Hunted And Claimed (Wayward Mates Series Book 7)

by Delta James

  “Now we hit these three places in Europe several months back at the same time Cameron and Jean-Michel took out their staging area in Mexico. We know from our attack that these breeding farms were set up by VanMeeter, but I still have trouble believing he’s the chief architect.”

  “I agree,” said Marco. “He may have been the money man and the one that dealt with those beneath him, but he didn’t strike me as cunning enough to be the mastermind.”

  Griffin nodded. “I agree. Anna and Ava have been tracking money and they believe they’ve found a reason the Ruling Council here in Europe has been so slow to react or enter the fray.”

  The other alphas looked at him.

  “It seems that Ramon deMoncada has been quietly amassing a fortune. Ava stumbled upon it and speculated with Anna, Josh, Declan, and me that he’s lining his pockets and she can’t find a legitimate source.”

  “And if Ava can’t find it, it doesn’t exist,” said Declan.

  Griffin continued, “And he’s rumored to be the next leader of the Executive Ruling Council.”

  “DeMoncada,” spat Marco. “I should have suspected him. The man is a pig. The women of his pack are not treated well. He is very old school. They are kept locked away and are virtual prisoners. It would make sense that’s he’s behind this.”

  Dylan pointed back to the map and began drawing red x’s on it. “These represent Riley’s strikes.”

  The room became deathly still as he marked off more than forty places.

  “I had no idea the extent...” Cameron started.

  “Nor did anyone else until we started tracking them and putting together odd pieces of information.”

  Jean-Michel shook his head grimly. “We may be surprised, but my guess is that this is old news to our mates. So, gentlemen, where do we go from here?”

  “I have a call later with Ioan’s group in Wales and the Charleston group after that. If they have anything significant to contribute, I will report back,” said Marco.

  “I think then it is clear that we take down deMoncada,” said Dylan.

  “I think though,” said Declan, “we need to put together the information and be able to provide clear and convincing evidence...”

  “And present it to whom?” said Oliver. “The Ruling Council here in Europe has no interest in going up against deMoncada and he’s got to be paying off at least one or more members of the other Councils.”

  Declan grinned. “I don’t think we present it to them beforehand. I think we eradicate the problem and when they demand to know why, we hand it to them. Ava is already starting to compile the data.”

  “You don’t think Riley knows... do you?” asked Cameron, afraid to hear the answer.

  Jean-Michel put his hand on his shoulder. “No, mon ami, I think your Riley knows it will take more than one person to end this. And Riley, for the moment, is set on getting to as many girls as possible.”

  “Do you think he’s holding women there?”

  “Doubtful. He’ll have provided himself with what he thinks is an acceptable level of deniability, but Ava thinks she can, and I quote, nail the bastard.”

  The alphas all chuckled and got down to the brass tacks of an all-out assault against the remaining strongholds involved, including deMoncada himself.

  “The last bit of business that remains,” Aidan said, “is Riley. I think Cameron needs to get her neutralized, which will in effect put the rest of our mates in a holding pattern.”

  “And Shannon,” said Marco. “If at all possible, I need to find Shannon—hopefully alive, but my Catherine needs to know and either be able to celebrate her sister’s liberation or mourn her death.”

  “Then as the plan rests on my mate being brought to heel, I’d best get after her.”

  There was a knock at the door, and Giovanni entered, closing the door behind him.

  “My apologies for the interruption, but I thought you should know, we have found no trace of Riley. She did not go downstream to the ocean as we would have spotted her easily. She must have gone upstream, but there are many tributaries that branch off of the main river and we can find no trace of her.”

  Cameron smiled ruefully. “Far too clever for her own good. Seriously, Aidan, why the hell didn’t you let Liam beat her?” he said, teasing the alpha of Galway.

  “Because I knew you’d have a far more entertaining time if she ran wild and you got to rope and pig-tie her.”

  Cameron laughed. “Hogtie. The term is hogtie and it may well come to that.”

  “I had a feeling that my beloved Darby was involved in helping the woman we now know was Riley find her targets. I had Peter find two targets that I thought would be tempting and made sure that Darby was able to get her hands on the information. That way, at least, we should have some idea where she might strike next.”

  Marco chuckled. “You truly are a pirate... always thinking of how to ensure the best odds of winning.”

  Jean-Michel grinned at him, his eyes dancing with merriment, “Coming from one of the great Machiavellian masters, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “How else would you take it?” asked Marco.

  “In any event, Cameron, I think I can give you the next couple of targets Riley is most likely to go after.”

  “That would be of great help, Jean-Michel,” said Cameron.

  “Gentlemen,” said Marco. “I believe dinner will be served shortly. I would suggest we all enjoy a wonderful meal and then video conference with the other factions of our Coalition. Then, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I will retire with my mate and she and I will have yet another discussion about her unwillingness to behave herself.”

  The men left Marco’s study and gathered their mates together to join the rest of Marco’s pack for an amazing array of Italian dishes. After dinner, they brought the rest of the Coalition up to speed and then all but Cameron retired for the evening. As he watched them ascend the stairs, Cameron walked through the massive entry doors and out into the twilight that was quietly falling.

