hate the way everyone seems to know about the strange situation the five of us have found ourselves in. It feels private, like something that should be worked out between the men and me with no one outside of our little group peering in.
Fat chance of that though. I’m guessing every shifter in every pack probably knows by now, given how unprecedented this development is.
“No,” Archer replies, his face schooled into an impassive expression. “Dare was injured, so we had to leave the cabin before anything was settled. He’s with Camilla now for healing.”
“Dare? From the South Pack?” Malcolm blinks in surprise. “He came out of isolation?”
“And claimed Sable as his mate,” Trystan says wryly.
“Four of you for one female wolf. My, my.” Malcolm shakes his head. “Well, there’s nothing to do but give it more time now. Unless any of you are willing to relinquish your claim on the girl?”
My heart stutters a little. Surprise that he would ask such a probing question rises up in me, followed quickly by worry about what the men will say.
“Absolutely not,” Archer says firmly, at the same time Ridge says, “No, I will not.” From behind them, Trystan offers a quick, “Not a fucking chance.”
Well. This got awkward.
My cheeks continue to burn hot even as a little zing of satisfaction shoots through me. As stressful as it is waiting for the bonds to sort themselves out, I’m relieved and pleased that none of the men are willing to back down. I don’t want them to.
Archer clears his throat, and some of the tension dissipates. “So I stopped by to make sure you have everything you need. I’m not sure how long I’ll be home. Long enough to get Dare back on his feet, and then we may have to return to the mating cabin…”
As he and the other two men chat with Malcolm for a few moments longer, I’m left thinking of the iron-clad surety they had as they reiterated their claim to me.
Nothing has changed for Ridge, Archer, and Trystan. Not like it has for Dare, who’s down for the count and lying prone in Camilla the healer’s cabin. He’ll no longer let me touch him. Hell, he won’t even look at me right now. So I can’t help but wonder what his response would have been to Malcolm’s question.
Has he changed his mind?
Would he relinquish his claim to me if someone gave him that choice?
Honestly, I’m not sure I even want to know.
11
Ridge
We’re a subdued group as we say our goodbyes to the alpha and leave his house. Some of the levity and politeness seemed to seep out of the atmosphere after Malcolm’s question about whether or not any of us would give up our claim to Sable.
Back at the mating cabin, we were able to live in the present, build upon our friendships, and get to know Sable in slow, sweet moments. It genuinely felt like we were just five friends getting to know one another better on a backwoods vacation.
But now, back in the real world of the packs, things are different.
There’s a definite line in the sand between the world that existed in the mating cabin and the world out here. Archer and Trystan look more like competition and less like friends. And I’m feeling antsy too, with a deep pull to return to my people and make sure everything is okay. Even in my best moments with Sable, I haven’t been able to shake my concern over my brother Lawson and what kind of trouble he might stir up while I’m gone.
But I can’t leave Sable—not while she’s dealing with everything that’s happened.
I’m torn between this beautiful woman and my duty to my pack, which isn’t how the mate bond is supposed to be. The mate bond is all-consuming, sure, but usually when two people are bonded, it doesn’t stand in the way of normal duties. Usually, what’s best for one’s mate is best for the pack too.
In this unorthodox case, my drive to protect Sable could endanger not just my pack, but all of the packs.
I refuse to focus on that right now. I can’t. I just have to do my best to not let my worries come to pass. So I shove all those thoughts away and fall into step beside Sable.
Archer lives just a few houses away from his father in a small house hardly bigger than the mating cabin. The place smells a bit musty with disuse, and as we enter, dust