"We had to restrain him and he's coming back with us," Donald sighed.
I looked up into Donald's eyes and saw him warring with himself.
"Look, I get this is probably a big secret, but I saw those creatures that brought me here. I saw Lucas change in front of me. I know you are like them, too. Please, just tell me what is going on."
A soft chuckle from the front seat reminded me Nate had also slipped into the SUV with us.
"I don't know where to start, love."
"Start with Lucas," I suggested. "Who is Linda and why does he say you killed her?" For some reason I couldn't care less that Donald turned into a hairy beast, I just wanted to know if he had killed an innocent woman.
"That's a difficult place to start, but I'll try to explain it. You know we aren't humans, we are werewolves. The difference is far from skin deep though. We need a family to survive. Werewolves thrive in a community, to be cast out of one; it's usually a death sentence. Lucas was cast out."
I nodded my understanding and Donald continued.
"You asked about Linda, she was Lucas's mate, his wife, in your world. She wanted power and authority; she wasn't satisfied with her life. She thought she could overthrow my father as Alpha, as ruler of the pack. She didn't go about it in the normal way. She used magic to poison the pack leaders above her, her and a group of others that felt the same way. The poison didn't work right and they were caught."
"Those involved in the plot were all put to death by my father, I was still very young then. Several, like Lucas, could not be directly linked to the coup. My father was so angry, though. In retaliation he cast out many that were just related to those involved. Most of them died quickly or were taken in by other packs. Lucas was not so lucky and has lived the last hundred and fifty years as an outcast."
"Lucas had many that spoke for him back then, even with the fear of being cast out hanging over them. They knew the pack was his life and he would never endanger the family. Father was just too angry to listen to anyone."
"I have the power to pardon him now, though, as a way to repay him for caring for you. You've asked me not to hurt him and I won't. It may take time to heal if he ever does."
Donald's blue grey eyes focused on my face and softened a little. I felt his hands stroking up my back. He pressed his lips softly to mine and then he pulled me close.
"How did you find me?" I whispered against his neck.
"I had your phone's GPS tagged by our system. I also had some of my wolves watching you. Did you know there was an explosion at the restaurant you had your meeting at?" he asked.
"Yes, I remember hearing it, was anyone hurt?" I looked back into his eyes.
"There were casualties, love, although I don't think that was the target. I believe it was meant as a distraction for the wolves I had sent to watch you. Luckily, one of my omegas saw you leave through the front door and followed you. After the explosion he saw the van driving away and had the instinct to try to follow it."
"What's an omega?" I found myself asking.
"Omegas are what make up most of the pack. They are the common man, you would say. He was working as a waiter at the restaurant, to help me by watching you. Omegas aren't built for fighting or speed, which is why it took so long to find you," he sighed. "He tried to follow the van, but it just went too fast for him, he stayed on its tail as best he could and sent us information on where to start the search."
I snuggled into his chest, wishing I could be just a few layers closer. 'What was wrong with me?' I wondered. I was almost raped and here I was wishing to be naked and cuddling with a man I barely knew.
"So they kept my phone?" I asked him.
"No, they must have thrown it out when they found it. We tracked it down and then found a trail of your scent not far from there," his voice faded off and I felt fur under my cheek.
"You found my clothes," I surmised, stroking his furry neck and cheek in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. I didn't look up fearing what I wasn't ready to see.
I heard Nate shift in his seat up front. The fur under my hands slowly receded back to olive toned skin.
Looking back at us Nate answered my question as Donald's breathing became steadier.
"We tracked your scent by the clothes at first, and then used a grid pattern to look for any wolf activity in the surrounding area. We correctly assumed that since they hadn't just killed you at the restaurant that they planned to keep you alive. We also correctly assumed they would use a place they were familiar with."
"I was lucky," I said quietly, "that's what you are saying, right?"
"Yes," said Donald, taking my hand and pressing my palm to his lips. "We were all very lucky."
We sat quietly together as the forest flew by outside. A question struck me suddenly. This one had really been making me nuts. Now that the truth was out I figured he'd tell me.
"How did you know my name? At Luna Ferus you knew my name before we talked to each other," I said looking quizzically up at him.
"Our senses are better than yours and your dinner date wasn't very quiet," Donald answered laughing softly. "Are you planning to see that man again?" he asked, sounding a little upset.
