The bond between mates works in mysterious ways. If I concentrate hard enough, I can almost see through Faith’s eyes. I can hear what she hears and see what she sees. Having that privilege can also be detrimental. Controlling myself when my mate is around another unmated wolf who wants her doesn’t make things easy. I warned Faith about controlling her temper, but I made it more difficult for her. She can feel my rage, just like I could feel hers.
We just landed at the Baker’s Ridge airfield. There isn’t much in this part of Canada. You can only get to the area by plane. I can see why the Blue River pack can stay hidden and how no others can sneak and attack them. If I succeed in getting Faith away from Killian, it’ll be challenging getting out of Baker’s Ridge. It’s something we’ll have to deal with when the time comes. I don’t want Faith knowing my concerns, so I intentionally block her from those thoughts. She needs to focus on keeping her head in the game.
Colin peers out one of the airplane windows where you can see the small town several hundred yards away. We could probably walk the entire span in thirty minutes. “There’s only one hotel here?”
I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. I’ve already told him and Micah everything that’s going on, but I’m still waiting on that call from Vilkas. “Yep. Along with one bank, one grocery store, one gas station, and so on. There were only two rooms left at the hotel when I called. I’d imagine they’re pretty booked up with all the shifters in town.” I reserved both of them, one for James and the other for the rest of us.
Micah stands and picks up his bag. “I wonder how many are competing.”
The thought infuriates the hell out of me. Faith is mine. “I don’t know, but I’m sure it’s a fuck ton.” Faith has been quiet since she walked away from Killian and his underground fighting dungeon. There are times when she blocks me out just like I do with her, but I don’t say anything. We both know what we’re up against. My guilt eats away at me for not being able to protect her.
James opens the door to the cockpit. “Isn’t this an interesting place,” he jokes.
I snort. “You have no idea.”
He opens the jet door, and we take the steps down. I can sense shifters all around us in the town. I look up at James. “You have a room at the Baker’s Ridge Hotel. I put it under your name.”
James nods. “I’ll check in once I’m done here.”
“Sounds good,” I say. “I’ll keep in touch. When the time comes, we might have to get out of here pretty quick and fast.”
I don’t know what Chase has told James, but he never asks any questions. “Don’t worry, I’ll be ready,” he replies. He disappears back into the jet while Colin, Micah, and I walk through the airport property to the exit.
“Do you think he’ll be okay on his own out here?” Micah asks. “This place is overrun with shifters.”
“It won’t be for long.” If what I suspect is going to happen, most of them will be dead soon.
When we get out of the airport gate, the town is just a few steps away. It consists of six streets, the three main ones being businesses and the other three are full of small houses.
“Have you heard anything more?” Micah asks.
I shake my head. “Faith’s keeping her emotions from me right now. She’s alone walking through the gardens.”
Micah sighs. “That’s where she likes to be.”
“She’s supposed to eat dinner with that cocksucker tonight, so I’m sure we’ll get more information then.”
Colin grumbles. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like for you right now. She’s my sister, and I’m pissed off as hell. If this were my mate, I’d be murderous.”
I’m trying to keep my anger from Faith, but it gets harder the longer I’m away from her. “Trust me, I am.”
By the time we turn the corner to one of the busy streets, that’s when several shifters come into view. There are a couple here and there, going in and out of the buildings. However, when the three of us get noticed, the level of hostility in the air thickens.
It’s not hard to figure out why. “They know you’re both royals,” I say to Colin and Micah.
Colin projects his power out like I knew he would. He likes the attention, whereas Micah keeps it more lowkey, just like me. “Good,” Colin growls. “They need to be afraid.”
Micah scoffs. “These men don’t seem afraid at all. If anything, you’re adding more fuel to the fire. Knock it down, Storm.”
Colin huffs. “You’re no fun.”
“And you’re being irresponsible,” Micah counters. “We need these people to underestimate us.”
Royals can conceal their strength, so Colin obliges by toning down his power. What they don’t know is that I can do the same thing.
“They’ll be surprised when you unleash it,” Faith murmurs in my head.
I smile. It feels good to have that connection with her. “I like being underestimated. It’ll be a good fighting strategy.”
“I should know more at dinner. Right now, I’m enjoying being alone. Although, I have the feeling I’m being watched.”
“Of course, you are. Vilkas isn’t going to leave his grand prize unattended.”
Micah bumps me with his shoulder. “What’s Faith saying? I can tell you’re talking to her.”
I huff. “She’s saying how she’ll get more information at dinner.”
“It’d be nice if Vilkas would call,” Colin grumbles. “I’m ready to know what the fuck’s going on.” That makes two of us. I can’t afford to be hotheaded like him, not with Faith’s future and my life at stake.
