Chapter 6 - River

ROAD TRIP!!

The last time I was on a road trip was when we moved here. And then it was a long ass trip with my mom and twin. It was so BORING and as excited as I was about moving, I was still broken hearted that I was leaving Leo behind.

This time I’m in a jeep with David and dad, heading to find Leo. Miles seems to tick by in a blink as I’m equally eager and anxious about reaching my Bunno. I swear to whoever is listening that if something happens to Leo, like if they get hurt, I am ripping throats, starting with their parents.

“Okay… I’m going to take control of my radio.” David sighed, turning the radio down as it blared Skrillex’s Squad Out from my playlist.

“But you said I could DJ on our road trip.” I pouted.

If I thought anyone would complain about my choice of music and the volume, it would be Dad. I’ve seen his records. Yes, I mean records. He has vinyl, which would be cool if he had better taste. I like his Nirvana records, but that’s about it. I thought David would be cooler, I’ve looked through his Spotify, and he’s got some cool bands.

“Well, I want to check my phone for new messages. I can’t do that if your phone is connected to my system. Remember, I have an informant in the Silvermane pack. I need to know if there has been any news.” David explained.

“I think we can survive without your music for a little bit, River.” Dad chuckled from the back seat. I’m not sure if that’s a knock on my choice of music. But I won’t call him on it.

He’s been incredible and supportive of Sage and me since he met us. I know when we thought Leo was human, he was concerned about getting my hopes too high that they were my mate. I mean, shit, I bet if Alpha Logan didn’t organize this road trip, he’d be on it anyways to be here for me.

But now it’s different. Leo is a werewolf too! The chances of them being my mate have skyrocketed. It would make sense why we both felt an instant connection even before all this. Our souls already knew we were meant to be. My gut tells me Leo is mine. And since Lunar isn’t offering up any objections, I think he’s on board with it, too, though he is holding out till we find Leo and know for sure.

“Fine. Let’s see if your inside guy knows anything new.” I agreed as I disconnected my Bluetooth. The moment David’s phone was connected, the computer voice started talking.

“Five new messages from Ryan.”

“Message one.”

“Leo was found and nearly captured by Tucker.”

“Message two.”

“We lost their scent outside the bus depot. But a pissed-off guy identified them as having taken their taxi.”

“Message three.”

“Tucker would not be deterred. Tracked the cab. The driver was reluctant to speak but gave up where they dropped them. Amex train station.”

“Message four.”

“No one matching Leo’s picture was identified in the train station or having boarded any trains.”

“Message Five.”

“I dug deeper. Keeping it from Tucker as long as he doesn’t use Beta command. Leo has changed their hair and is on a train to Chicago.”

That was a LOT to take in. A rollercoaster of emotions with each message this Ryan left. My heart was in my throat the whole time and only made a slight descent when he said Leo got away and was heading to Chicago. But how long until Fucker Prescunt gets that information out of Ryan?

“How long ago did all this happen? I assume it was before or during the Amber Alert, as those don’t go out so easily.” Dad questioned, leaning forward to look at the monitor.

“Let me check, Chief.” David nodded with a smirk as dad rolled his eyes. “Text Ryan.”

“Texting Ryan. What is the message?”

“ When did the train leave?”

“I got; When did the train leave? Do you want to send or change the message?”

“Send.”

“Okay. Message sent.”

“Here’s hoping he is checking his phone often.” I frowned. “How far are we from Chicago?” I asked, looking around, trying to check for any signs.

“Something like another fourteen hundred miles.” Dad sighed, checking his phone. “A train from Buffalo to Chicago would take fourteen hours. It’s already been ten since we got the Amber Alert.”

I rubbed my temples, trying even to figure out the math here. Word problems were never my strong suit. And I don’t like the idea of word math problems that deal with the safety of my bunno. It doesn’t just hurt my head but my heart. We need to find them. I need to get them like yesterday.

“New message from Ryan.” The computer voice interrupted us.

“Train departed the station thirteen hours ago. Tucker knows. We are en route to Chicago. How far are you?”

“Do you want to reply?”

“Yes.” David quickly answered.

“Okay, what is your message?”

“We are just passing Billings, Montana. Eighteen hours unless I turn on the lights.”

The computer repeated the message before David confirmed to send it.

“Can we do that? Like is that allowed? Would we get in trouble or something?” I asked. Do I want him to turn on the police lights and forget all traffic laws to get us there faster? Well fucking DUH. I want to go warp speed.

“I could, but I don’t recommend it.” David frowned.

