Isnt there an officer not living at Night Light that you can get to watch over her so she isnt in another cage? Tasuki asked feeling his skin crawl the closer he got to the cage.
She needs the steel bars as extra protection from the pack your so gung-ho on exposing her to, Micah explained. You see, were not keeping her locked away just for the sake of keeping her prisoner. This is for her protection. An unmated female werewolf is a very valuable thing and Titus really doesnt want to have to reprimand his pack for thinking with their nether regions if you get my drift.
And to make matters worse we found empty vials and syringes in the trashcan next to her cage after youd walked off. The labels on the vials indicate that they were shooting her up with hormones.
Hormones? Tasuki asked feeling like whatever Micah was pointing out went right over his head and kept going.
They were trying to make her go into heat so they could breed her, Titus supplied in a cold tone. Over seventy percent of the wolves on the force are single and most married have human mates. It wouldnt take much to start a riot. As far as I know shes probably the only female werewolf in the city that is of age and doesnt have a mate. Our breed tends to start fighting over the females long before she becomes of age.
Tasuki frowned now having a new perspective, When you put it that way, I actually get it but it still sucks.
Micah clapped him on the shoulder, No harm done theres still a lot you dont know about shifters but youre a quick learner. Before long, youll probably be able to read off our bylaws without batting an eyelash.
Great, Tasuki grumbled, more laws to learn.
Titus climbed up and into the cage but when he bent down to take her up in his arms he caught her scent and cursed. The last time hed been around a shifter in heat, hed received a face full of fist via a jealous Sun God. If nothing else he was a fast learner.
Hey Micah, do you still have that scent masker on you?
He caught it in midair when the small spritzer bottle came sailing toward him. It took him a few minutes to empty the rest of the clear bottle before slipping it into his pocket. Lifting her gently in his arms he made his way out of the cage.
Tasuki couldnt help but admire how beautiful she was as a wolf when Titus brought her out into the light of the building. Her fur was solid black and from the few moments shed stared at him through the bars at the warehouse, he knew her eyes were a beautiful golden color with flecks of blue and green in them.
I wonder how old she is, Tasuki mused quietly, not wanting to wake her even though theyd said the tranquilizer would make her sleep for a while yet.
Boris thinks shes about twenty years old based on the size of her feet, Micah answered with a frown. It looks like shes had a hard time of it in captivity though.
Taking her into the empty holding cell, Titus gently placed the she-wolf down on the bed. Hed been listening to the conversation between Micah and Tasuki and took a closer look at her.
He had to silently agree about her treatment while in Luccas care. Her fur, while dark and beautiful, was dirty and matted in some places indicating that she had refused to shift back into her human form for quite a while. The pads of her feet were scratched and rough and a few burn marks from the cattle prod were visible as well.
He knew why shed refused to shift and admired her stubbornness. If theyd caught her in her human form thats when they would have raped her. Shed used the only weapon she had against them the fact that a female werewolf cannot become pregnant in her animal form. It showed not only her strong will but her intelligence as well.
Reining in his temper for the time being, Titus exited the cell and secured the door behind him. When she woke up shed still be pissed off, but at least this jail cell was a far cry better than that cage theyd had her in.
Shouldnt we start questioning the guard that we have and see if he knows where they keep other hostages? Tasuki asked as he started towards the observation room.
Titus was about to answer when one of the officers that missed the raid slipped in through the front door and started back toward the holding cells.
Where the hell are you going Phillip? Titus demanded.
The officer, one of the younger werewolves on the squad, froze and smiled sheepishly. I missed the raid and wanted to see if shed shifted to her human form yet.
Micah elbowed Tasuki, See what I mean?
Tasuki scowled and crossed his arms over his chest, Unfortunately.
The officers reason for stopping by raised red flags in Tasukis mind, causing his anger to come back full force. If the she-wolf shifted back to her human form, she wouldnt have any modesty left because shed be naked right now. That fact made it very apparent that Micahs warning about wolf instincts was correct.
