Hence the lack of sleep.
Brynn had agreed to breakfast, and that had to be a step in the right direction. Whatever that direction was, he didn’t know, but at least she wasn’t looking at him like she wanted to kill him.
She sat across from him outside of the morning café, her hands wrapped around her coffee cup. She hadn’t said much to him, but since they were in public, she hadn’t snarled or snapped at him either.
“Need a refill?” he asked, nodding toward her cup. She looked up at him, her eyes shifting back and forth across their surroundings.
Things had been tense since they’d gotten there—even more so than usual. It wasn’t even about them at that point, though he knew that problem was still there, lurking under the surface, ready to burst out at any moment and threaten them both. Yet through all of that, it was the feeling of something coming, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on that had him sitting a little stiffer than usual.
“I’m okay. Thanks.” She let out a breath. “Something’s weird. Isn’t it?”
He snorted, and she rolled her eyes. Damn, he didn’t think she could do something as simple as that—not around him. He liked it. Liked knowing she had something other than a snarl for him.
“I meant sitting right here, together, out in the open. The news had the accident on their broadcast, so even though we’re not in a small town, people have probably recognized us at this point. But, it’s not even that…”
He frowned. “I know what you mean. There’s something in the air, something coming.”
She shivered, and he held back the need to do the same. “I don’t like this feeling.”
“I’m with you there.”
She let out a breath then stood up, setting her coffee cup down on the table. “I need to use the restroom. Keep an eye out because I know we’re not safe. And if both of us are on edge because we have a feeling about something? I’d rather be careful that not.”
He nodded, running a hand along his chin. He needed a shave but had been too out of it to deal with grooming that morning. “Be alert. Someone tried to come at us yesterday.” He could still hear the mother’s scream, and wasn’t sure he’d be getting that out of his head any time soon.
She met his gaze, an emotion he couldn’t place flashing over her eyes in a bare instant. “I know.” Her voice lowered. “I remember, Finn. I remember what you did to save that little girl yesterday. And I’m pretty sure the humans looking as us right now remember, as well. That’s not something you forget.” She rolled her shoulders back. “Try not to get hit by a car while I’m gone.”
He raised a brow at her tone. “I’ll do my best,” he said dryly.
He watched her walk away because how could he not? She filled out a pair of jeans nicely, the denim clinging to her curves much like he wanted to. He might be on alert and his senses on their surroundings, but he was still a man, still a wolf.
He wanted Brynn Brentwood, and still had no idea what to do about it.
A little girl looked at him from the table across the way, her eyes wide. Her father tugged on her pigtail, his eyes glaring at Finn, and the little girl turned her attention back to her meal.
At least they didn’t get up and walk away because they realized they were eating next to wolves. That had to be some progress.
But it wasn’t enough. They were only a small cog in the process of what it would take to be free and out in the open.
His phone buzzed and he pulled it out, answering when he saw his cousin Parker’s name light up on the screen. Parker was North and Lexi’s son, though not a Jamenson by birth as he’d been adopted in years ago. His older cousin was the Voice of the Redwoods, the wolf that could easily move from Pack to Pack and try to broker treaties. When the former Talon Alpha had shown the world that the wolves existed, it wasn’t merely the Talons or the Redwoods that had been shoved out into the open. The entire world had been cracked to the point that long-held secrets were just now slithering out.
The government had known about many of the Packs before the Unveiling. There was no way around that, not in the technological age they lived in. But the right people had known for a time, and wolves had been secretly in some power positions. Those wolves were still hidden from the humans, their other halves buried deep.
But not everyone had a choice when it came to being out in public with what they truly were.
And Parker’s job for over a decade now had been to work with the Redwood and Talon council and go to other Packs in person to ensure that every wolf was on the same page. It was an impossible task with so many dominant wolves and personalities, but Parker had a way about him that made it somewhat work.
