Brother
Chapter 23

From what I could hear in the other room, Noah’s family didn’t have the manpower needed to really intimidate Scott into submission. For years they’d been trying to dismantle the empire he had set up and Noah becoming a lawyer was part of it. His Uncle was a police officer, his cousin a dock worker and all of them were known by a few detectives that only focused on the Howler Motorcycle Club and their illegal activities.

Nanna took care of Mum and Dad too. I don’t know what she told them, but I least it was one less thing to worry about and Rachelle ended up at Peta’s, while Jake went home. The TV was on low, more background noise than anything else, while I stared out the front window watching the street like I was waiting for Danny to appear. I wanted this to be a joke he took too far, and in maybe, five - ten years, we could possibly laugh over it. Probably not, but I’d forgive him. I even had my speech to him ready to go.

“Sarah, got a sec?” Karen sat beside me, acting like she was interrupting something important. “Do you know where they were taking you?”

“No.” Guilt at running ate at my insides. If I’d stayed, I would have been taken to Danny.

“We sent a few others all over the freeways near where your Nan picked you up from. There was no sign of the van. They couldn't pick up their scent.”

“Michael never said about where we’d be going. I didn’t hear them talking about it. I should have been faster, stabbed him again!” I mumbled, feeling numb as my thoughts darkened. “I should’ve been stronger, and kept them at work with me.”

“Oh love, you did what you could!” She tried to comfort me, but it wasn’t working.

The phone rang and we both looked into the kitchen. Clearly she could hear something I couldn’t and quickly went back to the others. I followed.

“Jason was checking the club-house and saw a white van about a hundred meters down the road from it. Busted door and he scented blood inside it too.” Mitch told them.

“We get Danny and Anna back, then worry about retaliation.” Nanna decided.

“They’re not there. We’ve checked in with Rabbit one and two. No kids, no action, nothing.” He answered.

“They didn’t know about the Blakes being back in town either so how reliable are your people?” She challenged.

Everyone went quiet and leaving them too it, I found refuge in the guest room. Closing the door, I tried to think about what I could do. Nothing was happening and promises of this being over by dawn seemed redundant already. Someone had to know something. The old phone sat beside the lamp, the circular disc on the front used for dialing well worn with age and I wondered if it actually worked or was just decoration.

It was strange to pick up a handset still connected to the phone and I managed to get Jake’s mobile right. While the phone rang, less digital to the mobile dial tone I was used to, I twirled the blue cord around my finger, again and again and it started to get tangled.

“Hello?” He answered sounding cautious..

“It’s Sarah, I need you to do something for me.”

“Any news on Danny?” Jake asked instead, lowering his voice as I heard a door shut in the background.

“No, but I need you to call Justin. Ask him what happened after you left, try and replace out anything you can without sounding too suspicious.” I went with Justin because someone had hidden that tool kit in the towels and left us water. He didn’t seem as into this as Joe or Mr Blake.

“I’ll try. Are you at your Nans still? The number came up as private.”

“Yeah. I’ll give you twenty minutes and call back.” I decide.

I lay down once we’ve ended the call, not brave enough to close my eyes until the creaking of the door being opened wakes me up. Looking at the time, I slept for nearly an hour.

“Sarah? Nanna asked, coming over to the bed. “Jake’s on the phone, won’t talk to me, even though I said you were sleeping and-”

She’s barely finished talking in the time it takes me to get up and run into the kitchen. Grabbing the phone, I nearly drop it twice as I go to hold it to me ear.

“Jake?”

“I got worried when you didn’t call back. I spoke to Justin.” He pauses. “His Dad is unconscious, Michael did a number on him. Joe’s been told not to talk about you and they’re with old friends at a club house?”

“Yeah, we worked out they were there. Why did he tell you that though?”

“He wasn’t talking to me, so I told him I had spoken to you and you’re trying to replace Danny now. Then he didn’t shut up!”

“What else did he say?” I urged, daring to look behind me everyone was clearly listening.

“Michaels going after Scott, he flipped when you left and after dumping them at someone’s house, took off. He doesn’t know where Scott is, no one there knows and are all more interested in why Michael would turn on his Dad. No one had seen him since he was put in jail. Justin did say he’d probably be easy to replace. He was in wolf form when he left, so people are going to be reporting a giant dog on the loose or a naked man running around soon.”

“Thanks Jake. If you hear anything else, please let me know!”

“Stay safe Sarah. If you get hurt or anything, it’ll be worse for Danny, more than what ever he is already going through.”

Hanging up, I turned to replace Noah on his mobile and the rest were talking softly amongst themselves.

“Jake told me that-” I started.

“We know Sarah.” Karen stopped me, pointing to her ears. “We heard everything.”

“Even Jake?” She nodded.

