Lone Wolf (The Pack 5)

Pack bonds were formed from blood exchanges, usually when the wolf shifter was old enough to understand and consent, but there were plenty of unethical Packs that did blood exchanges with pups, committing them to a Pack without their permission. The fact that I’d done it to their Gran didn’t bother me at all. My only concern was whether or not it had worked. I couldn’t sense her through any type of normal Pack connection, not like I’d been able to with Dru, but Gran wasn’t a wolf, she was something else, something I’d never seen before and honestly kind of hoped I never would have to again.

Her power was dangerous, practically unchecked, and she made no bones about hating wolves. If it hadn’t been for Paige, I would be dead, a fact I didn’t take lightly, but I wasn’t leaving without Dru. I’d broken our bond, and I was pretty sure I’d splintered my soul in the process, but an agonizing death had a way of clarifying things. Dru was my mate, my only mate, and I would do anything to keep her safe, to show her how much I loved and needed her. I wasn’t leaving until we recreated the bond and became one.

Caleb! The panicky shout echoed in my head as Paige’s face appeared above me, staring down through the bars that made up the ceiling. Her wide eyes were terrified and my heart stopped, knowing she would only be that scared if something had happened to….

Dru? I questioned, ready to leap up and rip the bars apart if necessary. Paige shook her head then nodded, and I scowled. Is Dru alright? I enunciated slowly, intensely regretting the loss of our bond and my ability to just touch her mind. Answer me, I roared as Paige just stared.

She’s okay, Paige replied, jumping at my yell. My sudden relief was ruined by her next words though. But there’s an army.

I squinted, trying to process her words. An army?

She nodded frantically, pointing to the south. Dru spotted them while patrolling. They haven’t come onto our land, but there are so many of them. I think they’re going to kill her.

I blinked, then focused on the Pack bond I shared with Dom and the rest of the Navarre Pack. They were close, extremely close, and I knew one word would from me would bring them charging over the border and onto Ghost Pack land. Only Pack law kept Dom in check but I had to go and defuse the situation before he decided my life was worth a war.

I need to get out, I told Paige and she nodded, standing up. I dug in my pocket, flashing the key at her. I got it. She looked surprised but didn’t comment. Is the coast clear?

She glanced around, carefully sweeping the area. Yes, she reported. I’ll meet you at the stairs.

I unlocked the door, wondering if Dru had any idea I’d be using the key so soon. I jogged up the steps, my calf muscles cramping at the exercise. It had only been a few days, but after what Gran had put me through it felt more like months of captivity. Can you guide me to them? I asked Paige and she nodded, taking the lead. Without winding up in a trap? I added, and she gave me an annoyed frown. Just checking, I muttered, careful to watch where she placed her feet.

Paige didn’t speak but I could feel the emotion radiating from her. It came in pulsating waves and I wasn’t sure she even realized she was doing it. Fear was the predominant emotion, but there was also a cold rage that had me following close on her heels, afraid of what she might do if she thought her sister was threatened.

They won’t hurt her, I attempted to reassure Paige, but not feeling at all reassured by her reply.

They better not.

It took us the better part of an hour to reach the southern border, and I was sure the only reason Dom hadn’t crossed the border was because he felt me coming closer. The Pack bond vibrated the closer we came, each link a vibrant connection to my Pack mates, but none of them came close to the one I shared with Dom. He’d been the one to initiate me into the Pack, the one to bring me back from the brink of death, and the one who never gave up on me.

“Dom.”

His gaze swung to me, piercing yellow eyes pinning me in place as he assured himself that I was in fact okay. “Every. Single. Day.” My lips twitched and he shook his head. “Was that too much to ask for?”

I shrugged and padded closer, knowing his sharp gaze hadn’t missed the fact that I wasn’t in peak condition. “I lost my phone?”