Treaties and plans for the future could be done by phone and screen, but with many of the Alpha wolves far older than the world they lived in, face to face meetings were the only way to accomplish that. Parker had a duty to his Pack and to all the Packs, and Finn thought his cousin was damn good at it.
“Parker,” he said when he answered, his attention mostly on his surroundings. His wolf was at the surface, on edge, but it was nothing new these days.
“Hey, Finn,” Parker said, his deep voice holding a hint of a laugh. Parker had been through shit during the early years of his life, but he always held a smile and a laugh for those close to him.
“What are you up to? Calling just to shoot the shit?” He hoped so. He hoped that Parker’s duty was on the right path and he had the time to just talk to his family. Because Finn honestly didn’t want to deal with any new issues right then. He had enough on his plate with the Pack, the humans, and, of course, Brynn. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t drop everything to help Parker. Because he would. The man was family, maybe not blood, but family.
“I’m just checking in,” Parker answered. “It’s been awhile since I’ve called, and I wanted to know how things were going. Brynn slice your balls off yet?”
Finn didn’t want to think about Brynn and his balls, not when he had to act normal and still talk with Parker. His wolf remained silent through it all, making Finn want to scream. Why couldn’t his wolf want her? Why couldn’t his wolf act like a normal shifter and push him when it mattered?
“My balls are just fine, thanks for your concern,” he said dryly. He put thoughts of his wolf and what it wouldn’t do out of his mind.
“Good to know.” Parker sighed. “I heard about the car coming after you. I’m glad you saved the girl, by the way. Jesus, what are these humans thinking? They almost killed one of their own in their blind hatred of us.”
“You said it yourself right then, Park. They aren’t thinking. They’re blind when it comes to anything other than their purpose. What that purpose exactly is? I don’t know. Were they coming after Brynn and me because of who we are in terms of being shifters? Was it random that they found us? Or is it because Brynn and I are out in public more than others, and it would have been a better symbol to hurt us?” He held back a growl at the thought of Brynn being hurt. She might be fucking strong as hell and fully capable of handling herself, but damn it, he couldn’t see her hurt.
Parker growled, as well. “I don’t fucking know, and that’s what makes this so dangerous. We don’t know what the next step is. And I’m afraid we won’t know until something serious happens and people get hurt.”
That was what Finn was afraid of, as well. Because they didn’t know what the others were thinking. It didn’t matter that they’d done their best to protect their dens from the inevitable fallout. It didn’t matter that they’d put people in key positions for the worst.
They couldn’t get into the minds of the humans who hated them—or were merely uncertain of them. Their lives rested on the morals of a set of humans he couldn’t understand, and that didn’t sit well on his shoulders. The wolf in him wanted to howl, wanted to protect all in his care. Finn relished that, however, because it meant his wolf was actually listening.
That had to be something these days.
“I hate that most of u
s are hiding,” Parker mumbled.
“Is it bad out there?” Finn asked. He honestly didn’t know much about the other Packs. Most shifters were secretive for a reason.
“It’s not great,” Parker hedged. His cousin knew when to keep things close to the vest, especially since it was never safe for a wolf to be out in the open as he was within so many other Packs. “Listen, I have to go. I only wanted to call and make sure you were okay, really. I’ll come home soon to check in. Mom and Dad miss me.”
Finn grinned at that. “We all do, cousin. Be safe.”
“I will. And watch your back, Finn. I don’t have a good feeling.”
Finn sat up straighter at the echo of his earlier conversation with Brynn. There was something on the wind, something the moon goddess wanted to tell them. The moon goddess didn’t speak directly to most of them. In fact, Finn only knew of his aunt Lexi, Parker’s mother, and Lexi’s brother Logan who had heard the moon goddess in his lifetime. However, though the moon goddess didn’t speak to them directly, they still got feelings over time. With so many of them feeling it, Finn knew it wasn’t just happenstance.
Something was coming.
Only Finn was afraid they wouldn’t know what it was until it was too late.
