Something about watching Holden and Max give the pups mice to hunt tugged at my heart. I wished I hadn’t run off in anger. I should have been laughing and playing with the pups. Instead, my wolf had taken over, trying to bleed off my anger so I couldn’t hurt anyone.
I heard the pups talking to Max. It didn’t feel like the Pack bonds I had with them. But they had created a new bond. Perhaps being here, they were creating their own Pack, picking who would be a part of it. I shook my head. I wasn’t sure how Packs formed, outside of take-overs. I wondered if this was one way.
It amazed me how protecting Holden was bringing the pups out of the darkness they had been in. And making all of them — Max included — into a family.
I wanted Holden. My wolf wanted Holden. But this went well beyond the fact that she was my mate. Even before, we thought her intelligent, feisty and a lot of fun to be with. None of that had changed. I envied her husband for being able to be with her all of those years. I acknowledged to myself that I had missed her.
I moved back into the forest, going deep enough that I couldn’t see the compound. Nor them me. I had noticed signs of Tessa, but they were days old, so she hadn’t tried to encroach upon my territory again. At least, not yet.
I had found a few anonymous humans had hiked close to the compound in the last week. While this worried me, I knew people did sometimes wander this way. I would have to keep watch for them going forward, though.
I knew I needed a better fence – much higher, with motion sensors – and perhaps some proximity alarms for further out. This family I was building was important to me and I didn’t want anyone to interfere with them. This should be my goal for today.
I moved to where I had cached my clothes and shifted back, dressing quickly. I needed to go into town to the lumber store. And then back to the compound. And Holden. My heart quickened.
I turned and jogged to the road, not sensing or smelling the eyes watching from the bushes.
Holden
Shane returned to the cabin late in the afternoon. His truck was full of fencing and poles to make it harder for a strange predator to jump. He, along with Max and a man called Baron, walked the perimeter, discussing plans to make the fence better.
The pups had moved closer to me when Baron had arrived, their little bodies shaking. I figured they feared most human males now, after their experience in the labs. I stayed beside them during the day. When evening fell, I gave them their dinner and brushed their coats for them, getting them to settle and fall asleep about the time the man left with a wave, his motorcycle loud in the evening air.
Max had gotten a ride back with him.
“So, what is the verdict?” I leaned my head back against the chair I was sitting in and drank in the sight of Shane, who had exited the house, a beer in hand.
Shane took a long drink and my eyes drifted over the long line of his throat, watching him swallow, and then traveled down to his powerful chest. As he lowered the bottle, I looked back up, meeting his silver eyes.
He shrugged. “It will take work, but our friends will help. If we do, we can reinforce it within a few days. We have another friend, Shaz, who can set up proximity alarms and connect them with cameras and to our computers, so we can see who is coming once they trigger the alarms. Electronics, though, will take time to set up.”
Lexi, who was still in my lap, snuggled closer. The other two were at my feet. Now that the mouse hunt was over, I could take off my sneakers – at least on the deck. Betta and Soren made excellent feet warmers, even though the night air was temperate.
Shane smiled at me, watching the pups. He moved around in front of me, so I didn’t have to continue to crane my head backwards, and leaned against the deck railing. I studied his long legs, wrapped in faded jeans. They should consider the way those jeans hugged his body a dangerous weapon. His biceps bulged as he lifted the bottle to take another sip.
I studied his face, my eyes lighting on the faint scar on his chin. I wondered where he had gotten that. It didn’t take away from his looks, though. No, in fact, it just added a depth to them, making him look just a little wild. His silver hair was falling into those magnificent silver eyes that seemed to see right through me.
I wondered how it would feel to have him above me, ready to make love to me, those eyes so close to my own? What would it feel like to run my hands down his muscular back to his powerful ass and pull him into me?
I felt my core heating, and I shifted in my chair, wondering why these thoughts were getting so strong. He was my boss. I couldn’t fuck my employer. I tried to pull myself back into our conversation.
“What about in the meantime? While you are fixing the fence? I think I will bring them into the house at night until I feel reassured that nothing dangerous can get in the yard.”
Pups. Think about the pups. And how nothing would to hurt them.
Shane’s nostrils flare before a slight smile touched his lips. Then he grimaced. “Sorry about that. I forgot how easy it might be for some of these wolves to jump over the fence into the enclosure. That’s my bad. The original plan was the pups go over the fence when they wanted to leave. They shouldn’t feel locked in, but they also should feel safe. I will create another exit before they need to leave.”
