Armand and Ryne crept along the tree line until they were near the house. Using hand signals, they formed their plan and separated. Armand headed to the back, moving silently, ducking under the windows in case the intruder had moved downstairs since Lucy’s last report.
At the rear entrance, he dared a look inside. Nothing appeared amiss. It could be they were dealing with a lone perpetrator. If there had been more, surely one would have been stationed as a look out.
He entered the security code Ryne had given him and eased the door open. It led to the mudroom that was off the kitchen. For a moment he stood still, testing the air, filtering through the scents, identifying each one. Ryne, Grace, Melody, Lucy… Her scent caused his breathing to hitch as did one other, the unique baby smell that must belong to his son.
Our cub! His bear growled, its protective instincts surging to the foreground. We need to find him, protect him and our mate!
“When the intruder is caught there will be time for reunions.” He muttered.
Once again, he examined the scents that filled the house. Oddly enough there were none he did not recognize. Could the invader be using the scent mask he’d encountered in Chicago? But where was the scent of lilacs? Unless… Hadn’t Roxi said there was a top-secret version of the mask available only through Lycan Link? But that would mean whoever had broken in worked for the organization. Why would they be breaking into Ryne’s house?
He made his way through the house, checking each room and finally meeting Ryne, as planned, at the foot of the stairs. Ryne jerked his chin upwards and together they mounted the stairs, pausing on the second floor, both looking towards the room at the far end where Lucy and their children were. It was difficult to keep walking, the need to check on them and offer reassurance strong but the delay could mean the difference between catching the intruder or letting him slip through their hands.
As one, they continued upward, pausing outside the door that led to Daniel’s space. Heads cocked, they listened, picking up the sound of tapping keys. The computer? Not an average thief then.
Ryne shrugged then held up three fingers. On the count of three.
Armand nodded, raised his foot and then kicked the door open, Ryne following close behind.
There was a popping sound and a blinding flash of light that momentarily blinded him and, from the cursing, apparently Ryne too. As he blinked trying to regain his vision, he sensed movement and saw a blurred form rush up the ladder that led to the widow’s walk.
“Shit!” Ryne rubbed his eyes, squinting. “The door must have been booby-trapped.”
Armand didn’t care what it was. The individual who had scared Lucy and could potentially have harmed his cub was getting away. He began to climb the ladder, intent on catching his prey. “Warn Melody he could be heading her way!”
He reached the widow’s walk just as the person climbed over the railing and began to slide down the roof towards the edge where an old TV antenna tower was still attached to the side of the house. With a growl, he followed suit, pieces of the slate roofing coming loose and skittering out from under him. Ryne would have some repairs to do but that was the least of his worries. Whoever he was pursuing was already descending the tower.
It was a good thing bears were good climbers for he had no difficulty following except…the tower was old and definitely not designed for a man of his size. A crossbeam broke under his foot and he lurched to the side, his body swinging outward. He managed to catch a foothold, but the momentum of his body was too much for the rusted metal.
A screeching sound filled the air as the metal structure began to pull away from the building. He felt himself falling backward and reached out, his fingers scrambling to catch hold of something, anything that would prevent him from plummeting to the ground. There was a window shutter, he could almost touch it, his hands grazed the wood but before he could grab hold, the stomach curdling sensation of falling through space took over.
The air rushed passed him, he could sense the ground’s rapid approach. He tried to twist around, to brace for the fall, to kick himself away from the tower so it wouldn’t land on him but there wasn’t enough time.
He hit the ground hard, his breath whooshing from his lungs, pain searing through his body as the weight of twisted metal landed on him. Stunned, he lay there, the hot wetness of blood dripping down his side, the searing pain of broken or fractured ribs wracking his body with each breath. A groan nearby drew his attention yet even as he turned his head he realized it was the intruder already getting to his feet and running.
Broken ribs be damned, that bastard wasn’t escaping him! Gritting his teeth, he gripped the metal frame that pinned him down and heaved it to the side, then rolled onto all fours, calling on his inner animal, knowing its speed was much faster than his own.
With a deep growl his bear came to life, his hands morphing into paws, razor sharp claws extending where fingernails had been. His mass increased as muscles expanded and bones thickened, his thick black hair becoming a protective pelt.
A bear now stood where the man had been. It shook its fur, gave a huff and then took off after the running figure.
Lucy listened to the sounds above her, relaying the information to Mel and trying to decide what was occurring. She jumped when there was a loud bang and shouts, then the sound of running feet pounding down the stairs. Who was it? Armand? Ryne? The intruder?
