Though Payne was the one in chains, I felt them with every step I took as he walked away. He would not look back as they closed the barn door. From the moment he first touched me, I’d felt his heart beating alongside mine. Now, it was silent. He’d done something. Shut me out. Given me back my freedom. Except it felt like he’d taken my heart right along with his.

“Come on back inside, honey,” Pat called from the porch. I didn’t even know how long I’d been standing there. A minute. An hour. An eternity. I was maybe only twenty feet from the house, but it felt like the longest walk of my life.

“It’s gonna be all right,” Pat said as she put an arm around me. She had a lasagna baking in the oven and the scent of it seemed like heaven. These were normal smells, comforting, inviting. This was what other people lived like. I wanted to want this. Payne was right about so many things. As much as Shelby’s bite still marked my skin, I could have forgotten all about it, I think. If only I’d found Wild Lake before I found Payne.

I went through the motions that night. Pat’s lasagna tasted even better than it smelled. Her son Luke joined us. Suzanne Olivet too. A few of the pack members tromped in and out, taking plates to go. But, they were agitated still and spoiling for a hunt. When the sun went down, I heard their howls all along the perimeter. I knew it had to drive Payne crazy with longing. A different kind of longing tugged at my heart.

Later, I sat alone in Pat’s guest bedroom. She’d given me a clean pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. She thought another hot bath would do me good and it did. But, I still felt like a zombie as I sat in front of the vanity dresser, tearing a brush through my damp hair.

I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. My cheeks had hollowed out. The scars Shelby gave me stood out in stark contrast to my white skin. In the end, maybe it was all Payne could see. I was damaged. Wounded. It seemed I could never get past it and follow the fate I felt burning in my heart.

My hatred for Able and the Chief Pack burned like acid in my mouth. They’d done this to me. They’d twisted everything that should have felt normal and good and made me question who I was. Now, I had to wear the face they gave me for the rest of my life. Rage more powerful than anything I’d ever known bubbled to the surface. I hurled the hairbrush as hard as I could, cracking the mirror in a dozen places that webbed out, though the glass held firm.

Running footsteps thundered down the hall. Pat came to the doorway, breathless. She had Suzanne and Olivia Martel right behind her.

I dropped my hands into my lap and hung my head. “I’m sorry,” I said. I wanted to make up some lame excuse about losing my grip on the brush handle. My stomach churned with guilt as I realized that vanity was probably an antique. I was a guest in Pat’s home and I’d just vandalized her property.

“I’m sorry,” I said, covering my face with my hand. “I’m just...so sorry.” I wanted to tell her I would leave except I had nowhere else to go. The cold truth of it slammed into me, shattering my heart just like the mirror glass.

“Oh, honey,” Pat said. There was no judgment or anger in her tone. It wasn’t pity either. She just seemed to...know. A look passed between her and Olivia. They came into the room together and sat at the edge of the bed, facing me.

“He’s leaving,” I said as much to myself as to them.

“I figured as much,” Pat said. “So you’ll stay with us?”

Slowly, I met her eyes. “That was the plan. It’s what my brother wants. And Payne too.”

Pat nodded. “But, it’s not what you want, is it?”

I hadn’t meant to let go. I’d built a dam around my heart and Pat’s innocent question made it burst. It was like I had no medium button anymore. I could be hot or cold; I couldn’t be cool or anything in between. Tears spilled freely and I hiccupped into a full-on ugly cry.

Pat moved first. She came to my side and slid an arm around my waist. “It’s going to be all right. He’s doing what he thinks is best for you. Honey, you can’t go back to Kentucky. Not like this.”

“How did you do it?” I looked straight at Olivia. I’d asked her this question before. “Tell me the truth. Tell me all of it. How could you let Alec claim you after...after.”

“I’ve never really liked that word,” Olivia said, sighing. “I mean sure, it’s got a certain erotic thrill to it. And at the moment, well, it’s what you want. But you want to know the truth? The boys like to say they’re claiming a mate, but that’s not it. More than anything it’s the other way around. You claim your Alpha. And then you both become something you weren’t before. Something new. Something…”

“Better,” Pat finished. She had a wistful look in her eyes that surprised me. Did she know? What I did next I hadn’t planned. But, she was sitting so close to me and I pressed my fingers to back of her neck. Sure enough, Pat Bonner had a thin, faded, crescent-shaped scar.

“You?” I asked, shocked.

She blushed. “Oh, yes, honey. I claimed two Alphas in my day. I mean...not at the same time. Though, that might be interesting.”

“And you didn’t feel like you lost...control?”

