Cole had returned to the dining room and was speaking to James and Sarah who had walked in with him. Cheryl managed to slip in next to him and put a possessive arm around his waist and said in her most seductive voice "Have you missed me baby?"
The trio had shocked looks on their faces as did the rest of the room. Cole extricated himself from her embrace and backed away quickly. "I'm mated Cheryl, it's over, done, finished. We had fun. Move on."Karen watched as Cole backed away and pointedly told her they were through. Cheryl looked like she was trying to plead with him to reconsider. All Karen could think was "I don't think so!" She quietly strode to the group, a low growl heard as she grabbed Cheryl by the elbow, pulled her away from her mate and punched her square in the face. The power behind the punch was what surprised them the most. Cheryl's body went skittering across the slick floor and slammed into a wall.Cheryl was stunned for a moment and the"Alpha, we didn't know what to do. With Gary and Paul loose, we were afraid for their safety. Ben and I hope you understand why we brought them here." Nathan faced his new Alpha, knowing he may have gone too far by bringing outsiders to his new home, but they really had no choice. When he had discussed it with Lila, it'd seemed so logical at the time. But now, looking at Carr's face, maybe they should have asked for permission first.Carr took a deep breath before saying a word. What Nathan and Ben had done would have been unheard of for one of his pack, but he did understand. But Lila knew about it and certainly knew better. Lee would be having a talk with her later. "I do understand. You were right to bring them here Nathan. Ladies," Carr was addressing the two human females seated in front of him, "I hope we can make you feel at home here. Karen and Sarah will see to your needs while you're with us. Along with Nathan and Ben and their mates."The two women nodde
Brett stared up at the tree, spotting the camera nestled between branches. "Damn it, why didn't anyone report this sooner?" He watched one of his security detail climbing a ladder to reposition the camera so that it pointed to the exit of the labyrinths like it was supposed to. Didn't do much good to have security cameras that were misdirected. Not that it would have mattered for Gary and Paul's escape. But it would now."Brett." His name crackled over the radio."Go." Brett answered quickly, his head cocked to the side as he listened through his earpiece."We spotted someone watching the exit road from the compound. We've taken him into custody and brought him in. Cole's on his way to the office. He wants you there too.""On my way." He spun around to head back to the compound, yelling over his shoulder at Bryant, "Make sure every single camera is checked to be sure it's working at top efficiency and pointed at the correct angle. I don't want any
"Trucks are packed and ready to go. Teams have been clearing the road, we have them set up all along the route to watch for Gary's followers. And I sent a team of Betas and Omegas to get the buildings ready to be occupied. It's been a long time since anyone's been up there other than for quick hunting trips. But they should have it ready by tomorrow night when they arrive."They spotted Troy walking towards them. It was so strange to see him without Trey right next to him. He immediately started walking in step with the group as he gave his report to Carr. "The only hiccup I have is Trey and David don't want to go. They want to stay and fight.""Well tell them it's more important to keep the females and cubs safe. They're the future of the pack and I need my best fighting Betas with them. Think that'll work?" He winked at Trey who started to laugh."Yes, but they won't like it." Trey was smiling now, thinking of the fight he was going to have with Trey abo
"How's it going?" Gina spoke softly and sat close to Ben on the bench. They were in the dining hall. Now that all the packing was done and dinner was over it was quiet in there as usual. Ben had Karen's laptop computer and was moving through screens quickly. Gina could see the dating site and knew he'd been hoping to find Gary's password and username.Ben looked up when she spoke and smiled lovingly at her. He still couldn't believe she was his mate. He almost had to pinch himself. Whenever she was near him his brain was flooded with the scent of sandalwood and honey. It made it hard to think. He wasn't used to his wolf being so present when he was in his human form, but her scent brought him to the fore immediately. All he would do is scream "mine mine mine" in Ben's head. Ben did all he could to calm him. "Yes she's ours, I know.""His user name is ALPHAGARY and his password is..." He really hated to say it out loud and his voice dropped, "masterofbitches." He lo
Carr couldn't sleep. He held Lee tightly, spooned against her back. He felt her rhythmic breathing. "Can't sleep either baby?" He nuzzled her neck, cedar and lilac. It still amazed him how it calmed him to have her scent permeating his brain.She turned to face him, studying his eyes, bringing up a hand to stroke his cheek. Carr was always the one who was light-hearted, took things in stride. He was never worried, until now. This was the first time he would really be tested. It killed her to think she wouldn't be here to support him. She belonged by his side, but she knew if she was pregnant, she needed to be kept safe. The future Alpha of the pack could be growing inside her. But it didn't make it easier to leave. They didn't need words. He knew what she was thinking, even if they hadn't had their mental bond, he'd know.He held her hand as she slid it across his jaw. This would be their last hours together for who knows how long. There was still so much to do. Bu
Brett was one of the last to arrive at the Omega quarters and as he walked by Cheryl, wondered what the heck she was thinking about with that nasty look on her face. Brett got a laugh when Bryant tried to get past her. She was in a disagreeable mood and took out her frustrations on him. She stood there berating him for trying to enter an area off limits to all un-mated males. Finally he saw Bryant put his hands up in surrender and walk away.Becky had been busy and there were pedigree charts all over the walls of the common room. Each chart represented one of the human women. Carr stood in the center of the room and looked each chart over, not seeing anything that stood out as similar.Becky was proud of her work so far and couldn't wait to share what she'd found. When all were assembled, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, steeling her nerves. She wasn't used to speaking to large groups. She looked around at the expectant faces staring back at her. "Well
"What do you mean they're gone?" Gary was pissed. He'd collected most of his women but two more were missing. "Where the hell could they go from Lakeport?" He yelled at no one in particular but the Beta who had brought the news was backing away quickly."I'm sorry Alpha, their neighbors told me that someone in a black SUV had picked them up just hours before I arrived.""Those fucking Baxters!" Gary was so fast the poor Beta couldn't move out of the way in time to avoid his claw as it tore across his face. He screamed and attempted to stop the blood pouring from his mauled face. Lucky for him Were's healed so fast. The wound began to close over and the blood flow slowed, but his eye was gone. He continued to scream. Gary waved a hand and two others removed him from his presence. Another weakling. Not worth his time.He'd noticed he had become more quick to anger. Having Karen around had kept him calm, thinking of her as his mate had given him a center. Tha
FridayTime dragged without Lee here. Carr looked around and noticed those whose mates had gone to the mountains looked like he felt, like a piece of themselves was missing. The only thing allowing them to keep their sanity was the faint echo they could feel through their bonds. Carr could tell Lee was busy, trying to keep the females and the cubs busy making their temporary home liveable, but just biding their time until they came home to their loved ones. He felt her longing for him as much as she could feel his for her. "Soon love, as soon as we can bring you back, we will." He hoped she could hear every word. When he felt the warmth in his heart, he knew she did.Carr got the call about the line of black SUV's entering pack lands about 90 minutes before they arrived. The new outer perimeter had done it's job well. The pack was assembled in the courtyard to welcome the Council. Cole and Brett flanked Carr as he walked to the first car to welcome the distinguishe