CHAPTER SEVEN

J ordan Randall arrived in Billings by plane and rented a car to take him the rest of the way to Lonepine. He'd explained to his superiors that it was best if he came for Ronan personally since they had been friends, and he was certain he could keep him calm and return him safely to Traverse City for questioning.

He implored that Ronan was a good kid and he wanted only the best for him. He also implied that he would not be pressing charges as it seemed the only things taken from his office were a few personal items and nothing belonging to the state or tied to any cases open or closed. He told them that Ronan has been experiencing a growing obsession with him over the years, and this was simply a cry for attention on Ronan's part. All the boy needed was some guidance and understanding. As far as Molly, she was just protecting her brother, and he would not pursue her any further as long as she stayed out of the state of Michigan.

He had the authorities convinced that he had the kid's best interests in mind and thought he was being very generous in regard to the sister. Everything he wanted seemed to be coming straight to his fingertips. Ronan would be under his control with the constant threat he could make against Molly. If Ronan ever tried to leave him, he would make Molly pay. She would stay away due to the threat against Ronan if she returned. He laughed lightly, very pleased with the outcome.

…

Lance was overjoyed by Ronan's acceptance of his wolf and the Pack. Now all he needed to do was convince him that he needed to make Lonepine and the Lonepine Pack of Shifters his home and his people. As the Alpha Mate, Ronan would have considerable responsibility. It would be his place to organize Pack functions. He would be the first line of contact in regard to common concerns of Pack members.

Ronan would care for the Pack's needs much like a minister cares for his flock. Ronan, at nineteen, had seen enough to allow him to be sympathetic to those with issues, needs, and concerns. Lance was very proud of the mate that Fate chose for him and couldn't wait to have the opportunity to get him settled as a part of the Pack.

The only thing still to deal with was Jordan Randall, and according to his deputies, the man himself should be arriving sometime tomorrow afternoon. Getting Randall out of the way and off the mind of his beautiful mate was now his number one priority. Ronan hadn't spoken of the incident since that first day in the police station, but Lance could sense the hesitance and the anxiety Ronan was feeling. The assault made him feel weak. Lance hoped to give him back his confidence when they finally dealt with Jordan Randall. He would make sure Randall never bothered him again. He couldn't kill Randall because he was a high-profile citizen in Michigan, and to do so would bring too much scrutiny down on his community. But he could certainly scare the holy hell out of him.

…

The following day they had lunch in town at the same coffee shop where Ronan and Molly had waited while Aaron checked out their car. The waitress was the same, but she made no mention of the situation he'd been a part of a couple days ago.

While they were eating, Officer Jamie McCormick came to their table and asked to speak with Lance privately. Lance went outside with him and didn't return for a good fifteen minutes. Ronan began to wonder if it had anything to do with Jordan Randall and the warrant. He was pretty sure it did; otherwise, they would have spoken more openly. Lance made no mention of the subject once he returned to the table, and Ronan did not feel it was his place to ask. It might have been town business or Pack business. Maybe it had nothing to do with him.

"How's your lunch?" Lance asked as he seated himself back at the table.

"Good. Thank you." Ronan watched as Lance surveyed the room as if looking for trouble and then quickly returned his gaze to Ronan and smiled. Ronan wanted to ask if everything was okay, but it obviously wasn't, so why bother.

"I'm going to take you back to the Manor when we finish. I have something I need to attend to. It won't take more than a couple hours, and then maybe we can take a tour of the Manor grounds before dinner." He suggested and then added. "Many Pack members own homes on the grounds, and I would like you to become familiar with who they are since you will be seeing them on a daily basis." He forced a smile and then went back to his lunch.

Ronan nodded. "Sure, maybe Molly's car is ready, and I can drive myself back to the Manor and save you the trouble." The sudden cloak and dagger routine was making him uncomfortable in a way that signaled real trouble.

Ronan always trusted his instincts, and his instincts were telling him to leave. If he had the car, then that option would be open to him. Lance stopped mid-bite and stared at him for a moment before answering.

"I'd rather take you." His voice was firm and brooked no argument. Again, Ronan simply nodded but noted the change in demeanor and the less than lighthearted approach to lunch that suddenly permeated the air. "I'm responsible for your safety Roe so please let me accompany you back to the Manor." He attempted to soften his original response, but it fell a bit short.

