“Is there something you’d like to share?” I asked, leaning forward with my elbows resting on my knees.

  He drummed his fingers over his thighs and thought for a moment. “Maybe, but it doesn’t have anything to do with your mate or this dark witch, so it can wait for now.”

  “Okay.” I took his word for it and stood up again. “Are we good here?”

  Holden nodded. “We’ll meet for lunch shortly?”

  “I’m sure Andie would like that.”

  Holden walked me to the door. “But would you? Has the pack not grown on you yet?”

  That wasn’t a simple answer, and it wasn’t something I was quite ready to talk about. Time hadn’t been on our side, and thinking about the changes in my life outside of finding my mate had been low on the priorities list.

  I couldn’t deny that running with the pack during the new moon had been reinvigorating. Connecting with the other members, soaking in our creator’s energy, and letting my wolf enjoy the life he had always been meant to have, reminded me of not only what we’d lost the day my pack had been attacked, but what we still could have had if only I hadn’t let fear guide my choices.

  I finally answered Holden. “The pack is fine. It’s just taking some getting used to.”

  He grasped my shoulder. “I figured, but don’t forget: You’re not in this alone anymore. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

  His sincerity punched me in the gut, and I nodded, twisting the handle on the door to end the uncomfortable conversation.

  “Thanks, Holden.”

  Piper was still waiting outside when I stepped into the hallway. She nodded at me, and her green eyes darkened. I got the feeling she didn’t like me very much, but that wasn’t my problem. I hadn’t interacted with her outside of a few brief meetings with minimal shared words. I’d done nothing wrong. Whatever bothered her was her problem to concern herself with. Not mine.

  Using the weak connection I had to Andie, I made sure she was still on the deck before I headed that way. When I arrived outside, she was sitting on the wooden patio furniture with Charlie and Mack. Her head was tossed back, sending her pink hair cascading down her back as she laughed at something Charlie had said.

  I watched them for a few moments, just soaking in the calmness. This was what we were supposed to have. Not constant chaos and questions about whether or not one of us was going to die at a moment’s notice. I hated that I couldn’t give Andie a simple life filled with love and laughter, but I hoped that would change one day.

  Andie loves us, regardless of what we can give her, my wolf said quietly.

  But she deserves so much more than what she’s gotten.

  He hummed in reply before fading away again, and I finally walked forward to join the others.

  I lifted Andie up and sat in the chair she’d just been occupying before letting her get comfortable in my lap. “What did I miss?”

  “Just Charlie pretending she’s stronger than a shifter,” Andie answered.

  Mack barked out a laugh. “I would love to wrestle with you and let you prove yourself.”

  Charlie lowered her eyes on him and smirked. “I’ll take you up on that one day.”

  “Why not now? We’re both here. Lunch isn’t for another hour,” Mack challenged.

  Charlie stood slowly from her chair, but Andie raised her hand. “If you want to join me in visiting Gemma, you will not accept that wolf’s challenge, Charlotte Wildes.”

  Charlie cut her gaze to Andie. “What did you just call me?”

  Andie winked at me before getting up. “Now she doesn’t want to ‘wrestle’ Mack. Diversion successful.” She grabbed Charlie’s arm. “Oh, calm down. I’ll race you to the cabins to make you feel better.”

  Charlie glowed. “Just like the waterslide.”

  “Minus the water, sure.” Andie chuckled, then leaned back down. “You have fun with Mack. I’m going to see Gemma and the baby, and we’ll be back for lunch.”

  I accepted the quick kiss she offered. “You don’t want me to go with you?”

  She cupped my chin. “Gemma moved to stay within the shield—Mack already told me where to go—and Charlie is with me. We’ll be fine. I promise.”

  A rough noise left my throat, but I let her walk away. I couldn’t keep her in a bubble, no matter how much I wanted to.

  Charlie waved at Mack, and he grinned foolishly.