"No, Donald, it was a blind date. I didn't like him. Evidently, I was interested in someone else at the restaurant," I said, feeling him relax under me.
"Good," Donald murmured, pulling me tight, "because you are mine now."
What a strange comment. It should have bothered me. I just let my eyes close and relaxed against my hero.
I dozed languidly in Donald's arms for the rest of the trip. His hands were soothing, rubbing my back in slow even circles. Often, I felt his lips brushing across my cheek or feathering light kisses over my lips. I was so relaxed I didn't even wonder where he was taking me. It just felt right being with him.
I was jolted as cold air hit my face several hours later. Groggy and half awake I struggled with the strong arms I was being held in. Memories of being bound and gagged assaulted my conscious mind and suddenly I was terrified.
"Le'me go," I screamed as I pushed on a rock solid wall of my chest and flailed my legs pointlessly.
"Love, wake up, we're home. Open your eyes," I heard Donald's voice and calmed slightly.
"Sir, the pack is assembled as you requested, several are unaccounted for as you suspected. What would you like us to do?" asked a man with a clip board as he approached us.
He seemed to see nothing unusual about Donald toting around a bedraggled woman dressed in men's clothing. I felt a little uncomfortable and raised my hand up to my head to smooth my hair reflexively.
"Scarlett, I have some pack business to attend to. This is the den, our home," he motioned to the huge structure beside us. "Nate is going to take you to my quarters. You can take a shower if you would like, some clothes and food will be brought to you. However, for the time being you may not leave my quarters and do not go anywhere with anyone other than Nate or myself."
He stood me on the ground then lifted my chin with his finger, "Do you understand me?"
I nodded numbly and tried to get my bearings. Wherever we were was totally unfamiliar especially in the dark of night.
"Take her upstairs, set up a protection detail, and use only Betas we've discussed," Donald said to Nate before stealing a kiss from me.
The area was pitch dark except for the structure looming in front of me. It looked to be at least three stories tall. The outside was tastefully if not very subtly lighted. It looked to be the colour of sandstone. Nate put a hand gently on my back steering me toward a large open door. I could hear talking coming from inside, but when we entered the spacious lobby it was empty.
The room was tall going up all three stories, a large sloping staircase dropped into the lobby on the left and the right. In the centre of the foyer was the most striking detail though, a marble inlay of two wolves howling at a large moon. I saw heads peeking out of several double doorways that lead off the large room. I didn't really have time to focus on them though.
Nate continued to push me gently toward the staircase. I climbed as quickly as I could, frequently stopping to pull up my pants. Nate walked patiently with me, never seeming to get irritated with my slow progress. He guided me to an ornate set of double doors on the third floor. A large man stood outside the doors looking imposing.
I gasped when I got a good look at the man standing guard. Short black hair cut military style, he cocked his eye at me before politely bowing his head. It was the police officer that pulled me over the night I met Donald.
Nate nodded to the man as he opened the door. I didn't have time to say anything because Nate continued to nudge me through the doors.
The room was warm and inviting. A small fire crackled in the fireplace of a cosy sitting area. There were several comfortable looking chairs near the fire. A large flat screen TV sat unobtrusively in front of a full sized leather couch. What I'm sure were antiques decorated the area tastefully. I noted all the blue and grey and had to think how that would compliment Donald's eyes.
I was pushed gently inside and Nate followed. He directed me to one of the chairs and asked me gently to sit down.
"You are safe here. These are Alpha Smith's private quarters. The bedroom and bathroom are through there. I will have food and clothing sent up for you. There will be a guard posted at the door. I believe you have already met Anthony."
I nodded and Nate took a big breath. He let it out slowly and kneeled down in front of me, "At the cabin, there was blood...in the bedroom. We know it was yours. I'm sorry to ask, but I know Alpha Smith, Donald, couldn't bring himself to. Were you raped?"
I shook my head no and Nate relaxed a little. "We had hoped you weren't. Are you hurt though? Do you need medical care?" he asked cautiously. I got the feeling he would rather not be the one having this conversation with me.
"No, thank you," I said not wanting to discuss exactly where I was cut, "just scratches. They've all scabbed over by now."
It didn't surprise me when Nate said he was in charge of security, he spent the next hour smoothly questioning me on every aspect of my capture. He never raised his voice or rushed my jumbled descriptions; he just wanted every detail. I may have skimmed over my time in the van, it was just too humiliating. By the time he left, I was exhausted.