ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (80 page)

Daniel Blacksmith would never stop.  He would keep going until everything standing in his way was gone.  Autumn couldn’t allow that to happen.  She couldn’t stand by and watch as Dalton’s pack was picked off one by one.  She loved each and every one of them too much for that. 

Autumn zipped the book bag she had packed with clothes and toiletry items and pushed the bedroom window upward.  She threw the book bag on the ground and squeezed herself through the window.  She had no idea if Trina and Chris were still patrolling in their shifted form, but it was a chance she was going to have to take.  It had been over an hour since Daniel had left.  She didn’t know where he went, but she had his number.  She was sure he would be glad to come and get her. 

Autumn shrugged into the book bag, and zipped her jacket.  She looked into her darkened bedroom window for only a second, indecision pouring through her.  She shook her head and took her first steps away from the house, and whispered into the night, “It’s only for a little while, Dalton.  I’ll be back when it’s safe for you and our family.”

Dalton drummed his fingers on the kitchen table.  It had been over two hours since Daniel Blacksmith and his party had left, and Autumn had yet to come out of the bedroom.  The last person to try was Mika, who had walked away dejectedly when Autumn wouldn’t so much as answer. 

“That’s it!”  Dalton said and sprang to his feet. 

“Dalton, just wait!  Winnie called out.  “You have to give her time.” 

“She’s had time!  I’m her husband and I can’t even get into my own damn bedroom!”  He ranted as he marched to the bedroom door.  He didn’t break stride as he kicked the door in right beside the lock.  He heaved in breath and turned on the light.  At first he couldn’t register why Autumn hadn’t screamed when he kicked the door in, or at the very least yelled for him to get out.  He also couldn’t comprehend why the bed was empty. 

Because she’s gone you fool! 

Adrenaline coursed through Dalton’s blood and he smacked the light switch on the bathroom wall, thrashing the shower curtain aside.  He even checked the closet before jerking the small note off of the bed. 

Winnie and Chuck looked into the room with large concerned eyes.  “My god, Dalton!  She left?” 

Dalton read the note twice, his jaw popping as he gritted his teeth.  He shoved the note in Winnie’s hands before slamming the window closed.  She read it aloud. 

Dalton, I love you and our family enough to not be selfish.  I’m going away until I think it’s safe to return home.  Please, don’t try to look for me.  I love you.  Please try to understand.

Winnie watched Dalton slam his way out of the house.  She ran to the door and threw it open in just enough time to see his clothes shred in midair as his sleek coated wolf form landed on four paws and began running down the driveway. 

“Dalton!  Wait!”  Winnie yelled, Autumn’s note still clutched in her hand. 

“He’s probably going to try and catch her scent.”  Chuck said and began talking his clothes off.  “I’m going to help him.” 

“Hurry, please, Chuck.  We can’t play around with this!” 

Autumn looked at Bretton warily.  She didn’t trust how quickly he had picked her up, but she didn’t doubt his story.  She had no problem believing Daniel would send him immediately back out to spy on her. 

“I was actually on Dalton’s property the day you got married.”  He smiled sickly at her.  He was obviously proud to have stayed undetected amongst so many werewolves.  “An outdoor fall wedding…”  He glanced at her again.  “It was fitting for your name.  Master…I mean your father, he’ll be pleased with your decision.” 

So that’s it.  Autumn thought.  He’s tickled pink that no one was going to take his place.  Until right at that moment, Autumn had posed a threat to him.

“How long have you worked for my father?”

Bretton’s smile was definitely moving to the proud side.  His chest puffed out slightly.  “Eleven years.”  He took his eyes off the road again so he could gauge her reaction.  “Look at what he’s done for me.”

“What do you mean?”  Autumn pushed her back further into the door.  His mania was getting intense. 

“I’m almost fifty!”

Autumn’s head dropped slightly.  “You’re almost fifty what?” 

“Years old!”

