38. Rhyson

38

Rhyson

"You look different," Nash observed as we headed to Jax's office. It was early in the morning, but the grounds were hardly quiet. The main roadway was busy with juveniles racing in packs around us and adults either scurrying after them or yelling at them to settle down. A few vehicles drove past us, ranging from jeeps to golf carts, and I couldn't help but grin at the flurry of activity. It had been awhile since I spent much time totally immersed in a pack. I missed the hustle and bustle.

"Slept well," I responded. "And I feel more relaxed now that we're here."

"Sure. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the screams of pleasure I heard while walking down the hallway," he said cheerily, immediately hopping to his left when I turned my head to glare at him. "Look, I'm just saying that Maya is a complicated wolf, but we all like her. When it comes down to it, she's one of us."

That was saying something for Nash. He wasn't won over easily. "She's carrying my child. It's important that we keep her safe."

"Sure. I'd argue that it's important to keep her safe regardless, but I know you're just hiding the fact that she's more than just the mother of your child to you, but it's fine. When you're ready to admit it, we'll be here supporting you."

I rumbled, and he chuckled and jogged ahead. The others, excluding Paisley and Tessa, who were spending the day with Jax's healer, were meeting me at the security office. I didn't know why we weren't meeting Jax at his personal office, but I didn't complain. I wanted to get a look at what his security center looked like.

It would help me focus on the task. The sooner I figured out who murdered my brother, the sooner I could get Maya off this fucking mountain and murder anyone and everyone who'd ever hurt her. Then, maybe we could sit down and figure out what our future looked like.

It would not be her on this mountain raising our son without me. That much I knew.

Marrow had always believed in finding his true mate, and I'd be lying to myself if I didn't admit that I felt the same. Maya couldn't even swear fealty to me. How could I trust a wolf who couldn't create a single bond?

If need be, I was fully prepared to pull every witch off this mountain until I found one who could help her.

"How the hell did they beat us here?"

Nash's words pulled me out of my thoughts, and I looked over to see Dante and Juniper lounging on either side of the front steps. They stood and straightened when they saw me, and Nash frowned. "Dude, you weren't in your room when I checked on you this morning. I thought you were at the dining hall."

"I woke up early and went for a run when I got the boss's message," Dante said quickly.

"And you? You hadn't even eaten when I came to your room. How did you get here so soon?" Nash demanded.

"Grabbed something on the way," Juniper said with a shrug. "Why are your panties in such a twist, Nash? Couldn't bed Kenzi last night?"

"All right, knock it off." I was pleased to hear them bickering. There wasn't much of that since Dante had been hurt, but something was a little off with their bickering this time, and I didn't have the energy to work it out or make them work it out.

Juniper jerked her head. "No one has been tailing us, so I spent some time checking out the border security. They're well-organized and well-trained. I did some sparring, and while there are plenty of guards-in-training, each rotation is well-stocked with seasoned warriors. They're all a little on edge about something that happened a few months ago, but no one is talking about it."

"Everyone is definitely stepping around something." Rubbing my face, I walked up the steps and knocked on the door. The door opened, and Jax filled the frame. "Good. You're here. I'm monitoring a pack of rogues who've been camping just outside my territory for two days now, and yesterday, they moved in closer. I wanted to keep an eye on them while we spoke."

A gray wolf padded over to me and circled my legs with inquisitive eyes. Holding my power in, I let her be curious before Jax growled. "Kenzi, knock it off. Head to your station."

With a sound akin to a wolf laugh, she darted, and I smirked. "She likes taking risks, doesn't she?"

"One of these days, she's going to bite off more than she can chew," he grumbled. "This is Jerry and Tia. I've kept them on and dismissed everyone else, so we can speak freely. As I suspected, Elonso looked into your brother on his own, and I suspect he knows who you are. He's agreed to come tell you what he found in return for a favor."

I arched an eyebrow. "I assume that I have to do the favor first?"

"I don't know about the alphas you deal with, but he's not an idiot," Jax grunted. "He said he'd call in about twenty minutes with more information."

The two wolves who were monitoring the cameras hadn't moved, but I glanced their way. I could feel their wolves' anxiety, and for a moment, I thought it was because of the conversation we were having. I let my wolf rise to the surface when one of them stood. "Alpha. They're running straight for the border."

The rogues were on the move. "Shit," Jax growled. "Stay here and take the call. I'll deal with this."

"Nash. Juniper. You take the call. Keep him on if you can, otherwise, take good notes. Dante, you're with me."

"Sir."

Jax shot me a look. "Elonso isn't known for his patience. This may be your last chance."

"It won't be my last chance, and I'm not going to sit around while wolves are in danger," I shot back.

"I can handle it."

"I'm sure you can, but my wolf won't. West boundary? We'd better get a move on."

My wolf shifted, and I bounded out. Jax and Dante caught up quickly, and by the time we reached the border, the rogues were crossing over. I pulled upright when I sensed the wolves. There were two females and four juveniles. They weren't giving off aggressive vibes.

They were running for their lives.

Jax's guards gathered at the line, ready to defend it. I was about to unleash my power and take control when Jax roared behind me. They let the wolves slide though, and redoubled their line. A few minutes later, we saw what they were running from.

Four adult male wolves were hot on their trail.

The females stopped and crouched, defending their cubs, but they didn't have to worry. As soon as the males crossed the line, Dante and I exploded into action. I bowled through the first two, left them for Dante, and jumped on the back of another. Sinking my teeth into his neck, I ripped him to shreds and turned.

Dante had killed one, and the guards had dispatched another. Jax, having shifted, held the last injured wolf by the scruff.

One of the females shifted. She couldn't have been more than thirty, and she sank to her knees. The other wolf stood protectively next to the juveniles, preparing to defend even though she knew it was hopeless.

"Please," she begged. "Please, let us leave. We're not here to cause any trouble. My…sister's boyfriend had lost his mind. He tried to kill her and their babes. We came here to seek sanctuary, but he found us."

Jax shook the wolf. "Who am I holding?"

"His youngest brother. The dead wolves are my sister's brother and his two older brothers."

I held my breath. I would not let Jax release these wolves until this could be investigated, but I had a feeling that he would do the right thing.

I needed to know that I could trust my instincts again.

"Your plea for sanctuary is granted. You, your sister, and your children will be given a cabin and some food for the night while I investigate the claims." He threw the wolf to his guards. "Show them to their rooms and get this one to the infirmary. I'd like him alive enough to answer questions, but you can tell Saul to skip the painkillers."

The young woman and her sister practically collapsed, and I shifted. Jax scowled at me. "You thought I was going to throw them back out on their own?"

"No. I'm just confirming that perhaps this mountain is not as wild as you like to think."

Jax just grunted. "Go. See if you can make your meeting before Elonso changes his mind."

He wouldn't. He'd no doubt already learned who I was. Now I would learn what he would leverage the information for and if he was like Jax, an honorable wolf.

Or if he was like his predecessor.