He wanted to smile or laugh but the circumstances prevented him from doing so. The more he thought about it, the more his intuition warned him Ava had gotten herself into some serious trouble—trouble she might not survive or escape. If something happened to Diskant’s mate, the male probably wouldn’t last. They were bloodbonded, after all.
Connected in life and death…
As if the pack hadn’t already suffered enough.
He shook off what he wasn’t ready to consider. “I won’t be long.”
“I could come with you. Maybe I can help.”
He turned, staring at his mate. Even now she continued to amaze him. She’d been through so much but continued to worry for others.
He shook his head. “I want you to stay here. Calls have to be made and I need to find out what’s going on.” When she frowned at him he winked. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. That’s my job.”
He nuzzled her hand, breathing in her scent. If something happened to her he’d be as crazed as Diskant. She was his other half, the only person who would ever complete him. He wouldn’t survive the loss—he didn’t want to. He rose from the bed, pulling away from her grasp. As he walked from the room he braced himself. Until the pack arrived, he’d have to make sure Diskant didn’t lose his collective shit.
So much easier said than done.
Chapter Ten
Diskant Black was fighting a losing battle. His beasts were restless, trying to overtake the man. They too felt the loss of Ava’s presence in his mind. The absence was devastating, making him believe the worst. But he couldn’t be a heartbroken pussy, crying in his Wheaties instead of taking control. He had to be strong, to figure out what had happened to his mate. Then he’d bring her home, tan her pretty little ass and chain her to the bed.
He continued pushing the strongest animals inside of him away—the wolf, cat and grizzly—listening to the voice on the other end of the phone. There was finally a chip in Zach’s armor, a panic when he relayed the news. Diskant heard the words but it took several seconds to put them together. Ava and Trey had gone to the store down the street ten minutes before. The men on the rooftops didn’t realize something was wrong until it was too late. They were unable to get a visual but knew something had happened because the police showed up minutes later.
Diskant ended the call without saying goodbye, scrolled through his phonebook and dialed Kinsley MacGregor. Ironically enough, he’d just left the Alpha panther’s home after discussing security in the area.
Diskant didn’t want to leave his home but what he wanted might not matter. His location put him and the pack at risk, no matter how many guards he posted around the area. His pride had gotten in the way of common fucking sense.
Kinsley answered on the second ring. “Just can’t leave me alone, can you? What do you want this time?” His Scottish brogue was thick, his vowels extended.
“There was an altercation at the convenience store down the street. Trey and Ava went inside and didn’t come out. I need you to contact your sources at the police department and find out what you can.”
“Bloody hell,” Kinsley muttered. “I’m on it.”
The line went dead and Diskant ended the call, taking deep breaths. He glanced up when Emory walked into the kitchen. The newly mated male had gotten dressed. Diskant felt the brush of Emory’s wolf, could sense it reaching out to his. It was a damn good thing Emory was a born Alpha and managed to reach through to Diskant when he had. Otherwise…
Hell, who knew what might have happened.
“Ava and Trey went to Becker’s,” Diskant said, knowing Emory was familiar with the store. “Something happened while they were inside.”
“Trey?” Emory went still. “He’s with her?”
Shit. In his worry for Ava, Diskant hadn’t considered how Emory would react to the news his brother might be in trouble. Before he could respond his cell rang, the shrill noise echoing inside the kitchen. Diskant answered the call and placed the phone to his ear.
“Talk to me.”
“The police have a report of an assault on a wee female,” Kinsley said, talking quickly. “Apparently a man dragged her out the back with another male in pursuit. Everyone was too frightened to follow but a passerby reported seeing a van leaving the premises.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“The man who took Ava.” Kinsley took a deep breath. “The manager said he was dressed like a cowboy. That sort of attire does draw attention around here.”
Diskant snarled, his temperature rising.
Shepherds. Here. In his city.
“Contact the prides,” he growled. “Tell them what happened and instruct them to send out patrols in their areas. The fuckers are back in the city. We have to alert everyone.”
“Anything else?’
“Keep me up to speed on what the police find. We need to stay one step ahead of them.”
“Consider it done.”
Diskant hung up and had started scrolling through his phonebook again when he heard Emory talking. He lifted his head, listening to Emory’s conversation on the landline.
“Warn the pack, put them on alert and get your ass here.” Emory returned the phone to the receiver and turned to Diskant. “Nathan’s going to contact the pack and head over. You need him right now.”
What an understatement. Without Ava, his grip was slowly slipping. As a Beta, Nathan could help him alleviate his anger. He took deep breaths, collecting his thoughts. Ava wasn’t dead. Shepherds wouldn’t kill her if they could use her as leverage. He just had to be patient. Ava had to be unconscious, that was the only way to sever their mental connection. When she came to, he’d be able to find out where she was.
It was only a matter of time.
“I brought you something,” Emory said, holding out the map Trey had warned him about. “Mary said her parents gave this to her as a way to avoid members of her family.”
Diskant opened the map, eyes darting over the marked areas. Jesus, they were everywhere. He laid the paper on the dining room table and pointed at one of the markings. “What are these?”
“Where Shepherds reside. I’d wager they’re the locations of compounds.”
He froze, stunned as he stared at the map. If what Emory said was true, shifters had just gained an enormous advantage over the hunters who wanted to destroy them.
“You’re certain?” Be certain.
“I am.”
“We have to contact the Alphas in nearby areas,” Diskant said, studying the map as he started formulating a plan. The packs could catch Shepherds off guard, using surprise to eliminate the compounds at the same time. It would take a lot of preparation but if it worked it would change everything. “They need to know what we’ve found.”
“Agreed.” Emory leaned over the table, studying the map as well. “I’ll have Nathan work on a list of the exact locations.”
Diskant nodded. “We need to make copies.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Diskant had to restrain the feral creatures inside of him as he spoke, forcing them to submit to his will. “Ava is alive. I’d feel it if something happened to her. That means the Shepherds who took her want something. They’ll be contacting us soon to negotiate terms.” He tapped the paper. “We can use this as leverage.”
“If you tell Shepherds about this, they’ll spread the word. Once they relocate the information will become meaningless.”
Like hell. “Not if we strike while the iron is hot.” Diskant ripped his eyes away from the table and looked at Emory. “I’m going to contact the Alphas in our area and instruct them to reach out to the prides and packs. In turn they can dispatch shifters to investigate and take out any compounds they find. If we attack each location within forty-eight hours the odds are they won’t have time to warn anyone.”