We come upon the small hotel, and once inside, the place is a little rundown with its worn-out lobby furniture and dusty smell. There are two shifters at the bar who glare at us, but then they go right back to their drinking. The young lady at the desk is human and must be no more than twenty-five years old. She grins wide as we approach, especially when she locks eyes with Colin. “Good afternoon, gentleman. Are you here to check-in?”
“We are,” I say, drawing her attention to me. “It should be under Grayson.”
She clicks away on the old computer. “Is there a bachelor party or something going on? We’ve never been sold out like this. I’ve had over two dozen young men check-in today.”
If she only knew. “Something like that,” I reply.
She turns and grabs a set of keys off the wall. “All right, I got you on the third floor, second door on the right.”
I take the keys. “Thanks.”
We take the stairs, which creak with every single step until we get to the third floor. I don’t expect much when I slide the key in and open the door, but it’s surprisingly not as bad as I thought. The room is clean, and there are two queen beds. I toss my bag onto one of the beds and look out the window. There’s one long road that leads out of town toward the mountains. Killian lives out that way. If he doesn’t call, I’ll have no choice but to figure out a way to get her out.
“His property is surrounded by a brick wall and guarded by people at the gate, Tate. I don’t see how you could get in without getting yourself killed,” Faith says.
“Listening in on my thoughts?”
Her sigh sounds sad in my head. “Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t, but it gives me comfort to listen to you.”
“Same with you,” I reply.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket to see a number I don’t recognize. “Is it him?” Micah asks.
Turning around, I look at him and Colin. “Don’t know, but we’re about to find out.” I press the speaker button. “This is Tate,” I answer.
“Ah, Grayson, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
I nod at the others, so they know it’s him. “Vilkas. I can’t exactly say the same for you.”
Killian bursts out laughing. “Now, now, I told you I would call. But if you don’t want to see Faith again, I can let you go.”
I growl. “You know I do, asshole. What do I have to do?”
“For starters, you need to fly to Baker’s Ridge, Canada, and arrive by tomorrow morning. Think you can do that?”
“I’m already here.” The line goes silent, and I smile. “Yeah, that’s right, cocksucker. You’re not the only one who can find people.”
“I’m intrigued,” Killian replies. What I love is that I can hear the uncertainty in his voice. “Are you alone?”
“Does it matter?” I snap.
“It does. There’s only room for one more fighter. You see, the wolf who wins the grand finale gets the prize. From what I know about Faith and her pack, I can assume either her protector or brother came with you.”
“And if they did?”
Killian chuckles. “You’ll have to figure out amongst yourselves who’s going to compete. If Colin’s with you, I’m sure it would make Faith happy to have her brother with her during the fights. The last thing I want is to keep her family away from her.”
Colin’s eyes widen, but he stays quiet. I don’t like this game Killian’s playing. “Does Faith know this is going on?” I ask him.
“She knows some of it. I’m going to explain the rest to her at dinner. Is it safe to say I can tell her that her brother will be here tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Colin growls.
“And me too,” Micah cuts in. “Not unless you’re scared to have her protector with her.”
Killian laughs again. “Well, hell, this is unexpected. You’re more than welcome to come, Micah. I can’t wait to give Faith the good news.” All I can think of is that it’s a trap. “All right, here’s the deal,” he continues, “my men will pick you up at the abandoned shack at the edge of town tomorrow morning at ten. It’s two hundred and fifty thousand to fight. Hope you brought your money, Grayson.”
“Oh, I’m prepared.”
“Good. You fight at noon. You’ll all see Faith when you get here.”
“What about Anson? Where is he?” I demand.
“You’ll see him soon.” He hangs up, and that’s it. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to him because of me.
I slide my phone back into my pocket. We all look at each other, and Colin is the one who speaks. “Do you really think he’ll let me stay with Faith?”
The way Killian says Faith’s name with such familiarity enrages me. I know what game he’s playing at, and it’s not going to work. “I think he will,” I say in all seriousness.
His brows furrow. “How’s that?”
I turn back to the window, desperate for the morning to arrive. “First off, he has a witch who can put even a royal into a sleeping coma. And second, it’s obvious what he’s trying to do with allowing you and Micah to spend time with Faith.”
Micah blows out a sigh. “I see it now. He wants to get in Faith’s good graces. That way, he doesn’t seem like the villain. It gives him a chance to get close to her.”
I can feel Faith in my mind. “This is interesting. I might have to test out this theory.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Faith. Killian’s an unmated male and one who wants you. You can only go so far.”
“I know. You have to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
I surely hope so.