CHAPTER FOUR

M eeting Jamie's family turned out to be a rather large affair. Ivan assumed it would be simply dinner with the family. It turned out instead to be a massive celebration of their mating. Jamie's family didn't do a mating halfway, and that was a fact. Jamie was the first of their six children to find their mate, and the family was over the moon, to put it mildly. Food, drinks, and good cheer abounded. It was nearly a carnival atmosphere, and Ivan loved it.

Ivan met all of Jamie's family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family and friends descended upon the McCormick home and stayed till the early hours of the morning. It was a celebration to be remembered. They were a family that loved one another, each and every one of them, and Ivan was honored to be counted among their number. It was more than he could have ever hoped for.

It was near noon the following day before either of them opened their eyes. They'd finally made it back to Jamie's apartment around four in the morning and just fell into bed completely exhausted from the festivities.

"You awake?" Jamie's voice came out horse and tired, his head propped up on Ivan's chest. Ivan cracked open one eye and saw that it was nearing noon and then promptly closed his eye. Ivan grumbled something, but it was not understandable, which was probably a good thing. "You were a big hit with my parents, you know, and my little brother Roy thinks you're a god." Jamie chuckled when Ivan snorted. He loved waking up with his mate. Sharing a bed with Ivan was incredible. He was so warm, and he held Jamie like he was his new favorite toy.

"Your brother Jacob wasn't quite so adoring," Ivan commented. "He actually threatened me right to my face to kick my ass if I ever did you wrong. That took a lot of guts considering the guy is barely five foot five." Ivan rolled over, pinning Jamie beneath him, and kissed him soundly.

"Jacob has always been the runt, but he makes up for it with attitude. He's been in more brawls than the rest of us combined."

"I don't doubt it. He has hell raiser written all over him." Ivan went back to kissing Jamie, and they were just getting serious when Ivan's phone rang. "I should get that. It's probably Viktor." He would have liked to ignore it, but Viktor never called him unless it was important; the man did not do chit-chat. Ivan rolled off of Jamie and dug around the floor until he came up with his pants and extracted his cell. "Hello."

Jamie sat up and moved to a position behind Ivan, not exactly listening but paying attention to the call. Ivan's posture was suddenly serious and alert, which told Jamie something was wrong back home.

"Bring Colin here; we will protect him. Randall will most likely head this way considering that a number of people who contributed to his arrest live here." Ivan fell silent for a few moments, obviously listening to the other person, who Jamie assumed was Ivan's brother Viktor. "I'll contact the Alpha and get permission for both you and Colin. Be safe, brother; we will be waiting for you."

Ivan closed the call and tossed his cell on the bedside table. He let out a low growl and ran his hands through his already ruffled hair. He then turned to look at his mate with worry and determination in his stare. It was obvious that the beta and detective were back on the job.

"Jordan Randall escaped during transfer yesterday, and he is on the run." He stated. "What's happening is that it looks like he's going after anyone connected with his arrest and conviction. He has completely lost his mind and has already killed two people." Ivan paused as Jamie got up from the bed and started pulling his clothes on.

"We have to contact Alpha Lance so he can put Ronan and Molly into protective custody," Jamie said as he continued to run around the room, gathering his things. Ivan caught him and pulled him into his lap, and held him still.

"Let me finish." He said, and Jamie calmed himself and remained seated. "One of my pack, Colin Hunter, a young omega, was a victim of Randall, and although he never testified against him, he was the reason I became involved, and Randall became aware of that fact during the trial. My pack does not reside far from where Randall killed his last victim, and my brother fears for Colin's safety. My pack, and it hurts me to say this, has asked that Colin be cast out so as to not bring danger onto everyone. My brother being the man that he is, was disgusted by their weakness and has forfeited his position as Alpha and has left with Colin in order to protect him."

"Your brother is the Alpha, and he forfeited that position to save an omega pack member?" Ivan nodded. Jamie was in awe of a man that would walk away from his position as Alpha in order to protect one member. "Your brother is an amazing man."

"Yes, he is, and he and Colin are on their way here."

"I'll call the station and notify them of the situation while you call the Alpha." Jamie took his house phone and dialed it while Ivan took his cell and walked out into the hallway.

Lance put the entire pack and town on alert; after his last encounter with Jordan Randall, he wasn't taking any chances with Ronan's safety. He gave sanctuary to both Viktor and Colin and sent two of his enforcers, to meet them and assist with Colin's protection. To say that Lance was incensed by Randall's escape and subsequent crimes was putting it mildly. Ivan was well aware that Lance planned to end Randall as soon as he showed himself. There would be no quarter given. Jordan Randall would not survive his return to Lonepine.

Ivan came back into the bedroom and got dressed while Jamie was finishing his call. "Alpha Lance has ordered us both to the Pack House for a briefing with his men." He said after Jamie had hung up.

