by Sara Dailey
After several minutes, the spawn was back. He opened the door for his men to exit and then gave me an assessing glare. “Cami Moore, your parents are safe. They are being detained at the lodge along with the rest of the elders. If you would like to keep them and yourself alive, you need to remain here, follow any instruction given to you over the course of the next few days, and give our pack your full cooperation. If you can do that, you should be fine. We will be giving your pack more information soon. For now, just be patient and stay inside. Now hand over your phone. My men have already confiscated any other devices that you could use to communicate with others, such as your family’s laptops and tablets.”
I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and stuck it in his outstretched hand. Then without waiting for me to respond—not that I’d planned to anyway—he walked out the door and shut it behind himself. After several deep breaths, I finally managed to make my body move, so I locked the door, dragged my anxiety-ridden body over to the closest chair, and collapsed.
I had no idea how long I’d sat there in a motionless daze. It was as if time had stopped, and I’d been sucked into some kind of black hole of insanity. The realization of everything that had gone down tonight finally had the chance to come crashing down on top of me, and I was suffocating under the weight of it.
I was alone, my parents were being held hostage at the lodge, and Cade and the others were somewhere out there stuck on the outside of our new prison. And now there was a guy locked in our safe room, a guy who was not only a member of the Crescent Hills Pack and apparently the real Gavin Reed, but the one person who would surely bring a shit-storm of trouble down on me and my family if his pack found him here.
A shuffle from behind me caused me to jerk up from my seat and turn around. Gavin stopped dead in his tracks and held up his hands in surrender once again. What was up with this guy? Did he think I carried a concealed weapon or something? He shot me a truly swoon-worthy smile, and for the first time, I noticed just how devastatingly gorgeous the guy who was previously hidden underneath a baseball cap and bulky coat actually was.
Gavin’s dark hair was styled in a messy, purposefully imperfect faux-hawk that accentuated the heart-stopping features of his face. His chiseled cheekbones, dark eyes that held more mystery than the Bermuda Triangle, and perfectly kissable lips completely caught me off guard. Not a good thing considering the fact that this guy was a member of the pack that was currently holding us hostage. If my guard needed to be anywhere, it was up. Way, way up. But that didn’t stop my wandering eyes from traveling down to take in the rest of this beautiful creature standing before me.
He was much taller than any other wolf I’d ever met, and while he was lean, he was by no means skinny. His strong, broad shoulders and thin waist created the perfect Y shape, and I didn’t have to see it to know that some rock-hard abs were hidden beneath his t-shirt. By the time my eyes made it to the baggy, worn jeans that hung just right on his lean hips, I found myself fantasizing about what it would be like to wrap my arms around his slim waist and have him envelop me in his long, sinewy arms.
“Cami? Are you okay?” Ensconced with obvious amusement, Gavin’s voice interrupted my PG-13 thoughts.
Shit! I was staring! Probably with my mouth hanging open. Snapping out of it, I tore my eyes away from his holy hotness and somehow managed to locate the piece of my brain that reminded the rest of my body that this could-be male model standing before me was still kind of the enemy. Okay, maybe not the enemy, but definitely trouble.
In an attempt to cover up my momentary journey to the land of raging hormones, I snapped, “What the hell are you doing out of the room? I told you to stay there! Do you want to get us all killed, you ass-monkey?”
Gavin took a few steps back and his smile faltered, but the look in his eyes revealed he was still amused by the whole situation. I, on the other hand, suddenly wanted to knock the smug look right off his face.
“Did you just call me an ass-monkey?”
I hopped up from the chair, grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, and started leading him back to the safe room. “Yeah, I did. And you need to get back in the room before your scary-ass enforcer comes back and threatens to chop my parents into pieces again!”
Gavin came to an abrupt halt, causing me to stumble backward a bit. He grabbed my arms to steady me before he practically roared, “He did what?”
