Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) (28 page)

“Let's hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Natalia cringed as Gene’s cell phone vibrated, alerting them to a new text. Sighing, Gene pulled back and looked at the screen, turning it so she could see as well.

“Tomorrow afternoon,” Natalia said, staring vacantly at the screen. Her chest constricted, and she shivered.

“Hey, come on. I want to show you something. It will help take your mind off things,” Gene said, grasping her hand in his and tugging her to the door.

G
ene stopped the car in front of Luigi’s restaurant. He grinned as Natalia gave him a side-glance before hopping out of the vehicle to get Adrian from the back. The eight men they’d brought with them took up positions around the building discreetly.

“This is one of the best restaurants in Abilene,” Gene beamed as he opened the door for her.

“What, is this like a date?” Natalia questioned as the hostess greeted them and led them to a table.

“Yeah.” Gene said. The she-wolf set Adrian’s carrier in the sling and Gene pulled out a chair for her. “I thought we needed a break. You know—to do something normal.”

Natalia looked down at the checkered table then back up to him. A small smile slipped across her face, and she pulled her long coffee-colored locks over one shoulder as she picked up the menu. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. After this we’re going to drive the route you’ll be taking tomorrow and pinpoint a good rendezvous point.” Gene cleared his throat. He wanted to keep the mood light over dinner. “This restaurant used to be my dad’s favorite. Until Emily and Claire came to the ranch, we use to order it for dinner every Sunday. You’ll like it here,” Gene said, tapping his fingers against the menu, already knowing what he wanted.

“Sunday dinner? So that is like a ritual?”

“Yes! It’s something my parents believed in. Having one day out of the week devoted to family only,” Gene said fondly. “Of course, our family includes the entire pack.”

“My mother and I had Wednesday nights. Since she worked at the resort, weekends were busy for her. Wednesday nights were ours. We would do dinner and a movie with pop popcorn.”

“That sounds like fun,” Gene replied. “What’s your favorite movie?”

“It is silly.”

“What?” Gene asked, chuckling at her blush.

“My mother liked to watch older movies. Have you seen
Sixteen Candles
?” She asked, burying her face in the menu.

“No, but I’ve heard of it,” Gene laughed.

Peering over her menu, she said, “We use to watch it at least once a month. Maybe we could watch it sometime. I would like to see it without the Spanish voiceovers. So what’s good here?”

“I’m getting the lasagna. I think just about everything on the menu is delicious. What do you like?” Gene asked, watching as she perused the menu.

“How is the Shrimp Scampi?”

“Good. And if you don’t like it, you can get something else,” Gene offered. He wanted her to relax—to have fun and enjoy herself.

“I think I will try it,” she said, tucking her menu back between the napkin holder and the window.

The waiter came back and set a basket of rolls on the table. He then pulled out a pen and pad of paper. Gene motioned for Natalia to order first before placing his own. The waiter finished scribbling on his notepad and walked off. Natalia sank back into her chair as a small smile slid across her face. Her eyes flitted over to Adrian, who was sleeping in his car seat.

“What kind of flowers are your favorite?” Gene asked.

Natalia’s gaze snapped up to his, her mouth popping open in surprise.

“You said you liked them. What is your favorite type?”

“Oh, um, I do not know. If I had to choose one, I’d say orchids,” Natalia said as she opened her silverware and laid her napkin across her lap.

“They grow in Mexico?” Gene asked, wanting to know more.

“Yes, I believe they grow in most places, which doesn’t make them very unique per se. But I do enjoy their color, and the shape of the flower.”

“Nice flowers and sandy beaches. Sounds like a good place to live.” Gene leaned forward on the table, watching her.

“It was. There are many people who would come to our resort every year. Did you ever truly take a vacation or was it always visiting other packs?” Natalia questioned.

“It was always to see other packs. I think my parents would have liked to take vacations, but there are some thing’s that are just not practical when you have your own pack. But now that Dev and I are so close, I see no reason why one of us couldn’t go away for a short period of time,” Gene explained, thinking of the possibilities.

“And you would entrust your pack to Devon?”

