Tali had definitely lost track of time. She couldn’t calm her nerves, so Hudson had given up on tea and busted out a bottle of whiskey. He kept it on the top shelf, out of her reach, and left himself in charge of pouring. Which was good, because if he didn’t she’d have probably downed the whole bottle in minutes.

The TV was on, but she was pretty certain neither of them heard a word that was being said. She didn’t even know what show it was. Koda was sprawled across her lap and she was hugging him tight, sipping hot whiskey from a mug and lost in her own thoughts. She felt crippling fear for Cole, imagining him torn to shreds, lifeless and bloodied in the falling snow. She also felt sorrow for Hudson, for the life he’d had before. Two brothers ripped out of the world too soon, just like hers had been. A father who’d never believed in him. A soul mate who’d tossed him to the wind so carelessly.

He was sitting on the armchair across from her, staring into the flames of the fireplace, a thousand miles away. Even now, with Cole out there alone, possibly dying, possibly dead, she still felt a tug in her heart toward him. The soft-hearted, kind, gentle person who was brooding quietly just a few feet away from her. She wanted to push the snoring dog in her lap aside, pad across the room, and take his chiseled face in her hands. She wanted to look into those beautiful, doleful eyes and tell him how sorry she was, how he deserved so much better. She wanted to kiss his cheeks, his jaw, his mouth, until he felt loved and worthy and wanted.

How was it possible to feel such an agonizing, powerful, aching love for them both? Because she did. It wasn’t fair or right, but she could no longer deny it. Cole was everything to her. She loved him so much, even though right now she despised him for the terror he was causing her with his stupid, stupid bravery.

But looking across the room at Hudson, she knew from the bottom of her heart that she loved him too. But he could never know that. Because Cole was hers and she was Cole’s and he would be coming back soon, alive and well, and that’s who she had chosen.

Wiping at her eyes, she drained the rest of her whiskey.

A few minutes later, his low voice cut through the air, just audible over the crackling fire and soft dog snores. “I suppose suggesting maybe you try to sleep would be a pointless idea?”

She nodded. “Absolutely. It’s got to be almost dawn now. Can we leave soon? Hudson, I can’t take this.”

“At first light. I’ll take you. I promise.” He got to his feet. “Here, let me get you a refill.”

She handed him her mug. “Thank you. Don’t be afraid to fill it a bit higher this time.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” he said with a flicker of a smile. “Be right back.”

Tali was zoning out again when she heard a knock at the front door that made her jump.

What? What the hell? She jiggled her legs, trying to shake Koda, who whined and resisted. She started to shove him as she heard Hudson walking from the kitchen into the hall and toward the front door. She finally extracted herself from beneath Koda and got to her feet. Her legs had both fallen asleep and she squeaked, grabbing the couch for support.

“Tali,” she heard Hudson call. “C’mere. It’s him.”

Her heart leapt in her chest, and she ignored whatever tingles were in her legs to go bounding into the hallway, Koda barking excitedly behind her. She flew down the hall as fast as she could, and Hudson stepped aside as she whirred past him and flung herself into Cole’s arms.

“You fucker!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck, burying her face in the place where it met his shoulder and kissing the bare skin there. Then she pulled back, seizing his face in her hands. “What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. “You bastard! How could you do that to me? Do you have any idea how worried I was? How hard it was to sit here, thinking about you being torn to shreds?” She kissed him three times, on the cheek, on the jaw, on the mouth.

“I know,” he said squeezing her hips with both his hands. “I know. I’m sorry. But Tali listen, there’s uh… I need to talk to Quinlan—”

That was surprising enough for Tali to break off her flurry of kisses.

As she did, she heard Hudson beside her mutter. “Well. Speak of the devil.”

“Hi, Hudson,” she heard a woman’s voice say softly. “All this time and you still think of me that way?”

