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“My dad will call the sheriff and send out a search party.”

“You’re eighteen,” I argued, knowing it wouldn’t sway her.

“Now, my age is acceptable?” She questioned dryly, going into my bathroom to change, but leaving the door cracked so we could talk. “You’re still a teacher and I’m still a student. I can’t stay here.” Her head popped out of the bathroom. “You’ve been keeping an eye on me at the motel. Nothing’s changed.”

“They took you,” I snarled and her eyes widened. “Everything’s changed.”

“And you won’t let it happen again,” she soothed, resting her hand on my chest, right over the mark she’d given me. “I trust you to protect me, Dom. Let me protect my dad.” I grasped her hand, unable to argue when she looked at me with that soft gaze.

“Do not get kidnapped ever again,” I demanded and she lifted her fingers, forming a Scout symbol.

“Scout’s honor. I will never allow myself to be kidnapped again.”

“Fine,” I agreed grudgingly. “YOu need to maintain contact though.”

“Yes, sir,” she projected mentally and I frowned despite being impressed at how quickly she learned to use the link between us.

“You can leave the sir off,” I chided. “Makes me feel even older.”

“Older men are hot,” she informed me with a mental grin. I just glared at her through slitted eyes as she slipped out of the Jeep before I could say anything else.

I stopped by to talk to Trent, and alert him to Sam’s plan. “Hey, thanks for protecting Jess’s Dad,” I told him and he shook his head.

“Glad she’s alright. Chasing the Sheriff off wasn’t nothing,” he replied with a grin. “He wasn’t expecting me, that was for sure.”

“I’m just glad he didn’t get a chance to talk to her Dad.” I sighed and quickly filled him in to Sam’s plan. “Burning sage,” I finished, knowing he’d probably smell it first since he was closer. His nose wrinkled, but he nodded.

“There’s no mistaking that smell,” he muttered and eyed me. “You think it’ll be soon.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it was today,” I answered, surprising him. “They’re growing desperate. They didn’t expect Jess to escape and we didn’t attack them, giving them the advantage. So now they only have one choice.”

“Attack us,” Trent replied and I hesitated. “What is it?”

“They want to attack the Navarre Pack, not you. It’s not your fight,” I said, wanting to give him an out.

“It’s your fight,” he answered. “Which makes it mine. Can we not have this conversation anymore?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m here for the duration. Just make sure your wolves know I’m on your side,” he joked and I nodded.

“I can do that.”

“Go on,” he said. “I’ve got my eye on the place and you’ll be the first to know when I get a whiff of burning sage.”

I left the motel, headed back to the Pack House. I’d already told the Pack about Sam’s information, but left out the part about her escape plan. It didn’t involve coming back onto Pack lands and being under the Alpha’s control once again. If he knew though, he’d do everything he could to lure her back.

Anger surged through me, but it wasn’t mine.

“Are you okay?” I asked Jess, surprised at the level of rage she felt.

“I’m fine,” she reassured me. “My mother is here.” Surprise shot through me, but I didn’t question her as Payne met me outside the Pack House.

“She’s okay?” He asked urgently.

“Jess is fine,” I answered, deliberately misunderstanding him. He grabbed my arm, his gaze burning into mine. I resisted the immediate desire to shake him off, recognizing his desperation. I had Jess back. He’d been missing Sam for years.

“As far as I know,” I relented and his shoulders sagged. “She’s going to signal us when they plan to attack.”

“I want to fight,” he said immediately and I shook my head. “You can’t stop me.”

“I don’t intend to. It’s your father,” I retorted. “Convince him.”

“What’s her plan?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I denied instantly and he shot me a disgruntled glance.

“You may have forgotten, but I know your sister. She’s leaving them. Their attack is the distraction she needs. I wouldn’t put it past her to have planted the entire idea of attacking the Navarre Pack.”

I’d had the same thought, but it showed how well Payne knew Sam that he’s figured it out. “She has a son,” I informed him and something indecipherable flashed behind his eyes. “She’s going to protect him.” My jaw worked. “Leaving them doesn’t mean she’s coming back here.” My gaze flickered to the Pack House where the Alpha waited and Payne followed my gaze. He nodded.

“I just want her to be happy,” he said quietly. “That’s all I ever wanted.”

“Then let her go,” I replied, walking off, but I still heard him murmur, “That was my first mistake.”

Heat flashed across my face, the pain an echo of the real thing and I shouted, “Jess,” over our link.