Chapter 21

A sliver of light illuminated the wall in front of Beck when the stranger arrived with more fish and another case of water. At least Beck assumed that was the reason for the male's return. Beck didn't react. Something was wrong with the predicament he found himself in. Either he was losing his mind, which given the state of his body, that was a possibility, or his sister was leaving for short stints of time and returning when she didn't think Beck noticed. Was she being allowed to go out to use the bathroom? Or was he so out of it he didn't hear when she peed on the ground? Even having drank his half of the water, Beck was beyond dehydrated, so having to take a piss was no longer an issue. He thanked the goddess he hadn't needed to take a shit.

The bucket thunked as it landed on the ground. "Is he still alive?"

"Yes, but just barely. It shouldn't be too much longer." Was it Beck's imagination, or did Chloe not care? Instead of responding, the male grunted and took his leave.

"Sawyer? I have more water and fish." The sound of a can being opened followed his sister's words. "Beck? I know you're alive; I can hear your heartbeat." After a few seconds, she added, "Goddess, this sucks." Those last words were barely above a whisper. But what sucked? Them being stuck in darkness with nothing but fish to eat every few days? Beck had no idea how long he'd been a captive. His sleep was mottled with nightmares of Lydia finding him. Sometimes she was too late to save him. Others, she had to fight the masked male.

At least he was no longer shaking. His body was past the point of trying to rid itself of the poison. At least, that's how he figured it. He didn't understand why he was still alive, and how did Chloe know it wouldn't be much longer? Was it because she could hear his heart, and the beats were slowing even further? And where the fuck was his Bear? Had it already given up?

A low, almost imperceptible protest rumbled in his head. Fuck, he'd give anything to be able to converse with his Beast the way Lydia could hers, then he wouldn't feel alone. More than that, he wanted to hear his mate's voice. See her face. Hold her against him. His Bear rumbled again, and a warm sensation spread through Beck's chest.

Thank you.

"Hey, you. How's it going?" Dakota asked after saying hello. "Did you have a good Thanksgiving?"

Lydia kept her promise to call, plus she wanted Dakota to know the satellite phone arrived safely, even if Lydia already had one. She had texted Carleigh as soon as they landed at the warehouse and told her she'd call later, after a long shower was had. They had stopped on the way to the rental for all the necessary food and supplies, that way no one had to go back out later.

She rested on the edge of her bed, playing with the Chloe prosthetic. "It was something."

"That doesn't sound positive. Please tell me you aren't alone," Dakota implored.

"I'm not alone. I met a nice couple, and they've become good friends. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking, and the clean air is good for whatever ails you." That wasn't a lie. "Tell me what's going on there."

Dakota sighed but did as Lydia asked, and the more she spoke, the worse Lydia felt for not being there to help. After a few minutes, she handed the phone over to Sebastian.

"Lydia? How are you?"

"Good, but it sounds like Dakota is in over her head with the remodel."

"She is, and I need your help. She can't do it all, so I would appreciate it if you would find a project manager." Sebastian listed the items Dakota needed help with, and Lydia groaned inwardly. She didn't have time to search for someone. They were heading out early the next morning. As he further explained what they had in mind for the manager, it dawned on Lydia who could recommend someone.

"Gotcha. I'll get right on that. Give everyone my love, and I'll talk to you soon."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Like I told Dakota, the air is good for what ails ya. Now, go take care of your mate. My King has given me a task, and I don't want to keep him waiting."

"You're a goof, but I love you," Bas said warmly.

"I love you too. Later." Lydia fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she should come clean about what was going on with Beck. Evading felt like lying, and Lydia hated lying to anyone. She next called her parents, and after filling them in on everything that had happened since their last call, she asked her mom to forward Oliver Lynch's contact information to Sebastian. Sophia didn't try to make Lydia feel bad for missing their holiday gathering. Her parents had missed Thanksgiving their first year because they were in Egypt. After promising she was fine for the thirtieth time, they said their goodbyes.

