But what if she and Bram had needed Shane to complete their bond?
She pushed that thought from her head as soon as it showed up. She couldn’t focus on that, not when the rest of her reeled, and there were far greater threats going on in the outside world. She couldn’t be selfish and spend all her time worrying about her mating.
And yet…something had shifted once more.
Once she was able to breathe again, she would find the two men who had altered her reality and figure out what to do. But for now, she did the only thing she could think of when her mind was too full.
She ran.
Chapter Five
“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?” A growl.
“I can’t. Not yet. She’s not ready.” A clench of fists.
“And me? Don’t I have a right to know why you two do what you do to me? And why she’s so scared of whatever it is?”
“I’ll tell you. I promise. But I need to make sure she’s okay.”
A pause. “Good. Because I think she needs more than she’s saying.”
Bram shook his head, pushing out the conversation he’d had with Shane the day before. Or at least, trying to. The idea that Shane could know so much about what Charlotte needed, even if he couldn’t quite articulate it, should have grated on Bram, but instead, it just pushed him further toward a conclusion he wasn’t sure anyone was ready for.
His wolf wanted Charlotte and Shane. While others would find themselves in a position where they would have to make a decision about which to choose, Bram wasn’t sure that was the case for them. They each had a push, a connection to the other two, and that meant there was more going on than a simple case of two potential mates in one place. There would be no mating circle this time.
They could be a true triad.
Claws dug gently at his side, and he cursed, rolling to the ground to get out of the way of another swipe. He quickly got to his feet and growled.
Quinn, his fellow enforcer, shook his head. “Get your mind in the game, man. You’re lucky I was pulling my punches just then, or I could have seriously hurt you. You don’t want me to have to pull in the Healer during training, do you?”
Bram shook his head and sighed. “Sorry. I won’t let that happen again.”
Quinn studied him, the two of them paused during their fight while the others continued their practice around them. They were on Redwood Pack land now, half of the enforcers from Bram’s Pack and half of the lieutenants from the Talon Pack had come to train together. They alternated who trained and which den they were at not only to keep them on their toes but also to make sure they kept up the border patrols and ensured that their Alphas were safe. They hadn’t always fought together like this, as one, sharing so many secrets; however, when they had formed an alliance thirty years ago, they had slowly started trusting each other more and more. It had taken Quinn and Gina mating over fifteen years ago for the two Packs to truly fall into their treaty, and with each subsequent mating across boundaries, their Packs were becoming woven together as one larger unit.
Though their bonds would always be with their respective Alphas, some Redwoods lived on Talon land and vice versa if their talents were able to help out the other den more than their own. That had never been an option for Bram as he had always known with the strength of his wolf that he’d be an Alpha’s enforcer, but he liked the idea that their world was just that much bigger at a time of so much unrest.
“You’re in your head again,” Quinn snapped, pulling Bram from his thoughts. “What the hell is going on with you?”
Bram just gave Quinn a look. As a former Talon Pack member, Quinn was up to date on just who was currently in the Talon infirmary. While it wasn’t a secret between the two Packs, Quinn had grown up with the Brentwoods, and therefore knew things before a lot of the Redwood population.
Quinn sighed. “How am I supposed to know if that’s what you’re really thinking? I mean, seriously, Bram, you’re so closed off sometimes, I never know what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“While I usually don’t shut up,” Max Brentwood, the Talon Alpha’s cousin and new lieutenant said with a smile. The wolf was always smiling it seemed, even in times of danger. Bram didn’t understand it.
Quinn smiled widely when Max strolled up to him. Like Bram and Quinn, Max was shirtless, sweaty, and had a few nicks and cuts from claws. They fought with claws out, but only when they weren’t punching as hard as they could in a true attack. When they were trying to increase their form, they kept claws in and fought that way, as well. While they could use weapons and any number of things thanks to technology, they were stronger and faster using their own gifts. So they learned how to shoot, and how to use military strategy, but they would always be wolves and Pack first.
“You don’t shut up,” Quinn agreed. “I’m not sure how your family can stand you since most of them are so growly they make a bear with a thorn in its paw look happy.”
At that, Bram cracked a smile. It was true that many of the Brentwoods weren’t the…cheeriest of wolves, but he couldn’t blame them considering what they’d lived through before they’d eventually taken over the Pack from the older generation that had threatened everyone’s lives.
“They can’t help but love me,” Max said with another grin. “And I know I was eavesdropping, but we’re all wolves here, so it’s not like we can help but listen.” He winked, and Bram had to roll his eyes. If Bram didn’t know any better, he would have thought Max was the Omega of the Talon Pack, not Brandon. You just couldn’t quite stay angry or upset around the other wolf.
“It’s fine,” Bram bit out, though not angrily. While the other wolves had been listening, he and Quinn hadn’t been using specifics. While some might know parts of the story, he didn’t want anyone to know the full extent of it except for the three people who mattered. Thankfully, those who knew more than others were giving the three of them space. For now, at least.