“Of course. Just as he would entrust his to me. Dev and I are on the same page; we always have been. Maybe when things settle down, we can go to Cabo. Just the three of us,” Gene offered. Holding his breath, he gazed into her chestnut eyes, watching her breath catch at his proposal.

The waiter came, placing their drinks before them. Both of them thanked him before he dashed off.

Natalia took a sip of her Coke and looked at the table for a long second. Gene’s pulse roared in his ears as he waited for her response. Looking up, she smiled.

“I would like that.”

***

L
ark rolled her shoulders back as she prepared to begin her workout with Devon. The blonde jabbed at the mat in Devon’s hand. “I want to go tomorrow,” she said as she connected with the pad, sending his hand reeling back.

“Gene and I still haven’t worked out all the details.”

“Well, don’t you think you should do it soon,” she sassed.

“It’s unlikely we’ll both go. We can’t risk both alphas leaving. The other night was a rare exception. We will discuss the details tomorrow morning,” Devon said, grasping her arm. Before she knew what was happening, the alpha pushed her into the wall. The strength of his thrust was hard enough to startle but not hurt her. “I had other plans tonight.”

“What plans?”

“I had dinner delivered from Luigi’s, and we have the house to ourselves for the next few hours.”

Lark frowned as she looked up at the ceiling, noting that the house was oddly quiet.

“What’s going on?”

“A surprise,” he smirked as he kissed her.

Melting into his embrace, she wrapped her arms around him. Moaning, she ran her fingers through his blonde hair.

Pulling back, Devon chuckled as she tried to lean into him again. “Come on, our food will get cold.”

Devon gripped her hand and led her to the stairs. As they climbed up, the smell of Luigi’s garlic bread caused her taste buds to salivate.

“Why did we bother getting dressed to work out if we were going to eat?” Lark questioned as they reached the top of the creaky old steps.

“I needed you distracted,” Devon said as he pulled her into the kitchen.

“Oh,” Lark whispered, looking at the dimly lit kitchen. The table was set with a blue cloth and candlelight flickered off the walls. White lights ran around the ceiling, illuminating the room. Red roses sat in a vase on the center of the table. “Wow.”

“You like it?” Devon said, kissing her cheek.

“Yeah! What’s the occasion?” Lark asked, her heart skipping a beat.

Devon moved to stand in front of her, pressing his forehead against hers. “I love you, Lark. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you in the werewolf world and the human world. Will you marry me?”

Lark gasped as Devon pulled out a diamond ring, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. “Oh my God yes!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

***

L
ark yawned rubbing her eyes as she walked down the hall toward Preston’s bedroom. She’d slept in this morning, but, after celebrating with Devon most the night, she was still exhausted. She paused as she walked into the bedroom. Sarah lay curled in a ball on the bed. She could tell by the small twitch of her sister’s head that she wasn’t sleeping. Walking to the bed, she laid down and wrapped her arms around Sarah.

“I brought you some breakfast,” she said quietly.

Sarah sucked in a deep breath but didn’t say anything.

“You need to eat,” Lark said, sitting up and pulling Sarah with her.

“I don’t feel like it,” Sarah said.

“I know, but you need to eat anyway. Come on.”

Sarah didn’t respond. Instead, she only stared at the grey comforter on the bed.

Lark sighed, swallowing she bit her lip. “Today we’re going to make a move against Juarez.”

“We?” Sarah asked, her voice raspy.

“I’m meeting with Gene and Devon to go over the details; I think it’s just going to be Gene and Natalia that go, though.”

“Good!”

“Sarah, regardless of whether I go or not, we can’t just sit here and wait. We have control over our own lives, and I would rather take the offensive than sit back and do nothing,” Lark said, meeting her sister’s gaze.

“I can’t lose you too,” Sarah said, her bottom lip trembling.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Lark said, hugging her sister. “I promise.”

***

N
atalia shifted in her seat, twiddling her thumbs. Her stomach clenched and fluttered as she waited for Lark and Devon to get situated. This plan needed to work. Their entire lives were depending on it.

