Quinn's Quest

Chapter Eleven

Bethany felt sweaty and sticky even though she’d had a quick wash. What she needed was a long, hot shower and time to digest everything that had happened in the past few hours.

She ached for Quinn. For everything he’d been through. For all the tough decisions he’d had to make. He’d killed people—bounty hunters and other werewolves. She was still trying to wrap her mind around that.

She found herself thrust into a new world where all the rules had changed. It was tough to reconcile. Only a month ago she would have considered him a killer, a criminal. His actions would be enough for any human court of law to convict and sentence him to a lengthy jail term. But she wasn’t human, and in the reality she now inhabited he was a hero. The sacrifices he’d made in order to find his sister, to help save other half-breed werewolves were mind-blowing. His inner strength and sense of honor was stronger than steel and sharper than any blade.

What she did know for sure was she loved Quinn. For better or worse. And she had the feeling it was going to get much worse. It might never get any better.

She was continuously getting mixed signals from him. Did he want to be mated to her? Was he trying to be noble, thinking she wouldn’t want him because of the hard choices he’d made in his life? Or had he mated with her because he thought he owed her because she’d given him the best lead he’d gotten in the search for his sister. She already knew he had a deep sense of honor. She didn’t want to be an obligation, nothing more than a burden to him.

Her thoughts were whirling and there was no time to sort them out. The city flew by as the pack drove in an SUV and a van toward the address Damek had sent them.

Quinn was sitting beside her but he might as well be on the other side of the world he was so distant and cold, a cold and merciless predator ready to hunt. Craig tapped his fingers against his legs and stared out the window. She wanted to scream to release the maelstrom of emotions swirling inside her. Instead, she twined her fingers together until her knuckles went white.

Isaiah drove the SUV with Meredith beside him. He said nothing but Bethany could feel the waves of anger and power rolling off him, filling the small space until every muscle in her body was twitching. The rest of the pack followed behind them in the van.

The vehicles sped through the relatively quiet city streets. Dawn was barely upon them, which made traffic lighter. The “L” rumbled on its tracks, taking early morning commuters to work. The buildings soon changed, going from prosperous to slightly rundown to downright derelict. Like every major city, Chicago had its vibrant areas and those that time had forgotten.

Beside her, Quinn practically vibrated with barely suppressed energy. His entire focus was on reaching their destination. Bethany wanted to touch him, to put her hand on his back and offer her silent support, but she didn’t feel as though she had the right. It didn’t matter that they were mated now—a fact that hadn’t been lost on any of the single males when she and Quinn had joined the others downstairs in the bar.

It was mortifying to remember Michael sniffing the air and glaring at Quinn before giving him a nod of reluctant acceptance. Benjamin and Kevin had both growled at Quinn. Isaiah had raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Meredith had offered a reassuring smile. They could smell him all over her. He’d marked her as his.

It was downright primitive and, if she was being honest with herself, a bit of a turn on too. She was so confused.

But she had to put her own embarrassment and needs behind her. Chrissten was out there and needed their help. Quinn didn’t need his attention divided at a time like this. Who knew what they were going to be up against?

“Almost there.” Isaiah slowed the SUV and pulled in next to an abandoned building. He shut off the vehicle and turned to face them all. “It’s in the next block. I didn’t want to park too close in case they’ve got a lookout or some kind of security system. Damek didn’t say anything about one, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

Quinn opened the door and stepped out into the early morning. The brisk air wrapped around them and she took a deep breath to try to settle herself. This was it. If luck was on their side they’d soon have Chrissten back.

And then what will I do?

The question shamed her. She shouldn’t be thinking about herself right now. This was about her friend. Quinn’s sister. “What’s the plan?” She was determined to be included.

The dark van pulled up behind them and the rest of the family climbed out. Isaiah nodded at them as they all came to circle around him. It was strange to feel like a part of such a united group, like she had a place with them.

“Teague and Craig will stay here with Neema and Bethany in case the bastards slip away from us.” Isaiah glanced around the buildings. “Plus, I don’t think the vehicles will still be here when we return if we don’t set a guard on them.”

