Page 68 of Wolf Sacrificed

I pulled us back onto the road and did a U-turn so we headed toward the park. We both must have been too amped up to talk because neither of us said anything on the couple-minute drive.

I ignored the signs warning the park closed at dark and drove down the path to the parking area. Sawyer was already there, waiting for us.

He leaned against his car, arms crossed over his chest, looking sexy as hell. A tremor of anticipation rocked through me. It took all my willpower to get the vehicle into a spot and shove the gear into park.

Lincoln got out first and hugged his brother. Then they both opened their arms and sandwiched me between them. I breathed in their earthy pine scents, and a weight lifted from my chest, giving me room to breathe.

We were going to be okay. Together, we could do anything.

We stayed in each other’s embrace for what could have been hours. I didn’t want this moment to end. Their arms felt safe, warm, and full of love. Everything that I wanted.

Sawyer was the first to pull back. He wrapped his fingers in mine. “Let’s take a walk.”

Dread filled me, and the weight came back, except this one felt like it weighed a ton.

He tugged on my hand, and I shuffled forward before falling into step with him.

Lincoln took my other hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked down at the trail as our footfalls crunched over the gravel. “You’re going back to Dad’s.”

It wasn’t a question.

I tried to pull my hand out of Sawyer’s grasp, but he held tight.

“I have to,” Sawyer said. “We’ve seen a few groups defect. I can’t believe there aren’t more.”

I dug my feet into the ground and then stomped my foot, not caring if I looked like a child. “How will you find them? It’s not like you can just ask. You put yourself at risk the longer you stay. I can’t let you go back there.”

Sawyer shook his head. “I have to, sweetheart. It keeps you and Lincoln safe. I can be your ears on the inside.”

I snatched my hand back, held it to my chest, and stepped back so that my back pressed against Lincoln’s chest. “You can’t keep doing that. The three of us can do more good here together.”

Sawyer looked at Lincoln, his eyes pleading. I held my breath and waited for him to respond.

Lincoln cleared his throat. “I’m with Sloane. It’s time, brother. Stay with us.”

Sawyer shoved his fingers through his hair and paced in front of us. “You don’t understand. Dad’s gone manic. He’s losing his mind and becoming erratic.”

I reached out for him, but he moved too fast. “All the more reason for you to stay here where it’s safe. There’s no telling what he might have you do. Even if you are undercover, Sawyer, there are some things you just can’t come back from.”

His brows pinched together into a deep frown, and he looked from Lincoln to me and then back again.

Lincoln wrapped me in a hug. “You’re keeping something from us. I can feel it.”

He stopped pacing and put his hands on the railing of the bridge as he looked out over the water.

I looped my arm around his and sighed as I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Talk to us, Sawyer. We’re all in this together.”

He turned to me and cupped both my cheeks with his hands. “I don’t want to fight. We get to see each other in person so little.”

His gaze flicked to my lips, and my breath hitched. As his lips descended on mine, I knew I should push him away, demand that we go back home, and do this in our bedroom. But the moment our lips touched, all sensible thoughts left my mind.

I melted against him. Lincoln pressed against my back so I was smashed between the two of them. My body lit on fire. While Sawyer caressed my lips, Lincoln kissed his way up my neck and stopped to nibble on my ear.

My knees went weak, and if they weren’t here, I would have fallen, but I was in the perfect position. Between my mates and where I belonged. This moment was amazing and right, and I never wanted it to end.

If Sawyer would stay with us, it never would end. We could spend every night and morning wrapped in each other’s embraces. I trembled with anticipation. That would be the life. I needed it like I needed my next breath.

Sawyer nipped at my top lip and leveled his gaze with mine. “I can feel you shaking, sweetheart. Are you cold?”

---