Aidan’s gaze roams over all of us assessingly. Anyone who doesn’t know him might think he’s cold or unfeeling. Calculating. Between the Celtic knot covering the front of his throat and his icy stare, at first glance he seems intimidating. But he’s not, not really. Analytical? Yes. Prefers the company of computers to people? Probably. Once past his defenses, though, his loyalty is unmatched.
My eyes dart back to my brother, and it seems that he now knows I’m not gonna drop dead any second, and steps back, crossing his own arms in a stance that mirrors mine.
Between our matching green eyes, red hair, and freckles, there’s no doubt we’re related. In fact, if he wasn’t a full foot taller than me, twice as wide…and nine years older, we could be twins.
Which is kind of ironic, considering Mabel.
“Old age?” he barks a laugh. “I’m a year younger than your alpha and beta over there.” He lifts his chin towards Sam and West.
“You’re my brother, they’re not. Therefore,you’rethe one that’s old, not them.”
He shakes his head, rolling his eyes. “When will I learn that you’ll Jo-logic your way out of anything?”
“Jo-logic?” Hayden approaches from behind me. “That’s my favorite kind of logic.”
“And my least favorite.” Declan huffs, but he fails to fully suppress his grin. “Anyway. We should all get together and go over your game plan for Sam Senior.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Sam nod, his jaw tight. I really want to see Mabel, but given the time, she’s probably sleeping. It’ll be better if I wait until the morning.
We follow Pack Gallagher into their home, ready to lay out a plan to save Sam’s daddy.
At seven-thirty sharp the next morning, we’re just about done loading up the surveillance van. Hayden has a bag full of snacks, Kole is admiring the knives I packed, and Sam is making sure we have enough firepower while Aidan walks West through how to use the surveillance equipment in the van. My skin itches with the urge to let the men handle the rest of the packing so I can go say goodbye to Mabel.
Or is it considered hello, since I haven’t seen her yet?
Shaking my head, I hike the bag on my shoulder further up. My brain isnotawake enough for questions like that yet.
Running on four hours of sleep isn’t exactly ideal, but we need to get to Sam’s daddy as soon as possible, and the drive to Vermont will take most of the day. Sam promised to take turns driving so he can catch up on sleep too.
I’m also hoping that when we get back, we can discuss…othersleeping arrangements for the guys and me. It was nice being back in my own bed, but trying to catch some shut-eye piled up with my pack and the knowledge that my big brother was in the next room?Thatwas not comfortable.
Turnip had no such qualms about our sleeping arrangements, all snuggled up on top of my head.
Maybe we can use a room in the guest house with Mabel. Though, the other omegas probably won’t appreciate my pack’s presence after what they’ve been through. Maybe the guard house…or we could move into employee housing.
I’ll have to talk to Declan.
Sam meets me halfway between the house and the van, taking the bag off my shoulder. He cups my chin, leaning down to place a light kiss on my lips. “We can handle the rest, Trouble. Why don’t you go say bye to Mabel before we leave?”
Smiling at my alpha, I nod, but before I can answer, I hear a voice calling out my name.
“Jo! Jo, wait!”
I whip my head around, my eyes growing wide when I see Mabel racing for me from a house further down the small road of the compound—the guest house.
She looks…better. Way, way better.
Like,weirdlybetter.
Despite her sky-blue eyes still being haunted, they’re brighter, and her face has filled in considerably. She’s wearing a long-sleeved hoodie and sweatpants, and runningbarefoottowards me. Shiny, pale blond strands fly behind her as she hurries forward.
“Mabel!” I scold, running to meet her. “I was just about to come see you!Whereare your shoes?”
“You wereaboutto leave!” she cries, damn near knocking the wind out of me as she wraps her arms around my neck. My brow furrows at the barest whiff of a scent clinging to her…or rather the sweatshirt she’s wearing. Before I can place it though, she sighs in my ear. “Why do you gotta leave so soon? You just got here, Jojo.”
Tears sting my eyes as I hold her close to me. “I wasgonnacome say bye,” I mutter. “I wouldn’ta left without sayin’ bye. We…we gotta go save Sammy-boy’s daddy.”
She sniffs once. “Sammy-boy?”
