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“Noah, don’t kill him,” I plead, clawing at his arm. “You’re a civilized alpha. Too honorable for this. I don’t want it on your conscience.”
He doesn’t move his gaze from the water. “He touched you.”
“I know, and I hate him for it as much as you, but it’s not worth it.” I focus on his profile, my heart pounding in my chest. “Please.”
He glances down at me, his eyes softening. “Fine.”
Looking back up at the lake, he releases his invisible hold, allowing Cass’s head to come to the surface of the water. I watch him suck in deep breaths, his arms moving around rhythmically in the deep water.
Noah turns to me, pulling my body close in an embrace. We stand, breathing together, before I pull away and gaze up at him.
“What was that?” I ask breathlessly. “Is that the same … power that Wyatt has?”
“It’s his pressure,” a voice from the trees calls out.
Both our heads jolt up to see Rill walking onto the beach, Elizabeth, Stella, and Nick trailing after him. Rill settles a glittering gaze on Noah, beaming proudly as he reaches out to grab his hand.
“That was beautiful, brother,” he breathes out gruffly, moving Noah’s limp hand up and down. “See what an alpha is capable of when you get him away from Goldenrod? You know, I don’t think I hate you as much anymore.”
“What a relief,” Noah grits out, yanking his arm free and wrapping it around my shoulder.
I inch closer to him when I see Cass come to the shore in my peripheral vision. He shoots us a dirty look before taking off toward the trees. Hearing a deep growl in Noah’s chest, I look up to see him glaring at Cass as he disappears.
“Let’s get out of here,” he mutters under his breath.
I open my mouth, but can barely get out a single squeak before, once again, I’m being pulled down the beach.
“Noah! Hetty!” Stella calls out, her voice high and stressed. “Stop! Where are you going?”
“Back to Goldenrod,” Noah barks, picking up his pace as I trip after him.
“Noah,” I start, trying to pull my hand free. “Shouldn’t we talk to them first?”
“No!” he shouts, stopping in his tracks. “That alpha put his hands on you, Hetty! He hurt you! How much do you want to bet he won’t face any consequences?”
“I would think that’s your job,” Rill calls out casually from behind us.
Our heads whip back in unison to watch Rill jogging slowly toward us.
“You should have killed him,” Rill continues sensibly, stopping in front of us. “I would have.”
Noah curses and shakes his head. “We’re going home—whatever we have to deal with there is better than living another day with you animals.”
He turns, and I brace myself for another yank down the beach.
“Don’t you want you to see Jason first?” Rill inquiries, his voice light and airy. “I think you might want to hear what he has to say before going back to Goldenrod.”
Noah freezes but doesn’t turn around. I do, though.
Rill’s standing a few feet away from us, his hands in his pocket and his lips quirked in a lopsided smile.
“Wyatt told him you’re here last night,” he continues. “I’m still pissed about what he did to my Liz, but I gotta admit he’s given us some valuable information. I’d hate for you to miss him.”
Elizabeth watches us stoically as she slowly walks from the tree line with Nick.
Stella’s running, though. Her dark hair is wild, and she’s out of breath when she finally catches up. She looks at me pleadingly, but I divert my eyes to Noah and keep my expression blank.
“Jason?” Noah asks, his face pale with shock. “My brother’s here?”