Tali whipped her head toward the sound of the voice and her jaw dropped as she took in the sight of the woman standing in Hudson’s doorway with snowflakes in her hair. She was startlingly beautiful, enough so that it took Tali’s breath away for a moment. She was tall, close to six feet probably, with slender, strong legs that went on for days, and a torso covered in thick furs that gave her a fierce, feral look. Her eyes were a rich gold color, more so than she’d ever seen Hudson’s or Cole’s even when they shifted in moments of anger. They were lined with dark kohl, and her features were at once fearsome and delicate.

Her eyes were locked on Hudson’s, and though her expression was nearly neutral, Tali could feel the palpable crackling of emotions between them.

She tore her eyes away from the woman—who she knew must be Sheena—and looked to Hudson. He was frozen. Stunned.

“What the…what are you—?”

“Hudson,” she said quietly. “Can we come in? I don’t mind the cold, but I’m sure you boys have started to enjoy your comforts lately. And surely the girl must be freezing?”

“Wh— No—” he stammered, looking shocked, baffled, angry.

“Come,” she said calmly, stepping forward with immaculate posture and placing a delicate hand on his upper arm. “Let us in.”

Her touch made him freeze, his mouth falling open again, and she used the moment to stride in, taking the door on the left and walking into the kitchen. She reached her hand out to pat Koda’s head as she went, murmuring, “Hello, dog,” as she went. It was the first time Tali had seen Koda not jump up on someone. He padded in obediently after her, leaving the three of them in the hallway.

Tali’s gaped after her for a moment before turning to Hudson. He looked even more stunned than she was, and his expression was deeply pained as he stared at the doorway Sheena had disappeared through. He barely seemed to notice Tali’s approach, and jumped when she gently touched his forearm.

“Hudson,” she said softly. “Are you...okay?”

“No,” he murmured, dazed. “Not really.” Without another word, he took off toward the kitchen. Tali rounded on Cole.

“What the hell?” she hissed at him quietly. “What are you…why did you bring her here? Do you have any idea what she did? I know you can’t stand him, Cole, but this is just cruel—”

“Shh,” Cole said quietly, putting a finger to her lips. “Come on, let’s go in there.” He took her by the hand and pulled her into the kitchen.

When they entered, they found Hudson and Sheena standing about six feet apart, staring each other down. In Hudson’s eyes, she could see boundless pain and hurt and anger, swirled up together with his disbelief. Sheen’s expression and her body language were a great deal more controlled, but it was clear there was effort behind it. She was so formidable, so fierce, but there was a softness in her eyes as she stared back at him. A longing. It seemed clear enough to Tali that there was a part of her that wanted to close that distance between them, to reach out with slender fingers to touch the man she’d loved for half her life.

They looked like they belonged together, two tall, strong, perfect people who weren’t actually people. Tali could do nothing but watch them stare at each other, suddenly feeling very small and scrawny.

“Nice place you’ve got here,” Sheena said quietly, her eyes flickering to the bear potholders on the stove, the photos and magnets on the fridge. “Very human.”

Hudson’s conflicted face hardened at that. “Don’t think you came all the way down the mountain for the first time in thirteen years to give out backhanded compliments about my kitchen. How about we get to the reason why you’re here, Sheena?” Her name was the only word that didn’t come out sounding harsh and furious. It sounded nice. Gentle. He’d probably said it that way a thousand times when they’d lain together.

“Fair enough,” she conceded, posture still perfect, expression almost neutral. “I’m here because I found Blackburn while I was out patrolling our woods. Caid sent us to watch. To report on how many humans were prowling around, what weapons they had. To protect the clan. A lie. He wanted us to report back on what happened when one of them found the body. Probably so he could get off on it, the sick bastard. It’s the first one he’s decided to leave around.”

Tali’s stomach twisted, and Hudson gasped out what she was too stunned to say. “The body? Are you saying...is Ben dead?”

“I don’t know his name,” she said. “But if it’s your missing biologist, then yes. He’s dead. Caid and his Betas killed him. Just like that boy from the summer.”

“His Betas?” Hudson blinked. “Is Ronin dead?”

