Chapter 24

Lydia picked up the dagger Kennedy had retrieved and held both weapons tightly. Relief stole through her. She hadn't killed the female although Lydia felt Chloe deserved it for her part in Beck's abduction. She wanted to call her mate back. Didn't want him anywhere near his sister. She didn't completely understand why Chloe had taken part in this whole mess. Or had she instigated it? The whos and whys were still confusing, but at least her mate was back with her, and two of the parties involved were out of commission.

"What did you do?" Chloe cried out. "What the fuck did you do to me?"

"Nothing more than you deserved."

Kennedy clapped her hands together, and her smile beamed as a polar bear ran toward them. Shifting mid-step, Dooley picked Kennedy up and swung her around. The female giggled until Dooley kissed her. Tongue may have been involved. Lydia shielded her eyes while searching the sky for her cousin. The sun was hidden behind gray clouds, taking away the constant need for goggles. Jon approached, carrying a limp body. Instead of dropping the male, Jon set him down somewhat gently. Orson, whose hands were bound behind him with a bungie cord, was battered, and at first Lydia thought him to be dead until she studied his chest. There was movement if it was slight. His face looked as though it'd been slashed by claws, but the marks weren't bleeding. Had Amara done that?

Beck, having shifted, ambled along gripping Chloe's bicep. With her injured leg, she limped awkwardly, until Beck shoved her down beside Orson. "Don't you fucking move." Chloe growled at Beck until Lydia took a step in the female's direction, flipping the dagger. Chloe dipped her head, and Lydia strode over to her mate.

Dooley grimaced when he got a look at Chloe's leg. "What happened there?"

"Ice happened." Lydia twirled the dagger around her fingers.

"Then why isn't she dead instead of… that?" Dooley gestured Chloe's direction.

"Because death wasn't my intention."

Dooley cocked his head to the side and muttered, "Huh."

Jon retracted his wings and put his shirt and coat back on. "Now what?"

Beck sidled closer to Lydia, but with her being armed, he kept a few feet between them. "We need to call Delaney and fill her in. See if she's heard from Amara. If not, we'll let her decide what to do with these two since she's acting Queen."

"Is there a polar bear jail?" Lydia asked.

"No. It's either death or banishment, depending on the crime. Considering Chloe and Orson were conspiring against the Empress, I imagine death will be their punishment, but that's for Amara to decide once she returns. In the meantime, Delaney will need to find somewhere to hold them."

"Well, I do own a perfectly good warehouse that only stores one helicopter. We can return the favor and chain them up."

Beck was solemn when he nodded. "I'm not sure what to tell Delaney about Boyd."

"Let's call Carleigh first. Make sure he's not left Sterling." With the males around to keep her safe, Lydia returned the weapons to her wrist before digging out her satellite phone.

"Tell me something good," Carleigh answered.

"Beck is alive and mostly well. The potion worked. Chloe and Orson are the ones who took him. When Beck confronted Chloe, she was ranting about Heather. I think she was in love with the female and felt jilted. It's like a soap opera but with half the dialogue missing. First, she said Boyd was helping her find Beck, but we know that's a lie considering she and Orson are the ones we have detained. When Beck asked how Heather fit into all this, Chloe went off on a wild rant."

"Boyd is still in Sterling. Mystery female who we're assuming is Heather has come and gone twice. But get this. I've been monitoring the Sagan Adventure phones as well as Delaney's cell. She and Boyd have spoken twice. There have been no more cryptic messages though. What's the plan? I take it you're still out in the north four-hundred since you called on the sat phone."

Lydia toed the snow in front of her, making quasi-wings. "Beck is going to call Delaney in a few to find out what to do with these two idiots. I wanted to see if Boyd was hanging out in Sterling first. Since Amara is still out there somewhere, Delaney is in charge, but we can hold them in the warehouse until she decides their fate or Amara shows up."

"I knew that building was a good investment. How are you getting the idiots back to civilization?"

