Shep nodded.
We’d stopped far enough back so the cameras wouldn’t see us before the pack all shifted. It would be nearly impossible for Trent to identify them having only their shifted forms oncamera, and it’s not like he’d go to the cops to report what was “stolen” from him. It didn’t matter that I’d be on camera—he already knew I’d escaped. My presence would only show him I hadn’t gotten far.
As grateful as I was for Shep and the other’s complete willingness to help, I still felt guilty. Trent would eventually figure out who they were. Shep had assured me he and all the pack knew that. It hadn’t changed their minds.
Tears stung my eyes to know there were people willing to risk so much to help others. Help strangers.
“Are you ready?” Shep asked.
I took a fortifying breath. “I’m ready.”
“Everything’s going to be okay, Ry.”
Our faces were close together from the way he was kneeling beside me, and I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but I leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. It was just brush, warm and soft, but it was the best thing I’d ever felt. “Thank you,” I whispered as I pulled back.
The most beautiful smile stretched across Shep’s face. He didn’t say anything, just leaned in to give me a quick kiss of his own and climbed to his feet.
I stood as well. Shep, Thorn, Hux, and Aiden all took off their clothes. Hux and Thorn both dropped large backpacks on the ground and as the men shed items, they carefully rolled and placed them into one bag. Shoes went into the other. I averted my eyes when they began shucking their pants, even though I felt no real modesty about nudity. Living in a society of shifters left little room for it, but if Shep and I were going to truly be mates…I wanted to experience his naked body in a more intimate setting. Something I couldn’t even believe I was thinking about, let alone anticipating.
Once the men were bare, the shifting went quick. When quiet filled the small clearing again, I turned to look at them.Where four men had stood, now there were three bears and one enormous wolf. I glanced from one to the other. Somehow, I knew instantly who was who. The wolf was Thorn. The enormous grizzly was Hux. The other two bears, a little smaller than Hux but no less fearsome, Shep and Aiden.
Walking forward, I reached out to Shep. He bumped my hand with his snout. His wet nose brushed over my palm for a moment before he licked me. I smiled and stepped back as the others started forward.
Hux led the way, Shep behind him. Thorn, wolf form blending so well with the darkness it was difficult to see the edges of him, nudged me forward. I fell into line behind Shep. The fact they were keeping me in the middle of the group—the most guarded position made a whole new warmth spread through my belly. I wasn’t making a mistake trusting these men, and they kept proving it over and over.
We’d agreed the back door of the warehouse was the best way to approach. Once we broke the tree line, Hux didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, all of us moving with him.
When we reached the door, Hux stood up on his hind legs and gripped the doorframe, claws screeching on the metal siding. My heart stuttered when he paused, only to jolt a moment later as he ripped the door—frame and all—from the building. With a huff, Hux tossed the door aside and moved into the warehouse.
We headed inside. Usually, Trent would have at least one person on guard, but given the darkness, I’d bet he had all hands on deck and out looking for me. Still, if the removal of the door hadn’t immediately tripped the alarm, the lack of anyone putting in the code would. We needed to move fast.
Shep took several big lungfuls of air, then looked back at me with a nod of his head. The coast was clear.
I took off at a run, knowing they’d all be right behind me.
Chapter
Six
SHEP
Iwas hot on Rylan’s heels as he ran through rows of metal shelves and stacks on boxes toward the opposite side of the warehouse. It wasn’t a huge building but big enough that I could see it being the overflow for a chain of pawn shops like Trent owned.
It wasn’t easy getting my big bear body to take the turns as fast as Ry was taking them. My flank hit a stack of boxes as I slid around a corner trying to keep up. Behind me, Hux was having even more trouble. The stack of boxes didn’t make it when the big man took the corner too sharp. Under any other circumstance, I would have laughed, but not tonight. Tonight, I wanted to save the Omegas trapped in here and get the hell out.
Rylan slid to a stop in front of a door with not only a deadbolt but also a chain hooked around the handle, then tethered to the wall to prevent the door from being pulled open even if someone was able to unlock it from the other side.
I moved up to Ry’s side and lifted one of my paws, getting a grip on the chain. After I nudged Ry back with my head, Iyanked the chain loose from its anchor on the wall and it clanged uselessly to the ground.
The deadbolt was another matter. This door looked significantly more secure than the one Hux had ripped out of the wall on the outside.
Rylan laid a gentle hand on my side. “Let me.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a big silver key. A moment later, the door was swinging open. “I’ll go down first so we don’t scare them.”
Thembeing the five Omegas Ry told us were being held here.
I growled low. I didn’t like the thought of him being the first through the door. Didn’t want him in the line of fire in case there was a surprise waiting for us.
The decision was taken out of both our hands a moment later when Hux let out a whine, shouldered his way past us, and headed down the stairs at a run.
