Shawn stepped in front of me protectively. It was sweet, but not necessary. I moved next to him as we both stared down Sam and the others. Liam was likely still at least an hour away from us. No help was coming, and my resolve was wavering.
“If you both come back in willingly, then the torture won’t be as bad,” Sam taunted. “I’ll treat you right, Taya. You know me.”
I gagged. “I thought I knew you, but I was obviously wrong. The good man I thought I knew would never stand before me with threats.”
“That Sam was a weak little bitch who never took what he wanted. Declan showed me how to be a better man. Now, I’m going to get what I want, just like he always does. You think any of you are here by accident? He’s always ten steps ahead.”
Shawn shook his head. “What do you mean?”
Sam smirked, enjoying the fact he knew more than us a little too much. “You were the easiest of all. Young and naïve. All it took was a pretty face to bat her eyes at you and you fell for the trap. You becoming a guard was a bonus he hadn’t expected, though.”
Shawn’s body quaked with rage. He was ready to snap, and I was done listening to Sam.
I called on my wolf and forced a shift quicker than I’d ever done before. My body screamed at me, but my wolf pushed through. She was just as ready. She hadn’t liked being drugged and tied up. Sam would soon realize he messed with the wrong wolf.
The others followed my move and began to shift, but none of them had the motivation like I did to turn as fast. I charged for Sam in my wolf form and managed to take a chunk out of his right leg before his shift was complete.
Shawn followed my moves. He went for a wolf who hadn’t completed their shift yet, slamming his massive jaws into the guy’s spine. There was no quick recovery from that injury, but he’d survive. One down, three to go.
I refocused on Sam while Shawn took on the other two. The odds were more in our favor now, but I still wasn’t going to assume for a second that we would get out of this safely.
Sam slammed into me, lunging for my neck. His mouth only caught fur, but it was too close of a call for my comfort. I got back up and charged him next.
Our wolves met in the middle, front legs lifted up, looking for blood. We were an even match. I’d trained with Sam for years. He knew my fighting skills and I knew his. I needed to step up my game and surprise him with something or we’d just keep exchanging blows and tire ourselves out.
I checked on Shawn from my peripherals and saw he was down to one wolf. I debated waiting until he could help me, but I wanted Sam for myself. He had betrayed our pack and deserved to die by our pack.
I let the rage build within me, thinking of the lives lost because of him. How we almost killed Rick instead. Blinding wrath quickly consumed me, and my wolf howled deep before making our next move.
Sam was bigger than me, but I prided myself on being quicker. We charged Sam, sliding low to the ground at the last second, then swiping at his belly. I drew blood, but not nearly as much as I had hoped for.
He didn’t stay down for long. Instead, he snapped his muzzle back at me, getting a good grip on my front leg. I took advantage of his position and latched on to his neck as best I could. I couldn’t hold on for long, but I hoped it was enough to get him to release me.
I was wrong. My feeble grip on his neck did nothing to phase Sam. He yanked hard on my leg and, without me realizing it until it was too late, had the upper hand. His wolf loomed over mine, not the least bit worn out, ready for blood.
I glanced at Shawn, but he was still preoccupied and wouldn’t be coming to help me anytime soon. I bucked and twisted as hard as I could, but nothing released Sam’s hold on me. I reached out to Liam through our bond, trying to call on his strength for a hail Mary. Anything that would get me out of my current situation.
Sam let go of his bite on my front leg only to move it to my neck. His teeth pierced my skin, and I held still for a moment to see just how far he’d go. He said earlier he wanted me. Maybe I needed to submit, and he’d back off. If he thought I was giving up, I might have a chance of getting out of this alive and without being his slave.
I calmed my wolf, trying to assure her it was the best move. She didn’t like being submissive but saw my reasoning and was willing to give it a shot.
Sam released his hold on my neck when he felt my wolf relax beneath him. He nipped at my snout, but I kept my wolf head down as a show of respect. I wouldn’t fight back again until he completely backed off. I needed a moment to get my bearings.
Before Sam could fall for my trick completely, a howl tore through the trees. It was one I’d recognize anywhere, but not the one I expected.
I turned toward the sound just in time to see Augie’s wolf fly through the opening. He was practically foaming at the mouth with rage as he charged Sam. I held still as Augie slammed into Sam’s side, throwing him off me.
I got back up on all fours and was quickly flanked by two other pack mates as a third went to help Shawn. I watched Augie snap Sam’s neck with ease and it almost frightened me. I’d never seen him this angry before, but then again, his best friend had never gone missing before.
I shifted back to human form when I realized there were no more threats in the area and went to Augie’s side. I hugged his wolf with everything I had, whispering my thanks. He nudged me away and shifted back as well.
When he was on two legs again, his arms wrapped around me. “Taya…”
His voice was gruff as he held back tears.
“I know, but I’m okay. You saved me.”
