Alphas on the Prowl (51 page)

Her blood boiled. “Listen here, sir. I’m just as capable as any man at finding your son and my betrothed. I have worked hard to get to the bottom of this. I’m sorry your son was taken, but I need your help if he’s ever going to come home.” She leaned forward a little, causing Daniel, whose face had paled a shade, to lean back. “I’ve seen you in town trying to get the sheriff’s help. Why do you think he’s not helping you?”

The man’s jaw clenched, and he averted his gaze.

“I’ll tell you why. Your boy is a werewolf,” she said. His gaze snapped back to hers, but he didn’t interrupt. “My betrothed was also a werewolf. Don’t you find that a rather peculiar coincidence?”

Confusion replaced his upset, and he nodded. “I guess it is. I know the people in town don’t take kindly to werewolves, and if it weren’t for the fact I didn’t recognize the men who took my boy, I’d suspect the townsfolk.” He shook his head. “I should’ve been there to protect him. If I hadn’t let him wander off, he wouldn’t have been attacked by that damn wolf, and this never would’ve happened.”

Charlotte stared Daniel in the eye. “You can’t blame yourself. It won’t bring your boy back. I met my betrothed after he became a werewolf. He was in the war when it happened.” Part of her wondered why she was sharing this, but the look Daniel gave urged her on. “He went off with a small group in search of rations, and when they came back his company had been attacked by wolves. Except the wolves were far more intelligent than they should’ve been, and they stayed around. When his group came back, they were attacked, and --” She took a deep breath. “-- very few of them made it out… as werewolves themselves.”

She shrugged and shook her head. “I didn’t know he was different when I first met him, but he’s a really good man. I couldn’t let what he was change the way I felt about him. The townsfolk don’t understand. That’s all. Maybe one of these days they’ll have a change of heart.”

He nodded. “I hope you’re right, but then it won’t matter much if those men aren’t brought to justice.” He paused and leaned back, this time more relaxed. “So, I have to ask. What’s in this for you, aside from getting your man back? My family doesn’t have much money to spare.” He spread out his arms to encompass his surroundings.

Any assistance would help, but she wasn’t about to ask this family for something they didn’t have. She wasn’t a thief. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her it’d been too long since her last meal. Food wasn’t something she thought about these days, but she knew she had to keep up her strength. “Some supper would be nice.”

The man threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, you’re mighty thin for a nice young lady.”

Daniel climbed to his feet and called inside to his wife. “Set an extra place. We’ve got company for dinner.”

Chapter Four

Joe’s head was just hitting the lumpy sack of a pillow when he heard the door open. He hesitated, not wanting to draw attention to himself since the humans had a habit of making trouble at night when the werewolves were exhausted. It made sense. Why go at the werewolves when they were rested and energized?

Cracking open his eyes, he watched as a couple of men headed toward him. They wore the sturdy dusters and pants of the punishers. He’d experienced their touch before. It wasn’t something he’d wanted to repeat, yet he’d known helping the boy would seal his fate.

He’d suffer his punishment. Nothing would change what he’d done. That’s exactly what they’d want from him. But he wasn’t a coward. He wasn’t the kind of man who stood by and let kids get beat. If the other werewolves in his cabin were awake, they didn’t show it.

Then a slight shift occurred in a werewolf’s breathing near him.

Joe smelled the werewolf’s fear before it twisted into anger, and then the werewolf pulled himself back from the edge, putting his all into calming the raging beast within him.

None of them could afford to lose control. If they did and their bodies began shapeshifting, it would kill them. The sturdy metal collars would strangle them, and they would die. That wasn’t the way Joe wanted to go.

Hands grabbed him, and Joe stumbled to his feet. Hunger gnawed at his belly from being denied dinner. He caught his balance before he could pitch forward to the floor.

The men shoved him toward the door, and Joe looked down at one of the beds to see Martin staring up at him. He wore a look of frustration and pity.

