Carlos' Peace

Chapter One

Jim’s stomach growled, and I glanced at Luke and Thomas, who were still talking outside while the rest of us gathered in the lobby for dinner. The cubs wouldn’t be able to keep Jim distracted from his hunger for too much longer.

Grey moved slightly beside me, and I scented a thread of worry.

What is it? I sent him.

Just thinking about that time you tried to make me a grilled cheese sandwich.

My skills have improved.

They have, Carlos. But that was the turning point. I never knew cheese straight in the pan would smoke so much, Grey sent back with amusement.

It’s time for me to take the oath, I sent to remind him I was no longer the cub he’d raised.

Winifred wants to wait as long as possible to give you and Jim both a chance to change your minds. There’s no hurry yet.

Jim laughed loudly and Grey went back to watching the cubs play. He didn’t fool me. Something was weighing on him.

A surge of pain and resentment, not my own, filled my head. I carefully pushed it to the back of my mind. I held so much already. A lifetime of emotions that tore me apart and gave me the strength and determination to keep moving on.

And now, more than ever, I needed to be strong. Leaving the Compound had shaken everyone. Our people needed to know the Elders had a plan and that our race would be safe. The only plan, however, was to reach the next gifted woman. That was fine, though. It was a start for our people and for me because the gifted women—Charlene, Michelle, Gabby, and Bethi—would finally lead me to where I needed to be.

After everything the women had shared, I felt in my gut, the Urbat who wanted them were the same who’d destroyed my life. My family.

I turned away from Grey as the group moved toward the hotel’s dining room. The meal was drawn out by the service and the idle talk. I itched to do something, anything, to keep us moving toward our next step. But I’d learned long ago impatience had a high cost.

Once Grey and I went back to our shared room after dinner, he kept up his teasing reminiscing, worrying me. I didn’t ask, although I wanted to. Instead, I closed myself in the bathroom to brush my teeth, then I went to bed.

It didn’t take me long to fall asleep; but when I did, I watched it happen again. My hell.

An unusual hush fell over the clearing, and Dad lifted his head from the deer he and Mom were eating. Mom nudged me so I stopped nursing and licked my muzzle. Playfully, I nipped at her. She cleaned me too much.

She didn’t answer with a playful growl, though. In fact, she turned sharply toward the woods. Dad growled low in his throat and put himself between us and the trees. A few seconds later, I heard something coming our way. It sounded like Dad coming back from a hunt. But Dad was already with us.

Excitedly, I crouched down to see under Mom’s body. This would be the first time I’d met any other of our kind.

Four of them crashed through the trees. They didn’t slow as they broke into the clearing. Three ran straight at Dad. The snarls that pulled back their lips and exposed their teeth killed my excitement. My heart started to race with fear and confusion.

Dad lunged forward. He was a little bigger than the others, but not strong enough for three. They brought him down as the fourth charged Mom. She stood her ground, a barrier of protection for her young.

The wolf caught Mom’s throat in his jaws and forced her to her back.

In seconds, it was over for my parents. Terrified, I stayed cowering on the ground.

The wolves surrounded me. One changed to his skin, standing on two legs like a human.

Nothing personal, cub. Then, he laughed. Nah, this is personal. You’re worse than the humans.

He reached down and picked me up by the hind leg. The three other wolves sat back and watched as he yanked my foreleg, dislocating my shoulder. I yowled in pain.

You need to learn when to be quiet. He squeezed my muzzle hard. I couldn’t breathe, and thrashed in his hold. Just as lights started dancing in my eyes, the ferns to our right moved. He loosened his hold. I didn’t think. I lashed out with my teeth, sinking them into his forearm. He dropped me, and on three legs, I bolted toward the badger hole I’d sniffed out earlier.

I cleared the entrance with less than a second lead. The wolf chasing me thrust his head in after me, almost catching my tail in his teeth.

A high yip of pain echoed in the clearing.

