Cyrus had killed everything she’d loved in this world. He’d taken her daughter. If any one person deserved the right to kill Cyrus, she did. Not that any of them needed to know that.
“If Cyrus really is cutting ties with his former contacts, we’ll need to find a new way in.” Dante leaned over the map, his dark hair falling forward onto his forehead.
She shifted in the chair, the now familiar restlessness stirring. The effects of her run had been short-lived. A fire burned inside her, impatient and hungry. For a hunt. Or a fight. Or, since neither of the first two were likely, a fuck.
The view of Dante’s ass was tempting. He was handsome, big, and able. Ellen appreciated the strength and physical prowess of the man. He was single, available. But her wolf had no interest. And he looked at her with nothing but contempt.
Pass.
Ellen sat back in the chair, her attention wandering to Anders.
Anders, with his quick smile and laughing eyes. Few men could break tension with as little effort. Humor aside, his body was agile and fit. But then, Finn’s pack were all prefect physical specimens.
What did her wolf want then? She knew…and refused to hear it.
Hollis.
Her wolf instantly perked up.
No. She pushed back.
He glanced at her, briefly, his mussed copper curls and the stubble on his strong jaw distracting. And appealing. He hadn’t had time to shower and shave since their outing this morning. Her wolf had enjoyed every second of that run, partly because he was with her.
All she had to do was close her eyes to visualize one very good, very impressive, very large reason to take him to bed.
She breathed deep, letting the mix of pine trees, sweat, and Hollis flood her senses. It was a delicious scent, heady and rugged. His shirtsleeves were rolled back, revealing the shift and flex of his muscled forearms as he reached across the map. A damning, wonderful, fluid heat pooled between her legs.
“Can you help us?” Finn asked.
Hollis’s green gaze locked with hers. Blazing tingles ran along each nerve, stirring the heat into something electric and molten. What she wouldn’t give to know what his wolf was thinking. Her wolf and her body wanted one thing. But taking Hollis to bed had consequences that extended beyond a few hours of sensual pleasure. Her wolf’s preoccupation with the good doctor was dangerous. Besides, even if she was willing to risk it, Hollis might not be eager to have her drag him to her room. No matter how tempting the idea was. And it was. Very.
“Ellen?” Finn’s voice startled her.
“What?” She sat upright, tearing her gaze from Hollis. Her breath escaped on a long, shuddering breath.
“You came here for Jessa.” Finn glanced at the tiny baby in his arms. “I am forever in your debt. We’ve never talked about what happens now.”
The warmth in her stomach turned to ice. “It’s time for me to go.”
Finn’s brow furrowed. “You want to leave?”
“It’s what we agreed to. I live by my word.” Had he expected her to ask to stay? She glanced around the room, trying to decipher the expressions of the pack. They didn’t want her here. They viewed her as an Other. True or not, she suspected she was and always would be an outsider to them. And her wolf, it’s affection for Hollis, would fade once they left.
“So you won’t help us?” Mal asked, his tone hard.
“I thought I had? With Cyrus. And Jessa.” Her annoyance flared instantly. Mal was a fool. Now she understood why he irritated her. His short fuse reminded her of William. Ready for the fight. Ready to act. But slow to think and plan. She only hoped Olivia would not suffer because of him.
“You have.” Olivia grabbed Mal’s hand. “And we are all thankful for you, Ellen.”
Mal stared at his mate, his mouth pressed shut. He seemed to love his mate in a way that offered hope. Perhaps he’d love her enough to listen to her.
“You were the one who said Cyrus wouldn’t give up.” Dante turned to Finn. “She can’t leave. She knows how to get here. She can lead them here. Sorry, Ellen, but we all know what he’s willing to do to get information. Even if you don’t want to betray us, you will.” He pushed off the table, staring around the room.
The call to fight warmed her blood. “You can’t keep me here against my will. I know you to be a man of honor, Finn.”
“I’d like to discuss this calmly,” Finn said, holding his hand out. He shot Dante a look.
“There is nothing to discuss. I’m not your enemy.” Her gaze settled on little Diana, sleeping peacefully in the crook of Finn’s arm. She ached, the flood of memories gripping her by the throat. Did they really think so little of her? That she would risk her life to save this baby only to hand her over or endanger her? Never. If that’s what they truly thought, she’d already stayed too long. “I would never give you or your children up,” she managed, sadness and anger all but choking her. She pushed herself from the armchair and hurried from the room before they saw her pain.