Page 104 of Protected By Her Mate

I lead my brothers through the city, zigzagging across rooftops and alleys, when we’re forced to go to street level. I feel their pounding hearts, their joy in racing through the city. The challenge of leaping and climbing through such a unique landscape propelling them.

After a few hours of running as a pack with only one near miss when Rush got distracted by the scent of Shawarma and almost fell off a building as his hunger took over, I decide to show my brothers my favourite spot.

Holy shit, this is amazing!Keenan shouts in my head as we climb the supports of the bridge, making our way to the tower.

Just pay attention to your footing. A fall from here might actually kill you,Lock warns us.

Always the oldest brother, protecting the rest of us.

I lead them to the top of the tower and the four of us line up facing the city lights.

I get it now,Rush says, his awed gaze sweeping the black abyss below and the city beyond.

This place has a magic of its own, like Wolf-Haven but much different. I see the appeal. Lock drops to his belly, resting his chin on his front paws, his glittering gaze following a brightly lit ferry as it crosses the East River.

Keenan lays down next to Lock.Next time we visit, I’ll bring Vanessa up here.

The four of us rest together, taking in the city.

The moment would be truly magical except there’s a hole in our pack. Fallon is missing, his mind fractured from the witch’s curse. Without a way to get him back, our family will never be whole.

Our brother will find his way back to us one day,Lock says with confidence.Until then, we’ll continue to watch over him. He stands and stretches, arching his back as he works the kinks out from our run.Now, let’s go back to where we belong, to our mates.

Semper fidelis

LENNOX

EIGHT YEARS LATER

“Dad, take this.” Luke hands me his mother’s go-cup filled with hot tea.

I juggle it with two child-sized backpacks.

“I’ll go see if the girls are ready yet.” There’s a hint of impatience in his 16-year-old voice. He’s excited for the upcoming weekend trip and wants to get going.

I watch with pride as he heads down the hall to gather his younger sisters for their trip to Wolf-Haven. He’s turning into quite a responsible, capable young man.

He was thrilled when, less than a year after our marriage, Charlie gave birth to Camilla. Fascinated by his hybrid wolf-human sister, he spent most of her first year of life telling us how to properly parent her, making sure she was never left unattended. We had to get him his own baby monitor so he wouldn’t worry when she was sleeping.

Two years later, we welcomed Rhea into the family. Both births were difficult on Charlie, but when she was forced to deliver Rhea through an emergency c-section, we decided she would be our last. Our family of five is complete, and every day I thank the goddesses for my bounty.

“I gave Cami her allergy medicine this morning,” Charlie says to Luke as they come down the hall together, Rhea on Charlie’s hip while Cami skips next to her brother. “She’ll need another dose before bed tonight and then twice a day through the weekend.”

Luke tickles Cami while she shrieks with laughter. “Whoever heard of a wolf shifter that’s allergic to grass?”

“One who’s born in New York where the grass is sparse, that’s who,” Charlie says, setting Rhea on her feet and kneeling to zip up her pink jacket. “Are you excited to see your cousins?” she asks.

Rhea nods, her eyes lighting up with excitement before she buries her face in her mother’s chest. She’s a latent wolf shifter who rarely speaks. From the moment she was born, I felt her wolf, same as her sister, but it hasn’t emerged yet. I suspect it will as she grows into herself, but for the moment my shy, sweet daughter is content to be human.

“Look!” Cami shouts excitedly.

We all look at where she’s pointing. A green pool of light has emerged in the middle of our living room and seconds later a woman steps through. “Your magical teleportation witch has arrived,” Magdalene says with a bow.

“Auntie!” Cami throws herself at her favourite aunt. It’s easy to become the favourite when you can conjure cupcakes and unicorns with a snap of the fingers. Rhea follows closely behind, hugging Magdalene around the waist.

Magdalene strokes her head. “Zenneth is waiting for you at the castle. He wants to show you his caterpillar collection.”

Rhea makes a happy sound.

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