Page 133 of Shrouded in the Dark
“I’m here, kid. I need you to tell me about the shift they have you on today. I’ll be coming to get you out in just a few hours.” I looked up at the sky. The clouds were darkening in the distance so there might be a storm later, which would actually help with this. “Axel is with me.”
She didn’t respond for such a long time, I had to pull my cell phone away to make sure she hadn’t hung up on me.
“He must hate me.” Shame echoed through her response. “I used him and would have killed him.”
“Aye, kid, we know. The thing is, though, you didn’t. You managed to convince your parents to wait on the last rite. You saved yourself and him by doing that. He’s not happy with you, but he isn’t going to hurt you.” Once we got her out of the compound, I had some connections that I’d use to get her a new identity and send her across the coast, possibly even up to Alaska if I could get the pack leader in Anchorage to agree.
“Do you think Becca will forgive me?” There was the sound of a soft sniffle.
“I’m not sure, cuz.” I thought she would, because that’s just the way Becca was. She’d even said that she considered Felicity her best friend. They’d have a long road ahead of them, but it didn’t mean that they couldn’t get over it. “Knowing you, you’ll work it out though. But for now, I need you to tell me where you’re scheduled to be at the compound in the next few hours.”
It turned out that she was on the second outer perimeter tonight. That would make it a bit easier to get in and out unseen since I wasn’t going inside the fourth gate to get information from Aunt Nina. She was working with a few guys that I knew. Most of them were jack asses but one of them was actually part of the resistance. He might be able to cover for her long enough to avoid suspicion.
“Meet me at the second inner gate at seven. Don’t bring anything with you unless you absolutely cannot live without it. Understand?” I didn’t wait for her to acknowledge my command. “I’ll see you in a few hours, kid. Stay safe. It’ll be over soon.”
As I hung up, the sliding door behind me opened and Seth stepped out. He’d put up his hair and looked a little bit more refreshed than he had when we were in the car.
“Hey.” He looked around the small yard. “We were going to take a quick nap. You could probably use one, too.” This time he met my eyes and my animal shocked me by rolling over on its back.
I had to blink a few times. Ever since we’d fought for the alpha spot, my animal had been a grumpy asshole, even though we accepted that Seth was our leader. Now, all of a sudden, he was completely okay with it? What a bastard.
“A nap sounds good. I told Felicity I’d meet her at seven, so I guess I have a few hours to rest before I need to leave.” I put my phone in my front pocket. “We should probably talk before that, though. I want to give you what information I have on the headquarters, just in case.”
He nodded, turned to go back inside, and looked over his shoulder as I followed him. “From what you said in the car ride, it’s a rather large area.”
We stopped at the dining table, sitting across from each other. I could hear Axel in the master bedroom, already snoring softly. It brought a tiny smile to my face before I started to talk.
“The compound has over twenty buildings and I haven’t been given access to several. The outer buildings contain the barracks, gyms, and arsenal storage. This includes the first security gate. There’s no way to get into the area without going through the security gates and there’s a total of four. I’ll be going inside the first gate and meeting Felicity. As long as I don’t run into any issues, I’ll be back within three hours. I’ve even started reaching out to contacts to see where I can send Felicity so that she’s safe.” I scratched at the scruff that I hadn’t had time to shave the last few days. The rest of the information I explained was how the shifts changed. “I’d still like to get information out of my uncle or aunt.” I held up a hand as Seth looked about to say something. “I respect the decision and it’s smart to just get in and out.”
“Glad to hear it. Your safety is more important than collecting information now that we know what the resistance is planning. Becca would have both our heads if anything happened to you.” He grinned. “I’d rather not have that happen.”
“Having her mad at me is not something I want to happen. I have a sneaking suspicion that she’s even scarier than you are.” I crossed my arms. “Honestly, I’m surprised that she’s not heading our way after that shit meeting they went to.”
Seth’s shoulders started shaking in silent laughter as he passed me his phone. My eyebrows rose as I looked down at the message displayed from our mate.
We’re coming to Texas. It doesn’t make sense to be separated. Plus, you’d be heading back to Texas in a few days again with all of us. We’ll just stay far enough from the hunters. No arguments! See you tomorrow!
I laughed, stopping abruptly so I wouldn’t wake up Axel.
“She told us, didn’t she?” This girl. Even though it would be dangerous, we were enough away it should be fine. “Do you need me to contact the app to extend our stay?”
“No, I will.” He looked at me, his face sobering. “You’ll come back right after grabbing your cousin. No heroics, got it?”
“Aye, aye, el capitan!” Using two fingers, I saluted him. “Whatever you say!”
Seth shook his head as he stood. “Come on, brat.” He walked away into the master bedroom. “Come on.”
My animal paced in agitation. It had never been good with waiting. I walked into the room, toeing my shoes off in the doorway. Axel was in the middle of the bed and Seth had just climbed onto the left side. I took a second to look at them. It was a strange feeling, this sense of family that came with being part of their pack. I wasn’t sure I’d want any of them sexually. Although, if anyone piqued my interest, it was Cody. The wolf was a brat and I’d enjoy the fight he’d give.
“Turn off the light and get in.” Seth yawned even as he wrapped his arms around Axel and laid his head on the bears back. “We won’t bite.”
Flipping the switch so that the room darkened, I pulled back the covers just as Seth mumbled, “Yet.”
I cracked up, waking Axel.
* * *
Wyn
