Nix walked over to the empty chair in front of Maddox’s tent and finally lowered himself to it. Cal stood beside him, while Nix held Jacobi in his good arm. He looked up at Ryder. “Give me just a few more minutes, please.”
Ryder nodded and left him, heading back towards Finn and Ro. Nix winced as he shifted, the pain smarting. Tre was dead and Nix was right where he needed to be.
Cal moved even closer to Nix. And he pulled him into his side even though it hurt like a bitch. Nix sighed as he watched the rest of the kids and omegas they had freed scattered throughout the campsite, huddled together, talking to each other. Nix couldn’t help wondering what their stories were, if they had families to go home to or were orphaned, like Cal and Jacobi.
“What happens now?” Cal whispered, a hint of fear in his voice.
“Well, if it’s okay with you, I thought maybe you both would come home with me.” Nix met his brother’s gaze. “If you would like that.”
Cal studied Nix like he was trying to determine his sincerity. Or maybe he was just processing. Then finally, he nodded, slowly at first, then fully, a small smile appearing. Nix felt Calliou release a breath.
Cal never had to worry again. He didn’t know it yet. But he would. Now that Nix had located his brothers, he didn’t think he could ever let them go.
“And my friends?” Cal asked. Nix followed his gaze as he looked over at them. Nix tried to smile, but the pain was getting to the point of being unbearable, sweat beading on his upper lip. But he held on and plastered a smile on his face, although he had a feeling it was closer to a grimace.
“That’s up to them. If they want to come, every omega and child can join the pack.” Nix didn’t even need to consult with Rick; he knew this for a fact. “There’s a place for everyone. But, whatever they choose, we’ll support their decision.
Cal smiled and nodded. “Good. I know some people don’t have a home or can’t go home.” Cal looked over at Sam. “Sam may be a tad shy, but he really does appreciate you saving us. We all do.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Nix assured his brother. “I know this makes no difference to what you’ve all been through, but if I’d known, I would have been here a long time ago.”
Cal nudged him and he swallowed the pain. “I think I know that.”
His brother pressed in closer when another shot of pain hit him. Nix held very still, not that it helped.
“I’ll go get the doctor.” Cal lifted Jacobi from his arms and hurried off toward Ryder. Not a minute later, Ryder was jogging back to him. “Decide that you’re ready to stop proving how strong you are?” Ryder teased.
Nix rolled his eyes and slowly took his shirt off so that Ryder could take a look at his wound. “At least it’s not a real bullet wound.” Those fucking hurt like a muthafucker.
“Mmmm, but that didn’t stop it from tearing a chunk of flesh as it went through.” Ryder’s brow crinkled, and he knelt down next to Nix. “Might not be a bullet wound but it looks like it hurts like hell.”
Nix didn’t answer; instead he watched Cal as he sat down and began talking to Sam, Joshua, and two other men he didn’t know.
“So, what’s happening from here?” Ryder asked as he cleaned the wound.
“What else, take my brothers home …” Nix sighed. “I need to get home to River.”
“And the other kids? The omegas? What happens to them?”
“If River and I could take them all, then we would.” Nix blew out a breath. “Not reasonable. We gotta track families down for those that want it. I trust many of these omegas have families of their own. Families that have been looking for them. Maddox, Finn, and Dax will work their magic and get them back with their loved ones. I’m just guessing here, but from the last time, I’m sure Rick won’t be opposed to those that want to join the pack.”
“My brother will welcome each and every one of them; I know that for a fact,” Ryder said, referring to Rick.
“I don’t doubt that. Wildwood, is a special place,” he mused. “Anyway, Jacobi and Cal, though, well, I think it’s a given that they’ll be coming back with us.” Sam too if he wants.
“I have a feeling Rick, or I guess, in this case, Roman will soon have a new project on his hand, building some kind of home for omegas and children,” Ryder said.
“That would be a fantastic idea,” Nix agreed. “They need it. Besides I have a feeling they need each other.”
Ryder paused and looked over at the men, and he nodded, “Yeah. Yeah, they do.” His eyes got faraway for a second. “Don’t you wish you could hunt down every one involved …” He paused and shook his head. “Never mind.”
Nix bet he was thinking about his mate. And his Papa flashed in his mind. Not that he’d been far away …
“Trust me, I do.”
Ryder met his gaze and they shared an understanding look. For a split second Ryder’s eyes flashed those of his wolf. Before he shook it off and changed the subject.
“River was incredibly worried about you,” Ryder said as he went back to his wound.
