Dawn (The Dire Wolves Chronicles Book 3) (12 page)

“There’s a lot you don’t understand about the Dires,” Denny mumbled.

“And you’re another member of the pack?” Levi stroked his chin.

“Yes.” Denny met his gaze head on. “It’s not a big pack, so we value each and every member.”

“We have no plans to hurt Gage or you.”

“Then what do you want with us?” Denny crossed his arms. “Clearly you want something or you wouldn’t have required Gage to show up.”

“We’re here to talk, aren’t we?” Levi gestured for us to take seats at a long wooden table.

“We’re here to make a deal.” Genevieve broke her silence.

Levi smiled. “And you must be the loyal friend.”

“That’s one way to describe me.”

“How did you get tied into this whole mess?” He pulled out a chair for Allie. She sat down, and he sat right next to her.

“Don’t ask.” Genevieve sat down diagonal from him across the table, and I took the spot next to her, leaving only Gage and Denny standing.

“Ok, I won’t.” Levi chuckled. “Won’t you join us?” He gestured to the guys.

“If you insist.” Gage sat down beside me, while Denny went over to sit on the other side of Genevieve.

“All right, let’s talk.” Levi put his hands down in front of him on the table.

“
W
e may be
able to find a mutually beneficial solution to our problem.” Levi domineered the conversation, and I let him at first. I wanted to know his thoughts before I replied with any of my own. “But you may not like it.”

“I don’t like anything about our situation right now, so you might as well tell us.”

“You are aware that your Alpha has a twin brother?”

I nodded. “Yes. Fielding.” Denny had filled me in a little.

“And you know about his past transgressions and realize the kind of destruction and violence he’s capable of?”

“We’re aware he’s dangerous.” Mary Anne put a hand on my leg.

“That’s putting it mildly, but the bottom line is I need you to bring him in.”

I could barely concentrate. I was so hyper aware of Mary Anne now that it was difficult to focus on anything else. At least I felt better. I felt stronger than ever, and I was beginning to wonder if the whole not completely changed thing was just BS.

“Gage?” Mary Anne spoke my name loudly.

“Sorry, yes?”

Levi smiled. “Are we interrupting something? A daydream perhaps?”

“No.” I shook my head.

“Do you understand what I’m suggesting?” He watched me, and I realized he was waiting for my answer.

I took a deep breath. “Let me get this straight. You want us to capture Fielding for you? In return you will remove all bounties from the Dires and let us live undisturbed?”

“You were listening.” Levi gave a tentative smile.

“Of course I was. I didn’t respond right away because I’m at a loss for what to say.”

“Why do you want us to do your dirty work?” Denny asked. “You’re The Society, shouldn’t you be capable of bringing him in yourself?”

“Of course, if we could find him.”

“Your intelligence is that good, eh?” Denny rested his elbow on the table.

“If he’s that well-hidden, how do you expect us to find him then?” Mary Anne asked.

He smiled. “I expect your friend down there,” he pointed at Denny, “has plenty of connections. He’ll be able to find him.”

“What are you going to do, put a tracker on us so you can take him in?”

“Not exactly. That’s the sort of thing he’d be expecting. Besides, I’ll have less to explain to the shifter community if we catch him in the act.”

“How do the shifters feel about you holding Dires for no crime?”

“The Dires disturbed a tribunal and attacked Pterons. That provided plenty of evidence. It’s a short sentence, just like your sentence wasn’t to be long. Fieldling’s punishment should be forever. By the way, you do this and your sentence is revoked.”

“I kind of assumed that, but how do you even know Fielding is that bad?” I asked what I believed was an obvious question.

“He’s bad.” Denny answered for him.

“There you have it.” Levi waved his arm. “Or do you need details? Lists of people he’s murdered in his arrogant quest to take down The Society?”

“Then why hold Hunter and the others if you know they aren’t bad?” Mary Anne folded her hands in her lap. “That undermines your whole argument of doing this for the greater good.”

“Hunter isn’t perfect.”

“I’m well aware.” She tiled her head to the side slightly. “But he isn’t evil in the way you describe Fielding. He doesn’t hurt people for sport.”

