Page 60

HUNTER

W atching Emme via our security system was a poor substitute to real life, and while I could feel her through our bond no matter where she was, it was more potent up close.

The hum of our bond did put me at ease though, as it told me she was safe.

Even if she was with Talon.

I couldn’t deny his connection to our pack.

I felt the same pull toward him as the other members.

His scent merged well with the group, and though none of us would bond him the same way as Emme—she was the center of our group for a reason—we would still have to bring him in through a quintet bonding ceremony.

And list him on all official Reeves Pack paperwork.

There’d be an uproar from the community as they squabbled over how a quintet with six members could exist. It would no doubt throw everything out of whack for a while, and I hoped we had some form of explanation before it happened.

Not that I gave a fuck what other shifters said about us, but I was done with life being hard for Emme. She was confident that the six of us would form as strong a circle of power as a normal quintet, and the casual acceptance I felt toward Talon was a strong indicator she was right.

When my phone rang, I answered without tearing my gaze from Emme, who’d just shifted back from her wolf. She was chatting to Talon, and the dragon stared at her like he wanted to eat her... In every damn way.

It was a look I was all too familiar with, and I couldn’t blame him.

Our omega was delicious. In every damn way .

“Yeah,” I said, already knowing it was Slade.

“He’s stable,” he said, giving me the update I expected. “She’s fine to stay down there.”

Over the time spent with his brother, he’d taken to sensing Talon’s moods. They hadn’t officially bonded, but we knew the twin soul connection was a mystical bond all on its own.

Which was about all the fuck we knew. It was a real pain in the ass how little of his heritage was out in the world, but at the same time, it might be what keeps him safe.

Knowledge was power, and we wanted no one to have the power to control the strongest beasts in our world. It was bad enough that Fletcher had figured out a way to garner loyalty from Talon.

“She looks happy down there with him,” I said, having no doubt we were both staring at the same footage.

He might be patrolling, but whenever he shifted out of his beast form, his focus was on Emme.

The guilt he carried over Fletcher making it past our defenses was a weight I would take from him—if he’d let me.

“Her happiness comes second to her safety,” Slade shot back, his dragon rumbling just below the surface. “Also, the car just picked up Kel, Fin, and Kenzo from the airport. They’ll be there in ten.”

My wolf let loose a howl, and I was pleased to have them back in Golden Claw. I detested my pack being scattered around the country. “That’s excellent news. We’ll see you before dawn, then. I want all of my pack to spend at least some time under this roof together.”

He grunted, the line went dead, and I chuckled at his reminder that no one ordered him around. Still, he hadn’t argued, which meant he’d make it home.

Shutting down my computer, I scanned through the security footage on my phone this time, relieved to find everything in order around our property.

Ever since I’d found out my father was involved, I’d been fighting a deep-seated unease.

Especially with that sneaky piece of shit missing in action, along with my mother and Sorenson. None of which sat well with me.

Once Fletcher regrouped and moved on to the next phase of his plan, he would slam the full force of his power and magic in our direction. I couldn’t let my focus slip for even a second.

The guard house alerted me to Kellan and Finley’s car arriving, and I waited in the foyer.

Emme would be up as soon as she felt them, and then I’d get to steal her away for a night with Kellan.

The annoying pup had been pining hard, begging me for photos of our mate, sending me crying emojis for days. He’d be all in for my plans.

Finley was welcome too, but from what I knew, they weren’t quite there yet. Not to mention it was Kenzo’s birthday, and he’d flown back last-minute with the boys so they could head out on the town for a few hours.

As the car pulled to a stop out the front, Emme burst into the entrance hall. “I’m so freaking excited,” she said, jumping up and down. “I missed them so much.”

The way her hair flew around her face had me desperate to thread my fingers through the soft strands. Hating any distance between us, I wrapped her in my arms, tucking her smaller frame against my side. “They missed you too, baby,” I murmured, my wolf rising as I stared at her.

The icy blue of her eyes warmed, and the overhead lights illuminated the spattering of freckles across her cute button nose. Her smile, though, did me the fuck in.

When she’d first arrived in our world, her smiles had been forced, and I’d seen the way they were tinged with sadness. Now she showed real happiness, which was every damn thing.

She rested her head against my chest, and I pressed my lips to the top of her head, breathing her in.

My wolf grumbled at the thought of her in danger ever again, and we were in agreement.

