“Possible signs,” Mason cut in, and I was too far removed from their life to even understand whatever they had been fighting back in Honeycreek. “We don’t have concrete proof yet.”
“Is this not proof enough?” Jackson countered. “My sister’s house is destroyed. You fought the demon yourself.”
“I just don’t want to be picking enemy wars if it’s not warranted.” There was a growl to Mason’s voice that shuddered through me. I didn’t want to think about how seven years had changed him, or what changes he might be seeing in me. “Not every member of my pack is experienced the way you and Theo are. I’m not risking them. Not without true evidence.”
“Regardless, Bryce, I’m not having you stay here unprotected.” My brother saying my name brought me back into their conversation. Cassie was looking around our home with wide, scared eyes. I pulled her to me. This was the only home she had ever known, and now it was gone.
“I can handle myself—”
My brother cut me off. “Absolutely not. No. Bryce, that’s out of the question. Come back to Honeycreek. Let me make sure you’re safe.”
“Are you serious?” I asked him, my voice rising. I looked between Jackson and Mason, appalled. “You want me to go back there—whereheruined everything for me? Where the town’s pack did everything it could to get me out? How can you think I’d be safe there, Jackson?”
“Because I’ll protect you,” Jackson swore. “The way you never let me do before.”
I knew it was for the best. After all, seven years was a long time. Could the pack that had ostracized me now protect me? Even led by Mason? I turned my gaze to him, my lips pressed tightly together. Then I looked back at my brother.
“No,” I said. “I can’t, Jackson.”
“You want to risk your little girl’s life like that?” Mason snarled, stepping closer to me.
“What’s our safety to you?” I countered.
“Mason’s right,” Jackson said. “I can’t leave here if I think my sister and niece are without protection.”
The pride I had built over these years in White Bay swelled, and I wanted to protest that I had protected myself just fine. But that had been before a demon attack.
And I thought of Cassie’s eyes, fearful, and her trembling body as she’d pressed herself to me in the cellar, trying to be brave. I hated to admit it, but they were right. I couldn’t risk her life like that for the sake of my own personal feelings regarding Honeycreek’s pack and their alpha.
But how could I return to that town and unearth everything I’d buried when I left?
Chapter 4 - Mason
I shut off every thought in my head as I watched Bryce take her daughter aside, into the backyard.
This is the only home Cassie has known, she’d said, upon Jackson's insisting on moving fast.At least let us say goodbye to it. Her voice had been firm in a way I’d never known before, and the very attitude of it had me keeping my eye on Bryce as I quickly moved through her house, collecting anything salvageable.
I’d taken down bags that Bryce had packed in the last hour, and although I was eager to head back to Honeycreek, I had to admit that she had already adjusted to the thought of leaving her home. Perhaps part of her had always been ready to come home, but I’d stopped her without realizing.
No, I told myself, annoyed.Don’t be stupid. You never had that much sway over her.
So why did every time I moved away from the backyard to load up another bag make me feel the distance between us? How had I gone without it for all these years, only to now hate any inch between us. I shut out the need to seek her out, knowing I’d be getting in the car with her any moment.
“That should be all of it,” Jackson said, sighing. We stood out in front of the small cottage, looking up at the destruction on the outside. “You want to go get her?”
I flicked my gaze to my best friend. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Well, you stormed back here without waiting for the rest of us. That’s gotta count for something.”
I only glowered at him before sighing. “Just get your sister, Jacks.”
Jackson moved to the cottage again, but hesitated. “Be nice to her, Mase. Just… don’t be an asshole.”
“How about you focus on getting her in the car before another demon turns up?” I snapped, defensive. The other guys had already headed back to Honeycreek, shifted, so I could reach out to feel how far away they were. Not too far ahead of us, but far enough that they’d be scattered once we got back within the town’s boundaries with Bryce.
Good, I thought. The thought of my pack made her nervous, and as much as I wanted to see more of a spark from her and push her, I knew she’d need time to settle in. My thoughts crowded my head, but I shoved them away. For now, I needed to focus on getting Bryce and her daughter in the car.God, I thought.She has a daughter. Since when? And where was the kid’s dad?
“Ready to go, Cass?” Jackson was saying, when I refocused myself. The girl was skipping alongside him, her sadness and fear from before clearly replaced by the thought of an adventure. It was amazing how new places could be so appealing to children, while Bryce walked on behind them, her brows pinched with worry.
