One Second (Seven Series Book 7) (12 page)

“What did you give her?” I asked Katharine.

“Something I always carry with me. Once you have your own children, you’ll learn that the most crushing experience a mother can endure is to see her child in pain.” She stanched the bleeding by pressing a bloody towel against Hope’s temple. “I’ve given her just enough to let her sleep peacefully while we control the bleeding. Head wounds always look worse than they actually are. I don’t want to traumatize the poor dear.”

“What kind of depraved animal would attack a little girl?” I asked.

William stood by the window, keeping watch. “Someone who’s trying to pick off the weaklings from the herd. Have you ever watched how lions hunt?”

“That’s sick.”

“Indeed.” He pivoted around, his tattered black jacket swirling with him. William’s head was a mess of waves and curls, and I could barely see his eyes.

Not that I wanted to see his eyes.

I hadn’t seen a look of murder in them since the time he’d gone after Trevor’s ex. When Wheeler brought Hope into the house and William saw the brave girl crying, he’d looked ready to skin someone alive. Wheeler had shifted to guard the property while we waited for Austin and Reno to arrive, and they were no doubt running every red light to get home as fast as they could.

A knock sounded at the front door, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. It must be the Relic.”

Their approaching footsteps rattled the floorboards, and when Edward swung the door open, he went straight toward the teenager without breaking stride.

Edward set his black bag on the floor and changed places with Katharine, holding the bloody rag to Hope’s temple. “Has she been unconscious this whole time?” he asked, his British accent more difficult to understand when he spoke quickly.

“No,” Katharine said. “I sedated her.”

He gently lifted the rag and examined her wounds, the cadence of his voice more controlled and calming. “Yes, I can see three puncture marks. One on the temple and two under her jaw. They’ll require a few stitches. Rest assured this isn’t serious. I’ll just need to patch her up before infection sets in. It’s a good thing it wasn’t close to her eye.”

Edward stood up and dragged a small chair beside her.

William stepped away from the window, turning his attention to the Relic. “Will she scar?”

The Relic rummaged through his bag before pulling out a cloth to drape over the chair and then lining up several instruments on it. “Show me a Shifter who has pulled through childhood unscathed, and I’ll show you my bum. I have medicine that will help reduce scarring, but I’m less concerned over her injuries as I am the cause of this wound. They said a rogue attacked her?”

I collapsed in a chair. “Yes. Mel, my niece, was with her. She said the wolf came right up to them and attacked without provocation.”

“Curious,” he muttered.

William’s jaw set. “What do you mean?”

Edward glanced over his shoulder. “Only that this is the fourth case I’ve seen in the past two weeks.”

“Children?” I asked in disbelief.

“The first one was not so fortunate. She was a small child who couldn’t defend herself against two wolves. Before I was able to get there, the Packmaster had already sent out his second-in-command to hunt the wolves and kill them. At first I thought it was a strange sickness going around—something new and unique afflicting Shifters. But the Packmaster refused an autopsy or further investigation. He was content with an eye for an eye. The other two children sustained minor injuries, but their stories were similar. I’m not one to pry, but I overheard talk about a pack war. Is that true?”

Katharine gripped the back of the couch, watching him treat the wounds. “I suppose there’s no sense in hiding the truth from a Relic since you understand the importance of secrecy. We know nothing about when or how, but we’re quite certain it’s coming.”

Edward prepped a needle for the local anesthesia. “Either their animals are growing restless for blood, or they’re creating discord by random acts of violence.”

I rubbed my eyes, my head pounding as the adrenaline began to taper off.

“Might I recommend you share this knowledge with the Breed community?” he suggested. “There are those who would be willing to fight alongside you. Yes, many would stand idly by and do nothing, but rest assured times have changed. Even if the number is small, it’s more than you have now.”

William looked upon Edward with doubt. “And would you be willing to die for a Shifter?”

Edward met his gaze. “Yes, as it so happens, I would. But I wouldn’t be of much assistance as a corpse, now would I? My skills are put to better use treating the wounded than carrying a gun. Consider me a different sort of ally.”

Trevor burst into the room. “Hold on to your panties, because a shitstorm is about to rain down.”

I noticed his dry leather oxfords, flecks of dirt clinging to the edges. “Is it raining?”

“It’s gonna be pouring in about ten seconds.”

