Running with the Pack: Cannon Pack, Book 3 (18 page)

Lauren smiled into the phone. Wasn’t a smile supposed to make your voice sound brighter? “Hey, Bobbie, it’s me.”

Bobbie’s excited chatter kept up for several minutes before Lauren finally had to stop her. Gathering her resolve—which was easier when she stared into Daniel’s sparkling eyes—she lied to her best friend. “Listen, Bobbie, I’m sorry I haven’t called before now, but something came up.”

She went on with the lie, adding embellishment to the story about a sick aunt, and promised to return as soon as she could.

“Yeah, well, I thought it was weird when Tucker called earlier.”

“Tucker called?” Daniel nodded, urging her to go along. “Oh, right. I forgot that I’d asked him to call.”

“I didn’t mind. I mean, I’d rather have spoken to you, but I certainly didn’t mind talking to him. So, you’ve gotten to know him?”

Bobbie’s underlying question was clear. “Not that way. Tucker’s a friend of a friend.”

“Good. I mean…”

“It’s okay, Bobbie. I know what you mean. Could you give John a call, too? Not that he’s actually worried.” She’d yet to break up with him, but hadn’t she already done so in her heart? He probably thought she’d left the hunt on her own—which would’ve been fine with him and the other hunters—and taken some time for herself. Still, a girl liked to think she’d be missed. “Has he called?”

Lauren listened to Bobbie’s attempt to make excuses for her so-called boyfriend, then interrupted her. “Hey, it’s no biggie. But give him a ring anyway, okay?” She thanked her friend and ended the call. Handing the phone to Daniel, she fought to keep her irritation at John’s lack of consideration from hardening her tone. “There. All done. Are we good now?”

“Yeah, we are. And I do trust you or I would never have given you the phone. But the pack is another matter.”

“You got that right, boss dog.”

Lauren shrieked and dove under the covers, scrunching her pillow on top of her for extra protection. “For Pete’s sake, does he always have to barge in unannounced?”

“Tucker, have you ever heard of knocking?”

She listened to Tucker’s footsteps as he came to the side of the bed and wished she’d taken the time to get dressed. If he lifted the comforter and the pillow, she’d pass away from embarrassment.

“I didn’t think I needed to knock to come into a prisoner’s room.”

“Think again,” said Daniel.

“Oh, I’m thinking, man. And the whole pack is giving this thing between you and Miss Hunter a lot of thought, too.”

“Have you heard any threats toward Lauren?”

She dared to peek out from under the covers. Daniel stood toe-to-toe with Tucker, his arms crossed, his body relaxed yet ready for action. Tucker didn’t back down, but he didn’t answer the question either.

“It’s time to stop the fun and get down to business. And that means no more monkey business. Come on, Daniel, make a decision. What are we going to do with her? Other than what you’re doing
to
her, that is.”

Her mortification shot sky-high again. She wished she could argue Tucker’s innuendos, but she wasn’t in a position—much less a stage of dress—to protest.

“Tucker, you’re pressing your luck.” Daniel’s tone was low, filled with suppressed anger. “I’ll let you know when I’ve made my decision.”

“Can’t you tell me how you’re leaning, man? Tell me and I’ll pass the news along to the rest of the pack.” Tucker shot her a look that made her wish she wasn’t in the room. “Because, yeah, there’s been some talk.”

Daniel tensed, his body growing rigid in mere seconds. “If you know who’s doing the talking, tell them they’ll have to deal with me if anything happens to Lauren.”

Tucker’s surprise had him glancing between them. “Can I tell them that you’ll make a decision soon?”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

Lauren gaped at him. Tucker would know first? What about her? And what happened to trusting her?

Another shifter burst into the room, sending Lauren diving under the covers again.

“Daniel, they found him.”

Lauren had to see. Tucking the sheet around her, she crossed her arms over her chest. But she needn’t have worried about gawkers. Their eyes were on the guard.

“They found Tyler?” Daniel gripped the guard’s arms. “Is he alive? Where is he?”

“He’s alive and at Luna’s home in the city. Fortunately, the bullet went straight through his leg. He crawled off and stayed hidden until he could heal enough to make it to safety.”

“Did he say anything else?”

