Oscar was fussing, something he rarely did. Finn could tell Jessa was worried—so was he. But there was nothing he could do. Being so helpless killed him.
“She’s waiting this out in your room?” Hollis asked.
Finn nodded.
“I need to clean up,” Jessa said, eyeing the dishes.
Finn shook his head. “It’ll wait.”
He followed Jessa to their room, watching her cradle Oscar in her arms and offer him his bottle. She smiled, so in love with his son that his heart swelled. He lingered, ignoring the prick and pull of change on his skin. He didn’t want to leave her. It felt wrong.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said.
She nodded. “Be safe.”
He crossed the room and kissed her, leaving her breathless. “I’m close by.” He slipped the medallion off and handed it to her. “Keep it safe for me?”
She nodded.
It took everything he had to leave the room. But keeping her inside, with Oscar, was the only thing that made sense. He wanted to believe that Anders and Dante offered no threat, but they’d never had someone outside the pack there before. Yes, she was his mate, and Oscar was his son, but he wasn’t ready to risk their allegiance, or put them in harm’s way.
“I’ll stay with her,” Hollis said. “Oscar?”
“He’s going to turn.” Finn could feel the energy in his son.
“If I need to separate them?” Hollis asked.
He shook his head. “Whatever it takes, keep them safe.”
Hollis nodded and closed the door, locking the deadbolt.
He lingered outside, pacing back and forth. He had to believe they would be safe.
“Come on, Finn,” Dante called. “You’ll do more good protecting them than worrying over them.”
Finn nodded.
“Besides, between Hollis and your pup, I’d say she’s got a rock-solid security team.” Anders clapped him on the shoulder. “Man, I can’t wait to run tonight.”
The three of them stripped down. Anders tossed his clothes on the floor while Finn and Dante folded theirs. When they stood on the front porch, Finn welcomed the pull of change. The scent of the pines flooded his nose, along with the winter wind, a distant elk, and the highway miles beyond that. His eyesight sharpened, aided by a million stars and the glow of a perfect white moon.
He gave the others a brief nod and headed into the trees, the rip and snap of change starting immediately. He fell forward, his hands curling in, nails slicing through the knuckles into long claws. He relaxed, easing the dislocation of his jaw, the lengthening of his bones and teeth, the stretch and tug of his muscles. His skin gave easily, tearing as his thick brown coat covered him from paw to tail. Each vertebra popped into place, his shoulders collapsing in as his chest bowed forward. His senses sharpened, noting each bug and bird, the scents of Anders’s and Dante’s wolves, the sound of Jessa humming to Oscar inside the cabin.
He swallowed, staring at the orange glow of her window.
His wolf listened to her, aching to go to her. To be with his son.
Instead, he ran, letting his paws carry him to the far perimeter. Anders’s wolf greeted him, climbing all over him in eagerness. Finn snapped at him and set off, knowing Anders would follow. They circled the refuge twice before meeting Dante. His greeting was more subdued, but he was happy to be free—to be a wolf—for now.
The refuge wolves were timid, needing time to reacquaint themselves with them, make sure there was no threat. Finn waited until he saw the pack alpha then perked up, throwing back his head to howl his greeting to the others. He was home with his mate and son. And he wanted them all to know it.
Chapter Eleven
Jessa set the bottle on the side table, unable to stop the slight shiver that ran down her spine as another chorus of howls filled the night.
Hollis grinned at her. “It’s unnerving.”
She nodded. “It’s a greeting?” she asked, patting Oscar’s back until he gave her a large burp.