Chapter 9

Conrad

Conrad lay on the dirty little mattress in an old falling down farmhouse trying to figure out where he went wrong. The original plan had been easy enough, woo her and mate. She had expressed no interest in him whatsoever which had severely damaged his pride and made it even more urgent that he have her. His father had been seriously disappointed when he had called just after he met her to share his lack of headway in the matter.

"She doesn't like me, Dad and she only agreed to go to dinner because I told her I wanted to discuss the business then asked her if she wanted our business."

"You use whatever works, because you've got a lot going for you and you just need the chance to show her. The females around here are all crazy about you. Maybe she's just playing hard to get?"

It was true, he'd been chased by local females since he could walk. All of them wanted the next alpha, but all of them were born wolves and being the mate of the leader, the strongest wolf in the territory, meant something to them. To a newly turned human, apparently, it meant nothing. Her disinterest had been complete, not even a glimmer had shown in her eyes. His pride had been beaten down and he had made the mistake of thinking if he had her, by fair means or foul, it would restore his maleness in some mysterious way. He could see now that he'd been the biggest sort of fool and it hadn't stopped there. Everything he had tried after that had been a fool's errand. Why hadn't he just let her go and looked for someone more interested in him?

His sensitive nose, and it was more sensitive than most, was shrieking at him. The horrible smells around him were bad, but the odor of the blood wolves when they came near were worse. The insanity peeking from their eyes worried him too. He had told Chief not to send them if he wanted Joey alive. They were as likely to use her as a chew toy as they were to bring her back unharmed. Chief had laughed and said that either way worked for him. What the hell did that even mean? Did he want her or not?

Now that he reflected on it, he could see that Chief was as crazy as the blood wolves, but he was evil on top of it. Chief had sent him to this filthy place knowing that his nose was sensitive, and he was particular about cleanliness. He couldn't abide by slovenliness, and he was an organized, clean, and well-groomed wolf. There was nothing wrong with that. Mean old Chief had taken that away from him by making him lie on a filthy mattress and only allowing him to bathe once a week. It was evil, just plain evil.

He called his father again just to hear his voice. His dad had always been the safety net in his life, and he felt lost without him. It made him realize that maybe he had relied on him too much and he needed to develop some skills for saving himself in this dog eat dog world. It was a sad realization, but maybe it was time to grow up and grow a spine. Conrad started tracking the blood wolf guards looking for signs of weakness in their schedule. The one that terrified him the most was Trent. That wolf was smart, tough, and barely held under the blood's spell.

When he looked in his eyes, intelligence looked back. These other blood wolves were little more than beasts. They fought and played with each other like natural youngling wolves in the wild. The blood seemed to mute their ability to think, taking them down to the most primitive level imaginable. Of all of them, only Trent could speak. The rest grunted, growled, and snarled with an occasional howl during an extreme crisis. When they fought and became angry, one would usually die. He had seen it more than once and the body was simply dragged off out of sight, but not always out of smell.

Eventually he knew, he would make an attempt even if it failed because he couldn't adjust to living here. It was like a pigsty and the bad odors warred with each other for supremacy. None of the surfaces were clean, not even the ceiling which had bloodstains on it. The food they brought him was horrible and sometimes he found teeth marks were a guard had taken a taste. Guards were generally blood wolves, but the ones that brought food weren't. They were the only beings he saw, besides Chief, that weren't blood wolves. Even the food guards, as he called them, barely tolerated him.

While he was close to making his break, he was waiting to see Trent. The wolf had gone to do a task for Chief yesterday and wasn't back yet. Conrad couldn't make a move for fear Trent would wander back in during his prison break. Trent would take him down right away and all would be lost. The odds of a successful break were bad, but without knowing where Trent was, they were less than none. Deeply depressed as he lay in bed just waiting for a chance of freedom that might never come. Pulling out his phone, it was the only thing he was allowed that was his. He even had a charger and was allowed to keep it plugged in, so his phone was always ready to be used. Never had he felt so lost, he dialed his dad's number automatically without a thought.

Conrad heard his father's voice on the other end and almost cried. He was so strong and smart. If anyone could help him, it would be his father. Nothing had gone right and nothing about this whole plan ever would. Now he needed a way out, a way to show he had been misguided to meet Chief, but Chief had taken advantage of him making him help when he had only wanted to go home. Would he seem weak to the council and his father? Damn straight, but better weak that psychotic or dead. If he could just escape Chief, he might get some form of his life back. One thing this had shown him was he didn't want to be a leader. He hoped he could find a nice she-wolf, settle down, and have a son that would be what his father wanted and make him truly proud.

