“That’s motherhood,” Addison murmured, smiling gently.
“I’m not even his mother,” Eva whispered, rubbing the tears flowing down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure what she was to him, only there was some inbred instinct in her that had driven her to do what she’d done. She loved him—how could she not? He was so sweet and innocent, and he’d already lost so much. Eva had had no choice but to stop Mathew from suffering more loss. He’d chosen John, and therefor he’d chosen her.
“Eva, you became his mom the second you took him from Melody’s arms and told everyone to stop,” Addison said, opening her arms. “I’m not your mother, but I am John’s, and he once told me I give out the best hugs.”
Laughing through her tears, Eva went into her offered arms, closing her eyes as the strength of John’s mother held her up.
“Matty said our names this morning,” Eva told Addison. “You should have seen him. He was unbelievably cute.”
Pulling back with joy on her face, Addison cupped her cheek. “I can imagine. With those curls and blue eyes, he’s going to cause you no end of adorable trouble.”
Eva smiled. It might have all hit her at once and overwhelmed her half of the time, but she wouldn’t take it for granted. Her mother’s death had taught her that.
“Would you mind coming for a walk with us after he’s had his lunch? I’ve a few things I need to look up and some calls regarding my degree. I can’t talk and keep my full attention on him.”
“Oh, yes, John told me you’re going to be a vet.”
“Hopefully. If I can juggle all life has thrown at me.”
“Ah, but dear, that’s the beauty of a pack. You’ve plenty of people to help you.”
And somehow, coming from Addison’s lips with her motherly smile, Eva believed her. She’d prove her father wrong. She’d have the man and the child and her career.
Her mom had once told her she could do anything and damn it, she was going too.
***
Walking back after finishing her jobs, Eva smiled as she spotted Mathew being pushed on the swing by Tilly and mulled over everything she’d learned from her phone call. If she was going to become a vet, it would mean committing to years of travel. It wasn’t like there was a university down the road available to her. Ideally, she’d live on campus during the week and come home on weekends, but it would mean leaving Mathew and John for days at a time, and she had no idea what John would think of that.
Mathew waved as he spotted her, and she was about to jog over when her brother’s voice caught her attention on the wind. Turning toward the sound, Eva’s frown deepened when she realized Zackary was yelling.
Racing over, Eva arrived just as Zackary shoved Max in the chest, the curse on his lips thick with the anger of his wolf. Cooper was trying to hold Zackary back as Cory sneered, egging Max and Eva’s brother on. She couldn’t understand what they were fighting over, the argument had turned into a snarling match, with cursing thrown in here and there.
“What’s going on?” she demanded. “Zac, stop!”
Tyler was there a second later with another older man. They jumped between the boys, dragging them apart and regaining some order, but Eva knew her brother had already crossed a line he couldn’t step back from.
“Zac?” she warned as he heaved in and out, his body trembling. Taking a few careful steps, Eva ducked to meet the angry, pained eyes of her brother. “Come on, little bro, you’ve got this.”
Shaking his head, Zackary took a leap back. “Stay away, Ev,” he begged, his tone anything but human. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You’d never hurt me.”
Turning away, his body shook as he clenched and unclenched his fists. It was as if his skin was rippling, shifting in and out of the change as Zackary fought for control.
“I think you should listen to him, Eva.” Tyler placed a hand on her shoulder. “He wouldn’t mean to hurt you, but he could.”
“He’s my brother,” she insisted. Eva didn’t care if he was angry or out of control. She had to believe he wouldn’t hurt her. Even when he’d been in the grips of his first change, completely lost to the rage and fear controlling him, he’d thrown things at the wall, not her and their father. “Help him.”
“Breathe, Zac, breathe. Remember it’s you who’s in control, not the wolf,” Tyler murmured, closing in.
For one awful second, Zackary looked back, his eyes human and full of torment, before he shook his head and took off into the forest.
“Zac,” Eva screamed.
“He’ll come back,” Tyler said.
