Isaiah

by Catherine Lievens

  “What’s he yelling for?” Bryce asked when John walked past him.

  John shrugged. “I don’t know where he got the idea that you guys have my family and are using it to force me to fight for you.”

  “Huh.”

  Everyone gathered around Dominic. He gave quick orders for some of the enforcers to transfer the prisoners to the council jail and for others to take care of the bodies. They hadn’t lost anyone, but two swan shifters were dead and a lot more were hurt.

  “It looks like this group was entirely composed of humans.”

  “How did they learn about shifters?” one of the enforcers asked.

  Dominic shrugged. “Could be any way. Someone saw a shifter shift, or a family member or friend ended up being a mate.”

  “The guy I captured said a shifter had killed his brother,” John added.

  “I’m not worried about the fact that they’re all human, to be honest,” Dominic declared. “This wasn’t improvised, so they probably found out about us some time ago. They obviously didn’t say anything to the authorities, so we should be fine on that side. What worries me is this.” Dominic crouched next to a body that was still there. He pushed down the man’s long sleeve to expose his wrist.

  The tattoo was black. It looked like a stylized wolf head with blood dripping from the base and two swords crossed underneath it. “They all seem to have it, and that talks of organization. There’s someone out there who’s recruiting humans to kill shifters.”

  A few people in the group swore.

  “Damn it! We’re just done with the labs and all that crap,” Soren said. “Couldn’t the bad guys just take a vacation? Like, maybe in some Hawaiian volcano?”

  “We need to interrogate all the survivors, both the humans and the swans. There has to be a reason why they were attacked. I’ll talk to Isaiah—”

  All eyes focused on John as if they belonged to one person. He rolled his eyes and waved at Dominic to go on.

  “Right, I’ll talk to Brad and Shad and have them check on any attacks we’ve had in the past few months. It won’t be easy because a lot of shifters still refuse to be a part of the council, but they might start to change their minds if more of them are attacked. If these guys have a grudge against shifters, they won’t stop now, and they’re going to attack weaker shifter groups first. John? I need to talk to you.”

  John nodded and waited until their group had disbanded to get closer to the lion shifter. “Yes?”

  “Do you have contacts with any mercenaries?”

  “I can try to call Gareth again. He disappeared after you took control of the company, but I’m sure I can find him.”

  Dominic nodded. “Good. I need to know everything you and he can find on this group of people. Who they are, where they’re from, what they want, if they want more than to just kill shifters, and most of all, who guides them. They have to have a leader. I want him or her, as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll do what I can.”

  “You do that. I’ll probably have to call Isaiah, just so you know. Brad is still new, and I need answers now.”

  “Do what you need to do.”

  John watched as the alpha hesitated before putting his hand on John’s shoulder. “I know you’re not technically pack, and I’m not going to say I completely trust you yet, but if you need to talk, or anything else...”

  “I’m fine.”

  John really was, more or less anyway. He knew he couldn’t do anything to get Isaiah back, not that they’d been together in the first place, but still. He missed the guy, but he didn’t yearn for him or anything. He felt like he’d lost a friend, an opportunity, but John wasn’t the kind of guy who’d mope around and cry for his lost love. Well, he’d done it only a few times anyway, but never the crying part. It wasn’t going to get him Isaiah back anyway. No one could do that, except Isaiah.

  * * * *

  “Isa? Mom asked that you meet her in the receiving room.”

  Isaiah saved the doc he was working on and twirled his chair around to look at Julie. “Why?”

  His sister shrugged. “No idea, but there are people with her. Men.”

  “Does it have anything to do with the wedding?”

  Julie shrugged again and left the room, leaving Isaiah with more questions than before. It was only two days before the wedding, so everything was already organized and ready. It was also two days before Isaiah would officially become the skulk’s alpha in a complicated ceremony that his mother had explained to him in detail. He most likely would forget the details three times before the day came. He’d have Talia explain them to him again, but it didn’t really matter, since he wouldn’t become alpha.

  “Isa? Do you know what’s going on?”

  “What is this, the Grand Central Station or something?” he groused without heat.

  Talia smirked, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Isn’t this why you came back home? To be with us?”

  “What’s wrong, Tal?”

  “I might have spied on mom just now, and I might think I know who those men are.”

  “And?”

  “They’re wolves.”

  “From the pack that’s been giving mom problems?”

  “Yes.”

  Isaiah got up and started pacing his room. They didn’t have much time, not when Julie had already come to tell him he was expected downstairs. “Okay, I’m guessing they want both the alpha and the future alpha together. That can’t be good. But, there’s something they don’t know.” Isaiah stopped in front of his sister.

  “And what’s that?”

  “That I’m not the future alpha.”

  “Now’s not the time to be all mysterious, Isa.”

  “Okay, yeah. I talked with Cassidy the other day, remember?” Talia nodded. “Well, she told me she won’t marry me, that she already met her mate and was doing this just so that her parents don’t get tipped off by the fact that she’s about to run away.”

  “Uh. I’d never would’ve thought she’d have the guts to do that.”

