Wolf on a Mission: Salvation Pack, Book 6 (10 page)

Sage tossed the paper plates into a trash bag and started cleaning up the campsite. Reece watched his uncle until there was no longer any sign of him.

“What are we going to do?” Reece asked his twin.

Sage didn’t even bother looking at him but started rolling up his sleeping bag. “What do you think?”

Reece grinned. That was the great thing about being a twin. He didn’t have to wonder what Sage was thinking. He already knew. “He’ll kill us if he finds out,” Reece felt compelled to point out.

Sage tossed his sleeping bag toward the SUV. “Then we can’t let him find out.”

Reece laughed. “And everyone thinks I’m the devious one. You’ve sure got them all fooled, bro.” He got to work putting the remaining food back into their cooler and breaking down the stove.

“What do you think happened last night between Uncle Elias and Sue?” Sage asked.

Reece wiped his hands on his jeans and shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to know.” It was weird thinking about his uncle and Sue together.

“He looks at her the same way that Dad looked at Mom.” Sage got quiet and Reece knew his brother was hurting, because he was too. It was still hard to believe their folks were gone.

“Yeah, I don’t want to think about that.” Reece picked up the cooler and carried it to the vehicle. He shoved a few things aside to make room. It was weird to think about his uncle being attracted to a woman, especially a human. He liked Sue, he really did, but it was still weird.

“I think they had sex.”

“Jesus, Sage.” Reece fought the urge to cover his ears. “I don’t want that imagine in my head.”

“Don’t you like Sue?” Sage stood with his head tilted to one side and his hands on his hips. It was the scowl on his face that alerted Reece to the fact that his brother was pissed off.

“Of course I like her. That’s got nothing to do with it.”

“Is it the fact she’s human? I mean, I might as well be human since I can’t shift.”

Reece stalked over to his brother and pulled him into his arms. “First of all, you’re not human. You’re a werewolf. You’ve got the senses and the instincts. Doesn’t matter that you can’t shift.”

He leaned back so he could stare into his brother’s eyes. Eyes that were identical to his own. “It doesn’t matter to me that Sue is human, but it’s not safe for her to be involved in our world. We don’t know what the other wolves might do to her and Billy.”

“You’re right.” Sage released a pent-up breath and rubbed his hand over his face. Reece was struck by the gesture. It was one he’d seen his father make many times. God, he missed his parents so badly. It was an ache that never went away.

“Besides,” Reece added, “I just don’t want to picture Uncle Elias getting it on with any woman.” He shuddered. “That’s like picturing Mom and Dad having sex.”

“Eww.” Sage smacked him on the arm. “Why did you have to put it like that?”

“That’s how I see it.” Reece grabbed his knapsack and headed back to the SUV.

“Man, I need to get that image out of my head.” Sage picked up a stray water bottle and tossed it in with the rest of the trash. Usually, they’d recycle, but there was no place to do so on the road. “I think they’d be good together.”

“Maybe.” Reece went back to the stove. It was still warm but not hot. It would have to do. They couldn’t leave it here. “We need to get going. We can worry about Uncle Elias’s love life later.” If they were all still alive. He didn’t add that last bit because he knew Sage was thinking it too.

Reece loaded the stove into the SUV, making sure it was safely away from everything else. “Let’s go.”

Sage took one more look around the campsite to make certain they hadn’t left anything behind. Then he grabbed his knapsack and went to the passenger side of the SUV. Reece was driving. They took turns so they’d both get experience. They had driver’s licenses, but neither of them had clocked a lot of miles.

Sage glanced at his watch. “Uncle Elias should be there by now.”

Reece started the SUV. “We won’t be long behind him.”

Chapter Eleven

Elias knew there were two wolves following him. The big bastard from his last visit and another man he’d only seen from a distance. Like the last time he’d approached them, he kept to the main road. He hated being this vulnerable, but it was for the twins. And he’d do anything for them, even walk into the bowels of Hell.

This shouldn’t be quite that bad…he hoped.

