Chapter 22

 

 

Gaby and Hallie returned from the local farmer’s market and set their bags on the counter. A good haul of fresh fruits and veggies lay on the kitchen counter. “Does one refrigerate eggplants?”

“Nah. I’m making eggplant lasagna tonight. Leave it out,” said Hallie.

“Sounds delicious.”

Hallie’s mobile buzzed. “Rylee,” she whispered. “Yes, ma’am.” She frowned. “A couple days ago. Yeah, I did the first time, but she called a second time while I checked on Buck.” Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, Auntie. Okay, here she is.” She handed Gaby the phone.

“Hello, ma’am.”

“Did you contact Tomlin while Hallie was gone?”

How the hell did she know? Besides, I didn’t record it. Gaby swallowed. “Yes. Only once. We talked about me returning to service under the condition I live on my own. He agreed to my terms. Why?” Surely, she trusted her enough not to have Hallie’s supervision twenty-four-seven.

“Did you know the king’s wife and daughter were on Wildwood Island?”

She recalled a brief conversation about the pair staying there for a bit. “Yes, why?”

“Do you know the location?”

“Off the coast of Washington. A place Steele and his family enjoyed vacations.”

“Did you tell Tomlin?” Rylee’s voice sounded harsh, accusatory.

“Of course not, ma’am.” How could she think I'd betray them?

“Ken attempted to assassinate Princess Margo and Queen Myra with exotic venomous snakes.”

Her scalp prickled. Steele mentioned the island offered them complete seclusion and well guarded. No way for Ken to find Wildwood Island and then infiltrate it. Shit. She thinks I told him. “I swear I had nothing to do with that.”

“With the exception of Dr. Becker, no human knows the king owns Wildwood Island. This is more than a coincidence.”

“I would never help him kill anyone. Especially a werewolf, royal or not. Are you sure it was Ken?”

“One of the guards who later died from the venom chased down and killed Ken. He was exactly as you described him.”

About time someone took out Ken. “Good.” If anyone enjoyed his evil work, it was the snake man.

“The only problem is your scent remained on his coat.”

Her pulse quickened. “Impossible. I was with Hallie the entire time. She can vouch for me.” Besides, she would have noticed someone’s scent on me. Although, she might have thought it was any number of people I bumped into at the market.

“Unfortunately, there was a period of time you were alone. You admitted you made a call while alone.”

“I’m not sure why my scent would be on his coat. Even when I worked for Project Sabertooth, I had next to nothing to do with him.” Ken repulsed her.

“Nonetheless, it’s definitely your residual scent. You might have leaned into him or shook his hand.”

As if they had agreed to kill werewolves. Someone planted my scent to implicate me. She had left most of her clothes back at her home near Project Sabertooth’s facility. And who identified her smell? Was it Cricket or Slade? Or even Steele. “Who scented me?”

“I did.”

She’d hoped it was a relative stranger or a werewolf with a motive to get rid of her, she’d be suspicious, but never Rylee. “What would be my motive? Someone framed me.” Kiara, of course. If I died, Steele would never be tempted to come after me.

“That’s what Steele thinks.”

He knows how much I hated murdering people. “And you, ma’am?”

“My gut believes you, but then again, that might be due to your charm.”

“It doesn't work that way. I can only influence animals, not lycans or people for that matter.” Especially alphas.

“Lunara told me wolf charmers can gentle a werewolf’s heart. This made us trusting and vulnerable, so our lawmakers created the edict to hunt and destroy your kind.”

“Kiara certainly didn’t seem taken with my charm.”

“Competing for a mate takes precedence over any other emotion.”

This gave Kiara good reason to frame her, but without hard evidence she wasn’t about to accuse the princess. “Believe me. I would never harm anyone, especially Steele’s beloved relatives.”

“I agree, although, the king disagrees. He ordered me to have the warden kill you.”

Hallie looked away, maybe just as shocked as she felt. Had Hallie put her in the same category as killing a puppy or bunny?

“Put my niece back on.”

“Yes, ma’am, please, I’m innocent.”

Hallie took the phone. “Yes?” She stared at Gaby and sniffed. “Yes, she is. Have Manny check. Nope, only a lady she bought an eggplant from.” She nodded. “Sure thing.”

Gaby watched her put the mobile down. Was the vegetarian werewolf about to go murderous carnivore on her? Her pulse raced. “What is going on?”

“Rylee wants us to leave.”

Gaby sighed. “I thought she ordered my execution.”

“Rylee told me to stand down.”

“Rylee believes me?”

“Yes. I sensed you spoke the truth and so did she. The only scent on you was from a local farmer.”

“When do we leave?” She glanced at all the fresh food.

Hallie’s face reddened. “Now. They are on the hunt.”

“They know I’m here?”

“Not yet. Kiara convinced the council to order your location ASAP. Rylee made it look like you went to a safe house in Canada.”

“I’m sure Kiara is behind this.”