Get back, I heard the man speak as I made my way further into the tunnel. It was a deep one.

Where do you think you’re going, pup? Your family wants to say hi. Come back out. Don’t make us come in.

But they didn’t come in. They waited outside and ate the deer we’d brought down as a family. Complete terror kept me locked in the hole. I was hungry and in pain, but I kept quiet, hoping they would think I’d died.

It was another day before they left. It was another day before I ventured from the hole. Birds were picking at my parents’ remains. I quietly chased them away and went to lay by my mom. She smelled bad. I didn’t care. As I lay there, I remembered how she’d cleaned my muzzle. I should have been neater. I should have listened better and not played around so much.

I woke just as the grey-eyed man entered the clearing. The dream always held me until Grey found me. I didn’t mind anymore. It was the only memory I had of my family, and it helped me remember why I was training to be an Elder. My people needed more order. More discipline.

But, the dream also reminded me of what the Urbat had taken from me. What I needed to get back.

Another jolt of anger and fear filled my mind. They were coming more frequently lately. I pulled the emotions deeper and locked them away, hoping that in some way I was helping the one person I wasn’t even sure existed.

While most Males obsessed over finding their Mate one day, I obsessed over my one memory of my family, and the invisible cub in the ferns who’d saved me. The cub my parents’ killers had Claimed and taken with them. The cub I couldn’t remember but was the only possible explanation for all the emotions that came over the otherwise silent link in my mind.

My twin.

Travel by car wasn’t ideal. I didn’t fit well in most of them, and they reeked of fumes. Any of us could have reached our next destination quicker and in more comfort in our fur. But the cars did serve a purpose. Their reek covered our scents so that when we stopped at the next hotel, we were safer than we would have been if we’d arrived by paw.

By the time we reached our hotel in the city of our final destination, I had a cramp in my left calf.

I could eat a goat, Grey said as I parked. What about you? He opened the door and got out, not really waiting for a reply. Grey liked to talk for the sake of talking.

I opened the door and stood with moderate ease. The cramp slowly faded, and I walked to the trunk and removed our bags. The rest were doing the same.

No one talked much as we went inside and split into room groups. Grey and I were sharing again. Now that Luke and Bethi were Mated, and Emmitt and Michelle were Mated, the Elders gave them more privacy while still keeping them close. As in, right next door. Luke’s snores were easy to hear through every hotel’s walls.

Bethi’s muffled words reached us as I unpacked my toiletries.

I’m going to go talk to Winifred.

Want me to come?

Nah. She’s just down the hall and these rooms get hot when crowded.

Try not to fall asleep.

Hmm. Someone wants to sleep in the hall tonight.

A door closed, and I heard footsteps in the hall.

She’s a tough one, Grey said.

Tell me about it, Luke said from the other room.

Ignoring them both, I left the room and explored the hotel.

There are three exits for the second floor, I sent to Grey. One at the end of the hall to the right of our room. It leads to a stairwell that lets out at the back of the hotel. The other is at the opposite end and leads to the front. The last is the main staircase, which we came up.

Thank you. I’ll share the information.

Passing Winifred’s open door, I heard her say, Sam’s out driving to see what kind of place she’s stopped at. When he gets back we can go. Clay stood in the doorway, watching Gabby walk toward him.

I returned to our room where Grey grinned at me.

We’re going to go find the girl, he said.

When?

"Sam’s doing a drive by with Gabby’s guidance. Once he knows what we’re heading into, we leave.

Grey and I sat in the front seat of the car. Gabby, Bethi, Luke, and Clay sat in the crowded back. I studied the building across the poorly lit street. When Sam had returned, he’d told Bethi it looked like a dance club. I’d been to a human dance club before, and this one didn’t look right.

The windowless brick building was in a bad neighborhood. Rough looking humans lingered in a nearby alley and broken bottles littered the sidewalk. No normal human would want to go here.

I glanced in the back seat at the two women. Neither was, in fact, normal.

