ANGEL
Aset of warm hands circle around my arms, making me jump.
“Everything will be fine,” a red-haired shifter with light green eyes says as she removes her hands. The woman doesn’t look threatening, despite her forced smile.
“Come with me,” she whispers, a cue that tells me she’s helping me sneak away. Her face is ashen, like she might be sick, which is precisely how I feel.
Slowly, gently, she pushes through the crowd, taking me with her. No one tries to stop either of us, even though the alpha didn’t give her permission to take me away. I’m not in a position to fight back against her or anyone, least of all an alpha. I glance back at the huge male, happy to escape.
The alpha’s glare hasn’t left my poor Garrett, who’s intentionally bringing his alpha’s wrath down on him, giving me time to get away. He knows precisely where I am, because his eyes never leave me. That warms me in a way no clothing ever will. And that could explain who this woman is. A friend who’s helping Garrett. Abackup plan, in case introducing me to his pack didn’t go well. Retrieval experts always have backup plans.
I lean in to whisper to the woman. “If you can get me a few more yards, past that house over there, then I can slip away before they decide what to do with me.”
“There’s no reason to leave. You’re safer here than at a lot of packs. Our border guards have more than skills, they have heart. And our alpha takes security quite seriously, which is why he’s upset with Garrett.”
“He’s upset because he thinks I’m a WSSO agent.”
“Not sure what he’s thinking in regard to that, but I can assure you he’s rather upset with Garrett for defying orders. Don’t worry about any of that. You’re safe here. Security was tightened a few years back after the WSSO invaded.” She leads me up the steps to the largest house in the center of the camp, not behind it. I’m beingmoved, not helped to escape.
“Garrett’s in trouble because of me. If I leave now, it could smooth things over between him and his alpha.”
“Damien’s blowing off steam, nothing more. Garrett pushed a lot of Damien’s buttons, something most don’t dare do, but they’re cousins which gives Garrett more… leeway and less, depending on the situation. Have a seat while I find you something decent to wear.” She stops short. “I mean, I’m assuming that shirt’s not yours. It’s at least three sizes too big.”
“I got it from a bin outside the compound. My pack had a similar set up, but for the guys only. Not many emergencies requiring females to shift suddenly, so they didn’t see a need to stock the cache with women’s clothing.”
“I’ll find something better for you.”
“The shirt covers everything. You don’t need to do anything special for me.”
“Just the same, let me see what I can find.” She starts digging in a huge bin by the door. “You’ll need to learn to speak up around here, or the guys will drown you out and take control. Not from illintentions, mind you, just all that testosterone. They can be tamed, more or less.” With a huge grin, she fishes out a beige cable-knit sweater and pair of jeans close to my size. “These should do.”
It’s very sweet of her to worry about my clothing situation, but I’ve got bigger concerns. “You’re sure they’re cousins? How close? I mean, why would Garrett anger the alpha like that?”
She smiles. “You can be direct with me.”
“I am.”
“Honestly, it sounds like you’re avoiding what you really want to ask, which is why Garrett’s pushing Damien, and putting all the wretched details of your circumstance on display for everyone to hear.”
“You caught that, huh?” I add, watching her reaction closely.
Her expression tightens as she nods. I’m still trying to figure out her angle. Why she’s being so nice to me.
“Garrett was on the retrieval team that rescued Damien’s mate from a WSSO research facility three years ago. Damien found her in a crate, similar to the one Garrett found you in, from the sound of it. I think he’s using all those horrid details from your situation to push Damien to remember how he felt when he found his mate in… well, equally bad conditions.”
“To sympathize with me?”
“You’re rather astute.”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t see the alpha caring about me. He seems?—
“Heartless?”
Slowly, I nod, unsure how she’ll react to someone thinking of her alpha as a monster. This is her pack, her alpha. I’m the outsider, the unknown… the true danger to them.
“Being responsible for every male, female, and child in a pack is a heavy responsibility, one Damien takes to heart.”
“Garrett shouldn’t be telling him everything?—”
