Chapter 4 4

James could hear the alpha shouting at the woman in his office. "Here they go again," Doctor Thompson said, shaking his head. James gave him and questioning look. The beta nodded his head. "Yes, they do this often. They may not be related by blood, but they both are cut from the same cloth," he told him with a chuckle. His curiosity flared once more and almost asked the beta about her when the door suddenly flew open. Andrew stomped out of the room with the human in tow. Both were glaring at each other and the anger filled the room making everyone, even him, tense.

The human tried to break free from the alpha's grip as she demanded that he let her go, but the alpha simply ignored her. He opened the front door and pushed her out onto the porch. "Stop trying to act like a one-man army," he demanded in a harsh snarl. "I will tell you once more that you will do as I say! A pack is as strong as its weakest member and you will be protected! Now go home and get some rest!" he shouted at her then slammed the door in her face.

James shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. For some reason, it bothered him to see the alpha treat her like that and part of him was tempted to step forward ask the alpha to ease up a bit. However, he also couldn't help but wonder why she was refusing protection. The human had to know that if she was attacked by a werewolf she'd probably die. She couldn't be stupid enough to think she could actually fight off such attack by herself.

"Let us continue," the alpha demanded and ordered them to follow him back into his office. With a shrug, Xavier followed Andrew back inside. James glanced at the front door for a second before following the other two into the alpha's office.  

"So then what do you think we have on our hands?" Andrew asked, directing his question towards the pack doctor, once everyone had taken their seat.

"I still am not sure that this is all connected," Doctor Thompson replied, knotting his fingers together and resting his elbows on the edges of the chair.

"I am afraid we have strong evidence to believe that is in fact connected. Jake Addams was nearly abducted exactly like James. Also, James informed me this morning that the mad man contacted him admitting to being the one who caused his particular way of shifting and attacking Lily," Andrew explained.

"This is horrible," the beta started with a sad tone. "Who would want to do such a thing to our children?" He turned to the alpha. "I am not sure what we can do now to be honest. We've no leads and the pills have been stolen."

"We do have one lead. James will be able to recognize the werewolf present in the attempt to kidnap the Addams child," Andrew began then looked to James. "Speaking of which, I want you to stop by the laboratory and check out the scent. I have already talked to the pack members who are on the police force. You will be able to enter without any problems. I want to know whether it's the same or we are dealing with more than one traitor," he finished.

"I will go over there as soon as we finished here," James answered.

"Good. Now as far as the pills, we haven't lost them all Xavier. Apparently Lily foresaw a break in at the laboratory so she kept some of the pills hidden somewhere else," he explained and the doctor smiled brightly.

"Did she? Well, what an intelligent move. I have to say I am impressed," he cheered and the alpha smiled too.

"Getting them from her though is going to be...challenging. She refuses to give up the pills or back down," Andrew said with frustration. "She seems to have taken this personal and has refused to let me attempt to protect her," he finished with a growl. Xavier's lips stretched into a small smile.

"I have to agree with her on that last part Andrew; I don't think she'll need protection. The attack at the laboratory wasn't against her; it was to get the pills back. Now that this thug thinks he has the pills he won't bother her again. She is only a human after all," he explained to the alpha. Andrew sighed, shaking his head.

"You may be right Xavier, but you know how she is, she'll find a way to piss this mad man off and like you just said, she is only human," he expressed concern.

Xavier laughed, "Of course she would! She's your daughter even if she is human! Give it a day or two to calm down then send someone who has the gift of extreme patience to talk to her," the beta explained and the alpha smiled tiredly. James felt his curiosity flare up once more as he listened to the conversation. Never in his life would he have ever imagined it possible for a human to become a part of an alpha's family.

"That's a good idea, Xavier, I knew I could count on you," Andrew expressed with gratitude and then turned to James. "Once you have checked the lab out I want you to check out the local hot spots of the pack and see if you can identify our unknown werewolf. If you find him don't engage him or make him aware that you know who he is, just come back and immediately inform me," the alpha explained.

"Yes Alpha," James answered with a nod and all three men stood, understanding the meeting was now over. James got up and started to make his way out of the house.

"Hey, wait up James," Tony called after him. "I am going to tag along," he added and James smiled.

"It will just be like old times then," he told his best friend and they walked towards Tony's old jeep.

"Be careful Tony," a dark-haired beauty called out to Tony, looking worried.

"I'll be fine Liz...it's nothing dangerous I swear. You don't need to worry," he told her with a wave. "What?" he asked once he noticed James giving him an intense examining look.

"How the hell did you get a mate like that?" he asked and Tony smiled brightly.

"I am the alpha's son and the next in line to be alpha. I get nothing but the best," he replied as his smile spread from ear to ear.