Not what Joe had expected, but it was nice to know he’d finally gained some respect here. Guess that was all he could ask for these days since he wasn’t in his beloved’s arms.

* * *

Charlotte sat on her horse. Her belly was well fed for the first time in a while. Hope crept into her heart as her horse trotted along. The dinner with Daniel Clark and his family had been productive. None of them had given her the cold shoulder or looked down on her. They’d been friendly and understanding, and they had clarified what she’d suspected before. The people behind Joe’s abduction were definitely the ones who had taken the Clarks’ boy. The descriptions were very similar, and with the fact the boy was a werewolf, it just made sense.

They’d also told her about another werewolf who lived in town that their son had mentioned. Not Joe, but someone else. It surprised Charlotte there were werewolves hanging around town she didn’t know about. How many were out there? Was Joe’s… condition… not very unusual after all?

She’d have to talk to this werewolf in the morning, but for now, she was ready to retire back to her room. Besides, polite visiting hours had passed, not that she seriously took etiquette into consideration these days, but she didn’t want to get on the werewolf’s bad side.

Joe had warned her about werewolves and their tempers. She hadn’t seen proof of it yet. He was sweet and gentle with her.

Noise caught her attention, and she glanced down a street to see a jail wagon slowing to a stop. She frowned. There was something awfully familiar about that wagon. Besides, those things didn’t come into town often. The wagon rolled into the light, and her eyes widened. Joe had been taken away in that wagon. It had to be the one.

Two men hopped from the driver’s seat, one cracking his knuckles cockily. Another man, who had ridden alongside the wagon, dismounted and crossed the distance between them.

She dismounted a little ways off and tied her horse to a post, hoping to get a closer look. She needed to make sure of what she was seeing. If she could hold them off, maybe Sheriff Thomas would arrive. He’d have to help since these men were in the town. At least that’s what she wanted to tell herself. He might very well wave it off because the victim was a werewolf instead of human.

Charlotte crept closer. These were the same men she’d seen the night Joe was taken. They looked a little rougher, but they were the same. She kept to the shadows, hoping to not be spotted.

What was she going to do? She couldn’t just sit here and watch this werewolf get taken, as well. Would she be able to help him escape, or would she risk getting one or both of them killed? That stirred up another idea. If this werewolf was taken, he’d be brought back to wherever the others were held. She’d finally find Joe.

That idea sounded unbelievably good.

The men walked into a building and stayed in there for a while before coming back out. She watched as the men dragged a dark haired man outside. His body was limp, so he must’ve been knocked over the head hard like Joe. She didn’t wish that kind of treatment on anyone, but she had to keep telling herself it was for the best. If she followed him and found Joe, it wouldn’t feel so wrong, would it?

The men shoved him into the back of the jail wagon, shutting and locking the door afterward. They didn’t seem to notice her. Instead, they hurried out of town like the devil was chasing them.

She grabbed her horse, mounted, and followed from a distance. The thrill of the chase fired up within her, even if they weren’t running from her. Not directly at least. She cast a glance behind her, making sure she wasn’t being followed. But no one would know to follow
her
, right? Shaking her head, Charlotte returned her attention to the men ahead of her. Focus. She needed to keep her focus.

They traveled for a full day and continued into the night before the men arrived at what seemed to be a work camp. Barbed wire lined the perimeter. The men didn’t look around or seem bothered by the fact they could be watched. Yet she couldn’t get rid of the strange feeling someone was watching her.

Maybe that’s why they weren’t concerned. She couldn’t say she was great at following people. It wasn’t like she’d done it the majority of her life. She just hoped Grover had taught her well enough, and that she had enough sense to follow his instructions when it counted.

Maybe Sheriff Thomas or her father would pay attention to her claims now. This was definitely an important find. Who knew how many people were in that camp? Except… was that a mine entrance? She placed her hand over her mouth to keep from making a sound.