“Fielding doesn’t either.” Denny leaned forward. “He’s just single minded in what he does. If someone gets in the way, he takes them out. He’s focused on only one goal.”

“And that’s who we’re supposed to get?” Genevieve arched an eyebrow. “Does anyone else see a problem with them sending two human girls along to face this guy?”

“They don’t have to go.” Allie spoke up. “I don’t want them getting hurt.” Worry crossed her face.

Levi turned to her and nodded. “Exactly. No one said anything about who needed to go, just that it needed to be done. If Mary Anne and Genevieve would like to stay here with us that can be arranged.”

“Yes.” I nodded enthusiastically. “That’s the most reasonable suggestion you’ve made yet.”

“Not a chance.” Mary Anne shook her head. “We’re going. You are not doing this alone.”

“No offense, but how are you going to help?

“She’s the one Fielding will be willing to see. Not us.” Denny leaned forward on his elbows.

“How would he even know about her?” I didn’t like thinking about the possibility that he even knew her name.

“Because he’s been watching his brother. I guarantee it. Fielding would never stop monitoring Hunter.”

“Then why haven’t we seen him?” My senses were stronger now. I would have noticed.

Denny didn’t seem so certain. “Because he doesn’t want to be seen. He also has plenty of people working for him. Paranormal and otherwise.”

Goosebumps formed on Mary Anne’s arms. “Then that settles it. If I can be of any help at all, I’m going. Genevieve, you are welcome to stay here though.”

“Are you kidding me?” Her eyes widened. “You think I’m hanging back while you three go off on this wild adventure?”

“It’s not an adventure,” I quickly corrected. “It’s a dangerous mission.”

“We’ll stay together. I’m not ditching my girl here.” She linked her arm with Mary Anne’s.

“Then it’s settled. You have three days to bring Fielding in. We’ll be waiting to receive him.”

“What guarantees do we have that you’ll stick to your word?” I didn’t trust anyone or anything anymore.

“I thought you might ask that.” Levi turned over his shoulder. “Semi. You can come out now.”

Semi strolled out through the door next to the bar. He was dressed in jeans and a clean shirt. There was no sign he was there against his will.

“Semi?” Denny sprang out of his chair.

“Wait. What’s going on?” I looked between Semi and Levi.

“Semi is completely free. I invited him to stop by our meeting, but he can leave at any time.”

“I don’t get it.” Why would Semi be free?

“I freed him as a show of good faith.”

“Semi?” Denny looked at him. “What do you have to say about all of this?”

“He says I’m free. Wish he would have chosen Marni instead, but that wasn’t an option.”

Denny scowled. “Why not?”

“Do you have feelings for the female Dire as well?” Levi turned to Denny.

Denny gritted his teeth. “She’s my sister.”

Levi laughed. “My mistake.”

“How is she?” Denny turned to Semi.

“Fine, and she’s been moved to nicer quarters.”

“Good.”

Levi pulled out his phone, checked the screen, and then replaced it in his pocket. “And she’ll be out as soon as you bring Fielding in.”

“I’ll help them.” Semi walked over to the table. “Might as well be of use now.”

“No.” Denny shook his head. “I want you here, closer to Marni.”

“Chet’s with her.”

“He’s with her on the inside. I want you here on the outside.”

Semi nodded. He was listening to Denny. That was an interesting twist to the hierarchy I didn’t know about. “May I make one other suggestion though?”

“Sure.” Denny gestured for him to continue.

“Take me and leave the newbie here.”

“No. He’s not leaving Mary Anne’s side, and we need her to lure Fielding out.”

“Why would he want Mary Anne?” Allie asked. “I don’t understand.”

“He knows Hunter’s fascinated with her. He know she’s important. Otherwise Hunter wouldn’t be keeping her as his own.”

“She’s not his.” I felt the growl again. It was worse now that I’d officially made her mine.

“Fielding doesn’t know that.”

Levi stood and Allie followed. “I expect to see you within three days. If not we will apprehend Fielding ourselves and the deal is off.”

“Why? Why does it have to be off?” Mary Anne wrung her hands.

