Zand
By
Sharon R. Barrett
********
Smashwords Edition
copyright 2010 Sharon R. Barrett
*****
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Smashwords. Edition, License Notes
This e-book is for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Adult Reading Material
This story is a work of fiction and resemble to person living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are production of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.
The book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The Characters are production of the authors imagination and used fictitiously
I want to give a very special thank you to Robyn Swaim (Dhampir) for telling me to expand my views; Photo cover by Robyn Swaim. To Bailey thank you for reading my stories and giving me her insight into the stories.
This book is the sequel to Storm werewolf story. Readers fall in love with Rain and wanted a second book about his brother Storm; then a request for a story about Zand. This is the story of Zand and Alexis. I hope you enjoy this story.
Tag(s) romance, werewolf, paranormal, shape shifter, Suspense Canada
Chapter 1
Zand sat in his four wheel drive white crew cab truck. The weather out side was a nice seventy degrees. He had the windows down to keep the truck from over heating. The gray seats were not too bad for not heating up the truck much. He had been sitting doing some last minute paper work to a case he had just finished up. Sixteen year old girl runs away from home and they hired him to find her. He had returned her to her parents just an hour ago. He took the time to chat with the girl and she seemed to understand that he really cared about her. He had even given her his office number in case she wanted to talk. He wasn’t supposed to get involved in a personal way with his cases, but it seemed he always did. In several cases it made some great friends. Like Winds mate Storm, now he was a great guy. He had met Wind through her father they were friends. Winds father Morgan and sent a couple of high profile cases his way that put him on top of the game as an investigator. And then there is Storms brother Rain, he had scented down his mate Amethyst. It took him a while to get over putting her in danger. Granted Rain and Amethyst did not hold it against him. The lesson learned he now checked out the person wanting someone found. And was careful what cases he would handle. One nice thing about Zand he learned from his mistakes the first time around and never repeated.
What made Zand the exception to the rule in just about everything was the fact that Zand was born on the full moon during an eclipse. The aliment of the eclipse and his taking his first breath had to be one in over a hundred million. It was why he had extraordinary scent abilities, why the communications between him and his wolf was like having an internal twin. His insights to cases had become keener over the past year as he had come into his own as a werewolf. It is why he would get personally involved in his cases. Zand figured out that is why some things in his life are by choices he made; to make things come about or for an end result; yet destiny or fate, also stepped in and took things right out of his control. When fate stepped in he hated it.
Zand closed his eyes remembering the conversation he had once with Storm. Storm had been born on a full moon which made him very much a take charge, no crap, realist kind of guy. He would defy anyone, and no one would defy him. He tolerated absolutely no one questioning his authority. They had laughed over the fact that as an alpha Storm was a force unto himself. Storm had told him the night a man ran from him with a dislocated jaw, black eye, broken arm and nose. A man had dared to touch his mate Wind. He was also tremendously romantic could often be found singing to his mate. Storm told stories of when he was younger it was always Rain who kept him on a tight leash, but then Rain was born on the Gibbous moon just one day before the full moon so he was sensible about situations. Rain is also an alpha but he made his decision after they were well thought out. Like Storm they both had bad tempers, mostly due to genetics more then the moon phrases. Rain could be extremely romantic when he wanted to make love to his mate Amethyst. And he also had a great voice for singing but seldom sung just very rare occasions.
The flow of the moons had an enormous amount of control over werewolves. If they tried to fight against the moon they always lost, they could however, manipulate circumstances around the moons to delay what would happen.
Someone blew their horn and Zand jumped. He had been so deep in thought he was not sure if he was day dreaming or sleeping. He had not gotten much sleep last night from to much noise in the next hotel room. They had partied until the wee hours of the morning. At noon he had crawled out of bed, took a hot shower. He slipped on a pair of jeans and a light cotton light skirt of blue that fit snuggly.
He thought, “Should I head home now kind of late, maybe I should go in the morning. In the morning; maybe head to a bar and get a drink and relax before heading back to the hotel. Maybe tonight he would actually get some sleep.”
Zand pulled out of the parking spot and went in search of a bar. When he found one six blocks down he pulled in and parked his truck. Opening the door, stepped out stretched his muscles. He looked in the side mirror and thought, “you handsome devil you. Maybe find a girl for the night would be fun. His inner wolf thought that was a great idea and said so.”
The sign above the door said, Billy’s. Walking in there was a long bar that ran down one entire side of a wall. Tables filled the rest of the area except for a dance floor and a rise plate form for a band at the far end. Smiling he thought, “just Storms kind of place to sing in.”
Sitting down at the bar, the bartender came over, “What will it be Mister?”
Zand looked at him replied, “a shot of bourbon with a beer chaser.” The bartender was nice looking guy around forty years old. He wore jeans, cotton shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had dark brown eyes, square chin. Clean shaving nice all American type of guy.
