A New Hope

Chapter 9

"This ones marked, slap some silver chains on her and tell the captain to set course for the North American division" a man barked orders. "keep the rest here and continue onto phase two, dump all the dead."

I struggle to keep consciousness as I look around, the walls around me are all industrial steel with no windows. I can hear voices moaning in pain and further away blood curdling screams. I look down at my hands, but they aren't mine. I'm looking at dainty hands covered in tattoos and blood from fighting the zip tie restraints.

"HOPE!" I scream waking from the realest dream I ever had.

Cassie and Adam came running into the room staring at me wide eyed.

"Woah Gabriel breathe. You need to calm down and take control" Adam put his hands up and put himself between Cassie and me.

I growled in response only seeing red. In my dream they said they were taking Hope to North America, thats where I was going.

"Get out of my way!" but no words came out just another growl.

I was no longer a human, I was a giant wolf full of rage. Looking around the trashed room my eyes rested on the window.

"I command you to shift!" Adam roared at me. I paused for a moment then forced my huge form through the window.

Shaking the glass off my golden fur coat I paused looking around, unsure of my next move. It was mid day and the house was located in the secluded forest, I had no idea where. I could feel two wolves circling me. A grey one, Adam. The other a smaller grey female, Cassie.

I command you to shift!

NO!

Adams wolf met my eyes and roared making Cassies wolf whimper and tuck her tail. I glared at him and got ready to pounce.

I didn't know what my next move was, but I did know it wasn't going to be to submit to him.

Stand down before you do something stupid!

I let my wolf take full control and lunged for Adams neck. He side stepped making me hit the ground. I stood up and turned back to him snarling. We circled eachother slowly getting closer. He jumped at me and we snapped our jaws at eachother. I managed to grab the back of his neck and tossed him to the ground.

I eyed him as I stepped back.

Leave me the f**k alone, I dont want to hurt you, I need to find Hope

Hope is being taken to North America, I could feel it. That dream was somehow real. I can't travel as a wolf, I can't contact David as a wolf. I need to be human.

I felt my bones start to shrink and rearrange. Every single molecule of my being felt like it was on fire. My fur was shedding and skin was reforming, the most painful thing I have ever experienced.

I slowly stood up from all fours, once again human.

"I need to get a plane back to North America." I told the two wolves.

I started walking back to the front door when a car cut me off.

"Do you like walking around naked or did you just shift for the first time?" a man in his forties jumped out the car and asked me.

I looked down noticing I was naked and just shrugged.

"f**k well looks like I'm a little late, sorry I couldn't help guide you Gabriel. I'm Hudson, why don't you get dressed and we'll have a talk"

"We can talk on the plane, Hope is being taken to North America" I grunted at him walking into the house.

"How'd you find that out?! What about Alice?" Max shouted at me from the car running over to me.

"A dream" I shrugged.

Adam ran past us into his room, he came back threw some clothes at me and ran outside back to Cassie.

Hudson, Max, and I stood staring at the room I was staying in, it looked like a hurricane hit in there leaving a massive hole where the window used to be.

"Did you shift in your sleep?" Hudson asked in surprise.

"No, after he woke up and he shifted faster then you Hudson" Adam said walking up. "and he doesn't submit to orders" he glared at me.

"Your not the f*****g boss of me Adam and your lucky I didn't tear your head off, I had half the mind to do so!" I glared back at his now black eyes.

"I out rank you, so yeah I kinda am"

"Interesting, so you didn't feel anything when he gave you an order?" Hudson asked me stepping between the two of us. I just shook my head.

"And how did you stop fighting long enough to shift back?"

"I didn't want to hurt Adam and I need to get to Hope and speak with David, I can't do either of those as a wolf" I explained as I went to search for for my phone in the wrecked bedroom.

Hudson looked to be deep in thought while I searched for my phone. Finally finding it and inspecting it to make sure it wasn't broken I turned to grab my keys.

"Look Hudson, thanks for showing up, but your a bit late for the big reveal. I got to book a ticket and catch the next flight, if you want to talk its gonna have to be on the car ride back to my villa" I said impatiently to him.

