Chapter 733 Chapter 733
Oaklyn grabbed the door again to brace herself as Zain steered down the road—at least she thought under the snow and ice, it was a road. The last forty-five minutes had been hair raising scary. The snowbanks were big, the visibility was sketchy and even with the new vehicle it was a rough ride. Her car never would have made it this far.
She looked out the window to see a wolf standing there watching them. “We’re being watched.” It was the fourth animal she’d seen, and now she was certain they weren’t the wild variety.
“Shepard arranged it with some rogue groups to patrol and keep watch.” His tone was quiet and tense, although, with the driving, she was surprised he answered her at all.
“Really?” That gave her hope. If the Alliance was working with rogues, then she may be accepted after all. She hoped that was true. She straightened both legs and braced her feet to stop from sliding around on the seat. “Maybe you ought to slow down. That gate looks solid.”
“I’m trying. We’re sliding down the hill.”
She looked at the river ahead of them and had a flashback to the day she met Calum Dante. “I don’t want to swim.”
He snorted. “I’ll drive into the gate before I dump us in the river.”
“I’m okay with that.” They slid sideways, but he managed to get it straightened out. “This drive would deter any visitors.”
“Which would work if the visitors didn’t fly or have paws.” He mumbled.
As they slowed, she realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled all at once. “That was fun.”
Zain turned and looked at her. “You’re going to leave your handprint in the dash.”
She looked at her hand and then jerked it back. “Sorry.” The door beside the gate opened, and a large man came out. Right beside him was a tall, armed redhead woman.
“Blaise.” Zain put the window down and stuck his head out. “You should turn that drive into a ride to scare people into telling the truth.”
The woman smiled. “I hear you’re in trouble.” She looked at the man beside her. “Pull it in and Griffin will direct you where to park.”
Zain nodded and put the window up. “That’s Griffin. Aiden Tomas’ half-brother.”
Oaklyn didn’t want to stare but she did anyway. “Aiden Tomas has a shifter brother?”
“Mmhmm, and thanks to him we have more information than we ever have had.”
Oaklyn nodded but didn’t say anything. What could she say to that? Obviously, there was an ugly story that went with it. If her stomach wasn’t a tight ball of anxiety right now, she may have asked for more details.
Zain pulled them through the gate and then turned and went in the direction Griffin pointed. “Hey.”
She looked at him.
“Relax. It’s okay that you’re here.”
She nodded. “I’m not good with meeting a lot of people.” She glanced at the fence. “Or being fenced in.”
“That fence is to keep us safe and outsiders out. We can leave anytime we want.” He reached over and took her hand. He gave it a squeeze and continued to hold it. “It’s going to be fine.”
She nodded. “Fine is one of those words that rarely make it reality.”
He grinned. “I’ll be with you the whole time.” He squeezed it again and then released it. Blowing out a breath, he opened the door and then reached into the back and grabbed his bag. “Illias will want my laptop immediately.” He got out.
Oaklyn got out, opened the back seat, took her bag, and put it over her shoulder. She saw the bag from the gas station on the seat and grabbed it for Zain. Her wolf was very close and watchful. This is what we wanted. She closed the door and looked around. There were two standing on the roof of the building with rifles. She turned slowly and saw that there were several people coming out the door.
Going around to the other side, she stood beside the vehicle. A man with shoulder-length brown hair and a scar on his face walked toward Zain.
“You idiot. Why couldn’t you stick with the plan?” When he reached Zain, he grinned and then hugged him. She wasn’t sure, but she thought that might be his friend Illias. “Where’s the laptop?” He held out his hand. “I’m going to tear it apart and see how they’re doing it.” He glanced at the door. “Fallan is stoked.”
Zain opened his bag, pulled out the laptop, and handed it to him.
Illias nodded. “Give me a half hour, and I’ll know everything.” He walked backward. “Glad you’re here, man.”
Zain nodded. “Me too.” He turned and glanced at Oaklyn. His expression told her it was okay.
With slow steps, she started walking toward him. She used the time to check out the people standing there, giving him a combination of annoyed looks to relief. There was a tall blond man with his arm around a woman with long, very blonde hair. Beside them was another woman with long brown hair standing close to a man with dark hair and an intense demeanor. A large man next to them shook his head.
“You gave me heart failure, Zain.”