“Will he?” Because she’d seen his face. She’d seen what he was running from.
“Yes. I’ll make sure he does.” Tyler turned his stern gaze on the other teenage boys. “Now, does someone want to explain why Zac was pushed to that point?”
Eva ran a hand through her hair, staring at the trees her brother had disappeared into and contemplated going after him.
“Eva!”
Dragging in a deep breath, Eva plastered a smile on her face and turned toward Mathew just as he wrapped himself around her legs. “Hey, Matty.”
His curls bounced as he whipped his head toward the trees as she’d done moments before. “Zac, sad.”
“Yeah, buddy, he is,” Eva replied. Mathew had been talking more and more as the days went by, but he was selective to who he spoke to. She and John were sometimes lucky enough to get a full, toddler-talk sentence.
“Tyler will make sure he’s all right,” Addison said as she approached, trailing Mathew. “Teenage boys struggle with control sometimes. It’s why we have to keep them on a strict routine.”
Eva smiled, looking at the trees one last time, before taking Mathew’s hand and leading him away. Yet with each step she took, Eva’s anxiety grew, and it didn’t matter how many times someone told her he would be okay. Eva had seen her brothers’ pain and the internal battle he was raging, and she couldn’t shake the feeling he was slipping away. That he was helpless against the strength of the wolf that had invaded his body.
She’d already lost her mother to an invisible enemy who’d attacked her from within. Eva wouldn’t survive losing another member of her family. It was bad enough not having her father talking to her. He’d left the day before, and she’d only found out he’d made it back to their house in one piece through Zackary. Eva would confront him eventually, but for now, she was hoping some time alone would make her father see sense, because one thing was certain. Eva wouldn’t be turning her back on the small boy clutching her hand as if she was his lifeline. It didn’t matter if she was in over her head or would have to spend years juggling study and long commutes; she’d made a choice, and Eva was sticking to it.
Chapter 35
Bass
“Bass!”
Pausing, Bass inwardly groaned before turning. “Whatever it is, Ty, it needs to wait. I was supposed to meet Katalina two minutes ago.” He’d promised her twice this morning they’d leave on time, had seen the doubt in her eyes. Bass loved his pack, but today was about Katalina, about supporting her as she dealt with the first painful anniversary of her parents’ death.
“I know and I’m sorry, but it’s Zac.”
Bass rubbed his face. “What now?” he groaned.
“He got into an argument with Max and Cory and ran off. When I found him, he was in wolf form, either wouldn’t or couldn’t shift back.”
“Damn it, why today? Where are they?” Bass fell into step beside Tyler as he led him toward the training area. “What was the argument over?”
“They’re not saying. Cooper’s confirmed it was Max and Cory who started it, but that’s as far as he’s going, and Liam hasn’t opened his mouth. John’s with them now.”
“I’ll butt their heads together first, then find Zac. I best message Kat. God, she’s going to love me.”
“I’m sure she’ll understand,” Tyler offered, patting him on the back. “You’ll still go. Just a little later.”
&n
bsp; Bass smiled, but the truth was, he was pretty sure Katalina was all out of understanding today. Rounding the corner, the four sullen teenagers came into view, their stances straightening when they spotted Bass.
“I thought you were leaving?” Cooper mumbled as he halted before them.
“Were you hoping I wouldn’t get the truth from your lips, Cooper?” Bass smiled slyly. He wasn’t in the mood for stupid teenagers today. “Now, someone best start talking before I get angry.”
“I didn’t do anything. It was Cory and Max,” Cooper blurted, eyes to the floor.
“And what exactly did you do?” He studied Cory and Max, his wolf at the forefront of his mind.
“It’s not our fault Zac can’t control himself,” Max muttered. “We were just messing.”
Bass growled. “I’ll be the one deciding who is at fault. Now tell me exactly what was said before I put the four of you on dish duty for the rest of your lives.”
