Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1) (21 page)

How was she supposed to know the difference? It's not as if they labeled each other. Rolling her eyes at his man-trum her eyes roamed over his body—in a non-apprising way. Instead she looked for something that would work in her favor.

In the labs the only thing that had helped her escape and outsmart Malca was observing. One could tell a lot about their opponent by just the simple things that one person does. Restlessness, suspicion, pride, and even compassion were the easiest things to spot and to exploit. From his strong physic, she knew there was no way she could over power him or out run him. On his right hip was a holstered hand gun while strapped to his left ankle just above his combat boot was a sheathed blade. Either one she could use to threaten him with in effort to get off this land. Sadly, after she'd already compelled him once today she doubted that he'd let her close enough to him without suspicion.

“How far is it to Darkwood Springs?” she asked with genuine curiosity. Cedric rolled his eyes as he let out a low growl of irritation.

“You do not need to know.” His thick arms folded across his black shirt. His eyes bore into hers with mistrust.

Ouch. Just because I made him my own personal marionette, he doesn't trust me?

“Just get any notion of running away out of your head. If you even try anything I'm under orders to cuff you and stick you in the cell next to the prisoner that arrived before you. You need to wait for your mate to return.” Aria found herself rolling her eyes at his threat. Wait for her mate...bah! Hell with that.

Did he ready think that he could—wait! Prisoner? Of course! Raoul. She remembered his evident hatred for Malca and need for revenge as well. She would need his help in finding Malca —if she could only escape from the glued eyes of her guard.

A sudden increase of voices raised in anxiety drew her attention to the rear window. Sliding to her feet she walked around the couch to the window. Outside many rushed from their work and homes toward the ten foot tall, metal gate of the compound. She could feel his presence when Cedric came up behind her at the window. Moving past him with no doubt that he'd follow; Aria came into the living room. Jerking the front door open just in time to see Celia and Colin breaking through the crowd.

She shrugged off Cedric's restraining hand as she stepped across the archway. The crowd slowly parted to reveal injured Robert and Mark. Colin and Celia made their way toward her behind the injured two. Other than a large bruise on his face, Mark was fine. However, Robert held his ribs with a pain filled grimace while fighting to conceal a limp. Focusing her eyes over the approaching four she struggled to spot Doyle. No matter how hard she looked she didn't see him following behind them. Where was he? As the others neared the door she rushed forward.

“Robert, where's Doyle?” She asked with concern. Reaching between them Colin laid a firm hand on her shoulder, but not before she caught Robert's look of guilt.

“Not here.” Colin whispered against her ear.

Ushering the other four into the main house he loudly closed the doors behind them, concealing them from prying eyes. Mark and Robert took a seat on the living room couch with heavy sighs. Both looked like they'd lost the biggest battle of their lives as both wore weary expressions and slummed postures.

“What happened?” She was the first to speak as Celia was busy checking the two over for wounds despite the fact that most of their wounds had already begun to heal. Robert's weak eyes met hers; failure was laid heavy in his brown eyes.

“We were ambushed. They shot Doyle and took him then tried to kill us.” Robert answered before leaning back against the cushions with an anguished sigh.

“Robert and I were able to get away but they were expecting us. It was a trap from the beginning, Aria. They must have anticipated that Doyle wouldn't allow them to take you.” Mark added as Celia and Colin gave a worried look.

“What do we do now?” Celia asked pushing away from the injured two to come and stand next to her mate.

Colin's brow furrowed in rage. “We go after them and get Doyle back before they discover what he is.”

“I want to come too.” Aria spoke up. At Colin's dubious look she quickly added, “He's my mate as you guys say. I have every right to go too.”

“You can't.” Robert stated with reason. “You're who they are after. Once they have you—there will be no reason for them not to kill Doyle. Plus Doyle would skin us alive if you were taken as well.” nodding at Robert's reasoning, Colin turned to Aria with a firm look.

“No.” he shook his head. “I refuse to risk the life of the Alpha's mate.”

“Screw that!” she yelled in anger. She was sick to death of people telling her what she could and could not do! “I can fight. I have ways of helping, plus as Robert pointed out—I'm the one they want.”

Walking closer to her, Colin reached out and brushed her long hair away and exposed her mating mark. “I respect your courage. But because of this—” He said touching her making mark. “—I can't.”

