Page 72 of Dark Wolf Soul
“What kind of friends leave their leader to suffer like this alone?” I demand, feeling vicious in my helplessness.
Mia doesn’t react, but Ramsey’s eyes flash with guilt before he looks away from me.
Fucking cowards.
I turn back to the window as Vincenzo steps back, his wolf still hovering near where Grey has fallen on his belly. Then, slowly, Grey’s body begins to shift like before. Except, this is nothing like last time. It’s a slow-motion version with limbs cracking and moving in ways that don’t look natural compared to his earlier shift. Whatever’s happening has the two behind me sucking in a breath and making grunting sounds of frustration and pain.
“What’s going on?” I demand.
“He’s forcing him to shift,” Ramsey says, his voice strained.
“Can he do that?” I ask.
“As alpha of the Diavolo pack, yeah, technically, he can,” Mia whispers.
I look at them, noting the way Mia’s face has gone white.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“We formed a pack bond with Grey, which means we feel some of what he feels right now,” Ramsey tells me.
I study them, noting the way Mia’s biting her lip now and Ramsey’s hands are fisted at his sides. My heart thuds heavily, both with panic and concern. I’m still figuring out how all this pack hierarchy works, but that’s the least of my concerns right now.
Finally, I turn back to the window and watch as Grey’s body slowly becomes human again. He lies unmoving on his stomach as Vincenzo turns and walks away from him. The generals stay put until Vincenzo passes them, shifting back to his human form as he approaches the house. Someone passes the alpha a set of clothes, which he snags as he heads for the back door. I brace myself for him to come in here, my fear and fury merging until I’m not sure if I want him to come for me next or just leave without a word.
In the end, it’s not up to me anyway.
Mia and Ramsey step inside the bedroom, and Ramsey closes the door with a soft click, shutting us in together. No one speaks as we listen to Vincenzo move through the house, getting dressed and calling orders to his men. The other generals file back into the house, and a moment later, the front door opens as they all exit to the parking area.
Judging from the sound of their voices, Vincenzo is the last to leave, but when the door shuts behind him, I breathe a sigh of relief. Glancing out the window, I see that Grey has managed to get to his feet. He’s bleeding and dirty and walking like he might keel over at any moment.
Determined, I step up to where Ramsey blocks the door. “Let me out.”
I half-expect him to fight me but, instead, he flicks a glance at Mia, who apparently gives him whatever answer he needs.
He moves silently aside.
I fling open the door and hurry down the hall and outside. Grey falters as he reaches the patio, but I’m already there, grabbing him and helping him make it the rest of the way.
His skin is warm, and while I’m careful not to touch his wounds, he tenses when I wrap my hand around his ribs. Grabbing his other wrist, I drape his tattooed arm over my shoulder so he can lean on me for support. The worst part is that he lets me, and I know that speaks to how injured and weak he is in this moment. The Grey I’m used to would never show this kind of vulnerability.
My heart aches for him. Despite everything he’s done, he didn’t deserve this. I’m aware that he’s still naked, but it’s not the distraction it was before, not when he’s struggling to even remain upright. Not when he’s bloody and beaten—because of me.
Dutch appears at the back door, holding it open for us to pass inside. As we do, he holds a towel out that I help Grey wrap around his waist.
“What the fuck,” Dutch says to him. “Why don’t you shift back and heal? Old man’s gone. Coast is clear.”
“I can’t,” Grey says flatly.
We make it to the kitchen as the others appear. Ramsey, Razor, Mia—even Crow is suddenly back. They all stare at Grey, dumbfounded by his answer.
“What do you mean you can’t?” Razor demands.
“I mean my wolf isn’t available,” Grey says.
“He blocked your wolf, didn’t he?” Mia asks.
Grey grunts, and they all stare at him with varying masks of horror and rage.
