Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) (23 page)

“Daniel’s in my pack, Dev. It’s my call. This gives us an emissary from each pack. We’re both represented,” Gene said.

“I’ll take Lark to pick up the rifles,” Devon said, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair.

“Rifles?” Natalia and Claire asked at the same time.

“We estimate about fifty men there. Lark is going to use the gun to even out the battle field,” Devon said.

“We don’t use guns,” Claire whispered.

“This is war, Mom,” Daniel said quietly. “I’ve seen her handle a gun before. She knows what she’s doing.”

“Juarez has no qualms about breaking pack laws for his own benefit. I see no reason why Lark shouldn’t be able to defend herself and our pack in any way she knows how,” Gene said.

“I want two wolves with you at all times. We’re fast, I don’t want you by yourself,” Devon said, trailing his finger up and down Lark’s arm.

“I’ll need some way to identify our pack from the others,” Lark commented, meeting Devon’s eyes before turning to Gene.

“Our packs will use reflective paint. We can put a stripe down our backs. Which means we’ll need to be transitioned before the fighting starts and need at least one man in human form to apply the paint,” Gene said.

“What about everyone here?” Claire asked. “Natalia, the girls,” she said, pointing to Natalia, who sat in the armchair.

“Gene and Devon, one of you should stay behind. Just in case something happens to one of you. The packs cannot be without an alpha,” Claire said as she gripped the armrest tighter.

“It should be you,” Devon said, turning to Gene.

“No,” Gene shook his head, standing up.

“You’re too close to this, Gene. It’s too personal right now. Your anger could get in the way of your judgment,” Devon countered.

“I agree,” Claire said after a long moment.

“I’m not staying behind,” Gene snarled. “This is my fight as much as it is yours, Dev.”

Gene glared at Devon as his cousin stood. Their eyes met, and he felt the hairs on his neck raise as they both fought to have their way. The room grew quiet as they faced off in a silent battle of will. He was going tonight.

“You won’t change my mind, Dev,” he hissed.

Devon ground his teeth. “Fine! But you’re with Lark. If we’re going to do this, I need men who are going to have their heads on straight. I’m not sure you can do that right now.”

Gene’s lip curled up as his throat vibrated in anger. “Fine!”

***

L
ark unlocked the door to her house, walking into the dark empty hallway. She swallowed as she flicked the lights on. Devon shut the door behind them and followed her up the stairs.

“You know you can still back out if you want to,” Devon said as she placed her hand on the doorknob of her parent’s room.

Twisting the handle, she walked inside. Her eyes flitted around the light green room. The bed was still made, and all the papers and jewelry were still in place—untouched for three years.

“I meant what I said earlier,” she said, walking determinedly to the closet. “This isn’t really any different than men and women going onto the battle field. If I need to do this to protect my family, then I will.” Opening the closet, she reached up to the top shelf and pulled the box of bullets down. Devon brushed past her, lifting the rifle from the wall, and setting it on the bed. Lark paused for a long moment before shuffling through the garments until she found the camouflage hat, pants, and jacket her mother used to wear when she accompanied her father on hunting trips. Gathering the clothes she laid them out on the bed; her eyes fixated on the outfit as realization began to settle within her.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” Devon worried, grasping her arms.

Meeting his gaze, she leaned into him and rested her forehead on his. “We’re going to be fine. I know there is no way to ensure that, but we have to believe that. Everyone is going to walk away from this tonight, and, for the first time in weeks, we’re going to be safe. Even if it’s short-lived.”

“I like the way you think,” Devon murmured, kissing her lightly.

“Me too,” Lark mumbled against his lips.

“We should get back,” Devon said, though he made no effort to leave their embrace.

Lark lingered in his arms, their lips grazing, moving in perfect sync as his tongue darted out to meet hers. His hands wound up in her hair, and she pulled him closer, enjoying the feel of him pressed against her.

“I love you, Lark,” Devon said, pulling away.

“I love you too,” Lark said, placing one final kiss to his lips before picking up the bullets, camouflage outfit, and gun and walking out of the room. She paused as she passed Sarah’s room. Sighing, she walked inside and looked around at the empty pink room.

