“You gonna have to put up with me for a few days. By the way, my name is Jack. What should I call you?”
I looked over my shoulder at him. He grunted at me then picked up the sandwich, peeling the wrapper and taking a bite.
“Captain,” he said with a mouthful. This old man would be the perfect roommate if he’d stay out of my way.
The watch Tunick had given me said there was only thirty minutes until the event started. Digging into my backpack, I unfolded the shirt and slacks then slipped them on. The spelled badge at the bottom on my bag went around my neck. It was the only way I’d get in for recon.
“I’ll be back soon. You’re welcome to anything in my bag if you want it.” I watched the old man, but he wouldn’t look my way.
The front of the convention center was packed with people waiting to see the fight. I stepped around the line and headed toward the back of the building. The door was locked when I tried it. When no one was around, I slipped the amulet from around my neck and ran it over the lock. It popped open. It was highly illegal in the supernatural community to be caught with such a powerful amulet, especially one that could unlock doors, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
Turning left I headed toward the sound of the crowd. From the smell, it was a mixed crowd—a lot of human and a little of everything else. The hallway was long, and at the end were security officers.
“Shit,” I mumbled under my breath. I’d never been to a MMA match before. They were barbaric; rugby was more my sport, with box seats. I hoped the warlock was as good as my mother believed him to be. Otherwise, I was screwed.
“Pass, please,” the security guard said. Her long hair was pulled back into a bun.
“Of course, doll.” I held up my lanyard. It said whatever she wanted it to say, or so Roderick had told me.
She looked down at it and up confused. Thanks to the amulet, she couldn’t tell what I was. She, however, was a young witch.
“Are you with the The Unleashed group?”
I smiled. “Yes. That is exactly who I’m looking for. I’m running late. Do you know where they are?”
“Ramirez fights at eleven, but you already know that. Corbin Reynolds and the rest of the crew are already ring side. The coaches are with Ramirez in the back. I can show you how to get there if you’d like.” She batted her eyelashes.
“I’m good. Corbin is expecting me.”
“No problem. I’m just going to scan you for magick before you enter.”
Fuck. “Wolves don’t need magick.” I laughed. Liar.
“Oh, I know. It’s just protocol. My job and all. You wouldn’t believe the crazies out there, and a high-profile fight like this . . . well, you know.”
“We appreciate it. Keeping Ramirez safe and all.”
She smiled and held out her scanner, waving it over me. I held my breath, trying to subside my agitation and maybe even some fear. I needed to get in there at any cost. That meant strong-arming my way in, if needed.
The green light stayed steady as she passed it over me. I exhaled.
“You’re good to go. Enjoy the fight.” She winked.
The chaos rolling around the building was almost euphoric. I pushed my way toward the gate that held the VIPs by the ring. They may not have realized what I was, thanks to the pendant, but I knew what each one of them were. There were several humans, vampire, weres, and even an imp sitting next to a succubus and an angel. Nothing like two men beating the shit out of each other to bring the masses together.
Ramirez was fighting another werewolf named Bacco. Most of Bacco’s corner were all wolves. I scanned to see who was in Ramirez’ corner; it was mix of different types of shifters. Corbin Reynolds, the pack’s alpha, was well-known among all the registered packs. He wasn’t a born alpha; he’d put together a pack of his own out of nowhere and carved out this little area here in Tampa. His pack wasn’t just werewolves, but all different types of shifters. It was unheard of, and it surprised me that he wasn't killed yet for bucking the status quo. Rumor had it he was ruthless and dangerous, which was why I thought this entire idea was crazy, but it was the only way to get my brother off my back.
Next to a tall buxom blonde was a smaller man, with tanned skin and dark hair was cut close to his head. He was a wolf and staring straight at me. Power rolled off him, which meant he had to be Corbin, the leader of The Unleashed pack. He was smaller than I had expected, but I knew he was in charge by looking at him. He had an aura of power about him. Corbin was impeccably dressed, as were those sitting with him.
