Page 62 of Wanted By the Wolves

“You know you love it,” Briggs murmurs, trailing a kiss along my neck.

Damn alpha—he’s right.

Chapter 32

Nova

Gage moans, the sound heart wrenching enough to drag me from sleep. I slip out from under Dex’s arm and crawl over Briggs until I can burrow into the space between him and Gage.My alpha makes another pain-filled sound, and Briggs sits up behind me.

“Nightmare?” he asks.

I nod, brushing my hands along the crease in Gage’s brow. My purr hums to life, and Briggs matches it, but the harmony does little to calm Gage. He whimpers and thrashes, and before I understand what’s happening, Dex has me cradled to his chest.

“Careful, sweetheart. Let Briggs wake him up.” Dex pulls me closer, but I twist in his hold until I can watch.

Briggs gently shakes Gage’s shoulder.

Gage startles awake with a gasp, his eyes wide. “The wards.” Just as quickly, he’s moving, stumbling from the bed and down the hall as he shouts, “My dream. The ferals got through the wards.”

Briggs and Dex share a look, then the two alphas turn those flashing silver eyes on me.

“Stay with Dex, pretty girl. He’ll keep you safe.” Briggs kisses my forehead before turning on fast feet, calling for Gage to wait.

I scramble from Dex’s hold, desperate to help them, but Dex is on me before I’ve reached the door. I fight against him, half lost to my wolf, but he’s a mountain of alpha. The fight doesn’t drain out of me but turns into a rushing river instead.

“Easy, sweetheart,” Dex says, holding me tightly against his chest.

“Let me go! I can help!” I beat my palm against him, sobbing.

It’s stupid. I can fight. I don’t want to be separated from them, scared out of my mind they won’t come back.

Dex doesn’t let up, using his purr to try to ground me. His scent swells, and my muscles unlock, some of the blinding panic receding.

It’s unfair. I want to be mad.

“I know you can fight. But out there, with the full moon only days away, your scent will be bait, andno oneis using you as bait.” Dex’s alpha is in his voice. Somehow, the tone is both gentle and unyielding.

I deflate, knowing he’s right. I could get them hurt like I did Briggs when they brought me here. The heat of embarrassment mixes with new tears. I’m mad and ashamed of my own selfishness. Here I am freaking out and making it worse when two of my mates are out there battling who knows what.

“Aww, sweetheart, you’re eating me up with those tears,” Dex says, voice tense.

“I’m—I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m like this.” I try to stop the tears, but they keep coming.

“No more apologizing,” he growls, tugging my chin until I meet his eyes. “It’s all right to be scared, but Briggs is a strong hunter, and Gage is powerful.” Dex brushes his rough thumb along my cheek and kisses my forehead. “Can I put you down, or am I carrying you?”

I take a deep breath and pull myself together. “I’m good.” It’s a total lie, but I need it to be true.

Dex nods. “Go to the nest while I lock down the cabin.”

“Go.” I swallow around a rising whine and bite my lip. My wolf snarls, wanting control, but I fight her.

I can do this.

I return to my nest and bury myself under the covers, trying to shut out the world. I chant on repeat that the guys will be okay. The nest smells like my pack, and that makes it both better and worse. I listen for sounds, but Dex is quiet and the night is still. My heart races, my wolf on full alert.

Reality slows. Every second takes an eternity.

By the time Dex makes it back to me, loaded dart gun in hand, I’m shaking. I peek out from under the covers, and Dex’s face falls. “Oh, sweetheart.”

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