Reclaiming Herself—Completed

Chapter Twenty

Patrick.

Waking up early, Patrick sprang out of bed. Today was the day. He’d been practicing for two weeks for this day. He quickly showered and dressed in the most expensive suit he’d ever seen. Styling his hair differently than he normally would. Instead of his normal dark brown, they’d dyed his hair to be a dirty blonde. He’d also let it grow out to be long enough to swoop back, using gel to keep the strands from falling into his face. He shaved his beard and mustache completely off, not even leaving stubble. He even had eye-colored contacts that changed his deep brown to a lighter blue. He wore a fitted grey suit with a crisp light pink button-down shirt and a matching pocket square.

Looking in the mirror at himself, he flashed a smile. He looked like he oozed money. Caleb knew exactly what to do and how to help. Matthew’s mate, Brenda, had also put a lot of time researching for his outfit, purchasing it from a swanky tailor, who had everything imported from Italy, in order to cement his story. He was Brett Jacobs, and he was searching for a new girl to drape over his arm while he went on a yacht tour around the Caribbean.

Finally leaving his room after checking to make sure everything looked perfect, Patrick sauntered down the stairs, spooking several of his omegas. He then went into his office to finish up a few things before Matthew walked in, a low whistle drawing Patrick’s eyes. His beta wore a basic black suit and white shirt.

“Mr. Jacobs, you are looking good, my man,” he cheesed.

“Thank you, inconsequential subordinate, who I never cared enough to learn the name of,” Patrick replied in a bored tone.

“Wow!” Matthew chuckled. “You even sound like a douche. How did you do that to your voice?”

Patrick shrugged his shoulders, leaning back in his chair. “I deepened my voice slightly and am pretending that I’m listening to you talk about your doll collection.”

“They’re collectibles, first of all. And secondly, they aren’t dolls. They’re action figures. And if my wonderful Brenda can accept it, I think that you should be able to as well.”

Patrick grinned at his beta.

“You’re ready man. I wish I could go with you, but we’ll be in place for when you’re ready for us. Everything else is ready, too. Let’s go get your girl!”

Glancing at the clock, he was surprised to see that it was, in fact, time for him to head to the portals, which would take him to his destination. After Caleb had RSVP’d to the ‘auction’, discrete directions had been sent to his inbox. He was to take a certain portal, which would drop him off in a small town, some three hours away. Then, he would walk to the address with the yellow house, enter it, and use the portal sent up there to get to the auction site. Patrick had wondered how the black market had thrived so efficiently, and then he understood how when he read over the directions. Whichever witch, who had set up the portals for him, was using timers, so that there would be no trace of them once they disappeared. It was quite clever, which only annoyed Patrick further.

“Let’s go,” he said in the same tone he’d practiced for the last two weeks.

Matthew nodded, letting his alpha pass out of the door before following him. All of the men going with Patrick were dressed in identical suits with earpieces. He wanted to look more like a rich guy with security than an alpha. Patrick would be taking one other man with him as a body guard and leave Matthew in charge of his infiltrating team once he gave the green light to take the place down.

They had rehearsed the plan and even done mock drills of what it could look like as well as different scenarios where things could go awry. Patrick felt like his teams were ready and committed, especially since everyone knew that his mate and their future luna was involved. He also put a huge amount of trust in his warriors.

Patrick headed for the door, which would lead him to his car and towards the first portal. As he was on his way, he heard a small cough that caught his attention. Looking for the sound, he found Caleb hovering by the stairs. He seemed nervous.

“Bring her back, please,” he said with so much emotion that Patrick could feel it.

Though Caleb understood that Patrick was her mate, he clearly loved her. They had found solace in one another during the worst moments of their lives. They were trauma bonded in a way that he would never understand. But she would need Caleb when they got back, and Patrick was grateful to have the man there ready for her.

“I will. I’m not coming home without her, and that’s a promise I will die keeping,” he replied in his normal voice.

Now wasn’t the time to practice.

Caleb nodded slowly. “Thank you. See you when you get back.”

Patrick put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Yes, you will see us both.”

He then made his way out of the house and into his car, his warrior playing bodyguard already in the driver’s seat. The two sped off, knowing that the rest of the teams would be following behind them. After an hour of driving time, they arrived at the first portal. He took a deep breath and let it out. This was the first step towards getting his mate. There really wasn’t room to turn back after walking through the first portal. He had devoted his career as an alpha to saving people. He firmly believed that he was born to do this one mission, if nothing else. If he couldn’t save his own mate and luna, then…

Patrick shook the negative thoughts from his mind. He needed to be Brett Jacobs. He was just looking for some hot ass, nothing more. He didn’t care about these women or anyone else, for the matter. Anyone could be purchased for the right price.

He stepped through the portal, his man right behind him. Dust instantly filled his mouth, and he could taste it. His body felt tingly after using the portal, something he never quite got used to. Moving ahead, he looked at the address to the yellow house, and after a short 15 minute walk, they found it. He opened the front door, making sure no one saw him enter.

It was a small town with not many people around; however, he wanted to be sure that his actions as Brett Jacobs could not be traced back to him, Patrick Peters. Once he was inside the sparsely furnished house, he searched until he found the second portal upstairs. The floorboards creaked under his step, but it didn’t deter him.

“Invitation, please,” a tall man wearing sunglasses indoors asked him.

