by R. E. Butler
As he recited the alpha vows, asking Weylyn to devote herself to leading the pack at his side, he was aware of a hushed argument from somewhere to his left. He didn’t stop the vows, trusting whoever it was to settle down and stop being a pain in the ass. The last words of the alpha vows slipped from his lips as he held Weylyn’s hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze.
She opened her mouth to answer, her eyes glittering with happiness, when Genesis shouted, “Get out! There’s a bomb!”
Rehlik didn’t take even a heartbeat to consider Genesis’s words. He grabbed Weylyn and shoved her from the gazebo ahead of him, shouting at the pack to run. The explosion caught him from behind and threw him several yards away. He was separated from Weylyn by the blast, his wolf howling in his head to get to her. He rolled to his feet, swaying for a moment as his brain seemed to be rattling in his skull, and launched himself to Weylyn, who was lying face down in the grass. He couldn’t hear anything over the ringing in his ears. His fast healing would take care of that soon enough, but for the moment he had no idea if there was another bomb or if someone was lying in wait to ambush them in the aftermath of it.
Scooping Weylyn up in his arms, he rushed her away from the gazebo toward the nearest building, which was the bookstore.
A figure raced ahead of him and a key flashed before being shoved into the lock. He realized it was Diem. Weston and Novak appeared.
“Is she okay?” Weston asked, his voice muffled by the ringing in Rehlik’s ears.
“I don’t know,” Rehlik answered. He carried her into the bookstore and over to the sitting area, laying her down on the couch. “Baby?”
She had some scratches on her face and was unconscious, her breathing slow and even. “I’ll get Shelley,” Novak said, rushing from the store.
Rehlik sat back on his heels and shook his head as the ringing in his ears went to a piercing level and then stopped abruptly. “Shit that hurt,” he said. He looked at the head of the pack’s security team. “Do we know what happened yet?”
“Jair is bringing Genesis here, she’s the one who called out that there was a bomb. There are some injuries but nothing too serious. I think you and Weylyn got the worst of it. If you hadn’t gotten her off the gazebo when you did, I don’t think either one of you would’ve survived.”
Rehlik didn’t want to contemplate how close he’d come to not only losing his mate but also his own life. Someone had set a bomb on the gazebo and detonated it while they were performing the ceremony. He had to figure out who it was. And fast.
Shelley, the pack healer, appeared and Novak called through the open door, “I’ve got every available male and female searching the town square and surrounding area.”
“I’m going to run to my house and pull up the security feeds,” Weston said. “I didn’t get any alerts that people had tripped the sensors, so I don’t know what the hell happened.”
“Keep me posted,” he said.
“Trace is helping with the wounded,” Novak said. “He wants to know if you want to see him.”
“No,” Rehlik said as he stepped aside for Shelley to do her job. “Tell him to check in with me if he needs to, but he’s doing what he should which is tending to the pack.”
“I’ll keep watch out here,” Novak said.
“Thanks,” Rehlik said.
Weston gave Rehlik’s shoulder a squeeze and headed out. Diem paced nearby, her phone to her ear and a frown on her face. Rehlik scrubbed a hand over his head and let out a deep sigh. What a clusterfuck.
“There she is,” Shelley said.
Rehlik leaned over to see that Shelley was waving something under Weylyn’s nose. Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t moving or talking.
Rising to his feet slowly and biting back a groan at the ache in his side, he put a hand on the back of the couch and leaned down to look into his mate’s eyes. They were slightly unfocused. He put a hand on her unscratched cheek and said, “Hey, sweetheart. Can you hear me?”
Weylyn suddenly gasped loudly and blinked, then tried to sit up.
“Hold on, hold on,” Shelley said, pressing on Weylyn’s shoulder. “You’re safe, just stay on your back for a minute until you’re thinking clearly.”
“You’re not in danger anymore,” Rehlik said, brushing his thumb over her cheek. “Some asshole planted a bomb and nearly sent us to the afterlife. You’re in the bookstore.”