“Because he bit me and claimed me?” she asked incensed.

“No, because it means you will soon change. You're not strong enough yet and I can't risk you going through the change while we need to be focused on getting Doyle back.” turning to the others in the room, he said. “We'll leave at dawn. Get the others prepared and call the elders, they will need to know what's going on.” Turning back to Aria's rebellious face, he looked over her shoulder to Cedric while uttering words that chilled her to the bone. “Take the Alpha's mate to her room and make sure she stays there under lock and key."

Outraged when Cedric gripped her arm and began forcibly dragging her toward the hallway leading to the stairs, she fought. Kicking and punching, she refused to make his job easy. Letting go of his hold on her, Cedric restrained her by gripping both of her arms twisted behind her back effectively cutting off any attempts of struggling. Her rage filled eyes met her father-in-law's softening ones.

“This is for your own safety, my daughter. Don't make it harder." With those parting words he turned away as Cedric forced her along toward the direction of her room. As they arrived in front of her closed door, Cedric let go of one of her arms to reach past her and open the door. None too gently she was shoved into her room with the door slamming behind her directly afterwards. She wasn't surprised when she heard the lock engage behind her. Kicking her boot covered foot at the door, she yelled in rage.

Anger boiled within her like an overflowing pot. Malca's plan was clear to her. Doyle was meant to be the bait while she was the prize Malca was after. And until she got her prize Malca would surely torture and kill Doyle if she didn't act fast. These shifters were about to see how stubborn and resourceful a pissed off human female could be.

Huffing out in impatience, Aria turned to gaze out the large windows of her room. It had been hours since her shifter-in-laws had her forcibly dispatched to her room. Celia had come by a short time ago. She’d only stayed long enough to set down a tray of food before leaving without a word. The mocking sound of her guard relocking the door again made Aria's teeth grind together.

Her supper still sat on the dresser, untouched. She wouldn't put it past the rest of Doyle's family not to follow his example and drug her. Darkness had fallen across the sky just a few hours ago, reminding Aria that her window of opportunity was quickly approaching. The most important thing she'd learned over the past few days about these shifters was that they were predictable. Every night at eleven, the guards shift change was delayed by fifteen minutes. Silently she prayed that it would give her just enough time to escape without notice.

Patting at the pockets of her black cargo pants she double checked the few items she'd stowed away. Satisfied that she had what she needed, her eyes glanced back at the alarm clock on the bedside table. The flashing digits read
10:55
across the thin screen. Quickly tying her hair back and pulling the black hood of her sweater up, Aria rose from the padded bench seat against the windows. With care, she lifted the latch on the wide window. Being sure to not make any noise, she pulled the window pane up. A light cold breeze floated into the room.

Cautiously, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure she was alone before she slowly eased her legs; one at a time, over the windowsill. Gripping the edge of the window for balance, she lowered herself full out onto the roof. Sliding along the slope of the snow covered roof with her feet braced against the gutter, she slowly eased her way along while moving toward the side of the house. Below her, she heard the snow crunching as the mid-day guards were making their last sweep. As two shifters past beneath her, Aria paused until they passed by the main house before she made her move.

Shifting onto her stomach, she slowly allowed her body to slide toward the precarious edge of the roof. Her body flew quickly down to the edge of the roof causing her heart to race with exhilaration. Just as she felt herself free falling through the empty air her hands shot out and gripped the gutter, stopping her rapid descent. Slowly releasing her hazardous grip she landed on a soft mound of snow on crouched legs. Pain shot through her legs at her harsh landing. Wincing, she shook it off and moved quickly. Standing, concealed by the shadows she moved along the collection of cabins until she reached the only one she'd been warned to stay away from. The last cabin, where they’d imprisoned Raoul.

The last cabin sat at the end of the lane, a good distance from the others and much to her displeasure; was still guarded. Two large shifters armed with M4A rifles hadn't moved from their position to make their last rounds yet. Pressing her back against the rear of the cabin, a heavy shield of darkness cloaked her presence from them for the time being. She couldn't afford to waste time. Luck smiled upon her as one of the guards spoke to the other.

“Circle around the perimeter one last time, our replacements will be here soon.” a dark voice rumbled.

“I hope so,” The second guard replied evidently tired.

