Page 360 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
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NIGHT
We managed to force our way through that attack with few casualties, then retreated to Garou territory to recover. My wolf was gnashing his teeth inside me, eager to take control of my body and find Bryn and Tavi. I was also eager to get out there, but doing it his way—going off on our own and leaving behind our people—was stupid.
Oakley had brought along doctors, which was fortunate because the wolves had dislocated my shoulder. According to Camas doctors, I was healing very quickly. They told me it was because I was an alpha and also, likely, sheer will. They’d just finished cleaning out the wounds and stitching me up. I could already move my shoulder again, though not without pain. But I could ignore the pain—it was nothing compared to the way I felt inside.
Lance was in the room with me, pacing back and forth like a caged lion. He’d said nothing since he entered, but the glare he aimed my way said more than enough. I accepted the accusation in that look. He was right to be pissed at me. I’d let Troy capture my family again, something I’d sworn I’d never allow.The knowledge of my failure only made my impatience to leave harder to control. But somehow, I was managing.
Dawn and other trackers had gone after Bryn and Tavi. Cat, Kai, and several of my fighters had also joined the search. I wanted to be out there looking for Bryn, too. My only comfort was knowing that she was alive. Because we were soulmates, I knew when she was close, and I’d feel it the minute she died. But that wasn’t much comfort. I didn’t know what was happening to her, and it drove me insane to think of Troy getting anywhere near her.
I’d sent Dom into one of the other rooms to calm down. He was in a worse state than me because Tavi was gone. His wolf was much closer to the surface, and he was less stable. I sent Frankie with him to keep an eye on him. Otherwise, I was sure he’d just take off.
That was why Lance and I were surprised when he suddenly burst into the room, his eyes wide and his heart beating hard enough that I heard it as clearly as my own. Frankie rushed in after him, an apology in her eyes. I nodded to her to let her know it wasn’t her fault.
As she left, I looked at Dom. “What’s wro?—”
“Night, we need to go. Tavi’s close.”
I paused. “What?” Lance and I asked the question at the same time.
“I said, Tavi’s on her way.” He was so relieved, tears shone in the corners of his eyes. “She must’ve gotten out somehow.”
It took a few seconds for me to really understand what he was saying. I smiled, even though I didn’t have Bryn near me.
“Dom, are you and Tavi soulmates?”
His mouth opened, surprise spreading over his face. “I—we must be, right?” Excitement again replaced the surprise. “It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
I gripped his shoulder and grinned at him. He grinned back at me. It was such a rare blessing to have a soulmate, and it was even rarer for two couples in the same pack to share that bond. I was happy for Dom, but this news didn’t feel as joyous as it should have. How could it be when Bryn wasn’t there to celebrate with us?
“I’m happy for you, Dom,” Lance said. “But let’s get down there to meet her.”
Dom nodded, his good mood sobering somewhat. “Yeah, I’m sure she’ll have something to tell us about Bryn.”
When we got outside, Tavi was running toward us in her wolf form, her fur splattered with blood. Dom made a sound halfway between a cry and a growl before sprinting toward her.
“We need doctors over here!” Lance called as Tavi leaped into Dom’s arms. He caught her without stumbling, holding her trembling, furry body in his arms.
Leo hurried over when he saw the commotion. “What the hell is going on?”
“Tavi escaped,” I said. “She ought to be able to tell us where Troy is.”
Doctors swarmed Tavi and Dom, urging them into the infirmary. I went in after them. Tavi had shifted back to her human form and was covered in blankets. Her body was riddled with bruises and scratches. The same Camas doctor who’d hesitated to heal Bryn was now working on Tavi without any reservations. Domheld her hand. They weren’t going to let go of each other for a while, and the doctors would just have to deal.
“It’s not my blood,” she was explaining. “Or at least, most of it isn’t.”
I let out a small breath. It was a comfort to know she wasn’t in danger of bleeding out, though some of those cuts might need stitches.
“At least we’ll match,” I said, pulling my shirt down to show the stitches in my shoulder.
She snorted, her smile wide. I wished I could hug her, but I had to give the doctors space to work. Besides, Dom was doing more than enough for the two of us.
“Tavi, what can you tell us?” I asked.
“Right.” She took a breath, then let it out. “Troy’s got Bryn holed up in the cave Dawn was talking about earlier. He’s planning on draining her and her baby so he can do a ritual that’ll bring Gregor back.”
“What?” My question was little more than a growl, and I heard a similar rumbling from Lance and Dom.
