Betrayed: Days of the Rogue (10 page)

“Doctor, I don’t think he’s feeling
well.”

“No doubt he nervous.” He’d brushed
her concerns aside, intent on getting started. The man’s demeanor
had been calm enough when he entered the room, sipping on a soda
Annette had given him. They’d started with banal conversation about
the weather, Jillian had joined them and then the man had suddenly
shifted…

Rafe rubbed the scar on his abdomen
that was a constant reminder of the incident. He’d spent time in
the hospital because of it. Thankfully, Jillian, the counsellor,
had completely recovered. The client, however, had not. It still
made no sense; the reports stated the rogue had simply faded away,
all will to live gone.

To this day, he wondered if he
might have been able to reach the man had his own doctors not
insisted he stay in the hospital. Perhaps his ability to read the
emotions of a rogue wasn’t as good as he thought. Or was it because
he’d still been thinking about the funding proposal? And if he’d
only been more attentive to the subtle signs the rogue was giving…
‘If only’ was a futile game to play, a labyrinth that led nowhere,
draining hope and energy while keeping you trapped with past
regrets. He’d said as much to others. But when it was your own
guilt and self-doubt that ate away at you, the game became
strangely addictive.

He’d left the Rehab Clinic shortly
after being released from hospital, unsure if he should proceed
with his work. His faith in his own skills had been shaken. He felt
drained from years of dealing with rogues and battling the
prejudices that still surrounded his work with them. The passion
that had spurred him onward all these years was fading, leaving him
with a sense that something was missing. But what?

He returned to the present day and
studied the information before him. Dealing with another
rogue—especially Damien Masterson—was not part of his plan. Idly,
he stroked his lower lip with his thumb as he scrolled through the
particulars in Damien’s file. Age, date of birth, no family though
the reports would indicate he thought of Reno Smith as a brother…
Ah ha! That was the key.

Rafe looked up Reno’s number,
hesitating on where to reach him before choosing the Lycan Link
number. The man worked two jobs, spending half his time at Lycan
Link and the other half as a Beta for the Kolding’s Pass pack. It
was an unusual arrangement but apparently Reno hadn’t wanted to
give up all of his ties to Lycan Link, at least not until his
partner was found. Well, here was what the man was waiting for.
Reno could deal with bringing Damien in.

“ACS. Smith speaking.”

Ah, he’d chosen correctly. Reno
was
working at Lycan Link this month.

“Reno? Rafe McRae here. How are
you?” Rafe slipped into his professional persona, giving no hint
that he’d been out of circulation for several months. He leaned
back in his chair picturing the man he was speaking to. Reno was
considered one of the toughest Enforcers Lycan Link had ever
produced. The man was smart, strong and extremely rough around the
edges. Apparently he’d mellowed over the years, especially since
his mating to Brandi Johansson, but news trickled down that he
could still swear a blue streak, and bent every rule to the very
edge of the breaking point. Listening to tales of his escapades was
always highly entertaining.

“I’m good, Rafe. And you?”

“Never better.”

There was a pause before Reno spoke
again, as if he were choosing his words or trying to piece
something together. “I’m surprised to hear from you after all this
time. Rumour has it you’ve finally decided to head out on your
own.”

Rafe chuckled. Reno’s attempt at
subtly fishing for information was transparent. “Reno, you know
better than to believe the rumour mill. I’m on a sabbatical. Taking
an extended vacation, enjoying some down time. You know how it
is.”

Reno grunted, obviously not buying
the canned response. Well, if he didn’t like it, that was too bad.
Rafe wasn’t about to announce his personal plans to anyone,
especially not over a Lycan Link line. While statutes forbade the
tapping of phone lines, there were always rumours that private
phone conversations weren’t quite as private as one might wish.

“Rafe, I’m going to call you on my
cell phone. Gimme a sec.” The line went dead and Rafe hung up on
his end as well. Obviously Reno had the same reservations about
privacy.

A few minutes later the phone
rang.

“Okay, Rafe. This is a secure line.
Now cut the crap. Last I heard you were at death’s door from a
rogue attack at your clinic. What’s up?”

“As subtle as always, Reno.”

