Page 29 of Howling With Wolves

Both my and Ivy’s phones rang before we could say more. I could tell by her tone it was Cyan, then I heard Donovan.

“Hey, baby. It’s over.”

“Is he dead?” I reached out and gripped my mother’s hand in mine.

“Yes.” Anthony was the one who answered, letting me know they were both on the line.

“Are you okay? Both of you?”

“We’re fine. Rowan and his wolves are cleaning up. We’re heading back now,” Anthony said.

“And Sam’s with us,” Donovan added. “With Cyan.”

“Sam’s here?” My gaze flew to my mother’s as she straightened.

“Is he hurt? Is he on his way here?” she asked.

“Injury to his shoulder. Nico says he’ll be fine and heal quickly,” Anthony offered, having heard my mother’s questions.

“How soon will you be here?” I asked, needing to see them, touch them and make sure they were okay.

“Ten minutes. Maybe less,” Donovan said. “Hang tight. We’ll be with you soon.”

I hung up the call and met Ivy’s gaze.

“They’re okay,” she said, and I saw the fear she’d kept contained while her mate had been gone. “Cyan has Sam with him. He showed up with Nico. Cyan doesn’t know much more than that right now. He said we’ll talk when he gets here.”

Mom nodded, but I saw the uncertainty in her eyes. She wasn’t sure what her reception would be from either of her sons. I wanted to assure her everything would be fine, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know. All I could do was remind her that she had me.

“I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Mom squeezed my hand again then startled when Ivy took her other hand.

“Any anger comes from a place of hurt,” Ivy said. “He’s a good man. The very best. Just… Give him some time. Please.”

Mom nodded. She seemed to have locked her emotions inside once she knew Cyan and Sam were on their way to join us. I couldn’t begin to know what was going through her head, but I hoped whatever happened next wouldn’t break her.

When the door opened, Ivy was on her feet with a cry, flying across the room and throwing herself at Cyan. He scooped her up against his chest and murmured soothing words to her while she visually inspected him. I was on my feet when Sam entered. Our gazes met as Mom rose beside me.

“Sam!” she cried and stepped toward him. She took in the bandaging at his shoulder then pulled him into a hug. “Are you okay?”

Sam hugged her back, reaching out to pull me in close, too. We stayed that way. It felt right but part of me wished Cyan and Ivy were in the hug with us. And my mates. I wanted Anthony and Donovan.

As if I’d conjured them, they appeared in the doorway. Anthony paused to shut the door behind him while Donovan headed right for me. He took me out of my brother’s hold and pulled me against his chest, dropping his mouth to my upturned face and kissing me deeply. Anthony was there as soon as Donovan let me up for air. My hands moved over them. I could see and smell the blood on them.

“It’s not ours,” Donovan said.

“We’re good, love,” Anthony promised, and I kissed them both again.

There was a tension in the air when we finally separated, and I hated it. Mom and Sam stood to one side while Cyan and Ivy were on the other. I watched my mom straighten her spine and take a deep breath.

“You killed Clayton?” she asked Cyan.

“I did,” Sam said, bringing our gazes to him.

“I… You…” Mom wasn’t sure what to say. I could tell it wasn’t what she’d expected.

“For Jonathan.”

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