Alpha Williams' office was packed. Carter knew most of the men and women there by name.

"Two days ago, Taylor Road notified us that they had proof one of their betas had been kidnapped." She hit a button, and a grainy security video popped up on the screen facing them. "Most previous reports have been about missing omegas, so while its possible this is an unrelated incident, there are many other commonalities. Type of vehicle, mode of abduction. She had just left her shop after closing up for the night." The video paused and zoomed in on the license plate. "We only got a partial of the license, but Ryan's already running that through the sheriff's department's system." She nodded at an auburn haired, body-builder looking man. Carter recognized him as one of the local deputies.

"This afternoon, one of our own omegas went missing. Brandon Delaney. I would pursue this even if he were simply a member of our pack, but he's more than that. He's our obstetrician. Our pack hasn't lost an infant or omega since he set up shop. He's an essential element of this pack's success and future."

Carter wondered if Brand knew how respected he was in the pack. He doubted it. As confident as Brand was in his abilities and his place as a doctor, his place in his family, he seemed dismissive of any possible acceptance outside of those circles.

"On top of all that, he's pregnant. He was also abducted while leaving work. His mate was able to scent humans and chloroform."

Even though the Alpha was simply stating the facts, hearing someone say them aloud was like a knife to the chest with every word. His mate was out there. His unborn babies. They were in danger. And Carter was doing nothing.

Not nothing, he reminded himself. But it sure felt like it. He’d notified both his mother and Brand’s family about the situation, and the last hour had been simply waiting at their homes, as desperate for information as Carter was.

A man bounced into the room, his exuberance completely out of place in the sober room. Everything about the man screamed bright and happy, from his pink button-down shirt and purple pants to his floppy blond hair. Carter hated him on sight. How could anyone be the least bit cheerful at a time like this. The man handed Alpha Williams something and bounced back out. Carter was paradoxically upset to see him go. It helped to have something to throw all his anger at, something visible and tangible, even if it was something as ridiculous as hating the man's attitude or the color of his shirt. But seriously, was he even a wolf? Wolves were of nature, of the woods. They were majestic and subtle. There was nothing subtle about that man.

The room had quieted in anticipation as Alpha Williams looked through the papers, occasionally marking something down. She handed them to Dare as she finished and he looked them over before addressing the room. "We have three possible hits on the van that kidnapped the Taylor Road beta. We'll split up in three teams and check them out. I'll head the first, Cole will take the second, and Riley will take the third."

The three team leads conferred for a moment, and then Dare signaled everyone to move out. Carter stood frozen for a moment as people streamed past him, each seeming to know his place and purpose, then pushed through to approach Dare.

"I want to go with you."

Someone cleared their throat and Dare motioned for them to continue. When the room had emptied of everyone but Dare, the alpha, and Carter, Dare said, "I don't mean this as an insult, but you're an accountant, Carter. The men and women we're taking with us are trained professionals. Each one of them has a career in law enforcement, martial arts, or hunting."

Carter set his jaw. "I'm coming. Even if I have to fight you."

Instead of rising to the challenge as Carter expected, Dare shook his head sadly.

"Take him with you, Dare," Alpha Williams said. "He can stay in the van, but it will tear his wolf apart if he has to stay here."

"You really think he won't stay in the car?"

"What, you don't think your tough guys in the back can't hold him back?" Alpha Williams graced her eldest son with a wry smile.

Dare sighed, but signaled for Carter to follow him. "You'll listen to orders, or else."

Carter bared his neck, but didn't stop moving. "Yes, sir."

Dare's team was loading into the back of the van. "Carter's got shotgun," he told them, and the team eyed Carter warily, but didn't say anything. A sign of trust in their leader?

Dare tossed a notepad into Carter's lap. "Plug that into the GPS."

Carter's hands shook with adrenaline, and he had to rest the notepad against the dash of the car to hold it still enough to read the address. 14893 Hooper Hwy. They were only about twenty minutes away.

"Everyone ready?" Dare asked. Affirmatives echoed back. "Then let's move out!"

Carter tried to clear his mind of thoughts. All his head was filled with were worries and worst-case scenarios. But he was going to believe that Brand was fine, just a bit shook up.

He had to believe that.