“I’m going to kill them all. Nobody takes my best friend and gets away with it. I’ve been searching and moving this direction for the last two days. I refused to go home until you were found. I would have found you soon if you hadn’t gotten out on your own.”
A growl tore through our moment, and I turned to find Liam in his wolf form shifting back to human. Augie nodded at me, understanding I needed to go to my mate.
I ran for Liam and fell into his arms as he finished his shift. Tears fell from my eyes as he held on to me tighter than ever before.
“Augie was closest, but I did everything I could to get to you. I’m so sorry, Taya.” His words were muffled against my neck, but I could hear the heartbreak in them.
“You have no reason to apologize,” I whispered. “You’re here now and nothing will separate us again, okay?”
He nodded, but still didn’t let go. I didn’t know how much time we had left before Declan arrived back, but I’d take this moment with my mate regardless.
“It looks like an orgy gone wrong.” Caleb laughed as he and Jamie appeared. “Anyone want clothes? We come bearing gifts.”
Liam took a set, covering me first in a shirt and sweatpants, then throwing on his own pair of pants.
Jamie hugged me as Liam got dressed. “You scared the shit out of all of us. Don’t do that again.”
“Get drugged and kidnapped by a psycho? I’ll see what I can do.”
She smacked my shoulder and I winced, still not healed from the fight with Sam. Liam was at my side again in an instant.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Just a little sore, nothing to worry about. We have more pressing issues. Did anyone make it to the other pack I warned you about?”
“They did, but nobody was there,” Augie said. “Guards are still hiding out and most everyone has left that pack just in case, but I think you had wrong information.”
Oh, God. The whole thing was a set up. From start to finish, Declan had been one step ahead of us.
“Where is my dad?” I asked, frantically.
“He stayed with the pack. He knew Augie and I would find you and didn’t want to leave the pack without a leader.”
No, no, no. Declan was headed there, or he had already arrived. He didn’t want to use me as bait. He had used me as a distraction. Fuckery! I would not lose my father today. Declan would not take any more of my family away.
“I need a phone,” I demanded. “Augie, can you feel my dad? The pack? Is everything okay?”
Caleb slipped a phone into my hand as Augie answered.
“I’m not picking anything up that would cause alarm. What are you thinking, Taya?”
I dialed my dad’s number as I explained. “It was all a set-up to get to my dad. Declan was never headed to the other pack. He’s going to ours.”
“Shit. How did we not see that?” Augie yelled. “Tie up the shifters who survived and let’s go.”
The phone was still ringing in my dad’s office with no answer. I hung up and tried his cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. My stomach sank as commotion went on around me.
Liam pulled me into his arms. “It’s going to be okay. There are still plenty of guards left at the pack. We’ll be there within an hour.”
Augie joined us. “I’d feel it if something was wrong. Liam’s right. Try not to stress. Let’s just focus on getting back.”
Shawn joined our group after securing Declan’s guards. He reached a hand for Liam but was ignored.
“I know I need to be punished, but I would be honored if I could see this through. I may not even deserve that much, but I’m asking for it. Please, let me fight by your side one last time.”
Liam snarled, so I responded. “You saved my life today. We have no problem with you continuing this fight with us. We can talk later about what comes next.”
Liam huffed, but he didn’t argue with my decision. He was a smart man.
“The truck is about a hundred yards out,” Caleb called out. “I can cram five of you inside, but the rest will be riding in the bed and I suggest you hold on as if your life depends on it, because I’m known for my crazy driving.”
I glanced around and counted. There were nine of us total, and I knew exactly which five would be riding inside the truck. I almost pitied the other four. It was going to be a long drive for them.
We ran for the truck, not wanting to waste any more time. I was sandwiched between Liam and Augie, each of them keeping a tight grip on some part of me. Me going missing had done a number on both of them. I almost felt bad before I remembered it wasn’t my fault and Augie had gotten revenge.
Sam was dead.
I continued to dial the pack house and my dad’s cell phone, one after the other, but still received no answer. My heart constricted with the thought that we might be too late, but Augie continued to remind me that if something was really wrong, he’d know.
It only made me feel slightly better.
I stopped trying to reach them after half an hour, knowing someone would call if they could. I gave Augie my hand and leaned my head against Liam. I had my best friend and my mate. Now, I just needed my dad, and everything would be okay. If I had all three of them in my life, I could get through anything.
When we were about ten minutes away from the pack, Augie’s hand tightened painfully around mine and he hissed.
I sat up straight and gave him my undivided attention. “What is it?”
“Chaos. Fear. Anger. We can assume Declan just arrived at the pack.”
I leaned forward, gripping Caleb’s shoulder. “I don’t care what it takes. Get us there faster.”
With a nod from Caleb, I felt the truck lurch forward quicker than should be allowed, but I didn’t care. I needed to get to my dad. I had to know he was safe.
I needed Declan to be dead once and for all.