Chapter 76: Reckless Rescue

Derek’s POV

The moment I realized Claire was missing, a cold rage settled deep in my bones.

Redwater fighters were dispersed, and the ground was covered in sweat and blood from the battle.  But when I looked around and could not find her, it did not matter.  My voice was urgent as I called her name, but no one answered.  My wolf screamed that something was wrong and clawed at me, demanding action.

Then I smelt the smallest hint.

Jared.

She had gone to the bastard.

I wasted no time in assembling a sizable force.  A full assault might put Claire's life in jeopardy.  I needed men I could trust with my life, speed, and accuracy.  Without question, Rowan, Theo, and a few of our top trackers followed.  Moving quickly, we followed Claire's scent through the trees, entering new territory while the trail was still fresh.

Then the smell was different.

It was not just Jared's pack anymore.   Something dark, strange, and out of place was the new smell in the air.   From deep inside my chest, my wolf snarled.   We exchanged glances, and Rowan nodded grimly at me.

He whispered, "She is not just in Jared's hands."  "It is worse, whoever else is involved."

I was aware of that beforehand.  I also did not give a damn.  I was regaining her.

The scent led us to a clearing beneath a tall tree standing deep in the forest.    In the distance, fires flickered, creating unsettling shadows on the rocks.  Figures moved between them, some of Jared's warriors among them.   Men with their faces covered by cloaks.   Just being around them made me feel chilly.

Claire was present.

She was initially out of sight, but then I noticed movement close to one of the stone buildings.  She lay on the ground with her head cocked forward and her hands bound behind her back.  She had a pale face and shallow breathing.  My veins flooded with rage.

She was still living.  Just about.

Jared was close by, having a lengthy discussion with one of the cloaked figures.  His tense posture gave me the impression that he was losing control.  It appeared that he was beginning to regret the bargain he had made.

Excellent.

He was therefore preoccupied.

I squatted down, my brain racing.  There were more people than us.  Without a plan, it would be suicide to rush in.  I made myself think and breathe.  I had to get Claire away from them.

A direct assault would not be effective.  But mayhem?  We would have a chance in chaos.

I looked over at Rowan.  "We burned the forest."

Despite his widening eyes, he remained silent.  With a smile, Theo reached for the flint he was carrying.  Little flames licked at the parched underbrush in a matter of seconds.  Like creeping fingers, the smoke curved into the clearing as the wind swiftly carried it.

Almost immediately, the first cries rose.

With a look of alarm on their faces, Jared's men turned.  The warriors were not quite so composed, but the cloaked figures moved swiftly and their strange calm was unnerving.  They became panicked as the flames increased in intensity.

That was our time.

With Rowan and Theo by my side, I bounded ahead.  We attacked quickly and forcefully, slicing through the dispersed fighters before they could reassemble.  Claire was all I could think about.

Jared was spinning, his eyes wide with surprise, when I got to her.

"You," he spat, his angry face contorted.

I did not wait for him to respond.  I punched him viciously in the jaw with my swung fist.  Blood splattered from his mouth as he stumbled back, but I continued.  I seized his throat and forcefully pushed him back against the stone wall.

"You took her," I snarled, squeezing harder.  "And you are going to pay now."

I hardly noticed Jared's wheeze as his hands clawed at mine.  My wolf was itching to tear him to pieces.

Then Claire's feeble voice reached my ears.  "Don't, Derek."

It was sufficient.  I let him go, allowing him to fall to the ground, struggling to breathe.  Turning, I knelt next to Claire and began to untie her bonds with my hands.  Her pulse was weak, and her skin was freezing.

"I have you," I muttered.  "I will get you out."

She attempted to nod, but fatigue got the better of her.  I held her against my chest as I raised her into my arms.

However, a piercing, icy voice reverberated throughout the clearing before I could move.

"She is now our property."

I went cold.

A circle of cloaked figures had surrounded us.  The person Jared had been talking to, their leader, came forward.  His hood dropped back, exposing cold, calculating eyes and sharp, pale features.

Jared stumbled to his feet and coughed.  He growled, "You said I could have her."

The man in the cloak did not even glance at him.  "You were a tool to achieve a goal."  He looked at me.  "You underestimate Claire's worth.  We also will not let her leave.

They appeared unfrightened despite the smoke growing and the fire burning all around us.

These were not your typical wolves.

And it seemed to me that we had just entered a situation far more dire than a conflict with Jared.

Claire stirred weakly in my arms, her fingers tightening in my shirt.   "Derek," she whispered, and her voice had a quality I had never heard from her before.

Fear.

My heart pounding, I drew her nearer.

But it did not end there.

And I had no idea how we were going to get out.