They pulled up next to Dee’s truck and Kate felt a wave of pleasure, remembering the moment when Ryan had claimed her against the side of it. The first of many times they’d been together since then, and it still didn’t feel real to her. But Ryan’s hand in hers was real, and the tattoos on her wrists were real. She was mated. She belonged to him.

The light of the morning filtered across the wide grassy field. The run down cabin was a gray box up to the right. The doors of the truck were still hanging wide open and pieces of Ryan and Kate’s shredded clothing littered the grass like confetti. But the truck was still there. At least Christian hadn’t stolen it.

They all three got out of the vehicle and walked up to the big white truck. “I don’t see anyone. Doesn’t look like he tried to come back for the truck either,” Rosalee said.

Ryan shook his head. “I don’t smell anything. It must’ve rained up here last night.”

“Not enough for mud,” his mother replied, drawing her lips together. “But if there hasn’t been a shower, that boy sure knows how to cover his tracks. Don’t worry, though. We’ll find him while you’re gone.”

“We have to find him Ryan,” Kate said nervously. Whatever Christian had almost done to her, she couldn’t shake the sympathy she felt for him. He was out there alone, worried about his sister, and he still had no notion of what it was to live as a wolf. Her grandparents had changed him and then abandoned him. He deserved a second chance. “He said my grandfather was threatening—”

“I know. And we will, Kate.” Ryan turned to his mother again. “His clothes are all ripped up in the back, so he’ll be on the lookout for a clothesline. Did you call around?”

“Yep,” Rosalee answered and gave Kate a hard squeeze. “We’ll find him. The boys’ll meet me up here, and we’ll start a manhunt.”

“Don’t hurt him,” Kate said, her voice forceful.

“Oh, honey, we won’t,” Rosalee said softly. “Ryan told me what your grandparents did. He’s as much a victim as you were.” She put her hand on Kate’s shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. “You two worry about you. Get that new alpha bond taken care of. I’ll handle this.”

Kate nodded. “Thank you.”

“Ryan, you get her to Bracken,” Rosalee said, turning to her son. “No sense wastin’ time here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He helped Kate up into the passenger seat before running around to the driver’s side. He gave his mother a quick hug and then joined Kate inside Dee’s truck. “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Kate answered, her tone soft.

“You don’t feel ready.” Ryan grabbed the keys off the floor, where they’d been flung in their haste to leave the previous evening. He started the engine right up, put the truck in gear, and drove around his mom’s truck, turning around on the grass to head back down the prairie road.

“I’m scared. Not of Bracken…well, maybe a little of Bracken. What he’s going to say or think. But mostly I’m worried about what my grandfather might do. He’s bound to be pissed as hell. And if he really broke his alpha bond with one of my cousins, he’s spiraling.”

Ryan reached across the console for her hand. Just the simple brush of his thumb, back and forth across the top of her hand, was enough to soothe her nervous mind. Strength and confidence exuded from him through their connection. He wasn’t worried. Sad, perhaps, but not worried. She felt a new surge of determination. Together, they’d figure out a way for him to move forward with his and Bracken’s plan to unite the pack.

She used the drive as an opportunity to ask him more questions about his pack. The operations, the ranch, and the plans he had to run a big breeding operation in Durant—with Aaron VonBrandt’s help, to grow the ranch into a premier place for rodeo stock. The sadness eased back, and she could feel his excitement when he talked about it.

He managed to avoid any talk of the vacant ranch manager job, pretty deftly, Kate thought, and she had to smile at her mate. The whole Julian thing was behind them, although she still wanted to talk to him again, if only to return the ring and thank him for everything he’d done and let him know she was all right. He’d been so kind. Protected her from her grandparents. If he’d asked Gretchen about her, she’d probably been vague, trying to protect her, and Kate needed Julian to know that what he’d done for her had been important. He was a good man.

The rolling hills and waving golden grass changed slowly to more and more trees as they got closer to Tyler. The sun got brighter on the chilly November morning. She’d started to tense up once they got close, waiting for her grandfather to start digging into her head again. But there’d been nothing. Not even a tiny ping in her temples. Maybe he wasn’t going to come after her? Maybe he believed Christian would still succeed in his mission, and he was waiting for her to show up at home mated to the cowboy? Or maybe he had something worse planned…

“Hey, you’re okay,” Ryan said, his voice soft. He didn’t need to explain what he was reacting to; she knew that he’d picked p on her rush of fear. “We’re together.”

“I know. I’m just worried what my grandfather might be planning. He doesn’t take losing gracefully.”

“It won’t matter what he tries after you’re bonded to Bracken. He won’t be able to hurt you, Kate. Ever again.”

Maybe. She wanted to believe Ryan was right. The El Paso pack had been a heavy weight her whole life. And now…now she was so close to being completely free. If she wasn’t so worried, she’d be giddy over the prospect of switching alpha bonds and joining the Oklahoma pack. She only hoped her other cousins would find a way out of the pack as well. One of them already had, apparently…

She’d find out soon who got out—Gretchen, Helena, Jessa. There were others, but the four of them had made it their mission to get out on this trip. After she got a hold of a phone and had a quiet moment. Right, cause there are so many of those. She wanted to find out what pack they were moving to. How far away would they be? But right now, she needed to get past her crisis.

