Page 105 of Family: Posy 4

Who knew we would be so happy to be so whipped?he chuckled.

Speak for yourself,I muttered. I ain't whipped.

You're putty in her paws, wolf, and you know it.

I am not.

Are, too.

Am not.

Are, too.

I am an alpha wolf! I amnotwhipped!

Jayden only laughed, and I settled into sullen silence as Ash slammed on the brakes and threw the SUV into park. We all got out, and I made Jayden hurry to Posy's side as Lincoln led us to a trail leading into the woods. We began running as loud howls filled our ears, and we reached a small clearing a minute later.

Maple sat in the center of it with his head tipped back and his muzzle pointed up, pouring his pain out to the sky. All around him, splintered trees, churned up grass, and destroyed undergrowth lay like the debris after a tornado.

At least he had the sense to get away from civilization. Otherwise, that debris would most likely have included blood and bones.

Permission?I asked Jayden.

Sure, but Quartz?

Yeah?

You are, too.

And that ignited my temper all over again.

#

Cole

After we found Maple, we told Lincoln to go back and wait by the cars, just in case things got ugly. He didn't like it, but left without arguing.

Once he was gone, Jay quickly caught us up on the agreement Lark and Quartz had reached, and we watched with building anxiety as Posy crept closer to Maple. Quartz-in-Jay's-body stayed a few feet behind her, holding to his promise not to interfere unless it looked like Maple was going to attack.

Having him so close to her helped ease our minds, as did the unmistakable grief and pain in Maple's anguished howls. However, we were still very uncomfortable with our mate putting herself in danger.

"She can do this," Ash murmured, sounding like he was convincing himself more than us. "She's strong and powerful."

"Damn right she is," Wyatt laughed.

Mase, Ash, and I swiveled our heads to stare at him. A smirk pulled up one side of his mouth and his eyes sparkled with amusement. He even had his hands in his pockets, he was so relaxed!

"What in the world, Wyatt?" I muttered. "Our mate is in danger and you're—"

"Chill, dude! Remember how she alpha-commandedusat the training center? And not just five alphas, two of whom are the most powerful in the kingdom, but also our betas, their mates, and several others. What makes you think shecan'tdo this?"

I shuddered as I remembered how it felt to bear the weight of her power. The only thing that ever came close was kneeling under the king's.

"Oh, yeah, that's right!" Ash chirped. "She did! Dudes! She's got this!"

I glanced at Mase to see him rolling his eyes, which made me snicker before I returned my attention to our girl as she knelt next to Maple.

Ash is right,Topaz told me while we watched Maple's eyes fix on Posy.Believe in mate.

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