by M. A. Church
Like Dylan, Alvin also shook Rob’s hand. “Nice to meet you too.”
“Now that the formalities are out of the way, I’m sure the only thing you want to know is what happened with Bert and what’s being done.”
Alvin gulped, trying to stop the tears threatening to rise. “I need… I need to know what happened.”
Rob nodded. “Of course. Why don’t you come inside? It’s not much, though this house has electricity at least, but it beats standing in the hot sun.”
“Wait, does that mean the others don’t?” Dylan asked.
“I’m afraid so. I’ll summon the enforcer who found Bert. He’ll be able to tell you more about what happened.” Rob gestured up the steps toward Hogan’s jamboree house. “Shall we?”
Alvin hurried up the rickety steps, with Dylan close behind. The horrible conditions surrounding him barely made an impact. He settled on a couch that had definitely seen better days, with Dylan next to him.
Rob followed them and sat in the chair across the way. Leaning his head back slightly, he closed his eyes.
Alvin wanted to ask him what he was doing but was afraid to interrupt. Why wasn’t he getting in touch with whoever found Bert? He glanced at Dylan. Frowning, Dylan met his gaze and shook his head slightly.
Rob opened his eyes and turned to Alvin. “Enforcer Carrick will be here shortly. He’s the one who found the shack that held Bert, Hogan, and the two betas. He can explain what happened much better than me, since I wasn’t there.”
“Um, okay. Thank you.” Alvin glanced at Dylan again. Had Rob telepathically contacted the enforcer? That had to be it, because he certainly hadn’t whipped a cell phone out and called him. The very idea freaked him out. Shifters—jaguar shifters, at least—were unable to do that, and that included mates. Just what was he?
Councilman Eagle was nice-looking, but then, most shifters were. He also gave off the vibe of an Alpha, but he was stronger than even Grady, and Grady was the strongest Alvin had ever met.
A few moments later, the front door opened and another shifter joined them. Dylan straightened next to him, tension flooding his body. And holy shit, Alvin didn’t blame Dylan for his reaction. The power pumping off the other shifter was startling.
“Enforcer Carrick, thank you for joining us,” Rob drawled.
Dylan stiffened more.
“No problem. I came as soon as the summons stopped bouncing around in my head and my eyes rolled back into the proper position. Maybe tone it down a bit next time, huh?” Enforcer Carrick grumbled as he took a seat, eyeing Dylan.
“Ah, but I know how you are. Loud is often the only way I can get your attention.” Rob waved his hand toward Dylan and Alvin. “Enforcer Carrick, this is Dylan Sandusky, beta to Alpha Grady Williams of the Moon Valley jamboree.”
With a smirk, Enforcer Carrick inclined his head to Dylan. “Beta Sandusky, I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Dylan’s response was less enthusiastic. “Yeah.”
Alvin jerked his head around to stare at Dylan, damn near goggling. That was not how they greeted shifters who held rank.
“And this is Alvin Hall, also part of the Moon Valley jamboree. He’s Bert’s mate,” Rob added.
Enforcer Carrick’s smirk dropped from his face. Somberly, he faced Alvin. “I’m sorry to meet you under such dreadful circumstances, Alvin Hall.”
Alvin lassoed his raging emotions and struggled to get them under control. He took a deep breathe. “I… I… I understand Bert shifted and took off. Is that true, Enforcer Carrick?”
“I don’t know about you guys, but all these titles are giving me a headache. Please, call me Rhett. Is that okay?” After Alvin nodded, then elbowed Dylan, who agreed, Rhett sighed. “Yes, it’s true.” He quickly explained how they came to investigate a complaint at the jamboree and how he found Bert. “I am so sorry, but I think I’m the one responsible for this.”
Alvin’s stomach dropped. “Just what does that mean?”
Dylan frowned.
“When I was attacked by Hogan’s beta, Wheaton, I defended myself. Unfortunately, by doing so, I exposed the magnitude of my power to everybody in that room. I killed Wheaton, and then Hogan attacked too. After I took care of him, I turned my attention to Bert.” Rhett fidgeted, shot a look at Rob, then huffed.