“What does that mean? It would get us there faster. Would it get you in trouble?” I asked, furrowing my brow, trying to understand.

“I throw my lights on, and I’ll be expected to explain the emergency if another law enforcement officer spots us. If I tell them we have a lead on an Amber Alert….” David sighed, letting me fill in the blank.

“That clues Fucker Prescunt and Leo’s douchebag dad in that we know where Leo is and are coming for them.” I groaned. Right now, we have the element of surprise. They don’t know we are coming. If they find out we are coming and know the details, they’ll know we have someone on the inside.

“Exactly, and we can’t let that happen. That puts Leo, my inside guy Ryan and us in danger. So I’m going to go as fast as possible, but I won’t hit the lights. Not unless we are desperate and know Leo has been hurt or captured. Right now, they are on a train safe.” David nodded.

“New message from Ryan.”

“Tucker is taking no chances. He had called the police in Chicago. They will be looking for Leo. We are three hours from Chicago.”

“Ug, I wish I was better at math problems. Does that mean Leo gets there before them? That they might be able to get away?” I asked, looking from David to dad.

“Yes. Leo’s train should be arriving in Chicago about now based on when they left and what the Amex Train site tells me. If they continue by train, the next train from Chicago that would head to Portland won’t leave for another three hours.” Dad frowned.

“So if Leo realizes the police are onto them, they might have to run for it and change transportation methods. I don’t know how much money the kid has. They’d have lost money on their bus ticket and still need to buy another ticket to get to Portland from Chicago.” David frowned.

“So… they’d have to go on the run, literally? Like having to evade cops on foot in a city, they don’t know.” I frowned. I do not like how any of this sounds. I wish Lunar could teleport.

‘I do too. But we have to work with what we’ve got.’ Lunar scoffed in my head. He was pacing around. So at least I’m not the only one who’s agitated and feels caged.

‘Of course, I’m agitated, and unlike you, I’m literally caged. You’re at least in control. I’m totally on the sidelines here. And I want to know if this Leo is our mate. And if they are, I’m ripping Tucker Prescott’s throat out after I remove all their appendages for daring to claim what is mine.’ Lunar growled, his eyes glowing with anger.

“Okay… settle down, River. Get your wolf under control too. I do not need a light show blinding me from the passenger seat.” David encouraged me as I felt dad’s hands press on my shoulders from behind me.

“It’s okay, River. It’s okay, Lunar. We will find Leo. And if anyone has harmed them, they will be dealt with severely. But we can’t lose our heads. We are here to save Leo and can’t do that if we lose our heads.” Dad calmly assured me.

“Okay….” I nodded, trying to do the breathing exercises. I have to stay focused. Leo needs me.

I blinked as my phone started to buzz. I frowned, looking at the unknown number. Who the hell could be calling me from an unknown number? I swear if this is spam.

“Hello?” I arched my brow, not sure whose voice would be answering me.

“WOLFIE!” Leo exclaimed in joy and relief.

“BUNNO!” I shouted back, nearly dropping my phone in my excitement.

“I don’t have much time. And I’m sorry to be doing this to you. But I’m in major trouble. I’m stuck in Chicago and don’t have enough money to get anywhere, and there are cops after me. Dad has gone off the deep end.” Leo hurriedly explained while still keeping their secret of being a werewolf.

It was kind of cute that they were still keeping the pretenses. But of course, they don’t know I am one too.

“I know. I saw the Amber Alert. Me, dad, and a friend are coming to try and get you. Um… we have a lot to talk about, but….” I started to explain before the phone was taken from me.

“Leo, this is Hale. Here is what you are going to do. Go to the ticket counter, tell them you are Leo Shelton and that your dad Hale Shelton purchased you a ticket to Minneapolis with a card ending in 8679. The train leaves in fifteen minutes. Get on the train and keep your head down. We will meet you in Minneapolis.” Dad outlined.

I grinned from ear to ear. It seems dad was already taking action. “Thank you.” I mouthed as he handed me the phone back.

“Okay, I got it. Thank you, Mister Shelton.” Leo sounded almost in tears.

“I’ll tell him you said thanks, Bunno. Now go. Don’t miss the train. I’ll see you soon.” I sighed, feeling relief that maybe something was going to go right.

“Okay. Love you, Wolfie. See you soon.” Leo said before the call ended.

“How far are we from Minneapolis?” I asked David.

“Seven hours. How long is the train ride?” He glanced back at dad in the rearview.

“Eight. So it should time out well.” Dad nodded. I sighed, glad we had a plan and that I would be able to hold Leo in eight hours.