Chapter Twenty-Nine
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Cold Creek, North Cascades Territory – dark of the moon
Wishing he could change to grizzly and rip something apart with his teeth and claws, Ben stood with Amanda Golden in front of his house on Sunday morning.
The blonde realtor frowned. “I know how much work you’ve put into this place. Are you sure you want to sell it?”
Not fucking at all. Just the thought was a stab right through his heart. But it’d be a crime to leave the house to fall to ruin again. Houses had their own kind of souls, and the old Victorian had been happy when he’d started restoring it. He’d felt its pleasure when Minette trotted up and down the stairs, when Emma burst into laughter, when they sang together in the great room.
The old place had waited a decade to have a family again, and its disappointment at their move would be as heartrending as his own. “I’m afraid so, Amanda. Can you have some comparisons and a listing agreement prepared by tomorrow?”
She stared at him. “I… Well, that’s fast. Make that tomorrow afternoon and you’re on.”
Monday afternoon? Uneasy, he rubbed the back of his neck. It’d be better if he and his family left right this moment.
But he couldn’t. Looked like there’d be one more fucking delay. Their plan to leave today had already been revised after Owen had texted that he’d be gone tonight. Damn the cat for choosing to leave Cold Creek on a dark of the moon night. Without Owen, Alec would need Ben. A single cahir couldn’t survive a hellhound, and both teams were needed to cover the town.
The delay had pissed him off, but he, Ryder, and Emma revised their schedule to leave at sunrise on Monday. Now they’d have to wait until the afternoon. Fine. One minute after signing Amanda’s papers, they’d hit the road and be well out of the North Cascades Territory before Calum returned on Tuesday.
The knowledge he’d be able to take his family—all of his family—heartened him. He and Ryder would have the time they’d need to convince the little bear to accept them as lifemates. She was already willing to leave the life she’d just started to stay with them. So fucking brave and loyal… By the God, he loved her.
“Ben?” Amanda prompted.
“Right. I agree.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow at three,” Amanda said. “Actually, I’ll be at the barbecue this afternoon for a while, so I might see you.”
“Barbecue.” He frowned. “Hell, I’d forgotten.” Zeb and Shay put on a barbecue at the Wildwood Lodge every couple of weeks during the summer. And everyone would expect to see Ben and his people there. Right. “Yeah, we’ll be there. See you then.”
He’d patrol tonight. Sign papers tomorrow. Leave.
Once they were out of the territory, he’d call and let Zeb and Shay know they’d be down a cahir. To prevent any preemptive moves by Genevieve, they’d decided to keep the move quiet. Speaking of which… “I’d rather people not know I’m selling until the house goes on the market. You good with that?”
The realtor stiffened. “Of course. I consider everything confidential until given permission to share.”
“Great. Thank you.”
As the realtor got in her car and drove away, Ben turned and looked at his home. Small white buds were poking up in the flowerbed Emma had worked on. A light was on over the garage where Ryder was working in his office.
All too soon, everything would be dark again, and weeds would smother the tiny struggling plants. The house’s loneliness chilled his skin. I’m sorry.
*
With Ben on her left, Ryder and Minette on her right, Emma walked across the graveled parking area in front of the Wildwood Lodge. The signs of summer were everywhere—the leaves a deeper green, the high cheep of baby birds, tree fairies putting on weight. Planter boxes on the lodge railing displayed budding flowers.
The world was celebrating the fertile season—and Emma was in love.
Ben and Ryder loved her. Loved. Her. They’d said so, and neither was a puppy to be infatuated and blurt out something he didn’t mean.
She saw again Ben’s level, careful eyes. “We love you, darlin’”. Ryder’s dark velvet voice murmured in her memory, “We love you, little bear.” A shiver of delight and sheer wonder ran through her. She’d never dared to dream they’d actually love her back.
Please, please, please, let everything come out right.
“Emma?” Ryder ran his hand up her arm. “You all right?”
“I’m fine.” Focus, bear. She glanced at the parking area, only two-third’s full. “I thought there would be more people here.”
“Looks are deceiving. The tavern is just down that path.” Ben pointed at a trail that started in the forested area on the far side of the parking area. “People without cubs park at the Wild Hunt and walk.”
Ben led them around to the back of the lodge and under a purple clematis-covered arbor. As Ben paid for their admission at a reception table, Emma looked around.
One end of a wide patio boasted a massive grill, food-laden tables, and drink-and-ice-filled tubs. Townspeople were milling around, seated at the tables, and playing volleyball and other games on the lawn. A small playground swarmed with cubs, and their squeals of glee rang out into the clear afternoon air.
Her mother had hosted formal dinner affairs. This relaxed Sunday barbecue looked like far more fun.
Ben pulled her against his side. “I think you probably know most of the guests here.”
Ryder shifted Minette to his other arm and took Emma’s hand. Bracketed by her two males, she felt wonderfully claimed, giving her a stable home from which to venture forth.
“I think you’re right,” she said.
In the center of the patio, Alec sat at a table across from the tough old werecat who owned BOOKS.
Angie stood near the barbecue talking with an older human male. It was interesting to see both Daonain and humans at a party. In Pine Knoll, shifters avoided the humans.
The ruthless-looking cahir named Zeb was turning steaks on the grill.
“Ben, you made it.” Shay, the other owner of the lodge walked out of the house with a box filled with beer and soda. The sandy-haired male was almost as wide-shouldered and tall as Ben. He grinned at Minette. “Hey, little one, you want an orange pop?”
Minette edged behind her father, but nodded.
The cahir knelt…and was still taller than the cubling. “I’m Shay. Your daddy Ben and I hunt together.”
A shiver ran over Emma’s skin. The statement sounded so innocent. Minette wouldn’t know they hunted hellhounds.
Shay pulled a can of soda off the plastic ring, opened it, and handed it over, moving as slowly as he would with a wild animal. Bree had a good male.
Releasing Ryder’s hand, Minette held the can with both hands to take a sip. She gave Shay a shy smile.
“Thought you’d like it.” When he stood, he was joined by Bree, who curved an arm around his waist.
“Breanne, have you met my brother, Ryder?” Ben asked.
The way Ryder’s fingers tensed on Emma’s said the construction crew’s animosity had made him wary. He’d have skipped this event if he and Ben hadn’t wanted to present a normal appearance.
Bree smiled and held out her hand. “I’ve been wanting to thank you for the work you’ve done on the pack houses.”
Ryder relaxed. “It was a pleasure.”