I broke my eye contact with him. There was no way he’d know who I was, but I would not bring attention to myself.
I showed my badge to the security officer who guarded the VIP section, and he let me in. I made my way over to Bacco’s corner before I turned to get another look at Corbin. My attention went to the boy next to him sucking on a soda. Lucky kid to sit front row at an event like this. Now I needed to figure out who he was and how I could get him to help me.
Chapter Three
“Why did you come back?” Captain stared out the window, never turning to me when I walked into the room.
“I expected you would be asleep by now, and besides I left my backpack. Of course, I was coming back.”
He glanced my way. “Did you find your monsters?”
I looked down at my feet. “We aren’t monsters. No more than you are. We all are fighting our own demons.” Nodding to the brown paper bag in my hand I sat down next to my backpack, which looked to be untouched. “I brought you something to eat just in case you were hungry. It isn’t much. Just a few hot dogs.”
He eyed me before sitting down a few feet away. “Thanks,” he grumbled as I tossed him the bag.
“How do you know about us, wolves?”
“I know about all of you, wolves, tigers, the warlocks. Even the vampires. I’m homeless, not stupid. This is my city, and I see everything. Tampa is overrun by the monsters, and everyone is too busy staring at their damn phones to notice it. I tried telling them at the VA hospital, but they don’t believe me, and my counselor was a witch. Last time I went back.”
I shook my head. “We aren’t bad. Not most of us, anyway.”
“I’ve watched wolves tear each other apart. Looked bad to me.”
“What do you know about the local wolves here?”
He brought his liquor to his lips and took a swig. “There are a couple of different groups that come through. They’re assholes. A few of them like to push me around for the hell of it, but the locals don’t bother me none.”
I arched my brow. “They come through because of the fights?”
“Yeah. A lot of different types of shifters. Most don’t pay me no mind, but some notice me noticing them and don’t take too kindly to it.” Captain turned to me. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?”
I reached into my bag putting my pendant inside and sat beside it. “Do you know Corbin Reynolds, the local alpha?”
Captain nodded. “The rich guy? Yeah, he gives me money sometimes.”
“I guess not so bad for a monster?” I asked. “Does he have a son?”
He shrugged. “Nah, that’s his nephew, Matthew. His girlfriend doesn’t like the kid too much, but she’s nice to him in front of Mr. Reynolds.”
I rubbed my chin. “Any chance you know where he goes to school?”
“Yeah, I know everything.” He puffed up his chest and laughed, more to himself than anything.
Maybe Roderick was right. Maybe this would work. Now I needed to work on a solid plan.
~~~
The boy, Matthew, attended St. Joseph’s Private School by the bay which wasn’t too far of a walk from where I’d set up base with Captain. Matthew was easy to find; his wolf scent was distinct around all the humans, and he had Corbin’s dark eyes. He was slender like his uncle but had a softness to him that I hoped would help me.
Matthew ran down the steps of the school with his Avengers backpack, heade
d toward the parking lot.
“Matthew!”
He paused and looked over his shoulder at me.
He held his hand up covering his eyes from the sun. “Yeah?”
“Do you think you could help me with something?”
He ran up close to me but not close enough for me to grab him. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers, especially one's like you,” he whispered loudly.
I smiled. Smart boy. “I will not hurt you or anyone else in your pack.”
He rubbed his chin. “Then why not go to Uncle Corbin? Why do you need me?”
I crossed my arms. “How many would I have to get through before I can get an audience with him?”
He bowed his head. “A lot, I guess.”
“Exactly. Here, see this? It is a truth stone.” I dug into my pocket pulling out a flat purple stone and held it in the palm of my hand. “If I’m telling the truth, it will be purple. If not, it will be black.”
“How do I know it isn’t the other way around?” He scrunched his nose.