“No,” Sheena spat out bitterly. “But he may as well be, for all he does to rein in his sadistic spawn. It’s only a matter of time before Caid grows weary of pretending to defer to him. And it’s not just hunting humans, although they’ve killed at least five we know of, with shorter gaps in between. There was the child, before Cole left. Eyva. You remember her. There’s no doubt they killed her, yet Ronin refused to see it or do anything to stop them from getting worse.

“And there was another woman. Last year. One of Caid’s mates. I warned her to be cautious, but she was young, and he’s able to manipulate some of them so easily. It’s hard to get through to them once he’s had his claws in them. They think it’s jealousy. I’m mated to an ‘old man on his way out,’ after all. Just jealous that my time as Alpha’s mate is ending,” Sheena muttered darkly.

She looked sadder than she did angry.

“Anyway, they quarreled, and he nearly killed her. She came to me. Guess some good came of all my insane exploring after all.” She gave Hudson a brief smile. “I told her a way to escape, one I was sure they’d never heard of. Told her how to get to a clan up by the Pineridge Pass. I remember you mentioned they were kind, after that conclave. I’m sure he knows I had something to do with it, but he hasn’t made a move against me yet. Knows I have too much sway over Ronin, and he’s not ready to challenge him yet. But he’s taken up with a new girl, and it’s only a matter of time before she does something to set him off. And before he tries to take full control. Hudson,” she said firmly, “we need your help.”

Hudson stared at her, anguished, but seemed unable to get out any words.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, and she looked disgusted with herself. “I’ve made my bed and I have to lie in it…”

Hudson gave her a look of disbelief and covered his face with his hand, rubbing hard at the bridge of his nose. “That’s not what I’m thinking, Sheena,” he sighed heavily.

“Hudson, I—” she started, stepping toward him, reaching out for his arm.

“Don’t,” he said sharply, stepping back. She dropped her hand and froze.

“Okay,” she nodded, and he relaxed a little, though still seemed wary. “Look. I know it’s not fair. To ask you to come back to us.” She looked away briefly, then back at him, her shoulders straight. “After what I did.”

Hudson seemed more wounded than ever. He gazed back at her quietly, before finally he managed to gasp out a single word: “Why?”

Sheena shook her head slowly. “I thought...I thought you’d fight for me. I thought it would make you fight.”

Hudson seemed taken aback by her answer, his brow furrowing. “Well. You thought wrong.”

“I know,” she said softly, looking at her feet. “I got...lost in my own head. In my own wants. The moment you left, I regretted it. I have regretted it. Every day.”

Hudson seemed exhausted, broken by the admission. He said nothing.

“I may have been wrong about that one thing,” she said, facing him again. “But I do know you. You won’t leave us to this. Hudson, half the cubs in the clan have been sired by Ronin. They’re not safe. They won’t be once Caid’s run out of patience for playing daddy’s boy. He’ll hurt them just so all the heirs can be his own.”

Tali saw the slight quiver of Sheena’s lips now, a shine in her golden eyes, though she seemed determined to hold it together in a way Tali never could.

“Not just any cubs, right?” Hudson muttered, defeat in his green eyes. “Yours too.”

Sheena swallowed, nodding, her expression a mix of defiance and shame. “Yes,” she said. “Mine too.”

Tali watched Hudson’s face fall, and her stomach twisted in sorrow for him.

“I waited, you know,” Sheena said. “For more than two years. I chewed herbs to stop it from happening. I kept hoping you’d come back. But you never did. So I gave up. I needed... something. To stave away the emptiness.”

Hudson just looked at her, expression unreadable, so she went on. “Aron is my oldest. He’s sweet. Warm. Always looking out for the younger ones. Ronin’s always seemed disappointed in him. Thinks he’s too soft. You...you’d like him, though, I think—”

“Stop!” Hudson said, holding out a hand to her. “Stop. I can’t...hear this. I can’t be in here with you, hearing this. I-I have to go.”

He turned around in a flash and stormed past Tali and a Cole, out the kitchen door and into the hall.

