WHERE ARE THEY

     Now Dean couldn’t reach Trisha. What was it with these women? He didn’t have time for this.

      Oli stayed right beside his alpha, and had prudently kept his mouth shut. He didn’t know half of what was going on, and what he knew he couldn’t be sure what was lying.

      Oli still thought that Kiera was a Lycan now and she should stay with her people. When he’d posed that to Dean, he’d reminded Oli that her people were far and few. None of them were secure. No one could point to a place and say that’s Lycan territory. Just because they are the first shifters to possess a third form didn’t mean they weren’t a form of shifter.

    They even spoke of the violent streak the Lycan appeared to have as well. Dean’s views were definitely food for the thought Oli needed. They traumatized the Lycans in those labs. They knew wolves and many other shifters had a strong fight-or-flight response. With that viewpoint in consideration, fighting could be the first response because the lab tried to create a disposable soldiers. They didn’t know if they’d been successful.

    “She’s out there, and I don’t believe she went willingly.”

     “Kiera shot at someone. She fired once the shotgun before she dropped it. I believe she missed whatever she shot at. Then, before she could shoot again, she dropped the shotgun. They must have jumped her from behind.” Dean listened to Oli’s analysis of the scene. “There’s nowhere to hide. No closet or room to step out of. I’m sure we aren’t talking about something the humans could deal with.”

      Dean looked up in frustration and found the missing clue. “I think our kidnapper was safe from the blast and got into a lucky attack.” He pointed up to the ceiling. Whatever or whoever took, Kiera had climbed a wall and hung from the ceiling. She might not have known they were there until it was too late.

     “Crap. Few shifters can hang from their claws. Do you think it was another Lycan? Or something else?”

      “I don’t know. But I now can’t reach Trisha. That concerns me. Her last text said she was heading out to the contested territory to the pond out there to see if she’s hiding out there.”

     “You let her go there?”

     “I told her to take a tracking team with her to all the sites, but I don’t think she did. I haven’t found any that are out.” Dean felt more than annoyed, and he’d haul her onto the carpet for this. She’d have restrictions put on her for quite some time once he was done with her.

      “That’s far too close to the Jasper Sounds Pack. Let’s hope none of his pack did anything to her or detained her.”

      “If they did, it’s war. I’m calling him. I want to know from him he doesn’t have either of the girls.” Dean and Oli hadn’t left Kiera’s cottage. They’d had a team there searching for any evidence. From scent trails or blood. Anything that could direct them to where Kiera was and who had her. James made it clear last night he wanted her in his pack.

      Why was he suddenly doing that? He hadn’t shown any interest before this. So, what changed now? What was his plan?

     “Oli, take a minute and get the Jasper Sounds Alpha on the line. I think it’s time we had a talk.”

      Oli’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. Dean rarely spoke directly to James. That always ended up in an incident that left Oli and his counterpart, Keith Lamont. Oli’s job would get complicated after this, he figured.

     This was too much for a lone Lycan. Trisha better not be in trouble, or it would be Kiera’s fault. Oli was sure others would see it that way, too.

      “Hey, Keith, it’s Oli.”

      “I was just calling you. What is going on? I just saw the sister of you’re alpha hauled past the study by several guards and locked in a secure room upstairs. My alpha’s just stormed out after yelling orders to leave her there. He’s got business to take care of. Are we at war?”

     “At least, she’s not in your jail. I think we might have a slight chance to avoid it. One other question, do you have the local Lycan there too? You know, the one that’s called Kiera. She was once part of our pack.”

      Oli winced when Dean yelled from another room. “I never accepted her leaving the pack. She’s still mine.”

      “You hear that?”

      “Yeah, I heard it. I’m sorry you’re going through that. I gather it’s been going on a while?”

      “It’s getting weird. Do you have her or not?”

      “Not that I know of, but I don’t know how you’re alpha’s sister came to be here. Were they together?”

      “No, Trisha was supposedly out with a tracking group looking for the Lycan. It looks like Kiera’s home was attacked in the early hours and she’s nowhere to be found.”

      “Okay, just checking a few more reports. Nope, nothing here. Just Trisha. I will track down James, and we’ll let them deal with each other on this one. Also, why is the Lycan still part of your pack? I thought she lived in the neutral zone by that package of contested land.”

     “That’s something I’m trying to figure out.”

     “Odd…”

     “I feel the same way.”

     “I know James was trying to get her to come here.”

      “Why?”

      “That’s the funny part. You know how he is. James does nothing without a reason. But this time… This time I think he couldn’t bear her being alone. Not with the hunters poking around at our borders.”

     “Wait. What hunters? We’ve not had any attacks from hunters in months. That is very odd.” Usually hunters went after any shifter they could. Their pack affiliation was not important.

     “Yeah, funny that. Look, I have my alpha here. I will pass the call to him now. Give me a minute to get him up to speed.” The line went silent when Keith put the call on hold.

       Oli went in search of Dean. “He’ll take the call.”

     Oli held the phone out to Dean. “The Alpha of Jasper Springs will speak to you.”

    “Thanks Oli.” Dean took the phone from Oli and put the call on speaker. “Alpha Dean Jonas here.”

     “What do you mean, she’s missing? I don’t have her. If you don’t have her, then where is she? Can you explain why your precious little sister is spying around on my territory?”

     “At least, one isn’t missing. What do you plan to do with her? I won’t give up my claim on the land.”

      “Well, if that’s how you want to play it. Find Keira and we’ll make an exchange.”

      “No, I am not doing that. What else?”

      “I don’t know. I’ll think about. Until then, you know where she is. If anyone tries to fetch, I will see it as an attack and an act of war.” James disconnected the call.

      Dean locked eyes with Oli. Oli’s only response was to rub his forehead with his fingers. “Why didn’t you promise to give him Keira when we find her?”

     “I don’t know, but it turns my stomach at the thought of him having either my sister or Keira.”

     “See, this won’t end well.”