~Canow~

One Month Later

Arawn "Canow" Canowicakte ducked low at the rapid-fire of his teammate's MK46 and the returning enemy fire. He shimmied back, further into the bush. It took some maneuvering because he was weighed down from his HK416 rifle, his Glock 17 pistol, his MK48 machine gun, many magazines, and even a few of both flash-bag and drag grenades. Each weapon guaranteed they were equipped to handle any scenario they may encounter, with a rough total of at least 2,725 bullets.

Canow's super-secret Special Forces unit was assigned roughly the same loadout as a normal Delta Force team was. Except his team happened to be even deadlier and more weaponized than a normal U.S. Army Special Forces unit. Few people even knew of their existence inside the Army or out. Each soldier was specifically handpicked based on skill, talent, and genetics. His team liked to joke they were the SA-Team, meaning they were the "Super A-Team". It was something they only said amongst themselves because Delta Force and normal Special Forces units were often known as the A-Team. But those teams had nothing on Canow and his brothers-in-arms. If only everyone else could know there were teams even deadlier.

The secret of their team ensured they were deadlier than most of their opposition. Even without their intense training and experience, the part which made their team more classified than others made them even deadlier. Very few missions of theirs ever needed the full range of their skillset. But each mission was just as deadly and just as necessary as any other.

His team's voices filled his ear as the situation grew tenser. Canow's teammate, nicknamed Eagle for the fact he was their Intelligence Sergeant, grunted under his breath from his location two Klicks away. "This situation has officially gone Charlie Foxtrot guys."

Canow grunted in agreement. Their current mission wasn't supposed to last anywhere near as long as it was. It was going on two months now and was supposed to be a simple in and out. It was a simple intel retrieval, which turned into a possible kidnapping retrieval based on certain information they had gathered. His team normally didn't even have missions like this one but had been detailed to it because of the location it was in.

Canow pushed his MK48 backward to switch it out with his HK416 as he began to move out of his prone position. His team had been given the chance to choose an MK46 or MK48 but he always preferred the heavier punch of the MK48 caliber. But a machine gun had its moments and this was not one of them. Now was the moment for his bang-bang. "Come on, Snake Eaters. We've been here for ages. Let's rock and roll. Tell us when Honch."

His CO chuffed out a laugh under his breath. He always thought it was stupid how much Canow used nicknames.

"You just hate being a Jawa, Canow." This came from the weapon's sergeant on their current mission, Flash.

Canow's chuckle was low and gruff. It was no secret he hated the heat. No wonder he hated being in a desert climate. They just thought it was hilarious since he was from Texas. "You're damn right, Flash! Don't understand how you guys aren't burning in this heat and dust."

Several low chuckles filtered in over his earpiece. Flash's answer was dry and the same way he always responded. "We can because we aren't such cryo's."

Canow rolled his eyes. They had been calling him a cryophilic ever since they realized just how much he hated the heat and loved the cold. They had also tried to give him the code name Hawk since people tend to call cold weather that. But that name never stuck. Before he could respond, his CO interrupted.

"Eyes up, team. We've got visuals on the package. Canow, you've got your wish. It's time to roll."

A few of our teammates had already been engaging the hostiles as they waited. But Canow, Honch, Flash, and a couple of others had been waiting until they could confirm if their victim was at their location.

As they sprung into action, each of them didn't need any further communication other than the scattered updates. The SA-Team was a well-oiled machine. They each knew their jobs like the back of their eyelids. As his team spread out on their individual duties, Canow ran straight through the middle. A few terrorists appeared and he quickly raised his rifle to shoot them. He didn't stop. His teammates could deal with the terrorists and anything else. Canow, with Flash at his back, was on retrieval duty.

When they had been watching the terrorists a month ago, it had escalated when they learned an American was being held hostage. It became even more important when they realized it had been some politician's child who had been vacationing while studying abroad. Thus, their mission was extended. It was an important mission. But Canow missed his family. Well, his brother specifically.