Shes a living being just like you are, not some damn peep show, Tasuki growled at the officer before storming into the observation room.
Kids got guts, Ill give him that, Micah muttered.
Titus arched an eyebrow at Phillip, I think you have our answer. Until otherwise stated, everyone is to keep their distance from this department got it? As a matter of fact, why dont you guard the door and make sure no one else gets the same idea you did.
What do I tell them? Phillip was dumb enough to ask then took several quick steps back when Titus started toward him.
You tell them that I said the first idiot that sticks his head in that door is going to get it blown off, Titus thundered. He glared at Phillip who practically tripped over his own feet as he hastily made his exit.
Has anyone ever told you that you make one hell of an Alpha? Micah laughed and patted Titus on the back.
Titus shook his head and added, We might want to go around locking all of the damn doors and windows just in case we get a couple brave ones. I dont want to get sidetracked once we start in on the idiot chained in the other room.
We might need to talk about rotating shifts so someone is always here to watch out for her, Micah offered. But right now, I think Tasuki might go all crazy on our man in there if we dont follow him.
Titus arched and eyebrow, Good point.
In the observation room, Tasuki gripped the back of the chair and glared at the werewolf on the other side of the two way mirror. He closed his eyes unable to stop the damned memory from coming back to haunt him. It was the last dream hed had of her but that had been the last time he had slept.
This time there had been a cage that loomed in the center of a massive cavern and Kyoko was tapped within its bars. But in the dream it had felt like shed been stolen from him by a monster. He franticly circled the cage looking for the latch that would free her from the monster that had locked her up, but thick iron bars was all he found. Hed promised to save her but how could he do that if the damned thing didnt even have a door on it?
Hed glanced up and locked eyes with Kyoko just as hands came from the darkness and drug him backwards to his death he remembered dying.
Tasuki opened his eyes as the memory vanished. No matter how many times hed had that dream, it always ended the same way with him dying and Kyoko still trapped in the freakin cage. He ran his hand through his bangs trying to get a grip. No matter how real the memory of the dreams seemed they were only in his head and he needed to keep them there.
Looking at the kidnapper in the other room, he decided to take his anger out on the real monsters who had a fetish for locking girls in cages. Why not he didnt have anything better to do.
Micah followed Titus into the observation room to find Tasuki leaning against a chair glaring at the restrained guard through the two way mirror. If looks could kill then the other man would now be a greasy spot in the chair.
Can we get an electrical current running through that chair in there and make him dance? Tasuki asked only half joking.
Tempting, but no, Titus responded. Phillips reason for coming over here did bring up a genuine concern though.
Tasuki nodded, You need to get some clothes to put in there with her just in case she does wake up and decides to shift back. He looked over at the two shifters when neither of them moved. Maybe the female officer that was in on the raid has a change of clothes in her locker. Want me to go check?
No, shes going to have her hands full getting the other girls checked out by a doctor, Micah informed him then rubbed his chin when a solution to both of his problems dawned on him. But Ive got an idea.
Thats a first, Titus said then smirked when Micah elbowed him.
Ha, ha, Micah growled. As I was saying let me call Alicia and have her bring over some clothes.
Whos Alicia? Tasuki asked.
Micahs kid sister, Titus informed him. Hes been a little moody since she got herself mated to a Sun God recently.
A Sun God? Tasuki asked with a confused expression. That was a new one on him, though he didnt know why he bothered being surprised. Youd think hed be immune by now.
Stop letting everyone know what I had for breakfast, Micah grumbled and took out his cell phone. As he dialed the number he sighed knowing that Titus was right. Hed definitely been in a funk lately because he missed his sister and Damon was being an ass keeping her hidden for days at a time. This just so happened to be a great excuse to get to see her and find out if she was still happy with Mr. Possessive.
Youd have Alicia come clear across town just to bring us a set of clothes? Titus cocked an eyebrow. Desperate much?
What the hell is a Sun God? Tasuki really wanted to know so he could add it to his growing list of things to put on his mental Wall of Weird.
