Page 18 of Gabe's Lone Wolf

“I understand. Your father’s an alcoholic, and you’re afraid of forming an addiction.”

Raina didn’t pull any punches with her words, but Eliza didn’t back down.

“Yes. Don’t do it again,” Eliza ordered and began walking again, unconcerned by the tension that hung in the air.

“I can’t promise you that,” Raina murmured, and Eliza stumbled to a stop a few chairs away.

“Excuse me?” Eliza growled, and Raina held up her hand again at Bas’ sound of displeasure.

“I will always do what is in the best interest of the members of this pack. Even when they don’t like it. You were dead on your feet. Probably had been for weeks, if not longer. You’ve been in survival mode, and your body was desperate for rest. If you’re going to function at full capacity and take care of Lockhart, then you needed to get out of your head and sleep.”

Eliza bit her bottom lip while her hands fisted and released at her sides. I brushed my hand along her spine, a subtle reminder that she wasn’t alone, even here. I would always stand beside her. She released her fisted palms again, and this time, flattened one along my thigh, giving the muscle a squeeze.

“Thank you, Raina. I hope you’ll keep my wishes in mind should anything else arise.”

“Absolutely,” Raina swore. “I would have discussed it more beforehand had I realized your concerns at the time. It didn’t occur to me until afterward. I simply took over and treated you as I would any member of this pack. They trust me to take care of them. We don’t have that relationship yet, but I hope we will going forward.”

Raina stood, grinning from ear to tear. “Especially now that you’re officially one of us. I’m so happy for you.” She leaned in and hugged Eliza then moved to me. “And you, Gabe! The men of this pack are dropping like flies.”

Several of the guys cleared their throats and shuffled as if trying to deflect that statement. Raina merely laughed. Bas sighed and shook his head, but one side of his mouth tilted upward. I’d often envied the open affection and love between him and Raina. Not anymore. Now, I understood it in the way only a male who’d found his true mate could.

“Now…” Raina nodded toward Eliza. “How’s the leg?”

“Completely healed.” Eliza bounced on her toes as if flexing her calves would show Raina the truth in her reply.

“Would you mind if I took a quick look?” Raina asked. “I’ve got an office down the hall.”

“Of course not. I appreciate it.” Eliza pointed a finger at me. “Set aside a plate of food for me. I’ve worked up quite an appetite with you. I’m starving.”

She purred the last statement, and several throats cleared again, mostly with amusement this time. I didn’t care. I grinned like the lovesick fool I was.

“I won’t keep you long,” Raina promised.

“Good. I’d like to see my Jeep after breakfast. Gabe said it’s the garage here.”

“I went over the outside,” Simon piped up. “I put the trackers I found in Bas’ office in hopes the owners will come looking for them. I didn’t want to touch the inside, though I grabbed that bag of clothes for you. You’ve, uh…got a lot of stuff in there, and I didn’t want to be too intrusive.”

“Thanks for getting it. We were otherwise occupied.”

Eliza snickered at my turn of phrase, and even Bas gave a bark of laughter. I dropped a kiss on her lips then immediately went in for another, despite the snickering I heard.

“I’ll be right back,” she whispered then turned and followed Raina out of the kitchen.

I watched until she and Raina disappeared. I only turned when Bas cleared his throat.

“We’ve got a few issues to discuss.” Bas nodded toward the table. My cue to take a seat.

“What’s going on?” I asked as dishes were passed around, so I could load plates for Eliza and me.

Bas and Simon shared a look then glanced at Anthony.

“I took point last night, following Lockhart and his group to see where they holed up for the night,” Anthony offered.

“And?” I asked.

“They split into three groups,” he continued. “Lockhart and four of the guys went to one of the local motels. Two broke off and headed out of town. The remaining three spent the night cruising several of the local bars.”

My mind churned. Why had two headed out of town? Where were they going? And why? I knew why Lockhart had sent a few back out in town. They were trying to get intel on the pack. Which meant Lockhart was planning something. He wasn’t going away and leaving Eliza alone. He’d force a confrontation. I had to admit I was looking forward to it. I met Bas’ gaze.

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