Chapter 22 - Jet

Senna was completely blissed out and exhausted by the time we were able to get dressed and start back for the house. I shifted once more into wolf form to carry her home, having her grab my clothes so that I could at least change once we were inside.

The world was full of stimuli and information from everywhere in this form. I scented the wind, zeroing in on any new scents as we leisurely walked back. I knew my mate's vision was trying to tell us something, and being on alert at all times was a priority—with one very necessary distraction.

She was by no means heavy for me in any form, but carrying Senna like this was laughable for how easy it was. She snuggled her legs behind my front quarter, stroking at my fur absently.

I was a different version of myself like this, and this wolf was so thrilled to have finally claimed Senna himself. He'd been in far more control that time than any before and was thrilled to rub against the heart of her alluring smell.

He'd also scented the baby.

We were almost to the house when I felt Senna's grip tighten, pulling at the fur. I paused, grumbling at her.

"Jet, I…" Senna wobbled on top of me, and my pulse skyrocketed. Senna? "Dammit. I think—"

Just as she was about to finish, Senna groaned, collapsing to my back and then tumbling off. I spun around to see her gripping her head, her eyes wide and completely whited over.

Whining, I buried my nose into her side, nudging at her as she stared into nothing. Part of me wanted to shift back, but the hold the wolf had on me was too strong, and I wasn't about to waste time fighting it.

She mumbled words nearly incoherently, and all I could do was paw at her, bury my nose against her chest, and give her something to cling to.

"Terrance…he, oh fuck, I think…there was someone else…" My ears flattened against my head as she cried out into the trees, and a low growl rumbled in my ribcage, anger for the pain she was going through.

Senna curled in on herself, scooping around my snout as I whined into her chest. Her delicious rose and almond scent was tinged with awful char, and I let her dig her nails into my flesh beyond the fur.

After a moment, her grip relaxed, and I nudged at her until she sat up for me.

"Oof. Okay." She nodded her head, stroking through my fur between my brows. "I'm okay. It's all right."

A dissatisfied whine left me, backed by the punctuation of a bump with my snout. Senna laughed, but the heavenly sound was too exhausted to be relieving.

"I am. I promise. I…there was one of our wolves talking to Terrance." She looked up and met my eyes, putting her hands on either side of my face. "I didn't get a good look, but he was an Edwards. I just…I know it. We need to get back."

Chuffing out a breath, I did my best to nod in this form and stood up, circling around and lying down for her to climb back on top of me. Senna pulled herself up, leaning heavily against my back, and I grumbled again.

"I didn't enjoy it either. Just get me home, and then you can yell at me."

Barking, I bolted into a full sprint and got us back to the house as quickly as I could. Someone from the pack was speaking to Terrance, and when I found whoever it was, I was going to tear his fucking throat out.

***

Back at the compound, I was quick to shift back and throw on my clothes so that I could call together the closest members of the pack. Kaiden and Kenzie met Senna and me in the meeting chambers first. Geo and Orion walked in sync next, and Grayson followed in after them.

"We have a problem," I growled, standing in front of Senna protectively as the wolf inside me wouldn't back down from her.

"What's wrong, Alpha?" Grayson asked, and Kaiden was quick to step forward, bowing his head and offering his full attention.

"Someone has been feeding information to Terrance. Senna had another vision."

The wolves gathered all gasped in unison, and then Senna pushed out from behind my arm, meeting eyes with each of them.

"I didn't get a great look at whoever it was, but he was younger, clouded by darkness, and he wasn't at the meeting earlier. I could sense it."

A growl rumbled out of me, and there was nothing to be done about stopping it. Fury boiled my blood, coiling in the pit of my stomach like a venomous snake.

"Who wasn't at the meeting? Did anyone do a full head count?"

Kenzie stepped forward, sidling up to Senna and wrapping an arm around her.

"Hey, it's going to be fine. I did count everyone, and it looked like everyone was there. But," Kenzie turned and faced me, still offering her support to Senna, "that wasn't the case for everyone leaving. After the meeting…"

She hesitated, and I could sense the regret in her. She didn't want to be accusing anyone of anything, but this wasn't the time to pussyfoot around feelings. Guilty until proven innocent, right now.

