by Fel Fern
Forrest looked thoughtful. The fact his mate hadn’t said no, meant it could happen.
“Forrest?” he asked.
“The only werewolf I know who decided to continue living after her mate died is Sabine.”
He blinked and remembered how Ben turned all serious when he asked about Sylvia’s father.
“Sylvia’s dad… is no longer alive?” he asked.
Forrest looked troubled.
“I’m only sharing this with you because you’re my mate,” Forrest began.
“I won’t betray her secrets.”
“Alex, Sabine’s mate, wasn’t a warrior, but the pack’s healer. Healers are incredibly rare and protected by the pack. They could also be careless of their own life. After a receiving a distress call from one of the families living in the remote area of the territory, Alex went there without taking back-up.”
His stomach churned, thinking about that little girl he played with earlier that day. He wondered if Sylvia knew about her dad.
“Anyway,” Forrest went on, looking angry. “It turned out a group of armed shifter-hating human fanatics had overrun the area. Back then, the pack had been small and we struggled to control our territory. When she arrived, it’d been too late.”
Forrest stroked his back, expression serious. Dave didn’t need to read emotions to know Forrest wished he could do something for his friend. He hugged his mate tighter.
Forrest flashed him a small smile and continued, “Sorry, I lost track, but the answer to your question—yes, it’s possible for a shifter to continue living when their mate is dead. Sabine’s case is unique, though. She promised Deacon she’d live just long enough for Sylvia to grow into adulthood. I think that’s why she supported me, us. She didn’t want to see a friend lose a mate, too.”
That certainly changed Dave’s opinion of the cold-eyed enforcer. He thought of being parted from Forrest or the other way around and couldn’t imagine it.
“I won’t die,” he finally told his mate. “I’m human but I know my limits. I won’t go chasing after danger unless your life is at risk. I know you’ll protect me at every cost, but I’ll do the same.”
Forrest nuzzled his neck. “I’m glad you made that promise.”
Dave wouldn’t allow Forrest to go through that sort of pain on his own. Already, his mate had a plan in mind in case the pack didn’t allow him to stay in Devil Hills. It would be hard leaving Daryl here, but he knew his brother would be in good hands. It was time he focused on his own future and with his wolf by his side, he’d fight to make sure they survived.
Chapter Fourteen
Forrest couldn’t focus on what Ben was saying. Something about the northern section of their territory and some crops not growing in that part of the land. He didn’t like the way his other packmates watched his mate like potential prey. Deacon letting Dave into the wolf pack compound had been a massive step, much more than letting Dave wander freely into town. The compound held most of the homes of the pack, of couples and entire werewolf families.
They had a ‘wolves only’ rule, and even of the other long-time supernatural leaders of other groups, Deacon only allowed a few in, like the vampire king Ezekiel and the hawk king Malden. So, it meant the world to Forrest that Deacon would allow Dave to meet the other pack members. He’d been called away momentarily thanks to some enforcer business, so he had to leave Dave in the daycare area.
Naturally, being the first human to be allowed in their compound walls, Dave had drawn a mix of curious and unfriendly eyes. Forrest was well-aware that for some of the aggressive human-hating wolves, the reminder that Dave was mated to an enforcer kept them from touching Dave.
Forrest glimpsed Jared and his group out of the corner of his eye. Were Jared and his friends assigned to guarding the daycare area? He silently swore.
Ben mentioned seeing Jared confront Daryl and Dave yesterday. He didn’t tell the Rush brothers because it would make him seem overprotective, but Ben was a wolf under the team he led and he entrusted Ben and a few others to keep a close eye on his mate.
Only a fool would believe Dave was safe. He lived and knew each packmate, but Dave was an unknown element. Forrest wasn’t far, but he stood outside the fence of the pack daycare. The daycare was a single-story building with plenty of outdoor space for pups to explore and run. Dave looked out of place in the playground, and he didn’t like how Jared’s gaze never left Dave’s.