Ronan continued to nod for lack of anything to say. The car was out of the question. Without Lance's okay, he was sure that the auto shop would not release the car to him. It probably wasn't ready anyway, with Aaron off on a vacation of the heart with Molly. He would figure this out, and he would leave if need be with or without a car.

Lance's mind was obviously elsewhere as they finished eating and left the restaurant. He held onto Ronan's arm tightly as he directed him to the vehicle. There seemed to be an urgency or unease attached to the way he held him, which further fueled Ronan's imagination. The drive back to the Manor was silent and tense. Ronan wanted to ask questions but decided against it. He knew he wasn't going to get answers.

Lance told Ronan he would be back before four and gave him a deep heated kiss, and then left. Ronan stood on the porch of the Manor and watched the large black SUV kick up gravel as it sped back to the main road.

"Hey Ronan, how's it going?"

Ronan turned to see Dean coming out of the house. He would never get used to the size of all the men that resided in this household. He came up to stand next to Ronan with his arms crossed on his massive chest, and he seemed to be surveying the area much, in the same manner Lance had at the restaurant and during the drive home.

"Is there something wrong, Dean?" Ronan knew there was without asking, but he was just curious if Dean would actually say anything about it.

"Not really, just been notified that someone is on pack lands that haven't gotten permission to be here, is all." Dean glanced over at him but still seemed acutely aware of the surroundings. "Lance asked me to keep an eye on you; I hope you don't mind."

Ronan shook his head because how could he mind, and if he did, what could he do about it. Suddenly it occurred to him that his life was once again spiraling further out of his control. These men, all of them, had an agenda that he was not privy to. A tightening in his chest signaled an impending panic attack, and he didn't want Dean to witness it.

"I think I'll go to my room and lie down for a while." Ronan began to head inside when Dean reached out and gently took him by the upper arm. Ronan turned and looked up and the large man.

"It's okay, nothing to worry about." He assured his deep blue eyes analyzing and assessing.

"Sure."

Ronan went straight to his room and closed and locked the door before sitting down on the edge of his bed. Several deep breaths and a few shallow ones, and he started to overcome the panic. He was feeling trapped and powerless. The victim mentality that he had managed to push away was coming back with force. This morning with Lance, he felt protected and safe, but this afternoon the feeling shifted to ‘prisoner,' isolated and controlled, and it was terrifying him.

He was deep in the wallow of what-ifs when the cell phone that he and Molly used rang. She had apparently left it for him on the bedside table. He rose and tentatively picked it up and checked the caller ID. It read, Henry Grange. It looked like he'd missed several calls from the same number. Believing that it was Molly calling to check in on him, he answered with a jovial tone. He did not want to upset her until he had more facts.

"Hey, having a good time?" He asked

"Oh, thank God, Roe, I am so sorry." Molly pleaded.

"Why, what. . ." Ronan began as fear coursed through him, but he was cut off by Molly's frantic need to explain.

"Just listen to me. Don't respond or say anything because they may be listening. Their hearing is phenomenal so stay quiet and just listen." She paused as if waiting for Ronan to say something which he didn't. "Good, don't say anything. I overheard Aaron talking to Lance on his cell phone. He thought I had left with Henry, but I was still in the kitchen, and I heard him discuss with Lance that Jordan Randall had entered the city and was at the police station. Lance was going to meet with him as soon as he dropped you off at the Manor." Her voice kept getting higher and higher as she tried to warn him.

"You have to get out, Roe, and run, get away from there. Try to make it to the same gas station where we escaped from Terry and Henry, and I will meet you there. I will be there as quickly as I can. Henry and I left a couple hours ago, so we shouldn't be long. Aaron thinks we're in town shopping. Call me when you get to where you can talk freely. I am so sorry. Love you, Ronan." With that, she hung up, and Ronan froze in place as everything she said processed.

He dropped the phone into his pocket and took a quick look out of the window to see if escape through the backyard was possible. Several men were there walking and talking together, looking as if they were guarding the area.

He left his bedroom and went towards the front of the house. Better to look casual and act like I just wanted some fresh air. Just walk right out the front door, and no one would be the wiser, he hoped. Dean met up with him near the kitchen and fell into step with him. This was going to be tricky.

