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The sound of the crickets chirping faded as I focused only on her, the scent of a nearby rabbit uninteresting as I searched for her unique fragrance. The beat of her heart filled my eardrums and I could tell she’d taken a shower, and some of my concern disappeared. She was safe and I would insure she stayed that way.

Trent jogged past me, running the perimeter to make sure none of the Hanleys slipped through. The light flicked off in Jess’ room, bringing my attention back to her window. The soft rustle of fabric told me she’d gone to bed and I curled my large frame into a ball as I watched over her.

Minutes later, the sudden jolt of her heart brought me to my feet as I scanned the perimeter of the motel, wondering if someone had broken through. Nothing was disturbed, but her heart continued to race and faintly I heard her chant, “Calm down. It’s a cat. Nothing but a stray cat.”

It dawned on me then that she was scared, the rapid beating of her heart an indicator of her fear. My wolf didn’t like her fear, and needing to move I paced restlessly. My paws raked the ground as her heart sped up, each heavy beat a reminder to us of what she’d been through.

When it became too much, I started to howl, the low sound mournful as I tried to comfort her from a distance. Others joined in, creating a chorus that filled the night sky. After a few minutes, I felt her heartbeat slow, and her breathing deepened, and I knew she slept finally.

Chapter Eight

The next morning, I hurried to take a shower and get dressed for school as Trent kept an eye on Jess for me. So far it had been quiet, but I didn’t hold much hope that it would continue. The Alpha could try and delay the inevitable with a meeting, but I knew the Hanleys would never stop.

Dad had the keys to my Jeep since they planned to take it to the meeting, and I was sure they hoped it would deter me from trying to crash the meeting, but I was more concerned about a Hanley trying something while we were distracted. I had no intention of letting Jess out of my sight while the meeting was taking place.

I hid my surprise as I jogged to the path and saw Caleb and Anna waiting. Caleb smiled when he saw me, nothing in his expression indicating he was upset about the day before, but Anna looked resentful.

“He put a gag order on most of the Pack,” she reported, her quick strides easily keeping pace with ours.

“A gag order?”

“Yeah, not to talk to Jess. We’re not supposed to let the cat out of the bag,” she said sarcastically, making air quotes. “Big, bad Alpha is going to take care of everything.” I lifted my eyebrows but Caleb appeared amused. “Ignorance is not the answer,” Anna burst out passionately. “She deserves to know and now if she asks, I can’t tell her.”

Caleb slung an arm around her shoulders and she tensed in shock. “Don’t worry,” he told her, nodding to me. “I’m pretty sure Dom over there isn’t bound by the Alpha’s order.”

I shook my head, not admitting to anything, but Caleb was right. I’d been able to shrug off the Alpha’s orders for years, a fact I thought I’d hidden. I reminded myself to be more careful as we arrived at the school, and slowed to a more normal human pace.

Anna made a beeline for Jess’s locker as Caleb and I headed for our morning workout in the Field house. Several members of the Pack were absent this morning, leading me to wonder what exactly the Alpha had said.

“Who’s this new friend?” Caleb asked, the question deceptively innocent.

“His name is Trent. I met him while I was at college,” I answered, deciding to keep to the truth when possible.

“He’s here?”

“Yes, he showed up unexpectedly.” I didn’t mention when, figuring it would open another line of questioning.

“You never mentioned him,” Caleb commented, a faint hint of accusation coming though.

“I haven’t seen him in a couple of years. Never thought much of it.”

“You don’t think it’s weird he shows up right when Jess does?”

Now that Caleb mentioned it, it was odd. He was closer to the truth than he realized since Trent had shown up shortly after Jess arrived.

“They don’t know each other,” I stated, trusting Trent completely. He owed me his life and there was the small matter of the Pack bond we shared. It would be difficult if not impossible for him to betray me.

“You trust him?” Caleb questioned, studying me.

“I do,” I answered honestly and he nodded slowly.

“Can I meet him?”

“Yeah,” I said after a surprised minute. “That would be nice.”