Page 72 of Wild As a Wolf

Gage shook his head. “It was dark and chaotic in the building and witness accounts were all over the place, with most of them admitting they couldn’t see much of anything. The only thing that Patterson and his son could say for sure was that you, Hale, and Carter saved their lives.”

“And all of this is going to fly with the press?” she asked.

There had to be someone out there looking closer at such a dramatic event. Especially with all the rich people who’d been in attendance.

“It was big news for a few days,” Gage admitted with a shrug. “But news cycles fast in this country. The attempted murder will be back-page news soon and the only thing people will care about is when the plant will be fully operational and when they’ll start hiring.”

A part of her wanted to think that people couldn’t possibly be that unaware of what was going on around them, but in her heart, she knew it wasn’t true. She’d spent ten years fighting monsters—supernatural and otherwise—and in all that time, regardless of the unexplainable things that people had witnessed, nobody had ever said a word, much less asked a single question.

Maybe because people simply didn’t want to know the answers.

The conversation around the table turned to more mundane subjects, like what training the team would be conducting over the next few weeks and where everyone was taking their soul mates for a special night out. In between, she and Hale talked about when she’d start working for Knox and how they’d sync up their schedules. It might be silly, but it felt nice to plan simple things, like grabbinglunch together and how they’d always make time for each other.

“What happens with Deimos?” Connor asked. “Now that Thomas Bagley is dead, is Deimos no longer a threat?”

Karissa looked at Connor. “I suppose Deimos will start looking for a new avatar to possess. Based on how Davina described the lopsided relationship he requires, it will take him a while to find the right person. And even then, it will take years before he’s anywhere near as dangerous as he was with Bagley.”

“I guess that’s as much as we can ask for,” Mike remarked. “It’s still something we need to have STAT keep an eye out for though.”

“Speaking of having STAT keep an eye out for stuff,” Carter said. “Has anyone talked to them about those strange wolves Hale and I saw? Is there a chance they were involved with the Balauri—or Bagley?”

“I spoke to Davina about them and even brought the subject up with Tamm before STAT took custody of him,” Gage answered. “Davina never heard of a werewolf who could transform as fast as you described, and while Tamm wasn’t exactly talkative, he didn’t react with anything but confusion when I asked him. I don’t think these new werewolves have anything to do with the Balauri.”

“And there’s no way of knowing if they were helping Bagley since he’s not around to ask,” Karissaadded. “But I have to admit I don’t see him working that closely with anyone. The deal he made with the Balauri seemed to offend his sensibilities as it was. He was only using them to distract the Pack.”

Mike sighed. “I guess we’ll have to see if the first run-in with them was a random thing or a sign of some kind of future problem.”

Karissa silently agreed. Her instincts were telling her that something really scary was coming their way and it was all tied to those new werewolves. But now wasn’t the time to bring it up. She’d tell them later. For now, she forced herself to stop worrying. Whatever was headed their way, they’d all deal with it together. Like a family.

Because the Pack was as much her family now as Deven.

Another round of burgers, hot dogs, and steak followed the first—for the werewolves in attendance at least. Karissa nibbled little bites off Hale’s plate now and then until they got around to dessert. She definitely made room for the brownies that Rachel had baked.

Volleyball followed the food, which seemed like a bizarre idea to Karissa. She was too full to jump around, much less throw herself on the sand to try and save a spike. But it was clear the SWAT wolves loved playing the game, and having a chance to be out there with Hale as he laughed and joked made it worth it.

While the Pack was obviously a competitive bunch, the games quickly turned into an excuse to run around and act like kids. Karissa couldn’t remember having this much fun in a long time.

A decade, to be precise.

But when Karissa looked around, she realized there was one person missing out on the party. Carter was cleaning the grill and clearly lost in his own head again, Tuffie at his side. Any humor she’d felt disappeared, to be replaced by compassion for her newfound pack brother.

Hale must have sensed her change in emotion because he was immediately at her side, concern clear on his face. He started to ask what was wrong but then followed the direction of her gaze and saw his pack mate standing by himself.

“I know Cooper convinced him to talk to a therapist, but I still wish we could do something to help him right now,” she said softly. “I mean, it feels wrong that the two of us get to be so incredibly happy while someone we care about seems so lost.”

“The therapist Cooper mentioned is good at what she does. She’ll help him. I’m sure of it,” Hale said, squeezing her hand. “Carter just needs to hold on until all this turns around. Whateverall thishappens to be.”

“Maybe it would help if he found his soul mate,” Karissa said, suddenly wishing Carter and Mike, the only two remaining werewolves in the Packwho didn’t have one, could feel the same connection that she and Hale felt.

“I’m sure it would,” Hale said, moving behind her and wrapping his arms around her middle, pulling her close. “But unfortunately, there’s no way we can rush something like that. When it’s time for Carter to findThe Onefor him, it’ll happen. Until then, all we can do is be there for him and hope that’s enough.”

Karissa thought that answer sucked. It also played hell with her need to save the innocent. But she supposed Hale was right. It wasn’t like Carter was going to be able to sit down with this therapist and she’d be able to tell him who his soul mate was or something.

So she and Hale stood there watching as Carter finished cleaning the grill, then headed toward the parking lot without saying a word to anyone. Tuffie threw the two of them a quick almost-apologetic look and then hurried after Carter, jumping in his yellow Hummer when he opened the door. Karissa guessed the amazing dog knew who needed her the most right then.

Tears welled in Karissa’s eyes, and she reached up to brush one away as it rolled down her face.

“Hey, it’ll be okay,” Hale said, squeezing her even tighter. “It took ten years for us to find each other again, but in the end, we did it. It will happen for Carter, too. I’m sure of it. We have to believe that.”

Karissa turned in Hale’s arms and pulled his head down for a kiss. Hearing him say the words out loud made her realize exactly how lucky she was. So many events and people had gotten in their way, but fate had pulled them back together against all those obstacles. They’d wasted ten years, but right then Karissa decided she’d never waste another second.

“Let’s go home,” she said, taking his hand. “And start making up for lost time.”