Chapter Twelve

Pearl

The roar that Rylan let out shook me to my bones. Every shifter in the vicinity dropped to the ground like the pressure from the command was too much. I remained standing by Rylan’s side, his power washing over me like spring rain.

I exhaled slowly when the sound ended, feeling slightly dazed by the surge of energy that laced Rylan’s roar. Arden explained his powerful roar the night before. I’d been unconscious then, so it was fascinating to witness it now.

Rylan was shaking, the amount of unrestrained force he’d just unleashed was immense. I wanted to touch him, to reassure him that everything was all right, but I didn’t dare. Not when aftershocks were coursing through his body. The last thing I wanted was for him to lose his concentration.

He took a deep, steadying breath before turning to me, his hand outstretched. My hand was in his before I realized I had moved, our fingers intertwining. The contact had an instant effect on both of us. Tension bled away as we looked around at the downed shifters.

Those in wolf form had shifted back to humans. Every single one looked dazed and confused, glancing around the unfamiliar area.

Rylan squeezed my fingers gently, my eyes met his, and I saw his wolf peeking out at me, watching me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I wished our mate bond was complete so that I would know exactly what was going on behind those eyes. Lifting my hand, Rylan kissed my knuckles, making my knees go weak. It was a clear statement to everyone that no matter what came our way, I would always be first.

Butterflies erupted in my belly while I debated whether I should kiss him or tie him up and go hide in a cave somewhere. His lips twitched, and I wondered if he knew what I was thinking or just guessed. Either way, I needed a stiff drink.

“Rylan,” Deacon said, breaking whatever spell we were under. “Can you feel them?”

Rylan turned to face everyone, his eyes flicking to each and every person in attendance. “Yes, I can.”

Arden whistled, impressed. I mentally seconded her sentiment, in equal awe of the capability my mate possessed.

“Wait… can you feel everyone?” I looked from Arden to Teo, wondering if Rylan had added the enforcers to the pack too.

“No.” Rylan’s lips pulled down into a frown. “Everyone else here, except the enforcers.”

But why?

It didn’t make sense. The enforcers were no longer bonded to an alpha or a pack. How did Rylan break his aunt’s control and initiate a bond with me, Estella, and Deacon while ignoring the other pack less wolves?

‘It’s a choice,’a voice whispered through my thoughts.

‘What do you mean?’From where I stood, it looked like the wolves had no choice in the matter at all.

‘Rylan’s power frees them from Tamra’s influence. The wolf then seeks out an alpha. Rylan is the closest and strongest. The wolf feels his strength and choses submit.’

Did Rylan know this?

I’d have to ask him later because now wasn’t the time to question his actions. He’d done what he thought was right, and now our little pack had doubled in size in less than a minute.

A loud groan from one of the shifters drew all of our attention as he rolled over, clutching his head. I looked up at Rylan in alarm. No one else was in pain; everyone else looked relieved and a little stunned.

“That’s an alpha-apparent,” Deacon stated, watching the man with pity.

“What’s wrong with him?” I didn’t understand the significance.

“Alpha-apparents, like betas, are bonded to the pack just like an alpha. I broke that bond, and now he’s feeling the effects of basically being cut off.” Rylan seemed unsettled but took a determined step toward the man.

“Let me,” Arden volunteered, walking toward the poor guy but stopping a safe distance away.

Alpha-apparent’s were dominant wolves in line to take over a pack once the old one was pushed out. They were also volatile and prone to aggression and violence if upset, which this wolf clearly was.

“Hey, are you alright?” Arden asked him gently, so she didn’t accidentally startle him.

With obvious strain, the man lifted his head to look at whomever was speaking to him, hazel eyes glazed with pain and grief.

I gasped when recognition registered. The alpha-apparent on the ground in pain was Alder, from the Aibek pack. Rylan told me that he was there when Faela’s body was found.

Stunned, I stared at his face while he went through a transformation. The grief slowly faded from his eyes as he gazed up into Arden’s face. His mouth dropped open as he looked at my friend up and down with an all-to-familiar expression on his face.