Had Joe been subjected to that these long months? Was he even alive? No, she couldn’t think those thoughts. She couldn’t give up hope. Maybe they just worked around here and didn’t use the mine…

The thought was eradicated from her mind as a group of men walked out of the mine’s entrance. She couldn’t make them out well from the distance. One of the men walked with a small limp. His chin was up, and his shoulders were back. He turned his head as if looking over the field. She ducked down, keeping out of sight. Yet he held his gaze on the direction where she crouched for a few moments before following his group toward a cluster of buildings on the other side of the compound where the jail wagon and newly captured werewolf were.

Who was that man? Could it be… Between the distance and his soot-covered features, she couldn’t quite tell. From the way he’d acted, he seemed like a werewolf. Maybe it was him. She cursed herself for not being able to identify him. But she couldn’t think of that right now. About the possibility…

Chapter Five

Joe knew someone lurked beyond the barbed fences of the camp, but from the way the wind blew, there was no way for him to find out more than that. If it was help, he wasn’t about to jeopardize it. Yet, there’d been something about it. Something he couldn’t put his finger on.

The werewolf next to him had noticed the same thing, it seemed, since he’d stiffened. But the werewolf hadn’t made any other signal of awareness. Not so the humans could tell, anyway. Maybe there was something going on Joe didn’t know about. He didn’t like not knowing, but he had to shove it out of his mind right now. He was beyond exhausted. Getting beaten made work in the mines even more tiring. He was ready to fall into the narrow bed and sleep until it was time to work again.

His gaze landed on the wagon. Yet another victim taken from their home and forced into this hellhole. How long would this go on? Until all the werewolves around were put in this camp?

He held back his emotions and stepped inside the shoddy cabin. Others followed him in, and then with a jingle of keys, the humans had locked them in. Relief eased the tension from the air, and the werewolves each went to their beds.

The guy he’d been standing next to sat on his bed and took off his boots. “Someone’s out there,” he said.

“I felt it as well.” Another guy from the other side of the room nodded.

“Same here.” Martin set his boots next to his bed and then crossed his arms over his chest. “With the new person here now, I’m guessing the wagon was followed. We’ll see if that was good or bad.” He glanced around the room. “For now, let’s not mention it outside these walls. We don’t want the humans to notice if help is heading our way. Even if it’s not help for us, there’s a chance we could get away while the humans are distracted.”

Joe nodded his head, hoping their time here was coming to an end. He so wished to see Charlotte’s face again, but he didn’t want any harm to come to her. Maybe she was living a better life without him. But no, he had to at least see her and make sure she was okay if he escaped from here. That would be his first stop. Then he’d move on for their safety.

He lay in the bed, his body so weary. He couldn’t do this much longer. He couldn’t go with barely enough food and work as hard and as long as he did. They were working the werewolves like slaves, dispensable slaves, but then that was all they were to these people.

He looked to see the other werewolves settle into their beds too. Maybe they would all be free soon.

* * *

Charlotte sat with her back against a tree. She wouldn’t be going in guns blazing. That would be short-lived with how many guards there were around. She could tell who were the captors and who were not, but how did she know if the werewolves would necessarily side with her?

She needed to get closer, but right now she couldn’t figure out how. The terrain was relatively flat between her position and the camp.

The sound of bushes rustling jerked her to her feet. She reached for her pistol and aimed at the noise. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she didn’t think so. “Who’s there?” Charlotte edged toward the bushes and shoved them aside to see the boy from the ranch house.

He stared up at her with wide eyes. “I didn’t mean no harm, ma’am,” he said, staying where he was.

She sighed, putting away her pistol. “What are you doing here? You should be home with your parents.”

He shrugged. “I was just wondering what it’d be like to be adventurous like you. when I saw the men who took my brother snatch that other man I figured I could help.” He climbed to his feet and puffed out his chest. “I can help.”

She frowned. This wasn’t her idea of backup. What was she going to do with a kid hanging around? What if things got intense? She’d have to protect herself and him. An idea came to her then, and she smiled. She had the perfect way for him to help. “Yes, you can.”

His eyes twinkled in the dark night, and he stood up straighter. “What can I do?”

