by M. D. Butler
We leave the dining room, and walk to his office where I sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk, while he moves to sit behind it. I’m trying to act calm because I don’t really like being in here. Last time I was here, I was told about the prophecy. There’s no telling what I’m going to hear this time.
“I know what you’ve done, Son.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Yeah, playing dumb isn’t the best course of action right now. I can already see his frustration starting to simmer in his eyes.
That’s definitely not the pride that I was hoping for.
“Don’t play with me, boy. I know that you’ve found the cabin.”
Okay, but does he know what I’m doing at the cabin? I don’t want to out myself so I just stay quiet.
Only dumbasses tell on themselves, and I happen to be a pretty smart person.
“Not many people can get to that cabin. It’s protected.”
I found it pretty easily, but I refrain from interrupting him. It did look pretty abandoned, though. Just saying.
“Only certain people can see it, and others can only see it if they’re being brought to it by the person who can see it.”
Well, Dad’s gone crazy. Now, he’s talking about invisible cabins in the woods. What’s next, fucking fairies? Come on, old man. Get your shit together, and be serious!
No, I’m not saying this shit out loud. Like I said, I’m smart. I just keep staring at him as he continues with none of my true feelings showing on my face.
“Our blood relatives are able to see the cabin; therefore, anyone we choose to bring will be able to see it. The reason I wanted to speak to you privately is because neither your mother, nor your sister know about it. You didn’t even know until you found it. My question to you is this: Have you brought anyone to the cabin?”
I contemplate what I should say. He obviously doesn’t know about Jahla being here like I originally thought. I decide then and there that I don’t want to tell him yet, so I have to be careful.
He’ll be able to smell a lie.
“No, Father. I haven’t taken a single person there. I’ve just kind of made it into a home away from home.”
Not a lie… technically.
Jahla is still a shifter. She just hasn’t shifted. With her there, it really is a home away from home.
He seems to buy it, so I’m good.
Good. No one needs to know about it yet. I’m waiting until the right time to tell the pack about the cloak on it.
I’m sorry, the what now?
“What cloak, Father.”
“The cabin is cloak, Son. It’s one of the first things I had done. Sort of like a test to see their skills.”
“Whose skills?”
“You don’t know about cloaking?”
I shake my head, no. there’s a ball of dread forming in the pit of my stomach, and I don’t know why. Something tells me that I’m not going to like whatever shit is about to leave his mouth.
“Well, Son. It’s time you had another one of our lessons, don’t you think?”
There’s no need for me to answer. I’ve never had a choice in lessons with my father. They always been boring as fuck, but I already know that this one is going to be anything but.
Chapter 10
Krix
I know females can be petty. Hell, I’ve seen first-hand how crazy Cash’s sisters can get. They’re related, so I don’t even want to know what girls can do when they have no ties to one another.
I guess we just found out.
This shit is wild. To have someone kidnaped just because you can’t get your way? To have no care as to what happens to the people you use on your journey of revenge? Shit’s cold, man.
If Candace thought that this was the way to my heart, to anyone’s heart, she has the world fucked up. It shows just how far away from the Mother she has gotten, and there’s no doubt in my mind now as to what side she’s on.
Krix?
You good, man?
Dude, you’re freaking us out.
I realize that I’ve just been staring at Paul as thoughts run through my mind. He’s looking back at me with fear in his eyes, so maybe I should fix my face.
Nah, fuck that. I’m over trying to be nice to everyone.
“Stand there, and don’t move,” I tell him as I walk towards the doors. I know I let a little bit of command slip into my voice, but like I said, I don’t give a shit anymore. Good thing I did because I know his wolf won’t allow him to move.
Our wolves follow commands even when our human minds fight against it. You have to be a strong person to overpower your wolf when it comes to a command. Even if you’re able to, the consequences aren’t worth it. Your wolf retreats so far into your soul that you’re basically left as a human. It’s painful, and shifters usually go crazy from the loss. A mate is the other half of a shifter’s soul, but our wolf splits the half that we own. Once that’s gone, there’s not much left for you to function with.
You have to be a desperate fucker to risk it.
Once I’m outside, I link James to let him know what’s going on.
It’s Paul Slade.
What?!
Okay, now’s not the time to be roaring in people’s heads. It’s already taking a lot of willpower to keep myself from sprinting to the Glendo Pack territory. I still can’t believe that Candace would go this far. Fuck that, I can’t believe her father would do something like this just to give her what she wants! I know parents spoil their kids, but there are certain lines that you just shouldn’t even think of crossing.
That bastard jumped straight past it without any hesitation.
Krix, answer me!
Stop yelling!
Look, I know it’s my fault for zoning out, but the yelling has to stop. I’m too close to snapping, and going on a rampage.
Damn, is the how Denahi feels all the time?
Sorry, James. It was a shock, and we’re still shaken up with Jahla being gone. He confessed, and everything. I’ll let you here his explanation for yourself, and decide what you want to do. The guys and I need to go on a run to blow some of this tension off before we hurt someone.
Stay there until I show up. I don’t want him trying to run.
He won’t trust me.
