Hunted Derick

Chapter Six - Madam York

★ Derick ★

“Gale, she taught me everything I know. You see, Derick, I was raised to be an assassin,” Candice’s words echoed through my mind. An assassin. What did that even mean? A person who murdered someone who was important. For what reason? Possibly political or religious? Or was it something deeper than that? Revenge? Justice? I wasn’t sure and I certainly wasn’t about to ask Candice about it. Not yet anyway. Right now, our main focus had to be on finding Carter and so far, we’ve had no luck. Two weeks have already passed, and we haven’t got any clue as to where he may be. That is until yesterday and then everything changed. Suddenly Candice’s words of being an assassin scared me. It was made clear that her ‘job’ wasn’t only dangerous for her or even for Gale but to her whole family. Which is why she had abandoned her family long ago. That is why she didn’t contact them.

★ Flashback ★

“Alpha!” Keith shouted out as he raced towards me, flapping his arms around made him look like a chicken or something. I frowned as I spotted a brown envelope in his grubby little paws. “I found this,” he said as he reached me, almost shoving the envelope in my face. I snapped the thing from him as I scowled. I ripped it open to reveal a letter and three photographs.

Candice

I hope this letter finds you well. I have to apologize for the death of your younger brother, Conner. His death saddens me, but I know that you need an incentive to join me. I have Carter. Yes, I know you favor him just because he is an Omega. Well, I have him. If you want him then you can come, get him but only under the condition that you complete two jobs for me. For free, no questions asked. I know you are the best at what you do and that is why no one else will suffice. Think wisely about your choice. You have three days to decide. Otherwise, you’ll be having a double burial for your two dead brothers.

Yours sincerely,

The letter wasn’t signed, and I didn’t care. She knew. Candice. I raced inside the packhouse and up the stairs. I didn’t even bother to knock as I threw open the guest bedroom door. Candice sat on the bed looking through some documents that I didn’t recognize but I also didn’t care at this point.

“You have some explaining to do,” I growled out as I threw the letter in her general direction. It landed on the floor and Candice frowned as she bent down to retrieve the note. I looked down at the three photos and moaned out. Two of them were of some men that I didn't know or recognize and the last one was of Carter. He was tied up and looked like a bloody mess. Candice read the note and paled. She glanced up at me and I couldn’t help but smirk nastily at her. “Oh yeah, the cat is out of the bag,” I snapped. Although she had mentioned being an assassin, she hadn’t gone into much detail. “Looks like your upbringing is coming back to bite you in the ass,” I couldn’t help but throw at her. Candice flinched and I then threw the photos at her and walked out.

★ End of Flashback ★

I thought about Keith and then I quickly shook my head before I allowed myself to think too long about the wolf that had been with MY mate. I had appointed him as beta and after finding out his past with Candice, I had thought I wouldn’t be able to trust him, or I thought I would’ve felt as if I had made a mistake. Yet, despite it all, I knew that appointing Keith as the pack’s beta was the best decision I had ever made.

“Alpha?” I turned to see Susan standing at the door and I nodded for her to come in. “I’ve prepared dinner, where would you like to eat?” she asked. I silently moaned as I realized I had been avoiding my pack. Not joining them for dinner or light conversations. I had blocked myself off from having to face them. Of course, the reason is obvious. Fear. My fear that I had let them down. That one of their own had died during my reign.

“I’ll have dinner here, thank you, Susan,” I said softly as I turned my attention back to the letter I held in my hands.

“Alpha?” Susan called out hesitatingly.

“Hmm?” I looked up, slightly confused as to what she wanted now.

“I hope you know that we all look up to you and we all want to be here for you and each other. Try not to shut us out like this. We do not blame you for what happened and the fact that you are working so hard to find Carter is proof enough that you are more than worthy to be our leader, our Alpha,” she said before turning around and walking out. My mouth hung open as she literally just uttered the words I had desperately, yet unknowingly, needed to hear. I smiled then and slowly stood up. Making my way downstairs I headed to the kitchen where Susan was barking out orders to the females. She spotted me out of the corner of her eye and smiled. I nodded and headed outside to the great hall. For some reason, the pack enjoyed dining together and meals would be eaten in the great hall. I could hear the laughter and voices as I neared the hall.

“Derick,” I froze when I heard her voice call out my name. “Please, can we talk?” she begged. I turned around slowly to face her. She looked like death.