His family dynamic was a bit rough because the expectations were high. They were loving but it was a very strict environment. His brother, who was his best friend, was the only thing that made it all bearable. Canow had not seen him in way too long. Even though his father expected Canow to return home to lead the family, they had a family tradition of joining the military. Between his and his brother's careers, they had not been home at the same time in the past few years. His brother was home now, though. He just had to hurry this mission up and he could get some downtime with his little brother.

A scream and struggle met him when he went around the corner of a shack. He immediately swung back around the corner as gunfire rang out in his direction. With his back against the wall, he signaled to Flash who stood by his side. "Six hostiles. One hostage. You go right, I go left." It is a wonderful thing when one can communicate without speaking.

When they flew around the corner it did not take much time at all for them to eliminate the men guarding the hostage. Six against two was way too easy. Canow moved over to check the hostage as Flash watched his back.

"You're safe, now. We're here to take you home. Stay low and by my side." The ratatat tat of gunfire was over. He turned and spoke into his earpiece, staying aware of his surroundings. "Package is secured, over."

***

Several hours later Canow and his team had made it back to post. They had dropped off the hostage with the MPs and gone to debrief. When they were finally done, they left excited and joking around about what the first they'd do stateside would be.

"I know what Canow will be doing! Crying about the heat!" They all laughed and shoved each other playfully.

"And we all know what you'll be doing, Flash. No need to pretend you're all strong and macho when we know you'll be stroking the barrel of your rifle in your room all by yourself!" Canow and Flash playfully lunged at each other as the rest of their team laughed and continued messing around.

A throat clearing caused them all to shoot up straight and stand at attention. Honch was the one who spoke first. "Colonel."

The Colonel, who was currently stationed at the same military installation they were, stood in front of them with a serious look on his face. "At ease, men. Unfortunately, your DT is going to have to wait. There's a situation arising and your team's needed. I wish I could have given you guys some time to rest and recuperate but this is a high priority. You'll be shipping out at oh-three hundred. Grab an MRE and hit the rack guys."

They all saluted and went to head out. But the Colonel stopped Canow.

"Sergeant Canow. Not you. Please stay behind for a moment."

Canow's teammates shot concerned and surprised looks back at him as they headed out. Swallowing, Canow turned back to the colonel. It was never a good thing when one of the most senior ranking officers signaled someone out.

"Sir?"

The colonel gave a deep sigh and gestured to a chair. "Have a seat, Sergeant?"

Frowning against the nervous tingles that erupted down the back of his neck, Canow shook his head. "All due respect, Sir. I'd prefer to stand."

Canow stood there with a straight face. But inside he was a bundle of nerves. The only reasons he could think of for being called to the side like this were ones where he was in trouble or something bad had happened at home.

"Sergeant. Two weeks ago we received word your brother, ah uh, Specialist, correct?" At Canow's nod, the colonel continued but Canow was now only half-listening. His palms were sweaty, his pulse racing, and his vision narrowed. Yet, despite his terror in what the colonel was about to tell him, Canow still stood straight-faced with his arms at his side. "He received leave time to go back home. While he was there he went missing."

"My brother would never go AWOL sir. It's our family tradition to serve our country and it means more than you could ever know to us. So, it's not his fault."

Raising a hand, the colonel ended Canow's concern. "No, no. I did not mean to insinuate he is AWOL. In fact, the authorities seem to believe he's been kidnapped, I'm sorry to say."

For the first time Canow could ever remember, he stumbled back with wide eyes. He felt like someone had just punched him in the chest. "Wh-what? Kidnapped?"

Canow felt rage coursing through him, unlike anything he had ever known. Tingles were coursing through his body as he felt the monster raise its head. He quickly looked away. The colonel was not privy to just what made his unit so special. No matter what he was feeling, he was not going to let it cause something to happen he couldn't take back.

With a somber and sympathetic look in his eyes, the colonel nodded. "Now that your previous mission is over, you'll be leaving your team and returning stateside. It's to my understanding there is not much information yet. But, seeing how your team was up for some leave time anyway, the Army thought it best to send you home early. Don't worry about your team. They'll be fine. They're trained for this. But you will be going home. Transport has been arranged to take you back home. You leave in 90 Mikes."