Micah had been about to hit send on his phone when Titus had questioned his motives. Thinking quickly, he immediately came up with an even better excuse.
Actually, I think we can kill two birds with one stone, Micah smirked. Alicia told me that Damon has been teaching her how to put people under her thrall.
He pointed to the man on the other side of the mirror. We could probably beat the hell out of that worthless lamebrain and not get as much out of him as Alicia could with a couple simple questions. Plus, hed have to tell her the truth where with us we have no way of knowing if hes feeding us a line of bull to keep his ass out of hot water with Lucca.
Its okay, Tasuki sighed accepting the fact that he was being completely ignored. Im sure that Ill figure it out eventually.
Chapter 3
Alicia had just finished making herself a cup of coffee when her cell phone started ringing. Rushing toward her purse, she grabbed the device taking a quick glance at the caller ID. She put it to her ear with a bright smile.
Hey Micah, whats up?
Do you have some time to spare for your big brother? Micah asked turning his back on the other two men in the room so they couldnt see the relieved expression on his face. Hed half expected Damon to answer her phone.
Alicia shrugged, Yeah, I guess so. Damon went out with Michael and Kane. He probably wont be back for a while yet.
Good, because I really need a favor, Micah began. Weve got a she-wolf in one of the holding cells here that we just rescued from a raid on the underground slave trading. She hasnt shifted back yet, but when she does shes going to need a change of clothing. Do you think you can bring something down to the station for her?
Alicia looked over at her huge closet full of clothes before nodding, Yeah, I think I can dig up something. When do you want me there?
As soon as you can get ready, Micah answered. We dont know when shell wake up from the tranquilizer.
Ill be there, Alicia said. Anything else you need?
Im so glad you asked that, Micah said letting Alicia hear the smile in his voice. I need you to put another wolf under your thrall and get him to answer a few questions for us. Do you think you can do it?
Yes, Alicia answered a little too quickly. Give me some time to get dressed and grab a few things for the poor girl and Ill be down.
She hung up the phone and a wide grin spread across her face as she rushed around getting dressed. It was nice to have something to do while Damon was away. At least now she felt useful and, with any luck, she might be able to prove to Damon that she really could do things on her own.
Throwing on her favorite pair of jeans and one of Damons black button-up shirts, she got out a black leather duffle bag and removed two set of clothes from the closet. One set in case she liked soft frilly things and another set that would make her feel tough and in control. Why not give the girl a choice between dressy or badass. Besides, Damon had stocked over half of her closet with bad girl outfits so she would match the bad boy act he had going on.
Once the clothes were packed, she went through some of the new undergarments she hadnt worn yet and something for the girl to sleep in before putting them in the bag as well. She figured after being held prisoner, any girl would appreciate the little things like clean underwear, toothbrush, and maybe a little makeup.
As an afterthought, she took one last look around the room to make sure she hadnt missed anything. Spotting her collection of hair things, she grabbed up a comb and brush along with a few hair ties so the girl could put her hair up if she wanted to.
Alicia smiled as she put the strap of the bag over her shoulder and headed toward the bedroom door. It felt good to know that she was going to be seeing Micah again even though it had only been a few days. She missed him.
The fact that hed called for her help specifically was exciting enough. Putting someone under her thrall for legit reasons, and the fact that her target was a werewolf and not just some human would mean a challenge for her.
Humans were far easier to place under a thrall because they had no real immunity to it unless the human was psychic or wore a charm like her necklace. Damon had told her that shifters were harder to penetrate because all of their five senses were higher. Unfortunately, she hadnt had much of an opportunity to even test it out on humans with Damon barely letting her out of the bedroom.
Alicia squared her shoulders. This was a prime opportunity for her to get some real practice in without the sexual distractions. Just as she walked out of her and Damon's bedroom, Kane stormed in the front door muttering under his breath.
Is something wrong? Alicia asked.
Kane didnt appear to hear her and continued muttering about a woman named Olivia. Suddenly he froze and cursed loudly.
Damn it! Kane shouted. Not Olivia Victoria.