“You’re a smart young man. You’ll make a great Alpha one day. Here, you hold it and try it out yourself.” The boy held out his hand, and I placed it in his palm. “Tell a lie and see it turn black.”
“I like Simone.” The rock turned dark black, and he laughed.
“Who is Simone?”
“Uncle Corbin’s girlfriend. I can’t stand her. She’s so mean when he isn’t around.” He shrugged. Matthew looked over his shoulder toward the parking lot. He scrunched up his nose. “Okay, I’ll help you. We’ll have to go now because Jonathon will notice I’m not coming soon and try to find me. What do I need to do?”
“Come with me. Once they realize you’re gone, they’ll come after me, but don’t act afraid yet. I’m not ready.”
The boy hesitated and looked back toward the parking lot. I thought he would bolt, he lowered her shoulders and looked at his feet. “Okay, let’s go.”
Chapter Four
Captain stood blocking the doorway. “Now you’re bringing little monsters in here? C’mon, man.” He looked from Matthew to me.
I stepped around him, pulling the kid behind me. “I brought you lunch, but you might want to take it out of here.”
He crossed his arms. “No, no way. You need to take this somewhere else. Why did you bring him here?” Captain paced as he ran his hand through his hair.
“He kidnapped me.” Matthew laughed and held his hands out as I took the rope out of the back.
Captain ran his hand over his face. “Fuck, man.”
I frowned. “Language, he’s a kid.”
The boy looked up at me. “I say worse than that.”
“Hmm, I doubt that, at least not around your uncle. Sit in the chair so I can tie you to it.”
“Okay, you’re right about that,” Matthew mumbled.
“Are they coming yet?” I asked him.
He scrunched his face. “Not yet, but I feel Uncle Corbin.”
I took my open hand and slapped Matthew across his face. “Ow.” He brought his hand to his face. “Yep, they know you hurt me.”
“How would they know?” Captain folded his arms.
“All pack members are connected. As soon as one is in trouble, then the rest of the pack knows. Especially when the alpha is stressed, and he’s bound to be stressed that I have kidnapped his nephew.”
Captain shook his head. “This is a death wish.”
“What do you care? I’m just a monster anyway.”
Within ten minutes, we heard the pounding of shoes headed up the stairs.
“Get in the corner, Captain.” I shouted.
He scrambled to get as far away as possible.
The first wolf barged through the door. He looked like a line-backer and headed straight toward me.
“You okay, Matty?” someone yelled.
Maybe this hadn’t been the best idea. Hands grabbed my shirt, tossing me to the ground. Several feet kicked me, harder and harder, until I felt nothing.
Chapter Five
My left eye was swollen shut. My right slowly opened as my lashes stuck together with blood and oozing puss. The sound of tires and darkness told me I was in a trunk. The smell of piss hit me; they must have really beat me down to make me urinate myself.
I moved my hand to feel around for a release lever, but it was bound. I struggled, finding my feet were bound too. A soft moan came from behind me. I wasn’t in here alone. Dammit, it had to be Captain.
I patted him with my bound hand and whispered, “Hey, you okay, man?”
He shifted and grunted. “Yeah, they kicked me a few times and tossed me in here with you.” His voice trembled.
“Damn it, you should have left when I told you,” I hissed. “Now look at you.” It was all my fault.
There was shifting behind me. “I shouldn’t have to leave my home, man.”
I breathed out. “You’re right, man. You being here just makes it a little more complicated, but I’ll figure it out.”
I felt the car slowing to a stop and the car doors opening and shutting. Voices were muffled as they came closer to the trunk.
“Captain, whatever you do, be calm.”
The trunk door rose. Two hands grabbed me, pulling me up and tossing me on the ground.
“Be easy with the old man. He didn’t have anything to do with us. This was all me. Ask the kid.”
Ramirez, the tall wolf I recognized from the fight the other night, stood over me. “Shut the fuck up. You’re lucky I didn’t rip your throat out already.”
