"No, I told Hunter the same thing. It wasn't the only time I did that kind of thing."
"Good, so let's get started on making this resort a success."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
After that encounter everything ran smoothly between us. Most of the pack didn't seem to have a problem with me either. There were a few wary eyes, but no one was outright disrespectful.
The women got together on certain days just to bake and spread the goods to the men. They would bring food and treats for Hunter as the Alpha, but now they were a little hesitant because I was his wife so to speak, which meant no other female could approach him without my approval. Considering they were only allowed intimacy with their mates it was a peculiar custom, but it is because I was considered the Alpha female, even though I was a human.
I was able to join them, and they showed me which treats were Hunter's favorites. Gage was there to watch over me the entire time, but they just ignored him. Hunter had to meet with his builders, contractors, and government regulators and inspectors, so he sent me with Gage. Because they were touring unfinished parts of the hotel that required safety gear he didn't want me anywhere near it. We had just gotten back to the house when Gage got a call and had to leave me at the house all alone.
Besides his overprotective nature, Hunter was wonderful. I felt so blessed to even be in his life. I always felt his love for me. Whatever mood he was in, his love for me still laid underneath. I'd seen him in every mood possible in a matter of three days. He was furious when he learned that I was a second rate child to my parents.
They had called me to find out if I'd gotten the job and if I was single because their widower friend was looking for a wife and they thought I would be a perfect wife for him; the man was fifty. Hunter wanted nothing to do with them because he was afraid he'd eat them if they offended me in his presence.
I put away Hunter's treats, and made me a sandwich and tried not to worry about being alone. Twenty minutes after I finished my food I felt sick and I was in the bathroom throwing up. Instantly thoughts of being pregnant crossed my mind, but I knew it was too soon to be sick like this. According to what Hunter told me, the pregnancy would resemble a human pregnancy because that's what I was.
Damn it, Cat. I'm on my way, he snarled.
I'm fine, Hunter. I think it was just something I ate.
I can feel the pain you're in. Just rest. I'll be there as soon as possible.
Okay.
I laid down in our bed and passed out from the pain and fatigue. The next thing I knew I woke up in a place I didn't know, to see eyes I knew and feared.
Catherine, Cat, love, call to me. I need to find you.
I called out to Hunter in my head. Rocky
"Where am I?" I asked my captor.
His honey colored eyes blazed and with a snarl he said, "Not that it matters, but in the property your mate stole from my family."
Property that you stole from his family.
Stay calm, my love. I'm coming for you.
"Hunter wouldn't do anything like that at all."
"Whatever. It was centuries ago, but it's his family's fault that we were forced to be their Betas. It's fine because once you're dead he will die, too."
"That's not true for us. I'm a human. The same rules don't apply. Once I die he will forget I exist and will find a new mate. It's his destiny as Alpha, so it won't kill him. That's why he was given a human mate. Try again," I sneered.
He roared, and I knew he believed my lie. Before I had a chance to brace myself, he struck me across the face, and I flew across the room and hit the wall. I felt the pain coursing through my body and I could feel Hunter's pain and rage filling me up. I didn't move so he would think I passed out and it managed to work because he moved away from me.
"He is nearby. How did he catch my scent? I've been masking it for days now," he snarled and moved to the window.
"Since your death won't kill him, then I'll just do it myself."
"No, you can't!" I shouted with tears pouring down my face.
"Yes, I can," he crowed. That's when I saw the semi-automatic rifle in his hands. I warned Hunter away, but he wasn't listening to me anymore.
Damn it, Hunter. He's got a gun! He's going to kill you. You can't leave me.
"I like that I can smell your fear. It's too bad you can't warn your lover," he stated in order to provoke me.
I just sobbed as I waited for the worst to happen. I didn't have to wait long. A war opened up as soon as the back door exploded.
Chapter 8-Hunter
I was on my way to her when I couldn't hear her anymore. I had just pulled up to the house when I smelt traces of Rocky in the air. Almost like he'd been there hours ago, but somehow I knew that wasn't true.
I couldn't smell the strong scent of her nearby, and I knew he took her. Rushing through our home in my full wolf form, I didn't find her anywhere. She was gone.
Roaming the grounds around the house and looking at the surveillance camera footage did no good. Rocky had covered his tracks. I howled at the sky. Soon it would be dark, and a full moon would grace the night. Our Alpha strength became enhanced during this time, and I hoped I found Rocky when it rose because I would rip his head clear off his spineless body.
I wanted her to hear me, to feel me, but she didn't respond. That's probably what scared me the most. I knew she wasn't gone because I would know, but I couldn't reach her.
Howling, I heard a truck pull up to the house. It was Creed and Gage.
"What's going on bro?" Gage asked as he rushed to me.
"You were supposed to be watching her. He's taken her. Rocky's taken Cat. She's gone. I can't hear her calling me," I cried. I shifted back into my human form hoping to hear her call, but I still couldn't hear her. She wasn't in pain, but she wasn't dead either.
"We'll find her. I'm sorry, man. Rocky called me and told me that Sheriff Smith needed me, but it was bullshit. I got to the edge of town, and he wasn't even there."
We rushed in the house so I could get some clothes on and search for my mate.
"Where have you been? I've been looking for you for a week," I snarled at Creed.
"Boy, calm down. I've been trying to find some answers. I got the books and the history your ancestors left to the historians. There is a language only we can speak and read. After you left, I noticed a message in the back of the book's cover. It led me to Vancouver and a hidden book of your great-great grandmother's life. All your questions should be answered by it. But first, let's focus on finding your mate."
As we were going back outside to look for clues, Sheriff Smith approached.
"My cousin has lost his mind," Smith said.
"How do I know you're not helping him?" I howled.
"Have I ever really acknowledged our kinship?"
"No, in fact you've been very clear that your mother was a Lake."
"I knew the tensions between the families.I'm sheriff for a reason-to keep the peace."
"Do you know where he would have taken her to?"
"It wouldn't be too far from here. It hasn't been long since I saw him. Hell, he still might be on the road. Did you check for tracks?"
"Yes, he carried her for a mile before getting into a vehicle, but I lost the tire tracks."
Catherine, Cat, love, call to me. I need to find you. I begged her to answer. I was hanging onto my sanity by a thread.
Rocky … Property that you stole from his family.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I had my answer. I was already running to my truck before the guys caught up to me.
Stay calm, my love. I'm coming for you.
"He's got her in the old house at Lakeland Prairie," I roared.
"How do you know?" Smith said as he ran to his car for more guns.
I turned to all of them and admitted, "There's something you don't know about my mate and me. We can communicate with one another with our minds."
"So, that's normal for human and shifter mates," stated Creed. "What? It's one of the things I learned while I was away."
"Is there anything else I need to know?" I asked as I started the engine and the men all jumped in the truck.
"In due time, my boy," Creed patted my thigh. I knew he had his reasons not to say whether because there were other people in the vehicle or because I wasn't ready for the truth, so I let it pass. I just needed to find my mate and focus on that. My emotions were a mess, so I needed to cut her off from my thoughts and emotions. I didn't want her to feel my dread, but I could still her words of warning.
I informed the others, and we developed a plan of attack. I was going to bury that bastard tonight. The sun was setting and I could feel the moon's pull on my wolf, summoning me to answer the call.