Lydia tossed the mask aside, then pulled out the transmitter. She placed it against her throat, wanting to know what Chloe sounded like. "Testing, one, two, three. My name is Chloe, and… Oh, my gods. No fucking way." Lydia jumped to her feet and ran through the house, sliding on socked feet to a stop in the kitchen.

Kennedy held out her hands to catch Lydia. "What's wrong?"

"The voice in my dream! I know who it belongs to."

"What's wrong with your voice?" Dooley asked, rising from his seat in front of his computer.

Lydia pointed to her throat. "It's not my voice; it's Chloe's. I'm wearing the transmitter. And hers is the voice of the female in my dream."

"Are you sure? Because if you are…" Dooley plopped down in the chair.

"I'm sure, and that means she's not really missing."

"But what about her helo, and her phone, and—"

"All a ploy. It has to be."

"Can you, like, take that thing off? Her voice coming from your mouth is creepy," Kennedy asked.

"Oh, yeah." Lydia peeled the transmitter off, but held it carefully as not to mess up the adhesive. "I need to call Carliegh."

"On it. I'm going to request an encrypted video chat." Dooley tapped his keyboard, then sat back, staring off in the middle distance.

"I'll be right back." Lydia returned the transmitter to its case for safe keeping. By the time she was back in the kitchen, Carleigh's face was on the screen.

"Things are curiouser and curiouser," she said.

"No shit. Now what? Should we call Delaney and warn her?"

"You dreaming about her sister's voice isn't solid enough proof that Chloe's part of what's going on. And what good would it do if we told her? She can't help, and her knowing might put her at greater risk. Are we looking at Chloe, Heather, Orson, and Boyd all being in cahoots?"

Dooley drummed his fingers on the table. "Chloe and Heather were always close, at least until Amara was overthrown. I don't know if they remained in contact after Chloe left BC."

Lydia threw her arms in the air. "What does it matter if it's one or all of them? Boyd's still in Sterling, yes?"

"Yes, and his unknown visitor returned. Like last time, they didn't speak in the house, and Boyd came back alone. He hasn't received any calls, and there have been no more cryptic messages being passed back and forth."

"Then let's assume I'm right that Chloe's near Beck. I don't think I could dream of someone I've never met and hear her voice clearly; therefore, I'm going to believe that somehow I was connected to Beck in my sleep. Like Kennedy said, stranger things have happened. Since Boyd is in Sterling, that means the man in my dream was most likely Orson. That leaves Heather being the one visiting Boyd, and we won't be going up against all four of them. We can handle two against two." Lydia pointed between herself and Dooley.

"Three against two." Kennedy crossed her arms over her chest. "I may be small, but I can fight. Or at least cause a distraction."

Lydia smiled at Kennedy. The little fox had gumption. "Even better. C, did you get with Luna?"

"Yes. She and Lilly concocted several potions, and they're being delivered today."

"Excellent. We're leaving first thing in the morning. That'll give us time to charge the phones and get a good night's sleep."

A voice in the background called out to Carleigh. "I better get off here. I'm hanging out with Juniper and Brianne so Mom and Dad can have date night."

"Give everyone a hug, and have fun with the girls."

"I miss you." Carleigh turned her head, but she was too late. Lydia saw the tears.

"Me too, C."

"Okay. I'll talk to y'all soon." Carleigh blew a kiss, then disconnected the feed.

"Juniper's her sister, right?" Kennedy asked. Lydia had mentioned most of her cousins during their walks through the snow.

"Yes, and Brianne is JoJo and Caroline's daughter, and that makes her my… great aunt? I think? It gets confusing, but that's what happens when you live to be a thousand and keep having kids when your kids have children."

The doorbell rang, and Lydia looked at the couple. "You expecting someone?"

"No. I'll get it." Dooley stood and headed to the front door. He pushed back the curtain. "Some tall guy with arms full of packages." After opening the door, he said, "Can I help you?"

"Delivery for Lydia Stone."

