Finding the Missing Lycan Princess

The Discovery

Marcia

She did not want this man to go to the wolves but knew that there were things that she needed to say to Marcus in private. She did not trust easily and while her instincts did not detect danger, she could tell that he was not being entirely truthful with her.

Studying Jackson’s confident posture and lack of animosity, she decided it was safe enough to send him. “There is fresh meat in the fridge in the barn, each wolf should get at least five pounds. They will also need fresh water. There is a spigot to the left of their kennels. There are steel bowls on the shelf, bring the others back for washing. Be careful of the small timber wolf. He does not like strangers and is aggressive when you approach him or the gray.” Without a thought about her own safety, she grabbed the shotgun and handed it to Jackson. “Clint packed this birdshot himself, it will not kill the wolves but it will stop them in their tracks.”

Marcia watched as the two men looked at each other, appearing to speak with their eyes before the fair-haired giant oddly tilted his head to the side, took the gun, and headed to the barn. She realized that both of these men kept most of their thoughts and feelings to themselves, much like Cain. The thought brought her up short.

“Why did you think your brother was dead? Come to think of it, how did you find this place? Cain took steps to make sure no one from his home could find him.” The questions tumbled from her lips, each holding equal parts curiosity and accusation.

Marcus looked up, staring into her eyes. “Last night I received an email message from Clint. It was an automated message designed to be sent if he did not stop it each day. In it, he said he was probably dead. He also asked me to come here and find you to keep you safe, from what he did not say.” He turned away from her hiding his face. “I never had the chance to tell him that it was safe to come home, our father is gone. The situation had changed, I just wish he would have reached out before now.”

Marcia was shocked to hear about the message but knew she shouldn't be. Cain had been a computer genius and paranoid. He had so many safeguards in place. Sometimes it seemed like he could predict what was going to happen before it did. He constantly thought that someone was after him, which was why he was so protective. “I cannot tell you why he was so scared but I know that he thought someone was after him.” As Marcia placed her hand on his to provide some comfort she was struck with a shocking feeling. Where their skin touched it was filled with the most startling tingling sensation, a cross between an electric shock and a heating pad. Quickly she pulled her hand away, unsure of what was happening. The gasp was instant as her eyes widened. “Please come with me to Cain's study, you might find answers there.” Marcia turned away, needing space and to break the strange connection she felt looking at Marcus.

They walked down the stairs to the locked room that Cain used as his study and Marcia wondered what they would find. She had never been down here, with this area being off limits before. When she hesitated, Marcus reached around her to open the door. As soon as his hand touched the handle, he hissed and pulled his hand away. Marcia could not figure out why he appeared to be in pain. Before she could stop the impulse she reached out and touched the handle, half expecting to feel a jolt or fierce heat. Instead, she felt nothing but cool metal and a slight itch on her palm. It was a normal door knob that should not have caused that reaction from Marcus.

Looking at Marcus she saw he was still cradling the hand that had gripped the door knob. He stopped her before she could approach him, turning his head to stare directly into her eyes. “Please let's go in”, he motioned with his other hand at the door. Still unsure, she twisted the handle, opened the door, and entered a place she had never been allowed into before. She was not sure what she was expecting, but it was not that. One side of the room is lined with computers all on screen savers, the other had a mural of wolves in the mist so beautiful it took her breath away.

Marcus quickly walked past her to the computer banks, turning one on. When the screen activated, asking for a password, Marcus did not hesitate but typed confidently and, to Marcia's shock, the computer immediately opened, revealing a desktop with various icons. The one that Clint opened immediately was a .MP4 whose icon was in the center of the screen simply called Scrappy+Marcia.

Marcia sat close to Marcus’s side as the video opened onto the screen. It was clearly a recent video, judging but the shirt Clint was wearing, she had purchased it herself after Clint had come home from his first date in years and she wanted to help him make a good impression. He had been planning to wear one of his old work shirts, claiming that if the man liked him it would not matter what he wore. After the argument ended, they laughed because she had accused him of being the only gay man on the planet that had no fashion sense.

“So I guess you two have made introductions, but let me expand upon them. Marcia, please meet Marcus, my younger brother you have heard me speak of as Scrappy. I know I have never given you too many details about me, and now it's too late, but here it goes. I have been watching him and the changes he has made back home for years. From what I have been able to tell, he is a good man and a strong leader. Trust him, please, for me. Go with him and find a new home. If along the way you find your place or love, remember you deserve love more than anyone I have ever met. You have been my light in the dark and I am sorry that I dragged you into this situation.

Scrappy, I cannot tell you how much I have missed you. Every day I think of you, and the trouble I was always pulling you out of. I know what happened to Dad and I am so sorry. I should have been there for you but there was more going on than you knew then or even know now. Dad had help with the pack. Be careful who you trust.” At this point, Marcia stopped watching the video. Instead, she watched the play of emotions on Marcus' face seeing his brother for the first time in years. The sorrow was evident, but at his brother's words there was a hardening that should have scared her but instead, it made her feel reassured.

The video continued to play “I know I have no right to ask you for anything but I have to. Please protect Marcia, she has had a rough time and I do not think it's over. It is no longer safe here, so you both need to leave, quickly, before what happens to me happens to you. This room is set to destroy itself. All you have to do is open the fuse box on the wall and flip the switches all to the off position, then get out quickly. To help you understand the full situation, I have saved copies of everything I have onto a hard drive for you to take with you. You can find it in the safe behind you. The combination is the day I left the pack. Marcia, I know this is hard but please trust him, go with him, and listen. None of what he tells you will be easy, but it is the truth and he will protect you. You two represent the only people in this world that I truly love. Please protect and care for each other.” On the screen, Marcia watched her best friend and savior fight for composure. This video was more than instructions, it was goodbye.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she watched the screen go black. She watched as he wordlessly turned to the electronic safe in the corner, opening it on the first try, and pulling out an external drive that she had never seen before. With it was a large manila envelope that he folded and tucked into the waistband of his jeans. When he met her eyes, the pain was easy to see. As he stood and walked to the wall where the fuse box sat, opening it but not touching any of the switches. “Let's wait on this until we talk”, his voice was raspy with emotion.

Suddenly, his face went blank and his eyes widened. “Nevermind, we need to leave, now.” Without waiting for her reaction he flipped the switch on the box and with a series of clicks, she began to smell smoke. He grabbed her hand, sending shocks of feeling up her arm as he pulled her toward the exit, rushing up the stairs. By the time they had reached the living room, the walls were burning. Marcia's heart fell as she once again ran from everything she knew.