Pack of Lies

by Sara Dailey

  Where is my car? Will I get there faster on all fours? Does Kendall realize what she has done?

  “Maybe, Kendall’s ski cabin?!” Shari yelled a little late.

  “Shari is your car here?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I’m parked on the corner. Why?”

  “Give me your keys.”

  Shari handed me the keys, and I took off running. It wasn’t until I was putting the car in drive that I realized that Aiden was riding shot-gun.

  Chapter 58

  Allison

  Dylan hasn’t said two words to me since I unsuccessfully tried to convince him to turn against Kendall. Though I knew my little plan had a very low chance of working, I couldn’t help but be bummed. And freaked-out. And terrified. And… well, I could go on and on. It was time to face the facts, and the facts were telling me that things weren’t likely to go my way. And as long as I’m being honest with myself, as each minute passed, I was becoming more and more discouraged. A magic eight ball would surely be saying “outlook not so good” right at this very moment.

  Dylan left me alone in the bedroom, still tied to the bed, while he watched television in the living room. At least, he left my television on the TLC channel. There was always something on worthy of passing the time. Before he left the room, he did promise that I will have some food soon, which was good, since I had a feeling that my insides were beginning to eat themselves. Starving just didn’t seem like a strong enough word for it; though it wasn’t just my stomach that hurt. Everything hurt, and I had a feeling that it wasn’t just because I was hungry.

  I knew I was growing weaker by the minute. I must try to change again. One last Hail Mary! I gathered up every last ounce of strength I had left for this last attempt, and… nearly passed out. Yeah, this was not going to work.

  Mid-way though the third episode of A Baby Story, Kendall busted through the door in a frenzy. I heard her throwing stuff around as she shouted, “Get your ass off the couch, Dylan. We have to get out of here now. They know it was you, and unless you want an entire pack of angry wolves after you, we need to move!”

  Dylan, now equally as panicked as Kendall, jumped up and was moving immediately. Stuffing his belongings in a duffle-bag, he chastised, “Well, why the hell didn’t you text me? I could have been long-gone already!”

  “Don’t you think I would have if I had my phone? I think I left it at Shari’s when I high-tailed it out of there as soon as her mom told us that the search parties’ new target was you. Apparently, we didn’t search the trunk as well as we thought before you gave the car back to Gage because Cade’s alpha ring was in it. How the hell did we miss that? That asshole must have given Alli his ring. I can’t believe this! At least, they have no idea where we are.”

  I couldn’t see much of what was going on in the other room, but for a brief moment, there was silence, as if suddenly they both stopped moving, and finally, Dylan asked, “You did get my text about the food, right? Before you left your phone. Tell me you got my text about the food!”

  The commotion instantly resumed as Kendall screamed, “NO! I didn’t see it! Please tell me you didn’t mention Allison or the cabin. Oh shit! Dylan, this is really bad.”

  Dylan and Kendall flew through the bedroom door and began packing up around me, though neither acknowledged my existence as they shoved things into their bags. Dylan stopped moving and said, “I may have mentioned something about the cabin.”

  Kendall dropped the shirt that was in her hand and answered, “Then we need to move now. Grab the girl, and I’ll get the bags. But keep her hands and feet tied. We don’t need any more trouble.”

  Dylan tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and said, “Looks like we are taking a drive. Your little boyfriend may be on to us. But don’t worry. There is no way in hell that I’m giving up. We are in way too deep to give up now. Your best bet is just to sit back and behave yourself so you don’t get hurt.”

  Before I knew it, I was half-sitting, half-laying across the back seat of Kendall’s car, Dylan was in the driver’s seat, and Kendall was shouting at him to get moving. Dylan slammed on the gas, and we were heading down the path that lead back out to the main road.

  As Kendall and Dylan shouted orders back and forth between the two of them, I did my best to straighten my body so that I was at least sitting and could see what was going on in front of me. Though my wrists and ankles were still tied, my hands were fastened in front of me, making it much easier to find a position that wasn’t too painful.

  Dylan made it to the end of the path and took a quick right out on to the main road leading away from the estate. Kendall threw her head around to look out the back windshield and terror filled her eyes. “You are going to have to move faster than that! They are behind us!”