When the bartender came back Zand tossed a twenty on the counter. Took the bourbon drank it down in one swallow. Then picked up his beer and took a slip. As he looked around he noticed some men sitting here and there at the bar. At four seats down sat a woman. Darn she was pretty around twenty three or four, scratch that twenty four. She had light brown hair down to her waist. Her eyes were green with touches of amber in them. She was well built from what he could see. Her complexion was great; her lips were pink and full. He thought, "a she wolf.” She kind of reminded him of Fire his best friend’s sister. She was married now to a great guy named Smitty. Fire was expecting her first cub, said she would add his name to the kid when it came. He figured she use the name Alexander or Alex. Zanderland was such an off the wall name and never came across it for a first name before. “I must get up to see Fire and Smitty real soon.” Zand continued to take peeks at the girl four stools up from him.
A man slightly over weight about five foot eight, wearing a beard, walked up to her said, “pretty woman would you like to dance!.” Turning her head towards the man, replied “No thanks.” His reply riled Zand, “then if you don’t want to dance then how about a quickly in the back alley?” Stepping of the stool with a smile on her face she came down with her high heel on top of his foot. He yelled, swore and grabbed her by the arm.
When Zand saw her get up he thought damn she is going to give this pig a quickly; he felt disappointed that she was that kind of wolf. He wondered why he felt disappointed. When she drove her heal into the mans foot, he smiled.
Zand moved off his seat walked the four feet up to the guy, “Leave the lady alone, if she invites your attention that is one thing when she doesn’t want it, that’s another.”
The man turned, looked up at Zand who stood six foot-four realized he was no match for Zand and turned away releasing the woman’s arm. Zand looked at the woman, she sat back down. Zand looked at her for a minute more then said, “You’re welcome Miss." She said nothing so he decided he would pull a stunt on her just to see her reaction.
Zand lean over slightly a head of her, looked her in the face. Smiled his most charming smile, grabbed her off the seat kissed her on the lips leaving her breathless and said, “Damn Lillie it’s been five years since I saw you last. How could you have left me; I thought we were a pair.” He set her back down on the seat, stood smiling.
The woman stood up turned to Zand and looked up at him. Smiled, “well it has been five year, since we last saw one another. If I remember sweetie, the night I left you; you had another woman in your arms. You knew I don’t stay with men who cheat.”
Zand was taken back for a moment, He thought, “well I’ll be damned she is going to give it right back to me lets see who wins at the game.”
Zand smiled looked her right in the eye, “Honey you new it meant nothing to me. I was drunk. I had a few to many and kind of lost my senses. I promised you it would never happen again. And I have never gotten drunk since. Come back to me baby, we can start over again!”
Alexis thought, “this guy has to be kidding. He sure was great looking, nice body. Out standing height and the saying he was all that and a bag of chips, was a given". His blue eyes were set wide apart, he had remarkable straight teeth. His hair was kept trimmed and dark brown. His well muscled arms and legs were amazing to say the least, but the muscles in is barrel shaped chest and six pack abs were what stood out on him. He looked to be in his late twenties ” Leaning into to him as if she were going to kiss him she said in a whisper, “You hurt me bad, I left town, changed my name, died my hair, took a cab, a bus, then a train and ended up in this place. I’ve been here ever since. I hated the name Lillie, changed it; so call me Alexis. Or just don’t call me at all. Just leave me alone one trip down the road with you was enough to last a life time.”
Zand didn’t know what the hell to say to her at first. Then smiling, “Alexis come on sweetie lets get a table talk this out I know we can make it right again. Just give old Zand a chance.”
Billy the bartender walked towards Alexis, he had heard enough crap and wanted to know if Alexis was ok with what was happening.
Alexis noticed Billy coming towards her, she lifted her hand off the bar slightly lifted one finger and moved it back and forth. Telling Billy she was ok. Alexis was enjoying this little mouse game.
“If I agree to talk, will you buy me vodka and cranberry juice Zand?” Will you promise to behave your self? No more of those persuasion kisses or trying to take me in your arms? If you agree I will sit with you and listen to what you got to say. Don’t expect forgiveness Zand you hurt me, I haven’t had another guy in my life since I walked out on you.
Zand was really enjoying these pick up lines she was dishing out to him as fast as he was dishing them out to her. She was quick witted. He was also learning she hated men who cheated, also that he could easily persuade her with his lips. She doesn’t for give easy has no man in her life at this time. “Alexis I promise to behave, I’ll buy you another drink, but I can’t promise you I won’t kiss you. You know how sweet your lips are to me.”
“Then Zand I cant’ sit at a table with you without the promises. Gee, Zand I don’t want to repeat history,” Alexis said with a frown. So far Alexis had learned that Zand was a romantic, but he seemed to be off the wall on things, “I wonder why!”
