He raised a brow at her and tilted his head, a wolfish grin on his handsome face causing one of his dimples to show itself. “I had to bathe in the blood of my enemies, of course. It’s a thing.”
Sally blinked as she stared at him. “You’re joking, right?”
Before he could respond, the bedroom door burst open, and a flying, furry projectile hit Costin in the chest and knocked him backward. Scrambling, he caught the ball of fur before it fell to the floor.
Rachel appeared in the doorway sheepishly. “Sorry. He was pawing at the door. We’re going to have to learn what is and isn’t allowed in our wolf forms, like scratching up the doors.”
Costin’s eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open. He held Titus out in front of him, taking in the boy’s new form while the wolf pup panted happily, his tail wagging back and forth like a windshield wiper on fast mode. Costin’s face broke into a wide grin. He turned to Sally, and she saw pride, love, and awe in her mate’s eyes. “He… He… He phased?”
She nodded, and a tear tracked down her face. “While he was sparring with Jen.”
Costin laughed and pulled Titus close to his body, nuzzling him just like he would have if he’d been in his wolf form. Titus licked Costin’s face. “Leave it to Jen to bring out the wolf in one of our kids.”
Titus started wriggling, trying to get Costin to put him down. Costin kneeled down and placed the pup on the floor. He ran his hand down their son’s back and pressed his forehead to Titus’s. “You’re amazing, buddy. You know that?”
Titus nodded his wolf head and then dropped into a playful pose. Costin laughed. “Okay, we can play.” A moment later, he, too, was in his wolf form, dwarfing Titus’s. Costin gave a little yip and motioned down the hall. Titus didn’t have to be told twice. He turned and took off in a flash, only tripping over his four new paws a couple of times. Costin was hot on his heels.
Sally’s heart felt as if it might burst in her chest. “We needed this.” She looked at Rachel. “We needed something good. Something to remind us of what we’re fighting for.”
Rachel placed a hand on Sally’s shoulders. “Kids have a way of doing that.”
She looked at the other healer and smiled. “They do.” She was about to offer to help in the nursery when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket.
She pulled it out and saw Kara’s name on the screen. “It’s Kara,” she told Rachel as she swiped the screen and then put the phone to her ear. “Kara? Are you okay?”
Chapter
Twelve
“The amazing thing about the Canis lupus is that it doesn’t matter what pack you’re in. They’re all your family. Every single one of them would stand beside you in battle. They would have your back in a heartbeat. Whether they’re on the other side of the world or just across the state line. Pack is pack.” ~Nick
“Boo.”
Nick didn’t stop to think about whether the voice was familiar or if he picked up a scent. He simply reacted. His human nails changed to claws, and he whipped around, bringing his hand down in a slashing motion. But before he could make contact with the owner of the voice, Nick was flat on his back. Dillon’s knee rested on his chest, and a wicked grin showed on his face.
“I’m going to have to talk to Drayden about his beta being more aware of his surroundings.” Dillon patted Nick’s face and then jumped to his feet. He offered Nick a hand, which the beta took, letting the Colorado alpha pull him up.
“Don’t be too hard on him.” Dalton gave Nick a clap on the shoulder. “His mate is back at the pack mansion. Being separated from her isn’t easy on him.”
Nick glanced at the other beta. “I suppose if anyone can understand, it would be you.”
Dalton gave a sinister laugh. “You think?”
“Who’s this?” Dillon motioned to the fae.
“This is Aphid. He’s offered to help with transport.” Then Dalton frowned. “I didn’t know you were still doing recon here. When did you leave the warlock mountain?”
“I just arrived,” Dillon answered. “We’ve got a present for Cain.”
“We?” Nick looked around.
“We.” Tanya, the alpha’s mate, stepped out of the darkness. Nick hadn’t even known she was there. Suddenly, more bodies appeared, seemingly out of thin air.
Nick saw Aphid move from the corner of his eye. He turned and watched the fae mutter something under his breath, attempting to cast a spell.
“You don’t need to do that, Aphid.” A female spoke up.
Aphid looked over at the group that had emerged from the darkness, and his eyes widened. “Tenia?”