My parents, Sorenson, Chelsea, Blaine, and any other fuck who’d ever hurt her was going to die.

It didn’t matter if I’d known them my entire life or they gave birth to me.

They’d touched my mate, and for that they were the enemy.

And enemies were eliminated.

Kellan exploded through the door first, and slammed into us with so much force, that if I hadn’t been standing at Emme’s back, she’d have gone flying.

Not that he would have let her hit the floor—unless he wanted his ass beat.

As it was, Emme’s laughter as he hauled me and her off the ground was the only reason he didn’t get knocked out anyway.

“Gentle with her, asshole,” I warned, and he threw his head back to chuckle. His lack of fear was as annoying as it was refreshing.

“She likes it a little rough. As you’re well aware, Daddy Alpha.”

The goddess really owed me for taking this pup off her hands. “You’re about to get it a little rough, and trust me, there’s no pleasure for you.”

Kellan didn’t even answer, too busy burying his hands in Emme’s hair, kissing her like she was the very air he needed to survive. Her scent burst to life around us, and I wasn’t the only one groaning and adjusting my fucking dick.

Finley remained awkwardly hovering in the entrance, and I noted the look of longing on his face. “Soon, brother,” I mouthed, and he nodded, rubbing a hand over his beard.

By the time Kellan and Emme broke apart, Finley had schooled his expression to one of amusement, keeping his pain locked inside. I was proud of my brother though, as he’d finally taken the steps needed to rise to his full potential.

When Kellan eased away a fraction, we could see how dazed and flushed Emme was.

Her lips were swollen and pink, and when she sighed contentedly, I swear all of us wagged our fucking tails like good boys.

Kellan was wearing off on us, but as long as it made Emme happy, I wasn’t going to complain. Much .

When Emme approached Finley, he froze on the spot, as if any movement would spook her and she’d run away. He did manage to offer a tentative smile, which she took as encouragement. She popped up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

A gush of air escaped him, and his arms slammed around her back so tight that Emme let out a little squeak. Through the bond I could feel that it was mostly shock not pain. In fact, it was clear she loved his bear hugs as she clung to him. Her body relaxed.

“I’m so happy you’re both back,” she murmured against his shoulder. “We all missed you.”

Finley lifted her off the ground, swishing her side to side in a gentle motion. “We played like crap because we’d rather be here with you. Hockey isn’t worth the pain of these road trips.”

I wasn’t sure Emme truly understood the significance of that statement. Finley choosing her over hockey… It was all the evidence any of us needed that he was changing.

For the better.

Kellan sidled in beside me, throwing his arm over my shoulders. His eyes glowed as he watched them. If this were an animation, he’d have an exaggerated heart pounding from his chest.

“This could be one of the best days of my life, outside of when I first met Emme, and the first time we kissed, and the bonding, and the first time she touched me?—”

He was cut off by my hand slamming against the back of his head, though I couldn’t argue those points. Emme pulled away from Finley to shoot us a cheeky smile. “I’m so happy that I failed at my task to avoid packs and this life. I honestly couldn’t live without you assholes. I really couldn’t.”

“Same!” Kellan shouted, and he was racing for her again, hauling her up into his arms. “And now we need to celebrate. You and me, naked for the next twelve to twelve hundred hours. What do you say, Shortcake?”

Emme wrapped her legs around him and clung on tight. “Sounds like a plan.” Her gaze met mine. “You in, Hurricane?”

She had no idea how far in I was. It was the sort of in where not even death would part us. “All the fucking way, baby girl. All the way.”

Kellan turned and headed for the stairs, and I paused to check on Finley. “You going to be okay, brother?” I asked him.

He nodded, watching them as they raced up the stairs. “Yeah, I’ll just shower and change before heading to Kenz’s place. Emme and I aren’t there yet, and that’s okay. I’m learning patience, and I’m thrilled that she’s let me in as much as she already has.”

I slapped a hand on his shoulder. “We’re all proud of you. Just know that.”

Finley reached up and wrapped his hand over the top of mine, his head lowering, but I caught the shine in his eyes. “Thanks, Hunt.” He shook his head and then cleared his throat. “Now go and love on our omega. I want her to be happy… above all else.”

With that, he shuffled off to his room, and I knew he’d be okay. Eventually.

My pack was strengthening in ways that had my alpha energy settled and satisfied.

Now all we needed was to eliminate our enemies.