Panther Protection (11 page)

“Good, I still have a headache from all this information. I feel like a frickin' computer that has had a million programs uploaded at once. No wonder Cece is cranky when she is searching for shit. It’s exhausting.”

“Well, I for one am glad it’s done, at least for now.” Gage heard Axel come in and climb in bed behind Millie. “How are you handling all this?”

“I’m about as good as I can get, considering everything.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s about all we can hope for. Don’t worry about anything tonight, baby. Just go to sleep, we got you,” Axel responded and Gage kissed the top of her head before he heard the snore of Axel and her breathing slow down. With his eyes closed he feel asleep quickly.

*****

“Axel, come on I’ll be fine, plus Mr. May… I mean Travis will be there.” She wasn’t use to calling him Travis, but he insisted on it when she wasn’t in the office.

“I don’t like it, baby. You away and that freak trying to take you.”

“Seriously, if he wanted me, he would wait a couple day to try to figure out what we were going to do, not get me today.” Eventually they agreed and he drove her to work, and insisted he walk her inside as well. Before she could shoo him away, he kissed her long and deep, making sure she knew who she belonged to.

“Be a good girl and stay inside,” he said, smacking her ass as she left, yet again. That seemed to be a pattern with him. Smiling she waved to the receptionist before heading inside the elevator to work. Travis, or Mr. Mayweather, was sitting at his desk with the door open when she arrived.

“Hi, Millie.” She smiled and headed in the office to outline their schedule for the day.

*****

“So you’re telling me my best friend is wanted as a mate to a troll.” Axel and Gage sat down at Becky, Dmitri, and Nik’s table talking about what had happened. They knew the basics, but didn’t know too much about Travis and why the troll wanted Millie. Those they were stuck with today.

“Yeah, not just some troll, the king of the trolls.” He couldn’t help but smile when quiet, small Cece started laughing.

“Okay, I know it’s not nice, but come on, you have to see how funny this is, a troll wants a fairy. It’s like a damn storybook or something. I will do some reading and see if they have a way to be killed or something to avoid her getting taken.”

They all agreed and went on talking about the newest development with Travis.

“So, he is really a lion? That’s so awesome. Like did you see him change and stuff? Man, I wonder how big he is, is he a larger man too,” Becky chimed in suddenly all excited and the threat to her friend forgotten.

“You know this isn’t fair, I can't hit you with you being knocked up and all.” Cece laughed, making Becky scowl as she rubbed her slightly swollen belly. It made him long for Millie to carry their cubs. Maybe once all this shit dies down, and the shop was up and running they could talk, until then he was happy with just the three of them. It didn’t take long for the group of them to part ways and both he and Gage went to the shop to sign the official paperwork. The previous owner now had his money and they couldn’t wait to shut down for a couple days and get things to how they would want it. Millie had said she would help in any way she could, and he was going to hold her to that, well she would be with them now anyway with their threat of the fucker who wants her. His panther growled and wanted blood for someone who wanted to touch what was his.

Heading home, he got a weird shiver, and Gage reached his hand out to stop him. Turning they noticed they stopped right at the turn off for Millie’s work, and for the office of Travis's.

“Something not right,” Gage said in a tone that told him his panther was on edge. Without another word they sped down the road to see if anything was wrong, or if by chance the fucker went back to get her. That thought made him push his foot down on the accelerator and fly.

*****

Millie sat at her desk answering phone calls for Travis, and rescheduling his meetings and travel arrangements. Seeing he was on the phone she needed to copy some paperwork before she faxed it, she headed down the hall. It would be a whole five minutes she was gone. Slipping on her pumps she had removed while sitting, she stood and headed to finish her task. Making it to the copier was fine, but when she went to make copies, the damn thing was out of toner.
Crap on a cracker.
She knew the supply closet had some, but that was more out of sight of the office. Should she go tell Travis what she needed, or just get it and worry about it later? Not really thinking any type of threat would get her she looked around and found the floor empty. Seemingly happy she practically ran to the supply closet in record time. Giggling to herself, she grabbed it and turned around only to run into someone.
Shit balls.
Looking up she expected to see the security guys, but found herself suddenly looking into the glowing red eyes of Razi Malak.