That’s when it registered. The roar outside wasn’t thunder—it was Lorenzo’s Ferrari.

Trevor crossed the room and stood at the end of the sofa, looking down at the injured girl.

At fourteen, Hope dressed so differently than Melody. Modest attire, earth tones, and a subtle influence of Native American. It was chilly outside, and today she had on a pair of tan fur-lined boots with buckles around the ankles. They seemed so large on her thin legs, which were covered with dark leggings and an oversized brown sweater.

Edward moved her long hair aside, running a white cotton ball soaked with peroxide across her face. “Let me numb her skin before she comes around. If I can manage to stitch her up before she even wakes—”

“Where is she?” Lorenzo bellowed. “Hope!”

The feral sound of a father’s roar penetrated through the walls and forced me out of my chair. I backed up toward William and Trevor, and they stepped closer. Lorenzo would never harm us, but the instinct to protect my unborn child made me more defensive than ever before.

Edward rose up and fell back a step.

The door crashed in and hit the wall. Lorenzo obviously hadn’t even put on a coat, because all I saw were his bare arms all the way up to the shoulders. His muscles flexed as he stalked toward the couch, brows drawn together in an angry slant, energy crackling around him.

When he reached the edge of the sofa, he dropped to his knees, where he cradled her head and spoke in his native tongue.

“You must be the father,” Edward said, his voice respectful and filled with compassion. “I’m the Relic summoned to treat her, and she’s in the best of hands. If I could just stitch up her wounds before she wakes—”

“Who. Did. This?” Lorenzo said in slow, menacing words. He turned his head and gave us a look so baleful that a chill raced up my spine.

“A rogue,” I answered.

“And
where
is he?”

“Here.” Wheeler appeared in the doorway. A dead wolf slid off his shoulders and hit the floor with a thud. He stood naked, with only his tattoos dressing his skin. “My wolf picked up his scent. He was on Weston land, so his ass was mine.”

Lorenzo nodded in approval, a swath of long hair slipping in front of his eyes. “Wrap the body. I want to hang him on my property line as a warning.”

“You got it.” Wheeler grabbed the wolf’s hind leg and dragged him out of the room.

Lorenzo turned his attention back to Hope, placing a petal-soft kiss on her cheek. I couldn’t imagine his anguish to have come so close to losing his only child—his beloved daughter who had awakened a side of Lorenzo I’d never known.

Edward placed his hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder. “Let me care for your daughter. There will be plenty of time for conversation later.”

Austin shouldered his way through the busy crowd at the Blue Door.
Normally Howlers was his hangout spot, but when private meetings away from nosy packmates were needed, he went to the upscale clubs because of the soundproofed rooms in the back.

The crowd parted when they observed three formidable Packmasters walking together, energy pulsing off them like a warning.

Austin closed the door to their private room, turning his attention to Prince and Church. “This situation is out of control.”

“You don’t need to tell me this,” Church said, heading straight for the bar. He slammed a short glass on the hard surface and impatiently poured whiskey, spilling it everywhere. “I received a call today that a wolf attacked my only child. Her wounds will heal, but that terror will forever stain her memories. A father’s job is to protect his child from suffering and mental anguish.” He began to take a sip, but then he suddenly threw the glass against the wall, and it shattered. When he turned, the cords of muscle in his neck strained against his turquoise choker. Church wiped his wet hand against his black shirt. “And tell me, Cole, what were the girls doing wandering out of your sight?”

Austin strode across the room and sat in a swivel chair. “The same thing they do on your property, Church. They feel protected because wolves pay attention to territorial lines and don’t attack children. This could have happened anywhere, and you better believe I’m mad as hell it happened on my land.”

Prince eased into the chair across from Austin, his dark hair tightly bound at his nape. He held the highest rank in their territory and looked the part in a blue dress shirt and dark slacks. He steepled his fingers, eyes downcast. “You’ve all heard of Katarina Kozlov. She has many connections as a former bounty hunter. I’ve spoken to her about the Council’s proposal. I can’t delegate my men to unstable packs who will flip on a dime and fight alongside the Northerners. My territory is substantial, and there’s no doubt they’ll target me with their strongest men. Kat believes they’re testing the weaknesses of the middle packs to figure out how many men they need to win that territory. Children tend to wander. These rogues want to see how closely you’re guarding your land, how many wolves respond, what you do in terms of beefing up security, et cetera. The more organized you are, the more men they’ll need.”

