Korbin grabbed the pot of coffee and tossed it down the drain. It was well after midnight and he was exhausted. The situation with Layla and Mella had taken more time than he had expected but he couldn’t leave her to handle Mella’s outburst by herself. Thankfully, he’d promoted Zaz earlier that day, which allowed him to pass off some urgent matters to his Lieutenant while he stayed with his mate. The biggest situation that couldn’t be handled by anyone else though remained on his plate. He’d leave Donald sweat out the night, wondering where his fiancée had disappeared to, and at first light, he’d deal with the sheriff. He didn’t expect the affair to be quick or simple still he could hope.

“Korbin, channel two.” Zaz’s voice broke through the earpiece Korbin was wearing.

“Fuck.” The possibility of sleep disappeared as he reached up and pressed the button on the piece, changing the channel. “Go ahead.”

“We might have a situation. Ted’s at the gate, requesting to speak with you.”

Double fuck. He didn’t bother to question why his Lieutenant was at the gatehouse. Knowing Zaz, he was on full alert, expecting Donald to find them. He rubbed the back of his neck, considering the possibilities, when Zaz’s voice came through the earpiece again.

“Sparks and I are waiting on your orders, sir.”

That was Zaz’s way of offering to send Sparks to guard Layla, without alerting the possible threat to the plan. “Send Sparks here. Give me five; I’ll be there. Get someone to cover the gatehouse if needed. I want you with us.”

“Got it.”

With a faint click, Zaz turned back to the main channel for guard communication, and Korbin stared into the sink wishing he hadn’t poured the last of the coffee out. There wasn’t enough time to brew another pot but there was time for him to gear up in case the situation turned explosive. Moving out of the kitchen, he went back to his desk and grabbed his gun from the top where he’d laid it earlier. Slipping the holster and gun into the waistband of his jeans, he mentally prepared himself for whatever was about to come. Ted would have been an addition to the security at the compound, but not at the cost of his mate. He’d find other guards if he had to.

A soft tap announced Sparks at the door, moments before it opened. Expecting only Sparks, Korbin’s arm jerked toward his weapon. A second man entered, his black hair shaved nearly to his scalp, leaving behind only peach fuzz. He lowered his hand, he didn’t need his gun to take out whoever it was.

“Sir, this is Neil. He’s one of the guards Raja brought today.”

Korbin’s stance relaxed and he shot a grin at Sparks. Another reason the young guard would soon be promoted to Captain of Layla’s Guards. He thought outside the box and came prepared to protect his charge.

“Very well. Layla’s back in the bedroom, sleeping.” Hating to leave her, he glanced back. “I’ll be back soon.”

“She’ll be safe,” Sparks assured him.

With a nod, he stepped passed them. He wouldn’t have left her with Sparks if he didn’t believe the guard would keep his mate safe. While she might still be confused about the situation around her, his tiger was sure of one thing—her. She was his mate and over his dead body would something happen to her.

“Korbin.” Sparks stepped out into the hall behind Korbin, shutting the door behind him. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything but you always said it’s better to go in prepared. So…Ted’s alone, but he knows she’s here. The anger permeates the air.”

“I’ll handle it.” He took a step before turning back to him. “Thank you. I appreciate the heads up. Now keep my mate safe.”

“Always.” Sparks opened the door, returning to the Alpha’s quarters, and Korbin headed toward the gatehouse.

He considered speeding his pace for Ted’s sake, but he was Alpha here. He didn’t run when someone called; they came running when he called. The cougar was going to have to realize that if he was going to work for Korbin. This was the perfect opportunity to show that to him. No one showed up at midnight, demanding to speak to the Alpha of the clan, and expected him to appear immediately. To prove his point, he took the long way around the building, taking in the grounds and making sure everything was secure for the night.

“I thought you said he was coming.” Ted’s bitching drifted toward Korbin as he neared the gatehouse. Being downwind allowed him to hear the conversation without alerting the cougar of his presence.

“He’ll be here; he was in the middle of something. If you didn’t want to wait you should have called to see if the Alpha was available,” Zaz countered. “You’re not clan. He’s taking time out of his schedule to see you because of the upcoming employment arrangement. So, before you go cocking an attitude, you need to take a step back and realize he wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

“Then I’d have had to take matters into my own hands,” Ted growled.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Korbin came around the building.

“You’re holding my sister-in-law hostage,” Ted snarled. “Because of what this place is, I’m giving you a chance to hand her over before I have to bring in the police.”

“You don’t intend to call the police. You mean your adoptive brother—Donald.” Korbin paused, giving that a moment to sink in. “Go ahead, give him a call. There are a few things I’d like to say to that bastard.”

“You’re new around here. How’d you hear we’re related? One of your members?”

“I have my ways.” He eyed the other man. “Just like I know your asshole brother has been beating her.”

“Bullshit.” Ted’s hands balled into fists as if he was going to do something stupid before he took a deep breath. “Who told you that? Layla? Maybe Donald’s right.”

“Right about what?” Korbin inquired.

“The death of her father has made her unstable. She barely leaves the house.”

“Because he’s kept me chained to the bedframe.”

Korbin spun around to see Layla standing there, bare feet and only wearing one of his t-shirts. “What the fuck?”

“Sorry, Sir.” Sparks skid to a stop next to her, sending loose gravel flying. Neil was only a few paces behind. “She slipped out the bedroom window before we knew what happened.”

