“But for how long?” I asked. Asher and I spent more time outside in the woods than we did here, so we understood both sides. Holding down the fort was a good idea, but we also knew the longer we waited, the more time they could fool us.
“What are you two suggesting?”
“We need to do something. They are slowly picking off the surrounding areas, and before we know it, they will come for us. The longer we wait, the more chance they have to fool us and damage us from within.”
Brandon rubbed at his forehead. He wasn’t disagreeing with us. “We don’t have the numbers to go on a hunt, Asher. We don’t have the numbers to do half of what would be smart.”
“Why aren’t you trying harder to convince the other surrounding packs about this? They are the numbers we need.”
“You think I haven’t tried? Their Alphas do not want to talk with me. I have tried reaching out many times, but I get radio silence in return half the time.”
“Screw asking! This is war, Brandon. We are literally fighting for our lives.”
I watched Kaleb give Asher a look, warning him he was pushing.
“He’s not wrong,” I added. “We need them. We don’t have to be buddies, but we need to get along. But we need them, Brandon. I think in the end, we need to think about the big picture, not just our pack but everyone’s. We need to do this together.”
Kaleb looked at Brandon, who was rubbing his jaw. He inhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not saying that’s not a bad idea. But we have to walk a fine line here. We don’t want them turning on us, thinking we’re an issue as well.”
The room fell silent, and I sighed, wondering just how long this would go on. When would we actually win? How long before they decided to attack us with bigger numbers? There were so many questions that we didn’t know the answers to.
The meeting ended a few minutes later, and I headed to my car. I was walking across the street when I spotted Gabriella walking down the sidewalk. She had her jacket pulled tightly and her hair hidden under a hat. She was walking quickly, and I noticed two people following her.
I paused as I watched them close in on her, cutting her off and forcing her to stop. I caught the look on her face and knew that they weren’t friendly with her. She looked uncomfortable and afraid, taking a step back into a wall.
I walked toward them. I listened as Gabriella spoke softly. “Guys, just let me go. Please.”
I took in two guys who were smirking as they caged her there. They clearly took joy in watching her uncomfortable and scared. It pissed me off instantly.
“There you are,” I practically yelled as I got closer. “I’ve been trying to find you for the past ten minutes.”
The guys quickly turned around, looking at me. I watched their eyes widen as they realized it’s me. I moved past them, stepping into Gabriella’s space and throwing an arm around her shoulder. “What are you doing over here? We were supposed to meet at the corner at the other end of the block.”
Gabriella froze for a second, her eyes meeting mine, confused, but she quickly composed herself and smiled. “I was going to our meet spot. I had to make a pit stop first.”
I pulled her closer and turned my gaze toward the guys. They both stiffened, their eyes looking at my arm thrown over her and the way I held her close. “And what exactly is going on over here?”
“We were just chatting with her, that’s all,” one of them explained, giving me a shrug like I didn’t know what was said.
I nodded my head and tilted it, raising an eyebrow at them. “I’m glad to hear you weren’t bothering her because if that were the case, we would have a problem. Do we have a problem?”
They both shook their heads. “No, no, we don’t have a problem.”
I scowled as I narrowed my eyes at them. “I think we do. And I don’t appreciate you bothering my wife.”
They both took a step back.
Gabriella pulled her hand up, placing it on my chest. “Westley, it’s fine. I’m fine.”
I didn’t break my gaze from them, remembering their faces. I wasn’t going to just let this slide. I needed them to understand I wasn’t going to stand for this.
“You’re lucky she has a soft side because I don’t. Next time I catch you bothering her, you’re going to need a wheelchair to get around,” I growled at them, really making my point.
They both turned, stumbling as they tried to run away. I curled my hand into fists, tempted to run after them and beat the shit out of them. I felt the anger rising, my body growing hot with rage. But then I smelled something sweet like vanilla ice cream. I knew it was Gabriella, and my wolf purred to life.
I pulled my hand from Gabriella, knowing she was probably uncomfortable with me having it around her. She swallowed, rubbing her hand on her arm. “Thank you for that.”
I nodded, inhaling slowly through my nose. “Where were you headed?”