  “You’re not really going to entertain that, are you?” I asked once Andie and Charlie were far enough away. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Charlie was worthy, but Mack’s mate could show up any day, and then what? Charlie would be left hurting, and that would also hurt Andie. Hell, the same could happen to Mack if Charlie met the one meant for her.

  Mack’s expression turned serious. “Did you know that nearly all shifters, who are going to have a mate in this lifetime, meet their match by the time they’re fifty. I’m fifty-one, and while I’m sure there’s a miniscule chance I could still find the one, it’s not likely. I’ve accepted that, as has my wolf.”

  He sighed heavily. “After almost four decades of hoping, I’m done waiting to live my best life. I’m happy here, but I’d love life even more if I had someone to share it with.”

  “And you think Charlie is that person for you?” I asked, because I really hadn’t expected him to feel so serious about the witch.

  He smiled, looking up at the blue sky. “No clue, but I enjoy her free spirit and the way she likes to challenge me in her own ways. Not many I’ve crossed paths with have ever done the same. So to answer you, I don’t know, but I’m intrigued. More importantly, I’m fully aware of the risks, and I’ll make sure she knows them, too, should she agree to see where things might go between us.”

  I didn’t entirely agree with his thought process, but I had to remember that Mack wasn’t me. He and Charlie were adults who could make their own decisions. It wasn’t something I needed to involve myself in. Though, I suspected Andie would be keeping her nose in things until she was certain her best friend was happy.

  “So, do you want to sit here for an hour? Or do you want to head to the gym and beat the hell out of some of the other shifters who’re training?” Mack’s eyes held a glint in them that told me the latter was a favorite pastime of his.

  “How about we beat the hell out of each other and make it a fair fight?” I asked, because an alpha didn’t normally train with the other wolves unless he knew their weaknesses and strengths. I wasn’t the alpha here, but the notion still applied. I wouldn’t risk hurting one of the other shifters with my stronger energy.

  Mack, however, was a beta, and he could handle it if I unleashed my true power.

  He jumped out of the seat, vibrating the wooden deck from the force of his landing. “You’re on, Kline.”

  I chuckled and stood, reaching a hand to him. “May the best shifter win.”

  22

  ANDIE

  Charlie and I ran so hard that my chest burned before we hit the trees. When we’d been little, we would race to our waterslide made out of black plastic that ended in a kiddie pool. Whoever had gotten there second had to hold the plastic and hose in place for the other and then suffered through their own, not as fun, trip down the plastic.

  We’d been five. Bragging rights and a smoother trip to the waiting kiddie pool had been a big deal back then. Though, if Charlie’s rough breathing and grunts were any indication, racing was still a big deal to her.

  I kept my pace even, and she passed me right at the end, raising her arms into the air. “I am victorious!”

  I laughed. “Congratulations. I’ll be sure to make you a gold medal when we’re back home.”

  She pointed at me. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  I had no doubt she would.

  “So, where to?” Charlie asked once we’d both caught our breath.

  I nodded to our left. “Should be two cabins down that small path. Look for the blue ribbon that Mack mentioned while we were waiting for Foster.”

  We walked through the trees, and I inhaled deeply. I really did love the woods within the wolf shifter territory. I didn’t know what it was about being in the pack, but there was always a sense of home when I was here. I wanted to attribute that to my bond with Foster, but something told me that wasn’t the case. Maybe when I had my magic back, I could figure things out.

  Charlie pointed. “That has to be it.”

  There was a small wooden cabin ahead of us, and there wasn’t just a blue bow on the door. No, there were balloons and lights and a banner that hung over the front window reading, “Congratulations” with cute little pawprints all over it.

  My heart warmed seeing how celebrated the new birth was. Wolf shifters were strong and could be ruthless, but they still cared deeply about each other. Every member of the pack was family. This was merely another reminder of that truth.

  I went to the door first and knocked. It cracked open from the slight pressure. “Gemma?” I called.

  “I gotta swap out my diaper. Be right there.” Her voice echoed from the hallway.

