The Lost Wolf's Destiny

Chapter 7

Jacob’s words nearly sent Blythe over the edge. Digging her nails into her palms, she struggled not to lose control. Legs weak, fear grabbing her by the throat, she had to fight a compulsion to change into wolf and seize all three men by their throats.

“Wait...” she began, but Jacob had already turned away.

They flung her at the bed. Stumbling, she regained her balance, and rounded on them. Too late. They yanked the door closed. She clearly heard the sound of the door locking behind them. Once again, she was trapped.

She wanted to scream. More than that, she nearly threw herself at the door in frustrated fury. She should have known this would happen. Now she was in exactly the same spot as before.

Except this time she had an ally.

They hadn’t searched her. She still had the pistol and the cell. Slowly, she began to pull Lucas’s phone from her pocket, and then put it back, just in case there were cameras watching her.

She had to believe there was a chance, however small, that Jacob would relent and take her to see her baby. Hounds help him if he’d harmed even one hair on Hailey’s head.

Sitting on the bed, she breathed deeply, striving for calm. To accomplish anything, she needed to stay focused.

Time dragged. Several times, she wanted to phone Lucas, but each time she decided to wait a bit longer. Nothing happened.

Finally, heart heavy, she gave up and called. “I don’t think they’re going to let me see Hailey.”

“I’m not surprised,” he said. “It’d be like playing all his cards at one time. He’s going to test you, to make sure you’re really loyal before he’ll let you anywhere near your daughter.”

Digesting this, she tried to push away the sickening feeling in her stomach. “When you talk about tests, what do you mean? Because he knows I’m a Shape-shifter. If he believes I’m demonic, too, we know he’s going to torture me.”

“You’ve got to hang in there,” he said. “Do whatever you have to and try to stay on his good side. That’s the only way he’s going to let you get anywhere close to Hailey.”

A sound from out in the hallway made her jump. “Got to go,” she whispered, ending the call and shoving the phone in between the mattress and the box spring. She’d barely sat back up when her door opened. A large man entered, followed by a slender, dark-haired woman wearing glasses. Behind her stood another man, obviously her bodyguards.

“I’m Dr. Silva,” she said, her expression cold as she studied Blythe. “Please come with me.”

Standing, Blythe stared back. “Are you taking me to see my daughter?”

“Not now.” Her thin-lipped attempt at a smile was anything but reassuring. “It’s time to run some tests on you.”

“Now?” Faking a yawn, Blythe glanced at the clock. “Don’t you think this could wait until morning?”

“It cannot.” Motioning to the first man, she stepped toward the door. “Bring her along,” she said.

Menacingly, he moved toward Blythe, as if he meant to drag or carry her if necessary. “No need,” she told him. “I’m going of my own free will. After all, I’ll do anything to make Jacob happy.” She could only hope her tone sounded sincere. Judging from the sideways look Dr. Silva gave her, she wasn’t convinced.

Restless and impatient, Lucas waited for Blythe to phone again. After two hours went by without a call, he debated his next course of action. He couldn’t phone her back, because that would risk letting her captors know she had a cell phone.

But damned if he was going to sit around and do nothing but wait while she was in danger.

Cautioning himself to be patient, he considered his next plan of action. Though Blythe had rejected his plan to go in undercover, he had to do something. He couldn’t hang around in safety while Blythe had walked straight into danger.

A quick trip to the huge discount store and he had what he needed. A pair of fake eyeglasses, a couple of button-down shirts and khakis, and some dog clippers. He figured he’d give himself a buzz cut, military-style, wear the glasses and dress in the type of clothing he’d never in a million years normally wear.

It was a long shot, but he was betting on the fact that Jacob Gideon hadn’t seen him—at least in his human form—since he’d been fifteen. No way did the thirty-year-old Lucas Kenyon bear any resemblance to the fifteen-year-old Luke Gideon. But just in case—he had to try to remain anonymous as long as possible to have a chance to reach Blythe and her daughter.

A short time later, he rubbed the top of his nearly nonexistent hair and grimaced. Dressing in the starchy cotton shirt, he took care to button it up nearly to his neck.

The pressed khaki pants looked cheap, but were in keeping with the type of persona he wanted to project—a man who fit in with Jacob Gideon’s followers. Perching the wire-rimmed glasses on his nose, he peered in the mirror with satisfaction. Perfect.

