Page 76 of Wulf's Pack
“Good bones,” he says after we’ve walked through several units. “Lots of potential. And the best news is, the hard part is already done. All the plumbing, wiring, and central heating was replaced in the early 2000s. They installed A/C too.”
At my surprise, Sean says, “The man that owned it started the renovations hoping to make it a luxury building, but he went bankrupt in the ’08 recession, and the building was repossessed. The bank that holds the deed is willing to give it up for a steal just to get rid of it.
“Half the units on the first floor are already remodeled,” Matt says. “We’d want to soundproof the walls as much as possible, but it wouldn’t take much to make them move-in ready.”
I look around, trying to see what they see, but I’ve never been very construction oriented. That’s my brother’s area of expertise.Matt definitely knows what he’s doing, though, so if he says it’s a good idea, I trust him. And besides, we already looked at the other three buildings on the block. None of them would be easy to convert into residential units.
“No objections, then?” I ask all three of the men with me.
“It’s a great price,” Sean says.
Matt nods enthusiastically. “It’ll take some work, but not as much as you think, and it’s perfect for what we need.”
It’s a big commitment, but it’s necessary, and if I’m being honest, we’re lucky to have it. It just makes it all feel real. I rub the back of my neck and let out a heavy breath. “Okay. Let’s do it. Not just this building, though. Let’s try to get the whole block. Elise’s idea was a good one. We can figure out what we want to do with the other buildings late?—”
My words are cut off when absolute terror slams into me through my mate bond. My breath is knocked from my lungs, and I stumble. “Alpha!” Matt cries, rushing to my side. “What’s wrong?”
“Skylar,” I gasp, clutching my chest. My heart is racing, and mindless panic is muddling my thoughts.Skylar!I call through the bond.Skylar! What’s wrong?
It’s Victor!
I let out an earth-shattering roar.WHERE ARE YOU?
Enzo’s office. Carl is?—
She doesn’t finish her sentence. Our connection is cut off.Skylar? Skylar!
For a second my heart stops, but I soon realize our bond is still there; it’s just weak. Muted. She’s not dead. It has to be another one of Victor’s heinous collars that suppresses her wolf. Thanks to our mate bond, I can still feel her presence and a hint of her emotions, but I can’t speak to her through the pack bond.
Pain rips through me, and I feel one of my pack bonds sever. A hole opens up in my chest, and I crash to my knees. I screamagain, and my wolf howls for the packmate we’ve just lost. It takes me a moment to recognize that it’s Carl whose life has just been snuffed out.
“Alpha!”
“Sir!”
“WULF!”
I force my panic down and focus on my severely distressed packmate. “Victor,” I rasp. “He’s got Skylar. Carl’s dead.”
Matt’s face pales. He helps me to my feet, and as soon as I’m steady, we run as fast as we can back to the warehouse. It’s just down the street, so we’d come here on foot. I’m cursing that decision now.Audrey.
Alpha…
I nearly collapse again with relief when Audrey’s voice enters my mind, but it’s weak. Too weak. And her bond is growing thin. “SHIT!”
I shift right out of my clothes and push myself faster than I’ve ever run before. Opening my mental link to the entire pack, I shout,Bree, Ben, Isabella, Easton, and Micah, meet me outside in thirty seconds and be ready to fight. Skylar’s been taken. Carl is dead, and Audrey is fading fast. Everyone else, stay together and stay in the warehouse. Elise, call Nora Jacobs. Tell her what’s happened and to get to Enzo’s office ASAP. I’m not sure if he’s been attacked as well.
To their credit, the pack keeps a level head. I can feel their shock, panic, and grief, but they do as they’re told and send feelings of love and trust back to me. I can feel them banding together, calling up a well of strength and fierce determination. Their courage is admirable and just what I need to keep my mind clear. Our pack is small but mighty.
My team is already waiting for me in the SUV when I get there. Ethan is holding the trunk open. I bump my head againstMatt’s before jumping in the back of the car.Take care of them.Try to keep them calm, and keep them safe.
I’ll protect them with my life. Bring our girls home, Alpha, and make those bastards pay.
I let loose a growl of agreement and jump in the back of the SUV. Ethan slams it closed and hops in the back seat. Bree tears out of the parking lot as soon as his door’s closed.
After relaying directions to Enzo’s office, the car falls silent. The tension is stifling. Isabelle breaks it, quietly asking, “Audrey?”
I haven’t managed to shift back, so I open my link to everyone in the car.Hanging on by a thread.
