Lone Wolf (The Pack 5)

My stomach churned as she remained silent, her emotions suspiciously absent. Paige?

She thinks you helped him escape, Paige admitted in a rush, the words practically blurring together and I stumbled to a stop as an icy dread trickled through me. Caleb caught my arm, but I’d gone numb as Paige added desperately, You can’t come back. She’s furious.

Fear paralyzed me as I imagined the punishment she would inflict for a transgression this great. Previous punishments drifted through my mind – weeks of being chained so tightly I couldn’t shift, being beaten with a cane over and over again until I was forced to shift to heal and then the punishment starting all over, being starved to the point that I couldn’t shift.

“Dru,” Caleb’s voice sounded far away as I wondered if this would be the time she killed me for my disobedience. “Dru, hit me.” His command pierced the fog and I blinked at him, sure I’d misunderstood. He nodded, gesturing to his face. “Knock me on my ass.”

I gave him a doubtful stare. “It won’t work,” I murmured, already shaking my head. “She’ll know.” I swallowed hard, frustrated by the newly discovered inability to hide my emotions from him. I knew he could feel the rush of anxiety as I thought of facing Gran, of dragging him before her and praying she didn’t kill us outright.

“Dru, trust me,” he stated, rubbing my arms. “Together we can do anything.”

Dru? Paige’s uncertain voice broke the moment, and stiffened my resolve.

“We have to make it look good.”

He nodded, pride creasing his face. “Consider me your punching bag.”

Paige, we’re coming back.

What? Paige squeaked. Do you think that’s a good idea?

Not at all, I sighed, my gaze going to Caleb. But I don’t see another option.

You could leave with him, Paige suggested, striving to be brave, but we both heard the quaver in her voice. I’ll be fine.

Caleb’s jaw firmed in determination and warmth filled me at his protectiveness over my sister. We’re coming back, he said decisively. Right after your sister knocks me out.

Good luck? Paige said uncertainly. And hurry.

“No pressure,” I muttered, clenching my hands into fists, then shaking them out. “I got this.”

“Put the whammy on me,” Caleb said and I blinked, distracted from my mutterings.

“Whammy?”

He nodded. “Yeah, that thing where I can’t move, like in the forest.”

My gaze shifted to the side. “I….can’t,” I admitted, yet another of my shortcomings brought to his attention. “I don’t, I don’t have my grandmother’s ability.”

“She’s the one that knocked me out the first day,” he stated slowly and I nodded. “You’re telling me I got knocked on my ass by an old lady.” My lips twitched at his disgust. “I mean I know she’s powerful, but….” I pressed my lips together to hide my desire to laugh. “Well, shit.” He scratched his head. “Don’t tell Dom,” he informed me. “Or Trent.” I shook my head, not knowing who Trent was or when I’d ever have the opportunity to tell him, but willing to agree since Caleb looked rattled. “Alright, then.” He jutted his chin out. “Whenever you’re ready.”

I balled my fist, ready to swing, but losing my nerve at the last second. “I don’t think I can,” I confessed, feeling stupid. “You haven’t done anything.” My shoulders lifted. “You’re trying to help my sister.”

“You tried to rip my throat out the first time we met,” he grunted, staring at me in disbelief. “Now, you’re trying to tell me you’re a pacifist.”

“Not a pacifist,” I denied, pointing at him. “But I need a reason.”

“You didn’t have a reason when I showed up!”

“You were trespassing,” I countered. “And we gave you plenty of warning. You just ignored them.” I shook my head. “I can’t help your poor decision making.” One corner of his mouth lifted as he stared at me. “What?” I asked defensively. “It’s true.”

“But now you can’t hit me even though I’m trying to escape.”

“Don’t turn this around on me,” I exclaimed.

He rolled his shoulders. “I’m just saying you won’t hit me even though it means protecting your sister…..I guess you don’t love her as much as you claim.”

My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head as my hand clenched and I got in his face. “Do not bring Paige into this.”

“Seems to me that she’s the whole reason for this,” he retorted, not backing down as he stepped into my space. “The least you could do is punch me.”

I swung without thinking, his head snapping back as a cracking sound filled the air.

He shook it off, smirking as he said, “I think your grandmother hits harder.”

Blind rage filled me and I hit him again, this time letting my wolf power it. He flew back, slamming into a tree, and a bloody smile creased his face. “That’s my girl.”