  “Believe me, there’s more to her than the giggles and perfect hair you saw. Anyway, she kind of forced me to think about what I was doing.”

  “And you decided you didn’t want to be alpha.”

  “Not only that. I decided I wouldn’t even be good at it, while you’re going to be brilliant. I decided I wanted a chance with John if he’ll give it to me, and I decided that as much as I love mom, I can’t live my life like she wants me to.”

  Talia reached up and slapped the back of Isaiah’s head before he could stop her. “You’re an idiot.”

  “What was that for?” he asked, massaging the area.

  “That’s what I tried to make you see ever since you came back and it took someone else for you to get it. I’m happy for you, but we have something else to take care of before you can go on your honeymoon. How do we deal with those guys? They can’t be here just to have tea.”

  “They’ll want to subdue me and mom and take control of the skulk. I did a bit of research, and we’re not the first shifter group they’ll take over. It never ends well.”

  Talia grimaced. “Isa, I need you to go down there and act as if you’re still meaning to become the alpha. I’m going to round everyone I can find and have them leave the house.”

  “Isaiah?” their mother’s voice asked from the staircase, and Isaiah knew they’d run out of time.

  He grabbed his cell phone and pressed in into his sister’s hand. “Take this and call Dominic. He’s saved under Lion King.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I have to go, Tal.” Isaiah pulled her close and hugged her, then pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Call Dom, and if something happens to me...”

  She slapped his head again. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Now go.”

  Isaiah left her in his room and made his way along the hallway and down the stairs. He took a deep breath before opening the receiving r
oom door, then entered.

  He could tell right away something was wrong. His mother was rigid in her seat and doing her best to ignore the three wolf shifters who were slumped on the couch. They wore leather and didn’t seem to know what a shower was.

  Isaiah wrinkled his nose and went to stand behind his mother’s loveseat. He put his hands on her shoulders and felt her relax just a bit. “You needed me?”

  “Yes. These... sirs wanted to meet you.”

  “Your mother told us you’re going to be the next alpha,” one of the wolves said.

  Isaiah nodded rigidly. “That’s the plan, yes.”

  “You see, I don’t think we can let that happen.”

  “Why not?”

  The man took a knife from the breast pocket of his leather jacket and snapped it open. He started to play with it, running the blade on his fingers. “Yours is a very wealthy skulk, and we like money. We also like this house.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “That we’re taking it. And you. Can’t have two alphas running around and trying to get their skulk back, huh?”

  Isaiah’s mother rose from her seat. “Let the children and the mothers go, at least.”

  “Too late for that. The house is already surrounded. But don’t worry, we won’t hurt them. Much. Unless you try to fight us, of course.”

  “If you want money and the house, you can have it. Just let us go.”

  Isaiah could hear the tremble in his mother’s voice, but externally she still looked as steely as ever.

  “Oh, but we can’t have you run to your precious council and have us kicked out so soon. We might let you go in a few days, if you’re good.”

  That guy was creepy, and the fact that he didn’t even seem to be trying to hide it made it worse. Isaiah wasn’t sure they’d all make it out alive, even if the wolves even really let them go after a few days like they were saying. Isaiah wasn’t stupid—he knew they probably wouldn’t, and the last thing he wanted was to end up dead.

  The door opened and two guys dragged in Isaiah’s sisters. Julie looked terrified, but Talia was standing tall and proud. She looked at Isaiah and nodded almost unperceptively. He hoped it meant she’d managed to contact Dominic and that the cavalry was arriving.

  One of the other wolves left while the leader had Talia and Julie sit on one of the couches. Talia took Julie’s hand in hers and tried to shush her, but Julie couldn’t seem to stop crying.

  They didn’t have to wait that long before the man who’d left earlier came back and nodded to the leader. The man grinned, exposing his teeth and gestured at Isaiah and his family. “We’re going to lock you in the basement until I decide what to do with you.”

  His glance raked over Julia and Talia, from head to toe, and Isaiah suddenly wanted to kill the guy.

  “Grab them and lock them away.”

  Isaiah didn’t even try to resist when one of the wolves grabbed his arm and squeezed painfully before dragging him away. It’d be no use, and he needed to protect his sisters. Hopefully Dominic was already on the way, or at least planning their escape.

  Isaiah was pushed in the basement, which mostly contained old furniture and junk, but also a huge fridge they used to store water and juices in. He stayed near the door and let Talia try to console Julie while their mother sat on one of the couches, looking defeated.

  He opened his mouth to tell her it wasn’t her fault, that she couldn’t have predicted it and that the council would get them out when he heard two voices he recognized and that definitely shouldn’t have been there, in his house’s basement.

  “Are you sure we’re in the right place?”

  “Yes, yes, I’m sure. It’s not my fault those guys decided to conquer the house today of all days!”

  “Do you think you should shimmer us away? Maybe we should make sure Dominic knows about this.”

  “Really, Keenan? You’re going to leave Isaiah and his family here without even trying to help?”

  “Hey, I’m not a shifter, so I can’t exactly fight them, and I can’t even poof away if I’m in trouble. I’m kind of attached to my skin, so I’d rather keep it where it is and not have it used to make a carpet in front of creepy guy’s fireplace.”

