Saint Ives Whelan Chronicles Ch. 16

"Hmm, that's basically it," Mia agreed.

"Not much I can do then."

Resting her head on his shoulder, she let out a weary sigh. "I really hope Bron will be all right. She didn't deserve this. God only knows how she'll react in a few days. She's a determined little stubborn piece of work, let me tell you that. As frightened as she might be, she's got some backbone in that little body of hers."

"I think she'll have a good match with Adam then. Despite his appearance he's a really nice guy, nosy as hell too and if she's his mate he won't back down until he's won her over, one way or another."

Changing the subject she said, "What about getting our dinner wrapped up and go home? Suddenly I feel like I'd rather be curled with you on the couch and trying to forget about everything that's going to happen in the days to come."

"That sounds like an excellent idea.

* * * *

Two days had passed where they had locked themselves into Chris' top floor flat. They'd ordered in for meals and went out only to grab a few essentials at the grocery store around the corner. They rarely left his bedroom, unless they switched to his large Jacuzzi on the patio.

Saturated by their ongoing explorations of each other, they sat relaxed in the Jacuzzi when the phone inside rang.

"You stay here, I'll go get it," Chris grunted as he stood up.

Mia couldn't help but appreciate him, drops of water teasingly pouring down his toned body. His butt muscles flexed as he got out of the large luxurious tub. He didn't even bother grabbing a towel to cover himself up.

She smiled again as she noticed his semi hard cock jutting from side to side as he walked inside. She'd never grow tired of him and knowing how they had spent the earlier part of the day, she was convinced he felt the same way. Her smile waned somewhat. She had a pretty good idea what this particular phone call would be about.

Their tiny little bubble of happiness would get a sharp prick of a needle when reality caught up with them.

Chris returned a few minutes later.

"That was Ed on the phone. It's how I thought it would go. Nick has locked himself up with Fran and after he got Adam's call phoned Ed and told him to take care of the rogues how he saw fit. Ed wants me over at his place in an hour to start tracking them," he explained.

"It's what you have to do, I'm not going to stop you. I'd join if I could, but I won't push things any further. They hurt a friend of mine, I'd gladly strangle them. But I know how much I'm already asking you to keep our mating a secret for now. I can only hope you find them fast. Interrogate them if you want, see from where they came."

"That's what I told Ed too and we're planning on doing just that. Curious about Adam though. You think Bronwille has gotten better?" he questioned her.

"Only one way to find out. You call Adam. I don't think it would do any good if I called Bron and asked, she hasn't contacted any of us. Stubborn as she is she'll dig herself in pretty good before she'll accept any help. Besides how would I explain that I know what happened and I'm not freaking out over it?"

"Good point. I'll call him on my way over to Ed."

"No, no, you'll call him right now. That way you can ease my worries at the same time about Bron. Then you can go to Ed," she corrected him.

"You're one bossy lady, you know that? Thank god I call the shots in our bedroom," he said as he grinned and shook his head.

"Only because I let you," she said in a huff, "Now go make that call. You don't want to be late at your brother's either."

Throwing his hands in the air, he turned and went back inside for the phone. Quickly dialing Adam's number, he didn't have to wait long before his familiar gruff voice answered at the other end.

"What's up Chris?"

"Thought I'd check in and see how everything is going. I just got a call from Ed and it seems we're going after those rogues that attacked Bronwille. Nick's being a caveman with only one thing on his mind and he entrusted Ed to take care of them," Chris replied.

"I'm just dandy! Can I join in? I have the need to punch something really good, might as well be those sons of bitches," came his heated response.

"Hey, hey, what's gotten into you, man?"

"That stubborn little redhead. I tell you, one of these days her behind will be a nice match for those red locks of hers."

"That doesn't sound too promising, what happened?"

"The first few days she practically slept through everything. Only when I held her in my arms she was somewhat calm. This morning she wakes, she was snuggled up close. From one second to the next she turned into a fury like you never seen before. Only thing that stopped me was knowing what happened last weekend. To cut things short I didn't even get a chance to explain things. It seems she doesn't remember me shifting, maybe her mind has blocked it for the time being. Then she turned all calm and demure and pointed towards her front door. Said thanks for bringing her home and taking care of her but that she'd manage from there on. I couldn't even say bye because she slammed the door in my face! The nerve of that woman!" Adam was practically irate by the time he finished talking.

Chris couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

"She sounds exactly like Mia described her. Trust me, there is a history to it. Mia told me - after I called you - that she had been a victim before. Mia was surprised she let you stay in the first place."

"She was passed out at first and spent most of the time sleeping. Not much she could do then but heal," Adam interrupted. "It's when she truly woke up she turned into the fury."

"You'll have to be careful how you're going to handle this and her for that matter."

