Cernunnos - 40. Chapter 40

They were woken up by Shea’s phone, but only when his mate flung the covers did Cyn know something was serious. “Sheamus? What time is it?”

“Just after midnight, pup. Hauser’s at Arric’s. He gave himself up.”

Hauser? The charcoal wolf? Understanding Shea’s seriousness, Cyn scrambled out of the bed and found his pants from last night. “He gave up? Is… he there too?”

Shea shook his head as it popped out from a hoodie, “No. One of the alpha’s guards called and said it was just him. Arric’s waiting until I get there, same with Kara and Jaime. I’m calling Shelly.”

Cyn buttoned his jeans and shivered, “You want me there?”

“I’m not leaving your side.” The wolf lowered the phone and caressed Cyn’s cheek, “Nothing will happen to you, I swear.”

He smiled, knowing Shea’s words were true. He’ll protect me. But why did the wolf go to the alpha’s home?

Fully dressed, they took off to Arric’s. He noticed they were going faster than ever in the car. It almost made Cyn nervous, but he had faith in the wolf. On the way, Shea called Shelly, informing her and her finest team to be on standby. Entering the driveway, Shea slowed down and lowered the window, “It’s Shea. The Turbins are on the way too. Is the manor surrounded?” A distant bark could be heard in response. “Good, we’re going in.” He continued driving towards the front door.

As he stepped out of the car, Cyn looked at Shea. He’s mad. I don’t think that’s smart. “Sheamus?”

“It’s okay, we’ll take care of this.” The wolf was expressionless, but as usual, he held Cyn’s hand.

“Wait,” Cyn whispered. Pulling on Shea’s hand, he captured his attention, “You’re angry.”

Shea snarled, “One of your attackers is in that building.”

Swallowing, Cyn gripped harder, “I know, but he gave in. He… submitted. Isn’t that important?”

The wolf blinked several times before exhaling, “You’re right, but I can’t rule out this being a trap for Eike to show up.”

“I don’t think it is.” Searching his instincts, Cyn smiled meagerly, “It doesn’t feel like I’m in danger. My buck would tell me so. I know what he’s done, but… can we listen to him first?”

The internal struggle was obvious. Shea’s lips were hiding gritted teeth, and his brow was low. He doesn’t like the idea.

“Alright, but I’m following Arric’s lead on this. It’s taking a lot to stop myself from going in there to kill him.” Shea stooped and lightly kissed him before softly speaking, “Anything for you, my mate.”

They walked hand-in-hand to the door. It opened and an unfamiliar lycan stood there, baring his neck, “Enforcer Farren. He’s inside. Alpha Claude has ‘im at gunpoint.” His gaze flicked to Cyn, “I’m not sure bringing him here is smart. Hauser’s already admitted to the Green Bay murders.”

Cyn’s breath caught. He killed the rabbit! The resolve to see the light in the captive started to fade. Is this why he came here? “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Cyn.”

The lycan met the deer’s outstretched hand, “Hendricks. I didn’t mean to belittle you by saying that; I just don’t want Hauser pulling a fast one.”

“I understand, but I’ll be at Sheamus’ side.”

Hendricks nodded and made room for the couple to enter. Walking in, Cyn saw Arric with a gun in his hand, and it was pointed at a man kneeling. The man had blond and parted hair. Light scruff grew along the jawline and was clearly untrimmed. Before he could get a better look, Shea’s body covered his sight, “Alpha Claude.”

"You brought… never mind. There's a pistol in the closet."

"Don't need it."

Arric nodded before redirecting his attention to Hauser, "What was the play here? Come and surrender while Eike worked from the shadows?"

Hauser barely shook his head, "N-no. He went to hunt before I ran. I…" His voice was shaky and laced with fear, "I couldn't take it anymore."

The front door opened, forcing Shea to swivel directions. As Cyn turned, his vision was blocked once more. He inhaled, capturing the new scents. Kara and Jaime.

"Are… are you…?" He craned his head back to the hostage, who was barely looking at him through the corner of his sad eyes, "I'm… sorry."