"Apparently so...damn lucky bastard," he muttered as they got into the jeep. Tony laughed loudly, a proud look on his face.

"How does that work out for you by the way?" Tony asked pulling out of the driveway and onto the street.

"How do you mean?" James asked as he looked out of the window.

"Well, I mean do you have one or are you too different?" Tony asked, looking unsure.

"Hell, if I know. I just know that I have yet to meet a woman that has caused any of those telltale signs that she's my mate," he explained with a flat tone. He didn't want to let on to how much he had thought about that question himself.

"Man that sucks," Tony admitted and James shrugged in reply.

"Suits me just fine, now can we change the subject I swear we sound like a group of girls," he teased and Tony looked at him for a moment with his whole face scrunched up in disgust.

Once they arrived at the lab an officer was waiting for him. "Hey Tony, and James Lacrosse, I presume?" he asked and James nodded. The officer seemed a little nervous. "Only you can go in, sorry Tony, and please don't touch anything in any way or otherwise Detective Scott will have my ass! That woman is a real bitch," the officer complained and James gave him an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry about me. I won't touch a thing since I only need to check out the scents which will only take me a few minutes," James told him, passing the yellow tape and walking into the lab. James walked through the narrow hallway. He saw that the room at the end of the hall was a mess and he knew that was what he was looking for. He entered the room and was immediately shocked at the amount of destruction around him.

Not a single piece of equipment was intact. This must be where the human woman worked. Her scent covered the room, but the heavy smells coming off the drugs that littered the floor made it difficult for him to distinguish any other smells. He walked over to a small desk and noticed an open file spread out across it. Staring back at him was the mug shot of some man who screamed bad news. He read some of the report and shook his head; the man really was bad news. He made James look like a choir boy.

He glanced around the room at the distinctive powders on the floor and started to understand why the human had taken the break in so personally. Thanks to the thief, men like this one in the mug shot would be able to go free, and all because of some stupid pills. Remembering why he'd come, he focused on his sense of smell and began separating the several scents in the room.

Finally, he was able to get past the woman's scent and the hundreds of different drugs and pick up the scent of the werewolf. He recognized the scent from the one in the woods. Well, at least they suntil had only one traitor to deal with. Being careful of his step he left the wrecked room and walked out of the crime lab. They thanked the officer and walked back to the car. "So?" Tony asked, wanting to know what he had found.

"It's the same scent as the kidnapping," James told him and Tony was silent as he started the car.

"So where to next?" Tony asked as they left the parking lot.

"Well, your dad wants me to check out the local hot spots to see if I can put a face to the traitor. Since it's getting pretty late the best place to get started is probably Lupin's," he explained. Tony nodded, started the car, and drove towards the exclusive werewolf bar.

The bar descended into complete silence as soon as James entered. All eyes followed him with fear, suspicion, and blatant mistrust as he and Tony walked up to the bar and ordered a couple of beers. "Damn, remind me never to bring you along if I want to go unnoticed," Tony said shaking his head and James gave him a weak smile as they sat down. Once the crowd decided James wasn't there to kill them and rip them all to shreds they began to go about their business.

James began the slow task of separating each individual scent and connecting it to its owner. "So, when this is all finished are you going to stay or take off again?" Tony asked him. James brought his attention back to Tony for a moment and shrugged.

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it," he told his friend, taking a drink of the untouched beer that sat in front of him.

"Well, I for one would like to see you back for good," Tony told him, taking a drink. James nodded as he continued to identify the scents. "No one is nearly as fun as you are. Chris is okay, but, I don't know, it's not the same since he is Lacy's mate and all," he added and James laughed.

"You only think I'm fun because I was the only kid that didn't kiss your ass because you were the alpha pup," James corrected him and Tony smiled, taking another drink.

"That's basically what I said, but not so colorful, and they only get worse the older I get," Tony added with a look of irritation.

"Yeah, because being adored is so horrible," James teased and Tony shook his head.

"You should try it, people always wanting to be your best buddy and agree with everything you say. If I told them to eat silver they would do it!" He grumped and James laughed again.

"No thanks, between the angry mobs and women wanting to tame the big bad wolf, I've got enough on my plate," James replied with a look of disgust and now it was Tony's turn to laugh.

"Tame the big bad wolf eh?" he asked suggestively and James shook his head.

"It's not as good as it sounds," he told his friend and Tony smiled.

"Looks like there is a couple over there that wouldn't mind trying," he teased and James looked over his shoulder to see two women staring at them, practically drooling. He narrowed his eyes at them with a scowl, but they didn't respond like he wished. Instead of paling and nearly fainting, they simply giggled to each other.