Liam groaned. Cory seemed to shrink smaller, and finally, Cooper opened his mouth. “Max called Zac out on his special treatment.”
“Special treatment?” Bass really was going to lose it if this entire mess was over jealousy.
Cooper glanced up, then elbowed Max.
Max sighed. “You know all the one-on-one training he gets, plus extra time with you. He’s not even one of us, and you’re all giving him your time.”
Bass gritted his teeth, his frustration building. “Did you tell Zac he wasn’t one of us.”
“No,” Max mumbled, risking a quick glance up. “Cory did.”
“Cory, look at me,” Bass commanded.
“Well, it’s true. Why should he get extra training when he’s only been here five minutes,” Cory defended.
Bass stepped forward, towering over Cory. “Are you the alpha, Cory?” he asked, voice scarily calm. “Because it’s the alpha of a pack who decides who gets what training and who belongs or not. And if you are then, I’m wondering why you haven’t come to challenge me for the role.”
“I... erm... I….”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so. Maybe one day you’ll be ready to take me on, but until that day, you’ll leave the deciding to me. Understand?”
“Yes,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”
Bass stepped back. “It’s not me you need to apologize too, Cory. It’s Zac. Because he does belong here as much as any of you. In fact, probably more, because I’m pretty certain neither of you four have killed to protect Katalina. So maybe you should remember that next time you’re jealous. And think about the fact he needs extra time because he wasn’t born with this gift. It was given to him against his will.”
“I will. I’ll say sorry,” Cory mumbled.
“Me too,” Max chimed in.
“Good. Now the four of you are off duty today and will be helping out in the kitchen.”
Grumbles sounded all around.
“And,” Bass interrupted, “Max and Cory will be working in there for the next week, and if we go to red alert, you will be staying there and not on the line of defense.”
“That’s bullshit,” Max argued. “You can’t stop us from defending—”
Bass’s snarl cut him off, and the four teenagers shrunk back. “What’s bullshit, Max, is that I’m here, dealing with you idiots when I’m supposed to be taking Katalina to see her parents’ graves. She’s waiting for me right now, probably angry as hell and upset that I’m not there. So, you’ll do as I say, and maybe in the future, you’ll be able to prove yourself to me, and I’ll trust you not to be children. But until that time, you’ll be scrubbing dishes. Understood?”
Heads nodded.
“Good.” Bass turned to Tyler and John. “Take me to Zac, Ty. John, make sure these four get to the kitchen.”
It wasn’t hard to find Zackary; he wasn’t exactly quiet. The kid was snarling and whimpering as if he was having an argument with himself. It was a troubling sign.
“Zac?” Bass said gently as he approached. “Come on, kid. I know you’re stronger than this.”
Turning his rage on Bass, Zackary snarled, leaping forward, but it was a warning, not an attack, and Bass took it as a good sign. If the wolf had full control, it would have gone for his throat.
“That’s no way to greet your alpha, kid,” Bass teased, offering him a smile. “Shift back. Let’s talk.”
He cried out, the sound full of fury and pain as he shook his head, rubbing at it with his front paws.
“Zackary, shift,” Bass repeated, allowing his wolf forward. “Cory and Max are wrong. You belong here, Zac. You’re one of mine.”
He shifted on a scream, collapsing on all fours as he cried, “No, I don’t. I don’t belong anywhere.” Zackary’s tear-filled eyes met his. “I’m dangerous.”
Going on his knees before Zackary, Bass reached out and gently placed a hand between his shoulder blades. “You’re no more dangerous than any other dominant here.”
“You don’t understand, Bass,” Zackary said on a sob. “I wanted to hurt Cory. Really hurt him. I wanted him to scream for what he said… and then there’s my sister.” He laughed bitterly through his tears. “She still thinks I’m her little brother. That I’m not dangerous when I am.”
“Zac, listen to me. You didn’t hurt anyone. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“But I wanted to,” he rasped, gripping his hair.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is you took yourself out of the way when you were losing control. You did that, Zac, because in your heart, you didn’t want to hurt anyone. And I honestly don’t believe you’d ever hurt your sister.”