Reno snorted. “Rafe, I haven’t
heard from you in almost five years, not since that Enforcer went
rogue on me.”

“And he’s doing well, according to
the latest report I received. Thanks again for your help with
him.”

“No problem. Now what do you
need?”

Rafe sighed. Reno’s social skills
were still borderline. The man would benefit from a few therapy
sessions. “I have a rogue in my territory.”

“So? Contact Somerset.”

“The man’s an ass.”

“True.”

“And the rogue I’m talking about is
someone close to you.”

There was a pause and then a
rustling sound as if Reno were pressing the phone more tightly to
his ear. “Damien?”

“I think so. Black fur and the
latest reports from Lycan Link seem to indicate Damien was heading
this direction.”

“Exactly where are you, Rafe? No
one claims to know where you took off to, or if they do they aren’t
talking.”

“That was my plan.” He smirked,
knowing it likely drove the higher ups crazy. They were too nosey
for their own good. “I’m in Grassy Hills, a little place outside
Calgary, Alberta.”

“Canada? Shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let me think a minute.”
There was a pause and then Reno spoke again. “Normally, I’d head
right out, but the Captain is on special assignment—a pack almost
enacted The Keeping—and I’m in charge for the next few weeks. I
have meetings and paperwork coming out of my ass.”

“Moving up the ranks?”

“If I don’t kill somebody first.
Dammit, Rafe, I’m not cut out for all this paperwork and diplomacy.
Field work is where I belong.”

Rafe could easily imagine Reno
running agitated fingers through his hair.

“Isn’t there someone you can
delegate to? I really don’t want to report Masterson to the likes
of Adrian Somerset.”

“Hell, no. Damien would fight to
the death rather than come in trussed up in a cage like Adrian has
them. Can’t you talk him in? You’re the best there is, after
all.”

“Flattery, Reno? Tsk, tsk. The
depths you’ve fallen to.” Rafe gently mocked the other man, trying
to avoid answering Reno’s request.

“I’d slit my wrists if I thought it
would help Damien.”

Rafe was quiet for a moment, not
doubting Reno’s sincerity; the men were reported to have been like
brothers in everything but blood. He decided to answer honestly.
“Reno… I’m not sure I’m up to it.”

Reno was silent. When he finally
spoke, his voice was low and serious. “Rafe, I know—at least I
think I know—what you’re up against. The same thing happened to me
after Langstaff. A case goes sour and you start to doubt yourself,
but walking away isn’t the answer. There are still Lycans out there
that need you.”

Rafe sighed. How often had he heard
that?

‘
This one needs you.’

‘
Only you can reach
him.’

‘
You’re his last hope, Doctor
McRae.’

Everyone needed him, but what about
his own needs? Did anyone realize the toll each case took on him?
The mental energy that was drained from him with each new
patient?

“I’m exhausted, Reno. I can’t know
with any certainty that I’m reading a rogue correctly anymore.”

“So what? Even if your skills
aren’t working at one hundred percent they’re still better than
what most of us have. Being one quarter Fae gives you a leg up on
all of us. Empaths are hard to come by in the Lycan world.”

“Correction. Empaths are seldom
accepted
in the Lycan world. The Fae-Lycan schism hasn’t
been mended even after all these centuries. Those of us who are the
result of such a union are still viewed with suspicion.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.
It’s all part of the whole Purist mindset. Only a few lowlifes
follow that type of thinking.”

Rafe smiled to himself. Reno had
worked hard over the years, trying to eradicate the Purist
mentality, but old prejudices still existed. Few were aware of how
hard he, as a part Fae, had had to fight to earn his place in the
Lycan world, how he’d been shunned by those afraid he’d ‘read their
minds.’ Of course, he could only read emotions not actual thoughts,
and only those of normal humans or Lycans in their wolf form. But
few really bothered to understand empathic abilities. Little did
they know that most Fae kept their minds locked, that being
barraged by the feelings of others was exhausting. Empathic
connections were usually kept for far more intimate moments.

In the end, he’d learned it was
easier to hide his heritage. It wasn’t until he began his studies
at university that he’d come to see a use for his skills, and find
his own place in the Lycan world.