  Charlie snorted. “A diaper? Seriously? Why would she need that? Unless she meant for the baby…”

  Gemma came strutting down the hallway, pulling the top of her black yoga pants above her much-smaller bump. She had the biggest maxi pad I’d ever seen in her left hand—thankfully, a new one—and raised it in the air. “This is a new mother’s diaper. When you give birth, your body expels gallons and gallons of blood. It’s like your worst period on steroids. We’re not supposed to talk about things like that, but like I told Andie before, I don’t like to keep most of my thoughts to myself when I don’t have to.”

  Gemma winked and then walked into the small living room that was covered in baby items, but the one I zeroed in on first was the white bassinet the shifter went to.

  Charlie shoved me. “Why haven’t you brought me here sooner? I love these people already.”

  I shrugged. “You never asked. Now, be quiet before you wake the baby.”

  Gemma shook her finger at us. “Be as loud as you want. Little Bryson Joseph needs to get used to the noises if he’s ever going to nap properly.”

  Charlie stepped forward and waved. “I’m Charlie. Andie’s best friend. Hope you don’t mind that I tagged along.”

  Gemma laughed. “If I did, you’d already know it. Want a souvenir?” She waved the oversized pad in the air.

  Charlie scrunched her nose. “I’ll pass, but thanks for the information. Kids have officially gone in the no column for me.”

  Gemma rubbed her hand lightly over her son’s blue blanket that he was swaddled in. “It’s worth it. Every stretch mark, every time I peed my pants, every contraction that made me feel like this little blessing was coming out of my asshole instead of my vagina.” She sighed. “All worth holding him in my arms.”

  Charlie’s face was pale by the time Gemma finished, and I just shook my head. These two were going to be trouble around each other. I stepped closer to the bassinet. Bryson’s lips were suckling on nothing, and his eyes were closed. Only one of his arms was free from the blanket, and his little fingers were so precious that I couldn’t stop myself from rubbing one of my own over his hand.

  “He’s perfect, Gemma,” I cooed.

  She grinned widely. “I know. How about we sit before he wakes up in five minutes because the smell of my milk is too alluring to sleep through?”

  Charlie shuddered and sat on the couch first. “You’re a brave woman for bearing children.”

  “Eh. I was braver for taking a mate. Men are way more work than babies. I can assure you of that.”

  I laughed. I wasn’t there with Foster yet, but I had no doubts she was right.

  “Charlie has a crush on Mack,” I said with a smile.

  Gemma’s jaw dropped. “Our Mack? The beta? It was the dreamy hazel eyes that did you in, wasn’t it?”

  Charlie blushed, an action I wasn’t used to seeing on her round face. “Might have been that.”

  “Once you go shifter, you never go back. Be careful what you’re asking for,” Gemma warned, and I choked on my own spit.

  “Is that a legit thing people say?” I asked once I could breathe right again.

  Gemma shrugged. “It’s what I say and I’m people, so yes.”

  Bryson chose that moment to start fussing, but Gemma stayed put.

  “Aren’t you going to do something?” Charlie asked hesitantly.

  “I already am. I’m seeing if he’s awake or just making noise. If I get him out of that bassinet every time he makes a peep, I’ll lose my sanity.”

  Bryson quieted a few seconds later, and I looked over at a triumphant Gemma. “This is your first kid and it’s only been a few days. How do you know so much?” I asked.

  “I have two sisters who are much older than me,” Gemma answered. “They’ve popped out three each of their own. One set of triplets and then twins and single for the other. I helped a lot before I met Joseph. I learned from their mistakes, as any smart younger sibling should do.”

  Bryson let out an ear-piercing scream.

  “And that’s the kind of sound I don’t ignore.” Gemma was on her feet in less than a second, and she unbuttoned her loose top before grabbing the baby.

  “Momma’s here, sweet boy. No need to yell like a banshee.” She sat back down and popped a boob out like a seasoned pro. Within seconds, Bryson was content as could be.

