Chapter Eight

The drive to Maine was a nightmare. Josiah could barely flex his fingers. They cramped from gripping the wheel too tight for a hundred miles. Not to mention his almost constant erection was thicker and more painful the farther he drove. He didn’t have to ask why. The full moon would rise tonight. Now he understood what a pain in the ass this was.

He had no idea if he was going in the right direction. He did his best to focus on that pull, that mystical force that mated him to Sarah. He knew it had led his brothers and their mates to do some crazy shit. Maybe it would lead him from Minnesota to Maine without as much as a roadmap.

The only problem was that he was so terrified out of his mind that he couldn’t concentrate on the road in front of him. He couldn’t hone in on the pull if his life depended on it. The only thing that got him from point A to point B was the snapshots of highway signs that those bastards that took Sarah texted to him from her phone. Or maybe they were forcing her to do it. He hoped they were. That meant she was still alive. Their clues took him south instead of the more obvious route across Canada. That was a good thing. Caleb was the only Hallow with a passport.

As each hour grew on, he needed the phone less and less. The burn of lust nearly consumed him. When he crossed the border into Maine, he unzipped his jeans to free his cock. He couldn’t stop himself from stroking it as he drove. He fought to maintain concentration on the road. He almost rear-ended two semis as he came hard in his hand. The full moon would rise tonight, and it was leaving him in blissful hell.

He’d left Bangor in his rearview mirror an hour ago. The pictures on his phone led him straight north. He passed through several small towns. They were replaced with thick woods the farther he drove. It reminded him of home. That fact unnerved him. What the hell was he walking into? Worse yet, where were these sons of bitches taking his mate?

His truck was engulfed in woods as he turned off the highway onto a barely paved lane. The whole vehicle was jostled like a ping-pong ball, and even though his hands ached, he gripped tighter. He could barely make out two tiny red dots ahead of him. Despite the deep shadows the trees cast on the road shrouding any danger, Josiah floored it to try to catch up.

The tree line faded then broke away into the brilliance of the late summer afternoon sunlight. He was back in another small town complete with brick storefronts and little houses. Except this community was cut off from the rest of society. Its townsfolk shot cold stares at him as he drove past. In the other places, they offered a warm wave as a greeting. It was obvious they didn’t take kindly to strangers.

As Josiah reached the plush green town square in the center of the town complete with a whitewashed octagonal bandstand in the center and a playground on the far northeast corner, he caught sight of the largest building in town. At first glance, he took it for the town hall. A second look confirmed it as a mansion that looked like it was transplanted from the Deep South. It was red brick like the storefronts in town. Its pillars matched the bandstand in the square. A grand concrete staircase matched the at least ten-foot foundation it was raised up on. Windows lined each side of the building including the foundation. However, the ones embedded in the concrete base were lined with steel bars.

Parked in front of the building was a white dented van. The back door was wide open. That must have been the two red dots he saw. He hadn’t witnessed another vehicle in the entire town. He slowed his speed as he crept closer to it. He could make out three figures ascending the steps to the white ornamental double doors at the peak. It was two men with a woman between them.

Josiah barely threw the truck into park before he exploded out of the driver’s seat. He dodged the van doors and sprinted up the stairs. He didn’t stop until his fist connected with Roman Lycan’s face.

Roman dabbed at the trickle of blood that dripped from his nose. He sneered at Josiah. “I know where your mate gets her right hook from, Hallow.”

Josiah’s gaze shot to Sarah. Other than her pale complexion and rumpled clothes she looked all right. She was alive. That was what mattered.

Her voice broke as she spoke. “Joe.”

“Let her go, you motherfucker,” Josiah demanded.

“Josiah.”

Josiah spun on the step toward the door. No one was there before. Now both of the double doors were open, revealing the opulence of the inside. At the top of the stairs stood an old man. Despite his age, he had a broad, muscular frame. His snow-white hair and beard reminded Josiah of an old Santa Claus figurine Momma treasured. Despite the summer heat, he was dressed in a pair of black pressed slacks, burgundy suit coat, and a white linen shirt.

Josiah frowned. “How do you know my name?”

The man smiled. “Because you look like Zane. Your father. My son.”

The revelation stunned Josiah. He sucked in a deep breath and shot a cold glare. “Atticus.”

“Yes, that’s who I am.”

“Explain something to me. Why the holy fuck did you send these assholes to Minnesota to abduct my mate and drag her here? Hmm?”

Atticus’s smile grew wider. “For this. For you to finally come home.”

“Minnesota is home.”

“You’ll change your mind.” Atticus nodded to Roman and Albanus. “Take her downstairs and settle her into one of the cells.”

“Cell?” Josiah objected.

Atticus turned his attention back to Josiah. “You know what tonight is. She will be safest in the cell. You are free to visit her whenever you wish.”