Krix-
We didn’t touch him, but I’m not going to lie, James. We really need to draw blood. Our wolves are demanding vengeance right now. Someone has to answer for this, and soon. The only reason we didn’t fuck him up when he confessed was because of his explanation. Our wolves wouldn’t let us attack a weaker wolf when he was following an alpha’s orders.
What? I didn’t
Not you, James. Just… come see for yourself. We’ll wait for you, but hurry. I can feel Mav getting antsy again.
Make sure Denahi is away from Paul. I don’t want anything to happen until I’ve given the o ahead.
It’s not Den that you have to worry about. He’s kind of numbed himself somehow. Mavrin is the loose cannon. I think I might be a toss-up, so get here quick. We’re not ourselves.
Damn, almost there.
I few seconds later, I see him coming through the trees at the edge of the woods behind the packhouse. I straighten from my leaning position on the side of the building, and link the guys. We need to blow of some steam, big time.
James is here, and we need to cool off so we can get our heads on straight. Can’t go get our girl the way we are.
They all walk out the door together, and we automatically turn to go farther into the woods as one. We simultaneously shift, going from man to wolf in the span of a footstep.
Let’s run, boys.
Denahi
Running as my wolf has always been freeing. There’s just something about feeling the wind flowing through my thick, black fur that relaxes me. I feel like I’m flying as I race past trees with my brothers. The tension drops from my shoulders like lead weighs.
You were right, Krix. This is exactly what we needed.
>
Has anyone tried to reach out to Jahla?
We said we wouldn’t unless it was really important, Cash.
Yeah, we don’t want that bastard to know that we can still talk to her. I’ve never known mates who could mind link beyond a few miles.
I know, I just… I need to know that she’s okay, Mav.
I know, bro. I feel the same way, but we promised. If he finds out how deep our bond is, he could hurt her.
We come to a stop in a clearing a few miles into the woods. Living on the land of a national park has its perks. I can smell a herd of deer not too far from us, but I don’t really have an appetite. The only thing my wolf wants to hunt is Benson.
We automatically gather into a circle and face Krix, our unappointed leader.
What’s the plan, Krix?
I honestly don’t know, Den. All I want to do is storm in there, and get our girl back.
So, let’s do that.
Dude, we don’t know what we’d be walking into. There’s no telling what or who will be waiting for us.
There’s no telling what he’s doing to her, Cash!
I can’t help the growl that rises up from my chest, and it’s echoed by Mavrin. Not having her here with me where I can see that she’s safe is already eating at me, but knowing that she’s in the hands of her abusive old pack? Yeah, that’s a no-go. I can’t stop the possibilities from springing into my mind, and all of the stress that the run washed away comes rushing back.
Damn it!
We have to plan this out, Den. We can’t go in there blind, and without backup. We need wolves at our back.
Fine! We better have something planned by tonight. I don’t think I can’t hold off for much longer than that. My wolf is going crazy.
Sames, bro.
Yeah, I think we can all tell that you’re losing it, Mav.
I don’t know what it is, guys. It’s like my wolf has snapped or something. I don’t have much control right now. I kind of don’t want to control him. He wants blood in payment for what’s been done, and I feel him on that.
I get it, dude. Really, I do, but we can’t run around fucking up anyone that we feel has wronged us. We don’t have time to clean up any unnecessary messes, so we’ve got to hold off on that shit until we get our girl back.
We’re definitely talking about this personality switch that’s happened, too. Cash is the voice of reason, and Mav is the hot head. Krix hasn’t really changed, but I think I’ve sort of channeled his numbness to situations. Yes, I’m still angry and impulsive, but it’s more muted than ever.
Shit’s weird, but whatever.
I can’t explain why I didn’t go for Paul’s throat as soon as I found out it was him. My wolf wouldn’t let me.
I think it’s because his dominance is weak. Maybe our wolves could sense that he wasn’t acting maliciously. Like, he didn’t have a choice.
So, you’re telling me that our wolves can tell that all of that?
That’s exactly what I’m saying, Mav. Think about it. We’re more dominant than any alpha we’ve come across. Our wolves are strong as fuck. Would it really be so hard to believe that their more aware of someone’s inner wolf?
Guess not. I can dig it. Doesn’t mean I like the fact that he’s still alive right now.
Cool it, Mav. We need him alive. He can give us insider info on the Glendo Pack.
Thanks for that, by the way, Krix.
What?!
I chuff a little as Krix wolf jumps to his feet with wide eyes at Mav’s statement. He looks like a puppy that knows it’s in trouble for chewing up your favorite pair of shoes, but is trying to look like he doesn’t know what you’re talking about.
It’s true, though. Candace wanted all of us, but she mainly went after Krix. The bitch was persistent! If he would’ve just told her to fuck off a long time ago like I did, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I say just that to him through the mind link.
I was honest with her! She kept asking why, so I told her. How is it my fault that she still hoped I’d come to her.
Let’s be honest, guys. The female is delusional. She rejected her mate because she felt like she was above having a mate that wasn’t an alpha. I wouldn’t be surprised if she and her wolf are even getting along after that. You know how fucked up your mind gets when your soul is imbalanced.