Austin widened his legs. “No more of this bullshit. I’ve got two packmates guarding the property at all times now. That’s all I can afford. This could go on for months or years, and I have to make sure everyone continues to earn their wages. My second-in-command is responsible for organizing the patrol and coordinating work schedules. The kids aren’t allowed outside without supervision.”

Church sat on a barstool, wiping his palm against his camo pants. “I’m uneasy with the waiting game. While they plot and plan, we sit here like easy prey. Why not hunt them down and drive them out?”

Prince swiveled his chair toward Church. “And how will you prove to the Council which rogues have malicious intent? This city is full of decent rogues, and some of them—despite what animal they are—are our allies. But it won’t take much to change their minds, especially if we discriminate against every Shifter who isn’t a wolf or in a pack.”

Church tilted his head to the side. “Then what do you suggest?”

“I’ve heard scattered reports of kills,” Prince stated, gripping the armrests of his chair. “I’ve fought many battles, and it’s more advantageous to capture prisoners to gain information. We need to find out who their leader is and what their plans are. I know a local Vampire who owes me a favor. He can charm them for information and scrub their memory when he’s done.”

Austin grinned. “That’s against the law.” It was more of a statement than a warning; Austin had bent the law many times in the name of justice.

Prince arched one eyebrow. “A man who follows rules keeps the peace. A man who knows when to break them is a Packmaster.”

Church slid off his stool. “I like the way you think. Tell me, what can we do to bait them?”

Austin bit his lip; he knew where this was going. The rogues were testing the smaller packs, and that meant only Austin was under fire. “I’ll do it,” he volunteered. “But only with your help. I’ll be damned if I’m going to send out one of my kids, so maybe one of the women will volunteer. Izzy’s a tough bitch, and if a Shifter comes up on her, he’s going to have a hell of a fight on his hands.”

Church knitted his brows. “What about your mate? Is Lexi not a warrior?”

Austin gave him a cursory glance before looking at Prince. “Lexi’s pregnant.”

Prince’s strict features melted into a warm smile, and his mismatched eyes glittered with admiration. “Congratulations are in order.”

“Didn’t think you had it in you,” Church remarked.

“Shut the hell up,” Austin fired back. “I respect our alliance, despite the fact you’re a prick who’s always digging up the past. But the one thing you’re
not
going to do without an ass kicking is insult my mate—directly or indirectly. Are we straight?”

Church grinned and gave him a curt nod. “As an arrow.”

“We’ll only do this once,” Prince began. “I wouldn’t want to endanger your pack more than that. What kind of support are you looking for?”

Austin took a deep breath and stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankle. This was a delicate situation, and Austin hoped Prince wouldn’t offer one of his men. As generous as that would be, it might disrupt the harmony within Austin’s pack and cause fights. Austin was still on the fence about accepting that offer, because if it didn’t go well, it might create friction with the one man he wanted to keep an alliance with.

“I don’t want to deal with the disobedience a new packmate can bring. I also have two cats, and they don’t put up with bullshit wolf behavior.” Austin glanced up at the clock. “Do you think your betas can take charge for a little while so we can take care of this rogue?”

Lorenzo huffed. “How long is a little while? Are you suggesting that Prince and I stay at your home?”

Austin scraped his fingernail against the upholstery on the chair. “No band of rogues would stand a fighting chance against three alphas, but I only need you there as backup and to help question anyone we capture. We’ll see if they take the bait, but it might take more than a day. If it doesn’t work out, you go home, no worse for wear. Your packs aren’t in any immediate danger, but if you want peace of mind, tell your second-in-command to keep women and children inside until your return.”

“Are you not considering packmate donations?” Prince asked, switching back to the previous topic. “You’re in a position to request, or do you not trust my men?”

Austin had given it a lot of thought. Probably too much, and he’d lost sleep over it. “That’s something we can discuss later. For this particular job, it’s better if we’re all involved. Driving him off the property poses too much risk, and I don’t know your Vamp well enough to invite him inside unless you’re present. If the Council gets wind of what we’re doing, then trouble comes to all parties involved. Let’s keep our packmates out of it.”