  Dylan adjusted the rearview mirror and floored the gas pedal. “Holy shit, Kendall. How did they get here so quick? What the hell are we going to do?”

  “Just drive, you idiot. And try to lose them!”

  I twisted around just in time to catch a glimpse of Cade and Aiden in the car behind us. They weren’t too far behind, and they appeared to be speeding up, which hopefully meant that they knew that it was us in the car in front of them.

  With Kendall and Dylan screaming at each other, I turned back around to look out the back window and did my best to signal to Cade that I was in the car. His eyes met mine and immediately that familiar itchy feeling rushed throughout my body, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I found myself on all fours. There was no way that I could stop the change, not once it started. That I hadn’t quite mastered yet. I needed to make my move, and it was now or never.

  Without a second thought, I threw my tied arms over Dylan’s head and pulled as hard as I could, hoping to strangle him or at the very least distract him. Before Kendall could react, Dylan swerved off the road and our car was tumbling into a ditch.

  The car came to a halt upside down. Kendall, who was thrown from the car, lay only a few feet away, bleeding, and struggling to get up. I no longer needed to worry about the ropes that were once restraining my human arms and legs, I had shifted.

  Hackles spiked, I slinked out of the car’s broken window, gave a low, deep growl, and lunged at Kendall’s throat.

  Chapter 59

  Cade

  “No!” I screamed. It all happened in slow motion, just like in the movies. Though I couldn’t be exactly sure as to what had happened in the car in front of me, it appeared that Allison threw her arms over Dylan’s head from the backseat. Only a moment later, I watched as Kendall’s car swerved off the road, flipped over, and landed in the shallow ditch below.

  “Pull over, pull over!” Aiden shouted from the passenger seat, but I barely heard him over my own thoughts. Alli has to be okay. She has to. Oh my God! How can this be happening!

  My mind racing, I managed to pull the car over and rush toward the smashed up, overturned vehicle, but stopped dead in my tracks when I saw two wolves emerge from the backside of the wreckage.

  Relief washed over me when I saw that one of the two wolves was Allison. She was alive and safe. The other was Dylan. There he was, only a few hundred feet in front of me. Our eyes connected, and he turned and started running the opposite direction. I couldn’t believe that after everything he did, the coward was trying to run away from me.

  Not going to happen.

  The mere thought of him getting away triggered my immediate transformation, and while I was only vaguely aware of what was going on around me, I knew that Kendall was now up, but it was only for a second before Allison sprung toward her like a blood-thirsty beast. I had to force myself to remain focused on getting to Dylan.

  Running after Dylan, like a wolf possessed, I prayed that Allison would be okay. There was just no way that I could let Dylan get away with this. Surely, Aiden could help Allison take Kendall down, but before I took off, Aiden was, for some reason, still human. Could Allison hold her own long enough for me to take down Dylan? I hoped so becau
se I ran. Ran after the first wolf, who would most certainly die at my hands because after I chase him down, I had every intention of ripping his head off.

  The chase was over within a few minutes. With speed and pure rage on my side, I bit into his hind leg before he even had the chance to check behind him to gauge my distance. Dylan was strong, but I was stronger, even in my weakened state. With an injured ankle, Dylan rolled to the ground, and within no time, I was on top of him.

  We traded blow for blow a few times, before I decided to stop playing with my food. I didn’t have time to mess around, not when Allison could be in danger. I sank my teeth into the soft, fleshy area under his shoulder. He yelped, but somehow managed to make it to his feet, and limped back a few feet.

  He stumbled back, trying to regain his footing, when he spotted Aiden running toward us. Aiden froze when Dylan bared his teeth at him. Though seriously wounded, Dylan took off toward Aiden and wasted no time attacking him. Aiden in human form was no match for a werewolf, even an injured one.

  Why had I even let the bastard get to his feet? This was my fault. I should have finished Dylan off when I had the chance, but I hesitated, and now Aiden was paying for it.