Zand was beginning to feel he was losing this exchange. Then an idea came to him she wanted a promise by damn he’d give her the promise and see where it took him. “Baby I do promise I won’t try to use my lips to persuade you. I will be the perfect gentlemen if you just say, yes.” He would try the gentlemen approach and see where it took him.
“Darn I was so sure he wouldn’t promise. He didn’t look the type. I wonder just how far this guy is willing to go to get to know me.” “Zand tell me something, do you remember anything of our relationship? Do you remember our favorite place, or our movie? Remember one; tell me Zand let me know you once cared about me!”
“Damn she’s good at this. What hell am I going to say,” he wondered. Then it came to him. “Tell her your favorites.” “Our favorite place was down at the lake we use to take a picnic lunch that you would make. The movie was Hondo. You use to love it when I held you in my arms and whispered my feelings to you. Do you remember our favorite restaurant?” “Now let her come up with something.” He thought.
With out skipping a beat she whispered. “Zand you know it was Momma’s place she made the most wonderful barbecued ribs, mashed potatoes, baby peas. We would have ice cream after dinner, buy me a drink and let’s sit at the table over there in the corner,” Alexis decided to make short work of this Zand guy once and for all.
Turning to the bartender, “a drink for the lady and another beer please;” Zand dropped money on the bar. The bartender smiled handed Zand his change. Zand picked up the drinks and she walked a head of him to the table. “Nice ass, cute wiggle, and she was doing it all for me as she moved to the table. On second thought it is too natural to be a put on.”
Smiling at Zand she said, “Those have to be the best pick up lines I have ever heard and I have heard many.” I never accept drinks, or sit at a table with a man. So let’s cut to the chase, what do want? If it is me you’re wasting your time. I am not available, I will be moving on soon.
Zand was totally set off balance with her remarks. He sat down placed the drinks on the table and looked at her. “What’s a real nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
Alexis started laughing, “He was a charmer. She almost wished he was a keeper. Maybe some day she thought she would be able to settle down with one guy right now there was no chance of it. Even if she was attracted to him, he gave off the scent of intrigue and danger.” “Tell me about yourself Zand?”
Zand looked at her he was not expecting that question. “I live in a small town in Montana, work out of my office there. Travel all over the country side. I like foot ball, base ball, reading, and movies. I like a picnic at a lake side, and my favorite movie is Hondo. When I am tired I drink a shot of bourbon to relax. Social drinks are beer. Don’t have much time for dating, haven’t had a study girl since I was in my teens. Don’t get me wrong I like females, working to hard, no time to date. Now tell me about yourself?”
“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies,” smiling at him.
His interest was peeking beyond her good looks; the calm that she radiated, he looked at her deeply, “Got something to hide?”
Alexis suddenly didn’t feel safe. She felt very uneasy and she new it was showing on her face. “Time for me to go, don’t call me I’ll call you.” With that she picked up her handbag walked out the door. Catching the first cab she saw she gave him an address. The cab sped a way, Zand stepped out the door of Billy’s and watched her leave.
Zand began thinking, “what the hell just happened? Is she in some kind of trouble? Can’t be a run a way, too old, she is an adult. Maybe a boy friend or abusive husband is looking for her. She said she didn’t have any guy in her life. She wasn’t wearing a ring, didn’t appear she had worn one in a long time if ever. She didn’t have the mating scar on her wrist. She doesn’t have my number to call me, damn!” Walking to his truck got in and turned the key he thought, “She must be in trouble, and I want to help her.
Zand drove his truck in the direction the cab went. Stopping the truck at an intersection he got out sniff the air, decided she went east at that corner. Zand jumped back in his truck and turned left, put his window down and at the next intersection he went straight. Zand noticed that he had entered the up scale part of town. “Maybe I am wrong and she isn’t in trouble. Up scale part of town was really not what I expected she would go.” Then he realized,” the little black dress she was wearing was an expensive one and so were her shoes. Maybe she went to Billy’s bar to escape the high class people she normally ran with. Billy’s was definitely a time of escape for you from something.” Zand continued driving and came to a stop sniffed the air she lived in one of two houses. Then he saw her she was climbing a trellis out side a two story house. Zand silently left his truck moved towards the house and watched her from the fence of the house next door. She got up the trellis without a problem, then walked across a roof section and slipped into a second story window. No lights came on. Zand stood then wondering “what the hell is going on. She was an adult, was she married, cheating on her husband. No that can’t be it she had said she would not stay with a cheater. An interesting story behind this for sure. Why would an adult have to sneak into a house at night?
