AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was good to know, even if I had to leave them behind for her.
The two of us walked over to the garage. I kept stealing glances over at Cole. I would never understand the logic of others in the pack, and I knew they never understood mine. But he needed this for some reason, so I’d try to satisfy his desire for a fight.
We walked through the unlocked side door into the garage. I glanced at the cars, then grabbed the keys for Stone’s armored car from the peg board.
“Stone will kill you.”
“He won’t. He’ll just look at me all exasperated, and he’ll do that anyway.” I slid the keys into my pocket.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Cole asked me.
I sighed under my breath. “Are you sure you really want to do this on the concrete? What if someone gets hurt?”
Cole couldn’t hide the faintest flicker of a smile.
He charged at me and I blocked, sending him back several steps. His eyes lit as he lunged again. This time I wasn’t fast enough to dodge him and he slammed into me, pushing both of us towards the wall. He tried to grab my arms but with a quick twist I managed to get away from his grasp and spin behind him.
Cole threw a snappy punch towards my face, too quick to duck entirely. I rocked back, so the blow just glanced across my jaw instead of laying me out. The world flashed red for a second, but I was still on my feet.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I jumped forward and delivered a powerful uppercut into Cole's stomach. He stumbled back. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I jabbed towards his temple twice before sending a right hook across his jaw.
The blows should’vep ut him down. Somehow, he shook it off and counter-attacked with a flurry of punches and kicks. I threw up my arms just in time to block his blows and land a few strikes of my own, but he was relentless.
Finally, I managed to capture him in a headlock, squeezing tightly as we both fought for control. Cole struggled against my grasp, slamming his fist into my side and kidneys while I grunted and held on for dear life. After what felt like an eternity, I finally dared let go with one hand and pull my arm back. I knocked him out cold with one swift punch to the jaw.
He teetered, his eyes rolling back in his head, and I jumped to catch him before he could slam into the concrete. I'd told him we should do this on the grass.
Now as I held him in my arms, I didn’t know what to do with him. It was too cold to just leave him on the concrete floor, where someone might find him and think he was weak. It just felt… wrong.
But I really didn’t want Karissa to catch me. It was scary when she yelled.
I slid my arm under his legs and carried him like a big-shouldered, unwieldy bride into the house. Listening at the door, it sounded like Karissa was in the kitchen, so I slipped quietly down the hallway and up the stairs.
I dumped him in my own bed and left him to sleep it off. He looked peaceful laying there, and after a second, I pulled the blanket up over his chest. Hopefully he’d appreciate that I did care, even though I’d concussed him.
Friendships are so complicated. It is much easier to be a wolf and be alone.
But as much as I thought I’d longed for solitude all these years…
I still stayed with my family.
And my heart still cried out for Amelia.
CHAPTER10
Amelia
I tappedmy fingernails on the countertop of the nursing station, trying to hold in all my wild energy. Dylan clung to my leg as if he were trying to make himself invisible, but it was too late.
“You can’t take him into the ICU,” the nurse told me.
“That’s my sister,” I said desperately. “I can’t just leave her by herself…”
“She has me,” Aiden reminded me, resting his hand on my shoulder. The two of us exchanged worried looks. I understood why a four-year-old wasn’t allowed on the ICU floor.
But the thought of being separated from my sister and brother was terrifying. We needed to stay together. The world was scary enough when we were four.
I felt a sudden rush of longing for the men I’d left behind. If only I trusted Stone… I knew Shaw, Stone, Cole and Liam would’ve guaranteed our safety. Nathan was frightening… when I was alone.