“Emma, you’re here. Ryder, Ben, it’s good to see you.” In a purple T-shirt and jeans, Vicki strolled over.
“Vicki, you’re looking well.” Ben paused and took a discreet sniff. “Very well.”
Emma inhaled and caught a hint of something she couldn’t evaluate before the breeze shifted away. No one else seemed to notice. Then again, the grizzly had an incredibly acute sense of smell, even as a human.
“I’m so glad you all came.” Bree turned to Emma. “Especially you, Ms. Bard. Is there any chance we can get you to sing for us?” She hesitated. “Uh. Am I allowed to ask a bard to sing?”
Breanne was human-raised, Emma reminded herself. In fact, from the grief she’d shown when she spoke of her past, her tale was undoubtedly worthy of a song.
Only…I won’t be here. I’ll never hear Breanne’s story. Pain slashed down, deep enough to hit bone. Pulling in a breath, she forced a smile. “You can do a bard no higher honor than wanting a song.”
“Wonderful. Actually…” Breanne bit her lip and looked up at her mate.
“Let me ask her, mo leannán.” Shay took Emma’s hand with the gentleness exhibited by extremely large males. “We wanted to ask if you could sing for an hour at all of our summer barbecues. If you agree, Calum will let you move your Sunday performances here.”
Emma hesitated. She wouldn’t be in Cold Creek to sing, not after tomorrow. The pain in her heart ached like a pulled muscle. Soon she’d be without friends, without her work as a bard, without the cubs she’d taught. But, Ben and Ryder and Minette were worth it.
Shay was waiting for an answer.
What could she tell him? “If…” She faltered. Lying to these friends was…hard.
Vicki’s perceptive glance went from her, to Ben whose face had tightened, to Ryder, and finally to Minette.
“I’m—” She thought of nothing she could say. “I need to, um, think.”
“Of course.” Although his gaze had grown disconcertingly sharp, Shay gave her a half-smile. “We’ll discuss it later. How’s that?”
Emma gave a relieved breath. “Thank you. And I’ll be happy to sing tonight.”
“Good enough.”
Vicki was frowning.
Oh, Mother’s grace, I messed up. Perhaps a quick retreat was indicated. Emma turned to Breanne. “I see some females I haven’t met yet, and I’d love introductions.”
“Of course.”
*
The afternoon passed into evening marked by lively conversations. Ben would miss these parties. And his friends. And the community. The soft sigh of the sheltering forest seemed to echo his feelings.
He’d miss Breanne’s cooking, too. There’d been enough food that even he was satisfied, although he’d prudently halted a couple of hours ago. Last week, a hellhound had been scented near the south of town, and with Owen gone, Ben’s patrol would be short a cahir. With only him and Alec, if a fight happened, he’d need all the speed he could muster.
Leaning back, he stretched his legs under the table. Quiet had descended along with the setting sun and cooler temperature. Most of the guests had departed. Tables arranged in a petal-like cluster, the cahirs and their families occupied the center of the patio.
Seated at one table, Zeb, Shay, and Breanne took turns making the rounds to replenish their guests’ drinks and food.
Vicki and Alec sat between old Joe Thorson and Wells, the human who’d been Vicki’s boss when she was a spy.
On Ben’s right was Emma, then Ryder with Minette in his lap. She was sucking her thumb and sleepily rubbing the end of Emma’s braid over her cheek.
Alec was studying the cub…and had been all evening, Ben realized.
Alec’s green gaze met Ben’s before the sheriff turned and said to Zeb, “It’s good to have the summer barbeques going again. And I noticed the new playground equipment you added over the winter.”
Zeb acknowledged the comment with a grunt of dismissal.
Ben grinned. The tough cahir wouldn’t admit he had a soft spot for cubs, but he was the one who’d decided to add a playground to the lodge. And he’d built it from scratch. Minette loved the swings, slides, and monkey bars contraption.
After studying the playground, the human Wells harrumphed and remarked to Vicki, “Guess those kids you’re going to have will appreciate the fun.”
Vicki’s mouth dropped open. The retired Marine looked as if she’d been tossed unarmed into a firefight. “You… How can you tell? I haven’t said a word.”
“I’m a spy, Morgan; it’s what we do.” His thin lips curved up. “And you’re rather obviously changing shape.”
“Obviously?” Her gaze met Alec’s, and her swallow was audible. “You knew, too. Didn’t you?”
He shot Wells an irritated frown. “This wasn’t the traditional announcement that Calum had in mind.”
“You both knew.” Vicki scowled at her mate. “How?”
Ben suppressed a smile. Having been human until recently, the werecat occasionally displayed amusing gaps in her Daonain education.
Running a finger down her cheek, Alec said, “A female’s scent changes as her body does.”
She growled. “Fucking scent-sniffing, snoopy cats. I’m going to find hot pepper lotion and burn you out for a week.”
Over the laughter rounding the table, Ben heard her ask Alec, “Are you and Calum okay with this? Happy?”
Alec picked her up and set her on his lap so he could kiss her. When she emerged from his embrace, Alec looked equally content.
Ben leaned toward his own female and put his arm behind her back. Mine. He met Ryder’s gaze. Even better. Ours.
Snuggling his mate against his shoulder, Alec said quietly, “Calum and I are still surprised at how quickly you got pregnant. Are you unhappy?”
She rubbed her cheek against his. “I’m in shock…but happy. Since Jamie’s broken me in, maybe I’ll be an okay mother.”
“You’re an awesome mom,” Calum’s daughter said. “Especially since you’ll let me go to Hector’s party next week.”
“No.” The word came from both Vicki and Alec.
“Jeez.” The girl scowled. “Well, I’m happy anyway. I’m going to be a wonderful big sister. I hope I get at least four new siblings.”
Vicki turned pale, setting off more laughter.
From the glint in Jamie’s eyes, she’d known how Vicki would react. Tricky little female. She must drive her fathers crazy.
At that age, Minette might well have him and Ryder chasing their tails. But she, too, would be an excellent older sister. As a vision of Emma, ripe with his and Ryder’s babies, filled his brain, he pulled her closer.
The strong current of joy pulled him into dreams of the future. He and Ryder would share her and create a family filled with laughter, bickering, and love.
He felt a touch on his chest and looked down into sunlit amber eyes. “Are you all right?” she whispered.
Damn, he loved her. “Oh, yeah.” He ran his knuckles over the sweet curve of her cheek.
“A shame you’ll be on the wagon for the next few months. This is excellent beer,” Wells said to Vicki before lifting his glass. “To the Sergeant.”
