22. The Shortest Kidnapping in the History of Kidnapping

The first thing that crossed my mind when the lights flicked on was May Wilder is dressed like a ninja.
And she was, sort of. Her long raven hair was stuffed in a similarly black beanie, the lower half of her face covered by a handkerchief. She wore sweatpants, flats and a sweatshirt. Entirely in navy blue. The lanky tall man beside her was dressed the same.
They both pulled down their handkerchiefs and revealed their faces, but I'd already identified May the moment the door had been shut. Largely because of her perfume. The familiar lavender fragrance was a scent I'd always associated with warmth- except May's current expression was anything but warm. She looked very grim. The man, Fred Wilson- now that I could see his face- appeared nervous, fidgeting with the silver chain on his scrawny wrist.
To the general public, Fred was more commonly known as the Goth Mechanic because of his eccentric wardrobe choice and the dark makeup he was never seen without- despite being well past the 'rebellious age' and now a working mechanic. Even tonight his gray eyes were rimmed with black eye shadow, his thin lips extremely pale, like all the blood there was being choked back by his lip piercing. Strands of red hair that had escaped his beanie brushed against the choker around his neck, curling on the fabric like flickering flames trying to catch fire. His towering figure only made him stand out even more but Fred's personality was at complete odds with how he dressed. I've never seen the man even remotely moody. He was all charged energy, could never keep still. Especially when he was nervous, which he appeared to be now from the way he kept tapping his fingers on his thigh.
I had to fight not to do some fidgeting of my own. First of all, May wasn't even supposed to be here, she and Theo were no longer in charge of the pack. From now on they would be neutral members living a fair distance away from the center of power but a part of every activity- save this one. Their lack of presence tonight was a way of saying they trusted Kane to take care of the pack- now and indefinitely. Her being here questions that statement.
Besides that, I didn't like the way May was staring at me, the kind hearted woman I knew never stared at anyone like that before. Was she angry that I was Kane's mate or that I'd rejected him? Did she pull me in here to dispose of the thorn in her son's side? I glanced at Fred again, he wasn't in the least bit brawny but that didn't make him any less of a threat. If both of them came at me I don't know what I was going to do. I studied the room. Small space, empty but clean. The walls were polished wood, the floor dark marble. There were two exits, the door I came through and a medium sized window. It was either defend myself or run. I bit my lip, trying to think fast.
The decision was made for me.
May gasped, her eyes on my dress. In a flash, grimness was quickly replaced by excitement. "You're wearing a dress!" She exclaimed.
"Y- yeah," I stuttered out, caught off guard by the sudden change in mood. I was certain she was getting ready to terminate me a moment ago. "Aster gave it to me."
Her expression changed again, this time growing glum. "You never agreed to go shopping with me," she said sullenly. "I suppose I deserved the cold shoulder, considering what my son was doing to you."
Hmm, no murderous intent in her tone, only... Regret? Yes, it was there, taut and bleak on her face. I felt my shoulder sag with relief.
"It's not your fault," I said with an embarrassed shrug, suddenly feeling ashamed of my earlier suspicions.
"It is," May bit off, blinking rapidly at suddenly glistening eyes. "I assumed Kane was infatuated with you, only chasing away curious males with the constant glowering. But it wasn't just that, was it?"
"Well-"
"I heard rumors but I'd foolishly waved them off. Your reaction in the library..." May swallowed hard. She stepped forwards, took my gloved hands in her own. "You'd think me of all people would see the signs of abuse." Her smile was wan. "I was so embarrassed I couldn't face you. I know an apology is inadequate but I'm so sorry for not noticing sooner."
I blinked at the pretty woman. She just apologized. Something Alpha Douchebag hadn't even done. Wow.
She straightened her back. "You don't have to worry any longer, I'll take care of everything."
I raised my brows. "You're going to take care of Kane?"
She shook her head, the beanie stretching back a few inches. "I'm going to kidnap you."
"Just for the record," Fred called, raising a hand. "I've told her this is a bad idea. Repeatedly."
"Shut up, Freddie," May said absently, ruffling through a messenger bag. She produced two passports and held them up for me to see. "These are for us, we can go anywhere you want. I was thinking Paris as a first stop but I'm willing to negotiate. What do you say? Let me kidnap you?"
I could only stare. Just when I was beginning to think I was going to have a peaceful, albeit lonely- but keyword being peaceful here- night. Now this of all things. Why was everyone trying to whisk me away lately? First Alpha Caldwell and now May Wilder. Ironic how they were both Kane's relatives.
I looked past the passports to May's blue eyes, wide and practically sparkling with hope. Refusing her offer point blank felt akin to kicking a puppy. I bit my lip, searching for the softest way to decline.
"You're not kidnapping my Ember."
Kane stood at the open doorway, hands in the pockets of his slacks. He might've as well been a ghost for all the noise he'd made while opening the door. I think he'd nearly given all three of us heart attacks and there he was, all calm arrogance, the very definition of temptation. Firm muscles were covered snugly in a crisp dark suit and the memory of my hands under his shirt, his rough fingers drawing my hand further up was overwhelming enough that I had to take a step back, as if to escape the image.
