Knight Rescue (Rise of the Wolf Nation Book 1) Read online

  Silas nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. “At the airport, Umi gets a car for travel. We check for explosives, be prepared for any and everything. Treat this as a hostile trip. Not everyone’s happy about this.”

  Angus nodded. “Wish we had some of our security stuff from the house before it blew, it’d make things easier.”

  “Rely on your beast, me and Hawke to watch your back. This will be old school for sure. It’s been years since I’ve had to prove myself like this.” He smiled at Angus. “I’m looking forward to the challenge, you?”

  “Kind of. I don’t like the disrespect for pack ways I’ve seen here. Still can’t get over them using explosives to kill humans, that’s crazy.” He shook his head. “What if it hadn’t been us? Plus, did they really think humans could snap the necks of full-bloods?”

  “I plan to address that.” Silas would make sure they never did anything like that again.

  “Good. They give full-bloods a bad name,” Angus said.

  Hawke walked into the room dressed in boxers. He moved to his suitcase and started to dress. Silas stood, and headed to the bathroom.

  “Silas,” Angus called.

  Silas looked over his shoulder and caught the black boxers with one hand.

  “Don’t forget your chastity belt,” Angus said, and then laughed when Silas gave him the finger.

  UMI LANDED THE PRIVATE jet at the airport smoothly and waved good bye to Silas and his entourage as they exited the plane and headed toward customs. He would meet them out front later.

  Word of Silas’ arrival spread, or the sight of three, dark-haired, well-dressed men, each standing either at six and a half feet or taller, striding through the concourse stopped people in their tracks to stare or ogle. Silas inhaled the scents of several full-bloods and met their gazes directly until they turned away or lowered their gazes. They were ushered through customs as if they were celebrities.

  Some full-bloods smiled and nodded greetings, others looked from a distance with worried expressions, others frowned. None approached, which was as it should be. They picked up their luggage, noted the plastic wrap that Umi used had been torn in places but not removed. He looked at his watch. Umi should be bringing the car around soon.

  Silas had no idea how Umi completed all his tasks with the level of excellence he displayed but was grateful for his service. Moments later a dark car pulled in front of the airport. Umi stepped out and opened the back door. Silas strode out and handed Umi his suitcase. Umi popped the trunk, placed the luggage in back and closed the door behind Silas as Hawke and Angus stored their luggage in the trunk and closed it. Angus sat next to Silas while Hawke sat up front next to Umi.

  “I trust all is well, Sir?” Umi said.

  “Everything’s fine,” Silas said.

  “Did you notice anything unusual at the airport?” Silas asked Angus and Hawke.

  “Lots of full-bloods. I don’t recall that many when we arrived the first time,” Hawke said. “Mostly curious though. I didn’t see anything hostile.”

  “Me neither,” Angus said. “Did you scan the car?” He looked at Silas.

  “Yeah, twice.”

  “So did I,” Hawke said.

  “Are we going to Téguz while we’re here?” Angus asked.

  Silas didn’t want to take this battle to the country’s capital and preferred to remain in the outer regions at least initially. Unfortunately, the capital, Santa Barbara and the more densely populated areas were hit with gang turfs for humans and full-bloods. He’d need to convince the packs to give up gang warfare, and develop a better way of life separate from humans. Quite frankly he didn’t think it’d work, not in the seven days the Goddess allotted them. All he could do was try and he was willing to do that.

  “I’m not sure,” Silas answered and looked out the window. Several people watched as they drove by. Word of his arrival spread fast. Grandfather had been burning the midnight oil to pull this off. When Umi pulled into the portico of the hotel. The doorman opened Silas’ door with a large smile. “Welcome to the Palisades. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your visit.”

  Silas nodded, buttoned his jacket as he inhaled and identified the full-bloods watching. He met their curious gazes and held them until they turned or bowed their heads. The doorman took the luggage inside, Hawke entered the foyer first, then Silas, followed by Angus. They’d decided the optics of his arrival were critical and he agreed with the grandstanding. Hawke checked them in while Silas scanned the area and met more curious gazes. Once Hawke had keys for their rooms, Silas led the way to the elevator, an older female full-blood was cleaning a mirror while watching them. She’d rubbed the same spot for a few minutes.

