Mated in Mist (Talon Pack #3)(57)

The witches were quiet, but ready to keep their side of the treaty intact. He would be forever grateful for Leah and the way she worked with Amelia. The witches and wolves were out in the public eye now. And, like they had said before, they were the ones who needed to keep the narrative threaded with truth. Ryder just hoped it was still an option.

They were fighting an unseen enemy from so many sides, it made Ryder’s head ache. But as long as he remembered that he wasn’t alone anymore, he could do it.

You’re alone, boy. You just keep forgetting it.

He didn’t wince at his uncle’s words. Didn’t acknowledge them.

Leah, however, narrowed her eyes and flicked her hand in the air. Mist surrounded them, and his uncle’s voice faded away.

Ryder just smiled at his mate; relieved that she was learning how to deal with her new powers. She couldn’t control the spirits, nor could Ryder. But they were working together to not be afraid of them. As for his uncle, well, they were learning to make the * go away so he wouldn’t torture Ryder anymore. Maybe one day soon they’d learn to get rid of him in truth, but first, they had a family dinner to attend.

One thing at a time, he reminded himself. One day at a time.

As they made their way to Gideon’s house, Ryder’s phone chirped. Leah gave him a questioning glance and he checked the screen, only to frown.

“I need to go to the front gates,” he said slowly. “There’s someone there who is asking for me.”

Leah’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”

He nodded. It was unusual, as humans couldn’t actually see the wards nor the den, though they tried. That meant whoever it was had to be at least part supernatural. Maybe. Things were changing daily so he really didn’t know anymore.

“Do you want to go on to the house?” he asked, knowing the answer before he’d even asked the question.

She just raised her brow and took the eggs from him. “Keep your claws ready, wolf boy.”

With that, he kissed her forehead and they made their way to the gates. As soon as he caught sight of who stood there, he broke out into a run. He heard Leah set the eggs down on the ground and follow him, her legs pumping as fast as she could.

“Shane?” he called out.

The human stood—barely—and raised his chin. Sweat poured down his face and he looked as if he’d been through hell and back.

“I need your help, Ryder,” the human panted. With that, Shane fell to the ground, his head slamming into the dirt.

Ryder cursed and pushed through the wards, going to his knees to check Shane’s pulse. It beat rapidly, and the man’s skin was cool and clammy. There was a gunshot wound on his side, but from the scent, someone had patched him up.

However, that wasn’t the only thing in the man’s scent. A tang he couldn’t quite place was mixed with the human scent Shane had held before. Something had happened to him, something bad.

His wolf went on alert, ready to see if this were a trap, but he had a feeling Shane was on his own.

“Dear goddess, what’s wrong with him?” Leah asked.

Ryder met her gaze and saw the worry etched on her face. “I think he’s dying. I…I don’t know what to do. He’s not Pack.”

Gideon was suddenly there, his hands balled into fists. “This is the man that saved you?” his brother, his Alpha asked.

Ryder nodded. “Yes, but there’s something off about his scent.”

Gideon cursed. “The moon goddess spoke to me, that’s why I’m here. I got here as fast as I could. She told me to bring him into the Pack.” He met Ryder’s eyes. “If I do this, we could bring more trouble to our borders.”

Ryder looked down at the man who had saved his life. Had saved Brynn’s life. The moon goddess rarely spoke directly to wolves. If she had done so, it was important. Far more important than he realized he was sure. “We already have trouble, Gideon. A whole shitload.”

With that, Gideon cursed and let his claws out. He slashed his palm, then Shane’s, before slamming them together. The Alpha’s power pulsed outward, and Leah went to her knees beside Ryder. With one hand on Shane, Ryder wrapped the other arm around his mate.

“It is done,” Gideon growled. “He is Pack. Now Walker can Heal him and we can see what the f*ck is going on.”

The Pack bonds fluctuated and Ryder’s eyes widened as he felt Shane’s bonds tie to his as Heir.

“Holy shit,” Ryder breathed.

Leah tugged on his hand. “What is it?”

“He’s wolf but not,” Gideon growled out. “How the f*ck did that happen?”

“He’s not fully wolf,” Ryder whispered. “He’s…something different.” He met his Alpha’s gaze. “What the f*ck did the humans do?”

Leah turned in his arms and forced his gaze to hers. “Dear goddess…”

He looked down at his mate, then down at the man who had saved his life and yet might be the one thing to bring chaos to his Pack.

The world had shifted once again, and Ryder stood at the precipice, waiting for a resolution. He had his mate, he had his powers, he had his Pack. That would have to be enough. Because if it wasn’t, the Talons were lost.

Again.


THE END