He spoke to Parker for a few more minutes before hanging up. As soon as he did, Brynn walked toward the table and sat down. He raised a brow. “Were you waiting for me to finish my call?”
She shrugged, her attention on their surroundings. “I could hear most of it since, hello, wolf, but I tried to give you some semblance of privacy.”
He ran a hand over his face. “Thanks. Parker is making inroads, or at least I think so. He doesn’t talk about it much.”
Brynn met his gaze, a frown on her face. “I don’t know much about what he does because he’s not Pack. But I know he’s doing it for all Packs, not only the Redwoods. For that, I will help him whenever he needs it.”
Pride filled him at Brynn’s words. She was just so fucking strong—and smart. And loyal. And just a phenomenal wolf.
Not that he could tell her that.
Brynn frowned over his shoulder and he turned to see what she was looking at. “Isn’t that Franklin? And, Seth. Right? He’s one of yours if I recall.”
Finn narrowed his eyes at the two wolves walking down the street talking and laughing as if they hadn’t a care in the world. It did his heart good to see it. Two wolves from different Packs, looking like they were actually enjoying themselves. And from the subtle touches, he had a feeling they were well into their own courting and mating dance. “Yeah, he’s one of mine. Franklin’s yours, right?”
“Yeah,” she answered, her voice tense. “I didn’t know they’d be outside the den today.”
He looked back at Brynn. “They aren’t locked inside, Brynn. They need some semblance of freedom wherever they can take it.”
She let out an audible breath. “I know, but—” She was up out of her chair before she’d finished her sentence, and Finn was right on her tail. He didn’t see what she had, but he followed, trusting her instincts implicitly.
A car sped toward Franklin and Seth, its window sliding down as it neared the two. The glint of sun on metal caught his eye and he growled. Finn lowered his head and put his wolf into his speed, trying to catch up to the two men before something bad happened.
“Franklin! Seth! Down!” Brynn called as she ran.
But it was too late.
The two wolves tried to move out of the way, but the bullets sprayed, hitting them over and over until they fell to their knees, blood pooling around their bodies. The car sped off, the screech of tires echoing in Finn’s ears. He howled as he went to follow the car, trying to look at who was in it, but it sped away, far too fast for him.
His wolf wanted to follow anyway. It needed blood. Needed vengeance.
“Finn! I need you.”
He froze at Brynn’s shaky words.
I need you.
Finn ran back to her, aware of people screaming, calling for ambulances, scared out of their minds.
Brynn knelt between the two men, her eyes wolf, her shoulders tense. She had one hand over Franklin’s chest, the other on Seth’s abdomen. “I need you, Finn.”
He knelt in front of her. “I’m here. What do you need me to do?”
She met his gaze, her jaw tight. “Help your wolf, I’ll help mine. Your bonds to him should keep him alive.” Her voice broke, but she did not cry. So fucking strong. “I don’t have the same bonds as you, but I’ll do my best.” Both men were unconscious, their hands reaching out to one another as if they’d fallen and tried for each other, only to come up short.
His heart broke, but he couldn’t think about that. Not yet. Not when his wolf and one of Brynn’s wolves lay dying on a street corner because people didn’t understand the love of two men, two wolves, two people so unlike the true monsters who’d done this.
He nodded quickly, pulling out his phone to call his Alpha even as he placed his hand over Brynn’s. She shook under his touch before removing her blood-slicked hand from his and moving it to her fallen Pack member. He put the phone on his shoulder as it connected to his father, keeping both hands on Seth’s wounds.
He wasn’t a Healer, but damn it, this didn’t look good. Wolves could heal quickly and get up after a lot of injuries, but so many bullets in a short time was stretching it, even for a wolf as strong as Finn.
Seth and Franklin weren’t as strong as him.
“Finn.” His Alpha’s voice soothed Finn’s wolf slightly. “I felt the pain along the bonds. I’m sending out Hannah, Mark, and Josh. Don’t let the humans take them to their hospital. Our people are two minutes out from you. Keep them alive, Finn. Use the bonds.”