Vicki shot him a steaming look, but Ben noticed she had iced tea in front of her, rather than alcohol.
A chorus of voices joined in the toast: “To the Sergeant.”
Thorson grinned. “You piss her off enough, Wells, and one of her cubs will be named after me and none will have your name.”
When Wells’ face blanked, Ben smothered a laugh. As a werecat, Thorson had a talent for gutting his opponents, whether with words or claws.
“Cubs with an ‘s’? Oh, fucking A, I’m not ready for multiples,” Vicki moaned and laid her head on the table. “Someone shoot me. Now.”
Laughing, Alec pulled her up and hugged her. “You’re not alone. You have all of us. Family, Vixen.”
“Okay. Yeah. This is true.” Vicki pressed her forehead against his shoulder.
A longing sigh came from the li’l bear pressed against Ben’s side. He saw his brother had heard it as well.
Ryder curled his hand around Emma’s.
“If you’re finished with the mushy shit,” Zeb said, “can we get a few songs out of the bard before sunset when we have to patrol?”
Emma sat up straight and beamed at him. “Of course.”
Choosing to stay between him and Ryder, Emma launched into a song she’d taught them last week. As Ben hummed in harmony with Ryder, he watched and enjoyed his little female. As always, she had her audience in the palm of her hand. They loved her, both as a bard and as a person. Did she realize how quickly she’d become accepted in the close-knit community?
Damn, but he hated that she’d be leaving the first real home she’d ever had. Hated that for him and Ryder, as well.
Emma sang until she noticed the darkening sky and smoothly ended her performance. At the enthusiastic applause, she smiled—and only Ben noticed her bounce of delight. “Thank you all.”
Rising, Ben pulled her to her feet. “We need to get going. I want to see you home and locked up tight for the night.”
Zeb, who was stacking dishes, turned and glared at Shay. “You forgot to ask them, didn’t you?”
His partner winced. “I did. Yeah.”
Ben paused. “Ask what?”
“Ah,” Shay said. “Our mate hates being alone in the lodge on the dark of the moon. We’d planned to ask your family to stay the night.”
Ben glanced at Ryder. He and Emma had figured on packing this evening. “Up to you, bro.”
Ryder studied Breanne. “It bothers you to be here alone?”
Breanne flushed, but nodded. “Even someone sleeping upstairs is better than an empty lodge. But I understand if you prefer to be in your own home.”
“Having hellhounds around would make anyone feel insecure.” Ryder tugged on Emma’s braid. “I’m fine with staying here if you are, little bear.”
Ben smothered a smile. To strangers, Ryder often appeared as cold as a chiseled statue. Friends and family soon learned his façade covered a tender heart.
Emma said to Breanne, “I know how you feel.” The way her hand tightened around Ben’s let him know she’d worry over his safety, as well. “Company is better. We’d love to be your guests.”
“Thank you both. We’ll feel better if our mate isn’t afraid.” A corner of Zeb’s mouth turned up, and Ben knew that was his equivalent of a happy puppy’s tail wag. “Bree can show her gratitude by feeding you breakfast in the morning. You’ll never have had better.”
“Damn, you’re getting fucking diplomatic, a mhac,” Shay said.
Zeb growled. “I’m not your son, dumbass.” He glanced at Ben. “You and Alec get started. Shay and I are going to drive to those outlying houses where we found spoor. If nothing pops, we’ll return here to drop off the truck and take up our usual patrol pattern.”
*
Goodbyes were said, and the lodge emptied. Ben and Alec left on patrol. Shay and Zeb drove away. Emma, Ryder, and Minette remained with Bree.
Thank goodness they had work to do, Emma thought. Her nerves were screeching like an out of tune fiddle.
They’d barely finished the cleanup of the patio before the sun disappeared. After Ryder did his own version of the inside patrol—checking the ironwork on all the windows and the locks on the heavy oak doors, he pulled her close and gave her a light kiss. “Want some time with your friend? I can go play pool in the back.”
Emma gave him a grateful look. He was a wonder of a male to know she longed for more time with her friend. It was difficult to discover the joys of having friends and lose them. Not telling Bree about their departure was even harder.
Picking up Minette, Emma glanced at the stairs leading to the bedrooms. It was the cubling’s bedtime. But from the way the little fingers closed on her shirt, someone was reacting to the adults’ anxiety. Minette wouldn’t be comfortable alone in a strange room.
She carried the child into the sitting area and settled with her on the couch. Bree was already building up the fire in the river-rock fireplace.
Open to guests, the lodge’s game room, library, and conversational areas had hardwood floors, colorfully braided rugs, leather couches and chairs, and fireplaces. The décor was rustic enough that antlers mounted on the wall would have been typical…except no Daonain would anger the forest god in that way. Herne often wore antlers, and pissing him off made for a markedly shortened life.
Bree set one more log on the flames and said to the resident salamander, “There you go, buddy. You should stay nice and toasty.”
An impertinent swish of a glowing tail was her only answer.
Emma looked down to see if Minette noticed, but the child’s eyes were drooping. She’d had a busy day of playing, after all. “Lie down beside me, kitten.”
With a soundless sigh, the cub curled up on the couch, her head in Emma’s lap. Emma tucked the colorful quilt from the back of the couch around the child. Within a few breaths, Minette dropped into a sound sleep.
“I wish I could fall asleep that fast.” Bree rose and filled their glasses from an unfinished bottle of wine.
“She doesn’t always.” Emma took a sip. “She often has nightmares scary enough to send her running into Ryder’s room.” And my room. Knowing the child trusted her to frighten away monsters gave Emma a world of satisfaction. “Her mother must have been dreadful.”
“How sad.” Bree’s mouth turned down. “The Daonain usually care for their children far better than humans do.”
“There’s always the exception.” Look at her own mother. Eyes on the fire, Emma scowled. But a sweet cubling like Minette should have been treated as a precious gift.
“Well, she seems to have found herself a wonderful mother on her own.” Bree smiled and nodded at Emma’s lap. While sucking a thumb, the cub was clutching Emma’s flannel shirt to ensure her pillow didn’t move away.
The unexpected compliment made Emma’s eyes puddle with tears. “Thank you.”
“You were gone all afternoon!” An angry male’s voice came from outside. “Where have you been?”
“My activities are none of your business,” a female said loudly. The voice was familiar. “You went to the barbecue. It’s not as if you had nothing to do.”
Emma frowned. She’d met the female somewhere.
The male snapped, “You can’t just—”
“Oh, honestly.” Bree jumped to her feet. After checking the peephole, she opened the door and called to the couple in the parking area. “Please go inside, people. It’s not safe and you’re too loud.”
