Page 66 of Hunted

“She volunteered when I called her. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I want us to be prepared.”

The closed curtains mean I can’t tell what time it is, but I wince when I see how late it is on the alarm clock on my bedside table. 2 in the morning.

I try to convince myself that everything is okay, but the bad feeling in my gut is growing.

“Don’t worry Aerin. I’ll have Bennett, Colton, Warren, Penny, and Tina with me.” He flashes me a grin. “It’s probably overkill to face down a pair of brawling foxes, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

I don’t return his smile. “And if it isn’t a pair of brawling foxes?”

He draws me into a far too brief hug. “Then they’ll be plenty of us to handle whatever it is.”

I grip his arm when he moves to leave. “Why do you have to go?”

He smiles gently at me. “Because I’m Alpha, love.”

“Couldn’t you be the sort of Alpha who leads from behind?”

“Yes, I could, but I’m not. I know you’re worried, but I’ll be okay.”

There’s nothing to suggest I’m right to think this way, but I’m more than worried. I’m terrified he’s walking into a trap.

“But what if you’re not?” I glare at my bump. “And I can’t go with you because of Thumper.”

“Aerin?” He tilts my head up, so we’re eye-to-eye. “I need you and Thumper safe, warm, and happy. I’ll be okay.”

“You promise to let Bennett go in front of you?” I feel terrible for saying it. Helena wouldn’t appreciate hearing me say this, but I love Mack and I don’t want anything to happen to him.

The corners of his eyes crease when he smiles, and he kisses my forehead. “I think I might be the better fighter.”

Of course he is. He effortlessly beat my former mate in a challenge.

“I know that.”

I’m just so scared of losing him. Especially now.

“Aerin, everything will be okay.”

I can’t find it in me to release the grip I have on the front of his shirt. No part of me wants to let him go. “I have a bad feeling.”

“You’re sure it isn’t Thumper stepping on your bladder?” His eyes sparkle.

I don’t crack a smile at his terrible joke. Dread is eating me alive. If he leaves, something bad will happen. I don’t know how I can be so certain of it, but I just am.

“Go back to sleep and that dream,” he says.

“What dream?”

He gently lays me down and kisses me before pulling the covers over me. “The one where you were asking someone to share with their little brother.” He kisses me again. “And where you were telling me you love me.”

“It was a nice dream,” I concede. The best dream.

“When I come home, you can tell me about it.”

“Okay,” I admit. “I probably won’t sleep, but if I am, wake me up. I need to know you’re home safe, okay?”

“Okay.”

I watch him leave. Downstairs, I hear the rest of the pack who must have arrived while I was still asleep. They’re moving around in the kitchen and the den, talking quietly among themselves as if they don’t want to wake me.

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