If the council had any idea how terrified he was, they would think him too pitiful to help. He had to hide the pure immeasurable terror Chief brought out in him with just a look and he could, and he would do just that with his father's help. His dad had always been his hero, he was the strongest, most capable wolf he knew.

The main problem with that dreamy scenario of finding a sweet she-wolf to mate him later was that his father had decided Conrad would mate a white wolf. That particular bloodline wouldn't have any she-wolves interested in him. Chief had given him a lot of information on the behavior of those kind of wolves and they wouldn't want him. They were drawn to stronger sterner stuff than he was made of. His dad would plot and plan, but to no avail because short of abduction and forced mating, it wouldn't work.

He himself had learned a bit about abduction and forced mating and he no longer considered it an option. Too much thinking was making his head hurt. But he would make a plan with his father's help and then he would find a way to escape. It wouldn't be easy, but Chief scared him enough to make him willing to try. When he wondered why Chief had left him his cell phone, he thought maybe he wanted him to get away so he wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. It was clear to Conrad that Chief was disgusted with him. The next step would be killing him, Conrad was sure of it. Right now, all Conrad knew for certain was it sucked to be him.

"Dad is that you?" he asked even though he had recognized his voice.

"Conrad, I'm worried about you. It's time to come home and forget about the female. You're more important to me than any plan's success. I know I've never told you and I'll deny telling you now, but I love you, son."

Warmth flooded through Conrad. His father loved him even though he was imperfect and barely counted as an alpha wolf. His father's love was all he had ever really wanted. This would save him from having to lie to his father and pretend to want a white wolf. The relief running through him was palpable.

"Dad, I'm in a real mess. Chief, the guy who said he'd help me, has been sending blood wolves after Joey. I'm virtually a prisoner and even if I escape the council will hunt me. I'm trying to escape, but Trent has been turned and he's due back anytime. I don't know what to do."

"I can help you and I'll talk to the council for you, but you will have to tell them anything you know. I heard about Trent. His dad told me, but they didn't mention your possible involvement. Trent was captured by the council, well by Joey actually for the council, so don't worry about him. Get out whenever you can, soonest is best."

"Dad?"

"Yes, Son?"

"I love you too."

"I never doubted it."

As they both hung up, Conrad could hear the catch in his dad's voice. He wasn't sure why he had never realized it before, but he meant a lot to his dad. That made him feel a little better about his situation knowing his dad would do whatever he could and that he wouldn't disown him. It was a very real concern for a son that let his father down in the werewolf world. He would leave his dad to worry about everything, but his escape. That, he would attempt tonight when the fewest guards were on duty. The fact that Trent was gone, was a relief. If Chief stayed away, everything should work out fine.

His stomach rumbled that was nothing new. Chief kept him underfed, probably on purpose. At least he had access to a hose even if it was filthy. It gave him unlimited water for bathing and drinking, if he could stand to bathe in the ice cold water, which he couldn't. There were a few more hours before he could leave. The door was open, always, but the blood wolves growled whenever he neared the door. They would be harder to get around than the door would have been. He went over the plan in his mind trying to think about any obstacle he might run into. Once he made it past the building, he could morph and run as his wolf.

When he had come here the first time with Chief, he had noticed a stream that ran nearby. He could use that to help make it harder for them to track him. The last feeding of the day would come soon, and no one really checked on him or brought him anything once that was done. Since the room smelled so strongly of him, he hoped they wouldn't even notice he was gone. His clothing was in poor shape, and he considered leaving it behind. That was probably a decision he would make at the last minute. It might be better to be half-dressed than wearing such dirty clothing. The rest was negotiable, but he would keep his underwear for sure.

He was far out in a wooded area and it would take days if he went on foot, even as a wolf, to get where he could be picked up. Once he thought about Chief hate surged through him. That was someone he would kill if he had the chance and that was something Conrad would have sworn, he never wanted to do. As he licked his chapped lips, the air was very dry in here, his skin was broke out or chapped much of the time. He knew he looked awful, and it just pissed him off even more. Not even sure what Chief wanted from him or from the white wolves, Conrad might not get revenge himself, but he hoped those white wolves tore Chief a new one. The thought made him smile, but that hurt his face. Damn Chief to hell and back.