Alvin sat on the edge of his seat. There was more—he could tell by the look on Rhett’s face. “And?”
Rhett glanced down at his hands, then turned back to Alvin. “Bert was already hurt, and ah, damn. I’m so fucking sorry. I guess the power spike was more than he could handle, and he panicked. He changed before I could stop him.”
Alvin collapsed back against the couch, covering his face with both hands. “Fuck.”
“If I could’ve stopped him, I would have had, but I’m not an Alpha.”
“You didn’t try to stop him?” Dylan demanded.
Rhett scowled at Dylan. “I followed him outside, yelling at him to stop, but that seemed to panic him more. What should I have done? Wrestled him into submission while human? I’m strong, but even I’m not going to take on those powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and crushing bite in my human form. Any of that sound familiar, seeing as you’re a shifter too?”
Dylan narrowed his eyes.
“And yeah, I could’ve shifted, but like I said, I’m not an Alpha. I couldn’t demand his compliance. So, again, what was I supposed to do? Shift, wrestle him to the ground, and… what? Growl him into submission? I’m pretty sure that would’ve freaked him out even more.”
Dylan crossed his arms over his chest. “You just let him go?”
Rhett threw his hands in the air. “Did you not hear anything I just said? In his state of mind, I guarantee that if I went after him, he’d have thought it was another attack. He wasn’t exactly clear-headed!”
“So you did nothing?” Dylan rumbled. “Nothing but stand there?”
Alvin gawked at Dylan. He couldn’t believe Dylan all but growled at Rhett. Had Dylan lost his damn mind? Rhett was not only an enforcer for the Shifter Council, but there was something seriously… off about the guy.
Flushing, Rhett hissed. “What the hell would you have done in the same circumstances? Keep in mind Bert doesn’t know me, and he was hurt and scared. So tell me, Beta, what would you have done, faced with that?”
Dylan apparently didn’t have an answer, so he shifted gears. “Basically, you’re the reason he’s lame now.”
Shocked, Alvin lightly punched Dylan in the shoulder. “Dude, that’s just—”
Rhett snarled.
Alvin shivered at the sudden spike in power that washed through the room. What was even more stunning was that it hadn’t come from Rob. No, what he was feeling was from Rhett. Fuck, just what exactly was Rhett? Alvin had never felt anything like him before. And why was Dylan suddenly acting like a first-class asshole?
“Holy fuck,” Dylan whispered, paling.
“Do you think I don’t know that? I know I’m to blame, gods-dammit!” Rhett yelled, fists clenched.
“Son of a…. Dylan, what is wrong with you?” Alvin gasped. It was painfully obvious Rhett felt responsible, and all Dylan was doing was riling up Rhett. Stupid move, in Alvin’s opinion.
Rob held up a finger. “Ah, gentlemen, if I may interrupt?”
“Please do!” Alvin begged. He had no idea what was going on between Rhett and Dylan, and quite frankly, he didn’t give a damn. The vibe coming off Rhett gave Alvin the heebie-jeebies, but there something more in the feelings flooding the room. Alvin sniffed discreetly. If he didn’t know better, he would’ve sworn it was desire. But that couldn’t be possible, not the way they were glaring at each other.
“Rhett, why don’t you return to your duties, and I’ll explain the rest to our guests.” Rob calmly glanced at Rhett, one eyebrow hiked.
“Shit.” Rhett pinched the bridge of his nose. “I apologize for that display of power. That was uncalled for. Alvin, I’m truly sorry. If you need to speak to me, I’ll be around.�
� He stood, shot an annoyed glance at Dylan, and left.
The tenseness seeped out of Dylan as soon as Rhett left the room. He turned to Alvin. “Dammit, Alvin, I’m sorry too. That was uncalled for.”
“Yeah, I… ah.” Alvin turned toward Rob. “Look, all I want to know is what is going to be done about Bert, and what are the plans concerning Dun?”
Rob leaned back in the chair and templed his fingers under his chin. “Dun Moss has officially been marked by the Council. That means every jamboree has been warned to be on the lookout for him—but not to engage—and report back to us if they see him. We have the video proof of what he did, but we’re also going to need a statement from Bert.”