"Terry has Ryan and the other officers handling the town proper, and he will join them once he returns. Terry will head back to town as soon as he gets his mate Henry to the Pack House where he can be protected."

"I met Henry the last time I was here. He seemed like a nice guy." Ivan commented as he gathered his weapons.

"He's a great guy, and Terry doesn't want anything to happen to him. Henry is Ronan and Molly's cousin, and he helped them in their escape from Randall. He was present at the gas station when Alpha Lance attacked Randall." Ivan understood Terry's fears immediately.

"I believe, and it seems so does the Alpha, that Randall's primary target will be Ronan." Ivan offered. "Randall has an obsessive personality, and he never could come to terms with the fact that Ronan got away."

"You know, I just wanted to have a nice day with my mate, and instead, we have to stand guard against some human nut case." Jamie was disappointed that their time would be spent on duty.

Ivan took Jamie into his arms and kissed him thoroughly before cupping Jamie's face in his hands and looking lovingly into those eager green eyes. "He's one human controlled by rage and anger, and he's walking into a wolf pack. He won't last long." Jamie smiled.

…

Viktor and Colin were met at the airport in Missoula by Frank Sorenson and Kyle Bishop and transported to the Pack House. Ivan was there to meet his brother on his arrival.

"Has he been sighted in the area?" Was Viktor's first question after having given Ivan a quick hug and brotherly pat on the back. Colin stayed behind Viktor, frightened of everything, including his shadow. He was small in stature with an overly thin build, due to him not eating as he should. He'd never recovered from the abuse he endured at the hands of Jordan Randall; he always hung his head and rarely spoke. He'd been to Pack doctors, but they could only mend the physical. They really had no training in healing the emotionally damaged. Colin had always been a quiet boy, but now he was virtually silent.

"Alvin, take Colin to the basement strong room where Ronan, Molly, and Henry are being protected. He will be safe there." Alvin stepped forward toward the young man, and Colin began to whine. He was terrified to leave Viktor. Everyone in the room sympathized and seemed to feel the boy's pain. Viktor put his arm around the boy's shoulders and pulled him forward to stand beside him.

"It's okay, Colin, these men are our friends. Go, you will be safe, I promise, and I will come for you when the danger has passed." Viktor urged him to go with Alvin, and after a few moments of indecision, he reluctantly left.

"He seems to be worse, Viktor," Ivan commented.

"After Randall escaped and then the Pack turned on him, he started to lose hope, and his fear has consumed him."

"Once this is over, we will look into getting him counseling. He needs to talk about what happened, or he will never put it behind him. Letting him handle this on his own as he asked has not worked; we need to insist on professional help." Ivan added, and Viktor nodded in agreement.

Ivan turned then and hooked an arm around Jamie, bringing him up close to his side. "I would have liked to have made this introduction under more positive circumstances, but regardless, Viktor, I would like you to meet my mate Jamie McCormick and Jamie, I would like you to meet my brother Viktor Rand."

"Pleased to meet you, Jamie." Viktor held out his hand, and Jamie readily took it.

"Likewise," Jamie replied. With the necessary introductions and pleasantries completed, they quickly got down to business.

It was determined that the sentries would continue with their usual rounds with the Pack enforcers led by Beta Aaron Beaumont. They would do a complete sweep of the territory from north to south and east to west. They would check in with Alpha Lance every half hour with a report.

Enforcer Dean Miller would remain with his men guarding the perimeter of the Pack House and property, a four hundred acre square, while Alvin protected the mates and Colin in the bunker. It was decided that Ivan and Viktor being unfamiliar with Pack territory, would join Dean and guard the perimeter. Jamie would join Terry back at the station and patrol the town. Everyone in the pack was given a photo of Jordan Randall and was on the lookout for anything strange.

Ryan's mother, Helen, came to the station to act as receptionist and dispatch since the officers were busy patrolling the town. Jamie was patrolling the streets when his first disturbance call came from the Perron household. "Fucking hell." He muttered to himself.

Considering they were on alert and searching for a crazed killer, and on top of that, he was frustrated at being separated from his mate, Jamie wasn't so sure he could be tolerant of their bullshit. But he had to check out every call, no matter how unimportant it may seem.

"Mrs. Perron insisted that someone was lurking around their garage," Helen informed him, and instantly he was more than a little interested. Perhaps Randall would be dealt with sooner rather than later; he could only hope.

"I'll check it out straight away." Jamie jogged the few blocks over to the Perron home, hoping that it wasn't just another of their nuisance calls. He looked around the property from the roadway and then made his way back towards their garage that sat near the tree line of their property.

Mr. and Mrs. Perron came outside yelling their displeasure at the police force's failure to secure their property and their safety. They weren't making any sense apart from telling him that both he and the entire police force were a joke and a waste of taxpayer money. Finally, he'd had enough and needed to get them inside and out of any possible danger.