Josiah snarled at Atticus and then turned back toward Sarah. He could take on Roman and his buddy. It wouldn’t be easy. But Sarah was a fighter, right? Maybe she could lend a hand. All he knew was that he needed to get her away from these three before the moon rose.

Josiah’s bravado sunk as he faced the small town. All the cold, unwelcoming townspeople were no longer in their shops or homes. They had gathered at the base of the staircase glaring at them. It was almost cult-like. And there weren’t fifty or sixty. There were hundreds. And all their stares were locked on him. He swallowed hard. Atticus was right. Behind bars was the perfect place for Sarah. It would be the only safe place for her in a gigantic pack of werewolves.

Sarah whimpered. “Josiah?”

He lowered his head and shook it. “Go with them, Sarah. Trust me. If you don’t, you’ll die.”

He didn’t lift his head to watch Roman and Albanus haul Sarah the rest of the way up the steps and into the house. He just focused on the cement under his feet. He thought he was screwed when he sold his soul in his agreement with Rock and Cort. Now being here with his grandfather’s pack, the one his father escaped? He was royally fucked.

He didn’t move when the voice behind him spoke. “Come inside, son. We should talk.”

Josiah stormed up the steps until he was nose to nose with Atticus. “I’m not your son. My name is Josiah. If that’s too hard for you, call me Joe. That’s what my mother calls me.”

He didn’t miss the growl that escaped Atticus’s throat. With a smug smile, he strode into the house, leaving the older man outside.

»»•««

Sarah laid her head back against the cool, hard wall. The smoke-painted concrete floor beneath her butt was equally cold. Sunlight streamed through the bar-lined window. It had been an exceptionally long night without sleep. It wasn’t the lone bunk with the thin mattress that kept her awake, even though it might have been more comfortable sleeping on a rock. It wasn’t the overwhelming musty smell of the old basement colliding with the scent of fresh paint. It was the sound of growling, of scratching on the concrete, the howls that were just outside the window that terrified her. Whatever animal it was found its place only a mere foot or two away. And it couldn’t have been just one. It sounded like there were at least a dozen predators outside, if not more.

Josiah said she would be the safest in this cell. Sadly, she knew he was right. She hadn’t seen a human since she was locked inside. Maybe they took cover from whatever was outside too.

She groaned as she sat on her fingers. Josiah. Even the thought of him set her on fire. She struggled not to touch herself as the ecstasy drove every coherent thought from her mind. It was futile. She made herself come at least three times. Each time she cried out so loud it frightened away whatever was outside, at least for a little bit. The need to have him stretched out on top of her, of her straddling him, of him buried so deep inside her it filled every crevice of her, grew steadily stronger the farther Roman dragged her across the United States. She needed relief, and only Josiah could give it to her.

She sat up straight when she heard the door up the stairs open. The click of boots on the wood steps echoed off the walls. She scrambled to a crouching position. Whoever it may be wasn’t going to get the upper hand. She would be ready, and she wasn’t going down without a fight.

Her breath caught in her throat as she met her lover’s stare. “Josiah.”

His clothes were rumpled. His skin was damp and pale. He looked like he was coming down with the flu. And she still wanted him so much it hurt. She stood up straight. Without a thought, completely on instinct, she skimmed her fingers along the hem of her shirt. She tugged it off over her head and tossed it on the floor.

“Are you all right?” she asked as she brushed her nails across the curve of her breast. His entire body stiffened at the sight.

“It was a rough night,” he replied, his voice deep and dangerous.

“You’re getting sick.”

“Sick of being what I am, yes. But am I ill? No.”

She reached behind her and flicked the hooks of her bra. It slid down her arms onto the painted cement. She didn’t know why she did it. She’d be mortified if someone came down and found her stripping. Whatever she tried, she couldn’t stop herself.

Josiah growled. “Stop.”

Sarah laughed and whimpered at the same time. “I wish I could.”

“You have to try. You need to get a fucking grip. Please, beautiful. You’re the strongest of us. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

Sarah pushed her shorts and panties to the ground and then kicked them off. “Josiah, language.”

“You just stripped for me like a wanton slut, and you’re on my ass about my language.”

“Like I said, I didn’t do it. Something has control of me. It’s not that I don’t want it. I do. I want you to open that door and make love to me.”

Josiah leaned against the wall and cocked a grin at her. “Make love to you, huh? Is that what we’ve been doing? It seems to me that we’ve been having hot, raunchy sex.”

“Josiah, please.” She pointed behind him to the simple silver key hanging on a nail by a leather cord. “The key is right there. Please open the door and come in here with me.”

He shoved off the wall and crossed the room to her cell. His gaze wandered over her naked body. “I want to, Sarah. You have no idea how much I want to. I want to taste you. I want you wrapped tight around me. But we can’t do it.”

