Chapter 5

Love will find a way through paths

where wolves fear to tread.

Lord Byron

Hugh arrived back at his car to discover he had got a parking ticket, he checked his watch, he had over- stayed by over an hour. Sighing, he pulled the ticket off his car and climbed in.  He needed a plan for finding this woman but his information on her was scant, he knew she was called Annie, but he had no surname, she came from North Yorkshire, but he had no address. He wondered if the omega would know her surname, after all he was the one who was assigned to look after them. He pulled his phone out of his pocket to ring the pack house only to see he had two missed calls from Lennox.  The phone started to ring while it was in his hand, it was Lyall. He sent the call to voice mail and scrolled his contacts for the number for the pack house. The phone was answered on the second ring and Hugh asked to be put through to the supervising omega. There was a click and the phone started to ring again, once answered Hugh asked to speak to Jamie and once again there was another click. Finally, the voice that answered asked him to wait one moment and after a few minutes he heard Jamie’s voice.

“This is Jamie, how may I help you?”

“Jamie this is Delta Crozier, you know the woman I asked you about this morning, I need her surname, do you know it?” Hugh heard Jamie flicking through some papers.

“Er…yes sir, it says on my inventory that her name is Lovell, Annie Lovell, Lunar Meadows pack.”

“Is there an address?”

“No sir, I’m afraid not, her family are still here would you like me to make some enquiries?”

Hugh thought for a second, the way Annie’s brother and sister looked at him that morning made him think that letting the family know he was looking for her was a bad idea.

“No, thank you Jamie, that will be all.”

As Hugh hung up, he had an idea. His phone beeped with a new voice mail message, ignoring it he scrolled through his contacts looking for a company he had used when negotiating business deals in the past, Guardian Marketing Incorporated. G.M.I was a front for all kinds of covert information gathering used in the world of finance and business. On face value, it looked like a perfectly legitimate market research company, used quite legally by business and social media companies to target products at a particular demographic, behind the scenes however, they sold information for huge profit. Discs of phone numbers obtained through phishing scams were sold to boiler room companies enabling them to target vulnerable people, personal details such as addresses, phone numbers and even bank details were sold on the dark web allowing the unscrupulous to set up fake identities or fleece bank accounts of unsuspecting fraud victims. Hugh had heard rumours that G.M.I were behind the flood of counterfeit money that hit the whole of the U.K. a few years earlier, as far as he was aware, many of these fake notes were still in circulation to this day, he’d probably even had a few himself such was the quality of the forgeries.  They were not the type of people you used when you were playing fair, these were the sort of people you used when you wanted to dig up dirt on someone for blackmail purposes. The Reivers had used them when acquiring dilapidated tenement blocks in Edinburgh from the local authority, the price had fallen dramatically once information obtained from G.M.I had threatened to expose the seventeen-year-old lover of the main local authority negotiator. The Reivers had re-furbished the blocks into luxury apartments which they had sold on a huge profit, even after Hugh had kept one for himself, the pack had made twelve and a half million pounds. G.M.I charged extortionate fees, but they were worth it, plus they were discreet, guaranteeing they would never reveal the buyer of the information at any cost. Hugh had commented to Alpha Armstrong on more than one occasion that they would have made good Reivers had they not been human.

     Hugh found the number of the C.E.O’s direct line and pressed call.

“Mr Crozier, how may I be of assistance this fine Sunday?” drawled the soft Edinburgh accent.

“Mr Ridal, I need you to find somebody for me.”

“Email me what details you have on the individual using the usual channels, do you just want an address or full disclosure?”

Hugh thought for a moment, if he was going to pay for this service he might as well get his money's worth. “Full disclosure if you would.”

“Full payment upon receipt under the usual terms?” enquired Ridal.

“As always.” replied Hugh. He hung up.

Now, thought Hugh as he emailed Annie’s name and scant information to Ridal, why would he want full disclosure on a woman he had every intention to reject? He started the engine, shaking his head and ignoring how smug Knox was feeling, he commenced the return journey back to the pack lands.

Hugh didn’t arrive back on pack territory until mid- evening and called in at the pack house to update Alpha Armstrong on the business from the day before. It took another hour before he arrived back at his house and swinging into the driveway he saw both Lennox and Lyall’s cars parked outside.

