The Lost Wolf's Destiny

Chapter 9

An exploration of one side of the basement—the part he had access to—revealed nothing. More doors, some locked, others not. All of the rooms appeared to be laboratories, though they were all empty. He saw no sign of Hailey, so he had to believe the child was being kept locked in her room, just as Blythe had been. Conceding defeat—for now—he returned to stand outside the still-closed laboratory door. His earlier companion hadn’t made it back yet.

Though Lucas kept his walkie-talkie clipped to his belt, no one called him to assist moving Blythe. He wondered what they were doing to her in there, pushing away his jumbled emotions, hating the way he felt so damn powerless.

Kane found him there after what felt like hours.

When the other man—Shifter—appeared, Lucas didn’t do anything more than nod a greeting. He wasn’t sure what exactly Kane was doing here. Was he working undercover for the Pack or had he simply betrayed his own kind for money?

“The van’s parked out front. You can go home now,” Kane said, jerking his thumb toward the elevator. As Lucas pushed off from the wall to do exactly that, Kane stopped him.

Leaning in close, he spoke under his breath. “I know why you’re here. We need your help. I’ve got your cell number, so I’ll be calling you later.”

Raising his voice, Kane inclined his head. “I’m driving the van back out in ten minutes. Be there or get left behind.” Then, with one final hard look at Lucas, the other man walked away.

Immediately, Lucas’s heart rate kicked into overtime. They had an ally. Maybe, just maybe, the odds were now tipped toward their favor. Wishing he could tell Blythe, he hurried to the elevator, rode it to the surface and strolled casually.

Luckily, all of the men he’d ridden to work with had gotten off at the same time. They all piled back into the van, joking and laughing, talking about getting a beer together before heading home.

Lucas stayed silent, aware he didn’t have transportation home from Kane’s house. Since he’d driven Mike Fletcher’s car to Kane’s, he had no way of getting home. He’d have to bum a ride.

But if things went right, he’d be getting Blythe and Hailey out soon.

Even the thought of what could have been happening to Blythe inside the laboratory made Lucas sweat. Dr. Silva worked under instructions from Sanctuary’s leader. Jacob was the worst kind of fanatic—he honestly believed wholeheartedly in everything he did. More than once he’d explained to Lucas that a little pain and suffering was nothing if the proper results were achieved in the end. What exactly those results were, Jacob had never revealed.

Regardless, Lucas had reason to know Jacob enjoyed inflicting the suffering more than any so-called cure he could ever claim.

He was glad Kane was going to help them. The sooner, the better. He hated—no, he despised—feeling helpless, powerless to do anything other than sit and wait. At least he wouldn’t have to stand around and twiddle his thumbs, forced to watch while Dr. Silva tortured Blythe.

Memories of what he’d gone through—and what had happened to his sister—still burned inside him. Finally, the time had come to exact his vengeance and make Jacob pay for what he’d done to Lilly.

Later. First, stopping Jacob from hurting Blythe—and her little girl, Hailey—was all that mattered. Only after they were safe would he go back and make sure Jacob never hurt anyone again.

When they reached Kane’s house, Mike surprised Lucas by offering to drive him home. “It’s the least I can do, considering how you helped me out last night.”

They made small talk on the short drive back to the motel. Lucas noticed Mike didn’t ask him to go with him to the bar to meet the others. He guessed Mike wanted to take a break from drinking, which worked out well since Lucas had a lot to do to prepare for Kane’s call.

As soon as Mike’s taillights turned the corner, Lucas got busy. He needed to get Blythe and Hailey out of Sanctuary and to safety. He’d definitely need to stock up on supplies for where he intended them to stay. While he could make it up the winding mountain roads and long, steep driveway for supplies if the weather was good, once winter set in, that would be a problem.

With this in mind, he drove to the grocery store and stocked up on provisions. Bottled water and a lot of nonperishables. If he could, he’d get more once they were on their way, but this would be enough to sustain them while they evaded pursuit.

Finally, he returned to the motel room. Nothing to do now but wait. And think about Blythe. While he’d avoided joining the Pack, he had known his share of women, but he’d always made sure they understood he could only be casual. He’d known many who were beautiful and sexy. Together they’d enjoyed every kind of carnal delight.

