We’d made quick progress across the country to Texas, and as badly as I wished to be in my dragon form, shielded from the heavier emotions of losing my omega, I refused to tire myself out before we arrived.
I had no idea what to expect or how hard they’d be to find; none of my searches brought up any property owned by Blaine or his pack in Marfa, Texas. Wherever they were holding Emme was completely off grid, with no registered electricity or plumbing connected.
We’d be tracking them the old-fashioned way, helped along hopefully by the tangible connection between Hunter, Kellan, and Emme. A connection I didn’t have yet, maybeever,and for once I was grateful not to be suffering with my brothers. I needed to keep my head clear while in enemy territory.
During our flight, Hunter had taken to staring pensively out the window, his hands steepled in front of him. His face was expressionless but his eyes blazed gold—he was on the edge. I’d never seen him this close to losing it, and a complete loss of control would have him making mistakes.
Mistakes that could hurt Emme.
Hence why I was determined to remain as calm as possible, despite the rage building in my gut.
Kellan had taken to pacing up and down the plane, his hand rubbing in circular motions across his chest. Sorrow, pain, and desperation bled from them both, and I couldn’t begin to fathom how hard it was to have bonded and then lost her, when I was struggling not to shift and all but disintegrate this fucking plane.
Emme had burrowed under my skin so flawlessly that I never saw it coming. She’d been a curiosity when she first appeared on the scene, and I’d had no idea if I would embrace or destroy the interloper to our pack life. That curiosity soon turned into obsession as I found myself stalking her every step, following digitally, along with in real life.
Everything about her took me by surprise, from the way her eyes lit up and she’d throw her head back to laugh when she was truly happy, to the concentration on her face when she was attempting to decipher words. She had no idea how strong she was, but I saw it. I saw it every damn day.
Fuck, I knew her face better than my own, with all her tanned skin and freckles—that I could map in my sleep—along with the icy blue of her eyes and strawberry hint in her hair.
I knew her… and I’d still fucking lost her.
The memories of our prank war were some of the best I had in my life, but I couldn’t let it happen again. I’d been amused when she shut down the cameras, and I hadn’t overridden them so I could experience her prank without any prior knowledge.
My selfish needs had gotten her kidnapped and hurt.
I had no idea yet what my choice fully cost her, but I would find out soon enough. I just hoped I could live with the consequences of my actions. One thing I did know for sure was that it would never happen again.
Our mate might have thought she was under surveillance before, but that was nothing on how closely I’d watch her now. Every step. Every breath. Every fucking second, she was mine.
The pilot’s voice came through the speaker advising us that we were about to land, and to take our seats. Kellan ignored him completely, growling and grumbling as he stomped up and down the aisle. Hunter continued to scowl into the dark sky, the morning sun not yet breaking through on the horizon.
We were heading for a private airfield that we’d paid a fuck-ton to use, keeping our names and organization out of all paperwork. We wouldn’t risk Emme by giving those bastards advance notice of our arrival.
Hunter pulled to his feet and grabbed the tactical gear we always had stored on our plane. He handed Kellan an armored vest and weapons, before he donned his own. I didn’t bother. Most likely I’d be in my dragon form for this battle, and it was better not to weigh myself down with gear that’d only get destroyed.
“There’s a car waiting here for us,” Hunter said, his voice rasping from lack of use. “And an ATV in Marfa. If she’s in an underground bunker, I doubt they’re keeping her in the town itself, and I want to be prepared for anything. Including isolated and rugged terrain.”
“I’ll be in dragon form,” I said flatly. “I can track her better that way. You will follow my lead.”
It wasn’t that I generally toned down my dominance around Hunter, but I never pushed it either. He was the entitled alpha by my choice; we all accepted the hierarchy with no need to challenge it, but today I was too furious and worried to keep my essence contained.
Hunter, thankfully, just nodded, also too pissed off to fight me when we had other assholes to deal with.
The plane touched down smoothly, none of us in our seats as ordered, and by the time we came to a halt, Kellan had already released the door and was preparing to disembark.
“Fuel up and plan to take off at short notice,” Hunter advised the pilot and copilot as we headed down the stairs. I immediately spotted a black Mercedes Maybach S680 sitting off the side of the runway, waiting as Hunter had promised.
We’d never owned one of these, and frankly I didn’t give a shit about cars today, but at least I knew it was fast and somewhat discreet. Hunter got into the driver’s side, and Kellan slid into the back so I could take the passenger seat. I was our greatest defense if we were attacked, which made this the best formation.
“Get there fast,” I growled, my beast sending flames through my center until the car filled with the scent of smoke and the heat of dragon fire.
“My fucking pleasure,” Hunter murmured, putting his foot down so hard we were thrown back in our seats.
The speed helped to calm me. I maintained it was the second best feeling to flying.
The airfield was a fair distance from Marfa, but the car handled the roads well and got us into the city in record time. Once we reached the main street, Hunter navigated through a series of backroads until he reached an old mechanic’s yard. The metal gates opened after Hunter keyed in a code, and I knew this facility was human-owned.
Humans liked money, which came in handy when we needed their assistance. They all had a price, and generally, we could afford it.
