Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“But like Zac said, one of them is his cousin,” said the raven, cutting her eyes briefly toward Ryan. “Just because they’re good to him doesn’t mean we should trust them.”
“They wouldn’t expect your trust, Riley,” said Makenna. “They just want to help.”
Riley’s keen gaze studied the Phoenix wolves. “Why would you want to help us?”
“It’s the right thing to do,” replied Jaime. “Every child—human or shifter—should be protected. You’re clearly willing to protect them, but you’ll have a problem doing that all by yourself if someone comes for them. I don’t know what your story is, and I’m not asking. All I’m asking is that you let us help. For their sake.”
After a long silence, Riley glanced briefly at Dawn. “We’ll come. But just until this all blows over. This is Savannah, who’s four, and Dexter, who’s two.”
Dominic got down on his haunches, smiling at the children. “I’m pleased to meet you.” Zac squatted too, and both he and Dominic told the children about the pack and their territory, about how much space they would have to run and all the local wildlife. Savannah and Dexter listened intently, gradually relaxing.
Makenna leaned into Ryan as she said in a low voice, “Dominic’s good with kids. I didn’t expect that.”
Jaime snorted. “Dominic can charm anyone . . . although sometimes that charm is a little twisted.” Ryan grunted.
“We parked the Chevy near the side alley,” said Dante. “It should be easy enough to smuggle them inside. The windows are tinted, so they don’t need to worry about being seen. Trick and Dominic will be staying behind at the shelter. From now on, there will always be two Phoenix enforcers around. If Remy’s done what you suspect, there will be trouble at this door soon. The protective wards will stop them getting inside, but magick won’t stop them from causing a huge fuss or damaging the building.”
“No offense,” said Makenna, “but if that happens, two enforcers won’t be able to take them on.”
“No,” agreed Jaime, “but it will knock them off balance.”
Trick nodded. “If any of those assholes come here, they’ll do so expecting to be able to easily break into the building and take whomever they’ve come for. They won’t anticipate loners having the protection of a pack. When they realize that their actions will mean taking on our pack, they’ll be careful how they proceed.”
“Our pack might not be as huge as Remy’s,” said Dante, “but it’s one thing that his is not: respected. The fact that we’re also strongly allied with the Mercury wolves—a pack that’s equally respected—makes us people that most shifters hesitate to fuck with.”
Makenna rubbed the back of her neck. “You’re right in what you say, and having some enforcers around here can only be a good thing. But if your pack is seen to be helping us, someone could guess that you’re the ones hiding those that need sanctuary.”
“Not if we tell them how Remy’s just trying to sic people on the shelter to make it easier for him to claim this territory.” Trick shrugged. “It’s not the complete truth, but it’s not a lie. I doubt they like him much anyway, since he’s constantly taking over packs and increasing the size of his territory. Shifters won’t like that because it can make him a threat.”
Ryan wondered if Remy had considered that if he were seen as too powerful, there would be shifters who would unite to take him out. That would be a really good day.
Minutes later, Jaime, Dante, Zac, and the loners exited through the side door of the building and headed to the Chevy. While Dawn and Makenna briefed the remaining residents on Remy’s actions, Ryan, Dominic, and Trick did a thorough patrol of the shelter’s territory. Satisfied that no strangers were lingering around the border, they headed back to the building.
Dawn was waiting near the children’s playground, rubbing her hands together anxiously. “Did you find anything?” Ryan shook his head, and she let out a sigh of relief. “We told the residents what happened. They’re understandably worried, but none of them wish to leave. In fact, many of them expressed their intentions to defend the shelter if any trouble came. Ryan, you’ll find Makenna in the basement, taking note of the supplies.”
Giving Dawn a nod, he walked inside the building and tracked his mate to the basement, where he found her checking off boxes on a clipboard.
She flashed him a smile. “Hey. Any signs of intruders?”
“No.” He closed the distance between them. “We’re alone now.”
She glanced around. “That’s true.”
“It means you can stop pretending you’re okay.”
Makenna thought about brushing off the comment, but that would only insult him. He didn’t deserve that. “I’m just pissed at myself.”
“At yourself?”
She hugged the clipboard to her chest. “I thought these people were protected, Ryan. I thought the wards would keep out any danger. But Remy still found a way to invade the place. I should have considered that, but I didn’t. Dawn is so devastated, feeling like she let the residents down, when it’s my fault.”