Page 58 of Breathe Again

“Don’t be stupid, no one knows about this but us,” a lady responded.

“Why would security be so tight if they didn’t know?” the male insisted.

“Relax, our friends will be free by morning and Collier Pack will be ours for the taking,” the women said.

A low growl erupted from me before I could stop it.

“What was that?” the man asked, and the forest quieted.

After a few moments, the woman spoke again. “Stop being so paranoid, there ain’t nothing there. Now get some sleep. Everyone’s in place and we move out just before sunrise.”

Cole? Can you hear me?Elizabeth asked, clear as day. I was so surprised it startled me, and my wolf thumped his tail in excitement.

“You hear that?” the man asked.

“I said go to sleep already,” the woman responded.

I’m here,I finally told her when my heart rate began to steady again.

You heard all that, right?

Yeah, I did.

Luke was right. We have to get back and warn the others.

I think these guys have bitten off more than they can chew. Silas’s team is the best of the best. I don’t think they’ve left anything to chance.

And yet we’re still on Collier land, and here they are.

You’re right, we need to get out of here and warn them. We’re far enough away to move and not draw too much attention but give them some time to settle and hopefully sleep first before we make our move. If we can hear them, they’re close enough to hear us, too, even in their skin.

I’m sorry about earlier. I was a little upset that you didn’t trust me and thought there may be something between me and Luke.

I didn’t say that.

You didn’t have to. The bond and all, you know. When you’re overly emotional, you let your guard slip.

Sorry.I hated that she could feel my insecurities and know my deepest secrets. I wanted to put her in a box of only good, but I supposed since we started out in a dark place it was only inevitable that we face even the ugliest parts together, no matter how hard that was.

Don’t be sorry, Cole. I did a lot of terrible things where we’re concerned, and I put us both through hell and back. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I’d say for as long as you’d have me, but you’re sorta stuck with me for good at this point.

I could feel her love warm me through our bond.Mine,I growled in my mind.For better or for worse, you’ve always been mine and you always will be.

My heart felt lighter as I let that sink in. Elizabeth had always been mine. She always would be mine. Our own stubborn pride had been the only thing keeping us apart, and we’d more than paid the price for that already. I knew it was impossible to never return to those dark days. They were a part of me, but they weren’t a part of my future.

I love you, Cole.

I love you too, sweetheart. Now let’s get out of here,I told her, hearing the sounds of soft snoring mixed with the noises of the forest. If the animals weren’t alarmed by their presence or ours, then we should be safe to move.

I rose and turned slowly, careful of where I stepped and staying to the shadows where my black coat stood the greatest chance of blending in. Elizabeth did the same, hugging the rocks and often jumping from one to the next. I’d stop every few yards and listen. Nothing.

It felt like forever getting back to the open field. My heart was thumping so hard I was amazed it alone didn’t wake the Larkens. As soon as we were out of the woods, we ran. I took Elizabeth’s lead in our direction.

We have to warn Thomas.she insisted.

Thomas is sleeping and has a big day ahead of him. Silas is running point on security.

She slowed up and turned slowly towards me.Who the hell is Silas?

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