Leonardo scowled turning to Ralph who closed his eyes a muscle flexing in his jaw although the look that shifted across his face wasn’t from surprise at the news.
“It looks as you had expected her to do something,” Leonardo remarked his tone cool.
“I was,” Ralph replied eyes snapping open to stare at Leonardo with a crooked smile although his eyes were dark with temper. “But I didn’t think she would do something this stupid especially at this time.”
Leonardo grunted at his words, but the look they shared didn’t go unnoticed by anyone including Dena who walked into the room, but everyone froze when suddenly the pack link exploded with reports.
There are five, all shifters!
“We need to go.” Paul stated a worried look crossing his face knowing that the patrol had already sent their own intel catching the others’ look.
“They seemed to be targeting the Alpha Female Whitney.”
“Go!” Leonardo ordered, and four of his fighter wolves including Paul rushed out of the house.
We’re on our way, Paul informed Garin, and when he didn’t answer, Paul knew that he was occupied a hard frown settling on his wolf’s face when they all shifted after jumping off the porch.
“We need to talk,” Whitney pouted eyes narrowed on Garin’s wolf. “Why don’t you shift back, Garin? It’s hard to talk to you in this form.”
Whose fault is that, Garin’s wolf mocked catching the tone of her voice, and he snarled quietly hearing the order in her voice. He ignored it, though, pushing her ahead him of back to the house.
The sudden rustle of the trees caught Garin’s attention, and his wolf crouched crowding Whitney back into a tree a second before five wolves broke through the dense tree line.
There are five, all shifters!
Garin sent the message wondering if the pack’s patrol had discovered the number although he didn’t have time to wonder about it when the first wolf attacked eliciting a scream from Whitney behind him.
Damn, his wolf muttered meeting the wolf head on, and Garin knew what was worrying his wolf shaking off their attacker.
They were immediately surrounded and his wolf snarled while keeping his large body between them and Whitney.
We are on the way.
Garin heard Paul’s words, but he couldn’t reply when suddenly two wolves launched at him and all his attention was focused on defeating them that he didn’t have time to utter any response flinching when he felt teeth sink into his side.
Chapter 18
After the last message, Paul didn’t utter another word even as they hurried to find them.
When they caught the scent of Whitney’s perfume, they ran toward it without hesitation and Paul sensed the presence of the fighter patrol but he knew that they wouldn’t aid them unless it was necessary.
They couldn’t leave their post unsure if this was a diversion for others to sneak in.
Coming into the area where Whitney’s scent led them, Paul growled low with approval which echoed from the others at the four wolves lying on the ground while Garin’s wolf was still crouched in front of Whitney facing off against the last wolf standing.
Garin.
Paul called out to him, but he had a feeling that Garin had already sensed their approach and so did the other wolf who suddenly launched snapping at Whitney who screamed although Garin intervened slamming into him.
The other wolf got back to his feet giving a shake before baring his teeth at Garin, and then darted off into the woods away from them.
Two of there group took off after wolf while Paul trotted over to Garin catching the smell of blood and his eyes shifted to dark matted area of his friend’s fur.
Paul shifted just as did the others and they checked the other wolves grim looks coming to their faces.
Paul turned back to Garin who shifted himself one hand going to his side where blood trickled through his fingers to the ground.
“Is Alpha Female Whitney all right?” Garin gritted out pain etched on his face.
Paul shifted his gaze to the other three who were checking over a hysterical Whitney, and one glanced over giving him a single nod having heard Garin’s question.
“She is fine,” Paul confirmed turning back to Garin. “But her being here didn’t help you.”
“No, but it is our mission to protect her,” Garin agreed his tone low and weak.
Paul nodded his head, and was about to ask something else when suddenly Garin collapsed to the ground his head hitting the ground.
“Damn.” Paul knelt down to check his pulse and glanced over about to ask for help when one of the wolves, the one who heard Garin a second go, walked over to them after sending the other one back with Whitney.
“The patrol group has been informed of what has happened,” he said shortly. “I’ve also informed the pack about Garin.” Glancing down at Garin, he sighed slowly. “I don’t think he would’ve got hurt if…” Shaking his head, he closed his mouth.
“Let’s get back to the pack house.”
They lifted him up grunting under his weight since the man was no light weight, and carried him back to the pack house keeping their senses alert just in case.
Arriving at the house, they were met at the front door by a scowling Leonardo and Ralph who were immediately pushed to the side by a concerned Dena.
“He took out all of the wolves except one who we can assume was the leader,” the man with Paul explained.
Leonardo was about to respond when Dena spoke hurriedly in a sharp voice even as she reached out and put a small hand on her mate’s arm. “Get him upstairs to his room and as soon as the pack doctor gets done checking Whitney, he will do the same for Garin.”
Brianna. Paul shifted his gaze to Garin who was out, but he heard the low request a second before he uttered another. Daya.
They headed upstairs groaning under Garin’s weight, and once he was laid out on his bed, Paul stretched out his muscles.
“I’m sorry, Alpha Female,” he said quietly getting Dena’s attention who was just about to check Garin’s wound. “But Garin and his wolf would feel more comfortable with our pack doctor. He asked for her.”
