Rayven sat beside Callum’s mate Gillian on boulders they’d salvaged from the old ranch house fireplace. They both were covered in dust, ash, and sweat, and she’d never felt more content.

“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you and Callum asked to be released from your oaths to Deacon and came back to the clan. You’ve both been an incredible support for me, and having you here is a tremendous gift.”

Gillian covered her hand and squeezed, her green eyes sparkling. “We both wanted to come back and make a difference. Deacon has been incredibly generous to us and we love him, but…” She glanced out over the people building foundations and raising walls. “We were born in this territory. It calls to us.” She turned back to Rayven. “We also both know how true Breslin’s heart is. When he accepted his life with you—well, he’s family and we’re part of the package. Your mating was the perfect sign for us to come home.”

Home. Family. Love. Yes, it clicked inside her with a sense of fullness and satisfaction.

“You okay?” Breslin’s thoughts whispered through her mind, and Rayven absorbed his love like an infusion of luscious goodness.

“I’m basking in the glow of your most ardent fans.” She ignored his grumble and patted Gillian’s arm. “Yet your children are still in Deacon’s clan and you left your medical practice.”

Gillian smiled. “My children are grown and happy, and more than a little excited to work directly for their alpha. Besides, they’ll visit.” She shrugged and leaned closer. “To be honest, it’s been hard hiding that I never grow older. One can only keep a medical practice going among humans for so long in one place. Here, I can build a new practice and add just as much value for years to come.”

Yes, the Manns were the kind of decent, dedicated people Rayven wanted beside her. Ones who’d make this territory flourish.

“Your children are always welcome here.”

Gillian nodded and laughed. “Thank you, Alpha.”

Rayven swatted Gillian gently on her arm. This mated couple had saved her own stubborn male, keeping him tethered until he could forge his own unbreakable bond. She owed them eternal thanks.

“What were you two saying about me?” Breslin bent down and kissed the top of her ear, then pulled away. “Just FYI, Nathan wants to become part of the alpha teams.”

Moving back, she sighed. “It makes sense he’d jump straight to adulthood after all he’s been through. With all that anger and energy inside him, he can’t just go home and forget. Despite his age, he’s not a child anymore.”

Breslin squatted beside her, his arm around her hips as Gillian made a quick excuse and left them alone. “His parents aren’t quite seeing it that way.”

No, she imagined they weren’t. With both Nathan and Liam Wilson headed their way, she rose and waited for their approach.

“Alpha,” Liam nodded stiffly and stopped before her. “We have a problem.”

“Wanting to be on Rayven’s team isn’t a problem,” Nathan answered in an even tone.

“It is when you’re only sixteen and throwing away a perfectly good career.”

“Dad—”

Rayven interrupted before tempers rose and attracted attention. “What are your plans for Nathan? It sounds as if this is something more than school.”

“I have a business.” Liam stopped as if gauging how to continue and sizing up what his chances were of receiving backing from either Rayven or Breslin. “Olivia and I appreciate all you’ve done for Nathan, and I’ll do everything in my power to repay you, but—”

“Not necessary,” Rayven said. “Nathan is a worthy member of this clan. I want the same bright future for him you do.”

Liam smiled with a slow nod while Nathan scowled. “The men in my family have been carpenters for generations. We’ve passed down our expertise, and Nathan will be the beneficiary of that legacy.”

“But it’s not what I want.”

Unmoved by Nathan’s comment, Liam continued. “We were supposed to work together. Father and son.”

The two became distracted as Nathan’s younger brother pulled Liam away for a question.

“I think I may have a compromise to offer,” Breslin said quietly, his hand stroking over her hip. “Deacon has someone who instructs the fledgling shifters. Nathan’s experience with embracing his beast can transition into instruction that will safeguard our own children. His youth makes him a better candidate to bond with them, especially given the clan’s past violent altercations with older enforcers. If he’s willing to put in the work, he could be trained to do the same in your clan and hold a position on the team without engaging in frontline combat.”

“I think I heard about the program from Lena and Callum.” She leaned into him. “I love this side of you, all cooperation and team building.”

“No need to push it with the nice-guy speech. I live to serve this clan.”

She eased in his grasp, looking him straight in the eye. “You come before clan with me. You know that right?”

Heat percolated in his gaze. “I don’t need that.”

“Too bad, it’s true.” She kissed his jaw and then held up an apologetic finger to Liam, who’d turned his attention back to them, before walking a discreet distance away and pulling out her phone. They could all still hear her conversation, but at least no one dared interrupt her.

