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

  Silas grabbed her hands, held them high in one of his as he scolded her. “None of that. Do what you feel but if you put a mark on me, my mate will be furious and you don’t want that.” He pushed her backward. She stumbled a few feet and fell to one knee, staring at him.

  Angus and Hawke leaned against the car watching. “Where’s Franz? Or Duke?” Angus asked.

  “She must’ve ditched them somehow,” Hawke said.

  “They should be here by now,” Angus said scenting the air. “I think Duke’s here.”

  “Where the fuck are they?” She asked in a guttural voice. “What did you do to them?”

  “Killed them for killing their Alpha, what else?” Silas said in an up-beat tone.

  Her screech sent chill bumps across his arms. She leapt toward him with arms, and claws outstretched.

  Silas side stepped at the last moment, grabbed her by the neck, flipped her over, and slammed her to the ground. She jumped up and charged again. The whites in her eyes were almost completely red giving her a demonic appearance. Silas didn’t bother stepping aside this time, instead he punched her in the chest, knocking her back a bit. He followed that punch with several more until she staggered.

  She pulled out a knife, threw it at Hawke. It embedded into his shoulder. Thinking Silas distracted she leapt forward again. He batted her cheek with the back of her hand sending her flying into a nearby car. Even though the knife wouldn’t hurt Hawke, Silas was done being nice. He moved quickly, grabbed her by the head, twisted and broke her neck. He dropped her to the ground as Duke ran forward.

  “Nooooo,” he cried dropping beside her body. “It was the drugs. She could’ve been helped, she could’ve been helped.”

  “Maybe, but the moment she conspired to kill Alpha Ricardo, her fate was sealed,” Silas said in a hard tone. “Did you have anything to do with Ricardo’s death?”

  “Huh? What? Death? No.” His horrified gaze met Silas. The scent of truth filled the air.

  “What do you know about it?” Silas pressed.

  “Nothing. Not until we were at Franz’ retirement party on base. Tasha mentioned she’d heard something about his death. But she was lying, I could tell. I just didn’t know what part she lied about.” He stroked her hair a few more seconds. “The drugs changed her. She wanted to be Alpha. That’s all she ever wanted.” He looked at Silas. “She didn’t have the heart to care about pack, I told her that. She started the gang, talked Franz into searching for something to make her, us, the best.” He shook his head. “Nothing was ever good enough. She always wanted more. Franz spoiled her, gave her whatever she wanted. But he would never be her mate, in her own way she despised him for being human, even though he took drugs to change. If he hadn’t retired, who knows what would’ve happened. The military would’ve found out soon enough and kicked him out. Physically, he’s as messed up as the rest of us.”

  “The others are on the antidote, recovering. They aren’t messed up anymore,” Silas said.

  Duke’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? The stuff you promised my Uncle? You were serious?”

  Silas nodded.

  “Where?” Duke wiped his mouth and looked at his dead litter-mate. “How can I get some?”

  Hawke moved forward and offered him two pills. Duke’s gaze flit from Silas to Hawke and back to Silas. “This is it?”

  “Yes,” Silas said.

  Duke took the pills and swallowed them. “How long before I’m free?”

  “Give it two to three days,” Hawke said as he extended his hand to assist Duke to his feet. He wiped the moisture from his eyes with the back of his hand while staring down at his sibling. “I’ll miss her.”

  “Call Raven and Lucian, they’re still here,” Silas suggested.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  SILAS AND ANGUS ENTERED the hotel after sending Hawke to take Duke and Tasha’s body to Lucian and Raven on their pack lands. He suspected Lucian wouldn’t be happy, might balk over the Alpha’s position. If it was up to Silas, he’d pick Solo. The pup had heart and a loyal streak a mile wide. He simply needed training and a cause. Pack leader would provide both.

  Heading toward the elevator he hoped he could leave before the seventh day and wondered what the Goddess’ plans were for him now that the challenges were done.

  Umi met the elevator as he always did when Silas returned. “Would you prefer to eat before your rest, Sirs?”

