Chapter 177

[ 1,429 words ]

Xochitl

Dante pulls the male down to him and shifts with a speed most enforcers take years to be able to accomplish.

Elliot charges at the other human, taking advantage of his stunned look and Ashlynn throws herself to the ground where Sigrid is waiting, scooping her up into his arms.

Tuned into her son, Sage turns and fires at the camera feeds, one after another, cutting out the signal.

My mind freezes as I try to register what I’m seeing.

The large monstrous limbs and curved claws. The hulking bipedal frame and blazing silver eyes.

Dante isn’t just a wolf.

He’s a hybrid.

Elliot knocks the man unconscious, and the others rush to the cages to release the other juveniles, eye on Dante’s beast like they aren’t sure what they are seeing.

The beast crushes the male wind pipe in his massive claws as if his bones were hollow.

The humans I’m holding scream, claw to get away but their panic only draws the hybrids attention.

He turns to them and the scent of piss fills the air.

Disgusting.

Sage drops her gun and runs to her son. The hybrid crouches making himself small so she can reach him.

She strokes and kisses his head. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I almost had a heart attack when you didn’t come home.”

He shifts back still comically larger than his mother.

“Next time I get kidnapped, I’ll be sure to give you a call first,” he says.

Theo whistles. “Wait until Liam finds out he missed this.”

Yes indeed.

Once word spreads that there is an unmatched hybrid, packs will start making their pitches of protection to get the boy and his mother to join, my wolf asses.

“I’ll go get the car,” IIya says, casting one last glance as Sage and her son.

Ashlynn runs over to Dante and Sage and the woman opens her arms for the young girl giving her the maternal support she needs right now.

Elliot looks at Sage with a raised brow.

“Save it, Elliot. Let’s get the kids home first,” she says, cutting off anything he could say.

The Alpha smirks at her attitude. “I just wanted to check over their injuries so I can let Kiara know what to expect.”

“Not to rush anyone, but can we wrap these things up, I say, gesturing to the human trash I’m holding down.

“On it,” Theo says.

Ronan joins him, not bothering to handle them gently as they bonded their arms, legs, mouth and finally covered their eyes.

Over the next twenty minutes we stow away the prisoners in one car and gather the juveniles in another rental Dex had gotten.

It’s time to bring the children home.

***

The healer building is buzzing with healers moving back and forth through the room, examining and treating wounds.

I volunteered along with sage to stay with the children being both a familiar and comforting face while the other enforcers went and set up meetings with the parents of the four other juveniles who were taken.

Quinnie runs in and Thomas meets her at the door whispering something to her that makes her go pale.

She nods and heads into one of the rooms where a female juvenile was placed.

I stare at Thomas. My wolf watches the male just as closely.

On the outside he is composed, stoic, clinical.

Maybe if this had been a week ago, I would have thought the same. But since spending my nights with the male I’ve come to find a compassion that is measureless.

It’s just buried underneath a mind independent of emotional sway.

A mind I find way too fascinating.

My wolf grumbles, annoyed that I’m not going over there and checking on him. As far as he’s concerned, that healer is his. He’s staked a methodical claim on the male he wants to make physical.

Give it up. You know the score.

He will want us, my wolf says with a certainty that might as well be concrete.

And what happens when we leave, I challenge.

You’re ignoring the real issue, he shoots back.

That is the issue, I lie. Besides, I don’t want a relationship.

My wolf doesn’t bother to rebuttle. We both know it’s bullshit but unlike him I’m not ready to throw myself in the fire for some dick.

Okay, some really good dick.

“You’re relieved of your duty,” Thomas says looking at his clipboard. “Sebastian will relieve you so you can go to do your training with Low.”

“Sure. How are the patients?”

His expression is unreadable. Indomitable. Closed like I’m an outsider.

I guess I am to him.

It shouldn’t sting but it does.

“I don’t discuss patient treatment.”

I hold up my hands trying to keep my body language casual. “Right. Healer/Patient confidentiality. Got it.” I step back, putting space between me and his warm chocolate and cinnamon scent. “Take it easy.”

I turn but his voice stops me before I take a step. “I’ll see you tonight,”

My wolf—the slutty little bottom that he is— is on board with his plans.

Not me.

Not when it’s clear his only intention is to fuck me in the shadows while pretending we’re no more then aquaintances in the daylight.

It’s not like I’m looking for a proposal of his undying love or anything.

Just a simple acknowledgement.

A, hi.

Or, how are you?

Goddess, I’d even take a simple Good Morning.

“Tonight’s not going to work,” I say.

“What?” His tone is biting.

“You heard me. I have plans.” I walk out of the healing building before my agitation becomes clear to him.

I see Sage refilling a pitcher of water and wave goodbye.

I don’t have time to waste on this. I need to focus on Low’s training and I need to speak with Ronan to see if he updated Rick on what happened.

Being outside, away from him helps somewhat.

I walk across pack ground and head straight to the pack day care. Nodding at the guardians I spot the wiry little pup in an instant.

My power reaches out to stroke his affectionately and he turns to me with a grin.

“Xo!” He jumps up saying goodbye to his friends. “Are we going to make things fly today?”

“Sure are. If you do well I might even ask you to make me fly.”

His eyes go round with an earnest excitement. “I want to try.”

“Prove it. Show me you can move our new objects today and I’ll let you have a go on me.”

He pumps his little fist. “Yes!”

Laughing we go to our normal training spot and start to work on pushing and pulling the wind around us.

While Low practices, I get ready to have my ass bruised for the sake of education.

The things I do for people.

***

“How’s my grandson doing?” Rick says.

I stare at him over the video call and shove some chips in my mouth.

“You’ll find out once you get here. From what I heard Ronan updated you on everything and you’re itching to be part of the interrogation.”

“I’m King,” he says with a hint of petulance in his tone.

“You’re bored, and tired of guessing who the fuck these rodents are,” I correct. “And you are curious about the Hybrid juvenile.”

Rick laughs. “It’s not the same in this building without you.”

“Yeah I know.”

“So, how’s pack life treating you?”

That question makes my hackles rise. “It’s fine. Good as any hotel.”

He raises a brow. “Easy. No one is kicking you out?”

“Really? Sure as hell feels like it.”

“I’m just saying it would be nice to see you settling like the others.”

“Funny, coming from you.”

“Don’t be an ass. I’m different. But you’re young and could benefit from having a pack your wolf can assimilate to.”

“No thanks.”

He looks at me, the uncharacteristic serious side of his rising and I know I’m going to hear something I don’t want to hear.

“I won’t be here forever.”

Choosing to ignore his meaning I say, “And here I was believing we were immortal.”

“Xo, I’m serious. It’s okay to let people in.”

“Thanks for that. I’ll pencil in thinking about my schedule.”

Rick shakes his head but doesn’t push. “I’ll see you soon. Be good.”

“I won’t make any promises.”

The screen shut off as a knock sound at my front door.

I look at the clock. Who the hell is at my door at 11:30 at night?

As I put my hand on the door knob my stomach rolls.

When I open it, Thomas is standing there, sleeves rolled up to the elbows showing off his mouth watering tattoos.

Bastard knows what he is doing.

“I thought I told you tonight wasn’t good.”

“Looks good to me,” he says.

“Yeah, well I’m not in the mood.”

He looks me up and down. “Don’t lie to me. You and I both know all it will take is one touch before I have you writhing beneath me.”

“Someone’s confident,” I taunt.

“Am I,” he steps closer invading my space and his scent goes straight to my cock. “Then prove it. Let me in.”

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