“How’s that possible?”

“It’s the virus.  He takes a little nibble here, then a little nibble there; before you know it, your age process is reversing.  Supposedly it doesn’t stop until you look like you did at the prime of your life.  Although, I have seen some vampires who looked old.  Maybe it has to do with what stage in life they are bitten.”  His faltering grin brought a sadness to Autumn after he spoke.  “He must be nibbling on Becky quite a bit.  Well, between that and his vampire seed combined.  She’s changing almost daily now.” 

“Vampire seed?”

“Yes, like a human man’s.  My master is rare.  Not many vampire males can make a child.  Especially not one his age.” 

Autumn licked her lips.  “How old is he exactly?”

“Over a hundred and fifty years.”

“And he’s…sleeping with my…with Becky?”

“Sure.  Why wouldn’t he?”

“Age never did bother her.”  Autumn said distractedly. 

Bretton glanced at her with a confused expression before Autumn saw the light bulb go off in his eyes.  He laughed loudly. 

“Oh I get it!  Teddy was younger wasn’t he?”

“Ten years younger.  Was he at the Bull Mitch?”

“He was.” 

“Was?” 

Bretton cleared his throat and changed the subject.  “You really have made the right decision.  Master only wants to help you.” 

The Suburban cruised into Fredericksburg’s old town district.  They passed a 7-11 and Autumn craned her neck to see a police officer questioning a group of men in the parking lot.  Bretton snickered as they passed. 

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”  He replied, but his shoulders still shook. 

Dalton caught sight of Chuck moving across the road and let out a low howl.  Chuck responded by standing upright and barking in the direction of the howl.  He knew to stay put.  When Dalton emerged from the underbrush he was human; his naked body moving in swift purposeful strides. 

Chuck exhaled slowly and closed his eyes, willing his body to contract.  Dalton waited and watched werewolf Chuck disappear.  His pores opened and took back the long course hairs.  His face made a sucking noise similar to a drain that is slightly clogged as water tries to run through it, as his long snout and ears vanished. 

“I found her scent, but it ended a couple miles up the road.” 

“Think she was picked up?” 

“She had to be!”  Dalton snapped, moving into the bushes as headlights appeared further up the road. 

The two men moved at trot, every once in a while hissing or cursing in pain as their bare feet hit rock or twigs. 

When they came to the edge of Dalton’s yard, Winnie could be seen pacing back and forth with Brian and Mika waiting on the porch steps.  Winnie had a ball of clothes in her hands and Brian had a neat folded stack beside him. 

Chuck whistled from the darkness.  “Winnie!  Bring our clothes!” 

Relief washed over her features as she grabbed the stack from beside Brian and ran over to them.  She kept her eyes down to not risk seeing Dalton. 

“Any trace of her?”

“I picked up her scent, but it stopped abruptly.” 

“She was picked up then.”

“Yes, I know.”  Dalton said, and crashed through the last of the tree line buttoning his jeans, and pulling a t-shirt over his head.

“Brian, did you recognize the vampires with him?”

“No, but there’s a husband and wife who live in town who supposedly have control of the city for their kind.  I think their last name is Aries.”  He looked at Dalton helplessly.  “I don’t really know.” 

“I need to find that letter.  It has Daniel’s cell number on it.” 

Winnie shook her head.  “I thought about that, Dalton.  I looked everywhere in there for it.” 

Brian snapped his fingers and pointed at Dalton excitedly.  “Your cell!  She called him from your cell to begin with!  Go to your outgoing calls.” 

Dalton could have kissed him.  “Brian, you’re a genius.  I’m so upset I didn’t even think of that.” 

“We’re going to get her back.”  Brian said.  “Don’t worry.  We will.”

Dalton stepped onto the first step and looked at him.  “Yeah, but what will she be like when we do?” 