His touch shot stupid little tingles down my arms, and the concern on his face was annoyingly sexy. God, I needed to get a freakin’ grip! Pulling myself out of his grasp, I huffed and continued toward the master bedroom. “Yes, drawn and quartered, to be exact, in front of the lodge. Now can we please just get to the safe room? I think we need to talk!”
Gavin didn’t speak again until we were locked safely behind the hidden door. “Are you okay? Did Clayton threaten you? I’d like to say he’s all bark and no bite, but that would be a lie.”
His fingers grazed my arm as he spoke, which somehow managed to set my cheeks aflame. I moved away before he touched me again, fearing he could set my entire body on fire. “Not really me, but he really did say that if I didn’t cooperate he’d hurt my parents. His men checked the house to make sure I was alone and took my phone and all of our other electronics. Then he said if I stayed inside and followed orders I would remain unharmed. So you wanna tell me what you’re doing here and what your twisted pack is up to?”
Gavin walked over to the small couch and sat, spreading his long legs out and leaning his head against the wall behind him. “Well, let’s see. I’m here because my sister wasn’t returning my phone calls or texts and I panicked. I thought your pack had found out what Scarlett was up to and that she was in trouble. So, I snuck into the cell under our council’s board room, found Phillip, stuffed him in my car, and drove here in hopes of using Phillip as a means of getting Scarlett back.”
Getting the feeling that I needed to sit down for the rest of this, I grabbed a chair and dragged it across the room to sit near the couch. No need to sit too close. There was room on the couch, but I needed some distance.
He lifted his head to see what I was up to before he sighed, let his head drop back again, and continued. “So as you can imagine, I was kinda shocked to find out that it was Drew, not your pack, who had Scarlett. Drew attacked her and left her for dead. And she would have died too if Luke hadn’t found her in time. Anyway, I handed Phillip over, and Cade and the rest of them decided it would be best to keep my presence here a secret while they figured out what to do next. Then Avery called Cade and offered to trade Cade’s mother for Drew, so they all left to make the trade and well, here we are.”
“Wait, they have Cade’s mother? Does Marcus know? And who is Avery?” This was just getting more and more convoluted by the second.
Lifting his head and looking me directly in the eyes, Gavin said, “I don’t know how to say this… I’m sorry, Cami, but Marcus is dead. And yes, my pack has Noel. And Avery is Drew’s girlfriend, but Cade knows her. He called her Kendall.”
CHAPTER 5
Gavin
I watched as the confused look on Cami’s face changed from complete shock to a ridiculously sexy scowl. She leaned back in the chair and one by one put her long, lean legs up on the coffee table in front of her. I tried not to stare, but damn, she had the most gorgeous legs on the entire planet.
Definitely on the petite side for a werewolf, Cami was probably only about five-foot-five but somehow seemed to have legs for days, and while she was an average height for a human female, were-females were usually a good five inches taller. But what Cami lacked in height, she made up for in attitude. The girl was like a feisty ball of fire, and for some reason, it was a major turn on.
As if on autopilot, my eyes continued to roam up her legs to her slim waist. The image of my hands splayed across her flat, toned stomach flashed in my head, causing my breath to quicken, and as I continued my silent study of all things Cami, I was struck by what she was wearing.
Obviou
sly, she was not expecting company, and it was no wonder her legs looked so long. She had on these little, soft-looking purple pajama shorts and a barely there yellow tank top without a bra.
As if she sensed my wandering eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest, but when she took a deep breath and that tiny tank strained against the swell of her full breasts, I had to look away before the tightening beneath my jeans became too much to handle.
Tearing my eyes from her chest was almost painful, but it was where they landed that caused my body to react even more. She had the sexiest lips I’d ever seen. They were full and pouty and covered in a sheer red gloss. Lost in thought, she wetted her lips with her tongue, and I had to fight the urge to find out if that lip gloss was cherry flavored.
I should have looked away, but that was a lot to ask, and suddenly I was torn. Between those lips and the outline of her tits through that tank top, I wanted nothing more than to pull her onto the couch with me, on top of me, but I knew that probably wasn’t the best idea even though my body was begging me to give it a shot.
