Page 74 of Wolf Betrayed
My dad closed the distance and put a hand on both my shoulder and my mom’s. “Only a few people knew. I’d like to hope that someone just overheard something, and it wasn’t one of your brothers or Ian.”
I bit my lip. It had to be someone else besides them. Mark and Brandon would never hurt our family, and Ian’s sister and pack were here. What reason would he have to betray us?
Another thought crossed my mind, and the worry was enough to make me double over.
“Sawyer?” I dry heaved at the possibility.
My mom made a hushing sound and helped me to the bed. “We’ve been extra careful when discussing him. There is no reason to believe he is in any danger.”
Oh God, what if his cover was blown?
My dad met my gaze. “I don’t think your brothers or Ian are the ones we need to watch out for. We’ve only discussed Sawyer with them behind closed doors. No one else could know, and I doubt Alpha Dane would still let him be roaming around if he suspected him.”
I let out a long breath but couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. My dad was right. Alpha Dane would string Sawyer up if he suspected him…unless that’s why he’d broken our connection so abruptly earlier.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and blinked rapidly as my pulse spiked. “I need to try to reach out to him.”
My parents shared a look, and my mom pulled back the blankets next to Lincoln.
“Relax and try to talk to him. Perhaps he can shed some light on our snitch. I’ll bring you up some dinner in a bit.” She kissed my temple and then covered me up.
My parents gave me one last look before they left, leaving me alone with Lincoln. I curled up next to him, resting my head on his shoulder and putting my palm on his chest. His heart was beating more rhythmically now.
“You’re going to be okay,” I whispered as I placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
The hum of our connection surrounded me, and I shot up as Sawyer appeared on the other side of Lincoln.
His face paled when he saw us. He rushed to the bed and sat down, picking up Lincoln’s hand. “How bad?”
I pursed my lips and fought back tears. “We aren’t sure yet. My dad needs to get more medical equipment.”
Sawyer buried his face in his hands. “This is my fault. I was supposed to protect you, and instead, Lincoln’s almost dead. You…”
He peered up at me with unshed tears in his eyes, then reached out and cupped my cheek.
I grasped his hand and pressed a kiss to his inner wrist. “I’m okay. I’ve shifted, and I’ll be all right.”
His face crumpled, and his chest rose and fell hard. “I didn’t mean to leave you. Dad came in and severed the connection. He almost caught me. I failed you both.”
I reached over Lincoln and pulled Sawyer so I was cradling his head to my shoulder. “You didn’t fail us. You did everything you could.”
Sawyer sniffled and pulled back. The hard mask returned to his face, and the only evidence of his emotions was the red rims of his eyes.
He grasped Lincoln’s hand. “Keep fighting, Lincoln. I need you to pull through.”
I put my hand on Lincoln’s chest. “I’m not going to let anything happen to him. I promise.”
I wasn’t going to lose Lincoln or Sawyer.
I reached out and tucked a finger under Sawyer’s chin. “It’s time for you to come be with us too. We can look after each other better when we are all in the same place.”
Sawyer closed his eyes and sighed. “I can’t, Sloane. Dad’s putting his plans into motion. He’s bringing in more men and getting a shit ton more wolfsbane. He’s coming for you. If I leave, I won’t be able to warn you. I’m not going to fail you and Lincoln again. I promise.”
“I can’t change your mind, can I?” My voice sounded monotone.
Sawyer kissed my lips. “No more than I could talk you out of coming to rescue Lincoln.”
I pressed my forehead against his. “Please be careful. I love you, Sawyer. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you.”
He smiled and let out a small laugh. His fingers grazed over my cheek. “I love you too, Sloane.” He gave me one last lingering kiss. “Promise me that you’ll start preparing. We are coming back, and my dad won’t hold any punches this time. You need to be ready.”
I exhaled and gritted my teeth. “We will be.”