  Silas glanced at Angus. “Food, a conversation with my mate and then sleep,” he said.

  “Same here,” Angus said as they entered Silas’ personal suite where they had their meals and planning sessions. “Watching you fight takes a lot of energy.” He chuckled and headed for the table.

  “I’ll bring your meals right away,” Umi said.

  “Hawke had an errand and will be here later, make sure there’s plenty for him,” Silas said to Umi’s back.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Obvious red demon effects aside, did the drug make her stronger than a Knight or KnightForce agent?” Angus pulled out a chair while watching Silas.

  Silas thought about it. “She was strong, that’s for sure, but nothing like those teams. Or my Alphas, or even some half-bloods. We’re supposed to be one with our beasts because we tap into their energies for cunning, strength, and sensory skills. It seems the drug enhanced the human side at the expense of her beast.”

  “So even if she gained extra skills, she lost her beast’s abilities which made her slightly better than the others but not much.” Angus paused. “Maybe that’s all she wanted, a slight edge.” He shrugged. “If she’d developed her beast better who knows. She could’ve been a great Alpha.”

  “She didn’t care about pack,” Silas reminded him. “She ordered her Uncle killed. Raven said they moved in with him after the death of her parents. No, she wasn’t Alpha material or even pack material.”

  “I think Lucian will get the job,” Angus said leaning back as Umi placed a large empty plate in front of him. Silently, Silas agreed but wasn’t sure.

  Aromatic smells of meats, breads, and other tasty bits filled the room as Umi removed the covers. He placed two platters filled with various meats on the table. Another with breads, and another with bowls of rice, beans, sauces and veggies.

  “Enjoy your meal, Sirs.” He bowed and left the room.

  Silas and Angus each took a platter of meat. He used his empty plate for the other stuff. Soon the only sound in the room was the scraping of forks on plates. When he finished, he pushed back from the table with a satisfied nod. “He’s good.”

  “Can we take him home?” Angus asked with a devilish grin.

  “Ask Jasmine,” Silas said.

  Angus grunted and turned aside.

  For several moments, neither spoke. “When you... when you were hit with the explosive,” Angus said looking at his clasped hands resting on his knee. “There was this void.” He moved his hand in a circular motion in front of his chest.

  Silas didn’t know what to say and remained silent.

  “I wasn’t sure what was missing until I came out of the darkness or whatever that was. Hawke told me about the explosion, the damage done, Rese, Rone, Jasmine and Shyla had been working on me for hours, feeding my beast energy so I could heal.”

  Silas’ chest tightened at the retelling, somehow they’d never gotten around to this before.

  “I remember lying down, looking up at the ceiling feeling so lost.” Angus cleared his throat. “I didn’t really understand it at the time but you’re the last of our litter. We’re the last, I mean. Without you, there’s this empty spot no one else can fill. Scared the shit out of me. Not being able to find you, blood calls to blood and I couldn’t find you.” The look of pain and sadness on his face spoke of the difficult time he experienced.

  “Grandfather must have blocked it,” Silas said, hoping to ease his brother’s pain.

  Angus nodded. “Probably. They don’t think what we’re going through during times like that. I needed to know y
ou were alive and healing.” He shook his head. “It was a constant demand in my mind, and heart, more than you being my Alpha.”

  Silas nodded. “When you disappeared to follow Shyla, I was not in the best frame of mind either. I knew you were alive, but I couldn’t find or connect to you. Drove me crazy, which impacted everyone around me.” He paused to allow his words to settle and add comfort. They’d both had similar experiences. “Nothing made my heart happier than hearing from Grandfather that you were mending, once I saw for myself, I was finally at peace.”

  Angus nodded. For several moments neither spoke. “Try not to do that again, it’s difficult on my mate,” Angus said without looking at Silas.

  “I’ll try,” Silas said dryly. “When are we going home? My pups returned to the Compound for a visit, I want to spend time with them before they leave.”

  “Adam and his mate?”

  Silas nodded.

  “There’s one thing I’d like to do before we leave,” Angus said in a serious tone.

  “What?”

  “Those assholes who blew us up, I want them.”

