Chapter 6 #2
“Do you think that’s wise, or should we follow and see where it takes her?”
I barely controlled the snarled curse. Kellen was the alpha, but Breezy was my mate. “No,” I barked. “We don’t know how many are wherever they are taking her. I trust you, and I can take on the world, but I won’t put her life at risk.”
Without another word, I accelerated, coming up next to the smaller vehicle. A petite brunette drove the nondescript car, wide, startled eyes turned to our vehicle. “Get close, and I’ll jump. No need to ram the car and possibly injure your mate.” Kellen growled.
The alpha already had the door open, his large body hanging out.
In the next moment, he’d launched himself out and onto the roof of the car.
My heart nearly stopped at the sight of the car swerving, barely missing a tree before coming to a shuddering halt.
I executed a U-turn, blocking the small car’s only chance of escape, but from the looks of the torn-off roof, I shouldn’t have worried.
Kellen in a half shift was a sight to behold, or fear, depending on which side you were on.
The cowering shifter in the front seat I dismissed, aiming my entire being at my unconscious mate in the back.
My wolf growled at the scent of her blood.
The sight of her bruised face had me swinging in the direction of the young woman hanging in Kellen’s big fist.
“What did you do to her?”
Her defiant look and pressed lips had me snarling. Kellen shook her, holding his free hand up. “Leave her to me. Grab your mate.”
With care, I inspected Breezy before gathering her close to my chest. Flickering amber eyes stared up at me and then closed on a soft sigh. “She’s been drugged, would be my guess.” I looked around at the destruction Kellen had caused to the vehicle.
A wrecker from our garage pulled up. Bodhi and one of Rowan’s Phantom Team members hopped down. “Let’s get this piece of shit loaded before the locals come out and start sniffing around.” Bodhi nodded at the roof lying several feet from the vehicle.
Tay clapped his hands together, a pair of gloves on his large hands. “Yeehaw, I like how you boys handle shit.”
I ignored them both, carrying Breezy back to my XV. “Kellen, that piece of shit is not riding in my rig. I’m liable to kill her if I have to share an enclosed space with her.”
With a nod, Kellen flung the woman in question over his shoulder. She’d either passed out or Kellen had knocked her out. I hoped he hurt the bitch. When Breezy woke, I’d let her have a swing at the she-wolf.
Rowan’s truck, filled with my sister and brother-in-law, drove up. “Damn, how fast does that thing go?” Rowan asked.
Lyric looked at the female hanging over Kellen’s shoulder, stomped over to where she hung, and grabbed a handful of the hair covering her face. “I bet she’s not alone.” She looked around. “We’re sitting ducks out here, boys.”
Rowan’s big body covered her back. “My mate’s right. Kellen, throw the trash in the back, and we’ll meet at the club. I’m assuming Xan isn’t feeling like having that shit in his rig.”
The statement had Kellen raising one impervious eyebrow, but he was already moving toward the large truck. Lyric went to climb in the back, but Kellen shook his head. “You ride up front with your mate. I’ll sit back here with this one.” He climbed in, easing the wolf in next to him.
I looked at my own vehicle and at Breezy in my arms. “Tay, you ever want to drive a machine like this?”
“Boy, you just made all my Christmas wishes come true.” The giant of a man walked around to the driver’s door.
I glanced a cautious look over at Tay. The man seemed stable enough, but what did I know other than he was a member of my brother-in-law’s team?
“I’m not above gutting you while you drive if you fuck with my baby.
Remember you have precious cargo, and I don’t mean me.
” I looked down at Breezy in my lap. I couldn’t bring myself to put her down just yet.
Maybe never, or at least until she woke up and demanded I let her walk on her own.
Even then, I didn’t think I’d be able to let her out of my sight in the near future, if ever.
“Don’t you worry none. I’ll get you both back safely. After that, can I take this bad boy for a little drive?” Tay turned in a wide circle, bouncing over the curb.
“Not today,” I growled, stroking a finger down Breezy’s uninjured cheek.
“We’ll figure out who she works for and stop this shit. Woman or not, she is the enemy.” Tay’s grip on the steering wheel turned white.
I was barely holding onto my control by a thread as we arrived back at the club.
The lot was still full of cars. The large iron gate with the club logo appeared sealed, even though it was usually left open.
Now Coti and Kayan stood waiting for our arrival.
As we rolled up, the two men maneuvered it open, waiting for me and then the other vehicles to enter before closing it soundly.