"MacKenzie, speak up," I bit out, and Kaiden held up his hands, trying to ease the tension brewing between us.

"I know what you're going to say, Kenz." He nodded, clenching his jaw. "Leon left the meeting halfway through. I haven't seen him since."

A furious bark left me, bleeding into a growled curse. "Fucking hell. Why am I not surprised. Goddamn it!"

"We'll track him down, Alpha. We can go get him now if—"

"No," I interrupted Grayson, "I don't like it. He's been gone too long. He could be…fuck, he could be working with—"

At once, the house was plunged into darkness, and my entire body coiled in defense. Terrance.

"They're here."

I felt the angry fear coursing through the wolves around me, Senna's terror roaring down our mate bond like a river rapid. My eyes had already adjusted to the low light, and I looked to each of my closest friends.

"Get everyone locked down. The best hunters need to shift and prepare for battle. Geo, Orion, find out where they are and lock down the basement. Don't let them get down there."

They nodded. "On it, Alpha."

The twins dashed out of the room, and I turned to Grayson. "Get the warriors combing the house."

He nodded and tore off after the twins. Kenzie and Kaiden stood in front of me, and before I even got the words out, Kenzie was walking toward the door.

"I'll get the med bay ready for intake."

"Kenzie, be—"

She smirked at me. "Ah, don't worry, Jet. If I run into any of those fucks on the way, I'll open ‘em up for exploratory surgery."

I couldn't fight the smile that took me as she left the room. Kaiden and Senna were the only ones left with me, and I was really dreading this part. Sensing the change, Senna walked up to me, shaking her head as her eyes burned.

"Don't you dare fucking send me away. I need to be here to help you. This is my home now!"

I pulled her close, kissing her forehead before I met her eyes again with my hands framing her face.

"I need you safe, Senna. You…you don't have a wolf. You can't defend yourself against them."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she shook her head, pulling back from me. The hurt in the bond made my stomach twist in on itself.

"Don't you say that. Not you. I have every right to protect this pack just like everyone else."

My chest cracked wide fucking open as I stared at her, nodding and working my jaw so much I was liable to give myself a migraine.

"You do. I know you do. But you're also untrained and pregnant. Look," I walked up to her, wrapping her in my arms even as she fought against me, "I promise to teach you everything about holding your own. After today. I will not risk you or the pup. Please, Senna. Please, go with Kaiden somewhere safe."

I met his wide gaze over Senna's shoulder. Kaiden quickly snapped his mouth shut, nodding and bowing his head. I could see—and sense—the devotion radiating off him, and I forced a weak smile back at him.

"Jet, I…" Senna shook her head against my chest, pounding a fist against me. "Dammit. I can't lose you. If you fucking do something reckless. I'll never forgive you."

Lowering my forehead to hers, I whispered low, "I promise, Senna. I'll come back to you, and this'll all be over. Me, you, and the pup. Okay?"

"You fucking better."

As I stepped back, I looked over at Kaiden again. "Keep her safe. Protect her with your life. Understand me?"

"Of course, Jet." He walked up, putting a hand on her back while he clapped the other against my waiting palm. "I won't let anything happen to her. I swear to you."

The vow sang through our pack bond, and I nodded once. Kaiden was a good man. I trusted him with Senna, and that was saying a fucking lot.

"Go on. Go. Get her out of here."

Senna held onto me as Kaiden worked to get her to step away. She didn't bother hiding the tears, and when she was finally far enough from me, I pulled my shirt off and then my pants as I shifted back into wolf form.

The new form swept over me in a smooth motion, and I watched the coloring of the world change as I let my wolf howl forth. He roared into the house as Senna stared at me. She yanked free of Kaiden for just a moment, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Burying her face in my fur, she squeezed me tight and whispered, "I love you, Jet. Don't fucking die on me, and don't go out back."

I nuzzled into her, then pulled back and tore off through the house. I love you too, Senna. I won't let them hurt you ever again.