The guard shot Lauren a knowing look. “Yeah. Luna said he’s talking about how a female hunter saved him. He said she used blanks and pretended to shoot him.”

Lauren slumped, relief flooding through her. But even the relief didn’t feel as good as Daniel’s smile when he turned toward her. She was sure he’d decided to believe her before Tyler’s return, but now he had proof.

Lauren was wide awake, wondering what Daniel’s decision would be, when she heard the creak of the door. She bolted upright and threw off the covers. Was it Daniel? Her heart pounded, excited at the prospect of a late-night booty call. Although she’d never been the kind of girl that liked men calling last minute—especially for sex—she couldn’t resist Daniel. He was like a pure chocolate and she was the chocoholic. She waited, peering into the darkness.

“Daniel?” she whispered.

Should she turn on the lamp? Or did the darkness play into his fun?

When no answer came, she took a deep breath to steel her nerves and tiptoed toward the door. If he wanted to play with her, then she’d go along with the plan. Her toe bumped into a hard object, making her squeak. Whatever it was rolled away from her. Following the sound on the hardwood floor, she went down on hands and knees, and ran her hands over the cool surface.

“Damn it, Daniel. Can’t we turn on the lights?”

At last her fingertips touched a metallic object with a paper tied around it. Unable to stand the game any longer, she made her way to a nearby table and switched on the table lamp. The object, as she’d expected, was a flashlight and attached to the flashlight was a note. She shone the light around the room, expecting to see a grinning Daniel, but only emptiness waited. Disappointed, she read the note.

My dear Lauren,

She smiled. He’d never called her anything remotely that loving before.

Please remain calm.

She reread the line, trying her best to do as he’d asked and failing. The beating of her heart took on a different rhythm, a fearful rhythm. How did she know the note was from Daniel and not another shifter?

You’re in danger and you must leave tonight. Some members of the pack still want to harm you. I’ve distracted the guard. Use the map below to find your way out of the mansion. Once you’re free, do not return to your home. Follow the main road outside, taking care to avoid cars. Find a safe refuge. I’ll find you once it’s safe.

Signed,

Cauliflower

He’d used her safe word, confirming that he’d written the note. She bit her lip and reread it. The danger was great enough that Daniel was afraid for her. But why? Now that Mysta and Tyler had confirmed that she’d helped them, why was she still in danger? She frowned, knowing the answer. In the pack’s eyes, she was still a hunter and they wanted to hurt her. But why couldn’t Daniel lead her to safety? Could she escape on her own?

Gathering her courage, she dressed, opened the door without making a noise, then slipped out. Sconces cast a yellow glow so she shut off the flashlight and, being as quiet as she could, hurried down the hallway.

Three turns later, Lauren squinted into the dim light and froze, listening to the voices coming toward her. Stifling a giggle, she darted into a dark corner and tried to become one with the wall. Two shifters she didn’t recognize strolled past her, discussing the latest person voted off a popular reality show. She started to let out the breath she’d held in check, then abruptly stopped, caught between breaths. The larger of the two shifters, a black man that towered over the other one, stooped to tie his shoe.

At that moment, the map she clung to dropped to the floor and floated within inches of his heel. If he glanced behind him, he’d see the paper and her escape would fail. Lauren closed her eyes and thought about Daniel, hoping that would squelch her almost overwhelming need to giggle. She kept her eyes shut until, at last, the shifters moved on, their voices trailing behind them. Releasing her pent-up anxiety, she stayed in the dark corner a few moments, giving her wobbly legs time to regain strength. At last, she scooped up the note and moved on.

Luck stayed with Lauren the rest of the way. She tried to hurry while taking care not to rush headlong into danger. How big was this place? If she made a wrong turn, she could wind up in the middle of the mansion instead of finding an exit. Suddenly, moonlight drifted through a side door and she almost squealed with happiness. She reached the door, turned the lock as quietly as she could and stepped into the night air.

Although the fresh air tempted her to stop and enjoy the slight breeze, she kept moving, sprinting down the driveway, certain that at any moment, a werewolf would see her. Lights from an approaching car had her taking refuge behind a row of parked cars and she counted the seconds until it had finally passed.