“No werewolf would murder a royal family. Not even the jealous bitch.” Hallie grabbed a set of car keys. “Besides, how would she find a member of Project Sabertooth, when even you don’t know where they are?”

“You’ve got a point. Although, she could find him on the dark web.” Even so, Tomlin didn’t know her location.

“Come on.”

Gaby followed her to the car and jumped in. The garage door opened and Hallie backed out. She sped out to the main road, not once complaining about leaving everything behind.

“Where are we going?”

“Not sure yet. All I know is Kiara sent her men to kill you. They’ll be thrown off for a few days, but I can’t guarantee your safety here.”

“What about Steele?” If he believed her, he would help. Then again, his only recourse might be to marry Kiara sooner and convince her not to bother killing an insignificant human.

“Not a clue.”

 

Steele slammed Rylee’s door opened and entered. “Kiara’s fucking pack is hunting Gaby.”

“Calm down, I just ordered my niece to hide her.”

“Hallie? Are you kidding me?” Her niece had only been a warden in Oregon for a few months. And based on rumors, she was soft as an omega. A vegetarian with little blood drive.

“She is the only warden I fully trust not to report Gaby to the council. They’ve been hiding in Dr. Becker’s home near Portland.”

Wardens were under the jurisdiction of the council, so she had a point. But who held Hallie’s loyalty if push came to shove? “So you believe Gaby had nothing to do with the attempted assassination?”

“My gut says she’s innocent.”

“Good. Gaby hasn’t had contact with Tomlin.”

“Actually, she has.”

“What?”

“Gaby agreed to draw Project Sabertooth out so we can annihilate them for the murder of Mr. H. and now the attempted murder of Princess Margo.”

No. He frowned. “Mr. H. is dead?”

“Yes. Since you were on leave, you are the last team member to know.”

Steele had met Mr. H. on three occasions and always undercover. Same scent but always a different disguise. A master spy he’d grown to admire. “How did they murder him?”

“Venomous snake bite in his hotel.”

“What the fuck?”

“It’s too much of a damn coincidence that he died of snake bite.”

“He must have gotten too close to Project Sabertooth.”

“Not only that, but Mr. H. ended all back channel government funding for the operation. We believe Project Sabertooth has gone rogue. Manny learned they sell assassination services on the dark web. He says it will be near impossible to trace the people who hired him to take out Mr. H., Myra and Margo.”

“Did he connect Tomlin with the Keep?”

“No. The Keep has gone dark and probably dissociated itself from them. They would not be stupid enough to strike so openly. The Keep is not ready to confront us, since we outnumber them.”

“Cowards.”

“Tomlin on the other hand wants his top handler back. The question is who hired him to take out members of the royal family?”

“How could you ask Gaby to risk her life by contacting Project Sabertooth?”

“She insisted. I ordered her not to meet with them in person.”

“No wonder she’s being blamed.”

“It doesn’t help that I found her residual scent on Ken’s clothing.”

“Does Tomlin know where she is?”

“We don’t know.”

“Have you seen Kiara?” This was just the excuse she needed to slay Gaby.

“No. She came to check on Margo and then left promising to seek revenge.”

“Kiara might have framed her.”

“I’m not a fan of the cruel princess, but she swore a royal vow to serve our kind and knows the consequences of breaking the oath. Besides, why would she? You agreed to be her mate.”

Rylee had a point. Even if Gaby would forever be the love of his heart, Kiara wouldn’t risk death. Mating him would give her the higher royal status she craved. “Does she know where Gaby is?”

“We made it appear as though she headed to Canada.”

“Unless there was a leak.”

“There’s no way she would know unless Cricket or Slade told her and I know they wouldn’t. Besides, they are on a mission.”

“I’ll leave for Oregon as soon as possible. Is Lev around?”

“Unfortunately, he is not due back for a couple days.” She met his gaze. “Commander, secure Gaby away from our kind and Tomlin. Put Hallie on the helicopter and have the pilot return here. My niece is too green to confront our enemies.”

“Agreed.” He sighed. “Thank you for having faith in Gaby.”

“Hurry, I’ll have the helicopter to take you.”

“I’m happy you trust me with Gaby.”

She smiled. “I know you’ll protect her.”

Steele met her eyes. “With my life.”

Rylee nodded. “You essentially just gave up your life by protecting her. King Conan will consider you a traitor. Banishment if you are lucky. Mostly likely, he’ll order your death or a werewolf lobotomy.”

“I understand.” Steele bowed and dashed out to the helipad. His only advantage, knowing her location.

 

Gaby sat in a café in Portland while Hallie scanned the area for trouble. Kiara and Project Sabertooth trouble. “Is it safe?”

“For now, but be ready to go if I tell you.”

“Okay, but where do we go next?”

“Good question.” Hallie took out her cell phone and started typing, presumably texting. She put it away and smiled. “Might as well order something to eat.”

How could she even think about food? “What about your organic farm?”

“No worries. I told them I’ll be out of town. They are used to my sudden vanishing acts.”

“Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“It’s my job. In fact, it’s kind of fun. This is the first time I’ve worked so close to Auntie Rylee.”

