Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
SHEP
“Ican call it in, and we can take Rylan down to the station to get his formal statement…but I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to go in until the morning.
” George looked apologetic even as he said it.
What he didn’t say was that he wasn’t sure if his superiors would go into an Alpha businessman’s property on the word of an Omega.
It took every ounce of my will not to put my fist through the wall, and really, it was only because Rylan was asleep on the other side of it that I managed to restrain myself.
After our conversation in the break area, I’d gotten him settled on the couch in my office.
He’d fallen asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.
I hated how worn down he was, and I couldn’t stand the thought that there were other Omegas out there right now living with that kind of fear and desolation.
I wanted them free of that bastard. I wanted to bring them home. And this pack would be a home for any of them that wanted it.
The others were looking at me—Thorn, Hux, Aiden.
We’d closed up the bar as soon as the last fight ended, causing our normal crowd to grumble a little, but they’d be over it before next weekend.
Dave, Julio, and some of the others were still cleaning up, but these three I wanted with me.
And if I was fixing to start a war with a man who had no qualms about selling people to the highest bidder, I should probably make a few phone calls to beef up our ranks.
Taking a deep breath, I looked each of my men in the eye. The same fury and determination I was feeling stared back at me. “Thank you, George. You should go home now.”
George was a good friend and while he wasn’t technically pack, he was the closest any human could be without a mate bond. He nodded and gripped my shoulder. “Be careful.”
“We will.”
***
RYLAN
When the warehouse came into view through the trees, a wave of nausea rolled through me. I wanted to save my friends and had every intention of doing so, but I would have given a lot in that moment to never have to set foot in that building again.
Shep’s big, warm hand slid up my back until he cradled the back of my neck in a reassuring grip. “You don’t have to go in there, Rylan.”
Somehow, a small smile pulled at my lips. “Thank you for saying that, but I really do. I don’t want them to be afraid when they see you all.”
Shep nodded.
We’d stopped far enough back so the cameras wouldn’t see us before the pack all shifted.
It would be nearly impossible for Trent to identify them having only their shifted forms on camera, and it’s not like he’d go to the cops to report what was “stolen” from him.
It didn’t matter that I’d be on camera—he already knew I’d escaped.
My presence would only show him I hadn’t gotten far.
As grateful as I was for Shep and the other’s complete willingness to help, I still felt guilty. Trent would eventually figure out who they were. Shep had assured me he and all the pack knew that. It hadn’t changed their minds.
Tears stung my eyes to know there were people willing to risk so much to help others. Help strangers.
“Are you ready?” Shep asked.
I took a fortifying breath. “I’m ready.”
“Everything’s going to be okay, Ry.”
Our faces were close together from the way he was kneeling beside me, and I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but I leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. It was just brush, warm and soft, but it was the best thing I’d ever felt. “Thank you,” I whispered as I pulled back.
The most beautiful smile stretched across Shep’s face. He didn’t say anything, just leaned in to give me a quick kiss of his own and climbed to his feet.
I stood as well. Shep, Thorn, Hux, and Aiden all took off their clothes.
Hux and Thorn both dropped large backpacks on the ground and as the men shed items, they carefully rolled and placed them into one bag.
Shoes went into the other. I averted my eyes when they began shucking their pants, even though I felt no real modesty about nudity.
Living in a society of shifters left little room for it, but if Shep and I were going to truly be mates…
I wanted to experience his naked body in a more intimate setting.
Something I couldn’t even believe I was thinking about, let alone anticipating.
Once the men were bare, the shifting went quick.
When quiet filled the small clearing again, I turned to look at them.
Where four men had stood, now there were three bears and one enormous wolf.
I glanced from one to the other. Somehow, I knew instantly who was who.
The wolf was Thorn. The enormous grizzly was Hux.
The other two bears, a little smaller than Hux but no less fearsome, Shep and Aiden.
Walking forward, I reached out to Shep. He bumped my hand with his snout. His wet nose brushed over my palm for a moment before he licked me. I smiled and stepped back as the others started forward.
Hux led the way, Shep behind him. Thorn, wolf form blending so well with the darkness it was difficult to see the edges of him, nudged me forward.
I fell into line behind Shep. The fact they were keeping me in the middle of the group—the most guarded position made a whole new warmth spread through my belly.
I wasn’t making a mistake trusting these men, and they kept proving it over and over.
We’d agreed the back door of the warehouse was the best way to approach. Once we broke the tree line, Hux didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, all of us moving with him.
When we reached the door, Hux stood up on his hind legs and gripped the doorframe, claws screeching on the metal siding.
My heart stuttered when he paused, only to jolt a moment later as he ripped the door—frame and all—from the building.
With a huff, Hux tossed the door aside and moved into the warehouse.
We headed inside. Usually, Trent would have at least one person on guard, but given the darkness, I’d bet he had all hands on deck and out looking for me. Still, if the removal of the door hadn’t immediately tripped the alarm, the lack of anyone putting in the code would. We needed to move fast.
Shep took several big lungfuls of air, then looked back at me with a nod of his head. The coast was clear.
I took off at a run, knowing they’d all be right behind me.