The main street beckoned, and she rushed down the green expanse of the manicured lawn and through the ornate gates cracked opened just wide enough for her to slip her body through. She took one last look at the mansion and whispered, “Come and find me, Daniel. I’ll be waiting.” Giving a muted shout of victory, she dashed down the road.

Once Lauren was sure no one followed her, she slowed her pace and walked for several miles, heading to a nearby neighborhood, a few bright lights drawing her like a magnet. If she could get to a phone, she could call for help. A taxi sounded like heaven and Lauren wished Daniel had given her a cell phone. Disheveled and dead tired, she trudged into the newly built housing development, hiding in the darkness whenever a car came by.

“Once this is over, I’m going to sit down and never stand up again. Ouch!” She slipped off her boot and dumped out the offending pebble. She scanned the houses, searching for one that still had lights on inside. She was about to walk up the driveway to one house when she saw the mailbox of the house next door. A
Support Your City’s Zoo
sticker was plastered to the side. “Thank God.”

Tala Wilde, veterinarian and consultant for the zoo, had done a television spot from her home and Lauren was certain this was the place. Ordering her feet to keep moving, Lauren stumbled onto the front porch and pressed the doorbell. “Hello! Can someone please open the door? Tala?”

The door swung open, revealing Tala in sleep shorts and a tank top. “Yes?”

Not giving the woman a chance to reject her, Lauren fell into her arms and, with Tala’s help, shuffled to the sofa. She slipped onto the suede material and soaked in its warmth and comfort. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe how good it feels to sit down. I am so not in shape for what I just went through.”

Tala sat on the ottoman in front of her, her face clouded with concern. “Are you okay? Who are you? What’s going on? And why are you ringing my doorbell at two in the morning? Is there an emergency?”

“Yes, it is. I-I’m sorry to barge in like this, but you were the nearest person I could find to help me. I remember seeing you on television and I remembered your house. I’ll answer all your questions, but could I please have something to drink first? I’m worn out, bruised and blistered.”

“Of course you can.” Tala darted into the kitchen that opened up to the living room, filled a glass with water and hurried back. “Here you go. How about we start with your name?”

“I’m Lauren Kade.” Lauren took a long drink, then placed the cool glass against her forehead. “Ah, now that’s how I spell relief.”

“Do you feel well enough to tell me what’s going on? Should I call the police?” Tala sat next to her and clasped her hand in hers. “You look like you’ve gone through hell and back. And brought a little bit of hell back with you.”

Lauren giggled, relieved that she could finally tell someone what had happened, and amazed that Lauren had let her into her home. “Thank you for letting me in. I mean, I’m a stranger and all.”

Tala shook her head. “Yes, but you’re obviously someone in need.”

Tala’s eyes flashed, a glint of amber highlighting them—just like Daniel’s did. But Tala couldn’t be a werewolf. Could she? More likely, Lauren was just imagining the change in color. And who could blame her after being held captives by shifters? Lauren paused, then dismissed her suspicions. Now that she was already inside, she had no choice but to trust her. “It’s a long story and not one you’re likely to believe.” She laughed louder, imagining how ludicrous people would find her story. “I’ll get straight to the punch line.” She squeezed her new friend’s hand. “I was kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped?” Tala’s eyes grew wide. “Are you serious?”

“Don’t I look like I’m serious? I escaped tonight and walked all the way here.” She downed the rest of her water. “But that’s not even the wildest part of my story.”

“You’re kidding. What else?”

“Hold on to your shorts because you are not going to buy this, but I swear it’s true.” Lauren paused, reconsidered telling a tale no one would believe, then plunged ahead. “I was kidnapped by werewolves.” Lauren waited for one of two reactions. Either she would react in shock or, more likely, laugh in her face. But Tala did neither one. “Did you hear what I said? I was kidnapped by werewolves.”

Tala nodded, then slipped into the kitchen to refill her drink. “I don’t mean to sound doubtful and you’ve obviously been through something awful, but why do you think they were werewolves?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I saw them change from men into wolves. Big, hairy, wolves that can talk.” Had she said too much? Maybe she should’ve left out the part about talking werewolves.

“Let me make sure I understand you. You think you were taken not by ordinary, run-of-the-mill kidnappers, but by werewolves? And not just any werewolves, but talking werewolves?”