“Because this is business, and in business there are terms.”

“I hate business.” Mary Anne scowled.

“So do I.” Allie smiled lightly before following Levi back out the basement entrance.

“So what now?” I asked. “Are we doing this?”

“Yes.” Mary Anne stood up. “I’m willing to be bait.”

I shook my head. “You won’t be bait.”

“We have to make a stop first anyway, so we’ll have plenty of time to argue.” Denny pushed back his chair.

“What’s the stop?” I dared to ask.

“We’re going to be paying another visit to the Sabers.”

“Fantastic.” I stood and took Mary Anne’s hand. “My favorite kind of people.”

“
H
ello darling
," Jocelyn greeted me warmly as though my showing up came as no surprise. She’d flung the door open within seconds of my knocking, which made it seem as though she’d been waiting. Had someone called ahead and warned her? We hadn’t seen or heard from either of the Sabers since they high tailed it from the camp as soon as a whiff of trouble arrived.

I slipped through the opening she left in the doorway. The drive to Tennessee had given me a ton of pent up nervous energy, and it made me pushier than I’d usually be. "This isn't a darling type meeting."

Everyone looked at me with surprise, but I wasn't in the mood to play nice. Levi gave us three days, and considering we had no idea how hard it would be to find Fielding, I wasn’t in the mood for games. Especially games that involved me getting played.

"The last time we were together you were out with Hunter. How was your dinner?” Jocelyn followed me inside.

“The last time we were together you were running for the hills and leaving us to our own fate.” There was no reason to sugar coat it. They might have been able to help, but instead they helped themselves. I knew that was human nature, and likely shifters had that even more, but abandoning people when they needed help the most wasn’t acceptable in my book.

Her smile finally slipped from her face. “Sabers can't get involved with Dire business.”

“Sure you can. You do it all the time.” Denny wore a fake smile of his own.

“Is there a reason you are here now?” Her face hardened. Any pretense of friendliness was gone.

“You tell me. You weren’t surprised to see us at all.”

“I had a hunch I’d see your faces again.”

“You knew we were coming today.” I put a hand on my hip. “Who told you?” The only other person who knew we were coming was Semi, but there was no reason for him to have called ahead.

“I already told you, it was a hunch.” She opened the door to the basement. “Let’s continue this conversation downstairs.”

Genevieve leaned in to whisper. “The basement? Are you sure that’s such a good idea?”

“Oh, hello dear. I don’t believe we’ve met yet.” Jocelyn smiled at Genevieve. “Maybe you’re in a better mood than your friends.”

“I’m afraid I’m in the exact same mood. I don’t do well with people who hide the truth from me.”

“What truth?”

“How did you know we were coming?” Gage gave her an intense stare. “Just tell us.”

“A lady is allowed to have her secrets.”

“Not when it puts my friends in danger.” My patience was wearing thin.

“You know I have no interest in hurting you or your friends.” Her eyes set on mine. “Don’t pretend otherwise.”

“How would I know that? As I said earlier, you ditched us.”

“Self-preservation doesn’t mean I’d hurt you.”

“It means you’d throw me under a bus for your own convenience.”

“Whatever you want to believe, but I assume there’s a reason you are here. If you want to talk, we’ll do it downstairs.” She started down the stairs without another glance at us.

We’d come this far already. I wasn’t about to turn around. I followed behind her, with Gage right behind me.

She waited for us by the bar. “Can I get anyone a drink?”

“No thank you.” I could at least pretend to be polite if she was going to be.

“Ok. Right to business then.”

“That would be preferable.” Gage put a hand on the small of my back.

“All right. How may I help you?” She took a seat on a bar stool, carefully tugging down on her dress to cover her legs.

“Where is Fielding?” Denny cut right to the chase.

Jocelyn’s eyes widened for a moment, but then just as quickly her carefully guarded expression returned. “How would I know how to find him?”

“Quit your bullshit, Jocelyn.” Denny stood right in front of her. "We need to find him.”

She swatted the air with her hand. “Why on earth would you want to find that man?” She turned to Genevieve as though sharing girl talk. “Sexy as sin, but his personality doesn’t match at all.”