While she watched the first guard walk around the far side of the cabin toward the dark woods; the other walked near her hiding place. His eyes moved slowly and assessed everything in his surroundings. When he headed further up toward the main house, Aria knew this was her only chance. She needed to move quickly. Darting across the open, moonlit ground, she quickly moved toward her target. Nearing the front door her eyes darted around. Seeing that the way was clear she moved forward. Stepping onto the raised platform before the door her hand reached out to grip the doorknob only to find it locked. Gritting her teeth at her misfortune she was in the process of deciding whether to break the door down or find another route when a dark voice came from behind her.

“What do you think doing?” The low clicking sound of the safety on his weapon being disengaged had her heart thundering in her ears. “Turn around.” a low voice ordered, making it too clear at how much of a disadvantage that she was at.

Slowly she turned around with her hands raised. Looking at her face the guard's eyes narrowed as he recognized her. Lowering his weapon and switching the safety back on, he glared back at her. It was with that glare that Aria remembered him as one of the guards that had caught her during her first escape attempt.

“If you weren't the Alpha's mate I'd shoot you on principle alone.”

Shooting her a look of annoyance, his free hand reached for his walkie-talkie secured to his hip. Before he could grip the hard plastic Aria rushed forward. Her hands gripped the sides of his face before he could react. With her glowing blue eyes drilling into his startled ones, she whispered; “You're tired. Go to sleep.” with drooping eyes the guard nodded a moment before his knees buckled beneath him and brought him to the ground.

Kneeling beside the sleeping guard she lifted a ring of keys from his belt. Before rising to her feet, she quickly grabbed the small hand gun on his hip and the sheathed blade from his ankle. Moving quickly back to the door, unlocking it the door opened with ease. Quickly moving inside she closed the door softly behind her. Inside the cabin it was evident that it was used for one purpose; holding prisoners. The interior of the cabin was one large containment cell. The steel bars emitted a low hum as Aria moved closer. The lack of lights made it easy for her to study her target while going unnoticed.

Within the large cell, Raoul laid on his back on the floor with his hands handcuffed in front of him as he slept. Stepping up to the cell, careful not to touch the electrical bars she whispered his name. Not even an eye twitched. His chest rose and fell with even, slow breaths. Her heart was lodged in her throat as she realized she was quickly running out of time. When she'd interrogated Raoul almost two days ago she remembered what she'd told him,
“Sleep until I wake you...”

With nothing left to loose and her only chance at saving Doyle slipping away, she gave it a shot. “Wake up, Raoul.”

No sooner than the words touched her lips, his eyes jerked open with a startled gasp. Jerking up, Raoul winced as his head spun with the quick movement. Rubbing a hand against his pounding temples, his eyes turned to hers. “You,” He hissed out in obvious displeasure at the sight of her.

“I need your help.”

“Why would I help you?” He grumbled, rising to his feet. “Why do I feel so hungry?”

“Because you've been sleeping for two days, Sleeping Beauty,”

“Two days! How could I sleep for two days?” His eyes narrowed at her as he stomped over to the bars. “You drugged me.” He stated accusingly.

“More like I compelled to sleep until I woke you.”

A look of pure rage came over his face as he tried to grab her through the bars. Sparks shot against his skin as they brushed against the bars, causing him to leap back with a gasp of pain. While he paced the length of his prison, she could see the skin of his forearms bubbling with a painful burn.

Time was running out.

“Look; I know you hate Malca as much as I do. I need to find her. You know where she is, right?” she asked with a pleading tone.

He scoffed at her. “First you escape and now you want to run right back?”

“She has someone I...”
Love,
she had nearly said. “Someone I care about and I want to watch her face as I destroy her. But I need you to do that.” She replied. When his face showed no spark of interest she continued, “You help me and I promise to help you get that freedom from her that you want so badly.” She indicated at the explosive embedded in his chest. “If you don't I will walk out of here and leave you to rot. We'll see how forgiving the rest of these guys will be when they find out your people killed one of their own.”

Slowly Raoul turned his back to her. Releasing a disappointed breath, she turned to leave. Walking to the door she felt her chest tighten with pain. Had she lost Doyle forever? Deep down she knew his family had no hope in standing up against Malca. Her eyes began to burn with tears—tears that she would never let fall. As her hand closed around the door knob, Raoul called after her.