He clenched his teeth, wolf on edge. Was Jared the one who told Dave those harsh words and called Dave a weakling? Jared was about Dave’s age, and yet his human had seen and experienced so much compared to Jared. Jared was one of the few wolves who had only experienced peace, had never felt loss, while his mate and Daryl had fought to survive all their lives.
Dave was worth a lot more than Jared. He’d love nothing better than to teach that punk a lesson.
“Forrest?”
Hearing the hesitation and slight fear in Ben’s voice, he snapped at Ben, “What?”
“I think your wolf’s rising to the killing edge.”
He tried to reel his temper in. Damn it. Ben was a good fighter who didn’t care Forrest chose a human mate, and he could always rely on Ben in a pinch. Ben didn’t deserve that.
“Ben,” said a new female voice. “I’d like to talk to Forrest.”
Forrest wasn’t surprised to see Sabine. Ben nodded to her and left them alone.
“Here to check on Sylvia?” he asked dryly, still in a bad mood.
His wolf paced inside him restlessly, eager to fight anything or anyone in their path. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought Dave here. Did Deacon let him bring Dave here, knowing this would happen? Was this a test to see how other packmates would react to a human in their environment?
The dominant wolf inside him wanted to brawl. Jared would be easy prey. Sabine, though, could help ease his wolf. Dominant male and female wolves were born warriors, killers, and protectors of the pack. It was only natural they fought and kept their instincts honed, but he reminded his wolf that Sabine was his friend. A very close friend, he corrected, and the only enforcer who seemed willing to stand by his side.
“Wait a little longer,” she said, surprising him. “If you charge in now, then the pack will think you don’t trust them with your mate, either.”
“Jared,” he managed to grit out.
“Ignore him. Jared is a good kid, but he’s been taught that all humans are evil. Pups are a good judge of character. They’re curious by nature, too.”
Despite how hard it was to not go to his mate, he listened. Sabine was a parent, too, after all, so she must know a little about pups.
One small pup that used to be white but was now a little dirty from rolling on the ground wormed her way out of the slide, took one look at Dave, and let out a growl that sounded like a woof. Sylvia bounded up to Dave, who blinked, no longer tense as she began to run in circles around him, then wagged her tail at him, tongue sticking out.
“Hello there. I see you’re as wild as ever, sweetheart,” Dave said, then picked her up.
Forrest glanced at Sabine, but she didn’t look worried or alarmed like the other watching parents. Dave laughed, tension breaking as Sylvia licked his cheek. Another wolf pup curiously approached Dave, then another. One brown one curiously nipped at his sneaker.
Forrest relaxed a fraction of an inch.
“What are you thinking, sister, letting that human close to my niece?” said a chilly voice.
Forrest glanced sideways at Santino, who wore a scowl on his face. Great. His least favorite enforcer. They worked well enough on missions but seldom spoke. He had the impression Santino never agreed with Deacon’s decision in choosing Forrest to be a pack enforcer.
Many bold or foolish unmated wolves in the pack had tried to dance with Santino, hoping the cold-eyed and powerful enforcer would take them for a mate. As if that would happen. Most packmates assumed both brother and sister were cut from the same cloth, but he knew differently.
Sabine ignored her brother and turned to Forrest. “Deacon’s meeting with Malden in the Eyrie soon. Max and I will be accompanying him. Lance will be in charge, I think he wants to discuss something with you.”
“I’ll see the Beta soon,” he said. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked, confused.
“For letting your kid play with Dave when most wolves wouldn’t let their pups near a human.” Forrest meant every word.
“Dave’s a good man, Forrest.”
Santino let out a snarl, eyes filled with old, quiet anger. “He’s a human, that’s explanation enough.”
“Brother, shouldn’t you be checking the status of your teammates in the southern section of the territory?” she asked in an icy tone.
Santino took one look at her, snarled, and left.
“It’s been three weeks,” he finally said. “Deacon hasn’t changed his mind about extending Dave’s stay here, and the Discipline Squad hasn’t made any new moves.”