“You’re worried about her?” Devon surmised.

Lark nodded as she tried to think of something she could take to her sister that might help comfort her. The room was bare. The only things left in it were the furniture.

“When our parents died, she shut down. She wouldn’t talk to me—or anyone for that matter. It was her relationship with Preston that helped to bring her out of it. I’m not sure I know how to help her,” Lark whispered, biting her lip.

“We all handle death in different ways. The two of you have lost a lot the past few years. Your parents, Rick, Preston. That takes a lot out of you,” Devon said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I know. I just worry about her.”

“She’ll come around, you’ll see,” Devon said, wrapping his arm around her.

Taking one last look around the room, Lark let Devon guide her out and back down the stairs.

“I’ve been thinking about this house,” she said absently as they walked down the creaky old steps.

“What about it?”

“Just that no one’s here anymore. It’s empty; practically abandoned,” she bit her lip as she looked into the dimly lit front room. A cobweb had formed in the corner by the curios, and she could see a layer of dust adorning the top of the entertainment stand. “The Cookie Jar is doing phenomenally. Profits are up and...I was thinking of selling the house—or buying Sarah out of her half—and using the money to open a second shop on the other end of town.”

“If you’ve truly thought it through and are sure that’s what you want to do, I think you should,” Devon said coming up behind her. Wrapping his free hand around her and kissing the back of her head.

“Even with everything going on?” Lark asked as her eyes focused on the last family portrait they’d done as a family. Smiles adorned all of their faces, and there was a certain air of lightness to the moment that Lark hadn’t felt since her parents passed.

“Yes! One of the things we’re fighting for is our freedom, our dreams. If you don’t pursue them, then Juarez has already won. Don’t worry about the logistics of it. If it’s something you want, go for it.”

Lark grinned as she relaxed against him. “Thank you. I’ll talk to Sarah...in a few weeks. It wouldn’t be right to spring it on her now.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Devon whispered in her ear.

***

N
atalia knocked on the open office door, peeking her head into the room. Gene looked up from his computer and motioned her in.

She closed the door and walked to the desk. “Lark and Devon are back,” she said quietly.

Gene turned, looking out the window, and she followed his gaze. The dreary weather was making it appear much later than it actually was. “We’ll need to be getting ready soon.”

“I appreciate what you’re doing,” Natalia said, standing in front of the desk. “Everything you’ve done.”

“I’ve meant everything I’ve told you, Talia. I hope you know that,” Gene said, raising to his feet and leaning forward onto the desk.

“I do,” she responded honestly. Gene had given her back her faith. For that, she would be eternally thankful.

“Why does it seem like you’re saying goodbye?” Gene questioned.

“I am not,” Natalia snapped. Sighing, she looked away, licking her lips. “Juarez has taken away everyone that I care about, Gene. I cannot bear the thought of losing someone else.”

Her heart swelled, constricting painfully in her chest as she realized how deeply she cared for Gene. Whatever connection they had seemed to be growing stronger with each day they spent together. A part of her wanted to accompany him on the mission. If she didn’t have Adrian to care for, she would. However, Adrian had already lost his father, and she would not leave him without his mother.

“I’m going in with our best men, and I have every intention of coming back—all of us will be coming back.”

“Be careful,” she whispered, clasping her trembling hands together.

Gene walked around the desk and grasped her hands in his. “I will. Devon and I decided to put Claire in charge while we are gone. Listen to her. She’s a good person. Promise me you won’t do anything rash while I’m away.”

Natalia smiled and looked down at their entwined fingers. “And you say that
I
do not trust.”

Gene chuckled as his finger reached under her chin, tilting it up. “I trust you. But I know that you don’t trust Claire.”

Natalia sighed, locking gazes with him. “I have come to realize that perhaps I have misjudged some people. It amazes me how everyone is working together. The way that you and your brother, Vincent and Daniel fought to protect each other—fought to protect me. Your packs are truly united and are stronger because of it. You have helped to show me the strength of a pack.”

