Chapter 27 Road Trip
Road Trip
Afternoon sunlight poured over Thorne’s tanned skin, his stitches casting a narrow shadow over his forehead. Sawyer shocked me by his first aid ability, closing up the cut on Thorne’s forehead easily once he calmed down.
Now he sat beside me in the back seat of the SUV, so tense he could pass for a marble statue. My hand moved to sit atop his, my fingers curling around his palm.
“It’s going to be okay.”
Thorne’s gaze flicked up to meet mine in the rearview mirror. The grim line of his mouth made my heart ache. This was the last thing he wanted—going back to confront his brother. But it was the only way to get Cole back.
“So what should I expect? I’ve never been to a werewolf pack,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
Sawyer gave me a morose look. “Neither have I.”
Clearing his throat, Thorne slid his hands up until they gripped the wheel at ten and two. “There are about fifty members in my family’s pack. We are one of the bigger ones.”
“I’m getting a commune vibe,” I said. “You all live out in the woods?”
“What’s a commune?” Thorne asked.
Scoffing, Sawyer turned to look out the window.
“Never mind. What’s it like? A small town?” I asked.
My fated mate thought over his words. “I guess. Less shops. Most people work for the pack in some capacity. My family owns a security company that operates remotely. Mostly human employees offsite, but we send in werewolves when needed. It’s all contract work.”
“Do all wolf packs have some sort of business like that?”
“I’m not sure. But it’s how we make our money.” He shrugged, his focus staying on the road as it curved.
We’d been driving for half an hour already. It would take another hour to reach our apartment, and then another two hours past that to reach the pack’s central location. Their territory was large enough it took hours to cross it.
“You said that you and Cole had your own house?”
“Yeah, I expect we’ll stay there as long as Hunter hasn’t given it to someone else. I’m not sure how much he’s changed in the month we’ve been gone.”
I wanted to reassure him that not that much could have changed, but the reality was that Hunter was the same man that attacked our apartment and then tracked us to the woods and kidnapped Cole. He was unstable, but no one could say he wasn’t a man of action.
Fighting back a shudder, I sank deeper into my seat.
We rode in silence, except for my few attempts at small talk, like when I pointed out a deer along the side of the road. Thorne and Sawyer were clearly not interested in talking, so I held Sawyer’s hand and stared at the front window, trying to keep my thoughts blank.
My stomach tied itself in knots as we pulled off the highway onto what looked like a service or access road. It wasn’t dirt, but the pavement was rough and uneven, and Thorne slowed down.
“There are cameras. They’ll know we’re here.”
My teeth sunk into my lip hard enough to sting, and I flinched, not realizing I had been biting it. Opening my mouth, I swiped my tongue over my bottom lip.
“So how many of these people are loyal to Hunter?”
A dimple formed on Thorne’s cheek as he grimaced. “Theoretically, everyone. He’s the alpha. But we still have some friends.”
Pulling around a curve in the road, the trees opened up to reveal a huge cabin. Cabin wasn’t the right word—it was a log mansion. Two stories of windows were framed with a massive wraparound porch.
“Thorne, is this your family’s home?” I breathed.
He rubbed the back of his neck, steering with one hand as he pulled to the side and parked. Half a dozen tall, muscled men stood in a line in front of the house, all watching us with blank expressions.
On the porch, framed by massive double doors, stood Hunter. My stomach clenched, unnerved by his resemblance to Thorne and the memories of violence. A bruise bloomed over his jaw, so he hadn’t walked away from our conflict unscathed.
Stepping out of the truck, Thorne faced his brother. While Hunter wore a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, Thorne was in a gray sweater and jeans, his hair messy and swept back. I had no idea how I’d ever mistaken Hunter for Thorne. They were diametrically opposed.
“Brother, I’m so glad you’ve come to your senses and returned to us,” Hunter said, holding out his arm, the picture of a ruler greeting his subjects.
My teeth ground together. Beside me, Sawyer dug his fingers into the leather bench of the truck.
“Hey, keep it together. We have a plan,” I murmured.
Thorne glanced back and tipped his chin up, signalling it was okay for us to get out. With jerky movements, Sawyer opened the door and slid to the ground, his back stiff and hands flexing.
