Connors Pursuit (Amber Woods Shifters) (19 page)

“We will find him and bring him home safe Lizzy, I know it”

“Thank you.. Adrianna?”

“Yes we will get to know each other better once this is over but for now there
is more important work to be done”

“Again thank you”

Adrianna looked to Connor, tilting her head in respect before leaving the room. Lizzy warmed to the female, she had an unusual energy which made her feel safe.

“Come on Lizzy, we have one hour to get prepared and I want to make sure that everything regarding you is triple checked and checked again, no mistakes, I will not risk your safety”

Lizzy let Connor lead her back to the Beta house to gather what they needed. One thing was for sure, by tonight hopefully she would be reunited with her Brother.

17

The snow had come down heavy whilst they drove and what should have been a picture perfect landscape was blighted by the very oppressive looking Oakfield territory. Brianna fixed her eyes on what was her old home, noticing how bare the place looked and how utterly neglected. They had pulled over to the side of the road and moved on foot to the edge of the land. The dense woodland providing the perfect cover. A team of eighteen enforcers had already moved into position. Even though the intel showed that there were only twelve wolves left, Marcus wanted to be absolutely sure of no surprises. Adrianna had a small team with her for the women and had taken her position as agreed. The plan was for Connors team to move in with the large group of enforcers, using them as cover for whichever wolves were in and around the hall and pack territory, giving them the opportunity to rescue Brandon. She shivered in the cool night air, her breath evaporating before her. She just wished she knew exactly where that son of a bitch Lawson was and the Neanderthal son Oliver. She was getting good at blocking her thoughts, Connor had taught her the 101 version of filtering what she needed from the rest of the pack. She had adapted it slightly where Connor was concerned. Not that she would ever want to keep anything from him but tonight was her one last opportunity to wipe out the past. If he even knew that she had some personal issues to deal with he would have strapped her to the bed back home. Not that he had not done that already but it was definitely not for ensuring she did not put herself in harm’s way. Hearing footsteps behind her she turned to see Connor approach with Luke and Tristan.

“We are ready, as agreed not to shift until we get in there. Baby I can protect you and I know you have your wolf back so how would you feel if you did not let her out just yet”

Lizzy noticed the small twitch in his jaw and the glancing to the side of the other men.

“What? You have to be kidding. I get her back and you want her to stay put?”

“Not entirely Lizzy, I just want you to be safe and in control that’s all”

“In control? Oh wait a minute is this some mate issue with me shifting in front of other males?”

“Is there a problem baby girl?” he said low enough for only her to hear

Luke cleared his throat.

“Connor she will have to be in wolf form to make this go smoothly, with respect we will look the other way when the time comes for her to shift back”

“Damn right you will” he growled.

Lizzy threw her hands up in the air.

“Good now that it is sorted can we please get on with the more important issue of my Brother?”

Connor pulled her into his arms, pushing loose tendrils of hair back of her face.

“You listen to me Lizzy. Stick with the plan, no heroics, you stay by my side at all times”

Lizzy rolled her eyes at his words.

“Hey I mean it Baby, if I think for one minute you have other ideas I will spank you so hard you won’t sit down for a week. Do I make myself clear?”

Licking her lips at what was a tempting thought, she looked up at him.

“Perfectly”

“Good, now let’s move”

Tristan communicated with the rest of the pack that they were moving in.
The enforcers spread out to surround the hall, some had set up a perimeter patrol. They had reported no pack members but Connor wanted a small group to keep guard. Standing to the side she watched as they scoped out the building through windows. She knew it was only seconds before Lawson’s wolves scented them so this had to happen fast. Keeping low she held her breath as five enforcers stormed through the heavy wooden doors. Immediately the air was alive with snarls and growls, the sight of amber woods wolves shifting and attacking had her eyes widened. No time to act the bound wolf now Lizzy. Connor pushed her behind him in the entrance as two large wolves launched through the air tearing into each other’s necks. Ducking low her head snapped up as she heard more wolves, bones snapped, and the smell of blood hung heavy in the air. More amber woods enforcers barrelled in taking their place in battle. She could see that Lawson had obviously enlisted some new wolves into his pack as there was definitely more than twelve fighting back.

Lizzy we have to move now whilst they are distracted, which way

To the back of the hall and left.

You got that Tristan, Luke?

Yes we move now

Connor placed Lizzy in front of him but behind Luke and Tristan as they dodged claws and teeth. Seeing a large grey wolf barrelling toward them, Connor took the blow as teeth tore into his skin. Roaring, he sh
ifted quick launching himself at it, tearing his claws across its flank. It yelp of pain did nothing to stop it as it spun and charged at him, teeth bared ready to grip his neck. Connor used the momentum of the wolf’s weight to send it hurtling over his head.

Keep moving I’ll catch up

Connor!
Lizzy yelled at him

As she watched the flash of his dark hind legs she reached to help him.

“No Lizzy keep moving, he can look after himself”

Luke had physically picked her up half dragging her to their original destination. As they reached the far door she twisted her neck to see if he was ok. Relief engulfed her as had got the upper hand pinning the wolf to the ground, head reared back ready to make the killing blow.
The feel of air rushing past her and a new scent had her head looking at the entrance to the underground chambers. Tristan held his hand up, sniffing the air.

Three shi
fters at the bottom and Brandon’s scent is strong also.

