Page 55 of The Strongest Wolf

Dom takes another long sip of coffee. “You heard. She’s okay now, just shaken up. But—”

There’s no doubt in my mind about what needs to happen now. “I’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”

I can almost see Dom nodding. “And Sierra?”

I try to imagine what would have happened if the shifter had grabbed Sierra. What would that have done to her when she’s still dealing with the fallout from the Stones? “She’ll stay here until we deal with them.”

“Didn’t you say—”

“I know what I said, Dom,” I snarl. It was only yesterday I saw how close Gavin was sitting to her on the porch and making her laugh.

That’s when I realize Dayne was right. I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone so long without wanting to snarl at someone, but it’s because of Sierra. Has to be.

I sigh. “She’s still dealing with the trauma of living with the Stones.”

Maybe we need to find a therapist.

But even as I think it, I’m already rejecting the idea. Sierra talks when she wants, and she talks to who she wants to. She’d have to agree to this, and if I were even to suggest such a thing, she’d nod, smile, say she’d think about it, and then never mention it again.

“It’s only been two weeks. Healing takes time,” Dom says. “How does she feel about you leaving her in Colorado while you come back?”

She’ll think I’m turning my back on her, especially after what happened last night. That’s how she’ll feel.

“I’ll let you know when I’ve spoken with her. Stay away from the shifters for now.”

“We outnumber them. We could—”

“Someone is behind this,” I interrupt. “That they haven’t left and they refuse to be scared off means they either fear someone else more, or there are more than have shown their face. No. Hold back. No one leaves the house alone. I’m leading this hunt.”

Dom doesn’t argue. “I’ll expect you late tomorrow, then.”

“Or early the day after, depending on traffic. And Dom?”

“Galen?”

“Prepare the pack for a hunt. One that won’t stop until these strangers are dead.”

“Or gone?”

I stalk through the forest toward the farmhouse. “They grabbed Bethany. Gone is not enough. Not anymore. They had a warning, and they didn’t take it. I’ll call you before I leave.”

After hanging up, I spend the five-minute walk struggling to bottle up my rage. I barely manage it. Until I’ve stepped foot in the packhouse’s den and my gaze lands on Sierra, sitting on the couch beside Eden.

And then the thought of someone putting their hands on her floods my mind.

I silence my growl before it can erupt, but Sierra turns from Eden with a frown as if she heard me. Her hair is still damp from her shower, and there’s no sign of a towel in her hand or beside her. “Galen, what’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

She gets to her feet at once, and after saying goodbye to Eden and Luka, crosses over to me. “Something happened.”

I take her hand and tug. “Come on, we’ll talk back in the cabin. Looks like they didn’t have a towel here after all.”

“Hey! I offered,” Eden yelps. “No need for the attitude.”

Despite the trouble back home and the conversation I’m not looking to have with Sierra, having Eden treat me like a big brother nearly draws a smile from me. Almost, but not quite. There are too many things weighing on my mind to smile.

“We’ll see you later,” I say instead. “Come on, Sierra.”

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