Jacob might believe his son was around since he’d seen the wolf accompanying Blythe, but he couldn’t be certain. Fifteen-year-old Luke had favored black leather and torn jeans. Not in a million years would Jacob imagine the rebel boy would look like one of his own.

Now Lucas had to manage to convince one of Jacob’s acolytes that he wanted to join the church—full time. He had to get them to let him live at Sanctuary. Or get a job there, somehow. Not only would he have a better chance to gain access to Blythe, but he could find out where Jacob kept Hailey. And where the inhabitants of Sanctuary disappeared to on occasion.

Gaining access to Sanctuary proved easier than he’d hoped. Since most of the locals were either church members or in Jacob’s pocket, looking for followers, it wasn’t too difficult to offer himself as a prime convert.

Lucas left his truck parked in front of the motel, crammed a baseball cap down on his nearly-naked head and headed outside. Since it was too late for breakfast or even lunch, he chose Suds, the town’s only bar. From what he could remember, Jacob had often sent people there to troll for converts. The reasoning seemed obvious—desperate people driven to drink by life’s myriad problems would be eager for a solution, especially one as simple as that offered by Jacob Gideon and his church.

Since it was still early, there were only two other people at the bar—both men. Nodding cordially at the bartender, he chose a bar stool in the middle and ordered a beer. Once the bartender brought it, Lucas took a sip and rounded his shoulders, staring morosely at the bottle as though deep in the grip of a profound depression.

The bartender, a young man with long hair and multiple tattoos, barely glanced at him. But the man on Lucas’s left got up and came to sit next to him.

“Hey,” the man said.

Lucas dipped his chin in greeting and took another swig of his beer.

“Rough day?” the other man asked in a sympathetic voice.

Lucas simply nodded. The other man left him alone for a few minutes, during which Lucas continued to stare morosely at his beer as though deep in thought.

“Are you new in town?” the man finally asked.

Lucas allowed himself a grim nod. “I drove out from Dallas. I’d heard there might be a job here for me.” He shrugged. “The job didn’t pan out.”

“Sorry to hear that.” The other man leaned closer and held out his hand. “Mike Fletcher.”

“Larry Canyon.” Lucas had given a lot of thought to his name. He wanted it to be close enough to reality so he wouldn’t forget it, but not so much that it gave him away.

They talked for a few minutes, ordinary small talk two strangers might make in a bar. Through it all, Lucas was careful to keep his shoulders rounded in a defeated slump. He hoped to convey a man one step away from the end of his rope.

Occasionally, he took a slow pull of his beer, savoring it as though it might be the only one he could afford.

Finally, dragging his hand across his chin, Lucas peered up at Mike. “Do you know of any work here in town?” he asked, putting just the right amount of doubtful hope into his voice.

“What do you do?” Mike seemed genuinely interested, scooting his bar stool a bit too close. Before Lucas could answer, Mike held up his hand, motioning the bartender over. “Another round,” he said. “On me.”

Lucas squinted at the other man, and kept his mouth shut. Was Mike a nice guy? Or a member of Jacob’s brainwashed congregation?

Lucas suspected the latter. “Thanks, man.”

Mike took a long drink of his beer. “Everyone can use a friend,” he said. “And as a matter of fact, I might know of a job for you. Have you ever heard of a place called Sanctuary?”

Careful to keep his face expressionless, Lucas feigned a look of puzzlement. “I don’t think so.”

Mike started to explain. “I work security there. The church could always use a good guard. You look like you could do that kind of work,” Mike continued. “What are you, six-two?”

“Six-four.” Lucas pretended to consider the offer. Even after all these years, he still could spot Jacob’s people. “Any idea what they pay?”

“It varies on previous experience,” Mike said. “Have you ever done security work?”

Making a quick decision, Lucas nodded. “Once, a few years back. Some fellas were running an illegal gambling operation in Dallas, and I worked security there for a few years. But I can’t give them as a reference. It was all under the table.”

Mike appeared suitably impressed. “That’s probably enough. All we have to do over there at Sanctuary is guard the faithful. It’s easy work. Boring, too, but I think you’d be a good fit.”

“I’d like to apply,” Lucas said.

Matt nodded. “Sure. I can give you the number of my supervisor, Kane. You can call him.”

No way in hell was Lucas letting him leave. Not now, not when he was so close. “How about you take me there to meet him?”

Mike cocked his head as if considering. “I guess I can do that,” he said, slurring his words.