None of them affected him the way Blythe did. Just being in the same room with her set his nerves on edge, making him vibrate with a fierce craving unlike any he’d ever felt before. This seriously pissed him off. He didn’t need it, not now, not ever. And worse, while she appeared open to a casual sexual relationship, he didn’t want that with her. She made him wish for more for the first time in his life.

He couldn’t have more. He didn’t know how to be a regular guy. He couldn’t allow himself to give in to his desire for Blythe. Getting involved with her would be far too dangerous for a man like him, who only wanted to be left alone, as he’d always been.

He didn’t know about normal families. He’d never wanted to be part of a couple. He’d pretended to be one of his identities since he was fifteen. How could he know how to be the right man for Blythe? How could he do that to her?

When his phone finally rang, Lucas actually jumped. Swearing, he pressed the answer button, well aware that he couldn’t afford to lose focus. Stopping Jacob had to be his only priority.

“It’s Kane,” the voice said. “If you’re ever going to have a chance to get Blythe, it’s now. They just brought Hailey to her. They’ve both been drugged. You have a short time frame. But I’ll help you all I can.”

Jacob had gotten careless. Either he was really overconfident or he was setting the mother of all traps. A prickle of unease skittered along Lucas’s spine. Immediately he discounted it, well aware he had no choice.

Lucas sucked in his breath. “Is Blythe—”

“Conscious? Yes. Her daughter is not. They’re only letting them stay together for one hour. How long will it take you to get here?”

Already running for his truck, he answered. “I’m on my way.”

The roar of the truck engine nearly drowned Kane out. “I’m sorry,” he said, shifting into Drive. “Say that again.”

“What’s your plan?” Kane asked. “I’m limited in what I can do without blowing my cover.”

His cover. That explained a lot.

“I don’t know,” Lucas admitted. “I’ll work something up on the way there. I’ll call you when I know more.” And he ended the call.

He broke every speed limit, pushing the truck to its limit. He had to come up with a way to get Blythe and Hailey out. It wouldn’t be easy, especially since the little girl was unconscious.

All Lucas could picture was the obvious—barge right in, damn them to hell and back, and fight his way to Blythe and Hailey. Which wasn’t good, as it could have disastrous results.

Pulling up in front of the massive iron gates, which were closed, he slowed to a crawl. Once again, Sanctuary appeared quiet, as though nothing out of the ordinary ever went on inside.

Shaking his head, he pressed the accelerator and drove around the corner to the spot where the fence ended. He parked facing in, just in case he had to leave the road. Then he killed the headlights.

The instant he did, his cell rang. Odd coincidence, that. Almost as if Kane had eyes on Lucas.

Once again he pushed away his mistrust and answered.

“Well?” Kane asked. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going in through the kitchen,” Lucas said, deciding as he talked. He climbed from the truck and took off toward the back door.

“I’ve got people watching them,” Kane said. “One set of guards has orders to get the kid back to her quarters and the other will be bringing the woman to the lab for more testing.”

“I’m nearly there,” Lucas told him. “Any way you can provide a distraction?”

“I can try. And Larry?”

Briefly, Lucas remembered he’d used that name. “Yes?”

“Do you have a gun?”

Lucas answered in the affirmative.

“Good,” Kane said. “Be prepared to use it.” A soft click, and Kane hung up.

Lucas continued on toward the house. He withdrew his pistol, ready for whoever might come at him.

But no one did. Not yet. Had Kane been caught? Was this actually a massive trap? Because he didn’t know and because he had no choice, Lucas waited, every nerve ending screaming an alert. He couldn’t help but remember how Jacob had always been paranoid about security. There was no reason for him to have changed so much, at least not without a specific reason.

Shaking off an ominous foreboding, he continued around to the delivery entrance. The door was slightly ajar. Still, he saw no sign of movement.

His wolf chose that moment to try to break free. The beast had been biding his time, but the combination of adrenaline and frustration proved more than he could resist.

He slammed against Lucas’s inner barriers with all the force boiling inside human Lucas.

But Lucas batted him away. “Not now,” he muttered, more for his benefit than anything else.

Keeping to the shadows, he went inside.

Again, as it had been the day he and Blythe had broken in, the place appeared deserted. No acolytes walked the halls, no students with their heads deep in textbooks. Empty. Which didn’t make sense.

