Page 89 of Knotting Autumn

“Of course you two would end up in the same mated group.” He grinned at Thorne, flashing blunt fangs.

Glancing at Mia, I noted a similar bite peeking out from her neckline.

“I think someone lost a bet,” Mia said, smirking.

I arched an eyebrow at her, and Mia wrinkled her nose.

“I figured those two would share a mate or something similar. They’ve always been close.”

Sawyer shifted his stance, his hands sliding into his pockets. “So have you seen Cole? How is he?”

Mia and James exchanged worried looks. James answered, “Not really. Hunter is keeping him separate from everyone, but we were told he would be recovered enough soon to rejoin the pack.”

A flash of anger flowed from Thorne to me, and I glanced at him. He looked at ease, watching his friends with a neutral expression on his face, but his hands clenched into fists at his side.

Sawyer was such a mess being parted from Cole, I almost forgot that Thorne left his entire life behind to rescue Cole once,and now they were back in his brother’s clutches. It was an impossible situation for him too. Nibbling at my lip, I did my best to send him calming energy and comfort.

“I caught a glimpse of him when they brought him in unconscious. He looked okay,” Mia added, her brown doe-eyes full of empathy.

“So are you here to stay?” James asked, one eyebrow arching like he already knew the answer.

“I’m going to challenge Hunter,” Thorne said, his voice low to keep the words from being overheard.

“Fucking finally!” Mia said, punching her fist into the air. “I am so sick of him already. I don’t know how he gets off acting like the motherfucking wolf king, like we are all here to serve him.”

“Babe, we know,” James said, his hand going to her back. Under his touch, Mia visibly calmed.

Instinctively, I reached for Sawyer at my back. At the touch, our mate bond lit up, his anxiety flowing into me. I braced myself, letting it wash over me as I sent back whatever feelings of comfort and reassurance I could.

“So what’s the plan?” James asked.

Thorne grimaced. “I’m afraid we will have to play nice for a while. I took a beating when they stole Cole, and I’m not comfortable making a move against Hunter while he’s keeping Cole away from us. But he has to release him back to his mate sooner rather than later. The pack wouldn’t stand for anything less.”

“And once he’s relatively safe and you’re healed up?” Mia pressed.

Thorne nodded, the muscles in his arms flexing as he squared his shoulders.

“And you’ll all be staying?”

Sawyer stiffened, and I bit my lip. “We haven’t really decided yet. I mean, obviously, we want to all be together, but Sawyer and I still have an apartment and jobs in town.”

“We will figure it out,” Thorne said, smiling gently. He looked every bit the magnanimous leader in that moment.

My stomach clenched. He was giving up what he wanted—freedom—to recover Cole. But there was no other choice.

“That sounds like we need to convince her to live here instead,” Mia said brightly. “I’d love to give you a tour, Autumn. And Sawyer, of course.”

His shoulders slumped. “I’d rather stay here, just in case.”

“It’s okay,” I said, squeezing his forearm. “Go rest. I’ll see you later.”

Sawyer’s shadow disappeared from behind me, and I took a deep breath. His hormones were still overwhelming, and I was scared what would happen if he wasn’t reunited with Cole soon. There was only so much I could do for him.

Mia looked between me and Thorne, her eyebrows arching. “So a tour for one?”

“Sure, give me a minute to clean up,” I said, grabbing my bag and heading into the bathroom. Five minutes later, I was ready to face Thorne’s pack.

Chapter 28