“That would have happened on anyone’s watch,” Brick said.“That’s the tough part of being in charge.Sometimes, no matter what path you choose, someone gets hurt.The important thing is that we got Mira back and didn’t lose any pack members.”
Solan rubbed his chest, thinking about how he could have lost Kaeli numerous times since they’d met.He wanted the danger to her life and the pack’s put down for good, and the only way to do that was to go after Foley and take him out.
His attention swung from his mate to his alpha, and Adam wrapped up the plans.“I’ve got assignments.We’re taking ten males with us; the others will stay in town and around the neighborhoods, patrolling and keeping tabs on everyone.Until we know for sure that Foley and his people are dealt with permanently, we will not change anything about our security measures.”
Brick and Solan moved up to Adam’s big desk and took the assignments, letting their people know who was staying and who was going.
Since Solan was among those leaving to deal with Foley, he let the high-ranked males know who to contact and headed to the kitchen to talk to Kaeli before he left.
“We’re leaving in five minutes,” Adam said as he followed Solan into the kitchen, grabbing Cinder around the waist and giving her a kiss.“So don’t go getting all distracted by your mate.”
“I’d say the same to you,” Solan said with a grin.
Kaeli wrapped her arms around Solan’s neck and kissed him.“I can come with you.”
“Absolutely not,” Solan said.She opened her mouth, and he was sure she was going to protest, so he kissed her.“I know you can fight; you proved yourself, and you saved my neck.But we need you here as a precaution.It’s not because I want to keep you home and away from danger, it’s because we need to make sure that no one is able to cause any problems here in Thorn Hollow.”
“You’re the best defense we have,” Cinder said.
“I’m blushing,” Kaeli said with a chuckle.“I just didn’t want you sidelining me out of some caveman thought that I need to be protected.”
“I would never,” he said.He leaned over and brushed his lips along her jaw and whispered in her ear, “When I get back, I’ll be a caveman and toss you over my shoulder and run home, how’s that?”
She shivered and giggled softly, the sweet scent of her arousal making his wolf growl.“Sounds good to me.Be careful.”
“I will.”
She grabbed his wrists and scratched lightly with her nails, speaking a few words in ancient Wiccan.His skin burned where she’d scratched him, and it glowed red for a moment, and then the faint lines of what looked like runes appeared on his skin.
“What did you do?”he asked.
“It’s a protection spell.Cinder told me about it.I can only do it for you because you’re my truemate, though.It won’t stop you from getting punched or anything, but it will alert you if there’s evil around you.”
He cupped her face and kissed her.“Precious female, you are my whole heart.Thank you.”
“You’re mine, too.”
He gave her one last, lingering kiss and then left the kitchen with Adam, heading outside into the cool night and climbing into the vehicle that Brick was driving.
After their people had filled four vehicles, Adam said, “Let’s get this done.I’m ready to send Foley and his merry band of assholes to their maker.”
“I second that,” Solan said.
Brick growled as he put the truck into gear.“I’m ready to make Northern Ohio H.A.S.free for good.”
The mansion that Brent Foley had been renting for a short while and used as his headquarters was in the middle of a large development of similar, high-end homes.The manicured lawn was lit by solar lights, and the brick house’s exterior was illuminated with spotlights.Inside, the lights were on, but there were no vehicles in the circular driveway.
“They could be in the garage,” Brick said, staring out the windshield.
“Possible,” Adam said.He opened his door.“Let’s go.”
Their people got out, all ten of them passing through the gate and spreading out across the lawn, making their way slowly to the house.
Solan’s wolf snarled softly in his head.Something felt off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
They reached the sidewalk, Brick moving up to the porch and peering into the windows on either side of the large front door.
Solan’s wrists burned suddenly as Brick reached for the front door to check if it was locked.
