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I only know that Rhett is running toward rather than away from a fire.

Angel warned me that this risk was why his pack hadn’t bonded with an Omega.

Can I risk losing my heart to an Alpha who throws himself into danger to save other packs?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Second Chance Animal Rescue, Oak Hollow

Rhett

“Captain, take the kennels. Lieutenant, primary search.” I point toward the rear of the burning animal shelter.

My captain, Walker, nods.

He fits on his mask.

“Got it, Chief.” My younger lieutenant, Judd, pulls on his gloves with his teeth, gathering the other firefighters around him.

My cheeks are hot.

My eyes sting, and the back of my throat is bitter with the taste of smoke as the wind shifts.

The dirty smoke, which is rolling over the low, wood-framed building, stinks. It is acrid and chemical.

The smoke is already settling into my clothes and hair.

I stand in the gravel parking lot in front of the Second Chance Animal Shelter beside the command vehicle. I am dressed in my turnout gear. The team who are sweeping the buildings already have their air cylinders strapped on their backs and masks covering their faces.

The sound of boots pounding and the hose being dragged across the gravel are reassuring sounds to me.

Yet the other noise is damn deafening. It makes the hair rise on the back of my neck, and this is far from my first rodeo.

High, frantic barking, howling, and the rattling of cages fill the air.

I am going to save every last one of the animals.

I trust my crew.

I turn to the pump operator. “How’s our water?”

“Good for now, Chief.”

“Don’t give me for now. Get the tanker moving.”

“Got it, Chief.”

I narrow my eyes.

The smoke is becoming darker and thicker. Water snakes across the gravel over my boots.

I glance around, assessing.

The engine has access, and the tanker can get behind it. Walker has a line.

But the wind is pushing the fire toward the kennels. Flames are dancing at the windows, but they haven’t reached the lightweight roof.

I thumb the mic that is clipped on my coat. “Captain, keep an eye on that roof.”