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“But they’re just as important.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “I’ll talk to Ryder and Mitchell about it. Knowing my family, they already have their nose in that business since it’s their job as Heir and Beta, but we all miss things.”
She smiled then hugged his side. “I’m glad I could help. I’m going to take a quick shower then make breakfast. I know you have a few things to go over on your planner, so get that done, and then we can head to the center.”
He kissed her again then left her to shower. If he stayed in there when she got naked, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold himself back.
By the timethey both were ready to go, the sun was peaking over the trees and people were out and about. He kept his focus on each of his Pack members, nodding and stopping to talk with them if they needed it. He also made sure that he gave special attention to those Brie had mentioned. He felt across the Pack bonds and knew she’d been right. Things were okay, pleasant even, but there was room for growth. He’d make sure Ryder and Mitchell were aware.
When they made it to the maternal area, he paused before the building, his wolf rising up. He didn’t know why his wolf chosenowto act like an overbearing ass, but he wasn’t about to take it. Brie needed time to do her duties, and watching over her shoulder wouldn’t help anyone. His wolf, however, didn’t want to let her go.
Not surprising, but it was stronger today than usual for some reason.
Brie rolled her eyes when he growled then kissed his jaw. “I’ll be fine, Alpha mine. Stop worrying. Olivia and I get on just fine. In fact, I’m helping her take the pups on a field trip to the circle so we can learn Pack history.” Her eyes brightened, and he relaxed. “There’s so much to learn. I feel like a pup myself.”
He kissed her. Hard. “If you were a pup, I wouldn’t be able to do that.”
She blushed and rolled her eyes again. “Shush. The pups should be on their way now. Olivia wanted me to catch up so that the pups could learn what it felt like when another wolf was coming near them and they could scent ahead. Go off and do Alpha things. I’ll be back tonight.”
“I can pick you up and walk you home.”
She shook her head. “You have two lieutenants on me at all times. At least. They can walk me home so I’m not alone in case Leo or someone else is around.” She cupped his face and smiled. “You have things to do other than follow me around to make sure I’m safe.”
He growled again then pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You can’t expect the wolf to be rational about this.”
“No, but I can expect the man to try his best. Now be off.”
He sighed then stood back. “Fine. Go be the Alpha’s mate.”
She smiled, turned, and made her way to the building. She stepped inside, and his wolf relaxed somewhat since she wasn’t out in the open. He turned and had made it about halfway to Brynn and Ryder when he heard it, a small whine like a spark being set.
He twisted and looked over his shoulder then took off at a run, his wolf on alert. The explosion blew him off his feet, the heat and fire scorching his skin. He was slammed to the ground, his thoughts on the woman he’d let walk into that building.
The building on fire.
“Brie!”
* * *
Brie’s forcedher eyes open then sucked in a breath, only to cough up smoke. What the hell had happened? One moment she was standing by the door, going inside to pick up a left-behind backpack, and the next she was on the ground, the sound of screams and fire all around her.
Half of the building was down and she saw the sunlight streaming in through the smoke. The roof was falling inward in some parts and shaky in the others. Beams and concrete littered the ground and stuck out at odd angles. The windows had blown in and glass was strewn everywhere. The door was off its hinges and the frame had bent in. Paint bubbled on the walls and the wallpaper was slowly peeling away.
It looked like a bomb had gone off.
And now that her brain stopped throbbing, she was pretty sure that was exactly what had happened.
She gingerly felt her limbs and figured she hadn’t broken any bones. In fact, she had only a few cuts as far as she could tell, but she knew she didn’t have much time to dwell on that fact. She had to get out of the building before the roof collapsed.
Her head still hurt, but she didn’t know if that was from the smoke or her hitting her head when she’d hit the floor.
Thank god the babies had been out of the building.
Tears pricked at her eyes, but she pushed them away. Most of the pups and maternals had already started on the journey to the circle. There had only been a few children and adults outside when Brie had come back inside to get a child’s bag.
No one else had been inside, but that didn’t mean people weren’t hurt. Sheneededto make sure they were okay. Those babies were so fragile. They didn’t heal as quickly as adults.
“Brie!”
Gideon’s voice reached her ears, and her wolf pushed at her, wanting their mate. Brie pushed herself up on shaky legs—her side ached something fierce—but she didn’t fall back down. While she wanted to leave the building in case the roof came down, she needed to make sure no one else was in the building.