She knew that voice. Lydia rushed to the door. "Jon? What the hell are you doing here?"

Her cousin smirked, looking so much like her Uncle Frey it wasn't funny. "Bringing a late Thanksgiving dinner and some potions. Can I come in? It's cold as fuck out here."

Dooley stepped back, taking some of the bags from Jonathan. Lydia closed the door, then wrapped her cousin in a tight hug. "Seriously, what are you doing here?"

"Did you honestly think Carleigh was going to keep quiet about what you're going through, especially after what happened with the wolves?" He set the other bags down, then tapped her on the nose. "We're family, and since you wouldn't let her tell Bas what's happening, she called me. Mom and Dad are in California with Amelia and Rain for a long visit. I came back Saturday, and now I'm glad I did. I stopped by Solaralun on my way to the airport."

"But the gym—"

"Joey's got that covered. Now, how about you introduce me to your new friends?"

Kennedy was unpacking the bags of food when they got to the kitchen. She glanced up at Jon and gave him a small wave.

"Dooley and Kennedy Moore, this is my cousin, Jonathan. He's Frey's son."

Jon and Dooley shook hands, then Jon fisted his heart and bowed his head. "On my honor."

Kennedy's eyes widened, but then she blessed them all with her glorious smile. Lydia had explained their Clan's pledge, and the fact that Jon was honoring Kennedy was special.

Jon leaned against the counter, crossing his legs at his ankles. "Carleigh filled me in on everything she knew up to the point I got on a plane. Anything new since?"

"Yes, but first, how are you here with food?"

Jon smiled his crooked grin. "I've been in town since yesterday, waiting for you to get back. Carleigh called as soon as you texted that you had landed."

"Of course she did. The only new development is I think Beck's sister Chloe is in on the shenanigans." Lydia explained the dream and the voice transmitter.

Jon didn't bat an eye. "If you've been meditating at all, then I'd say your connection is true."

They paused the conversation long enough for everyone to fix a plate. Dooley moved his computer off the table so they all had plenty of room. The two males conversed about their next steps, and Lydia was glad to let them take the lead as long as they didn't veer away from her goal – getting to Beck.

After the food was demolished, Dooley helped his mate clean the kitchen while Jon put his bags in one of the bedrooms. When he returned, he handed Lydia a small, insulated cooler. She unzipped it to find four potion bottles and a handwritten note explaining what was in each one. Lydia prayed she didn't need them, but she wasn't holding her breath.

Dooley and Kennedy disappeared to their bedroom giving Lydia and Jon time to talk privately. He didn't ask how she was, and Lydia didn't mention Summer. Everyone in their Clan assumed Rain's sister was Jon's mate, but both insisted they were friends. It would have been something if he and Amelia had both mated with the siblings. Lydia still wasn't sure the full-blood wasn't his mate. When Summer's parents moved her to California, Jon spiraled for a while. Then again, there was no way the female could have stayed away from Jon if they were fated to be together. Then again, again… Damn this made her head spin. Both Sophia and Tessa had transitioned after meeting their mates but stayed away from them. In Tessa's case, she went three years avoiding Gregor. If Jon and Summer were mates, they weren't together, and the reason why was none of Lydia's business.

Jon removed his boots, sank down on the sofa, and got comfortable. "Tell me about your mate." Lydia spent an hour talking about how they met, to how he found her in the woods, which had Jon growling, to everything up until Beck disappeared. He peppered her with questions about the sisters and Amara, asked if Beck was leaving Alaska when he was found, and what would happen to the pack if Amara wasn't found. Lydia answered as best she could. When she yawned for the fifth time, Jon stood and held out his hand.

"Let's hit the hay. If we're leaving at the ass crack of dawn, I need my beauty sleep."

Lydia hip-checked him. Jonathan Hartley was as gorgeous as they came. They bid each other goodnight, and Lydia closed her door. Lying in bed, she thanked the gods for her family. She was glad Carleigh interfered and sent their cousin to help, but she'd still give her shit about it later.