“Damn.” he hissed, checking his phone he had six missed calls from them. He wasn’t sure he ready to talk to anyone, his head was still a mess and most certainly, he was not ready to talk about Annie.

“Dad, where the hell have you been, I’ve been calling you all day?” said a worried looking Lyall as he entered the house. “You don’t even answer my mind link.”

“I’m fine sweetheart, just been in the Lowlands on business, why what’s wrong?” he asked hugging his daughter.

“Nothing’s wrong.” piped up Lennox who remained seated on the sofa. “Apart from you ran out of the wedding last night then went totally radio silent today, it’s really not like you. You usually return our calls or let us know if you’re going to be disappearing for a while.” Lennox studied his father’s face for any sort of reaction.

“I’ve just been busy, you know pack business in Edinburgh. I’m fine, honestly.” lied Hugh.

“You’re not yourself dad.” stated Lyall.

That was the thing about being so close to your kids, they knew when you were lying. It reminded Lennox of the time when he was about twelve and he asked his dad what had happen to their mum, he knew Hugh had lied then, just like he was lying now.

“ You don’t have to protect us dad, we’re adults now, if there’s something wrong you can tell us.” he said as he produced the two empty whiskey bottles from Hugh’s office that he had sunk the night before. “What were you drinking to forget dad?”

“You’ve been in my office?”

“Nope, I caught your valet disposing of them.”

“Look I’m fine really kids and like you said, you’re adults now, wouldn’t you rather be at home with your families?” said Hugh desperately.

“We’d rather you just told us the truth dad.” retorted Lyall.

“Tell them the truth.” growled Knox, pushing forward turning Hugh’s eyes black. “They will understand.”

“We can see you’re fighting your wolf dad,” said Lennox gently. “Tell us, we might be able to help.”

Hugh slumped on the nearest armchair, “I don’t think anyone can help me with this.”

Lyall and Lennox looked at each other with concern.

“Dad, please tell us. Why did you run out of the wedding, you looked ill, are you sick?” asked Lyall with alarm.

“No. No I’m not sick, it’s just...” he faded out, unsure of how to tell his kids that the Goddess wanted him to betray their mother with another. How could he tell them that everything he held so dear, the promise that he made to himself to remain true to her was crumbling,  crumbling so fast that he ran around half of Scotland looking Annie, that the reason he had ignored their calls and texts was because of another woman? What if they hated him for it, demanded he reject her or they would never speak to him again? Hugh felt like his head was caving in and the pull to her was getting stronger.

“TELL THEM.” demanded Knox, clawing at Hugh’s chest.

“I.....I.....” stammered Hugh.

Lennox stood up and poured his father a drink. He handed him the amber liquid and sat on the edge of the marble coffee table.

“Please dad, just tell us what it is, you’re scaring us now.”

“Please don’t hate me,” said Hugh, “I didn’t want this, I don’t know why the Goddess has chosen to do this to me.” He fell silent, his breathing rapid.

“Dad?” prompted Lyall, truly worried now.

“The Goddess has given me another mate,” blurted Hugh, his words coming out garbled and at a rapid pace. “There was a woman at the wedding, related to the bride, I met her as I walked in, it’s not what I want, I should have rejected her straight away because I promised myself there would be no one after your mother but I was confused so I left and then when I wanted to see her, to reject her, I think, but she had left and I don’t know where she is, so I went to Edinburgh thinking she had gone there but she wasn’t so now I have to find her.” Hugh closed his eyes and waited for the fallout, trying to calm his breathing.

Lyall and Lennox looked at each other then back at Hugh in stunned silence.

“That’s all?” said Lennox, breaking the silence, “The Goddess has given you another mate? For fucks sake dad we thought you were ill or dying or something.” Hugh opened his eyes and looked at his son, Lennox was grinning, a look of relief on his face.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered, “I’m going to find her, I know I have to reject her, please don’t hate me, I would never betray your mother.”

“What do you mean reject her? Dad you can’t, you mustn’t. The Goddess has given you a second chance, you must find her and make her yours.” said Lyall gently, kneeling at her father’s feet. “You have a chance to be happy, take it.”