  Silas read the deathly determination in Angus’ eyes. “Without starting an international incident?”

  “No one will ever find them.”

  “But they’ll be missing.”

  “People go missing every day. They think they’ve gotten away and are just waiting for us to leave to continue their reign of terror.”

  Silas bit back a smile. Angus leaned towards the dramatic when he wanted something. “Reign of terror?”

  Angus snorted. “Call it whatever. I still want them to pay with their lives for what they did to us.” He looked at Silas. The need for vengeance rolled off him in waves.

  “Do you know where they’ve gone off too?” Silas asked. Those three were bad news, even the Honduran President had heard of the explosion and asked Silas if he planned to deal with it.

  “I’ll find them.”

  Silas didn’t doubt Angus for a second. “Okay. Make sure there’s no trail back to us. I want to leave as soon as the Goddess releases me.

  Angus’ face lit into a wide, feral grin. “I’ll rest later.” He left the suite humming.

  Silas chuckled and headed to the bedroom.

  “Franz is here, he’s wired and claims he has plastic explosives in place all over the pack grounds. He’s unhinged over Tasha’s death. Is it possible they were mates?” Hawke asked.

  “Anything’s possible. What does he want?” Silas asked.

  “Tasha. Once he saw her body, he lost it. Threatening to kill everyone with a push of the button.”

  Silas released a sigh and shook his head. “Seems every time I break a neck, it sets off serious repercussions.”

  “She killed her Alpha.” Hawke’s voice was implacable.

  “Yes. I should’ve waited for Franz, took care of them both at the same time. I’m slipping.”

  “She attacked you, Sir. There was no waiting for someone else. Her condition had deteriorated to the point she couldn’t have stopped and waited. Death, yours or hers, was the only objective at the time.”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t help save pack lives.”

  “In her mental state, chances are more pack lives would’ve been lost. I’ve contacted the other Alphas to come. They’ll remove the pack members from the area while we remain here. They should be here soon,” Hawke said.

  “Good.”

  “How’s Raven and Lucian responding to Tasha’s death?”

  “They’re upset.”

  “Are you in danger?” While Silas regretted Lucian and his litter-mate’s grief, he wouldn’t tolerate anything happening to his men.

  “Other than the bomb strapped to Franz’ waist and threats of more bombs on the grounds... no,” Hawke said.

  “What is it with this country and plastic explosives?” Silas asked preparing to go to Lucian’s.

  “Not sure, Sir. Franz knows a lot about them it seems. He’s screaming he’ll blow up the whole country.”

  “Over Tasha’s death?” Silas asked, curious.

  “Possibly.”

  “I’m on my way,” Silas said.

  “Are you sure? You’re the main target of his anger, it might trigger him to do something stupid.”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I started it, I’ll finish it.”

  “Yes, Sir. I’ll let your arrival be a surprise.”

  “Right.” Silas thought about the volatile situation for several moments.

  Jasmine wouldn’t handle it well if he arrived at Lucian’s without a plan. Her reaction would mirror his if she had recently recovered from being hit with explosives. Hell, he wouldn’t want her anywhere near Franz. He ran his hand through his hair, thinking hard on how to handle this.

  Moments later contacted General Crall. “We have a situation and this is what I want you to tell the Joint Chiefs.”

  SILAS ARRIVED AT LUCIAN’S 30 minutes later, 15 minutes after the military who were currently sweeping the area for bombs. Hawke had contacted him the moment the MP’s arrived and knocked on the front door. Franz had been so removed from reality he instructed Lucian to open the door, so they could attend Tasha’s memorial service.

  So far nothing happened. The only explosives were strapped around Franz. Either he lied about more explosives or his drug induced reality made him think he had spiked the area with bombs. Regardless, Silas and the others breathed easier knowing the pack and their homes were safe from this maniac.

  “He’s close to the edge,” Hawke said. “He keeps looking at Tasha, says things like he wants to be with her and asking her to wait for him.”

  “Damn.”