“Can we have dinner first?” I asked her. Candice nodded and we went into the hall together. The crowd spotted us and stopped laughing and talking. Candice and I stood side by side. Alpha and Luna (ok, technically, she hadn’t been announced yet as Luna nor accepted as one but still…). Mates. Suddenly the crowd cheered and with that and Susan’s words from earlier made me realize that I was way in over my head. The problem wasn’t with any of them but rather with me. I was the one that didn’t have any faith in myself. I gently cupped Candice’s elbow and guided her towards the long-serving table and we quickly dished up. Roast potatoes, honey glazed carrots, rice, gravy, and roast lamb and fried chicken. A delicious meal prepared by wolves of my pack. I smiled as I followed behind Candice. We sat down and I was welcomed. I listened to the wolves talk among themselves.

“No way! I heard that Harry is in love with Kayla,” I heard someone whisper.

“Who is Harry and Kayla?” Candice leaned close to me and asked. I let out a laugh as I glanced at her curious features.

“I have no idea, but I am assuming they are around here somewhere,” I said with a smirk. Candice smiled and then stood up. I curiously watched her as she clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Is there anyone here by the name of Kayla?” she yelled out and I tried to hide my chuckles with a cough. I felt her nudge me with her knee and I continued eating.

“Yeah?” a female stood up about three rows down and I glanced up at the cute little redheaded girl that questioned Candice with her eyes.

“Well, hello there, Kayla. Tell me, do you know a Mr. Harry?” Candice asked. A male wolf stood upright next to Kayla and I smirked. Obviously. Duh. “Oh! Are you Harry?”

“Yes,”

“Oh, wonderful and tell me something, who are you to each other?” Candice questioned as she motioned with her hands between them. Kayla frowned and Harry looked as if he wanted to run away and hide.

“We are friends, why?” Kayla answered.

“Well, I heard from a very reliable source that Harry is in love with you…” Candice announced. I watched as Kayla turned to Harry in shock. However, the look on his face was utterly priceless. He also looked shocked. I glanced up at Candice as I could see the slight panic in her eyes. Had the rumor been simply that? A mere rumor?

“Harry?” Kayla questioned and his face changed as he smiled and nodded, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. I smiled happily as everyone started clapping and Candice sat down.

“You’ve got some balls,” I whispered. Candice smirked but then continued to eat. The rest of the meal was filled with laughter, good times and good conversation. However, at the back of my mind, I still felt the need and urgency to find Carter and then, of course, I had to remember that Candice wanted to talk. I turned to her and reached out, placing my hand on her knee. She looked at me and I gestured that we should leave. Candice nodded before excusing herself from our table. We walked out of the hall and slowly made our way to the packhouse. We simply just enjoyed each other, even in silence. I headed in the general direction of my office, but she stopped me. So, I followed her upstairs to the guest bedroom and Candice closed the door behind me. What happened to mate coming second? I quickly pushed aside my lustful thoughts and waited patiently for Candice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

★ Derick ★

I knew I had a lot of explaining to do and finally, I was able to do it. Or at least, I thought I was. However, now with Derick sitting on my bed, waiting for me to talk. And yet I found it difficult to breathe.

“Candice?” He pushed softly.

“Derick, I…are you still angry with me?” woah, did I really just ask him that question? Was I, Candice Miller, afraid that my mate was angry with me? It would appear so.

“Angry? Why would I be angry with you?” he asked, and I couldn’t help it. I just couldn’t help but throw my hands up in frustration and roll my eyes. Was he really that stupid? Or was I the stupid one?

“Are you for real right now?” I threw at him and he shrugged.

“Candice, I was never angry with you. My frustration is directed at you. This whole thing with Carter, I just,” he paused as his gaze shifted from me to the floor. “I just want him home,” he finished, and I nodded as I sat down beside him. Our arms touching sent shivers of delight through my body, but I shook my head to clear my mind.

“I want him home too,” I said honestly. “And that means I have to do what she wants,”

“She?” he asked, confused.

“Yes, the letter, it is from Madam York,”

“Madam York? What the hell kind of name is that?” he asked with a non-amused chuckle.

“Cover name so it doesn’t even matter. She’s been trying to get me to work for her for years, but I’ve managed to stay out of it. Until now,” I explained.

“What’s your plan Candice?” he questioned, and I stood up.

“Simple really, I will capture both of her targets, let her know I have them and negotiate a trade. Or something like that. Once I have Carter safely away from her and of course, a promise that she will leave me and my family alone, then and only then will I kill her two targets,” I explained hurriedly. I breathed in deeply as I watched Derick. If he didn’t agree with my plan, then I would go ahead and do it without him.