Let’s get some wolf skin brother

Lizzy we shift now, we need the advantage.

Ok.

This time when she called upon her wolf the change was instant and she felt less pain, it happened so fast she blinked and her acute sense kicked in. Her wolf was getting agitated when she scented her brother, angry that he was here but relief and a need to get him out of his confinement. In between the two massive wolves she scanned the area they were heading into, the steps down felt awkward to her, meant for two legs not four.

Nobody in the Corridor, only one door on the right
Tristan informed.

I can smell them which means that they will definitely know we are here.

Luke was in complete warrior mode, his whole presence primed and ready.

So we storm in?

Lizzy was so ready for this, in her wolf form she felt that she had the strength to tackle any challenges.

You ready little she wolf. You know the drill, once at the cage use your powers to unlock the cage.

Got it Tristan and less of the little please.

Chuckling echoed in her head from them.

Both wolfs nudged her behind them as one powerful force they rammed the door, sending splinters of wood across the floor. Running behind them she felt her body launch through the air as a large brown wolf had used his claws to dig into her before she impacted with the wall. Shaking her head she gasped at the pain in her side, knowing she could smell her own blood tickling her nostrils.

LIZZY!! Are you
ok baby?

Never b
etter don’t worry

Stay close to Tristan and Luke, I will be there as soon as I get this other fucker off my back

Pushing back onto all fours she glanced to see Tristan and Luke in their own private battles. The wolf rushed at her again but she managed to swiftly dodge his attack as his body bounced off the wall. Snarling, his mouth dripped saliva, intent clear and deadly.
You are so dead shit head.
As he twisted his mouth to try and get purchase on her neck she pushed hard with everything she had and ripped her claws across his abdomen. Howling the wolf rolled off her, falling limp beside her. Taking the opportunity her jaws met his neck, pressing her teeth into flesh and bone. The life went out of his eyes as she let go, stepping back staring at what she had done. Lizzy had a slight panic moment.

Oh god I’ve never killed anyone before.

Damn girl you are good
Luke laughed in her head.

He had just finished his own kill. A voice she remembered so well from the past filled the room.

“LIZZY!”

Running around the corner she saw the cage and inside was her little brother. Only now he was no longer young
, he was a hulking man with muscles to match any enforcer. His blue eyes fixed on her as she ran up to the metal bars. Whining she felt tears build inside of her, but now was not the time, judging by the raging battle going on above them.

“I know
, time for sentimental catch up later sister, get me out of here”

His eyes shot to three
wolves coming up behind her.

“WATCH OUT BEHIND YOU” he yelled.

Her head snapped around and she calmed when she recognised Tristan, Luke and Connor. As he shifted she growled as she caught site of his wounds crossing his body.

“We are here to help, our enforcers have just about managed to lock down upstairs. Lizzy will get you out, won’t you baby”

With those words, Brandon jumped at the bars looking between his sister and this man that had dared to call her by such an intimate term. Lizzy actually jumped in front of Connor growling at her brother.

Baby what the hell do you think you are doing?

Shit. Sorry, I’m still getting used to my wolf instincts again in this form

Connor looked at his brave she wolf and silently admired her spirit, but they were so going to have a talk about her putting herself in harm’s way for him.

“Brandon I am Connor, your sister’s mate”

Blue eyes watched him carefully b
efore he let go of the bars, nodding his head in respect.

“I apologise, it has been a while since I have seen her,
I only want to protect her”

“As do I”
Connor replied.

Lizzy was totally bemused by their conversation that she had to give herself a mental slap to focus on what she was doing.
Standing in front of the small key pad she allowed her energy to build until she could feel the power racing to the surface. As her eyes fixed on the panel a surge of strength arced out of every nerve ending. The panel vibrated for a few seconds followed by smoke curling tendrils. The click of the lock had Brandon rushing out of his prison. His arms automatically wrapped around his sister burying his nose in the ruff of her neck. Connor had to fight the urge to rip his throat out for even daring to touch his mate, but then the logical side of his brain kicked into gear. Lizzy needed this as much as her brother.

“Lizzy I never thought I would see you again, and what the hell are you doing back here?”

Lizzy glanced at Connor.

I am going to shift back, he’s not integrated into amber woods pack link and will not be able to hear me. Even as my brother I thought we would be able to communicate, I don’t know what’s different

Time to figure that later. Don’t you shift until they turn their backs and I find you some clothes, I mean it Lizzy, brother or pack wolf I will not hesitate to spill blood if they see you naked.

Oh for goodness sake Connor

No I’m not budging on this

Fine

Connor looked at her surprised as she released a slow growl to him

Oh you so did not do that, I am going to teach you who is in charge later baby girl.

Smirking as she huffed and turned her head he addressed the men.

“Lizzy is going to shift back and I don’t want any of your eyes on her”

As Connor stripped the clothes of one of the guards and dressed he went to the other guard to get a shirt but hesitated. There is no way he wanted the stench of these bastards on her. Neither did he want Luke or Tristan. Which left her brother the better of all the options.

“Brandon
, can I have your shirt for Lizzy”

“Sure”

He was much taller and bigger build than Lizzy, as he tossed it to Connor he turned his back again.

Ok shift back

Connor could not take his eyes off her as her wolf retreated and her beautiful body appeared. Only he saw red when he caught the gash to her side. In two strides he was beside her, examining the wounds. When she winced he cursed the bastard that did this.