He'd discovered over the last couple of days that wolves were very astute, and Dean definitely was nobody's fool. Ronan feigned his best casual need to stretch and get some air appearance as he glanced over his shoulder at Dean. "Just going for a walk; I need some air and a little solitude."

"I am responsible for your welfare, so if you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you." Dean moved to walk beside him after they had left the house and were going towards the front yard to the left of the driveway.

Ronan stopped and turned to look at Dean directly and hoped that his fear was not showing. "I just want some time by myself. I won't go very far, and really where would I go?" Ronan gestured to his feet, showing that he was wearing flip-flops. "Not exactly hiking boots . . . please . . . I just want to think and relax before dinner. Lance has shared a lot with me these last two days, and I would like the opportunity to think by myself."

Dean stared at him for several long minutes before he relented. "Okay, but don't go far and be back before Lance returns. If he comes back and you're not here, he will be pissed."

Ronan wanted to say, I'm sure he will be pissed when he and Jordan arrive and he discovers that I figured him out and took a fast train out of here. But instead of the disappointment and disgust he was feeling, he managed to fake a smile and said, "Sure, no problem, I will be back in plenty of time. Thanks."

He casually continued to walk the edge of the grounds toward the forest. Thank God he had a good sense of direction. He could feel Dean still watching from a distance as he continued down the edge of the drive adjacent to the forest. Slow and steady, he kept mumbling softly, forcing himself not to break and run.

…

Lance had parked his car and was on his way to the Police station to meet with Jordan Randall. Terry had called and alerted him that Randall was there and demanded that Ronan James be remanded to his custody. Lance planned on making life as it was now very clear to Jordan Randall. He would make sure that Randall never bothered Ronan or Molly ever again and that he cleared their names so that they could both live their lives in peace here in Lonepine. Before reaching the station, his phone rang, and noticing that it was his Beta Aaron, he answered.

"Hello."

"Molly's gone, and so is Henry. I think they are on their way to save Ronan from Randall and . . . you." Lance stopped dead in his tracks. Aaron was near breathless with alarm as he tried to make himself and the situation understood. "She must have overheard me speaking to you earlier because they disappeared right after. I can just imagine what she's thinking, and I'm certain she's already alerted, Ronan." That statement caught Lance like a knife in his heart. "My guess is that they are on their way to Lonepine to rescue him."

"How could things go so fucking wrong so fucking fast?" Lance snapped. He'd left Ronan back at the Manor under the protection of his enforcer Dean without an explanation, so naturally, he would be thinking the worse. "Keep me posted and get back here as soon as possible." Lance snapped his phone shut and ran back to his vehicle. Once in his car, he used the satellite phone to contact Dean.

"Keep an eye on Ronan. A misunderstanding may cause him to bolt. Also, watch for any sign of his sister Molly and Cousin Henry." Lance ordered as he floored the vehicle in an effort to get home as fast as possible.

"What does Henry look like?" Dean asked

"Aaron said he's a little man with black hair and glasses."

"Will do."

Lance hung up and hoped that he would be able to make Ronan understand. He wasn't planning on turning him over to Randall. His intent was to settle the matter, and to do so required getting Randall to Lonepine. Everything had been going so well. He should have explained it all to Ronan from the beginning.

Ronan accepted his wolf and accepted the Pack, and now he probably believed he was set up. He probably believed that everything, including the sex, was just a ruse to keep him here until Randall arrived. Lance ran his hand roughly through his hair and then proceeded to pound the steering wheel several times in his frustration over the sudden turn of events. His phone rang, breaking into his frenetic thoughts.

"I lost him, Alpha," Dean stated breathlessly.

"What?!" Lance yelled into the receiver.

"He went for a walk and said he needed some alone time. I kept watch but let him get out of sight because I could smell him. I thought he was still nearby." Dean struggled to explain. "He hung his sweatshirt on a tree by the Manor, and the smell of him on it was strong. He's wearing flip-flops. He can't go very far. I'll find him, Alpha."

"Where did you lose him?" Lance needed to get his mind on the practical and focus if he hoped to see this through with the best possible outcome. Stay calm and focused; he told himself Ronan is reasonable and will listen. They had already begun their bond. He would trust him again, and he would understand.

"He left his shirt at the north edge of the drive about five hundred yards from the Manor."

"Start your search, and I will catch up."

"Yes, sir."