Читать книгу A New Beginning - Joycee Clark - Страница 17

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, Mariah slept in rather late. The predicted storms weren’t here yet and it was beautiful out. She decided to pack up her backpack with snacks and bottled water and go check out the drop location for her wolf drop. The wolves were to arrive tomorrow and Mariah hadn’t heard on any delays so maybe the bad weather had missed them.

The hike felt good. The birds were singing. All kinds of wildlife out doing their thing. The changing leaves were gorgeous and the day felt peaceful. As she hiked she kept a close eye on her surroundings as she went over the night before. Remembering their favorite things they listed and which ones had surprised her and which ones she could have guessed. She would remember the night forever, her first positive experience with men around.

After Mariah checked out the location and studied it a couple hours she decided it was time to get back. She didn’t know if the guys were coming over, but they hadn’t missed a day yet. She was anxious to get home, get showered, and start supper before they got there. Cooking for one was no fun, but fun when she knew she would be sharing it.

As Mariah approached her cabin, she noticed the back window of her SUV had been smashed. She ran to get a closer look and every window was broken, even the headlights, but worse then that, someone had slit the throat of a rabbit and smeared it all over the hood of the battered vehicle. Leaving the body propped up against the windshield on the drivers side. Trying not to panic, she tried her cell phone to call Garret, no answer. She tried Lucca, no answer there either. Sighing and crying uncontrollably, she called Dean Harper. He answered on the first ring.

“Dean, this is Mariah.” it to talk while still crying. I’m scared and the guys told me to call you if I couldn’t get a hold of them. Oh please Dean, I don’t know what to do, the blood is everywhere and I’m all alone, at least I hope I am. Looking around to see if she could see anyone else watching her.

Dean responded “I’m on my way.” then hung up. As Dean headed to Mariah, he put a call out to his men. Garret and Lucca had been pulled for a search and rescue. Finn Nelson had told Lucca and Garret he would stay in wolf form and guard the cabin while they were gone. It would be an honor to protect and defend any mate of the pack members. Dean didn’t know where the hell Finn was, and the plan had all been cleared with him before Lucca and Garret left in the helicopter with Cooper, their pilot.

It took Dean less than three minutes to get there and put his arms around Mariah. Calming her and getting the cabin unlocked, searched, and then got Mariah settled. By then others were arriving, some driving and others in wolf form. Dean left Sawyer Mills to stay with Mariah, he sent Clint and Zane to find Finn, then he and Xander searched for scents or an thing that would lead them to answers. Whoever made this mess was serious about scaring Mariah. They wondered if whoever was responsible for the damage, knew Mariah wasn’t in the cabin. Lucca and Garret had told Dean about the flowers and dead animals being left for Mariah to find. If this person knew Mariah, he had a serious grudge, he was escalating.

Dean wanted answers before he notified Lucca and Garret. He knew as soon as they heard they would head back if they had found their victims or not. Any of them would do the same. Mates were always top priority, not only for Lucca and Garret, but for the pack.

Dean and Xander came up on Clint working furiously to save Finn. Crossbow in his chest, upper right side. Whoever shot Finn dragged him deeper into the woods and left him. Mariah never even knew Finn was around. Dean and Xander helped Clint and Zane get Him loaded in Clint’s truck to get him to the animal clinic so Clint could surgically remove the bolt. They promised to keep Dean updated.

None of the guys could catch any unusual scents. They headed back to the cabin. Mariah was still shaken but had finally stopped crying. Sawyer told Dean he had explained where Garret and Lucca were and that Finn had followed her to the drop sight but stayed hidden because he didn’t want to scare her.

“Dean,” Mariah started, “First of all, I wouldn’t have been scared of the wolf, I had already met Big Gray, Garret and Lucca have already explained to me and that I have to protect them. He certainly wasn’t the one that battered my company vehicle and slit that poor bunny’s throat. What is going on? I need to know, maybe I should just call the local Sheriff.”

Dean tried explaining, “The Sheriff is Linc Morris and he is one of us.” Not knowing exactly what Lucca and Garret had told Mariah about the huge wolves, going forward with this conversation could be dangerous. So Dean started with, “Finn, the huge wolf was hit in the chest with a crossbow bolt.

Mariah covered her mouth with her hand. “Get him some help. Do something. Oh no, this can’t happen, not to a wolf.” “Mariah, Dean started,” he’s getting the best help he can get. Clint and Zane took him to the clinic. Clint’s a vet and Zane is a medic. He’ll be okay, we got to him in time. You need to know Mariah, we all work as a team, when one needs help, we are all there. We watch out for each other. We were all in Special Forces together and had to work as a team, a unit, to make sure we all came home.” Dean hung his head.

The way we work hasn’t changed any. Sawyer will stay here with you. I’ll handle letting Lucca and Garret know, and replace them if they haven’t finished their job yet. Dean handed out orders. “And Mariah, there will be men and huge wolves around here all night. We won’t let this go. As for your company car, we will get it fixed up in Cedar Creek, we know someone. We have already alerted Sheriff Linc so he is already writing a report and letting the right people know.

Mariah put her hand on Dean’s shoulder and said,” Thanks Dean, sorry to be such a mess. I just didn’t know what to do, I’ve only ever had my three sisters, but we never had this kind of problem. I was scared and maybe I shouldn’t be so dependent on Lucca and Garret.” Mariah hung her head.

“No, no, no, don’t ever feel that way Mariah. I’m thinking you are a part of us now. An important part. We take care of our own. Garret and Lucca would try to tear us apart if we hadn’t been here for you when you needed us. Besides it is our honor, even if it’s not the best way to get to know you.” Dean looked Mariah right in the eyes. “Welcome to our Mountain, Mariah.

Mariah gave them each a quick hug and thanked them all, asked for a report on Finn, and settled back on her couch. Zane told Dean as they were walking out of the cabin, Man, Garret and Lucca both would kill us if they knew we all hugged their mate.” “Well, you fool, don’t tell them!” Dean replied with a chuckle.