Chapter 22: Any Means Necessary

“Learn anything?” Blake asked once Jessica made it back to Nick’s place. She handed him the bag she’d taken from Brody’s room filled with letters, notebooks and a map.

“The police have put an APB out on the Rolls Brody was driving that day but nothing’s come up yet. There haven’t been any demands, no phone calls made on her cell since 2pm on the day she went missing and they haven’t been able to trace the phone either. They believe it’s turned off which I can attest to seeing that she hasn’t answered any of our calls or texts.”

“I’m sure it was the first thing they did. Do her parents know where Brody may have taken her?”

“Blake they don’t know it was him who did this. I mean how are you so sure anyway?”

“Because I watched him drive off with her and neither made it back home.”

“Well couldn’t that also mean that he’s lying somewhere in a ditch? Maybe they were ambushed or something and he’s hurt or dead or something. I’ve known Brody since he started working for the Silvermans and he doesn’t seem like the type of guy capable of doing something like this. He barely speaks but he’s not all that bad a guy. I tell you who I would suspect, her ex-boyfriend Riley. He’s the kind of asshole I’d think would do anything to get his way.”

“It wasn’t Riley, it was Brody, Jessica. You’re just gonna have to trust me on that. What else did you find out?”

“No hits on any bank accounts, credit cards or her passport so they know she has to still be in the country. As far as the lack of funds, police believe she’s still within the city since there haven’t been any rentals or anyone matching her description with cab companies. And they aren’t looking at this as a kidnapping. They think that given the family’s dynamics; overbearing mother, workaholic father, pressure to be successful and constant overseeing of a bodyguard that Natalie just cracked and ran away.”

“Ran away?”

“Yeah they’re not putting too much effort into finding her saying ‘she’ll come back when she’s ready, she’s just blowing off steam’. But that’s not true! They don’t know her like I do. Natalie is a trooper and has always done what she was expected to do without question. She wouldn’t just all of a sudden wake up one day and think ‘today I’m leaving and not coming back’. It’s not like her! I think you’re right Blake, she’s been taken. I only hope whatever’s in that bag might help you find her.”

“It’s already been 36 hours; police stop looking for a recovery and start looking for a body after 48. And now to hear they don’t even think it’s a kidnapping is very disheartening. They wouldn’t continue looking for much longer anyway. And the lack of demands can only mean her kidnapper’s motive is not money,” Nick reasoned aloud as Jessica finished her report.

“No, they want something else.” Blake growled as he looked at the map Jessica recovered amongst Brody’s things. Clearly marked on the center of the map for Newport was the cabin in which Blake located Angelo and the one he was told is where his first transition took place. Natalie’s house and the waterworks building were also push pinned and marked. It was an obvious message to Blake; one he knew he needed to take seriously. “I have to go.”

“Go? Go where? If the police have no clue where she could have gone, how do you plan on finding her in this city? You don’t even know for sure if she’s still IN the city!”

“I know all I need to know. I’m going to get Natalie back, one way or another.” He snatched up Brody’s bag and his camera and stormed out of Nick’s door, rushing quickly through the woods with a clear destination in mind.

It took less than an hour running every mile of the way towards Newport before Blake was standing in front of Angelo’s cabin. Pounding his fist frantically into the door, he finally tried the handle and saw himself inside. “Angelo? If you’re here answer me!” Blake demanded as he stood in the center of the small dwelling. Lifting his nose to the ceiling he breathed in deeply remembering the instruction from his mentor, noted a strong presence by scent near the backyard and started towards it. 

“While I no longer have the advantage of a full moon it doesn’t mean I’m not entirely capable of besting you should I choose,” Angelo’s mellow voice croaked behind Blake as he stepped out onto the back porch. “In need of another lesson already? Don’t tell me you got back to the city and ate your intended.” A crooked smile turned his lips as he stood to move towards the intruding man and the look was quickly replaced with concern noting the expression in Blake’s eyes. “What happened?”

Blake tossed the map over the table for Angelo to view and quickly explained the events over the last two and a half days hoping the man knew something that could point him in the right direction. Angelo’s motions grew steadily morose the more Blake explained and his head constantly shook with negativity especially as Blake made plans to go after Dante. “You’ll be playing right into his hands!”

