Page 88 of Healer’s Betrayal

“How about you ladies walk Kayla inside?” Liam asks. My gaze moves to him, assessing him. I know exactly what’s going on right now. They’re trying to get the females inside and my mate away from me. My wolf rises to the surface, but I keep him contained...for now.

Raechel laughs, drawing our attention. “We get when we’re not wanted. Come on, Mama, let’s go.” She links her arms with the blonde, who pauses and looks at Kayla.

“You coming?”

Kayla looks up at me, and I don’t miss the question in her eyes. Go ahead, Baby. I’ll figure out what they want and be up soon.

Are you sure? Her gentle voice in my head is a jolt to my system, nearly as much as it was the first time I heard it. I know right now I’ll never tire of hearing her voice in my head. I take in the tension in her gaze and know I’m doing the right thing, getting her out of here. She’s uncomfortable, and I don’t want that for her.

I’m sure.

She surprises me by wrapping an arm around my waist and giving me a quick hug. I recover quick enough that I don’t let her get away with a quick hug. I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. The feel of her soft body in my arms calms my wolf just enough to be able to face what’s coming next. I kiss her temple and then release her. “I’ll be up soon.” My voice is deeper now.

She looks up at me, and I hate the uncertainty in her gaze. But I have to deal with whatever has this pack on edge before I can go upstairs with her. She gives me one last long look and then starts towards the entrance. Raechel and the blonde fall into step alongside her. Emma and Sage do as well, and I watch her until she’s out of sight. Only then do I turn my full attention to the men standing before me. I've rarely come up against another wolf as dominant as me or one that’s an actual threat to me. But I have no doubt that several of these pack members are just that. And together? I wouldn’t stand a chance on my own. Still, I let my wolf come close to the surface. I’ve never lost a battle yet, and I don’t intend to now. Suddenly, a scent hits me. I don’t turn my head, but I know Lucien is somewhere nearby. His scent grows stronger, and then I see him out of the corner of my eye. He walks towards us with the confidence of a rogue wolf that no one can control, which is exactly what he is. Soon, he’s standing at my side. “Your mate is beautiful,” he says in a low voice, even though the other shifters can easily hear him.

My growl rumbles through my chest, and I remind myself I probably shouldn’t kill him. Understanding finally dawns. “Are you what has them all riled up?”

“You failed to tell us there were more rogue wolves with you.” The alpha’s voice is sharp, much sharper than when his mate is around.

I keep my voice even. “This is Lucien; he’s with me.”

Another scent hits me, just as Ransom steps outside. He eyes the Northwoods Pack and strides towards Lucien and me before standing next to me, shoulder to shoulder. Noah? I ask through our pack bond.

Kayla took him to her room.

And you thought leaving them alone, unprotected was a good idea? I am aware of how harsh my voice sounds, even through our pack link.

It was better than staying, and you get killed by these guys. Then your mate would die; figured you didn’t want that.

A harsh growl reverberates through me. Are you trying to get me to kill somebody?

No, but if the need arises...I’m your backup.

“Jackson!”

I turn at the sound of the familiar voice as yet another scent hits me. I take in the sixteen-year-old jogging towards me. He’s grown a lot in the last several months; he’s finally starting to grow into his gangly body. He’ll be a strong wolf one day. Not an alpha, but he’ll make a great pack member. But seeing him here now doesn’t compute. “What are you doing here, Jesse?” I ask when he gets close. I know the second he scents the Northwoods guys. His nostrils flare, and his eyes change. “Jesse,” I say, blocking his view of the men behind me. “Focus on me.” His eyes flick to mine.

“What’s their deal?” he asks, his voice lowering. “I can smell their animosity towards you.”

His words don’t surprise me; he’s pretty intuitive for a teen boy. A lot of that is because of what he’s been through. I repeat my question from earlier. “What are you doing here?”

He meets my gaze head-on, not cowering before me. “We heard your mate had been taken, and we came to help.”

“You shouldn’t have come here.” My tone is harsher than I intend for it to be.

He shrugs. “We’re pack. You need us, and we came.”

I swallow hard. “We’re not pack,” I remind him.

He stares me down. “We are.”

It’s an argument we’ve had multiple times but not one I want to have with the Northwoods Pack at our back. “Who’s all here?” I ask in a growl.

“Everyone.”

I lift my head and take in the men and boys headed my way. Their scents hit me one by one. Ezra, Hudson, Julian, Elias, Bryson, and more. Twenty-one of them in total. I meet Martin’s eyes; I know he’s the one that led the charge in coming here. “Hey, Jackson,” Elias says, and I put out my hand and shake his before pulling him into a hug. At fourteen, the kid’s the youngest in our group. I’m not old enough to be his dad, but it feels that way. They gather around me, and I can’t help but feel my wolf settle some at the presence of this group.

Still not ready to call them pack?