“Find the wolf. He’s reckless and dangerous right now. If he goes after Scott the fact we have Sarah and not him will be obvious.” Noah barked down the line. “I don’t care. Do what you have to.”

I couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Karen and Mitch could and they both frowned as Noah answered.

“What do you mean do what you have to?” I interrupted.

“He’s out for blood. Innocent people could get in the way, so we need to stop him. However we can.” Noah sighed.

“What? No! He isn’t like that!” Screaming at him seemed appropriate right now. “You can’t kill him!”

“Only if we have to.”

“No! I won’t let you!” This was getting further and further out of control.

“You’re out of your depth here Sarah.” Mitch sided with his nephew. They all did, even Nanna.

“Touch him, and it’ll be the last thing you do.” There is no missing the warning, as I glare at each and everyone of them. Fear only fuels my anger and I can’t seem to do anything right anymore.

It’s Will who stands up, the light catching the almost golden shade of his hazel eyes. He is nearly as old, if not the same age as Nanna, but as his gaze replaces mine, age doesn't matter. The air grows heavy with a dangerous kind of energy and it takes me back to the night Danny had changed.

Mr Blake had done something like that to make Jake and I sit down with him. I’m more of aware it now, more than I was then and it’s like standing out in the desert waiting for a thunderstorm. I should take shelter, but instead prepare to take it on.

“We’re here to help you, your brother and cousin. Do not start making threats young lady.” He snarls.

Nanna stands, moving to my side, but before she can speak, I can’t stop myself from trying to make the situation worse. I know I should shut up, but I can’t.

“That wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.” I feel high on power, feeding off the tension between us.

“Sarah!” Nanna scolds, grabbing my hand.

She tugs on my arm, trying to force me sit back down, but I ignore her.

“You have no idea who or what you’re dealing with. Think your boyfriend won’t turn on you should his Alpha command it? Think he loves you enough to turn against his family? This isn’t a fairytale and he’s more likely to be the one to hand you over and end your life then be the one to save it.” Will didn’t hold back, slamming his fist on the table in front of him. “Open your eyes Sarah, before you get yourself and your family killed.”

“He isn’t on their side! He hates Scott, and you heard what Jake said. That’s twice now he’s nearly killed his Dad to protect me. Michael is an ally, not an enemy.” I snapped back.

“Why didn’t he just kill him then? Nearly, is a lot different to getting it over and done with.” He finished calmly.

“I think that’s enough for tonight, don’t you? Sarah, why don’t you go to bed and if anything happens, I’ll let you know.” Nanna takes over and I finally drop Will’s gaze.

Everyone seems to let out a breath they were holding and turning to her, I haven’t let go of my anger just yet.

“You won’t tell me even if it did and nothing will change tonight, because you’re going after the wrong people!” Acting like the teen I actually am, I shrug out of her hold and storm off to ‘my room’ only to stop around the corner to eavesdrop.

“Reminds me too much of Darren that one. Don, go patrol outside. She’ll probably try something stupid like run off.” Will ordered behind me.

“You know, she told us at Christmas she was worried about turning into a werewolf and I thought she was kidding. Laughed it off, who knows what kids these days are thinking. There was that vampire craze a couple of years ago, didn’t think much of it. I should have known.” Nanna sighed.

I heard enough and went into the guest room. I wasn’t going to be able to sleep, not now I knew so much more was at stake and took off the necklace Danny had given me. I twirled it around in my fingers, trying to let go some of the anger that followed me around and closing my eyes, took slow deep breaths.

‘Danny. Tell me where you are!’ I thought of him over and over again. Like Nanna said, get him back then worry about everything else. ‘Danny! I need you to help me now! Danny!’

“What are you doing?” Noah breaks into my train of thoughts and my first instinct is to lunge at him.

Only I can’t.

Looking at my hands, they’re a lot more masculine than I remember and blood and dirt cover them. It’s because they’re not mine. I look up and everything is blurry. There is a light on, somewhere, but it doesn’t help give a lot away. Exposed bricks are dusty with age and the smell reminds me of being on Peta’s property. The slightly sour stench of off fruit, the woody oak of the wine barrels and stale air like in the cellar.

“Sarah, are you okay? Can you see me?” Noah asks, calling in my Nanna.

Something tall fills the darkest corner and the more I focus, the better I start to see it. Shelving that has rows of barrels stacked neatly in front of us and the sobbing beside me has my head snapping down to the ground. Annabelle sits on a small step stool, a chain around her ankle and looking at my own feet, they’re chain free.

Her crying hurts deep inside, and as she glances up at me, her frown deepens. “What’s wrong with you? Danny?”

She gets up and from where my head had rolled to the side, she holds it while staring into my eyes.

“Are you dead?” She whispers, and I can feel her trembling hand press against my neck. “Danny?”

There’s a bruise on her cheek and a cut across her forehead, but otherwise she seems okay.

