Page 25 of Lost Mate

Ross thought for a moment. “What about the zombie drug?”

“Xylazine?”

“It affects humans, and if it’s mixed with fentanyl, it could be lethal.”

“Why aren’t I dead?” Dylan asked.

“You’re a strong wolf,” Owen pointed out. “Maybe that kept you drugged but alive.”

Dylan pinched his nose. “Why can’t I remember anything before that?”

“More drugs?” Ross suggested. “Or you had an accident that made you lose your memory.”

“I don’t know.”

Tension rolled off Dylan in waves and Ross didn’t know what to do except hug him close. Dylan stiffened as if he didn’t want to accept the comfort, but finally he slumped against Ross.

“Ross.” Owen sounded hesitant. “I’ve got a suggestion if you’ll allow it.”

“Go on.” Ross had an idea what Owen was going to say, but he appreciated Owen’s tactfulness.

“Dylan needs to work off the frustration and the best way to do that is to shift and run and hunt.”

Ross’s first reaction was to refuse, he didn’t want his mate away from him. But he wasn’t a wolf, and he couldn’t help his wolf like another shifter could. Owen just watched him, clearly aware of his inner conflict.

“Get permission from Zeke and I’ll say yes. He calls me and tells me he agrees.”

Owen’s eyes flashed with anger, he still had issues submitting to his alpha, but Ross wasn’t going to give in. If he let Owen go running and something happened, Zeke would never forgive him.

“You know I love you,” Ross said.

Dylan stiffened and tilted his head to look at him. “You love Owen?” he asked, his tone icy.

“Not like that,” Ross said hastily. “Like a brother, like a pack member.”

Owen snorted. “My mate would tear Ross limb from limb if he made a move on me.”

‘And I’d eat the remains,” Dylan insisted.

“That’s nice.” Ross didn’t know whether to feel flattered or scared by Dylan’s declaration. Life was a lot easier when he was just dealing with humans. His phone vibrated. He was unsurprised to see a message from Zeke.

They can run but not to the limits of the ranch. Owen will check in with me.

Ross sent him a thumbs up. Sapphire Ranch had extended considerably since Ross’s first visit. The Cavalry had bought the vacant farms surrounding the property to give the wolves space to run without risk of being shot.

“You can run, but Owen checks in with his mate and Dylan, you check in with me.” He saw Dylan about to say no, but he fixed him with a stare. “You don’t have to keep the link open, but you do have to check in with me. I’m going to talk to Joe and warn him not to get busy with his rifle.” He knew Zeke would have warned him but really, he just needed a moment away from the wolves to process his thoughts. “You see anything that looks wrong, you send up the alarm and get your furry asses back here.”

“Furry asses?” Dylan said icily.

“Your butts are covered in fur. What do you want me to call them?” Ross grinned at Dylan’s sniff.

As he opened the door to the yard, Ross heard Owen say, “You’ve still blocked your mate link? That’s a real dick move when we have hunters after us. Why did you do that?”

Chapter Eight

Ross was tempted to pause, to stay and hear what Dylan had to say, but he pushed the door open to allow the wolves to get out and clomped down the stoop, wanting his mate to see that he trusted him to give him that privacy, despite the fact it killed him to be shut out.

He pulled his phone out and called Joe.

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