Free Vann's Victory by Sydney Presley Page A

enjoyed it, I’m sure of that.”
    Vann sent out a wave of love to Kip then locked the cell, thankful for the first time that the bars were close together to prevent escape. Dillon went to the bottom of the stairs. He switched on a light, which bathed the basement in such harsh illumination that Vann had to blink while his eyes became accustomed to the change.
    “Vann’s father is gathering the rest of the pack now,” Dillon said to everyone. “We have a new job to do, one we didn’t anticipate. We have to search every property on this compound. The cubs have been moved.” He looked at everyone in turn. “As with our usual missions in the past, we spread out—you know the drill. Vann and Kip, because you’re not familiar with how we work, go to the community room and help your father explain things to the rest of the pack.”
    Vann nodded, eager to see his parents and Terena again.
    “Tell everyone what their options are,” Dillon went on. “Also tell them Alpha Newart’s men will be here shortly, Newart half an hour or so after that. If anyone gives you hassle, bring them down here to be on the safe side. Once Newart is here, he can deal with discovering who’s good and who isn’t.” He lifted his chin. “Now, we have work to do. Find those goddamn cubs.”
    Dillon shifted then took the stairs swiftly. All but one of the wolves were hot on his tail. A dark brown wolf sat outside the cell containing the men. He flicked his head at Vann, who took Kip’s hand and led him from the basement.
    In the foyer, Vann paused to gather his strength and wits. Everything had happened so quickly he needed a moment to breathe and process. The adrenaline rush had seen him through the events so far, but now a wave of fatigue took hold of him. His limbs weakened, and his mind didn’t appear to want to work. Everything was blank in there.
    “Come on, Sir. We’re almost there. I can feel it.”
    Vann shook himself alert, forcing his body to move. They ran to the pack house. Pausing on the porch, Kip sniffed the air, cocking his head, then shifted to his wolf form. He slid his Taser bag strap into his mouth.
    “I can smell the cubs, Sir.”
    Vann was torn between doing as Dillon had asked and waiting for Kip to let him know which direction he thought the cubs had been taken.
    “Dillon said they’d search every property,” Vann said. “So we should do what he told us and—”
    “They’re not in any of the apartments or the pack house, Sir.” Kip trotted a short way over the lawn. “They went this way.” He looked over his shoulder at Vann.
    There was no need for Kip to say another word.
    Vann shifted. He scooped up his bag strap then went to Kip’s side. “Which way?”
    “Over there.” Kip loped ahead, nose to the ground.
    Vann felt Kip frowning.
    “There’s nothing over there but grass, Kip, and it doesn’t lead to the road. All that’s there is fucking land and lots of it.”
    “Maybe they got picked up by a vehicle beyond anywhere we’ve been allowed to go before, Sir. We have no idea what else is over there. Don’t forget, when we were given permission to run, we weren’t to go far.”
    “In which case, it’s pointless us wasting time running that way.”
    “It isn’t. I can feel them close, Sir. Please, they’re my family.”
    Vann picked up his pace behind Kip as the white wolf streaked ahead. If Vann didn’t hurry, Kip would be so far in the distance it’d take Vann a while to catch up. He couldn’t allow his mate to do this alone. And if Kip said those cubs were out this way, then Kip would be right.
    He usually always was.

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Kip sniffed. The smell of the cubs increased. They were here somewhere, out in this vast patchwork of land. In the far distance he could just make out guard wolves on the perimeter of Crossways land—maybe they were unaware of the Highgate men taking command. They appeared calm. He couldn’t tell from where he was which wolves they were or