Bonded (47 page)

She cursed the
bond between them. If it didn’t exist, he’d be safe right now, back
at Lycan Link processing halves or on a mission with a team of
Enforcers to support him. Not alone and facing a whole conclave of
Purists. Why hadn’t she been stronger; why hadn’t she resisted the
pull towards him?

Her heart was
breaking; a gaping chasm, an open wound. Mentally, she cried out
his name. “Reno! Don’t die! Don’t leave me alone!”

If she could only
reach him in time, she’d hold him in her arms and speak the words
she’d longed to all these years. Press a kiss to his lips so that
even if he did...die...he’d know she’d loved him, that he was the
most important person in the world to her. That even as he drew his
last breath, he would live on in her heart, forever a part of her
because of the accidental bond formed all those years ago. She
blinked trying to see through the tears that clouded her
vision.

Wait.

Was he moving?

Did she see his
ear twitch?

Was that a faint
tremble she saw run over his body?

Yes!

Joy soared through
her at the knowledge he wasn’t dead. Severely injured probably, but
the breath of life hadn’t been taken from him yet. He’d heal; he
had to. He was strong and she’d help him, no matter what.

Relief flooded her
and suddenly, she became aware of her surroundings. Shouting, a
strange rhythmic thudding. She looked about and realized it wasn’t
the wind and thunder from a storm she’d been hearing but two
helicopters! They were hovering overhead and men were rappelling
down. Shocked, she stared up at the sky.

More Purists?

No. She narrowed
her eyes and studied the men descending from the choppers.

It was the
ACS!

The men who had
been with Victor were scattering, some heading to their vehicles,
others towards the mine and some racing into the forest. A grin
curled her lips and she relaxed knowing that everything would be
fine now.

Brandi returned
her attention back to Reno, pleased she’d now be able to tend him
rather than defend him from further attacks. But in that brief
moment that she’d looked away, he’d already managed to get to his
feet. Dirt and blood matted the fur on his flank and he weaved
unsteadily but at least he was alive.

Giving a happy
yip, she tried to draw his attention but perhaps he didn’t hear her
over the noise of the choppers for he never looked her way. Instead
he was staring up the mountain side. Following the direction of his
gaze, she saw a blond wolf racing away; it was Victor!

Even as she made
the identification, Reno was starting to follow the Alpha.

No! She barked
loudly, hoping Reno would stop. He was in no condition to chase
down Victor, but apparently he wasn’t thinking clearly enough to
realize that fact. Huffing in exasperation she began to run again,
intent on catching up to him and stopping his foolhardy mission. He
was dragging his leg, his head hanging. Idiot! Let the ACS track
down the Purist!

She’d barely taken
a dozen steps when a voice called out. “Stop! I’m a Lycan Link
Enforcer and you’re under arrest!”

Knowing they
weren’t talking to her of course, Brandi continued to head in the
direction Reno had taken. Once she caught up to him, she’d talk
some sense into him. He could be a hero another day. If he kept
running on that injured flank, it might cause permanent—

In the middle of
her thought something solid and heavy slammed into her side,
knocking her completely off her feet.

Brandi hit the
ground hard, her momentum causing her to slide several feet, bits
of gravel digging into her body through her thick fur coat.
Rolling, she struggled to her feet only to find herself being
attacked by a burly wolf. He snarled in her face and snapped at her
forelegs, then before she could even process what was going on, he
had her pinned to the ground, his jaws wrapped around the back of
her neck.

She froze. One
false move and he could sever her spinal column.

A whine of
submission escaped her throat as she lay there, stunned by this
unexpected turn of events. In the distance she noted Reno still
limping as he disappeared from view and once again fear clutched
its icy fingers around her heart. He was injured. Even if he caught
up with Victor he wouldn’t stand a chance in another fight.

She must have made
a move to follow Reno for the wolf pinning her down growled again
and exerted more pressure with his jaws. Rolling her eyes, back
towards him, she tried to figure out what was going on. Surely all
the Enforcers recognized who she was even if she was in wolf form.
Perhaps the man was new and hadn’t been brought up to speed on all
the Lycan Link employees. But if he was that green, why had they
sent him on this type of a mission?

