Wolfe's Mate (12 page)

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“Esme, you must wake up.”

Esme woke up to Jared’s insistent prodding, the smell of smoke heavy in her nose. She immediately saw the lights flashing and the glow coming from down the street.

“No, no, no…” She jerked the car door open and jumped out, heading down the road toward her house.

“Esme, wait!”

She heard Jared call out for her. This couldn’t be happening, not now, not her house. She rushed forward. A police officer blocked her way. “You can’t go any closer, Mademoiselle, it isn’t safe.”

“But th
at’s my house, my family’s home.”

Strong
arms grabbed her close. “Esme,” Jared sighed. She leaned against him.

“Was there anyone in the house, any pets?” the officer asked.

“No, no we were all in Paris for the evening.” Esme trembled. The only thing keeping her standing was Jared’s arms. “Jared, do you think Brenda could have left the stove on?”

Esme could feel the doubt Jar
ed felt through the mating bond, along with his need to remove her from the danger. But she wasn’t going anywhere until she got some answers.

The policeman flagged down a fireman to speak to Esme. “We believe the fire started in the basement,
Mademoiselle, and spread quickly from there,” he said. “I’m afraid it’s going to be a total loss. The floors have already caught fire upstairs; all we can do now is contain it.” The foreman ran back to the men fighting the blaze.

“A total loss…” Esme stared at the flames licking the sides of the stone building. She sagged against Jared. Numb and confused, she closed her eyes.

“
Mon Amour
, let me take you from here. There is nothing you can do now.”

Esme sighed, her lip trembled as she tried to keep from crying. “Do you think Susan knocked something over in the
basement when we were down there earlier?”

“No, the house is completely engulfed. I think the fire had help. The Doctors for a Better Humanity have men at their disposal. They could be here now, looking for you. I think we need to get you someplace safe.”

“At least a lot of the personal items were put in storage. I still have my mother’s jewelry and pictures. Norris insisted we pack up the important items before we moved to England.”

“I’ll
make sure we get the items shipped when we go to Quebec. But right now,
ma petit louve
, I want you to come with me. Everything will be okay.” Jared rubbed her back and held her close.

“I’ve contacted Valerii and Josephine. They suggest you come to their house for the night,”
Darcel said running up to the couple.

Granger
followed Darcel, his face worried. He rubbed Esme’s shoulder. “Esme, I am so sorry. This must be terrible for you.”

Esme nodded, afraid that
if she spoke she would start sobbing like a baby.

“Let’s
go to the Alpha’s lodge and stay with them,” Jared said “Darcel, can you give the police the number to contact us there? I want to get Esme somewhere safe.”

“Do you think whoever did this is watching?” Granger asked. He quickly flanked the couple searching th
e crowd of spectators.

“I don’t want to take any chances.
The members of Doctors for a Better Humanity probably didn’t like losing their test subjects. We’ll have to be on guard. Has anyone heard from Pierre?”

“I think
Darcel expected Pierre and Sam to arrive tonight. We can check when he gets back,” Granger said.

“
The fire could be an accident,” Esme said, unable to keep the tears from running down her cheeks. “The house is old.”

“The fire department can tell us more when their inspectors take a look. But
, until then, we aren’t taking any chances.” Jared gently brushed the tears from her cheek. “I’m sorry,
ma petit amour
. Things have not been easy for you.”

Jared led her to the car and seated her in the ba
ck before joining her. He reached over and fastened her seat belt. Granger followed and leaned in the open window.

“Once more we have no clothes. I hate wearing dirty underwear,” Granger pouted.

“You don’t wear briefs. Don’t give me that.” Jared smiled.

“I wonder if Brenda know
s you go commando, Granger.” Esme smiled weakly. “I know what you guys are doing, by the way. Trying to distract me with your silliness. I may be a newly turned lycan, but I won’t break. The most important thing is that we are all safe.”

“Said like a true Alpha female. You are the perfect mate for Jared,” Granger
said.

Darcel
jogged back to the car and climbed in the front seat. “I gave the police the contact information. The fire chief said he would contact you tomorrow. They said it’s okay for us to leave.”

“Let’s go then,” Granger said slapping the door and heading to the car parked behind theirs where Brenda and Susan waited.

Jared hel
d Esme close. She glanced back out the window one last time at the stone walls of her ancestral home. She didn’t know how she would have survived the last few days without Jared. He had become the rock she leaned on.

Esme fastened the last button on her black dress and gazed at her outfit in the mirror. The funeral for Norris was today, and she felt caught in a nightmare.

Yesterday
morning, the fire inspector determined that the house fire was arson. The whole pack immediately gathered to protect Esme, Jared and the rest of the Quebec Pack members. After the fire, Jared and Valerii kept the Alpha’s den locked down tight with guards at the gate.

A doctor at
the
Hôpital Necker,
where Norris worked before joining the lycan breeding project
,
saw the obituary in the paper and called Monsieur Boulanger to say that hospital staff would like to come to the funeral. How many people that might entail, Esme didn’t know. Many of Norris’ colleagues loved him.