At least Reece and Sage would be out of harm’s way. He didn’t dare pull out his phone to check the time, but he knew it was nine o’clock sharp. No way did he want to piss off Jacque LaForge by being late. He’d texted both boys a reminder to leave the campsite by no later than ten, sooner if they were ready.

The closer it got to the meeting, the more uneasy he became. His internal clock was ticking. He wished he’d told the boys to leave town sooner, but it was too late. He had to trust they were smart enough to take care of themselves and do what he’d ordered. Although the last was a fifty/fifty proposition at best. They were testing their limits lately, as all teenagers did.

He allowed none of his inner turmoil to show. Outwardly, he was calm and in control. That was essential for a meeting like this.

Elias rounded a bend in the road and Jacque LaForge was standing there waiting. Christ, the man was a presence. He gave off a badass vibe that only an idiot would ignore. And Elias liked to think he wasn’t an idiot.

He nodded to the alpha and waited for him to take the lead. Elias didn’t need to test himself against the other man just to prove he was tough. He was confident in his abilities and skills. This was about the twins.

Inside him, his wolf growled, wanting to challenge the other man for dominance. He fought the beast into submission before it goaded him into doing something stupid.

One corner of Jacque’s mouth kicked up. “Your control is admirable.”

The bastard knew what a battle it was for Elias to keep his wolf under control at a time like this. He gave a curt nod and waited.

“Patience too.”

Elias released a low growl. It was one thing to show patience, another to let the alpha think he could walk all over him. He’d never wanted to be alpha of a pack, but he was no omega, willing to be kicked around by others. Jacque’s golden eyes narrowed but he still seemed relaxed. Elias didn’t know whether he should be reassured or worried.

Other wolves materialized around them. Elias risked a quick glance away from the alpha. He recognized the ones in human form and could easily scent who was who in wolf form.

Like before, the man with the tattoos on his arms came to stand beside the alpha. Elias knew without turning around all the way that the big wolf was standing right behind him.

The tension dragged out until it threatened to snap. A bead of sweat rolled down Elias’s back as the morning sun beat down on him. No one spoke. A crow flew overhead and cawed, as if in warning.

“What exactly do you want?” Jacque asked.

“A pack for my nephews. And myself.” Better to lay everything out there for discussion.

“Why now?” Jacque tilted his head to one side, and Elias knew the fate of his boys depended on his answer.

“Safety.” This was not a man to pussyfoot around. Jacque was a fighter. “When it was the three of us adults, we could reasonably protect the boys. If something happens to me, they’ll be alone.” And the thought of that hurt his heart. “They’re old enough and independent enough to take care of themselves.” He looked the alpha straight in the eyes. “But they shouldn’t have to.”

“You’re sure your pack won’t accept them?” Jacque asked.

It was a valid question. Elias answered it with one of his own. “Would the pack you were born into accept them?”

Jacque snorted and rubbed his chin. “Not a chance.” He motioned to the side and a man stepped forward. He was almost as tall as the alpha, but he had scars running down the left side of face. Had to have been one hell of an injury not to have healed all the way.

“This is Armand. Tell him more about your brother and his family. He’s going to do a little digging and we’ll just wait to see what he finds out.”

That was fair enough. If he were in the alpha’s position, he wouldn’t just take the word of a wolf who’d wandered in off the street. He’d be suspicious as hell, especially with females to protect.

Jacque nodded to whoever was behind Elias and he felt them leave. He wondered what they were doing, but then Armand came over to stand beside him and the interrogation began.

Sage crouched next to his brother and waited. Reece was in wolf form but Sage was using his werewolf senses, scanning the area as his father and Uncle Elias had taught him. Their uncle wasn’t too far ahead of them. He was also surrounded by six wolves.

Neither Sage nor his brother had seen that many werewolves in one spot. Half of them were in human form. The other half were shifted.