“Stupid panther thinks I don’t know how to get you. Well I will give you a choice, sweet Amelia, come be my Queen and rule with me, or I will kill your mates, and your little friends too. You know the human, and the pregnant wolf. You don’t want to have that on your conscience do you?” he sneered as he faced her. She tried to back up, but a roar broke through her racing heart as Travis came barreling down the hall. She went to scream but Malak had Travis thrown down the hall and hitting the wall before she could release it. It seemed to stun him, but he was up again and charging. It seemed he was starting to change when Malak turned to her.

“I have had enough of this shit, your mine.” He grabbed her arm hard and she suddenly felt the ground move from beneath her feet. She couldn’t figure out what the hell had just happened, but the smell of grass and dirt penetrated her senses and she had a sinking feeling she wasn’t in Kanas anymore.

“You are now within my kingdom and tomorrow you will be my mate, you will help me take over the world above, and people will do as I say because of you. Sleep, Amelia.” He placed his hand on her head and instantly the world grew dark and she fell into the blackness of a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

Axel felt like the world had just dipped and turned on its axis as he hit the brakes outside the Mayweather building. He couldn’t think, and the feeling of home he had just moments ago were gone, to be replaced with an emptiness. Without a word he and Gage took off to the building. The guy in front apparently knew them and didn’t say anything as they ran to the elevator. Seconds felt like hours until they reached the floor. As the doors slid open, Gage roared in rage as the smell of the Troll king, Malak, hit them. He was here, turning he heard a full blown lion growling and snarling at the closet.

“Where is she?” Gage demanded. But the lion just roared and Axel knew he had her. He couldn’t feel her. Without a second thought his panther needed to kill the man who let her get away and he changed within a fraction of a second and attacked Travis. He promised them and Xandria she would be safe at work, he would protect her with everything that was in him. Well the fucker lied and she was missing. His mate, his home, his love was gone, and this man, this lion was the reason. Travis beat him off, not attacking him, but trying to avoid blows as his panther demanded blood. He bit into his hide and the lion roared and swiped at him, knocking him off balance. Bending low he was getting ready to pounce and take a chunk out of Travis when Gage hit him with something.

“Enough, we need help.” It was enough to snap him out of his rage and he shifted back, as did Travis. He stood naked now in front of Gage who looked like the world was ending and texting someone.

“House, ten minutes,” was all he said as he hit the door for the elevator. Travis went and threw him a pair of spare sweats and soon they went into the elevator.

*****

Gage was in pure hell with Millie gone. He understood the magnitude of a mate, but never had he imaged it would bring such darkness inside him when she went missing. It was almost blinding and he needed to clear his head and think. While Axel went in rage and attacked Travis, he texted the gang to inform them he needed help. Somehow when all of them got together Xandria showed up. She was who he really needed. She would have some sort of answer on how to get her back, and that’s what he wanted, oh and the fucking Troll king's head on a stake too.

Driving the truck, he didn’t give anyone any warning as his started it and headed to the house. If they wanted to find her it had to be quick. Who knew what the hell he was doing to her, and with her being taken last time, it would only cause a setback in her recovery. She had talked openly to her friends about what happened and it seemed they understood why she pushed them all away and they would be there if she needed them. They weren't just her friends they were her family. Making the last turn he was happy to see the others just pulled in as he did.

“What the hell, we just left you guys and then she is taken. How could this happen?” Becky was demanding answers while Cece seemed to have her nose in a book.

“It was my fault I couldn’t keep her safe. He took me by surprise and somehow he managed to get the upper hand. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn fucking right it won’t, because when we get her back, she is quitting and she isn’t going to be anywhere without us.”

