Page 17

“True.”

Tracy’s mate approached, and he turned to greet Mitchell with a warm smile. Mitchell’s furrowed brow and down-turned lips mirrored his deep concern. Peterson felt a deep sympathy for the human. Shifters hadn’t exactly been on their best behavior, and he knew Mitchell was worried about the move. They would be traveling a good distance to a new area, where the humans had never set foot before.

The near attack on the humans left them all feeling tense and on high alert. Considering what happened to Ella, he couldn’t fault the humans for their wariness. Thankfully, Ty and Tracy had their aunt’s unwavering support to rely on. Determined to weed out those responsible for the recent attacks on Tracy and Mitchell, Michaela convinced congress to loosen their tight purse strings.

Although he hadn’t visited the newly constructed settlement, he had familiarized himself with the blueprints. He almost felt sorry for any idiots who thought they could help themselves to a human. The presence of the military or full-time security at the compound ensured that unauthorized entry was virtually impossible. He suspected that Michaela wouldn’t hesitate about overseeing the consequences of any intruders who tried to slip through. She had done that once or twice, and it was the reason she became a fabulously successful president. She was extremely charming—until you riled the grizzly in her.

Once that happened, a shifter would be lucky to keep their head attached to the rest of their body, he mused.

“Tracy was telling us that the new compound is ready and that the transfers will start at the end of the week,” he said.

Mitchell shot him a brief smile. “Yes. I’ve already informed the elders. They are spreading the word to the others.”

Tracy leaned back against Mitchell, feeling the warmth of his body as he wound his arm around her waist. Tilting her head back, she peered up at him with eyes filled with curiosity. Mitchell leaned down, his lips gently meeting hers in a tender kiss.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice soft with concern.

He shook his head. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Tracy lifted an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. A grimace crossed Mitchell’s face as he shot a pointed glance over the two wolves’ shoulders. He was on the verge of asking if they needed some space when the air suddenly became filled with the clamor of angry voices.

Van’s body tensed up beside him. He followed Van’s gaze and saw what had caught his attention. Peterson drank in the sight of Jayden taking in every detail of their appearance. Whatever had upset her, she was fired up, her face was frozen into a mask of defiance that reminded him of the beautiful sculptures he had seen in the museums.

“She’s beautiful,” he breathed.

Mitchell’s gaze followed theirs, and he grimaced again. “Jayden? She’s a pain in my ass.”

Van’s brows furrowed in a frown, while Tracy let out a deep, weary sigh. Rand’s face contorted with anger as he vigorously waved his hands at Jayden. Beside him, tears streamed down Jayden’s mother’s cheeks, her low sobs punctuating Rand’s fury with his daughter. Despite her father’s continuous shouting, Jayden maintained her composure and refrained from interrupting.

“I forbade it. Do you hear me? I forbade such talk,” Rand snapped.

“Jayden, it would be madness. If you think about what you are saying,” Mallory interjected.

“Mitchell, talk to her. Tell her she can’t do this,” Rand pleaded, turning in their direction.

Mitchell breathed out and released his hold on Tracy. Peterson shot Van a scowl and nodded toward Jayden. They silently followed behind Mitchell and Tracy.

“Rand. Mallory. We’ve already gone over this,” Mitchell explained in a calm voice.

Rand vigorously shook his head while Mallory leaned into her husband and sobbed. Peterson didn’t miss the way Jayden cast Van and him a panicked look, trying to step away as they came closer.

“What’s the matter?” Van asked.

Rand glared at Jayden. She wasn’t looking at her parents. Her wary eyes were locked on the two approaching wolf shifters. She retreated another step when he smiled at her.

You frightening her.

Shut up!

He didn’t need his wolf telling him what he already knew. She had been like this ever since they had ridden back from the hospital. Her avoidance was getting old. She was like a skittish kitten or puppy, distrustful of any act of kindness. He forced his shoulders to relax and shoved his hands into his pockets to appear less threatening. She still backed away another step.

“Jayden refuses to go to the compound,” Mitchell replied.

“I thought everything was settled. The compound is a thousand times better than this place,” Van exclaimed with surprise.

“It will be safer. Mitchell has told us about it,” Rand agreed.

Jayden lifted her chin and gave both Peterson and Van a haughty expression. “It was never settled. I told both of you that I didn’t want to live in a cage. Do you expect me to believe that this new place is any better than here?”