And, holy hell, one of the wolves was larger than either his uncle or his father. Sage rested his forehead against his brother’s flank. Reece butted his shoulder and Sage raised his head.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. It was scary as hell to be around so many of their kind. As soon as he had the thought, he felt like a coward.

Reece rubbed his chin over Sage’s hair in reassurance. Sage dug his fingers into his brother’s fur coat and reminded himself he wasn’t alone. His parents were gone, but he had Reece and his uncle.

He looked into his brother’s eyes and tilted his head to one side. Should they move closer? They couldn’t hear a thing from where they were, but if they moved closer, the other wolves might hear them.

As much as Sage hated to admit it, they weren’t as good at sneaking around as Uncle Elias was. Not yet, anyway. He would be, he promised himself. He wouldn’t be a burden to his uncle or brother. He’d find a way to become the best tracker any pack had ever had.

In some ways, it was like being handicapped. He learned to use what senses he did have more efficiently. Not being able to shift meant he was honing his enhanced sense of sight, smell and hearing more keenly.

And he heard the sound beside them a second too late. He whirled around and came face-to-face with a giant of a man. The guy was over six and a half feet tall with dark blond hair and green eyes. The scowl on his face was terrifying.

He reached out for Sage but Reece jumped in front of him and growled.

The man’s frowned deepened. “You don’ want to be doing that, boy,” the man warned. He grabbed Sage by the scruff of the neck and dragged him forward. “Something tells me your uncle is not going to be very happy.”

Sage thought about fighting, but that would only make matters worse. Plus, he wanted to be closer to his uncle. Not only were they a family, but he and Reece thought they deserved to know what was being discussed. After all, it was their future at stake. He adjusted his backpack and tried to keep up with the man’s long stride.

The man marched him through the trees. Reece trotted alongside him, following as surely as if he was being dragged. No way would his brother leave him, and the big man knew it.

Uncle Elias was talking with another man but he snapped his head around and fury blazed in his eyes. Sage stumbled. He’d never seen his uncle so angry before.

“Let him go,” his uncle ordered. The stranger stared at another man and got his nod before releasing Sage.

Elias strode toward him and Reece. “Are you okay?”

Sage nodded. He didn’t want to talk in front of all these other werewolves.

“You were supposed to be far away from here right about now.”

Sage shrugged and wished Reece was in human form too. He hated having to face their uncle alone. “We couldn’t let you do this by yourself.” His gaze went to the man he knew was in charge. There was no mistaking the power emanating from him. “We’re a family. A pack.”

Elias wanted to throw his head back and howl. This was a clusterfuck of massive proportions. He wanted to shake both Sage and Reece for disobeying him even as a part of him was proud of the two of them. It had taken courage to disobey his orders and follow him straight into danger. They didn’t lack bravery, what they did lack was discretion and self-preservation. Like most boys their age, they didn’t always stop and consider the consequences of their actions.

Jacque strode forward. “These are your nephews?”

Elias stepped between both boys. He wanted to hug them both in reassurance, but kept his hands free in case he needed to fight. “This is Sage.” He nodded at his nephew. “And that’s Reece.” He put his hand on the top of Reece’s head. He was standing, not sitting, practically vibrating with fear.

Jacque looked at Reece. “Shift.”

Elias had to give his nephew credit, he looked up and waited until Elias gave him a nod before shifting. Reece’s bones snapped and fur began to recede. The boy pushed to his feet, standing tall and proud.

Sage fumbled in his knapsack and handed his brother some clothing. Reece said nothing as he pulled on a pair of jeans and a tank top.

The alpha looked from one boy to the other. “You weren’t lying, were you? They’re carbon copies of one another.”

“Only in looks,” Elias felt compelled to point out. Each boy was unique.

Jacque turned his attention to Sage. “You can’t shift?”

Sage shook his head. “No, sir.”

Elias wanted to punch Jacque in the face for asking such a question. Sage was already insecure as it was.

Armand stepped over to his alpha, getting Jacque’s attention. “There’s not much to find, but what little I have found supports Elias’s story.”

