by Jade Alters
I hear her, Hale said. Listen.
We all shifted our minds to share his headspace, quickly latching onto the frantic sound of Jessica’s voice.
“I swear, I don’t know!”
“Don’t fuck around with me, girl.” This voice belonged to an older man — hard and gravelly, and as southern as they come. “If you’ve been living there, you know something about ‘em. Let’s start off simple. You know their names.”
“I don’t!” she insisted. “That was always part of the job. No names. No codenames. Total discretion. I swear, I don’t know anything!”
I felt my lion’s powerful muscles tighten, tense at the sound of her desperation and bravery. We knew she was made of tough stuff, of course, but to hear her fight to protect our identity like that, even in great danger, was stirring. Even if a big part of me wished she’d just come out with the truth to protect herself.
Soon enough, these bastards wouldn’t be alive to repeat our names anyway.
A beat later, I had to abandon the train of thought to focus elsewhere. As the interrogation continued, I heard a quiet disturbance of the leaves ahead of me. A sentry — off-guard and unaware for now, but he wouldn’t be for long.
I’ve got guards, said Stone.
One here too, I confirmed. Take it easy, everyone. Take them out quiet, but only if they get too close. We don’t want chaos just yet.
Still, no matter what I said, it felt like chaos was close at hand. I could feel that familiar spark of adrenaline in my veins, edging me on towards the oblivious armed guard.
They’d taken her away from us. Now, they’d see what we could take in return.
Stone
Now that I could hear her voice, I could feel anger rippling closer and closer to my surface. Before long, I wouldn’t be able to control myself. Even now, only Blake’s authority over me prevented the thread from snapping. I wanted to run into that place and tear them limb from limb — any of them that had touched her or tried to scare her.
Blake knew what he was talking about, though — and he was right. If we just stormed in there all guns blazing, we’d be outnumbered and outgunned and outmaneuvered within moments. We had to wait until they were off-guard; we had to separate them and pick them off in small numbers. In other words, this wasn’t the time to let our emotions get the best of us.
I paused as one of the guards drew near. He still had no idea I was there; his weapon was slung over his shoulder as though he had never even thought about having to use it, and his thoughts seemed to be occupied elsewhere. He seemed innocent enough — but he was old enough to know better than to fight for an ideology like this.
I part-shifted back to human form, retaining only the sharp claws of my left hand. Silently approaching from behind the cover of a tree, I slipped up behind him and slit his throat.
One down.
Mine’s approaching, said Preston. Any minute now.
This part, at least, was a dance we’d taken part in many times. Granted, we were usually better appraised of what lay inside the encampment walls and how we’d deal with it once we got there — but right now, the process was the same. It felt like muscle memory at this point, barely worth thinking through.
That left a lot of space for my mind to run wild, thinking of all the terrible ways they might treat her in pursuit of information. I cared about Jess from the moment we met, but ever since we slept together, it had stacked up to something much more intense. It was as though that act of love had confirmed every suspicion, I had about who she was, and what we could be together. It felt like we’d been together for decades in those few short moments.
I gritted my teeth, covering the body of the guard in case another should come by. We were here for her now. Maybe she didn’t know it yet, but the ordeal was coming to an end.
Guard out on my side, said Blake. Hale?
Clear for me.
And here, Preston added.
Alright, said Blake. Move in closer for observation and bunker down. We’ll wait until nightfall, unless she’s in imminent danger.
I’d follow my alpha’s orders, of course, but the thought of waiting just within her reach for hours as darkness fell, hurt me. I couldn’t imagine how frightened she must be down there, trying to hold up the front that she didn’t know what they were asking her. Every now and again they came back to the spot they were keeping her, and they’d try again — pushing and pressing in various different ways to try and get her to talk.
So far, they hadn’t touched her. For their own sake, they’d better hope it stayed that way.
Once night had finally fallen, the glow from the campfire was the only thing to illuminate our surroundings. It cast long, flickering finger-like shadows through the trees and the palisade walls. Eerie-looking, but shadows had always been our friends. Tonight was no different. As the night sentry finally took over, I stirred from my position in the tree. It was nearly time. I could feel it in my joints, watching the casual arrogance of those nighttime guards — expecting nothing, and prepared for nothing.
Human form, said Blake. Arm up and shoot to kill. We don’t have the intel or the backup to handle this situation if things turn out bad. Everybody prepared?
I felt our collective readiness. It filled up my limbs like electricity as I shifted back into human form, stretching my shoulders and my arms. A moment later, I had my pistol in hand. Heart pounding, I waited for the signal to come.
It felt like a lifetime before Blake finally said those words.
Alright. Move in.
Our movements sometimes felt like an out-of-body experience. We trained so carefully that when it came to performing a task, all of our physical movements were second nature, and we could dedicate the bulk of our thinking to strategy. As such, when I reached the thinning lines of the trees outside the encampment, it felt almost like I was watching myself — distant, somehow. When I reached the guard on the gate, there was no fear to prickle at the base of my spine. Nothing but the cool understanding of what I had to do — and the hot, raw anger that motivated all of us.
