Reno’s voice quieted. “I have a stunner.”
“Where the fuck did you get that?” Austin said in disbelief.
Stunners were a metal forged with a special magic that could paralyze a Mage if left in his flesh. A Shifter fighting against a Mage was tricky since they could flash and move at high rates of speed and blast us with energy from their hands. Stunners mostly stayed in their possession since their energy didn’t work on one other, so their fights were hand-to-hand combat.
Reno smirked. “I’ve been around the block, boys. Those babies aren’t easy to acquire, but I took out a Mage a few decades ago and…well, finders keepers.”
Austin nodded. “I think we can prepare a few stakes in case there are Vampires.”
Lorenzo’s eyebrow arched. “Only certain types of wood will paralyze them.”
“I know,” Austin replied. “I tangled with a few of them in my last job. The problem is they’re too damn strong, so it’s almost impossible to get close enough to stake ’em. I learned the hard way that to take down a Vampire without getting your arms crushed, you need to buddy up with them so they’re not expecting it.”
“Friends close, enemies closer,” Reno agreed. “Seeing as we don’t have time to make friends, better to be armed than not.”
It wasn’t long ago that I’d been lying on my sofa, petting Misha and listening to a little salsa music on a lazy afternoon. Now here I was, sitting with wolves and planning an illegal raid.
Had Delgado taken Ben or anyone else in Austin’s pack, would I have volunteered as quickly to help? Of all people, why Wheeler? Hadn’t he already suffered enough? I couldn’t imagine how dejected and enraged he must feel to be right back where he started.
He’d never forgive me. Those intimate moments we shared behind closed doors, the secrets, the physical affection, and the tender words would become nothing but scattered memories of something that was doomed to fail. My heart sank, fearing he might give up this time. What did he have worth fighting for? A pack who was ready to cut him loose? A twin who didn’t reciprocate the love and loyalty he did? A good lay from a stripper who was the cause of his predicament?
“Are you okay?” Lexi asked privately while some of the men continued talking.
“No, honey. I’m not okay. I’m far from okay.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
I turned to look her in the eye. “Yes, Lexi, I do. I’m not sure how to explain this without it sounding silly, but I love Wheeler. I adore this man so much that I can’t even catch my breath while thinking about him.”
Her eyes turned saucer-wide. “What? No… no,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not in the mood for Naya humor.”
I leaned in. “Do I look like I’m teasing? Maybe you had your entire life to figure it out with Austin, but I don’t need an hourglass to figure out my emotions. I’m the last woman on earth to choose love over money. I’ve always admired the passion in your family, but I’ve never felt emotions that deep. Not the kind of passion you feel when someone bares his soul to you, or the kind when a man looks into your eyes because he wants to hear your thoughts. Not until Wheeler. Our connection was like a flame bursting into existence. I regret that I didn’t tell him what a remarkable man he is, and I regret that I may never have the chance to tell him how much I love him—for whatever that’s worth. I’m not a fool; I know your pack would never invite a panther to live under the same roof. Aside from that, Wheeler has every right to blame me for all this.”
“Why? It’s not your fault!”
You would never think a slip of a girl like her would have such a big mouth and fire in her attitude, but she did. That’s what made her an alpha female.
It’s also what made every man at the table look our way and halt their conversations.
“Naya, I have no idea what’s going on between you two, so maybe my opinion doesn’t matter, but this isn’t your fault. We’re involved because friends help each other out. I’ve known you for years, and you’ve always looked out for me. Not once have you ever asked for a damn thing! You’ve lavished Maizy with affection, time, and gifts. You’ve given me advice on business and love, not to mention talking me into buying a few sexy outfits that aren’t my thing, but Austin seems to enjoy them.”
Denver chuckled and elbowed Austin in the ribs.
“That doesn’t make this okay,” I said. “I can’t help it. I feel responsible in a way that’s painful.” I placed my hand over my chest, fighting back the tears. Oh, please don’t let me lose control in front of everyone. My lip quivered. “If anything happens to him, I’ll never forgive myself.”