"Jon can fly back to the helo, then return for us, but we won't all fit since it's a four-seater. We'll figure it out, and I'll call you back later when we do. Please let Luna know the amber potion worked, and I appreciate it."

"You got it. Stay warm, and give your mate a hug for me. I'm glad he's okay."

"Me too. Love you."

"Love you more."

Lydia handed the phone to her mate. "Boyd is still in Sterling. Heather, or whoever, has visited twice, and Delaney has spoken to her father a couple of times," she relayed even though everyone had shifter hearing.

Beck nodded and took the phone, punching in the number. He leaned against Lydia with his arm around her waist. Stubborn Bear wouldn't sit down. Lydia used her Goyle's hearing to eavesdrop.

"Sawyer, is that you?" Delaney answered after several rings.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Oh, thank the goddess. Have you heard from Chloe?"

Beck sighed, then told his sister everything that happened as succinctly as possible. "We don't know if Boyd is—"

"He had nothing to do with any of it." Delaney told him to hold on as she answered the company phone. After hanging up, she griped, "All the information is on the website. Can't these people fucking read? Anyway, the day you stormed into the office and found me puking my guts up, Dad had come to see me."

"So you lied to me? Why am I not surprised?"

"Shut up and listen. I know how you feel about my father. That's why I didn't tell you the truth, but Beck, he's the one who warned me about Orson."

"Then why the fuck didn't you share that with me then? It would have saved a lot of time and me from being fucking stabbed! If it weren't for my mate, I'd be dead, Delaney, or don't you care either?"

"What?"

"Your sister is responsible. She and Orson fucking Murray colluded to take over the pack."

"What do you mean your mate? You don't have a mate."

"Not the damn point. Since Amara is still in the wind, what do you want me to do with Chloe and Orson?"

"Do you have proof of what you're saying? This is grounds for death, Sawyer, and I can't… I can't kill my sister."

"Yeah, well, she wouldn't have a problem taking you out. Her exact words were, ‘With Amara out of the way, Delaney is next in line, but seeing as how she got knocked up, she can't fight, now can she?' But hey, it's your call if you want to let the traitor run loose until Amara comes back and makes the hard decision."

"Oh, goddess. I… She… Did she really say that?" Delaney whispered.

"Among other things. I'll make it easy for you. I have somewhere I can hold them until Amara returns."

"Yeah, okay. That's good. With you having one of the seaplanes, and Chloe taking the helo, I'm down to one plane. Can you get back with the plane today? That way I can get you on the sch—"

"I'm not fucking coming back. I was stabbed with a dagger that was laced with poison, Delaney. I can barely walk. But even if I could, I already told you I was done. I'm going to do what needs doing here, namely getting out of the fucking Chugach mountains. Then I'm going to take time to recover. Then I'm going to search for Amara. If you need the plane that bad, send Caleb for it. He knows where it is. Fuck you, Delaney." Beck stabbed the end button, then drew his arm back and threw the phone. It sailed through the air until it landed against the side of the mountain, smashing into pieces.

Beck fisted his hands and closed his eyes. Lydia gripped one of his fists, bringing it to her mouth. She pressed her lips to his fingers. "Let it go, My Bear. You already knew how she felt, or didn't. But you have me now. You have Carleigh and Jon. You have my parents and brother who can't wait to meet you."

"And you have Kennedy and me," Dooley added.

Beck leaned his forehead against Lydia's. "We need a plan."

Jon placed his hand on Beck's shoulder and squeezed. "While you were both on the phone, Dooley and I were talking. The sun will be down soon. Y'all should set up camp so Beck can rest and get some food in him. I'll fly back to get the helo, then we'll take the idiots as you called them one at a time to the warehouse. You and Beck can head back to the rental house while I return for the other idiot along with Dooley and Kennedy."

"That's a good plan except we don't have any way of securing said idiots once we reach the warehouse."

Jon gazed toward the base of the mountain where Beck had chucked the phone. "Do you have another sat phone?"