He glanced at Diem, who put her phone down when he said her name. “How are you two doing?”
“I’m good, I think Weylyn is too. Shelley?”
Shelley ran her hands down the length of Weylyn’s body. Her gaze was intense, and her fingers were glowing a pale pink. He knew it was part of her healing abilities; she could use her magic to heal minor injuries. She rested her fingers on Weylyn’s ears, and the glow grew bright for a moment. Weylyn winced and then sighed.
“Wow, I feel pretty good,” Weylyn said.
Shelley helped her sit up, and Rehlik joined her on the couch. “That’s my magic. You were knocked out with the blast, but other than your ears needing some help and a few minor scratches, you’re in good shape. Still...you got rattled, so take it easy for a bit.”
“Are you hurt?” Weylyn asked, looking at him.
“I’m fine.”
Shelley’s glowing fingers pointed in his direction. “Liar,” she said. “You’ve got some bruised ribs. Lemme take care of them.”
Weylyn tried to move away so Shelley could tend to him, but he put his arm around her and tried not to wince at the movement. “Don’t leave, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
“You will be in a few minutes,” Shelley said.
“Are you okay, Diem?” Weylyn asked. “Do you need help?”
“I’m fine; I was a few rows back, so I didn’t feel anything but heat. Some people were cut by the debris from the blast or knocked down when everyone panicked, but no one else got really hurt.”
“Can we come in?” Jair asked from the doorway. His mate, Genesis, was sniffling and her eyes were red.
“Of course,” Rehlik said.
“Stop moving,” Shelley said.
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “Genesis, you saved our lives. How did you know there was a bomb?”
She sniffled and wiped her nose with a wad of tissues. “I was too late, you could’ve died.”
“It’s my fault,” Jair said.
“Wait, hold on,” Rehlik said. “Start at the beginning.”
“I know I’m only two weeks pregnant, but it’s already messing with my sense of smell. I can pick up the faintest scents, especially if it’s something I don’t like. Like Jair’s smelly work clothes.” She wrinkled her nose. “We were a little late to the ceremony, and I was arguing with Jair about it. I was tired, so he took me home for a nap after we were done eating. I only wanted a short nap, but he let me sleep longer than he should’ve, so we were late.”
“I don’t understand,” Rehlik said.
“If we hadn’t left, I might’ve smelled the bomb sooner,” Genesis said. “Or if I hadn’t been arguing with Jair about him letting me sleep.”
“I was just trying to take care of her,” Jair said. “When she told me to shut up, I thought she was really mad at me, but then she said she smelled explosives—like when that male came for her in the woods when we were hunting. I couldn’t smell anything, so I asked her if she was sure and she shouted that there was a bomb and to run. Everyone panicked, so I hauled her away from the gazebo. She started crying immediately when she saw you were both hurt.”
“If you hadn’t warned us, we would’ve surely been killed in the blast. You saved our lives,” Rehlik said.
“I just wish I’d been there earlier,” she said, her voice raw from crying. “I’m sorry.”
Weylyn rose to her feet and walked to the couple, hugging Genesis tightly. “You saved our lives, Genesis. Don’t apologize for being tired and taking a nap, or for your mate taking care of you. Rehlik would do the same for me, I promise, and I would
for him too. You couldn’t have known there was a bomb there. It’s a miracle you smelled it at all with all the other scents in the area from the cookout. But make no mistake, you saved us, and I will be forever grateful to you for that.”
Genesis burst into tears again.
Weylyn glanced at Jair with a worried frown. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, those are happy tears,” Jair said. “Right, baby?”
“Yes, thank you for forgiving me,” Genesis said in between sobs. She blew out a breath and leaned on Jair. “My hormones are totally out of whack and it’s only been two weeks!”
