Page 52 of Wulf's Pack
“And you live in the city?”
The jaguar can’t wrap his head around it.
Bree shrugs. “You get used to it. And Michigan has lots of woods to run through. We may have to drive a bit to find unclaimed territory, but it works.”
Skylar moves to his cage and looks up at Samuel expectantly. He’s been standing back, being far more patient than I would have expected. It’s been nearly an hour since we came down here. He looks at the jaguar, then frowns at Skylar. “Is he going to try to attack me? You won’t be happy if I have to kill him when you’ve just brought him back.”
As much as I hate the man, I can’t help appreciating his concern for Skylar. I swear it’s the only thing saving his life right now. That, and Skylar’s still got us all blissed out. That reminds me…How are you?I ask her. I move to her side and nudge her with my head. She smiles at me and scratches me behind my ears.You’ve been using your power for a long time. Are you exhausting yourself? You don’t want to overextend your powers.
“I’m okay for a little bit longer,” she promises out loud. “Maybe twenty minutes? We should probably get out of here. I doubt we want these guys anywhere near Samuel or his vampires when I pull back. You going to shift back any time soon?”
Ask my stubborn half. Apparently, it’s up to him.
She smiles at me, then teasingly says, “Wulf? Hey, boy. Can Wulf come back now? We need to get going. We need to get our new pack members taken care of.”
My wolf glances at the jaguar.
Skylar bops me on the nose. “You can’t claim him if he doesn’t want you to. Now, change back. I’m tired and starving.”
With one last indignant huff, my wolf gives me back my human form. Skylar grins a crooked smile. “Welcome back.”
I groan. “He’s really starting to annoy me.”
She surprises me with a small kiss to my cheek. “We’ll worry about it later. Let’s get everyone someplace safe first.”
I climb slowly to my feet. I’ve evened out a little—not quite so high—like Skylar promised me I would, but I’m still lethargic. We all are. Skylar takes charge. She approaches Samuel. “Have you got any spare clothing or blankets? I can’t very well march them naked through downtown.”
Samuel considers us. “I can have clothing brought down to them, and I will tell Felix to bring the van around. He will give you all a ride to any hotel you choose.”
Skylar’s eyes mist over again. “Thank you, Samuel.”
He sighs and pulls her in for a hug. “How does a wolf have me so wrapped around her finger? You have since you were a little girl in ruffled dresses and pigtails. It’s probably a good thing you’re leaving, Pet, but you will be missed.”
Skylar hugs him back. I nearly bite my tongue off.
He pulls back and smiles affectionately. “Go. Be safe and happy.”
A large van with room for all nine of us pulls up. Felix is behind the wheel. He passes out sweatpants and T-shirts for all the shifters, including me. It’s not until Felix hands me a set that I realize I’m naked. Damn it. I shifted out of my clothes again. I’ve got to get my wolf under control before I have no wardrobe left.
I dress quickly and help my new pack members into the van. Skylar and I are the last to leave. I can’t help looking back at the bear and the coyote we weren’t able to save. I hate to leave them. I shouldn’t push Samuel’s generosity, but I can’t help pleading with him. “Can I at least put them out of their misery?”
Samuel purses his lips. “The deal was for the ones you saved only. I’m upholding my end of the deal, even though you are taking far more than I expected.”
I clench my jaw. He hadn’t expected we’d save any.
“Go, and be grateful for those lives recovered. The others are not your concern.”
Skylar grabs my arm and tugs me toward the van. I’m going to hate myself forever for leaving them behind, but I help Skylar into the van and then climb into the passenger seat. We’re all quiet as we leave. I have no doubt all of our thoughts are on those poor souls.
Chapter
Sixteen
We find a hotel near the airport and get a block of four rooms. They all insist Skylar and I have our own room. The hawks are given one as well. Bree and the teenage girl bunk together, and the jaguar agrees to share with the other two wolves. We all take showers, something the shifters haven’t done in who knows how long. None of them seems to know how long they were in Samuel’s kennels. It appears Samuel didn’t acquire them until they were already feral after all. I tell myself that makes it less horrific, but I don’t really believe it.
After everyone is cleaned up, we head out to find a 24-hour diner. It’s late, but we’re all starving. The mood is somber. “You know he’s just going to find others to replace us,” the jaguar says. His name is Diego and he’s from Los Angeles, last he remembers. He’s not sure if he wants to go back. Not that he has any ID or a way to get there. His English is decent, but his accent is thick. He seems the angriest of everyone, and he was the easiest to bring back from the madness. I think he might remember bits and pieces of his time with Samuel.
“I know,” I admit. “And I hate it. But there was nothing more we could do. If we’d tried to fight, we’d have all been slaughtered. We saved who we could.”