  Charlie leaned closer, curiosity in her eyes this time. “Maybe it’s not all that terrible to have a kid.”

  Yeah, maybe not, I thought.

  We both watched Bryson eat and Gemma smile down at her son for several minutes before she engaged in more conversation. “How are things at the witch coven? People aren’t talking as much as they were before, so I hope that means good things?”

  That was a relief. That meant Holden’s plans of keeping things quiet were working.

  I nodded. “We’ve been hard at work trying to sort out this mess with the dark witch, but I think we’re getting closer. We’ll know more in the next few days.”

  I hated that I couldn’t tell her the whole truth, but I wanted to respect Holden’s wishes.

  “That’s great to hear. It would be nice to move back home with the baby, but at least we had somewhere private to stay in the meantime,” Gemma said.

  Bryson startled and Gemma stroked his cheek, trying to calm him.

  While she tended to the baby, I glanced out the window. Birds were flying low in the sky and making all sorts of noise. My gaze cut to Charlie, who was looking down at the rising hairs on her arms.

  “That’s not normal,” she muttered.

  Before I could respond, a force pressed down over us, and I covered my ears until my head found some sort of relief from the energy.

  “Either they’re changing the shield or someone is trying to take it down,” Charlie said.

  Gemma’s wide eyes glanced between the both of us. “I thought the shield would keep us safe. Can they really break through?”

  She held Bryson closer to her chest, and I turned to Charlie. “Teleport her and the baby to the coven and tell Beatrix. I need to find Foster.”

  “I’m not leaving without Joseph,” Gemma said, tears filling her eyes as Charlie stood.

  I reached for her hand. “Joseph would want Bryson safe, wouldn’t he?” She nodded numbly. “Then let us make that happen, and I will make sure Foster tells him where you and the baby are as soon as I get back to the pack house.”

  A thundering crack echoed around us, and this time, the windows rattled. Gemma stood up and went to the table across the room, picking up a black bag. “I can tell Joseph through our bond. He won’t want to leave unless I go out there and make him.”

  Her words held no conviction. There was no way Gemma was going out there, especially when we didn’t really know what was going on. I waited a few seconds for her to accept that as well.

  She sighed. “I need to grab a few things, but I’ll be quick.”

  Gemma darted off into the bedroom she’d exited from earlier, and I turned to Charlie. “This has to be Moira.”

  “Or at least the horde stupid enough to follow her,” Charlie replied with a sneer.

  “Make sure Gemma and the baby are safe. Don’t take them to my house. Use yours in case someone goes to mine who shouldn’t. I’ll stay as close to the pack house as I can so you can find me easier.”

  Charlie wrapped her arms around me. “Be safe, and don’t be afraid to unleash every inch of the kickass-ness inside you. She’s not stronger than you, Andie. None of them are.”

  I nodded against her shoulder. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now, go find Foster and I’ll take care of these two.” She shoved me toward the door, and I didn’t hesitate to run outside.

  The blue sky was gone, and in its place were what looked like ominous clouds that sparked with lightning above me. With every bright strike, the shield lit up, and small fissures could be seen forming along the top of the normally invisible barrier.

  Howls sounded off in every direction around me, but I didn’t stick around to figure out where they were coming from. I ran faster than ever toward the pack house, hoping like hell Foster was still there.

  23

  FOSTER

  I slammed Mack so hard to the ground that the floors shook, but instead of being fazed, he merely laughed. “Again.”

  With a sigh, I reached down and helped him up. “You’re a glutton for punishment.”

  He gave me a shove. “Nah. I just don’t get to work this hard very often. This is invigorating.” He nodded to the other shifters trying to pretend they weren’t watching us on the mats while they worked out with the gym equipment across the room. “Plus, they get their panties in a twist when I win. There’s little joy in pissing them off.”

  I slapped his back and chuckled. “You’re a good beta, Mack.”

  I looked around for my water bottle and stumbled unexpectedly. Then the walls shook and, this time, it had nothing to do with us wrestling.