“We’re coming, help is coming!” I try to tell her, but instead a few wheezing breaths come out until I can feel Danny beside me, like he is the one touching me, not Noah.

“Help. Coming.” Danny groans, before everything goes dark and opening my eyes, Noah is there now not Annabelle.

“She isn’t responding!” Noah tells Nanna as she takes his place.

“Sarah. Talk to me, Sarah!” She snaps her fingers in my face and I blink a few times until I can see clearly again.

My shoulders are aching from the burn of being chained up, but that’s the only side effect. That and the fact I’m so tired. Before I can ever think of telling them what saw, I fall unable to sit up and all around me is a flurry of movement as Nanna and Noah start to fuss. They’re begging me to talk to them. I can’t and follow the darkness, unable to fight it.

It’s the happy song of the wrens in the bush outside the window that wakes me and it takes me a few seconds to get my wits about me as I jumped out of bed. The morning sunlight streams into the room, as the outside world carries on like something bad is actually happening right now. I expected thunderstorms and rain, miserable weather that would have some kind of sympathy for me

“Nanna!” I rush out of the room and she’s sitting with the morning paper and a cup of tea, dressed in her old silk kimono while behind her toast is cooking.

“Morning Sarah. Did you sleep well?”

“I know where Danny is.”

“We know dear, they’re sending the wolves out to the estate now.” I hate how calm she is being.

"How?”

“You told us about the cellar before passing out, and-” Her mouth shuts, and she gets up to retrieve the cooked bread. “Scott has a property an hour out of the city, up in the hills. A logical place to stash people you’ve kidnapped.”

She’s hiding something.

“And what else?” I demand, circling around the kitchen so as she turns we’re face to face.

“Nothing dear. Why don’t you take a shower?”

“What is it!” I snap, my patience running out.

“How about-”

“No!” At least that's what I think I say as its’ more of a growling grunt sound that comes out.

“Fine. They picked up your friend this morning too.” She sighs.

“My friend? Michael?” Nanna nods and I remember the conversation last night. “Did they- Is he?”

“It took a little bit of coaxing, but he was very helpful. Once the cellar was mentioned he pointed us in the right direction.” How she is being so casual about all of this is beyond me.

“I want to go see him.”

“Not happening.” She retorted.

“Nanna, please!” I was begging now, I’d even go as far to grovel at her feet.

“It’s not a good idea Sarah. Trust me.” There was no denying she knew more than she was letting me in on.

“Trust you? All I hear these days from everyone is trust me Sarah, trust me! Well you know what, Mum told me what you said to her. That the way he looked at me reminded you of the way your Grandad used to look at you. Trust that.”

The reality was, I sounded like a spoilt child not getting my way and I hated it. I hated it as much as I hated the fact it was morning and Danny wasn’t home after she told me he would be. I hated how some jerk of a pack leader or alpha, or whatever they call themselves, had my family in his custody, but most of all, I was pissed off that I couldn’t do anything about it.

Nanna looked at me for a moment, before shaking her head.

“Have a shower Sarah. You left some clothes and things here when you came in the school holidays and-”

“You can’t just-”

“And,” She snaps, cutting me off. “When you’re ready, I’ll take you to see him.”

“What?” Was she serious?

“Now Sarah, before I change my mind. I swear, I never expected you of all my grandkids to be this demanding.” She huffed.

I did as she said and was ready in ten minutes. It was another twenty after that until she was done and we left the house.

There are many sides to Joy Attwell. A part of her Deborah and Annabelle’s Grandmother, then there is mine and Danny’s Nanna. She was always a firm, but fair Mum to her kids and the loving, devoted wife to Darren. She had her wealth; old money inherited from her husband’s family, her country clubs and charities she was on the board for.

When she was with us, she was the girl who used to enjoy the simple things in life before she had to grow up. Dad says having Grandkids to mess around with keeps her young, only now despite her usual calm and collected appearance I think we’re finally letting age catch up with her.

Despite that, there is this new side I’ve seen before and I can alike it to a lioness protecting her cubs. She's still Nanna, and a safe place I never appreciated more in my life.

“Can you not annoy the old, cranky werewolf today?” She growls under her breath as pull up outside the veterinary clinic. “Everyone is stressed enough without your attitude getting involved and I can only do so much.”

I do and Danny and roll my eyes, opting to ignore that little pep talk as we get out the car. The white building on the corner by the highway has been recently painted. The fumes still hang on the wall and Nanna taps on the front door impatiently. The sign reads closed for the holidays and has directions to the closest open clinic. All the lights are off inside and finally there is movement.

Don opens the door, not looking happy as we slip inside. He locks it all behind us and we follow him behind the counter into the Staff Only area. Large metal crates line the walls, all empty and sterile waiting for new residents. I look through a doorway to replace an operating room set up, then another while a swinging door has been jammed open and that leads back out out to the waiting area. Everything is clean, the smells of disinfectant way too strong in the closed up rooms.