He moved to the hose to take a long, deep drink. When he didn't see any of the blood wolves as the time for supper came around, he hoped for the best. They slid his tray in through the doorway across the floor. No surprise, a bite had been taken out of it again. It gave him some satisfaction to think that once he escaped, the council would send back soldiers to take this place down. They wouldn't do this to another innocent wolf. The fact that he wasn't completely innocent escaped him as he plotted the downfall of his enemies. As he chewed on the food it was just so no one would notice a difference in his behavior. Now he would wait, but not too long.

Now he saw the blood wolves moving around looking for any uneaten food that had been dropped or not yet finished. Two converged on his room so he threw the leftover meat out the door, and he could hear them in the hallway locked in mortal combat. One of them would loose and probably die over a poor quality cut of steak. How sad was that? The snarls, growls, and finally a howl of victory he could hear as one blood wolf beat the other winning the questionable prize. He listened more carefully now, because once they cleared out, he would run. This wouldn't be a typical run made by a wolf for the usual reasons. This would be a run for his life, a run he would put every bit of energy available to him, every breath, and every beat of his heart into. Knowing he would live or die based on the outcome of today made his race against time.

The sounds had quieted, and he couldn't smell anything or anyone near the hallway. He moved along the wall with his senses reaching out for the slightest scent, feel, sound, or sight of any adversary that might attack him. It seemed like endless minutes though it was probably seconds before he hit the end of the hall. He'd have to go out the front of the old farmhouse because the food guards hung out in the kitchen eating their own meal once the prisoners and blood wolves were fed. The blood wolves often went to lay down in the back yard to sleep after feeding.

With any luck, that left the front door unlocked and usable for anyone. He wondered about the other prisoners he had heard, but if he tried to save them and failed, they would all die. Everyone's best chance was with him bringing council soldier's back to free them and capture the guards and blood wolves on the premises. He hoped the council had a lot of tough soldiers because those blood wolves kicked ass.

As he made it to the end of the hallway which ended at the top of the stairs, he took them one step at a time and eased his weight on the step. Each one he managed without a sound made him feel more confident. It couldn't last, but when the fifth step creaked, he thought he would die of a heart attack on the spot. He paused, waiting to take any more chances. Holding his breath until his face turned blue, he couldn't keep holding it nor could he keep standing on the step forever. He moved to the next step silently. Two more gave him no trouble, but then he hit another creaky step and he froze, instantly expanding his senses terrified they would come for him, but they didn't.

Now he finally made it to the last step with great relief. He stepped down to the floor with confidence only to find the floor was soft there and it made an odd noise of its own. Conrad knew he had to move, he was out in the open and anyone could come by. So, he moved carefully, but quickly through the living room sliding the door open with caution. Then he turned and closed it with equal care before he jumped off the porch and morphed as he went through the air. Done with careful and slow, he ran with a speed that only panic could give him.

His nose picked up the stream that he had seen when he had arrived at this goddess forsaken place and he jumped in without hesitation. He was so dirty, he didn't mind the thought of being washed clean as he half swam, half floated downstream and while the water was cold enough to numb him, he stayed in it hoping to make good time and to lose the blood wolves he knew would soon give chase. So far, he heard no sounds of pursuit, but that could change at any time.

The forest was eerily quiet, but he was glad since he would hear anyone or anything that followed. Feeling cleaner and freer than he'd felt in weeks, he hoped Chief would have a coronary from the shock of finding him missing. The thought warmed him, but the cold was getting to be too much. He exited the stream and ran as fast as he could. It wasn't easy since this part of the forest was thick with underbrush. Briars caught at him, vines tried to trip him, and low hanging branches smacked him in the head, but he just ran faster. When he fell in a hole, it was shallow, and he jumped out so he could keep moving. There were no sounds of pursuit which he hoped meant they'd headed the other way. His fur was ratted and covered with parts of various woodland plants and his paws were covered with mud. He wanted some water, and he could use some food too but found none as he searched for a path or any sign of civilization.

Only one thing that was positive at this point was the lack of sounds of pursuit. They either hadn't missed him, or they didn't care that he was gone. Still, he was exhausted, but his body had warmed up from his trip through the stream. He was thirsty again since it had been an hour or more since he had drank water and his stomach was beginning to crave some food. Should he take the time to rest? Should he deviate from his path for water? To hunt food? Knowing he would have to eat and drink before long and without rest, he would rest soon rather than collapse.