"Yes, the one Dakota sent me." Lydia released her mate and dug the device out of her pack.

"Good. Call Carleigh and have her place an order at the hardware store in Valdez. Here's what we'll need." Jon rattled off a list of items. "Have them delivered to the warehouse. Pay extra to get them there today."

"Got it. Here." Lydia removed the supplies from one of the smaller backpacks and held the bag out to Jon. "Put your clothes in this so you can get dressed before flying the helo back."

Her cousin grinned as he removed his coat and shirt. "Told you that you're the brains." He shoved his things in the bag and released his wings. "I'll be back soon."

Beck sat down on the blanket because his energy was waning. Dooley plopped down next to him. "How're you doing?"

"I've been better, but I've also been worse. Who's watching your house while you're out here helping my mate?"

"My next-door neighbor, Mr. Fletcher. Told him Kennedy's family had an emergency."

"That wasn't a lie. You and Lydia are our family." Kennedy knelt close by and pulled food out of her pack.

Lydia smiled at the little fox. "Damn straight we are."

Kennedy held out a sandwich to Beck. "Hungry?"

"Starving. Raw fish only goes so far." He tore into the offering, and it was all Lydia could do not to stalk over to his sister and let the ice dagger do more damage. Instead, she called Carleigh about the items needed to secure Chloe and Orson in the warehouse. "Also, please call my mom and let her know what's going on. I'd do it, but she'll know I'm about two-point-five seconds away from maiming a she-bear."

"You afraid she'll talk you out of it?"

Lydia huffed, staring at Chloe who was brushing Orson's hair off his forehead. "No, she'll encourage me to do it. I don't need any more temptation."

Carleigh snorted. "Okay, let me make the call. Anything else you need?"

"A pair of magic slippers that'll whisk us back to Valdez?"

"Luna's good, but I'm afraid that's not in her wheelhouse. At least I don't think it is."

After they said their goodbyes, Lydia sat down next to her mate and examined the wound. Shifting had helped, and there was barely any evidence Beck had been stabbed.

"How long will it take your cousin to get back with the helo?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. It took us four days to walk this far, but he's pretty fast. With the sun setting, he won't have to worry as much about being spotted. I'd say a few hours at most?"

Beck grew quiet, and Lydia studied his face. Her mate was staring at his sister. Lydia wanted to tell him to forget about her, but she didn't. She couldn't imagine the hurt of knowing your sibling wanted you dead.

"Do you think they're lovers?" Kennedy whispered.

"No." Beck reached for Lydia's hand and threaded their fingers. "She admitted she was in love with Heather. She also ranted about her current best friend abandoning her. Something she accused Heather of doing when she and I dated. I'm not sure where Orson fits in. If Boyd really did warn Delaney about Orson, then maybe Heather is working against her father, not with him."

Dooley tapped his fingers against his thigh. "Thinking back over the cryptic messages to and from BC and Sterling, I think you're right. Heather found out what her father and Chloe were up to, then met up with Boyd in Sterling."

"But why not come to me instead of all the secrecy?"

"Would you have trusted her if she did? Boyd knew you wouldn't give him the time of day after what he did to your mother, and you and Heather didn't end things on the best of terms."

"Yeah, you're right. I— What is she doing?"

Lydia had been focused on Beck instead of paying attention to Chloe. "Oh, hell no." Lydia jumped to her feet. "Move away from Orson. Now." Lydia called forth her sai, twirling them. Chloe ignored her and continued loosening the bungie cord from around his arms. Once they were free, the male shifted to his Bear. Dooley, who had moved to stand beside Lydia, did the same, but she said, "I've got this." Orson shook out his fur and turned his attention to Lydia. Unlike in her dream, she was ready for him. The large animal was intimidating, but she had magic on her side.

"Sugar, no," Beck said. "I'll handle Orson." It took a few seconds to shift to his fur. He moved quickly toward the other bear. Both had been injured, but it didn't seem to be slowing them down. Chloe was easing backward from where she was sitting, and Lydia pointed a sai at the female.