“I am happy, I can’t..”

“Dad, you have been alone for the whole of my life, you took care of us and now it’s your turn to have a life.” interrupted Lyall.

“I have a life.” countered Hugh, gesturing around the room.

“What, running around after Alpha Armstrong, making him rich, what about after?” said Lennox with a raised eyebrow. “Dad, being happy with a mate the Goddess chose for you is not betraying mum, is that why you’ve been alone all these years, because you thought we would hate you? Mum has been gone a long time and while we still love and miss her, we never thought you would spend your life alone, we never expected that of you dad. Have you ever thought that perhaps the Goddess has given you this mate now because I’m ready to take over from you so you can begin to live a little? I can’t believe you ran away from her, you need to find this woman, go and find her and be happy dad, please.” pleaded his son. Hugh was stunned by his children’s reaction, this was not what he expected, it might have been easier for him if they had been angry. He let out a deep breath and he felt like a weight had lifted off him, they didn’t hate him, in fact, they were happy for him. He wasn’t sure if he was happy for himself however.

“I have people looking for her, I just need to wait until she is found.” said Hugh, emotionally drained. “She might not even want me you know.” he said weakly.

“Why would she not want you dad?” smiled Lyall, hugging him.

“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, I need time, time to think so I would appreciate if you would keep this information to yourselves.” said Hugh, draining his glass, both his children nodded. He stood, hugged both his kids before seeing them to the door. It had been just the three of them for so long he wasn’t sure if he could see his life any other way. He watched as they drove away, his kids never failed to surprise him, they were amazingly resilient even as pups growing up without their mother. He thought they’d be angry at the thought of their mother being replaced but they were as supportive as ever. He sighed, now his kids were on board, it changed the situation somewhat but he decided to wait until Annie was found, if she could be found, before making any rash decisions. An image of Annie flashed into his head, long brown hair and those beautiful blue eyes.

“That’s enough Knox.” he said to his wolf. Knox huffed and went to the back of Hugh’s mind. Hugh ate and went to bed where he dreamt of her vividly again, her legs wrapped around his waist, his hands in her hair pulling her to him, her body pressed into his... Hugh woke with a jolt. He groaned, the bed was in disarray, the bed covers had been kicked onto the floor and he was fully aroused. He rolled over and groaned again, would this ever end?

Monday 0800

Annie was dressed for work and about ready to leave the house. She grabbed her bag, checked she had her phone and her keys and let herself out. Her heart felt like lead and the longing for the handsome stranger was as strong as ever, in fact it was growing. Sabine was still weak and despite praying to the Goddess, Annie hadn’t been able to talk to her. It had been a fitful night’s sleep and without Sabine’s strength, she had no idea how she was going to get through the day. There were no lectures before ten so Annie decided to go for a swim before work. Punishing workouts and burying herself in work had helped her recover last time and Annie sincerely hoped it would work again, life without her wolf was horribly lonely and almost unbearable. Growing up Annie had always looked forward to meeting her mate and watched from afar as her brother and sister met theirs and for them, it was everything it was meant to be. She grew up hearing tales of how special the mate bond is to wolves, the feeling of euphoria and oneness with someone who would feel the same about you. It was all lies though, not every wolf had their happy ending and the mate bond had brought her nothing but pain.

    The university pool was always quiet at that time of morning so Annie pushed herself to complete fifty lengths of the pool before showering and dashing to teach her first lecture. She looked at her new first year students, all sat enthusiastically with pens poised ready to take notes. There were sixty of them now, but she knew by the end of the first term that number would be whittled down to at least half. Some would drop out citing it was not what they wanted anymore, some would stop coming to lectures, submit no work and would be asked to leave, and some would change courses finding the sheer amount of reading, essay writing and exams overwhelming. Annie plastered a fake smile on her face and commenced with her day. By late in the afternoon she was exhausted and tearful, she collected her notes together and decided to do next week’s lesson plans at home rather than at the office. The pretending was wearing on her nerves, at least alone at home she could drop the act. As she walked to the bus stop she was so tired and miserable she didn’t notice the minivan with the darkened windows in the car park, had she had Sabine she wouldn’t have missed it but Sabine was still quiet and Annie didn’t have any heightened sense of awareness of her surroundings without her. She didn’t notice the van as she boarded the bus crammed with students, nor did she notice that it had followed her for the ten minute journey into town, or when she alighted from the bus and walked towards her house. She also missed the window sliding down, a camera lens poking out and taking a photo of her then driving up the street. She missed the same camera take a photo of her at her front door as she let herself in her house, the one thing the camera did miss however  was Annie sinking onto her sofa in a pool of tears.