Ready? Bethi asked.

She’s still in there, Gabby confirmed.

Let’s go, Bethi said, nudging Luke to open the door.

Neither male was happy about this excursion, but I was more than ready to leave the confinement of the vehicle they’d filled with the scents of their concern and frustration. Music thrummed louder as I opened my door.

Unfolding myself from the front seat, I breathed in the night air. Something tickled my nose, but the reek of stale alcohol and used cigarettes from the nearby dumpster made it impossible to identify.

Bethi’s excitement became palpable as she stepped from the vehicle. Luke would have his hands full with her.

She’ll need watching, I sent to Grey.

Luke will watch her closely.

Bethi gave Luke a quick kiss and moved out of the way so he could shut the door. He did watch her closely, but only in the hungry way a Mate watched his female.

Gabby gave Bethi a worried glance, then the pair started forward, crossing the street as we followed. I monitored the area for movement, but no one seemed to notice us. Luke made a small sound of disgust as he opened the red door that marked the entrance. A stronger reek of stale booze and smoke rolled out toward us, along with the overly loud music.

With a resigned look, Grey stepped in first.

My ears are going to start bleeding, Grey sent me.

Holding the door, I let the rest enter then followed. Again, a scent caught my attention, but it was too broken and faint to pick out.

The girls stood on their toes, trying to look around the room. Instead of doing the same, I eyed the human male who was working his way closer to Gabby. When he caught me watching, I slowly shook my head at him, and he backed off.

That’s her, Gabby said, pulling my attention from the crowd.

I followed her gaze across the room toward the stage secured behind a floor-to-ceiling wall of chain-link fence. In the center of the stage, on a huge mat that spread across the floor, a tall redhead stood on the balls of her feet. Her fists were up defensively as she sized up the man across from her.

For a moment, all sound stopped.

A sudden storm raged in the center of my gut, twisting my control. While I fought the shift, I surged forward. A growl escaped when the humans didn’t move aside quickly enough. Ahead, she watched her opponent, swung for his head, and dodged his counter swing. Emotions tried to boil forth, but I carefully kept all of them under control despite the fact that someone was trying to hit my Mate.

On some level I understood it was a matched fight, that she was willingly pitting herself against a male twice her size, but that knowledge didn’t calm the storm raging within me. I needed her out of that cage. Afterward, we’d talk about why she would never do it again.

Something clamped down on my shoulder, but I shook it off, my focus never leaving her.

She ducked under a swing and came back with an uppercut to the man’s jaw. The man staggered back and shook his head as I reached the cage. I watched him closely, waiting for him to try to hit her. The cage wouldn’t be enough to keep me from him if he did.

The man brought his hands up and stepped toward her. I growled.

Instead of watching the man as she should have been, my Mate glanced at me. Her opponent noticed and drew back his fist. A snarl ripped from me and I watched as, in slow motion, her head snapped back from the blow.

The thin control I had on my change evaporated. Fur burst forth, and I crashed into the cage as she staggered from his blow. I threw myself against the fence again and again, and the brackets on the ceiling loosened their hold, raining down bits of plaster.

The music stopped and yelling broke out behind me. But that didn’t matter to me. All of it was just a backdrop to the scent of her blood. In a deep part of my mind, rage boiled. It wanted to break free, to destroy everything and everyone. But it didn’t. Unlike my change, I kept every emotion in check. There was too much at risk if I let anything free.

My Mate shook her head, glanced at me, then yelled, Brick, move!

I snarled and hit the fence again. The wood splintered around one of the floor brackets as it pulled free. Almost there. She gave the man a shove then ran past him toward the side door.

Son, you need to calm down.

I wanted to listen to the familiar voice in my head, but I couldn’t. She was running.

Leaving the fence, I tore toward the side door. My first attempt to open it resulted in long furrows of split metal. The second time I removed the hinges with a swipe and pulled the door free just as another door slammed shut. I sprinted into the dark hall, following the scent of her blood. How badly was she hurt?