“We’re not concerned with him sexiness.” I frowned. “We need to find him because it’s the only way to free Hunter. He was taken into custody by The Society when you conveniently left for your self-preservation.”

“And why would you care about freeing Hunter?” She dropped down from the stool. “If I recall, you were more interested in this one right here.” She ran her manicured fingernails down Gage’s arm. He recoiled.

“It’s the only way to end the hunt, and Gage is part of that now.”

“And you want him to finish changing Gage. Don’t forget that detail.” She touched the air as though touching a button.

“Exactly.”

“I hardly think finding Fielding is the key to doing any of those things. There’s some bad blood between those brothers. He isn’t going to run to Hunter’s aid.”

“But he’ll run to take what he believes belongs to his brother.” Denny moved right in front of her. “We need to find him, and you will help us.”

“You are rather bossy without your Alpha around to keep you in line.”

“You haven’t seen bossy.” Denny’s eyes blazed. Speaking of bad blood, there seemed to be some between these two.

“You’re going to use her to lure him in?” Jocelyn’s eyes widened. “Trap him and turn him over?”

“Something like that.” Denny left out the part about catching him in the act. I still didn’t know what act they wanted to catch him in. I really hoped it didn’t involve hurting me. It wasn’t only for selfish reasons. Gage would do something stupid if that happened. Now that we were mated, his protectiveness had only grown stronger.

“You really think you can outsmart Fielding?” Isaac strode into the room. I’d nearly forgotten he might be home.

“Yes, but why do you care whether we succeed or not?” Denny scowled.

“Because this smells of a Society deal, and I’m not in the business of making deals with The Society.”

"Neither am I, but sometimes we don't have a choice.” Denny pulled out his flask.

“I offered you a drink.” Jocelyn seemed offended.

Denny took a long swig. “And I prefer my own.”

“He's not going to come out easily even with Mary Anne as bait.”

“We are not using her as bait.” Gage stepped in front of me.

“Sure you are. Denny just said it, or do you not understand?” Jocelyn turned her head to the side as though talking to a puppy or something.

Gage must have gotten the same image because he started to growl. I touched his arm, trying to calm him down. He’d had a bad experience with women looking at him as a pet.

Jocelyn laughed. “Calm down, but face the truth. She is being used as bait.”

“We’ll protect her.” Denny put his flask away again. “You don’t have to worry, Mary Anne.”

“I wasn’t worried.” I was, but I wasn’t about to admit it in front of the Sabers. I didn’t trust them one bit anymore. That was probably a good thing. Trusting anyone in this paranormal world could be dangerous.

“You should be worried.” Isaac turned to me. “He won't spare you just because you are a woman."

"I wouldn't expect him too." I didn’t expect anything from any of these people.

“What kind of bargain did you make?” Isaac poured himself a drink at the bar. “What kind of yarn did The Society representative spin for you?”

“The representative was the king, and he agreed to end the hunt.”

“And you trust him?”

“We have no other choice.”

“Sure you do. Get Fielding to overthrow The Society.” Isaac took a swig of his drink.

“That’s what you want.” Denny walked over to the bar. “Isn’t it? No matter what it costs us.”

“It’s time a real king ruled again. It’s been far too long.”

“Your opinion on this matter isn’t the issue. Hunter is the Alpha. It's his choice.” Gage sounded uncharacteristically dedicated to his pack. It might have been for show, but I sensed there was something real in his words. “Right now we’re only asking you one question.”

Jocelyn stepped toward me and ran her hand down the side of my face. "Lovely girl. You have such a classic look to you. It's still beautiful even without the red hair.”

“I don't care about my hair.” I gritted my teeth.

“How about you?” She looked at Gage. "Do you care about her hair?"

“I care about her.” Gage returned his hand to my back. The touch immediately comforted me. I wasn’t in this alone.

Jocelyn smiled. "You are learning."

"I've learned plenty, including that I shouldn’t trust most people." Gage spoke the thoughts I’d been thinking.

"And do you trust me?" she cooed

He didn’t hesitate with his answer. "No."

"Then why are you here?”

