Chapter 36 Bloodied Thumbs

*Edward Crowne*

The weather never wants to cooperate especially when you have important business to attend to. Flights to the East Coast were grounded pending further notice by the Federal Aviation Administration. It seemed like the world was going against me.

I called the men I had sent to find Daisy to see if they were having better luck than me.

"Sir Edward, the men say they lost her," I could hear the strain in his voice.

"What do you mean they lost her?" I can't really understand why would anyone fail at something if that something was the only thing they were tasked to do.

"They said they were a couple of cars behind Daisy's minivan and then they had to stop at a highway patrol checkpoint before entering the freeway.The officer let the minivan through, but the snow picked up as soon as the minivan went through the tollway. Highway patrol closed the exit to the freeway and told everyone to head back to Portland."

"Was she with anyone?" I needed to know if Ethan was with her.

"My men did not see anyone with her that they know of. However, they did smell the faint scent of a wolf, but could not find the source of the scent." Now that was odd.

"Do you at least know where they are going?", I asked hoping I could get an exact location.

"The exit to the freeway is bound for Boston, but Sir, they can exit anywhere into Massachusetts or proceed anywhere else along the East Coast."

"With this storm happening, I doubt if they can go any further than Boston. I'll have my pilot go there once the FAA allows the resumption of flights in that area. Make sure you are at the airport to pick me up."

"Yes, Sir Edward. The men and I will be there to welcome you."

Where was Daisy going and why was she running, with a child I presume, in a blizzard, without anyone with her? It didn't make sense unless she was going to see Ethan. But I knew my son wouldn't allow her to drive in those conditions. He was a young Alpha with integrity and would not allow her to risk her life just for him.

Perhaps Ethan was in trouble? No, I would have heard from Harriet if that were the case. He would have called her first if he had an emergency.

I decided to call our butler. He was an old man, but had the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox. He knew what was happening in the household before any of us knew what was going on. I first heard of Daisy's relationship with the human from him, I just didn't expect that it had gone so far to the point of pregnancy.

"Sir Edward, how can I be of service?" You had to hand it to the old guy, he even knew how to work a smartphone.

"Patrick, has there been any news on Ethan that you may have heard of?"

"No, Sir, unless his Beta and some men running off in the middle of the night is news." I knew the old man knew something.

"Do you know where Colt could have gone?"

"No, Sir. But I did hear Kate say to tell Ethan that she misses him. I suspect she was conversing with Colt." Kate working with Ethan? But she was always on my side. How could this be possible?

"Thank you, Patrick. I know who I need to call. Please do continue watching over the household. I shall call again when I need information. Good night."

"I bid you a good night as well, Sir Edward."

The only way those goofballs could have flown out of Montana is through Ethan's Cessna. Both Ethan and Colt were licensed to fly and used that skill when they enlisted in the military.

When Ethan enlisted, I didn't approve. He didn't need to go to the military. Him? Patriotic? Please. He just wanted to leave all his responsibilities behind. Harriet had said he wanted to train further, to earn the right connections, to feel what brotherhood was all about. Brotherhood. Yeah, Colt used that "brotherhood" to work his way up to Beta. I wanted Ethan to take the son of my Beta to be his Beta, but Ethan had always disliked Boyd, who was a typical narcissistic ladies' man. I couldn't blame Ethan for his choice. I would have done the same thing.

I dialled the number of Lindsey who was Ethan's caretaker at the hangar. She probably had some information regarding Colt's destination.

"Sir Crowne, what can I do you for?" She sounded drunk.

"Lindsey, I was hoping you had some information on Colt's location. I heard he took the Cessna." I had to make it sound I knew what has been going on despite my absence.

"Nope, Sir Crowne, the Cessna's back at the hangar." She must be drunk.

"I received information from a reputable source that Colt took the Cessna. I want to know his destination," I growled with authority. Lindsey wasn't the type you can scare, but I was hoping she'd get a little frightened since I was her former Alpha.

"Sir Crowne, hate to break this to you, but the Cessna is at the hangar. Here, why don't you talk to Boyd. He'll tell you himself." I heard her call Boyd so I could talk to him. At least Boyd wouldn't lie to me.

"Sir Edward, Lindsey said you wanted to talk to me." Boyd sounded drunk too. "I'm a little tipsy. It's our Christmas Party." Figures.

"I want to know if Colt took Ethan's Cessna and if he did, where did they go?"

"Cessna is back at the hangar. I just finished putting in some new treads on the wheels. I don't know if Colt left the territory. I just saw him like last night. He said him and the boys were going to get some whitefish." No reason for this boy to lie. He hated Colt for stealing his position.

"Alright then. Thank you Boyd. Give back Lindsey's phone before you drop it." I hung up. Could they be driving to the East Coast? That means they aren't there yet and that means Ethan still doesn't have reinforcements. I smirk. There's still a bit of luck on my side.

My phone rings this time. It was from an unknown number. I dislike answering calls from unknowns, but what the heck? Maybe it had good news.

"Mr. Crowne, Elder Eric Lockwood speaking. I am sorry, but I am using another phone. Mine, unfortunately, ran out of battery." I chuckle. This was code for burner phone. "I have some information regarding your son, Ethan. Yes he was here in New York. He traded his car for a new one, purchased a new phone and colored his hair while he was here." No wonder my men couldn't find him. He was in disguise.

