Chapter 3
EZRA
Three hours.
I'd been sitting in this glorified waiting room for three damn hours, and still no sign of Viktor Stravon or whoever he'd designated to receive the treaty.
If Boaz had come himself, there was no way they’d show him similar disrespect, but as I was the Alpha’s younger brother, they were giving me the finger. Damn them.
I glanced around the room, something I’d done a hundred times during the last 180 minutes.
Either they were hurting financially more than I’d assumed or they used the barebones set-up to intimidate anyone who visited the Alpha.
It reminded me of a prison waiting room and consisted of bare concrete walls, one small window with bars, and furniture that could have been salvaged from a dumpster.
My wolf was clamoring to leave and spend time shifting and hunting rather than being cooped up in this awful place, but there were two Stravon pack members standing guard by the door with their arms crossed.
They hadn't said a word since showing me in here, and I hadn't bothered trying to make conversation. If I didn’t have a wolf inside me, I’d be intimidated by their stance and their silence.
This was a power play on the part of the Alpha.
It was so petty, but Boaz would understand the tactic, as he did petty better than the rest of our siblings.
They were hoping that making me wait would show me and Boaz that even though we had them in a vice, they were asserting control.
Though I was irritated and wanted out of here, I got it.
They were using what little power they could muster to say, “While on pack land, you will do our bidding.”
Can we go now?
No. Boaz said there should be no confrontations and no violence. If I bounce out of here without completing my task, Boaz will bleed me dry.
My wolf complained that Boaz was such a stickler for the rules.
And you’re not?
Pfft.
Fed up with sitting on the hard chair, I got up and stretched, which attracted the guards’ attention. Their hands gravitated to their weapons, confirming their reputation for violence. But again, if I put myself in their place, I would’ve done the same.
I ignored them and strolled toward the window. The industrial-looking compound contained buildings that were showing their age. I noted peeling paint and cracked sidewalks, along with vehicles, big and small, that were showing signs of wear and tear.
But the compound was bustling with people going about their daily lives. Never having lived like this, I wondered if these conditions made for a more cohesive pack.
My phone buzzed. I didn’t need to check the display to know that it was a message from Boaz.
Status? He wasn’t one to waste words.
Still waiting. Not met the Alpha yet.
I imagined my brother steaming when he read my text.
Those three dots appeared on my phone before vanishing. Gods that was irritating. But a message popped up.
Give it another hour. If he doesn’t meet you, leave the treaty with the guards and get out.
Four hours in total. I could do that. I’d spent days and nights on stakeouts, but I’d had company, usually one or more of my brothers, plus food and coffee. In this barren room, there wasn’t even a water dispenser.
I sat for another forty-five minutes and couldn’t stand being trapped in this room any longer. And my wolf wanted out, not that he’d take his fur in here. That would be more than disrespectful.
My wolf was getting more agitated by the minute, pacing inside my head. The disrespect was one thing, but something else was bothering him. A restlessness I couldn't quite pin down. Like he was waiting for something, though I had no idea what.
I made it another fifteen minutes before I stood again.
“I'm getting some air.”
“Alpha said to keep you here.”
“He isn't here,” I pointed out. “And I've been here for four hours. I'll be back in twenty minutes.”
Boaz had said to leave the agreement with the guards, but I didn’t trust them not to look at it. So I slipped it under the office door.
“Just in case something happens to me, the agreement is in the Alpha’s office.”
“Something like what?” one of them grunted.
I shrugged. “Maybe I meet a big bad wolf who wants to eat me?”
Oops. They glowered and brought out their guns. These guys didn’t appreciate my sense of humor.
“It was a joke, guys. Tamp it down a little.”
If my brother discovered what I’d said, he’d be furious. Hopefully, this pair wouldn’t pass on the details to their Alpha.
I gave them a little wave and skedaddled out of there. Not wanting to stay on pack land but needing to be close by, I drove out the gates and spied a dingy bar on the street corner. I suspected it was run by humans because any pack member would have placed their establishment on Stravon land.
Inside was cool and dim with few customers scattered around, some at the bar and others at tables and booths. The bartender glanced at me. He was definitely human, but as we were so close to pack land, he probably knew not to ask too many questions of his clientele.
I asked for a beer. “Whatever’s cold.”
Some of my brothers had no head for alcohol which was unusual for shifters, but I could drink a beer and still be able to drive, negotiate, or shoot, depending on what was required. I took one gulp and relished the cool, bitter liquid as it slid down my throat.
I was about to take a second sip when a scent wafted in the open door. Damn. It carried the scent notes of the Stravon pack. Not the Alpha but probably a Beta. It was someone with authority.
The person belonging to said scent parked himself at the bar, three stools away. He was staring at me and not in a friendly “do I know you?” way.
It was probably time to get out of here because I didn’t need a confrontation to add to my woes. I put money for my drink plus a huge tip on the counter before asking directions to the bathroom. For sure, I’d find a back exit nearby from where I could make my escape.
Out back was dark and cluttered with old chairs and piles of papers. There were two doors ahead, and the stink told me that one was the bathroom. I chose the other but stumbled into an even darker space which turned out to be a storeroom.
Damn. I screwed up my nose at the musty aroma and turned around, ready to make a quick exit. But my wolf stopped me and told me to breathe.
What? I can smell the liquor and the years of dust.
No, beyond that. Inhale and scent the air.
Not wanting to argue, I did as he instructed, and I caught a whiff of a tantalizing scent. I gripped a shelf to keep myself upright, fearing I’d topple over. It was sweet and warm, but there was a hint of fear mingled with the other smells.
It’s our mate.
My brain couldn’t process what instinct was telling me. How could my mate be in this stuffy old room, as if he was waiting for me to take a wrong turn.
Find him.
My beast didn’t need to tell me twice, though I still couldn’t believe it.
He’s human.
Maynard’s mate was human, so it wasn’t unheard of in our family.
I charged through the storeroom, sniffing as the scent became stronger toward the back, behind a stack of boxes. Not wanting to scare the guy—though what he was doing hiding in a storeroom, I couldn’t fathom—I whispered, “Hello.”
I waited, and my enhanced shifter heating picked up panicked breathing.
“There’s no need to be afraid. I don’t work at the bar or anywhere nearby.” I waited before adding, “I can help you if you let me.”
A shadowy form half stood and poked his head out beside the tier of boxes.
His voice shook as he begged me not to reveal where he was.
“I'm not going to hurt you.” I kept my tone even, though my beast was howling inside me. “My name is Ezra Grey.”
“They’re coming. They'll find me. They'll make me—”
“Hey.” I held out my hand, wanting to wrap my arms around my mate and protect him. “You're safe. I promise.”
“I have to go,” he said, trying to stand and leaning on a box that threatened to fall. I righted it before it crashed onto the floor. “I have to get away from here.”
“Okay, we’ll leave.” The Stravon Alpha had access to the agreement, so I was in the clear, sort of.
“What?” He stared at my hand as if trying to decide whether I was offering him a lifeline or if this was a trick.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” I hoped he knew the location of the back door.
He took my hand, and warmth rippled through my body.