Page 60 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

“Okay, well,” Ezra says, clearing his throat again. “You may or may not know this, but Faye’s brother was murdered, and it was Kurt who killed him. When she went to her pack and tried to tell them what had happened, they dismissed her because of Kurt’s political standing.”

Maverick’s hand tightens on mine under the blanket, and tears prick at my eyes. I wonder if the day will ever come when I don’t mourn for my brother. Except, I am grateful that by bringing these men into my heart, it’s eased some of the pain from losing him. I haven’t replaced him, I just have people to be with me when I’m struggling now.

Ezra continues. “As you know from last night, Kurt is an asshole who wants to hurt Faye, but you don’t know the background of it all. When we came to The Selection, Kurt started to use his position as an alpha to take advantage of Faye. He assaulted her multiple times, and has been threatening herrelentlessly, supposedly as revenge for daring to report him for his crimes.”

I swallow thickly, watching as the men in the room all hear my tragic backstory. But there’s not an ounce of pity on their faces—instead, I see only lethal intent. Maverick and Xander haven’t even heard the whole story yet, and they already look like they might go at Kurt.

“We were out, shifted in the woods and going for a run, when we found an omega—Serra—that we’d all gotten to know. Dead. And she was killed in the same fashion as Faye’s brother. When we went to the council with it, they practically dismissed us.”

“Exactly like what happened at home,” I breathe, and I feel Xander press his body closer to mine, his touch calming me.

“Right,” Ezra says, his eyes softening when he looks at me, before returning to Maverick and Xander. “His most recent attempt to control and bully her was to claim her as his omega. Neither Cayson nor I were intending to take an omega during The Selection, but we stood in, also claiming her so we could help to dissolve any sort of claim Kurt might have on her. Also, so we would have a better position to interfere and keep him away from her. But the ultimas, Hector in particular, are insistent that Faye explore the mating bond with Kurt.”

So, now they know, but what will they think?

“I see,” Maverick says, glancing at me. “That explains a lot.”

“So your bond with Faye is fake…?” Xander asks softly.

I avert my gaze, embarrassed. “They faked the bond to protect me.”

“You guys are claimingthisisn’t real?” Maverick is almost laughing at the idea.

“Our bond is something… we need to talk about. Privately. Very soon,” Ezra says, and when our gazes meet, his expression is serious.

I shiver.Does he mean what I hope he means?

“What did Lance say when you spoke with him?” Xander asks, his leg still pressed firmly against mine, but his eyes on Ezra.

“He came to my room last night to tell me that they’ve found some evidence to implicate Kurt in the crime, but that it’s not enough. Apparently, Lance was outvoted in his proposal to remove Kurt from The Selection. The ultima is worried that, if Kurt hears about this attempt to remove him, he might become even more violent toward Faye.”

“Let him fucking try,” Maverick says, his eyes blazing. His hand tightens even more, sliding up my arm, an anchor to the ground. I feel such a rush of affection for him that it’s like a shock to my system.

“Right,” Cayson says, his eyes skipping throughout the room, landing on each of the other men. “So, we’re all agreeing that there’s not a chance Kurt gets within ten feet of her?”

“Agreed,” Xander says.

“It would be a good idea,” Ezra agrees. “We need to be extra careful with Faye, moving forward. We need to always assume Kurt is lurking in the shadows to attack her. The guard needs to remain at the door. Any time she leaves this room, at least one of us needs to be at her side.”

I let out a breath, trying to keep control of my emotions, but even with all of them here, I still can’t stop picturing Kurt and what he might do if he gets his hands on me. I gasp a little, trying to get some air, and Xander looks at me in alarm.

“Give her some space,” Ezra says, standing and coming to the edge of the bed.

Maverick and Xander back off a little, and I push myself up a little further, tipping my head back and inhaling desperately.

“We’re not going to let anything happen to you,” Ezra says, and the others nod in agreement.

Gently, each of them places a hand on me, and it’s the right amount of support—enough to be comforting without being stifling. I let my head fall onto Maverick’s shoulder, relief washing through me.

Kurt doesn’t stand a chance against my four alphas.For the first time in a long time, I don’t need to worry about him hurting me.Right?

I don’t know.

Cayson smiles at me. “Tell you what. How about tomorrow, during free time, we plan a surprise for you?”

I return his smile. “I would love that.”

That sounds like just what I need.

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