  Silas stopped and smiled at her. “Buenos Dias,” he said, using his limited Spanish.

  Her face reddened as she beamed. “Ah, La Patron, it is a good day when you arrive here. Buenos Dias, Sir.”

  He patted her hand and nodded before entering the elevator to head to the third floor. Jacques had rented the entire floor for their use.

  Hawke tipped the porter and locked the door behind him before scanning the room for bugs, bombs or electronics. No one was surprised when he found a few listening devices and cameras. Perhaps they thought Silas didn’t use his mental link to communicate because they couldn’t. He sat on the sofa and looked out the window for a few minutes. Did the Goddess give him the ability to compel the wolves here like in the States? Not the small episode he’d done at the lab the other day which was limited to the immediate area and was a simple tug to bring them inside the building. If he could control the wolves here, it would make his job easier. He would know one way or the other soon enough.

  There was a knock on the door. Angus looked at his watch. “That was fast, not here ten minutes.” He looked out the peephole and then over his shoulder at Silas. “It’s the old full-blood who challenged Crall at the lab the other day.”

  Intrigued, Silas removed his coat, laid it over the sofa and unbuttoned his sleeves. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”

  Angus opened the door and scanned the man. He stepped aside.

  Silas threw a protective bubble over the floor. No one in or out until he released it.

  “La Patron welcome to Honduras.” The older man bowed his head and looked at Hawke who stood in the doorway of a bedroom. “I’m Jorge Fajardo, an elder of the Red wolf pack, near the mountains.”

  Silas pursed his lips. “Is that a pack or a gang of rebellious youth who disobey the rules set down by the Goddess?” He decided to get to the point, no sugar-coating, they only had seven days.

  Jorge’s face tightened. “You have no doubt heard rumors of our pack, most are untrue, founded on jealousy and mutual distrust.”

  “You have no idea what I’ve been told, or who sent me, or the purpose of my visit,” Silas said in a hard tone. “Don’t presume to second guess me, Jorge. I assure you I have not traveled this distance because I don’t have affairs at home that need my attention.”

  Jorge nodded. “My apologies, La Patron. Word of your arrival spread after an incident in which members of my pack have been unfairly blamed. It was my intention to discuss the matter with you before your views were tainted with gossip and misinformation.” He sounded like a petulant child.

  “Tainted? The Goddess does not taint. Members from your pack used plastic explosives to kill humans... did you hear me? They went there to kill humans because they assumed a human broke the necks of two full-bloods.” Silas crossed his arms. “Tell me, Jorge. How likely is that to happen?”

  Jorge swallowed hard. “Not likely, Sir.”

  “Yet these men, three of them, used explosives to take innocent lives, which could impact our way of life on every continent. Did you think the Goddess would allow this type of behavior to continue?”

  The older man seemed to shrink within himself. “I... I guess not.”

  “Why are you really here?” Silas asked after a few moments. “Not to plead for the lives of the guilty, so why?” />
  “To find out if it’s true? Are you here to take over our country as Alpha?”

  “No,” Silas said without hesitation.

  Jorge frowned. “Then why?”

  “Think, Jorge. Think,” Silas said softly as he moved closer to the old man and placed his hand on his shoulder. Within seconds he had the names of the three gang members who used the explosives. He passed those names onto Angus and Hawke to keep a watch.

  “For justice? To destroy our pack?”

  “No. I’m commissioned by the Goddess. She’s giving the packs here, in this country a chance to change, follow the rules and live.”

  Jorge’s eyes widened. “You’ll destroy us?”

  “No. I can’t do that.” Silas paused and removed his hand. “The Goddess will take care of that detail.”

  “What do we need to do?” Jorge asked in a tremulous tone.

  Silas waved to the sofa. “Please, have a seat.” He sat next to his guest, crossed his leg over his knee and met Jorge’s frightened gaze. “How difficult would it be to return to the ways the Goddess set forth decades ago?”