Inhaling deeply,
she noted his scent and immediately identified him as Jackson, an
Enforcer with several years of experience. What the hell was going
on? Had he turned rogue or something? With Purists all over the
place why was he attacking her? She was one of the good guys!

Finally, the oaf
released her and shifted forms. Transforming as well, Brandi got to
her feet, intent on giving the man a piece of her mind, but as soon
as she stood up, he spun her around and pinned her arms behind
her.

“Brandi Johansson,
you’re under arrest.”

For a moment she
didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t the time for joking. There
were Purists to be caught and Reno needed help. Diplomacy be
damned!

“Jackson, what the
hell do you think you’re doing?” She struggled trying to free her
arms only to have the man tighten his grip on her and begin to push
her forward.

“You have the
right to remain silent—”

“Why are you
reading me my rights? I haven’t done anything!” Brandi dug in her
heels, trying to stay where she was, but to no avail. She twisted
her neck, hoping to catch another glimpse of Reno and then cast a
stern glare at the idiot holding her, hoping to convince him that
there were more important things to be done right now than
arresting innocent DC officers. After all, what had she done wrong?
Forgotten to pay a parking ticket? Taken home too many pens from
work? This was utterly ridiculous! “You need to be going after
Reno. He’s injured and—”

“Someone else is
taking care of him, Ms. Johansson. Now come along quietly.” Jackson
shifted his grip and frogmarched her to where a familiar figure
stood. “I have her, Captain Fielding.”

“Good work,
Jackson.” The captain flicked her a disdainful look. “Did you
really think we wouldn’t catch on to you, Johansson?”

Brandi bit back a
gasp of surprise. The captain had always treated her courteously in
the past. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. Catch on to
what? I swear I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Nothing wrong?
You consider tipping off the Purists about Lycan Link’s plans to be
nothing?”

She gaped at him.
She was a DC officer! Why would she tip off the Purists?

“Nothing to say?
Or just keeping quiet so you don’t incriminate yourself even
further?” The captain shook his head. “You know, you’re damned
good. You’re the last person I would have suspected. Well, you and
then Reno, but seeing as he’s your partner in crime—”

“Reno’s my
what?”

Before the captain
could answer, another Enforcer came up, a cell phone in his hand.
“Excuse me, sir. Garret just called in. He’s picked up Reno’s
trail.”

“Good.” The
captain nodded. “Tell Garret to track him down and bring him
in.”

Stunned, Brandi
tried to take in what was happening. Apparently she was under
arrest for cooperating with the Purists and Reno’s own team was
trying to bring him in. Had everyone gone insane?

Glancing about she
took in the flurry of activity about her. Enforcers had some
Purists already tied up. Others could be seen moving amongst the
trees trying to track down those that had run. And some were
heading towards the mine entrance that led to Victor’s underground
bunker.

Brandi stiffened,
suddenly wondering where Klaus and the others were. She looked
about, searching for signs of them, but could only find ACS and
Purists. Had the old Alpha and the others been arrested as she had
been? Or had they fled? Or—a new worry came to mind—was Klaus
getting ready to push the button that would cause the whole area to
explode?

Chapter
29

Reno ignored the
throbbing pain in his left flank and leg, intent on following
Victor’s trail. The damned Purist had fought dirty, taking him
unaware with that surprise attack. As soon as the bastard had
moved, Reno had started to shift but it hadn’t been fast enough.
Victor had mauled his leg and it had almost been his undoing,
leaving him with only three good legs and growing progressively
light headed from blood loss. Only the appearance of the ACS had
saved him, causing Victor to break off the assault.

One corner of his
mouth curled up as he recalled that despite his injuries, he’d
gotten his fair share of hits in while he could. It hadn’t been
enough to swing the tide in his favour of course, but for a
three-legged wolf, he figured he’d done well and Victor bore almost
as many wounds as he did.

