The Wolf You Feed Arc (14 page)

Thank God Nea didn’t know Cody well enough, she wouldn’t be able to tell them. “Think I’d tell you?”

“Henrik, Georg! Go find
his
bitch and bring her back here. Take one of David’s trackers,” Erik said.
 

They whistled to Marc and the three of them climbed into Tore’s rental.
 

“Meanwhile, you and me will chat. See if I can’t jog your memory.”

Erik delivered a punch to Tore’s kidneys. He slumped forwards onto his knees. Pain lanced through his side. Erik crouched down and pulled his brother’s head up, “Just so you know, I don’t mind sloppy seconds!”

The thought of Erik touching Annike ignited a fire within Tore. Adrenalin surged through him. She was his. His brother was never going to have her. The instinct to protect his pack was strong. His blood boiled and the anger strengthened his battered body. Tore scrambled to his feet but
Erik jumped backwards as he tried to charge him. Tore was slowed down by his restraints and Erik dodged sideways and stuck out his foot. He sent Tore sprawling face first into the mud. With a final kick, Erik walked away.

“Lock him up.” Erik barked over his shoulder, “Father will see him in the morning.” He marched across the commune towards Isak’s cave.
 

Georg and David manhandled Tore into a small steel crate. He struggled to sit upright and it was too short to stretch out his legs. They left his hands bound, and attached an enormous padlock to the outside. Then they positioned two clan members at either end of the crate.

Tore groaned in pain. It was going to be a long night. His body ached all over; his ribs were tender from the bruising and his split lip swelled up. Tore cursed, the stiffness was already settling into his muscles and joints.

His thoughts drifted to Annike. They’d been careful. As long as she stayed put, she’d be safe. He tried to reach her telepathically but the throbbing in his head made it impossible to focus his thoughts. Without proper control over his mind it was too risky to contact her. Instead, he shut her out. Praying that she wouldn’t turn up at the compound on some fool-rescue attempt.

Hours later, Tore closed his eyes. There was little he could do until morning. Perhaps, when he spoke to his father, he could make a deal to allow Annike to stay with Liam. Weary, he rested his head on the side of the cage. He needed sleep. Tomorrow would be difficult enough; he’d have to have wits about him to get out of this alive.

 
13

Erik strolled into Isak’s cave, bracing himself for what he’d see. Why his father’s appearance still shocked him, he didn’t know. He took a deep breath and guarded his expression as he caught sight of his father. He wasn’t sure what was the most sickening, the sight of Isak in this pathetic state or that of his mother, kneeling and wiping the drool from his father’s slick lips.
 

Isak’s illness contaminated her more than a virus or contagious disease would have done. The constant vigil had aged Lydia, sucking any vibrancy from her.
 

Disgust and hatred for Isak’s ability to cling to life, riled Erik. He hadn’t anticipated his father’s decline would cause his mother so much pain and misery. Isak’s death would free her and free him. It couldn’t come soon enough.
 

“What’s going on out there?” she asked.

Erik ignored her question. She’d always had a special bond with her youngest son and he didn’t want her meddling. Tore wasn’t going to be around much longer and it would be better if she didn’t have contact with him until it was necessary.

“Any change?” He indicated his father.
 

The question was designed to distract her. Erik didn’t need to ask. The rasping breath and stench of death and decay hanging around Isak told him all he needed to know.

Lydia shook her head.
 

Of course there was no change. Isak had taken to his bed a year ago. Since then, he had been slowly deteriorating as his life trickled away. This last week was no different, except the stubborn fool had stopped taking his medication.

His mother helped Isak to sit. Propping a bolster behind him, she took all his weight against her as she supported him. She held a glass to his lips. He took a few tentative sips before shaking his head. Erik took the tumbler from her, and she reached for some bread. Tearing off tiny pieces, she pushed them into the corners of his father’s mouth.
 

Bile crawled up Erik’s throat, and he stepped back to control the nausea. No wonder Isak’s once magnificent and powerful body was so emaciated. He ate nothing but a few breadcrumbs or a couple of spoons full of white rice. His stomach couldn’t stand anything else. Weighing less than a pre-transitioned male, his skin hung from his bones like it was melting right off them. His face was drawn, with deep black hollows circling his sunken dull eyes. His pale tongue lolled from his mouth and he gasped and spluttered over each breath.
 

Isak merely existed. Yet, his mind was lucid. Too bad!

Erik had hoped Isak would have abdicated his position and handed it over to him months ago. But his father was a stubborn man. He still managed to keep a firm grasp on clan politics, despite being unable to leave his bed. He maintained full control of the clan using Erik as his eyes and ears and calling on his sons to offer any necessary persuasion. Erik wished he’d hurry up and die. It was about time he took his proper place in the clan.

Isak’s eyes flicked towards him. “What’s all the commotion?”
 

“Nothing important. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

He nodded and grimaced in pain. Pity stuck in Erik’s throat. He laid his hand on Isak’s forehead. Another low-grade fever made him hot and clammy.
 

“You need your medicine.” Erik reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flask. Isak shook his head and put a trembling hand on his son’s. “Please, Father, you haven’t taken anything for days, you need it…”

Isak tightened his lips and turned his head like a defiant child. “Told you… makes me feel worse… Put it away. I’m still in charge here…” He winced in pain once again, “I’m not dead yet!”
 

