Rescued by the Wolf (Blood Moon Brotherhood 2)

“Hollis believes her knowledge of the Others is an asset.” Finn’s posture was rigid, his tone commanding. He was in Alpha mode, and he sure as hell wanted Mal to know it.

“What do you believe?” There was no point arguing with Finn. He didn’t want to argue. He did want to understand. Letting an Other in didn’t make sense.

Finn’s brows rose. “She knows things we don’t.”

“And she’s sharing this information with you?” Mal asked, flopping into one of the leather chairs in the office.

Finn sighed. “Slowly.”

“What’s in it for her? Don’t give me some touchy-feely crap, or I will lose my shit.” He stared at the man he’d once considered his best friend, waiting.

“I need you to trust me.” Finn’s patience was fading.

Mal opened his mouth then closed it.

“You think I’m an idiot. That I’m putting the pack in danger. I get it.” Finn frowned.

“I don’t think. I know.” He shook his head. “Cyrus has someone here.”

Finn froze, his hands fisting at his sides.

“You let her in,” Mal growled.

“I need time,” Finn bit back. “You need to chill the fuck out.”

Mal’s snort was dismissive.

“Killing Ellen is the only solution?” Finn asked.

“I’ll feel a whole lot better.” Mal ran a hand over his face. “Otherwise, lock her up.” As soon as the words were out, he regretted it. He’d lived in a cage, chained to a wall, tortured for amusement. They were better than that.

“You honestly think I’d risk Jessa and Oscar?”

Mal studied him for a long time. “I don’t know what to think.”

“You have Olivia now. It’s the same for Jessa and me. And Oscar.” He broke off, shaking his head. “Putting their safety first isn’t a choice, Mal. It’s a necessity—the only thing that matters.”

“But keeping a goddamn Other in the house is, Finn.”

“It is. And you’ll have to accept it.”

“Is that all?” Mal pushed out of the chair, too tired to fight, too pissed not to.

“No.” Finn’s eyes pierced his. “Your wolves have already chosen.”

Fucking wolf. Mal glared at Finn. He didn’t need this shoved down his throat. He knew what was best for Olivia—not Finn. He’d been the one that kept her safe, that fought for her. Impatient or not, what the wolf wanted could wait.

“Don’t pull the same shit I did, fighting the inevitable. You changed her for a reason.”

“So she wouldn’t die,” he argued. “She’s been caged, mauled by a bear, and bitten by me. Now I’m supposed to see her hurt again?”

Finn shook his head, but there was no judgement there, only understanding. It irritated the shit out of him. He didn’t want one more connection with his Alpha. It was hard enough as it was—he didn’t want to share this. It was too new. Too special. But Finn’s next question cut him to the core. “You can give her up?”

Mal stared at him. Because giving her up would hurt a hell of a lot more than making her his mate.

Finn held his hands up. “Jessa made me whole. How’s that for touchy-feely crap?”

Mal shook his head. “Bad.”