“You’re welcome,” Weylyn said. “I’m so grateful for you both. I can’t believe how close we came to almost dying. I think it hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
“I’m going to help the guards search the woods,” Jair said. “Can Genesis stay with you guys?”
“Of course,” Diem said. “Would you like some tea, Gen? I’ve got a great white peach tea.”
“If it’s okay with the alphas.”
“You bet,” Rehlik said.
“Would you like a cup too, Weylyn?” Diem asked.
“Yes, please.”
Weylyn sat back on the couch as Shelley finished her checkup. “How do you feel?” Shelley asked.
Rehlik flexed his arm and moved his shoulder. “Great. Your skills are amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad I can be here at times like these. Now, if you don’t mind, I should get out to the others and help those who are injured.” She rose to her feet, her long skirt swishing against her ankles. “Oh, there’s something else too.”
“What’s that?” Weylyn asked.
Shelley leaned close and whispered something in Weylyn’s ear. As Shelley straightened, Weylyn said, “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, thanks. I mean, thank you for healing us too. You’re wonderful.”
“It’s my honor. Call me if you need anything else.”
He watched the healer leave and looked at his mate. She had a small, secret smile on her lips. “What did she say?”
“That if we have sex today, I’ll definitely get pregnant.”
Rehlik nearly swallowed his tongue. “What did you say?” he asked when he’d peeled his tongue off the roof of his mouth.
Weylyn grinned with a laugh. “Apparently, I’m ovulating right now. She could tell when she was healing me.”
He didn’t know what to say. “Wow. What do you think?”
“I think I’m ready to start a family with you. If you are.”
“Are you kidding?” He kissed her swiftly, unable to hide the grin. “I can’t think of anything better.”
“I just have one request.”
“Name it.”
“I’d like to get married before the baby’s born. I want us to all have the same last name.”
“You got it. In fact, before we were so rudely interrupted by the bomb, I had something else to ask you.” He slipped from the couch and pulled a small silk fabric pouch from his front pocket. He was momentarily thankful it was still there and hadn’t fallen out of his pocket in the melee. He removed the diamond ring from inside and held it toward Weylyn.
Her eyes went wide, and he heard twin gasps of surprise from Diem and Genesis.
“Sweetheart,” Rehlik said. “You’re the most amazing female I’ve ever met. It feels like I’ve known you forever. I love you, from the bottom of my heart, and I want you to be mine in every way. Will you marry me?”
She stared down at him, her eyes wide and bright with emotion. “I love you too!”
She threw her arms around him and the ring went airborne, clattering to the floor somewhere behind him. “Oh shit!” she gasped. Then she chuckled and kissed him. “Sorry I said a swear during your proposal.”
“Got it,” Diem said. She brought the ring back to them and gave it to Rehlik. “Nothing wrong with a little well-timed swear during a proposal.”
Weylyn grinned. “Thanks.”
“You’re going to answer me, right?” he asked as he brought the ring up between them.
“Right, right. What was the question again?”
“Female,” he said with a low growling chuckle.
“Oh...the marriage thing.” She rolled her eyes in thought and he nearly roared at her to tell him yes. And then she gave him the sweetest smile and said, “Yes, I’ll marry you. I want you to belong to me in every way too.”
He put the ring on her finger and kissed her as Genesis and Diem clapped. “That’s so freaking sweet,” Genesis said.
“I can’t believe I got to see that,” Diem said. “Now I want a male so I can get engaged.”
“You’ll find your Mr. Right soon, I’m positive,” Genesis said.
“That baby giving you some psychic abilities?” Diem teased.
Rehlik rose to his feet and brought Weylyn up with him. “I think Genesis just wants everyone to be happy and find their mate.”
“It’s true,” Genesis said. “It’s wonderful to have someone you love by your side.”
“It sure is,” Rehlik said. He looked down at Weylyn and gave her another kiss. “Love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Weylyn stepped out of the bookstore. She could smell the smoke from the bomb lingering in the air and see the flashing lights from the fire truck and emergency vehicles that had been summoned. Cider Falls had a small volunteer firehouse staffed with shifters who were quick and strong.
