Page 52 of Breathe Again

I laughed. “Not unless you just want a quiet place to sleep on the drive there.”

“You have no idea how tempting that sounds,” he confessed.

I checked my watch. Kyle’s flight arrived in less than two hours and it was an hour drive to the airport. I wouldn’t relax fully until I got there ahead of him.

When Liam mentioned the keys were in the cab, I didn’t bother to go inside to say good morning. I figured Cora and Zach probably weren’t much better off than Liam if Sara had been as bad as they portrayed. Instead, I hopped into the SUV, found the keys, and headed to the airport. It was a nice, quiet, uneventful ride, and I arrived twenty minutes ahead of my Alpha.

When Kyle and his family arrived, they were in high spirits and excited for the celebration. Zander didn’t stop talking the entire drive back. He had missed Oscar and couldn’t wait to see him. Little Jason slept soundly in Kelsey’s arms perfectly at peace, unlike poor Sara had been when we’d arrived. Even then she’d been restless from the teething, but nowhere as bad as Liam and Oscar had described.

“You’re truly at peace now, Cole. It’s amazing,” Kelsey said, interrupting the constant stream of two-year-old ramblings. “How’s Lizzy?

“Wonderful,” I beamed. “I’m sure you’ll see her later today. She was still sleeping when I left this morning and I didn’t want to wake her.”

Kyle shared a knowing look with his mate. “Mating suits you, my friend. We’re both very happy for you.”

“Thanks. Trust me, no one is more shocked than I am.”

The rest of the drive was spent catching Kyle up on the festivities. He and Kelsey were staying at the Alpha house in Elizabeth’s old room, since I had officially moved out of there. Two chartered buses of Westin wolves were following our caravan back. Kyle had been particular about who he selected, but it was great to be surrounded by familiar smells.

The others would be staying in either the small hotel in town or in tents on the range in Collier territory. Other packs would be arriving throughout the day and into the next. Activities would begin the following morning to entertain and keep the peace. Patrick had sent a team of security for Kyle and our wolves, and I knew Kyle had a small group of his elite forces team blended in the mix. If someone paid close enough attention, they’d know immediately those guys weren’t Westin. I wasn’t even sure they were wolves, but with so many new scents in the air, it was unlikely anyone would notice.

Just as we pulled into Collier territory, I was slammed with waves of high intensity emotions—anger, worry, and fear. It took me a minute to realize it was coming from Elizabeth through our bond.

Sweetheart, what’s wrong?I asked, reaching out to her.

Luke’s here with a warning,she said hesitantly.

I growled loudly and jerked the wheel to change directions, heading for the apartment I was sharing with my mate.

Are you home?

Yes.

How the hell did he get there? I thought the guards went on full duty at five this morning.

It doesn’t matter how, Cole. He’s here, and he’s not our enemy. He came to warn me. Thomas could be in danger. The Larken wolves are planning an attack on the celebration.

I swore aloud and noticed for the first time that Kyle and Kelsey were staring at me with total interest.

“It’s weird, right? Why didn’t you tell me?” Kyle asked.

“Tell you what?”

“Tell me that your bond is sealed with Lizzy.”

“Yeah, I’d know that look anywhere,” Kelsey added. “Now what’s wrong?”

“How much do you know about the Larkens?” I asked.

“Not much if I’m honest,” Kyle said. “I know they used to be Collier and split from the Pack when I was just a pup. I was under the assumption there were disagreements, but that they lived peacefully in the nearby area.”

“Elizabeth had a run-in with some of them on Collier land a few days back. Thomas has two in custody. A third she insisted we let go, Luke Larken. Apparently he’s at our house right now warning Elizabeth of an impending attack. I can drop you off at the Alpha house if you’d like,” I told him, uneasy with that decision.

“No, I trust your instincts. Even if it’s just to protect your mate because there’s a threat in her home, it’s worth heading straight there,” he said.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I told him formally for the respect he was showing me.

Elizabeth

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