“I’ve asked him, but Deacon refuses to budge on his position that all humans are the same. It’s not the same, but I have this,” she said, pulling out a piece of paper from the pocket of her jeans and handing it to him.
He accepted it, read the three scribbled lines. Names of other supernatural-run territories, he realized. A couple of days ago after an enforcer meeting, he asked her if some supernatural communities accepted humans, because she’d travel outside their borders before to track rogues.
“I’ve made discreet inquiries like you requested. These three mixed-species communities are small, but they allow humans on a case-by-case basis. Dave and your chances of being accepted are pretty high, because he’s mated to a shifter. They’ll welcome a werewolf of your skill set and abilities,” she explained.
Unthinkingly, he hugged her fiercely, forgetting for a moment she didn’t like being touched, especially after that incident. She tensed at first, then relaxed, awkwardly patting his back. Understanding her discomfort, he pulled away.
“This means a lot,” he said, grinning.
“These communities are far away,” Sabine reminded him. “In even more remote locations than Devil Hills.”
“Why, you’re going to miss me, right?” he joked.
She twisted her lips to what he guessed was a smile. Sabine didn’t use to be like this, he remembered. She’d been hotheaded and reckless like him once, a contrast to her healer mate.
Dave’s question two weeks ago bothered him, reminded him that someday his friend would take her own life. Deacon had long accepted her decision, so did Santino. Hell, the inconsiderate woman even asked him once if he’d adopt Sylvia if something happened to her. Now, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill that promise. At least Santino and Deacon would still be here.
If Dave and he made it to one of these communities, found a place to put down roots, he’d make an effort to thank her again.
“We’re leaving soon, remember to see Lance,” she reminded him.
Sometimes, he wondered if she was his best friend or older sister.
Dave met his gaze across the fence, arms full of yipping and demanding wolf pups.
“Save me,” his mate mouthed to him, and he chuckled, tucking the piece of paper away and striding to his mate. Their future might be uncertain, but Forrest had plenty of options now. He’d do everything in his power to ensure Dave and he survived.
Chapter Fifteen
“Are you sure about this?” Dave had to ask, watching Forrest dump a duffle into the trunk of Forrest’s jeep, which he knew only contained ammunition.
Forrest packed enough for a small army, but he didn’t complain, remembering how disadvantaged Daryl and he had been against the Discipline Squad when they left the city.
“You’re asking me this on the day we’re leaving?” Forrest asked, sounding insulted. “Get that cute butt inside, little human, but I’m driving.”
His werewolf mate hid his pain well, but Dave knew better. It must hurt Forrest that Deacon didn’t change his mind about him. The Alpha didn’t even try convincing Forrest to stay.
Make no mistake. Deacon cares about Forrest, but he’s the Alpha. That position means he can’t show emotions easily and has to make the decisions no one else can, Sabine once told him.
Dave hadn’t been too sure of that. If Daryl was awake, he’d be trying his best to convince him not to leave. His brother even had the idea he was coming along with them. Daryl even packed a bag and everything, so Dave took precautions. He lied to Daryl about the date he and Forrest were leaving and made Ben take Daryl out for drinks last night.
Right now, Daryl must be in bed, fast asleep or nursing a nasty hangover. Dave hadn’t been proud of his actions, but he wouldn’t allow Daryl back to the outside world where he’d only be hunted down again. Forrest, he knew, approved of his actions. Even his wolf could see the supernatural community had already accepted Daryl as their own.
“What are you thinking about?” Forrest asked once he got in the jeep.
His mate started the engine and started on the dirt road that would lead them to the main one, out of Devil Hills territory. No matter how hard Dave tried to be optimistic about leaving and finding their own way, his heart remained heavy. Leaving Devil Hills would leave permanent scars on his mate’s heart. He might never see Daryl again, too, but Dave convinced himself to be strong.
Weakness could get them killed, and Forrest had already sacrificed so much for him.
Forrest kept insisting he made the decision to go with Dave, so there was no reason Dave should feel guilty, but there was no hiding the fact he took Forrest from the only home he’d known.
