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The truth was, he didn’t know. When he’d first experienced his profound attraction to her, he’d been completely opposed to being with her for the simple reason she was fae. He didn’t want to get involved with anyone who couldn’t comprehend or enhance his role as alpha.
But then her iridescent wolf-counterpart had showed up and he’d allowed himself to slip into their odd, yet highly intoxicating affair. Did they have a future? Could she function as an alpha female in the Meldorin Pack?
These were questions he couldn’t answer.
The one he could, however, twisted his stomach a little more: What if he fell for her then lost her? He was barely over Renee and she’d passed almost six years ago.
By the time he reached the patio once more, she stood facing the far end of the yard where several of the wolves were gathered. She didn’t turn to him, but he could see something was wrong.
He was about to ask her what was troubling her, when he felt it. All the wolves were distressed. What they were feeling suddenly hit him like a punch in the face.
Something terrible had happened at the Meldorin Compound, within his pack. His feet were moving before he’d formed the command. Then he was airborne and landed a split-second later with a thump of his boots in front of Ryan.
His beta’s face was white as he held his phone to his ear.
Grant could hear screaming and grief-howls.
“It’s the dining hall at Meldorin. Remember the other two wolves that had been saved alongside Alanna?”
Grant nodded. “Tell me. Now.”
“Kryder found them, raped them, tortured them and dumped their bodies outside the compound. They’re both dead.”
“Oh, God no.” Natalie had moved to stand at his elbow. He put his arm around her waist and drew her close.
He knew he was in shock because a kind of numbness had settled into his bones. The wolves in the air had stopped patrolling. All of the men gathered around him. Because they were trained warriors, each remained silent. There would be no raging out loud, not here, not in Revel. Any ruckus of any kind might be reported, and they could end up in a gun battle with the local Border Patrol.
We should have gathered up all three. Natalie’s words didn’t make sense to him at first, though nothing much did yet.
What three?
She looked up at him and met his gaze. The newest wolves, the ones Ryan had placed in safe houses in Revel.
How were we to know Kryder would go after them?
Why wouldn’t he?
Her comments irritated him. He was already upset. Hell, he was devastated. You run the pack then. You keep everybody safe, all the time.
Her mouth hardened into a grim line. You’re blind to what Kryder is. Blind. You’ve operated carefully all this time intending to one day challenge him in a traditional sandpit dominance battle. But. You. Can’t.
These last three words were measured and hard.
She blamed him for the deaths of these two wolves. She believed he was at fault. He released her then stepped away from her. He was angry beyond words
But she grabbed his arm. This isn’t about blame but about a specific kind of revenge that you need to take right now to protect your people.
He wasn’t sure why, but her demeanor had a calming effect. What are you saying?
That it’s time you threw the rule book out because you’re dealing with a maniac. Don’t you see?
He turned to Ryan. “I need to think.” To the rest of the men, he said, “Get back to your patrols. We might be under attack at any time.”
One of them stepped forward. “We need to go back to the compound.”
He growled softly. He was in charge and so long as he was, the men would obey him.
The wolf bowed his head then resumed his place. “Sorry, boss.” For several seconds, however, none of them men moved. Natalie remained silent as well.