“How can you be so sure?” he asked, sitting up as he dragged in a breath.
“Because you put yourself in a cage to protect your family, Zac, at a time when control would have been at its worst. You went against every instinct and put yourself in a position the wolf would have found impossible, and you did it because you love them.”
“I’m just so afraid of hurting someone.”
Standing upright, Bass held out his hand. “I promise it will get easier.”
“I hope so.” Zackary took Bass’s hand and allowed him to pull him to his feet.
“Do you trust me, Zac?” Bass asked. Zackary nodded. “Then trust I have your back. Besides, Kat brought you back once. She’ll do it again if she has too.”
His eyes widened. “Oh no… Kat. You shouldn’t be here, Bass. You’re supposed to be with her.”
“She’ll understand,” Bass assured.
“She shouldn’t have to. Come on.” Zackary rushed away. “I’m sorry, Bass.”
Bass caught him up. “You did nothing wrong, Zac. It’s Max and Cory who were at fault, and they are being punished for it.”
“Still, I know what it’s like to lose a parent. She should have you there.”
“I’ll be there. I’m going righ—” Bass’s words cut off as his world swayed, pain bursting through his chest as if his heart had exploded.
“Bass? Bass!”
He was struggling for breath, clutching at a wound that wasn’t there. Such sorrow, such fear and fury. Blinding, white-hot fury. It coursed through him, blocking out all sense of self. Zackary was dragging him upright, shaking him, but Bass struggled to focus through the onslaught coming down the mating bond.
“Katalina,” he whispered. “Zac… the alarm.”
Giving up his fight, Bass absorbed all of Katalina’s emotions, his knees giving out as he tipped his head back and howled his agony, just as Katalina’s echoed through the air, the keening sound full of despair.
It ends with me….
He’d failed her. Let her down once again. The enemy was here, but Bass, he was too far away to have any hope of saving her.
Chapter 36
Katalina
“Everything all right?” Jackson asked her.
Looking up from her phone, Katalina hoped her expression didn’t show the multitude of emotions she was currently feeling. There were too many to pick from, a
nd all she really wanted to do was sink to the ground and cry.
“Bass is held up.” She glanced at Noah, who’d stood slightly out of the way while she’d been saying her goodbyes to River Run. “He says to go ahead to the meet-up point.” The plan was to meet up and follow her aunt, uncle, gran, and cousin to the graveyard, before then traveling back to their house for the night and spending Katalina’s birthday together.
Her family had changed the plans at the last minute, insisting Katalina shouldn’t be spending her birthday at a graveyard, but whether she was at her parents’ graves or not, it wouldn’t matter to Katalina. Her birthday would never be a day of celebration again. She just didn’t have it in her.
“Shall I come with you instead?” Jackson offered.
Smiling at her father, Katalina walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his middle. In the time she had known him, they’d grown closer, and Katalina no longer viewed him as a stranger. She loved Jackson as a father, but she also couldn’t mix her two lives together. It was too complicated and messy.
“I’m fine, Dad. Stop worrying. Noah will stay with me until Bass arrives.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when you’re home then.”
Laughing at his tone, Katalina pulled back and looked up at him. “It’s one night, Jackson.”
“I know. I know.”
“Right.” She gave her River Run family a half-wave. “I’ll see everyone later.”
“For your birthday.” Toby grinned.
She narrowed her gaze, wagged a finger at him. “No parties, Toby. I mean it!”
“I’ll keep him under control,” Cage promised. “There will be no party waiting on your return.”
Somehow Katalina didn’t think he spoke the truth. “You’re psychic, Anna. Tell these idiots how unhappy I’ll be with a party.”
Anna smiled. “There will be no party.”
With a nod, Katalina turned away, oddly empty. Saying goodbye seemed final, their smiles hiding worry that sent anxiety fluttering through her.
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