An awkward silence fell between them since Ben often used that phrase. There was a grim possibility that his wolf might have confronted a band of rogues and defended the house with his life.
Austin wiped his face clean on his shirt. “Maybe you don’t want to hear this, but I talked to Ben’s Packmaster. He confirmed that Ben hasn’t gambled in three years. He’s been on probation for a long time, always having someone follow him whenever he left the house, but that’s not the case anymore. He’s working with a financial advisor and learning the ropes. It doesn’t pay as much, but he’s built clientele, and it shows me he’s serious about changing his ways. Addiction is a tough road; just ask Jericho. Anyhow, thought it was worth mentioning.”
“Yeah, I heard that,” Wheeler grumbled, putting on a clean black shirt. He tucked the sleeveless shirt into his pants and turned around. “I’ve given it a lot of thought, and it doesn’t mean anything unless it comes with an apology.”
Austin considered that. “Maybe you need to be the bigger man and meet him halfway.”
Wheeler’s jaw clenched. “I’ve always been the bigger man, and look where it got me. He didn’t just borrow my car without asking and wreck it. He traded me over to a fighting ring and almost made me slaughter the woman I love. Maybe he needs to know that getting his shit together isn’t as important to me as knowing that he regrets his decisions.”
After a moment of silence, Austin realized it wasn’t a topic worth arguing over. This wasn’t the time. “Do me a favor and get Naya to shift back. She’s on guard for the next five hours, and I don’t mean in panther form.”
Wheeler patted her side. “Come on, kitty cat.”
They headed in one direction, and Austin went the other. He thought about Izzy’s kids and the best way to handle the situation. The boys were armed with guns but would only fire as a last resort. Their primary job was to bait rogues by inciting a chase and leading them to the traps or one of the adults. It seemed risky, but Austin could trust that most men would have a hard time killing a child, especially shooting one in the back. Maybe their wolves would act out, but men had a heavy conscience about such things. The plan had worked beautifully, and the boys were nimble on their feet and quick thinkers.
Melody was a different story. She was older, and her skills were unmatched. That made her more of a target, not to mention she was a young woman, and that would attract the wrong kind of Shifter.
Austin walked for twenty minutes and blew another sharp whistle.
No reply.
Dread twisted his stomach into a knot, and when the urgency intensified, he knew something was wrong with Lexi.
He slid down a steep hill, his boot digging into the wet earth and giving him traction. Before he reached the bottom, he kicked off the slope and broke into a full run. His hands were balled into fists, his breath heavy, his stride long, and his heart pounded like a jackhammer.
A familiar dove call sounded.
Reno.
Austin kept running, his second-in-command falling at his side. They hurdled a downed tree, scaled a steep hill, and entered a darker patch of woods where the thorny bushes were merciless.
“You feel that?” Reno said in a ragged breath.
Austin didn’t answer.
He couldn’t explain why or how he knew Lexi was in trouble, but an alpha never ignored his instincts. A heat culminated within him as his wolf fought to break free, but Austin kept him caged, tapping into his abilities to lead the way. Even without his wolf’s keen sense of smell and hearing, Austin wouldn’t have any trouble locating Lexi. An unexplainable magnetic pull drew him to her—one that could only be defined as magic.
As they began to slow their pace, Austin’s wolf alerted him that they were close. He could smell a change in the air—a distinctly foreign scent of unfamiliar Shifters layered on top of the heady perfume of earth and greenery.
He grabbed Reno’s shirt and yanked him to a stop.
The smears of dark paint on Reno’s face were sweating off, something he was oblivious to as he gripped his gun and scoped the shadows up ahead.
Austin pointed to the right, signaling Reno to branch away so they could close in from opposite ends. Despite his muscular frame, Reno managed to move stealthily, without making a sound.
It didn’t seem an easy feat for Austin, who crept forward at a subdued pace, his boots pressing down on the forest bed, crackling leaves and snapping twigs. Sweat trickled down his temples, and he struggled to slow down his breathing. He stepped over a dead wolf—pure white, with an arrow through its chest.
Austin glanced at the solid white ears.
Not Lexi.
He swallowed hard and continued forward, a thin veil of moonlight slowly replacing the lost light of day.
“It’s just us, you idiot!” he heard Lexi shout.