Northwood

Kane suddenly found himself plunged into a world of pain.

He’d succumb to whatever poisons the intruders had used on him and woke to members of his pack surrounding him. In an instant he felt a multitude of emotions flood his entire being, how had this happened and who were they? It didn’t take long for anyone to figure out that those that had violated his laws belonged to Ambrose and Luce and were sent at their will to take Adline from him.

What plans Luce had for her Kane couldn’t fathom but he knew that his little brother would use his mate and the automatic love of his life against him. Kane himself had not yet come to the conclusion that he loved Adline but he did know he cared for her deeply and wanted her in his life and now that someone had entered his territory and taken her he would make sure he found them and he would make sure they paid with their lives.

No one, not even his brother was allowed to escape such a blatant display of disrespect with his life. Kane had settled on the outcome for his little brother and he did not care if his mother cared or agreed. Luce would die this time. He’d been given one chance but it seemed that it was one chance too many.

Though they knew where Adline was it was a delicate situation, if Luce sensed them coming he would undoubtedly hurt Adline beyond the point of saving. Kane needed to tread carefully and he needed to make sure that whatever was done was done carefully and precisely.

He didn’t want to lose Adline before really getting to know her.

His hands gripped the steering wheel of his vehicle tightly. He was on his way to see someone he never thought he would ever need or want to see but if he were to destroy Luce and Ambrose he needed to swallow his pride and reach out.

Heading north east Kane drove with Harvey, Nathaniel and Ethan. The atmosphere in the car was tense and silent, no one wanted to speak but all felt something for the situation. The boys were reasonably pissed off, Kane was both saddened and annoyed and Harvey feared for his life. It wasn’t that Harvey had let his cousin and Alpha down it was that it made him and the rest of Northwood look incompetent if a bunch of rogues could so easily make their way into the territory and take someone so near the Alpha’s home. It made them look vulnerable.

“You don’t have to do this,” came a gruff voice from the passenger’s side.

The words only made Kane grip the steering wheel tightly. He didn’t have time to think about whether or not he should do it, he knew it was the only way he could get help from someone none of them thought they would need.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” he growled in return. He had fought with himself mentally over whether or not he could do it and came to the conclusion that he would do whatever it took to save her even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness and his own future.

The vehicle became silent as they rolled down the road. Kane thought carefully about what he was doing and though he hated himself for the promises he was about to make on Adline’s behalf it was the only way he could think of to make things happen quickly.

The borders to Carriere were very loose. They often welcomed the packless and runaways, they made it easy for people to enter their lands and usually accepted them for all that they were. It was very much different to Kane and what his pack stood for and that was why his pack were small and specialised. It was why Northwood was known for being tough, selective and somewhat ruthless. It seemed that their reputation was changing.

As they approached the border and drove straight through it Kane gripped the steering wheel so tightly that he heard something pop. He just needed to get to the Alpha and throw his proposal out before he changed his mind. Pulling up to Alpha David’s home he killed the engine and watched as his vehicle was quickly surrounded by large bodied men who all looked more than a little angry at his presence.

All four doors of the vehicle were pulled open roughly and they were all escorted from the vehicle to the front door of the home, the door was open and as they were ushered through an impossibly grand foyer and into what looked like a large gathering room. They were greeted by the Alpha, David Carriere and many members of his pack. They all looked smug and rather pleased with themselves which annoyed and irritated the four men.

“So you have come to offer a trade in exchange for my help?” David questioned smugly as he looked down his long slender nose at the small group of men.

He had long dark, curly hair looked greasy and too well kept. His dark, tanned skin in stark contrast to many of those around him. Everyone knew of his charm and gracious personality but Kane had always found David to be over the top and too grandiose. He showed his wealth and power and that bothered many. Most of all it bothered Kane.

“I require your assistance.” Began Kane through gritted teeth. “That much is clear,” It took a lot for Kane Northwood to swallow his pride and seek help from someone he had long considered an enemy but for Adline he would do it.

“And what is it you can’t seem to handle oh Kane the great.” David always had a sense of superiority about him and he flaunted it any chance he got. It was as though he needed people to know he was important and showed it any time he was given the chance.

Kane and his family also had a sense of superiority about them but they weren’t flashy or showy and even though they lived in a lavish home surrounded by loyal pack members they were humble about it. The Alpha family of the Northwood pack didn’t care if they were rich, they didn’t care for their material wealth it was the safety of their pack and their security for the future they cared for more and Kane felt like he had failed greatly.

“Poachers entered the neutral space between Northwood and Carriere. They killed one of the rogue Alpha’s sons and took someone of great importance to the two of us.” Kane knew his words and the actions of those that took Adline would get under David’s skin.

All eyes suddenly cast upward at David and the visitors saw an anger rise in him so quickly it seemed to take all his followers by surprise. “Leave! Everyone out!” He shouted wildly at all present. His security, visiting members and those that had chose to visit him. All looked at him awkwardly before turning to leave, a security member then attempted to lead Kane and his small party from the room. “You dense imbecile! Not them! You, YOU" He screamed again, “get the hell out!”

The four visitors left heard many doors open and close and many footsteps fade to nothing.

David took a deep breath in and let out a pained and somewhat raspy groan. “I purposefully left you and your pack to deal with this nuisance but it seems you can’t do what is needed Alpha Kane.” The mocking tone in David’s voice greatly displeased Kane but he had to stand there and bite his tongue. “What is this trade you offer?” David’s anger seemed to dissipate a little at the thought of getting something.

Kane readied himself for what he was about to say. He wasn’t even sure the words would come and as he stared at David he silently pleaded with Adline for forgiveness. “Your help to retrieve Adline in exchange for Adline.”

In an instant he heard both her brothers protesting growls. In the short time they had been there both Ethan and Nathaniel had come to see that David was nothing their father had described.

“Our sister isn’t yours to discard and trade.” Nathaniel warned with a vicious growl.

“You object my dearest Nate?” David emphasised the t in Nate with a click that bothered the young man greatly.

Bate cast a weary glance towards his brother Ethan but before he could say anything it was Kane that spoke up

“I am not discarding your sister,” Kane sighed in annoyance. He wished now that’d he’d made the trip alone. It seemed that bringing the brothers would prove troublesome. “I only have her best interests at heart and if that means ending the bond we have in order to save her life then so be it.” Kane hated discussing private matters so publicly and openly but he no longer had a choice.

“You’ve mated with her?” Came another question from David. It wasn’t a serious question but the intention behind it was meant to embarrass and belittle Kane. Thankfully they were only a small crowd.

“Her virtue is intact. I have not violated or soiled her.” And he knew he would never until she was ready.

To the disgust of Ethan and Nate they heard David laugh a menacing teasing laugh, “oh this is just too good! THE Kane Northwood couldn’t bring himself to copulate with his mate and now he’s here seeking my help to save her.” The more David mocked him the more Kane regretted his decision.

“Do we have a deal or not?” Kane pressed as his anger began getting the better of him.

David nodded his head and laughed again, “this opportunity to better something you are great at is far too good to pass up. I accept!” David seemed pleased with himself and looked more than a little smug too.

“Harvey,” Growled Kane. “See to it things go to plan.” Kane needed to escape the home of David Carriere before he ripped his throat out.

As Kane left the house he came to another conclusion. Once Ambrose and Luce were defeated he would return for David’s territory.