“That Daryl might end up hating me,” he answered.
“Maybe at the start, but your brother will understand and appreciate your decision soon enough.”
He knew Forrest was right. Dave had seen for himself how Daryl could be himself here, how Daryl loved his job at the clinic and interacting with the other residents. Since he met the werewolf pups in the pack compound, the werewolves and this place had begun growing on him, too.
Too bad he couldn’t stay.
“Hey, we’ll be all right,” Forrest said as if his mate sensed what he was feeling.
From left of the woods, he spotted a white wolf watching them. They hadn’t told anyone they were leaving a day early, but he had a feeling Forrest’s best friend figured their plan out.
“Do you want to stop and say a few words to her?” he asked.
“No. We both suck at good-byes.” The next time he looked, Sabine was gone.
They passed by more trees. Since Forrest didn’t live near the main town and area or the wolf pack compound, it was a short drive back to the road that led to the line which divided the Devil Hills territory and the rest of the world.
He clenched his fists, so emotional that he thought he imagined a squeak then a whine. Had he imagined the sound? Forrest, too, looked focused on the road ahead of them. They passed by the two warning signs, and he saw how Forrest held the steering wheel so hard. Then they got further and further away, and he saw Forrest relaxing his shoulders.
They chose this together, decided on this path together, he reminded himself.
We’ll be all right, he remembered his mate saying.
“Babe, did you hear that?” he asked, when the whine rose again.
“What?” Forrest looked out the windows. “I don’t see any other cars—”
Another thump from the backseat. Forrest stopped the car and looked over his shoulder, then sniffed. Forrest groaned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.
“We have a couple of stowaways,” Forrest said, then snarled. Three pairs of small furry bodies slipped from under the seat, one brown, another black, and another a reddish-brown.
Recognizing them, he groaned. “Tammy, John, and Marshal, what are you guys doing here?” he demanded.
All three werewolf kids turned back to human kids.
“Don’t go, Dave,” said
Tammy, who was a few years older than Sylvia.
“Why leave?” Marshall demanded.
“I’m surprised Sylvia isn’t here,” Forrest muttered.
“Santino,” replied John by way of explanation.
“We need to return them,” he told his mate.
Forrest let out a huff. His mate, he realized, must have been deep in thought and distracted enough not to notice their stowaways. “Fine.” Then under his breath, Forrest muttered, “Santino would probably get the info about the pups’ plan from Sylvia, so they’ll be expecting our return.”
“Yeah—” He didn’t finish.
Forrest widened his eyes and yelled, “Everyone, duck!”
Dave did as his mate asked. Panicked, he looked at the kids, who thankfully obeyed the dominant wolf’s order. Bullets shattered the front windows, spraying glass everywhere. He expected some to hit but discovered Forrest used his body to cover his. Forrest brushed away the glass embedded into his skin as if the pain didn’t matter and gripped his arm, warning look in his eyes.
“Wait,” Forrest said with a growl, his eyes glowing green.
Fear crept down his spine. Those bullets could only come from the Discipline Squad. A month had passed, so they figured the Squad lost momentum.
Finally, the gunfire stopped. Forrest lifted his head. Worried for the babies in the backseat, Dave undid his seat belt and dove in the back.
“Shift, guys. Come on,” he said, knowing they would be more vulnerable in human form.
Forrest let out a thundering growl in front. Dave gathered the three frightened pups to his chest. “Forrest?”
“One managed to get a lucky shot. The left tire’s busted,” Forrest gritted out.
“What do we do?” he asked, tucking two shaking pups into the pockets of his inner jackets. The third he held in one hand. “Guys, I need you to behave and stay put here, okay?”
Satisfied by their little whines and growls, he unzipped the bag at his feet and grabbed one gun. To their credits, the pups behaved.
He risked a look and saw two white vans fast approaching them, shooters hanging out the window. They hadn’t fired again, which meant they intended to stop the jeep, not kill them outright. The Discipline Squad must have assumed it was Daryl and him inside.
