“We caught an intruder,” the massive male says, shoving Ronin towards Hayden.
“You also threatened a female in a way not sanctioned by this pack.”
“You don’t speak for our alpha.”
Hayden grabs him by the throat and slams him against a tree. “I speak for myself.”
“Always so dramatic, Hayden,” a male says as he steps past several trees. The way the two white wolves who trapped me both stand at attention, I’m guessing this latest shifter is their alpha.
The alpha runs his eyes down me. “You do smell delectable, female.”
Garrett’s growl is the only warning anyone gets as his wolf charges at the alpha. Hayden shifts and slams Garrett to the ground, then immediately shifts back. “We discussed this,” he reprimands Garrett, who finally shifts and pushes Hayden off of him.
I race into Garrett’s arms and nearly collapse as everything finally catches up with me. I’m too drained, emotionally and physically, to keep up with whatever is happening here. “Take me home, Garrett,” I whisper as strong arms wrap around me, keeping me safe from the world.
“Soon,” he whispers as he pulls in a deep breath scenting me. I do the same to him—inhale deeply, seeking familiarity and comfort—but nothing comes. No scent. The fact that I don’t know his scent the way I should makes my throat tighten. I want to cry, but can’t. Not here, not in front of all these males. Instead, a whimper escapes my lips.
“Get the fuck away from her!” Ronin grabs my arm and physically tries to steal me from Garrett.
“Touch her again, and I’ll rip your limbs off, one by one, starting with that arm.”
“I’m starting to like you more and more, retriever.”
“He’s not a dog,” I snap at the alpha.
“Temper, temper. You sure you want her, retriever? I don’t think she’s your speed. We can use a female with her fire in my pack.”
“Stay the hell away from her. All of you.”
“We’re done here, Drake,” Hayden says.
“What of the mutt?” The alpha points at Ronin, whose throat remains in Hayden’s grip. “Shall I interrogate him for you, brother?”
“Brother?” I whisper.
“Later,” Garrett says, hinting at me not to ask any questions.
“Where are we?” I can’t help but ask. I need to understand some of this, because despite how mad I am at Ronin, I don’t want to see him killed.
“Novak territory, south of our pack.”
Our pack. Garrett sees me as a part of Damien’s pack, like Ronin believes I’m still part of my birth pack.
I search inside myself and my wolf. We don’t have a pack. We have connections. To both. And neither.
I hug Garrett tighter and whisper, “I need a favor.”
His breath warms my neck as he presses his lips to my ear. “Anything for you, my angel.”
Tears form in my eyes. I thought I’d never hear those words again. I hug him tighter, afraid to let go. “Don’t let them kill Ronin.”
Garrett smooths the hair from my face. “You know this shifter?”
I nod. “He and Lars were taking me home.”
“They kidnapped you,” Garrett points out.
“I know.”
