Page 24 of Wanted By the Wolves

Fuck. They can smell her and see her, but they won’t be able to get through the wards. That won’t stop them from trying.

It only takes a few moments to catch up, but it’s too long. By the time I skid into the clearing, my little wolf is frozen, tail tucked and body shaking.

Glowing yellow eyes stare back at us from the darkness. The feral wolves snarl, their mouths foaming in madness. Wolf after wolf smashes into the boundary, leaping on one another in their attempts to get to her. Their scents are filled with a sharp, violent lust.

I jump between her and the boundary, my snarling growls warning the wolves on the other side.

They won’t ever touch her.

The shift to my human form only takes a second. I scoop her up and turn from the wards, cursing myself for not warning herbefore we went for the run. My goal was to help her feel relaxed enough to sleep. Now, I’ve sent her into a panic.

The small wolf in my arms doesn’t stop shaking.

“It’s all right, sweetheart. They can’t get to you. The wards keep them out. I promise even if they fail, I’ll never let them touch you. I’ll keep you safe.” I say the words over and over in reassurance as I race back to the cabin.

Briggs is already rushing out the door when I get to the yard. My panic must have woken him.Great.I was trying to help, but now I’ve worried them both.

“What happened?” my brother growls, looking us over for injuries. When he finds nothing, his hands go to her fur, trying to soothe her. “What is it?”

“She saw the ferals at the boundary.” I force myself to keep my voice gentle when all I really want to do is rage.

“Well, shit,” Briggs mutters.

Yeah, I fucked up.

Chapter 14

Briggs

The coffee mug I’ve been avoiding since I came into the kitchen mocks me from the counter while I clean the breakfast dishes. As magic zips along the mug’s looping script, it seems to glow. It’s almost like a spark racing along the words “stubborn goat.”

No doubt Gage had himself a laugh when he left the healing potion out in my newly personalized mug. Of course, he didn’t stay around long enough to see my reaction. He’s out of the house before any of us wake. If it weren’t for the fact that he keeps making meals, I would swear he’d fled.

I debate pouring the potion down the drain, but I’m afraid that would prove his point. Besides, my body aches enough to make it worth it. With a resigned grimace, I down the black tar and toss the mug into the dishwater.

Dex lumbers in, sipping the last of his coffee, coat already on. He scowls, his expression tight. “I said leave them. Go rest with our little wolf.”

“I can do the damn dishes,” I snap.

Both the other alphas in this house are on my shit list. My brother spent breakfast arguing with me again about letting me help him finish setting the traps.

Okay, arguing may be a stretch.

Dex simply grunted and growled the wordno.

Since when do I need his damn permission?

“Why am I the only one with a magical shit-talking cup?” I ask petulantly.

Dex eyes me dubiously. “That seems obvious.”

I flick him with water. “Exactly. If I’m stubborn, so are you.”

My brother rolls his eyes.

“Better watch yourself. You may be the bigger brother, but I can take you.” I hurl the threat at him, mostly joking. If I’m stuck under house arrest, at least I can give him shit.

“When was the last time you laid me on my ass? Did you have chin hair yet?” Dex goads.

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