was ready to turn and sprint when I saw them, Taylor and Gabe, dragging my unconscious mate between them. Dragging him as if he were unworthy of lifting. I moved before I was fully aware, snapping at Taylor’s hold then turning to do the same to Gabe.
“What the fuck, Bee?” Taylor shouted, losing his grip and letting Hannibal fall to the ground.
He was bleeding. They’d beat the hell out of him. This man who’d come to save me. My mate. I lunged at Gabe again.
“Enough,” Bas ordered, and I did something I’d never done in my life. I turned and growled, my teeth inches from his fingers. “Bee, enough!”
I shook my head and positioned myself over my mate, front paws spread wide, muzzle lowered as my growl filled the air. I wouldn’t let them touch him again.
“Bee…”
I didn’t know what else my brother planned to say because Raina stepped up to him, drilling her finger into his chest.
“Don’t yell at her. I told you he was her mate. I told you, and you still let them drag him out here as if they were taking out the trash. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Raina.”
My sister-in-law cared as much for his warning tone as I did.
“I’m two seconds away from shifting and standing guard with her.”
He growled, frustration pouring off him.
“Do the right thing,” Raina commanded, and I wasn’t surprised when he moved. Bas was the alpha of our pack. His word was law. Except to Raina. She called him on his shit and went toe-to-toe with him. And my brother would do anything to please her.
“Go inside and make sure Cyan and Michael have everything else covered,” Bas ordered, and Taylor and Gabe headed in without another word. “Move, Belinda.”
I stared at him for a long moment, baring my teeth.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I’m not going to hurt him. I promise.”
I took a step to the side but remained close enough I could intervene if needed. Not that I had any clue what I’d do to protect Hannibal if Bas decided to hurt him. I knew I’d try, though. I’d do anything to protect my mate. I’d die for him.
Bas bent and moved Hannibal, so he could lift him over his shoulder. He stood, holding my mate as if he weighed nothing. Then he turned to Raina.
“Why don’t you shift and run back to the house with Belinda. She could use the run to finish healing up.”
I growled. He wasn’t separating me from my mate.
“He’ll be fine, Belinda. Promise. When he’s awake, we’ll talk. Figure this out.”
There was nothing to figure out. He was my mate, and he’d be staying. Or we’d leave together. That thought caught me by surprise. I’d never considered leaving my brother. I’d known my mate was looking for me, but I’d always planned to stay here with him, as part of the James Pack. I’d never once considered a different outcome.
Raina nudged me with her nose as Bastion walked away with Hannibal.
“I won’t hurt him!” Bas yelled over his shoulder as if he knew the question filling my mind. I’m sure he did. Not only was he my alpha, but he was my brother. The only person who’d always been there for me. No matter what. I’d trust him on this. He’d always done right by me.
I took off with Raina tight behind me. If I beat Bas there, I could make sure Hannibal was all right, make sure no one laid a hand on him. I started to blame myself, but that wasn’t true. This was all Benji Makers’ fault. Simon and Gabe should have let Taylor kill him when he’d had the opportunity. Then again, if Taylor had, maybe I’d have had to wait even longer for my mate to find me. Why was life so damn complicated?
The run felt good. Any other time, I would have luxuriated in the feel of the wind, the crush of dirt and debris under my feet. Instead, Hannibal filled my thoughts. Was he okay? Would he hate me for what my brother and our pack had done? Would he regret the woman the universe had chosen as his mate? Refuse the mating? Walk away from me? I couldn’t let that happen. He was mine, and I wasn’t giving him up without a fight. Even if it meant leaving Bas.
Even at top speed, my brother beat us back to the house. I shifted as soon as we hit the