"Morons! Complete moronic idiots!" Ciera raged as they walked. "What the hell were they thinking!?"
Richard, Austin and Olivia, along with her three other guardians and the handful of warrior wolves Kaiden had assigned and left behind as her new protective detail, walked around them. Austin and Richard flanking her on either side, their eyes constantly flicking in her direction. She rolled her eyes at them. She was still annoyed that all these new wolves knew who she was. It took a good five minutes to get them to stand up and stop swearing loyalties to her. They still kept sneaking glances at her. Her three guardians were openly staring at her. She felt like an exhibit at the zoo.
"You had to tell them I assume?" Aislinn asked, a hint of sarcasm the only emotion in her voice.
"For your safety they needed to know who you are. Besides it isn't exactly a secret anymore." Richard replied.
"No thanks to you Richard." She snapped
"Princess this isn't really the time or place, we need to get you back to camp." Richard said ignoring Ciera who was still complaining and ranting on about her brother.
"I told you I'm not going back there." Aislinn said without turning.
"They just left us behind, again!" Ciera said, glaring at Austin when we told her to drop it. "Honestly what was he thinking?! Going to Hiems! Do you know what he was thinking?" She asked stopping to look at her. When Aislinn just stared back blankly, Ciera turned and started walking again picking up her ranting where she had left off. "Of course you don't! Because moron number two and number three here are suddenly mute!"
Richard and Austin refused to tell them anything except that Kaiden, Alpha Vance and Alpha Maleco had left at dawn. No matter how they had argued or threatened they had stayed quiet about the whole thing. From what Aislinn could gather, her mate had left only the non-fighting wolves, her guardians and a light guard for the camp behind. The rest he had brought with him to Pack Hiems.
"Where are you taking us Luna?" Oliva asked from where she walked a few paces ahead.
Aislinn let out a reluctant breath before speaking. "Back to the house. Richard you can have one of the wolves go back for the others left at the camp and bring them up. They can stay in one of the other outer buildings."
"House?!" Ciera's voice shrieked echoing their collective astonishment and shock.
Aislinn looked around at all of them her face blank. "I told you I had bought and built a number of properties. Did you think I would have neglected my homeland?"
"You said you swore you would never return here." Austin said.
Turning she met his curious look with her hard one. "I also swore I would never have a mate, nor a pack, nor reveal myself. Things change. I was not naïve enough to think it wouldn't come to this in some variety."
"You thought you'd end up here?" Ciera asked, horror evident on her face.
Aislinn almost felt herself crack a smile but pushed it down. "Here? No. I never thought I would end up here." She said looking around pointedly at her 'guard', watching as a number of them flinched under her words and gaze. "But did I consider that things might have gotten out of control enough that I would need a safe house that no one would expect? Yes."
Satisfied that the conversation was over Aislinn resumed their trek, leading them back to the house that sat just two miles from where her parents own pack house had stood.
Breaking through the tree line, they all took in the sight. The house was very similar to her house in Montana except more. It was bigger, grander, and where the house in Montana had tried to become part of the surrounding beauty this one accomplished it, the sweeping beauty of the North crystalizing its own design. The walls of glass reflected the mountains in the distance and the untouched wilderness of the plains, tundra and forests. Stone and wood seamlessly meshing and melding the house into the terrain, linking it to the very earth itself. The architecture was all clean lines and modern designs, but it had been perfected and refined until it felt like the house belonged there. As though it had stood there forever.
Making their way inside they found a similar reflection of Aislinn's other house. Cool colors, rich woods, clean marbles and stones, concrete and glass, all layered on top of the warm backdrop of the stark Arctic wilderness.
"It's beautiful." Ciera said in awe. Staring out of the second floor living room at the stunning view beyond.
Aislinn nodded, turning to the others. "The outer buildings are to the East, you can set the others up in them. Ciera come." She called heading for the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Richard asked walking to follow her.
