“They’re practical,” Austin said, shaking off some of the water droplets from his hair. “We live in the moment and they think about what’s coming. If they didn’t keep us in check, we’d fuck up the planet.”
“Yeah, well, I still think that cooling off and preventing a heatstroke is more practical than spots on the windows,” he complained as a rainbow formed in the fine mist rising from the green hose.
Denver had always been the free spirit of the family—untamable. Truthfully, Austin didn’t really want to break him. Not the way most Packmasters would. Denver loved people and that’s why he worked as a bartender. His wolf was the only one who needed an attitude adjustment.
Jericho was the seducer in the family, although it never made sense because the man looked like he hardly showered. Denver was different. He could have any woman out there—he’d obviously hijacked all the best genes in the family. A masculine face combined with a mischievous smile won them over every time. But during their outings at the Shifter bar, he mostly hung out at the pool tables. He flirted like nobody’s business, but was too damn selective to get serious. Who knows, maybe he didn’t think they were good enough for him. Denver was only fifteen years older than Austin, although he looked younger.
“You wanna head back?” Denver asked.
“Yeah.” Something was bothering Austin, so he picked up Reno’s phone and dialed Lexi.
No answer.
Maybe she’d gone outside and left the phone on the counter, but Lexi had promised to keep it with her at all times. Something didn’t feel right, and he couldn’t put his finger on it. Everyone has intuition to some degree and most people blow it off.
Austin wasn’t about to be most people.
“Heading out,” he announced.
“I’ll come with,” Denver called out from behind, jogging across the dirt with wet feet.
“Why don’t you stay behind and help clean up?”
Denver snagged a handful of Austin’s shirt and yanked him back. “Because I feel that shit too. Something ain’t right.”
Austin tossed Reno’s phone at Denver. “Call Wheeler and tell him what’s up. I want them to sit tight, lock the doors, and watch the women.”
Austin barely remembered getting in the car and starting the engine, but the next thing he knew, they were flying down the main road with rubber chewing up asphalt. The low afternoon sun splintered through the windshield and he squinted, having left his sunglasses at the house.
“Still no answer,” Denver said after the fifth attempt at calling Lexi.
Who the hell could be on his property? “I want you to get Lorenzo Church on the phone.” Austin recited the number while Denver handed him the phone.
“This is Church.”
“Stay away from Lexi,” Austin growled. “I want you and your men to back off.”
“Hold on, is this Cole?” Laughter on the other end, and it only kindled the fire. “Good God, you are paranoid.”
“You think I’m fucking with you? Try me.” Austin gripped the steering wheel so hard it could have snapped. “Touch her and I’ll break every finger on your hand. Take her, and I’ll break your neck.”
“What is this call about? You’re wasting my time. I no longer have a man assigned to guard her, if that’s what you’re asking. That was her wish, and I will not force myself on any woman.”
“It’s not him,” Austin said, glancing at Denver.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Church snapped, all humor erased from his voice.
Austin hung up and his foot became a cinderblock on the gas pedal. He dialed Prince, but it went to voicemail.
When they arrived at the turnoff, he slammed on the brakes and took off on foot. If someone was there, he didn’t want to tip him off. Every muscle burned as adrenaline rocketed him up the road until the house came into view.
So did another scene.
A gun.
A wolf.
Blood.
A scream.
His heart almost stopped.
***
Maizy remained motionless in front of McNeal, sucking her thumb with a vacant stare in her eyes. I kept my focus on the Mage, ignoring my father’s shouts. They got into a heated argument and my arm was on fire from the gunshot, but the only thing that existed in my world was my little sister.
I knelt down and noticed her eyes were fixed on the blood trickling down my arm. “Come on, sweetie. It’s okay. You’re not in trouble. Come over here and let me give you a big squeeze, ’kay?”
“Maybe if I put a little shock into her, that’ll wake her up.” McNeal laughed, holding out his hands.
I had no idea what a Mage could do, but Austin had told me enough that it had me on my feet in less than a second. Before I could lunge, my father looped his belt around my neck and ran the strap through the buckle, yanking me back as if I were on a leash. The cold barrel of a gun pressed against my right temple.
That’s when I saw the big picture. A large black-and-grey wolf bared its teeth at McNeal, stalking forward from the right. I could tell it was Prince from his unique multicolored eyes.