Cami’s voice interrupted my internal struggle. “I should have known Kendall wouldn’t be able to stay away from here for long, but I can’t believe she’s already figured out a way to dig her claws in another future alpha. God, she’s such a crazy bitch!” She looked over at the TV and said, “I wonder if she’s here. I see you figured out the video surveillance system my dad installed.”
My guilty eyes jumped up to meet hers, and I could only hope she didn’t notice I’d been sitting here imagining her naked. Shifting in my seat, I cleared my throat and grabbed the remote. “Not really. I pushed some random buttons on this thing, and it just came on.”
Cami stood up, grabbed the remote from my hand, and pulled her chair over to the large table on which the TV sat. Grabbing the other chair, I followed her over to the screen, and she started showing me all the places around the estate that could be seen from the hidden cameras.
I was trying really hard to pay attention to everything she was showing me, but everything about her was so distracting, like the faint smell of her body wash, her bare shoulders and the hint of cleavage peeking out of her top, and the way her perfect ass filled out her tiny shorts. But it was the sadness that crept into her eyes when she mentioned her parents being locked in the cell below the lodge that caused my chest to tighten. It was obvious she really cared about them and was worried sick.
It made me wonder how I’d feel if my own father was the one locked up. Would I be worried? Upset? Maybe, but the truth was that he would deserve it. I dug my phone out of my pocket and looked at the screen. He had called several times, and I knew he wouldn’t stop until I answered. Unfortunately, I had yet to come up with a story to tell him that would explain my absence. It wasn’t like I could say, “I’m right here, Dad! Look out the window!”
“You okay?” Cami asked.
“Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about my father. He’s called a few times, but I didn’t answer. He’ll just keep calling until I pick up.”
“So, answer next time. You’re going to have to talk to him at some point.”
I rolled my eyes at her and immediately felt stupid and childish for it, but she obviously hasn’t spent much time in my dad’s presence. To say he was a scary man was an understatement. “Sure I’ll just tell him that I stole back Phillip to trade him for Scarlett. Oh, and his little pal Drew tried to kill his daughter, who, I almost forgot, mated with his rival pack’s newest enforcer,” I said, knowing full well I was being an ass, and as soon as I looked into her eyes, I immediately regretted it.
“Luke mated with Scarlett?” Cami asked, her small voice almost a whisper.
She looked hurt, and it made my stomach clench. Did she have feelings for Luke? I had no right to feel jealous or possessive, but damn…I did.
“I can’t believe it,” she muttered, more to herself than to me. Cami stood up and moved over to the little sofa and rested her head in her hands. I had no idea what to say, or if I should say anything at all. Hesitantly, I walked over and sat down, careful to make sure I wasn’t touching her.
“I just can’t believe it,” she repeated. “The guy that has never been serious about any girl ever…mated? What are the odds?” Cami lifted her head and let out a small chuckle.
“Sounds like you two have a history?” I prompted.
“No comment,” she fired back.
Obviously, that line of questioning wasn’t going to get me anywhere, so I shifted tactics. “So, should I worry about this Luke guy with my sister?” Luke had already proven he was a good guy, who loved my sister, but I was hoping to see if her answer would reveal how she really felt about him.
“Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that. Luke is a great guy…the best, actually. Your sister’s a lucky girl,” she confessed before completely changing the subject. “So, let’s think up a story for your dad.”
I smiled and gave her a friendly pat on the knee—except my body’s reaction to touching her leg was anything but friendly.
“Are you in school? We were actually supposed to go back tomorrow. Guess that isn’t happening now,” she said.
“Yeah, I was home from college for the holidays. Hey, that would work,” I answered just as my phone began to buzz. I looked at my phone. “Speak of the devil.”
Mentally preparing myself for an ass chewing, I hit the accept button and said, “Hey Dad.”
“Where the hell are you?” His gruff tone actually made me flinch.