My heart rose into my throat, anxiety constricting each breath as I followed him. A dozen eyes watched us as we approached Hunter.
“These aren’t the circumstances I expected to be returning under,” Thorne said dryly. “Now if you could show us to Cole, that would be appreciated.”
Hunter gave a little shrug. “I’ll see if he wants to see you, but I’m not sure he will.”
Sawyer twitched, all the muscles along his shoulders and back flexing. “He is my mate, and you will not keep me from him.”
Looking down his nose, Hunter sneered at him. “I see no claim marks. Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it. I haven’t found strays to be very trustworthy.”
Before he could take another step, I grabbed Sawyer’s forearm, digging my nails into his skin to give him something else to focus on. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he fought to keep himself calm.
“Very well,” Thorne growled. “We will be in my cabin for now. But I expect to see Cole soon.”
Determination mingled with hopelessness through our mate bond, and I fought the urge to comfort him. Instead, we retrieved our bags from the back of the SUV and walked around the huge building.
Four of the guards followed us without any instruction from Hunter. Clearly, they had prepared for us. Around the side of the building, the trees thinned, revealing various smaller cabin-style homes scattered throughout. Some looked more like offices or storage buildings, but it was hard to tell.
We walked for what seemed like an hour, trudging through pine needles and past bunches of flowers, until we reached a structure further from the rest. Twisting, I could see the rest of the compound behind us, but this one was clearly set apart.
Thorne opened the door without having to unlock it, and we stepped into a small living room. Leather sofas created an L shape in front of a fireplace, a large television mounted above it.
Everything was masculine, comfortable, and tidy. The space felt like Thorne. Even Sawyer relaxed when the door shut behind us. Moving to the window, I watched as Hunter’s cronies spread out around the cabin. It felt a little too much like being a prisoner, and dread swirled in my gut.
“It’s okay,” Thorne reassured me, gathering me in his arms. Resting against his chest, I breathed in and out until the sick feeling subsided. Through my lashes, I watched Sawyer wander down the hallway.
“I’m sure he’s going to Cole’s room,” Thorne murmured. “He can’t help it. Being separated, especially so soon after bonding, is torture. I remember.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck, tightening my hold into a hug.
He kissed my throat and then buried his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent. My fingers trailed through his hair for a moment before I pulled back.
“I want to check on Sawyer. I’m not sure I can do anything to help, but I’ve got to try.” Swallowing, I glanced over my shoulder.
“I’m going to sweep for any listening devices. Watch your words until I’m done, okay?”
Nodding, I trailed down the hallway in search of Sawyer. One door led to an office next to a bedroom that smelled like Thorne. The last door had to be Cole’s room.
Pushing it open quietly, I took in the space. Old band posters were framed along one wall, and dark black-and-gray plaid curtains covered the windows. It felt like a teenage Cole.
The bed was a simple metal frame with plain charcoal linens. Sawyer was sprawled out over it, his face buried in the pillow. I was sure he heard me come in, but he didn’t move.
Heart shattering, I crossed the room and climbed onto the bed beside him, placing a kiss on his shoulder and running my nails down his back. Through our bond, I felt his sadness ease a fraction.
After a moment, the door swung open again. Thorne leaned in. “All clear. No bugs.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Okay, no one is listening in and we can talk, if you want,” I said softly, cuddling up closer to Sawyer.
Rolling over, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his face into my chest.
“We’ll get him back soon,” I said, brushing my fingers through his mess of golden curls.
Thorne settled onto the bed at my back, stretching his legs out and resting a hand on my shoulder. The warm touch provided balance to Sawyer’s intense emotion, anchoring me.
Turning his head, Sawyer fixed me with those endlessly green eyes. “It doesn’t feel like it. He’s numb through our bond, and I’m so scared of what they’re doing to him. And I can’t explain it, but he feels hopeless.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, unsure what else could help. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his cheek.
The sound of a knock on the door broke us apart. Frowning, Thorne rose and left the room.
“What the fuck?” Sawyer muttered, sitting up.
Rolling off the bed, I straightened my clothes and followed him to the door.