Patrick raised an eyebrow and said in his best rich-guy-is-really-a-prick voice, “Really, sunglasses? Man, you’re inside. The sun isn’t even shining in here.”

“Invitation. Please.”

He shrugged and handed over his printed out invitation.

“Thank you,” the guy said, giving it back. “Enjoy.”

The man gestured at him, and Patrick walked through, his bodyguard in tow. Patrick stepped through the portal and his feet landed on plush grass. It was totally unexpected from the dingy, dirty hole he had envisioned. They were in a meadow, surrounded by big trees. Patrick reached for his phone, but stopped.

“I already sent our location, boss,” his bodyguard whispered.

“Thanks, Steven.”

“Of course. Caleb says to give us a minute by walking slowly.”

Patrick nodded, looking around. He then picked up a pattern of small wildflowers strategically growing to form a path of sorts into the forest. He gestured with his head to follow the white flowers. It took a few minutes to make it to the edge of the forest.

“We’re in Montana,” Steven whispered. “Closest town is Missoula.”

“Oh, great. That’s further than I expected.”

“Sure, but Beta Matt is already on his way. They’ll get here.”

Patrick knew Steven was right, but it was still slightly nerve-wracking to know that they had gone out of state. The fact that the auction was taking place out of state only added to the deception of the whole ordeal, and that only made him more upset. No wonder the stupid New Council hadn’t really caught on yet.

The two made their way through the forest until they came upon a wooden cabin. Patrick knocked on the door, and another man wearing sunglasses opened the door.

“Invitation, please,” he said.

Patrick immediately began laughing as he passed the piece of paper to him. It was ridiculous to see grown men wearing sunglasses so out of place. Not only were they in a forest, where the sun wasn’t shining, but it was also completely cloudy, and he had just come out of a house.

“Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. And who is this?”

“My bodyguard.”

“That’s not needed. You’ll be perfectly safe here. He will need to stay outside.”

Patrick glowered at the man. “He’s with me. If I say he’s with me, then he is.”

“Alright, Mr. Jacobs, if that’s what you wish. Please, come in. You’ll be searched for weapons, but then you’re free to browse. The auction starts in 30 minutes. ”

The man stepped aside, letting Patrick and Steven through. Once inside, they realized that the outside was just a front. The place wasn’t a cabin in the woods at all, instead it was a large room with tables in the middle and a grand stage in the far back. There was a lifted platform in the middle. Glass showcases lined both the left and right walls with an assortment of homemade things inside, from quilts to scarves to children’s clothes and the list went on.

Patrick and Steven were quickly searched and let go. They didn't need to bring any weapons with them. Once cleared, he began perusing the items being shown, interested in why they were there.

“First time?”

Patrick startled at the voice close to his ear, restraining himself from grabbing the throat of the man behind him. Clearly, Steven had let him through, and he couldn’t blow his cover. He turned to see a shorter, older werewolf man dressed in a sloppy suit. He had an unkempt beard and a 5 o’clock shadow. He looked tired.

“Name’s Arthur Sinclair. I remember being intrigued by these myself when I first showed up. It’s always a dead give away.”

“Oh really?” Patrick commented.

“Yeah. These are things the girls have made. Goes with ‘em when you buy ‘em. It’s a pretty unique business model that only Richard does. It’s a little added touch, ya know? Attention to details. Clients love it.”

“Hmm. Interesting.”

“I didn’t catch ya name.”

“Brett Jacobs,” Patrick said easily in his bored tone, holding out a hand to shake Arthur’s, which he did.

“Great to meet you. European? I can always tell by ya suits.”

Patrick smiled. “Spot on. Good eye.”

“Yeah. You wouldn’t be able to tell from my own, but, uh, I shop for others, so I don’t really care how I show up,” he chuckled.

Patrick nodded in response.

“Whaddya here for?”

“I’d like a new blonde for my collection,” he said absently, turning his gaze back to the items.

“Oh sure. I hear that Richard has some real beauties this time around. I also heard he brought his luna. Never heard of him having a luna before.”

Patrick acted surprised. Of course, he knew that Danielle would be there. He wouldn’t have shown up otherwise. Caleb had spent hours making sure that she would be present at the auction.

“A luna? Isn’t that a bit odd for him to bring her to such an event?”

Arthur shrugged. “Word is that he’s in love and couldn’t bear being away from her.”

Patrick smirked. “But you know the real story. Tell me.”

“Apparently his beta threatened to take advantage of her when he was gone, so he was forced to bring her because he’s obsessed with her. From what I hear, she’s gorgeous with p***y so tight it would make a grown man cry,” Arthur indulged.

“Hmm. That is very interesting. She must be something then, eh? You think he’d part with her for the right price?” he asked, hating even the idea of what he just said out loud.

He couldn’t risk breaking character, even at his own mate’s expense. He had a story to sell. He needed to fit in, and prayed to the Moon Goddess that she would never hear what he said to these disgusting pigs.

“Nah, I doubt it. Though, no one has ever offered, so…”

“Guess we’ll see,” Patrick grinned, looking around the room.

“Well, I won’t take up too much of your time. I’ll be at table number three if you want to join me after you look at all this. I’ll see ya around,” Arthur said, waving at him.

Patrick returned the gesture and continued around the room, looking at every single item encased in glass. He counted 50, and inwardly cringed for these women. After some time, the lights flashed, signaling for everyone to find a seat. Taking Arthur’s offer to sit with him, Patrick approached table three and sat down, waiting for the auction to begin.