Her lower lip popped out in protest. Never before in her life had she acted like a spoiled brat. This would be the last thing she would pout about. And she wasn’t entirely sure it was mystical force that possessed her doing it. “Why not?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

He leaned into the bars until his nose grazed hers. “If you don’t fight for Rock and Cort, your life will be on the line. My life will be on the line, my family’s lives will be sacrificed. Sleeping with you right now will fuck that up royally. Trust me.”

Sarah lifted her mouth and captured his and then did her best to deepen it. She caressed his tongue with hers as she gripped the bars to pull her closer. She could hear him moan through the kiss.

“Lay down on the floor,” he demanded as they parted.

Sarah bit her lower lip as she obeyed. She gazed up at his towering frame. His cock pressed tight against the zipper of his jeans. She didn’t know how it didn’t pop open. She watched as he dropped to his knees. She gasped as he grasped her ankles and tugged her across the cold, smooth floor until the bars shoved into the back of her thighs.

Sarah cried out as she felt his tongue swipe against her swollen flesh. He dipped his tongue inside her. He nipped at her clit then sucked. His hands gripped her hips tight. It didn’t stop her from thrashing in ecstasy. She tried to sit up to touch him, to hold him closer. The bars kept her at his mercy. And Josiah Hallow had a problem with mercy.

She did her best to buck against him as he slid a finger inside her and thrust it in and out. A knot twisted in her belly, begging to unwind. She clenched her fists tight as she teetered on the edge. Josiah slipped another finger inside her and rubbed a finger against her clit. She screamed out as she released, her back arching hard as the fire burned through her. Her heartbeat thundering in her ears echoed loud enough to muffle the sound of his zipper.

She watched him reach into his briefs and tug them down. He pulled away from her long enough to spit in his hand before he resumed his tender onslaught. She watched him pump his hand up and down his length as he nipped, licked, and sucked. She wasn’t sure how many times she peaked. She wasn’t sure how many times he released. She only knew when he did. His growl vibrated against her skin each time he came. It sent another shiver through her.

She wasn’t much more than a puddle of goo on the floor when he let her go. He wiped the mess on his hand off on his jeans and sat back on his heels. It sated the lust in her a bit. But it was still there, a smolder that would rage again.

He stood and tucked himself back in his jeans. “You should probably get dressed,” he ordered. “I don’t know when anyone will come down here. They don’t need to watch us. I have enough reason to tear a bloody streak through this town.”

Sarah sat up slowly. She picked up each article of clothing and slipped it on. Then she rose up on shaky legs. She leaned against the cell and wrapped her fingers around the bars. “I heard something outside last night. Many somethings. It sounded like wolves.”

He stared at her for a moment. Then he crossed the basement to her and leaned against the cell also. Even though the steel kept them apart, his presence so close to her was a comfort.

He reached through and brushed her hair from her face. “It probably was. We’re in northern Maine. Place is crawling with them.”

She turned her lips into his palm and kissed it. It aroused her again. “Stay with me.”

She heard him moan. “I need to go talk to Atticus. I have to find a way out of here for both of us. You’re in danger here, and I can’t rest until you’re home. I’ll be back in an hour or two. I promise.”

“I’m holding you to it.”

“Counting on it.”

He kissed her hard, his tongue dipping in to tangle with hers. She could taste something on his tongue. She could only guess it was her. It should have repulsed her. Instead, it turned her on. She gripped hard on his shirt to pull him closer.

He nudged his nose against hers as they parted. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll die first.”

He brushed his lips against hers and then pulled away. He glanced at her one last time before he disappeared up the staircase. The tap of his boot steps echoed his farewell.

Sarah stepped backward until she flopped down on the flimsy mattress. The words leaped to her lips as they broke their kiss. She almost said them, but he took off before she could. She frowned as she pondered them.

She almost told Josiah that she loved him. Did she? She shook her head as she lay back on the pillow. He was the only thing on her mind now. Was he the only thing in her heart?

»»•««

The massive house was deadly quiet. The sound of Josiah’s boots on the polished caramel colored hardwood floors reverberated off the walls. He didn’t have to ask where everyone was. Most were probably sleeping. The lucky ones were mating. That is, if this place was like the Hallows’ camp.

In truth, he needed some shuteye too. It took everything in him to keep his human form all night. He felt like his gut was torn in two. He had a newfound respect for Caleb. How he held his human form all through the military was mind-boggling. Guess there was a reason the middle Hallow was a certifiable asshole.

However, if he was going to sleep, it would be outside Sarah’s cell. Not that he could. She was too tempting. He almost gave in to her pleas and joined her in the makeshift jail. The consequences were too great if they mated. Even though something deep inside him wanted to see her swell with his child, and it wasn’t the crazy power that possessed them.

