Page 44 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

I know he knew she was full of shit, but I waited to see where he was going.

Clapping his hands together, Alpha Lightfeather drops several bombs on mother. “Great, I was about to skin two wild boars and harvest the meat. You can do that while we’re out. After that, you’ll need to boil down the skin for us to make cracklin.’ Can youhandlethat?”

Mother’s face turns a light shade of green. I guess when she made the remark of handling things around here, she meant doling out orders, not getting your hands dirty or should I say bloody.

We hold in our laughter as she swiftly turns on her heels, then rushes to the SUV. Father instructs the head of his security detail to return here after they drop her off.

After mother left, we broke off into pairs to look for Crown. It wasn’t a surprise to me when Nyah led us towards her grandmother’s cabin.

My gut was telling me it was soon for her to see the damage, but I knew I wouldn’t have been able to stop her if I wanted to.

As we neared the end of the trail, we saw the remnants of the cabin. Nyah sobbed, walking closer to the smoldering embers of what was once her grandmother’s cabin. The only thing that was left standing is the brick fireplace that was in the living room.

Nyah drops to her knees, clasping her hands together, hanging her head. “This cabin was the only thing I had left of my grandmother,” she cried.

Kneeling next to her, I pull her into my arms. “No, it’s not, baby. The cabin is just a reminder, but what you have of your grandmother in your heart is forever. No fire, earthquake, ortornado can tear that down. We will restore the cabin to how it once was.”

She silently sobbed while I comforted her. Nyah then wiped away her tears, saying, “You’re right. The cabin can be replaced, but my memories are forever.”

“Exactly,” I return.

“Now we just need to find Crown,” she says, sniffing. “I hope he’s okay.”

“I’m sure he is,” I console. “He probably saw what happened here and fled.” Thinking that it might work, I tell Nyah, “Why don’t you call out to him. I’m sure your father did when he was looking for him, but you were the one who saved him that night and he sees you as his mother. Call him, Nyah.”

Nyah moves her head up and down before clearing her throat.

“Crown, come here boy,” she yells. “Crown! Crown, where are you?”

Minutes pass as we wait for Crown to show. Nyah feels defeated, saying, “They got him, or they killed him. Either way, they will die.”

I open my mouth to talk, but my words are cut off by the scent of blood, fresh blood. Nyah and I sniff the air to see which direction it’s coming from. We are predators by nature, so the fresh smell of blood has our wolves going crazy. Looking towards the left end of the tree line to the back of the house, our wolves calm when we see Crown dragging himself out. We race to him as he collapses to the ground. Once closer we see the gash to his right thigh. It looks as if a larger animal took a swipe at him.

“We have to get him back to the house, now,” Nyah says, scooping him up in her arms before taking off towards the trail.

Chapter 23

Braxton

I remained closely behind Nyah as she whipped through the trail, holding Crown close to her.

I knew Crown would survive but I was more concerned about his wounds. Yes, he’s still young and would recover, but what if the injuries to his leg were more complex? What if he wouldn’t be able to use it again? So many concerns bounced around in my head, I was beginning to have a slight headache. However, the outcome of his injury, whoever did that to him will suffer in the worst possible way.

I never thought I would have this kind of compassion for an animal that my wolf would normally hunt for sport. It must be part of the mating experience. Crown still needed a chance to thrive and become the stag he was born to be and if I have anything to do with it, he will be. Anyone who tries to kill him for sport or out of retaliation will have to answer to me.

The way he laid his head on Nyah’s shoulder was enough to let me know, Crown was not a pet but a member of the Lightfeather family which means he is a part of mine. Once we make sure he’s going to be okay, I’m hunting down everyone I think is responsible. First on my list is Corey’s bitch ass.

“Kenia, Kenia!” Nyah yells as we clear the woods. “Kenia!” she shouts again.

“Nyah,” Kenia calls, appearing from the tree line with Levi behind her. Father, Alpha Lightfeather, James, and our men come into sight.

Nyah and Kenia meet each other in the front of the backyard.

“Crown’s right thigh is injured. He has claw gashes,” Nyah tells Kenia.

Nyah moves her arm back to show Kenia. Alpha Lightfeather sees the damage and his eyes switch to his wolf’s as he blows out a gust of breath through his nostrils.

“Shit,” Kenia murmurs before trying to take Crown from Nyah.

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