Garon and the other cubs snickered and drew Gray’s attention to them. They quieted immediately, but the distraction allowed Simon to get his thoughts back on track. His cheeks heated with embarrassment, but he fought the impulse to keep his eyes lowered.
As powerful as Gray was, he wasn’t Simon’s alpha. Simon knew better than to appear too submissive, even if his overactive hormones wanted him to roll over and beg.
Gray gestured to the combination of men and wolves surrounding him. “Take the cubs to the meeting hall. Gather everyone together. Liam, with me.”
Everyone rushed to do as their alpha commanded, and the cubs were piled into the SUV Gray had arrived in. Big, bald Cade turned to lift the little one, but she slipped away and ran back to Simon. The wolf who had intimidated Simon earlier stepped in her way, but she darted around him and lifted her arms to Simon. He picked her up, keeping one eye on the wolf standing beside him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, then snuggled her face into his neck.
Simon hugged her gently, then set her back on the ground. As she ran back to the SUV, he realized she still had his jacket wrapped around her. It made him smile. She could have it; he had an old one in the back of his closet.
When everyone was through the gate, Gray returned his attention to Simon. They locked eyes for a long moment, and Simon’s knees went wobbly again. The intensity of his stare, his sheer potency, drew Simon under his spell. The moment seemed to stretch on and on before the alpha finally spoke. “Explain to me how you have our missing cubs.”
His voice was softer now, which surprised Simon. He’d expected more of that anger, perhaps a threat or two, or at the very least astrongly worded demand for answers. There was none of that in Gray’s words or even in his tone. Just the softest statement, his eyes locked on Simon’s.
Unsure of how much he should actually reveal, Simon tried to find some reasonable explanation. He couldn’t. What would these wolves do to him if they knew a mage stood right here in front of them?
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the desire he felt to throw himself at the alpha sent his thoughts scattering, while warning signals tap-danced up and down his spine.
Gray took a step closer. Simon fought to keep his breathing under control. “Simon, my son has made you a friend of our pack. This means that we cannot harm you. You are under our protection.”
Simon’s eyes widened, and he stepped back. “How did you…?”
“I can smell your fear. Now tell me what I want to know.”
Feeling the hole he’d dug for himself get deeper, Simon let out a frustrated breath and began. “I am Simon Osbourne, Apprentice Mage of the Earthhavens.” Watching Gray’s eyes widen, Simon rushed on. “I know I’m not supposed to get involved with you guys, but I could hear them in my head, calling for help. What was I supposed to do? I knew they were kids, cubs, whatever you call them, and no one else was coming. I couldn’t just leave them there to die! So I went there and found them and got them out and brought them home. That’s it. I swear it.”
Gray’s eyes darkened, and Simon didn’t know what the new expression meant. “Who took my son, Simon? Who had our cubs?”
Oh God, that look.
The illusion of gentleness became the stare of an alpha determined to get what he wanted. Simon replied, “A demon and two human men. The demon drained them of their energy somehow.” At the word demon, the wolf at Gray’s side began to growl, and Simon took another step back. “I’ll tell you where they are, but please, you have to let me go. I’m going to be in so much trouble as it is.”
Gray stepped forward and reached toward Simon. Simon flinched but relaxed when he felt Gray’s hand on his face, gently wiping below his nose. “Were you injured?”
The blood from his nose created a deep-red streak on Gray’sthumb. Simon shook his head. “No, I’m okay. Just drained a bit. Can I go?”
“Yes, Simon, you can go. Just as soon as you tell me where to find them.”
Simon gave Gray detailed directions back to the house.
4
The majority of the pack volunteered to go with Gray on the search mission. They all wanted a piece of whatever had taken the cubs. Gray chose a group of ten of his strongest and fastest wolves to take to the country house. They parked their vehicles by the road, and half of them shifted into wolf form. The rest armed themselves with weapons and headed into the woods.
Gray remained in human form, a loaded handgun in his right hand. The left he shifted so his nails turned into sharp, thick claws. Liam and Cade flanked him in wolf form. Even though Gray didn’t like it and wanted them to all stay focused on the hunt, his beta and best friend were duty-bound to protect him as well.
Everyone slowed as they drew closer to the house through the woods. They could hear a voice. Gray held up his hand, signaling for everyone to stop moving. “Seven thousand, three hundred sixty-four. Seven thousand, three hundred sixty-five.”
What the fuck is that?Cade’s voice asked Gray through mind-speak.
Gray shrugged and motioned for them to start moving again.
“Seven thousand, three hundred sixty-six.”
Two wolves approached the human on either side. They growledlow and deep, fangs bared and hackles raised. He didn’t acknowledge them.
“Seven thousand, three hundred sixty-seven.”