"No need for that someone is already collecting everything from the villa for you. Cassie, Adam, pack everything and return Gabriel's rental car. Max and Gabriel your with me we'll talk on the way to the jet" Hudson commanded as he walked out to the car and jumped in the driver seat.

Adam and Cassie stared to rush around stuffing things into duffle bags, dating in and out of rooms. Max started towards the car and I followed.

"Alright Gabriel tell me every detail of that dream. I believe it was a mate premonition, even if it's never been recorded to happen with a human mate." Hudson said then started driving.

I explained every last detail and it made my blood boil reliving what Hope is going through and that I was currently helpless having no idea where she was only her destination.

"Alright it sounds like we're dealing with some form of a global scaled human trafficking ring with a twist... and they know about our kind. There's a lot of variables, but if they are making the whole trip by boat, we have about fifty days until they reach North America. I'm going to start investigating all the ships headed in that direction" David's voice came through the cars sound system.

"Thank you David, I was unaware you were listening in. I want you to put every resource you have into this"

"Already did Mr. Dayton, we are doing everything in our power to get Hope and Alice back. I got to make some calls, I will report back with any new leads." He hung up and I know he's going to pull every string to get to the bottom of this.

"So they know Alice is a werewolf, thats going to make an escape very difficult for her now" Hudson sighed disheartened.

"Well I actually I think they were referring to Hope..." Max spoke thoughtfully. "Gabriel and Hope marked eachother. Alice's mark was concealed while we were tailing Gabriel all week"

"You were tailing us since we got to the island?!" I turned and glared at him.

"Yeah Alice and I get to tag along on a lot of your vacations. So if they think Hopes the werewolf, you think Alice has a good chance of shifting, would I be able to sense her or is that too far. I've never been more than an hours drive away from her since we mated" Max ignored me and was looking hopefully at Hudson.

My eyes narrowed, "You've been f*****g watching me before?!" I hissed.

Hudson shot Max a dirty look then sighed. "I'm sorry Max but thats probably too far to sense her and thanks for dropping that bomb. Yes Gabriel since you turned sixteen and was old enough to shift, your father has made sure that someone always had an eye on you just in case"

"Wouldnt it be easier for the bastard to man up and raise me himself?!" I growled and made both of them glance at me uneasily.

"You will not use that tone with me or disrespect your father like that!" Hudson ordered me making my blood boil.

"The man you refer to is nothing more than a spermdonor and dead to me." I spat back at him starting to shake with rage.

"Calm the f**k down before you shift and make us crash, keeping us from our flight" Hudson glared back at me his eyes black.

I took a couple deep breaths and could see Max and Hudson relax.

"Look, I get this is a lot of s**t to take in at once, but you got to keep calm and stay in control, especially if our chain of command has no effect on you. Half werewolves and new borns who shift for the first time need weeks if not more to deal with the changes before returning to civilization. We're not working against you and your father will explain his absence if you choose to see him"

I sighed and looked out the window.

"Well if I wasn't raised as one of you why would it? And why does it take weeks?"

"The chain of command is in our wolves DNA, it doesn't matter if you never heard of it your wolf just knows and submits to it. Your blood line has Alpha blood, but having a human mother nullifies that." Hudson glanced at me giving me a quizzical look. "And when you shift for the first time you become a full werewolf, you get enhanced senses, speed, strength, stamina, and healing. The downside of that is your temper is a very short fuse and anything that startles you or makes your emotions spike will make you shift and lose control. It takes quite a few shifts before our kind can control our wolves and not just black out"

"I noticed a change in strength and stamina after I bit Hope the first time along with a bad temper and possessive of her... but when I shifted, I didn't black out. I didn't feel the shift, I just realized I was a wolf and wanted to go find Hope. I let my wolf take control to fight, but once Adam was down I wanted to be human again so I shifted." I told Hudson who looked to be surprised and deep in thought.

"How is it possible for him to get stronger before shifting and to shift so easily?" Max asked Hudson in surprise.