Isaiah might be right, but it still burned Bethany not to be included. She knew he was leaving her and Neema behind because they weren’t as strong as the others. Teague was the obvious choice of male to stay with them because he would protect his mate with his life. Craig was being left behind because he was human and no match for whatever they’d come up against.

“Stay in human form when you’re outside,” Isaiah instructed. “The last thing we need is for one of us to end up on the front page of the newspaper or posted on the Internet while we’re in our wolf form.” They all nodded, understanding how that could adversely affect their lives. Everyone seemed to have a cell phone with a camera these days. Secrecy was paramount for their survival.

“Let’s go.” Quinn started down the street without a backward glance. Bethany’s chest ached at how easily she was forgotten by him. She didn’t expect him to kiss her in front of everyone, but a smile or a light squeeze of her hand wouldn’t have killed him.

They’d just mated. And even though she’d known going in it probably wasn’t for forever, she still felt raw.

A male hand brushed over her hair. Startled, she turned to find Michael behind her. “If he doesn’t treat you right…” He let his words trail off, the rest of his offer unspoken.

Bethany didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing.

Quinn chose that moment to whirl around. He glared at Michael and bared his teeth. When he looked at her she could see the accusation of betrayal written there. She squared her shoulders and glared back at him. She hadn’t done anything wrong and refused to feel guilty for simply listening to Michael.

Michael dropped his hand by his side and continued on. Quinn turned back around and kept walking. Once again she was completely dismissed. She watched as the men and Meredith disappeared down the road, circling a rundown building. It was three stories high, but Bethany would bet anything that if Chrissten and her captors were there, they’d be in the basement. Less chance of her escaping from there.

A shiver coursed down her spine and she prayed they weren’t too late to find Chrissten.

“Keep your fucking hands off my woman,” Quinn warned Michael as he came alongside.

“Or what?” Michael shrugged. “For a newly mated female she didn’t look very happy. You didn’t even speak to her before you left.”

Quinn felt guilty about that, but he was trying to do what was right. She was too gentle for him, too kind-hearted. In spite of everything she’d been through, there was an air of innocence about her that drew him even as he knew he didn’t deserve to touch such a prize.

“What’s between Bethany and me is private. You stay the fuck away from her.”

As much as he didn’t deserve her, he didn’t want Michael to have her either. He couldn’t bear the thought of another male holding her in his arms, kissing her, discovering what made her sigh and what made her scream with pleasure.

He was totally fucked up.

A low growl broke from his chest and he began to sweat. His wolf was snarling inside him, ready to pounce on anyone who touched his mate.

He shook his head and focused his attention on the building ahead of him. He’d deal with the problems between him and Bethany later. Right now, all that mattered was his sister.

According to Damek, she was inside. He inhaled deeply, trying to catch her scent. Nothing.

Beside him, Michael did the same.

Hank prowled ahead, taking the point. The man moved swiftly and quietly, becoming one with the shadows. Isaiah was just behind him with Meredith by his side. Benjamin and Kevin brought up the rear.

The silent, deadly group began to move in on the building. Quinn said a prayer of hope as he eased in through a broken window. He inhaled and caught a musky scent. Not his sister, but definitely a wolf. They were on the right track.

Hope flared in his chest, but he tamped it down. He’d been disappointed too many times before. He wouldn’t celebrate until he had Chrissten safe.

Beside him, Michael pointed toward a stairway to their left. It went down. That was good enough for him. He knew they’d most likely be in the basement even though the entire building would have to be checked.

The two of them eased down the narrow stairs. He took the lead. Both of them had 9mms in their hands. Isaiah had given them the weapons before they’d left the bar with the instructions to shoot to kill. Not that Quinn needed any instruction. He was good at killing.

Regular bullets wouldn’t kill a werewolf, but the ones in these guns were specially coated in silver and would slowly poison any werewolf if they weren’t immediately removed. They weren’t messing around and taking the chance of letting any rogue werewolves escape. These males had kidnapped a female and had to pay for their actions.

But the guns were to be used only as a last resort. The sound of gunfire would be heard from the street and they didn’t want to attract unwanted attention from the authorities. That wouldn’t help anyone.

Dust stirred the air around them, tickling Quinn’s nose. He strained his ears, trying to hear a sound. Something. Anything.

The place felt deserted.

