Captive by Gale Stanley

get Sherlock.”
    “You don’t need the bloodhound.” Malcolm stopped short. “They’re probably already out of town, out of the state even.” Four stricken faces looked back at him. “They’re okay. I’m sure of it. Someone found out who they were and took them, but they’re worth more alive than dead.”
    Janis moaned, and Karin came over to hug her. “Don’t worry. Malcolm will find them.”
    “I sure as hell will,” Malcolm growled. “I’m going out to track them as far as I can. I can learn a lot just from their trail.”
    “We’re going with you.” Jonas was already rising out of his seat.
    “Oh, no you’re not. I can make better time myself.”
    Jude got up angrily. “I’m the best damn tracker in the county.”
    Malcolm laughed at him. “Oh, you think so.” He started to unbutton his shirt. “Listen to me. I want them back as much as you do, and I will get them back. Make no mistake about it. But right now I want you here protecting my wife and son, who might be next on the list. As soon as I have something to go on, I’ll be back.”
    Janis watched fascinated as Malcolm pulled down his jeans. He went commando, and his cock was impressive even in its flaccid state. Tall, dark, chiseled face. Why did everyone remind her of Wade and Noah?
    Malcolm’s face contorted, and all thoughts of her tenants fled. Gray hair spread from his shortened feet up his legs. His spine bent, and he went to all fours. Popping, like the amplified cracking of hundreds of knuckles, made her cover her ears with her hands. A massive gray wolf crouched where Malcolm had once stood. Janis got up and backed away in fear. “Oh my God.” Was this one of the animals she’d seen outside the kitchen window?
    “It’s okay.” Karin came to her. “Don’t be afraid.”
    Malcolm approached and sat a foot away. Karin got to her knees and put her arms around him. She looked up at Janis. “He’s still Malcolm.”
    Janis crouched down beside her. If this animal could find Sable and her nephews, she would embrace it.
    The wolf turned its yellow eyes on her, and for a second, she froze. “You were outside the house a few nights ago. With another wolf.”
    The wolf shook its massive head back and forth.
    “It wasn’t Malcolm,” Karin said. “Maybe some of the pack survived. Or…” She looked in Malcolm’s eyes. “Could there be others out there like you and Sable?”
    Malcolm let out a warning growl and went to the window. He leaped over the sill and disappeared.

Chapter Ten

    Sable tried to escape the murky depths of the river and rise to the surface. The feeling of being submerged for a long stretch of time frightened her. She’d been trapped underwater without oxygen for too long, and she struggled to suck in air.
    Consciousness came with a fit of coughing. Sable sat up and fought for control. She heard her own intake of breath between each scream she let out.
    The door of her small adobe prison opened, and a tall, dark man entered. She saw him through a haze of tears, and she wiped her arm across her eyes to get a better look. He smelled nothing like the wolf who’d taken her captive.
    “Where are my babies?” Her throat felt raw, and her voice came out a croak.
    The Lycan approached the bed and stood looking down at her. She pulled the cover up over her naked body.
    “All in good time,” the wolf told her. The mattress shifted under his weight.
    Sable snarled and bared her teeth at him. She wouldn’t kill him until she knew where he’d hidden her cubs.
    He laughed. “I can see it will be fun taming you.”
    Sable started to shift. Through the haze of her anger, she heard his warning.
    “Shift and you’ll never see them again.”
    She stopped immediately and stared at him, body tense, muscles quivering.
    He smiled. “I see my man was right to bring the half-breeds. I have no use for them, but if you behave, I’ll let them live.
    Sable gasped and clenched her fists. “Who are you?” she