Page 34 of Protected By the Wolf

“I can let them know you’d love some help,” I finished for him.

“Sure . . .”

We heard a bunch of voices outside and went out of the cave to look. Sure enough, everyone was there, including Mom and Dad.

“Were you all already here?” Jacob asked.

“Of course,” Dredge said. “We were waiting for Bruno to give the go-ahead before showing our faces. We didn’t want to overstep your boundary; we can all smell the markings you made quite clearly.”

Jacob laughed. “Glad to hear that even you guys can respect boundaries.”

“Son, we’re here to help,” Dad said. “We love you. Always have, always will.”

I stood off to the side as Jacob gave his instructions. Looking at my parents and siblings, this was what I wanted for Lira and me. A family that loved each other. I wanted to bring her into the mix. I just needed to find her first.

Bruno

Jacob and his plans! It’d been two days since Jacob brought Millie to his cave. I’d heard they got engaged, and I was happy for them. I really was, but my dreary mood had been getting worse. My dreams were paying the price too.

I recounted the dream that had startled me awake for the second time these last two nights—one where I was trying to get to Lira. She was in a night club, and I was in an alley. My hands were shaking, and I was trying to lift a metal barricade that was blocking the back door entrance into the club. The barricade might have been screwed down. Usually, I wouldn’t have blinked an eye, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the hand that wouldn’t stop shaking. Brandon’s warning that I could start losing my powers if I prolonged claiming my mate sounded through my mind again. This is happening faster than I thought.

The sound of someone tripping over something made me pause. I looked to my left and saw a lone trash can rolling down the alley. Shaking my head, I looked back at the door that was blocking me from my mate.

They wouldn’t let me in from the front, but I hadn’t come all this way just to be told no. I placed a hand on the handle and yanked hard, hearing a crack. After a couple more attempts, I managed to separate the hinges from the wall.

I was startled to find I had to forcibly unclamp my hand from the handle, one finger at a time. This had never happened before. Ignoring my growing sense of unease, I lifted the door and put it to the side. Nothing else blocked my way or stopped me as I entered the club.

Walking in, I could hear the upbeat sound of “Wrecking Ball” playing and saw a whole host of people dancing. It was so crowded I had to push my way through. I could sense her. My mate was here, and her heart rate was up. The sound of her heartbeat was mixed together with all the other people, but it was stronger than the rest. Beating just for me.

Following her beat, I weaved in and out of the pressing bodies. Right when I spotted her black hair, which was swaying in time with her head bobbing up and down to the beat, it became harder to get to her. She’d turn to look at me, and I’d see those bright black eyes and that smile that melted me every time. But then she’d turn back to her friends as if she didn’t see me.

That’s when I’d wake up, and tonight was no different. This time, however, I lifted my hands to my face, checking to see if they were shaking in real life. A small tremor appeared, and I clasped my hands together to make them stop. I was concerned because it was getting too hard to shift. It was driving me crazy. I tried letting my wolf out to run, but when I tried shifting, he would refuse, retreating to the back of my mind where he would cry. It was like he knew searching for Lira was a failed mission already. That she didn’t want me.

These changes were happening too early. I thought I’d have more time to find her. I clenched my hands tight and howled, not caring who heard me. I just had to go see for myself who Jacob’s mate was, hadn’t I? If it wasn’t for my curiosity, I’d never have met Lira, and I wouldn’t be in this predicament.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, my wolf growled at me, which sent a wave of guilt coursing through my body. I started marching around the hotel room. How could I even think of something like that? Lira was my mate. My one and only. If she only knew how connected we were to each other.

Millie had given me all the usual spots her sister frequented when traveling, but I didn’t want to go on a wild goose chase. I needed a solid clue as to Lira’s whereabouts, but Millie and their close friends hadn’t heard from her at all since she left. The only thing I had a solid lead on was the letter I found in her desk drawer in her room in San Francisco.

I now took that letter off the hotel’s side table and called Miti to tell her the address I’d found, knowing she’d recognize the city right away. “Do you think her family is from there?” I asked her.

“Yes, I do.”

I waited for Miti to elaborate, but she was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Bruno . . .” Her voice had a hint of sadness to it. The last time I’d heard her like this was when we’d destroyed Denis’s house. After yelling at us, I’d overheard her talking to Dad about how disappointed she was in us. I learned my lesson that day on treating others with respect.

“What is it, Miti?”

“Your father. He . . .”

“What’s happened to Dad?” My breath caught on the last word.

“He collapsed today. The tonic has taken its toll on him. We have to get him some help at the coven meeting. We must conquer Pac’s army and get an antidote.”

I howled, again not caring if anyone heard me, then gasped out, “Where is Dad now?”

“He’s comfortable in his room. Your mom is with him.”

“Good. I’ll come to the coven meeting in Placer Town with you, Miti.” I’d been practicing potions with Miti since I was a child, so it made sense that I was the one to support her. As soon as I said I was going, I felt a pull toward Lira. I knew right then and there that she was in Placer Town. I needed to find her before it was too late for both of us. She needed to understand I’d never hurt her. I would cherish her forever.

---