The alpha rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Not sure where we go from here. I wasn’t expecting all three of you at this meeting.”

“I think it’s time we left.” Elias was through trying to prove himself and the truth of their situation to the alpha. He either believed their story or he didn’t. Maybe he and the boys were better off on their own.

Jacque started to speak but suddenly snapped his head around. “It’s not that easy anymore.” The alpha sighed and held out his hand. “You might as well come on out.” He turned back to Elias and the twins. “You make one wrong move toward her and you’re all dead.”

A woman with blond hair and kind eyes stepped out from behind a tree. “I wondered where you’d all gone.” She smiled at the alpha in spite of his ferocious scowl. The woman showed no fear of him. That was a good sign as far as Elias was concerned.

“I thought you were writing.” He pulled her close to his side and she rested easily there as though she’d done it a hundred times before.

“I was, but it was too quiet. I got curious.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “You really didn’t expect me not to be, did you?”

Jacque shook his head. “This is Gwen. My mate,” he added.

Elias nodded to the woman. “Ma’am.”

She laughed. “Now that makes me feel old. Call me Gwen.”

Elias looked to the alpha and got his nod of approval first. “Gwen, these are my nephews, Sage and Reece.”

“Nice to meet you.” She patted her mate’s stomach. “Wouldn’t we all be more comfortable back at the house?”

“Gwen.” Exasperation and a hint of anger tinged his voice.

“You really don’t think I’m the only one who is curious, do you?” When Jacque swore, Gwen nodded. “I convinced them to wait at the house, but I don’t know how long that will last.”

“Looks like we’re all going to the house.” Jacque turned and ushered his mate back toward their home.

Elias wasn’t quite sure what to think. There was no denying the power of the alpha. He looked and moved like a fighter. All the wolves here did. Yet he gave in to his mate’s request without so much as batting an eye. Everett had been the same way with Marcie.

“Be on your best behavior,” he warned the boys as they followed. They were still surrounded by a group of werewolves, and about to enter their home and meet even more. The women could be just as ferocious as the males, even more so if they felt their homes or families were in danger.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Elias,” Reece said. “We couldn’t let you do this alone.”

They were both so worried. And they had every right to be, but because of the situation, not because he was mad with them. He wrapped his arms around them both and gave their shoulders a squeeze of reassurance. “I know, buddy. I know you both meant well.”

The log home that came into view was a thing of beauty. It was simple and blended nicely with the surroundings. His builder’s soul appreciated the workmanship.

“Wow,” Sage muttered.

Gwen turned her head and smiled. “Glad you like it.” She winked at the boy before turning back around.

Elias hated having so many unknown wolves at his back, but there was no choice. He kept his nephews slightly in front of him as they mounted the couple of stairs to the porch. The door was open and a slender woman with long brown hair stood next to it.

Armand went straight toward her and moved her inside before Elias got close. These men were very protective of their mates. That could be a good sign or it could be bad. Depended on if they were so protective they didn’t want any outsiders around.

The living room flowed into the dining and kitchen area. Three large sofas were clustered around a fireplace, with two oversized chairs flanking it. It was probably very cozy in the winter. Since it was late summer, the hearth was cold and empty. A rustic wooden coffee table sat in the center between the sofas.

Jacque motioned to Elias and he pulled the boys over to sit on the couch closest to the door. The rest of the men filed into the room. Several of them were buttoning and zipping jeans. All of them were now in human form.

“Okay, let’s get the introductions over.” Jacque seated his mate in one of the chairs. “You’ve met Gwen.” The woman reached up and patted his hand.

Jacque held out his free hand and an older woman came toward him. He released his mate and seated her in the other chair. “This is Elise LaForge. My mama.”

Elias inclined his head. “Ma’am.” Both boys simply nodded. He had a feeling they were overwhelmed by everything that was happening. They’d never been around so many of their kind before.

“My brother, Louis.” The alpha pointed at a tall, quiet man who looked a lot like him. “His mate, Gray.” The woman standing beside Louis waved.