“You’re not, but I get it,” Max put in. “And I know you’re going to hate what I say next, but you might have to actually do something you hate in order to fix the situation.”
“And what is that?”
“Talk to them.” Max shrugged, and Quinn let out a snort.
Bram glared at the two of them. “I talk.” Just not as much as others. Namely Max.
“When you need to, yeah,” Quinn put in. “But we’re not talking about the fact that you have this broody and silent vibe going on. I know you don’t like speaking about what’s going on in that head of yours, but you’re going to need to if you are going to figure this out. Believe me, man, I messed up before and almost lost it all when I didn’t say what I needed to say.”
They were oh so careful not to actually mention what was going on, and Bram was grateful for that, but he didn’t need to talk to these two about what was going on in his head. That would be for Charlotte, and even Shane, once he got to know the other guy more.
“Let’s get back to training,” Bram said finally.
The others shared a look but nodded. “Two on one?” Quinn asked.
That seemed to be the theme of his life recently. Bram raised a brow and grinned. “Deal.”
Max and Quinn each pounced then, their claws tucked in, meaning they were going to fight with full force. Game on.
Bram ducked and kicked, his fist shooting out and connecting to Max’s jaw even as he rolled out of the way of Quinn’s punch. While the other two were very, very strong wolves, Bram was that much stronger. He still couldn’t win this fight without either cheating a bit or getting help from another. In a real fight, he’d cheat like hell because it was life or death, but right then, he just needed to hone his skills. Max was one fast wolf, but Bram knew one wolf who was even faster.
And he could scent her coming his way.
The other enforcers and lieutenants had already dispersed, their training over for the day. While a couple lingered to watch the fight, the others left, having already seen it before. Bram enjo
yed grappling with these two and did it as often as he could. They each had different strengths, and training with them helped Bram immensely.
But that scent was coming closer, and he and his wolf wanted nothing more to do with Max and Quinn. They wanted Charlotte and everything she brought with her.
With one last kick to Quinn’s thigh, Bram held up his hands and called it a day. Max gave Bram a knowing grin and headed off with Quinn to get some water. Bram had needed that bout, but his wolf was still on edge, far too close to the surface to be near Charlotte.
When she came up to him, a tentative smile on her face, he was lost. She’d always had shadows in her eyes, even before he’d truly gotten to know her when they were children, and then later young adults who had become best friends. He supposed that anyone who went through what she had gone through would end up a little scarred and full of shadows. Her family had done so much to heal that, but he wasn’t sure anyone would be able to fully escape the past that haunted her. And even if she could, he was pretty sure she was the one who would have to do it, not those who loved her.
When he and Charlotte had found out they were potential mates and then found out the bond hadn’t worked, he’d put even more shadows in her eyes. He hated himself for that, but now he had a small inkling of hope, something he didn’t normally have. If Shane were theirs, that meant there was a chance the bond would take this time. Maybe some of the darkness that wrapped itself around her would fade away.
Maybe this human that wasn’t so human anymore would be the light to their dark.
But they couldn’t do anything until they talked it out, and he wasn’t sure any of them were ready for that.
Charlotte came to his side, a water bottle in one hand and a towel in the other. She had a cross-body bag strapped over her, and she’d pulled her hair back into a loose braid that hung over one shoulder.
“You guys looked like you were having fun out there,” she said as she handed him the water.
He took it from her and their fingers brushed, sending shivers over his skin and a slight gasp escaping from her mouth. He drank the water down quickly, needing something for his mouth to do other than ravage her right then. His wolf pushed at him, and he barely held it together. If he weren’t careful, he’d push aside the idea that they needed to talk or that they needed time, and his wolf would take over. He’d end up taking her right then and there on the grass for anyone to see, marking her as his and rutting like a damn animal.
He had more control than that. Barely, it seemed.
When Charlotte moved forward and kissed his cheek, he sucked in a breath. His wolf clawed at him, beyond tired of waiting for what was theirs. The mating heat had turned into a frenzy long ago, and now he wasn’t sure he could handle her being so close to him. He took a step back and called himself all kinds of fool for putting that hurt look on her face.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sweaty,” he tried to explain. Not a lie, but not the truth either.
She pressed her lips together and calmly handed him the towel. He was surprised she didn’t throw it at him as he deserved.
“I’m headed to the Talons to see Shane.” At the sound of the other man’s name on her lips, his wolf bucked him again, wanting them both. Any other situation would have lead to jealousy, but as always, Bram and Charlotte—now Shane, as well—were a special case.
She rolled her shoulders and tugged at her braid, clearly nervous at his reaction. Since he hadn’t said anything, she continued. “He says he really wants to help with what he knows, but he’s having trouble keeping it together long enough to do anything. He seemed…better the last time I saw him, but that could have just been because I was there.” She sighed. “I just don’t know.”
Bram ran the towel over his face and drank the last of the water. “Let me go take a shower and I’ll go with you.”
She rolled her eyes. He sort of loved it when she did that. “I can do this on my own, you know. I’m a big girl.”
