Taking Their Mate [Wolf Packs of Fate 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Nope.” Clinton wiped down the counter then jutted his chin toward the growing crowd. “People are starting to give up on the search and I sure could use her help. They’re not our usual happy crowd, either, after not finding poor Evie. The least she could do was to call and let me know.”

  There wasn’t much use in talking to Clinton any longer. Eric wasn’t sure he could. Not with his gut twisting into a big knot.

  “Damn it. I knew something was wrong.” Dane stalked toward the door.

  “You were right. We should’ve checked on her earlier.” Eric followed, ignoring the greetings from those around him. He shoved the Wolf’s Den’s door open and strode toward the pickup, picking up speed with every step.

  “We should’ve made her tell us what was up,” added Curt.

  “So what do we do now? We already went by her place and now here.” Dane slid into the rear seat of the pickup as Eric took the wheel and Curt rode shotgun. “Where else do we look at this time of night?”

  “I’ll try giving Stella and Arizona a call. Maybe they’re having some kind of girl’s night out. Or in. Whatever.” Dane pulled out his cell phone. “Either of you have their numbers?”

  “Now why the hell would we have their numbers?” Curt’s speech descended into a growl.

  “Call Shawna Mallory. If anyone knows how to reach them, it’s her.” Shawna ran the local bed and breakfast where Stella worked, and was a self-professed busybody with her nose in everyone’s business. Then again, sticking her nose in where it might not belong wasn’t that unusual for a female werecat.

  “Good idea.” Dane started calling.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

  Curt wasn’t the only one. “I know what you mean. First Evie goes missing and now Krystal. Two disappearances so close together are too much of a coincidence. But what do the two have in common?”

  “Or who do they have in common?” added Curt. His expression was tight as he stared out the windshield.

  “Beats the hell out of me.” An idea hit him that didn’t make him feel any better. “Have you seen that Denny guy hanging around lately?”

  Curt shifted his way. “Fuck. Come to think of it, I saw him coming out of the B & B right before Evie went missing. But I haven’t seen him since then.”

  “And now Krystal’s missing.”

  “Shawna said she hasn’t heard from her, but she did see her driving out of town before sunset. Said she was headed in the opposite direction most of the searchers went.” Dane met Eric’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “A few of the searchers have spread over to that side. Maybe Krystal decided to join in the search, after all.”

  “Maybe, but why would she stay out past sunset? Even most of the shifters don’t like searching in the dark.” The knot in Eric’s stomach tightened even more.

  “This sucks,” mumbled Dane.

  It more than sucks.

  Eric pushed on the gas. “I say we give the lake a look. Maybe she went out searching and got lost.”

  “If that was the case, why wouldn’t she have called us?”

  He shot Dane a hard look, wishing that his brother hadn’t thought of it. “I don’t know. Maybe her phone died. But unless you have a better idea, then that’s where we’re going.”

  * * * *

  Krystal was ready to give up. Pain stabbed her sides as she panted for air. If she had to sacrifice herself to give Evie time to get away, then it would be worth anything Denny did to her. Just as she started slowing down, however, she heard Denny fall, grunting as he landed on the ground. She spun around, hoping he’d dropped the gun and she could snatch it up.

  In the next moment, she was pulled into the trees. She stared at Evie. Not only was the child faster than anyone she’d ever met, she was strong, too. Stronger than any person her size and age.

  “Hide. Now,” whispered Evie.

  Although her muscles complained, doing their best to refuse to move, she followed the girl. They’d gone several yards when Evie shoved through some bushes.

  “Watch out.”

  Krystal nodded then realized what the girl had meant. Once they were through the bushes, they stood at the edge of a large gulley. Evie pointed toward the bottom of it, then jumped.

  “No, Evie.” Yet instead of seeing the girl land several feet below and crumple into a broken heap, Krystal stared in amazement as Evie stood up from the crouch she’d landed in then motioned for her to jump, too.