“Ah,” Pat smiled. “Sometimes that’s the best part. But no, you don’t. You gain new control. It’s not easy at first, feeling like your heart isn’t just your own anymore. It takes getting used to. With true fated mates though, you don’t give anything up. You gain.”

“Lena,” Olivia said. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. What happened to you was horrible. It’s natural for you to be cautious. And it’s natural for you to need time.”

“We can give that to you here,” Pat said. “As much of it as you need. You deserve peace now. The war that’s coming to Mammoth Forest isn’t going to be easy. I know shifters like Payne though. Maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s better if he knows you’re safe so he can focus on what he needs to do. Same with your brother. I imagine that’s exactly why he took the risk of sending you to us. Those men love you very much.”

“I love them too,” I said, choking past a sob. God, I did. That was the truth of it. I loved Mac. But, I loved Payne. Too much to let him just leave. Though I hadn’t said the last part, both Pat and Olivia seemed to understand it just from my eyes.

“Come on,” Pat said. “You need sleep. You didn’t get much last night.” I blushed at the implication. “Everything will look a lot better in the morning. Plus, I’m making French toast. The boys always do better on a full stomach. Alec and Derek are escorting Payne back to the border. You can sort everything out then.”

“Thank you,” I said. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Pat Bonner’s French toast had some sort of magic powers. She gave me a motherly pat on the back when she and Olivia rose to leave.

They made it sound so simple. I knew it was anything but.

---

True to her word, I woke to the heavenly scent of nutmeg, cinnamon, and Pat Bonner’s magic breakfast. Stretching, I got out of bed and took a quick shower. My hair was still wet when I made my way to the kitchen. Pat and Harold were the only ones there. A tower of dirty plates was stacked next to the sink.

The farm seemed quiet and peaceful. As I said good morning and felt pulled to the coffee pot like a tractor beam, my heart dropped.

It was too quiet.

I left Pat and Harold sipping their coffee as I raced to the front door. The barn door was wide open but Derek’s fleet of SUVs was still parked outside. Running across the yard, my pulse thundered with terror. Save for the horses, the barn was empty.

I turned back toward the house. Pat had come out on the porch, her hair flying wild all around her. “What’s the matter, honey?”

“They’re gone! Payne’s gone!”

“What?” she said, seeming as shocked as I was. She made her way down the porch steps with an awkward, sideways gait that told me her hips must ache. Barefoot, she moved with alarming speed for someone her age and girth. Peering into the barn, she set her jaw hard.

“Well, those shits,” she said.

“You didn’t know?”

“I most certainly did not,” she said. “Luke, Mal, and Bas ate up my French toast like always. They didn’t say a fucking thing. Let me find Olivia. If Alec left for Ohio, she’ll know.”

But, she didn’t. When Olivia came out, she seemed just as surprised. Then, the cold clarity of what happened hit me. Payne had done it on purpose. He knew if he tried to say goodbye again, I might convince him not to go or to let me come with him. Once again, he was trying to cut me off.

It’s what we agreed to, a voice told me. It was as if I could hear my brother’s voice. Damn him. Damn Payne. I was sick and tired of other people making decisions for me. I knew I should want the safety and distance of Wild Lake. But, the idea of Payne cutting me off sent terror streaking through me. I didn’t want safety. I wanted him.

Before I made a conscious decision, I was running.

“Lena!” Pat called after me. I got to the nearest SUV and threw the door open. The keys were lying on the seat.

“What are you planning, honey?”

“He can’t just leave,” I said. “You said it yourself. This fight that’s coming. It won’t be easy. They won’t all survive it. If anything happens to him...if I don’t…”

“Well, shit,” Harold said it. He came down from the house to see what the hell was the matter. “She’s his mate, Pat. The damn fool thinks he’ll be able to fight stronger if she’s away from him. How many times have you known that to work out?”

Pat put her hands on her hips and dropped her chin. “Exactly, never. You sure about this, honey?”

My heart raced as I considered my answer. I looked from Pat to Harold, then to the house and the open barn behind me. I reached out with my mind and closed my eyes. Payne was out there. I felt him. A wall went up, slamming against my heart as he felt me too and tried to push me back.

When my eyes snapped open, I made my choice.

“I’m sure,” I said. “This is my fight too.”

“Lemme get some pants on,” Pat said. “I’ll drive you. I know where they’re going and the fastest way to get there.”

“Goddammit, Patsy,” Harold said. But, by the look on his face, he knew there was no point in trying to stop her. I couldn’t help but smile. If he were here, I’d get the exact same look from my own brother. It made me love Pat and Harold all the more.

Five minutes later, Pat Bonner took the wheel and kicked up gravel as we headed off the farm.