He walked on, his feeling of unease deepening. Kane had said Blythe and Hailey were in her room. Which meant the second floor. Choosing to take the stairs rather than be trapped in the elevator, he headed for them.

When he reached the staircase unimpeded, he tightened his grip on his gun and began to climb. All the while, he kept an eye out for Kane—for anyone.

At the top of the stairs was a landing with long halls to the left and to the right. Long, empty halls. The place was a ghost town. It had to be a trap. Still, he turned right and began trying doors.

Though he constantly glanced over his shoulder, he saw no one. Kane had said they’d given Blythe one hour. By that calculation, he had about twenty minutes, give or take.

A shadowy figure at the end of the hallway made him freeze.

“Lucas?” It was Kane. Quickly, he crossed the length of the hall. “Come on. Come with me.”

“We’re running out of time.”

Kane grimaced. “I had to disable the video feed. I’ve got it looping some old footage so no one gets suspicious. It took me longer than I thought it would.”

“Where is she?”

“Follow me.” Kane went directly to a door midway down the hall. From inside his pocket, he produced a small silver key.

“In here,” he said, unlocking the door.

“Let’s get them out,” Lucas ordered. “Now.” He pushed into the room.

“Lucas?” Blythe breathed his name. He took in the scene—the limp, unresponsive child so still on the bed, and Blythe, so drawn and pale. Instantly, he wanted to gather her in his arms and comfort her.

But there was no time for that. He and Kane exchanged a glance. “You take the girl, I’ll take the Blythe,” Lucas said. Crossing the room without waiting for an answer, he lifted Blythe in his arms.

“Let’s go,” he barked, already moving for the door as Kane scooped up the unresponsive child.

Blythe squirmed, trying to help. But when she tried to stand, she apparently didn’t have enough strength in her legs.

“That’s okay,” Lucas told her. “I can carry you.” Shifting her, he slung her over his shoulder and headed out with Kane right behind him, carrying Hailey.

They nearly made it.

But the way was blocked by two burly men. Guards. Though they both wore identical menacing expressions, Lucas noted neither of them appeared to be armed.

“Hold up,” Kane said, his voice authoritative and calm. “What are you doing away from your assigned perimeter?”

They exchanged glances. “We were told to retrieve the kid.”

They were early. Lucas resisted glancing at his watch.

“You were too slow,” Kane barked. “I’m taking care of this personally. You’re relieved of duty.”

The two men exchanged incredulous looks. “Relieved of... What do you mean?”

“Fired.” Kane pointed toward the stairs. “Go on, get out of here. You’ll be paid two weeks extra for your trouble.”

One man started to argue. “But—”

Kane’s sharp glare silenced him. “Now. I want you both off the premises.”

Grumbling under their breath, the two men took off. Lucas shot Kane a grim look. “Thanks, man.”

“Don’t mention it,” Kane responded. “Let’s get out of here.”

They made it down the stairs without running into anyone else. Through the kitchen to the back door, which was still wide-open. Once outside, adrenaline enabled Lucas to run, even carrying Blythe, who’d gone totally limp in his arms.

When they reached the truck, Lucas yanked open the passenger door and put her inside. Kane handed Hailey up to her and closed the door. Accepting her daughter, Blythe made a wordless sound of gratitude and held her little girl close.

“Here are her phones—she might need them. Now go,” Kane urged Lucas, glancing over his shoulder. “Get the hell out of here.”

“What about you?” Lucas asked. “Your cover is probably blown.”

“I can take care of myself,” Kane growled. “Now go.”

Lucas shook his head, then tore around to the driver’s side and climbed in. The engine started immediately.

They roared off into the night, still traveling without headlights until he hit the road. Lucas’s last glimpse of Kane was in his rearview mirror.

“Thank you,” Blythe breathed. “Thank you for giving me my baby back.”

He took her hand, holding it tightly, unable to let it go. “I’m glad you’re both okay.” Understatement of the year. His relief at having her safe defied explanation.

For a few minutes, they clung together in silence.

“My poor Hailey,” Blythe finally said. “I don’t know what they did to her. We need to get her to a doctor.”

“I agree, but not here.” Lucas glanced at the motionless child. “I’d like to put as much distance between us and Jacob as humanly possible.”

Frowning, she finally agreed.

“I wonder what Jacob’s going to do once he finds out we’re gone,” Blythe said.