“First off, go back to --”

He huffed and shook his head. “I thought you said I could help.”

“I’m trying to tell you how.” Her eyebrows drew together, and she propped her hands on her hips.

He must’ve noticed that look since he lowered his head. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“Go back to town and tell Sheriff Thomas what you’ve seen, then lead him and his men back here. It’s very important you do this.” She crouched. “We’re going to get your brother back safely. Understand?”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” She smiled. “Now get a move on. The sooner help comes, the sooner your brother can return home.” She followed him over to his horse. He must’ve been better at this subtle following thing than she was.

He rode off in the direction they’d come, and she let out a sigh of relief. At least the boy wasn’t in any danger anymore. Things were looking up. She knew where the werewolves were being held, and hopefully help would be on the way. Finally.

Looking at the camp, Charlotte knew something she could do -- keep watch and make sure no one noticed her. Sitting near the tree again, she tried to get comfortable and hoped nothing predatory would come after her. She couldn’t very well build a fire. That would only draw attention. Instead, she’d wait in the dark night and hope life would soon return to normal.

What seemed like hours passed, and her eyelids began to droop. After the long ride, she was so tired, but she couldn’t fall asleep. What if she missed something? Yet she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

Heaviness settled into her limbs, and she breathed out a sigh.

Breath tickled her neck, and Charlotte spun around to see Joe standing there. The scenery had changed. No longer on the plains, she was now in her bedroom at her parents’ house. A gentle breeze billowed through the curtains from the open window.

Charlotte’s heart clenched at seeing Joe. She threw her arms around him, and then buried her face into his muscular chest. His hands brushed her lower back and slid lower to cup her backside. He pulled her in close to him.

Desire rose within her.

He tilted her face up to look at him. Tenderness filled his eyes, yet she saw hot passion lurking beneath the surface. He brushed his fingertips against her cheek. The firm press of his cock against her belly told her how happy he was to be there.

Liquid heat pooled between her legs. Her fingers leapt to the buttons of his shirt. She needed to feel his warm, naked skin against hers. The thought that someone might walk in on them didn’t concern her. Being with Joe was her only desire.

He smiled at her with that handsome grin she loved. His finger trailed from her cheek to her neck down to her shoulder, slipping her robe away. A shiver ran down her spine from the gentle caress. He slid her robe from the other shoulder.

She let it fall to the floor, revealing her naked body.

His gaze dipped, and his smile widened. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, his voice nearly a whisper.

“And you’re handsome.” She pulled his shirt from his pants. Her palms ran over his hard muscular chest followed by her lips as she pressed kisses against his skin. He replaced his hands on her backside, and he lifted her into his arms. The passion in his eyes now flared hot and bright.

Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He pressed her against the wall, his hips pinning hers firmly. His hand moved from her butt, and she heard his buttons go flying a moment before his cock pressed against her.

He eased his shaft inside her inch by inch, filling her so completely. Pleasure poured through each nerve. Her breath hitched in her throat. He watched her as his hips met hers, his full cock sheathed inside her. The sensation sent her pulse racing.

She moved her hips, trying to ride him, which wasn’t easy.

Joe grinned and held her still. He withdrew slowly until he was almost out, then he surged back inside her, repeating the movement over and over as if he knew it teased and drove her crazy. His breathing came faster, and his eyes switched to wolf amber.

Charlotte pulled him close and pressed her lips to his, sliding her tongue against his, needing the taste of him, wanting him to probe her mouth like he did with her pussy. She squirmed against him.

He increased his pace. The sound of skin smacking skin and their ragged breathing were the only noises in the room.

Pleasure built within her fast and furiously. Her nails gripped his back as climax crashed through her in wave after wave. She screamed into his mouth as he kissed her, his tongue stroking hers.

His cock continued to plunge into her until he came in a hot rush.

They clung to each other for a few moments before Joe pulled back. He stared into her eyes, and then he looked at the door.

Something told her their time together had drawn to a close.