Page 61 of Shifters Unifying

Her eyes bulged, and she glanced toward Izzie. “I have to go to Australia?”

“Colorado and Montana also have herds,” I said. “But they’re the only state-side ones.”

Blaze’s chin quivered, but she didn’t answer.

“Don’t worry.” Olivia laid her hand on Blaze’s arm. “You can stay here as long as you like.”

“Oh,” I said, realizing it must have sounded like I was throwing her out. “You don’t have to leave. I’m the alpha of Six-Mile, and the four of you are welcome to continue training here. I doubt Emma would be pleased with me if I sent you away.”

Jasper elbowed Blaze. “Aye, and ye’ve never seen a fight until ye’ve seen the multimorph and alpha go at it.”

She considered me. “Were they fighting earlier? Is that why the ground was shaking before Emma showed up to training?”

“Aye, aye, in a manner of speaking,” Jasper said, his eyes twinkling. “Now let’s see if Phil has any of his shifter-famous banana pudding.” He led the young woman away, and Izzie joined them at the food table.

Olivia turned to me. “You have no idea how much he has your back, do you?”

“Only because he likes you on yours,” I said.

Olivia’s eyes widened, and then a smile split her face. “There may be something to that.”

“I’m happy for you, you know,” I murmured. “Even with everything going on, it’s nice to see you with him. He annoys the shit out of me, but he’s good for you.”

“He’s the first one I couldn’t scare off.”

“First one you haven’t really wanted to go.”

She took a deep breath and sighed. “Probably something to that.”

Since my mate had arrived in Six-Mile, Olivia had been protective of her, fiercely loyal. Bluster wasn’t working, so I allowed all of the fight drain from me. My shoulders drooped as I turned to my beta. “Olivia, where did Emma go?”

“You can probably follow her scent,” she answered.

“Might be easier if you just tell me.”She’s my mate. Alone isn’t an option.

“Not sure she’d like that.”

“What you’re asking the impossible…” My voice trailed away as my mate danced in my head. Would we ever be able to have time alone? Time without Acheron breathing down our necks? I wanted to take her to a luxurious hotel, expensive dinner, and woo her the way she deserved to be wooed.

“She’s struggling.”

“She had to know I’d come after her,” I said.

“I did warn her.”

I waited, knowing I’d already won the answer, but also knowing Olivia wanted to relish holding onto information I needed. Maybe she was giving Emma a head start.

She nodded once, as if deciding. “Promise you won’t leave here until midnight.”

“Don’t make me—” I began.

She shook her head. “Give her that much time, Logan. She needs it. She’s had more to adjust to than any of us, and it’s not likely to get better or easier.”

“She shouldn’t do it alone.”

Her shoulders stiffened. “Logan.”

“Fine. I won’t leave until midnight,” I growled.