Chapter Eighteen

Henri, Echo, and Vaughan were putting books onto shelves and having fun doing it. Echo had brought Henri a plant, which changed the aesthetic in the room for the better. The plant was a reminder life existed everywhere, in and out of books. Henri knew he’d spend all day sitting and reading. He would need to take in the world around him on occasion. Rocky would help him create a balance he’d never had before.

Something had changed between him and Vaughan. They’d grown closer, becoming friends. The shift became less teasing and more conversational.

Echo fit easily into the mix.

It was the easiest time he’d spent with anyone except for Rocky. Even though every time he was with Rocky, it seemed if they weren’t making love, then they were thinking about it. He loved it. It was part of why it was easy. They agreed on most things.

“Thank you for being here.” Henri alphabetized his shelving and then put the books into categories much the same way a librarian would. He was halfway through with his stack. Echo and Vaughan followed his direction. He had expected teasing but didn’t get any, which was a pleasant surprise.

“It’s actually kind of fun,” Echo shelved another book.

“Yeah.” Vaughan smiled when he met Henri’s gaze.

As Henri was shelving the last H book in his category, he asked, “How long does the honeymoon period last for mates?”

Echo glanced at Vaughan. “The beauty of having three people in a mating is it never ends for at least one of us ever. Someone’s always horny.”

“Usually you.” Vaughan winked at Echo.

“You’re not complaining.” Echo winked back.

“Of course not.” Vaughan addressed Henri next. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“But I want it all the time.” Maybe he shouldn’t be talking about his sex life with Vaughan and Echo, but they had a good relationship. And Vaughan had called Henri family. He could rely on Vaughan and Echo to give good advice and still keep his confidence, right?

Echo chuckled. “Me too.”

Vaughan grinned. “Trust me when I tell you Rocky isn’t complaining.”

Henri shrugged. “I know. It seems abnormal when compared to others. Or what I’ve read about the human male libido. I’m also factoring in the newness of our relationship.”

“It’s not abnormal.” Vaughan shelved another book. “You shouldn’t compare yourself to other people. You’re fine the way you are.”

Henri set his book down and went to close the distance between himself and Vaughan so he could give him a hug. It was what Henri needed to hear, and it warmed Henri’s heart.

He didn’t even get halfway across the room when he heard a gunshot in the distance. It was odd to hear in Saint Lakes. Usually the alpha sent a message to the clan. It was always target practice. But Henri hadn’t gotten a message. Echo and Vaughan hadn’t either. They would have said something if they had.

“Get into the bathroom. Lock the door.” Vaughan started out of the room without another word. He pulled off his clothing as he left. He must have shifted while he was outside because Henri heard muffled growling right before more gunshots rang through the house. It was so much louder than before.

Someone screamed, but it didn’t last more than a few seconds before it was quiet again.

He ducked as if someone was shooting at him. He grabbed Echo’s hand, pulling him out of the room.

Echo took the closest potted plant, holding it to his chest as if it needed protection. But it was Echo who needed to stay safe.

The urge to protect Echo was strong. Some primal part of him realized Echo was special.

The bathroom didn’t have a window, which was why Vaughan had told them to go inside, but Henri didn’t like it. It would make them sitting ducks if whoever had the gun managed to fight their way into the house.

Henri took Echo to his bedroom and then to the closet. They huddled together inside. “Can you talk to Vaughan?”

Echo nodded. “I’ll tell him where we are.”

“Also, ask him what’s happening?” They needed to know what was going on. Was it more than one shooter?

“Humans in black clothing. Vaughan thinks at least some of them are enhanced.” Echo shook and leaned into Henri as if wanting comfort. “He says there are a lot of them. I don’t know what to do.”

Henri didn’t either, but his biggest fear was Vaughan getting overrun, leaving him the sole person protecting Echo.

Henri took a deep breath, waiting for the fear to subside. It didn’t work, but he pushed it out of his way so he could think. Henri couldn’t see the plant in Echo’s hand very well, but he noticed when it started growing out of the pot, the vines forming around the closed closet door.

“Can you do that to the soldiers outside?” Henri nodded toward the heart-shaped leaves which grew at such a fast pace.

Echo’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a breath. Either he hadn’t thought of it or the thought horrified him. Henri couldn’t tell which.

A wolf yipped as if in pain.

“Vaughan!” The plants fell away, and Echo dropped the pot as he raced out of the closet. The pot shattered on the floor.

Henri ran after Echo. He didn’t know how to fight, but he’d still protect Echo, even if it cost him his life.