“That’s why we need to get out of the state. He’ll probably contact the local law enforcement.”

“Why? What can he possibly say to the police?” Blythe asked, sounding weak. “All you did was rescue me and Hailey. I’ll testify to that.”

He shot her a grim look as he drove. “Remember, he’s got everyone around here in his pocket. Breaking and entering, plus he’ll counter with what I told you before—he’ll claim you were abusing your little girl or some such nonsense.”

“I don’t care,” Blythe said, briefly closing her eyes as she continually smoothed her daughter’s long hair away from her small forehead. “When all of this is over, I promise I will find that Dr. Silva and make her pay.”

“And Jacob,” Lucas added, sounding equally fierce. “I’m going to make sure he never does something like this again.”

She nodded, her attention still focused on Hailey.

“What if she doesn’t wake up?’

“She will.” He made himself sound certain, though he was anything but. “We’re going to be driving like a bat out of hell. I’ve got a place in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado. We’ll head there. If she’s not stirring by the time we reach the Colorado border, we’ll find a doctor. If we do, be prepared to do a lot of explaining.”

Again Blythe nodded. “A Pack doctor would be best. As long as they’re not affiliated with the Protectors.”

Curious, he glanced her way. “Care to explain?”

A look of extreme weariness crossed her face. “Not right now, Lucas. Maybe later.”

Though he nodded, he couldn’t help but wonder what secret she was hiding. One that she couldn’t share with the man who’d just risked his life to save her and her daughter? To cover his irritation, he changed the subject. “We have to get you both out of town before they put out an APB on us.”

“An APB?” she said, her voice rising. Little Hailey moved at the sound, the first movement he’d seen at all since they’d left. Even though she’d barely twitched, it gave him hope.

“She’s going to be all right,” he said, letting his relief show. “It’s just a matter of time until she’s fully conscious.”

Though Blythe looked less certain, she nodded.

Lucas headed west, out of Texas and into New Mexico. The roads were mostly two-lane and there was less traffic here. The more he thought about it, the less likely Jacob would be to put out an APB. He doubted Jacob would want to call too much attention to himself. Therefore, he’d mount a search using his own people rather than risking becoming a story on the evening news.

At least for now. Once he’d exhausted all his resources without finding Blythe and Hailey, that might change. Jacob had no idea to what lengths his son had gone in order to make sure he was never found. And Lucas knew Jacob had searched fifteen years ago. After a few weeks, he’d seen his picture plastered all over the television. Apparently, when a prominent preacher—even one as radical as Jacob Gideon—had a son come up missing, it was newsworthy.

Lucas had found it amusing as he knew Jacob had hated the attention. He liked to control when and how the spotlight shone on him.

Therefore, as long as they got away fast, Lucas figured he and Blythe and little Hailey were safe. By the time Jacob realized he’d need more help than the local police, Lucas would have Blythe and Hailey safely ensconced in his remote cabin two states away. Out of reach.

And even if, by some wild and completely unlikely chance, Jacob managed to track them to Colorado, he’d never find the cabin. Five years ago Lucas had purchased the place with cash, putting it under the name of his tile company in Seattle, founded under his new name Lucas Kenyon. Anyone doing a property search for Luke Gideon wouldn’t find a match.

Even better, situated high on a bluff, the house had a panoramic view of both the winding road up the mountain, and the long and narrow driveway leading to the property.

When he’d first bought the place, only privacy and security mattered. Now Blythe and her small daughter had the same need.

His conscience reminded him of Kane. The other Shifter had gone out of his way to help two people who were essentially strangers to him. He could only imagine what would happen to Kane if Jacob learned what he’d done. Even though he’d fired the two guards, Kane wouldn’t be safe. Jacob would search for the two missing men in case they’d been the ones who disabled the security feed and helped Blythe and Hailey escape.

As soon as Jacob found Blythe and Hailey gone, he’d be beside himself with rage. Not for the first time, Lucas wondered if he was the only person who realized Jacob was insane.

Still holding Hailey in her arms, Blythe dozed. Lucas kept glancing at her as he drove. Cradling her little girl in her arms, she looked so fragile and so lost. Powerful emotion filled him and he knew he’d protect them both with his life if need be.

Barely an hour had passed when her cell phone rang, jerking her awake. Bleary-eyed, she squinted at it before turning to stare at Lucas with a horrified expression.

