TobyI crouched low at the edge of the woods. The building looked the same as I remembered it, though now I could read the sign. The Jag—how clever. At least I knew I had the right place. The parking lot was pretty empty. Just a few expensive cars sprinkled throughout. Jet sniffed the air. "Those jaguars have a strong odor."
Brick turned to me. "Sir, if we can smell them, they'll be able to smell you. We'd better have Gessilyn whip up something to disguise your scent."
I shook my head. "There's no time." I sniffed the air. It didn't appear Victoria was anywhere in the area, though I caught a faint trace, indicating that she'd been there recently—probably within the last day. "I need to go now."
Someone drove up and parked near the front. He got out and went to a door I hadn't noticed. A bouncer let him in, disappearing inside, also. It was now or never. I rose and dusted some dirt off my pants. Then I headed for the building like I owned the place. I had more than enough money to start something like it if I wanted to, but I didn't. I was happiest teaching and taking care of my pack. No, that wasn't true. I was content. I wouldn't be happy until Victoria was back at my side.
As I walked across the parking lot, I could feel Brick's and Jet's gazes on my back. The others weren't far behind. If I ran into trouble, at least I wasn't alone.
My skin prickled with excitement. I was on the hunt and in my element. My ears were hyper-aware of every sound. All the smells intensified. My muscles prepared themselves for action, whether it be running or fighting.
I approached the door, and it opened before I reached it.
A tall, dark, muscular man stepped outside. He frowned and crossed his arms and turned his nose down. "We don't allow your kind here."
"I need to speak with someone."
"Then call and make an appointment."
I stopped about a foot from him and shook my head. "No, I need to talk now."
He glowered at me. "To whom, exactly?" "Whoever's in charge." I narrowed my eyes.
"Not if you don't give me a name."
We stared each other down. I tried glancing inside, behind him.
He closed the door behind his back, leaving it open only acrack. "No name, no entrance."
"Can I leave a message for the person in charge?" "Sure, tell me who and I'll gladly pass it along." "It's regarding Victoria."
His eyes widened, but then he quickly recovered, returning to his stoic expression. "So, you want to leave a message for Victoria? She's hardly in charge."
"No, I can speak to her myself. I'm sure you'll tell your boss about this conversation whether or not I tell you his name. You can tell him that I'm not going to back down until her memories are restored. She deserves to know her past."
He seemed to be fighting to keep his expression resolute. "You need to leave."
"Assure me you'll pass it along."
"I promise you nothing." His brows came together. "Leave before we have to escort you and your wolves off our property."
I didn't flinch at the mention of my pack in the woods. "This isn't the last your boss will hear from me. Pass that along." I spun around and marched into the woods until I was out of sight from the club. Brick, Sal, and Jet hurried over to me.
"What's going on?" Sal asked. "Do you need me to tear them apart?"
I shook my head. "I'm going to sneak in."
"Sir?" Brick exclaimed. "Is that such a good idea?"
Jet and Sal looked at me like I was crazy.
When I was a wolf, I saw what I'm pretty sure is a staff entrance.
Sal growled. "I don't like it."
"Me, neither," Brick said. "You've already spoken with that bouncer. He's sure to pass along the message. I doubt he's going to let it sit that a wolf tried to come in."
"As do I," I agreed. "But I can't just walk away. I need to get inside and find out what's going on."
"You don't think they'll smell you a mile away?" Sal asked. "They probably know we're all out here."
"What am I supposed to do, then?"
"Wait and see what they do," Sal said. "Give them a chance to come to you."
"No. I've waited long enough for Victoria. Those jaguars have some kind of hold on her, and I need to find out what."
"Then I'm going in with you," Sal said. "I can't let you do this alone."
"Don't encourage him," Jet said. He turned to me. "You have the pack to think about, too. Not just Victoria." I glared at him.
"She's fine, right?" Jet asked. "They're not hurting her." "No, they've just stolen all her memories," I snapped. "I mean she's safe. In no imminent danger."
"That we know of. I'm going in."
Jet's nostrils flared. "This is a bad idea. I feel it in my bones. You said Gessilyn's working on something, right? Have some patience. That's what you always tell us."
I stared at him, hating that he was using my own advice against me.
"Look, I don't want to see you get hurt. Especially before you have a chance to get back together with Victoria."
A low growl escaped my throat. My wolf urged me to get in there and fight for our wolfess. We were only half an alpha without her on our side. If it were possible to shift right then, I would have. Instead, I burst into a run, heading for the backside of the building where I recalled seeing someone take the trash out. Footsteps sounded behind me. I didn't want to bring anyone else in with me. Not only would I be putting them in danger, but it would make our wolf scent twice as strong. I stopped and spun around. Jet nearly ran into me. He skidded to a stop only inches from me. "You go, I go."
