rage took over. He made sure Greycen and Peter were in position and he charged. Max didn’t have time to use his power. He heard the curse and the ground erupt beside him. His sole focus was Vivian lying lifeless on the ground. Ryerson better hope she wasn’t dead.

  Russ let his men take care of Ryerson. He had to make sure Vivian was okay. He raced to her side, knocking Ryerson out of the way. He cradled her naked body in his lap and rocked her back and forth.

  “Don’t be dead. I just found you.” Russ laid her out flat on the ground, careful not to jostle her. He framed her face in his hands, tears streaming down his face. He peppered kisses on her eyes, her lips and her cheeks. Anywhere he could reach.

  He could hear commotion behind him, but he ignored it.

  “Please, baby. Wake up. I need you. Don’t die on me. Damn it, Vivian. Wake up and show me those beautiful blue eyes.” Russ stroked her hair and ran his hands over her body.

  She didn’t appear to be harmed. Her ankle looked blue. It was the same one she’d hurt when she’d showed up on his doorstep. Rocking back and forth. And back and forth. He didn’t know who he was soothing. Her or himself.

  “Did you check her pulse?” Peter sat down next to him.

  Russ blinked his eyes an
d growled when Peter put a hand on Vivian. Stop. Control. It was Peter and he wanted to help. Shit. He’d never thought of that. Stupid, stupid. His fingers explored her neck, searching for that wonderful beat that would mean she lived. He bowed his head and hovered over Vivian’s lips. Her pulse was faint and if he listened close he could hear the air puffing out of her lungs.

  “Is she—” Greycen whispered?

  “She lives. Her pulse is weak. We need to get her home.”

  And showered. She smelt of the other fox and Russ’ wolf wanted to obliterate it. Thinking of foxes—

  “Where is he?”

  Max dragged the other man forward. Ryerson was unconscious.

  “Dead?” Russ asked dispassionately.

  “No. You said you wanted him alive.” Max shook his head like he wanted to go ahead and kill the man. Russ almost let him, but this wasn’t their fight. Max held out a gun. “Found this over there.”

  Russ gestured for Max to hand it over to Greycen. He would have his hands full with his mate. Nothing would stand in his way of her in his arms.

  “Good. That’s good. Can you keep him subdued? And I shouldn’t be around him or I’ll rip his throat out.” Russ picked Vivian up and headed for the truck he’d left at the side of the road about a mile up.

  The Ancients hadn’t shown him this part. Of course not. They liked to keep him guessing. But at least she was alive. He had to take what he could get. Vivian didn’t stir on the trip to the truck nor did she wake when they got back to the safe house. He was beginning to worry.

  “Max, could you find out if David and Bella made it home and what they found? I need someone to guard Ryerson and someone to take charge of getting people back to normal.”