“Sorry, Webb. I had to leave.”
“You could have given us a heads up.” Another man said.
“I couldn’t, Foster. I’ll explain later.” Zain held his hand out, and Oaklyn put hers in it. “Guys, this is Oaklyn. If it weren’t for her, I would probably be in pieces now,” he shrugged, “or frozen.”
“Do something like that again, Zain, and I’ll skin you.” The woman on the roof with the rifle called down.
Zain scoffed. “Sorry, Amari.”
She looked at Oaklyn and nodded her head once. Oaklyn nodded back, not sure if that was some sort of hello or what it was exactly.
“I had to stop her from coming to find you.” The man beside Amari told Zain.
“Appreciate it, Tripp.”
Oaklyn remembered what he’d said about these two and moved a little closer to Zain.
“Bad.” The redheaded woman pointed a finger at him and then hugged the big man beside her.
Zain nodded. “I know, Gia.” He sighed and then looked at the man standing off to the side with a pretty woman with long black hair. “No reprimand, Jesse?”
The man shrugged. “Cal says you have a good reason, so we’ll see what that is before I comment.”
Zain nodded. “Okay.” He looked at the bag that Oaklyn was clutching in front of her. “Oh, I stopped and picked up a few essentials on the way here.” H grinned. “After Niklaus got rid of the guys tailing us.” He took the bag when she held it out, released her hand, and reached inside.
“Oaklyn.”
She turned to see Calum walking from the side of the building. She watched him toss the gummy bears up to Amari and then went over to Calum.
“Glad you made it.”
She looked around. “I’m liking snow less each day.” She smiled at him.
He grinned. “You get used to it.”
“I doubt that.”
He motioned to the door. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Devin.”
Her stomach tightened. “Zain told me about Shepard Addison.”
His expression blanked. “We’ll find him.”
She looked at Zain and then back to him. “Zain has a tracker app and knows where he is.”
Calum raised one eyebrow and looked over at Zain. “Does Illias know?”
She shook her head.
“Okay, we better go tell him before he tears apart that laptop.” He started walking toward the door.
Oaklyn looked to see Zain talking to his teammates, and it seemed all was forgiven. As she walked by, he looked at her and then to Calum.
“I’m going in where it’s warm.”
He came over to her. “You okay?”
She nodded and felt better with him beside her. “I am now. Don’t stray too far.”
“I won’t.”
“Calum is going to stop Illias from taking apart your laptop.”
“Why?”
“The tracking app.”
“Shit.” He grabbed her hand and started walking faster. When they got inside, he stopped and stood there. “I saw the designs, but seeing it in person is…”
“Pretty amazing.”
They turned to see a woman with long blonde hair smiling at them.
“Rayne.” Zain bowed his head. “Or should I call you…”
“Rayne is fine.” She smiled at Oaklyn.
“Oh, this is Oaklyn. She found me before I did something stupid…”
“Like go to Chicago alone?” Her eyes sparkled.
“Yeah. That.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Oaklyn, and thank you.” She smiled, and it was a genuine one. “Devin is waiting for you.” She motioned down the hall.”
Zain blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah. I want Illias there when I explain things.”
Rayne nodded. “I’ll go get him.” She pointed. “Down the hall, third door on the right.” Turning, she pointed down another hallway. “Cafeteria is through there if you want to get a coffee or drink before you go to the office.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Oaklyn waited until she turned and went down yet another hallway. “Was that the…”
“Acting Queen? Yes.”
“She’s so nice.” Oaklyn was pretty good at sussing out a person, and the vibes coming off her were nothing but peace and compassion.
“She’s amazing.” Zain motioned in the direction of the cafeteria. “I’m going to grab a coffee before we do this.”
Oaklyn nodded. “I wouldn’t mind a tea.” She watched three large men come out a door and start walking down the hall.
“Zain.” One of them called out.
Zain turned around and looked at them. “Tait.”
Tait smiled. “I didn’t know you were coming here, but it’s nice to see you somewhere other than the office.”
Zain nodded.
“It’s good you’re here. Planning for Christmas is going to be much easier with our go-to guy on hand.”
Zain nodded again. “Of course.”
“See you later.” Tait turned and then jogged to catch up with the other two.
“We need to find out what’s with Christmas.” He whispered and started walking toward the cafeteria.