The house seemed to be in excellent shape, the porch ran all the way across the front and down one side into a back yard, the house was painted white with yellow shutters. A large wood swing set at the end of the porch that stopped at the edge of the front of the house. The door in front of the house had glass window in it and was simple; a large living room window off to the right of the porch.
Zand turned walked to his truck. Started it up and headed back to his motel room. When he got there he decided a quick shower and drop into bed. The room consisted of two rooms a bedroom which had two double beds in it. The bathroom had a tub combination shower and sink set opposite of the tub. The house keeper had been in left him fresh towels, bed was made, fresh sheets, he could tell with just one sniff of the air. Zand had been blessed with extremely good sense of smell even for a werewolf his nose was exceptional.
Zand stripped down turned on the shower when the water was warm he moved into the water. He stayed in the shower for twenty minutes then toweled off crawled in to bed. He hated wearing anything to bed; he could never sleep well with anything on not even a pair of boxer shorts.
Alexis moved silently around her room. She took off her dress and shoes, put on a night grown. Taking a make up remover pad she wiped off the make up. She would miss her room. It had been her room since she was small child. The walls were pink. A picture of her parents hung on the wall. Her dresser had a jewelry box on it her father gave to her for her sixteen birthday. She would miss these things and her room. But she new she could not take the box. The content yes; she would take them with her.
She had sneaked out again and had gotten away with it. If her Uncle doesn’t say anything then she new she had the escape route down to a tee. Tomorrow night she would escape her cruel Uncle. He kept control of her every waking minute. She knew he didn’t want to lose control of her money. Her father had left her well off with the house. The business had been sold money put in trust for her until she was twenty-five. The small allowance she was permitted to have she saved it up.
As she stood by the window thinking about Zand she felt her heart flip over in her chest, she smiled; a knock at the door, she rushed over messed up the bed and then went to the door. Opening the door she looked out it was her Uncle.
“Alexis your awake is something wrong?” Her Uncle asked.
“No Uncle Walter I just woke and wondered what woke me and was standing at the window looking out. I am just fine Uncle and I am going back to bed.”
With a frown on his face Walter said, “fine, fine get some sleep. Be on time for breakfast.”
"Yes Uncle I will be on time." Alexis closed the door breathed a little easier. She walked over crawled into bed and closed her eyes. Visions of Zand danced around her mind. She opened her eyes and could picture him standing in her room smiling. “Foolishness, go to sleep Alexis it can never be for you. He is from out of town; never saw him before if I had I would have remembered those blue eyes and his barrel shaped chest and six pack abs. I bet his lips tasted wonderful from the bourbon Alexis was letting her mind take her to a place she could escape to just for a few minutes.
Chapter 2
Zand woke up around ten in the morning, He had been dreaming about Alexis. Her green eyes seem to see through him. He dreamed she shifted into a wolf and they were running through a forest. She changed before him into a woman and her sultry eyes were looking up at him, then he was kissing her, His body had responded to the dream. Then she was gone and he was searching for her. “I am staying in town maybe just one more night he wanted to see Alexis again. Maybe take a drive past the house she lives in. Do some checking around see what he could find.”
After an hour of working on his lap top computer he found she was not wanted by the police. The address of the house she entered was in the name of Alexis Tatarine, occupied by her, her Uncle Walter and Aunt Mildred Tatarine. Her father James Tatarine passed away six months ago from a heart attack. Now he really wondered, “what was a nice girl like her doing in a place like Billy’s Bar?” Her mother passed away from cancer ten years ago. From newspaper clippings Alexis was left well off, was not overly wealthy, she would not have to work for a living in her life time. She spent her money wisely she would be ok. If she married the right guy she would have her money to leave to her cubs.
Alexis woke to feeling energized. Getting through this day was going to be difficult. She did not dare pack a thing until the last second. She did arrange her drawers to that the items she wanted to take were in one drawer. Once she left her room her Aunt and Uncle would watch her like a hawk. Even if she went out side to the pool one or the other stayed with her. She was not permitted to make phone calls. Or accept invitations to friend’s homes or to parties. One party she did get to go to was at the country club and her Aunt and Uncle went and kept her with them the entire evening. Any young man who tried to speak to her were quickly dispensed of.
A knock at the door had her looking up. She grabbed a book off the bed table and got out of bed walked to the door and opened it. “Aunt Mildred I am sorry I did not come down sooner I got to reading and forgot about the time.”
Her Aunt Mildred had gray hair was over weight stood five feet and had a nasty attitude to life. It was if she was angry with how her life had turned out. Then maybe she was just sexually frustrated and took it out on others “That is why I had to come up those awful stairs to get you to come for breakfast. Now put the book away now! Get dressed and come down I won’t come a second time. I will have Walter come and get you and he will bring the belt with him.