I glanced over at Cami, who appeared to be struggling to hear, and since I wanted her to trust me, I put the call on speaker.
“Oh, I’m at John’s. What’s up?” I asked as I focused on Cami nervously picking at her nails.
“Who the hell is John?” my dad demanded, forcing my attention back to the call.
“My roommate…John.”
“Why are you in Albuquerque? You weren’t supposed to leave yet.”
“Dad, have you heard from Scarlett?” I asked avoiding his question.
I was sure my dad would lie to me, but I needed to hear his excuse. He knew that I would do anything for my sister, and he wouldn’t hesitate to use my feelings for her against me.
“She’s with me…in Red Ridge,” he lied without missing a beat.
I caught Cami’s attention and raised my eyebrows. “Oh yeah? Put her on. I need to talk to her real quick.”
More lies poured from his mouth like it was second nature. “I’m at the lodge, and she’s at the house that we’re staying in. Why don’t you go ahead and head this way. You don’t have to be back to the dorm for a couple of weeks. Come and stay here with us until you have to go back to school.”
I was used to my dad lying. I was used to him being an asshole. What I wasn’t used to was the anger boiling up inside me when he lied to me about the safety of my little sister. Did he seriously not give a shit that his daughter was missing?
“Not going to happen. Look Dad, I don’t want to be involved in anything you have going on with the Red Ridge Pack. I already told you that. Tell Scarlett to call me, and then maybe I’ll think about coming for a visit. Until I hear from her, I’m staying with John.”
“Gavin, you listen to me and you listen good. Get your ass to Red Ridge NOW! I don’t want to hear any of your shit right now. All I want is you on this estate!”
Honestly, I had no idea how to respond, so I looked over at Cami. Keeping my eyes on her, I said in the flattest tone I could manage, “I already told you; it’s not happening, Dad.” Then I ended the call.
CHAPTER 6
Kendall
When we arrived at the estate, we headed straight for the lodge to meet up with Nathaniel, Brian, Noel, and a group of other high-ranking members of the Crescent Hills Pack. Memories came flooding back as we drove down the main road, and I wanted to kick myself when unwelcomed tears welled up in my eyes. I turned my head to look out the passenger-side window, hoping Drew wouldn’t notice.
Screw this pack,
screw Cade, screw my old so-called friends. Screw them all. They all turned their backs on me, so sure they’d never have to see me again. Not even Becca tried to contact me after I was banished. Well, I couldn’t wait to see them now, to see the looks on their faces when they realize that the girl they exiled not all that long ago would soon be in charge.
Drew pulled up in front of the lodge, and as I reached for the door handle, he placed his hand on my other arm to stop me. “You sure you’re ready for this, babe?”
Thankful I’d discreetly dabbed away my unshed tears, I slapped on the fake smile I’d perfected over the years and said, “More than ready. Don’t worry, baby. I got this.”
I may have looked calm and cool on the outside, but butterflies on crack invaded my gut the moment we stepped inside the lodge. After checking in with one of the team leaders of the takedown mission, we were directed down to the jail below the lodge where Drew’s father, Brian, and Noel were located, already hard at work pumping the council for information about the pack’s business. Crescent Hills needed money quickly, and they didn’t seem to be wasting any time.
All heads turned our way as we entered, and passing the cell full of leaders of my old pack brought new meaning to the term if looks could kill. But as uncomfortable as I felt, I refused to let them see me crack, so I donned my best you-ain’t-seen-nothin’-yet smile and waved.
Nathaniel nodded in greeting as we approached. “Our men are finishing up accounting for all of the Red Ridge members now as well as confiscating all of their communication devices. They are meeting back here when they are finished, and we are keeping their elders here for now.”
Drew responded, but I didn’t hear him as I found myself in the midst of a serious staring contest with Noel Walker. The bitch started eyeballing me the moment we walked in, and I’d be damned if I’d look away first. She was no longer the alpha female here, and the quicker she realized it, the better. She was either going to submit, or I would be staring her down all damn night.