me and everyone behind me. How many more have shown up?
“Finally!” Ariane yells from a window on the second story of their home then slams it shut. Hopefully, the arguing didn’t wake Phoenix up.
I take one last look at Cam and turn toward the forest to finish my patrol. I’m two steps away when Cam calls my name. Turning, I face him. He’s closer now. Close enough where I can see the exhaustion in his eyes and the slouch of his shoulders. The others were right to be concerned.
“Can I patrol with you?” he asks.
I shrug because I can’t turn him down. I’d love to just turn my back and walk away. Obviously, he doesn’t think much of me if he could disappear like he did. All he had to do was text me to let me know he wasn’t coming on patrol. All our numbers are out there for anyone in the pack who needs them. But like an idiot, I thought he’d come. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.
Cam steps closer. “I know I asked if we could patrol together then didn’t show. Something came up.” I nod. I’m not in the mood to talk.
I turn from him and let my wolf take over again. Cam can follow or he can stay here. I have to start putting myself first and get Cam out of my head. It’s not healthy for me.
Zion is there when I enter the woods again. He comes up alongside me as we go deeper, but then Cam is behind us, a low growl coming from his wolf.
Zion’s wolf and mine both turn. What could he possibly be growling at? It’s then I notice it’s not aimed at me, rather at Zion. He didn’t do anything to Cam. Zion takes it as a sign of aggression, which it is, and his wolf stalks closer to Cam’s. Cam’s wolf’s ears go back as he snarls. Seriously, what the fate is going on here?
My wolf must not like it any more than I do. He walks over to them both—two aggressive males—and puts himself between them. This should end well. Luckily, I’m fae and will heal from anything they dish out.
Zion’s wolf pauses but Cam’s moves around us until his body is in front of my wolf’s. So much for that. Then again, I have zero control over my wolf in the moment and am nothing but a spectator as I watch him nip at the back leg of Cam’s wolf. He doesn’t turn around. Merely punches out his leg like he’s trying to get a bug off him.
My wolf isn’t giving up. He comes up alongside Cam’s and nudges him with his shoulder then nips at his snout. That’s enough to get his attention. Cam’s wolf is a beautiful, earthy brown with various other shades over his back and face. And those green eyes of his are solely on us.
My wolf bumps him with his snout. There’s a connection between my wolf and his. That much is obvious. What it is, I’m still not sure, but whatever mine is doing is keeping Cam’s from going after Zion.
I decide to send Zion a message with my mind. “It’s okay. I’m going to stay with Cam and try to figure out what’s going on.” Zion’s wolf shakes his head. “Yes, now go. I’ll find you later. We don’t need the two of you fighting. There’s been enough to witness tonight.” Zion has no reason to listen to me. I’m no one in the chain of command in the pack. I still try to get him to listen, though. As a packmate if nothing else.
But then the air moves. A slight, citrusy scent hits me and has my wolf’s hackles rising. Cam’s wolf turns and aligns his body next to mine so his head is by my wolf’s tail. Zion’s wolf comes over and does the same on our other side. The three of us stand together: my wolf and me watching one side and the two of them the other.
Suddenly, a male appears from behind a tree. How long has he been out here? His hair partially hangs in his face. His eyes aren’t menacing but curious. He takes a step forward. This one is audible, like he did it on purpose.
Cam’s and Zion’s wolves both spin and face the male. Then Cam is shifting. My wolf lets me rise up, knowing I can help with my magic if need be.