After a split second of action, the first guard was down. To my right, I saw Preston flooring another on the other side. At the front of the encampment, where the palisades parted, Hale and Blake would be closing in.
Preston ran up beside me in his human form as the first shots rang out. It took only a mere glance between us to agree, and we moved forward in unison — stepping carefully and quietly over to the now-unoccupied guards’ gate. Now that the firefight had begun, this could turn into a numbers game fast. It would be our job to keep the others from being swarmed, ideally before the enemy realized we were inside.
They had certainly noticed Blake and Hale. Shouts rose up around us as we ducked behind a tarpaulin, picking off a couple of stragglers from the edges of the pack. After all this time they spent evading us, I’d expected them to be more organized than this. Sometime since they settled here, they must’ve grown complacent.
Any survivors wouldn’t make that mistake again.
However, all thoughts of the foot soldiers around us soon evaporated as our eyes fell on a cage of wooden pikes. Half-shrouded by a tarpaulin, it lay close enough to the campfire to illuminate its sole occupant.
I took hold of Preston, his wrist tight in my hand. The urgency must have spoken to him; his gaze followed mine, and we both stood for a moment in silence as we recognized the huddled form of our mate inside this cage.
We didn’t waste another moment. After a quick check to make sure we wouldn’t draw attention, we slipped across the encampment square and reached her side. Our footsteps were light on the approach, but she still raised her eyes as we came near — first afraid and tired, and then wet with relief.
I lifted a finger to my lips as she made to speak, shaking my head.
Don’t speak. You’re okay, but we need to get you out of here.
Of course, she couldn’t hear me like Preston could, but I hoped the meaning came across to her somehow. As the
firelight reflected in her eyes, brow furrowed and jaw firm against the fresh onslaught of tears, I saw something braver and sturdier appear.
I squeezed her hand through the wooden bars, only retreating to help Preston as he discovered the door. Our first attempt to spring the lock was quickly foiled; instead, after a glance at each other, we realized what plan B had to be.
You ready for gunfire on our side? Preston asked. We need to spring Jess out.
She’s safe? Blake asked. I felt Hale’s mind hovering right over us, eager for the answer.
Frightened but seems unharmed, I answered. She’ll be better once she’s out of here.
There was a short period of silence, and rapid fire from the other side of the camp. Jess’ hands tightened on the bars, and I was reminded that she still didn’t really know what the hell was going on. That the others were safe.
I gave her a smile, instinctive and reassuring.
Do you need me? I asked, eyes still skimming over Jess as Preston continued to work the lock. I could take her back, out of the way.
There was a short silence as Blake weighed it up. Take her. Preston — see them off, then come to us. Yes?
I nodded, feeling my fellow Norths’ affirmations flood my system too. There we were in sync. I put my fingers on Jess’ torch gentle but serious. When her eyes met mine, I gestured at her to stand back. Mimed shooting the lock.
She nodded and pressed back against the wall. There wasn’t much space for her to move to, and she seemed to sense that — lifting her arms to cover against the upcoming blast. I stepped back, nodding at Preston.
We’re ready, I thought.
Hold, said Blake. A few beats stretched out, birdsong a soft contrast against the sounds of fighting at the front of the camp. It was almost peaceful.
Of course, a second later, the pressure popped as Blake’s order came through, loud and clear.
Go. Shoot.
Preston wasted no time, firing carefully to part the lock from the door. He unhooked the metal from the door and swung it open, waving Jess through as I held my arm out to shield her.
“Stone…”
I shook my head, listening out. The encampment had definitely noticed that some of the shooting was behind them; we didn’t have a big window to move in.
“Follow me,” I said. My voice was as soft as I could make it, but it still felt alarmingly loud compared to the silence of my usual communications in these situations. Like every armed man in these woods could hear us. “You can run?”
She nodded. That determination flashed in her eyes, and a good swathe of my fear melted away. What had I ever been afraid of? Jess wasn’t some glass maiden who’d snap at the first opportunity. I’d never met a real woman who was — but her mettle right now, and her refusal to answer their questions, proved that she could take care of herself.
Of course, our One Mate would be brave like this. Nothing else would make sense.
I led her quickly back into the guards’ entrance, weaving through the palisades with purpose and nimble feet. Unfortunately, my desperation to keep her safe had me distracted, and I was surprised as we came face-to-face with another guard running up from the woods.
My instinct was to play stealth and go for his neck with a clawed hand, but the last thing Jess needed was more confusion and stress right now. That left me only the nuclear option — but my moment of hesitation had cost me. The guard brought down the heavy butt of his shotgun, aiming for my head. I ducked just in time to take the blow on my shoulder instead, groaning under the weight of the impact. So long as he was hitting me and not Jess, it would be alright — but I didn’t plan on giving him a second chance. Though my shooting shoulder was on fire from the hit, I lifted and sank a clean two bullets into his chest.