For now, the Iron Wolves Club was closed for business.
My mate’s steady breathing and heartbeat reassured me she was fine. My wolf whined in my head when we couldn’t connect with her. Damn it, I’d promised always to protect her. I’d failed.
“Don’t beat yourself up. None of us saw this coming, and you had five, six if you count Rowan, trained professionals right under your roof.” Tay murmured.
A quick glance at the other man told me it wasn’t a boastful mention, but a fact. Only I’d forgotten they were also in the place filled with shifters, which meant we all should have noticed when an unknown wolf entered our territory. I said as much, but Tay shrugged his massive shoulders.
“Y’all allow humans and shifters alike to come and go.
She was female and therefore not considered a threat.
You and your boys need to stop thinking that way.
From my experience, women can be just as devious, if not more so, than some men.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love me the ladies, but I’d never forget they would just as soon cut your cock off if they had the notion or were of the mind.
Clearly, she was ordered by someone who knew you lot thought women were lesser than the males.
” Tay shut the vehicle off, turning to look at me. “Am I right or wrong in that regard?”
I looked down at Breezy. I couldn’t deny the fact that we tended to think the women weren’t as strong, but my sister had proven she was more than capable of protecting and even saving herself with the help of her mate.
However, the fact was that the men were the stronger and larger of our species.
Fuck, I raked a hand through my hair and then got out after making sure it was safe.
Laikyn, one of the females I hadn’t seen in years, stood near the door to the underground apartments.
“Hiya, Xan. I’ve set up a small room so I can look her over.
Sort of a triage if you will.” I inhaled, and the smell of antiseptic clung to her.
“I just arrived last night when I saw you guys tearing out of here. Arynn filled me in while you were gone. Kellen can scan me, or you can. However, Arynn already did. I hold a doctor’s license and have been practicing in Kansas City for the past couple of years.
I just came back for a visit. If you don’t want me to look at her, at least lay her down and let someone else check her out. ”
The fiery little redhead stood toe-to-toe with me, only coming to my shoulders, but she didn’t back down.
I gave a nod, shouldering my way into the room she indicated.
It had been a guest room, but the improvised space had a table in the center with a comforter laid on top.
I lay Breezy in the center, a moan coming from her as I did.
“Breezy,” I whispered.
“Where am I?” She lifted her hand.
I caught it before she could touch herself, bringing the tips to my mouth. “We’re at the club. Let Laikyn look you over.”
She tried to sit up. “Lake is here?”
Her amber eyes looked around. “Yep. Looks like I’m just in time to say congrats, and scold you for getting yourself in trouble.” Green eyes flicked to me, then to Breezy. “I’m assuming you two are close?”
I moved to one side, allowing Laikyn to do whatever doctors did. A laugh very much like silver bells came from the gorgeous woman. Had I not already given my heart and soul to Breezy, I’d have been attracted to the other woman.
“If she’d have wanted, this one could’ve been a doctor years before I ever did. Have you heard of eidetic memory? Basically, she remembers everything she reads.”
“Will you keep it down? My head feels like someone took a sledgehammer to it.” Breezy pushed Laikyn’s hands away. “Besides, I don’t have an eidetic memory...exactly.” She grumbled.
Shaw and Parker chose that moment to storm into the space, their faces like ash. “This is bullshit. That’s what, three times someone has tried to take your life. What the hell are you gonna do if you can’t protect her?” Shaw asked me.
I stabbed one finger at both her brothers. “What don’t I know?”
They both looked at each other, then at Breezy. Parker shrugged. “We’ve no clue. I mean, everyone loves her that we know of.” He looked at Laikyn, then Breezy, who still hadn’t managed to get up.
“She’s been given a heavy dose of some sort of tranq.
If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say they knew to give her enough to put down a large animal.
Since the she-bitch who shot her was a shifter herself and had come purposefully to grab Breezy, it was likely a preset dosage.
Look at this,” she indicated Breezy’s arm.
The bruise showed where the needle was carelessly jabbed into her flesh.
I bent and took a big sniff. “Yeah, I can smell the lingering scent, but the question is why?”
“If we knew that, then we would know the why. Until then, I’d say we lock down the Iron Wolves Club, and don’t let anyone who isn’t pack in.” Laikyn looked up as Rowan walked in.
“That’s a good idea, except we have a few non-members that I trust with my life, and my mate’s. My name’s Rowan Shade. I’m Lyric’s mate and a newly made shifter. These are my team.” He tilted his head at the men who filed in behind him.