Page 27 of Destined Prey (Wild Ones #1)

Ernesto hummed and went back to cleaning up the yard. “Might be easier on you if you shift, Robin. As humans, we can get more emotionally embroiled in death and fear.”

Robin shifted without a word, and Ernesto laughed, then he was back to being his monstrous wolf—Barghest—and it was Casey, Anne, Emil and Lacey’s turn to gawk.

Rhett slowly made his way down the porch steps.

“I think they’re more stunned that Robin didn’t act like a brat than they are about the Barghest,” Ben said.

Jack almost laughed, a choked sound escaping before he could stop it. In the middle of gore and terror, Ben could still find humor. It was grounding, that glimpse of normalcy, and it steadied Jack more than he’d admit out loud.

Jack didn’t know Robin so he didn’t comment, and he needed to tend to Rhett and Ben. “You said you had some scratches. Let me check them.”

“I’m fine. Shifters heal faster than humans.” Ben held up his left arm. “See?” He touched a scratch. “This was a lot deeper when it happened.”

“You know, my ribs healed overnight after days of them hurting me,” Jack mused. “After you and I had sex. The first time, I mean.”

“Huh. Well, I’m glad you healed up. I don’t know…” Ben glanced at Ernesto. “I think maybe I’d like to talk to him in a few days, after I’ve had some time to process what he said.”

“I’m going to have trouble looking at him and seeing the same Ernesto I’ve known before this, but I think that’s what he needs,” Jack decided. “Now, you’re sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Let’s see to Rhett.”

Jack saw that Rhett was talking earnestly, or heatedly, with Casey.

He couldn’t hear them, but Rhett’s gestures were sharp and quick, conveying agitation at the very least. A pang of guilt twisted in his chest. He and Rhett had wasted so many years apart, and now every sharp word between them felt dangerous, like it might shatter what they were just starting to rebuild.

He wanted to shout across the yard: Don’t screw this up, Rhett. Not now.

“We should go rescue him from your brother. Or vice versa.”

“Or let them work out whatever they’re arguing about.” Ben cupped Jack’s elbow. “I think they’ll be okay.”

Just then, Rhett cursed loudly and spun away from Casey. He moved faster coming back up the steps than when he’d gone down them. “Fuck it all. I need ibuprofen and a beer or three.”

“Let me check your head.” Jack followed Rhett in. “You’ve taken a couple hits to it today. I’m not sure beer’s a good idea.”

“Best fucking idea I’ve had in ages,” Rhett groused. “And it’s happening. My head’s fine. It’s my brain that’s a mess. Seeing all this—shifters and guts and gore. Can’t stay sane with that stuff happening. Not without a few beers.”

“I’m checking your head, and other bruises,” Jack warned. “No beer until I do.”

Rhett stopped by the kitchen door. “Fine. Check me over so I can relax.” He swung around and moved into the living room. “I’m just gonna lie down while you do it.” He flopped onto the couch. “Ouch. Ribs. Shit.”

“Mmhm. All right, I’m checking those again too. Ben, could you get the ibuprofen, a glass of water and an ice pack? The meds are on the microwave.”

“Sure.”

“And a beer,” Rhett added.

“Thanks.” Jack started at Rhett’s head. “You would give a phrenologist a field day.”

“What’s a phrenologist?” Rhett asked.

“Um. A quack. Centuries ago, they thought you could read a person’s skull, the bumps and all, and that would tell you about their personality and other stuff.” Jack checked Rhett over. “Well, nothing seems fractured or torn. No blood, just another lump. It’s a good thing you’re so hard-headed.”

“Yeah, it is.” Rhett sighed happily as Ben handed him a cold beer. “Oh, and I got a hold of your ex earlier.”

“Hm?” Ben sat in the chair by the couch.

“Alex,” Jack said. “I guess we need to have a talk about him, but not right now.”

“Well, at least let me tell you that he really is in some rehab center that specializes in alcoholism and behavioral issues. I even talked to his case worker there. Alex has no delusions of getting you back, though he does need to apologize to you at some point, supposedly.” Rhett shrugged, then grimaced.

“Ouch. Again. Anyway, that apology part is up to you. You don’t have to let him.

He’s having your stuff shipped here, though, as part of doing the right thing. ”

Jack didn’t know how he felt about Alex getting help, except he guessed it was a good thing—if it stuck.

“So that’s handled.” Rhett took a long drink, then started to sit up. “Shit. Should check the livestock.”

“We’ll do it. There’s enough of us here to make sure everything is just as it should be.” Jack patted Rhett’s shoulder gently. “Just relax. If you don’t want to be alone, I can send someone in. Casey, maybe.” The devil made him say that, or at least that’s what Jack would claim.

“I’d rather have Ernesto in his creepy-as-fuck form, thanks, but I’m fine by myself.” Rhett sank back down on the couch. He set his beer on the coffee table. “I’m just gonna try to erase all the nightmares in the making from my brain.”

“Good luck. We’ll be back when we’re done. I have my phone. Yours is…” Jack spied it on the end table. “Do you just not carry it?”

“No one ever called much,” Rhett said. “No need to keep it with me all the time.”

Jack winced. “Well, we sucked at staying in touch, but now you’re stuck with me.” He got up, retrieved the phone, then gave it to Rhett. “Okay. We’re off.”

“Damn right you are.” Rhett snickered.

Jack smiled, amused by the teasing. He and Ben went back outside and, in short order, had everyone helping out, Ernesto and Robin included, since the mess they’d been working on had been dealt with.

“I like this, having everyone here. You think your pack would consider living on the ranch?” Jack asked. “We could figure something out. Build a house or put a nice trailer in here. You’d have a longer drive to work, though.”

“I wouldn’t mind. I’ll talk to Casey in a week or two and see what he says.” Ben slipped an arm around Jack’s waist. “That work for you?”

“Yeah.” Jack couldn’t hold back a grin. He was suddenly so very happy. “Everything about you works for me, Ben.”

The joy Jack felt was reflected back at him in Ben’s eyes. “Same goes, Jack.” Then he kissed Jack, and together, they headed back to the house.