Chapter 6

We arrived in San Diego early in the morning, hoping to outrun the rest of the pack and save my brother. We pulled over to a hotel just down the road so I could change out of my hospital scrubs. I entered the room while Ryan conjured jeans and a pink tank top. I slipped them on while throwing my scrubs to the ground. Before leaving the bathroom, I sprayed them with perfume. Ryan was waiting for me on the bed.

"Let's walk over to his house," I said, nodding.

"It'll be less obvious than driving," he said as we stepped into the elevator to the lobby.

We stepped out into the cool morning air of San Diego, with traffic buzzing all around us. My gun rubbed against my back as we walked down the sidewalk towards his house.

"Do you think he'll pay attention to us?" As fear pricked my skin, I inquired. I tried everything I could to keep the fear at bay, but it persisted.

"If not, show him," Ryan reassured. As I noticed the house, I nodded. I stood on the sidewalk, looking up at the magnificent mansion in front of us. I took one step forward, then several more before coming to a complete stop. I reached up and pressed the doorbell. Ryan stood behind me, keeping an eye out for the pack. As the door opened, I smiled.

"Hello,I’m looking for a boy named Scott Donald," I said softly.

"Donald, I don't know any Donald," grumbled the old man.

"Are you sure because this is the address on file for him?" I asked, surprised that he wasn't here.

"Yes, I'm certain," the man said as he slammed the door in my face. Ryan looked at me as I approached him.

"Perhaps we should ask a neighbor if they know who he is," I sighed as we approached the next door. I knocked, making sure my gun was well hidden.

"Can I assist you?" As I smiled, a girl asked.

"I'm looking for Scott Donald," I explained when her smile faded.

"He moved away, just like I told the cops," she said as my heart raced. The pack had come to look for him.

"Do you know where he moved to? He's my younger brother "I spoke softly, knowing she wouldn't tell me without a tangible reason.

"No, I'm sorry, as I told them, I don't know where exactly they moved to," she sighed.

"Thank you so much for your time," I said as I walked down the stairs. Ryan sighed, disappointed. "We must locate him before they do."

"I'm not sure where to look," he sighed as we returned to the hotel.

"Is there no magic that we can use to track him down?" I inquired but he shook his head.

"Damn it," I yelled as we approached the hotel's street. I froze when I saw my father.

He hadn't noticed us, but he was heading in our direction. I grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him around the corner.

"What?" he inquired as I bit my lower lip deeply.

"My father is on his way," I sighed, pulling the gun from my shirt and removing the safety.

"How are you going to kill him?" As I winced, Ryan demanded.

"Only if he finds us," I said quietly as we walked away from the hotel and down an alley hiding next to a dumpster. I was relieved that I would be able to mask my odor.

"Laura, your car is at the hotel, and it stinks of you. They are aware that you are nearby, so we must keep moving "Ryan said as I looked at him.

"I need perfume," I murmured softly as he summoned a bottle. Before we continued down the ally, I sprayed it all over us. Ryan handed me his sweatshirt as we stepped onto a busy street.

"Put it on and keep your head down," he instructed as I pulled the hood over my head.

I walked through the crowded street, looking for other Lycans. I arrived at the bus stop and waited for a bus to take us away from here. My phone rang loudly, and I jumped. I responded quickly.

"Hello," I exclaimed as Ryan glared at me.

"Come back, Laura, and I promise you'll be safe. They are only interested in your brother "I stiffened at my father’s insane request.

"Tell that to my stab wound," I yelled as I stepped onto the bus.

"Believe me. They will not harm you if you assist in the murder of your brother "My heart was breaking as my father said this. He wants me to murder my own brother for no reason.

"No bye!" I growled and threw my phone out the window.

"What was he after?" Ryan inquired as tears welled in my eyes.

"For me to murder my brother," I said softly as Ryan drew me into his arms. As the pain from deep within resurfaced, I sobbed on his shoulder.

"It's fine, shh. I'll always protect you to the best of my ability, "he said softly as I took a deep breath to calm myself a bit. Before returning to my seat, I wiped my eyes with my hands.We exited the bus at the last stop and entered a busy bar. Ryan took out his phone and called his people, giving them the address. I couldn't help but think of my brother, who we had no idea where he was and who had a tracker on his tail.

"Is there a way to find my brother, Ryan?" I asked again, hoping for a different response.

"I know one way, but we have to wait for a full moon, and I'm going to need a drop of your blood," he winced. I despise blood and needles.

"All right, I'll do it for my brother, but just so you know, I might faint," I stated firmly.

He smirked as he led me to the car. We jumped in the car and drove back to Texas, this time to Austin. I'm coming, dear brother…