“It’s a free world. Don’t tell us what to do,” the female retorted.
Thinking to provide support, Emma slid out from under Minette and joined Bree in the doorway. The wind carried the scent of the shifters standing near the porch—a young male and a beautiful redhead.
Oh no. Genevieve.
Emma took a hasty step back. Too late.
Genevieve’s eyes thinned to slits, and her face flushed a furious purple-red. “You!”
The shout roused Minette who ran across the room to wrap her arms around Emma’s leg.
“You have my cub!” Genevieve charged up across the porch toward the door.
Emma picked up Minette and backed away as the female attempted to push past Bree.
“No,” Bree said decisively. When Genevieve persisted, Bree grabbed her arm, whirled her in a 360-degree circle, and sent her staggering back onto the porch.
To Emma’s relief, Ryder appeared. “Who screamed?”
“Genevie—” Emma’s answer was interrupted by more yelling.
“That’s my baby. You can’t keep me from her.”
Bree stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance from Genevieve and her unhappy male.
Past Bree’s shoulders, Emma saw a pickup driving through the parking area. It was still moving when Zeb jumped out. He strode across the porch, shouldering past Genevieve to ask Bree, “What the fuck is going on?”
“We have a situation,” Bree said, scowling at Genevieve.
Genevieve turned her gaze on Zeb, and her voice dropped to a sickening sweetness. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. That giant female has my cub,”
Minette started trembling.
“Easy, sweetheart,” Emma whispered.
“You’re safe, kitten.” Ryder kissed the top of the cubling’s head and strode out the door, closing it behind him.
Whatever Zeb had said to Genevieve hadn’t calmed the female. She yelled. “She’s mine and I’m taking her back.”
As the yells of fury continued, Ryder’s voice could be heard. “Genevieve, this isn’t the—”
Emma tuned them all out. She had her own battle to fight—comforting a trembling cubling. Heart aching, Emma snuggled her closer. “Shhh, sweetheart. Let’s go upstairs where it’s quieter.” The little girl tried to burrow closer as Emma carried her up to the second floor. Bree hadn’t said which room they’d stay in, so Emma picked the one in the back.
She settled on the bed and pulled the child close. The noise of the verbal battle was still audible. “Have you heard the story of when a flower fairy decided she wanted to leave her garden and live in the forest instead?”
Sucking her thumb, Minette shook her head.
Outside, Genevieve shrieked and something slammed.
Minette flinched.
By the Mother, Genevieve had strong lungs. Why didn’t the males gag her? Fretting inside, Emma told the fairy story and sang one of Minette’s favorite songs.
Eventually there was silence downstairs, but the little girl kept shaking. Emma felt appallingly helpless. What could she do to make it better? “Do you want your daddy?”
Minette nodded.
“I’ll get him.” And maybe bring up some cubling comfort food, too. Rising, she picked up the fluffy afghan on the foot of the bed and tucked it around the cub.
Curled up like a pill bug, Minette pulled a pillow closer as if creating a defensive wall before she closed her eyes.
“Okay then.” She planted a kiss on top of the cub’s head. If that so-called mother came within arm’s reach, Emma would slap her into the next territory.
She met Zeb coming in the front door, his dark face terrifyingly angry. He slammed the door behind him violently enough to shake the house and stalked into the kitchen.
She followed to find Ryder, Shay, and Breanne.
Ryder spotted her in the doorway and held out an arm. “How’s Minette?”
Emma curled into his embrace, needing his strength. “She’s been shivering like she was left in the snow. She wants her daddy.”
“I’ll go right up.”
“Is the female gone?” Emma asked.
Zeb answered. “I…took her to the cabin she’s sharing with two males. Told them if she didn’t behave, they’d be cabinless. With a hellhound in the area. They said they’d keep her in the cabin.”
“I appreciate the intervention.” Ryder rubbed his face. “Fuck, I can’t believe how stupid I was about her back then.”
Shay slapped his shoulder. “Stupid, yes. But you got a good cub.”
Emma nodded. “There is that. You two created someone special.”
“Yeah.” The bitterness in Ryder’s face eased. He nodded to the cahirs. “Excuse me—and good luck on your patrol.”
As Ryder trotted out of the kitchen, Emma turned to Bree. “Any chance I could have a cup of hot chocolate for Minette and a picture book?”
“Absolutely.” Bree rummaged through the cupboards and pulled out an instant mix packet.
Shay took it from her hand. “I’ll make this, mo chridhe. You find a book for the lass.”
“Thank you.” Bree kissed her mate and motioned Emma to follow. “Let’s go see what would work for a little girl.”
Ryder reached the second floor hallway to see several doors, none open. Which room was Minette in? He didn’t smell her feet on the carpet runner.
Rather than calling downstairs—the baby had heard too much shouting already—he opened the closest door. Empty. Then the next. Master bedroom. Another master bedroom. One with female fripperies. Probably Bree’s. An empty guest room. Another empty guest room. The last room. Also empty.
By the God, where was she? “Minette?”
He scouted the rooms again. The last room had a rumpled quilt on the bed with Minette’s scent. This was where she’d been.
The bathroom was empty. Worry tensed his gut, and he called louder, “Minette. Come on out.”
And louder, “Minette!”
Fuck. Even though his nose reported she wasn’t in other rooms, Ryder still checked to ensure no child hid under the bed or in the closets.
Running down the stairs, Ryder met Emma with a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other. “She’s not up there,” he said.
“What?”
“Not. There.” His words snapped out. “Help me find her.”
Without another word, Emma followed him downstairs. She set everything on an end table. “Bree! We need to find Minette.”
Bree came out of the kitchen, followed by her mates. Barefoot and shirtless, Shay was obviously preparing to patrol as a wolf. Thank fuck the brothers hadn’t left yet.
“I can’t find Minette upstairs,” Ryder said.
“Not good,” Zeb muttered. He headed toward the rear of the lodge.
Shay ran upstairs, Emma to the small reception and library area, Bree to the game room. Ryder checked the closets and under furniture.
“Nothing up here,” Shay called down.
“Nothing here,” Bree yelled.
A whine drew Ryder to the laundry-room exit where a darkly colored wolf paced in front of the door.
“Zeb, what’s up?” Shay entered the room, followed by Emma and Bree.
The wolf sniffed the floor, the doorknob, and whined again.
Ryder froze. Minette’s scent shouldn’t be there.
“No pup would go out in the dark. This can’t be, bro.” Shay’s voice stayed even despite the concern etched on his face.