Thorne was hugging another woman when I returned to the living room, and jealousy raged through me so sharply I had to press my palm to my chest to fight it back.
He was allowed to have female friends, but something instinctive and animalistic had reared up.
Swallowing, I shook off the feeling and stepped forward.
“Autumn,” Thorne said, “this is Mia and James. They’ve been keeping us informed of Hunter’s moves the best they can.”
The woman swept mousy brown hair behind her ear and smiled warmly at me. “Lovely to meet you. I could tell Thorne was smitten from his messages.”
“And this is Sawyer. He is Autumn’s other mate and Cole’s fated mate,” Thorne added.
Mia’s eyes widened a fraction. “Ah, I see.”
James cocked his head, one black lock of hair falling over his eyes. Tattoos covered his neck, arcing around an obvious claim scar.
“Of course you two would end up in the same mated group.” He grinned at Thorne, flashing blunt fangs.
Glancing at Mia, I noted a similar bite peeking out from her neckline.
“I think someone lost a bet,” Mia said, smirking.
I arched an eyebrow at her, and Mia wrinkled her nose.
“I figured those two would share a mate or something similar. They’ve always been close.”
Sawyer shifted his stance, his hands sliding into his pockets. “So have you seen Cole? How is he?”
Mia and James exchanged worried looks. James answered, “Not really. Hunter is keeping him separate from everyone, but we were told he would be recovered enough soon to rejoin the pack.”
A flash of anger flowed from Thorne to me, and I glanced at him. He looked at ease, watching his friends with a neutral expression on his face, but his hands clenched into fists at his side.
Sawyer was such a mess being parted from Cole, I almost forgot that Thorne left his entire life behind to rescue Cole once, and now they were back in his brother’s clutches. It was an impossible situation for him too. Nibbling at my lip, I did my best to send him calming energy and comfort.
“I caught a glimpse of him when they brought him in unconscious. He looked okay,” Mia added, her brown doe-eyes full of empathy.
“So are you here to stay?” James asked, one eyebrow arching like he already knew the answer.
“I’m going to challenge Hunter,” Thorne said, his voice low to keep the words from being overheard.
“Fucking finally!” Mia said, punching her fist into the air. “I am so sick of him already. I don’t know how he gets off acting like the motherfucking wolf king, like we are all here to serve him.”
“Babe, we know,” James said, his hand going to her back. Under his touch, Mia visibly calmed.
Instinctively, I reached for Sawyer at my back. At the touch, our mate bond lit up, his anxiety flowing into me. I braced myself, letting it wash over me as I sent back whatever feelings of comfort and reassurance I could.
“So what’s the plan?” James asked.
Thorne grimaced. “I’m afraid we will have to play nice for a while.
I took a beating when they stole Cole, and I’m not comfortable making a move against Hunter while he’s keeping Cole away from us.
But he has to release him back to his mate sooner rather than later.
The pack wouldn’t stand for anything less. ”
“And once he’s relatively safe and you’re healed up?” Mia pressed.
Thorne nodded, the muscles in his arms flexing as he squared his shoulders.
“And you’ll all be staying?”
Sawyer stiffened, and I bit my lip. “We haven’t really decided yet. I mean, obviously, we want to all be together, but Sawyer and I still have an apartment and jobs in town.”
“We will figure it out,” Thorne said, smiling gently. He looked every bit the magnanimous leader in that moment.
My stomach clenched. He was giving up what he wanted—freedom—to recover Cole. But there was no other choice.
“That sounds like we need to convince her to live here instead,” Mia said brightly. “I’d love to give you a tour, Autumn. And Sawyer, of course.”
His shoulders slumped. “I’d rather stay here, just in case.”
“It’s okay,” I said, squeezing his forearm. “Go rest. I’ll see you later.”
Sawyer’s shadow disappeared from behind me, and I took a deep breath. His hormones were still overwhelming, and I was scared what would happen if he wasn’t reunited with Cole soon. There was only so much I could do for him.
Mia looked between me and Thorne, her eyebrows arching. “So a tour for one?”
“Sure, give me a minute to clean up,” I said, grabbing my bag and heading into the bathroom. Five minutes later, I was ready to face Thorne’s pack.