The previous
evening, Esme had stood in front of the whole pack and suggested it was too risky for families to attend the funeral. She knew some of the Paris pack blamed Norris for the latest tragedy, while others thought she and Jared should leave for Quebec immediately.

What a ruckus that caused. Lycans were proud and the fact she questioned their bravery wasn’t taken well. Not that she meant it that way. She wouldn’t be able to face someone getting hurt because of her.

She
did
want to leave for Quebec with Jared, though not before the funeral. She needed a few days to grieve. Jared understood her feelings since he lost both his parents. Josephine and Valerii supported her decision to stay, but some of the other lycans worried.

Esme was completely overwhelmed by the
whole situation. For two hours this morning, Jared had been downstairs planning the logistics of the funeral as if they were battlefield maneuvers. During the meeting, Susan jumped at every sound, while Brenda paced. Granger stood silent, his eyes sad, watching the woman who was his mate. After a while, Esme, unable to handle the tension another minute, escaped to the room she shared with Jared in the Alpha’s house.

She
took a long soak in the bathtub, then slowly got ready to say her final farewell to her brother. It surprised her that everyone left her alone but it was a welcome relief. She picked up a brush and slowly pulled it through her hair.

A soft knock drew her attention. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Laurel.”

Esme hurried and unlocked the door.
She threw it open and stepped into Laurel’s embrace. “You came. I didn’t know if you were going to make it.”

The women hugged
, and Esme tugged Laurel into the room, closing the door behind her.

“Of course, we came.
Anton is downstairs with the men. Grigori sends his regrets. His wife, Melisande is pregnant with their second child. She is human, and carrying a lycan child wears her out. They think this one will be a girl.”

“That’s wonderful
,” Esme said. “Please relay my best wishes. You look lovely in black. It shows off your red hair to advantage.”

“
It also shows off my freckles.” They both laughed. “I’ll be happy to relay your message. Why are you hiding up here? It’s almost time to go to the cemetery.” Laurel rubbed Esme’s back.

“I couldn’t take it anymore. The men act
as if we’re going to war.” Esme led Laurel to a pair of chairs situated near the window.

“To some
, we already are at war. Doctors for a Better Humanity kidnapped and tortured Josephine’s parents. Her pack members suffered greatly from their losses. You can’t fault them for taking this situation seriously.”

“I know
… I guess I just don’t want to face the idea of such evil.” Esme rubbed a hand over her eyes.

“Pretending evil doesn’t exist is a sure way to become its victim. I’m sorry, Esme. But you need to face reality. This group is fixated on you and the newly turned lycans.
Its obsession isn’t going to go away. When was the last time you went running in your wolf form?”

“Not since the last run with the English pack
. Why?”

“
The wolf is a part of you. With all this emotional tension, it would help if you could go out and be free for a while.”

“That probably won’t happen until we get to Quebec. Jared purchased tickets for us. We fly out tomorrow morning. He wanted to leave this evening but couldn’t get
all of us on the same flight.”

“Brenda and Susan will go with you
, then? I met them when we arrived.”

“Yes. Brenda and Granger have heartmated though she ignores him most of the time.”

“Yes, I noticed that. Asena doesn’t pick a mate for someone without good reason. Brenda will not be able to ignore him forever. When you get to Quebec, don’t wait. All of you need to reconnect with your wolf. Brenda and Susan should run as wolves every day, if possible, and then shift back. They will need to practice to learn to keep control. I’ll speak to Jared before you leave.”

“I wish you could come with us.” Esme felt tears threaten. Everything was changing
too quickly. She’d lost her brother and her house, and had no idea what to expect when she got to Quebec.

“I’ve already
talked to Anton about visiting Quebec. Jared told me there are several packs in Canada and several in the United States. He suggested we have a conference where all the Alpha’s gather to share information that will help each pack survive. We have been separated too long. Maybe that way, we can find a cure for our breeding problems.”

“That would be wonderful.
Did Norris discover anything to help you?” Esme said. He’d worked on the problem only a few months. Could he have found a cure if he were still alive?

“Actually
, he did notice some environmental factors and some vitamins we might give to mated couples. I still need to do a few tests before I prescribe something. The one thing I’ve noticed is that human mates don’t seem to have fertility problems. Only lycan females. I am curious to see how you, Brenda, and Susan do since you were humans first.”

A
soft knock on the door heralded Jared’s arrival. He wore a black suit and tie. His hair wet from a shower. Esme felt guilty for a moment because she’d locked the door earlier. He must have used Granger’s bathroom.

“Are you ladies ready to go? Valerii has ordered several limousines to transport all of us.”

Laurel nodded. Esme stood up and rushed into Jared’s outstretched arms. He held her close and kissed her temple. “I’m sorry to be so distant,” she whispered.

“
Je t’aime
, Esme. I know this is hard on you,
mon coeur
. Come, everyone is waiting downstairs.”

Esme let Jared sweep her downstairs and into the limo. He was her mate
, and today she needed someone to lean on. Anton and Laurel, as well as Brenda and Granger, joined them in the first limousine. Valerii and Josephine, with Susan, Darcel and Josephine’s grandparents, rode in the second limo.