“It’s Jacob,” she said, her voice quivering.

“He has the number because you called him,” he told her, keeping his tone calm. “Go ahead and answer. Let’s see what the bastard has to say. He can’t hurt you now.”

Inhaling sharply, she swallowed and said hello, her expression like stone. After a moment, she covered the phone with her hand. “He wants to talk to you. He knows it was you, though he calls you Luke instead of Lucas.”

“Good. I’m glad to have the chance to talk to the monster who attacked another defenseless child,” he said, holding out his hand for the phone, keeping the other on the steering wheel.

Hand trembling, she passed it to him.

“What do you want, Jacob?”

“Now, is that any way for a son to talk to his father?” Jacob drawled, his carefully modulated tone sending a shudder down Lucas’s spine. “Even though you broke into my home and stole from me, I’m offended that you didn’t stay to visit. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I didn’t even know you were alive.”

A jumble of emotions—rage, guilt, sorrow, hatred—so consumed him that for a moment he couldn’t speak. As he took a deep breath, determined to keep the one thing his father would never take from him again—control—he realized if he gripped the cell phone any tighter he’d surely crack it.

Running through his mind were a hundred—no, a thousand—ways to respond to the other man’s mocking comment.

He said the first one that came to mind. “I didn’t come to visit you. You know that. Despite your elaborate precautions, you weren’t able to keep me out—or keep Blythe and Hailey in. I took them away, saved them, and I want nothing to do with you. Ever.”

“I’m hurt that you can say that.” Indignation rang in Jacob’s voice. Either he was a very good actor or he truly believed what he was saying.

Lucas believed it was the former. Jacob also didn’t acknowledge any reference to Blythe or to Hailey.

“Cut to the chase,” Lucas said, unwilling to play even the smallest game with this man, this murderer. “Why are you calling?’

“You know why. I want the child. Bring her back. I wasn’t able to help you, but surely I can help her. And her mother. They still have a chance to be free of their demons—unlike you. I must do what I’ve been called to do.”

“Unbelievable.” Keeping his icy control, Lucas pressed on the accelerator, watching as the speedometer crept up past eighty. “You tortured me and tried to kill me.” He clenched his teeth to keep from mentioning Lilly. He refused to soil her memory by discussing her with this monster. “Why would you even think I’d let you do the same thing to poor Hailey?”

“Because I know what you are.” Triumph rang in the older man’s voice. “And I call you out, in the name of heaven. You are the spawn of demons.”

“So what does that make you?” Lucas couldn’t resist taunting his enemy. “I saved two innocents from your hellish grip. You won’t be torturing Hailey, or her mother. They’re with me, free. Safe. And you’ll never find us. So leave us alone.”

“Not until you submit to a higher authority.” Slipping into what Lucas had always thought of as his preacher voice, Jacob’s tone rang with command.

“A higher authority?” Lucas scoffed. “Since you and I both know what you do has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with God or heaven or anything even remotely good, I’m guessing you mean you? You’ve always made your own rules.” He took a deep breath. “Well, I’ve got news for you, Jacob. You are not a higher authority and I’ll send you straight to hell.” He ended the call.

Seething, he glanced over at Blythe and tossed her the phone. “Block his number, please,” he said.

She nodded, still eyeing him warily.

“What is it?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said automatically, then shook her head. “Your voice... It’s just that for a moment, I got a sense that you’re hiding something from me.”

He felt the impact of her words like a serrated knife straight to the heart. A sick feeling curled inside his gut. “Looks like you’re not the only one that has a secret,” he finally said. There was only so much he was willing to share of himself. Lilly—and how he’d failed her—was completely off-limits.

“Fine. Whatever.” Impasse. She appeared to be equally unwilling to tell her secret.

She took a deep breath. “To be honest, my wolf is disturbed right now. The emotions that your wolf is transmitting...you are scaring me a little.”

Startled, he realized his own beast was agitated. “Your wolf can sense mine?” he asked. “How is that possible? Is that...normal?”

After a brief hesitation, she nodded. “Sometimes. Especially if two people are really bonded.”

Bonded?

Damn. He glanced sideways at her, seeing her exhaustion in the blue hollows under her eyes. Her pale skin looked stark white in the dim light of the dashboard.