"To my room."
"Leland, Hugo and Emmett will accompany you." His tone leaving no room for argument.
Aislinn just rolled her eyes before beginning to climb the stairs to the fourth floor. Kio and a bouncing Ciera at her side. Reaching the master suite Ciera flung the doors open before running in and jumping onto her bed.
"Oh my goddess! It's so comfortable!" She exclaimed rolling around in the sea of fluffy blankets. "I am never ever leaving you!" She said as she buried her face into the pillows.
Turning on the threshold Aislinn stared at her guardians.
"Richard said we were to accompany you Luna – ah – Princess." Leland said a blush creeping up his cheeks, unable to meet her eyes.
"Aislinn is fine." She said. "And this is far enough."
"But Princess- I mean Aislinn, Richard said-" Leland tried again before she cut him off with a raised hand. Glancing at her stormy expression he nodded once before stepping back and allowing her to slam the door closed.
"I still can't believe they left. He didn't even wait to tell you he had made it back." Ciera said from where she laid spread eagle on the bed.
Aislinn stayed silent, standing at the floor to ceiling windows staring out.
Ciera pushed herself up onto her elbows. "They're going there to fight them aren't they?"
Aislinn's voice was cold when she spoke. "I lost my wolf."
Ciera eyes widened as she pushed herself more off the bed to stare at her. "Wait, what?"
"My wolf's gone." She repeated, her voice flat.
"Shut up. Your wolf can't be 'gone'. You're your wolf, you can't lose yourself." Ciera said matter-of-factly.
"She's gone."
Climbing from the bed, Ciera moved to her side worry and concern on her face. "Ais what are you talking about? You're really freaking me out. What's going on?"
"Did you mean what you said?"
"What I said about what? That you can't lose your wolf? Yeah. You can't lose your wolf, that's stupid. It doesn't make sense."
"No. Did you mean what you said, when you said you were with me?" Aislinn asked without taking her eyes from the skyline.
"Yes of course. Why?"
"I'm going after them."
"Them? Them who?" Ciera repeated even more confused at the strange turn in conversation.
"The people responsible for all of this."
"Aislinn you can't just go after these people. Besides Kaiden has us in virtual lockdown. After the stunt we pulled last night they aren't going to be taking their eyes off us."
"I'm going." Aislinn said without emotion. "Are you coming or not?" Her eyes were hooded and flat. A dull grey where before there had been a shine of silver and light.
"Of course I'm coming!" Ciera huffed her fists on her hips completely unperturbed by Aislinn's demeanor. "You think I'm going to let you go after these dickheads without me?" She scoffed. "Besides what happens when you get in trouble again and I'm not there to save your butt? Don't be stupid! I told you I was coming and I'm coming. I'm just saying it sounds insane and kinda suicidal."
"We leave tonight."
Letting out an exaggerated sigh Ciera walked to the sofa that occupied the other side of the room. Sitting there with dark smudges shadowing her eyes and lingering grief still etching her face, she looked older and more haunted then she had a month before. Under that film of sadness and loss there was also a new found strength and power that glowed. It was the kind of strength and self-awareness that can only come from going through hell and surviving. Looking at Aislinn she let another breath, "Okay, tonight then. What's your plan? Please for the love of everything good, tell me you have a plan."
"Clifton Caswell."
Racking her brain, Ciera tried to place the name that sounded so familiar. "Isn't that like the guy that dude in the cells was talking about?"
Aislinn nodded her head, before flicking her eyes to the door. Understanding the reminder of the listening ears, Ciera dropped her voice. "They might have already heard us talking."
Aislinn shrugged her shoulders moving to the chair next to the sofa, scooping Kio up before sitting. She wasn't concerned that they may or may not know she was going to attempt to leave. It wasn't exactly a secret. Hence one of the reasons for ten wolves to stand guard over her.
"Who is he?" Ciera whispered, leaning forward with a renewed curiosity.