  The old man shook his head. Sorrow leaked from his pores. “We’re doomed, they will not change their ways, they’ve been doing it too long.”

  “If you had to designate someone for Alpha, who would you choose?” Silas ignored the gloom talk and zeroed in for a list of candidates.

  “Alpha? For Red Wolves?”

  Silas waved. “No for the country?”

  Jorge’s eyes bulged. “Honduras Alpha? No... cannot be done. Packs will not serve. We are different here, La Patron. Too many go their own way. Too—”

  “But if you had to think of someone, who would you choose?”

  Jorge frowned and looked up at Silas. “One Alpha?” He looked at Hawke and back at Silas.

  “One Alpha in charge of other Alphas who serve the pack in their areas,” Silas clarified.

  “Like in the States?” Jorge said slowly.

  Silas nodded and waited.

  “There are a few, but they may not want the headache.” He glanced at Hawke again. “You will help these Alphas? There will be trouble.”

  Silas grinned slowly as he looked at Angus who also smiled. “How would I get the word out that I’m looking for Alphas to step up to help save Honduras? We’ll have some challenges, some meetings and choose some Alphas,” Silas asked. He wanted to get started as soon as possible.

  “I... I don’t know for sure. This is not, we thought you... I must think, maybe ask others, when do you wish to start?” He rubbed his palms against his pant legs.

  “We have started. Get the word out what I’m looking for and why, bring a list back this evening. The Goddess didn’t give me a lot of time to get things done so you’ll need to move fast,” Silas said.

  “Will you mention this at the meeting tonight?” Jorge asked.

  “What time is the meeting?” Silas glanced at Angus.

  “Seven this evening in the parque, many people are planning to come,” Jorge said.

  “We need security,” Silas told Hawke.

  “Not sure what I can rig up that fast with no equipment,” Hawke said.

  Silas nodded.

  “Bless the Goddess, you mind-speak,” Jorge said, his gaze flitting from Silas to Angus to Hawke. “I’ve lost the ability, so have many others but a few still can and we depend on them to get the word out about things. Can we get that back?”

  “You’ll need to petition the Goddess, it’s Her gift to give,” Silas said.

  “Yes, Si, Si, of course. So, you will do to my country what has been done in yours? Is that why you’re here?” Jorge asked.

  Silas leaned forward and met Jorge’s curious gaze. “I’m going to be honest with you, the packs in this country have a choice, change and follow the Goddess’ rules or cease to exist. Your sloppiness endangers full-bloods all over the world, including me and my pack. We can’t allow the humans to know about us, that’s the number one rule, which your packs, all of them, are breaking. No way it will continue.”

  “Cease? To exist?” Jorge stuttered as his brows rose and hands shook.

  Silas glanced at Angus and then at Jorge. “Have you heard the Old Testament story of Lot?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  SILAS, ANGUS AND HAWKE walked the three miles to the park which was simply an open clearing in the woods near the mountain about half the size of a high school football field. When they arrived, Silas walked a circle and place Angus in one spot and Hawke in another across from Angus. He then placed a secure bubble around the circle, instructing Angus and Hawke to scan and only allow full-bloods to enter. Everyone had to enter by Hawke or Angus’s hand opening a door in the bubble. Silas stepped out the bubble and announced how he expected everyone to enter, the safety precautions he put in place and warned violence wouldn’t be tolerated. After his announcement, he walked inside the bubble and waited as full-bloods entered. Many didn’t think the bubble would hold and tried to walk through the invisible wall without success.

  Once they realized Silas was serious about safety more entered and sat on the ground or on blankets they’d brought. Franz and another human tried to enter and was turned away. He stood outside with his hands stuffed in his pockets watching Silas greet people. When it was time to start, Silas had Angus and Hawke step inside and sealed the bubble. Late comers were not allowed inside and were disappointed that they could not hear anything being said in the meeting.