The foreboding
he’d felt earlier had all made sense as he’d stood surrounded by
the Purist leaders and their minions. In his gut, he’d been sure
the fight would end in his own death. Even if he’d managed to
defeat Victor, the others would have ripped him to shreds. With
nothing to lose, he’d allowed the rogue inside him free rein.

His wolf had made
a good showing of itself before the leg had given out completely.
He wasn’t a doctor but he speculated that Victor’s first strike had
not only ripped through muscle but had partially severed his
hamstring. The ensuing skirmish had completed the job.

A shiver ran
through him as he recalled the heated flash of pain shooting up
through his leg before it went completely numb. He’d stumbled, then
fallen to the ground. Shouts of excitement had risen from the
Purists. Looking up, he’d seen Victor looming over him, teeth bared
and ready to lunge for his throat.

In that moment
Reno acknowledged he’d known fear. Not fear of death but fear of
the fact that he’d never told Brandi how he felt, that he’d never
see her red curls or saucy grin again. Fear of what would happen to
her when he was no longer around to watch over her. Mentally, he’d
bid her goodbye and then suddenly, Victor had backed off.

At first it had
made no sense and he wondered if Victor was going to prolong his
agony. Then, as the others had scattered, Reno realized what was
happening. He’d closed his eyes and laid his head on the ground
exhausted and relieved to rest for a moment, knowing his team was
there and could handle the situation. But that was when a thought
had struck him.

Victor was wily
enough that he might have an escape plan in place. Would the ACS
actually catch him? Reno had gathered his strength and pulled
himself upright. By that time Victor had been over one hundred
yards away and no one seemed to be following him. Not about to let
the man escape, Reno had set off in pursuit.

Now he was in the
forest, injured and tracking Victor across the rugged mountainside.
To make matters worse it was starting to rain, large drops
filtering through the leaves and landing heavily on the ground
making it slippery with mud. Beads of water clung to his fur and he
gave himself a shake, wincing as his injuries protested the
movement.

He paused to lick
at his wounds and noted that drops of blood spattered the ground
near his feet; beacons pointing out the path his quarry had taken.
Victor was injured as well, though to what extent Reno had no idea.
It definitely must be slowing the man down since the distance
between them didn’t seem to be increasing.

Reno gave an evil
grin. Rogues healed quickly and while his leg still wasn’t
functioning properly, it appeared he and Victor might be evenly
matched by the time they met up. His wolf was eager for another
confrontation and so was he.

From somewhere
behind him, Reno could hear the howl of wolves. ACS officers were
calling out that they’d found another Purist or sometimes
signalling a fight was ensuing and asking for reinforcements.
Purists followed the old ways and some didn’t believe in surrender.
They’d fight to the death and try to inflict as much damage as
possible on their opponents.

Reno hoped none of
his men would be seriously injured. Guilt stabbed at him; he should
be at their side, leading them in the fight. Then he recalled that
until he cleared his name, he was on the ACS hit list himself. No,
meeting up with his men was the last thing he wanted right now.
Thank heaven Brandi was hidden away in the mines. Or at least he
hoped she was. He hadn’t really seen a flash of red hair up on the
mountain, had he? With Purists and the ACS crawling all over the
mountain, it wasn’t safe for her to be out and about.

Reno snuffled his
wounded flank. The tissue was regenerating but running during the
process would likely leave a scar. He hoped the actual muscle
repaired properly. An ACS officer with a limp wouldn’t last
long.

The rain was
falling harder now; big, fat drops that splashed off leaves
creating a staccato of sound around him. He licked off the moisture
that gathered on his muzzle and then drank in some more that was
dripping from the foliage of a nearby bush. Blood loss had made him
thirsty but he had no time to search out a stream or puddle. Even
this small pause might give Victor an advantage.

With a final lick
to his flank, Reno set off again. It surprised him that Victor was
making no effort to hide his trail, travelling along the easiest
path possible. Was the man that confident or just careless?
Whatever the case, Reno was grateful as it made his job easier.