After that, Canow nodded and left the colonel. Everything was in a haze. But he cleared his head and headed to his bunk. Pain and rage at the idea his brother had been taken coursed through his body. But Canow was trained for situations like this. It was not a time to let his emotions gain control over him. So, Canow packed up his stuff and stopped by to talk to his team. His brothers who he knew would be right there with him on a plane if they didn't have a job to do still. His brothers who he wouldn't be leaving in a pinch, one man down if it wasn't his little brother missing.

An hour and a half after Canow's world was turned upside down, he got his wish. He was on his way home. If only it hadn't been for the reason that it was.

***

The ride back to Texas felt like forever to Canow. He went from truck to cargo plane. Then he had to get on multiple passenger planes. There were a lot of switching rides. If Canow had been going back with his team it wouldn't have taken so long. But this trip was falling under personal leave and not with his unit.

The closer he got to home, the more anxious Canow began to feel. On the outside there was still the strong and cool facade years of being in deadly situations taught him. His insides, though, were like strings pulled tautly. It felt like any moment something could cause him to snap and his emotions to break open. If he wasn't staring at his unmoving knee he would think it was bouncing in anxiety.

Thinking about the possibility his brother was somewhere being held against his will or worse was not something Canow wanted to think about. Their relationship was many things depending on the circumstances. They were family, brothers, and best friends. At times, though, they had a dynamic of father and son or leader and follower. Canow could not imagine his life if something happened to his brother. Nothing would be the same, not now or in the future.

The genetics that made Canow's Special Forces unit deadlier and more secret than any other was ultimately because there was a secret each member held on their own. It was a military unit made up of beings the world believed were myths and legends. Each member was born as some type of shifter. Canow and his brother were both wolf shifters. It was mandatory for potential pack leaders in their pack to join the military. It was a tradition for the pack. But it also helped build leadership qualities, fighting techniques, and preparation for the back security business. However, Canow was also his pack's next Alpha. Even though his brother was young enough that he had not made it into the Special Forces unit yet, he was well on his way to doing so. After the military, his brother was supposed to be by his side in the pack. Canow knew his brother was strong and deadly. He was probably safe, wherever he was. But, to think someone took his brother was crazy. To think his brother may never finish his military career or go back to the pack was unthinkable.

Canow was pulled from his thoughts when his final plane began deboarding. Grabbing his duffle bag, Canow left. He walked at a brisk pace, scooting sideways past a few people when he didn't want to slow down. The rental company in the airport tended to run out of vehicles early and he didn't want to miss getting one. Canow groaned when he made it to the car rental. The line was around 30 people deep. It was going to take longer than he wanted it to.

As he waited, he tried to think about which steps he was going to be taking. His first stop was going home to his family. But he needed to know all of the details and how far the cops have gotten. Did his brother, Cocidius, anger someone? Was there a reason behind his possible kidnapping? What evidence was there? Were there any leads or potential suspects the police had? Canow needed answers. More importantly, Canow needed to know where he needed to begin his search and who he needed to kill.

He was snapped out of his mental planning when a news broadcast on the nearby TV caught his attention. Canow had not had access to U.S. news for the past couple of months. When they had deployed on their mission news of the "Cupid Killer" had just been getting reported. During his time away, he was shocked to discover it had only gotten worse. Apparently, the suspect was still jumping from state to state to get his victims. His latest victims were from Illinois and Pennsylvania.

"Can you believe they haven't found the guy yet?" The person in front of him asked, but it didn't seem like he was talking to anyone in particular. Several people in front of him seemed to be watching the TV also.

"I heard the FBI hasn't been holding any press conferences because they don't have any clue who's doing it or how." Another person added to the conversation. This seemed to lead to many people discussing the news broadcast and the Cupid Killer.

Canow shook his head. It was insane to think one man was doing it. According to the news channels, the FBI wasn't any closer to solving it. Maybe that was because they were only looking for one person.