Her eyes were fixed on the door. The dresser wasn’t much of a barricade, but she had a blanket in her hand to throw over the person and Grace’s bedside lamp. As far as defence went, it was pretty pathetic, however it might create confusion and buy her some time, improving her chances of overpowering him. She’d been mentally reviewing her self-defence course so she’d be prepared to act. There’d be no repeat of the mugging debacle!
So intent was she on the door, that when there was a sound outside the window, she screamed, pivoting around just in time to see a dark shape falling past. Armand? She rushed to look outside, peering into the darkness below.
For a moment, she couldn’t see anything as her eyes adjusted to the dark, then she began to make out a form on the ground. Armand was lying on his back, not moving, twisted metal beams entangled with his limbs. She clapped her hand to her mouth, a sick feeling washing over her.
Oh no! How badly hurt was he? She wanted to rush to him, to help him, was even struggling to open the window when suddenly someone ran by and Armand sprang to life.
He pushed the metal away as if it were bits of straw, rolled over onto all fours and then…then the air around him shimmered and…and…a giant bear stood where Armand had just been!
The creature took off running at a speed she could barely comprehend. How could something so massive move so fast? And then a wolf raced past as well!
What was going on?
And where was Armand?
He’d been there and then he hadn’t…but there was a bear instead… It made no sense. No sense at all!
Caleb gave a soft whimper and she forced herself to step away from the window. She rubbed his back and then realised she needed to warn Mel. What if those animals came near the truck where she was waiting? Giving Caleb a final pat, she grabbed her phone to send a message but it rang before she could start the text. It was Mel.
“Lucy, it’s okay. Ryne and Armand have everything under control.”
“They do?”
“Yep, Ryne just sent me a…um…message.”
“Oh thank heavens!” She leaned against the wall, a feeling of relief washing over her. “Did he mention the bear and the wolf?”
“The what?”
“There was a bear and then a wolf. I heard a noise and looked out the window and I was sure I saw Armand on the ground then…” She wasn’t sure how to explain it. “I don’t know what happened but suddenly he was gone and there was this bear. It took off running and then a wolf ran by.”
“Oh.” There was a long pause and then Melody cleared her throat. “Lucy, I think you must be more tired than you realize. I didn’t see any animals and I’m sure Ryne would have mentioned them to me if he’d seen them.”
She hadn’t imagined that bear, had she?
“Lucy? Are you still there?”
“Yes. Sorry. I’m just…” Her voice trailed off. She wasn’t sure what she was. Was she losing her mind? Had this evening’s excitement been the proverbial straw and she was now slipping into madness? It wouldn’t surprise her. No one could go through all the experiences she’d had in the past few years and come out unscathed.
“Listen, I’m heading into the house so if you hear a noise it’s just me, okay?”
“Sure. That sounds good.” She pushed her hair back from her face and looked around the room trying to focus, images of bears and wolves seeming to fill her mind. “I’ll move the dresser away from the door.”
“Great. See you in a minute.”
The fleeing figure in front of him was fast but rage spurred Armand onward, the distance between them rapidly decreasing. As they were approaching the edge of the forest, one of the laser beam triggers registered the movement and caused the spotlights outside the house to flash on. Some part of his mind wondered how the hell the person had breached Ryne’s security system but that was a question for another time. Right now…
With a roar, he launched himself forward. His body slammed into the intruder and they both hit the ground. He grunted at the impact, rolled and raised a paw ready to strike except…the person staring up at him was Jenna!
Her face was pale, her eyes wide, but she wasn’t screaming and crying for help as a human normally would when faced with a raging bear.
He shook his head, lowering his paw, unsure what to do. She was a human and he couldn’t shift forms in front of her…
In the shadows he sensed Ryne’s presence. He was hanging back, not revealing himself but ready to act.
“Armand, let me explain.” Jenna spoke, her voice shaky.
Armand? She knew who he was even in bear form? He backed away eyeing her warily as she stood up and brushed dirt and greenery from her black clothing.
“I work with Lycan Link, Armand. I know all about you and the other shifters in the area. Feel free to change form if you wish. It will be easier to talk that way, don’t you think?” She looked him square in the eye, one brow cocked.
He slid a look towards Ryne who gave a brief nod before stepping back further into the shadows. Jenna hadn’t mentioned the Lycan by name so proceeding with caution seemed advisable.
“I can see you are still not convinced. I understand. Shifters need to be careful and honour The Keeping.” She gave a soft laugh. “That was drummed into my head as a child even though I was a human. The pack didn’t treat me any differently than the rest of the pups.”
The pack? She knew of the Keeping? He tilted his head.