He decided to move forward and scent for prey and water. If he found something close, he would go after it. Rest, he would consider once he dealt with thirst and hunger. The miles blended together, and it seemed like forever before he smelled water. It wasn't running water so it wouldn't taste so good, but it would keep him alive. He burst out of the trees and a rabbit ran right into him in its terrified headlong rush. Maybe his luck was changing, and he thanked the goddess for her gift as he twisted the head off his prey and ate quickly not taking the time he usually did to keep the blood off him. A long cool drink, and then another and it was time to go.

His paws hurt and he had a stitch in his side from his long trek at such a fast run. He had noticed no signs of pursuit and that calmed him, but he was completely lost, and he knew it could be days before he made it out of the forest. His thought was he was in some kind of state or national forest, but he wasn't sure, and it didn't really matter. If only he could find a hiker or a camper that he could get directions from if they didn't run screaming at the sight of him. He pulled in a deep breath for the thousandth time hoping beyond hope that there would be something helpful nearby.

There was something different this time as he adjusted his direction slightly to the left, he hoped this was worth the trouble because it was too faint to identify. An hour later, wood smoke added to the faint scent of food which was what he'd picked up on early. The wind had carried it to him, so he had no idea how far away it was. This smoke burned his eyes and he hoped he didn't end up running from an inadvertently started forest fire. They were using accelerant, which was not only unnecessary, but would flavor their food if they used the fire to cook with. It was clear he wasn't dealing with Boy Scouts or any of the dozens of camping groups that would know better. He was stuck with newbies who might get them all killed.

His stomach was roaring for food as soon as he smelled the hamburgers and hotdogs they had started cooking. It was almost like torture smelling those delicious scents and the smell grew stronger as he closed in. Steak! They had added steak to what they were cooking. He was so close now, he knew he better figure out a good lie to tell them about why he was lost in the woods in raggedy clothes, hungry, thirsty, and filthy.

He broke into a clearing, and he could see a group of children and adults around a fire. They were talking and the kids sat in little chairs eating their hotdogs and chips. They turned, almost as one, when he came into view. One of the bigger men stepped forward to block his access to the others. The group protector, Conrad assumed.

"Sorry to interrupt you," he said his voice raspy from his dry throat. "I've had a really bad couple of days. My friends got me drunk and abandoned me out here as some kind of initiation to a frat house I wanted to join. I've been wandering around out here with no food and less than the cleanest water. The only thing keeping me going is the thought of what I'll do once I get a hold of those guys."

The guy just stood there looking at him suspiciously, but a very pretty female pushed her way around him. "Damn it, Glen. We need to help the guy out. Isn't there some kind of camper's code?" She moved forward getting a good look at him. "Oh, my! You poor thing. Those friends of yours deserve whatever you do to them. Let's get you cleaned up and find you something to wear. We have one of those portable shower things too." She motioned for him to follow, and he was glad she was there because Glen wouldn't have helped him.

She led him to a collapsible shower set up that had a collapsible tank of water. They had a generator that ran the water heater, but the shower head was run by gravity. The device held two gallons at a time. He stepped behind the curtain and stripped off his clothes then he wet himself down from head to toe, turned off the water so he could soap himself up. Conrad rinsed off enjoying the feel of the water and the clean feeling as the dirt and grime washed away. Now that he was clean, he realized he had nothing to wear.

"Hey, I didn't get your name," the girl that was helping him said.

"Conrad."

"I'm Liv. I've found you something to wear. I'll leave it here and keep everyone away, so you'll have privacy."

"Thank you," Conrad said, and he meant it. Some humans were alright.

He looked at the pile of clothes she had left him. The jeans were old and faded, but clean. There was no underwear, so he slipped the jeans on first. They were a tad loose, but not enough to fear they'd fall down. The T-shirt was from an old rock concert. He placed the towel over a limb so it would dry then he walked over toward the campfire where everyone was congregated.

It helped his poor battered ego that all the females were staring at him like he was fresh meat. Finally, he was around some women that could appreciate an alpha wolf. He felt tougher and stronger than he had before. One of the females, the one that had helped him with Glen, hooked her arm in his and led him to the fire. The other ladies shot poisonous looks at her, but she just smiled at them. She fixed him a plate, then brought him a drink. He gave her one of his legendary smiles and he thought she might melt. It was damn good to feel appreciated once more.

Once he was through eating, she came over and sat by him. "How do we get you home now?"

"I still have my cell phone, but it won't work in this forest."

