Page 70 of Unbreakable Bond
There were a few murmurs but ultimately Michael stared everyone down until they were quiet. His power radiated through the room. There was so much testosterone in the air, Zoey felt like she could choke on it. A room full of Alpha male werewolves was a tense place to be and she knew now why Rafe had wanted her to stay home before ultimately relenting and letting her accompany him to thismeeting.
This place was like a powder keg just waiting for a spark to send it up inflames.
“Good.” Michael clapped his hands in front of him ,”Now that we’re all on the same page, I’ll fill you in on theplan.”
“Plan?”
“We’re going to hit them just as hard as they hit us. No warnings. No attempts at diplomacy. We’re gong in hard and fast tomorrow night. The mission is to find and extract the DeLuca girls. There are three of them being held hostage and Leo believes they’re in two separate locations so we’ll break into two teams. I’ll lead one and Darius will lead theother.”
“Wait, you’re going in?” Rafe growled, pushing to his feet. “You’re our Alpha. You should stay here where it’s safe. You’re still recovering from your injuries as itis.”
Michael frowned at his brother, “You’re right. I am Pack Alpha. That’s why I’mgoing.”
“Michael, I think…” Zoey tried but he held up a hand to quiether.
“I don’t lead from the sidelines. You should know that by now. I’mgoing.”
“Then I’m going too.” Rafe used a tone that brooked noargument.
He and Michael had a minor stare down and Zoey held her breath. Would it always be like this? Would they always push each other’s buttons? Or would they eventually figure out how to coexist? She didn’t dare try to get in between them this time. She knew better now. And after a long minute, Michaelnodded.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” Rafe lowered his head inacceptance.
Zoey frowned, hating the idea of her mate going into another fight. She’d barely gotten him back this time. If he went into another battle and he lost focus, if he lost his grip or his control, she might lose him forgood.
But then Rafe sat back down beside her and pulled her into hislap.
She squeaked, “Rafe!”
“Shh.” He nuzzled his face into her hair, “I can feel how much you worry about me, mate. I love you. I love you so much. I’m not ever leaving you again. I have to go to protect Michael and keep him safe. If something happened because I wasn’t there… I’d never forgive myself. You have to trust me to get both of us back here toyou.”
Zoey hugged him tight, amazed all over again at the way he read her so easily. He understood her. He had from the moment their eyes met and the bond had stretched to life between them. She held onto him and reminded herself that he was right. He was a strong, Alpha warrior wolf and he needed to find his place here, in the pack, with his brother. It was the only way he would ever be happyhere.
“Okay.” She murmured softly. “Just come back tome.”
“Always.”
Rafe kissed her softly and she returned his kiss. His hands cupped her waist and slid to her ass. She felt a flare of heat lick through her veins and moaned into his mouth. And then someone cleared their throat loudly and they broke apart with agasp.
Zoey blushed when she realized everyone was staring at them. Rafe chuckled and cuddled against her. She tried and failed to hide her embarrassment at having forgotten where they were for a momentthere.
“As I was saying…” Michael gave them a censorious look but couldn’t hide the flicker of amusement in his eyes, “If nobody else has anything to add, we’ll break for now and regroup tonight to go over theplan.”
“I have something to add.” Rafe spoke up and Zoey eyed him like he’d lost hismind.
Michel was letting them go. There was plenty of time left in the day for them to get back to the cabin and have some private time before Rafe went off on this mission tonight. But he wasstalling?
“You do?” Michael looked between themexpectantly.
“We have a wedding ceremony to plan once we take care of this Crescent situation.” Rafe announced loud and clear for everyone in the room tohear.
There were shouts and cheers of celebration at the news. Wolves loved a good party. A wedding ceremony was the best excuse of all. It was the start of a new family within the pack, which increased their strength and numbers. This one would be even more special because it meant Rafe was coming back into the pack and Zoey grinned when Michael smiled at her and mouthed two simplewords.
“Thankyou.”
She nodded at him, wanting to say the same. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have stuck around Noir. She might never have known Rafe was her mate. She might never have felt like she belonged here but she didnow.
This was home. This was her pack. This was herfamily.
Michael gave a small bow of acceptance and then turned his attention back to his brother, “It’s abouttime.”
Zoey smiled because she knew it was meant as a joke. Rafe had only been in town a couple of days. They’d gone through every phase of their relationship at super-speed. But it wasn’t really a joke. It had taken them all a really long time to get here, to this point, to find their way to each other and figure out how they fit together. And now that they had, she couldn’t wait to see what fate had in store for themnext.