  “How in the world did you do that?” she whispered. Jumping was out of the question. Instead, she sat down on her butt and slid her way to the bottom. Once down in the gulley, however, she looked back at the top and realized their mistake. They’d never be able to climb out on their own. The best she could do would be to lift Evie high enough that the little girl could pull herself over the edge.

  Tears sprang to her eyes. If Denny found them, they’d be sitting ducks, allowing him to shoot them. She summoned her courage and pulled Evie close. “I don’t know how you do the things you do. You must be a special little girl.”

  Evie took her hand and tugged her to the side of the gulley, then sat down on one of the larger rocks. “It’s okay, Miss Krystal. We’ll be all right.”

  Krystal laughed and wiped away her tears. She’d never expected the girl to be comforting her. “You should’ve kept running, honey. Why didn’t you keep going? You’re so fast he never would’ve caught up with you.” She kept her voice low. Although the bushes around the gulley hid them from view, Denny might hear them talking.

  “Uh-uh.” She shook her head vehemently.

  “But why, Evie? You could’ve out run him. Why didn’t you run away?”

  She gazed up at Krystal, her eyes wide, and slipped her hand in Krystal’s. “You have to come, too.”

  It took a moment for Krystal to realize what the young girl meant. Although Evie could’ve run away from Denny, she’d stayed for her. The tears that had gone came back, harder than before. Her throat closed up as she hugged Evie. “You’re sweet, but you have to promise me. Once the sun comes up, I’ll lift you up and then you have to run as fast as you can. Head toward the sun. It’ll take you straight to the road. Will you promise me that you’ll run? Please?”

  Evie drew in a long, breath as though finally deciding to agree to Krystal’s pleas. “Okay.”

  “Good.” She pulled the girl closer still. “We’ll get through this. I promise we will.”

  Evie tugged on Krystal’s shirt then put her finger to her lips. “He’s coming,” she whispered.

  Krystal stiffened as she picked up the sounds of movement beyond the bushes. How had Evie heard him before she had?

  * * * *

  The men searched. Then searched some more. One hour turned into two. Two into three.

  “We need to shift. We won’t find her while in our human bodies.” Curt stopped in the middle of the path they’d been following. Soon enough, it would lead them to the small lake. He started taking off his boots. He’d lose his mind if they didn’t find her soon.

  “He’s right.” Dane began pulling off this t-shirt.

  “And what happens when we find her? Do we lick her hand or change and show her who we are?” Not that his questions kept him from getting undressed, too.

  “We have to tell her what we are, anyway.” Curt tossed his shirt aside. “Hell, we should’ve told her before now.”

  “He’s right,” added Dane as he tugged off his boots.

  “Is that all you can say? He’s right?”

  Curt snarled at Eric. They were all on edge, but it didn’t help to take it out on each other. “Let’s get moving. It’ll be daylight soon.” He summoned his inner wolf, letting it take over.

  The world around him changed from a hue of many colors to that of amber with gray tones. Bones broke and reformed as the pain whipped through him. He’d long ago grown used to the pain and shoved it away. By the time he landed on all four paws, Dane and Eric had almost finished changing.

  Lifting
his head to the moon, Curt let out a howl.

  Maybe she’ll hear me.

  Yet even if she did, she wouldn’t know it was him. He bounded off the trail and into the trees.

  * * * *

  Krystal’s pulse set up a rapid fire of thrumming in her ears as they ran. Getting out of the gulley had proven easier than she’d thought. They’d used tree roots along the sides to climb out with Evie making it look easy. She’d had to try three times before she’d been successful, the bruises and pain from the night before protesting in her muscles. But, determined to get Evie home safe, she’d finally pulled her body over the edge.

  “Hurry,” urged Evie as she pulled Krystal along with her.

  I am. But, damn, I hurt so much.

  She didn’t voice her complaint. The girl hadn’t complained one time all through the night. As Krystal held her, Evie had gotten much needed rest. Even when Krystal had heard Denny off and on as he searched for them, she’d let the child sleep, her hand hovering over the girl’s mouth in case she cried out in a dream.