Erik thrust the flask back into his pocket. He wished his father would just take the damn medicine and get this over with
.
“I’ll see you in the morning then. Oh by the way, we have visitors. I’ll bring them to you at first light.”

His father slumped back onto the bolster, his eyes closed as exhaustion set in.

***

Erik found David leaning against a tree, overlooking one of their crop fields. He held out his cigarette packet. Erik took one, lit up and inhaled long and slow. He searched the inky blackness, checking if they were alone.
 

Satisfied there was no one out there, he squatted next to David. “Don’t know how the bastard’s hanging in there. It’s been months.”

“Beats me! Though it would be better if he took
the medicine
.” David said.

Erik nodded. “Think you need to make up a stronger batch.” He stubbed out his half smoked cigarette.

“How strong?” A silent agreement passed between them. “Okay, I’ll make up the final dose, but you’ll have to make sure he takes it.”

“Get it to me before he sees Tore tomorrow. I have a bad feeling about him seeing my baby brother. Father’s gone soft in his old age, I don’t want to risk him pardoning Tore.”

David stubbed out his own cigarette. “I’ll have Marc and Luca ready to follow your brother if that happens. Tore won’t get far. As soon as your father breathes his last breath, we’ll have him back.” David strode back to the commune, leaving Erik looking out over the fields.

***

The no-longer familiar noises of everyday clan life woke Tore at dawn. Stiff and sore, he’d struggled to sleep during the night. He found himself jolted awake by every sound, felt eyes watching him from all around the commune. Tore had forgotten how isolated the compound was. The inky blackness and the remote location had once comforted his Lycan nature, but now they only emphasized the hopelessness of his situation.
 

A cabin door opened and a group of people spilled outside. Tore squinted through the shadows, glad that his wolf had little trouble seeing in this half-light. Moments later, his friends emerged. A clan member had his hand curled around Nea’s bicep and another walked shoulder to shoulder with Felix. They made their way up the slope to Isak’s cave.

Tore searched the watching crowd for Nea’s son. Relief washed over him when he spotted Nea’s mother, Emma, holding the tearful Rune in her arms. As the child’s distress grew, Emma walked towards Tore. Luca stepped in front of her, placing his hand to her shoulder. A private in-head conversation took place. Emma shook him off. She glared at the man as the silent argument continued. Eventually, he stepped back and she moved towards Tore.
 

She placed Rune on the floor by the cage. As soon as he saw his dad, he stopped crying and started chattering. Tore struggled to touch Rune’s tiny hands, his bindings limiting his movement. Emma called to the guard. As Rune began to cry again, the guard agreed to remove them.

Pins and needles rushed down Tore’s arms and into his fingers as he pulled them in front of him. Rubbing his muscles and clenching and unclenching his fists, he worked to get his circulation moving.
 

Tore examined his captors. His eyes widened as he noticed the small revolver tucked into the waistband of one of the guard’s jeans. Jeez, since when did the clan have guns? Tooth and claw had been the only weapon allowed in the commune when he’d lived here. Even the hunting knives they owned were never used for anything other than gutting and skinning.
 

The sight of the gun left him cold. His heart sank. What other changes had his father made? He glanced at the other guard. He also carried a weapon. Why did they think he was so dangerous? He’d never threatened the clan. In fact he’d only ever had that one stupid altercation with his brother. When he talked with his father, he hoped they could iron out this stupid misunderstanding.

Tore forced himself to concentrate on his son. He held Rune through the bars. “Thanks, Emma.” He dropped his eyes, embarrassed. Nea’s mom had been his teacher when he was not much older than Rune.
 

She placed her hand on his. “There’s no need to thank me, Tore. I should thank you. You took care of my little girl when she was in trouble, and from what she’s told me, you’ve been an amazing provider. You took on the responsibility of being Rune’s father and have been Nea’s protector and friend. Thank you for looking after her and for bringing her and my grandson back to us.”

***

An hour later, Felix and Nea walked hand in hand back down the slope. Both their faces were strained and Nea’s was tearful. They picked their way down the path and walked towards his cage. Several clan members patted Felix on the shoulder. Nea held out her hand, and Rune scrambled to his feet.

“Bye, Daddy,” his small voice happier now that he could see his mother. Rune waved his tiny hand before running back to her.

She swept him up, crushing him to her chest as tears streamed down her face. Henrik stepped forwards and took the boy from her arms. He handed him back to Emma and escorted Nea and Felix away.

Something wasn’t right.

Nea?

She looked over her shoulder at him.
I’m sorry…

Felix cut in,
It’s not safe for us to talk to you.

***

It was mid afternoon when they came for Tore. His hands were rebound, and he stumbled up the hill to Isak’s cave. The sight of his father lying on a cot shocked Tore to the core. Isak was unrecognizable as he struggled to sit up.
 

Erik sat on a huge chair across from his father, his arms folded against his chest, a scowl on his face. Henrik and Georg flanked him. Tore sent out a panicked message to Annike, using their private frequency. She replied that she was safe. Erik raised an eyebrow. He knew. Tore cut the conversation short, not wanting him to tap into it.

“Never thought you’d come back,” Isak said, his voice weak. “I warned you to stay away, you should have listened. You always thought you could get away with anything, Tore. Just because you were the baby, always wormed your way out of trouble playing the cute card.” Isak paused. He was having difficulty catching his breath.