“Wait here.” He mumbles, pushing through another door so we’re left alone.

The door in the back catches my attention and instantly I start to go that way, while Nanna pays too much attention to a sign about desexing cats.

“What was so urgent that you had to come down?” Will greets coldly, coming in from the waiting room corridor.

Two others follow, and as soon as they stop walking the woman cracks her fingers, while the man rolls his neck. They’re both big people, towering over me and even Will who is more than double my size. They look mean, and I guess that’s there job. Their clothes make them look like they belong in a gang, black and torn, while the womans ears have more piercings in than I think everyone in Flame Tree Bay have.

“Sarah wants to see the Blake boy.” Nanna barely glances at the muscle as Karen walks in.

“No.” She answers and all eyes turn to me.

“You have no right-” I start, only to have Nanna hold up her hand.

“He’s turned to his wolf form while we were, questioning, him and is too dangerous to be around right now. We had to sedate him.” Karen shrugs.

I’m already at the right side of the room so when I take off to the back doors, I get through them before I can be stopped. Grabbing the chair, I ram it under the door handle, hoping it holds long enough for me to replace him. There are bigger cages back here, and they’re not made of the same type of metal as the others. I’d expect these were made to house tigers in a zoo and not animals that were too big for the other ones while they recovered from surgery or waited after grooming appointments.

Michael is in the corner cage, in the last row. I make it to his as the door is broken open and I ignore the chaos behind me as I fall to my knees. The commotion wakes him up and instantly he starts to growl, struggling to move his head to look my way. His eyes are red and glazed over, while his breathing comes in short quick bursts.

The state of Michaels fur isn’t great either; clumpy and matted, covered in blood - some wet and in other areas dry. The wolf’s nose twitches, the growls disappearing to a whine, as it makes more of an effort to look my way.

“I’m so sorry Michael!” I lean against the cage, wrapping my fingers around the metal as the first person gets to me.

Will pulls and I struggle against him, rattling the cage as I refuse to let go.

“Stupid girl!” He scolds.

“Let me go!” I argue.

Michael forces himself to sit up, his head swaying as he tries to focus on us. My foot manages to connect to Will’s knee, and he lets me go so he can keep his balance. When I turn back to Michael, the wolf is gone and the human just looks pissed off. He’s hunched over his stomach, trying to sit up as he rests on his knees. The bruises that are all over him look painful and looking up at us, Will stops.

They all stop.

“Your fight. Is with me.” He coughs, and despite how slow he is talking, the deadly edge to his tone has a shiver running up my spine. “Do not hurt her!”

“We’re trying to keep her safe. And that would involve, keeping her away from you.” The big guy growls, only to have Nanna push her way through to stand beside me.

“Do you actually think I’d bring her here if I thought she’d be in danger? Your barbaric methods are getting us no where and I say let him go!” She demanded. “Now, get the boy some clothes and then we can discuss this like rational human beings!”

I don’t know what she going for her to make the werewolves obey her, but after a shared look of uncertainty, Will took out a key and undid the lock. Everyone left us and sure enough Don returned with a freshly pressed set of navy scrubs; complete with a kitten on the shirt-pocket.

The second he was done, I was in the cage beside him. “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have ran.”

“It’s okay.” He wrapped his arms around me and I almost believed him. “Your Nan is here?”

I nodded into his shoulder, before finally letting him go. “She’s the one who called the others in to help get Danny. My Grandad was a werewolf.”

Michael looked at the old woman who stood behind us with a knowing smile.

“Relax. I’m not one of you.” Nanna sighed. “So, are you willing to help me get my grandkids back now or are you going to play more games?”

“What?” I looked between the pair confused.

“I lied. I wasn’t going to tell a bunch of mutts set on killing me shit, especially since they used your name like some kind of secret password and they were stupid enough to lie about your location. For all I knew they had you too.”

“So that’s why you agreed to bring me here?”

“No Sarah. I did that because I trust you and despite, recent developments, I also trust my instincts.” She looked between us, making her point obvious. “I didn’t rush in here like the rest of those, animals, because I heard my phone ring and took the call. Now, can we move on from this and replace your brother and cousin?”

Without another word she turned on her heel and I acted as support for Michael as tried to shake off the last of the stuff they gave to sedate him.

“What did they do to you?” I boldly asked.

He simple kissed the top of my head. “Nothing I can’t handle Bright Eyes.”

“Do you really know where Danny is?”

“I do and we’ll have him home by nightfall.” Michael promised.

I really wished people would stop putting time frames on when we’d get Danny back, because I was struggling with the disappointment of not rescuing him yet. Worst of all, it wasn’t just my feelings I was dealing with, some of them were Danny’s too. His calls for help were getting weaker and if we didn’t have him by dark, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get him back.