“Um, that’s going to be kind of hard to do since Bert is currently missing,” Alvin pointed out.
“True,” Rob said. “And that brings me to the other part of your question—what are we going to do about Bert? He needs to be found, which I’m sure you agree with.”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, the choice is yours. I can call in a couple of our enforcers to help you hunt for him—”
Alvin immediately shook his head. “Excuse me, but I have to ask. These enforcers that you’re offering, are they like Rhett?”
Rob grinned slightly. “If you’re referring to disposition, then no. Rhett is… more hardheaded than most.”
Dylan snorted.
Rob’s smile spread, his gaze resting briefly on Dylan. “But then again, I’ve never seen him square off the way he did with you, Dylan.”
“Aren’t I the lucky one?” Dylan quipped.
“We shall see. Anyway—” Rob returned his attention to Alvin. “—if you’re referring to Rhett’s power, then yes, all the enforcers are like him. That’s why they’re enforcers.”
“And just what exactly is he… are they?” Dylan asked.
“Ah, well. Our enforcers are a special breed of jaguars. They are… different, as I’m sure the both of you figured out. What they’re capable of and how they came to be is a fiercely guarded secret, but they’re good men.”
Dylan harrumphed.
Alvin resisted the urge to shake his head in disgust. The Shifter Council and their damn secrets. His jamboree knew firsthand how well the Council guarded secrets and the problems that arose from that.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’d be a good idea having your enforcers help me, not if they’re anything like Rhett. An enforcer has already freaked Bert out once, even though he didn’t mean to. This is going to be problematic enough without having to deal with the kind of power they pack.”
“I agree,” Dylan said. “I think it would be best if you and I handled this.”
Alvin shook his head. “I appreciate that, but that’s not going to work either. Bert doesn’t know you. He’s already so…. He’s lost control of his cat. If that side of his nature has taken over, he’s not going to want anybody within several miles of him. I have the best chance of getting close to him.”
Rob frowned. “We have enforcers who specialize in tracking.”
“Then set them on Dun,” Alvin said. “He needs to be found before, goddess help me, he manages to find Bert and tries to finish what he started.”
Dylan whipped his head around to stare at Alvin. “Shit. I didn’t think of that. Do you really think he could still be a threat to Bert?”
“It’s not a chance I’m willing to take,” Alvin said.
“But why?” Dylan asked, bewildered. “What would be the point?”
Alvin’s heart beat faster. “The point? What was the point to any of this? Hogan and those who were loyal to him are evil. Not just greedy, not just desperate, but straight-up evil. So why wouldn’t he, if given the opportunity, finish what he started with Bert?”
Rob nodded. “I agree.”
“Shit,” Dylan whispered, jumping to his feet. “Then you need to get going immediately.”
Alvin stood, bowed his head toward Rob as a sign of respect, and faced Dylan. “Thank you for all that you have done for me.”
“Hey now, that sounds like a goodbye, which I sincerely hope it’s not.”
Alvin didn’t answer.
“Dammit, Alvin, don’t do this. Remember what we talked about on the way here?” Dylan cut his gaze over to Rob. “You’ve got to give it a chance. Please.”
Rob also stood. “Why don’t I excused myself and give you gentlemen an opportunity to speak privately?”
Alvin snorted. Like that was going to do any good with the enhanced hearing all jaguars had. “No need. What Dylan is tiptoeing around is the fact that I was stripped of my position because I kidnapped the Alpha-mate to our jamboree.”
“I am, of course, aware of this,” Rob said. “I also have a sneaking suspicion Dylan is encouraging you to return here when you find Bert. Obviously Alpha Grady didn’t banish you—which I fully agree with, for what’s that worth. Not that Grady gives a damn one way or the other what I, or any other Councilmen, thinks.”
“I….” Alvin fought not to wring his hands. If the thought of coming back made him uncomfortable, he couldn’t imagine how Bert would react.
“If I may add something.” Rob rested his hand on Alvin’s shoulder and squeezed. “You have a strong, compassionate Alpha who is obviously willing to give you another chance because he understood what drove you to kidnap his mate. If he can find it within himself to forgive you, then surely you can too. Trust in him. And yourself.” Releasing Alvin, Rob turned and left the room.