Approaching us was a tall man dressed in slacks and a button-up shirt. He looked me up and down. “You won’t touch this man. Corbin wants him in one piece. I swear, Ramirez, if there is one hair messed up on this guy’s head, you’re gonna pay.”
Ramirez ran his hand through his hair. “What the fuck, man, you want us to beat the shit out of him, and now you don’t want us to touch them?”
I took a deep breath. I knew all along that this was taking a chance. They could kill me in an instant. Not that Corbin didn’t want to kill me himself . . . but at least I had a bit of a reprieve.
One of the wolves held Captain up. “What about the bum?”
“Bring him, too.” They hoisted me to my feet and untied my ankles.
One of the wolves grabbed Captain and tossed him over his shoulder. “Damn, I think this dude pissed himself.”
“That’s gross,” Matthew said from behind us.
The well-dressed wolf walked ahead of us with his arm around Matthew. “You okay, Matty?”
“Yes, he never hurt me, Jonathon. He needed my help.”
The well-dress wolf, Jonathon, turned scowling at me. We made our way from the large parking lot toward a mansion of a house. Large oak trees surrounded the property, and there were several smaller houses scattered.
The back door was already open, and from the commotion inside I knew they were all waiting for me. Ramirez shoved me through the door, past the kitchen into a large room that looked like a school cafeteria. He slammed me into a chair and stood behind me, daring me to move. I assumed Captain was close behind but I couldn’t see him from where I sat. There were about eighty wolves and other shifters standing around the outskirts of the room, all of them staring at me. I couldn’t tell what this was normally used for, maybe just general gatherings. A few wolves brought in folding tables and chairs set behind them. The well-dressed wolf, Jonathon, who had ordered Ramirez not to harm me, sat behind one.
The room hushed as Corbin and another man walked in and sat behind a table. Jonathon took a folder from Corbin and stood.
“We called this emergency meeting today because Bartholomew Harrington, alpha of combined packs of the Northeastern pack and the Wales pack in Great Britain, kidnapped Matthew, nephew of our alpha.”
A rumble from the crowd started. Corbin stood and raised his hand quieting them.
“Mr. Harrington, you knew we’d find you, and you didn’t harm Matthew. So why did you t
ake him?”
I shifted in my seat. “I wanted your attention.”
“You certainly got my attention, but you could have come alpha to alpha.”
I bowed my head and shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not alpha.”
“That isn’t what I’ve heard. I had a nice conversation with your mother. I’m very sorry to hear about your father.”
I nodded, and he continued, “Bring in the bum.” Someone laid Captain in front of me, still tied up.
Corbin crossed his hands behind his back and stepped around the table. “Why do you need my attention, Mr. Harrington?”
“I need to join your pack.”
Corbin stood in front of me. He looked down at Captain, who didn’t dare to get up. “Okay, so let me get this straight. You kill your father, becoming the alpha of the largest pack in the world, you then run away from your responsibilities and come here to kidnap my nephew, and you think you are just going to waltz into my pack?”
He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “Want to join? Kill the homeless man like you did your father.” He stepped back, looking down at Captain.
I shut my eyes. Everything in me screamed no. I could save myself at the cost of harming an innocent. I know what my mother would do; after all, it was just a human. My father had taught me differently. We lived with them, and we never hurt an innocent, no matter what race. This wasn’t what Roderick had said would happen.
Besides, Captain had become a friend of sorts. Even if he didn’t claim me as his, I claimed him. My eyes met Corbin’s. I was signing my death warrant. If I didn’t have his protection, I would die by my brother’s hand, if Corbin didn’t kill me himself.
“No.” My heart beat fast. Captain wouldn’t die by my hand.
Corbin studied me. Another man came and stood beside him. He was a little shorter than the alpha, with dark brown hair and a sturdy stature.
“Man, how could you kill your own dad but not this human?”
Submission MMA Shifter Urban Fantasy: (The Unleashed Book 1) Page 2