"Number 4 on my list."
"List?"
"Mhmm." She hummed in response, her fingers absently stroking Kio who circled a few times before laying down and curling up in her lap.
"How are we going to find him?" Ciera asked her eyes darting around nervously.
"Oh finding him won't be the problem. I know exactly where to find the good Councilor." At the thought her mask cracked, a small viscous smirk breaking free.
Richard and the others knew something was up, they kept popping their heads in, throwing the two of them anxious and suspicious glances. Aislinn remained unperturbed and calm under the increased scrutiny and vigilance. She had managed to find some art supplies and now sat sketching while Kio slept in her lap. Ciera not nearly as composed had taken to worrying and pacing. She should have been exhausted from staying up virtually all night, but with all the nervous energy coursing through her she just couldn't sit still.
"You should really eat." Ciera muttered again, looking pointedly at the tray of food that remained untouched. Richard had deposited it on the low glass coffee table a few hours earlier. "You'll need your strength."
Just like the other times she had spoken to her, Aislinn remained silent her pencil scratching over the thick cream paper the only sound.
"They'll know something is up." Ciera tried reasoning.
"What more can they do?" Aislinn spoke calmly, not bothering to drop her voice or cover her words.
Stunned both that she had finally spoken and by her words, Ciera stopped in her tracks, turning to stare. Feeling eyes on her Aislinn looked up meeting them. They stayed like that, just looking at each other for a beat before Aislinn spoke. "They have us outnumbered and under constant guard. Beyond drugging or tying us up, they can't do much else."
"And if they decide to do that?"
"They won't." Aislinn said with absolute certainty.
"And how exactly do you know that!?"
"Have I ever mentioned that you ask a lot of questions?"
"Have I ever told you that you answer none of them?" Ciera replied snorting in a half laugh at the parroted words.
A flicker of amusement danced in Aislinn's grey eyes before dying just as quickly and leaving them dull and blank again. Dropping her gaze to the page in her lap she picked up her pencil resuming her drawing, her voice a mere whisper. "They won't risk it. Not anymore."
Ciera choked, her words sputtering, "I'm sorry what was that? You wanna explain that to me?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Perfect. That's just – just fan-fucking-tastic." Ciera said throwing her hands up and resuming her pacing.
.
.
"Haven't you ever snuck out before?" Aislinn asked turning in frustration to glare at Ciera, as she made yet another noise. This time smacking into a chair.
"For your information; no I have not." Came her snarky reply. "I, unlike some people, have not made it a habit to break out and evade people."
"Well you should." Aislinn deadpanned before turning and continuing their slow trek through the house.
"What!?" Ciera whisper shouted at her retreating figure.
"It's a good skill to have and evidently you could do with the practice." Aislinn whispered back without pausing or turning around. Her dulled and limited senses searching for any movement or sign of a body in any of the nearby rooms or hallways. They had made it to the main level and now only needed to get down to the first subterranean level and into the garage.
"Well sorry little miss secret agent. I didn't know I had to have special skills for this little jaunt. Pardon me." Ciera huffed quietly, sarcasm thick in her words.
Aislinn flinched, Ciera's words bringing up a flashback of when she was 4 or 5. Feeling herself sink into the long forgotten memory, her heart squeezed painfully.
She had snuck away from her guardians, her tiny feet whispering along the quiet corridors as she darted between nooks, peered around corners and hid in doorframes. As quietly as she could she had slowly made her way down the hallway, tiptoeing her way to her grandfather's office. Her little head swiveling, her silver hair flying as she looked around nervously, on guard for anyone who might catch her. She could hear her guards distantly calling for her from two floors up but she ignored them, her focus solely on reaching her target. Just as she was about to grab for the shiny gold handle she was lifted up and swung into the air. A startled cry leaving her. "You aren't supposed to be here Princess." A deep voice rumbled in her ear.