“I’ll be there straight away.” Closing the door rushing to the bathroom quick cleaned up brushed her hair put on a pair of jeans and top. Rushing out the door with a pair of socks in her hand she ran straight into her Uncle Walter. He carried a leather belt in his hand. When she ran into him she fall back wards to the floor.
“Girl you’re late for breakfast, second time this week. I told you last night to be on time for breakfast, what the hell is wrong with you girl?" He raised his hand with the belt in it swung it down, the belt sliced across her legs. Alexis curled up in a ball to protect her head and face.
Alexis refused to cry out, she grit her teeth and took five more hits with the belt. Still not a sound, her Uncle wanted her to cry out. He used the belt on her eight more times. When the belt tore her jeans and cut her flesh she could stand no more pain. "No;” and screamed she could not bare the pain again. Alexi’s pain tolerance was growing each time she took more and more of the slashes of the belt with each beating.
Her Uncle grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the stair case to the kitchen for breakfast. Tears ran down her face not one word, not one sound came from her until she asked to be excused from the table. Crying silently she rose from the chair grit her teeth from the pain walked out of the room. She crawled up the steps she hurt so badly.
Once inside her room tears fall, but not a sound. She new if her Uncle heard her crying; he would be back with the belt again. Alexis lay on her bed she had taken six aspirins for the pain. She had taken down her pants, her legs were black and blue in one place the belt had cut her open and she had to bandage it. The jeans had to be mended so she put on another pair. She put the bloody jeans in her drawer with the other items she was going to take with her.
Zand drove by the house slowly looking at it. Seem like a nice enough place to live in. “I wonder what is going on.” His inner wolf growled and seemed to be up set. “What was his wolf picking up that he wasn’t? What is it old boy, what has you so up set?” The wolf continued to growl acted impatient, until Zand reached the end of the street. Driving down another street to the right he parked. He didn’t like it. When his inner wolf got up set he new something was critically wrong. His inner wolf sensed things he could not, whether it was a scent or hearing something he could not tell. He was on full alert. Zand sat there for about an hour but nothing unusual happened. His inner wolf edgy and up set he wanted to be released. His inner wolf kept repeating “got to go in there get Alexis!”
Another hour and Zand started up his truck moved it towards town and finding a restaurant to eat at. Sitting at the table his mind kept moving back to Alexis. He had a feeling she needed help, new she trusted no one. He would go to the bar tonight offer her his services. After a steak, mashed potatoes, and string beans he sat sipped his coffee then another cup. Then went back to his motel room to see what else he could find out.
Alexis walked slowly down to the kitchen for dinner. She had spent the entire day in her room. The table was set and ready. Alexis sat down; her Uncle came in sat down. Filled her plate half full with food, “eat it all.” When her Uncle spoke next she looked up at him, “girl you need to learn to do things right then you won’t get the belt.”
Alexis spoke softly, “Yes Uncle Walter I will try to do my best.”
“Her Uncle had heard that before, but accepted it, “good girl! Mildred I have work to do in the study, what are your plans for this evening.
Mildred looked lovingly at Walter and smiled, “I am going to work on a quilt for our bed dear.”
Alexis what are you doing this evening?” Her Uncle ask with a smile.
“I am going to finish a book I started to read that you got from the library for me Uncle Walter.”
The out of the clear blue her Uncle said, “Alexis a friend of mine Jessup is coming over tomorrow night. He is coming to see you. If things work out you’re going to be married to the man. I realize he is older then you by twenty eight years, but he is dependable, wealthy and you will be well taken care of. His last wife passed away a few years back.”
Alexis looked at her Uncle, “how many times has this man been married?”
“I believe three times you will be his fourth wife.” Smiling warmly at Alexis.
“Did they all die or did some divorce him?” Alexis was frowning.
“No all his wives were dead as far as I know. The first died of an accidental drowning. His second wife died from a car accident, and his third wife died I think when she was hit by a drunk driver.” "That man Jessup is the way he is because of choice. Damn if I can figure out what has caused him to be like he is. A mystery to most who have ever met him;” he thought.
Alexis had an uneasy feeling coming over her. Alexis’s inner wolf growled, this man killed his wives, and her uncle was going to force her to mate him. Her inner wolf growled again and then whimpered!
After dinner Alexis excused her self and went to her room. Took out an old bag that her father had from the Army and put her clothes she wanted to take in it. She hadn't use the old bag in years, not since she was a teenager. Then she put the jewelry into a small black tie bag. Tied it shut and put it into the bag. Pulled out a top drawer to her dresser and pulled an envelope that was taped to the bottom of the drawer out. Replacing the drawer, she opened the envelope took some money out stuck it into her pocket. Then place the money in the envelope into the army bag. Once her Aunt and Uncle went to bed she would slip out the window and leave. Placing the bag next her bed she went into the bathroom showered, cleaned up took a towel personal items put them into the bag. Alexis dressed the cut again with salve and a bandage. It did not look good, it was not healing but she would have to go tonight or she might not escape. She new her Uncle or Aunt would check on her before they went to bed.
