“Pack Lowly are asking permission to enter,” the voice echoes. “They’re not using any manners but…”
“Access denied,” I call out from the back seat and Ronnie repeats, while I take a call from Kai.
“I’m walking out the front door now, rohi,” Kai says. And it’s weird, or maybe it’s just because I’m starting to know him better, but I can hear both stress and a calmness in his voice.
“Bad timing, Kai, I’ve got a small situation happening and I’d really like to get home asap,” I admit, wiping the sweat off my brow.
“Darius called ahead, you’ll be fine,” Kai replies quickly but not tersely. If anything, it kind of sounds like he’s working which he is. “Who’s with you?”
“Ronnie’s driving, the others are in a separate car,” I say, reaching through to the small fridge to grab a bottle of water. “I’m not stressed, I feel very safe, I just don’t want to not be able to get home.”
“Trust me, Heidi, nothing is stopping us. You will have everything you need, including us in your nest.” Kai’s voice brings me more comfort than the AC does. I can visualise him as he speaks and without a doubt he’d have a smile on his face, and his green eyes would be heated and sparkling.
“Promise?”
“All the promises in the world are yours, rohi,” he says quietly, and I can hear his breathing as he moves. It sounds like he’s jogging.
“Kai,” I exhale, getting a little lost in his beautiful words. And all that will come, but first we have to find our way back to each other. “Is Allan okay?”
“He’s doing okay. He’s not happy Lowly are here, interrupting our session. We were making headway.”
“Yeah, he gets a bit like that.”
“And yet you left me with no warning, Heidi.” He laughs quietly. “Anyway, we had a very brief discussion on the matter, where I had to remind him he needed to stay focussed and help us that way instead of dealing with Pack Lowly. He wanted to call the authorities, after shooting them because they were trespassing. We came to an agreement, and now I’m going to resolve the issue once and for all.”
A small ripple of a cramp makes me pinch my lips closed, and I know Kai heard. But I also know Ronnie picked up on it, his hands clenching on the steering wheel.
“I’m okay,” I say as soon as the cramp disappears.
I see Ronnie nod his head, and it’s the only indication really because the speed he’s driving doesn’t change nor does his temperament; he’s exuding a calmness which helps keep me settled. Without a doubt though I can also see he’s nearly bristling for action.
“Hang on,” Kai says. I can hear in the background someone else is talking. “Heidi, can you tell Ronnie he’s about to get another car joining the convoy?”
I repeat Kai’s update, and I hear Ronnie relay it to the team on the ground and in the other car. There’s about five conversations going on at once, but there’s an overwhelming sense that everything is going to be fine too. And that I’m safe.
All around us people keep going about their day: cars driving in the opposite direction, the landscape is changing from the barren airfield to more affluent rural the closer we get to home. I guess I’ve never taken so much notice of the view before because I’ve always been so anxious, feeling the negative energy of the Verdune security team, but now, this feels like a new day despite the threat waiting at home for me, and despite my impending heat.
“Ram and Dare are about two minutes away, rohi. Ask Ronnie to pull over at the next shoulder on the road. I want an Alpha taking your seat to help Ronnie, and then you in with Dare and Ram. Ram will give directions as soon as he gets there but Ronnie will need you to tell him you’re handing over full control to Ram or he’ll be worried you’re being thrown from one bad situation to another. Can you do that?”
“Sure can,” I whisper, another wave of heat distracting me. I pull my hair back to take it off the back of my neck and instantly I feel cooler. I interrupt Ronnie’s chatter with the rest of the team. “Everyone can hear?” I get a chorus of confirmation. “The Alphas about to join us are here because I’ve asked them to be. I trust them like I trust you, but I am asking Ramses to take control. He’s got my full support to make decisions on my behalf and I’d like you to follow his every request without question.” I take a breath, getting ready to defend or argue, but Ronnie looks over his shoulder at me.
“Heidi, if you say they’re safe, that’s all we need to know.”
As easy and quick as that, my welfare is transferred to Ramses. There’s no second guessing or insinuation I’ve lost my mind. My security team treats me with the respect I should have always had.
I relay the rest of the message, and Ronnie pulls over at the first safe clearing, but he arms himself too.
“Not that I don’t trust you, but I want you to tell me that’s the right guy. Too many shady pricks circling around for my liking,” he says, barely moving an inch.
Twisting around, Dare’s still in disguise, Ramses is too but I see them for them, I see past all the wigs, coloured contacts, and fakeness.
“That’s them,” I answer, not hiding the smile nor the very obvious change to my scent. I pretty much leak happiness, and Ronnie is immediately aware of the meaning.
Ronnie twists around, his eyes are huge, his smile is bigger. “Really?”
“Really,” I say back quickly, nodding my head and laughing.
“You deserve a pack like this, Heidi. You really do. But if they don’t treat you right, I’ve got lots of friends who will help me dispose of their bodies,” he says. And he means every word he says, although he kind of fades into the background when the door opens, and Ramses holds his arms out for me.