  Cameron looked at the list of targets, including the two most likely. While all were viable, there was no way to tell which one Riley might choose. Cameron turned the page over and in Jean-Michel’s bold hand there was a note:

  Not knowing which of our women are involved in this conspiracy to help

  your Riley, I had Peter leave a piece of information out that he only

  whispered to me. The women know, but they don’t know that we know.

  I think you will agree it will appeal to Riley’s sense of righteousness.

  The alpha in Belfast, Northern Ireland is a miserable sot. He should have been ousted

  years ago. There is a very distinct possibility that he is a part of this atrocity

  being perpetrated against our women. Being so close to home... Well, I

  just thought you should know.

  The plane will be waiting to take you wherever you need.

  Jean-Michel

  Jean-Michel was right, women being held anywhere in the UK would be offensive to Riley, but in Northern Ireland? Cameron smiled, he rather suspected he knew her next target and where she would take the women. He would be waiting for her. He would help her if she needed it; otherwise he would simply watch and provide backup. Once she got the women to safety, they would go home to Texas. She didn’t know it, but this was Riley’s last raid.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Riley had allowed herself to relax as the afternoon wore on and no one appeared to be on the river searching for her. Before the sunset had claimed all of the light on the boat, she studied the information that had been left for her. Apparently it was time to go home again. Aidan, and their father before them, had never had any respect for the pack out of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ava had strong evidence that they were part of those who were perpetrating this wickedness.

  While the idea of a breeding farm anywhere close to her ancestral home was nauseating, the idea of getting the women she would rescue to h
er old pack had great appeal. Not only would they be safe and well cared for, she would be able to tweak her elder brother’s nose and show him that she could operate wherever she chose.

  Riley planned to make contact with Bethan Smith-Davies at Calon Onest. There had been a note from Skylar that Bethan could be trusted and had a place for her to go to ground in safety. Next to getting those women freed, the idea of some time to rest and try to pull herself back together had tremendous appeal. Cameron had rattled her badly. She was well aware that he was her fated mate, but she was years away from getting all of the women freed.

  As night enveloped the lush landscape of Tuscany, Riley gathered the things she would need and slipped out of the boat and onto the bank. Eventually the boat would break free for one reason or another, but by then, hopefully, she would be in whatever hidey-hole Bethan could provide.

  She went in search of a train station where she could catch a train headed west. She planned to change trains several times and would make her way as quickly as possible to Belfast. She didn’t need as much prep time for this rescue as she already knew the countries involved and her destination pack had once been home.

  Riley thought about that; if Galway was no longer home, then did she even have a home anymore? Part of her screamed that Galveston was home. Not only had she created a successful business for herself but Cameron was there. Her fated mate... a thing she had never believed existed was there. She shook her head. She could deny it all she wanted. But not only did Cameron know that he was her mate... so did she.

  It took Riley four days to make Belfast. She was thankful for the two new passports that Catherine had been able to provide as well as the cash. Once she had time to take a breath, she would make sure Catherine was repaid.

  * * *

  Cameron flew to Belfast. He had decided to wait for Riley but to hold back. He would be her insurance that her last mission was successful. He planned to let her get them out and take them to Aidan. He was quite certain his naughty mate would not pass up the chance to rub her brother’s nose in the fact that with everybody and their brother looking for her, she had brought women to his pack.

  He planned to bring her run to a halt on her home turf. He thought about marking and claiming her there and then taking her home. While Cameron felt that his mate needed to be taken down a peg or two, he had no desire to humiliate her. Humble her a bit, yes, but that would be done in private unless she left him no choice.

  It was odd, but as much as Riley liked to flout tradition, Cameron was certain that once he’d run her to ground and marked and claimed her, she would honor her agreement and cease trying to run from him. It seemed a common theme amongst the alphas he considered comrades; their mates might do everything in their power to avoid being marked and mated, but once it occurred, they seemed to settle down and become truly magnificent mistresses of their respective packs. It wasn’t that they were a particularly well-behaved lot... after all, they’d been supplying Riley with information for months.

  Cameron bought the supplies he needed and made his way to the estate of the alpha of the Belfast territory. He scouted the area and found an abandoned shepherd’s hutch. A short walk would lead him to a prominent hill where he could keep watch on the house. The chances of Riley approaching from his direction were negligible, but he meant to do everything he could to minimize any chance they would run into each other.

  * * *

  Riley’s information said that there were five women at the main manor house. She had found a place she could keep watch without being spotted. She noticed that there seemed to be additional men, which would make some sense if they were setting up a farm here. It hurt Riley’s heart to think that people of her descent—Irish wolves—could do something this heinous. As she watched them come and go it occurred to her that the extra men seemed to be in pairs. Observing them more closely, she realized they were alpha males along with their betas. Shit, what were they up to?

