Page 18 of Coyote Underground (Monsters of New York #9)

Getting Kidnapped on Purpose

A na Sofia

The docks are crowded when we arrive, and that works in our favor. I’ve been introduced to several men who apparently work for our pack from time to time, and will be keeping an eye on me. My heart races at the thought of what I’m about to do.

“You remember who you’re looking for?” Isaac asks, kissing me before he lets me out of the SUV.

“Yes, I know who I’m looking for. And I know what I’m supposed to do. Trust me, I’ll be the perfectly helpless Omega who needs a big, strong Alpha to protect her,” I tease. He laughs at the same time Diego and Lorenzo groan.

“This was your idea,” Isaac tells Diego.

“I know, and I already regret it,” he responds with a smirk. I give each of them another quick kiss, then climb out of the car. I need to stumble around for a few minutes to make sure their scents aren’t on me, and it’ll give a little more believability to my story that I’ve been drinking.

I feel eyes on me before I see the men who are obviously following me.

My heart rate picks up again, but I try to keep myself calm.

There are three teams of coyote shifters watching everything that’s happening right now.

I have nothing to be afraid of, not really.

One simple word from me, and they’ll all come running.

Not even a word really, I just have to hit my panic button.

I push through my fear as the humans surround me. “Where are you off to, pretty lady?” one of them asks.

“I think I’m lost,” I say in a slurred voice. “I was going home, but this doesn’t look right. Can you help me?”

The men exchange a look. “We can help you. Come on.” And just like that, my window to use the panic button is gone.

I wouldn’t have risked losing our chance to save Val anyway.

They lead me toward the shipping containers further up the docks, and I hope my mates are paying attention.

I don’t know if these men will take me to my sister or not, but I won’t fight until I know where we’re going.

****

D iego

Watching those humans lead our Omega away and letting it happen is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A low growl escapes me as we trail behind them. If we get too close, things could go wrong really fast.

I stop for a minute, letting my coyote form take control. It’ll be easier to blend in here if people think I’m just a wild animal scavenging. I’m happy to give that impression, and it should allow me to get closer to the group of men who have my mate.

Once I’ve shifted, I realize Zac and Zo have too. The three of us split up, making sure to stay close enough to keep a visual on each other. As concerned as I am for Ana Sofia’s safety, the thrill of the hunt takes over and I stalk these men.

They disappear around a corner and we follow close behind.

The small group enters one of the shipping containers, and I start to follow them.

Zac and Zo both grab my tail and pull me back.

We can’t go rushing in yet. I nearly lost myself.

We have to give Ana Sofia a moment to see if her sister is inside, and give our other teams a chance to check the other containers.

****

A na Sofia

I let these humans lead me into a shipping container. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to my house,” I say, making sure to stumble and slur my words.

“We just have to make a quick stop first, okay?” one of them responds.

A moment later, something cold and metallic snaps into place around my neck. “What the fuck?” I ask, no longer pretending to be drunk.

“That is how we’re gonna be able to sell you for top dollar, shifter,” another of the men answers with a sneer.

“Why? I don’t understand what’s happening here.” I turn my head to check out the container they’ve brought me into. There are other women along the walls, crouching, kneeling, sitting. They’re dirty and scared.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” a man says, shoving me toward the prisoners. I don’t fight, still scanning the space for my sister. As much as I don’t want her to be here, I need to find her. Satisfied that I’m not fighting back, the men leave us alone.

The moment I hear the padlock click, I pull a flashlight from my pocket and start looking for Val again. “Val?” I call for her in a whisper. I don’t want our captors to know I’m here on purpose, or that I have people waiting for me.

I make it to the back of the container when I see her.

Val is curled up on the floor, her eyes closed, dried blood on her face, and one of these strange collars around her throat.

“Val?” I say again, moving closer, fearing the worst. I drop to my knees next to her, tears filling my eyes.

Panic grips my chest, and my heart races.

I don’t know what I’ll do if she’s dead.

I reach down and brush a strand of hair from her face.

When her eyes fly open and meet mine, we both yell.

“Ana Sofia? Is it really you? I’m so glad to see you,” she says in a rush as I pull her into my arms. “Wait.” She pushes me away.

“They caught you too. Oh, no. I’d hoped you would find a way to save me, not that you’d join me in this hell. ”

My sweet baby sister sounds as if she’s aged a decade in the week and a half we’ve been apart. Maybe she has. “It’s okay, Val,” I insist, keeping my voice low so only she can hear me. “My pack is here, and they’re going to get us out of here.”

“Your pack? What are you talking about?” she asks. Then it hits me. In the time my sister has been locked away here, suffering through whatever these men have done to her, I’ve been lucky enough to find a pack that cherishes me.

“I’ll explain when we get out. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through. I won’t leave you,” I insist.

“You may not have a choice, if they come back with the boss. This container is scheduled to leave tonight, and go up for auction tomorrow evening. We’re not supposed to know that, but I’ve been pretending to be knocked out when they come in. I overheard conversations,” she explains.

“The container isn’t going anywhere. The guys are right outside with backup. Trust me, we’re gonna be okay,” I tell her.

“I hope you’re right,” she says. I pull her in for another hug, holding her tightly against me. Then I pull the small device out of my jacket pocket and press the button. Hopefully, the signal gets through the metal container, so my guys know I’ve found my sister.

****

I saac

We duck around the opposite corner of the container when those men take our Omega inside. Unsure of the best course of action, I shift back to my human form, letting Diego and Lorenzo stay coyotes for now. I back against the container when we hear the doors swing open, hiding in the shadows.

As the men walk away, Diego follows them to find out if they left any guards behind. He returns to where I’m standing, shifting smoothly. “All of them left. This is our chance. We need to pick the lock and get those women out.”

I shake my head. “We have to give Ana Sofia time to look for Valerie. She’ll give the signal if she finds her.” I glance at my watch. “Five minutes, okay? Just give her five minutes to check the container, then we’ll go in.”

Diego nods and leans against the cold metal beside me. A moment later, Lorenzo shifts and joins us. When he does, the small device in my pocket chirps. “That’s her. She has Valerie.”