"I have a booster. I work for law enforcement," she explained.

"Which branch?"

"If I told you…" she said with a laugh. She was very pretty, but too human. He didn't want to hurt this girl, he liked her. If she were wolf, he would have taken her for a test drive. There was just something about the girl he couldn't quite put his finger on. It appealed to him more than any female he knew. Too bad.

She left and came back with a device he'd never seen. Liv hooked his phone up through it and he dialed his dad. "Dad, I need you to pick me up."

"Where are you?" his dad asked. He looked up at her questioningly and she gave him some instructions and their GPS coordinates, which he passed on to his dad.

"I'll have someone there for you soon. It'll be alright, Son."

"Thanks, Dad, for everything." While he was feeling more like his old self, he thought he had learned some valuable lessons. One was appreciating the people in his life more, especially the ones he knew he could count on, and he would show them that, too.

He hung up and she disconnected the phone. There was a time he would have tried to impress a female like her with who he was or what he did. Now he knew that it didn't really matter. Conrad was sure Chief had intended to kill him and who he was wouldn't have saved him. Once he admitted he had some growing up to do, he knew he needed to reevaluate his priorities and become a stronger, tougher, smarter wolf if he wanted to survive to give his father grandpups.

Life had thrown him a curve ball, but he didn't have to let that knock him out of the game. He could adjust and adapt, he would be a better wolf for it and make his dad proud. That, of course, was if the council didn't send him to prison for the stupid things he'd done.

Now he would just wait for his way out of here. He exchanged addresses with the girl, Liv, who had helped him. When he had watched the group, he realized she was the only one who would stand up to Glen like that. Lady luck had been on his side, but so had Liv and he intended to make it up to her. Glen shot her dirty looks, and he would give her grief for some time. She had told him that Glen was one of her partners in this secret law enforcement group she worked with. He knew that would make things hard on her at work.

A couple hours later, a whirring noise came from overhead. Conrad wondered whose chopper was flying overhead. He found out quickly it was here for him. The pilot praised him saying he had found the only clearing in fifty miles that a chopper could land, but he had admitted it had been dumb luck. The pilot seemed to think he was being modest, even though he wasn't.

Liv gave him a hug and well wishes. That was a girl he was glad to have on his side. Once he hopped up into the chopper, he sat down and put on his belts. While he enjoyed flying, and he was a competent pilot, he knew he would be back to his father much quicker this way. The helicopter rose slowly, and he kept his eyes on Liv until he could no longer make out her features. He felt his pocket where he had her contact information and thought it was weird as hell that he missed her.

The chopper was free of the trees and zoomed off toward their destination. It took him to the nearest airport where his dad and their private plane awaited him. His dad came toward him and gave him a hug. He couldn't remember the last time his dad had hugged him. Next, he led him back on their plane and they sat at the table, snapping their seat belts for the takeoff. Once they were airborne, his dad had his assistant fix them each a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

"I contacted Damon who seems to be involved in both Joey's troubles and hunting down Chief. He is willing to make a deal, but you must meet him and tell him everything you know. We're flying to Springfield right now and he'll meet us when we land. Once we talk to him, we'll head home and our part in all this will be done. I've not told your mother about this, she's too sensitive and it would cause her pain."

Conrad ignored the cake even though he had been carb deprived for weeks. The campers had just had meat and grilled vegetables, or at least that was all he had seen. He concentrated on what his father said.

"Agreed, Father, I'll not say anything to her. Where does she think I've been?"

"Out partying, isn't that what she'd expect?"

"Maybe, but I want to make a change and start building my career. I don't really want to be pack alpha, but I will start training more seriously for it in case I'm needed to be a place holder for my child and so that I can help my son when he takes over."

"Is there something you want to share with me?" his dad asked stunned.

He smiled sheepishly. "No, I don't have a son yet, but I'm ready to seriously find my mate, but I want to find my soul mate. If that's a white wolf, so be it." It was funny, but Liv popped into his mind. She wasn't even a wolf, but he couldn't deny his interest in her. He pushed it back in his mind for now. They were headed to Springfield where Damon waited for him. This conversation would decide his future if he even had one.

The flight was over quickly, and the plane landed. They just sat there waiting for Damon to show up. Conrad wasn't sure if he wanted the peace while waiting to calm his shattered mind or if he wanted to get this over with to see where he stood. Both had their value, but it was decided for him when his dad's assistant announced Damon's arrival.