"I know, Chris, I know. Right now I'm just lost with how to deal with her rejection. But I'm also so furious for letting her get attacked in the first place. I shouldn't have let her go outside on her own. I should have been there."

"Hold it right there, Adam. Nobody could have known what was going to happen, least of all you. You handled things as best as you could. Now if you want to get rid of the pent up anger you can be at Ed's in one hour. That's when I have to be there too and then we'll track those SOB's and sort them out. I promise you can have the first swing at them when we interrogate them. Ed said there had to be some reason why they would chance getting so close to his club. He wants to get to the bottom of this as well."

"Ok, I'll get my kit, stop by at Bronwille's for a last checkup, then I'll meet you at Ed's."

"Good luck with Bronwille, you're going to need it, man. See you in a bit," Chris said ending his part of the phone call.

"In an hour mate, bye," Adam said.

He couldn't help but find Bronwille's reaction to be fitting. Adam was going to have to work hard to sort this all out.

Mia had heard him ending the call and rose up out of the water. Wrapping a big soft towel around her she went inside.

"So what's going to happen?" she inquired.

"Bronwille seems to have gotten a hold on herself. She kicked Adam out," he answered. "His ego is a little bit bruised and his wolf is still angry. He's joining us to hunt them down."

"She really kicked him out?"

Chris nodded and Mia laughed.

"Damn, he's got his work cut out with her. I really wish I could go over and see how she's doing without having to reveal anything. I find her reaction somewhat amusing, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried either. It's going to be hard not going to her. Why does she have to be so stubborn?"

"She's female?"

She gave Chris a blow on his upper arm. "That's not helping at all. Maybe I'll go over to mom's, get this off my chest. At the same time I can see how they're doing. Wonder if my Da has made contact already or if he's just going to barge in there."

Chris frowned. "I hope he won't do the latter. Sure you have the element of surprise but we're still outnumbered. If they have concrete plans and they already know when, do not let them go ahead with them unless I am there, understood?"

"My father is easy going but once he sets his mind to something."

"Mia, this is not up for discussion. If they have planned anything, they will wait until I am there. Family of Merlin or not, if you go without me I promise all hell will break loose. I'm having a hard time with this already, do not push it any further," he shot back fiercely.

Mia felt a bit stunned at his reaction. Even before they met he never so much as raised his voice during a phone call, even if it was bad news. Also during all their previous discussions he had sounded firm and determined. Now she realized she was getting a glimpse of the Beta in him. It didn't frighten her, but it sure woke her up. Made her realize what it was she really asked of him.

"I promise I won't let them go alone. If you need to tell your brothers, then do so, but please leave the pack until later, when everything is over and done with," she relented.

Chris understood what she was saying and he was glad that he wouldn't have to try to hide anything from his brothers anymore. He pulled her close for a tight hug as he whispered softly, "Thank you."

"I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll let you know something the second everything is in the clear," he added.

"I don't like you going, but I know you have to. Don't worry about me. I'll be at my mom's in a little bit. Now go and get ready, you don't want you to be late."

Chris passionately covered her lips and devoured them as if it was the last thing he'd do in his life. Every fiber in her very being got the message loud and clear as she molded her body even closer to his. She was his, as much as he was hers and no matter what was going to happen they'd always have each other to rely on.

Mia broke off the kiss, breathing heavily. "Get dressed, you scoundrel, before you have your brother calling you and wondering where you are!" she berated him.

A smug smile on his face was a sign he knew all too well what effect he had on her.

* * * *

Punching in his personal code, he let himself in and walked to the back of "The Vixen". His brother Ed could almost always be found here unless he was needed at the mansion for pack business. The door to the big office was open and with a single knock on the door he entered. Adam was already sitting in one of the chairs in front of the big desk, a map spread out between Ed and him.

"I see you started already. Fill me in?" Chris said, skipping the polite pleasantries none of them seemed to want at the moment.

Getting straight down to business Adam told he had already scouted the area and had picked up their trail. They had made a beeline for one of the forests at the other side of town. Not a single attempt to cover their tracks or even try to misguide them had been made.

"They're being too cocky for my liking. Something tells me there is more to those rogues than meets the eye," Adam ended his explanation.

Ed, the middle Whelan brother, looked at the map again. A big frown graced his forehead as he studied it again. As he stood, one could see the muscles move in his arms. Tapping on the map he explained in a deep voice he wanted to approach the forest from three sides. One where they probably entered and the two others scouting the other sides, to check whether they passed there or not. If the sides were clear, they'd meet up in the middle and start tracking them from there.

Adam and Chris agreed with Ed. Even though all three knew that area like the back of their hand, they still spent some time looking at the map, taking in their targeted areas.