“I’m going with you,” he growled, his wolf once again pushing him. Maybe if he took a quick cold shower and took himself in hand, he’d keep his wolf at bay for just a bit longer. He couldn’t keep going like this.
“Fine,” she said after a moment.
“Come with me.”
Her brows rose. “You want me to take a shower with you?”
He held back a groan and the image of her in the shower with him, all slick and wet and his. “I meant come with me to the house…but next time…” He paused. His voice was low, a mere growl when he spoke next. “Next time, I want you with me.”
Her eyes darkened, and she licked her lips. He imagined that mouth wrapped around his cock. “But we should talk about what all of this means first.” Her voice was a raspy breath, and he licked his own lips.
“We will.” He cleared his throat. “You’re in a hurry, so let’s get moving.”
The abrupt change in his tone caught both of them off guard. “Lead the way,” she said, her voice cool.
He took the quickest shower of his life, and because he knew she was right outside his bathroom door, sitting on his bed while he was in there, he didn’t rub one off. So now he was clean but rock-hard. From the scent coming off her, though, he knew he wasn’t alone in his need. One day, he prayed they wouldn’t be in a constant state of arousal. It was killing him day by day.
They spoke only of Pack matters in the car, both careful to keep their distance. He hated what had become of them, but maybe things would change soon. He could only hope, even if something like this had never been on his radar. When they reached the Talon den, Max greeted them.
“I heard you were coming,” Max said. “I figured I’d walk with you to the infirmary before I go meet with Gideon.”
Bram narrowed his eyes. “We need armed guards now?”
Max rolled his eyes and leaned forward to kiss Charlotte on the cheek in hello. Bram let out a low growl. Instead of looking worried, though, the other man just shrugged before pulling away.
“No need for guards. I just thought I’d come say hello.”
“Well, thank you,” Charlotte said with a snort. However, Bram noticed she didn’t lean toward Max. In fact, she did her best to not go near him at all. Apparently, Bram hadn’t been able to hide from her how close to the surface his wolf truly was. She was acting like someone who knew what she was doing around very dominant wolves in a temper.
It shouldn’t surprise him, and yet he was slightly ashamed he didn’t have better control.
They walked in easy silence as they made their way to the infirmary. The Talon den was much like the Redwoods’ since the two dens were situated within the same National Park, just on different ends of it. They used the natural landscape as not only protection but also as guidelines for where they built homes and other buildings.
Max began asking Charlotte a bit about council matters since Max was not only a lieutenant but also on the ruling Redwood and Talon council that had been put together a couple of decades ago. Charlotte wasn’t a member, but much of her family was, and he was pretty sure she was in consideration for taking over one of the former Redwood’s roles. As the original council had been made up of people who were now mated within the Packs, it constantly shifted around to make sure the needs of the Packs were met.
When they reached the infirmary, Max said goodbye before trotting off. The man was always in constant motion, and Bram could never understand it.
“I wonder why Shane is still here,” Charlotte said softly.
Bram frowned at her. “What do you mean? He’s a Talon now. Of course, he’s in the Talon den.”
She shook her head. “No, in the infirmary. He’s physically healthy, if a little bruised. He shouldn’t need the Healer as long as he keeps on the path he has been. And you and I are here to help him. I just don’t understand.”
Now that she mentioned it, he was a little confused, as well. The Healer’s home was usually attached to the clinic or infirmary, and generally only housed w
olves who truly needed medical care. Shane didn’t exactly fall into that category, and if they were trying to make him feel welcome, cutting him off from the others didn’t seem the way to do it.
“We’ll ask Walker when we get in there,” he said after a moment.
“Ask Walker what?” the Talon Healer asked as Charlotte and Bram passed his office. With so many wolves around, it was truly hard to pick out scents if you weren’t trying, and Walker had even gone so far as to pad his office so it was hard to hear conversations. That made sense, as privacy was vital in Walker’s line of work.
Bram inhaled then, now aware that there was one more scent in Walker’s office.
Shane.
The other man was dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt along with work boots and a belt, but he didn’t look happy to be out of sweats or scrubs.
“We were just wondering why Shane is here rather than somewhere else,” Charlotte answered. She looked around Walker’s large body and gave Shane a smile. “Hi, sorry to talk like you’re not here. The question popped into my mind when we walked inside.”
Shane had been sitting when they’d arrived, but at her voice, he stood, his body long, built, and hard. Bram pushed at his wolf once more. With Charlotte and Shane near, he was going to test his control more now than any time before.
“Walker will have to answer that,” Shane said, his voice low.
Bram met Walker’s gaze, and the other man gave him a pained expression. “Is there a reason he’s being confined here? You asked Charlotte and me to come here to help him, and you want what he can give you, but what are you giving him? He’s Pack, Walker.”
Shane let out a small growl, seeming to surprise himself. Bram couldn’t blame the man. He had enough issues with his wolf, and he’d been born one, not changed like Shane. And the fact that Shane wasn’t truly changed just made it that much harder for the other man. They didn’t know what Shane exactly was, and with each passing day, they seemed to have more questions than answers.
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