Page 102 of Taken by Moonlight

Alex nodded. “Would have torn out my insides, had I not yanked away at the last minute, and if not for Gabe running to help me. Paul aimed to cause me die a slow, agonizingdeath.”

Gabriel rested a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Paul wasn’t defenseless, Peyton. Remember, he was a wolf and a vicious one. He wanted to kill us all. He would have, if we’d let him escape. Rogues like that return and when your guard is down, they attack. They hurt the ones you love to hurt you themost.”

Dante’s eyes narrowed. “He wanted to hurt our children, Peyton. Tell her,Alex.”

“We wanted to spare you details, Peyton, but it’s worse than a mere raid. I intercepted emails Paul sent to Earl. Paul intended to infiltrate the bunker and slaughter the children first. Then he planned to lead out the women for Earl to kidnap and give to his males asmates.”

This not only put new light on Paul’s death. It also opened my eyes to how much danger Alex had faced. Alex wasn’t as quick and powerful as Dante, and he lacked the muscular strength ofGabriel.

Yet he had charged full force at Paul to stop his escape. To protect thepack.

To protect thekids.

Dante went to Alex, clasped his arm in the style of warriors greeting each other. “Welldone.”

He did the same toGabriel.

Then he backed off, looking at me. All three studied me. Waiting.Watching.

I went to Alex, dropped to my knees and lifted his shirt. I kissed the wound. Then I looked up at him. “I didn’tknow.”

Alex touched my head gently, almost like a benediction. “Now youdo.”

“That fucker. I’m glad he’sdead.”

Alex began to laugh. He pulled me upright. “My fiercePeyton.”

“You have no idea,” I toldhim.

Dante took my elbow. “Peyton, go inside with Alex, get cleaned up and meet me at the bunker entrance in fifteen minutes. I need to check on Felicia and theyoung.”

He glanced ruefully at his appearance. “But not likethis.”

I understood. As pack alpha, he wanted to reassure the children, but not scare them with hisappearance.

“All right. Butfirst…”

I crooked my finger at my boys. When they drew closer, I flung my arms around all ofthem.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Iwhispered.

They hugged meback.

“Thanks to you, we are,” Dante told me. “I can never repay you for how you helped us save our pack,Peyton.”

I grinned. “Oh, I think of a few ways you can pay me back. But not now.Later.”

“Does it involve ropes and blindfolds?” Gabriel askedhopefully.

Alex gave him ashove.

I laughed. “Maybe. First, let’s deal with the kids. I’m sure they are anxious to know what’s goingon.”

Half an hour later,freshly showered and feeling better, I joined Dante in the underground bunker. Felicia came running down the hall to greetus.

She hugged him tight. Tears streamed down her face. “You’re alive. I was soworried.”

Closing his eyes, he hugged her back and then kissed her cheek. “Of course I am, sprout. Did you ever think I wouldn’tbe?”