  When the sun had finally risen, they’d still waited, listening. Yet they hadn’t heard any sign of Denny.

  Had he finally given up and run off? Could she hope they were safe now?

  They ran as fast as Krystal could go. Every once in a while she’d stop, get her bearings, and alter their direction. It hadn’t seemed that far when she’d entered the trees the night before. Now it felt like an eternity until, at last, they broke through the tree line and onto the road. She almost cried in relief when she saw her car still where she’d left it.

  “Thank God.” And thank goodness that she’d left her keys in the ignition. Before living in Fate, she never would have left keys in her car, but that was what most people in the small town did. “Let’s get out of here, Evie.”

  She guided Evie toward the driver’s side, intending to let the girl slide over to the passenger seat. As they rounded the hood, Evie stopped, and pulled back. “What’s the matter?”

  “No. Don’t,” whined Evie.

  “But we have to get out of here. Honey, please, get in the car.”

  “Noooo,” moaned Evie.

  “It’s about time you two showed up.”

  Krystal’s gaze met Evie’s frightened one. “Denny,” she whispered.

  “Come here, kid. Now.” Denny had been hiding beside the car. The left side of his hair was bloody and matted. Burns covered the bottom half of his face and neck. “I’ve been waiting for you. You two have been very bad girls. I’ll have to punish you, you know.”

  Evie tried to jerk away, but Krystal held onto her, her fear causing her to make the mistake of keeping the child with her. Denny grabbed hold of Evie and yanked her to him, then pressed the gun’s barrel against Evie’s head.

  “No, Denny, please don’t.” Krystal took a step toward him. “I’ll go with you. No more fighting. I swear I’ll do anything you want. Just please don’t hurt her.” She felt defeated, trapped and begging for their lives.

  “Of course you will. You’ve finally realized how much you care for me, haven’t you?”

  She’d thought he was insane before, but his insanity had somehow deepened. Judging from his happy expression, he truly believed she loved him. She did the only thing she could do. “I have. I really have, sweet man. And I can’t wait to go away with you.” She dared to step closer.

  He frowned as though a part of him knew she was lying. But that part was weaker than the crazy part of him. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that.” His grip weakened on Evie and he lowered the gun.

  Krystal breathed a small breath of relief. “Sweet man, I’ve decided I don’t want any brats that aren’t my own blood. Turn her loose.” She gave him a sultry look. “Let’s make a baby that will be a part of both of us.”

  Denny’s smile was so sincere, so radiant that it almost broke her heart. Almost.

  “Really?” His hold on Evie loosened even more. He lowered the gun to his side. “I know you’ll be happy with me, baby. I’m going to do everything I can to be a great husband.”

  She fought the urge to hurl and, instead, plastered on a smile. “I know you will be. Now, please, let the kid go. We’ll be in the next state by the time she walks back to Fate.”

  Denny’s frown came back, stronger than before. “How do I know you’re not lying to me? How do I know you really want me?”

  She almost groaned as his fingers dug into Evie’s skin. “Can’t you feel it? Can’t you see how much I love you?”

  “You didn’t before.”

  She could see his mind working, sanity fighting with insanity. She batted her eyes coquettishly. “What did you expect me to do? Swoon and fall into your arms? I admit it. I didn’t care about you in Los Angeles, but when you came all this way to find me, I changed my mind. How many other girls have a man who’s willing to chase her across the country?”

  “It’s true, too. I had to do a lot of searching to find out where you’d gone. I paid a lot of people cold, hard cash for your credit card records. I even paid a cop to help track you down. And Dolly helped, of course. But it was worth it. It was all worth it now.”

  She bit back the urge to curse him. If she had any say in it, he’d pay for hurting Dolly. Instead, she took another step closer and held out her hand. “Please, Denny, let her go. Let’s get out of here, okay? Right now?”

  “They’re here.” Evie’s big eyes met hers.

  Krystal glanced at Denny, saw that he didn’t understand any more than she did, then shifted toward a movement off to the side.