“You’re our best option.” Gage shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“You really know how to make a girl feel special.”

“We don’t have much time. Either you tell us where he is or you don't.” I crossed my arms.

“I don't know for sure.” She held her hand out palm up.

“Let's go.” I took Gage’s arm.

She stepped in front of us. "I said I don’t know for sure. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a guess.”

We all watched her with interest. “We’re listening.”

“What happened to you?” Jocelyn looked at me.

“What do you mean?”

“You were a meek little thing a few days ago, barely able to make eye contact, yet here you are bossing me around in my own house.”

“It’s called desperation. It can do strange things to you.” I ignored her rib about being meek. It didn’t matter. What mattered was finding Fielding so we could get on with our life, or whatever this new version of our life was going to be.

“And you still like her?” She looked at Gage. “Even with the attitude?”

“I like the attitude.” He grinned. “Makes things more interesting.”

“I’m sure it does.” She watched me. “You might be of use to me.”

“Uh, what?” I had no interested in being of use to anyone. Hunter had wanted the same thing, and look where that got me—and Gage. Although if Hunter hadn’t wanted me, Gage would probably be dead. I shivered. Gage looked over with worry, but I shook my head. He had enough to deal with. He didn’t need anything else to worry about.

“I hadn’t realized you had that kind of strength in you.” Jocelyn touched my arm as though it were physical strength she were talking about. I didn’t have much of that kind, but I planned to fix it. I wouldn’t neglect the gym again.

“What kind of strength?”

“
This
.” She said it simply like it explained everything. It didn’t explain anything.

“I don’t follow.”

“You. Your personality might be useful.”

“It is. It’s useful to me.” I stepped away from her. “So enough about me. Where is Fielding?”

“He’s not going to come with you easily.”

“You’ve already told us that. That’s beside the point. Where is he?”

“I can only give you a guess.”

“Don’t oversell it.” Isaac set down his empty glass on the bar top. “You really have no idea. It’s been a long time.”

“Has it?” Gage asked. “Because I don’t think I believe you.”

“Why would you say that?” Jocelyn avoided his eyes.

“Because you’re hiding something.”

“We’ve already discussed this.”

“But this piece of information impacts us all.”

“As your secrets impact me.” She examined her nails.

“Not like this.”

“Ok. Enough fighting.” Genevieve shook her head. “Will you tell us where Hunter’s brother is or not because we’re wasting our time and need to be on our way.”

“Who are you? You never told me.”

“Genevieve. Best friend of Mary Anne. Any other questions?”

Isaac laughed. “Where are all of these humans coming from?”

“Earth. Because we live here. Now tell us or we’re leaving.”

“The last I knew he was in a small town outside Boston.”

“Outside Boston?” Where everything started.

“Yes. A small town right off of the Mass Pike.”

“Why do you sound so sure now, yet you didn’t earlier?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Because he rarely stays in the same place for long, and he was only there because of Hunter. Now that Hunter moved, he likely moved to.”

“It’s somewhere to start.” I nodded at the others. “I think that about does it. We’ll leave you to whatever it is you were doing.”

“You are going to get yourself hurt. If you were smart, you’d run.” Jocelyn’s eyes bore into mine.

“I don’t want to run. Running doesn’t help anything.”

“No, it doesn’t in the long run, but it does in the short term.”

“I’m not afraid.” I rolled my shoulders back. “I’ve faced enough since meeting the Dires that meeting another doesn’t faze me.”

“He’s not like Hunter.”

“I realize that. Hunter has his flaws, but he isn’t a blood thirsty killer.”

“He might look like him, but he’s not him at all. Remember that.”

“Got it.”

She seemed pensive. “Maybe he was right about you.”

“In what way?”

“That you will be the one to end the hunt. You definitely have enough fire in you.” She scribbled something on a piece of paper. “The last time I heard they were staying here.”

I pocketed the paper. “I will end it, but it has nothing to do with Hunter being right or any dreams. I’m doing this because it has to be done.” Before anyone could say anything else I turned and headed back out the door. I assumed everyone else would follow. There was only so much of the Sabers I could take.