"I order you to stay back. This is my fight."
"We're a pack. That's stronger than family. You're stuck with me."
"No. Go back and check on the others at home. Ziamara needs you."
"You need me more right now."
Sometimes wolf loyalty had serious drawbacks. "I'm going. You're not. End of discussion." I narrowed my eyes and stared him down until he looked to the ground in submission.
"Okay, but know I don't like it."
"Noted."
He glanced up at me. "And I'm going to keep watch from the woods." "Great."
"If I even sense trouble, I'm going in."
I wanted to argue, but I couldn't turn down backup. "Not if you sense it. You have to be sure of it." I glowered at him until his nose faced the ground again.
"Fine."
"I'm serious."
"Yes, I understand."
Brick and Sal caught up.
"What's going on?" asked Sal.
"Make sure he stays down unless I'm in trouble." They both stared at me.
"I mean it."
"Yes, sir."
I spun around and ran toward the dumpster before anyone could try to talk me out of it. Once there, I hid behind it and glanced at the building. The dance hall was empty and dimmed. I scanned the building, nearly missing the entrance. It was tucked behind some delivery trucks and on each side sat stacks of lumber. Glancing back, I could see my three pack mates at the edge of the woods. I took another look all around. There were no jaguars in sight. This was my chance. I crept out of my hiding spot and ran over to the door. I pulled on the handle, but it didn't budge. Biting back a curse, I tried again.
Nothing. I'd come too far to give up now.
The others watched from a distance. They'd moved closer to the edge. Jet waved me back.
"Over my dead body," I muttered. Gessilyn and Soleil could continue trying to find answers, but I was done waiting for them.
I knocked on the door and then scurried behind some lumber. A minute later, the door opened. A guy with a chef's hat opened the door and looked around. He closed it before I had a chance to decide what I was going to do.
I went over and knocked again. This time, I hid where the door would open and hide me.
The door opened, nearly ramming into me.
"Who's there?" the chef demanded. "Smells like roadkill out here."
I shoved the door, slamming it into him. He stumbled and I jumped in front of him.
"What the—?"
"Sweet dreams." I grabbed at his hat and shoved his head against the wall.
His eyes closed and he crumpled to the ground.
I couldn't have done that to the front guard, so luckily the cook was easy to take care of. I had no idea what to expect with whoever I ran into inside. Stepping over him, I went inside and closed the door, making sure it locked behind me. I was in a hallway littered with brooms, mops, buckets, and other cleaning supplies. It smelled like dirty laundry and wet towels. I stepped in puddles of what I hoped to be water as I made my way down the hall.
The smell of jaguar—musky and catlike—grew stronger as I came to a wider area. Food aromas came from the left, making my mouth water. To the right, cigar smoke tickled my nose and masculine laughter sounded.
I followed the sounds until the white tile turned into a dark carpeting and bright lights gave way to smaller, dimmed ones. I came to a doorway, where laughter and conversation bellowed. The door was cracked, so I peeked in, careful not to be seen. I couldn't see much, but I did see part of an intricately decorated chandelier and the corner of a table which appeared to be etched with gold decorations. Footsteps sounded from inside and I jumped back, ducking down an adjoining darkened hallway. A couple waiters walked past silently, carrying platters of empty plates. I followed them a little ways, but stopped. She was nearby.
I sniffed the air. It was definitely her. I'd know that sweet aroma anywhere. I crept down a dimmed hallway until I came to an empty restaurant. Judging by the air, she was close and she wasn't alone. Following the scent led me to a booth in a back corner.
Victoria sat with the same well-built guy—a jaguar. He was holding her hand and gazing into her eyes. Inside me, my wolf howled. I struggled to keep myself from growling. I moved a little closer, careful not to be seen.
Her face and arms were scratched and bruised. What had he done to her?
My wolf clawed to get out—not that he could no matter how much either of us wanted to shift. I restrained myself from attacking the kid. Maybe whatever had happened to her hadn't been at his hands. Victoria didn't seem uncomfortable around him. In fact, she seemed entirely too comfortable.
I studied her cuts and bruises. They didn't appear too bad, as if she'd been through something life-threatening. Maybe a tumble.
Oh, how I wanted to ask her what had happened but that would have to wait until tomorrow if she would even be willing to tell me. The way she'd run off earlier made me nervous about her opening up to me again.
Footsteps sounded, heading toward their table from another direction. I headed back the way I came from without any fewer questions that when I'd started. Having seen her, I had even more.
"There he is!"
I spun around. The chef I'd knocked out pointed to me. Two men twice his size ran at me. I had nowhere to go.