“Agreed,” Church said. “Regardless of what’s to come, I’ve worked a long time to gain the respect of my elders, but these situations are a necessary evil.”

“Then it’s settled.” Prince rose to his feet and glanced at his watch. “Cole, devise a plan to get your packmates off the property for the afternoon. Be sure to let the young woman helping us know to keep this a secret from everyone, including her mate, until we decide our next course of action.”

Austin stood up and circled around his chair, resting his hands on the back. “Maybe nothing happens and we’ve wasted our time, but it’s worth a shot. If anyone’s watching my land, then they’re doing it right now. Especially when they notice that one of their men has gone missing. This is the best opportunity we’ve got. If we can’t catch one tonight, you two can sleep in the heat house, and we’ll try again tomorrow.”

Prince and Church exchanged an awkward glance.

“How many beds are there?” Church inquired.

Austin chuckled. “I’ll pretend we have business matters to discuss, which may or may not continue through tomorrow. We’re facing a pack war, so they’ll respect our privacy and won’t challenge me with questions. The heat house doesn’t have windows, so if we have spies on the property, they won’t know you’re there. I take your safety seriously. My pack won’t discuss your visit with anyone on the outside; they’re familiar with security protocol.”

Austin took a deep breath, the smell of stale cigarettes clinging to the stagnant air.

As if reading his mind, Lorenzo pulled a cigarette from a soft pack tucked in the pocket of his cotton shirt. “And what if a rogue sees us enter the property?”

“I’ve got two wolves on guard; no one is going to see you unless it’s from the main road. Leave your cars here, and I’ll drive. Duck down if that’s your concern, but I don’t think we’re dealing with the Shifter FBI.”

The light flashed by the door, signaling someone was requesting entrance.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Prince asked.

Austin shook his head and moved toward the door. He wasn’t on the best of terms with the owner of this place, but he’d spoken with the bartender about making sure no one disturbed them. Through the peephole, a distorted image of a young man was peering back at him.

“I don’t know this guy.”

“Let me see,” Church said, shouldering Austin aside. He cupped his hand around his eye and then suddenly jerked his head back, staring at the door for a silent beat.

Austin tensed. “You know him?”

Church unlocked the door, and they stepped back. “What are you doing here, Lakota?”

A young man with Native American features and blue eyes stared back at them. His hair wasn’t as long as Church’s—just past his shoulders.

“I see you still haven’t dropped that habit,” Lakota said, nodding at the cigarette in Church’s hand. “I spoke with Mother this morning and took the first flight out when I heard what happened.” He folded his arms and lifted his chin. “I’m here to protect Hope. I’m here to be my sister’s watchdog.”

Church tucked the unlit cigarette back into his pocket. “You shouldn’t have come. Your mother wouldn’t want you in danger. Your parents wouldn’t want you down here.”

One eyebrow arched into a sharp angle. “My parents are the ones who encouraged me to come. They revere family as much as you do, and they respect my wishes to guard my sister. My father shattered a lamp when I told him what had happened to Hope. Anyhow, I called your house, and Caleb told me you were here.”

Lakota was the son Ivy had given up for adoption. Austin had met him a few times when his parents brought him down to visit her, but he’d been just a boy then. Church treated him like a son. He was about twenty now and had grown into a strong man.

Church gave him a brief hug and patted him on the shoulder. “You have impeccable timing, Lakota. I’ll be away on business for a day—maybe more. I need someone to look after my family while Caleb manages the pack. You know your mother; she’s headstrong and doesn’t always listen to him,” he said with a laugh. “Keep them inside no matter how insistent she is to leave. She gets suspicious when I’m away, and I don’t want her looking for me and giving me something else to worry about.”

Lakota smiled and put his hands in his pockets. “No worries.”

“How long will you stay?” Church asked.

Lakota lifted his chin, the same stubborn chin that belonged to his mother. “Until the war is over.”

Pride twinkled in Church’s eyes, and both Austin and Prince greeted Lakota with a short bow. It was good to see a spirited wolf ready to protect his family. His adoptive parents had raised him right.

Church looked down disapprovingly at Lakota’s sandals and red T-shirt with a wolf’s head in a snarl. “Where is your coat?”

Lakota snorted. “Coat? I just came from three feet of snow and wind that will freeze your piss before it hits the ground. Your winter is my spring.”