“Alright, how can I help?” as the words left his mouth, I leaned forward. I wanted to press my lips against his, but I stopped myself just in time. Instead, I continued to lean forward, and I whispered in his ear.

“Welcome, driver,” I leaned back and winked. “All you have to do is be my driver. Since you had one, you know how they act. That is all you need to do. Then once the deal is complete, we can come home and live happily ever after,” I sang out the last part as I mentally prepared myself for a job. Derick smiled as he stood up.

“Right, let’s do this,” he stormed out the room and I just knew that he too was going to prepare himself for the job. I pulled out my phone and sent Gale a message.

Candice – Message Sent ★ Madam York has Carter and two jobs

Gale – Message Received ★ Be safe and let me know once Carter is back home, I love you

Candice – Message Sent ★ Ok, I’ll let you know. Love you too.

★ ★ ★

“Are you ready?” Derick asked me from the front seat. We had been driving for a long ass time and finally, we had arrived at our first location.

“As ready as I ever will be,” I muttered as the car came to a stop. “Wait here,” I said before I climbed out of the vehicle. We had stopped at our rented house and I had changed into a black pencil skirt and a navy-blue button-up shirt. The matching black jacket dangled from my fingers as I made my way inside of the headquarters of Capital Bancorp. I hitched up the pair of sunglasses on top of my head as I looked around the massive entrance area. A guard eyed me out, appreciatively. I nodded at him before making my way to the reception area.

“Good day, welcome to Capital Bancorp, my name is Calvin, how may I help you?” the man asked when he saw me approaching.

“Yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Drake,” Calvin nodded with a smile as he typed on his laptop.

“Ah, Miss Matthews?” he glanced up and I placed the black leather handbag on top of the counter and pulled out my fake ID. Handing it over, I waited for him to finish his confirmations. “Alright, he is on the top floor,” Calvin said as he handed my ID back to me. I shoved it into the bag and headed for the elevators. It didn’t take long, and I was on the top floor standing at yet another reception counter watching the woman do her magic.

“Mr. Drake will see you now,” great, one down, one to go.

★ ★ ★

“Good luck,” Derick called out as I slammed the car door behind me. Last stop and then phase two of the plan would be complete. I smirked thinking about Mr. Drake, who was tied up and gagged in the basement of our newly rented house. I pushed through the doors of Aquatic Treasury and looked around the sunny museum before walking over to yet another reception area.

“Welcome to Aquatic Treasury, how can I help you?” the young woman asked.

“I’m here to see Mr. Wilkens,” I stated, and she nodded.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked as she glanced down at her laptop.

“Of course,” I said as I took out my fake ID and handed it over. The woman took it and then picked up the phone. After a moment she spoke.

“Mr. Wilkens, a Miss Jones is here to see you,” she paused as she waited for him to respond and then she smiled. “Right away, sir,” she said before hanging up. She handed me my ID and walked around the desk. “Please follow me, Miss Jones,” wonderful. Two down, none to go.

★ ★ ★

“So, now what?” Derick asked as we both stood in front of our victims. I shook my head and headed back upstairs. Once we where both in the kitchen I turned to face him.

“Now we wait,” I said.

“What exactly are we waiting for?”

“Within the next seventy-two hours, those two men will be announced as missing. Madam York will know I have them and she will find me, one way or another. She’ll work through Phoebe and then Gale. I’ll need you to get me a burner phone,” I said as I sat down at the kitchen table. “Please,” I added as an afterthought. Derick chuckled as he left. There was one part of my plan that Derick could never know, and I quickly called Gale and informed her of what was going to go down.

★ Derick ★

I pushed open the door and quickly locked it behind me. I had to hand it to Candice, she really knows what she is doing. In less than twenty-four hours, we had rented a house under fake names and kidnapped two men.

“Derick?” her voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I pushed away from the door and headed in the direction her voice had come from. The sitting room. Candice was sitting on the sofa comfortably. I threw the burner phone next to her on the red sofa and smiled.

“Easy peasy,” I said as I eased down onto the chair across from her.

“Great, thanks,” she said as she picked up the phone. I heard her conversation with who I assumed was Gale as she gave her the temporary number. It would seem that everything would now go according to plan. Carter would be back with us soon enough and we could go back home. And once we were back home, I would claim my mate. Officially.