“The wolves are alarmed. Kiara might have returned.”
“Huh?” Cricket sniffed and then smiled. “Hubby is earlier than expected.” She shook her head and winced. “Pretty sure he freaked when the horses returned without us.”
Gaby beamed. “Your knight in wolfish armor.”
“Your knight is with him, too.”
“Steele?”
“The one and only.” Cricket glanced at the wolves. “You might ask them to scram.”
Trusting Cricket’s senses, Gaby commanded the pack to leave. They did, and quite enthusiastically.
A white wolf and a gray wolf dashed toward them. Gaby recognized Steele’s wolf form and her heart gladdened. What was he doing here?
Gaby moved out of Slade’s path to his mate.
The white wolf immediately licked his wife.
Cricket tried to push him back. “Honestly, it’s just a cut.”
Slade shifted. Naked and blessed with the same god-like muscular frame as Steele. “The hell it’s just a cut. I smell a hemorrhage.” He cradled Cricket in his arms.
Steele shifted to human form, drew Gaby in his arms and sniffed. “You are unhurt. What happened?”
“Your mate, Kiara happened.”
“She is not my mate!” Steele growled.
Slade’s tone deepened as he gazed at Cricket. “Kiara hurt you?”
“Tried to hurt Gaby, but I didn’t let her.”
Slade shook his head. “Rylee is going to nip her overseer position in the bud.”
Steele gazed at Gaby and kissed her long and hard. She responded, pressing her palms along his unshaved jaw line. He groaned in pleasure and closed his eyes to savor every sense she satisfied. Oh, baby. Her scent and taste sent him into the zone. Mine. Alive and safe in his arms. How did Cricket fight off an alpha? And her guards? He broke the kiss and stared at Cricket. “How are you both still alive?”
Cricket shrugged. “Let’s say we had a little help from the animal kingdom.”
Slade raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not allowed to say. Top secret.”
Slade paused and sniffed. “I smell bear, wolves and mountain lions. What the fuck?”
“I’m a wolf charmer,” volunteered Gaby.
“Gaby. No.” Steele protested.
Slade turned to Gaby. “I thought wolf charmers no longer existed.”
Cricket smiled. “If it weren’t for her wolf charming thingy, pretty sure we would have been murdered.”
Slade kissed her tenderly on her forehead. “All that matters is you are safe. Thanks, Gaby.” He gently bit Cricket’s neck.
Steele narrowed his eyes at Gaby. “The animals attacked her for you?”
“Yep. She and two of her betas. Between the grizzly, wolf pack and two mountain lions, they took off.”