He thought it would probably be an interesting case to work on with his brothers. The brothers from his unit. Whenever they gathered intel for their missions it was kind of like solving a case. But, right now, Canow had a much more important mission. Perhaps the most important mission of his life. His focus needed to be on saving his brother, and the Cupid Killer's recent victim was not in Texas. Focusing on that case wasn't going to get him any closer to finding his brother.

When he finally got the rental, he thanked anyone above who was listening. It had been the last one they had at the moment. Canow then left the airport and headed home. Several speed limits were probably broken that day, but he refused to waste any more time in finding out just what had happened.

***

Many hours and backroads later, Canow pulled up to his packhouse. Normally when he arrived on his pack territory the feeling of peace and security filled him. Even with his hatred of the heat and humidity, no one could escape in the great state of Texas, it was his home. Canow didn't get that feeling this time. As he pulled up he could not ignore the fact something was missing. Someone was missing. It didn't feel like it would be home until his family was back together again.

"Arawn! You're home!"

Canow had barely stepped out of his car before a body barrelled into him. Laughing lightly, his arms wrapped around his mom's tiny body. He lifted her into his arms and off the ground in a bear hug.

"Hi, Mama. I'm home."

When he pulled away a lump was in his throat when he noticed tears running down her face. Looking away from the sight, he glanced up and noticed his dad. He was still on the porch, staring at us with a straight face. But his dad's eyes had a light Canow had never seen before. He looked tired, as if he had aged since learning his youngest son was taken. Yet, he still wore a cloak around him. Being strong for everyone else even as he looked at Canow with relief and sorrow. Relief his one son was home but sorrow that his other son wasn't.

"Hey, Daddy."

Canow's mom began pulling him towards the house and his father. "Look at you! You must be starving! Come inside out of this heat. I know how cranky you get when you're sweating in this heat. You Canow men burn so easy in this heat, even with your complexions. Let me make y'all something to eat."

He and his dad shared a look. "Ma, I'm not really hungry. Can we just talk about Cocidius? Please. I don't know much about what's goin' on."

"Nonsense! You've been traveling for who knows how long. I'll make your favorite. All the fixins!"

When Canow's mouth opened to try and decline again, he stopped at the shake of his father's head. Sighing, he begrudgingly agreed. "Yes ma'am."

His mother rushed ahead to the kitchen. Which gave his dad a chance to slap him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're home and safe, son."

"I wish I could have been here sooner. What happened, dad? When was Cocidius taken? Are there any leads? No one has told me anything! I mean, where was he even at when he was taken? Kidnapped. How does that even happen?"

His dad moved forward to place a hand on both of Canow's shoulders. "Son. Stop. Not where your mother can hear. She has...she's been having a hard time. I don't want to make it worse for her to hear it all again. Let's go eat our supper and then you and I will talk."

Canow's eyes had begun glowing gold in anger during his rant. But he was able to relax enough for his eyes to return to their normal forest green shade, with his dad's words and comforting hands on his shoulders. He sighed and turned to go inside.

"Fine. But later, tell me everything. I need to know how to find him. And whenever I do, I'll kill whoever managed to take him."

His father snarled. "You'll have to get in line, son. You'll have to get in line."

Canow and his dad began to head into the kitchen when something caught his attention. On the TV in the living room, the news was on. It was talking about the Cupid Killer's latest victims. The wording the reporter was using grabbed Canow's attention. After a few moments of listening, he could not ignore the tingles erupting on the back of his neck.

"Dad, where was Cocidius when he was taken?"

This time his voice did not allow for his father to ignore him. Canow wanted answers and he was having a bad feeling all of a sudden that he had just found them.

With a sigh, Canow's dad stared at the TV with pain in his eyes. As he reached for the remote and turned the TV off, he answered Canow without looking at him.

"Chicago. Your brother was in Chicago, Arawn."

Canow's eyes widened then narrowed as he snarled. His brother hadn't just been taken by some random person. He was the latest victim of the Cupid Killer.