“My father used to say that we’re only as good as the people we surround ourselves with,” Gene said.

The office door creaked as Devon walked in. His eyes darted between the two of them as one eyebrow quirked up.

“I didn’t realize you were having a meeting.”

“I was just leaving,” Natalia said, stepping back. “Be careful tonight.” Turning on her heel, she walked out of the room.

***

N
atalia paced back and forth, eyes fixated on the bright white of the moon outside her window. Her heart thumped heavily in her chest, and her jaw ached from being clenched too tightly. Adrian’s soft snores rose from the pack and play, and she took comfort in her son’s safety.

Natalia jumped at the soft knock on her door. Striding forward, she unlocked it and met Emily’s green eyes.

“My mom and I were just about to make some coffee and were wondering if you wanted to join us,” Emily whispered.

“I um...” Natalia started, turning to look at Adrian.

“We just thought it might help pass the time a little quicker if we were together,” Emily offered with a shrug. “You don’t have to, though.”

Natalia hesitated as her stomach rolled with anxiousness and knotted into a tight ball. If she stayed in this empty room, she would not only wear a hole in the carpet, but she would probably go stir-crazy waiting for word.

“Okay,” she said. Going to the dresser, she grabbed the baby monitor and flicked it on.

Emily gave her a small smile as they walked down the stairs. The house was quiet—so quiet that she could hear the rumble of the coffee brewing in the pot from the stairwell.

“Maddie and Amelia are already in bed for the night, Sarah is locked in Preston’s room, and all the guys are out surrounding the property. It’s just us in the house,” Emily explained, as if reading her mind.

Natalia felt her body tense, her muscles coiling tighter with each movement as she thought of the impending fight. Gene would be okay, she assured herself.

“Did Marcus go?” Natalia asked.

“No,” Emily answered. “He would’ve gone, but he hasn’t been the same since he was injured. He was protecting me during an attack about a month ago—the same one that Gene’s dad died in. Marcus was nearly killed trying to keep me safe. When they abducted me, I had no idea if he was alive or not until Daniel told me a day later. It was the most horrific twenty-four hours of my life. The bones didn’t set right in his back, and he has some cardiac problems, but he is alive, and that is all that matters. Marcus doesn’t complain about it, but it is obvious every time he shifts that his body is not the same.”

“I’m confused, I thought shifting helped us heal faster,” Natalia asked.

“It does, but Marcus’ injury was severe, and he did not allow his body to rest properly afterwards. He nearly died, and, because he had to force a shift, it has disrupted the balance with his wolf. I am confident that, with time, he will overcome it. I know he wishes he could be there too,” Emily said as she opened the door to the kitchen.

Claire looked up as they entered. Her eyes seemed hollowed, and her face, ghastly pale. Her brownish-grey hair was in disarray; strands poked out from all sides of her ponytail.

Tapping her mug against the counter, she said, “I’m glad you decided to join us.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I may have gone crazy, sitting in that room,” Natalia acknowledged, setting the baby monitor on the table before having a seat.

“Any word yet?” Emily asked, eyes gazing out the window.

“They have arrived at the rendezvous point and will commence the attack within the next few minutes,” Claire said with a sigh.

“It’s going to be okay, Mom,” Emily said, wrapping her arms around her mother.

“One day when you have kids, Em, you’ll understand a mother never stops worrying over her children,” Claire said, gripping Emily’s hands and resting her head against her daughter’s. “I will not truly be at ease until all three of my boys are at home again.”

“They’ll take care of each other,” Emily said quietly.

“I know. I just cannot bear the thought of another funeral. Children your age should not be buried,” Claire worried, her voice growing thick as she spoke. Clearing her throat, she turned to Emily. “Do you mind getting my sweater for me, sweetie?”

“Sure.”

Natalia watched as the younger brunette walked out of the room, the door creaking shut behind her as her footsteps thumped across the hardwood floors.

Shifting in her seat, Natalia stared at the grains in the wooden table, unsure what to say to the other alpha female. The chair opposite her rubbed against the floor as Claire pulled it out and sat down.

“You care for Gene,” Claire stated.