“Paul…” Dena began only to stop when Leonardo reached out and touched her shoulder.
“Dena, I’ll call Trevor and see if their pack doctor can come out here,” Leonardo remarked getting an understanding nod from her. He turned for the door calling over his shoulder. “They caught the last shifter. They are bringing him to the pack house. I want all fighter wolves on alert.”
He walked out of the room even as the order echoed harshly around the room, and Paul, after making sure the Alpha Female didn’t need any help, rushed after him.
“Alpha.”
Leonardo was already on the last stairs heading for his office when Paul called him.
“I know you are concerned about your pack member, but…” Leonardo began shifting a look over his shoulder only to stop when Paul shook his head.
“Garin would want me to help with your pack’s protection first,” Paul informed walking down the stairs. “But the reason I stopped you was because Garin asked for another too although it might be asking for a lot.”
Leonardo stared at him intently before he nodded his head. “I’ll see what I can do, Paul. For now…”
He turned for the front door just as it opened, and Paul, without hesitation, positioned himself in front of Leonardo who noted it with approval.
Turning his attention back to the door, Leonardo’s face took on a harsh mask when his fighter wolves escorted in their prisoner. The man they escorted in was a little older than Paul with unkempt hair although he was fit if a little malnourished, if Leonardo wasn’t mistaken, and yet the hardness on his face is what drew Leonardo’s attention.
After studying him briefly, he turned and headed for the office with a brief message to the others. “Bring him. Paul, you come too.”
Entering the office, Leonardo walked over to his desk and picked up the
phone receiver indicating the chair in front of his desk for their ‘guest’.
Leonardo dialed Trevor’s number and listened to it ring with his narrowed eyes on the man sitting across from him. Two fighter wolves stood on either side of him while Paul stood behind the chair, and there was another fighter wolf standing near the door arms crossed over his chest.
The man’s eyes swept over the room, and the members, before going back to meet Leonardo’s eyes. “How comfortable,” he sneered, but there was a flash of envy that Leonardo caught a second before it vanished.
“It’s efficient for my needs,” Leonardo retorted before turning his attention to the phone which had just been answered. “Trevor…”
Trevor was working in his office a frown on his face going over the information that he had received that morning. Even though the information seemed accurate, and current, Trevor didn’t plan on taking his pack of alert just yet, he decided just as the phone on his desk rung.
“Hello.” He answered it briefly not caring much for the instrument, and yet it was useful. He sat back a smile drifting across his face when he recognized the voice. “Leonardo, this is a surprise although…”
“Garin was injured today,” Leonardo interrupted his tone hard, and Trevor stiffened straightening up in his chair. “He was able to take down four of the five before help arrived.”
“The fifth one,” Trevor asked sending out a brief message to Kala and Alec not going into detail although he did mention Garin.
“Sitting in front of me,” Leonardo replied. “Once I get off the phone, I’m going to ask him a few questions.”
Trevor heard the guttural laughter just as a frowning Alec and Kala walked into the office.
“I’m sending Alec back and he can help with questioning the man,” Trevor decided seeing Alec’s eyes narrow at his words.
Leonardo was quiet at the offer, and Trevor sighed. “I don’t mean any offense, Leonardo…”
“I know, and besides, it works since Garin has asked for Brianna…” he hesitated briefly which made Trevor frown his eyebrows lifting only for them to fall when Leonardo finished. “And Daya.”
“I don’t know, Leonardo,” Trevor said slowly his eyes lifting to meet Kala’s worried look. “She is still healing, and besides…”
“Alpha Trevor.”
At the soft tone, Trevor swung his head to the entrance of his door where Brianna and Daya stood the latter’s face pale and her lips trembled slightly, but her brown eyes were focused on him.
“I was with Brianna, Alpha, when you sent the message,” Alec revealed with slight wince when Trevor shifted him a narrowed look.
“I was the one who informed Daya, Alpha, after Alec left me,” Brianna admitted eyes filled with concern.
Trevor sighed shaking his head before returned his attention back Leonardo. “Alec, Brianna and Daya will be on the next flight out,” he conveyed to his friend, and after a few more words, he hung up.
“Trevor,” Kala uttered in a worried tone.
“Garin was injured when five rogues attacked him,” Trevor confided catching the look on Daya’s face before she blanked it. “He was able to take out four of the five.”
Alec grunted a frown settling on his face. “Then something, or someone, had to be holding him back,” he spoke thoughtfully catching the questioning looks of Brianna and Daya, and he explained. “Five rogues even strong ones wouldn’t be a match for Garin.”
Trevor nodded his head in agreement. “Garin and his wolf are strong, and when he is on a mission, it becomes his primary objective along with making sure our members come home safe.”
Alec swore loudly when something came to mind, and Trevor scowled heavily coming to the same conclusion.
“Alec, they caught the fifth shifter and Leonardo is questioning him as we speak,” Trevor continued although his voice filled with anger vibrated around the room. “Garin requested Brianna.”