At ten p.m. her Uncle came to her room told her to shut off the lights and go to bed; he stood there watched as she slipped into bed then closed the door. Alexis waited fifteen minutes when she heard her Aunt and Uncle in their room she jumped out of bed, dressed, grabbed the bag and went out the window. Climbing down the trellis was difficult with the bag in hand so she dropped it half way down then jumped. She picked up the bag rushed out on to the street. Alexis ran down two blocks picked up a cab asking the driver to take her to the bus depots. Once there she paid the driver walked in. Looked around found an ATM machine took out the bank card that belonged to her Uncle put in a pass word, was surprised it worked. It had fallen out of her Uncles pocket when he was beating her. She had quickly grabbed it and hid it. She took one thousand dollars out of the account. Unfortunately that was the limit on the card per day. She walked over to a ticket booth, purchased a ticket and took a bus north.
Time had gone by slowly for Zand once ten came he parked in front of Billy’s. Shutting down the truck he walked in. Looked around for Alexis found she was not there. Turning to Billy when he came to get his order ask, “Has Alexis been in?”
Billy looked at Zand, smiled said want a bourbon and a beer? No, Alexis has not been in yet. She usually comes shortly after ten.” Zand smiled back, just a beer tonight Billy. "How long has Alexis been coming in here?
Handing Zand a beer he said, “Since her father passed away six months ago.”
Billy moved off down the counter to wait on someone else. Zand drank his beer looked at his watch it was eleven still no sign of her. His inner wolf was on edge and so was he. By midnight Zand was worried, turned to Billy, “has Alexis missed a night since her father passed away?”
Billy frowned, “Come to think of it; no she has never missed a night! Maybe she couldn’t sneak out of the house; her Uncle is strict. When she comes in I protect her from unwanted attention. She usually has two drinks never talks to strangers. The regulars know enough to leave her alone. I saw to that. She came in two weeks ago with her arm hurting her, that is how I found out her Uncle doesn’t treat her right."
Zand had heard enough it was midnight and he left the bar, drove over to Alexis’s house but there was no sign of her. The window she entered was dark, so was the entire house. His inner wolf growled, was edgy. Zand could scent her but felt it would be normal to since she lived there. Driving off to his motel his mind kept telling him things were not right. He would check into it in the morning first thing.
When he got to the motel he undressed slipped under the sheets and turned over. It took another hour before he finally fall a sleep.
Alexis sat on the bus looking out the window. The cut on her leg would heal quickly. The bruises were nearly gone. In a couple of days there would not even be a scar to prove she had taken a beating. Her Uncle knew she healed quickly. Maybe that is why each time the beatings seem to get worse, over unimportant things. He wanted to instill fear in her and he was succeeding. That was it she thought, instill fear into me so I would do anything he wanted including marry a man like Jessup a man she didn’t know. How awful, how cruel can a man be? The thought causes her to shiver!”
The bus moved northward her eyes fall shut. Alexis woke two hours later to a gentle hand tapping her. “Wake Miss everyone has left the bus.”
Alexis thanked the bus driver moved off the bus walked four blocks to the train station and purchased a ticket to Canada. Once on the train she relaxed, had a snack and fall a sleep.
Chapter 3
Zand woke to his cell phone ringing. Crawling out of bed he took the phone from his pants and said, “Zand here!”
The operator on the other end said, “Mr. Alexander?”
“Yea this is Zand Alexander what can I do for you?”
“Please hold for a call from Mr. Walter Tatarine.”
A mans voice came on the phone. “Mr. Alexander I understand you have special talents for finding run a ways. And I want to hire you. When can you come to my home in Oklahoma? My niece has run away and she must be found right away. I am willing to pay you double your normal fee!”
Zand could not believe what he was hearing. It was about Alexis and she was missing. “I am in Oklahoma right now I just returned a sixteen year old to her parents in Buttertin.
“My home is in Buttertin come immediately my home is on Maple number.”
Before Mr. Tatarine could finish Zand said he would find his home. Zand hung up. Zand dressed as quickly as he could then packed his bags. After putting his bags in truck he headed to the office paid his bill and left.
Driving up to Alexis’s house he shut off the truck. Sniff for her scent it was everywhere. Walking up towards the door he moved off the side walk to the trellis and saw where Alexis had dropped something large and then jumped from the trellis to the ground. Zand walked toward the door just as he was about to ring the bell the door flew open.
“Are you Mr. Alexander?”
