Page 56

“I don’t know. Can I?” He questioned and she shot up.

“Do not turn this around on me,” she threatened and he held up his hands. She had to look up at him since he’d topped six feet at some point while I’d been gone and he still wasn’t finished growing. His auburn hair glowed in the sunlight and even with the youthful planes of his face we could see the man he would become. “You don’t even know her.”

“That’s not how this works,” he reminded her tiredly. “I heard her in my head. You know that’s an indication of a mate bond.”

“But she’s a witch,” I pointed out. “Which means Paige can project her voice. I hear her too.”

Monster’s gaze snapped to mine and there was no mistaking his hostility. “She’s mine,” he growled possessively, stepping forward as his eyes glittered with challenge. Dylan was next to him in an instant and I tensed automatically. “You can’t have her.”

“I don’t want her,” I replied, holding his gaze. “I want Dru.” I narrowed my eyes. “Paige isn’t a toy to be fought over,” I warned him. “She’s an amazing woman and if you want to claim her, then you better make sure you deserve her.”

He deflated, all the bluster leaving him in a rush as he dropped his gaze. “She’s….important. I can feel it, but I don’t understand it.” He lifted his shoulder. “I feel this need to protect her.”

Dom exhaled loudly as Jess frowned. “Dad’s going to be pissed,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Of course he and Wren had to take the kids to Disneyland this week.” She wagged her finger at Monster. “You still can’t go though.”

“She’s right,” I interjected before he started arguing. “We need to let Gregory go and talk to Mildred.” I recognized the stubborn set of his jaw since it matched my own. “I understand how you feel.” He didn’t look convinced so I opened my connection to the Pack and let my emotions flood through it, not holding back the agony of having to break the mate bond or the clawing need to be with Dru.

He hit the ground as Dom doubled over and still I didn’t stop it, letting those emotions flow out, but I was careful not to flood the entire Pack. Jess gripped Dom’s arm, her expression panicked. “What’s going on?” she screamed, telling me Dom must have blocked her so she wouldn’t feel it. My gaze locked with Monster as Dylan whimpered next to him. It was almost cruel, but when he mouthed, “Stop,” I did.

Dom slowly straightened and Dylan helped Monster to his feet. “You okay?” Monster asked Dylan, patting his shoulder and he nodded.

“I didn’t let him feel it,” I told Monster. “He’s upset because you were.” I shot a glance at Dom. “Sorry. I couldn’t stop you from getting blasted.”

Dom nodded, hooking his arm around Jess when she started for me. “Don’t. He’s been through enough,” Dom ordered and Jess froze, staring up at him in surprise. “I’m sorry, Caleb. I didn’t know. I couldn’t even begin to imagine.” Lines bracketed his mouth as he swallowed. “Come on. I feel the need to hold you,” he told Jess, squeezing her hard enough to make her eyes widen. “Monster, you understand now?” Monster nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Good.” He glanced at Gregory. “Be careful.”

Gregory nodded silently as Dom escorted Jess away, his arm still wrapped around her tightly. “We’ll fix this,” Gregory promised me and I nodded, not entirely sure how, but unable to contemplate failure. “Anna, do you release me?”

She nodded, her eyes red, but she didn’t allow her emotions to escape as she rested her hand on his shoulder. “Gregory, you are released from this Pack. Free to roam and join another Pack. You will be missed.” I could see when she broke the connection because Gregory winced, and I knew the echoing emptiness he must be feeling.

“Thank you,” I murmured, appreciating the sacrifice he was making.

“Thank you,” he replied, surprising me. His mouth curved. “You’ve given me the chance to fix something I’d long given up on.” He inhaled, his smile widening as he looked north. “Even this old dog can learn something new.”

“Good luck,” I offered, holding out my hand and he took it.

“I’ll see you soon,” he answered, blowing out a breath as he chuckled. “Feels funny not having the Pack link.”

“You’re not alone,” I stated and he nodded to us before heading to the edge of the forest, casting his cane aside as he shifted into his wolf and disappeared into the tree line.

“I need to go talk to,” Anna waved her hand, “People.” She leaned against Trent whose expression was hard to decipher. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead and Trent looked straight at me and this time there was no mistaking the blame in his gaze.