"You want two bum legs?" Lydia called on Luna's magic once again, transforming the sai into ice daggers. Chloe's eyes widened, but it didn't stop her from shifting. Lydia's focus was interrupted when Orson roared and slammed into Beck. The two massive beasts rolled, but Beck's recovered first. He lunged at the slightly smaller animal, mouth open and claws out. He found purchase in Orson's neck, but the other male didn't give up. His own claws scraped at Beck's injured side, and Lydia prayed he was healed enough that this wouldn't set him back.

Dooley's bear ran past Lydia toward Chloe. The female couldn't move quickly with her back leg being shorter than the others, but she was trying to get away. Dooley had no trouble catching her and knocking her down. He snapped his wicked jaws around her injured leg, and Chloe's bear swiped at Dooley. Her claws made purchase, but he didn't let go. Shaking her appendage like a dog with a toy, Lydia was afraid he would rip it off. Eh, it would serve her right.

A small white fox sped across the snow to help her mate. Lydia stood frozen, her gaze going back and forth between the two fights. With Kennedy helping her mate, Lydia trusted them to subdue Chloe. A different type of roar ripped from Beck's beast, as Orson tore at his hind leg with his claws. Blood dripped from both bears, and Lydia was done seeing her mate hurting. She returned the blades to her wrists, wanting to appear unarmed.

"Orson!" When the bear looked her way, Lydia held her arms out at her sides, hands empty. The animal blew out a frosty breath, and clambered her way, picking up speed with each step, taking him farther away from Beck. Lydia waited until he was within ten feet, then called the ice daggers to her hands. Orson lunged, and Lydia dove to the ground, rolling to her back, blades up. They sliced through the animal's stomach, his momentum carrying him forward. He landed hard, and Lydia scrambled to her feet in case he got back up.

When Beck's white body leaned against her legs, Lydia pointed a bloody dagger at Orson's unmoving form. "Nobody attacks my mate." When Beck nudged her with his snout, Lydia transferred both blades to her left hand so she could dig her right one into Beck's red-tinged fur. "You're hurt." Her hand went from scraping through fur to grabbing Beck's ass when he returned to his skin.

"I'm fine, Sugar." Lydia observed his leg where Orson dug his claws in. It was already knitting back together. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, he didn't touch me."

"No, I mean…" Beck tapped a finger against her temple.

"Why wouldn't—?" Lydia caught on to his meaning. She turned to look at Orson who was now in his human form with deep gouges in his stomach. The male wasn't moving, and after staring at his chest, she realized he wasn't breathing. Lydia had taken another life. She waited for the guilt to overwhelm her, but it didn't happen. She had defended her mate as well as herself. Orson had intended to kill Lydia, so no, she didn't feel bad about doing it to him first.

"I'm good. I promise." Beck cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a closed-mouth kiss.

"I hope you're still good." Dooley strode up carrying Kennedy in one arm while dragging Chloe behind with the other. He dumped Chloe next to Orson. Her head was twisted at an odd angle. "Bitch went after my mate." He set Kennedy on her feet and put himself between her and the others. He palmed her face, tipping her head to the side. A bloody stripe bisected her cheek. The claw mark was half an inch away from Kennedy's eye.

"I'll be fine if you let me shift," Kennedy groused.

"In a minute. Beckett, please turn around." Dooley retrieved a canteen and a hand towel, then proceeded to wipe the blood from her cheek.

"Why aren't you in your fur?" Lydia asked her friend.

"My mate made me shift to see the damage." Kennedy stood still while Dooley dabbed at her cheek.

"Never again." Dooley dipped his head and softly pressed their lips together. "I'm taking you home, and we're hiding out for a week. No, two. Fuck."

"I concur." Beck pulled Lydia to him and buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. Wanting to kiss her properly, he leaned back. "I don't suppose you have a toothbrush in your pack?"