Chapter 15

Randy’s Point of View

            I stand looking out my window at the moon. Today marked the anniversary of my dear Isabella’s death. How I wish that our daughter, our sweet little girl, was safe. Not knowing if she’s alive or dead has been killing me slowly. I remember the day when I got a fresh clue about her. A young Mutt was passing through our temporary territory when a few of my men brought her to me. In exchange for letting her into my small pack, she told me about a young girl last seen near Alpha McKlondon’s territory.

            This girl, the mutt explained, looked a lot like the dead Luna of the Western Gold Pack. I was shocked, and yet hopeful that this mutt was right. I longed to have my little angle back.  I picked three of my best warriors and we went and saw my old friend. I saw Jon Bellflower while I was there. I was glad that he had made it out alive, but I didn’t get the chance to talk to him. I did notice that when he saw me, he froze. He looked nervous, like he had a secret that he didn’t want me to find out. Or I guess he thought I would order him back to our pack. But I wouldn’t do that. The members that hadn’t been with me or killed when the Mutts attacked had found other packs or moved to cities where only humans were. There was no way that I would try and tear apart their new lives.

            Lynx told me that Jon and his wife had a little girl. But I didn’t pay attention to it. I was focused on finding mine. Then, eight years ago, I heard through the grape vine that Jon and Marcella had been killed, along with their son and his father Jon Sr. But the little girl had survived. She had been hiding up in a tree. At first I found that funny. A werewolf playing in a tree house, but then someone said that she was adopted, a little human. So, again I brushed it off. I forgot about this little girl of the Bellflowers, but my wolf didn’t. He remembers everything.

            I sigh and look back at the moon. I hope for the sake of my pack that Cass allows me to purchase this little acreage. We cannot return to our former home where so many bad memories lay waiting to haunt us. He said he’d have an answer for me within the week. And he hasn’t broken his word to me yet. I turn to go to bed when I spot a lone figure just within the dark tree line. I mind link with several of my men, telling them of a possible Mutt sneaking towards us. I watch as they slip from the house and surround the figure.

            The mutt puts up a good fight, putting five of my best men down before Dean, my beta, shoots it with a tranquilizer. It still fought until the sleeping potion worked itself into the bloodstream. Then it fell like a load of rocks. Dean picked it up and started walking towards the house. Boss, I don’t think she’s a Mutt. I can’t smell a thing on her, and she didn’t shift when we swarmed her. But I’m going to put her in a cell just in case. You can never be too sure now-a-days. He links with me. I yawn. Tomorrow will be early enough to deal with this girl.

Mari’s Point of View

            I made good time after I left Cass’s house. In less than two hours, I was in the northwestern section. I stayed well hidden in the tree line, or thought I did. I didn’t see or smell the small house until it was too late. But I didn’t see any lights on. As I started slowly towards it hoping to sleep on the back porch just until dawn, I could feel that I wasn’t alone. Several huge wolves rushed out from nowhere at me. I did my best, just like Lynx taught me. I put down five of the wolves when I felt a pinch on my leg.

            Looking down, I see a small red dart sticking out. I quickly grab it and pull it out. Throwing it down, I kick the guy in front of me, knocking him out. I could feel whatever was in that dart spread quickly through my bloodstream. I kept fighting the wolves off until darkness again came to claim me. The last thing I remember was socking a black wolf that had what looked like a white mask across its face. Then nothing.

            I came to in a small cell. Standing outside, leaning up against the wall stood a very tall and well built man. He would glance at me and then back to the book in his hand. I scoff silently. He hasn’t even noticed that I was awake yet. So I just lay there for thirty more minutes, letting the sounds of the room fill my ears. I glance back over at the guy and he yawns. Smiling, I jump out of the bed, scaring him.

            Laughing at him, I watch as he throws the book onto a table. “Don’t do that again if you know what’s good for you Mutt.” He threatens me. Great, now I’m a Mutt. Oh, this is going to be too much fun. I tell myself. Making a motion for writing, the guy slowly hands me a pencil and pen.

            -I need to talk to your alpha. I watch his face as he reads it. The dude actually scowls at me. I flash him a smile. “Alpha Cortez is resting. He doesn’t sleep on nights such as this.”

            -It’s really important. Alpha McKlondon sent me. Again the dude scowls at me. “And why would he send a Mutt on a job for him?”

            -I’m no Mutt. Please, my Alpha said that it’s very important. And I’ve wasted enough time that I can’t afford in this stupid cell. If you don’t go get your alpha, when mine finds out how you have treated his adopted daughter, I can assure you that he won’t like it one bit.