“Oh my God.”
I came right back to Jess’ side, eager to soothe away her fear. I wanted her well and comfortable, as always — but our silence was extremely valuable right now. We couldn’t risk being heard now and bringing down the weight of the main fight onto ourselves.
“It’s okay,” I said, low and sincere. “We’re alright. We just need to stay out of sight. Once we’re far enough away, we’ll run. I’ll get you back safe, and they’re going to be just fine here. Okay?”
“You’re sure they’re safe?”
That her first instinct was to be interested in their safety instead of her own spoke volumes — about her character, and about what we meant to her. I swallowed, wishing I could transfer to her all my care and adoration as easily as I could communicate with my pride.
For now, I could only squeeze her hand.
“I promise,” I said. “They can handle themselves. Let’s just get you out of here. Ready to move?”
We moved back through the trees, arching around to steer clear of the camp’s view. Eventually the sounds of the fight lay somewhere behind us, and even that seemed faint.
“Jess,” I said, leading her back onto the main path. “Time to run.”
Her face was steel as we ran together. She must have been exhausted after the way she’d spent her day, and after already feeling unwell, but if so then it wasn’t written on her face. When we occasionally slowed to let her body rest, only then did I see the signs of tiredness — the heaviness of her breath as she bent over to recuperate her energy, and the self-deprecating smile.
“This definitely wasn’t in the job description.”
I grinned, leaning against a nearby tree. “Yeah, sorry about that. Should’ve read the small print.”
“I’d have spent more time on the treadmill if I knew.”
We smiled at one another, somehow finding a moment in the panic and the threat. Still, I felt that this wind of hers was mostly adrenaline — that once she was back in the safety and security of our cabin, she would process the danger she had been in, and retreat into herself a little.
It had happened to me, too, the first time. There was no way to prepare for it. I just wished it was a lesson she didn’t need to learn.
“Alright,” I said. “Last leg. Let’s get you back inside.”
“And get you patched up,” she insisted. Yet again, she wasn’t her own primary concern. Relief and affection filtered through me, feeling certain once again that we’d have more time together. That she’d know the truth, and be herself again.
Stone, Blake stepped in. I could feel his stamina was low. Is she okay?
She’ll be fine, I said. Just a little shaken.
I could only hope that I was telling the truth.
Jessica
As the light slowly faded in and chased the darkness away, marking my night from hell officially over, I felt like I was waking from a particularly vibrant dream. If not for Stone’s steadying presence beside me on the couch and the silence in the rest of the cabin, I might have believed it too. The last few hours had gone by in a blur, barely strung together in my memory. How long had it been exactly? Only the lightening sky could say — but at last, Stone sat up straighter in the chair, lips pursed.
“They’re coming home.”
I was tired enough not to question how he knew that. It took me by surprise when I sank down into the couch just how little energy I had left; even trying to stand had made me dizzy, so Stone had been fussing over me ever since. He’d brought a blanket to wrap over my shoulders, and tea to drink; his hand seemed to find its way to mine whenever I most needed it, whether I said so or not.
By the time the door opened, it was like I’d almost run out of oxygen. My breathing was shallow and sad, and as much as I was glad to have Stone here with me, I couldn’t relax until I knew that the rest of them were safe — until that door opened and all three came through, battered and bruised but alive.
My legs failed me again, but as it turned out, I didn’t need them. They all came right to my side, and in a heartbeat, I was wrapped in all four of them — Stone’s hand in mine, Hale curling down over the back of the couch to hold me, and Blake and Preston crouching at my front. Preston’s for
ehead nestled against my knee; the whole thing, being in contact with all four of them at once, felt overwhelmingly intimate, even in the silence.
It only made the guilt in my stomach swirl all the worse. Which of these men would I hurt, once I told the truth?
“I’m sorry,” I managed, after a few beats. My voice sounded raw and broken as the tears finally saw their opportunity to break free. “I didn’t know that was going to happen. I just needed some air; I just—”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” said Blake. His calm voice was exactly what I needed right now, and I closed my eyes to sink into the comforting tone of it. I felt his thumb brushing the back of my free hand, and the feather-light touch of his fingertips against my wrist. “You didn’t ask for that. I just wish we could’ve gotten to you sooner.”
“I’m okay,” I insisted. “I’m out.”
“Technically, you did us a favor,” said Hale. “We’re done with this mission a whole lot earlier than we expected to be.”
“You weren’t ready.”
“Turns out we were ready enough,” said Stone, squeezing my hand again. I opened my eyes to meet his, feeling a connection course through from his being to mine. The affection and fondness I felt for all these men was almost supernatural; it made the thought of losing it and harming them even worse.
All at once, it swelled to a knot in my throat.
“I’m so sorry.”
I felt a rush of kindness from each of them — a massaging grip, or a tender touch. I had lost track of whose hands were where now; instead, we all felt like one larger consciousness, melted together. Fated.