“Wait.” Turning around she glared back at him as his eyes met hers. “All I know is that Malca told my brother to deliver you alive to some abandoned lumber yard. But there is another place she may be waiting. We would sometimes deliver recruits to Malca for processing there.”

Taking a step closer to the cell, she raised a curious brow at him. “Recruits?”

“Where do you think Malca got all her lab rats? Craigslist?” He scoffed. “Malca would send her most trusted soldiers out to bring people to the labs, mostly homeless people and runaways. She may be holding your friend there.”

Moving closer to the bars she held the keys dangling from one finger. “If you betray me—”

“Listen here; doll face.” Opening his torn shirt he showed her a blood crusted bullet hole near his collar bone. “Why would I betray you when you're helping me get vengeance against my brother who shot me and left me for dead? I have no need to betray you as long as I get what I want.”

“Likewise,” She uttered in a low voice as she moved to unlock the cell door.

It was time to save her mate and bring Malca to her knees. She'd never let Doyle forget this.

Who needs protection now?

* ~ * ~ *

Blinking against the stabbing lights that suddenly were turned on above him, Doyle struggled to open his eyes. The light sent sharp needles of pain stabbing at his eyes as his head felt too heavy to hold up. Reaching for his beast for more strength he was surprised to find his bear could not comply. Again he tried to draw on his animal but was greeted with a dark silence. What was wrong with him?

“Is he awake?” A rough, inquisitive voice asked near him. A clicking sound echoed around the wide room as someone moved closer. His eye sight was fuzzy and prevented him from seeing much of anything.

“Leave me with him. I want to study him alone, without distraction.” The voice was female with a strong resolve of someone that was used to being obeyed.

Shaking his head against the heavy veil that smothered his senses he struggled to put the pieces together of where he was. All he could remember was taking Aria to his pack's compound and then with his brother and Mark they went to ambush Malca at the lumber yard. Then to their surprise, the ambush quickly reversed on them.

A man identical to Raoul had suddenly appeared with twenty other armed men and surrounded them. With guns aimed at him, Doyle did the only thing that he could; he called his bear and charged. The sound of gunfire replayed in his mind as he fought to recall the rest of the memory. But all he could recall was the sting of a bullet and nothing beyond that. Had Robert and Mark been taken as well? All he knew was that he was at the mercy of the very person that wanted his mate.

“I must confess; I imagined something of your caliber would have been harder to capture than it was.” The same sneering voice commented as he felt a cold metal touching his heated skin.

“Who are you?” He asked as his voice sounded weak and thin to even his own ears.

“I am the one you were looking for.” Malca answered with a tone of pride.

Bending over her desk her eyes looked over the new test subject's file with a small grin. Pulling her pen out she began writing a note down on his current status for later review. Inside her inner scientist was dancing with glee. Her first predatory shifter! Though she had encountered their kind before; she'd never before been this close to a class five—the most dangerous and perfect killing machine alive.

Dreams do come true...

Setting her notes aside she approached her new specimen. The sedatives she'd given him during transport to their processing facility were beginning to wear off. But it would still keep his shifter strength out of his reach. She was confident the thick steal chains circling his wrists and arms would hold.

“Where am I?” Doyle asked with a low growl.

His eyes suddenly began clearing as he took in his surroundings. His body was suspended off the floor with all his weight hanging from thick chains that coiled and bit into his forearms and wrists with a long meat hook speared through the chains. His bare feet hovered just a few inches above the cracked cement floor. The walls seemed to be covered in some type of thick metal sheeting. The room he was in had one way out through a guarded door. More thick, sickly looking meat hooks hung from the ceiling along with rusty chains. Wherever he was—it wasn't the labs where they had held Aria prisoner.

Aria
.

He fought against the pain that echoed through his chest as he reached again for his animal, still nothing. Closing his eyes he summoned an image of Aria's face. He could almost see her flowing, golden hair pillowing around her face, the sexy curve of her lips and how red they'd blush after molding them against his own. The one thing he couldn't bring to mind was her voice. He would do anything to hear her voice right now.

A slap to the area that his pain radiated from caused him to jerk his eyes open. Glaring down at the thin woman in front of him he wished more than anything that he could unleash his bear upon her defenseless throat.