Page 31 of Mated to the Pride

There was a short period of silence, and rapid fire from the other side of the camp. Jess’ hands tightened on the bars, and I was reminded that she still didn’t really know what the hell was going on. That the others were safe.

I gave her a smile, instinctive and reassuring.

Do you need me?I asked, eyes still skimming over Jess as Preston continued to work the lock.I could take her back, out of the way.

There was a short silence as Blake weighed it up.Take her. Preston — see them off, then come to us. Yes?

I nodded, feeling my fellow Norths’ affirmations flood my system too. There we were in sync. I put my fingers on Jess’ torch gentle but serious. When her eyes met mine, I gestured at her to stand back. Mimed shooting the lock.

She nodded and pressed back against the wall. There wasn’t much space for her to move to, and she seemed to sense that — lifting her arms to cover against the upcoming blast. I stepped back, nodding at Preston.

We’re ready,I thought.

Hold, said Blake. A few beats stretched out, birdsong a soft contrast against the sounds of fighting at the front of the camp. It was almost peaceful.

Of course, a second later, the pressure popped as Blake’s order came through, loud and clear.

Go. Shoot.

Preston wasted no time, firing carefully to part the lock from the door. He unhooked the metal from the door and swung it open, waving Jess through as I held my arm out to shield her.

“Stone…”

I shook my head, listening out. The encampment had definitely noticed that some of the shooting was behind them; we didn’t have a big window to move in.

“Follow me,” I said. My voice was as soft as I could make it, but it still felt alarmingly loud compared to the silence of my usual communications in these situations. Like every armed man in these woods could hear us. “You can run?”

She nodded. That determination flashed in her eyes, and a good swathe of my fear melted away. What had I ever been afraid of? Jess wasn’t some glass maiden who’d snap at the first opportunity. I’d never met a real woman who was — but her mettle right now, and her refusal to answer their questions, proved that she could take care of herself.

Of course, our One Mate would be brave like this. Nothing else would make sense.

I led her quickly back into the guards’ entrance, weaving through the palisades with purpose and nimble feet. Unfortunately, my desperation to keep her safe had me distracted, and I was surprised as we came face-to-face with another guard running up from the woods.

My instinct was to play stealth and go for his neck with a clawed hand, but the last thing Jess needed was more confusion and stress right now. That left me only the nuclear option — but my moment of hesitation had cost me. The guard brought down the heavy butt of his shotgun, aiming for my head. I ducked just in time to take the blow on my shoulder instead, groaning under the weight of the impact. So long as he was hitting me and not Jess, it would be alright — but I didn’t plan on giving him a second chance. Though my shooting shoulder was on fire from the hit, I lifted and sank a clean two bullets into his chest.

“Oh my God.”

I came right back to Jess’ side, eager to soothe away her fear. I wanted her well and comfortable, as always — but our silence was extremely valuable right now. We couldn’t risk being heard now and bringing down the weight of the main fight onto ourselves.

“It’s okay,” I said, low and sincere. “We’re alright. We just need to stay out of sight. Once we’re far enough away, we’ll run. I’ll get you back safe, and they’re going to be just fine here. Okay?”

“You’re sure they’re safe?”

That her first instinct was to be interested in their safety instead of her own spoke volumes — about her character, and about what we meant to her. I swallowed, wishing I could transfer to her all my care and adoration as easily as I could communicate with my pride.

For now, I could only squeeze her hand.

“I promise,” I said. “They can handle themselves. Let’s just get you out of here. Ready to move?”

We moved back through the trees, arching around to steer clear of the camp’s view. Eventually the sounds of the fight lay somewhere behind us, and even that seemed faint.

“Jess,” I said, leading her back onto the main path. “Time to run.”

Her face was steel as we ran together. She must have been exhausted after the way she’d spent her day, and after already feeling unwell, but if so then it wasn’t written on her face. When we occasionally slowed to let her body rest, only then did I see the signs of tiredness — the heaviness of her breath as she bent over to recuperate her energy, and the self-deprecating smile.

“This definitely wasn’t in the job description.”

I grinned, leaning against a nearby tree. “Yeah, sorry about that. Should’ve read the small print.”

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