Zand looked the man up and down he was short maybe five eight, fifty in age, gray hair, then thought, “ugly man looks like he failed in life and was the kind to take it out on others. Zand’s wolf said he has a mean streak a mile wide down his back. He took a good look at Mr. Tatarine decided immediately that he was probably a man born between the Moons, yep destiny was written the second he was born. “Yes, I am Zand Alexander may I come in.”
“Certainly, yes, come in. I have pictures of my niece for you. A piece of her clothing she wore recently. I understand you can usually find a run away with one to two weeks. Please find my niece for me. My wife Mildred is so up set she cannot see anyone.
Zand looked at the man and said, “I’d like to see her room,”
“Yes right away Mr. Alexander. Come it is up the stairs last room on the right facing the street.”
Walking up the steps, he could smell Alexis when reaching half way down the hall he stopped. He could smell blood, not much just a small amount. He looked down at the carpet and sure enough it was there. Then there was something sparkling and he reached down put his finger on it. Zand rubbed it between his thumb and finger, “glass.” Standing up he moved down to Alexis’s room opened the door walked in. Her scent filled his nose, his inner wolf growled with uneasiness. The scent of blood was in the room. Seeing none he was sure it had not been much but the odor was fresh, and old mixed. He felt uneasy and new immediately why she had run. She was being abused. He wondered to what extend that abuse went. Was it beatings, with verbal abuse or was he raping her?
Turning to Mr. Tatarine he said, “If the girl is over twenty one I can’t help you. She is of age to leave home. “Mr. Tatarine, if you suspect fowl play that is different, but I don’t see any signs of forced entry, or a struggle. I can tell you no private investigator will take the case if the girl is of age. Does she have a boy friend who might have forced her into leaving with him?”
“No, she doesn’t have a boy friend; I will pay you four times what your normal price is.” Mr. Tatarine spoke harshly as if not getting the girl back would cause him a great deal of problems.
Zand decided he was going to take the case any way once he received the call, but four times the normal rate was nothing to turn down. “I will take the case; don’t put a time limit on this because I can’t force her to come back once I find her.”
“You let me know where she is and I will bring her back myself,” Mr. Tatarine stated firmly.
Zand’s head snapped up he had heard those same words from another case. The man Hartman who was after Rains mate had said them to him. His inner wolf growled.
Zand looked around her room some more, checked her bathroom and found tissue with blood on it. Then Zand checked out the house in side and out looking for clues. Then said he would keep in touch by phone, and said good bye. “She is either hurt or was hurt and healed. I don’t like it!”
Starting up his truck he moved it down until he came to a spot that her scent stopped. “Must have taken a cab, need to contact the cab company. Then his inner wolf said, “A cab, then a bus, then a train. That’s it she took the cab to the bus station.” It didn’t take Zand long to get to the bus depot. Talked to several ticket sellers found she headed north next big city.
Two hours later Zand drove into the train station. Walked up to a ticket booth handed the lady behind the window Alexis picture and ask if this woman took a train. The lady said, “Yes she purchased a one way ticket to Canada.” After checking receipts she came up with the name Lillie Williams.
Zand’s inner wolf said, “Cab, bus, train, changed her name, dyed her hair!” Turning to the lady at the ticket booth and ask what colors was her hair how long was it.
“She said, light brown hair, waist length why do you ask?” Just wanted to know if she cut her hair or dyed it is all. Thanks for the help.
Turning Zand headed out to his truck, “Well oh boy she took a cab, then the bus, and now a train, she hasn’t cut her hair or dyed it yet, she will if she is smart. It won’t help her when it comes to us, we will still be able to scent her. “I hope she doesn’t cut her hair.”
Zand’s phone rang, “Zand here!”
Mr. Alexander my niece took money out of my bank account at the local bus station.”
Zand’s eye brows lifted, “how much money?”
“A thousand dollars, I shut down the card so it can not be used any more.” Walter said with a frown.
“Shame when she used the card we could have tracked her, no difference I will find her sooner or later. She will make a mistake, run a ways always do.” Zand hung up the phone. “Good girl thousand dollars won’t last you long, have to find you before it will run out and you get into some serious trouble. If her uncle truly wanted her found he would have left the card for her to use. Or maybe he was just plain stupid, stupid fits him on second thought.”
Zand headed north to the Canadian border. Zand new the train would be delayed until all the travelers went through customs. If he rushed he might get their in time to pick her up. One way or the other he was going to help her even if she didn’t want his help. Smiling, “he was going to enjoy this job!” What did he know about her, hated two timing men, didn’t like getting hurt emotionally, or physically, didn’t trust people, intelligent, quick witted, knew how to handle men, knew how to keep a low profile. She has it all working for her. Tuff case this one!”
Zand reached the border just as the passengers were loading back onto the train. Quickly going through customs and the border crossing the train had begun to pull out. “Damn!” going to miss it. Sure enough the train pulled out. He scented the area and found Alexis scent and then walked toward where the train had been sitting. “Good she got back on the train.”
