Reno grunted, hoping, praying, it would be enough. Damien was like his brother, his family. They were pack and pack meant everything. If he’d learned one thing over the past few weeks it was that his rogue tendencies were no longer an issue, if they ever had been. His feelings for Brandi, his concern for Damien, those emotions were too real, too deep, to belong to a creature with no pack mentality. He’d give his life for either of them in a minute.
Fielding distracted him from his thoughts by handing him a file. “The forensic tests are back. They weren’t able to get an identity on the other body found in the house. Whoever it was, he had severe head trauma and was probably unconscious when the explosion occurred. We’re speculating Beth must have come home early and found him rigging a bomb to the hot water heater. When it cycled on, there was an explosion. The most likely scenario is that she tried to defend herself and managed to knock him out. Unfortunately, the explosion must have occurred before she could get out of the house.”
Reno slowly curled his hands into fists. “It was the fucking Purists. Who else would try to rig Damien’s house to explode?”
The captain laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know what you’re thinking, Reno. It isn’t your fault. You’ve devoted years of your life trying to stop the group. You’ve rounded up scores of members, followed protocol every inch of the way. There was nothing you could have done that would have prevented this.”
“Yeah, well sometimes protocol sucks. Klaus’ idea of blowing up a mine with the whole lot of them in it sounds damned appealing right now.”
“Yeah. Sometimes it sucks.” Both men were silent for a moment staring at Damien’s bandaged body, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest that provided the only indication that he was alive.
Reno cleared his throat. “So, do you think this was the act of a lone perpetrator, or is someone out there still directing the group and orchestrating attacks like this one?”
“Who knows? The members we have in detention at Lycan Link aren’t talking, if they themselves even know. It’s a very secretive organization. We were lucky at Kolding’s Pass, rounding up so many but there could be dozens more scattered across the country, not to mention the rest of the world.”
“And even if we have all of them, the ideology is still out there. Someone could try again.” Reno sighed thinking they had gone through all of this—lost so much—and it still might not be enough.
“Education will be the key. That and vigilance. We’ll keep promoting the Rights and Freedom Act, tell packs to be on alert, to check in on neighbouring packs and report anything suspicious. It’s the best we can do.”
Reno’s cell phone rang interrupting the conversation and he checked the text message before returning it to his pocket. “That was Brandi reminding me to stop at the grocery store on the way home.” He chuckled softly thinking how domesticated he was becoming.
“Not before you get those reports completed and on my desk.”
“I hope Klaus does his own paperwork.” He grumbled at the prospect of several more hours in the office.
“When are you and Brandi leaving for Kolding’s Pass?”
“Hmm? We’re going to stick around until Damien’s in rehab. Klaus understands I just can’t leave my partner on his own. The Beta position is mine whenever I get there.”
A nurse came in and pleasantly but firmly announced that visiting hours were over.
The two men nodded and left the room, never noticing the flickering of Damien’s eyelids and the stirring of his hands. Time passed. All was quiet except the beeping of the machines and moments later, even they were silent. Alarms began to ring, the sound of running feet filled the air, but when the door to Damien’s room burst open, it was too late.
Reno sat in his office swearing, the phone still clutched in his hand. The infirmary had just called. No one could explain how it had happened but Damien was gone.
It was one of the things Reno had always feared but he’d hoped his friend would be spared.
A muscle worked in his jaw as he punched in the numbers on the phone. “Brandi? I’ve got bad news, babe. It seems… ” He took a deep breath before continuing. “It appears Damien has gone rogue … Yeah, they’ve searched the grounds and can’t find him anywhere … How the hell he managed to slip away in his condition … I know, it makes no sense … What will happen now?” Reno paused and blinked, forcing down the emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. Damien was family. “A rogue Enforcer is too dangerous to be allowed to roam. If he manages to live through his injuries, he’ll have to be hunted down.”
~~~
Fin
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Hi!
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This book, like all the Law of the Lycans stories, is free. In lieu of paying me for my hobby, I ask that you please consider making a donation equal to the value of this book (or the whole series, if you wish) to your local animal shelter or food bank. It would be greatly appreciated by those in need.
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Other books by Nicky Charles
Forever In Time
The Mating
The Keeping
The Finding
From the same author on Feedbooks
Forever In Time (2009)
She was in there, he knew it. He'd been following her for weeks and knew every move she made. There'd be no escaping him. Time was on his side. "I'm waiting, Steph. I've been waiting a long, long time."
Stephanie thought she was ordinary. Her life was stable, or at least it was until the stranger appeared. Was he the answer to her dreams or a nightmare?
The Mating (2010)
Elise had no idea when she came home that day that she'd end up mated to a complete stranger. A new Alpha and the need for an alliance between packs have made her a pawn. WINNER OF THE FPSSA - BEST ROMANCE and the SKOW - BEST VILLIAN
EXCERPT: She lay beside him, staring blankly at the ceiling. The deed was done. They were mated. It didn't matter that she had no love for him nor he for her. Political alliances were more important than feelings, or so she had been told. That fact was cold comfort right now as her heart broke within her.
Ryne Taylor was a sexy bad-ass Alpha set on establishing a new pack. Melody Greene was a journalism student researching his work as a photographer—or so she said. But could Mel really be trusted or had she stumbled upon his secret? And if she knew, could Ryne save himself and the pack he’d left behind without enacting a deadly ancient law known as The Keeping? A novel of paranormal romantic suspense. Sequel to The Mating. A SKOW winner for best M-rated romance.
The Finding (2011)
She discovered a dark secret, witnessed a murder and fled into the night fearing for her life. Three years later, Cassie is still hiding from her past, haunted by a dream lover and fighting to control a terrifying beast that seems to grow stronger each day. When Bryan, pack Beta, appears to claim her, Cassie is forced to face the truth of her existence. Innocence, betrayal, greed and love collide with ancient werewolf laws in The Finding. Third book in The Law of the Lycans series by Nicky Charles
www.feedbooks.com
Food for the mind
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 1
2
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25 - New Chapter
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34