“I don’t care! If he has Natalie I’ll do whatever I need to in order to save her. What can you tell me about this Dante?”

“Nothing I haven’t before. He’s a very dangerous man, even more in his wolf form Blake, you can’t handle this alone and I’m not much of a fighter these days,” he gravely sighed.

“I have no choice Angelo and I’m not asking you to risk your life for me or Natalie, I’m just asking you to tell me where to find this son of a bitch!” The irises of Blake’s eyes beamed red causing Angelo to step back as he gazed at him.

Only twice before in his life had he witnessed the sight that now stood in front of him and he breathed a watery laugh, releasing a low whistle as Blake’s claws dug into the wooden table the angrier he became. “Now I see why Dante’s gone through all the trouble of his sleepers.”

“Sleepers? So Nick was right,” Blake remarked beneath his breath.

“The man has been looking for you for over four years now Blake; you’ve reduced him to using wolves in various, tedious everyday jobs in order to find you. He felt you were a danger to him and now I see why he wanted you dead. You’re a rarity in our world. ”

“What are you talking about?”

“Those eyes of yours, only Alphas have them,” Angelo spoke with noticeable pain in his voice. “Most wolves, like myself, our eyes are yellow. The only way to make that status is by stealing the power of another or by natural means, a mutation in your blood for example. It’s a scent easily detectable which is why you were on Dante’s radar; it was in your blood. You’re an Alpha without a pack and a wolf without a clue as to how much power you truly possess. That in itself makes you a threat to Dante and everything he’s accomplished and hopes to achieve.”

“And he took Natalie to what? Guarantee I’ll give him a slow and painful death?”

“That girl is bait to get you on his turf so he has the home field advantage to take you out. As I said, the full moon is no longer a factor at this point so my guess is he’ll use your emotions for that girl to weaken you enough to where he can defeat you, or…”

“Or what?”

“He’ll hold her and wait until he has not only you on his terms but the benefits of a lunar event. He’s a pack leader so you’re already outnumbered even if you brought me along. There’s no way you have the manpower to defeat him AND however many wolves he has fighting alongside of him Blake. It’s a losing battle either way you look at it.”

Blake turned his back to Angelo and paced the small area a moment as he considered his options. With a deep growl he blew out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. Worried hands stroked the base of his scalp and he tugged at the roots of his hair in frustration. Three sharp fists rocked the frame of the bedroom door, denting the wood and Blake slid down the wall towards the floor, hanging his troubled head. “Then I’m gonna have to give him what he wants.”

“What? That’s suicide Blake! Even if you traded yourself for this girl there is no guarantee he’s just gonna let her walk! He’ll have the both of you to do with as he pleases! Think about what you’re saying.”

“I have. I’m not letting Natalie suffer because of me. If there’s even the slightest chance he’ll let her go once he has me then I have to do it. If I’m who Dante is after then I’m who he’ll get. How do I find him?”

Angelo left the room for a moment and Blake heard the backdoor open and close. Shuffling around boxes and falling objects made him realize he was looking for something and a few seconds later he rejoined Blake in the main room. Angelo dropped a large duffel bag at Blake’s feet clearly labeled with the name Dante. With a worried frown he nodded to the items and Blake unzipped it finding it full of the Alpha’s personal effects. “Try following your nose.”

A slight vibration in Blake’s pocket made him jump until he realized it was his cell phone. Pulling the tiny device from his pocket, he opened the message center and a bright smile washed over his face. “It’s from Natalie! She’s…”

“Are you sure it’s really her?” Angelo cautioned watching as Blake read over the text.

“It’s gotta be! Who else would…no…” Scooping up the items, Blake quickly exited the small home.

“Blake…be careful.” With one last look towards Angelo he set off to find Natalie and prayed she was not hurt.

