Page 24 of Howling With Wolves

“I—”

“Anthony!”

I glanced up and saw Emma at the top of the stairs. She looked freshly tumbled, hair in disarray, clothes pulled haphazardly on. She was gorgeous. And mine. I caught her as she flew down the steps and launched herself at me.

“Hey,” I murmured, hugging her against my chest. “What’s wrong?”

“I was afraid you’d leave before I saw you.”

“I told you I wouldn’t let that happen,” Donovan said, and she nodded.

“Be careful. Both of you. My father is great at manipulating people and situations. He’ll use any means at his disposal to see all of you dead. He’ll be gunning for Cyan, but if he finds out you’re my mates, he’ll kill you just to show me his power,” she warned.

“Try,” I corrected. “He’ll try to kill us.”

“Do you know how many people have tried to harm this pack?” Donovan asked her. “Too many to count. We’re all standing while none of them breathe.”

“Just be careful,” she begged, cupping my face then reaching over to cup Donovan’s, as well. “Please.”

“Of course, we will,” I assured her while Donovan merely nodded.

“Okay, thank you. Now, who’s staying here?”

“Han, Taylor, and Gabe,” Cyan answered as he and Bas walked out with Ivy and Raina at their sides.

“Good.” Emma wiggled from my arms and turned to face the others. “I’ll get with them. I’m familiar with every member of my father’s pack. I’ll know if any of them show up here.”

Cyan nodded, but I turned her back toward me.

“Stay inside. No heroics. Be part of the solution, not the problem.”

“Same goes,” she told me, including Donovan then Cyan by flicking a heated sear their way, too.

Cyan grinned. “Will do, little sister.”

Emma’s breath caught at that, but she smiled and nodded. Cyan stepped forward and took her hand.

“When this is over, I’d like to get together, just the two of us, and talk. I want to get to know you. No matter what happens with Claire.” Cyan paused, glancing at Ivy and only continuing at her nod. “Whatever happens with our mother. You’re my little sister, and I’d like for us to be close one day.”

He’d said it all before, but I knew it was important to him. That he’d continue saying it until they had that chance to sit, talk, and work on building the sibling bond they’d been denied.

“I’d like that, too,” Emma assured him then leaned in to hug him. “Please, be careful.”

“I know what Clayton Richards is capable of. I’ve always known. I’m just sorry I ever thought you and your brothers were safe from who he is. I’m sorry I left you there. I’m sorry for how this has played out.”

“None of this is on me or you. We’re the victims here, Cy. All of us. Me, you, Jonathan, Sam, and mom. All of us.”

Cyan dropped a kiss atop her head, patted her on the back, then took Ivy’s hand and walked toward the front door. Donovan turned Emma into him.

“Stay smart,” he ordered, dropping a kiss onto her lips that turned heated. She stumbled into me when Donovan let her go. He tapped his finger against her lips twice then turned and followed the others out the door. “Be quick.”

I nodded as I held Emma.

“I don’t like leaving you here,” I confessed as soon as we were alone.

“I’ll be fine.”

I knew she would be, but Donovan wasn’t the only one whose wolf was riding his skin. Instincts were strong when a male first mated. Add danger to the mix, and Donovan and I were more animal than man right now. It was the way it went with shifters. We were inherently dominant and protective. Knowing Emma had been held captive, beaten and tortured, revved those instincts to another level. Knowing the male responsible was close by? We were both ready to shed skin and let the animals avenge their mate.

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