Ryan turned off the highway and onto a semi-familiar farm road. They drove for miles before he turned again, this time onto a gravel drive. Ryan left the truck in idle, got out to open the gate to the field where they’d parked yesterday. Where she’d changed clothes. Where Ryan had tasted her for the first time. Heat crept into her cheeks at that memory. Apparently Ryan felt her burst of emotion too, because his mouth was curved into a grin when he climbed back into the truck.

“I don’t think we’ll have time for that,” he said, pulling the truck through the gate and parking next to the same little grouping of trees. “I don’t want to take the chance they’ll show up when we’re caught up in the moment.”

Kate pushed up the console between them and scooted closer to Ryan. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her tight. He just held her and they waited and she tried not to worry. It would have been great to relieve some sexual tension, but Ryan was right. The possibility of getting caught was too high. They had no phone, no way to know for sure when the others were coming.

“They’re here,” Ryan nodded toward the rearview mirror after what felt like an eternity of silence. A large black truck, followed by her cousin Will’s familiar red one, pulled through the gate and parked behind them. Bracken and Beau climbed out of the black one; Dee and Will got out of the red one. The pit in the bottom of Kate’s stomach deepened. Her cousin shouldn’t have come. Had grandfather sent him? Had he told Grandfather where they were going?

Ryan got out on his side, but Kate couldn’t move. Her body refused.

“Kate, come on, babe,” Ryan said, holding out his arms. “Please.” He reached inside the truck and grabbed her hand, tugging gently. Then reached with his mind and pulled at her through their connection.

“Will shouldn’t be here,” she finally whispered.

“He’s here with Dee. They’re mates. Bracken wouldn’t have brought him along if he thought there would be a problem.” Ryan turned his head and eyed the approaching group. Nothing triggered suspicion in him. He turned back to her and urged her to him again.

She moved just enough for him to slip his hands around her waist and lower her to the ground. Then he tucked her under his arm possessively and walked them toward the approaching wolves. Bracken was a little ahead of the others. His face stony and more than a little pissed, and no wonder—his plans for the future had been torpedoed. Concern flickered across Dee’s face, and Will’s expression also seemed to reflect worry. Maybe Ryan wasn’t right; maybe he chafed under the Quade leadership too.

Beau just seemed to be along for the ride, sauntering along behind the others like he didn’t have a care in the world. Or at least that’s what he wanted people to think, but Kate could see beyond his devil-may-care façade. He glanced over his shoulder every few moments. He watched the trucks. He watched her. He watched everything, just like a good enforcer should.

“So, mated?” Bracken finally said.

Kate winced, but Ryan’s arm over her shoulders gave her some comfort. And when she felt the emotions coming through their bond, she relaxed a little more. Protective, defensive, certain. Of her.

“Kate is mine now. I’m not going to apologize for that.”

The alpha’s brow wrinkled. “No man should apologize for mating his woman.” There was more emotion behind those words than Kate expected, but Ryan’s uncle surprised her when he looked into her eyes and added, “Kate is family, then, as far as I’m concerned.”

“So much for the five-year plan,” Beau said, from behind the alpha.

To her relief, Ryan chuckled at that comment, instead of feeling guilty. “Man, you’ll learn, when you find your woman. It’s one day at a time.”

She warmed under his words and snuggled against him. “Thank you for doing this,” she said to the man who would be her alpha. “I know this changes everything—”

“Kate. You are a Trewitt now. So get over here.”

She stepped away from Ryan. Away from the solace of his touch. She placed her hands in Bracken’s large palms and cringed. He was doing a decent job of leashing his disappointment, but there were flashes, every once in awhile.

Bracken spoke a spell, and waited. An alpha couldn’t force a pledge on another wolf. This was all on her. Kate repeated the phrase he’d said and then repeated it again. All wolf spells had to be spoken twice. Once for intent. Once for promise. Kate felt the connection shift from her grandfather. A sharp jab of pain shot through her entire body for just a millisecond. Then the magick between her and Bracken settled, along with a peace that she’d never felt before in her entire life.

She was finally free. Her old pack had no hold over her and it never would again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Bracken nodded and took the hands she’d placed in his. “I’m sorry for what he did to you. You’re safe with our pack, Kate. No matter what I think about the rest of the situation, know that you belong to us now and we will protect and care for you.”

She nodded and then he released her back to Ryan. She backed up into her mate’s arms and sighed. Dee and Will and Beau stood back a few yards from Bracken, quiet. Will looked miserable and very much like he wanted to talk to her. Kate glanced up, meeting her mate’s gaze. “I need to tell him goodbye.”

Ryan nodded and released his grip on her shoulder. She crossed the gap to her cousin, walking straight into his arms. He buried his face in her neck and squeezed her tight.

“I’m so sorry, Kate. I didn’t know. Grandfather’s always been a bastard, but I had no idea what he was doing to you. Gods, Kate. I’m so sorry.”

“You have to help change happen, Will. Do you really want him to have that power over your mate?”

Will’s body tensed and he pulled away enough to meet her gaze. “Things will change, Kate. I promise. No matter what it costs.”

She nodded.

The loud rumble of a half dozen diesel engines made them all look at the gate.

Crap on a fucking cracker.