Letting out a squeal and giggling Aislinn had squirmed in the arms, flinging herself forward and wrapping her arms around the man's neck. Planting a loud smacking kiss on his cheek. "Uncle Robbie!" She squealed her tiny hands going to squish his cheeks as he looked down at her smiling.
"Hi there squirt." He said his eyes sparkling before they grew more serious. "Now, you want to tell me why you're down here all by yourself?"
Knowing she was in trouble, Aislinn's bottom lip had jutted out and began to tremble. "I wanted to see daddy." She finally admitted in a small voice.
Letting out a long sigh, Robert had shifted her to his hip. His free hand ruffling her hair affectionately. "I know pumpkin but you know you can't disturb him when he's in a meeting."
"But he's always in a meeting!" She pouted.
Laughing he swung her around until she burst out in a fit of giggles. "He's an important man, with many people counting on him. You don't want him to do a bad job do you?" He had asked when he stopped spinning her around. Moving to the large curved staircase he began carrying her up to the private family levels of the Royal pack house.
"But work is boring and I want to play." She whined her bottom lip sticking out once more.
"You can play with him when he's done, and until then why don't you play with your Guardians? You know they'd play with you. Which reminds me, where are they?" He asked looking down at her seriously again.
She looked at him guiltily knowing she had been caught. "I may have snuck away from them again."
"Princess, you know you can't do that. It isn't safe."
"But I wanted to play secret agent!" She cried out. Her eyes lighting up with excitement and her hands clapping together as she forgot all about getting in trouble, already scheming her next mission.
Robert's serious expression cracked into a grin as he set her on her feet, crouching down so he was at her level. "Oh you did, did you?"
Nodding her head vigorously Aislinn giggled as she listened to the sound of heavy boots as they thundered down the hall towards them. "Uh-huh. I love playing secret agent. When I grow up I want to be James Bond."
"Well miss secret agent next time just don't ditch all your guards okay?"
Cocking her head she frowned at him unconcerned as a dozen heavily muscled guardians swarmed around them. "But Uncle, if they see me then I'm not being a good secret agent."
Aislinn pulled herself from the past, the memory dissolving into a sea of regret and sadness as Kio stopped in front of her blocking her path. His ears twitching as he searched the darkened house around them. Straining her eyes and ears she held out her hand to halt Ciera as she finally picked up the sound of voices coming from the distance.
Staying frozen they listened as the voices got louder, getting closer until they could make out two distinct men's voices. Thankfully she couldn't identify either, meaning they didn't belong to her guards. Holding their breath they listened as the voices moved through the house. Ciera sagged when they finally heard heavy boots on the stairs, leading up to the second level and away from their hiding spot. Aislinn's eyes followed the footsteps across the ceiling, when she was satisfied they were far enough away she motioned Ciera forward.
Now that they were closer to their target, she increased their pace. When she could see the secure door just ahead she straightened up and darted forward. Her fingers finding the electronic panel in the dark she entered the code. Flinching, when the alarm beeped as the code was accepted, she listened for a beat searching for any reaction in the quiet house before pulling on the handle and pulling the heavy door open with a hiss. Kio darted forward, bounding down the stairs and into the unadorned and antiseptic lower levels.
Ciera was fidgeting at her back, her hands shaking as Aislinn punched in the code for the garage when they heard it. A roar that rose goosebumps on their skin even from four floors away. Glancing over her shoulder, Aislinn met Ciera's now frantic eyes both knowing what it meant. Someone had finally discovered the two guards they had incapacitated, as well as their own disappearance.
"And now we run." Aislinn threw over her shoulder before punching in the final number and flinging the heavy metal door open. Grabbing the first set of keys that hung beside the door, she picked up Kio and started running. Unlocking the car she jumped inside screaming at Ciera who was a few steps behind her 'to hurry up'. Pushing the start button, she watched anxiously as Ciera threw herself into the passenger seat. Thrusting Kio at her Aislinn revved the engine to life just as a shout sounded from the doorway. Turning her head Aislinn found Richard and Austin standing in the doorway, twin masks of horror and rage on their faces as they took in her and Ciera in the car.