A lump of dread practically closed his throat. He tightened his grip on his weapon and turned the corner at the bottom of the wooden stairs, keeping his back to the wall. Behind him, Michael followed, silent and ready.

A slight stirring of the air had Quinn whirling to the left, gun raised and ready. Hank held up his hand and pointed to the right. Damn, the guy was silent when he moved. He looked more like a soldier than any of them with his short-cropped hair and icy blue eyes. He exuded a deadly sense of determination.

Quinn was suddenly overwhelmed by the support these people had given him. Without even knowing Chrissten, they were ready to lay their lives down for her.

Hank ghosted by him and headed down a narrow hallway. He kept his back to the wall, searching each room as he went by to make sure it was clear.

Quinn moved up beside Hank, keeping his eyes and weapon trained ahead of them while Michael watched their backs. Most of the rooms were dirty and largely empty. But several showed signs of usage. There was a table and some lab equipment. The remainders of a meal. A cot with a sleeping bag tossed on it.

On the immediate right of the corridor was a door with a lock. Quinn’s heart leapt when he saw the shiny new lock lying on the floor amid the dirt and dust of years.

He leapt toward the door and flung it open. Several blankets were heaped on the floor. He stumbled toward them and fell to his knees. He fisted his hands in the thin material and held it to his face. He could smell his sister.

Behind him, Hank was still, but Quinn knew he was there. He looked up at the other male. “We missed them.”

Hank said nothing, but Quinn could feel his quiet fury.

Michael stuck his head in the room. “They’re not long gone. There’s a coffeepot in the next room and it’s still warm.”

Quinn jumped to his feet and raced from the room. Maybe it wasn’t too late. He took the stairs three at a time with Hank and Michael behind him. While Michael took the time to call out to the others, Quinn and Hank hit the street.

“You go right,” he told Hank. The other male took off without hesitation, like a bloodhound on hunt.

Quinn went left, sniffing the air as he went. If he could only catch her scent. Or even that of the other male. His heart was racing and there was a roaring in his head. He was so close.

He could hear the others pouring from the building and fanning out to search. He kept his gaze on his surroundings, scanning, looking for anything that might lead him to his sister. Several homeless people slept beneath a makeshift cardboard lean-to. Another huddled by a dumpster desperately trying not to be noticed.

It was difficult to try and pull Chrissten’s scent from the air, which was filled with the exhaust from vehicles, garbage from the dumpsters and the stench of human urine, sweat and vomit. City smells. He could pass within a dozen feet of his sister and possible miss her.

His chest tightened even as he fought his growing despair. He couldn’t lose her. Not this time.

A white van whizzed by the top of an alleyway. Quinn ran toward it, legs pumping, but it was gone before he could catch it. He managed to catch part of the license plate. Maybe it was nothing, but he’d have Craig check it out later.

He was about to turn back down the alley when a scream echoed in his head. He jerked around as panic flooded through him. Bethany. She was in danger.

The mating link between them flared to life like a warning system. He knew she didn’t know how to use it, how to reach out to him. He’d closed the mental door between them when she’d asked him to, but that didn’t matter. Her terror broke down the barrier and reached through to him, galvanizing him to action.

Nostrils flaring, blood pumping, he raced toward the vehicles where he’d left her, praying he wasn’t about to lose another woman he loved. His search for his sister had taken him away from Bethany rather than toward her.

He heard them before he saw them. Bethany’s scream chilled his blood and Craig’s yell had him pushing himself past his limits. His lungs burned and his muscles strained and still he drove harder. He had to get to his family. Had to protect his mate and his brother.

He sprinted around the corner and found Bethany and the others under attack by two huge wolves. Saliva dripped from their jaws as they growled and cornered Teague. In spite of Isaiah’s orders, he’d partially shifted and was swiping at his attackers with razor-sharp claws. Neema was trying to get to her mate and Craig was desperately trying to get both women behind him even though both of them, with their wolf blood, were stronger than he was.

Quinn didn’t hesitate. To hell with keeping a low profile. His mate was in trouble.

He raised his weapon and fired, sending silver bullets flying toward the two large beasts, trying to distract them as much as hit them. One of them yelped as a bullet grazed him, but the other one managed to get out of the way in time to avoid being hit.