The scent took him back to Cresting Heights, a small victory in his eyes as he’d hoped she wasn’t too far removed from her home. After spending the night in the woods running the entire way back, Blake made it to the edge of town. He was feeling the pressure of his decision on his shoulders with an added degree of guilt getting Natalie caught up in his mess. Crossing the 4^th street Drawbridge leading into downtown attentive to the road ahead as his mind replayed events of the day Natalie was taken. He should have left his house sooner he would have made it to the waterworks building before her and she would never have been taken. Blake kept his eyes focused on the path he walked too afraid of looking down and seeing his wolf’s reflection in the still water of the river below. 

Losing the trail every now and again Blake kept seeking relentlessly for the source of the smell. However the address from the text message led Blake to a small ranching settlement near a large oil station; possibly the cause of such a weak scent. “What is it with wolves and cabins?” he thought to himself as he followed a path up a hill and over a broken down wooden fence. Instantly he caught whiff of Natalie’s shampoo and knew he was on the right track. Throwing caution to the wind Blake charged forward until he found himself outside an enclosed ranch which didn’t appear guarded.

Carefully he circled around the log cabin sniffing out Natalie’s scent until it was at its strongest. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a large, red barn situated on the end of the property and hurried towards it. The smell of peaches was heavy in one area in particular and pushed his senses into overdrive. Blake entered through the upper barn door and lowered himself to the ground, using hay bales to catch himself and stealthily moved about the area. Not long in his search did he finally find what he was looking for.

Foolishly he stepped into the room and the moment he did Natalie’s eyes moved towards him. “BLAKE!”

“NATALIE!” He yelled seeing her tied to a chair being guarded by a knife-wielding wolf smiling sadistically as he lowered the blade to her throat. He struggled against the wolf holding him back, fighting as hard as he could to get to her but the man proved powerful. And it was then he realized she hadn’t sent the text.

“That’s quite far enough!” Finally the man he’d been seeking growled and jumped down from the platform he’d been standing on. His menacing grin was the first thing Blake saw as he slowly approached him. The man carried himself with an air of importance but a posture that was still very much intimidating.

Standing at least six foot four and powerfully built, Dante’s broad shoulders framed his physique with rippling muscles too large not to notice. Dark hair topped a well sculpted face and his eyes bore through everything they looked at callously with contempt. There was a hard edge about him. “Blake, Blake, Blake; it’s so nice to see you again.”

“You know, we’d assumed you went underground. Your scent stopped shortly after you turned and we couldn’t find you anywhere. You should have stayed in your hole! Unfortunately for you that girl led us right to you! Although, I can see why you were so easily swayed by her…charms.”

“Touch her and I’ll…”

“You’ll what? Kill me? I very much doubt that!”

“Let her go, please, you got what you wanted!”

“Oh don’t be so conceited Boy. See, before this night is done, I will be the sole Alpha of the territories and if you even attempt to harm me the men in this room will take you out quicker than you can beg for your worthless life. And if you foolishly think they’ll stop with you then you simply haven’t had a good look at our dearest Natalie over there.” 

Dante made a sick gesture with his tongue and Blake immediately charged forward only to be stopped by Brody and the wolf holding him earlier. He laughed cruelly and watched as the men took turns beating the eager Blake into submission.

“BLAKE!” Natalie yelled watching as their feet stomped into his stomach and their fists slammed into his face. She turned away as he spit up a small of amount of blood and whimpered at the sight of his beaten body.

“Enough.” Dante waved his hand casually and the men pulled Blake to his feet. “We have plenty of time later to soften him up; if he refuses that is.”

“Refuse?” Blake groaned and spit out another mouthful of blood. “Refuse what?”

“My offer of course. What? You didn’t think I brought you all this way for tea and crumpets did you? You have something I want and I’m willing to let you live if you hand it over.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Let’s not play games Blake I don’t have a lot of patience for that. Now I know you’ve had helped since your change and surely someone’s told you what you’re worth. If you willingly give that up, I’m more than reasonable; I’ll spare your life and the girl’s. Otherwise…Natalie and I are just gonna have to become acquainted.”

“You don’t scare me! None of you do. You fight as a group because you’re too cowardly to take Blake on one-on-one! And what about me, you lock me in a closet because I’m that big of a threat to you? Yeah that makes you a real big man!” Natalie yelled at the large man pacing the room in front of her and he smiled in her direction.