His cool eyes were on his mother. I wondered if it was Jett who'd alerted him.
Fred-who was the closest to the door- also edged away, much less discreetly. "Dude, it was totally May's idea. She made me bring Ember in here."
Those icy orbs turned on Fred. "You touched her?"
Fred hesitated, no doubt remembering what happened to the last person who had done the same thing. He jabbed a finger in May's direction. "She made me."
May gave the snitching wolf the stink eye, then turned the look on her son. "I don't need your permission, I'm kidnapping Ember."
"Not happening," Kane replied, the same moment Darius stumbled into the room.
"Who's kidnapping Ember?" He asked.
For someone who'd just gotten here he was pretty disheveled. His hair was a mess of flying blonde strands, the white collar of his shirt smeared with lipstick. Ten minutes and he was already into the party, I was both impressed and disgusted.
Kane leaned over, snatched the half empty bottle out of Darius' hand. He held it out of reach when his friend made a grab for it. "Fred."
Fred bristled. "Yes?"
Kane gave him the bottle. "Replace this with water. Sober him up," he said. "If he fights you, drown him."
Darius put a hand to his chest, attempting to look affronted. Fred looked immensely relieved. He grabbed Darius by the shoulder and began steering him away.
Darius went along willingly enough, singing, "Somebody saaaaave me," on his way out.
I was certain those were the opening lyrics to Smallville's theme song.
"That boy needs help," May frowned.
Kane folded his arms, the posture both relaxed and threatening somehow. "Are you trying to interfere with my pack, Mom?"
May's rosy lips pressed into a thin line. "You let the faerie and hybrid interfere. Bringing outsiders into pack matters isn't going to win you any points with everyone. Most certainly that hybrid-"
"Jett is my second," Kane said curtly.
News to me. So that's why Jett said Kane wasn't paying him. The alpha's second was the next most influential and dominant werewolf in a pack, followed by the third. Being second wasn't easy, it took an iron will to keep the position. Jett hadn't used any dominance over me but I had a feeling he could claim the title easily- the only problem? He wasn't completely werewolf. Packs weren't very welcoming of mixed breeds, even when they were so uncommon. Having one at the top of pack hierarchy was bound to start an uproar or some form of protest against the alpha. Kane was going to have a load of trouble headed his way when he announced this.
I'd always assumed he'd choose Darius as his second.
May opened her mouth but Kane cut her off. "Any problems you have with my second, you can present them to the man himself."
May winced. "I have nothing against him and I didn't come here to argue over who you appoint as what."
"Does Dad know where you are?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"The both of you are so content with keeping me in the dark about everything." May said in a tone that could cut steel. "I saw no reason why I should tell your father where I was going."
"In other words you ran away," Kane drawled.
She glared, he remained stoic.
I cringed. I really shouldn't be listening to this.
"You can't turn the tables on me. I will not let you hurt this innocent girl any longer," May growled.
Kane glanced at me. "That innocent girl socked me one in the jaw an hour ago."
May tilted her head as if she hadn't heard right. "Ember hit you?"
"Pretty hard. She doesn't need your help, but maybe you'd believe me if she said so herself."
May whirled around, grasped my hands again. "Never mind him, what do you want to do, sweetie?"
"I'll stay. I can handle myself." I paused. "Thanks though," I added.
Her brows drew together. "Did he hurt you?"
Yes. "I can handle myself," I repeated, firmly.
She studied my face for what felt like eternity. "I hope so," she said finally.
I didn't know how to respond to that so I just nodded.
She sighed. Then she was enveloping me in flowery scented hug, brushing a kiss to my cheek. "You're welcome to seek me out anytime. Take care."
She walked out, came to a halt at the doorway to glower at her son. "I'd always feared you'd end up like your uncle with all those visits. I guess those fears have been realized."
She got no response from him and after a moment she stormed out with a huff.
Kane's gaze settled on me. I watched him. He watched me back.
I raised my chin. "What's wrong, fresh out of tactics to ensnare my heart?"
He seemed to consider this. "Which one was the closest to working?"
I crossed my arms, saw his eyes slant to my chest. There was interest there, and a sort of possessiveness that scared me. I spoke without thinking, anything to shift his attention.
"The smile. In the infirmary," I said, surprised at how steady my voice came out.
It worked. He regarded me curiously, not speaking for a long time. Then, "The first time we met," he said, "if I'd done things properly, would you have loved me?"
My eyes widened, my arms fell to their sides. He continued to stare at me intently. I looked away, forced my voice to harden. "No."
An obvious lie. We both knew that. He'd call me out on it, force the truth out of my lying mouth.
"It was a good punch." He said instead, stepping backwards. "It's nice to know you're not afraid of me anymore."
I started at the remark but he was moving. Already gone, just like a ghost.