  I wasn’t going to reach them in time. In one quick movement, Dylan had tossed Aiden up into the air like a rag doll and slammed him face first into a tree. Aiden was laying there on the ground, unconscious and bleeding from his head when I dashed to his side. I lunged for Dylan, but not before he grabbed Aiden again and ripped open his shoulder, the tear was so deep that I could see the muscle hanging loosely from the bone.

  Just before Dylan could finish him off, I jumped toward him and knocked him down. I had him pinned to the ground and closed my teeth around his neck. Thrashing my head from side to side, I heard his neck pop. It may have been my first kill, but I knew Dylan was dead. The look of death in his eyes was unmistakable.

  There was no time to think about what I had done. Allison needed me. I rushed over to where Allison and Kendall were still fighting, and was shocked to see that Alli was actually holding her own. Kendall was always a good, strong fighter, but, apparently, so was Allison. When I reached them, Alli was on top, but Kendall thrashed until she managed to get back to her feet. Kendall gave a deep growl and prepared to pounce.

  Rushing Kendall from behind, I latched on to her hind leg, pulled her back with my teeth, and pinned her down under my weight. I prepared myself for what I might have to do to her. I expected a struggle. I expected her to fight me with everything she had after all that had occurred, but she didn’t. Her eyes met mine, and she just gave up. I guess she wasn’t as strong as I thought she was, or maybe she just knew that it was over. She couldn’t win this time.

  “Omigod, Cade! Is that Aiden?” Alli screamed her voice full of worry.

  I turned abruptly, to find Alli, now human, rushing to her brother’s side. The sight of Aiden’s mangled body must have triggered her change. After that, my transformation was immediate, and I hurried to the trunk of Shari’s car and found a blanket, a towel, and her spare set of sweats for Alli.

  I handed Alli the clothes and the towel and said, “Put these on and use the towel to hold pressure to Aiden’s wounds. Try to staunch the blood. He is losing too much.” Wrapping the blanket around my waist, I went to grab my phone to call the Lodge for help. As soon as they were on the way, I grabbed Kendall’s clothes from the back of her wrecked car and tossed them to her.

  “Here, Kendall. Get dressed. My dad should be here any minute, so don’t even think about moving,” I warned.

  Kendall said something under her breath as she reached for the clothes, but it was a comment not meant for me, and it didn’t matter anyway. She knew better than to try to get away, and she should be thankful that I gave her something to wear. Kendall was wrong, and I will never forgive her for what she did to me and to Alli, but it’s not right to humiliate her by leaving her naked when everyone arrives, even if she does deserve it.

  “Help is on the way,” I said as I leaned down to help Aiden. I took over applying pressure to his wound, giving Alli the opportunity to comfort her brother. When I heard the first siren, the words thank God escaped from my lips. The bleeding from Aiden’s shoulder wound didn’t seem to be slowing, and even being a were, I wasn’t sure how much longer he would last if help didn’t arrive soon. There was nothing else we could do for him; he needed a doctor… fast.

  When the estate’s ambulance arrived, along with half the pack, it was complete chaos. People yelling and arguing. People running around and barking orders. People crying and praying. The whole time, I never let go of Allison’s hand. I couldn’t. Even when her parents hurried over to hug her, I couldn’t let go.

  When things finally calmed down a bit, I was able to take my first real look at her.

  “Are you hurt? Let me see your face,” I told her pulling her up to me and gently wiping a speck of blood from her cheek. She looked tired, and bruised, but absolutely beautiful. The only thing that mattered was that she was safe, and I would do anything to make sure she stayed that way.

  Chapter 60

  Kendall

  Sitting on the side of the road, I felt the first real tears I’ve cried in a long time roll down my face. My fate now lied in someone else’s hands, and there was nothing I could do about it. It felt like I was waiting on death row. Werewolf law didn’t work like human law. I had planned to kill the alpha’s son, and Marcus may very well kill me for it.

  I sat waiting, watching Allison and Cade try to save Aiden. He looked dead already. Lifeless. Ripped to shreds, but they loved him, cared about him. They would do whatever it took to save him.

  And then there was me. Dylan was dead, and I didn’t even have it in me to care. What kind of person am I? He was supposed to be my mate one day, and all I could think about was the fact that now I was left to face the consequences of both of our actions.

