Page 82 of Hunted

Rex. Dobe. Hawk. Ariana. Boomer. Boomer’s brother. Gunn paused by each one, touching noses, giving a gentle bump or an affectionate nuzzle.

None of Thanatos’s elite guards were there. But Gunn could feel them outside; he could feel the pack gathering. Waiting.

Silently, the wolves fell in behind him and Mikey, their energy augmenting the power of their alpha pair. They rode the elevator upwards, Boomer pushing the button with his nose, and padded across the huge hallway and out into the night.

The storm had passed and the pack was there in the moonlight, all of them together: some eager, some nervous, some agitated, some angry and resentful.

Gunn, his mind still merged with Mikey’s, could see the power of the bond shining in all of them, spreading like a lattice of light all through the territory.

Their territory. Their home.

Gunn stood at the top of the steps, looking down. Mikey dropped back half a step. This was the crucial moment, and she knew he was the one who had to pull them through it.

He knew what he was supposed to do—what most alphas would do: send their dominance rolling out through the pack, demanding their submission.

We will not submit!

That was Sanchez, of course.

That’s not what they need, he said silently to Mikey. But I don’t know how to give them what they need. I never have.

In answer, she showed him a flash of memory. Boomer, on the plane bringing her back to the territory.

…an alpha has to want the job… having an unwilling alpha is kind of like a kid getting orphaned and sent to their bachelor uncle who never wanted kids and only takes care of them out of duty… Gregor knew all of us, what fuckups we are, but he got us… it was kind of like a family, where you all might not really like each other that much, but when it’s all said and done, they still stand behind you.

Gunn had taken them on because he owed Thanatos, and because there was no one else. He’d fought with them, tried to deal with them, but he’d never, deep down inside him, acknowledged they were his.

He had the dominance to keep them in line, and he’d been doing it. But Mikey had showed him that a pack alpha had to do more. Had to be more.

Had to care more. Even when they were being dickheads.

Look into their minds, Mikey said. Look into their hearts.

He opened his mind to hers, and to the pack’s. They were scared, he realized with a start. They needed the sense of purpose they’d found here. They needed the security of someone who had their back, all the time. They were afraid of being left with no one to care if they were good or evil, whole or broken, alive or dead.

It’s like us, she said. We had to go all in for each other. Now we have to go all in for them. Appreciate their strengths. Shore up their weaknesses. Carry the wounded, keep them safe until they can fight again.

For the first time, he saw the strength and power in his broken wolves. Descending the steps, he walked among them, touching each one. Understanding what was good in them, what kept them at Outlaw Ridge.

He could see it in their minds. People rescued. Bad guys brought to justice. Helping a wounded comrade to safety. Having each other’s backs.

What they each brought to the bond, making it strong. Making it whole.

This is who we are, he told them. Fighting bad guys, fighting for each other. Stronger together.

Whoever in this pack pledges to me, I pledge this to you, right here, right now. I’ll have your backs, I’ll fight for you, I’ll make sure you all have everything you need. No one gets left behind. Not while I’m still breathing.

There was a stirring among the wolves. One by one, they began to file past him, touching noses, pledging their loyalty.

Sanchez was the last one left. He stood with his legs planted, defiant to the end, a little growl in his chest.

He was never going to come to Gunn, so Gunn went to him. He said, You really had to throw me out of the helicopter?

Yep. And yet, here you are.

Yeah. I keep coming back. And I’m going to keep coming back, no matter how much of a fuckhead you are. So, you want to be in my pack or not?

No answer. He touched his nose to Sanchez’s cheek ruff. You’re a good operative, he said. And a good leader. We need you.