Dark Instincts (The Phoenix Pack 4)

As Kathy handed a mug of tea to Shaya, the Alpha female sighed. “I miss coffee. And runny eggs. And tuna.”

Returning to her seat beside Shaya, Kathy smiled fondly at her. “Not long to go now before the baby’s born.”

“I honestly don’t know how humans cope with being pregnant for nine months, I really don’t. Five months will be enough for me.” She squirmed, her expression pained. “My back is killing me.”

“When you have your baby in your arms, it will all be worth it.” Kathy cast Roni a look of displeasure. “I doubt I’ll get any grandchildren from Roni.”

“Probably not,” allowed Roni, slowly pacing. Her wolf didn’t like being left behind and away from any action. Roni didn’t much like it either; she wanted to remain with her mate and see the corpse for herself. It gave her an idea of how Shaya was feeling. “Kids hate me.”

Shaya laughed softly. “No, they don’t. Kye adores you, and you adore him. Admit it.”

Roni shrugged. “Everyone loves Kye—it’s impossible not to.”

“I’m going to do a circle of the lodge,” Stone announced, pulling out his Glock.

Shaya frowned. “The body was dumped on the other side of our territory. The jackals are too cowardly to come anywhere close to the main lodge.”

“Still, it’s always best to be safe. Here.” He handed Shaya her shotgun. “Kathy, lock the door behind me. Just to be safe,” he quickly added when Shaya went to object. Once he headed out the back door and was swallowed up by the darkness, Kathy closed and locked it.

Sighing, Shaya leaned forward to prop her elbows up on the table and rest her face between her hands. “I feel so helpless. I wish I could come along tonight. Don’t get me wrong, I would never put the baby in danger. Not in a million years. But it will still be hard to sit here, twiddling my thumbs, while my pack puts themselves in jeopardy. Especially Nick. He runs straight into the thick of things.”

“He’ll be fine, honey.” Kathy lightly squeezed her hand.

“I hope you’re right, because if I have to—” Shaya’s breath seemed to suddenly get trapped in her throat.

At the same time, Marcus’s rage slammed into Roni as his wolf shifted and faced the threat in front of him. The impact made Roni stumble. “Fuck.”

Kathy tensed. “What’s the matter? What is it?”

“The jackals have crossed over the border, and they’re attacking,” replied Shaya, breathing heavily.

“Call Taryn,” Roni told her, enraged and fearful for her mate and pack. Nodding, Shaya did just that. Roni glimpsed out the window; the urge to dash outside and join the fight was strong. So damn strong. Every instinct Roni had screamed at her to go to Marcus, to fight at his side and help protect her pack. But she couldn’t leave Shaya with only Kathy and Stone—wherever the hell he was—for protection.

“The Phoenix wolves are on their way.” Shaya returned her phone to her pocket. “Roni, if you need to go to Marcus, I understand.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“It’s fine. I’d go to Nick if I could.” Shaya’s hands clenched tightly around her shotgun, and Roni had a feeling she was imagining shooting every bastard jackal out there. “I hate being helpless, Roni. Hate it. Hate it.”

Roni crouched down in front of a rapidly breathing Shaya. “I need you to stay calm for me, Shaya. Okay? It’s important for you and for the baby that you’re calm. Breathe with me, all right? In and out.”

Nodding, Shaya did as Roni asked. “The body was bait, wasn’t it? The whole thing was a trap.”

“It’s going to be fine, Shaya, we’re—” A noise coming from upstairs made the hair on Roni’s nape stand up. She placed a finger to her mouth, and both Shaya and Kathy immediately froze. Another noise: a slight scuffle. “Someone’s inside,” she whispered, suspecting they had entered through the balcony. Which meant the body hadn’t been bait at all. It had been a diversion, a way of separating the pack to make them weaker—possibly even a way to get to Shaya.

“It could just be my dad,” Shaya said quietly.

“Your dad wouldn’t creep around.” More noise: the padding of paws on the wooden floor above them. “We have to move.”

“Move where?” asked Shaya as Roni took her arm and urged her to stand.

“We can’t go outside.” Kathy got to her feet, her eyes narrowed as she glanced around. “There could be more out there.”

“The basement,” said Roni after a brief pause. “It has a security steel door, and the emergency exit isn’t easily visible from outside. It’s the only exit they won’t have covered.” For once, she was thankful for Nick’s overprotectiveness.

“Wait, what about my dad?”

“He’s probably out there hunting them,” replied Roni. “He knows I’d hide you at the first sign of trouble.”

Silently, they hurried through the kitchen and dining area with Roni in the lead and Kathy covering the rear. As they reached the archway that led into the living area, Roni held her hand up for them to stop. Popping her head around the arch, Roni searched for any sign of an intruder. Satisfied no one was in sight, she continued onward, not stopping until they reached the doorway. They all pressed up against the wall as Roni poked her head out to glance up and down the hall, satisfied to find it empty.

“Almost there,” she reminded a panting Shaya.

The three of them kept one shoulder near the wall as they quietly scurried down the hallway, stopping at the T-junction. Roni quickly peered around the corner, confirming the small hallway that led to the basement was clear. “Go, go, go.” She ushered Shaya and Kathy to precede her around the corner, along the hallway, and down the small flight of stairs at the end.

Roni went inside first. On their left was a bar and seating area while an indoor pool was on their right. Once she was satisfied that the basement was empty, she urged Shaya and Kathy inside. “Keep this locked.”

Eyes wide, Shaya gripped her arm tight. “Wait, Roni, you can’t leave us.”

“I have to fight them off.”

The Alpha female shook her head madly. “No, there could be lots of them. You’re tough, but you’re not invincible. I know it grates on your pride to stay. But you’re not hiding, you’re protecting me. Please, Roni. Please.”