“And the Talons?” he gritted out, pushing his power toward Seth. The heat from his wolf shoved down the bond and into Seth’s heart. The fallen Redwood sucked in a breath and Finn wanted to shout. Thank the goddess. “Brynn doesn’t have the same bonds.”
Kade cursed. “Jasper is calling Walker to our den now. It’s faster to get everyone here and out of the way of human eyes. Do your best to keep that wolf alive. You hear me? You might not be his Heir, but you’re fucking strong. Keep our people alive, Finn.”
Finn let the phone fall to the pavement when Kade ended the call. “Brynn?”
“I heard,” she gritted out. “I’ll do what I can. But Finn?”
“I know.” He growled low and the humans that had come closer backed away slowly. So much for looking innocent and calm. But there was only so much he could take before the dam broke and the need to protect what was his overtook everything else.
Another vehicle stopped in front of them, the tires screeching again. Finn looked up, growling, ready to kill anyone who dared come at him. He scented Hannah and Josh as they jumped out of the van and he relaxed somewhat. Mark followed them, his younger brother and new Healer holding his chin high.
“Get them in the van,” Josh barked out. He wasn’t a wolf, but mated into the Pack, yet Finn listened to the order and didn’t hesitate.
Finn picked up Seth, cradling him close. Thankfully, the man was out cold because moving him like this was going to hurt like hell. But they didn’t have a choice when it came to the health and safety of what was theirs. It would look odd to humans, but they’d deal with that later. Hannah had her arms out, Healing as she walked beside Finn. She murmured under her breath, her hands shaking as she did.
Mark went to Brynn’s side as she lifted Franklin. It looked awkward, but she had a wolf’s strength. Finn lifted Seth into the back of the van and stepped in behind him and Hannah.
Mark got in with Franklin, his eyes narrowed. “I can’t Heal him directly but I can do some. Plus, North and Noah trained me.” That meant Mark not only could use his connection to the moon goddess to help, but he was also a medic. Brynn seemed to understand that Franklin would be in the best hands possible and stepped back.
“I’ll ride up front with Josh and call my cont
acts.” She met Finn’s gaze. “This isn’t over.”
He shook his head, and she slammed the van doors.
It wasn’t over by a long shot. But with the blood of his Pack on his hands, he didn’t know what they’d do next.
Blood has been spilled.
He prayed a true war hadn’t begun.
****
Brynn washed the blood off her hands, knowing she’d forever remember the scent of Franklin’s blood on her skin. The fact that it had been mixed with Seth’s only made the pain worse.
Franklin had died because she wasn’t strong enough.
She wasn’t bonded to the Pack like those who were true powers were. If she’d been almost anyone else in her family, Franklin would have stood a chance. But she wasn’t. Franklin had died with her hands on his heart, doing her best to use her wolf to save him.
But it hadn’t worked.
She’d been too far from her den, too far from her Healer to save him.
Mark and Hannah had done their best to save Franklin, but her wolf had died before they’d even made it to the Redwood den where Walker had rushed to meet them.
Her wolf had died, and there was nothing she could have done.
Nothing.
Seth would live only because Finn had used most of his energy to push life into Seth’s body. Without Finn, Seth would have died, as well.
There were only so many bullets a body could take before it gave out.
No one blamed her for what had happened, but she couldn’t help but blame herself. Seth would wake knowing the man he’d been on his way to mating would never wake with him. Seth would never have a future with the man he’d fallen in love with. The two had apparently been waiting to seal the bond until after they’d talked to the two Alphas. They had wanted permission, though they never would have needed it. They would have been one of the many new inter-Pack matings that would have strengthened the bonds between the Packs. Perhaps if they had been bonded, they would have been able to use each other to live. Perhaps if they had been bonded, Finn could have saved them both.
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