"Shut the fuck up!" Shea's voice roared in the room. "You don't get to apologize!" The delta advanced with a raised arm, ready to swing.

Hauser whimpered and sheltered his head with his arms.

"Sheamus, stop!" It was the first time Cyn raised his voice against his mate, but his instincts were in overdrive.

As ordered, Shea stood frozen. "Pup… this man—"

"I know, but look at him." All eyes landed on Hauser's pitiful stance, then the puddle under him. "He's frightened."

Arric lowered his shotgun, "Cyn, what does your deer say?"

Trembling, he knew the answer, but didn't know how to word it. He's like me. Me… from so long ago. "He's… prey."

The alpha cocked an eyebrow, "You're going to need to explain that one."

Cyn couldn't. He cautiously stepped forward, but Shea's hand latched onto his arm, "It's okay. He can't hurt me."

"Cyn." His wolf's tone was almost a growl.

Furrowing his brow, Cyn placed his hand on Shea's, "Sheamus, did you see him flinch?" He watched his mate pay attention to Hauser's fearful state. "If you scare him more, he'll go feral and attack."

Cyn persisted and knelt closer to Hauser, "To answer your question… yes. I'm the cernunnos from the forest. The one… you chased."

The bothered lycan's breath shot out of him, "I'm sorry! I… I know what I did. I-I can't take it back."

He had never seen a wolf act in such a way. To be frightened like this. Was I like this? No, I don't think so. Inching closer, Hauser looked at him briefly. Staring at the watery eyes, Cyn didn't see him as one of the wolves that attacked him and his herd. "What can't you take back?"

Sniveling, the lycan kept his eyes on the floor and his puddle," I… can't wash out the blood. It's stuck to my teeth. The rabbit… I can still hear her final scream.”

With his stomach rolling, Cyn grimaced and gazed at Arric, “My deer says his fear is true. He is sorry.”

“I can see that.” The alpha’s coldly stared at Hauser, “What shall we do with you? You’ve admitted to two murders in an allied pack’s territory, but there is obvious psychological deterioration. Wouldn’t you say, Jaime?”

At the mention of his name, Jaime stepped forward, “Yes, Alpha. This isn’t the same man from before this incident, or even when he came to the hospital when Cyn was admitted.”

Arric’s jaw moved from side to side, “As alpha, I must pass judgement. Hauser, I find you guilty for the attempted murder of a cernunnos. However, your admission of the Green Bay murders take precedence, so I need to transfer you to Alpha Rogier’s territory.

“But I will be heavily suggesting treatment and rehabilitation. You had a sudden attack of morality and came to your senses.” The alpha knelt to Hauser’s eye-level. When the scared wolf looked away, Arric reached and grasped the shaking shoulder, “What I need now is your loyalty. Where did you and Eike set up camp for the evening?”

Hauser stuttered, “He-he’ll kill me!”

“Answer this now, and we’ll make sure you never see him again. Eike can be in the ground by sunrise.”

Quivering, the captive’s eyes darted to everyone in attendance. Finally, they landed on Cyn. The deer whispered, “Trust our alpha. Him and Sheamus protected me, so they can do the same for you.”

Arric, Cyn, and Hauser remained in their knelt positions for a valuable minute in silence.

“Quarter-mile south of Butzke Lake.”

The alpha rose in a flash and began pointing fingers, “Volin, mobilize Shelly’s team. Petrie, you and Bryn escort Hauser to the jail. Hendricks, notify Wendel and Kaminsky. Tell them Boe’s team is on the way… and we’re going too. Shea, Turbins, you’re with me.” He swiftly turned to the front door.

Cyn looked helplessly to Shea, but before either could mutter a word, Arric’s voice distracted them, “Cyn, let’s go! You’re with us.”

***

Flying down County Road SS, Cyn had one hand on the door handle and the other on Shea’s knee, both clutching for dear life. His heart was pounding as Arric continued to disobey every passing speed limit sign. I thought Sheamus said you should abide by those!

