Chapter Thirty Six

Elliot and Taylor sat at the kitchen table and ate in silence. All Taylor could find was a half-eaten bag of chips. Christian loved to snack on chips. Elliot remembered teasing him about it once. Christian simply told Elliot that 'it was the perfect amount of salt and flavor.' Elliot could only smile at his brother's quirks. Elliot looked over at Taylor.

"So my brother isn't as boring as I think he is, is he?"

Taylor choked on the chip he just put in his mouth.

"It's not my business, but the simple answer is no."

Elliot held back his smile. So his brother was getting some. Good for him. Taylor obviously knew more, but neither of the men wanted to discuss another man's love life further.

Christian eyes rolled back as he struggled to remain in control. If he let his wolf out now, everything in its path would be in danger. Saving Anna wouldn't mean anything if he hurt the people he cared about in the process. His wolf growled. Let me out! No, you're too dangerous, said Christian. I will only do what needs to be done, said his wolf. Christian laughed softly. He didn't want to Taylor and Elliot to know that he was close to losing it again. You can't lie to me said Christian. His wolf snarled loudly. Christian reared his head back from the noise. Owe, said Christian. You don't deserve her, said his wolf. That's your problem, ever since we found Anna, you've been a mess. You're afraid of losing her, you've always been. Why aren't you, said his wolf. He genuinely wanted to know. For the first time in a while, his wolf was still. I trust her and we love each other. That's all I have to go on, said Christian. His wolf thought about what Christian said and sat down. He had been acting different lately. He huffed. Christian sighed dropped his head. For the first time in a long time, his mind was at peace.

Corin held Sierra in place. She smelled so sweet. Her mixture of fear and excitement was affecting him. She looked him up and down. He growled and pushed her arms against the wall again. He lowered his head; he couldn't look at her anymore.

"How could you do this to me," said Corin.

Christian could sense that his wolf was calm. Maybe he was ready to listen. He needed his wolf to find Anna and kill the wolves responsible for taking her. He thought about Anna and hesitated. She would see him at his worst. Could she still love him after that? It didn't matter, as long as she was alive, he find a way to live without her. Maybe, he wouldn't, but that was fine.

Listen to me, we both want to save Anna, said Christian. His wolf was silent, but Christian could tell it was thinking. Do you have a plan, asked his wolf? Yes, we track her down and I'll let you lead. Christian had his wolf's attention. You just have to give me back control when I ask for it. This won't work if you take complete control. We need each other to succeed. His wolf thought about Christian's words. Christian was right. He was reluctant to admit it, but they needed each other. Agreed said his wolf.

"Taylor," yelled Christian.

Taylor appeared in the room.

"Yes, sir."

"Untie me."

Taylor was not sure he should untie him. Was Christian ready? Had he regained control that quickly? He was truly powerful. Taylor walked up to Christian.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not going to ask you again?"

Christian yanked his arms. Taylor reluctantly took Christian's restraints off. Christian took a step back to give himself some space between him and Taylor.

"So, you alright?"

"As much as I can be."

Christian walked back into the living room. Elliot stood to attention like he was in the army, he just didn't salute.

"Christian, you good, now?"

"If either one of you ask me how I'm doing again, I might kill both of you."

Taylor and Elliot's eyes widened.

"I'm kidding."

Elliot tried to laugh, but it came out as a faint ha sound instead. Taylor remained silent.

"Bad joke," Christian admitted.

"Elliot, I'll need your help…"

Elliot was glad that Christian planned to inform them of his plan. Elliot did not want Christian out there alone in the state he was in. Also, his brother was way too comfortable with having his dick out in front of other men. Maybe it was wolf shifting thing?

"I need you to distract Kate while I search Anna's room," said Christian.

"You're serious?"

Christian just looked at Elliot and Elliot understood. This plan was not up for negotiation.

"I'll drive," said Taylor.

Christian took a few steps back.

"Good, I'm going to change now. Don't be afraid."

Elliot and Taylor did their best, but Christian was a very powerful wolf and right now, he and his wolf were on the brink. You're turn, said Christian. His wolf nodded his head. Christian groaned and began to transform. His muscles began to shift and his hands turned into claws. When his human legs gave out, he fell on all fours, grew hair all over his body and completed his transformation.

"So, shotgun," said Elliot.

Christian walked to the elevator doors and looked back at Taylor and Elliot. Taylor and Elliot quickly walked behind Christian. Taylor pressed the button to open the door. Christian walked in first, Taylor and Elliot followed behind him. While in the elevator Elliot looked down at Christian's wolf form and was in awe. Elliot hadn't seen Christian like this in a long time; his wolf was larger. Christian looked up at Elliot and pawed at Elliot's leg. Christian knew Elliot would never be able to shift and he did want Elliot to see him like this to hurt him. Elliot nudged Christian. Christian blinked and nudged Elliot back. Elliot hit the wall hard and laughed. Taylor looked back at them, then back to the front of the elevator and smiled.

As Taylor drove, Christian laid down in the back seat. Elliot sat in the front seat and thought about how he was going to convince Kate to see him after he left earlier. Christian was right; Kate would start freaking about Anna sooner or later. It was too dangerous to get her involved. Putting another human in danger was just stupid.