The wolf pawed the door in an obvious demand.
Icy fear ran up Ryder’s spine.
“No,” Emma whispered.
“Minette might,” Ryder told Shay. “If people shout, she runs outside and hides. At Genevieve’s, I found her cowering in a well-worn hollow under a tree.”
“Herne’s hairy balls.” Shay started spitting orders, “A bhràthair, start the search. Ryder and I’ll be right behind as soon as we shift. A howl says you found her. Two says call out all the assistance we can get.”
The yip said Zeb got it. When Shay opened the door, the wolf leaped out.
His cub, outside. On dark of the moon. A cold, fear sweat dampened Ryder’s clothes. He stripped off his shirt.
Shay gripped Bree’s arm. “A ghrá, Calum isn’t home, so Joe Thorson’s at the tavern in charge of problems. Call and let him know what’s up. He can redirect Alec and Ben.”
Good. Call everyone in. But Emma was unbuttoning her shirt. Ryder shook his head. “No, little bear. We need you and Bree here, in case Minette returns.”
Her mouth turned stubborn. His brave female.
“No argument. You will stay inside.” He took her hands. “Remember, one howl means we’ve got her. If you hear two howls…”
“Two means we call Joe Thorson to say there’s a hellhound near here.” Although her eyes held fear, her legs were braced, her stance ready. She was amazing.
“Thank you, little bear.” Ryder quickly brushed her lips with his. By the God, he loved this female.
Shay shifted to wolf.
A second later, Ryder dropped onto his paws and flexed his claws against the hardwood floor. Ready.
“Herne protect you,” Emma whispered as she pulled open the door and let them out into the moonless, black night.
Kitten, where are you?
*
“Minette, wherever you are, come back,” Emma whispered to the empty room.
Rattling noises came from the kitchen. Bree was preparing something hot for the men—and Minette—when they returned. She said it was her way of working off her worry.
Emma paced through the lodge and stopped at each window and door to listen for sounds outside. But little silent Minette couldn’t even cry out for help.
Tears blurred her vision. Genevieve’s shouting and screaming. Had the slamming door driven the already frightened cub out into the night? It was getting cold out there. Dark.
Damn Genevieve anyway. Emma’s hands fisted. If she ever saw the female again, she’d hit her. Hard. Knock her fangs out, leave her a toothless wolf.
She leaned her head against the back door to listen and heard an owl hoot and the gurgling creek at the forest’s edge.
The fire was dying in the living area. Emma stopped to build it up. Minette would be chilled when she got back. The extra log wakened the salamander into doing a slow slither through the coals.
In the library, Emma listened at the windows, straightened the magazines on a table, picked up a jigsaw puzzle piece from the floor, and bookmarked a murder mystery book left face-down on a chair. Minette would adore this room, especially the bookshelf filled with picture books and children’s board games.
Noises still came from the kitchen.
Emma started another circuit. Leaning her head against the front door, she heard…something. Not the Douglas firs sighing in the wind. There it was. A high, thin sound.
Only the men’s warnings kept her from flinging the door open. She peered out the tiny viewing pane. Nothing was visible in the glow of the porch light. Beyond lay only blackness.
What had she heard? A cubling’s cry? Or a screech owl, or a cat?
“Do it again, sweetheart. Did you yell?” Emma pressed her ear harder against the door. The rising wind made the lodge’s hanging sign creak. Tree branches groaned in complaint. An owl hooted again.
Emma straightened. Tell Bree. Her friend could stand by the door while Emma went outside to check.
Before she’d gotten two steps toward the kitchen, she heard a high, thin scream. A child’s sound of fright.
Emma broke fingernails undoing the bolt. She flung open the door. “Minette!”
No response.
She stepped out onto the porch and pulled the door shut behind her.
“Minette, where are you?” The front parking area was empty. The narrow gravel road leading to the lodge was empty. Small log cabins extended in wings to the right and left of the lodge, but nothing moved. She squinted, trying to see into the darkness on the other side of the parking area. Somewhere over there was the path to the Wild Hunt tavern.
The wind caught her shirt, flapping it against her skin as she started down the porch steps.
There. Something moved.
Just past the glow of the porch light, a small figure stood unmoving on the path to the tavern.
Couldn’t she see Emma? “Kitten…” Emma’s voice trailed off as she realized the child was frozen, eyes wide with terror. She was staring off to the right.
The door of the third cabin to the south banged open. Followed by two males, Genevieve dashed out. “Where is she?” She spotted the girl and started across the drive.
Emma’s stomach flip-flopped as the wind brought her the distinctive stench of rotting carrion and citrus.
“I smell a… Fuck, there’s a hellhound around,” one male shouted.
As if summoned, a nightmarish creature charged out of the darkness—straight for Genevieve.
One male yanked the female back.
The other male sprang in front. The hellhound didn’t slow, and the male’s fist bounced off the armored creature. Massive jaws snapped onto the male’s arm, and he shouted in pain. And fell.
As the hellhound savaged its screaming victim, Emma raced across the gravel lot and snatched Minette up. Trembling, the cub clung to Emma.
The other male started toward the battle, but Genevieve shrieked, “You have to protect me!” Grabbing his shirt, she dragged him into their cabin. The door slammed shut behind them.
No!
Emma’s pulse roared in her ears. The male and Genevieve had left her and Minette outside. Alone. With that thing. Emma tried to breathe through the fear clogging her throat. Oh, Mother Goddess, what could she do?
All the cabins would be locked. She needed to get them to the lodge. Could they make it?
The creature stood in front of the row of cabins—not directly in front of the lodge. But there was no cover in the road or parking area. The minute she and Minette stepped onto the graveled area, the creature would see them.
Emma knew too well how fast the hellhound could move. It’d intercept them before they even reached the porch, let alone got the door open. The lodge was out.
Behind them was the trail to the tavern. Run to Joe Thorson?
But the gusty wind was already blowing their scent toward the hellhound. Once finished with the male, it would smell them. Probably hear them. They wouldn’t make it to the tavern. Not before the creature caught them.
A whimper bottled up her throat. The wind swirled, carrying the scent of blood and death. A tiny sound escaped Emma. Run. Just run. She could smell her own fear. Courage was for those who hadn’t faced a hellhound before. Run.
Minette trembled in her arms. It would attack the cub first.
No. Never. Emma’s mouth compressed into a determined line. No hellhound would touch her cubling.
She whispered almost inaudibly into the tiny ear, “I want you to run toward that light. To the tavern.” She pointed at the light flickering through the trees. She set the child on her feet. “I’m counting on you, Minette. Run fast and get help.”