“Shanae? I was hoping to speak with your alpha— Yes, Deacon?” She paused. “We’re doing quite well, thank you, but I have a favor to ask of you. Breslin mentioned that you have a training program for your fledglings and that he’s headed back to spend some time with Trevor. I’d like to implement something similar in our clan.” She turned back toward them, focused on the ground as she listened to his response.

Nathan frowned, taking in her discussion, shifting his weight from one foot to the other with his arms crossed over his chest. But he stood silently waiting.

“Yes, something more accelerated—exactly, specialized. Yes, perfect. I definitely have one young man who would be a perfect fit,” she said. “Our youngsters will blossom with his help.”

Breslin tapped her on the shoulder and held out his hand for the phone.

“Just a second. Breslin would like to speak with you.”

She handed over the phone.

* * *

Breslin accepted Rayven’s phone as he took in the scene. Rayven had Nathan’s attention. Liam’s as well. While sixteen was young to be in the position of so much responsibility as a trainer, Breslin had confidence in Nathan’s maturity and focus.

“Deacon,” he said. “With your approval, I was hoping to bring a few of our youngsters with me when I come to deliver on Trevor’s training.” Breslin scouted over his shoulder until he located Hazel riding on Elijah’s shoulder. She squealed with delight as he put her into the driver’s seat of one of the big rigs. “Yeah. Our youngest is doing fine. Hopefully neither she nor Trevor will revisit the side effects of the drugs. Thanks for your help. Is the boy around, by any chance?”

At Trevor’s loud cry, Breslin winced and held the phone away from his ear for a moment.

“So, are you ready for some more training?” He nodded and remained silent as Trevor cut in.

“You really are coming back. For reals. To stay and teach me more stuff? Real stuff, not just listening stuff? Like kicks and…”

Breslin stifled a laugh. “Well, I’m going to be bringing some other people to join in on the fun.”

A pointed silence drew out across the line, then Trevor continued softly, “You promised to teach me.”

“And I will. But I decided it would be better for you to work with partners, especially since tree climbing is safer with partners.” Breslin smiled at Trevor’s gasp and slight squeal, and slid Rayven a side-glance. Her lips twitched but she didn’t say anything other than tilt her head toward him with a smile. “I knew you’d look forward to that. Behave and practice your lessons, and I’ll see you in a few days.”

The call ended, and he handed the phone back to Rayven, but Nathan’s dad was in a conversation with Elijah’s cousin and both were consulting a laptop with Breslin’s building design for Rayven’s sanctuary.

“Why don’t you talk to Liam and I’ll go check on the others,” Rayven said as she headed toward the big trucks and Hazel.

He shook his head, hiding a smile. She wanted a toddler hug and snuggle, and she was leaving him in full view of the clan with obvious authority to arbitrate this resolution.

“Hardly subtle of you, and this isn’t necessary.”

She laughed but kept walking. “It so is. The rest of them need to understand right now that you hold this power and that I trust you with their well-being.”

Breslin turned back to the wary teenager. “Your dad has a point about learning a trade.”

“I have no interest in becoming a carpenter.”

Breslin rubbed his hand over his face and shot a glare Rayven’s way when she walked away without a backward glance. “I’ll let that go because people twice your age have trouble deciding what they want. But I understand your restlessness, your need to find an outlet for all your pent-up anger, and the drive to keep what happened to you from ever happening again. There’s nothing wrong with that. But look around you.”

Nathan dipped his head, casting a sideways glance around. “Everybody’s here working. Not sure what you’re getting at? I’m willing to work hard.”

“Good. But not my point. You witnessed the peace and prosperity in Deacon’s sanctuary. Every new shifter there has training. Each one is guided into finding their place, whatever they choose it to be.”

Nathan nodded slowly, then froze.

“It will take a lot of people to build a safe place for our clan. A place where people like your dad can finally set down roots and get the respect he deserves. He has things to teach you that have nothing to do with wood and tools, but that’s his way of sharing with you.”

“Right.” Blinking, Nathan pursed his lips and drew in a deep breath. “Thing is, I know he still sees me as a kid. I’m capable of contributing more. And I can’t just…ignore that more of those people might come back.”

Nathan’s dad had stopped talking to Elijah, his attention riveted to his son and his expression full of pain and regret.

“What if you could do both?” Breslin asked. “Pursue an activity that works with the team and contribute with your dad? Assuming your parents approve.”