The door at the end flew open when I slammed into it. Bodies lay in fallen heaps nearby. I didn’t spare them more than a glance as I took off after my fleeing Mate. Her red hair flew behind her like a matador’s red cape.

Beyond her, at the mouth of the alley, panicked screams filled the air as people ran from the club. Some fell only to be stepped on by those behind them. And my Mate was running right for that mess.

My plan to grab her changed when she turned to look over her shoulder. The sudden drop in her speed caused me to barrel into her, knocking her over.

Her fingers pressed against my chest as she shook her head. The feel of her body under mine, mixed with the sweet copper scent of her blood, was enough to rob me of all but one thought. Mine. I dove for her neck, ready to sink my teeth into her flesh, but a band of flesh-covered steel wrapped around my throat, stopping me.

Run, Grey said a moment before he heaved backward.

I roared in disbelief. How could he?

Get off me. My Mate punctuated her words with a swing to my face. She hit hard enough that my teeth clacked together.

I grunted in surprise, and Grey gave an extra heave. She twisted out from under me, jumped to her feet, and ran.

I’m sorry to do this, son. I command you to shift and keep your bare ass right here until we get you clothes. Now.

I shuddered as the weight of his words tried to smother my need to run after her.

Chapter Two

Bethi came into the alley as my fur receded.

What the shit? Weren’t you listening to what I said back at the Compound? When I said we needed her, I meant on our side, not running away screaming from us. She took off in a car.

Grey got off me, and I slowly stood. Gabby averted her gaze, but Bethi continued to glare at me.

She’s my Mate.

Yeah, I figure that out when you went ballistic. Do you have any idea how bat-shit crazy the whole ‘hey, we’re here to maintain the balance between three races’ line is going to sound to her without adding this Mate crap to the story?

Luv, Luke said softly.

Do not ‘luv’ me. She groaned and grabbed her own hair like she wanted to pull it out. You guys and your caveman hormones are making this infinitely more difficult. She stopped pacing and marched right up to me. Do not test me. If you pull something like this again, I’ll have my knife so far up your—

All right, Grey said. We need to leave. Clay, can you find some clothes for Carlos back there? He waved to the prone bodies near a dumpster.

Clay nodded and jogged past me. Grey faced me.

Are you in control? he asked.

Barely. Only Grey’s command was keeping me where I stood and in my skin. The tight hold I always kept on my emotions wasn’t helping me with the need to shift.

Pull it together, Bethi said, giving me a deadly look of warning for someone so small.

Clay jogged back with a pair of pants and tossed them to me. He took Gabby’s hand, and they started walking toward the mouth of the alley while I tugged on the grotesquely dirty and ill-fitted covering.

As soon as I was done, the rest of us followed Clay and Gabby. The streets were empty. Further away, I could still hear yelling. It wouldn’t take the humans long to come back.

She’s miles from here, Gabby said.

Grey intercepted me before I could reach the driver side door. I went to the passenger side while the other four got into the back.

I don’t think we should go after her yet, Bethi said. I really want to, but I know what it’s like to be that freaked out. She won’t listen until she has a chance to calm down.

Tension coiled in my shoulders. Leave her alone?

We need to keep an eye on her though, Bethi added, relieving me.

There aren’t any Urbat near here, Gabby said. She should be fine for a while. Long enough for us to get Carlos some real clothes. He sticks out without a shirt.

Grey pulled away from the curb.

Not back to the hotel, I sent Grey. If we went back there, I knew I would be left behind when they went to find her.

Son, we can’t risk you losing control again, Grey sent back, confirming my thoughts. Returning to the hotel is for the best.

My family was killed in front of me. I couldn’t do a thing to stop it. The first time I see my Mate, she’s in a cage, being beaten. I doubt any male would have reacted differently, I sent back to him.

He sighed.

