Page 41 of Love Bites

“Are there any more matters for this circle?” Gideon asked some time later.

Brie almost sagged with relief. She wanted to go home and figure out what she was going to do. There had to besomething.

“I have one, dear nephew.”

The entire circle went so quiet Brie was sure she could have heard a pin drop.

Nephew?

She’d thought all of Gideon’s uncles were dead. Could the man have been speaking of another person?

From the way her mate stiffened, she had a feeling things were about to get way worse. Her new family around her growled softly, suddenly moving so they surrounded her in protection. Whoever this man was, whatever he had to say wouldn’t be good.

Not knowing what else to do, she moved forward, putting her hand in Gideon’s. She still stayed off to the side in case he needed to move quickly. He might have to fight if this other wolf, this supposedlydeadwolf, provoked him. Brie did not want to get in the way of that, but from the way no one moved to stop this man or answer him, she thought her mate might need to know she was there.

Just in case.

The bond between them flared bright, shocking her. She’d always felt it there, a thin, translucent thread that merely told her that they were mates. Yet, right then, it burned, cementing them in a way she hadn’t thought possible. Gideon’s shoulders didn’t relax, but something about him changed…as if he knew he wasn’t alone.

Silly, she knew, but she’d take whatever she could get at this point.

“What, boy, surprised to see me?” the other man asked as he strolled into the Pack circle.

“Mitchell. Kameron.” Gideon growled under his breath.

“Already gone,” Mitchell whispered back.

“Checking it out,” Kameron growled, and the Enforcer and Beta were gone, to ensure the wards were still working and to check for other threats.

Brie understood why Gideon wasn’t moving, waiting to understand what was in front of him. The man would protect his Pack at all costs.

Brie’s gaze moved from the man who looked much like her new mate to the crowd around them. This man wasn’t Pack anymore, at least that’s what she thought. That meant, unless the wards were down—and she didn’t think that was the case—someonehad let him inside the den.

Someone was in on it.

The loyalties of the den should have been to the Pack…but what if they weren’t to the Alpha?

That thought shook her, but she didn’t let her attention waver. The members either looked stunned or angry, but no one looked truly pleased to see him there. Iona looked as if someone had punched her while Shannon…well, the elder looked appropriately alarmed, but there was somethingoffabout it. It could have been Brie’s own prejudices where the other woman was concerned, but she wasn’t too sure. That was something she’d have to tell Gideon later.

“Still not speaking, son? I’m not here to hurt you.”

Brie squeezed Gideon’s hand as she turned back toward the man who’d spoken. Rage, confusion, and pain slid through the bond, and Brie sucked in another breath. She couldfeelhim. That had never happened before. He’d been so closed off for their mating. Yet something had changed. She pushed that to the side knowing now was not the time to worry about her own feelings and their mating. She quickly pushed back her own sense of purpose and soothed along the bond as she had done in a different sense all her life. That was why she was a submissive. She could assuage even the smallest of hurts of a dominant if they’d only let her.

Gideon squeezed her hand back then let out a low growl.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her body shook. Gideon let out the power of his Alpha, the immense strength of the bonds with this Pack pushing down on each and every member.

The weakest of the Pack fell to their knees immediately while some were able to remain on their feet. She didn’t fall. No, Gideon kept her up. Still, the face of his power was awe-inspiring. Hehad no choice but to release the show of his strength to this man who had no business there, but the gravity of it still surprised her.

“Leo. You were supposed to be dead.”

The other man grinned, his arms out from his body. “No, not dead. Just not…Pack.”

“It’s been thirty years. Where have you been all this time?”

“So many questions, boy, but don’t worry. There will be answers soon enough. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m your uncle. I’m family.” He grinned again, and she wanted to kill this Leo for the shudder rolling down her back. “I’m blood.”

“You are not Pack. You are not welcome here. In fact you were supposed to die for your crimes against the Pack all those years ago.” Gideon’s voice held a sense of calm that scared her, but she knew through the bond that there was nothing calm about him. He would kill this man in an instant if he could. The fact that they had no idea what tricks the wolf had up his sleeves was the only thing that held him back.

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