Sheena and Cole stared after him, but did nothing. Tali shook her head and ran out after them. “Hudson,” she called out. “Wait!” She charged to the front door, struggling into her boots, grabbing a jacket off a hook, not even sure if it was hers.

But he was gone. She watched his bear lumber off into the snow and then vanish completely.

She watched for a while before she headed back to the house, defeated. As she entered, she caught the tail end of Cole and Sheena’s conversation:

“If he doesn’t come back...” Cole was saying, “if he won’t help... I will. I’ll do something. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Cole. You’re sweet. And brave. But don’t be a fool. You’re damn lucky I’m the one who found you out there. If not, you’d already be dead.”

Tali shut the door hard behind her. They both glanced up at her and then Sheena turned away. “I’ll give you some space,” she said. With that, she strode out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.

“Hey,” Cole said quietly, gazing at her with soft eyes. “You okay?”

Tali let out a harsh, bitter laugh.

“No,” she said gruffly, coming over to hug him, burying her face in his chest. “I’m exhausted,” she muttered. “I’m a little drunk. I spent half the night thinking about you getting mauled to death alone in the woods, and the other half hearing Hudson tell me about how his father emotionally abused him until his confidence was nonexistent and then the person he loved most in the world went and fucked the guy who was trying to take over your clan. And then you show up—alive, thank God, but with her at your side. Oh, and a man who I served beer to a week ago is dead, thanks to some sado-bears who are abusing women and planning to overthrow the Alpha and murder a bunch of children. No. I am not okay.”

“I know,” he murmured. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I did that to you. Let’s sit down, okay?” he said, leading her into the living room. They sat on the couch and Koda, who’d followed them, popped up beside Cole, nuzzling into his lap.

“So...he didn’t want to talk to you out there?” Cole asked, frowning slightly.

“No. He could barely even look at me. She has him all fucked up. She really tore him to shreds. He never even talked about it to anyone until tonight, and then she was just there. That’s one hell of a messed-up coincidence. I hope he’s okay.”

“Tali,” he said seriously. “You know him better than anyone. Tell the truth. Do you think he’ll help, now that he knows? Or is he too angry?”

“He’ll help,” she said at once. “I have no doubt about it. He really didn’t know what the danger was. He trusted Ronin. He thought…he thought he’d do better. He believed he’d be fair. And then...that...happened and he left. But he never knew what the sons were like. He’s hurting, Cole, and I can’t blame him for that. But he will help. I’m sure of it.”

Cole took in her expression of genuine belief and looked frustrated. “I tried to tell him, Tali. I was sixteen years old, and I was so scared and alone and hopeless. I didn’t even know he was in this town until I showed up myself. I can’t explain what it felt like to know that he was down here, living like a person, living happily just a few miles away from the clan he’d left. Where my cousin died at the hands of those he left us with.

“But I still...I wasn’t mad. Not at first. I felt hope for the first time in months. I thought if I could just tell him the truth, that he’d step up. Save them. I’d always liked him. He was nice. Patient. He’d always let the younger kids climb all over him. Teach the older ones whatever they wanted to learn. I was sure he’d help. But he wouldn’t let me breathe a single word about it. He wouldn’t even look at me. You can understand why I’m angry, can’t you?”

“I can,” she said softly, holding his hand, squeezing it. “But I understand his side too. He should have listened to you, I do believe that, but...I understand why he didn’t. He’d left so much pain behind. And he managed to build something new up here, something good with Matty and Ella and the people in this town. He didn’t want to get dragged back in.”

Cole made a noncommittal noise, but said nothing.

“He’ll come back,” she said quietly. “I know he’ll come back.”

Cole grunted. “Well, if he doesn’t...I’m going to have to do something. I can’t just—”

“Cole please,” Tali moaned. “Don’t. Don’t talk about that. Not now. I’m so tired. Please just...sit still. Just sit here with me, please, and don’t talk, and don’t leave.”

“Okay,” he nodded, wrapping his arms around her, and they lapsed into silence, holding each other.