“Josh?”
“Another friend from town?” Ethan asked, his gaze fixed on Josh who hadn’t noticed us yet.
“No,” I shook my head, unease creeping into my voice. “I met him on the bus leaving town. He said he was coming from Florida, heading to Virginia. I wonder what he’s doing here.”
“This is quite a detour from Virginia,” Ethan grunted, narrowing his eyes.
Suddenly, a gust of wind shifted, tousling Josh’s short hair. His scent hit me like a punch, and I wondered how I hadn’t recognized it sooner.
“Josh-he was one of the guys who tried to kidnap me.”
My words set things in motion.
Josh’s head snapped up, surprise flickering across his face as our eyes met.
Before I could blink, Kieran dashed across the street, moving faster than I thought possible. Josh spun around, his cellphone clattering to the ground as he bolted through a crowd of tourists. Kieran plowed through the people, sending them scattering onto the grass and road.
My heart pounded as they disappeared into the crowd, heading toward the dense forest encircling the town.
“His phone-he dropped it,” I muttered, grabbing Ethan’s hand and darting across the street.
The phone, a bit scuffed from its fall, was still functional. I swiped the screen, grimacing when it demanded a four-digit password.
“Damn,” I sighed. “It’s locked.”
“Let me see,” Ethan said. “We have a friend back at the pack who’s good with electronics. He might be able to crack it.”
I handed the phone to Ethan and scanned the remaining crowd. They had all but forgotten the commotion caused by Kieran and Josh, returning to their leisurely wanderings through town.
Tension knotted my shoulders, brows furrowing with worry. Despite accepting Ethan and Kieran as my mates, I knew little about them as individuals. Could they defend themselves if needed? Would I sense if something happened to Kieran, feel it like their emotions?
“Don’t worry, Sophia,” Ethan’s voice softened, though his eyes burned with suppressed rage. “Kieran will handle it. Are you certain he was one of the men who attacked you?”
“I’m sure,” I nodded, meeting Ethan’s steely gaze. “I didn’t notice on the bus, but when they attacked, they had a distinct… scent.”
I stepped closer, seeking comfort in Ethan’s embrace. Anger simmered within him, tingling against my skin as I eased its sharp edge.
Ethan’s gaze shifted to where Josh had stood, his expression darkening. Josh’s scent lingered, untouched by the wind. Initially typical-musky, earthy-on closer inspection, there was an underlying odor, like that of an unclean animal.
“He’s a rogue,” Ethan grimaced, eyes flashing with fury. “What would a group of rogues want with you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “They said their boss ordered them to pick me up.”
“That could mean anyone,” Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alphas-or any werewolf needing a task done-can hire rogues for the bare minimum.”
“So, anyone could have hired them,” I murmured.
“Worse, they know you’re a white wolf,” Ethan growled lowly. “They won’t stop now that they know what you are. You’re too valuable.”
A shiver ran down my spine at Ethan’s words. I had chosen my path, understanding running solved nothing, yet realizing my life’s implications was daunting. I’d be hunted like Marcella, for something beyond my control.
Sensing my unease, Ethan turned, enfolding me in his arms. His scent enveloped me-masculine, reassuring-as it eased my frayed nerves. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, soothed by Ethan’s calming presence.
“It’s not your fault, Sophia,” Ethan whispered against my forehead. His touch sparked warmth, his voice a balm. “We’ll keep you safe. They won’t lay a finger on you.”
“I trust you both,” I sighed. “It’s just… I used to be normal, or as normal as I could be. I’m not complaining now, but it’s a lot to take in.”
“I know.” Ethan’s hand cradled my face, gently guiding it so our eyes met. His gaze, deep and unwavering, held a gravity that drew me in, claiming me as his own. “Kieran and I will be by your side through all of this. You don’t have to face any of it alone, Sophia.”
Ethan exuded a magnetic presence, one that pulled me closer to him, seeking solace in his comforting embrace. Whether it was the mate-bond or something deeper, I couldn’t tell, but I yearned for more of him.
They had traveled a long way for me, yet neither had coerced me into returning home. They respected my choices, understanding the reasons behind my departure despite the pain it caused them. It was a level of understanding and support I had never experienced before, and I sensed that their commitment to me was far from over. They would give everything they had, leaving nothing behind, and what frightened me most was that I was willing to do the same.
Standing on tiptoes, I closed the distance between us, brushing my lips against his. Ethan’s surprise tingled against my skin as he enveloped me in his arms, protective and reassuring. He made no move to deepen the kiss, allowing me to explore his lips tentatively, with the innocence of a first touch. When we parted, a breathtaking smirk adorned his face.
A warm happiness glinted in his eyes, accentuated by the sunlight filtering through his dark hair, casting him in a strikingly beautiful light, as if sculpted just for me.
“You’re going to make Kieran jealous, doll,” Ethan murmured softly, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. “An Alpha’s jealousy is far worse than that of an ordinary werewolf.”
“I guess I’ll have to owe him one,” I replied breathlessly.
“Believe me, he won’t let you forget it,” Ethan chuckled, his smile genuine, illuminating his features with a rare warmth.
The shrill ringtone of a phone shattered the moment, and we tensed as Josh’s phone rang with a restricted number flashing on the screen.
Ethan answered the call, activating the speaker as we both listened intently.
“Did you find her?”
The voice on the other end was rough and deep, tinged with a raspy edge. Though not as deep as Ethan or Kieran’s voices, it carried the weight of experience. Ethan’s face darkened, showing no recognition of the voice.
“No, and you never will,” Ethan growled. “But we will find you, and you will regret ever laying a hand on what belongs to us.”
The caller hung up abruptly, leaving us in tense silence. Ethan contained his anger, his features a mask of controlled fury.
Another call interrupted the quiet, this time from Ethan’s phone. He answered, listening briefly to Kieran’s gravelly voice before ending the call.
“He’s caught him; Kieran has Josh,” Ethan said, a smile breaking through, though it bore an edge of anticipation. “He’s taking him back to the pack immediately. There’s no way we’re letting Josh anywhere near you.”
“What happens when Kieran brings him back to the pack?” I asked, my brow furrowing.
I knew little about this new world, but some things were becoming clear. Ethan and Kieran radiated a primal authority, their dominance palpable. Werewolves looked after their own, governed by their own laws. The title of Alpha wasn’t just ceremonial; it meant their word was law. They wouldn’t be lenient with Josh, and there would be no trial. They would exact their own form of justice, swift and ruthless, on anyone who dared to harm me.
“He’ll be interrogated, and if he’s smart, he’ll cooperate,” Ethan said firmly, his hand resting on the small of my back as we crossed the street towards the car.
“Will he be tortured?” I asked quietly, already dreading the answer.
Ethan hesitated, his eyes hardening briefly before softening as they met my uneasy gaze.
“Yes, he will be,” Ethan confirmed. “This might be unsettling to you, but our ways are different from humans’. We have our own methods.”
He held the passenger door open for me, allowing me to enter before closing it gently. The drive to the airport passed in silence, my mind swirling with his words.
Unspoken was the fact that the idea of Josh being tortured didn’t just unsettle me-it sickened me. I wanted to be far away when it happened, yet somewhere deep within, I understood and reluctantly accepted it. Werewolves didn’t believe in lengthy imprisonments; punishment often meant death.