Are you really making excuses for her, Cash?
Whoa, Mavrin! He’s growling at Cash like he just became his biggest enemy. I have to give it to Cash, though. He just looks at him with an eyebrow cocked. If a huge wolf was looking you in the eyes and giving off a menacing growl, you’d be shitting your pants. He knows that Mav won’t act on it, though. We’re brothers in every way except blood. It would take more than a disagreement to make us turn one each other.
No, Mav. I’m just explaining how her mind might work. I’m definitely sicking Jahla on her ass when all of this is done. Hell, I’m sending the moms her way so they can get a piece of her, too!
Good. That’ll be something fun to watch. It’ll be like those so satisfying videos on Tik Tok.
Bro, you’ve got to stay off that app!
Alright, guys. Let’s cut the crap. We need to head back, and get everything organized. I’m with Den on this one. We need to be on the move tonight.
He’s barely done talking before we’re all sprinting back towards the packhouse. I’m glad that we shift with magic because I don’t think I’d take the time to put clothes on and off when I shift. I’d probably walk around naked the whole time just to avoid the inconvenience.
We get back to the packhouse in record time, something that shocks the hell out of us. We’ve always been faster and stronger than other wolves, but not this fast. Guess we got a boost from finally completing the bond.
As soon as that thought crosses my mind, I shove it away. I ignore the stinging pain that shoots through my chest. I can’t dwell on that right now, or I might lose it.
I focus on shifting to my two-legged form, and walk up to the back door. The guys follow behind me, and we march our way towards James’s office.
He better have some semblance of a plan together because it’s already noon. I’m going to get my pixie back tonight whether their ready or not.
Chapter 11
Cashel
This peacemaker shit is exhausting. No wonder Mav is always the first to conk out at night. It’s only temporary, though. Once we get my babe back, I can start being my fun-loving self again. Someone has to keep everyone calm, so I’ll step up until Mavrin is back to being himself.
We walk into James’s office, and continue to the bookshelf. Krix does the whole secret door thing, and we enter the war room where everyone has gathered again.
“Good, you boys are back. I put Paul down in the basement with a guard. Haven’t done anything to him yet. I want your input on that.”
“We figured he could give us inside information on the Glendo Pack. Our wolves… we couldn’t do anything to us. I’ve never noticed, but his wolf is weaker. How did he get the head security position if he’s a delta?”
It’s something that’s been nagging me in the back of my mind. Head security is a position that you have to at least be a beta for, if not an alpha without the desire to run a pack. You have to be able to keep the wolves working under in check, and stand up to rogues and intruders. A delta can’t resist an alpha command, obviously. A beta can over power them! It doesn’t make any sense.
“I tried something new. It’s my fault.”
Mav lets out a low growl at that, and his eyes are glowing when I look at him. Den puts a hand to his chest to hold him back, but none of us apologize for his behavior. He’s the most vocal of us right now, and his expressing his anger at the fact that James is kind of the reason Benson was able to get in.
“I know, Mavrin. I’m sorry, okay? I wanted to give wolves other than betas a chance to have higher positions. He worked hard, and I actually trusted him. He came to me as a rogue wolf banished from his pack because he wa
sn’t an alpha, and I wanted to give him a chance to prove himself. He did! He was hard working, and I trusted him. It never crossed my mind that his wolf was still attached to a familial bond. I didn’t know his brother could still force himself through any mental blocks, and command him.”
“We understand, James. We’re all just a little testy right now. We’ll handle him later. Right now, we want to know what the plan is to get our mate back.”
Thank the Mother for Krix. Without him, we’d probably be going in circles about who’s right and wrong.
“We want there to be a team of ten warriors with each of you. I’ve spoken with each male, and they all want to be a part and help wherever they can. Jahla means a lot to all of us, and we want to get her back.”
“Thank you. So, how are we organizing? We want to head out tonight.”
I let my eyes glow as I speak so he knows how serious we are about this. We’re going whether they’re ready or not. I glance at my dad, and see the pride in his eyes. Guess he likes the new me right now. He’s usually shaking his head in exasperation at my antics.
I look back at James as he straightens from the table with his mouth set in a firm, determined line.
“This is what we have planned so far…”
Mavrin
Night has fallen, and we’re all gathered in our groups of eleven including us. James has a team that’s only made up of his betas. We’re not trying to turn this into a battle. It’s simply a rescue mission. He only wants us to fight is we’re engaged.
Cash seems to think that Benson is working alone, but James isn’t so sure. He hasn’t come across Benson, so he doesn’t know him. The dude is crazy obsessed with Jahla. Even called her his, which is straight bullshit.
I’m feeling a little off, but I know it’s only because of my wolf. We had to spray ourselves down with some scent killer, and it’s weird that I can’t smell myself. I never really noticed my scent before, but I can tell that it’s absent now. Not being able to smell the others is crazy, too.
James lets out a howl, and that’s our cue to take off. Natural wolves can run for miles, but shifters can go even further. We could run across multiple states at a steady pace, and barely get winded. Going from Montana to Colorado is nothing to shifters, as long as we’re not sprinting.