  “There’s eight people in here, the ones he couldn’t see or sense left and met Solo and Pedro. They’re on the way to meet the other pack members recuperating at Pedro’s place,” Hawke said. “If I didn’t want to break his neck for providing weapons and explosives to gang members, I’d feel sorry for his pathetic ass.”

  “Franz is the supplier?” Silas should’ve known.

  Just one more thing to land on the Commanding Officer’s desk which should be overflowing by the time the Admiral and General finished with him. The man had been caught unaware when the call from the Pentagon came informing him on what happened in his back yard. He had been quick to dispatch soldiers to the area to help contain the situation.

  Franz belonged to them and as such Silas held the military responsible for his actions.

  The Joint Chiefs agreed and unleashed their fury on Franz’s Commanding Officer.

  “Yes. He admitted it and a few more sins. He apologized to Duke, Lucian and Raven for their Uncle’s death. He didn’t order it, and found out afterward but had to help her cover it up. Sounds like he loved her crazy deep.”

  Silas understood that kind of love. He’d have done the same thing in an instant if Jasmine had committed a crime. “Should I come in?”

  “Can you create an energy field to contain him? To keep him from detonating?”

  Silas thought about it. He rarely used his abilities on humans, usually they couldn’t handle it. “I should. If I start now, from a distance he’ll only feel tingling. The closer I am, the stronger it is.”

  “Can you get a fix on him?”

  Silas scanned the house. “Yes. I sense him.” He sent energy and loosely wrapped it around Franz, allowing freedom of movement, for now, so Franz wouldn’t notice.

  For several moments, Silas concentrated on building a strong, impenetrable box around Franz to absorb as much of the impact from detonation as possible. Once he had it in place, he moved toward the house.

  “How can you even consider blowing up this place?” Raven demanded. “We’re her family, litter-mates. This was our home. How can you say you loved her and think about doing such a wrong thing?”

  “I... I don’t want to live without her.” Franz sounded hurt and confused.

  “That doesn’t mean you have to do this,” Duke said in a calm tone. “Tasha loved you, we al
l know it. But she would never allow you to hurt us. Never. You need to stop and get some rest. You look tired.”

  Silas moved closer and nodded to the MP’s on the porch.

  “She should be Alpha,” Franz said.

  “He’s moving around again,” Hawke said.

  “Which Alpha?” Raven asked.

  “The main one. They didn’t want her because she was a woman,” Franz. “They stole her dreams.”

  “That’s not true. Women competed to be Alpha,” Raven said, obviously gambling on the fact Franz didn’t know the truth. No women applied for the Alpha spot.

  “Tasha told me they refused her request to fight in the challenge because it would make the others look bad if she hit them too hard,” Franz said.

  Silas marveled at the lies Tasha told as he tightened the energy field around Franz.

  “Hey!” Franz yelled trying to move. “What’s going on?” he looked like a lost puppy when Silas entered the room and ushered everyone out.

  Duke placed his arm around Raven and walked toward the front door, along with the others. Hawke moved to stand behind Silas. Solo, Pedro, Hector, Tonio and Jose entered and stood near the wall.

  Lucian stepped in front of Franz and stared at the man for a few moments. “As Alpha of Honduras, I ban you from all pack lands from this day forward. The Goddess has been merciful in sparing your life.” He looked toward the front porch. “Come inside and take him away from here,” he told the MP’s.

  Silas heard Lucian’s announcement of his position. Did that mean he could go home now that his assignment was complete? He and Hawke stepped outside onto the patio to allow the military to do their job.

  The MP’s shot Franz with some type of sleeping agent, incapacitating him and removed the detonation devices. Then they took him away.

  “Did you know?” Hawke asked.

  “No, I wasn’t informed of Her choice but I’m not surprised. Lucian has a heart for people, and with the Goddess’ training he’ll make an excellent Alpha.” Silas looked at the green countryside. “They should buy land, lots of it and build schools, hospitals, stores, grow food and make clothes for pack. Maybe there’s some kind of industry they can do on the side to increase their bank accounts. The need here is great.” He thought of the poor housing, non-existent medical care, lack of educational facilities and wanted to help.