Page 69 of Taken By The Wolves
“I’ll call him,” I say. “You stay with Finn and Scarlet.”
I don’t need to tell him to protect our mate at all costs.
***
An hour later, I stand in front of Hunter’s mansion in wolf form. The scent of bear is everywhere, rubbed into the bark of every tree, brick, and thick in the air around the old mansion. Hunter pulls open the huge wooden door, and strides forward, clutching some jeans. He’s come alone as a mark of trust.
I shift quickly, taking the jeans from Hunter’s hand and pulling them over my naked lower half. “Thanks for these,” I say.
“Easier to talk to a man, eye to eye, if his junk isn’t hanging out.” Hunter smiles from one corner of his mouth.
“It definitely is,” I laugh. “Shifter problems.”
He smirks. “So, what’s up?”
I cup the back of my neck with both my hands, the discomfort of sharing things I should be able to decide formyself clawing beneath my skin.
“Why did you leave your clan?” I ask. Maybe if I understand him better, I’ll be able to work through my own issues.
If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it.
“I didn’t agree with the direction of the wider clan on many issues,” he says. “Mostly, it was this place… I couldn’t leave it behind to live in the compound.”
He waves his arm at the house, and I understand immediately. He’s rooted in a home that’s been in his family for generations. Of course, he wouldn’t want to leave.
“And now your clan is small—you and your brothers—do you feel…” I struggle with the next word but force it out anyway. “...vulnerable?”
“There is a strength in numbers that shouldn’t be underestimated. That’s why we’re working on growing our own pack. Goldie is pregnant again, with triplets.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” There’s a flicker of wariness behind his eyes. He’s still gauging me, trying to understand what I’m here for without pressing too hard.
“I wouldn’t be here if I had another option,” I admit.
Hunter crosses his arms over his chest, his bare forearms dusted with faint scars. “What’s Gregory done?”
“He sent two of his wolves into our territory yesterday. Claimed he wants to see the baby.”
Hunter’s jaw tightens.
“Scarlet’s ours now. Fully bonded.” Saying the words aloud sends a pulse of warmth through my chest despite everything. “Scarlet won’t give the baby up. Neither will we. She’s part of our family now. But Gregory…” I shake my head. “He’s building an army out of strays and rogues. I used to think it was for status, but now—”
“Now you think he’s preparing for war.”
“I can’t risk him hurting Scarlet. Or that little girl. We’ve rebuilt after leaving our pack. I won’t lose everything again.”
Hunter is quiet for a long moment. Then he says, “I know what it’s like to be on the outside of something you were born into. To feel like everyone’s waiting for you to fail.”
His words hit harder than I expected. I clench my fists at my sides. “We were blamed for something we weren’t responsible for. Our innocence didn’t matter. The blame stuck. We couldn’t stay and be torn apart by that. So we left to build something new, but I’ve never stopped dreading it could all be taken away again.”
“You’ve made something strong. The mate bond changes you. It gives you roots.” He watches me closely now. “So what are you asking, Nixon? Speak plainly.”
I draw and hold a breath, pride burning hot in my throat. “If Gregory challenges us, I need to know I won’t stand alone. If his wolves cross the boundary line again, he’ll be encroaching on your territory, too. If they come for the child, we’ll fight to the death. But I want to know there’s someone behind us. Just one other pack who’ll sayno, this won’t stand.”
Hunter tilts his head. “You’re asking us to fight your war?”
“No,” I say firmly. “I don’t believe it will come to that. Wolves don’t like to challenge bears at the best of times. There has never been a time when wolf and bear have stood shoulder to shoulder. I think the sight of us united will be enough to make Gregory think twice.”
