To anyone who had not met their mate and formed that connection, they would not understand the need driving me. But the truth was I would have done the same even if we hadn't touched.
The huge property came into view and I slowed down slightly, surveying the surrounding area just in case we got the chance to make a quick escape. It was a hopeful action.
James scanned the area as well. He was doing the same as me, something we had been taught from early on.
"What do you think?" I asked, making sure I hadn't missed something important.
"We're walking in blind."
We had no idea how many of them there were. They could have called for reinforcements for all we knew. But one thing was for sure, we were weaker than them so just one of them would be enough to take us both out.
"I know," I murmured, turning the car into the driveway.
We both watched the video camera as we waited for the gates to open. There was a good chance that it wouldn't. My gaze moved to the large wall that surrounded the property. Just as I began to try to figure out how to get over it, the gates opened.
"Here we go," I said in a whisper like they could hear what we were saying. My eyes fixed on the main house as I eased my foot down on the gas.
James and I scanned the front of the house but there was no sign of anyone. Slowly I drove up the driveway, keeping a lookout for the Keepers I knew were watching us.
As we neared the house, four Keepers appeared. James and I shared a look as I stopped the car.
"We're in," James murmured as we waited for the Keepers to approach the vehicle.
One Keeper was intimidating; four of them glaring at us made me feel fearful of what could have already happened to my mate. Two walked to either side of our car and opened the doors. We didn't resist as they pulled us out.
"I have to admit this is unexpected," a voice said, an additional Keeper appearing. I recognized him as Travis. The evil one.
This was the one that Crystal had feared. I didn't like any of the Keepers but this one was the most dangerous. There was an emptiness in his dark eyes that confirmed he was the one to fear.
"I want Crystal," I said, not allowing my voice to waver. I held his gaze, refusing to back down.
He smiled, the type to send a shiver of fear through you, but I refused to allow it to affect me. I was facing my own death but I would not cower away.
"She's busy at the moment," he told me as his eyes drifted over to James. But my beta stood tall.
I didn't like the satisfied look on his face. Were they hurting her already?
"I need to see her," I told him in the alpha voice that my pack members would have obeyed without question.
"You'll have to wait until they're done with her."
My hands fisted by my sides as I contemplated what that meant. Travis took in my slight action and his smile widened. He was enjoying this, toying with me.
"She is currently talking to a couple of my colleagues," he told me in a business-like tone, like this happened regularly. "Don't worry, we haven't done anything to heryet."
And there was the threat. They were going to hurt her, it was just a matter of time. Luckily if what he said was true, I was in time. Not that I had any way of stopping them. I still had the bottle of wolfsbane in the back pocket of my jeans but it wouldn't be enough to take them all out.
Travis stood before us and four other Keepers surrounded us.
"So what happens now?" I asked, shooting a look over my shoulder at the Keeper behind me who looked like he wanted to wipe the floor with me.
"We talk while they talk," he answered with a shrug.
I was pretty sure talking wasn't what he had in mind but I decided to play along.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, hoping to delay the inevitable. I rolled my shoulders back slightly, feeling my muscles flex.
"Why don't we start with why she is here?" His eyes narrowed, studying my features for something, but I wasn't going to give him anything.
