Once inside the warehouse, Dylon gestured to Cody to lead the way. It was slow going, weaving through a minefield of scrap metal pieces littering the floor that could alert Willow if they accidentally stepped on one. The three of them moved more slowly than Cody did when he was alone, but Dylon knew better than to rush this part of his plan. When his mate finally stopped in front of one of the office doors, Dylon sniffed Willow’s tiger scent seeping out from under it. Motioning for Zane to step forward, he clasped one of his hands while Cody grabbed the other one.
Giving a short nod, Zane whispered, “One…two…three…ghost walker.”
Once inside, Dylon saw Willow lying under a wrinkled piece of cloth, her face to the wall. Knowing how powerful her animal was, he glanced at Zane, jerking his head toward the door.
Dropping Dylon and Cody’s hands, Zane turned and, ghost walked out of the room to stand guard in case more of the Collector’s kidnappers showed up.
With Zane out of harm’s way, Dylon watched as Cody became invisible.Babe, you know what to do.
Yup…approaching her now.Leaning down over Willow, Cody softly called her name. When nothing happened, he did it again, only a little louder, causing her to roll over so she was now facing Dylon. Using his mind link, Cody asked Dylon what he wanted him to do.
Babe, do it again only louder.
“Willow Thatcher,” Cody said, raising his voice.
Watching her body for signs of movement, but seeing none, Dylon wondered if she was still suffering from the effects of a sedative her kidnappers probably gave her. His eyes searched the slumbering body again but found not even a twitch of a muscle until he reached her face and saw her yellow eyes glowing.Tyger, tyger burning bright…popped into his head—the beginning of the poem his mother made him memorize when they were living in India. “Cody, get back!” he shouted, just before Willow shifted and lunged at Dylon, knocking him down.
Alarmed at the sounds of scuffling coming from behind the door, Zane yelled, “Cody!” Then, unsure of what to do next, he stared at the door, his urge to re-enter the room fast becoming uncontrollable.
Dylon was struggling to grab the tiger by the neck and flip her on her back, while trying to avoid the snarling, snapping jaws filled with razor sharp teeth. It took him several tries, then using his Herculean strength, he was finally able to immobilize Willow’s tiger. Once that was done, he slowly rose to his feet while keeping a tight grip on the animal.
Creeping forward, Glenn held up his hand, bringing Riley to a sudden stop behind him. The shifter who could ghost walk was facing away from them, looking at the door. Alarmed by the sounds of growls and gnashing teeth followed by silence, he now feared for his mother’s life. Drawing a knife strapped to his leg, Glenn rose silently, advancing until he stood directly behind the guard. Within seconds, he had Zane in an inescapable choke hold, whispering, “Don’t make a sound, or I’ll kill you.” After his prisoner squeaked his acknowledgement, Glenn turned to his friend. “Showtime, Riley,” he said.
Dylon was trying to speak to Willow when suddenly the door to the room smashed against the wall, revealing aman holding Zane tightly with one arm while the other held a knife pressed to his throat.
Glenn’s gut reacted to seeing his mother’s tiger immobilized, realizing then just how powerful the wolf shifter was. His eyes skirted the room, looking for the third shifter; he couldn’t see him but assumed he was invisible and still a threat. Then, focusing on the man holding his mother, he snarled, “Let her go or I’ll kill your buddy here.”
Seeing the fear in Zane’s eyes, Dylon released Willow’s tiger, raising his hands as proof he’d done as ordered while telling his mate thru their mind link.Cody, get behind me.
“Riley, help Mom,” Glenn commanded.
“I did as you requested, now please release my friend,” Dylon said, calmly.
“Not until I find out why you were trying to kidnap my mother,” snarled Glenn.
“We weren’t,” squeaked Zane.
“That’s not what I saw,” growled Glenn.
Dylon studied the man holding Zane hostage. There was something familiar about him. Racking his brains, it took a minute before he realized where he’d seen him before. “Glenn, I’m Dylon Royd…you were one of my teachers at the High Council’s Elite Fighting Force School.”
“So, you say,” Glenn snapped. “What I wanna know is why you were attacking my mother.”
“Our Alpha sent us here to find her and bring her back with us,” Dylon said. “She’s in danger because of what she knows.”
After shifting and getting dressed behind the tarp Riley held up to give her privacy, Willow appeared. “Who’s your Alpha?”
“Jackson Blackwood,” Dylon said, “but you would know him as Hope’s son, Jackson Fox River.”
“Sorry,” Willow answered, “I don’t know Jackson or his mother.”
“She told me you would say that,” Dylon replied.
“Really?” Willow asked. “When?”
“A couple of nights ago, Hope dreamed Josiah found out you witnessed the massacre and ordered your death. She begged Jackson to find and protect you. As soon as we learned you’d been kidnapped, we flew to New York. We found where your kidnappers were holding you and went to the apartment, but you were gone. It just took a little more detective work to find you here.”
“Impressive,” Willow remarked, “however, I don’t believe any of it. Jackson is dead. I saw it with my own eyes.” Turning to her son, she said, “Do what you want with them. I’m leaving,” walking toward the door.