"Go back into your house immediately, and don't come out until I tell you it is safe." He ordered. Neither of them moved and just flashed him indignant stares. Having had his fill of their attitudes, he moved towards them in his best I'm an officer of the law, and you will do as I say moves. They quickly turned and scurried back indoors.

Jamie made a sweep of the yard and the outer wooded area but found nothing, so he called it in and then informed the Perrons of his findings. They were not pleased, but he couldn't care less and told them as much.

…

Ivan was sent along with the men checking to the east as Viktor was sent to the west. Dean had organized a sweep that was leaving no stone unturned, and Ivan was to check out a crop of cabins used by the pack for hunting and camping. No one was using them at present, so they should all be empty.

He tried to keep his mind on the matter at hand, but his thoughts continually drifted to Jamie and the love they'd shared. He couldn't wait to have this business over, and then he could just disappear with his sexy mate for a week or maybe two. Randall was a disease that needed to be eradicated, the man had done so much damage to so many people, and now he could add murder to his resume. The bastard was always getting in his way.

Ivan separated from the other men and went to the two cabins to the north while they checked the other three that were about a quarter-mile to the south. Ivan planned to meet them there when he was finished.

The first cabin was unused and in disrepair. It looked as if it hadn't been occupied in years. He looked around anyway and then secured the place before moving to the second cabin that was a little deeper in the woods. It appeared in better shape than the last. He stopped suddenly and looked around his wolf, sensing that something was wrong.

He approached carefully, and as he got closer, he could smell the presence of someone inside the cabin. All the windows were shuttered, so he drew his weapon and quietly made his way to the door. But before he touched the knob, a familiar voice called to him from inside.

"Come in, Ivan. I've been waiting for you or whoever happened to come to my door. I'm so pleased that it's you." Randall shouted. "Don't make me wait. It would be a shame to have to hurt this boy." Suddenly a loud scream tore through the air. It was the sound of someone being tortured.

Ivan threw open the door to a most disturbing scene. Jordan Randall stood there in the middle of the room with a young boy, probably no older than fourteen or fifteen, tied to a chair. Randall had a knife in one hand and was slicing the kid's face, and with his other hand, he held a pistol to the kid's head. Randall looked completely insane. He no longer maintained the fa?ade of a classy, sophisticated attorney. He wore an expression of total lunacy. His clothing looked like it had been stolen since it was ill-fitting and awkward.

Ivan took a few steps into the room and stood still, holding his gun and pointing it at Randall. He watched Randall's every move hoping for an opening.

"You're going to have to drop that gun, Ivan, or I will have to kill this poor boy. I really don't care one way or the other, but it would bloody up the place, and I was planning to stay here for a few more days. I have a date with Ronan James. That little piss ant started this whole thing, and I plan on making him pay. Oh, the things I'm going to do to that young man." He mused and ran his blade across the boy's cheek, laying it open. To his credit, the boy gritted his teeth, and tears ran down his face, but he stayed silent. "Put the gun down, or this boy dies; you have ten seconds to comply."

Ivan lowered his gun and laid it on the floor to his right. He then straightened back up and kept his eyes locked on the mad man in front of him. The boy looked at him with pleading eyes that begged for rescue.

He knew if he didn't show up at the other cabins in a timely manner, the men would return for him. He just wasn't sure how that would play out, so he needed to get the boy out of the cabin. "Untie the boy and let him go. If you do, I will not resist, and you can tie me to the chair. I won't fight you." He watched as Randall thought about his offer.

"Okay, but only if you let me tie you up first, and then I will let the boy go." Randall countered, obviously not trusting Ivan to not resist. Ivan nodded and walked over to a straight-back chair near where the boy was seated. "Good, good." Randall chanted and jumped around. "Now sit." Ivan sat down and glanced over at the boy. "I'll let him go," Randall assured. "I'm getting bored with him anyway."

He tied Ivan's hands behind him and looped the cords through the sides of the chair. He then tied his feet together and looped the cords around the legs of the chair. When he was satisfied, he cut the ropes holding the boy and pushed him out of the chair. The boy staggered to his feet and hurried to the door, and ran outside. Once he was gone, Randall walked over and closed and locked the door. "We don't want any interruptions, Ivan. I have plans for you."

…

The boy didn't stop running until he was caught in the arms of a large man with a dark stare and a gravel tone. "Who are you, boy?" He demanded and then added. "Who hurt you?"

"My name is Asher, and it was a man named Randall." That was all the kid had to say to set everything in motion.

"My name is Quade Combs, and I live around here." The big guy explained in an attempt to placate the boy. "I'm going to have my friend here take you to get help. They will take care of your wounds." He pushed the boy into the hands of the soldier next to him and quickly called his Alpha.

Within minutes the cabin was surrounded, and the men waited for Alpha Lance to arrive. They were not aware that Ivan was inside until the men Ivan had been searching with came back looking for him. Quade contacted the soldier that had the boy and asked about Ivan and was informed he'd traded himself for the boy. An easy takedown had just gotten complicated.