Page 53 of Fastlander Fighter

Gunner shook his head and lowered his voice. “You know it’s Ruger.”

Captain ran his hands through his hair and stared at the gravel near his boots. Ruger? Little Ruger?

“Soon?”

“She said he looks young. Six, maybe.”

“He’s six now!” Captain barked out. He paced away and back, jamming a finger at Ace. “It’s your fucking fault.”

“Again?” Corey yelled, standing fast. “You keep fucking blaming him! He was hiding from them!”

“If he wasn’t here, there would be no threat from the Holland Pride.”

“If you’re doing the blame-game, might as well include me,” Silver gritted out, her eyes flashing light gold.

“Fine, traitor. You too. Everyone here has been building this perfect storm of war, and what, Gunner? What do you want? Me to Turn him? He’s a kid.”

“I’m not asking you to Turn him,” Gunner said softly.

“Then what?”

“I’m asking that you separate yourself from them until this is over.”

“Oh, but you get your mate, right?” he barked out, fury building inside of him. “You get your happily ever after. You have Hallie, so fuck everyone else’s happiness, right? Fuck what I need!”

“I’m not saying it’s a forever thing—”

“But I’m the only one who has to sacrifice! Right? You all have your mates?”

“I don’t,” Wreck gritted out. “Don’t want one either.”

“Well you don’t fucking count! You aren’t ever here!” Captain bellowed at him.

“I’m here all the time!” Wreck yelled, standing. Lighting flashed in the background.

“Stop,” Gunner ground out. “We aren’t burning the mountains tonight. This is just a talk.”

“A talk,” Captain gritted out. “You’re asking me to distance myself from the only part of my life that makes sense.”

“To keep them safe!”

“I can keep them safe!” Captain roared.

“Not according to the vision!” Hallie said, standing.

“Ruger’s running. Doesn’t mean he’s in danger!” Captain pointed to Silver. “Maybe you are the lioness behind him.”

Silver hesitated, and gave a strange look over to Owen.

“What?” Captain asked.

“Lucia sees me too. I’m hurt. I can’t be the one behind Ruger because she sees me not moving.”

“Fuck!” he yelled as loud as he could. The curse echoed through the mountains. “All this buildup to a war that consumes every day of our lives, and how do we know Lucia isn’t fucking with us?”

“She isn’t,” Corey said softly.

“How do you know?”

---