“Well, I can see the gang is all here, all we need is a mystery machine and you are set.” Turning, they spotted Xandria walking to them. “I know what has happened. And we will get her back. She is in another realm, but like this one, but it has more magic there. When Rebecca opened the door he was able to cross over and now, he wants to control this one. We must travel to that realm and into the kingdom of the trolls to save her. If he mates her before we can retrieve her, all hope is lost, and even Becky’s magic won’t work to get her back. He would have complete control over this world.”

“Why the hell does he have this type of magic?” Axel demanded.

“Well if I read right, he does have magic, but it's fueled by a small stone around his neck.”

“You mean like an all spark, or sorcerer’s stone?” Becky asked as everyone turned to her. Blushing she looked at them all. “Seriously don’t you guys watch movies at all?”

“I am familiar with your references, Rebecca, and in a way yes. It works to harness the power of his people and it allows him to do, well, what he did to both of you. Don’t underestimate his size, he is incredibly strong.”

“So we bash the fucker until it breaks and then we kill him, easy peasy,” Becky stated as took the lid off the cookie jar and started eating them. Not wanting to sit and debate anything, they wanted their mate back. Gage was on edge and couldn’t even find the need to sit.

“How do we get there?” It seemed everyone wanted to chit-chat pleasantries about this, that, and the other, but no one wanted to go get her. Who knew what he was doing to her. He could have beaten her, anything he wanted because he wasn’t there to protect her.

“We can get there through a small valley, but once I open the doorway it will be rough terrain. I cannot go with you in this. He will sense me and that would put Amelia in more danger. But I feel if we kill him, his son will rise up and except the crown and lead the people to peace as they once were. Not all trolls are bad, just those who are power driven. Now come.”

Everyone went to stand and when Becky stood Xandria spoke, “No, Rebecca, you cannot go. If you leave this world you would risk the life of your children.” She seemed more pissed off than anyone, but Dmitri and Nik said they would stay with her since he, Axel, Travis, and Cece were going. They would have called Tiny, but it seemed the giant bear was running around helping the Alpha take care of things. He wasn’t sure about bringing Cece, but her knowledge was vast and she would be an asset, and a liability. Giving her a warning not to leave their side unless told to, they followed Xandria out of the house and through the small woods that surrounded Millie’s house.

*****

Millie sat on the bed of a large room unsure of what the hell was going on. She knew right away she was taken and the feeling of emptiness crept up on her making her grab her chest. Were they dead? Did Malak kill Travis? So many thoughts ran through her head, but she needed to find a way out. Running around the room she first went to the door and found it locked.
Well shit.
Then the window, but as soon as she went to push it open, she noticed bars were lining them and she had no way out. She pushed and pulled to see if she could move them at all, and nothing. Getting mad, not because she couldn’t get out, but because she wasn’t going to be another damn victim again. She was done with men and women grabbing her whenever they pleased. She wasn’t a damn Barbie doll you play with and then toss away or pass to the next one. Groaning in frustration, she looked around the room to try to find something she could use as a weapon if someone came and unlocked the door.
Maybe a lamp and she could hit them over the head
. As she scanned the room she didn’t see too much, but found another door. Running she was happy when it turned and allowed her to open it, but frowned when she noticed it was just a bathroom. In it sat a simple single shower, and a toilet with a sink. Nothing else, nothing she could use to help her escape. Shaking her head she went back into the room when she heard the door unlock and a man she had no clue who he was smiled at her.

“Amelia, so glad you could join us. I am Zalph Malak, you have met my father, Razi. He had just told me the happy news that you are to be mated. I am to bring you food and clothing. If you have any questions or need anything please just knock on the door and a guard will assist you.” She started to yell at him that she wasn’t there because she wanted to be and there was no way in hell she would mate with a fucking troll. The thought made her sick, leaving a foul dirt taste in her mouth. Zalph set a small tray down on her bed with a small bag.

“Good evening, Amelia. A maid will be in the morning to dress you for your event.”

“Wait, please stop, I don’t want this. You have to stop.” She reached out to him, but he had shut the door far too quick. Not sure what to do, she knocked on the door and a small window opened that she hadn’t seen before.