Zand walked up to his truck unlocked the doors an uneasy feeling hit him. His inner wolf growled. Turning and looking around he did not see anyone out of the ordinary. He knew who ever was watching him he would lose them on the high way. His inner wolf wanted released but kept himself calm. That damn Tatarine had hired some one to follow him or another investigator. “He would make quick work of this situation.” he thought.
Starting up his truck Zand moved away from the Canadian border towards the north. With any kind of luck he new the area and the other investigator did not.
Alexis had noticed a man watching her and he had tried to get through customs but was delayed. He gave her a dirty look as her trained pulled out of the station. She had to get off the train before it hit any large cities. He would be watching for her at the train stations. She had never seen the man before, looked to be about five foot eleven, red hair his chest look like it fall into his stomach.
At the next small town Alexis got off the train headed to the bus depot purchased a ticket. She put her hair up into a cap kept her head down and purchased a ticket under the name of Lillie Zander. Ten minutes later her bus was heading north. The woman in the seat a head of her had put down the window part way. Watching traffic going by the bus she noticed a white truck crew cab go flying by. Once it was a head of the bus it slowed down keeping just a head of the bus. Thinking no more then it just wanted passed the bus in case it made stops.
Zand passed a bus and picked up Alexis scent when he passed, quickly ducking slightly he caught sight of a woman with a cap on, and it looked like Alexis but was not sure. But her scent was on that bus. As Zand kept just a head of the bus a black car flew by the bus and him at a hundred and fifteen clicks. The driver had red hair and the inner wolf growled Zand bared his teeth slightly. Once the car was out of sight Zand began to start thinking, “Had Alexis seen him? That the reason she got of the train? Maybe she saw the red haired man and that was why. She was staying alert, keeping her guard up. Good girl sweetie. She would escape the average private investigator. Even with his ability to scent her she was giving him a run for his money. If the window of the bus had not been down he would never have known she was on the bus. He would have to keep a close eye on the bus just in case it made some stops on its way north.
The bus driver put on his turn signal to exit the main highway. He was going into a small town to pick up additional passengers anyone wanting to get off the bus and walk a little could. The bus would be fifteen minutes before it pulled out again.
Alexis stepped off the bus; her leg hurt and wondered why? She walked toward a coke machine and put some change in it. When the bottle came down a hand reached for the bottle before hers did. Turning she looked up into Zand’s eyes. Fear filled her face, her breath left her.
Zand popped the bottle cap handed the bottle to Alexis, “Honey you have to get off that bus right now and come with me. It is your only chance to get away safe. You can either trust me, or get on that bus and the private investigator your Uncle hired will pick you up.
Alexis went from total fear consuming her to complete bafflement in a matter of seconds. It couldn’t be the same man standing before her; that she had seen at Billy’s Bar. But here he was offering to help her, all six foot four of him. Why should she trust him? What was he doing here?
As if reading her mind Zand said, “You Uncle contacted me; wants me to find you and return you. I am not returning you to that mean son of a bitch. Don’t tell me he hasn’t abused you. I smelled the blood in your room and in the hall way. Now get your stuff and let’s get the hell out of here. I know several places we can go and be safe. I have friends here in Canada.
Alexis heard the bus driver saying all a board, she walked over to him asked for her duffle bag he opened the bottom of the bus and he handed it to her. He stepped on the bus and drove away with his passengers.
Alexis stood there for a moment turned to Zand, “I will more then likely be sorry for this, something inside me says to trust you.”
Chapter 4
Zand took the duffle bag from her tossed it into the back seat of his truck, opened the passenger side door and Alexis stepped up and grit her teeth from the pain in her leg as she took a seat. Grabbing the seat belt she watched as Zand moved around the truck and jumped in the driver’s side. Slamming the door shut, “if I tell you to duck, you duck, I give you an order you do it. It might be the difference of your being safe or caught.”
Alexis smiled, took a drink from her bottle of coke, “absolutely Zand,” and then handed him the bottle.
Zand took the bottle slipping some of the cold fluid he smiled leaned over, “you’re a smart girl” Stopping in mid sentence he sniffed at Alexis. “Something is in infected do you have a wound?”
Alexis stopped smiling, “yes a slash down my left leg, but it was ok this morning.”
Reaching over and touching Alexis forehead, she was cool to the touch, but that might only mean the infection has not gotten to bad yet. “I will have to check it out, get some medication for it. Next town I’ll pop in to the drug store.
A small exit sign he turned right. Zand stopped at a drug store picked up some bandages, salve and aspirins. “We can’t get a place to stay here in a big city because that P.I. is looking for you here so we will continue up a little further stop at a camp site and I will clean up your leg, medicate it and bandage it up again. If you take it easy it should heal in a few hours.