Korbin shot Sparks a quick glare, letting him know he’d deal with that later, then wrapped his hand around Layla’s bicep. In one quick move, he brought her into the gatehouse, positioning her behind him so his body provided a shield against Ted.

“It’s not his fault. I heard them talking,” Layla explained, her hand coming to his forearm. “It’s not fair for you to have to deal with this, so I jumped out the window before they even knew I was awake.”

“Later.” He shook his head. His mate was strong-willed and no doubt, she was going to be a handful.

“What the hell is going on here?” Ted shook his head. “Forget it; I don’t want to know. Layla, you need to come with me.”

“She’s not going anywhere.” Korbin turned back to Ted as he stepped forward. “Consider your move carefully.”

“Step back,” Zaz ordered, coming between Ted and Korbin. “You don’t want to do this.”

“She’s engaged.” Ted’s eyes widened as he realized what had been left unsaid. “Layla, you don’t understand what he is.”

“I know.” She slid her hand down Korbin’s arm until she could entwine her fingers in his. “It’s unexpected but no matter what’s happening here, it doesn’t change what Donald is. What he’s done. He’s unstable, but you already know that, don’t you, Ted?”

“Ted?” Korbin pressed when he said nothing. “You’ve known and done nothing?”

“He’s not like us,” Ted said defensively. “I thought things had gotten better since Layla came into his life. He seemed…”

“Happier? That’s because he was taking his anger out on me.” Her voice was soft and she pressed herself against Korbin.

She might not have realized what she had done, but he did. By pressing herself against him, she was seeking comfort she could only find in her mate’s arms. He slipped his hand from hers and wrapped his arms around her.

“Every night. That’s why you haven’t seen me in months. He couldn’t risk me leaving the house. People would have seen what he did to me. So, he kept me chained to the bed.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Didn’t you think it was weird anytime you came over, he claimed I was lying down with a headache? If I had such migraines like he said, why wasn’t he doing something? Taking me to a specialist, someone to help me? If you love someone like he claimed, you would want to see them well. It was all a cover.”

Taking her attention from Ted, she tipped her head up to Korbin. “He knows where I am, doesn’t he? He’s going to find me. He’ll tear this place apart until he finds me.”

“Shh baby, it’s going to be okay.” He pulled her to the front of his body, so she was looking directly at him. He didn’t have to worry about Ted, not with Zaz, Sparks, and Neil there. “I told you, I’m going to handle it.”

“He doesn’t know.” Ted’s voice had Korbin looking over the top of her head toward him. “He’s passed out drunk back at the house. I caught her scent when I was leaving and followed it. You got lucky he’s not a shifter.”

“She’d have never made it to me if he were.” The words had Korbin’s arms tightening around her instinctively, as if she’d disappear if he let her go. “He shot her—that’s what forced her to realize she had to get out of there. She traveled through the woods, bleeding, terrified he’d find her, until she showed up here.”

“If he were a shifter, he’d be rogue,” Neil spoke for the first time in Korbin’s presence.

“Rogue.” Fear had Layla’s eyes widen as he looked down at her.

“He can’t go rogue. He’s not a shifter,” he assured, rubbing small circles along her back. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Layla…” Ted took a step closer, only to have Zaz cut him off. “I…fuck!”

“What?” She spun in Korbin’s embrace to face him. “If you’re going to defend him, I don’t want to hear it.”

“No.” Ted took a step back and leaned against the small desk. “I knew he was lying. I could smell it on him every time he opened his mouth. I just never connected those lies to you. He never could tell the truth about the little things. The stink of a lie coats him like a second skin. You might not understand that, not being a shifter and all, but after a while it’s hard to determine what’s true and what’s a lie when the stench is always there.”

“I’ll show you what he means later.” Korbin ran his fingers along her arm.

“Are you going to tell him where I am?”

Fear trickled off her, making Korbin’s tiger growl within him. He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from all the shit that could upset her, but sending her back to his quarters now would only make things worse.

“No.” Ted looked past her to Korbin. “I’m not clan, but I’m devoted. Whatever you plan, I’m here to do whatever I can. It’s the least I can do. Nothing will change the fact I failed you already, Layla, but I won’t stand by and allow him to continue to harm you.”

“Is your vehicle still at Donald’s?” Korbin asked.

“Yeah. I came through the woods.”

“Give me your keys.” When he did, Korbin turned to Neil. “Follow Ted’s scent through the woods and get his truck. Don’t let Donald or anyone else spot you... Fuck, never mind—you won’t know how to get back.”

“I have my phone and I know how to use a GPS.” He took the keys from Korbin’s outstretched hand. “Consider it handled.”

“Good.” He gave the new guard a grateful smile. “When you return, get some rest. I suspect tomorrow will be an equally eventful day and you’re still adjusting to the time difference.”

“Yes, sir.” Neil tipped his head as he headed out of the gatehouse.

“Okay, let’s continue this back in my quarters.” Korbin glanced down at her. “You should rest. You were shot and while Galen healed you, it still takes a lot out of you.”

“I should be there.” She looked from him to Zaz, Sparks, and then Ted before turning back to him. “You’re all in this because of me. I’m the one Donald is looking for. Yet, each of you are willing to risk your life to protect me. To protect Mella.”

My Alpha Female. His lips curled into a smile before he could stop it. This proved once again that fate had mated him with the perfect person. She might be human but she was strong enough to handle his world and the dangers that came with it. She would rule this clan by his side. Together, they’d make the clan stronger than it was before. The future would be brighter with her there. Now, I just have to get her to choose me.