“I’ve been doing some thinking about strategy.” Gene began reclining in his chair. “I think it best if you stay here, Dev. We have all the new men coming in this afternoon who will need to be situated between the two packs. I plan on taking ten of my guys with me. I am familiar with the area Juarez suggested to meet in, and there are several locations we can go. I want to surround him at a decent distance. That way, we’re more likely to go unnoticed.”

“We should probably assume Juarez will have men with him too,” Devon said. “Will ten guys be enough?”

“The smaller our numbers, the less likely we are to be detected. That way, Juarez won’t be able to call in reinforcements that may be stationed nearby,” Gene said.

“I asked him to come alone,” Natalia said quietly. “He should honor his word.”

“Talia will drive one of the Jeeps to the location on her own. After she overtakes Juarez, she will meet me at a rendezvous point,” Gene said as he pulled out a map. “There is a GPS in the car. I want to get out there early enough so that you can drive the route yourself several more times.”

Natalia nodded and took in a shaky breath.

“I can give you my handgun if you want?” Lark offered, picking her purse up and setting it on her lap.

“I have never used one,” Natalia stammered. A weapon would be nice, but she’d always been afraid of the contraptions.

“I can give you a quick crash course if you want. At close range, it would be very hard to miss,” Lark said quietly.

“I will think about it.” Natalia looked down at the floor. “I have a request. If something goes awry, I wish for Adrian to be in your care, Lark.”

Devon looked at Lark before she turned to Natalia. “Of course. But it’s not going to matter. You and Gene are both coming back today,” Lark reassured as she met Natalia’s eyes.

Natalia forced a small tight-lipped smile. “I hope that you are right.”

Gene ran a hand through his hair. “I am confident that things will workout in our favor today, but, should they not, I think we need a contingency plan. I will name Devon my successor, and both of the packs will merge into one. I have already stated my intentions to Clive and Derek Stiles; I will also announce it to the pack before we leave. Over the next few days, we will have over a hundred men coming in from New York. Should we fail, I am confident you can protect the ranch and farmhouse.”

“I think so too. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Devon murmured.

***

N
atalia stuffed a few things into the duffel bag and zipped it up. Even if turning herself over was a ruse, it all seemed too real. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, and every nerve in her body wanted to burst. Her jaw burned from clenching it so tightly, her clammy hands shook as she fastened the two bag handles together.

One way or another, things were going to end today. She could only pray they ended in her favor. Picking Adrian up, she cradled him to her as she breathed in his salty pine scent.

“I love you, Adrian. Whatever happens to me, I’m doing it all for you. As long as you’re safe, that is all that matters to me.” Kissing his forehead then both cheeks, she hugged his tiny frame to her. “Everything’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

Her heart broke. What if she never saw him again? What if this was the last time she hugged him? No! She would see him again; she had too.

A light knock thudded on the door, and Natalia turned, dragging her suddenly heavy feet across the carpet.

Opening the door, she met Gene’s chocolate eyes. His gaze flitted from hers to Adrian, then back again. “You ready?” he asked quietly.

“No. But I am going to do this.” Closing her eyes, she placed one last kiss to Adrian’s temple. “I need to protect my son.” Opening her eyes, she saw Lark standing to Gene’s left. The alpha male moved aside, and Natalia stepped forward with trembling arms, handing Adrian to her.

“I won’t let anything happen to him. I’ll see you tonight,” Lark whispered as she clutched Adrian to her.

Natalia nodded. Tears pricked her eyes and her pulse roared as she took one last lingering look at her son. His blue eyes rested on hers, and she smiled.
I will see you again
, she vowed.

“It’s not too late to back out,” Gene added.

Natalia shook her head, catching her bottom lip between her teeth in an effort to stop it from wavering. “If we can stop Juarez, then we need to. I cannot sit back whilst he harms other women. I was lucky. Until he is gone, we will never be free, and I will not allow Adrian to be brought up by those monsters. This must end!”

Gene grasped her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. She could feel the moisture on her palm but wasn’t sure if it was from him or her. She knew he cared but wondered just how much.

“Let’s go,” Gene said.

***

G
ene opened the car door for Natalia, shutting it behind her as she got in. Hurrying around to his side, he nodded at his men as they started their vehicles. Pulling onto the driveway, he looked over at Natalia.