“You incite fear, not loyalty,” I growl, backing away.
“Your attitude is why I didn’t look for you,” he says, brushing the blood from his eyes. “Good riddance. You were ungrateful.” He looks from my face to my feet and back. “You’re still the wild animal I raised, and you’ll never change. You abandoned your family. The pack wanted to search for you, but I refused. I waited for you to come crawling back home.”
“You weren't my home, and I would never crawl.” I rush him, attacking his ribs. When he’s wheezing, and I back off.
“I didn’t need you,” he gasps, holding his side. “I have new children.”
“What?” My surprise costs me two hits, and I grit my teeth. Yes, we're shifters, and can take more pain than humans, yet it doesn’t mean we feel nothing.
“I didn’t want to bring the young ones so far away from home.” He grins.
“You adopted more.” My stomach churns thinking about their fear.
“They need a man to guide them,” he laughs, and I meet Hunter’s eyes.
“Did you know?” I ask.
“Yes,” Hunter says, and I frown. “That was part of the plan we didn’t tell you.” He looks at Frank. “Some of our family is rescuing them now.” My nausea lessens.
“No,” Frank cries.
“We will get them real homes with shifter parents who will understand them,” Hunter continues.
“Brother,” Bane calls, and I glance at him. “Are you done toying with him? I’d like to wrap this up.”
“Yeah.” I stare at Frank. “I’m done.” I shift in an instant and jump.
Flying through the air, I land on the man who twisted my mind and abused my body. As my teeth sink into his flesh, I take back the pieces of my soul, his terror soothing the beast inside. His death will free the lost children who only want a home, and put an end to his pack, who pretend to be family. True family protects you, even from yourself. Hunter knew my head would be fucked up if he told me about the kids.
His screams blend with Tawney’s as I sink my claws into his neck. As I stare into his eyes, watching his life drain, his mouth opens, but no sound emerges. The only noise is the drip of his blood and Tawney’s cries.
Until Juliana makes her move.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Haven
Igrip my phone and pace the living room. Watching my mates leave without me to face the man who tortured Lawson was difficult. I haven’t been without them by my side many times since we met, and I feel empty. My worry for Lawson is extreme. I know they can handle the situation, and Hunter told me there will be others in the family with them, but still, I’m not there. I realize I’m human and would only distract them. I’m alright not being in the room with a pack of messed-up shifters. It’s the waiting that's the worst part.
Rylee is coming over. She’s bringing snacks, and some of the women in the family will show up soon. I’m grateful for the support, yet I wish it were my mates coming home. I hope Lawson gets the answers he needs and can find some peace. Hemust be in agony seeing those nasty people again. I glance at my phone.
It’s been an hour. I jump when it rings. An unknown number.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Don’t hang up,” Brian says quickly. “I need to talk to you.”
“Nope. No. We said enough to each other, and I don’t have time for you.”
“Haven, just give me a chance—”
“I don’t need this,” I sigh, glancing toward the door. I hear a car. “I have to go. Don’t call me again.” I hang up, sliding my phone in my back pocket, and shake my head. I don’t know why he thought I would give him another chance. Father probably instructed him to call, hoping to talk some sense into me. “Fuck both of you,” I mutter as I walk to the door. “I really thought he would let me go.” I enter the code into the security pad when the knocking starts. “Hold on, Rylee.” Once the light turns green, I swing open the door. “You’re not Rylee,” I whisper, staring at the woman in front of me. “Jennifer?”
“It’s Jenica,” she hisses.
“Uh-huh…” The last time I saw her was in Brian’s bed, covered in a sheet. I’m shocked because her hair is exactly like mine now. She had dark hair. And she's pointing a gun at my face. “You’re pointing a gun at me,” I say slowly.
“I thought you were smarter than this,” she snarls.
