“Considerit done,” I told her.
“So,the pregnancy, was it planned?” she added, smiling.
Inodded. “It was. After seeing Avery, my biological clock kind of exploded.”
Emmalaughed and wiped her eyes. “I needed a good laugh. Thank you.”
Isqueezed her hand. “I’m here for you. Always. So you will stay?”
Shenodded and hugged me. “I better get home. It’s near feeding time.” She pointeddown to her huge milk-filled chest. Wow, was I ready for being a mother? Iswallowed nervously and watched her leave. Thinking back to that day that Devonwas killed made a darkness slip over me. I couldn’t imagine Kai being killed,feeling his essence ripped from the mate bond. Shaking off those dark thoughts,I decided to take a long, hot bath, and then head off to bed. After my bath, Iwas lying awake reading a book when my phone buzzed with a call. It wasn’t anumber I recognized. I had been meaning to call Kai and check in soon before Iwent to sleep.
“Hello?”
“Aurora,it’s Brett. I’m going crazy over Sadie. I need to talk.” He sounded on theverge of madness, his voice shaky. I sat upright.
“What’swrong?” I asked. Sadie’s mate was in the Seattle pack and it was unusual thathe would call me with problems. He should be talking to his Alpha.
Hisvoice shook. “I can feel everything. They’re hurting her. She keeps fightingback so they keep hurting her. I can’t take it, I need to find her. Can youhelp me? Layla wants you, she will come out for you. Please.”
Myheart was hammering in my chest. “Do you know where Sadie is? Has she been ableto tell you anything?”
Brettgrowled. “No! They blindfolded the girls before taking them. They keep theminside. That witch keeps messing with the bonds, so I can’t talk to her all thetime.”
“Shit.”
“Aurora,they are doing procedures on them, to make them pregnant. This is urgent. Wecan’t wait. My Alpha doesn’t agree. He thinks going to Mexico and trying thatoption is a good idea. But I fear that if we wait, then we will have ten femalewerewolves with vampire babies inside of them.”
Thegravity of the situation slammed into me. Even if I killed Layla, what the hellwould I do with vampire-induced pregnant werewolves? I rubbed my temples.
“Whereare you?” I asked him.
“I’mdriving your way. I have to find her. I just talked to Shamus. He said theyhave already stirred trouble at the border with no sign of Layla. She isn’tstupid, she won’t come out with hundreds of militia and wolves waiting forher.”
Mybreathing stilled. “What are you asking of me, Brett?”
Therewas silence. “Go with me tonight, out in the open, away from the protection ofthe pack. I will keep at a distance and follow. I’m the best tracker in mypack. I won’t lose your scent.”
Holyshit. I let the idea roll around inside my brain and chewed the inside of mylip. It could work. She was probably watching the mountain right now, somehow.If I slipped away and exposed myself, she would snatch me up. Kai would killme. I was planning on doing this when he got back from Mexico anyway though.
“Okay,”I agreed quickly.
Hesighed in relief. “There’s a coffee shop in Portland, in the Pearl District. Vinnie’s.”
Inodded. “Yes. I’ve been there.”
“Meetme there. She won’t kill you, she wants your blood. She will take you and Iwill follow. When I reach the destination where they are keeping the girls, Iwill call in everyone.”
Itwas actually a good plan. “Okay. Let’s do this. Bring the girls home.” The Devistirred within me.
Hangingup, I changed into black yoga pants and a t-shirt. I made sure that my specialprotective necklace pouch was around my neck, the one that held Sylvia’s hair.After slipping a silver stake, a gun, and my cell phone in my purse, I took adeep breath.
‘Youokay?’Kai checked in with me. Itwas amazing that no matter the distance, his voice was like he was right nextto me. Our mate bond was strong and I panicked as fear shot through me. Did heknow? I forgot to hide my feelings when Brett called. It felt awful to lie tohim. I didn’t know what to say so I kept silent, trying to think of what toreply.
Myphone rang; it was Kai.
Shit.I evened out my breathing and answered.
“Hey,babe,” I said calmly.
