Bloody.Feral.
Calm in a way that made Avi’s hackles rise.
Colton’s gaze flicked behind Avi, and he knew that was where Ford was keeping Fallon and Sera safe.
“She’s mine,” Avi said, low and threatening.“And this is the last time you’re going to try to harm our people.”
“You think this is over?”Colton said, voice flat but eyes blazing.
“You don’t have any moves left,” Avi said.
“There’s always another move.”
Colton suddenly pulled a canister from his pocket and twisted.A sharp pop sounded as thick, black smoke poured from the canister, falling like water to the ground and then curling upward in a gray cloud.
Avi and the others backed up as the noxious smoke filled the air, blocking their view of Colton and his males.
Eyes burning, Avi raced forward, hoping to grab Colton or one of his people, but he caught nothing but air and smoke.
Colton was gone.
He heard crashing in the underbrush and knew that they’d made it to the tree line.He followed a few yards into it but couldn’t see them.Cursing angrily, he stormed back to the clearing where the smoke was slowly dissipating.
Fallon raced to him.“Oh, you’re hurt!Is he gone?”
“I’m okay,” he said.“I’d take a thousand beatings to keep you safe.”
She brushed at her wet cheeks and hugged him.“I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“You weren’t worried, were you?”he teased.
“Nah.”She gave him a watery smile.“I love you.Thank you for keeping me safe.All of us.”
He kissed her temple and held her close, his stallion grateful that they were all okay.Around them, the herd was regrouping as the females joined them.The wolf guards were recovering, explaining how they’d been attacked as they patrolled.
“The herd needs to be in their shift for a while,” Avi said.
“I…don’t want to shift,” Fallon said.“Not tonight.Can we just…hang out at the farmhouse?”
Zara came over to them and gave her a hug.“I think that’s a fine idea.What if we table the shift and run for another time after everything is settled?”
In the end, the stallions opted to stay close to the farm, milling around in the pasture with their mates while the wolves returned to patrol and Avi sat in the backyard with Fallon and Sera.
The gifts, that had somehow managed to not get ruined during the fight, were on the table and Fallon opened each gift, finding baby clothes and toys, including a stuffed horse.
She pressed the stuffed horse to her chest and said, “The baby will love this.”
“How are you feeling?”he asked softly.
“Good.”
“I don’t want you to be scared.We’ll figure out how to stop him.”
She leaned back against him.“I’m not actually scared.You went after him like some Viking warrior.I’m the least scared person here.”
He loved her confidence in him.It made him feel ten feet tall.
She settled against him with her head in his lap and he stroked her hair, staring into the dark woods as the quiet settled around the three of them.