Gabby’s right. We’ll need to stop and get Carlos some clothes, Grey said, taking a turn. Winifred says there’s a big and tall store on the other side of town. It’ll give the girl time to cool down.

Thank you, I sent to Grey.

She’s not moving as fast anymore, Gabby said. I think she’s stopped driving and is at her home. I think she’s still upset though. Her spark is bouncing around in a tiny space.

Gabby continued to keep us updated as Grey drove to the store. A human joined my Mate then they left to go somewhere else. I struggled to stay calm after hearing she was moving again. It got easier when Gabby reported they’d stopped.

Since Grey had been quick enough to grab my wallet and the keys from my shredded pants when I’d first shifted, he gave Bethi and Luke some money so they could run into the store to get clothes for me.

While we waited, I thought back to the club. The Elders encouraged Jim and me to take some time to live in the human world to understand their ways better. Unlike Winifred and Sam, I didn’t attempt to obtain a job requiring a higher education. At six-foot-six and close to three hundred pounds, I fell into the role of security and was paid very well for the calm way I dealt with any situation. It was easy to do when you didn’t let emotions become involved.

Seeing the girl in that cage had changed everything I thought I knew about me and my future. I thought of the cub in the grass. My Mate was a key in helping my sister. I didn’t think any male had ever needed a female as much as I did.

Bethi and Luke returned with my clothes, and Grey drove until he found a gas station with bathroom access on the outside of the building. They waited while I went inside to change. Bethi had purchased what I’d asked for and an extra change of clothes as well. When she’d angrily tossed the bag at me, no explanation had been necessary. She thought I would shift again.

Staring at the clothes, I recalled the way the woman had looked in the cage. The way her red hair had glinted under the industrial lights. The graceful way she’d moved. A shudder ran through me. I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I would be ready the next time I saw her. The first time had been a shock. I wouldn’t lose control again.

When the air in the car grew stale, I eased the window down a few inches. Everything remained quiet, inside and out. Bethi and Gabby slept against their Mates while Grey and I kept watch.

The trailer several lots down from where we were parked didn’t look like much. Not the type of place most humans would want to live, anyway. I already knew my Mate wasn’t most humans, though.

Before falling asleep, Gabby confirmed the girl had settled in one spot. I itched to get out and move around. To scent her. To see her again.

I’m glad you found someone, Grey sent me. I never wanted you to be an Elder.

I pulled my attention from her trailer to meet his gaze.

I didn’t want you to give up on a chance for a family. Having one taken from you was enough. I’ve always wanted to see you with cubs of your own one day.

What will the Elders do now?

Grey smiled. There’s still Jim.

I went back to my study of the trailer. Jim seemed an irresponsible goof, but he was more like Grey than anyone gave him credit for. He would do what he needed to do to protect our race. Not many were willing to make that sacrifice.

He’ll be a good Elder if he can be serious long enough to take the oath, I sent back.

Grey chuckled.

Just before dawn, the door to the trailer opened, and the girl stepped out. My chest ached as I watched her close her eyes and take a deep breath. In the dim light, her face was shadowed and harder to see, but she looked okay. No dark bruises or swelling. I hadn’t let myself feel the worry that was there behind my mental wall, and I didn’t let myself feel the relief, either. But I knew both emotions were there.

When she opened her eyes, she set out at a jog in the opposite direction.

I reached for the door handle.

I don’t think that’s a good idea, son, Grey sent me as I watched my Mate disappear down the sidewalk. Then, he spoke softly to Clay.

Clay, I think we should wake Gabby.

Clay opened his eyes and gently nudged Gabby, which jostled Bethi.

Stop moving, Bethi mumbled.

The girl just left, Grey said.

Bethi sat upright and looked around with bloodshot eyes.

What? Why didn’t you stop her? she asked, her thinking finally matching mine.

She looked like she’s just going for a jog, Grey said.

Bethi nudged Gabby again. Can you see her?

Gabby rubbed her eyes and pulled away from Clay.

"Yep. She’s not