Sunray had integrity. Truly felt that she had Jaclyn’s best interests at heart, but he also knew Vall could be manipulating her somehow, holding something over her.
Drake’s voice broke his concentration. “Then you’ll have to trust her enough to believe she’ll get Jaclyn out. It’s our only option.”
Feeling restless and edgy, Slyck sagged against the wall and worked to regulate his ragged breathing. “They mate before their run, Drake.” His fingers fisted at his sides, and his pulse beat at the base of his throat so hard he thought it would burst. “So help me, if Vall touches one hair on her head, I’ll rip him to shreds with my bare hands.”
“Sunray won’t let that happen.”
Slyck grimaced and worked to curb his anger and emotions, desperately trying to draw on his logic instead. “Sunray can’t guarantee it.”
“And there is no guarantee that you’ll both escape from here either, Slyck. The guard might not be on duty during their one and only compulsory shift night, but the pack will be running, and you’re both at risk.” Drake dug into his back pocket and hauled out a key. “But this might help speed things up.”
The overhead fluorescent light reflected off the metal in Drake’s hand. Slyck stepped back, momentarily surprised. “You stole the key?”
“Hell, yeah,” Drake said, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s not like you can climb the fence on shift night. I’m not interested in cleaning up fried kitty come morning.” He shoved the key back into his pocket. “I’ll replace it right after you escape.”
Slyck pounded his fist on the wall in frustration. “I don’t want you there, Drake. It’s too dangerous.”
“Which is why I need to be there. What kind of alpha leader would I be if I wasn’t there to protect one of my pack?”
Slyck’s mouth lifted in a grateful smile, any fears or worries he had of Vall manipulating Drake now gone. Drake would make one hell of a leader.
Slyck faced his friend and met his glance straight on. “You know the consequences if you get captured.” It was a statement, not a question. Slyck pressed his lips together, thinking how the community would be affected if they were both caught in the action. “Maybe it’s best if you don’t—”
“We won’t get caught. Besides, you took care of me for years. Now it’s my turn to take care of you. I’ll open the gate just before the full moon, you get Jaclyn and get out, and then I’ll shut it so none of the mongrels follow. I’ll also have a car waiting for you on the other side. Then I’ll explain both yours and Jaclyn’s absence to the council in the morning.”
Slyck patted him on the back, respect apparent on his face. “You’re going to be one hell of a leader, Drake.”
“Trained by the best,” he said. “Now you need to lie low until tomorrow. Get out of here and go home. I’ll take your shift tonight. You sit tight, and then make your way to Vall’s den an hour before the full moon.” With that, he turned around, pulled open the service entrance door, and disappeared behind a wall of heavy rain.
Slyck returned to the bar, cleaned up the broken glass and then shut the lights off. Clouds hung as heavy as his heart as he made his way home. Inside his house he paced and ran over the turn of events until darkness fell over Serene.
He stepped in front of his window and spotted movement inside Jaclyn’s house. Everything inside him reached out to her, and in that instant he knew he had to go to her, to see her, to make love to her. They might not have tomorrow but they sure as hell had tonight.
He could no longer suppress his primal need for his mate. He threw on his raincoat, covered his head to disguise himself, and made his way to the back entrance. He pulled the door open and jumped back, both startled and surprised to see Jaclyn standing there, dark slicker cloaking her identity, hand raised to knock.
“Oh God, Jaclyn,” he rushed out, and hauled her inside with him.
She tilted her head back to look at him. “Slyck—”
He put a silencing finger against her lips and then held her face between his palms. “I know, sweetheart. I know everything. Drake filled me in.” He trailed his fingers over her body and pulled her hood down. “Let’s get you out of this.” Once he rid her of the slicker, he said,