“Like a pet door?” I smirked at him.
“Yes, perhaps a pet door. We need to remember they are wild animals, Holden. They need a Pack, and they will leave the compound.”
His reminder hurt. I looked up at him, sadness of the pups leaving one day soon overcoming me. Shadows crossed Shane’s face, his expression serious. I didn’t want to give up these pups. I didn’t want to leave this compound. I didn’t want to go back out into the world where my husband didn’t exist, and his creepy brother was trying to become something he just wasn’t.
I wanted to stay here with Shane and Max and the pups. I felt safe here. But this was just an illusion. I needed to leave, like the pups. Return to my world. Like the wolf that had jumped the fence the other day, nowhere was safe.
My phone rang, and I glanced at the display. Case in point.
I hesitated, wondering if I should answer it, and then scowled. Edward had done nothing to me, I just didn’t like him. He made me feel uneasy. Still, he was Thomas’s only family. It felt wrong to ignore him. I hit the connect button.
“Hello, Edward. I’m not in town yet. I told you I would call once I returned.” There. Taking control from the start.
There was silence on the other end. And then a long sigh.
“Good evening, Holden. I only am contacting you because of something important. The police told me they have a person in custody regarding Thomas’s accident. They wanted to talk to you, but they couldn’t get in touch with you. So they contacted me.”
My heart sped up. They had the person who had killed Thomas in custody? I froze.
“Holden? Holden? Are you still there?”
“Y-y-y-yes. I am here. They do? I don’t understand. Why me?”
“I don’t know, I am not the police.” That was snippy, even for Edward. “Just let me know when you have returned and we can talk with them together.”
Lexi raised her head, shivering, her green eyes intent on me.
“Okay, I guess.” My voice was soft.
“They would like to talk with us soon, Holden. They can only hold him or her so long. Something like forty-eight hours, I think.”
I nodded and then realized the man couldn’t see the movement. “All right. Let me get some things together and I will be there either tonight or tomorrow morning.”
“Let me know when you show up. Call me as soon as you are in town and I will pick you up. We will go in together.”
I disconnected. What to do? I have to inform Max and Shane and pack some clothes. I looked down at the pups, as all of them were now watching me, their whines quiet. What would I do about the pups? I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t sure I could deal with this.
Shane shifted. “Trouble?”
I shook myself, clearing my thoughts. “That was Edward. The police have a person in custody. They want to talk to me, I guess. They need me there soon.”
Now the shadows crossed his eyes. “Why don’t you call the police, Holden? Ask them if you can do what is necessary over the phone.”
Betta whined. Shane looked down at the pup and frowned, his lips pursing.
That was a good idea. It might save me the long drive there and back.
I fumbled with my phone and it fell onto Soren. Shane moved forward and picked it up, handing it back to me.
He was right. Something just didn’t feel right. Why had it taken a year to find a suspect? While these things happened, what brought the guy to the police’s attention? Another accident? Another murder? Why am I necessary?
Was it coincidence that this happened so soon after I had received that photo?
Shane moved uneasily. “Call your contact at the station.”
My fingers shook as I punched in the numbers and then hit connect. It rang.
“Detective Bryant, please.”
While I was waiting, I watched as Shane did a quick search for accidents or any similar news on his phone.
There was a click. “Hello?” The Detective sounded tired, like he hadn’t slept for days.
“Hello, Detective Bryant. This is Holden Black. I heard you had some additional information about who had hit my husband. Yes. No?” My eyes flew up and connected with Shane’s. “So, no suspect yet, no reason for me to return? Have you or anyone there at the station called his brother, Edward? Hmmm…. okay, no, that’s all right. I must have misunderstood what he had told me. Thank you.”
Lexi now was shaking.
Shane sent a quick text, his eyes glued to his phone. “The police have nothing?”
I shook my head, frowning. “Why would Edward tell me that?”
“Why did he want you to return?” Shane glanced up at me and frowned.
I glanced down at the pups. All three were now whining and shaking. Something seemed to have set them off. Almost as if they were having anxiety attacks. My frown deepened as I pulled Lexi up into my arms, my face buried in her fur. I could feel her little heart beating a mile a minute.
A car skidded into the driveway, the door slamming, followed by feet running towards us.
Max burst out the French doors and headed towards us, his face worried.
“Max?” How had he known to come?
Shane, who had dropped to sit on the deck and had pulled Soren and Betta onto his lap, glanced up at me. “I sent him a text when I noticed they were having an issue.”
