Page 93 of Taken by Moonlight

“If we don’t, Dante could be removed as leader of our pack,” added Ryder, the handsome cowboy I’d seen training Felicity with barrelracing.

Wills and last wishes, along with rules. It seemed too bizarre and yet this was their world, and they lived init.

“What’s the prime rule you have to follow?” The small print on the paper interesting them the most seemed like a headache toread.

“If the alpha of the pack dies, the pack belongs to the winning alpha,” Alex saidsimply.

My chest felt hollow with panic. I stared at Dante. “If you die, the entire pack belongs to Earl Brown? Not to Gabriel orAlex?”

Dante nodded, his jaw tight, his gaze avoidingmine.

“Well, I’m not going to let that happen,” Idecided.

They stared. The man beside Ryder snickered, but Ryder scowled and elbowed him. “Show some respect,” hehissed.

Ignoring him, I looked at Dante and Alex. “I’ll be out there with you. I canhelp.”

“No, Peyton. I’ll fight, and you’ll remain below, in the bunker.” Dante gave me a hard, swift kiss. He nodded atAlex.

Next thing I knew, Alex swept me off my feet, carrying me in a fireman’s hold. He was far less muscled and more slender than Dante, but my boy was strong. He ignored my protests, my fists hammering on his back and carried meoutside.

He did not stop until I was down the stairs and in the dining area of the bunker. Then Alex gently deposited me on a chair at the table. Felicia sat there with some younger children, drinking glasses ofmilk.

Crouching down, he took myhands.

“Sweetheart, we all love you. We are not going to let you get out there and risk your life. Stay here, and watch over our young. It’s for thebest.”

“Alex,” I said in a small voice. “I don’t want to lose any ofyou.”

“You won’t. I may not be big as Gabriel, but I canfight.”

“Like a girl,” one child chimed. “WonderWoman!”

Laughing, Alex stood. He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Yes.”

Then Alex whistled, a high, piercing sound. A big, burly man in camouflage came running, long gun in his hand. He touched his forehead. “Yes,boss?”

“Stay here, guard Peyton.” Alex kissed me on the mouth, a lingering kiss. Then he kissed my forehead andleft.

The man planted himself in front of the doorway. Terrific. Imprisoned here, I had little choice but toremain.

I sat at the table, frustrated at my situation. Trapped. Soon, the Browns would invade, and I could do nothing to preventit.

Or aid Dante and myboys.

If Dante died, the entire pack wouldsuffer.

It seemed like forever as I sat with the children, two of the older women supervising their breakfast. They made small talk, but I remained too tense for politeconversation.

Tooworried.

Felicia finished drinking her milk and shoved back her chair. “Come onPeyton.”

She took my arm, and headed for the doorway. The giant blocked her way andfrowned.

Felicia sighed. “Seriously?”

“Boss said she was not toleave.”