Page 44 of Enter the Lair

This was what a family was supposed to be.Not false smiles and awkward glances.Coming together in a crisis.Having one another’s back.She knew one of the reasons she’d gravitated to the force, was a sense of belonging, she’d thought it would offer.However, her fellow police officers hadn’t been able to forget she was a Marksman when her nametag said it so clearly.She’d turned to the rangers as a better fit, but she’d never truly belonged.Devon made her feel she did.If she had a choice on who her family would be.She’d choose this one.Every time.

Lucy bent awkwardly to scratch Sasha’s brother, Brutus’, ears.The pup was rubbing against her leg, looking for attention.His brother Ben had left Talen’s arms and was wrestling loudly with his sister.

Sarah felt Devon’s emotions surge with distress before calming and turning to pride.Their connection was strange and comforting at the same time.She chuckled as Brutus jumped on Ben sending them both sprawling, allowing Sasha easy access to attack them both with playful ferocity.

Sarah gasped as Devon’s emotions surged to blistering anger.

Lucy startled; her expression concerned.“Sarah are you okay?”

Sarah put her hand to her chest as if she could block the overwhelming anger.“Devon is furious.I don’t know what’s happening.”

“TALEN,” Lucy shouted.

Talen was in the yard in seconds.His gaze focused on Lucy’s belly.“What is it?Are you okay?”

Sarah clutched her Jacket.“Devon is fighting.”

Talen was over the fence removing his shirt before Sarah could get her breathing under control.He shifted so quickly his paws jumped out of his jeans.

“NO,” Sarah yelled.

“What is it?”Lucy asked.

Sarah looked at Lucy’s worried face.“He’s gone.I lost him.”

* * *

Devon spat dirt from his mouth and opened his eyes.He lay face down on the floor.His body hurt, reminding him how powerful the tranquilizer had been.He attempted to rise, but flopped down in frustration.He had to get back to Sarah and warn his family.

He managed to roll over and shuffle back to the wall.He propped himself against it, trying to focus through the haze in his head.He looked at the metal bars of his cell with disgust.Razel had a penchant for locking him up.He noticed the severely wounded man that lay to his left.He inhaled deeply, assessing the threat.The man was human.

He shuffled along the wall, closing the distance, to the still form.He put his fingers on the man’s neck, checking his pulse.The thready beat confirmed he was alive.Judging his injuries, Devon wasn’t sure how.He’d been ripped apart.The smell of iron was thick in the air.

The man groaned and opened his eyes.

Devon leaned down, speaking low.“Where are we?”

“Our compound.About twenty miles north of your property...”He coughed.

“Who are you?”Devon asked.

“Aiden.My father was the pack leader until Razel showed up three years ago and killed him.My father was supposed to have put him down decades ago.We had no idea he was still alive.He used a drug on my father before he fought him.No one thought to interfere as drugs shouldn’t work on us.It was too late before we realized our mistake,” he closed his eyes.

Devon was surprised the man was a coyote shifter.“I can’t smell your animal.He can mask his scent somehow.Did he give you that as well?What is it?”

“No.He injected me with something new.It killed my beast.I’m dying,” he whispered.

“Why?”

“He’s killing anyone who tries to leave the pack.I’m an example of what happens if you oppose his rule.”

“He’s insane,” Devon hissed.

“I’ve heard it happens to some older generations if they don’t find their mate.I’d never seen it before.My father put down those that were unstable or a threat to our community.It’s our way.”

“Ours as well.You were supposed to be the next pack leader?”He found he respected this coyote.

Aiden coughed up blood.“Yes.”