I nodded, still trying to comfort Lexi.
“What happened?” Max dropped beside my chair and tried to take Lexi. The pup struggled, burying her head against my chest.
“Edward, Thomas’s brother, called. I think something about that call triggered the pups. I can’t tell you what, though. Examine Soren or Betta first. I need to comfort Lexi right now.” I couldn’t give up the little girl pup given how much she was shaking.
Max switched to Betta, who was the closest of the two pressed up against Shane. He looked into the pup’s eyes and checked her vitals. “Her heart rate is elevated, she is panting. I would say it is like they are in shock. Possibly an anxiety attack.”
Max pulled over his bag and got out a vial. The whimpers got louder.
“Turn around, Max. I think needles are making their anxiety get worse at this point.” Shane’s voice was tense.
Max turned and filled three syringes. Palming the first, he petted Betta and then injected her with the sedative. He moved around to the other side of Shane and injected Soren.
When he turned back to Lexi, the pup growled at him, her green eyes locked on the hand that was hiding the syringe.
“Shit.”
Shane glanced up after pulling the other two close to his body.
“Holden, hold her head. Lexi, it is just a sedative. It will just help you deal with your bad thoughts. We won’t take you from Holden. You will stay with your surrogate mama.”
The growls went softer. Max’s eyes widened. Given that silent wolves attacked, he wasn’t sure if she would let him inject her or if she would attack him. I pulled the pup’s head in, ignoring the danger that existed with the crazed pup. Kissing her head, I reassured her. I just knew she wouldn’t hurt me and I doubted she would hurt Max. Still, I hoped he would make it quick.
Max injected her, even as she turned her head to snap at him, bumping my chin.
My teeth clicked together.
Lexi’s growl turned to a whine as she turned back to lick my face.
“You okay?” Shane asked, watching closely.
I nodded, rubbing my tongue on my teeth. “She just surprised me.”
Max smoothed out the pup’s fur. “She is fast, for sure.”
Betta and Soren were resting against Shane, while Lexi was cuddling in against me. Their agitation was starting to eased as the medicine took hold, which allowed Shane to relax. Max exhaled, sitting back and pulling Soren out of Shane’s lap.
“I wish I knew what set them off.” I stared at the two men.
Shane looked up at me before standing, holding Betta in his arms. “Until we do, don’t talk to Edward around them. In fact, don’t talk to Edward at all. He is lying to you, Holden. I will make a den for them in your bedroom. It is late enough that if they wake tonight, they will want to be near you.”
He moved into the house, carrying the other female.
Max stood, Soren in his arms. I envied the ease with which he carried the larger male pup, let alone got up from a sitting position on the deck. He held out his hand and pulled me upright. It wasn’t as easy for me to get up holding Lexi. She was small but heavier than she appeared.
We followed Shane into the house and found him putting the finishing touches on a den of blankets for them in my bedroom. We laid the other two pups next to their sister and left, leaving the door open.
Max went into the kitchen and got himself a water bottle out of the frig. “What is this about Edward Black?”
Shane sat at the breakfast bar, pulling the laptop towards him. “He insisted that Holden return to talk to the police, but when we called the station, they didn’t have any new leads, nor did they need to talk to her.”
Max held up the water bottle towards me and I nodded. He grabbed another one and brought it over.
“What did he say?”
“He wanted me to let him know when I returned. He said we would go to talk to the police together.” I cracked open the bottle and took a long sip.
The two men shared a glance. I looked at them, puzzled.
“What is your relationship with Thomas’s brother?” Shane asked quietly.
I looked bewildered. “I don’t have one. He was at our wedding. He called to talk to Thomas a few times – more often right before his accident. But I don’t know the man. I have felt uneasy talking with him. Like there was something off. Does that make sense?”
Shane and Max shared another glance before Max looked at me and smiled. “I think I know what you mean, Holden. I have met people like that. Sometimes you never know quite what is off with them. But once you do, if you do, everything falls into place and you know why you felt hesitant around them. What it comes down to is this: Trust your instincts.”
Shane pushed a hand through his hair. “Unless you think you should go, it would be best not to leave the pups at this point. I think they would regress. Something triggered them, and I don’t want them to become worse. You can ignore his calls or block them. Either would work, but please don’t talk to him around the pups. He is lying to you and until we can figure out why, it is probably best if you didn’t speak with him at all.”
I nodded, exhausted.