Liam Wilson moved beside his son. “What do you have in mind?”

“Rayven and I are incredibly impressed with the courage and strength Nathan showed during the weeks of his captivity. He’s acquired skills and maturity beyond his years. His experiences, as horrific as they were, are invaluable to our next generation.” Liam stiffened, and Breslin continued anyway. “We would like him to receive individualized training with Alpha Black’s trainer of fledglings. If Nathan does well, we’d like him to transition into training our upcoming shifters. It’s probably part-time work for now. He’ll also need instruction in self-defense, which I am willing to take on. This is something he can do here—while working with you to build a sanctuary we can all be proud of.” At Liam’s stunned expression, he continued. “His new role and the job we’d like you to take here in the safety of the sanctuary would be paid positions. There’s also plenty of room here for you and your family to build a home and base your business.”

Liam looked at his son, who glanced from one of them to the other. “Would this work for you?”

Looking sheepish, Nathan nodded, then broke out in a smile. “I’d like to if you and Mom are good with it.”

“Well—um, I need to speak with her, but…” Liam shook his head. “I’m sure she’ll be willing to give it a try. Why don’t you go see if you can find her?” As his son left, he faced Breslin again, seeming a bit poleaxed. “I never thought we’d be here. On these lands, much less with alphas we respect. Are you serious about wanting my family here?”

“Absolutely, the work here will be endless and there’s a great deal to accomplish. But feel free to discuss it with Olivia and let us know when you decide.”

Nathan wandered back with his mother at his side, and Liam clasped his shoulder. “Your mother and I will go discuss this.”

He strode away, and Nathan looked up at Breslin. “I knew you would find me a loophole.

“Look, kid, it’s a compromise, not a loophole. But the truth is, we all have to wear multiple hats now. Even I know my way around a hammer and tool belt, not just fifty ways to kill someone without even shifting.”

Nathan paled.

Breslin dug his hands into his pockets. “For what it’s worth, I lost my dad when I was young. I’d give anything to have the chance to go back and share something with him for even five minutes. I don’t want you to miss that opportunity.”

“I won’t waste it.” Nathan clasped Breslin’s hand before he jogged off after his father.

Rayven appeared beside him and slid an arm around his waist. “Nicely done.”

He breathed in the honeyed scent of the woman in his arms. “This is going to be a bit like the Wild West for a few years. We’ll be starting everything from scratch.”

“We have the time, though I suspect the alpha challenges aren’t done quite yet.”

“I’ll make sure they stand in line and wait their turn before you beat them into submission.”

She tried to pinch his side and gave up as he captured her lips in a kiss. “You make me sound like a titan, mate.”

“You are exactly the fierce and awesome woman you should be when you are fighting for a better life for our people.”

“Has a nice ring to it?”

“Awesome?” he teased with a laugh.

“Our people.”

“You better believe it.”

She dropped her arm and moved closer, but the furrow of her brows warned him she’d left lighthearted thoughts behind.

“Just spit it out.”

Her gaze lifted. “I’m still my father’s daughter.”

“Yes.” There wasn’t a doubt in his mind. Her shoulders slumped, and he tightened his hold on her. “But that is genetics, and you don’t have his traits. He, however, wasn’t ever going to change. Sooner or later, he would have put another child like Hazel at risk. Or turn a blind eye as other teens like Nathan became a statistic.”

He lifted her chin. “He would eventually have come after you, if only to make sure he didn’t lose his title. So if I’d met the woman I’ve come to love earlier, I’d have killed him in a heartbeat for an entirely different reason than my own vengeance.”

Her body softened against him. “That’s a lovely speech, mate. You’ve come a long way from blind revenge.”

Brushing the hair from her forehead, he bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her temple, and worked down to the delicate place beneath her ear. Her sweet scent enveloped him as her heart beat in time with his. “You distracted me until all I care about is the future.”

“With the future we have planned, that should keep us busy for years and years.”

“Good.” She squealed as he swept her up into his arms. Several of the crew glanced over. A few chuckled, though no one followed as he strode deeper into the trees toward the fading sunset.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s time to christen the sacred grounds and heal the clan with some heavy-duty alpha love.”

A rosy blush swept over her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “That’s a myth.”

He smirked. “How much you want to bet?”

* * *

Thank you for reading, TRAITOR. I hope you enjoyed Breslin and Rayven’s story, if so please consider leaving a review.

The series continues with HOSTAGE in early 2018. Want more Shifters Unlimited? Sign up for my newsletter and get free bonus stories.