Tony laughed harder. "Yep, your right, it sucks to be you," he teased and James glared at him. Tony finished off his beer and leaned back in his chair. "I have missed this James; I really want you to stay. A lot of time has passed, I am sure the pack can forgive and forget," Tony pushed and James shrugged. That was one thing he didn't think the pack could do honestly, he thought as he finished about a quarter of the scents around them by then.

"I don't know Tony; I really don't like staying where I am unwanted," he replied, taking another drink of his beer.

"Well, you're wanted in our family," Tony stated. "For the most part" he added so quietly that it was barely a whisper. James looked at his friend confused.

"Now what exactly does that mean?" James demanded.

"You heard that did you?" He asked looking sheepish and James nodded, leaning closer towards his friend.

"Yes, I did, now tell me exactly what it meant,' he insisted. James started to worry; did he burden them too much with his problems? Which of them could have a problem with him? He glared at Tony who was obviously very hesitant in discussing it.

"You have to swear you won't tell anyone! Hell she doesn't even know that I know," Tony explained and James nodded even more confused. Who could this she be, Lacy or Sandy? He had thought he was on good terms with both of them; they both seemed excited to have him back in town. Tony took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "It's Lily, she really can't stand your guts," he admitted.

"The human?" James asked with a scoff, yet irritated by the mix of feelings he felt. One part was relieved it wasn't Lacy or Sandy because he could care a less if the human didn't like him while the other was curious and bothered by the idea of her disliking him.

"Don't call my sister that! She has a name so use it," Tony shot at him, looking so angry that it surprised James. Did he really consider that human to be as much as a sister him as Lacy?

"Alright...sorry man," he apologized. "So why does Lily hate my guts? I just met her a few days ago," he asked, finishing off his beer. Tony shrugged, his anger disappearing as quickly as it came.

"I don't know. I just know she does," he told James. "She gets this look every time she sees you. The kind of look someone gets when they just stepped into a pile of crap," he explained. James frowned growing more troubled by the fact she didn't like him. He couldn't figure it out why it bothered him so much; lots of people didn't like him. In fact, he could only think of a handful of people who actually did like him. His feelings about Lily's dislike must be because he didn't know the reason, he decided finally.

After nearly an hour, James had sorted through all of the scents in the bar. "Nothing," he declared with frustration, bringing his fist hard against the table, making it wobble. Tony frowned and shot a glanced around the bar.

"It's Friday night and nearly the whole pack has passed through here at one point or another. Are you sure you didn't miss anyone?" Tony asked and James glared at him.

"Of course I didn't miss anyone Tony," he answered, feeling a little insulted and Tony held up his hands in signs of surrender, apologizing. James took a deep breath to reign back in his anger. "Sorry, Tony I didn't mean to snap like that. This narrows down our traitor to a kid, a golden oldie, or a new parent, they're the only members who haven't been here already minus the alpha and beta," James finished and Tony looked skeptical.

"Yeah you're right but it seems highly unlikely on all accounts unless our traitor is only passing along information while another werewolf commits the crimes." Tony replied and James nodded. That would mean two werewolves were involved and that didn't make things any better. If the other werewolf was not of this pack, it could cause a pack war. There hadn't been a pack war in the area for over two hundred years.

"Yes, I think that is the most probable option but first I will have to check out the other places. Can't rule out any member of the pack until I have been able to assess their scent," James replied and once more they both looked at the people in the bar.

"Well, it's late and Liz is probably pacing the whole house up and down by now," Tony announced placing his hands on the table as he grinned happily. James laughed quietly with a small shake of his head.

"Okay, well let's go lover boy," James teased him and they left the bar.

Tony dropped James off at his hotel room. As he watched his friend leave he felt a pang of jealousy wash over him. He had come to accept who he was and all that it entails, but there were times, like that night, where he wished his life was different. He would give up being one of the strongest and most feared creatures in existence just to be able to have a home to go to every night, instead of a hotel room.

To have a nine to five job, instead of doing odd jobs here and there just so he could eat and have a roof over his head. He also wondered what it'd be like to have a mate waiting for him at home. To give him a kiss when he got home and ask how his day was...a woman that would complete his life and make him a father...what it must be like to know that because of him life was created. How it'd feel to be called daddy and receive the unconditional love of his child.

James shrugged off the unwanted feelings and told himself to quit acting like a pussy as he walked into his hotel room. He slowly got undressed, passing through the events of the night in his head. It all seemed like a confusing mess, but there had to be a way to sort it all out and find the person responsible for all of this, responsible for what he had become.

He laid down on the bed, staring up on the ceiling and passing through what memories he had of that time. He remembered a dark room, a cold metal bed, lots of needles, a lot of intense burning pain, and someone always nearby. He had tried every way imaginable to remember that person. He had tried drugs, some legal and some not so legal, he had tried hypnotism, meditation, but nothing had proved effective. The face of the man who made him into the beast he was today refused to surface to the light.