"Aislinn don't you dare!" Richard roared taking a step forward his hand reaching out as if to try and physically stop her escape.
Even with the roaring engine, and Ciera's screams to 'step on the f*cking peddle and get us the h*ll outta dodge!' she knew they could still hear her. "You gave me no choice."
"NOO!" Austin's shout was the last thing they heard before she floored the gas. The car erupting with power as the turbo engine kicked in. A car made and designed for power and speed the sleek black 2015 Dodge Challenger came to life under her, ready to flex its impressive muscles. Hitting the button for the garage she felt a small smile spread as she was pressed deeper into the bucket seat. Glancing at Ciera who was clinging to Kio, she let herself grin. "Hold on."
The door was half-way up. Aislinn had figured Richard would move quickly to override the system. He would have administrative control over it, which was why she was even more thankful she had grabbed the keys she had. Pressing the pedal further to the floor, she laughed lightly as the engine roared. Jumping forward, it proved its worth and lived up to its namesake. Just as the door began to lower they darted underneath, tires squealing as they tore up the driveway and headed for the road. Those who had been outside turned and stared as she kept the pedal to the floor. Before they had reached the main road she had nearly topped off the governor at 260 km/hr.
They had been driving for a couple hours before Aislinn had pulled over. She was now shimmied under the car looking for a GPS tracking device. When Ciera had asked why she was trying to find it all she had said was 'They won't find me that easy this time' and had gone back to searching the undercarriage and engine.
Deciding to leave it alone, Ciera took a seat along the side of the road. She was playing with Kio when she felt it, the sensation of someone pushing along the mind link. It continued to increase going from slightly annoying and uncomfortable until it was actually painful. It wasn't difficult to guess who had the strength and motivation to break through her mental blocks like that.
Looking over at where Aislinn was still hidden under the car she let out an inaudible sigh and patted Kio's head before dropping her mental walls and opening herself up to Kaiden.
"Ciera!" She cringed as he roared her name, the full force of his fury and anger hitting her.
"Hey bro." She thought back at him.
"Where are you?" He growled at her.
Ciera peeked over at Aislinn who was still hidden under the car, mumbling incoherently with only her legs showing. "I'm sorry Kady but I can't tell you that."
"I'm not playing some game here Ciera. TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE!"
"I can't."
"You can't?" His voice getting scarily quiet in her mind.
"No I'm sorry I can't."
"Where is my mate Ciera?"
"She's with me."
"Ciera." Her name a clear warning.
"She's safe and unhurt."
"Return to Richard immediately."
This time when she turned, Aislinn had lifted her head and was looking at her. Staring into that now lifeless grey she steeled herself against her brother, making her voice as strong and steady as she could. "I can't do that."
"Ciera it isn't a suggestion it is a command. You WILL return IMMEDIATELY and WITH my mate." Ciera felt as the strength and power of the command washed down the mind link before breaking over her. She felt a shiver slide down her spine her mind and wolf instantly conflicted as the desire to begin running back the way they had come flared within her. However as she held Aislinn's level stare she slowly felt as the command that had begun to wrap and tighten around her suddenly changed, becoming insubstantial until it was dissolving and falling off her like grains of sand.
"I can't Kady. I'm sorry I promise I'll keep her safe."
"Ciera she needs to go back." His voice becoming frantic and desperate. She could feel the undercurrent of fear in his words.
"No Kady she doesn't. I need to go now we're heading out again. Stay safe bro." Ciera said getting up as Aislinn began shimmying herself out. Standing up she held a small black box in her hand in victory.
"Ciera! Don't you dare do this!" Kaiden roared.