He wasn’t lying when he said he would give his life before anything happened to her. He didn’t know what changed. When Roman appeared on that video chat and threatened to take her, Josiah’s world was shattered. It was true they didn’t see eye to eye whatsoever. But he needed her. He couldn’t imagine life without her.

He was so consumed in his thoughts he didn’t notice he wasn’t alone.

“You didn’t change last night.”

Josiah’s gaze snapped up to the fireplace of the formal sitting room. Atticus stood there, his arm draped along the mantel as if he were posing for a painting.

Josiah stopped and returned the glare. “No, I did not.”

“Why fight it?”

“Because I don’t trust you bastards that you wouldn’t have contrived some way to hurt Sarah.”

“You’re more powerful as a beast.”

“But that craze comes over me. I can’t concentrate. Not changing might have hurt like a son of a bitch, but at least I can keep my thoughts straight.”

“You need to trust us, Josiah.”

“Trust you? You sent that fucking bastard Roman to kidnap her and drag her here. Why did you do that?”

Atticus straightened. “First of all, in my house, we don’t curse. I want you to keep the foul language to yourself.”

Josiah huffed. He was tired of getting lectured about his foul mouth. But his father had taught him respect for his elders. Unfortunately, Atticus qualified. “We are cursed, Atticus. It releases the tension and pain from being this way. That’s why I cuss. Now, answer my question.”

Atticus stroked his long, white beard before he continued. “I needed you here. You didn’t come the first time I sent Roman. I thought you would be curious about your true heritage. Who you really are.”

“My parents and my brothers are my heritage. We’ve figured out things so far. And my brothers will be here soon. Count on it.”

Atticus gave him a weak smile. “We will see. You are the only one I want here.”

“Why me?”

Atticus clasped his hands behind his back and paced the width of the massive fireplace. He looked like a Southern general from the Civil War era contemplating his next strategic position. “Zane was my only son. I had a daughter, Tabitha. We are a patriarchal pack meaning Tabitha was a beta female. Neither she nor her offspring could take over leading the pack. When Zane left, it set the pack on edge. I am the alpha. When I die, there would be no one from my line to take over, to lead them, to protect us all.

“But then I heard of a tiny pack of werewolves in northern Minnesota. I sent a few of my most respected hunters to investigate. I loved my son so much. He was my pride and joy. You talk about being cursed? He was cursed by the almighty power to be mated to that human.”

Josiah growled. “That human is my mother. Be careful what you say, old man.”

Atticus huffed. “They reported back to me. My beloved Zane was already dead, the victim of supposed cancer. However, he left behind seven sons. Seven alphas who could take my place as the leader of this pack. Yes, no one here is happy that their future alpha will be a half-breed. But for peace, they will accept it.” Atticus stopped his pacing and glared at Josiah. “I took the woman in my basement to lure you to me. I needed to get you here, to lead this pack. They need you to be their alpha. You belong here, Josiah.”

“I belong with my brothers.”

“They’ll do fine without you.”

“So they aren’t getting your gracious invitation? I won’t find Eve, Meg, Henry, and Delilah in your little cage in the basement?”

Atticus frowned. “I thought only four of you had mated?”

“Sam managed to land himself two. I take it two men or two women mating is taboo here?”

“It’s more common for werewolves of the same sex to mate than you think. They normally foster the young of families where the parents perish. We have some wonderfully large and happy foster families here. And they could be yours to lead.”

Josiah bit his lower lip as he shoved his hands in his jeans pocket. It was a common trait of the Hallows. Even their mates did it when they were anxious. He chided them over it. Hallows should stand tall. They shouldn’t slouch like hoodlums.

But right now, he needed the comfort of an old habit. He sighed. “And Sarah? How does she fit in all this?”

“She doesn’t,” Atticus answered. “I won’t have our bloodline tainted further.”

“She’s my mate. Eternal bond, remember?” Josiah turned and pulled up his T-shirt. He couldn’t feel it, but he stroked his fingers lovingly over the design etched into his back the best he could.

“It won’t be pleasant, I know. But you must have a son to lead after you. I will find an alpha female worthy of you. You will be able to suppress the nausea after time, I’m sure.”

“And Sarah? You didn’t answer my question.”

Atticus just stared at him in silence as he stroked his beard.

Josiah shook his head. “You can go fuck yourself. Sarah is mine. I am hers. I will protect her with my dying breath. No one, and I mean no one, including your band of furry degenerates, will come between us. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my mate.”

Josiah stormed out of the room toward the door of the basement. He was no longer tired. Instead, he was furious. The thought of living in such decadence, of leading those outside these walls, was appealing. He couldn’t deny it.

But he wouldn’t do it without Sarah.

As he threw open the door to the basement, he heard Atticus’s voice. “We shall see.”

Josiah slammed the door behind him to silence his grandfather.