  Hawke stepped outside twice to speak to a few who tried to force their way inside. One threw a punch, it made contact on Hawke’s belly. He didn’t flinch. He picked the two full-bloods up and tossed them screaming across the park before he re-entered the meeting.

  Silas didn’t mince words. He explained the Goddess’ position, laid out their sins and the only acceptable resolution. He opened the floor for questions and possible debate. For the next two hours, the 100 or so people who arrived on time despaired over their fate, tossed around names of possible candidates, even though they wanted what the Goddess offered they didn’t trust Her to make it happen. By the end of the meeting Silas was ready to leave them to their fate. It had been centuries since he’d listened to full-bloods with no hope or fight for their way of life. They acted like sheep instead of wolves.

  “I’d like to start the challenges as soon as possible. I prefer the Alphas come from your homeland, but if the Goddess allows, they can come from Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador... anywhere in Central America. Send me challengers before outsiders come to lead.”

  The idea of outsiders leading them energized the people at the meeting. Silas looked at the large number of people standing outside the bubble. “We’ll meet here again tomorrow evening, same time, on time.”

  Those inside looked at the ones outside and nodded.

  Silas released the bubble and the noises from the crowd expanded. People were amazed they couldn’t enter the meeting and asked questions of those who attended. Several looked at Silas with respect and envy. He wondered if the future Honduran Alpha was in the crowd as he walked about greeting pack members.

  A large stone was thrown toward Silas who stood next to a full-blood and his mate listening to their concerns. Silas erected a shield in front of them, the stone hit with a loud bang scaring those nearby, and dropped to the ground. Angus flew forward with blurring speed. Shouts came from the distance as Angus walked toward him with his hand around the neck of a young, full-blood dragging him forward.

  Everybody stopped and watched.

  Silas looked at the couple standing next to him. “What’s your name?”

  The male looked nervous from the surrounding attention. “Renaldo, Sir. My mate, Sophia.” He pointed to the woman standing closely next to him.

  Silas glanced at the struggling male in Angus’ grip. “You owe this couple an apology. That stone would’ve hit his mate and then he’d have to kill you. You can also thank me for saving your life.”

  Those closest, gasped and whi
spered fiercely.

  The youngster spit at Silas’ feet.

  Silas sought the pup’s wolf, and squeezed its neck, which stopped the pup from shifting. Instantly, the pup fell and writhed in pain on the ground. Soon he was crying. Then he begged Silas to stop. People moved closer to see what was happening since Silas wasn’t touching the pup.

  “Are you ready to apologize to Renaldo and Sophia for interrupting our conversation?” Silas asked matter-of-factly.

  “Si...Si. Please stop.”

  Silas released him. The young man gasped, taking in air as if he’d been close to suffocating. He said some words in Spanish.

  “Again, so I can understand,” Silas demanded.

  “Please forgive me, Senor, Senora.”

  “Si, no worries,” Renaldo said taking his wife’s hand and moving aside.

  Silas stopped them. “If you have any problems because of this, I will find out and take care of it, even if you do not tell me. I will not have pack terrorize pack.” He said the last loud so they could all hear and pass the word along.

  Renaldo’s gaze flitted over the others as he nodded. “Thank you, La Patron.” He and his mate walked off. Silas bent and pulled the young pup to his feet and activated his bracelet. His heart wept for the crimes this one committed at the young age of 24. Silas thought of his pups at home and wondered if Solo, the pup’s name, would’ve had a sire and mam who cared for him as a pup, if his life would be different. Still, the blame lies at the feet of the pack for not training pups correctly if the parents weren’t around. Who was his Alpha? He found no answer to that question in Solo’s memories.

  Silas bent close Solo’s ear and repeated the many crimes the pup had committed, and warned him the Goddess would give him one last chance to straighten up.

  Solo’s eyes widened with shock and fear as if he’d seen a ghost. He backed away and ran off into the night. Silas hoped the pup would correct his life before too late.

  “La Patron, my name is Raven, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Silas looked down at the waitress and smiled. She was dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt with the name of the bar where she worked. Her dark hair was pulled back in a pony-tail making her look like a high school student.