“I’ve made a decision, but you don’t have to stay.”

“My orders are to keep you safe so whatever decision you have in mind, we’ll do it together.”

“I plan to meet with Tomlin.”

“No. At least not until Rylee clears your name.”

“That’s it. The only way I’ll find out why I’ve been framed is from Tomlin.”

“How do you know he won’t kill you outright?”

“I’m his most valuable asset. I can tell him I escaped your kind. I found my below omega status brutal.” Upon realizing how to convince Tomlin, she snapped her finger. “And how once Steele got his memory back, he disavowed me.” It pained her to know that, in the beginning, Prince Steele fought his love for her.

“He’ll force you to tell him more about us.”

“I don’t know the location of your headquarters.” They’d made sure she had no clue of its location. She guessed somewhere in the Rockies. Possibly Montana. A huge area.

“What about Oregon? Becker’s home?”

“I promise not to leak anything.” Then again, how could she make that promise? Tomlin could use truth serum. However, she had the power to command animals. Tomlin should fear her. First, she must escape from Hallie. How did one ditch a werewolf? Unfortunately, she didn’t have the vaporo masking cologne Avery Kraig used.

“Too dangerous, so erase those plans from your mind.” Hallie studied the menu. “The veggie wrap is excellent.”

“Shouldn’t we leave soon?”

“We might as well eat while we figure out where to go to next.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

Hallie bit her lower lip. “Needs to be a place where your scent won’t be so easy to pick up.”

“Like the middle of the ocean?”

“Possibly.” She lifted her brows. “What will you order?”

“I’ll have what you’re having and some ice tea.”

Hallie called over the waitress and placed the order. As someone walked in, the loud caws of what seemed like a thousand crows overwhelmed the conversations. The warden winced from the cackles. “Crows pretty much run the city.”

Gaby looked out the window at the large murder of crows, weighing down branches and flying like a dark cloud. If she were suspicious, she’d think the birds gave an ominous warning. Instead, they probably came in search of food and warmth. “No kidding.” She had once worked with a raven trained to attack. The smart bird preferred to play games and, as far as she knew, had never been used by Project Sabertooth. “There must be thousands.”

“Yeah, people either hate them or love them.”

“What about you? Do you love them or hate them?”

“I love all animals, especially crows. They are the winged clowns of the bird world.”

The meal arrived. Gaby dug in. Running from danger always spurred her appetite. “Not bad.”

“Right?”

“I need to go to the restroom,” said Gaby.

Hallie stood.

“Please, finish your lunch.” She pointed to a waitress entering the women’s restroom. “I’ll be okay.”

She sniffed and then nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on the door.”

Gaby left and closed the door behind her. Good. She scanned the restroom. A window. Opened and big enough to get through. She went into the stall and waited until the waitress left. Sorry, Hallie, but I don’t want you to get hurt or worse, captured. Gaby crawled out the window and walked beneath a tree shadowed by crows.

 

Steele searched every inch of Becker’s home. Fuck. He took out his cell phone. He’d tried earlier contacting the warden, but she never returned his calls or texts. Finally, she picked up. “Hallie, where the hell are you and Gaby?”

“Prince Steele?”

“Yes. Put Gaby on.”

“Why?” Her voice was suspicious as it should be.

“Didn’t Rylee call you?”

“No.”

“A text then?”

“Let me check.”

He pressed his hand on his temple. “Yes, do it now.”

“Rylee put you in charge of Gaby. Wait, she wants me back at headquarters?”

“Come back to Becker’s home and the pilot will take you. How close are you?”

“We’re in Portland. Texting you our location.”

“Okay, on my way.”

“Gaby will be happy to hear that. I think.”

“Let me talk to her.”

“She just went to the bathroom.”

“Alone?”

“No werewolves around, sir.”

“Get her now.”

“Okay, chill.”

Steele paced. The background noise indicated a busy restaurant and crows. What the hell is taking her so long?

“She’s gone!”

The audible stress in Hallie’s voice didn’t bode well. He growled. “What?”

“Climbed out of the window. I’m following her scent.” The cackle of crows and wings flapping grew loud. Through the din, he heard Hallie snarling at what sounded like birds mobbing her.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Hallie answered seconds later. “Back inside. The crows are not letting me follow her scent.”

Gaby used her charm. “Are you hurt?”

“No. They literally blocked my way.”

“Well then snap their bloody necks.”

“No way. Besides, how do you snap hundreds of necks?”

“Get back here and leave for headquarters.”

“If they let me pass.”

“Try! I’m on my way.” He grabbed a set of car keys for Becker’s SUV, parked in front of his house.

“All right already.”

He listened as she opened a door. The caws continued, but their cackles sounded more distant. Clearly, Gaby was long gone.

“Okay. I’m getting in my car. The crows are not following me, but they are still blocking the path heading toward the light rail.”

“Figures. Gaby is very resourceful.”

“Then you better hurry. She wants to confront Tomlin.”