“If it was my desire, you’d already be a steaming pile of blood and bones!” Dante growled as Natalie’s words finally affected him. A flash of red in his eyes made her gasp and jerk back against the ropes that bound her. “Are you sure I’m no one to fear?” Backing away slowly he kept his darkened eyes focused on her, daring her to say something else. Natalie was frozen in place with a look of genuine horror on her face. As he turned his back to her, he smiled sadistically and glanced towards Blake.

“There’s quite a bit you don’t know Natalie and even more about your supposed friend, Blake here.” Dante sneered and watched as Blake’s breath hitched in his chest. Assured the Alpha would expose what he was to Natalie before he had the chance to he growled and swung his arm hard knocking the spiky-haired wolf off. But as he headed for Brody, Dante made a swift motion to where Natalie sat and Blake froze in place. “Do that again and she dies!” 

Blake raised his hands in submission and the guard he knocked away caught him with a cheapshot to the jaw before pulling him to his feet again. “Now then where was I? Oh that’s right, Natalie,” Dante smirked and knelt at her feet, glancing back between her and Blake. “Did you know that weeks before you and Blake ever spoke he was stalking you?” Natalie’s eyes narrowed in confusion as she listened to the man not believing anything he said. But noticing Blake’s head hanging in shame made her reconsider her position.

He stood and moved back towards the platform where he started and an area of papers sitting on a table near the wall. “Shocking isn’t it? The thought that someone was following you home, watching you in your most private moments and even photographing you!” Dante tossed several pictures of Natalie to the floor at her feet and she turned to Blake with a look of surprise.

“Wait, Natalie I can explain,” Blake started and jerked against the hold of the man on his side.

“Oh no, please, allow me,” Dante growled and flipped to a page in a leather bound book that Blake instantly recognized as one of his missing diaries. “‘There she was again sitting in front of a rose bush looking as majestic as the first day I’d laid eyes on her. Natalie. Her hair was tied in that same messy ponytail she seemed to favor, her eyes so enchanting and fixed on the pages of the book she read. The radiance on her face captivated me and I felt mesmerized by her smile. Her smile; my god I hadn’t realized how beautiful she was until she smiled for the first time. ’”

“You son of a bitch!”

“And we’re not to the good parts yet. Shall I continue on to the section of where you were watching her sleep or…in the shower?!” he feigned shock and smiled wickedly at Natalie’s blushing face as Blake continued struggling against his captors. “‘Sometimes I wish she’d notice me and then I remember the grotesque nature of my physique and realize someone like her would never appreciate the beauty a person possesses inside. I pray for the courage to speak to her and it scares me because I fear she’d never be like the person I imagine her to be. Perhaps one day she’ll see me; someone outside of her normal circle. And maybe on that day she’ll give me one of those gorgeous smiles and share a piece of herself with me.’ Doesn’t it just break your heart? Tell us Blake, just how long had you been stalking poor little Natalie?”

Blake hung his head in embarrassment as Natalie looked his way in shock and the evil laughter that followed from the Alpha wasn’t lost. “You have a decision to make Blake. Now I’d like to think I’m not a ruthless man but when pushed…well who knows what they are capable of until tested right?” Dante moved closer towards his position, the evil glower still directed towards him as he jerked again against the men’s grip. “Give it up or watch her die, your choice.”

A loud crash startled the men in the room as glass broke around them. Moments later a large flash of light blinded the room as smoke began to fill the space. Dante growled as he smelled a familiar scent and was caught off guard by an arrow piercing his flesh causing him to fall forward to the ground. He howled and immediately the men of his pack rushed to his aid.

Blake rushed forward his wolf howling inside of him and speaking volumes as he felt Natalie’s breath fan across his neck while he undid her ropes. “I’m so sorry Natalie about all of this, I’m gonna get you out of here.” Tears had fallen from her eyes staining her cheeks and she stood as the final rope fell away from her. He pulled her into his arms and quickly moved towards the area he’d entered.

“Stop them!” Dante growled and pushed up from the floor chasing after the couple. Blake held Natalie against his chest and dashed towards the barn doors as another ripple of thunder erupted behind them and bales of hay began exploding around the room. Too afraid to look back, he kicked at the doors until they burst open and disappeared into the tree line with Natalie’s arms wrapped around his neck.