These were pureblood werewolves. They were incredibly fast and strong. Quinn started to change as he raced toward them, allowing his wolf to take over. He yanked off his shirt and threw it aside. At the last possible second, he tossed his gun toward Teague. “Catch.”

Teague quickly shifted back to full human form, snagged the weapon out of thin air and backed away from the beasts to place himself in front of the women and Craig.

His wolf surged forward. He managed to shed the last of his clothing just in time. He met the largest of the wolves head-on. The beast was huge with pitiless black eyes. He tried to clamp his jaw around Quinn’s neck so he could snap it. There was no doubt he could do it too.

At the last second, Quinn twisted aside and kicked at his opponent. He heard several more shots being fired and knew Teague was keeping the other wolf off him.

This wasn’t good. Even in this derelict area of the city someone would eventually call the cops. They couldn’t afford to have the authorities involved. The need for secrecy was paramount.

Head down and growling with fury, Quinn faced the other wolf. No way was he letting this beast anywhere near Bethany. She was his. To love and protect. His woman. His mate.

The wolf leaped again and the sheer weight of him took Quinn down. He rolled and managed to get free, but not before the larger wolf snapped at his foreleg. Sharp fangs scraped over skin and Quinn could smell blood, coppery and warm as it rolled down his leg. Thankfully, the beast missed the bone and the wound was only a surface one. He didn’t know if he’d be that lucky next time the wolf struck.

He caught a glimpse of Bethany struggling to shift in order to help him. Her nails turned into claws and then back into hands. Her jaw elongated and shrunk again. Shifting was too new for her to be able to do it on command under such extreme circumstances. It didn’t matter that her first change had come easily. Emotions affected everything and she still thought of herself as more human than wolf. The change came much easier to purebloods than to half-breeds.

Undaunted, Bethany screamed and surged forward. She bent down and grabbed a piece of rusty pipe off the ground, clasping it in her hands like a baseball bat. She swung at the large wolf but it ducked and the pipe whooshed over its head. The beast snarled at her.

Fury the likes of which he’d never known exploded inside Quinn. He leapt at the other wolf, landing on its back. They rolled across the ground in a snarling, snapping heap of fur and teeth.

Suddenly the beast pulled away, turned and ran. Quinn started to give chase but Bethany’s cry stopped him. He turned back around to find her kneeling on the ground, the pipe abandoned beside her.

The rest of their group was racing toward them. Quinn quickly glanced down the street, but both werewolves were gone. And with them, his chance to find his sister.

He tilted back his head and howled his grief. Beyond him, he could see Craig, his brother’s face filled with despair. They’d been so close. But they’d lost her.

Isaiah opened the back door of the van. “Get in. The cops are on their way.” Sirens screamed in the distance.

Bethany climbed into the van and Quinn jumped in beside her. It was Craig who thought to gather Quinn’s clothing, the spent bullet casings and even the pipe that Bethany had used as a weapon. Her fingerprints would be all over it and they didn’t want to leave anything behind that would lead the cops to their door.

And speaking of weapons. He glanced toward Teague and sighed with relief when he saw his 9mm tucked safely away. The van pulled away and he allowed the change to take him. The shift back from wolf to man wasn’t physically painful, but it was emotionally devastating. It represented his inability to rescue his sister. Being a werewolf wasn’t helping in his search for her. As a half-breed, he wasn’t as strong as a pureblood. He’d failed Chrissten yet again. And he’d almost failed Bethany.

“Your arm is bleeding.”

He shrugged off his brother’s concern as Craig handed him his clothing and he pulled on his jeans and sneakers. He took his shirt and wrapped it around the gash in his arm. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” Their gazes met and Quinn could see the tears in Craig’s eyes. His brother’s disappointment hit him with the force of a sledgehammer.

He didn’t want to look at Bethany but couldn’t help himself. She was sitting beside him, her back against the wall of the van. Her legs were pulled up close to her chest and she had her arms wrapped around them and her face buried against her knees.

She was shaking.

God, his life was a mess. He’d let down the two women he loved most in the world. Chris was still missing and Bethany had almost been recaptured. He didn’t doubt for a moment that had been the goal of the purebloods. Once the males were taken down they could have easily subdued the two half-breed females. It ate at his guts to know he’d almost allowed that to happen to her. Only pure luck and Teague’s willingness to fight the two stronger wolves had given him time to get there. The rogue wolves had run off when the rest of the pack had arrived, taking with them any knowledge of Chris.

