“I don’t get the impression that anyone in charge here is exactly a criminal mastermind,” she says in a wry voice.
“True,” I say. “And it seems their lack of sense is our gain.”
Macy snorts and powers on the messenger, then presses a few buttons. The light on the side flashes green three times before staying steady.
“That’s it. Message sent.” She glances at our surroundings. “With Luke’s rescue in the works, I think you and I should be getting our asses out of Rockcastle territory. What do you think about stealing one of their ATVs?”
“I think that sounds like a fantastic idea,” I say, matching her smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
And of course that’s when my—our—luck runs out.
A dirt bike careens down the path toward the barracks, skidding to a stop in the gravel by the door. Clay hops off the bike, cursing when it falls over but not bothering to pick it up before striding up to the door, a ring of keys jingling in his hand. Tucked against the side of the building, Macy and I are out his line of sight, but that won’t matter much when he gets inside and finds Macy gone.
“Go,” says Macy, jerking her chin toward woods. “You hide. I can handle him.”
My gaze darts from Clay back to Macy. “But…”
“Go,” she repeats. “You’re the Alpha Mate of my pack and it’s my duty to protect you. I’ll take care of this asshole and then catch up to you.”
Reluctantly, I follow her instructions and head toward the tree line. Glancing back over my shoulder, I see Macy scaling the fence and disappearing through the doggie door that leads intothe unlocked kennel. The sound of another engine approaching brings me to a stop, and I retrace my steps to a large oak at the edge of the of the clearing where I have a better view of the building.
An ATV pulls up in front of the building—with Wanda driving it. Not good. Macy might be strong and fast, but she’s a beta and Wanda is an alpha…
I edge closer as Wanda walks inside, leaving the door open behind her. There’s a loud crash, and I can just make out the sound of snarls. Someone roars, and I recognize the feel of an alpha command, but I’m too far away to clearly make out the words. Silence falls inside the building, and a few seconds later, Wanda drags Macy outside by her hair.
“Oliver,” calls Wanda in a sing-song voice. “I know you’re out there. You’re too soft-hearted to leave someone behind. That’s what got you in trouble with your brother.” She grabs Macy by the throat, lifting her off her feet and slamming her back into the concrete. Wanda’s fingers shift into claws and she wraps them around Macy’s neck. “You have thirty seconds to show yourself or I’m going to rip her throat out.”
I hesitate. One of Wanda’s claw presses harder, breaking Macy’s skin. Blood trickles down her neck, but Macy only glares at Wanda defiantly.
“Don’t do it, Ollie,” she yells. “Just get out of here.”
I really should listen to her, run and save myself.
Except… Wanda’s right. I’m not the kind of person who can leave someone else behind, and I can’t help but think of how close Luke and Macy are, how much he’ll hate himself if something happens to her. And how it would be all my fault.
But if I give myself up, I can save Macyandmyself, because the triumvirate is coming… eventually. I just have to keep us both alive long enough for them to get here.
I raise my hands over my head and step out from behind the tree. “Okay. Just… don’t hurt her.”
Wanda’s mouth spreads into a satisfied smile. “Restrain him.”
Before I have time to process the words, someone grabs my arms from behind, twisting one up behind my back and forcing me down to my knees.
“Good choice, Oliver,” says Clay. He drags me up to my feet, tugging me toward the building where Wanda’s still holding Macy by the throat.
As we draw closer, Wanda’s gaze flicks toward me and she smirks. “You might not remember how things work around here, Oliver, but I’m sure you realize I can’t let your disobedience go unpunished.”
“What are you—”
Wanda shoves her clawed hand into Macy’s abdomen. The beta’s eyes widen, lips parting with a startled grunt. A flick of Wanda’s wrist brings a scream from Macy’s throat, and the alpha pulls back her blood-covered hand, then releases her hold on Macy’s neck.
Macy crumples to the ground, hands curled around her stomach, blood welling up between her fingers. Too stunned by the sudden violence to fight back, I barely notice when Clay drags me inside.
Thirty-One
Luke
Either I’m developing aresistance to being drugged, or whatever the woman injected me with wasn’t very strong because I wake up much earlier than I think they intended. My situation hasn’t exactly improved, but at least I’m alert.
