Page 58 of The Night Wolf
The room spun as Sean got so tired. His eyes drifted shut, and a moment later, the blackness claimed him.
GARETH CROUCHEDoutside the fence that surrounded Ryker’s compound. Though Ryker had money, he wasn’t using it to better his pack. Gareth couldn’t understand why these people would follow Ryker, nor pay for Sean’s bounty. The ramshackle place gave Gareth the shivers. The buildings were in serious disrepair, with smashed windows, doors that hung off hinges, and roofs that had obvious leaks. The gates at the front were in better repair. The few people who moved slowly along the dirt paths that went through the place were nearly emaciated.
He lifted his head and sniffed. Sean was definitely here. He knew he had to stay upwind so no one would scent him, but he wasn’t sure they’d be able to do anything to him if they did notice him. Ryker had to be ruling them through fear, because no way was he doing anything in their best interests.
As Gareth made his way through the streets—or what laughably passed for them—he listened. No one complained. In fact, no one spoke at all. He caught a glimpse of a woman with a young girl bundled up, rushing through the door of a particularly ugly building. His blood boiled. This was what Dani had meant by helping those who needed it. Gareth vowed that once this was over, he would do whatever he could to make these people’s lives better.
Sean? I’m here for you. Can you hear me?
No reply.
Sean? Baby. I’m here.
He tried a few more times, then wondered if maybe he’d only thought he had heard Sean. No, he was certain. It had been Sean, and Gareth knew he was in this rathole. He slunk through, his ears perked, hoping to hear Sean, but registering nothing. As Gareth approached one building that looked like a converted warehouse, his heart sped up. Sean’s scent was stronger, and Gareth knew he was close.
He shifted as he rounded the building. Being a wolf was great, but the lack of opposable thumbs limited him somewhat. He was surprised to find no one guarding the door. If Sean was as valuable as Ryker claimed, there should be an army standing watch. He tried the door, and of course, it was locked. If Ryker thought a door would keep him from his mate, he had another think coming. He glanced around and found no one nearby, so he raised his foot and slammed it into the door. A benefit of being a wolf was the added strength that came with it. The doorjamb splintered as it opened wide. Gareth entered the room and his blood ran cold. Sean lay there, unmoving. The scent of urine was overpowering. What had these bastards done to Sean? Gareth rushed to the bed and dropped to his knees.
“Sean? Fuck, what did they do to you?” He shook Sean but got no response. Fine, he’d carry him out if he had to. Gareth pulled Sean up and threw him over one shoulder. When he turned, he was shocked to see a slender young man standing there, his eyes wide. “Listen, don’t yell, okay?” How the hell had he snuck up on Gareth? “Sean is my mate, and I’m taking him out of here.”
Soft eyes blinked once or twice, and then the boy—kid—man swallowed. “He’s your mate? I thought those were myths.”
“I thought so, too, but Sean is definitely mine. What’s your name?”
The kid glanced around nervously. “Quinn.”
Holy shit.“You’re Sean’s brother!”
The boy winced and wrapped his arms around his chest. The kid needed to eat. Gareth could see the bones in his arms, and his face was tired and drawn.
“Come on. We’re all getting out of here. Can you shift?”
Quinn shook his head. “I haven’t been able to shift for years.” His sapphire-blue eyes misted. “I think my wolf is dead.”
That was another thing Ryker would pay for, but now they had to get out. “Follow me, okay? Stay quiet and do exactly what I tell you.”
Quinn’s eyes went wide. “I—I can’t…. If he finds out….”
“Ryker is a dead man. I swear it. For now, we have to get you and Sean away from him.”
“No!”
Quinn turned to run, but Gareth clamped a hand on his shoulder, doing his best to be gentle. “What’s wrong?”
Quinn’s lip trembled. “If I leave, Master will be angry.”
“Master?” Gareth drew in a breath. “You mean Ryker.”
A slow nod, followed by the lifting of Quinn’s shirt hem.
It took tremendous willpower for Gareth not to puke.
“He did that to you?”
“Yes,” Quinn whispered. “It’s his mark of ownership.”
The skin was raised and segmented, like a worm had burrowed underneath it and taken up residence. The symbol of a wolf glared back at Gareth. Ryker….
“He doesn’t own you.” Gareth bit down on the growl that tried to escape. “No one does. Do you understand?”
