Page 4 of Howling With Wolves

“She’s awake.”

I glanced over as another male approached. I hadn’t seen this one previously, but I felt a pull to him just as strongly. His hair was varying shades of brown, darks and lights blended perfectly. His eyes were blue also, but lighter. Like a perfect sky on a sunny day. It felt right when he moved so I was caught between them, their bodies closing around me. I felt safe. God, when was the last time I’d felt safe? Truly safe.

“Who did this to you?” the second male asked.

I shook my head. “Who are you? Where’s Cyan?”

The dark-haired one growled when I mentioned my brother’s name.

“I’m Anthony,” he said.

“Donovan,” the other male answered then lifted his brow in question.

“Emma.” I glanced back and forth between them. If Donovan hadn’t joined us, I would have thought Anthony was my mate. But the pull was equally strong for each of them. That wasn’t possible. No female wolf I knew of had ever mated with two males. Occasionally, slept with more than one male wolf? Yes. But sex didn’t require mating. At least, not in the pack I’d been born into. My father had never been faithful to my mother. Apparently, my mother hadn’t always been with him, either. Not if I had another brother.

“Where’s Cyan?” I asked again.

Anthony and Donovan shared a look, one that seemed to equate to an entire conversation I wasn’t privy to.

“Answer me,” I demanded, and both their gazes snapped to me.

“Why are you asking about our beta?” Anthony asked.

“Wallace, the male who left, was supposed to bring me to Cyan Richards. Isn’t this his house?”

A growl rumbled up Anthony’s throat as he shook his head. “Wallace better hope I never get my hands on him. He hit you with the tail end of the car when he left. You hit the ground and passed out before I could get to you. I brought you here, so you could be comfortable while you healed.”

Wallace hit me with the car? I remembered him leaving and me hitting the ground. He’d never promised to stay with me, though. He’d only given his word he’d get me to the James Pack and Cyan Richards. I was sure he considered his promise fulfilled.

“Did he do this to you?” Donovan demanded, his gaze running over my body.

I glanced down and finally noted I was in a bed. I wore nothing but my bra and panties under the cool sheet. I’d definitely had on clothes before. My gaze snapped to Anthony, who had the grace to look apologetic.

“Your clothes were covered in dirt and blood. I undressed you as soon as we got you here. We cleaned you as best we could, but I’m sure you’ll want to take a shower,” he added. “One of us will help you with that.”

“Who did this to you?” Donovan asked again, his wolf vibrating in his voice. He looked ready to rip someone into pieces.

“No, Wallace didn’t do this.” I shook my head wearily. “It’s a long story. One I’d rather only share once, and I’ll need to do that with your alpha and Cyan Richards present.”

Donovan didn’t seem to like that answer, but as he continued to look at me, his gaze softened. “Why don’t I run you a bath? Your muscles could probably use a good soak. Anthony can get you something to eat.”

“We’ve got soup and fresh baked bread,” Anthony offered, and they both dropped their gazes to my belly when my stomach growled. “How long’s it been since you ate?”

I shook my head. I didn’t know. Were we on the road two days or longer? How long had I been locked in that room? God, I was so tired. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Exhausted in my soul. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I was helpless to keep them from spilling over. Donovan was the one to scoop me up onto his lap and press my head to his chest.

“Shh, baby. We’ve got you now. We’ll take care of you. Rest. Food. Enough so your wolf can come out and heal you. Then we’ll talk.”

I might not have that long if my father hadn’t been killed. Or if any of his loyal men had managed to follow Wallace and me. They could be looking for me right now.

“Get her into the tub,” Anthony ordered. “Then food followed by sleep. You’re safe now, Emma. No one will hurt you again.”

Donovan growled in agreement. Anthony leaned in, turned my face toward his and kissed me. I gasped in surprise, and he slipped his tongue inside, gently tasting me before easing back.

“You belong here. With us. Trust us to take care of you.”

It wasn’t an order, but it didn’t seem like a question, either. I bit my lip even as I nodded. Why was I nodding? I didn’t know these men.

I watched Anthony leave through the bedroom door then whimpered at the painful reminder of what my body had been through when Donovan stood with me in his arms.

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