“Remember to stay clos
e,” Jared cautioned everyone. “That way no one is alone if something happens. The gravestones are not very far apart and there isn’t much room in the cemetery. Esme’s family has a small mausoleum where the casket will be placed. Laurel, will Asena help us if we need her?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.
She doesn’t tell me when she’s going to work through me. She just takes over. I will do everything I can, even if Asena doesn’t make an appearance.”

“That’s all we can ask,” Esme said quickly. She’d never seen the Lycan Goddess take over Laurel’s body, but she
’d heard stories about it. “Jared and I appreciate your support.”

“What
else
could we do?” Anton said, smiling. “Jared is my cousin, even though we just met. A pack is an extended family, Esme.”

“
Our driver is one of the Paris pack,” Jared explained. “He will drive as close as he can to the place where the service will be held and guard the limo until the ceremony is over.”

Granger reached for Brenda’s hand. She didn’t look at him
but didn’t pull away. Esme hoped Laurel was right about them. Granger looked so sad.

They pulled into the
Cimetière du Montparnasse
and wove their way down the tree-lined
Rue Émile Richard
until they could see the gravesite. Monsieur Boulanger, with a clergyman by his side, stood next to the hearse. The limo pulled over to the curb and parked. The driver opened the door, and the occupants exited the vehicle.

People lined both sides of the street, some carrying flowers. Other
attendees were grouped among the graves and lingered around the small stone building with the metal door that read,
Famille Fortescue
across the top. Jared swore softly. “With so many people around, we won’t know who is a friend and who is an enemy. Esme stay near me.”

Esme slipped her hand into Jared’s and let him draw her into his embrace. He kept one arm around her waist and led her to
the place where Monsieur Boulanger stood. Through the trees, dappled sunlight fell haphazardly across the man’s face.

“Esme, you are looking well. Mr. Wolfe, nice to see you again.”

“Monsieur Boulanger, thank you for taking care of all the details for Norris,” Esme said.

“Not at all, my dear. May I introduce Pastor
Krentz. He will be saying a brief service as the casket is interned.”

“Thank you for coming, Pastor
Krentz,” Esme said, shaking the man’s hand.

“Shall we get started?
he asked. “With all these people wanting to pay their respects, I fear we’ll be here quite a while. I hope you don’t mind if I slip away after the door is sealed. I have another service to perform this afternoon.”

“Not at all, Pastor
Krentz. Esme won’t be alone,” Jared quickly pointed out.

“Excellent, right this way, Mademoiselle Fortescue.”

Esme started to follow the pastor to the front of the mausoleum where the door already stood open. Jared stayed close beside her. The closer to the building, they got the more uneasy Esme became. Sweat began to bead on her forehead and upper lip. She shivered. Something was wrong. A feeling of danger wove around her. She stumbled and almost fell. Jared caught her and held her steady. “What is it,
mon coeur
?”

The pastor made it to the entrance and motioned for the casket to be brought forward.

“I’m not sure,” Esme said, tremors running through her body. “Something is wrong. We need to get away.”

“Link with me,
mon amour
. Let me feel what you’re sensing.”

Esme immediately reached for Jared through the mating bond, linking their minds telepathically
. As Jared swept into her mind, she shared her feelings of impending disaster.

“All lycans, pull back. There is danger!”
Jared sent as a telepathic warning.

E
sme started to turn back toward the car when an explosion threw her into the nearest gravestone. She grunted as a chunk of granite rammed into her side. Dust filled the air. People screamed and began running in panic away from the mausoleum. Jared recovered quickly from where he landed and picked Esme up. He hurried toward the limousines.

Esme heard a woman scream. She turned her head to see Susan struggling with two men wearing black suits. “Jared, they
’re after Susan.”

Jared sent out a telepathic warning
, and several lycans surrounded the men.

Esme turned
and saw Brenda kicking one man, while Granger punched another in the face. “Jared, Brenda and Granger need help, too.”

Once more
, a group of lycans quickly surrounded Brenda and Granger and subdued the black-suited men. Esme and Jared had almost reached the street and the limos, when a woman stepped in front of them, holding a gun. “Leaving so quickly, Miss Fortescue? I believe your brother sent you some information about Doctors for a Better Humanity. You’ve ruined everything. We were going to save the world.”

Jared slowed to a stop and put Esme down before stepping in front of
the woman. “Who are you?” he asked. Esme felt her blood turn to ice. Jared was in danger because of her.

“My name is Eliza Campbell. I worked with Doctor Fortescue at the laboratory in Aberdeen. It was unfortunate that he was killed. But under the circumstances, he
’d outlived his usefulness. Please step out of the way. I have business with Miss Fortescue.”

“Esme is
my
business. I suggest you give up. Your men are captured, and police are on the way.”

“I’m not afraid to die for what I believe in. Are you?” The woman held up the gun and pointed it at Jared’s heart. Esme froze. Time seemed to slow
. Esme couldn’t let Jared be hurt. She stepped back and pushed him with all her might. He fell to the ground. The sound of the gun going off reverberated against the stones around her. A large blossom of red appeared on her chest. Jared lay safe and sound at her feet.