He wanted to touch Bethany, to reassure himself she was unhurt. It might be selfish of him considering the wall he’d put up between them after their mating, but he needed to feel her warmth and smell her sweet scent.

Teague held his wife in his lap, running his hands over her back and arms as if to reassure himself she was okay. Kevin and Hank kept their gazes averted, both lost in their own thoughts. Craig stared out the back window. Michael was driving the van with his brother sitting beside him, but he knew they were as aware of Bethany as he was.

In the close confines of the van it was impossible not to smell her musky, seductive scent. Where she’d only had time for a quick wash she stilled smelled like sex, like him.

He put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. “Everything is okay.” The words were meaningless but he had to say something.

She shook her head and didn’t speak. None of them did. A deep sense of failure settled over the group. When they finally parked in the alley behind Haven, Quinn was more than ready for some time alone. But it wasn’t to be. Not yet.

They trooped into the large kitchen. Teague went straight to work putting on a pot of coffee while Neema pulled out several large skillets. The last thing Quinn wanted was breakfast, but maybe Bethany was hungry. He worried about her. She was still too thin from her ordeal.

He swallowed hard as thoughts of his sister threatened to choke him. What about Chrissten? Was she hungry? Scared? Had she given up hope? So many questions without answers.

Isaiah and Meredith faced the group. Anger radiated from the alpha male. Was he angry about Quinn shifting in public? Too bad if he was. If they wanted him to leave, he would. And he’d take Craig and Bethany with him.

That is if she’d even go with him. So far, she hadn’t so much as looked at him. But why would she? He’d failed his sister again and put Bethany in danger. Some mate he was.

Frustration ate at him as fury fueled him.

“We obviously missed them by minutes. Did you recognize either wolf?” The question was fired at Bethany. Quinn bristled at Isaiah’s tone and moved to stand behind his mate, resting his hands on her shoulders for support.

He was surprised when she nodded. “Yes. The larger one. The one Quinn fought with. That’s Brian.”

His fingers tightened, digging into Bethany’s shoulders until he felt her flinch. He rubbed the abused skin in mute apology. Brian. He didn’t doubt the bastard has raped his sister. He knew Bethany thought so too even though Chrissten had never confirmed it to her. The fact that his sister could shift into her wolf was confirmation enough that some wolf had taken her. And since Brian was the doctor’s assistant it stood to reason he was the bastard who’d done it. He wished he’d been able to kill him when he’d had the chance.

“I don’t think the other male will make it.” Teague was busy breaking eggs into a large bowl. For a guy who looked more like a gang member, the half-breed was a whiz in the kitchen. Already he had several skillets filled with bacon and onions. “I shot him at least three times with those silver bullets. Once in the chest. And Quinn had already hit him.”

“Good.” Isaiah nodded. “Anyone else have anything helpful to add?”

“I do.” Quinn turned to his brother. “I got a partial plate on a white van that left the area in a hurry. Don’t know if it’s related to our search, but it couldn’t hurt to look.” He rattled off what he had and Craig nodded.

“If no one needs me, I’m off to run this.” When Isaiah inclined his head, Craig took off for the office.

“The rest of us need to shower and get some rest.” Meredith was in full mothering mode as she shooed them toward the door. “Come down and get something to eat before you settle down to sleep.

She paused beside Quinn. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her. Damek will be back on the hunt at nightfall.” Meredith patted his arm and then hugged Bethany. “If you need me I’ll be in my apartment,” she told the younger woman.

Bethany nodded her thanks, clinging to Meredith a few seconds longer before releasing her. “I’m going upstairs now.” Bethany made her announcement to the room at large. She glanced his way and he could see the indecision written on her face. She didn’t ask him to go with her when she left.

He watched her go, feeling the condemnation of all the other males in the room. Isaiah stood, arms crossed over his chest. “That’s a good female. A male would have to be crazy not to cherish her as she deserves.”