“Relax, pup.” The only constant during the ride was his mate’s whispered words, “Arric’s an expert driver. Or are you nervous about… him?”

Him. The silver wolf. His breathing quickened and head bobbed. With his eyelids clenched shut, he felt his left leg burning once again.

No. No! He relinquished his grips and balled his fists. “I’m not nervous. Just stopping myself.”

Shea leaned in, “From what?”

“From bringing back memories.” Absent-mindedly, Cyn rubbed his left thigh. After a few seconds, a warm hand landed over his. “I’m done remembering that day.”

His mate whispered, “I wouldn’t make that promise, pup. I’ll never forget carrying you to my car and taking you to the hospital. And I certainly can’t forget the man I mated with.”

Feeling Shea’s nose nuzzle his neck, Cyn’s thoughts of Eike faded. He’s right. If I wasn't attacked, I wouldn’t have met Sheamus. Is this fate? In order to find him, I had to go through hell?

A bump in the road nearly sent the buck out of the seatbelt. The view from the windshield showed they had pulled to the side of the road, “We’re going on foot from here. Get shifted everyone. Same formation as our last mission together; Kara and Cyn up front, Shea with me in the back. Jaime, circle us. No need for you to be by yourself.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The four immediately abided by the instruction.

“Shelly’s team should already be out there, and the SFBI agents won’t be far behind us. Boe started from County Road G and planned on infiltrating from the east. We’re coming from the north and Wendel sent agents from the west. Let’s move out!”

There wasn’t need for any more than one backpack, which was strapped to Cyn. Shea and Arric agreed that the wolves should be ready for a fight. The deer’s bag only carried the group’s clothing, so it would be light for a lengthy journey or if an escape was needed. His mate gave him explicit instruction. At the first sign of Eike, take off towards the car. If he’s still chasing, keep going to the alpha’s house.

The orders were simple, and Cyn took them as if Arric were a head buck. He’s more direct about it, but it’s very similar. Head bucks almost never gave direction, but answered to the herd’s suggestions regularly. Arric is smarter than any of the leaders I was under. Cyn didn’t like the thought of leaving Shea behind, but the delta promised safety.

They ran at a speedy pace; not quite sprinting, but there was a sense of urgency. The two mile trek went by with no rest. Passing Butzke Lake, they slowed and focused on their surroundings. They didn’t want to approach too fast and out of breath.

Kara snorted, forcing the group to halt. She trotted to the south-east, claiming she smelled smoke. Sniffing, Cyn barely caught the odor. It’s faint, but I wasn’t thinking about a fire. Cautiously, they closed in on the source. Entering the remnants of a camp, Shea directed the squad toward the west. He caught Eike’s scent.

The smell grew stronger, but peaked at a creek. After traveling north and finding a way across, Cyn and Shea struggled to maintain the proper path Eike had taken. Did he go in the water? It would cleanse his scent, but it’s freezing out here! He couldn’t have gotten far.

Following the faint trail, the group became concerned when they crossed into farmland. Eike had been there. Further in, there were buildings across a road; a rural town hall and a tiny bar. The hall had no vehicles parked, but the bar seemed to be bustling at the early morning hour with nearly a dozen vehicles.

Kara and Jaime shifted and took their clothes from Cyn’s backpack. As Kara shouldered her jacket, she whispered to her alpha, “We’ll go in and check.” Arric nodded and watched the Turbins race across the road from the treeline.

Cyn couldn’t help but notice the lycans’ tenseness. He nudged Shea’s muzzle with his nose, worried for his mate. Shea mimicked the motion, only to stare at the building once again. He’s dedicated. I know Kara and Jaime can handle themselves, but should I be like Sheamus and watch? His thoughts were quieted as Shea and Arric lifted their heads.

Kara and Jaime came out of the bar and rushed back to them. Jaime’s head hung low, “He’s been there. Bribed the owner to have his truck parked there with a big wad of cash. About an hour ago, the owner noticed it missing.”

Arric snarled. Eike was long gone.