Page 2 of Sasha's Wounded Wolf

“No need to worry, E,” I assured him. “I’m going to find my mate, claim her as I intended, and destroy the person responsible for trying to kill us.”

“I’m with you there, but hear me out for a minute. Every time I mention going home, you cut me off.”

“I’m not going—”

“Goddamn it, Ro! Listen to me!” Easton roared. “We’re doing everything we can. Spinning our wheels everywhere. The guys are getting restless.”

“They’re free to go anytime they want. Any of you are.”

“Fuck you,” Easton snapped. “I’m saying let’s go back and talk to Bastion James and his pack. They’ll help us. Help us find the ghost who ordered the hit on you, on Sasha. They could help us locate Sasha and Nico. Christ, Raina doesn’t even know you’re alive.”

My heart ached at that thought, but I’d made the choice when I’d first awoken. I’d contacted no one but my father. Knowing he’d hurt himself trying to get to me had hit me hard. I’d needed to make sure he was okay and hearing the emotion in his voice when I’d reached out had guilt assailing me. Our last words before my disappearance had been filled with animosity. My father hadn’t wanted to accept my mate. I hadn’t cared and had let him know he had no say in who I took as my mate.

We hadn’t mentioned that when I’d called, though. My focus had been on my sister and the remaining members of the Rigton wolves. I’d urged him to make contact with Bastion James and his pack. I’d known Bastion would take one look at my sister and fall hard for her. Then he’d step in and protect the rest of the Rigton wolves. I’d planned to introduce Bastion and Raina myself. Circumstances may have prevented that, but it had worked out anyway. My sister was now mated to a man worthy of her. I couldn’t ask for more than that. Yet, Bastion had given it to me. He hadn’t just taken the Rigton wolves under his protection. He’d accepted them into the James Pack.

Knowing my sister and the remainder of our pack were safe gave me the ability to do what I needed. I’d spent nine months in a coma. The first three months after that had been the darkest of my life. My wolf had rejected skin grafts. With intense rehabilitation I’d learned to make my right arm work again. It had been slow and painful, and there had been far too many days where I’d wanted to throw in the towel. Days where I’d questioned why I’d survived. Every time, it was Sasha’s face that pulled me back. Her smile. Her long, dark hair that always smelled like flowers. Her deep-blue eyes that called to my soul as no other ever had. My mate.

I’d spent the last two and a half years hunting for answers. Who’d planned the attacks on me and Sasha? Why? And where was my mate hiding? She was out there somewhere. Thinking I was gone. The thought of her grieving me made my blood boil. The thought of her moving on without me threatened to destroy both man and beast.

“I can’t go back. Not yet. But you and any of the others are always free to return. Join the James Pack. Go with my blessing.”

“And leave our alpha unprotected?” Easton’s face was coated in disgust.

“I’m not your alpha anymore.”

“You’ll always be our alpha, Rowan. Pack. No pack. We’re with you to the end.”

Easton held his arm out, and I took it, clasping it tightly with mine, uncaring of the ridged and twisted flesh that marred my skin. He’d seen it, had changed my dressing when I’d been too oblivious to know what was happening. Nine men had stayed with me. They’d all watched over me, protected me when I’d been locked inside myself, my body struggling to survive. They’d left everything behind. For me. It was a debt I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to repay.

“Just think about it,” Easton urged. “Please. It’s been three and a half years, Ro.”

“I know,” I agreed, a growl rattling through my chest. Did he think I didn’t know exactly how long it had been since I’d seen my mate? Held her in my arms and promised her forever?

“Have you ever questioned if we’re doing this all wrong?” Easton asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone thinks you’re dead. They think Sasha’s dead.”

“And?” I prompted when Easton paused.

“Sasha thinks you’re dead.” Easton blinked as if he’d just figured something out.

“What?” I barked.

“Sasha will only keep hiding if she thinks you’re dead. What would she do if she knew you were alive, Ro? What would Nico do? Christ, we’ve been approaching this wrong the whole time.”

“Sasha would come out of wherever she’s hiding to find me. I can’t let her do that, E. She’s safe, right now. I can’t put her back in danger.”

As badly as I wanted to find her, I wanted to protect her more. I wanted the person who’d planned the attacks on us, but I wouldn’t use Sasha as bait.

“You’re thinking like a mate,” Easton accused.

“I am her mate.” There was no tamping down the growl that filled my chest.

“Then we get in touch with Bastion and have him spread word he knows something about your death. That it wasn’t an accident. That he’s coming for them.”

“And put my sister right in the thick of it? Fuck no, E. What the hell’s wrong with you?”

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