Keeping an eye on the hellhound, she gave the girl a push.
After a second of resistance, the girl fled—her light footsteps still too loud in the still night.
The hellhound lifted its head from the now lifeless body. One red eye blazed viciously; the other was covered in white scar tissue. It’d lost an eye in the past.
Oh, Mother, help me. This was the very hellhound that’d almost killed her. That’d hurt her and left her crippled. Fear welled up until she was drowning in it. Choking.
It hadn’t seen her. Yet.
Every instinct demanded for her to run, to take the only possible escape down the path behind her.
Minette was on that path.
The shark-like head moved to the left and right as it surveyed the area, the closed cabin doors, the lodge, the graveled lot. The one-eyed gaze settled on Emma.
Despite her heart slamming against her ribs, terror froze the blood in her veins. Her body cringed at the memory of razor-sharp teeth ripping into her leg, of her bones snapping like kindling, of…agony.
The strength seemed to drain from her bones, muscles and sinews.
Trawsfur. She should shift into bear shape, be faster, stronger. No. No time to undress. Her clothes would tangle and trap her.
Eye fixed on her, the hellhound sniffed the air. It stiffened and then snarled, revealing savagely pointed teeth.
It knew her.
Run. Run, run, run. Every cell in her body was screaming, a cauldron of noise.
But she still heard the pattering footsteps and rustle from Minette on the path. The gusts of wind held the scent of the terrified cubling. Such easy prey. The monster wouldn’t be able to resist.
Then give it an easier kill.
On a sucked-in breath, Emma lunged into a desperate sprint directly away from the path to the tavern. Here I am. Panicking game. She darted toward the lodge, keeping her gaze only on the target.
A snarl from the right made Emma run faster. Blindly. Genuine, mindless panic flooded her. She couldn’t outrun it. It’d get her. Kill her. Her skin shrank in anticipation of the pain.
The scraping sound of the paws on the gravel increased as the creature narrowed the distance. Just before it reached her, she veered sharply left.
Much heavier, it overran her position before circling back toward her.
She dodged again, almost too late. Its spiked armor plates snagged at her clothes.
Each breath, each step felt like her last. Regret grayed her sight. Ben. Ryder. I love you. What might have been…
The beast hit her from behind, knocking her onto her face. Gasping for breath, she rolled onto her back and kicked frantically.
It lunged for her vulnerable stomach. Her foot knocked the huge jaw away.
The hellhound twisted back, snapping, catching her thigh. Savage teeth bit down through her jeans and deep into her flesh.
Pain. Sharp, horrible, inescapable. Screaming, she shoved and kicked and then, fighting off her terror, she poked her finger toward its unscarred eye.
Instinctively, the hellhound released her, turning its head to avoid losing its remaining eye. Growling hideously, it darted at her so fast she could only grab its throat as it went for hers. Gore dripped from its mouth onto her shirt as she struggled to hold it back.
Her arms shook uncontrollably, weakening against its massive weight.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw a dark shape. It streaked across the lot. With a chilling scream, the cougar landed on the creature’s hindquarters. As the feline’s claws scraped uselessly over the bony armor, the hellhound whipped around.
*
A cougar’s scream split the night air. Ben recognized the sound. Ryder!
Swiveling his ears to mark the direction, he charged through the forest, pushing his limits. Branches slapped against his heavy fur and stung his muzzle.
Alec was in human form and racing after him.
They had far too much distance to travel, dammit.
After Shay and Zeb had lost Minette’s trail in the creek behind the lodge, the two had headed upstream. Taking the other direction, Ben and Alec had followed Ryder’s scent downstream. Then screaming—a child, a man, a female—from the lodge had sent him and Alec running back.
Dread filled Ben as he galloped around the back of the lodge toward the front. He tore into the graveled parking area and spotted the hellhound.
A cougar faced it. Alone.
Snarling, Ryder was pacing back and forth, slashing feline-quick at the hellhound’s single eye. On the ground behind him, Emma tried to drag herself away from the battle.
With a last burst of speed, Ben bulldozed the creature, knocking it away from Ryder. The scent of Emma’s fear added to Ben’s fury as he spun and bit the hellhound’s hind leg. Bearing down, he ground his fangs into the crevasses between the armor plates and got the foul taste of demon blood.
Roaring with pain, the hellhound snaked its head around.
Fuck. Ben jumped away. A fiery burn over his ribs said the demon-dog had nailed him.
Something flashed past him, the scent was Shay’s. The wolf’s snarl was deep and ugly. As the hellhound lunged at the alpha, a darker wolf attacked from the other side.
Alec ran into the lot, skidding to a stop on the gravel. He had a knife in one hand, his pistol in the other.
As Zeb and Shay darted away from the hellhound, Alec yelled, “Stay back,” and Ben realized other shifters had appeared from the cabins.
“All-in,” Alec barked—the cahir code for a full-out attack.
Ben lumbered into a run, and the hellhound turned to face him. If it went for Ben’s throat, it’d win.
Before Ben could hit, Ryder sprang from behind the hellhound and landed on the creature’s head in a frenzy of claws and teeth and shrieks.
When the monster turned in defense, Ryder sprang off and darted away.
Perfect. Ben rammed into demon-dog’s shoulder so violently the pointed plates slashed through his fur and skin and deep into his muscle.
Knocked off its feet, the hellhound landed on its side and scrambled to stand. The wolves attacked from the rear, tearing and worrying at its legs to keep it from rising.
As Ben gathered himself to attack again, Alec ran forward, dodged a snapping jaw, and slammed his pick-thin dagger straight into the creature’s one good eye.
The shriek it gave curdled Ben’s blood. Air shimmered around the creature, leaving behind a naked human. A dead one.
Sides heaving, Ben let his head drop as he tried to regain his breath. The stench of the creature still clung, returning every time the wind shifted direction. Instinctively, Ben shook his fur—which only made every scrape and bite hurt like hellfire. Fuck. Growling at the pain, he headed for his family.
He passed the lodge porch. Hair blowing in the wind, Breanne stood on the bottom step, pistol in one hand. Near her, Zeb and Shay shifted to human and stood.
Farther down, in front of the south cabins, a body lay in a lake of blood, mangled into something unrecognizable. Ben’s heart skipped a beat—but the size was too big to be Minette. And was a male. Phone to his ear, Alec was already heading toward the body.
Ben padded quickly toward the center of the gravel lot.