When they were ready to leave, Ed placed a hand on Chris' shoulder.

"Where have you been hiding? I stopped at the garage yesterday and they told me you wouldn't be in for the rest of the week. When I asked what was up they all went quiet on me. What's up, bro?" Ed inquired.

"You have no idea. I'll fill you in later, ok? I want to get these rogues sorted out first. Deal?"

"Deal but don't think I won't remember," Ed answered.

"I wouldn't expect otherwise from you. Now let's go catch us some rogues, before Adam finds them on his own and devours them before we've got a single word out of them."

Before they took off Adam showed them where the scent of the rogues was still the strongest so both brothers could pick it up easy. Memorizing the specific scents, the three men drove off in their own vehicles and started the primary search.

Making sure their vehicles were hidden enough, they stripped and changed into their wolf-form. Ed and Chris were constantly talking to each other through their sibling bond, occasionally one of them "dropping" in on Adam to stay up-to-date on his progress. After a while they gathered and discussed their findings.

From the faint trail they concluded that the rogues were either hiding deeper into the forest or only passed through it. They narrowed their search and now stayed in eyesight of each other as they looked for every little sign or hint of the rogues' whereabouts.

Adam's ears perked up, the scent suddenly very strong and he picked up some soft whimpering sounds. Looking to either side, he checked if Ed and Chris had heard it too. The statue like posture and perked up ears on both of them confirmed to Adam they had indeed.

A single look between them was enough to convey what their next move would be. Going over into a low crouch, they stalked closer towards the whimpering sounds. Chris picked up the metallic like smell of dried up blood. The emotions that were coming their way were a mix of defeatism and terrified angst.

As they approached a clearing in the woods they saw what appeared to be a hut, made out of fallen of branches and old plastic sheeting. Looking closer, Chris could distinguish the form of two women, both tied up at their ankles, hands behind their backs. His wolf got angry at that sight. He felt the same response from Ed and Adam.

What are we going go to do, Ed? Rescue them right away or wait a bit longer to see if those that tied them up come back? I smell the rogues all over them. Adam was right from the start that there was more to it, Chris asked his brother.

A little while later Ed replied, Adam thinks it's best to lay low and see if we can lure them away from the women once they come back to their camp. The wind is going our way, so our position isn't compromised.

Ok, I just hope we don't have to wait too long. Remember we want those rogues alive, though I don't care what state they end up in. As long as they're well enough to answer a question or two.

That goes without saying, brother, Ed agreed.

Then the waiting game started. The three of them didn't move, but the longer they stayed there, the more frustrated their wolves became. At least the women had gone silent, their even breathing indicating their tired state had gotten the better of them and both of them had drifted off to sleep.

Some deep voices drifted towards the three hidden wolves.

"How you think our little beauties are doing? Still shaking in fear?" a tall redheaded man said.

"They're being quiet for once. I couldn't stand their whimpering for another second. Really, one minute longer and I would have shocked the living daylights out of them," was the heated reply.

"Don't complain. At least you had a test ride on them, while the one I had set my eyes on was taken from us," a third voice mingled into the conversation.

"If it wasn't your bloody fascination for a redhead we would have been back at the pack ages ago, but no... the big bad horny wolf insisted on staying until he found a female that looked ok. Wake up, Frank, we don't need them to look good, we need them to breed," said the redheaded man, unintentionally revealing what their hidden agenda was.

"Come on, Jack. If you have to rut with them at least I want to look at a pretty face," Frank said.

* * * *

Hold it together, Adam. I want to see if they reveal more. The more they let slip freely, the better, Ed said as he tried to calm down Adam.

Adam only saw red before him as he listened to their conversation. Talking about these women, his Bronwille like pieces of cattle. Five minutes, I won't wait any longer! he shot back.

Chris was on high alert as well, but he was better at controlling his emotions at the moment.

* * * *

"Just have them on all fours, just like the good little bitches they're supposed to be, then it doesn't matter how pretty or ugly they are. A fuckhole is a fuckhole, Frank," the redhead teased.

"Sure, you'd fuck just right about anything that breathes, Howie, whether they're available or not," Frank shot back. "We're supposed to bring in new blood. Rutting with those skinny bitches back at the camp won't get our numbers up, you crazy ass son of a bitch," he added.

Howie laughed at that last comment. "I'm a son of a bitch alright, she's not even that good of a fuck either."

* * * *

Those last words said with such a joy in them was the last straw for Adam. Those wolves were the biggest pieces of filth to walk the earth.

Ed, Chris, I'm going in. Frank is mine, what you do with the other two I don't care, but he's mine, Adam told both brothers.

Using the element of surprise a dark brown and two large black wolves shot up out of the surrounding bushes and each went for their targets.