"Are you comfortable back there," asked Taylor.

Christian huffed. He was not thinking about how well the AC cooled his fur. He wasn't hot though. Taylor never had to drive him as a wolf before.

Kate could not believe Anna had left again! What was with her lately? Christian was just a handsome, confident billionaire that had fallen for her. Oh, wait, Kate thought as she flopped down on Anna's bed. What if they were really in love? Would Anna get married this young? Kate wasn't ready to have a married friend. Anna was her wingman! Kate slouched, Anna probably would get married. She sighed and sat up straight. Good for her, a real friend would be happy for her, even though she was losing a close friend in the process. She walked out toward the living room and heard a knock on the door just when she was making her way through the packed boxes. She frowned. Who was it? She walked to the door and looked through the peep hole. Elliot? She had half a mind not to answer the door, then she opened the door.

"Are you crazy," she asked him.

"I forgot something," he said innocently.

"What?"

He leaned in and kissed her and his previous offense melted away. He picked her up and walked as best he could to her room; his lips barely leaving hers. She didn't realize the door was left open. He would have never been so careless if he knew they were the only people in the house. He kicked Kate's bedroom door shut.

Taylor walked in and Christian walked in behind Taylor. Taylor quietly shut the door. Christian and Taylor walked to Anna's room. Taylor and Christian could tell Kate was in there recently. Christian wanted to growl, but he knew that would only draw attention to them. He sniffed the bed anyway. The other wolf's scent was masked, but Anna's was still strong. He closed his eyes and focused on Anna. He had her scent. He walked out of the bedroom. Taylor followed behind him.

"Elliot, we're done," said Taylor barely above a whisper, but Taylor knew Elliot heard it.

Taylor walked out of the apartment and shut the door. Elliot walked out naked and locked the door.

"What are you doing," he heard Kate yell?

"You forgot to lock the door," said Elliot.

Elliot walked back toward Kate's bedroom. He was glad to finish what he started. He hoped Christian was able to catch something, he didn't. Christian saw Taylor walk back toward the car and transformed back into his human form. Taylor pressed a button on the car key and opened the trunk. Christian took out a spare shirt and a pair of pants. He quickly dressed himself and put on a pair of sandals.

"Did you find anything," asked Taylor.

"No," said Christian.

Christian wanted to hit something, but he knew if he did he would cause damage. He didn't need that kind of attention right now.

"Corin is still an option," said Taylor.

Christian's eyes glowed for instant and returned to normal.

"He might be our only option," said Christian.

"What do you want to do," asked Taylor.

Christian's wolf remained calm. He kept his promise and allowed Christian to take the lead while he was in human form. He placed his hands on the hood of his car and put his head down. Could he trust Corin? Wasn't Corin just as dangerous as the wolves that took her?

"Right now, he doesn't know I'm awake."

"That's right."

Christian looked at Taylor. Taylor had no idea what Christian was thinking.

Sierra sensed how hurt Corin was. It reminded her how much she loved him. Her wolf now felt shame instead of fear. How could they claim to love him and do such a thing? She gasped.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

He kept his head down and used all of his senses to see if she was lying to him. She was telling the truth. The next thing he felt from her was pain. He and his wolf were now conflicted. He let her go and looked at her as if she was a stranger. She knew she was losing him. She reached out to touch his face. He gave her threatening glare and snarled at her. She put her hand down.

"It's not what you think. I was trying to protect you, a hybrid son with a human mate. It would be too much. All the others would see you as weak. Your son and this woman could start a war," said Sierra.

He stared past her.

"I don't have time for your excuses, just tell me what I need to know," he said.

"Only if I can go with you," she said.

She didn't need her other senses to read the look of shock on his face.

'I'll kill them myself," she said.

"Them…"

"Yes."

"Why should I trust you?"

She took a step back. How could he be so cold to her so quickly? You threatened his young, be grateful you're still alive, said her wolf.

"I've never hurt you."

"Not until today."

Tears fell down her face. She had made so many mistakes. She moved slowly, she did not want to alarm him or be killed. She took off her gown, knelt down in front of him, put her head to the floor and closed her eyes. She told him the address and her main contact.

"He may have two other wolves with him," she said.

She couldn't live without him. If he couldn't love her anymore, then she wanted him to kill her. He looked down at her, his hand turned into a claw.

"You really want to die."

He wanted to kill her, but he knew he'd be lost. His hand returned to its human form.

"Get dressed."

He walked passed her. She laid on her side and stayed in his office. She didn't care if anyone saw her like this. She just wanted his forgiveness.

Corin pushed past the doors. Alexa and the two guards lowered their heads and eyes. Corin walked up to Alexa.

"Let's go."

Thanks for reading! Corin and Alexa are on their way to find Anna. Julian and his pair of wolves are going to pay for what they did. Sierra's fate is not sealed yet. I doubt she can redeem herself. Corin just has other things to deal with at the moment, but he hasn't forgotten about her. Christian is forced to trust his estranged father. Hopefully, Corin understands how important Anna is to his son.

As always, I appreciate your reviews, comments and constructive criticism.