Trawsfurred to human, Ryder knelt beside Emma. The yellow porch light turned blood a streaky brown—and it covered Emma’s clothes. Ryder’s skin.
So fucking much blood.
Why wasn’t Emma moving? By the God, no.
Ben broke into a run and paused only to shift in the last moment before reaching them.
Emma…
His heart hammered far worse than during the fight with the hellhound. And then…then he saw her push Ryder’s hand away as she tried to sit up. Relief buckled Ben’s knees. Lacking any grace, he half-fell beside his brother and their mate—because she damned well was. Thank the Mother.
“Who’s bleeding?” he growled out.
Ryder gave a half-laugh. “Who isn’t?”
“Yeah, well.” He could feel the warmth of blood pouring down his left arm from the punctures all over his shoulder. “Breanne, get your first aid kit.” Even shouting hurt.
“Will do.” She disappeared into the lodge.
“Good plan.” Pain deepened Ryder’s baritone to a low rumble.
“Bro,” Ben said, unable to keep from touching Ryder’s shoulder to check for warmth. Alive. He curled his other hand around Emma’s nape. Alive. “Where’s Minette?”
“I told her to run. We must find her.” Emma grabbed his arm to try to pull up. “I’ll show you. Now.”
Ben pulled her hands free and held her still. “Darlin’, just tell me where.”
“I sent her down the trail to the tavern, and I ran this…”
Her voice faded under his stare. She’d made herself into bait. He pulled in a breath. How easily she could have been killed.
“Ben, we need to find her!” Emma shook his hands. “What if there are more of those things?”
“Unlikely.” Hellhounds avoided each other. But other animals roamed the woods. The mite needed to be found immediately. “I’m going,”
“We’ll go, cahir,” said a renter from one of the cabins. His brother stood beside him. After a second, Ben recognized them as cousins of Kenner from the construction crew. At Ben’s nod, they took off running toward the tavern. Their words drifted in their wake, “Did you see? The cat took on a hellhound—and he’s not even a cahir.”
More shifters headed over to help Shay and Zeb and Alec.
“They’ll find her.” Ben squeezed Emma’s fingers. “We need to get you and Ryder patched up until the healer gets here.”
“Donal will be here in another minute.” The Cosantir’s distinctive deep voice cut through the commotion, bringing a moment of silence.
Ben stiffened. Calum must have returned early. Oh, hell.
“Daddy!”
Ben turned so fast, his head spun.
“Minette?” Ryder whispered.
In the center of the parking area, Calum had the cub in his arms. She wiggled frantically until he set her down.
The cub hit Ryder in a half-tackle, and he gave a pained grunt. Crying, kissing, burrowing into him, she was purely hysterical. And alive.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy.”
By the God, her tiny voice was the finest sound in the world. She lunged at Ben and climbed him like a tree to hug him with her tiny arms. Fuck, it hurt, but he wouldn’t have complained for the world. The relief of feeling her squirm, smelling her little girl scent was a warm rush, easing tight muscles. He heard himself huffing with pleasure.
She released him to throw herself on Emma. “Emma.”
“It’s all right, kitten. You’re safe,” Emma whispered, half strangled by Minette’s arms around her neck. “We’re all safe.” The bard was scraped, bleeding, and had narrowly escaped death, yet it was obvious her only thought was to comfort the cub.
He noticed Ryder had a hand on Minette—and so did Ben. Minette wasn’t the only one who needed physical reassurance.
“Here you go, Ben.” Breanne set a first aid kit down along with a couple of blankets. Before he had it open, the healer arrived.
“By the God, I hate hellhounds.” The healer squatted beside Ryder, his silver gaze flashing over each of them in turn. “What’s the damage this time?”
“Emma’s leg,” Ryder said. “My arm. Ben?”
“Bite on the ribs, shoulder punctures—and my right arm’s not moving right. Nothing urgent.” Blood was trickling rather than gushing down his arm and side. With his acknowledgment of the wounds, fresh pain hammered him as if he was on the receiving end of a pneumatic nail gun. “Start with Emma.”
“No, you first,” she said instantly.
Donal snorted at Emma’s protest and turned her leg to examine the wound. “Sorry, bard. Unless someone’s dying, I treat the females first. Otherwise, I’d waste time arguing with the males. Looks to me as if you’re all equally mangled.”
Despite the ghastly pain in her leg, Emma choked back a laugh. Donal couldn’t be much older than Ben and Ryder. He shouldn’t be so cynical. “All right.”
Donal eyed Minette. “I need the cub off your lap.”
“Of course.” Shaking uncontrollably, Emma tried to release the cubling, but her arms wouldn’t relax their hold. Mine. “I c-can’t.”
“Know how you feel, darlin’, but it’s only for a bit.” Firmly, Ben disentangled Emma’s arms and lifted Minette up. “C’mere, kitten. Emma has an owie for the healer to fix. I’ll hold you till they’re done.”
With a sob, Minette turned and wrapped her arms around Ben’s neck.
“By the God, you scared me, cub.” Pulling her close, he kissed her head.
Emma’s eyes filled. The male had a heart as big as his body and courage to match. She’d been sure Ryder was about to die, but Ben hadn’t even hesitated, just charged right into the hellhound. Just as Ryder had done to save her.
“Now, let’s see what we’ve got.” With a surprising strength, Donal tore her jeans from the hem to above her knee.
Ow, ow, ow. The slight jarring sent agony through her, and she tried to jerk her leg away only to realize Ryder had an unyielding hold on her thigh.
“Easy, my little bear,” Ryder murmured. His right arm tightened around her shoulders; his left hand held her leg steady. “Hang onto me while he works, yeah?”
“It’ll hurt when I wash off the gravel, Emma.” Donal pulled a bottle of water from his bag. “Then it’s all downhill.”
More pain. Why was the apprehension worse now that the fighting was done? She wasn’t sure she could take it. Her eyes filled with tears; her breath hitched in her throat.
“Shhh.” Ryder tucked her head against his chest.
The water struck her wound and the pain flared into sheer agony. She clenched her teeth. Screaming would scare Minette.
Slowly, far too slowly, the scarlet-edged burning eased to a sharp throbbing, and she pulled in a breath.
“All cleaned up, girl. Now, let me make it all better.” Donal placed his hands on each side of the wound and bent his head.
The Mother-blessed warmth of his power touched her, melding the tissues, and the pain drained away.
With a faint smile, he lifted his hands. “See? Much more effective if I see you right away.” Pink, unbroken skin covered the area where the gaping flesh had been.
She swallowed to clear her throat and whispered, “Thank you, Donal.”