"I'm not sure, he has a old and strong Alpha bloodline... but they were all normal werewolves. I wonder if there is more to Hope then meets the eye." he mused to himself.

We drove in silence the rest of the way all deep in thought. Was there more to Hope? In my eyes she was the most amazing and beautiful woman that I've ever laid eyes on. She was my world before I even heard her sweet voice. I never suspected her of being supernatural, but then again I never saw myself as being a werewolf. If she was also a wolf, wouldn't her eyes have gone black with lust same as mine? She could kiss me sweetly without losing control, but once I lost control she was happily along for the ride.

We got to the tarmac and I noticed a familiar face waiting outside the plane. David was 5'9, I've been taller than him since I was fourteen and never let him forget it. His eyes were a soft blue and he has light brown hair. He is more of an investigator then security, but he still looked like he could easily hold his own in a fight.

He walked over to me as I got out of the car and pulled me into a hug.

"Gabriel I'm so sorry about Hope and I'm sorry you had to find out about your father this way." He earnestly said releasing me.

"And about you being a f*****g double agent?" I gave him a stern look making him rub the back of his neck. He was my elder and like a big brother, but I was still his boss.

"Your father and Grandpa were my bosses before you... but if that was the only thing stopping, I'd have spilled the beans. I was under command tho so I physically couldn't." he shrugged apologetically to me.

"Still not happy about it. Are you flying back with us?"

"Yeah I think I will, I was debating staying here, but I made contact and am leaving a few guys here to dig deeper. I think I'd accomplish more looking into the North American division of these f**k heads. I also sent a couple boats out to sail to North America alerting them to look for bodies, though I think if they are dumping bodies they'd sink them." I nodded sadly thinking of what horrible fate Hope might be facing.

"Hey man if you mated with her, you'd feel any extreme pain she felt or if something worse happened to her. She's not one of the bodies being dumped, we'll find her before that" He patted me on the shoulder consoling me.

"Not yet one of those bodies...when we find these guys I will f*****g kill them all and if Hope is gone they will spend a long time suffering" I growled as my body shook.

"Its not going to come to that, just breathe and calm down" David backed up holding his hands up.

I looked at him then at my shaking hands. Taking a deep breath I calmed myself. I can't shift I need to get to Hope. She's all that matters and I can't lose control and completely lose her.

"Yeah I got it, I'm in control, just f*****g pissed off and I don't think that will change until Hope is in my arms"

"I understand. You know you've always had a great temperament and control of your emotions... but your control of your wolf is uncanny." David looked surprised and proud.

"Yeah I've been told that" I muttered.

"But I'm not going to lie, I'd feel a lot better getting into that plane with you if you took some sedatives." he chuckled at me.

"Not the wolf tranq!" I shot him dirty look and checked to see if he was holding a needle.

"Its not fun is it? I was thinking more like some muscle relaxers and Prozac?" he chuckled and held out a pill bottle.

I sighed and took the bottle. I felt like I was more or less in control, but I didn't want to chance crashing the plane in case any other surprises came up.

"Where are we landing?" I asked him.

"Seattle, we're going to your fathers compound" He told me, filling me with mixed emotions of, dread, anger, and excitement.

I expected the private jet to be a small and modest one, but was surprised by its size and luxury. Obviously my father has done well with whatever part of the family company he took over. Walking past the cabins and sitting in the open area, I realized it wasn't a far stretch to assume he was a billionaire like myself.

My wealth seemed to make Hope uncomfortable so I didn't tell her how much I was really worth, only that money wasn't an issue. I never boast that I'm in the 1% and I never seek out other members of it either. I have been to plenty of ritzy events but never for the sole reason of pleasure. I'd spend most of my time growing my empire before enjoying myself and taking home one of the many girls throwing themselves at me.

I grabbed a water and took some of the pills David gave me. I froze and dropped the water bottle. I could smell Hope, the most and amazing scent was coming from one of the cabins. I followed the scent of sweet vanilla and fresh baked bread, throwing open the door I sigh in disappoint realizing it was only Hopes bag, I picked it up and filled my nose and lungs with her scent.

