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“He was dying. And that murdering bastard kept torturing him.”
She nodded her understanding as tears slid down her cheeks.
My anger at the rogue seemed to keep my own tears in check. But, dear ancient gods, my heart hurt as though an essential part of me had been stripped from my soul.
The shivers began in the center of my chest and spread to my limbs, making my entire body tremble. I wound my arms around Seff's waist as he folded me into his warm, steady embrace.
“I feel your pain, darlin’,” he whispered.
I wished I could’ve shielded him from my emotions, but I didn’t know how.
“Brenin, get Simone outta here,” Gunner said.
“I'm not leaving,” Simone replied.
“Go on, baby,” Gunner said softly to hissakana. “Seff and Desarae will be along shortly.”
I looked up to see Simone shake her head once in defiance. "I'mnotleaving.”
Gunner grinned, giving in to his mate’s wishes. He looked over at Brenin, who also shook his head.
“What’s going on, Gunner?” Seff asked as Ralph slipped around the side of the big hay barn.
“I’m going in there.” Gunner sighed. “If the rogue tries to escape through the front, Ralph is gonna take him out. I hate having to use a rifle on one of my own kind. Always thought it was a chicken-shit way to take down an enemy. I’d much rather use my teeth and claws, but I’m not putting anything past that crazy sonofabitch. And since he’s got a wolf-killing dart gun, I don’t want either of you out where he can get off a good shot.” Gunner took hold of my arm and helped steady me. “You two better step back a ways. Neither of you would want to explain away any injuries when you weren’t supposed to be out here in the first place.”
Panic raced up my spine. “What if he tries to get out before—”
“Like I said, rogue has got nowhere to go.” Gunner turned to his mate and pulled her hand up under his face shield and kissed her fingers. “I’ll be right back, baby.”
Simone gave her mate a nervous smile and nodded. “I know.”
“Gunner,” Seff said. “I don’t like you goin’ in there without backup.”
The big Alpha leaned in and growled. “Neither you nor yoursakanaare going in there to back me up.”
Gunner's command hit with so much power it stung my skin.
Seff struggled against it. “But—”
“I know you want to avenge your friend, and yoursakanahas every right to avenge her brother and her pack-mates, but you also want to adopt a couple of offspring. Ralph already requested a tribunal on your behalf. You’re gonna have to trust me on this. The last thing you want right now is that rogue’s death at your hands.”
Seff stiffened, still struggling. “I promised—”
“Alpha.” Gunner jabbed his thumb into his chest to emphasize his point. He was in charge. “Your promise to take on those two little females is more important than revenge.”
With that, Gunner turned away, his huge strides eating up the distance between the hay barn and the back of the market. He started running and slammed into the double doors, where the trucks unloaded directly into the back of the store.
We waited in silence. Waited to see shadows moving around inside.
Seff inhaled sharply. “Holy fuck. Propane.”
I couldn't smell it, at least not yet.
My ears popped with a sudden air-pressure change. A giant ball of fire exploded out of every window in the store, shooting glass, wood, and debris in all directions. I flew backward as a blast of scorching air knocked me off my feet. Covering my face with my arms, I ducked to avoid burning debris hurling out into the surrounding air.
“Shift, Des,” Seff shouted behind me.
It took only a few seconds to shift, making me a much smaller target.