"I see. My son is very perceptive. He perceived I would go looking for him. Is there any information regarding his whereabouts? I know I am asking much from you Elder Lockwood, but I will assure you I reward those who do favors for me."

"All I know, Edward, is he went up north. There isn't much else I could find. He hasn't been using any of his credit or debit cards. If he did, it would have popped up and my friends would have informed me. Have you arrived in Maine? I remember you saying you would be travelling to Maine for business." Eric Lockwood was sharp for an old man.

"Unfortunately, due to the storm, aircrafts flying to the East Coast are grounded. However, I am contemplating on changing my destination to Boston."

"Boston? Seems everyone wants to go to Boston today. I was suppose to fly there this afternoon, but like what you said, planes have been grounded. I plan to fly there in the morning. My daughter, Athena, is currently there. Let's meet. You have my numbers. Just give me a call." Having an ally would do well for me. Eric Lockwood had connections in the criminal underworld. It was no secret that he was protecting the criminal syndicate of New York City.

"Sure, Elder Lockwood. I will call you once I arrive in Boston."

"Very well then. Have a good evening, Edward."

I don't know what is happening, but I will find out soon. Right now, I shall sleep.

________________________

*Alpha Connor *


"Where is the rogue?" Athena shows up in my territory and rogues suddenly appear. Eric Lockwood is still putting up a fight.

"Alpha Connor, he's in the dungeons." My Beta was rubbing his bruised knuckles. After what they did to my pack years ago, I couldn't blame my men. I, for one, wanted to snap his neck in half.

"What about the others with him?" There were three of them following Athena by car, but they stopped about a mile down and made a phone call to the idiot we had in custody. He thought we didn't notice him roaming through the forest. We've been keeping watch ever since he made camp just beyond our territory.

"Our men killed them. Struck them with silver arrows. We took all their belongings they had on them and everything in the car. We towed the car to the truck stop and the mechanics are chopping the car into parts as we speak." My Beta points at the table where they placed all the stuff the rogues had on them. I walked up and saw an expensive watch. Obviously, crime does pay. Unfortunately for them, it didn't pay for long.

I picked up one of their smartphones. It needed the owner's thumbprint to unlock. No wonder there were bloodied thumbs on the table. My men hacked them off so we can unlock the phones. Smart.

"Unlock these phones and get whatever information you can find. After you get all the information off of them, take out the sim cards and destroy them including the phones. When you're done, go to a pawnshop and sell their valuables. They won't be needing these things any longer." My Beta nods his head and motions to one of our pack members who had a laptop in his hands.

I took a chair and walked up to the prison cell where the bloodied rogue was chained to the wall and to the floor. Couldn't be too careful with these animals. They'd do anything to save themselves.

I placed the chair infront of his cell and sat down. He opened his one good eye and glanced up at me. The other eye was shut closed, blood oozing out. My men did a perfect job of torturing the bastard while still keeping him alive to talk.

"Why are you here?" I picked at my fingernails, not wanting to look at him.

"You're the Alpha whose pack was almost exterminated by One." He started laughing. Yeah, sure, laugh. We'll see who has the last laugh.

"Who's One?" I asked nonchalantly, trying to act like I didn't care.

"He's the leader of the rogues, currently the godfather of the crime syndicate of New York City." The rumors were true then. Eric Lockwood allowed them to enter New York City so they could overthrow the sitting crime family.

"Well, you can give him my regards when I let you out. Now, answer my question. Why are you here?"

"I was ordered to keep an eye on you. We assume you and your pack will come for your revenge." Ahhhhhh. They were scared we would come and attack. Of course.

"And what is your business with Athena Lockwood? Can't two wolves talk business?" He scoffed at me knowing full well I was playing him.

"Athena Lockwood searches for her fallen brother. You were his last contact before he left. It is safe to assume you know his location." He sneered at me then went on a coughing fit. It must be painful to cough when you have injured ribs.

"So you think I know where Lucas Lockwood is." I shook my head and chuckled at him. I saw his face go pale. "Have you told One Athena was here?"

"Of course. He must have already alerted Elder Eric Lockwood." Damn, I knew my men should have taken him down sooner. Athena isn't safe. I'll message her once I'm done with this piece of shit.

"I see." I give him a lopsided grin and lean towards his cell making sure I didn't touch the silver bars. "You know, when I was a young boy, there was this story my Nana would always tell me. About a black wolf who would punish bad wolves like yourself." I pointed at him and he looked at me like he didn't care if he was punished. "I know you don't care about yourself, but how about your little friends? You care about them? Well, you see, the daughter of Lucas Lockwood, she's the black wolf in that story. And I will tell you, no matter how hard you and your friends try to kill them, in a couple of days time, she will be here to rip your heads off. When that day comes, I will be right beside her, killing all you rogues for what you did to my brother and to the members of my pack. This, One, you keep talking about, I will personally see to it that I rip out his tongue from his throat before I take his beating heart from his chest. That I can promise you." I stood up from my chair and picked it up. I was about to walk away when he called out to me.

"Wait. I thought you were going to let me go." I put down the chair, wrapped my hand in cloth, opened his cell, walked up to him and snapped his neck back until it broke.

"Run free." There, I let you go.