Page 53 of Cruel Revenge
Ten minutes of cleaning up by my brothers passed as my mother hovered all too close, staying near me but not sitting down. More than once, she touched my back, and it settled me, calming nerves that repeatedly got worked up every time I tried to think about what had happened and what was to come.
“Peace,” she whispered. “For right now, you need some peace.”
My mind told me others had entered my territory before Davor’s phone vibrated.
“Heath and Hasan are back,” I said as Davor checked his phone.
“Yeah, that was the text,” he confirmed, shoving his phone away. “They’re going to come this way once Heath tells his pack what to do.”
“Zuri just entered,” I continued, feeling my eldest sister step into Heath’s office.
“Good,” Subira purred.
I finally focused on who was at the pack house. Dirk was over there with Landon. Ranger, Roselyn, Piper, and Carlos were milling about outside. The movement seemed casual. I knew it was anything but. Shamus was in some room of the packhouse, but I didn’t know which one.
I tried to avoid thoughts of Shamus, finding the last werewolf, Teagan, also inside the packhouse. He was a little further away from the main rooms. I couldn’t find Olivia, but that was her witch nature. Witches only showed up through territory magic when they used a spell. They were perfectly human otherwise.
I curled a fist, reminding myself that Olivia wasn’t the threat. She didn’t know where we were going, only that I was taking all of them for the evening. I was certain she had already been questioned.
“What are you thinking about?” Subira asked.
“Olivia,” I said, unable to stop a growl.
“She’s protected by me and has had nothing to do with what happened. She helped me save your life once again. Calm yourself.”
I released the fist, my nails now claws. Niko looked wide-eyed at them, then me. I pulled back on my feelings harder, making them natural nails.
“Shhhh… that’s for only the family to worry about,” Subira said, and Niko nodded, his lips pursed together.
I felt Heath, Hasan, and Zuri heading toward us, toward my home. Just behind them, Landon and Dirk were following. There was silence until the door opened.
“Jacky!” Hasan and Zuri said at once.
Zuri was rushing for me first.
“Oh, good. I was told about your injuries and was so worried you would still be unconscious or worse when I got here,” shesaid, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so happy to see you moving around.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, holding her back, accepting the deep and loving hug my oldest sister offered me. I was the one who broke the hug, though, letting it last until it felt unbearable, which was only a few seconds. “We have things to do.”
“We do,” Zuri agreed.
“Jacky told me everything that happened, but she’s going to retell the story here. There’s one thing I asked her to keep to herself to tell everyone once we had everyone. There’s only one more person we need. Davor, call Kushim. However you can set it up.”
“Kushim?” Davor frowned.
“What does my husband have to do with any of this?” Zuri demanded.
“We’ll find out when Jacky tells us,” Subira said softly.
I lowered my head, knowing everyone was staring at me now. Heath had yet to say anything to me at all. He didn’t approach me. He stood across the room, and when the other werewolves entered, they said nothing as they flanked him. I peeked a look to see that Landon seemed to be bristling. Dirk was confused, looking between his mate and the rest of the room.
There was a tension that I couldn’t identify. I looked at Hasan, who must have noticed what I did because his gold eyes narrowed on the werewolves.
“Davor! Is there any news on that little sister-in-law of mine?” Kushim asked immediately. “Or the children?”
“You’re on speaker phone with everyone, love,” Zuri said, smiling at Davor’s phone.
“I’m up,” I said, glad that Kushim cared that much not only about me, but the kids who were now missing. My daughter, Shamus’s son, and Teagan’s boys. Kushim was a dad himself with Zuri.