“If you could just befriend Damien,
keep him busy for a week or two until I can get there and talk to
him.” Reno paused and then continued. “Rafe, I don’t say this often
but…please?”

A growl escaped Rafe. He knew when
he was beaten. When the mighty Reno Smith started to beg, you knew
you had to concede. “All right. I’m not promising anything, but
I’ll try to keep him in the area until you can get here. And I
won’t say anything to Lycan Link in case Adrian gets wind of
it.”

“Thanks, Rafe. I owe you one.”

“Oh yeah, you owe me one, Reno. You
owe me big time.” And with that he hung up.

Chapter 6

Reno flicked his phone shut and
shoved it in his pocket while casually surveying his surroundings.
He was standing outside the main building for Lycan Link
headquarters and wanted to ensure no one had heard his
conversation. There was a traitor at Lycan Link and he no longer
knew who to trust. It rankled to have lied to Rafe—he considered
the doctor an old friend—but after five years who knew how the man
might have changed.

Checking his watch, Reno began to
walk towards a cluster of picnic tables. It was almost time for his
meeting; a very private meeting with a few Lycans he knew he could
depend on. The captain had put him in charge of this bit of
subterfuge and they’d both agreed that the fewer Lycans involved
the better.

The weather was warm for an early
spring day and several Lycan Link employees were taking advantage
of their lunch break, strolling about the large compound or sitting
outside reading. While this meant no one would question why he was
outside, it also meant he’d have to be extra diligent to ensure no
one was near enough to listen in.

Directly ahead, Bradley Owen was
sitting at a table placed near a young sapling, the yet unfurled
leaves doing little to block the sun. Reno nodded as he took a seat
at the other end of the table, tilting his face upward as if
enjoying the warm rays.

“Nice day for lunch outside.” Brad
took a bite of his sandwich and slowly turned the page of the book
he had with him. Anyone looking this way would assume he was lost
in the story.

“Sure is.” Reno barely spared the
man a glance. He nodded in greeting at an Enforcer that jogged by,
and gave a genuine smile when his mate, Brandi, appeared with two
paper bags in her hand. The wind was causing her long red locks to
ripple like flames dancing about her shoulders and his cock
hardened as he recalled how she’d looked in bed that morning, her
hair spilling about her on the pillow. They’d almost been late for
work because of it.

“Reno! Sorry I’m late. There was a
long line at the cafeteria.” She leaned down, kissed his cheek and
then sat beside him.

“No problem, Babe. What did you
bring me?” He peered in the sack and his stomach rumbled as the
scent of French fries wafted up at him.

“A burger and fries. No onion rings
though.” She wrinkled her nose and laughed, taking her seat beside
him.

He growled in mock anger before
removing the food from the bag and placing it on the table.
Surreptitiously, he surveyed the area again. They were still alone.
“I had a call today from Rafe McRae.”

“Rafe?” Brad spoke barely moving
his lips, his eyes still focussed on his book. “I haven’t seen him
since we were at the Academy together.”

“Dr. McRae?” Brandi knit her brows
together. “Wasn’t he the founder of the Rogue Rehabilitation
Clinic? As I recall he made quite a splash with his theory that
rogues aren’t inherently evil.” She hugged Reno’s arm. “Of course,
I knew that all along.”

Reno pressed a kiss to her temple
before continuing. “Yep, that’s him. He called me about a rogue.
There’s one in his territory and he thinks it’s Damien.

“Damien?” Brandi stiffened upon
hearing the announcement and Brad actually looked up from his book
before remembering his cover and sinking down behind the novel
again. “Oh my gosh, what are you going to do?”

“I convinced him to try and keep
Damien there until I could fly out.”

Brandi clutched the edge of the
table. “You’re sure he’s not going to call Somerset? If he does,
it’s like signing Damien’s death certificate. Maybe I should go,
just to be sure.”

“Rafe is a good guy,” Brad assured
her. “He wouldn’t sell anyone out to a creep like Somerset.”

Reno slid a sideways glance at the
man. “I’m going with my gut and assuming we can trust him that
far.”

“Why wouldn’t you trust Dr. McRae?”
Brandi glanced over her shoulder and waved at a co-worker,
plastering a smile to her face as if she hadn’t a care in the
world.