I always thought she smelled and tasted amazing, but my heightened senses could easily pick up her faded scent from a separate room. I bet I'll be over come with her scent if I ever see her again.

I sighed again and changed into my own clothes then sat on the cot holding one of her dresses deep in thought.

David walked in and gave me look of understanding and pity before sitting down in the chair in my room.

"So tell me about your mate, I bet she was worth your wait" he smiled at me.

"Ah f**k man you have no idea. Hope is beautiful inside and out. She has more tattoos then me and when I asked her what one hurt the most she just rolled her eyes and said none of them hurt but the vibration tickles. She's tough as nails. A f*****g smart ass that calls me on my bullshit. But she's also an angel sweet, gentle, and soothing. She's down to earth and so humble, probably because she's been on her own since fifteen and lived in her car or a tent more than once. She works labour jobs and I bet she puts the guys to shame. Every tiny gift I got her she'd scold me for spending money on her, but I could tell she's lived a hard life and isn't used to anyone taking care of her. The way she'd get excited about the smallest things would light up a room and I'd feel pure happiness watching her smile. And those eyes! Her green eyes change color throughout the day, I could stare at all them forever." I boasted to David making me miss her more and more.

"She sounds amazing I can't wait to meet her." David softly spoke to me. "You said her eyes changed color and could you tell me about marking each other?"

"Why... do you think Hope is a half werewolf too?" I asked him slowly. In the past I'd have no problem giving him the details of my s*x endeavors whether he wanted to hear it or not, but I wanted to keep everything intimate between Hope and I all to myself.

"Chill out Gabriel, your eyes are black again" David put up his hands. "I'm not sure if you guys have an unheard of bond or if Hope is more than just human. I don't need the intimate details of the mark, our kind does it during s*x. I just want to know who marked who first."

"Her eyes don't turn black, they change colors. Sometimes all green, or sometimes blue rings, when she's really happy and excited the get orange and golden specks." I explain to him calming down again. "I marked her the first night in the villa then a few days later I asked her to bite me and after I re bit the mark I gave her. We tasted eachothers blood... and it was indescribable..." I trailed off thinking about the last time we made love and I told her that I loved her.

"And you started to notice changes in yourself before shifting?"

"Yeah I joked to Hope that she was like steroids to me, I had no idea I was turning into a werewolf" I admitted.

"Hmm thats interesting. Did Hope mention her father at all?" David furrowed his brows perplexed.

"Only that he was never in the picture" I told him.

"Alright I'm going to have some people look into Hopes father and also into any recorded mating similar to yours. You should eat and get some sleep. That tranq should've had you still knocked out, that and shifting for the first time... Its unbelievable your walking and talking." David told me leaving my room.

I walked out and ordered the food, I was surprised everyone was talking so openly about werewolves infront of the flight attendants. Cassie noticed my concerned looks and explained they were also like us, even the pilots.

After eating I took David's advice and slept, unable to do anything for Hope except worry. I slept for entire flight.

We left Seattle and drove a couple hours into the woods. The landscape was very similar to BC, big trees and ferns all deep shades of green even in the winter months. It was dark and dreary as we got further into the trees, matching the mood I haven't been able to shake since Hope was taken from me.

Finally we stopped infront of a very large storage building. Hudson and Max got out of the car and stretched as I did the same looking around. Adam, Cassie, and David had other business to attend and would join us in a day or so.

"Shall we go for a run and go find you father?" Hudson asked as he starting taking off his clothes. For a man in his forties he was in excellent health, I was starting to believe the was part of the wolf thing, I have met one of our kind yet that wasn't in great shape.

Max stripped down to his boxers as well and started shifting. The sounds coming from his body was disgusting and watching the process of a wolf emerging from a human frame was repulsive.

"Even if your first shift happened on instinct, when you will yourself to shift its slow and painful until you get your practice." Hudson warned me. "Now just focus on your wolf and taking that form, but try to keep control so your not just a wild beast when you shift."