When they finally got up to leave, Lucas took one look at the other man’s unsteady gait and realized Mike had apparently had quite a bit to drink before Lucas arrived. “I’ll drive,” he said, holding out his hand for the keys. He expected a protest, but after a moment, Mike just nodded and handed them over.

“You’re probably right.” He smiled a big, goofy grin. “I might have had a few beers too many.”

With Mike drunkenly directing, Lucas drove. They pulled up in front of a neat brick home.

“Your boss lives here?” he asked. “I thought everyone who’s part of that big church lives there.”

“Nah, not everyone.” Mike smiled blearily. “Sanctuary is pretty crowded already.”

Not wanting to act too interested, Lucas didn’t question him. He parked the car, pocketed the keys, and went around to the passenger side to help Mike get out.

But once Lucas yanked open the car door, Mike waved him away. “I’m okay,” he said, grinning. He climbed out of the car, but as he took a step, he stumbled.

Luckily, he righted himself.

Shaking his head, Lucas cursed under his breath. If he hadn’t been so desperate, he never would have pushed this. Who knew what this man Kane would think, answering his doorbell to find one of his employees drunk on his doorstep, accompanied by a stranger seeking work.

Since he had no choice, Lucas accompanied Mike up the sidewalk and rang the bell.

A dog began barking inside the house.

“That’s Duke,” Mike said happily. “He’s a good dog. Part wolf, I think.”

Though Lucas nodded, he was skeptical. A lot of people claimed to have wolf hybrids, but he’d never actually seen one. As far as he could tell, the two species didn’t mate. Or if they had, he’d never met one of their offspring. And he was in a position to know.

Inside, a man’s voice rumbled, admonishing his pet to be quiet. A second or two later, the door swung open and Lucas stared, shocked.

Because the man standing inside the threshold had a visible aura, which could mean only one thing. Kane, who was head of security for Jacob Gideon, was also a Shape-shifter.

Anticipating some kind of torture chamber, the pristine cleanliness of the modern laboratory surprised Blythe.

“Please sit,” Dr. Silva said, fiddling with one of the machines. “Have you ever taken a polygraph before?’

This surprised her. “A lie detector test? No, I haven’t.”

“All right then. I’ll explain how this works.”

Blythe held up her hand. “I get it. But can I ask you why?”

Regarding her dispassionately, the other woman frowned. “Dr. Gideon’s orders.”

This was the first time Blythe had heard the man referred to this way. All of the research she’d done had focused on the size of his congregation and his purportedly amazing healing abilities. “I wasn’t aware he was a doctor,” she said. “What kind of doctor is he?”

For the first time since she’d made her appearance, Dr. Silva smiled. “He has his doctorate in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Not only is he a man of God, but a very well-educated one at that.”

Blythe decided it was probably better not to respond. She didn’t want to take a chance of ruffling any feathers.

“Please take a seat.”

Blythe sat. Careful to keep her face blank, she didn’t move as the other woman set electrodes and calibrated the machine. Inside, Blythe was a mess, all jangled nerves and erratic heartbeat. She remembered reading about a way to beat this machine, but it involved a form of self-hypnosis. The key was to believe everything you said was the truth.

She wasn’t sure she could do this, but she sure as heck was going to try.

They ran through the baseline questions—simple things like her name and her age, her height and weight. When these were finished and Dr. Silva had made a few more subtle adjustments to the machine, the real queries started in earnest.

At first, these seemed innocuous. “How many children do you have?”

“One.” With an effort, she kept herself from sighing.

“What is her name?”

“Hailey?”

And then, “Is she a demon?”

Blythe’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh, goodness, no.”

“A werewolf, then?’

The hated term made her frown. “No.”

“You’re lying,” Dr. Silva admonished her sternly. “Look at the machine. The line is all over the place.”

“I’m not lying,” Blythe protested. “I’m wondering what kind of insane questions you’re asking me. My little girl is sick. Jacob Gideon—Dr. Gideon—is trying to help her. Why on earth would anyone accuse her of being a werewolf?”

Her outraged indignation worked. The other woman recoiled at the tone of Blythe’s voice. It was clear she’d only been told what exactly to ask, not the reasoning behind the questions.

“I’m sorry.” A slightly embarrassed smile played over her thin lips. “I was given a list of questions. I have no idea why that one is on there.”