  A dark shape, then another, then a third moved quickly toward them. By the time she realized what they were, they were already leaping into the air. Denny turned toward the large wolves, his mouth dropping open as he lifted his gun.

  She screamed and fell backward, stumbling but managing to stay upright. Evie dashed to her and she pulled the child into her arms, turning her head so she wouldn’t see the attacking wolves. “Close your eyes, honey. Cover your ears.”

  She’d barely gotten the words out when the three large ferocious wolves leapt on top of Denny. Their fangs glistened white seconds before they tore into the man’s body. Claws dripped with blood. Denny’s screams filled the air. For a moment, he stared at her, his eyes huge circles, and then he was gone under the massive bodies of the beasts.

  Krystal had to turn away from the awful sight. She pulled one of Evie’s hands away from her ear. “We have to get to my car.” Yet when she urged the girl to move, she resisted, refusing to move, her eyes closed, both hands once more covering her ears.

  Krystal wouldn’t look again. The vicious growls were enough to send fear to stiffen her body. “Please, Evie, I know it’s scary, but we have to go.” She wasn’t sure if the girl heard her or not.

  “No.”

  Was she too frightened to move? “Please, we have to go. Now.” Her fear echoed in her tone, but it seemed to have no effect on the girl. Evie remained where she was.

  “Keep your eyes closed, honey.” Krystal had no choice but to try and carry the child. She bent over and, grabbing Evie harder than she liked, pulled her into her arms. As she pivoted toward her car, she saw that the wolves and Denny were no longer there. Only a long, bloody streak toward the trees on the other side of the road remained.

  At least they’re gone. But will they come back to attack them?

  Evie was heavy, but she managed to carry her to the passenger side of the car. She jerked the car door open and pushed Evie inside.

  “No. We can’t go.”

  What’s wrong with her? Why isn’t she as terrified as I am?

  “Evie, listen to me.”

  Evie pointed toward the other side of the car. “Mister Dane.”

  My Dane? Where?

  Krystal straightened up and looked over the roof of the car. One of the wolves, covered in blood, padded toward them. Although he didn’t appear to be menacing, his tail wagging back and forth, she couldn’t take a chance. Slamming the door shut
, she hurried around the back of the car, determined to get inside before the wolf reached them. Just as she pulled open the driver’s side door, the other two wolves emerged from the trees. They bounded over to join the first wolf that was now only a few yards away.

  Shit.

  “Mister Curt and Mister Eric.” Evie pointed again, happiness filling her face.

  What was wrong with Evie? Krystal scanned the area, hoping to see the men, but found nothing. She slipped behind the wheel, pulling the door closed seconds before the first wolf leapt up, putting its paws against the side window.

  She instinctively leaned away as she fumbled to turn the key. Twice the engine started then stalled. Closing her eyes, she summoned her strength and did her best to settle her nerves.

  I can do this. He can’t get in. It’s okay. Calm down and do this.

  She opened her eyes, her focus squarely on the dashboard, and turned the key for the third time. Relief flooded her as the engine turned over and revved to life with a pump on the gas pedal.

  Thank God.

  “Mister Dane.” Evie pointed at the window.

  Slowly, fearing to look straight into the face of the vicious wolf, Krystal turned to face the animal. What she saw had her freezing, too stunned to move.

  Chapter Eight

  Please don’t let her drive away.

  Curt began the transformation as human thought became more coherent than the images his wolf’s mind used. He reached the car right after Dane had shifted. If he’d had a choice, he would’ve told Dane and Eric to wait until they’d rinsed off the man’s blood first. But Dane had already blown that choice to hell and back. Curt shifted, hurrying his transformation to catch up with Dane.

  He’d never wanted their mate to be terrified of them. Her stunned, frightened expression tore at his gut. Witnessing what she had was a bad way for her to find out about them.

  When final vestiges of his shift were gone, he straightened up and pressed the lower half of his naked body against the car. “Look away, Evie.” Although it wasn’t uncommon for shifter children to see adults in the nude after changing, there was no way he’d let the child see his private parts.