Page 33 of Wanted by the Wolves (The Last Shifters #2)

Chapter 32

Nova

G age moans, the sound heart wrenching enough to drag me from sleep. I slip out from under Dex’s arm and crawl over Briggs until I can burrow into the space between him and Gage.My alpha makes another pain-filled sound, and Briggs sits up behind me.

“Nightmare?” he asks.

I nod, brushing my hands along the crease in Gage’s brow. My purr hums to life, and Briggs matches it, but the harmony does little to calm Gage. He whimpers and thrashes, and before I understand what’s happening, Dex has me cradled to his chest.

“Careful, sweetheart. Let Briggs wake him up.” Dex pulls me closer, but I twist in his hold until I can watch.

Briggs gently shakes Gage’s shoulder.

Gage startles awake with a gasp, his eyes wide. “The wards.” Just as quickly, he’s moving, stumbling from the bed and down the hall as he shouts, “My dream. The ferals got through the wards.”

Briggs and Dex share a look, then the two alphas turn those flashing silver eyes on me.

“Stay with Dex, pretty girl. He’ll keep you safe.” Briggs kisses my forehead before turning on fast feet, calling for Gage to wait.

I scramble from Dex’s hold, desperate to help them, but Dex is on me before I’ve reached the door. I fight against him, half lost to my wolf, but he’s a mountain of alpha. The fight doesn’t drain out of me but turns into a rushing river instead.

“Easy, sweetheart,” Dex says, holding me tightly against his chest.

“Let me go! I can help!” I beat my palm against him, sobbing.

It’s stupid. I can fight. I don’t want to be separated from them, scared out of my mind they won’t come back.

Dex doesn’t let up, using his purr to try to ground me. His scent swells, and my muscles unlock, some of the blinding panic receding.

It’s unfair. I want to be mad.

“I know you can fight. But out there, with the full moon only days away, your scent will be bait, and no one is using you as bait.” Dex’s alpha is in his voice. Somehow, the tone is both gentle and unyielding.

I deflate, knowing he’s right. I could get them hurt like I did Briggs when they brought me here. The heat of embarrassment mixes with new tears. I’m mad and ashamed of my own selfishness. Here I am freaking out and making it worse when two of my mates are out there battling who knows what.

“Aww, sweetheart, you’re eating me up with those tears,” Dex says, voice tense.

“I’m—I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m like this.” I try to stop the tears, but they keep coming.

“No more apologizing,” he growls, tugging my chin until I meet his eyes. “It’s all right to be scared, but Briggs is a strong hunter, and Gage is powerful.” Dex brushes his rough thumb along my cheek and kisses my forehead. “Can I put you down, or am I carrying you?”

I take a deep breath and pull myself together. “I’m good.” It’s a total lie, but I need it to be true.

Dex nods. “Go to the nest while I lock down the cabin.”

“Go.” I swallow around a rising whine and bite my lip. My wolf snarls, wanting control, but I fight her.

I can do this.

I return to my nest and bury myself under the covers, trying to shut out the world. I chant on repeat that the guys will be okay. The nest smells like my pack, and that makes it both better and worse. I listen for sounds, but Dex is quiet and the night is still. My heart races, my wolf on full alert.

Reality slows. Every second takes an eternity.

By the time Dex makes it back to me, loaded dart gun in hand, I’m shaking. I peek out from under the covers, and Dex’s face falls. “Oh, sweetheart.”

I should be used to this. I am used to this.

I don’t understand why being in danger is hitting me so hard. I’ve let myself get too comfortable, let myself forget how unsafe the world is. Or maybe it’s that I’ve only had to worry about myself for so long and I can’t stand the thought of any of them getting hurt.

Dex scoops me up, settling me against his chest. “It’s all right, sweet girl. I promise.”

I bury my nose in his neck, letting that deeply comforting scent soothe my frayed nerves.

“They’re okay. My littermate bond would let me know if there was trouble.” He keeps up a steady stream of chatter, trying to reassure me.

Time keeps wobbling, speeding up and slowing down. I’m barely aware of Dex moving us, of his words. I suck in his scent and try to hang on.

They’re going to be okay. They’re coming back.

Cold wind whips in from the open front door. I hear Briggs’s melodic voice, followed by Gage’s gruff sound. Dex carries me from the nest, and I scramble from his arms, leaping for them, hands everywhere, checking that they’re all right. They’re naked from their shift and freezing, but unharmed. I suck in their scents, sandwiching myself between them. It keeps the whine from spilling from my throat.

A blanket wraps around us, then another. Dex’s deep voice sounds. “The ferals?”

I cling to Briggs, the vibrations of his voice soothing. “The woods are clear. No ferals. It doesn’t look like they’ve been back. Still no tracks or new scents near the wards.”

“But the dream?” I ask, stupid tears of relief falling down my cheeks.

Everyone is quiet.

I peek out from my hiding spot and twist to see Gage. “What happened?”

He pulls away from our embrace, pacing in the entryway.

Dex looks between the two of them. “Well?”

Gage runs his fingers through his hair, the movement agitated. His dark gaze spears me. “I’m sorry I freaked you out. I was wrong,” he admits, face twisted. “It must have been a nightmare.”

Briggs shakes his head in defiance. “There weren’t any ferals, but the dream was a good warning. The wards on the west side of the territory were flickering and needed recharging.”

Gage chuckles. “Yeah, let’s go with that. Not that I fucked up.”

“You fixed them? Nothing got in?” Dex growls.

Briggs pats his brother on the back. “We’re all good. Nothing but a magic battery issue.” His stomach growls. “Let’s eat because that run made me ravenous.”Briggs holds out his blanket-clad arm and tucks me into his side. “If there was ever a time for brownies and hot chocolate, it’s now.”

“You guys go snuggle with Nova. I’ll get something together,” Dex grumbles, moving toward the kitchen.

I kiss Briggs’s cheek but duck from his hold, racing back to throw myself at Gage.

“Sorry, little star. I’m so sorry,” he says over and over.

I hug his middle, breathing him in, so thankful he’s all right. “You have nothing to be sorry for. We’re all on edge.” I jump into his arms so he’s forced to catch me.

Gage takes a deep breath, nuzzling into my neck. Even though we don’t share a bite bond, I can feel all the things he doesn’t say. He’s scared. He doesn’t want to lose me.

I purr, letting him hear the reassurance in the sound. It says, “I see you. I’m scared too, but we’re okay.”

Please, let us be okay.