other end is my brother. Carter is so happy all the time. Before Cace was killed, the male never wore a frown. I wish you could have seen him before. As time goes by, I’m getting more of him back to the way he used to be before our world was shattered. He still remains one of the kindest, most genuine males around.”
Instead of continuing down a sad road, I decide to get us back on track. “If Solomon were part of the pack, he’d be on the end Carter is.”
Cash laughs. “That he would. Sol is always ready to have a good time. Fortunately for all of us, he has a mate and child who don’t live here, so we get him in small doses. He can be a bit much.”
“I know what you mean. He needs to stay out of our bed.”
Another male walks up to us. Wake’s dark brown hair is neatly combed back so it’s out of his eyes. “You have no idea,” he says. “Sol has no boundaries. I love him like a brother, but that male doesn’t know when enough is enough.”
“What are you doing up here?” Cash asks. “I didn’t have you down on patrol tonight.”
“Dad wants to see Whit and Cam. I told him I’d come find them. It gave me a chance to get out of the house and let my wolf go for a run. I can take over for them while they’re gone.”
Cash nods. “Thanks. I’ll do the same.” He turns to me and Whit, who is still as his wolf. “You two go. Find us when you’re done and you can finish the patrol.”
“Sounds good,” I reply.
Turning, I tilt my head toward the bottom of the mountain where Aries’ cabin and the pack house are then shift back into my wolf. I don’t feel like having Whit open a portal. My wolf loves to run. I want to give him more time to do that alongside his mate.
Whit’s wolf and mine run down the hill, sometimes with him ahead, others behind. It’s exhilarating and so damn peaceful.
The run isn’t long enough and before I know it, we’re at Aries’ cabin. He’s standing out front with his arms resting on the railing as he leans forward. Whit and I shift back. I doubt it’s even midnight yet. We weren’t patrolling very long.
We climb the stairs and follow Aries inside.
“Can you put a bubble around us, Whit?” Aries asks. Whit quickly and easily does so.
I envy his ability to do things like that. I’d love to have the power he does. I also understand why not all paranormals do. The differences between the species makes us unique.
Cassie isn’t here, or at least she’s not downstairs with us. I’m sure she’s in the house somewhere.
Aries looks at Whit then me. “I’d like you two to start training together. While I’m still not sure it’s a good or bad thing that you’re mates and will be on missions together, I’d like to find a way to use it to our advantage. I’ve witnessed and also experienced how in sync mates can be when they fight an enemy together. If you two can train to move fluidly like one unit instead of two, you’ll be more deadly than anyone else on the team.”
“We talked about that,” I tell him. “Neither of us want to be a liability, but I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t scared out of my mind on the last mission when Caiden was holding Whit like he was.”
“I know.” Aries nods. “You weren’t alone there. All of us might have had some semblance of calm, but I can assure you, none of us were. It was Whit’s first mission out and not the impression I wanted to make.”
“Honestly,” Whit begins. “I’d rather be thrown into the fray rather than let my mind wander and think of the awful things that could happen. I saw fear and anger on Cam’s face. Agony at not being able to save me like he wanted. We can handle whatever is thrown at us.”
“I hope we never have a situation like that again,” Aries says. “But it would be naïve of me to think we won’t, especially with Caiden still out there somewhere. I don’t think he wants to kill any of us, but if we push he may.”
“It’s just him,” I cut in. “He has no legion behind him doing his bidding.”
“Yet,” Aries states. “He could have already bought a handful of