“Yes, I was raised in a pack. And now I work for Lycan Link when they need me.”
As she explained her role, he began to relax. Not that he liked the idea of Lycan Link checking up on him, but it assured him she was legitimate. He gave a grunt and shifted form.
“That is so cool. Even though I’ve seen it done a million times, it still takes my breath away.” She shook her head and gave a lop-sided smile. “Anyway, I do apologize for spying on you.”
“Apologize? You violated my trust and that of the whole town!” He growled the words, his usual calm still buried under adrenaline and his fear for Lucy and Caleb’s safety.
She took a step back, her smile wavering. “I realize I wasn’t completely honest—”
“Honest? Maudite merde! You weren’t honest at all! I can’t…” He paused and took a deep breath, his hands clenching at his side.
“And you’ve trespassed on my land.” Ryne stepped out of the shadows, glaring and using his most pissed-off Alpha tone.
“Mr. Taylor!” Her gaze darted between them before she set her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I was just explaining to—”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about your explanations.” Ryne took her by the arm and began to march her towards the house. “You’re on my land. You broke into my house. You likely terrified my child.”
“I—”
“I want to know exactly who sent you because, believe me, heads will roll over this.”
“But—”
Ryne gave her no chance to explain.
Armand followed behind, making no comment. He couldn’t believe he’d allowed himself to be deceived in such a way and that his bear hadn’t noticed either. Jenna must be very skilled at deception. Or he’d been so caught up in his own turmoil over Lucy he’d ignored the signs. Or perhaps it was a bit of both.
The house came into view, the security spotlights making it easy to see. Melody was standing in the front yard and so was Lucy…with the baby in her arms!
His heart gave a lurch and he almost tripped at the sight.
Our mate and our cub. His bear’s attention was riveted on them, its nose twitching, taking in their scent, urging him to move faster and gather them close in his arms.
This was not the reunion he’d planned, with an audience watching and after a harrowing day when everyone was overtired. However, he’d not let this opportunity slip away.
He stepped forward. “Lucy…”
The sound of a helicopter approaching had him pausing to look up. It was flying low, getting closer and…it was landing on Ryne’s lawn! Dust and leaves were stirred up into the air, the breeze buffeting the group and causing them to squint. Several persons exited and approached.
One who seemed to be the leader, spoke. “I’m looking for Ryne Taylor.”
“That’s me.” Ryne stepped forward. “Who are you and what’s this about?”
“Scott Baker, Enforcer second class. I’m here to inform you that we have an arrest warrant for one of your pack members, a Daniel Scott Phillips-Rhodes.”
“Daniel?” Ryne frowned. “What’s he done?”
“He’s under suspicion of aiding a subversive group known as the Federation for Shifter Equality by passing along security codes.”
Security codes? It was the damned USB again. Armand shook his head. Could this day get any more complicated? “No, he wasn’t aiding anyone except me. This is all my fault. I asked Daniel to help with—”
Baker scowled at him. “And who are you?”
“Armand St. John and—”
“You’re also wanted for questioning.” Baker jerked his chin and the two men behind him stepped forward and took hold of Armand’s arms.
“No!” Jenna jerked her arm free from Ryne’s grasp. “This isn’t supposed to happen! Captain Fielding said—”
“This has nothing to do with Captain Fielding, Ms. Lewis.” Baker flicked a look at Jenna. “He contracted the chopper for you but when we saw the details, we realized there were outstanding warrants for these men.”
“Warrants?” Armand shook off the men who were holding him only to still when one of them pulled out a gun. He eyed the weapon and then exhaled loudly trying to contain his irritation. If that gun misfired, it could injure Lucy or his child.
“From who?” Jenna asked.
“Our orders came from Director Higgins,” Baker stated.
Ryne snorted. “Higgins stepped down over two months ago.”
Baker shrugged. “Regardless, those orders have yet to be rescinded and—”
“—And this is my territory.” Ryne placed himself between Armand and the chopper.
Baker’s gaze swept over the group. “In times of crisis, the director of Lycan Link has the power to override an Alpha’s territorial rights if it’s considered for the good of all. Those instructions remain in place until formally withdrawn.”
“Times of crisis?” Melody stepped closer to Ryne. “What crisis?”
“What’s going on?” Lucy drew the baby closer to her breast as it started to whimper. “Armand?”
Baker’s head snapped towards Lucy and then Armand. “Do you know this woman? Is she involved?”
Armand looked at Lucy. He couldn’t drag her into this. Above all else, he needed to keep her and the baby safe. “No. She’s not involved. She is of no importance at all.”