Chapter Twenty-Five

Rocky felt the connection with Henri before he opened his eyes. What prompted Rocky to awaken with a roar, bounding out of bed as if he had a thousand chains around him and had to break free, was Henri’s fear.

His stress level was off the charts, and Rocky knew why. Henri wasn’t in Saint Lakes. He was trying to get back, but he hadn’t succeeded yet.

Rocky didn’t bother with clothing because he was going to shift as soon as he got outside.

There were several clan members hunkered down in the house. They were all as scared as the next person.

As soon as he made his way downstairs and into the kitchen, Lucas was there, with Bennett by his side.

“He’s with Echo and Sylvain. They’re almost here, but the humans put up a barricade around the town. Unless Echo and Sylvain take care of it by creating mass casualties, they’ll have a difficult time.”

Rocky nodded and headed outside.

Lucas followed him out, with Bennett on his heels.

Bennett pulled Lucas to his side with a growl. Rocky understood the sentiment. If he had to do it over again, he would have fought to get to Henri.

Lucas didn’t complain about the protectiveness. He plowed on through with the information he thought Rocky would need.

Rocky understood why it was Lucas who was the one to fill him in. He was the one who had an inside view of everyone’s mind. Rocky wouldn’t doubt if he was in communication with everyone all at once. The feeling had to be unnerving, but Lucas seemed to handle it like a rock star. Given the fact he’d have to be the savior of all paranormals, he was still getting his feet wet.

“I’m not sure how much Echo trusts Sylvain.”

“Echo knows he has to trust him.” Rocky watched the yard surrounding him.

Ladon was with Hacen, Garridan, Fane, and Ramsey talking strategy, but when he saw Rocky, they all closed the distance. Ladon waved Marshall and Taylor over.

When Ladon and the others were close enough, Rocky said, “Echo’s safety is paramount. There’s no one else like him in this country. We’re screwed if something happens to him. Henri knows it. He’s scared for Echo more than himself. And he doesn’t trust Sylvain.”

“No one should trust Sylvain. Not fully, at any rate.” Taylor was the one who spoke. “Henri’s smart not to. But Sylvain knows what a clusterfuck we’re in. We can trust him to help with the situation. Beyond that, I don’t know. But we need to be careful around him. He’s a kill first type of guy. He’s calculating and savvy enough to use other people’s fear to his advantage.”

Rocky didn’t want Henri around someone like Sylvain, but he didn’t have much of a choice. “Good thing Sylvain’s an ally.”

“No one wants him for an enemy,” Marshall said.

“Not to change the subject.” Lucas met Rocky’s gaze. “Bandos, Vaughan, and Sully had to hunker down in a house near to one of the human roadblocks.”

“Which direction are Echo and Henri coming from?” Fane asked.

“I’ll find out from Henri. He’ll be able to tell us better than Echo or Sylvain since he’s lived in Saint Lakes his whole life,” Rocky said. He used their link to talk to Henri. Baby, are you safe?

You’re awake! Are you okay? What happened?

Rocky smiled. I asked you first.

I’m safe for now. The humans have cars and stuff in front of the road. We can’t get through. We’re thinking about what to do. Sylvain wants to kill them all, but they have hostages. They’re tied up, sitting in front of the cars. One is the Haack boy. He’s ten years old, Rocky.

Which road are you on?

The south end of Harbor Road. We’re next to Miss Cathy’s place.Henri’s emotions shifted. Are you coming to get me?

Yeah, baby. I’ll be there within minutes. Tell Sylvain not to kill anyone until we get there.

I don’t have that type of influence on someone like him, nor do I want it. Also, you could tell him yourself. He seems to link with everyone. Much like Lucas.

Rocky met Ladon’s gaze. “They’re on Harbor Road. The south end of town. They’re sitting ducks if anyone comes up behind them on the road.”

“Sylvain and Echo will make it here if they work together,” Lucas said.

“Sylvain is too much of a wild card. And the humans have hostages.”

Rocky wanted to shift and go to Henri. If it weren’t for getting a plan in place, one including Bandos, Vaughan, and Sully, he would have.

Rocky noticed Wesley hovering close by. He crooked a finger at him. Wesley ran to him. Rocky put an arm around Wesley’s shoulders. “We’ll get them back. I promise, Wes.”

“Can I come too?” Wesley frowned. “Sully doesn’t want me to, but I can help. I know I can. Sully has been teaching me how to use a gun and how to fight.”

Rocky wouldn’t tell him no. Wesley had as much at stake as Rocky. Their family was out there in the war zone, in danger. “Stick close to me. Don’t go off on your own. And do as you’re told.”

Wesley leaned against him. His chin wobbled. “Thank you.”

Rocky met everyone’s gaze one at a time. “Sully can do recon. He’s quiet when he shifts. If he can tell us which areas are heavy with humans, we can avoid them.”

“Vaughan too. Wolves are good at lying in wait and blending in,” Ladon said. He pulled Magnus closer. “Magnus’s speed might come in handy. Fane and Hacen, too. If the enhanced humans made a run for it. I want some of them alive.”

Taylor spoke up. “If you’re thinking of getting information about their commanding officers, they won’t tell. It would take someone like Lucas or Sylvain to extract that sort of information.”

Ladon nodded. “I was thinking the same thing, but it’ll solve the next problem.”

“Understood.” Taylor said nothing else, but Rocky could tell his wheels were turning. He was probably already thinking up solutions. They all were. And he was glad someone would find a permanent resolution to the human problem. Rocky’s mind was on getting his mate back into his arms.

“Tell Sully what we need him to do,” Rocky whispered to Wesley.

Wesley nodded. Rocky could tell when he did what Rocky asked. His eyes glazed over. He nodded as if answering someone. It wasn’t but a few minutes. “He said to give them a few minutes.”

We’re coming, baby. It won’t be long now.Once Rocky had Henri in his arms, he would never let him go again.