As she read the next question, her frown deepened. “This is ridiculous,” she finally said. “But I was hired to do as Dr. Gideon wishes. So I’m going to continue with what I have.”

Blythe gave her a rueful smile to show she understood. At least now she’d made a small connection with this woman. It might come in handy if Jacob tried to do anything worse to her.

Sitting up straight, she took a deep breath and prepared to lie with a straight face and calm demeanor. Hopefully, without getting caught.

Nothing in Kane’s expression revealed he’d noticed Lucas’s aura, though Lucas knew he had. That was one thing he’d learned early on—how Shifters were able to identify each other from their auras, a subtle glow of color surrounding them.

Mike pushed his way in front of Lucas, swaying slightly as he peered up at his boss, slurring his words as he rambled about the reason for their visit tonight.

For a moment, Lucas wasn’t sure the other Shifter would let them inside. Though not outwardly hostile, he had an air of wariness around him that was almost palpable. Finally, shaking his head as though he doubted the wisdom of his decision, he stepped back and invited them in.

Mike staggered over to an overstuffed chair, plopped down and immediately passed out. The entire situation felt extremely awkward, but Lucas couldn’t afford to pass up any chance that might gain him entrance into Sanctuary.

Quietly, he explained his situation. He’d come to town hoping to find a job in what he called “computer security,” but the lead had turned out to be bogus. So when Mike had mentioned there might be an opening at a church for the other kind of security, he’d jumped at the chance.

“You do realize he’s drunk,” Kane asked, casting a disparaging glance at Mike, who’d begun to snore softly.

“I know.” Lucas summoned up an apologetic smile. “But on the off chance that he wasn’t full of crap...”

Now Kane smiled. “Let me get you an application.”

After Lucas had filled it out, using the name Larry Canyon, Kane took it and disappeared into a back room. Lucas waited, hoping he appeared patient, though inside he was a jangling mess. More than anything, he’d wanted to jump Kane, pin him to the ground and demand the other Shifter tell him what the hell he was doing working for a man like Jacob Gideon.

Of course, there was always the possibility that Kane didn’t know about Hailey.

While Kane did whatever in the back room, Lucas worked on trying to remain calm. If the other man returned with a refusal, Lucas would have no choice but to accept it. Getting in would be easier if he was working for Kane, but if he had to, he’d find another way. No matter what, he’d find Blythe and Hailey.

They’d be running a background check. Never a problem for him. Due to the kind of life he’d lived, he’d long ago set up two completely different identities. The name he’d given, along with the fictional driver’s license and social security number, would reveal completely false information. It would make him appear to be an utterly brilliant, but completely unmotivated, computer hacker. And while it was true he knew his way around computer code, he was nowhere near the level his fake resume claimed.

It also said during college, he’d worked as a bouncer at a few bars around LSU. Perfect for a wannabe security guard.

After letting him cool his heels for a good thirty minutes in the living room with his snoring employee, Kane finally returned. Smiling, the first bit of sincerity he’d shown since they’d arrived, he nodded at Lucas. He carried a manila folder, inside which no doubt, were computer printouts of Lucas’s false identity.

“Larry, you’re hired,” Kane said. “When can you start?”

Though once again he had to stifle the urge to ask the other man how he, as a Shape-shifter, could work for a man who regarded their kind as evil demons, Lucas did not. For all he knew, Kane could be working undercover for the Pack or some such thing. After all, if he were truly a traitor to his own kind, he would have exposed Lucas as a Shifter immediately. The fact that he did not gave Lucas hope. After all, he figured he could use all the help he could get.

He waited for some signal, some sign that Kane knew his true nature, but nothing came.

They discussed salary and hours and then Lucas agreed he would begin work in the morning.

“Be back here at six,” Kane said as he walked Lucas toward the door, stopping to try to wake up a sleeping Mike, unsuccessfully. “You’ll have to leave him here to sleep it off. You can return his car when you report to work in the morning and someone will give you a ride home.”

If things went as Lucas planned, he wouldn’t be leaving.

After a restless night of fitful dozing, during which Blythe did not call no matter how many times he rolled over and checked his cell, Lucas rose at four-thirty and showered. He stopped at the local Waffle House for an early breakfast. The only customers there at five-fifteen in the morning were construction workers and road crews. The lone woman in the place, besides the waitresses, was a police officer, who must have had the early shift.

She eyed him with open curiosity the moment he sat down. He made eye contact just once, smiled a quick and friendly smile, and drank his coffee while he waited for his food to arrive.