  A large transport van pulled up in front of the drive. If her information was correct, these would be the women being delivered. They were brought out. Three of them were what she expected—completely defeated and subservient to these hyenas. One of them showed some spark of defiance as she struggled against her bonds.

  The last one came out in a blazing fury. The men delivering the women had been prepared to deal with her. They had two thick leather belts with rings inset into them. They had strong rope leads attached to either side of the belts and between the two of them, they could keep her at a safe distance. Unlike the other women, she was gagged and her hands were bound. The men struggled to keep control of her as they dragged and pulled her to the door.

  These women were different. Even the three who were utterly defeated were quite beautiful and appeared to have been well cared for.

  “Settle down, you bitch,” said one.

  “Jesus, why wouldn’t Ramon let us just drug this one? These alphas could get a good look at her and even get their hands on her.”

  The first man laughed. “I know what parts I’d like to get my hands on. She has a nice set of tits and that ass is the stuff my dreams are made of.”

  The subject of their crude conversation caught the first man off guard, pulled him into her space, and brought her foot up into his balls hard. He dropped like a stone and she put her foot in his face, knocking him backward before turning on the other one. Before she could do any more damage or gain her freedom, the beta of the Belfast pack caught hold of the line that had been dropped and was able to stretch her back out between them.

  “You lads had best be careful. This is the one they think will bring the highest price. Her sister has already given birth to a female shifter. I’m thinking a man with the means could enjoy all she has to offer in his bed and then have daughters to use strategically.”

  The woman strained against the ties that bound her trying to get to him, but this time the Spaniard held fast and she didn’t get anywhere. They managed to get all of the women in the house.

  Riley watched and waited until she saw a light come on in three of the upstairs rooms. There were guards patrolling under the windows. Riley figured later tonight she would be able to take them out one by one and then get the women out by means of a line lowering them out a window. The one woman with fight left in her would be invaluable in making their escape.

  As night settled Riley was able to ascertain the length between men wandering under the windows. It had become apparent that they were lackadaisical and felt put upon to be down there. She contrasted that with Cameron’s men who took their jobs seriously and were not easily bested or outwitted.

  Riley moved as one with the night. She approached the first man, who was lighting a cigarette.

  “Don’t you know those things can kill you?” she whispered from behind his back.

  The man spun around, trying to bring his gun off his shoulder. Riley used her knife to take his life and any sound he might have made. She concealed the body in a large group of bushes. Silently Riley climbed up the old vines that grew up and clung to the side of the building. She used her knife to jimmy the window of the closest room.

  The occupants were one of the broken women and the one who’d showed a spark of defiance. She motioned for them to follow her and helped them out the window, down the climbing rope she had secured inside and directed them to her hiding spot. Once they were safely away, Riley reeled in the line, untied it, and moved to the next room.

  The remaining broken ones were huddled together on the same bed.

  “Come on now, I’ve got you. I’m going to take you home to my big brother, Aidan. He’s a wonderful wolf and will keep you safe. My pack will fight anyone who tries to take you. And we will win. Come along,” she said softly, guiding them to the window. Once again, she secured the line and helped them down.

  Seeing their friends safe in the distance, the women found an inner strength they had forgotten they possessed and tried to save themselves running as fast as they could to those
who waited in relative safety.

  “Good girls,” whispered Riley.

  She moved to the last room and opened the door in absolute silence. The last of the women, the one she had deemed the fighter was still gagged, still had her hands bound, and was now shackled to the bed by one of the belts.

  Riley severed the rope binding her hands and then carefully cut through the gag.

  “Tell me you have a way out of here.”

  Riley grinned. “I do. Let’s get out of this window, pick up the other girls, and hightail it for my brother’s pack.”

  The woman hugged her briefly before climbing out the window. “You’re her, aren’t you?”

  “I have to be. No one else wants the job.”

  “I don’t know... I might be interested in a month or two. I could use a little payback.”

  Riley’s grin broadened. “Let’s get you to safety and then we’ll talk.”

  She followed the last of the women down the line and they ran to join the others. It made Riley far happier than it should have that for once she didn’t have to tie them together in order to ensure she got them all to their getaway vehicle.

  They had almost made it to the small stand of trees when a commotion started up behind them and a number of the men from the manor house were in hot pursuit.

  “Run,” yelled Riley over the sound of gunfire. “All I’ve got is a knife.”

  The woman at her side skidded to a halt. Riley stopped as well.

  “What are you doing?” asked Riley.

  “It’s me they want. Get the rest of those girls and get away. I’ll draw them off of you. Go!”

  “No. Start running we can get to the Range Rover and get away from here. My brother’s pack is about five hours away. They won’t let them take you.”

  A sadness passed over the young woman’s face.

  “Sara keeps telling me these bastards are an aberration of your kind and that most of these men, while still functioning within some dystopian version of male domination, are good men. I was turned without my consent or even knowing about your kind. It’s hard for me to believe her. But if she’s right, our splitting up is your best shot at getting these women to safety and what passes for freedom. But whatever it is, I have to believe it’s a damn sight better than what we’ve experienced the past few months.”