Bretton was so excited to bring this gift to his master that he could hardly contain himself.  When he returned to the Aries house, he didn’t even care that he had to walk in with six sets of vampire eyes on him and that of Becky and Tonya as well.  He noted with interest how Tonya seemed to be hovering near Becky, and Hanale was near to Tonya.  It was out of place, but none of his business.  His business was the ultimate gift which would without a doubt earn him a permanent place with his master.  Who knew; maybe his master would grant him the dark gift as a reward. 

“Why are you back here?”  Daniel asked sternly. 

Bretton was shocked to see he had taken off his suit jacket and even loosened his tie slightly.  Maybe what he was about to bring in would put him back to normal. 

“I have something for you.” 

“You’re supposed to be watching Dalton Brown’s place, and my daughter!”  The sound of his enraged voice made everyone in the room grimace.  Becky moaned and covered her face, while the animal feeders howled and held their ears, as they groveled near the floor.

Bretton shuddered and held his hands up.  “Let me get the gift for you, master.”  He hurried away and opened the front door.  He took Autumn by the hand and led her slowly, reverently into the room. 

Daniel touched his chest as a slow smile spread over his face.  It was the most genuine smile any of them had ever seen come out of him. 

“Autumn.  I didn’t expect you to make your mind up so quickly.” 

Autumn squared her shoulders and tried to ignore the two creeping figures that were slinking towards her. 

“I’m here, but you have to promise me you will leave Dalton and his pack alone.” 

Daniel held up two fingers.  “Scout’s honor.”  He moved like a blur and grabbed one of the animal feeders by her neck.  He held her above the floor and screamed at her.  “Don’t touch her!” 

Autumn closed her eyes and fought back the bile as Daniel twisted his wrist and the woman’s neck gave way with a sickening snap.  He dropped her body to the floor and caved her forehead in with the heel of his dress shoes.  The other animal feeder let out a wail and threw her body across the dead ones chest. 

Autumn looked down with boggling eyes.  She expected to see lots of blood, but all there were was a dissipating puff of dust where the forehead had been crushed and a small trickle of blood from the dead vampire’s nose. 

“That was unnecessary!”  Johnathon yelled, standing abruptly. 

Daniel whirled on him.  “Would you like to be next?  Your little pet didn’t know the difference between a snack and my daughter!  I suggest you instruct the one you have left in such matters or she will meet the same fate.” 

Daniel turned back to Autumn slowly.  She was breathing in tight hitched breaths and she kept looking from the dead vampire to Daniel.  Becky made a move to go to her, but Tonya laid a hand on her shoulder to stop her.  Becky looked up, and Tonya shook her head. 

“Please, Autumn, pay no mind to that.” 

“You just killed her.” 

“Yes, because she was going to hurt you.” 

“You didn’t know that!”  Johnathon complained weakly.  Lucinda and Daniel silenced him with equally scathing looks. 

“Lucinda, get her some water please.” 

Bretton rocked from his heels to the balls of his feet happily.  His master would turn to him at any moment and congratulate him on a job well done.  He would gift him with something right away. 

Autumn took the water from Lucinda’s hand and drank the whole glass in three big gulps.  She handed her the glass back. 

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”  Lucinda replied, her expression curious.  “Daniel, she’s wonderful.”  She breathed. 

“Yes, she is.” 

“Her blood…it’s practically singing.” 

Daniel looked at Lucinda then back to Autumn.  Whatever Lucinda was hearing or sensing it only bode well for how powerful his daughter was going to become.

Autumn slid her eyes to Bretton and noted his happy and expectant movements were diminishing.  She felt sorry for the sad little man.  He was completely enthralled and loyal to Daniel. 

Autumn swallowed and stared at her father.  “Shouldn’t you say something to Bretton?  He was the one who picked me up.  He even chased me into the bushes and convinced me to get in the damn truck.” 

Daniel turned to Bretton menacingly.  “Is that true?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“So you chased my daughter?”  Daniel took a step forward and Bretton quickly backed up.