Dylan grabbed Alvin. “Dammit, don’t you run away too.”
“I… I… okay.” Heaving a breath, Alvin shut the tempting possibility down. “Running isn’t the answer. I get that. I’ll return, but only if I can get Bert to come back too. How’s that?”
“Guess it’ll have to do.” Dylan hugged Alvin, then stepped back. “Why don’t you leave your clothes with me? I’ll find out where Bert lives and leave them there. Please, do your damnedest to come back, and be careful, okay? Keep your guard up.”
“I will. This time I’m going to use my brain instead of panicking.” Alvin stripped off his clothes and left them laying on the floor. “You be careful too.”
“I will.” Dylan grabbed the clothes and threw them over his arm. “Now go and find that mate of yours.”
CHAPTER FIVE
MILES PASSED as he put more distance between him and the horror he left. Although he was unable to travel as fast as he was used to, he still made good time, stalking and ambushing smaller animals when hungry.
He stayed away from obvious human settlements and stuck to the less populated areas. By midday he was beginning to tire. Luck was on his side when he stumbled across a small pond. After quenching his thirst, he moved on.
Less human signs appeared as he traveled father away from civilization. The sun peeked through the trees, and the thick foliage provided the cover he desired. Branches, leaves, and bark, in various stages of decomposition, littered the forest floor. In the dappled light, he blended perfectly with the undergrowth as he hunted for a place to rest.
He curled up behind a thick bush and rested his head on his paws. The surrounding quietness eased his soul. Closing his eyes, he drifted off. Slowly the forest came back alive around him when it was obvious he wasn’t in hunting mode. Content, he gradually relaxed.
Occasionally one of his ears flickered when he picked up the scurrying of a small animal, but nothing disturbed his peace. Although he still listened for sounds that didn’t belong, he allowed himself to catnap.
Pleasant dreams of him splashing in the water soothed his sleep, but eventually that scene changed. It was dark now, and a mist rose up. Unease trailed up his spine. His first reaction was to snarl. He was having fun, dammit. Why was there always something trying to disturb his small measure of peace?
A man, a shifter, took form in the swirling haze, but he couldn’t tell who.
Peace fled. Anger and fear washed through him. He lurched to his paws and roared in warning. Human forms meant danger.
Pain. When that didn’t work, he stalked forward, his intent deadly. He was done submitting to any and all, but the anger faded as he came closer to the figure in the mist.
Instead of raising his hackles, the presence eased his aggravation. Golden hazel eyes blinked at him, sad and weary. He stopped. Why did those eyes seem so familiar? As the figure became clearer, he studied it intently. Brown shoulder-length hair fell to masculine shoulders—shoulders that he somehow knew he’d touched.
A toned, naked body stepped from the mist and held its hand out. Bert’s naked form appeared and took the other man’s hand. Restlessly, he shook his head. He recognized his human form, but who was the other? He seemed familiar, important. Very important, but he didn’t know why.
Dropping his ass to the ground, he watched the two men fall together on a bed in a tangle of limbs. Their kisses were rushed, their touches desperate. They writhed together, moaning in need. The air was saturated with their desire, but the underlying sense of grief and fear left a bad taste in the cat’s mouth.
Their coming together was urgent and hurried. But still, passion—and a deeper emotion the big cat couldn’t name—exploded as they rutted. No, this was more than just rutting. Something much more meaningful was happening.
Disturbed, he watched the scene unfold. That damn sense of familiarity increased. He—well, the human him—knew the other man. Knew and believed in him. Wanted him with a need that threatened to rock his world.
After the couple on the bed was done, they lay there, speaking softly and touching. But the touches were still hurried, almost frantic. He could almost taste the worry in the air. And the sadness. Something was terribly wrong—even the cat could sense that—but what, he didn’t know.
The other male caressed the big cat in his human form, a soft brush of knuckles against the cheek. Yearning rose in the cat, an uncomfortable feeling the animal side of him didn’t know what to do with.
We have to go back, dammit, the human side of him managed to whisper. We must. We have someone who—