Page 60 of Starting a New Life

Next to Nix, Rhett nodded, expression grim.

“Not saying I approve of anything they’re doing, but if that’s what they’re planning… the plan isn’t that bad. Question is, what do we do? Keep playing cat and mouse until we catch someone?” Heath asked.

Silence spread across the room, people exchanging glances, but no one said a word. No one had an answer.

“Nix?” Rhett finally said, focusing his attention on my mate. “I was told that a barrier that’s in its prime can keep paranormals harbouring ill will out. Is that correct?”

Nix gave a short nod. “Yes. That’s an option.”

“Are you able to do that?”

Nix looked at me, eyes wide, his hand tightening around my fingers, squeezing, fear spiking.

He doesn’t want to reveal what he can do, I realized. He didn’t want to show his hand, didn’t want to give away how useful he could be. Or maybe he didn’t want to reveal that he wasn’t that useful at all.

Silly mage, my wolf huffed. Ours.

Yes, he was. And we certainly wouldn’t kick him out just because his magical abilities weren’t what we’d heard about in legends.

“You have our protection. Always,” I vowed, ignoring the curious looks of my pack. “No matter if you can or can’t or don’t want to help.”

Everyone in this pack contributed in some way. That was what pack was about. Lifting each other up. But if Nix needed to take his magic out of the equation, that was okay.

“I am able to further enforce the barrier,” Nix said carefully, his words stilted, the hesitation obvious to everyone. “But it needs time. And at some point, I’ll need the pack’s help. You’d need to be willing to be connected to the barrier.”

Rhett furrowed his brow. “I am connected to the barrier.”

Nix shook his head.

“Not properly. Not by a mage. And it isn’t just about you, it’s about every single member of the pack.”

Jenny cleared her throat. “I think you two can discuss that later. The question right now is, can you get the barrier to a point where it can keep them out?”

Nix looked at her, eyes filled with distrust and hesitation. “Yes.”

“And are you willing to do that?” I asked. “We won’t force you.”

I let my eyes sweep over the table, glancing at everyone, daring them to contradict me, but no one did. Instead, Oakley was nodding fervently, his round cheeks a deep red. He always understood people and nuances better than I did, so I wasn’t surprised.

However, Heath’s willing acceptance surprised me. He came from a pack that was a lot more ruthless than ours. I’d almost expected him to demand that my mate take every action possible.

“I am,” Nix finally said, blue eyes boring into mine, voice firm even as his bottom lip wobbled.

“Great,” Oakley said, voice bright. “In that case, we’ll keep chasing them out until they’re unable to get in at all. And then we’ll wait for them to lose interest.”

I sighed as Rhett shook his head.

“I’m afraid it’s not gonna be that easy,” I said, thinking about pack members going on trips to neighbouring cities, on vacation or supply trips. “We can’t keep the pack confined to pack lands forever.”

“Exactly,” Rhett said. “To be honest, I had a different idea… but it might be a bit bloodier.”

My wolf perked up in interest.

Bloodier?

Bloodier sounded better to my wolf and me.

We’d have to make a point, so they’d never return. Ever.