Footfall scurried behind him as he moved and he heard the movements of several others behind him as he ran. But it was Brody who’d caught up to them. Sitting Natalie to the ground he motioned for her to remain still as he moved around the other side of the tree attempting to get behind her former bodyguard. But Brody was too smart for that. The moment Blake touched down behind him, the man rocketed a soaring roundhouse kick towards Blake’s midsection and watched the wolf land hard against a tree.

Listlessly a few leaves fell to the ground beside him and Blake touched his stomach, wincing in pain at the undeniably broken ribs he felt beneath his fingers. Brody smirked at him and started towards the tree where Natalie hid and quickly Blake scrambled to his feet ignoring the pain that rippled through his body as he took a step forward. 

With the threat of harm towards his Natalie, Blake’s body was shaking noticeably as he fought hard to maintain control of his human side. He did not want her to see, not like this; but the wolf within was too angry and much more powerful than before as it sought revenge. “Natalie, run!” Blake’s voice was so cold and deadly that it caused shivers to dance along her spine. 

Turning to do exactly that, a scream startled her from behind and she turned back in time to see Blake fall. “No!” She rushed to his aid but stopped short as Brody glared at her through piercing yellow eyes.

Frozen in place she watched as her friend writhed around on the ground through a horrifying symphony of screams and snarls of pain. His face elongated and she gasped, taking a step back as sharp teeth the size of an animal’s pierced through his gums and stretched the entirety of his jaw. The eyes she’d come to know and adore became sharp yellow orbs of rage. Blake’s clothing ripped away, making way for a suit of dark black fur that erupted through his skin consuming his entire body. The snapping of bones and ripping of skin made her jump and she turned away as blood oozed from his fingertips and razor sharp claws replaced his fingernails. 

A crashing roar rocked the trees around them. The howl turned to a yell, cracking halfway as the vocal cords shifted, and the wolf had taken Blake’s place. Natalie stared in shock. He was human, it was unquestionable. But what she’d just witnessed made her doubt her sanity. Pretty soon Brody followed form and changed behind Blake. He grunted, nodding his head in a beckoning motion and the first wolf attacked; Blake lunged forward, tackling his full weight into Brody’s. A tumble of black fur blurred through falling leaves. The men rolled around the ground, vying for control as each exchanged powerful jabs to the other.

Somehow Brody gained the upper hand and had Blake backed up against the trees pummeling his gut and face with one vicious blow after the other. Scooping the young wolf up by his mane, he tugged hard and tossed Blake into the clearing where he landed just a few feet in front of Natalie on his back. Beaten and bloody, Blake lay there trying to find the strength to get up again and go after his attacker but his body refused. 

Howls erupted from the edge of the clearing, and in the darkness  Natalie could make out the shifting shapes of the other wolves from the barn. They began to prowl from the darkness into the moonlight, all of them muscular and powerful. If they made it here before the fight ended, there was no telling what would happen to either of them. “Blake!” Natalie cried and he gazed at her, suddenly finding his second wind.

With renewed vigor, Blake jumped to his feet and slashed his claws across Brody’s chest, slicing four deep wounds into his flesh before following up with a fierce kick to the ribs. The man landed heavily on his back, crashing to the ground and Blake charged again. Pinning Brody against the dirt with his powerful arms, Blake held onto the side of his head and yanked hard, twisting it until his spine snapped.

One last whimper with a sharp, stabbing sound fell through Brody’s lips before the men finally fell apart. Blake’s nostrils puffed a large cloud of steam and he started towards her. Natalie shook her fear free finally and took off into the woods. Immediately Blake gave chase, storming behind her crunching twigs and stirring mud in his wake. 

Natalie turned once to see his menacing gaze locked on her and stumbled backwards. Unable to regain her balance she toppled over onto a large rock, smashing the back of her head. And as the world went black, Natalie was aware of three things: the immense pain throbbing in her temples, a warm, sticky substance oozing down her face and an enraged, monstrous man-beast slowly looming closer.

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