 Annie woke up two hours later still in her coat. She stood, sliding her coat off and looked at her tear stained face in the mirror. Grimacing at her awful reflection she felt around for her wolf, for any sign of life.

“Please come back to me Sabine.” she said out loud. There was nothing, just a deafening silence.

With no tears left, Annie sighed and went to the kitchen to make a pot of tea and after two hours of lesson planning, she had a hot shower and pulled on some comfortable pyjamas. Just before getting an early night and hopefully some sleep, Annie checked the calendar on her phone for any up and coming events for the next week. As she scrolled the usual university events and functions, something caught her eye, the coming Saturday was full moon. Annie’s heart started to quicken. The full moon was a powerful entity for Annie’s race, the moon had healing properties at certain wolf sites and the moon didn’t just pull the earthly tides in and out, it pulled at their wolves too which was probably where the myth that her kind had no choice but to shift at full moon came from. She knew there was a stone circle which had been built by ancient wolves near her childhood home, famed by her kind to have magical properties and was used to help young wolves make their painful first shift, but she was convinced there was one nearer. She was fairly sure she had read about one somewhere, outside a small town near to the village of Bleasdale. Annie pulled up a map on her phone and typed ‘Bleasdale Circle’ in the search bar. Yes, there it was, and she convinced it was wolf built as it was in an arrow head shaped wood. Arrow head woods were important to wolves as when the moon aligned with the point, the moon’s energy was said to flow down the arrow head into the stone or wood circle with- in. She began to feel a small spark of hope and let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding, if she could just hold it together for four more days... Annie thoughts became resolute, she would absolutely get through the next four days as a visit to Bleasdale might not heal Sabine completely, but it would certainly help. Annie checked train times for Saturday night, she could get a train to the nearest city but that was a four hour hike. She checked the buses and found that if she got the bus to a small market town called Garstang, about a thirty minute bus ride, it was only a two hour hike to the circle. Her plans made, Annie went to bed feeling more hopeful than she had since this whole debacle began. Her sleep was no more peaceful than the night before as she dreamt of the stranger constantly. He was holding her body to his, running his hands through her hair, kissing her neck and crying out her name, Annie awoke in a pool of sweat, breathless, her chest heaving and her core burning. For Annie, Saturday couldn’t come soon enough, she felt weak without her wolf and she knew that this would be so much easier to deal with if she had her best friend with her, without Sabine, Annie was merely human.

The rest of the working week was divided between punishing workouts, swimming, her martial arts class and a crushing workload. Her students from all years had started their first assignments so there was the usual stream of students in and out of her office asking questions or requiring extra support. She pushed through the days trying to ignore the pull of the mate bond, hoping that each night she would sleep peacefully. It was easier to push down the lustful feelings she had for the man during the day when her mind was otherwise occupied, but each night he visited her in her dreams and she would jolt awake, fully aroused with a throbbing between her legs. By Friday Annie was an emotional sleep deprived mess, Sabine was still dormant and Annie felt more alone than ever.

  Saturday was a long day for Annie. She awoke early and as the man had invaded her dreams once again, she decided to get up and make herself busy. After coffee, Annie cleaned her entire house, did all her laundry, swept and tidied her small garden and went to the supermarket buying enough food so she wouldn’t have to shop for the rest of the week. She stopped for something to eat about 16:30 and changed into her hiking gear. As a wolf, Annie didn’t feel the cold but the weather had turned from the early September Indian summer, to a grey and dismal autumn. With all the humans bundled up in hats and scarves, as part of not standing out, Annie would dress the same, it was all about blending in. At 17:30, as the night was starting to draw in, Annie went to catch her bus.