New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 13 Jack

 Answering the phone on the third ring granted me with a very frantic young wolf. Katie was crying and not making any sense whatsoever. Being Alpha meant a great deal of control of your emotions, mine were thinning quickly. Hearing this much despair in one of my wolves made me feel a helplessness I did not like. Feeling the horror through the pack bonds, once I opened himself to the level, was excruciating. I was hoping I could get more than the confused babble she was saying. What I got instead was pure panic, her fear, her loneliness. No pack member should ever feel this. No member of my pack should ever feel alone.

Over the past 40 years I have not had to let my guard down this much. We have lived in peace for so many years that I almost forgot what it was to live in fear. What it felt to be truly needed and depended on. She was mine to protect and I was failing miserably. The assault of such negative emotions took a minute to get under control.

There was no other choice, I had to use the Alpha's Command to a degree I have not had to use in many years. "KATIE! Calm down and breathe!" My voice was firm but calm. I pushed the command down through are bonds. Once she started to breathe I sent calming thoughts and the feeling of love and safety.

Unable not to do as her Alpha said she was able to make some sense after a minute. "They're following me, Jack."

"Who's following you?" I demanded to know while still keeping her calm and the situation under control. I had to admit I was rusty and it was a challenge.

"Someone's been in my apartment. I'm so scared, please, Jack, hurry," Katie's voice started to waver, her calm was back at the breaking point.

"Ok, Katie, I need you to back up and tell me what you're talking about." I was now pacing back in forth in my office. Sensing the tension, my mate now stood at the door watching. Listening.

"Oh God Jack, Cassie's missing...what if someone took her...she just wouldn't leave...what if they are coming after me now," Katie stumbled out.

The mere mention of the missing lion set off alarm bells. How did she know the missing cats name and what does she know about it? Needing answers now, but between the state of mind she was in and my own emotions that started to trickle down the bond, over the phone would get us nowhere and fast. I needed to get to her now. I had to see that she was physically ok. Having her safe then and only then would I get the much needed answers.

Gesturing to my mate. "Listen, Katie, I'm going to hand the phone to Abby, and you are going to stay on the line with her till I get there. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Jack and thank you." No longer in hysterics, Katie's voice was full of relief and on the edge of calm but still scared.

Handing the phone off to Abby, I already had the keys and cell in my hand. Calling Nate, my second in command as well as the VP of my security company. Telling him I would be picking him up in three minutes and to call Dmitri and Braydon to tell them to be ready. Seeing Quinn pull in the driveway as I was raced out the door I yelled to jump in. Without a thought or question he was in the car before I was.

Making it to Nate's place in less than two minutes, I was happy to see the man already waiting at the end of the driveway. Jumping in the back seat, neither Nate nor Quinn asked what was going on; they just sat and waited for me to speak.

Putting my phone on speaker so I could inform my men at the same time what had happened, I called Dmitri, my third in command. "Braydon with you?"

"Yes, we are at the bar." Dmitri's tone was short and to the point.

"Perfect, I need you two to get over to Katie's place now. Do a sweep around the perimeter to see if anything is out of place. We will be there by the time you're done."