  Isaiah groaned and hit his forehead on the wall next to the door. What the fuck were Nysys and Keenan doing there?

  * * * *

  John was reading in the living room when Jonah stuck his head inside the room and looked around. John smirked and closed his book, having care of keeping his thumb between the pages. “Lost something?”

  Jonah walked fully in. “Have you seen Keenan?”

  “Nope.”

  “What about Nysys? Those two were together the last time I saw them.”

  “No. They’re probably planning something or making a mess in the kitchen.”

  “I already checked the kitchen and they’re not in there.”

  “Want me to help you find them?”

  Jonah shook his head and slumped on the couch in front of the one John was sitting on. “God, no. I love Keenan to pieces, but he’s a handful on the best of days. It’s like dealing with a four-year-old high on sugar.”

  “You need your rest.”

  “Exactly!”

  John chuckled and Jonah let his head fall backward and close his eyes. John returned to his book, but his mind wandered. He couldn’t help but think how he’d be with Isaiah if they were mated. Would he need some alone time? Isaiah wasn’t as energetic as Keenan, and he preferred to spend time in front of his computer or watching movies, but he could be a bit much when he started talking about one of those two things.

  Someone rushed passed the living room door, quickly followed by someone else. John frowned and sat up, putting his book down on the coffee table. “Something’s happening.”

  Jonah opened his eyes. “What?”

  “No idea.”

  Jonah’s phone started ringing, followed by John’s only seconds later. They looked at each other and answered.

  “In my office. Now,” Dominic growled before hanging up.

  John looked at his phone, then at Jonah. They both jumped up and ran to the alpha’s office. The door was open and Morin Glass was pacing the room—as much as he could anyway, since he had to avoid walking on someone’s foot. The office was already full of people, both pride members and enforcers.

  “What happened?”

  Dominic looked at Jonah. “Do you have any idea where Keenan is?”

  “No. I know he’s with Nysys, but it’s not surprising. Those two are always together lately.”

  Morin stopped pacing. “We should keep them separate from now on. Far, far away from each other. Very far.”

  “Where are they?”

  Dominic’s glance turned to John. “I got a call a few minutes ago. Talia Cooke told me her skulk is under attack.”

  “Cooke? That’s Isaiah’s last name.”

  “She’s his sister.”

  “Is he hurt?”

  “We don’t know. Talia could only tell us that the wolf pack that was giving them problems got in. She knew the house was surrounded, but nothing more, and she had to hang up before she was discovered. We’re lucky she managed to call at all.”

  “Isaiah told her to.”

  “Yes. She said he went downstairs to face the wolves and support their mother.”

  “The wolves wanted both alphas.” John didn’t need to be told what the wolves would do with them. “When are we leaving?”

  “Wait, what about Keenan?” Jonah asked.

  “He and Nysys are already there,” Morin answered.

  “What do you mean, there?”

  “I mean that they’re already in Isaiah’s house, trapped with the fox shifters. Those two idiots apparently decided to go talk to Isaiah, and they obviously didn’t know about the wolves.”

  “They’ll be fine,” John said. “Nysys can shimmer back any time he wants, right?”<
br />
  Morin nodded, but he didn’t look reassured. “He can, but I know him. Once he finds out something’s going on he’s going to try to help, and that usually doesn’t end well.”

  “We have to go.”

  Everyone turned to look at Dominic, who nodded. “That’s why I asked you all to come here. John, do you want to be on this?”

  “Yeah, of course I do.”

  “All right. Morin, can you contact Nysys?” Morin hesitated. “I know you’re afraid he might get found out, but I think you should give him a little credit. He’ll be expecting you to mind-talk to him. I’m actually surprised he didn’t try to do it himself yet.”

  “That’s because he knew I’d be angry.” Morin sighed and closed his eyes. Every head turned his way and they waited. “He’s in the basement. He said they shimmered into Isaiah’s room like they did last time they went there.” Morin frowned. “With John.”

  And every eye in the room went to John. “They tried to convince me I had to talk to Isaiah and didn’t leave me a choice when I said I couldn’t do it. Ani came to get me, so he knows the house, or at least that part of the house.”

  Dominic growled at his mate, but Ani didn’t seem to care all that much.

  “No one was in the room so they started exploring the house,” Morin continued. “Apparently they ended up in the basement, don’t ask me why, and they found Isaiah in it, along with most of the skulk. And Nysys says he’s bored so he’s going to—”

  The air in the middle of the room shimmered and everyone took a step back. Nysys appeared right there, a woman with a baby in her arms clutching at Nysys’s hand while he had a toddler perched on his hip. “Hey!”

  “Nysys! What the f—heck were you thinking?” Morin yelled.

  John was surprised the man actually managed to stop himself from swearing in front of the two kids.

  “I just wanted Isaiah to get his head out of his ass. How could I know some wolf assholes were going to attack the skulk right when me and Keenan got there?” Nysys clearly didn’t have the same scruples as Morin about swearing.

  “Where’s Keenan?” Jonah asked.

  “Oh, he stayed behind. I’m going back anyway.”