Rehlik joined her. “We should go to the gazebo and check on everyone.”
She turned to face him. He looked so worried. She touched his cheek. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“I honestly don’t know. But our people are out there, and we need to help them. I want to tell you to go home and rest, but I don’t think you will.” His mouth quirked up at the corner, and she smiled.
“You’re right. I feel great after Shelley’s healing, but mostly I just want to help in whatever way I can. Oh! I just realized that we didn’t actually do the ceremony so I’m not really the alpha female.”
“You are in every way that matters,” he said. “We can have another ceremony to make it official, but you’re my mate and that makes you the alpha female.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He leaned in and gave her a kiss. “Keep your eyes and nose on anything out of the ordinary. It’ll be hard to smell much over the smoke, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stay vigilant.”
“Do you think there’s another bomb?”
He looked away from her toward the thin plume of smoke rising up from the center of town. “I don’t think so. I believe you and I were the targets. No other bombs went off when that one did.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Trust me, so do I. I don’t want to entertain the thought of losing you again, it was fucking awful.”
“Me too.”
They walked away from the bookstore and toward the center of town. The gazebo was in ruins. One whole side had been blown off and the roof had collapsed. The fire had consumed most of the structure, and now that the firemen had put out the flames, they could see there wasn’t much left that wasn’t burned.
Rehlik waved at the three firefighters who were cleaning up the area and making sure the fire was truly out. The smoke was all gone now, but the smell still lingered. Wood and water and fire.
Boone, one of the firefighters and a bear-lion hybrid, jogged over to them. “Glad to hear you’re both okay.”
“Thanks. What did you find out?”
“Standard bomb—block of C4 and a remote. We found remnants of the remote, but it’s not unique so it can’t be traced.”
“Do you know where it was on the gazebo?” she asked.
“At the back under the floor,” Boone said. “It was lucky that Genesis smelled it.”
“I didn’t think that C4 smelled like anything,” Weylyn said.
“Some shift
ers can smell it,” Rehlik said. “I’m kind of surprised I didn’t pick up anything out of the ordinary. We can be thankful that Genesis’s pregnancy gave her extra-strength scenting abilities.”
“I’m glad for that too.” Weylyn shivered as she looked at the destroyed gazebo. “I wonder when it was planted. I mean, the place was crawling with people yesterday and this morning.”
“Someone must have seen something,” Rehlik said. “The question is who was out of place.”
He brought out his phone from his pocket and dialed Trace and turned on the speaker.
“How’s Weylyn?” Trace asked.
“She’s good now; Shelley helped her and me both. So what’s the news?”
“I can’t find anything or anyone out of place,” Trace said with a frustrated sigh.
“No vehicles?” Rehlik asked with a frown.
“The only vehicles that came into town that weren’t our people coming or going were the butcher with the meat delivery at seven a.m. and the sound system company at ten a.m. Their people were all accounted for. No one else came in that didn’t belong here.”
“Damn,” Rehlik said. “I was hoping it would be as simple as finding an out-of-place vehicle and following up on it.”
“Nope, sorry.”
“Hey, alphas,” a male voice said from behind them.
Rehlik and Weylyn turned around to face the twins—Archer and Gunner.
“What’s up?” Rehlik asked, keeping the call with Trace open.
“We think we know who set the bomb,” Archer said. “We just don’t know how she did it.”
* * *
Rehlik looked at them in surprise. “Who are you talking about?”
“A female showed up this morning at the shop to interview for the job,” Archer said. “There was something off about her. Like she wasn’t fully telling the truth.”
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Sadie,” Gunner said. “After we interviewed her, she left and we checked the numbers she listed as belonging to her alpha supposedly from Pennsylvania, but the number was for a grocery store and no one there had heard of the alpha she listed or her.”