“It’s the hair. I know. You’ll get used to it.” She smiled, completely missing the obvious.

Alder swallowed thickly, his jaw clenching as he took in the situation, though his eyes always returned to Arden.

“Wh… what’s your name?” he asked, his voice was deep and gruff.

Arden visibly shivered after hearing his question, her eyes growing wide as she observed him.

“Arden,” she answered in a husky whisper.

Alder glanced around like he just realized that he was surrounded by people. His nostrils flared as he scented the air, muscles bulging when he noticed the male wolves in attendance. A silent snarl curled his lips that would quickly turn into something much different.

“Alder,” Rylan said, taking a step forward.

The snarl disappeared from Alder’s face as he took in Rylan standing across from him, with me by his side.

“Alpha,” he greeted, the word sounding strange coming from him.

“Are you well?” Rylan asked, clearly concerned but wary.

“I… I think so.” Alder slowly climbed to his feet. Everyone ignored his nakedness except for Arden, who ogled him like he was a piece of candy she’d been craving for a long time.

He was handsome, with his sandy hair that was wavy enough to look effortlessly tousled and eyes the perfect mixture of green and brown. He was any girl’s ideal man, though I preferred my dark-haired mate, with eyes that made me melt every time they looked at me.

“Good. We’ll get you some clothes, then… we should talk.”

Alder nodded then turned to Teo, who was handing out sweatpants and t-shirts to all the newcomers.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Rylan grumbled, confused. “What was the point of this attack?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Deacon stepped closer, with Estella right behind him. “If this was an attack, it was poorly thought out.”

“That doesn’t sound like Tamra. She doesn’t do anything without a plan first,” Estella added, looking around worriedly.

“I think there’s something else to this,” I said, wondering what I would do if I were Tamra. “She probably needs a spy, but that won’t work since you broke all the bonds. She knows you can do that…”

“So, what is she playing at?” Rylan’s forehead scrunched as he tried to reason out why his aunt ordered an attack.

“A sacrifice maybe?” Or a diversion?

“Why would she send these wolves?” Rylan glanced around, trying to connect the dots like I was.

“I might be able to answer that,” Alder announced, standing next to Deacon with his arms crossed, looking uncomfortable.

“Truly?” Estella’s eyes were brighter than they were. “Tamra wouldn’t trust just anyone.”

“You’re right.” Alder rubbed the back of his neck while shooting glances at Arden, who was conversing with Teo several paces away.

“If you could complete a thought, that would be really helpful,” Deacon said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Alder’s gaze snapped to Deacon, a sneer on his face that was clear distaste for the other wolf. I could practically feel the hostility in the air, and it was already getting old. This many dominant wolves in one place was a recipe for testosterone-fueled mayhem.

“Enough,” Rylan growled, snapping the two shifters out of whatever game they were playing. “What do you know?”

“These aren’t all of the shifters she sent,” Alder answered, turning his gaze to Rylan then dropping it out of respect. “We were just the first wave.”

“The first wave?” Deacon repeated, shooting a worried glance at Rylan, who clenched his jaw.

“Teo, get the newcomers in the house,” Deacon commanded quickly before he began barking orders at the enforcers who had subdued the first attack.

“You need to go with the others,” Rylan told me, glancing around with clear worry.

“The best place for me is here.” I gave him a look that said I wasn’t leaving his side.

He jerked his head, conceding to me, but I could tell he wasn’t happy about it.

“There,” Estella shouted, pointing in the direction where the first group had come from.

Shifted wolves appeared from between the trees, fangs bared, ready to attack. A dark wolf in front howled, which seemed to be some sort of signal because every wolf started running toward us.

“Guard her,” Rylan barked at Deacon, who stepped closer.

“Rylan?” I called, worried for his safety while fighting the urge to ignore his command.

“Stay here, Pearl. Promise me.” Rylan grabbed my arm, looking truly scared.

“Rylan, what…” I managed to get out before my mate shifted into his half beast form and growled a name that made my heart stutter.

“Ledger!”