He shifted his gaze to Daya giving her a searching look which she met. “Daya, he asked for you, too, but if you don’t want to go…”
“Is it all right if I go?” Daya asked even though she heard Trevor’s words to his caller. “I don’t want to offend anyone.”
“Daya, I assure you if Leonardo didn’t want you there, he would have told me after letting me know that Garin asked for you,” Trevor said quietly giving her a brief smile.
Daya nodded her head, but she nibbled on her bottom lip while Trevor sat back shifting his eyes between her, Brianna and Alec.
“Go pack. You will leave on an afternoon flight,” he told them reaching for the phone.
“Yes, Alpha.” They chorused together turning to leave the office, and Kala walked over to sit down while she waited until Trevor finished with his call listening to their footsteps fade away from the office.
When Trevor hung up after making their flight reservations, Kala folded her hands over her stomach which was beginning to show.
“Do you think it is a good idea since Whitney is there?” She asked in a soft, worried tone.
“Garin didn’t just ask for Brianna, sweetheart,” Trevor confided and Kala started to smile after a brief gasp of astonishment. “He asked for Brianna because she is our pack doctor…”
Kala nodded tilting her head to the side a gleam starting to shine from her eyes. “If you were injured…?”
She didn’t even have to finish the sentence when Trevor answered her getting up from behind his desk and walking around it, he dropped down to his knees in front of her letting his hands rest lightly on the curve of her waist.
“Then I would ask for you,” he confirmed with single nod of her head. “As would any other male wolf when they are injured.”
“He needs to see Daya,” Kala clarified her eyes closing on a sigh of relief.
“Yes,” Trevor agreed slowly standing and bringing her with him enfolding strong arms around her. “It also means that he has come to some conclusion.”
Kala nestled into Trevor and they both jumped when they felt a soft thump from Kala’s belly.
“I’m guessing our little one is adding their support,” Kala teased although worry still echoed in her voice.
“Our members will come back safe and sound,” Trevor assured with a light kiss on her neck. “All of them.”
Sighing, Kala leaned back to smile up at him. “You would think I would be used to this since I’ve been with you at the beginning.”
“But it also what makes you a great Alpha Female,” Trevor gave her another soft kiss. “Because you care about each and every member worrying about their safety even those who don’t go on missions.”
Tucking her head against his chest, Trevor’s narrowed eyes stared at the open door his jaw hardening.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Kala said in a soft voice. “I think Whitney doesn’t stand a chance against our girl.”
Trevor found himself laughing at her words before he hugged her tighter against him. “To be honest, I have to agree with you.”
Daya packed her mind in a whirl wondering how Garin was doing, and if she thought about his ex-mate, she forced herself to push her to the background.
“He will be fine.” Daya turned to see Brianna standing in the doorway holding a small bag, and Daya nodded her head zipping up her bag and lifting it her leg tensing underneath her.
Her face blanched one hand going down to rub it feeling the muscle bunch under her hand.
“Will you be able to…?” Brianna began only to stop when Daya’s brown eyes turned to her. “We will try to stay on routine, but…”
“Your primary patient will be Garin,” Daya finished with the corners of her lips turning up. “As it should be.”
Alec cleared his throat from the doorway getting their attention although Brianna showed no surprise at his appearance.
“Let’s not keep Garin waiting.”
Nodding their heads, Brianna and Daya preceded out of the room with Alec stepping to the side so they could walk in front of him an
d he closed Garin’s door with a soft click.
They were met by Trevor and Kala who walked them out to the vehicle that was waiting to take them to the airport.
“Be safe.” Kala’s words rung in their ears even as they drove away.
Leonardo quietly knocked on Garin’s guest room door and Dena looked up from where she was rebandaging Garin’s wounds.
“They are on the way.” He stepped into the room away from the doorway and closer to the bed.
Dena turned back to the bed and the unconscious Garin. “Garin, they are on their way.” She paused briefly placing a hand on his upper arm. “She is on her way.”
Her eyes widened slightly feeling the muscle relax under her hand.
“He is going to be just fine,” she muttered getting up from the bed and turning toward her mate stopping when she caught sight of Whitney standing in the doorway.
“I came to check on Garin.” Her voice was soft and low, and Dena frowned at the other woman.
“He is resting,” Leonardo replied getting a swift look from Whitney, and Dena saw the flash of shock that swept across the young woman’s face realizing that she hadn’t seen him in the room from where she stood.
“Alpha,” Whitney stammered eyes shifting around the room landing on Garin and Dena before going back to Leonardo. “I wasn’t aware that you were in here.”
Leonardo gave her a searching look. “Alec is returning along with their pack doctor,” he revealed watching Whitney’s eyes narrow at his words.
“I can take care of Garin,” Whitney offered. “Afterall, he saved me.”
“Yes, he did,” Leonardo argued one hand sliding into the front pocket of his dark colored slacks. “That was his job, to protect you, and yet the question that needs to be asked, is what were you doing out there?”
Whitney paled eyes roaming around the room again before they landed on Garin. “Garin asked me to meet him out there,” she finally admitted lowering her eyes. “Since he is my ex-mate…OH!”
Her hand came up to her mouth eyes widening. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
His Wolf's Choice Page 22
