Page 87 of Rhett
“Well, Mack, Emmett, Brody, and I haven’t found our mates,” Jasper barked. “So we might be taking that same walk of shame like Clancy into the outer edge.”
Quinn’s expression turned grim. “Not if I can help it.”
I clapped Jasper’s back in reassurance and solidarity. “We’re a pack. We’ll fight the feral sickness tooth and nail.”
Jasper’s lips curled up into a grin. “Well, I don’t know about you two, but I’m finished talking about our feelings.” He made air quotes. “Can we move the fuck on?”
Quinn and I chuckled. Jasper didn’t wallow in self-pity for too long, and that was what we loved about him.
“Yep,” Quinn and I said in unison before the three of us marched into the forest in search of Sam.
CHAPTER23
NOVA
I jumped up from a surprisingly sound sleep when I heard a loud commotion outside my cell. Rubbing my eyes, I glanced at my phone. It was eight in the morning. My lips curled up at the “I love you” text from Bonnie.
My eyes widened when Imani appeared with Nyx and two other women—one with a blond buzz cut, the other with reddish-brown hair with white streaks who was rocking an all-leather outfit.
“Your girls are here,” Imani called out. “And we brought you much-needed sustenance.” She placed the gigantic basket she was lugging with two hands on the floor before walking right into my open cell.
“Are you going somewhere?” I gestured to the hard-case trunks with wheels each of them had dragged into the station.
“It’s a surprise,” Imani explained, plopping down next to me before giving me a quick side hug. “We would have gotten here sooner, but between me cooking up this mouthwatering feast and us having to push our way through the crowd of idiots still outside the station, time slipped away.”
I appreciated the company but had to ask, “Are you guys even supposed to be here?”
“We”—Imani gestured to all of them—“have the right to be here with our friend.”
“Exactly,” Nyx agreed. “If they want to stand outside acting like jackasses, let them have at it.” They all left their trunks behind before strolling inside the cell.
“I was this close”—Blond Buzz Cut held up two fingers—“to casting my ‘shut the fuck up’ spell on those morons.”
Nyx sat on the other side of me, resting her head on my shoulder. “You know, this cell is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside,” she marveled.
“That’s Rose,” Imani gestured to the beautiful, lanky woman with a pouf of reddish-brown hair with pristine white streaks.
I extended my hand, but instead, she pulled me up into a big hug. “I’m a hugger.” When we broke apart, Rose gushed, “I’m so happy to meet you finally. Granted, it’s not under the best circumstances.” She gave the cell a disdainful stare.
“That’s for sure,” I replied.
“My turn,” said the gorgeous woman with high cheekbones and the blond buzz cut. She hugged me, then stepped back. “I’m Izzy.”
I smiled. “You’re the town’s healer.”
She nodded. “Yep. I do my best.”
“They’re part of our take-no-shit crew,” Imani divulged.
“Yes, ma’am.” Izzy saluted. “I’m a proud card-carrying member.”
“Ditto,” Rose chirped.
Nyx extended the small bag clutched in her hand. “Bonnie packed some toiletries in case you want to freshen up.”
I accepted the bag like precious cargo. “Thank you.”
Nyx continued. “Bo, June, Freya, and Piper would be here, but they’ve been running around town since last night, paying in-person visits to all their connections in the Ridge.”