A lean hand grasped hers, and she was pulled to her feet and steadied by…Calum. He studied her for a second. “Better. Go sit there, please.” He gestured to the porch stairs where Breanne sat. Three other shifters stood nearby—probably renters from the cabins.
“But—” She didn’t want to leave Ben and Ryder. Calum’s stern expression stopped her protest. “Yes, Cosantir.”
“Come here, cub.” As he took Minette from Ben, the cub didn’t say a word. “Benjamin, sit down before you fall.”
Ben looked as if he’d argue, then painfully lowered himself to sit beside Ryder.
With Breanne’s help, Emma settled onto the steps, and to her surprise, Calum placed Minette in her lap.
With a pleased sigh, Emma wrapped her arms around the cub. When Minette leaned into her, sucking her thumb and holding Emma’s braid, the world felt as if the Goddess had taken a broom to the disorder.
His face grim, Calum studied the cubling and Breanne, Ben and Ryder. “Explain what happened. Start with why I found the cub running across my parking lot.”
Emma rested her cheek against Minette’s. Thank the Mother the Cosantir had been there for Minette—even if he looked as if he was in an unhappy mood now.
Despite the healer working on his arm, Ryder tried to turn around. “It was—”
“Let the bard talk,” Donal snapped. “Busy here.” He turned Ryder’s arm to catch the light. Exposed muscles and white tendons glinted as blood streamed down the smooth skin.
Emma flinched. When Minette stirred, she turned to keep the child from seeing.
Growling under his breath, Ryder sat back.
To keep Ryder from losing his temper, Emma said hurriedly, “Ryder, Minette, and I were spending the night at the lodge. Minette was half-asleep with me on the couch. She didn’t want to be alone upstairs.”
Calum’s lips curved in a reassuring smile. “Jamie was the same at that age. I understand.”
“We heard shouting in the parking area.” Emma hesitated. Did she want to talk about Genevieve? To the Cosantir?
She’d paused too long.
Breanne stepped in. “A female—a pushy wolf who’d showed up at our last pack meeting—was yelling at a male who’d rented a cabin. I told them to quiet down, but she saw Emma and Minette and had herself a hissy fit.”
A hissy fit? Emma blinked. Interesting phrase—must be human. How would the term fit into a tune?
“Emma took Minette upstairs, and… Breanne continued with the events up to when she came out of the kitchen. “And I found Emma was gone.”
“Yeah, how did that happen?” Ryder growled. “I told you to stay inside.”
“I heard Minette scream. Of course I went out.” Emma tightened her arms around the child, reassured by her heavy, warm weight, by the tiny noises of a thumb being sucked. “And I’d do it again.”
Ryder’s harsh expression softened. “I’m sorry. The thought of losing either one of you is…”
Losing me? He put her in the same category as his beloved daughter? Tears filled Emma’s eyes as she smiled at him.
“Pretty good save for a male,” the healer said under his breath. He rose and moved to Ben.
“Continue, please,” Calum prodded.
She met his dark gaze. “The female ran out of the cabin, because…” The reason wasn’t important, right? How much had Calum heard about Genevieve and her accusations? “The hellhound charged her, but a male jumped in front of her.” Emma shuddered, knowing she’d never forget the savage way the creature ripped into the male. The shifter’s cries of agony. She swallowed. “The hellhound killed him. The female and the other male ran back into the cabin.”
Leaving us alone. Her own child.
Expressionless, the Cosantir followed her gaze to the silent, dark cabin. “Go on.”
“I-I didn’t know what to do. So I sent Minette toward the tavern.”
“And you ran toward the fucking hellhound—as bait. You think we didn’t figure that out?” Ben’s voice rose into a roar as he started to rise.
The healer yanked him back down. “Sit. Down.”
“Fuck!”
Donal chuckled. “Easy, Griz. You’re pissed at your crazy-brave female, not at me.”
“Sorry.” With a grumbling noise, Ben turned to Emma. “Sorry, darlin’. I got a problem with you being in danger.”
He cared. She knew he did, knew he’d risk his life for—oh, any Daonain—but his uncontrolled anger said he really did love her. Her lips trembled as she smiled at him so brightly that he blinked.
“Finish, please.” Calum recalled her to her task.
“Right,” she said. “Um… The hellhound charged me. Ryder came out of nowhere and attacked, saving me. Ben slammed into the creature, and then everyone attacked, and Alec killed it.”
“Your account will do for now.” Calum studied her. “Now tell me why the renter had a”—his lips twitched—“hissy fit. And why the female ran out of the cabin.”
He knew. He did. He was going to force her to tell everything. She sighed. Evasions were one thing, but she couldn’t lie to the Cosantir. “She’s Minette’s mother—a horrible, abusive mother who’s telling lies everywhere.”
“Thank you, Emma.” Calum’s gaze rested on Minette. “Alec, please call a meeting of the Daonain for tonight at the tavern.”
Emma’s breath caught. A meeting. Would he hand Minette over to her evil mother? Her gaze met Ryder’s, then Ben’s. Could they run?
When the Cosantir turned, the power of the God shimmered about him, muted by the glow of the porch light. “Benjamin, you are ordered to bring the cub, your littermate, and the bard to the meeting. All of them, cahir. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Cosantir,” Ben replied in a tight voice.
And that was that. No Daonain would go against a Cosantir’s direct orders.
A surge of rage shook her. Calum wasn’t supposed to be here. Why had he come back early? Only she knew. She’d messed up when Shay asked her about performing this summer. Vicki had undoubtedly told Alec…who’d called his littermate.
Emma curled around Minette and kissed the top of her head. She and her males would bring Minette to the meeting. But even if she had to defy the God Himself, she wouldn’t let Genevieve have this precious cubling.
“Done here.” Donal handed Ben one of the blankets and rose. “I want you all to eat something, drink at least three glasses of water—no alcohol—and go to bed for the day.” His brows drew together and he added, “The healing will make you sleepy. Do not try to do anything requiring concentration or alertness. Am I heard?”
He knew. Emma felt her muscles sag, felt the weariness pulling at her body and mind. He was warning them that they’d risk Minette’s life if they tried to drive today.
“You are heard, healer. Thank you for your care.” The wind whipped at the blanket as Ben pulled it around him. “Cosantir, will you need me?”
“No, cahir.” Calum tilted his head. “Shamus and Zebulon and Alec will finish the rest of the patrol tonight. Can you get your family home?”
Family. The look on Ben’s face matched what was in Emma’s heart. “Yes, Cosantir. I’ll take my family home.”