He bristled at the criticism even though he knew Isaiah was right. But he was trying to do what was right for her. Wasn’t he? But he was also being a jerk. They’d just mated and hadn’t even had time to talk about it before they’d run out of here to search for his sister. Bethany needed him, if only to talk. And God help him, he wanted to be there for her.

“There are other males who’d be more than happy to cherish her,” Michael added.

Quinn growled at the male. “Until she decides otherwise, Bethany is mine.” With that parting shot, he headed upstairs. He couldn’t stay away from her any longer. They had to talk.

Hot tears flowed down Chrissten’s cheeks. Normally she didn’t allow herself to cry. It was a weakness she couldn’t afford. If she gave in to despair she might never find her way out of it again.

Brian had come rushing into her cell, subduing and drugging her easily. They were feeding her less and less these days and the doctor seemed to be drawing more blood for his experiments. As a result, she was getting weaker and more lethargic.

There were other wolves coming their way. Hope had leapt wildly in her chest and she’d struggled in Brian’s arms, but with the drug already working in her veins she hadn’t been able to do much. Dr. Morton had ordered Brian to take her straight to the van. She had a vague memory of cool air brushing across her face like a lover’s caress and then darkness had closed in around her. She’d scented several wolves, including her beloved twin brother. Quinn had been so close.

He hadn’t found her in time.

Beyond her new prison she could hear Brian yelling at Dr. Morton, ordering him to save his friend, his pack mate. Chrissten had always been aware there was at least one other male wolf involved with the doctor, possibly more. This only confirmed it.

She strained to hear their conversation.

“I don’t think I can do anything. Those bullets are coated in silver. The poison is already going through his system. The one in his chest is the worst. The poison is too close to his heart. I’ll remove them but that’s all I can do.” She could hear metal against metal as the doctor set up his instruments.

“Just do it.” Something smashed against a wall and she knew Brian had thrown some object.

“It’s his own fault for attacking the other pack. You should have just left them.”

A tinkle of metal on metal and she knew one of the bullets had been removed.

“Bethany was there.”

“Ah, then I commend your forward thinking action. It would have been a coup to reacquire her.” Another clink. Another bullet. “We’ll have to stay in the city long enough to try again. Half-breed females aren’t exactly plentiful and she’s young and healthy.”

Chrissten huddled closer to the slit in the door and peeked out. She couldn’t see anything but a thin line of light. But it made hearing them easier.

“Fucking bastard attacked me. I got a swipe in but we had to make a break for it before I had the chance to kill him.”

Relief flooded Chrissten. Quinn was all right. The rest of her family was safe. That was the best she could hope for.

She was so cold. She moved away from the door, careful not to make any noise to draw attention her way. She curled up in a ball on the floor with her back to the wall. She inhaled, trying to remember her brother’s scent. It was so long since she’d seen him, hugged him. They’d always been close. The best of friends.

Another scent kept intruding. This one was darker somehow. Chrissten licked her lips, wondering who it belonged to. It made her stomach flutter and her heart ache.

She closed her eyes and tried to remember it exactly as she’d smelled it. Maybe it was something she’d dreamed. She couldn’t have scented anyone other than the doctor and Brian. There was no one else here.

Footsteps hard against the concrete floor interrupted her. Before she could sit up, the door was flung open and Brian stood there, fury in every line of his body.

“Time for you to make yourself useful, mate.”

Chrissten gathered her meager strength to fight. One more time.

Hank paced the floor of his room. It was impossible for him to relax. They’d been so close. He glanced at the two blankets folded at the bottom of his bed. A slightly dirty pillow sat next to it.

Unable to stop himself, he went to them. He picked up one of the blankets first and inhaled deeply. Her scent was fresh and he could almost feel her warmth.

Chrissten. She smelled like a fresh summer day. Like promises in the dark of the night. It was overlaid with a much deeper, musky scent. Male.

Hank growled and dropped the blanket, picking up the pillow instead. Her scent was fainter here but it wasn’t tainted by the male’s smell.

He knew she’d been a captive for more than a year. Knew she’d been taken against her will, mated to a male not of her choosing.

That didn’t set well with him. Especially since he wanted her for himself.

He breathed in her lovely scent once more and then carefully placed the pillow back in its place.

He’d find her if it was the last thing he ever did. And then he’d kill the bastard that had taken her.