Page 6 of Howling With Wolves

“It’s Cyan. Third time he’s been here since you brought her home,” Michael said.

“He’s by himself this time.”

As Cyan stepped to the door, I could tell by the expression on his face that his visit was important.

“Anthony. Michael,” Cyan greeted. “How’s Piper doing?”

“We’re good. She’s probably waiting for an update on Emma, though. I’ll see you guys later.” Michael was good at reading the room. He nodded to me, letting me know without words he’d be waiting if I needed anything.

“Still sleeping?” Cyan asked as soon as Michael left.

“Yeah. Donovan’s with her.”

“Get him,” Cyan ordered. “I’ve got something to share, and I’d like to talk to you both at the same time.”

My hackles rose, my wolf sensing I might not like what was coming, but I turned to follow my beta’s command, ducking into the bedroom. Donovan was lying next to Emma, stroking his hand through her hair while he spoke softly to her. Shelooked peaceful. The bruising on her face was still dark in places but had faded in others. It made me wonder how hard she’d been hit that it was taking so long for her wolf to heal her.

“Cyan’s here,” I said when Donovan looked up. “He wants to talk to both of us.”

“Finally ready to tell us what he knows,” Donovan muttered. He dropped a kiss on Emma’s forehead before rolling to his feet and standing.

I walked over, easing to sit beside her. Even under the swelling, bruising, and cuts, she was a beautiful woman. I ran a finger along her jaw, caressing her skin before leaning down to place my kiss on her cheek.

“We’ll be back soon, love.”

Reluctantly, I got back to my feet and glanced at my best friend. I wasn’t surprised at his vow.

“I won’t give her up. I don’t care what Cyan says or thinks. She’s ours. Our woman. Our mate. The only one who can tell me no is her.”

“Agreed,” I swore then nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Donovan followed me out, closing the door quietly behind us. Cyan took one look and shook his head.

“I’m not here to take her from you. I know you’ll both let her make her choice before anything happens. I just wanted to share some information with you. At least, what I can.”

“What do you know?” I asked.

“Her name is Emma…”

He paused, and I almost growled that we knew her damn name, but he finished before I could.

“Emma Richards.”

“Richards?” Donovan asked, sharing a look with me.

“My sister,” Cyan replied then amended. “Half-sister. Same mother. My uncle is her father. Was her father.” He shrugged. “Intel’s not real clear on Clayton Richards just yet.”

“Did he do that to her?” I asked. Had her father beat her to hell? Donovan growled. It took every ounce of my willpower not to join him.

“I don’t know yet. I made some calls. Got some people checking into things for me. Nico Volkov is using his contacts, as well,” Cyan said.

“Nico?” I asked. The lone wolf whose sister was mated to Rowan Byrd wasn’t much of a pack male. He visited, checked up on his sister, then went back to doing whatever it was he did. He had a lot of connections, though. Hell, if he ever took up Bas or Rowan on being a pack liaison, we’d be lucky.

Cyan continued. “So far, I know my uncle’s oldest son, Jonathan, was killed a few weeks ago. By his father. Middle son is missing, and Emma turned up here. There was some type of explosion. Emma’s dad may or may not have been killed in it. Our mother may have been, as well.”

“How did you know she’s your sister?” I wanted to know. Cyan wasn’t the type of male who would leave a woman tobe abused. Had this Clayton Richards beaten the mom and daughter?

“The last time I saw her, she was a young girl, but she looks like her mother,” Cyan said softly, closing his eyes. “I don’t know why Emma came to me, but I plan to find out. And if her father did that to her, if he’s still alive—”

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