Just before she slammed the blocks back in place between them, she sent Kaiden a picture of Aislinn and Kio standing along the road, the dark and quiet forest behind them and the brilliant clear night sky above. A quick flash of his mate safe and whole. She felt his guilt and pain before her blocks cut their connection completely.
"Ready?" Aislinn's asked dropping the GPS device and slamming her heel on it a few times, breaking it into a dozen of pieces.
Nodding Ciera stepped forward.
.
.
"How much further?" Ciera asked glaring at the sun that now rested low in the afternoon sky. The bright clear day and radiant sunlight offering only the illusion of warmth, shoving her hands into her armpits she tried to warm her numb fingers.
"Not much now." Aislinn answered cryptically. Ciera snorted when she refused to say anything else. They had ditched the car just off the road about thirty minutes earlier, when Aislinn had declared they had to travel the rest of the way by foot. Ciera now glared daggers at her back as they marched through the thick forest. The cold wind whipping them and causing her nose to go numb and to lose the feeling in her toes.
It was less than hour later that Kio stopped and let out a low warning growl. Aislinn instantly stopped dropping down into crouch beside the pup, her eyes searching the forest around them. Ciera followed suit dropping down low and moving up beside them. Her senses scanning out for whatever Kio had caught. His fur puffed out as he let out a low rumbling growl his focus narrowing in on a bit of less dense forest just up ahead and on their right. Aislinn laid her hand on his back silencing his growls, noticing his stare she turned her own body to mirror his. They didn't have to wait long. Drawing closer together the three of them watched anxiously as five large dark wolves appeared from between the trees. Pressing themselves closer into the forest floor, hiding amongst the thicker brush, they watched as the wolves approached them at a steady ground eating pace.
Ciera began cursing Aislinn in her head. Her eyes darting around frantically searching for any escape or a better place to hide, as the wolves who were so clearly on patrol moved closer and closer to where they now hid. Kaiden wouldn't have to worry about his mate for very much longer Ciera thought, adrenaline and fear flooding her, because as soon as she could she was going to kill her herself. Her panicked mind was flipping from disbelief to anger that Aislinn had been crazy enough to bring the two of them to the edge of another packs territory alone. A pack that apparently took security very seriously.
The wolves slowed as they approached the patch of denser forest they hid in, their heads swinging around, snouts in the air. Ciera could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest and had to cover her mouth to stop from whimpering when one of the large and imposing wolves took a step in their direction. Grabbing the back of Aislinn's shirt, she tried to quiet her breathing. The wolf took another step and Ciera's stomach plummeted. She was just about to drop the blocks she had been maintaining and call out to her brother, even there was nothing he could realistically do, when all five of the wolves' attention was suddenly pulled to the north. Their ears laying back along their heads, before they took off as one. Running at full speed, not even sparing a glance back.
Ciera let out a shuddering breath, her heart still hammering in her chest as she watched the patrol unit disappear.
"Aislinn." Her voice was shaky and weak.
"Mhmm." Aislinn hummed her eyes and face continuing to watch the path the patrol had come from, her hand still resting on Kio who kept his attention on where they had disappeared.
"Who were those wolves?"
Aislinn finally turned around and when Ciera met her eyes she nearly flinched back from the force of the loathing and hate she found in them. "Council Protector's."
Ciera felt her eyes widen as she looked at the forest before them, dread pooling in her belly as she fit the pieces together. "Caswell is at the council's house?"
"Indeed."
"And you want us to break in don't you? Goddess! Aislinn, please tell me you aren't expecting us to break into the f*cking council pack house."
Aislinn didn't answer, her head simply tilting to the side as she watched her.
"Holy shit." Ciera breathed out, butterflies the size of horses erupting. "Kaiden is going to kill me." She whispered horrified, her eyes now the size of saucers.
Ciera felt her nerves double as she watched the smallest hint of a smirk play on Aislinn's face. Her next words doing absolutely nothing to calm or reassure her. "That's only if we don't die first."