I stripped down as I watched Max's wolf eat chunks of his previous human form. The whole process looked excruciating and I couldn't wrap my mind around why someone would want to be in wolf form. I took a deep breath and looked at Hudson.

"Just ease up on your control but don't fully let go of the reigns." He waved me on to go ahead.

I closed my eyes and let everything go and opened my eyes after a few moments and looked at my hands.

"Uhhh, well that didn't work" I said making Hudson chuckle.

"Alright think about something that makes you annoyed and feed that to your wolf, but not too much. Remember you want to stay in control once a wolf" Hudson instructed me.

"Everything annoys me or makes me angry right now" I grumbled. "And I really don't see the point of going through that," I waved at Max now kicking blood off his coat.

"You and your wolf are one and in order to live in harmony you must shift, if you never shift your wolf will end up getting control sooner or later and you might not get it back. Also it'll make it easier to talk to your father." Hudson patiently explained to me.

I sighed I just wanted to this over with and get talking to my biological father out of the way. If I need to be a wolf for that then I need to be a wolf.

I took a deep breath and exhaled only focusing on being a wolf. I dropped to my knees and yelled in pain that turned into a howl. I felt a tightness and fire in my whole body then an explosion as my wolf emerged.

Hudson looked at me in disbelief, now covered in my previous forms blood and chunks of skin.

"Holy f**k that was fast. Are you still in control?" I nodded my muzzle in response.

He shook his head then shifted himself, dropping on all fours while his bones snapped and his skin slid to the ground as fur took its place.

Your father is expecting us, let's go for a run then to his cave.

I heard Hudsons voice in my head and nodded in agreement.

It felt amazing to run as a wolf and to experience the heightened senses. The power coursing through me was satisfying and the speed exhilarating. I kept passing Hudson and Max then circling back around easily picking up their scent and catching up to them.

We ran for an hour before finally stopping in front of a cave.

Thank you Hudson and Max, please leave us now.

Hudson bowed their heads to the entrance of the cave then backed away before running off into the woods.

I stared at the entrance and a massive black wolf that was graying stepped out of the darkness. He was easily four feet taller than any of the other wolves and despite the graying muzzle and neck, was muscular and thick.

Hello son, I hoped you'd never have to see me like this.

Well you've done a pretty good job so far. Why don't you just shift and talk to me man to man.

The giant wolf looked down in shame before meeting my gaze.

I haven't been able to hold a human form since your mother passed away.

I looked at him confused. Did he mean he has been a wolf for twenty eight years.

She was the love of my life, my mate, the mother of my child. When I lost her I lost control. Your grandfather found me two years later and used his alpha rank to command me to shift back. I could not disobey, but my human form would disintegrate within minutes and my wolf form would have to take over. His withdrew his command but I managed to gain control of my mind in my wolf form. Stuck in this body but no longer a feral animal.

His wolf gently whimpered at the remorse he was feeling, the sting of losing his mate still fresh and his curse of being stuck as a wolf inescapable.

I told your grandfather you must not see me like this or know, hoping that you would live your life without mating and being cursed to a complicated werewolf life.

I shook my big wolf head shocked at his reason for abandoning me as a newborn.

So your saying I'm cursed and that in turn I have cursed Hope as well?

Its a very manageable life and our pack is a great family and support, but I didn't want a chance of you to possibly be pained as I am. You didn't curse your mate, thats the silver lining of being a werewolf. Knowing a love so pure and deep that your life has more meaning and purpose than any human could...You don't have to turn Hope, she is blessed not cursed.

She's kidnapped not blessed

I growled thinking of how terrified she must be.

We will find her and make her captors pay. But for now you must have questions and I'm here to answer everything and anything. My greatest regret was i wasn't strong enough to hold my human form to raise you as my own.

I stared at him failing to wrap my mind around finally meeting my father, My very alive father.

For now all I need is to be alone with my thoughts

I shifted back to my human form so I could no longer hear him and the giant wolf hung its head before returning into the large cave opening.