He also listened to the myriad of conversations around him, waiting for the mention of Blythe’s or Hailey’s name in the swirl of voices. The two men in the booth across the way obviously also worked security at Sanctuary. Apparently the job was mostly boring, as nothing much ever happened there.

“Bunch of religious nuts ain’t gonna try anything,” one man said, his lip curling. “All they do is drift around there like ghosts.”

Lucas hid his frown. From the sound of it, these men—Jacob’s own security force—had no idea that a woman and a child were being held as prisoners there. How was that even possible? Maybe Jacob had his own, handpicked inner circle.

When his eggs and waffles and sausage arrived, Lucas dug in. Finished, he got his check, tossed a few dollars on the table for a tip, paid and left.

Both of the men stared hard at him, as though he’d done something wrong.

“Good morning,” he said, making the effort to be social only because he knew these two would be his coworkers.

One guy dipped his chin in a silent hello while the other guy only stared. They were both human, unlike Kane, who hadn’t volunteered any personal information. Nor had he asked any beyond the fake background Lucas had provided.

Outside again, Lucas waited with an eye on the other security guards, to see if he’d somehow betrayed himself. Though as far as he could tell, he’d done nothing to alert them, he’d gotten the sense that they’d fixated on him as a target. Or, as his Shape-shifter half would think, like prey.

The sun had not yet begun to lighten the sky as he stepped outside. He’d walked to Mike’s car and put the key in the door when he heard them. They’d exited the Waffle House and were heading toward him.

They could have simply been parked nearby, but Lucas didn’t think so. He’d learned to trust his instincts, so he bent over as though he’d dropped his keys and retrieved his pistol from his leg harness.

When he came back up and turned, gun in hand, they were only a few feet away.

Keeping his weapon hidden, he faced them. “Can I help you?”

They stopped. One seemed uncertain. The other moved into an aggressive stance—legs spread apart, chest puffed out, chin thrust forward. He reminded Lucas of a posturing rooster.

“That’s Mike’s truck,” Rooster man said. “What are you doing with it and where’s Mike?”

Ah, now he understood. At least they looked out for one another. Quickly, he explained what had happened.

“Mike took you to see Kane?” The two men exchanged a look, which Lucas could only interpret as surprised.

“Yep. And he hired me. In fact,” Lucas made a big show out of checking his watch. “I need to be going. Don’t want to be late for my first day on the job.”

Neither man moved.

With a sigh, Lucas made sure Rooster got a look at his pistol. The instant he did, the other man moved back, both hands up in front of him. “Hey, we don’t want no trouble, man.”

Lucas nodded pleasantly. He got in the vehicle and, with them still standing there staring, started the car and drove away.

Close call. Had they somehow sensed he was a Shifter, or had their clear suspicion of him been simply because he was driving Mike’s truck? For now, Lucas realized he couldn’t say anything to Kane. No doubt the other man had his own reasons for keeping silent about his identity. It was, Lucas reflected, a good thing the humans couldn’t see auras the way Shifters could.

Apparently the security team due to go on duty at the compound all met at Kane’s house. Parking their various vehicles in the street, they rode out to Sanctuary in a white panel van with no windows. The interior had been redone and, instead of bench seating, it had been arranged with one large U-shaped bench seat, against the sides and front, similar to military or prison transport.

Climbing inside, Lucas took a seat near the front, hoping he’d hear any conversation between the driver and the front seat passenger.

The two men from the Waffle House were there. Though they eyed Lucas with unconcealed hostility, they didn’t speak. In fact, inside the van there was none of the easy camaraderie Lucas would have expected from a team that had worked together for some time.

Why would Sanctuary be different? While the pay wasn’t great, it wasn’t horrible, either. From what he’d overheard from the other two earlier, the job was routine, bordering on boring. Was that it? A lack of danger, of excitement? Maybe he’d be able to rectify that soon.

Either that, or this group of men wasn’t in Jacob’s inner circle.

Mentally shrugging, he settled back in his seat, alert but pretending not to be.

Kane rode shotgun. A guy named Les, another bodyguard judging from his muscular build, drove. Like the men in the back, neither of the two in front spoke.

As they coasted to a stop, Lucas tried to twist around to see. Though the sky had begun to lighten, he couldn’t see much. He figured they’d stopped outside the front gate at Sanctuary.