  When the ambulance arrived, our resident EMS and doctor hurried out to access the situation. Only moments later, several other members of the pack arrived, including Marcus. He didn’t even look my way until Aiden was loaded into the ambulance, and Allison, her family, and Cade were instructed to head to the pack’s infirmary. Apparently, a blood transfusion would be in order, but the doctor seemed hopeful that Aiden will survive. No human could have made it, but lucky for him, weres heal rapidly.

  With everyone else being sent on their way, there was only me left to be dealt with. Marcus turned my way and demanded, “Kendall, get in the car.”

  There was no way that I was going to disobey. In this situation, I wasn’t even at liberty to speak, so I ducked my head and headed to the backseat of his vehicle. Not a word was spoken on the way back, and in the silence, I tried desperately to come up with an excuse for my behavior. Any excuse, even a bad one, would be better than admitting my plan to take over the pack with Dylan.

  With Dylan gone, it didn’t matter what I said. He was dead. What harm would there be in throwing him under the bus? But would Marcus believe me? I could say I was forced. That Dylan threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him. That he threatened to kill my mom too. But in my heart, I knew that it didn’t matter what I said. Marcus would never believe me, and even if he did, he would say that I should have come to him for help. That he could have saved me.

  Pulling into the alpha’s driveway, my heart rate increased, and I could feel my eyes beginning to water once again. With my emotions on overdrive, I stepped out of his car and followed him up his front steps. Before he could get his key in the lock, Noel opened the door and stepped back to allow us in. My mother, who was on the couch, immediately stood as she saw us enter. Still, no words were spoken. I was led over to my mom, and to my surprise, the frigid bitch pulled me in for a hug. But in my ear, she whispered, “You really fucked us over this time.”

  Marcus stood in front of us all and finally spoke. “Have a seat, ladies.”

  We all sat, Noel included, and I attempted to mentally prepare myself for what was to
come.

  Marcus didn’t waste any time getting down to business. He poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher that had been sat out on the coffee table, took a small sip, and began, “Well, there isn’t much to say. I’m not interested in hearing your excuses, Kendall. What you did is inexcusable, and therefore, you and your mother will hereby be exiled from the estate. You are to pack your things and leave tonight.”

  My mother’s hand flew over her mouth but not before a loud gasp escaped. “Marcus, please no! Just hear Kendall out. I’m sure you will rethink your decision,” Mother pleaded.

  “I’m sorry, but my decision is final. Your daughter kidnapped a member of our pack, my son’s mate, for God’s sake. And I can only imagine what else those two had planned. You can’t think for a moment, that I believe they were just going to let Allison go. This was all in attempt to hurt Cade, or worse. I’m no fool, Claire; please don’t play me for one.”

  My mom glanced my way, and then lowered her voice an octave as if I could no longer hear her if she spoke a bit more quietly. “But why me, Marcus? This was Kendall’s doing, not mine. Why am I to be punished for her wrong-doings?”

  Was my own mother actually asking him to banish me and not her? What? Just send me off into the world to fend for myself? I knew she was a pathetic excuse for a mother, but this was unbelievable.

  When Marcus looked my way, I could have sworn there was sympathy in his eyes. Even he knew how horrid my mother was.

  Noel spoke up, surprising us all. “Marcus, may I speak freely?”

  He placed his hand on his wife’s and said, “Of course, dear.”

  Her attention was directed solely on my mother as she said, “Claire, frankly I’m appalled that you would be willing to send Kendall away by herself. You really never knew how to be a mother, did you? Well, I can tell you why you are leaving here tonight with your daughter. There is only one person to blame for Kendall’s behavior. And it’s you. You are the reason your daughter has become a cold-hearted bitch. You’re the reason that she very well could have become a murderer had her and Dylan not have been stopped. You, Claire. Don’t think for one moment that Marcus and I don’t realize that. You have never cared about anyone but yourself and your status in this pack. You pressured Kendall to help raise your family’s rank, and the only reason we didn’t stop you was because Cade seemed to genuinely love Kendall, and we wanted Cade’s happiness above anything else. That’s what real parents do. They love their children more than they love themselves, more than anything else. You will leave here tonight, and there is nothing you can say or do to change our minds.”