“For what? Mason is our responsibility too.” His voice was like steel. “He’s pack and he’s our Omega. Anyone who attacked him has forfeited their lives. It might seem harsh, but we don’t tolerate injuring a packmate and no pack blessed with an Omega would accept this either.”
I felt a bit better, but that didn’t mean I was in any way satisfied.
“So what do we do?”
He groaned. “I wish I knew. I have people asking around, but so far they haven’t found anything.”
“So we’re back to the ghost.”
His voice dropped. “I amsosorry, Kip.”
Those words finally cut through my anger. “Why? You might be the Alpha, but you can’t protect Mase all the time. I’m the same. I should have been here. Standing guard, keeping watch, but I wasn’t.”
“No, you were trying to keep money in your pockets. That we still owe you.”
I took a breath. “John, listen to me, all right? You’re doing your very best to help your pack out. You’re searching for other revenue streams, trying to beautify overgrown lots to draw more people into the town. And you’re doing it for the pack and others.Everythingyou’re doing is to help.”
“It’s not going to be enough.” His voice was quiet. “I’m holding on to a town that’s in its death throes, even though I know soon it’ll just give out a final gasp and die. In a few years, people will forget we even existed.” Another sigh. “Get some sleep, Kip. Rest assured, we will keep looking. Whoever did this, wewillfind them.”
And then they’ll wish they were dead.
Chapter Twenty
Mason
I opened my eyes,wondering what had woken me. Then a sharp pain stabbed through my head and I had my answer. I sat up, rubbing the still tender spot, wishing it would stop.
“What’s going on?” Kip asked.
That worry in his voice was becoming a daily occurrence.
“Just a headache.”
He sat up with a sigh. “Why can’t you ever answer my questions? You’vetoldme you’re my submissive, so I need you to be honest with me in all things. Do I make myself clear?” That touch of steel in his tone was both menacing and hot.
“Yes, Kip.” EvenIheard the hesitancy.
He put a hand on my shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “Okay, talk to me.”
I looked up at him and sighed. He was a beautiful man, both inside and out. I didn’t know how I’d come to be so lucky to find him, and having him in my life made me feel truly blessed. I wasn’t about to question my fate, however.
“I hate that you’re stuck with me,” I murmured.
I had no idea Kip could move so goddamn fast.
He had me flat on my back in a heartbeat, sneering at me from above. Those wide eyes and flared nostrils?
Holy shit, that was hot.
“You listen to me, you little bastard,” he ground out. “I amnotstuck with you, not in the least. I amexactlywhere I want to be. Where I think I’ve always wanted to be. Hearing you talk like that? It bugs the hell out of me. Wanna know why? Because I can’t take away whatever it is that scares you, and that makes me feel like I’m failing you.”
“You’re not, though, not at all.” I managed a rueful chuckle. “In fact, you’re the only thing keeping me together.”
“Thentalkto me. Let me in.Please, baby.”
I won’t deny I melted whenever he called me baby. It was something I never thought I would have in my life.
“I’m scared,” I admitted. “I’m afraid to step outside of the house, because I don’t know who is after me or why they hurt me. This… this is new. Even in school, no one ever physically injured me.”
