Kieran kept his hand on David, sending love as he tried to sort out why David was unhappy about Michael’s death even though he claimed otherwise. Then it came to him. “David, do you feel guilty?”
Nodding, he looked at Kieran. “Y-y-y-essss…I know he wasn’t a good person, but I didn’t want him to die…just to leave me and Zane alone.”
“Sweetie, his death isn’t your fault. If he hurt you, I’m sure he hurt a lot of others, and whoever did this to him wasn’t as forgiving as you are.”
“Babe, is that what’s upsetting you?” asked Zane.
Nodding again, David pressed his face against his mate’s neck, mumbling, “I was so worried when you were fighting, I wished Michael would die so you’d be safe.”
Zane held his mate close to him, then asked, “David, remember what I told you about how I felt when my father was killed?”
“Y-y-y-esss,” David said, his voice breaking.
“That’s what’s happening to you right now. You feel guilty because youwishedhe was dead. Trust me, we all feel guilty sometimes, for a lot of reasons, some of which are valid. But just because you wish for something, doesn’t make you a bad person if your wish comes true. It was a coincidence, just like it was when my father was killed. Whoever killed Michael has to deal with the consequences of his actions, not you,” Zane said, still caressing his mate’s back. “Why don’t we head back and make sure everyone is okay?”
“What are you going to do with Michael’s body? We should bury him,” David said, his voice still unsteady.
As far as Zane was concerned, the asshole could rot for all he cared, but he knew his mate would not agree so, looking at Logan, he asked, “Do you think Angus could send a couple of men to bury Michael?”
“I’m pretty sure he’ll agree, especially if Colton asks him,” Logan smiled.
“Why? Did Colton save him?” asked Zane.
“Yup. Shall we go?”
“Babe, are you ready to go back now?” asked Zane.
Drying his tears, David nodded. Getting up, he kept hold of his mate’s hand and, looking at Kieran said shyly, “Thank you again...for your help.”
“Anytime,” Kieran said, taking Logan’s hand. “C’monmacushla,lead the way.”
~/~/~/~/~
Tyson’s wolf headed to the location on the map Brenda sent him, eager to leave Scotland and return to warm and sunny Tuscany. All his worrying about how to get Michael alone was for naught; he silently thanked the unknown assailant who’d wounded the prick, making his job that much easier. And when Michael found out who Tyson really was, well, as far as he was concerned, it made the killing all the sweeter.
Now he finally understood why Brenda wanted him to keep his identity a secret, which wasn’t hard to do since neither looked like the other having had different fathers—two assholes who left their mother with no means of support forcing her into the only job available to a woman with no education or skills.
Growing up in a whorehouse, he and his sister became very close; they were forced to spend every night together while their mother was ‘entertaining’ customers. While other children shunned them because of their mother’s line of work, he and Brenda hung out with thekids of other whores and picked up new skills. By the age of nine, he was an expert pickpocket with plenty of tourists to prey on; Brenda made money giving them blowjobs. When their mother died, Brenda went to work in the whorehouse to make sure he’d never have to live on the streets like lots of other kids he knew. And for that, anything Brenda asked him to do, he would do. Of course, Brenda’s promise to give him Michael’s share if he wasted him, was the icing on the cake.
~/~/~/~/~
After Logan and the rest emerged from the forest, they joined Ian, Colton and Angus, who were discussing the captives.
“I vote tae kill them. Thay attacked us wi’oot any reason ‘n’ they nearly killed me,” Angus spat.
Colton looked at Ian, knowingthatsolution went against everything his mate had devoted his whole life to; nevertheless, as king of the Scottish Wolves, those beliefs might have to be set aside. He could see Ian’s uneasiness at the thought of taking a life. His gaze shifted to Slate, silently pleading for help.
Responding, Slate said, “My concern is the other crimes these shifters have committed against other shifters. Killing them won’t give their other victims a chance of seeing justice done.”
“Ay, guid point,” Angus agreed, looking at Slate. “So, gimme yer solution ‘cause I know ye have one.”
Grinning, Slate said, “Our Alpha will file a complaint with the High Council against these men for attacking two Blackwood Pack members. My men can be here in a few hours, taking custody of them and transporting themto High Council headquarters where they’ll be placed under arrest. Then their other victims would be notified of the arrest and asked if they would like to file a formal complaint. Trust me, none of these men will see freedom for a long time.”
“Would that be acceptable to you, Angus?” asked Logan.
“Ay, if King Ian orders it,” Angus replied.
“Consider it an order, Angus,” Ian said, smiling.