            The dude reads what I wrote and pales. I kind of feel sorry for him, but it’s his fault for putting me in a cage in the first place. “I.-I’ll be right back.” He stutters and rushes off. As soon as he leaves, a tall, well built man takes his place. I smile at him, and after several seconds, he gives me a weak smile back. I shake my head and sit back on the bed. Not ten minutes go by when the guy’s back with an older looking man. He had silver streaks in his thick black hair. His pure blue eyes are seeped with sadness. So this is my dad. I can tell where I get my looks from.

            They both stop in front of my cell. “What do you want?” His voice rings out, carrying the weight of his title. I quickly take back the little writing pad.

            -I need to talk to you alone sir. He laughed. “What can you say to me that you can’t say in front of my men?” He asked, his voice cold and hard.

            -I was told by Alpha Lynx to tell you and only you sir. I hand him the pad and bow my head. He jerks his towards the door and the two guys walk out. I wait until the door slams shut and I look at him. He hands me the pad back.

            -I’m Mari, the adopted daughter of Lynx and Nina McKlondon. If you don’t believe me, after I’m finished talking to you, you can call him and check my story. He sent me to find you. He said that he has just come across some very important information regarding the where about of your missing daughter. He had several pressing matters on hand, or else it would be he here and not me.

            I hand him the pad. He reads it quickly and then reads it again a second time more slowly. I hear a soft sigh come from him. Looking at me he asks softly, “Why can’t you talk?”

            -The attack of your men wasn’t the first one that I had tonight. And that was all I told him. He just nods. “So, you came all the way from Lynx’s territory to find me. What would you have done if you didn’t find me here?”

            -Sir, I would have kept on searching until I found you. Those were my orders. Lynx said that you needed to hear this. He didn’t tell me all the information regarding the details of the case. My father’s eyes seem to glow with hope. He rubs his face and glances at me. “Get some sleep. We leave at first light.” And then he’s gone. I hear the door as I lay back on the bed. As I close my eyes, I see that both of the men are back. This time, they are standing at my door instead of the wall.

Randy’s Point of View

            I had just fallen asleep when Dean shakes me awake. “Sorry for waking you sir, but the Mutt request to speak with you. She said…She wrote that Alpha McKlondon is her adopted father. I didn’t know what to do. Again alpha, I’m sorry for waking you.”

            “You did the right thing Dean. What’s this about her writing instead of talking?”

            “I don’t know sir. She gestured for something to write with. I can tell she’s no wolf.” Dean stands back as I get out of my bed. I glance at him and walk out of my room. Questioning the “daughter” of Alpha McKlondon would be a more productive way to spend the night, since I know that I would only be having nightmares of the attack. I sigh and head towards the holding area, Dean right on my tail.

            Within minutes I’m standing in front of the cell looking at the girl. I can hardly believe my eyes. I know it’s not possible, but the girl looks like my Isabella. This girl just stares at me as if she can read my thoughts. Isabella was the same way. I mentally sigh. “What do you want?” I bark out, my tone a lot harsher than I intended. I hand her back the pad.

            -I need to talk to you alone sir. I laugh at this. “What can you say to me that you can’t say in front of my men?” I ask her, my voice sounding cold and hard.

            -I was told by Alpha Lynx to tell you and only you sir. I take the pad from her and she bows her head. I read what she wrote and link with the guys. Dean, Ryland wait outside. I’ll call you when we’re finished. I jerk my head towards the door and they leave. The girl waits until they slam the door. I hand her the pad back.

            -I’m Mari, the adopted daughter of Lynx and Nina McKlondon. If you don’t believe me, after I’m finished talking to you, you can call him and check my story. He sent me to find you. He said that he has just come across some very important information regarding the where about of your missing daughter. He had several pressing matters on hand, or else it would be he here and not me.

            I take the pad and quickly read what she wrote. Not believing my eyes, I read it again, this time slower. I let a sigh out. Looking at her, I ask softly, “Why can’t you talk?”

            -The attack of your men wasn’t the first one that I had tonight. I just nods. “So, you came all the way from Lynx’s territory to find me. What would you have done if you didn’t find me here?”

            -Sir, I would have kept on searching until I found you. Those were my orders. Lynx said that you needed to hear this. He didn’t tell me all the information regarding the details of the case. I look at the pad and mentally laugh. Lynx chose a good one to find me. I doubt this little human would have stopped looking for me until she found me. I feel a small sliver of hope rising. “Get some sleep. We leave at first light.”

            I tell Mari then leave. When I step out of the room I look at Dean first then Ryland. “Boys, at first light we’re taking the girl, Mari, and going to see Lynx. He has some information on my missing girl. Guard her well and keep an eye on her. Anything she wants, her it for her. I mean it.” I turn and walk away to “Yes Alpha.” I hear the door open and then close. The day just got a little brighter for me. As I walk up the stairs to my room, I start to whistle. For the first time in eight years, I feel happy.