Wolf Betrayed (Talon Pack #4)(36)

Bram stood above the three attackers, blood covering his forearms but other than that, not a single scratch on him. He looked powerful and…f*cking hot as hell.

Probably not the best time to be thinking that, though.

“What the f*ck?” Brandon yelled as he ran back to Shane’s side. The Omega fell to his knees and looked down at Shane. “Holy hell. I need to call Walker. Now.”

Bram growled from Shane’s other side, a low rumble, dangerous, deadly, and full of promise.

“The three *s are down for the count. I didn’t kill them, but it was close.” Bram flexed his hands, the claws Shane hadn’t noticed initially sliding back into his fingertips. Shane wanted to learn how to do that.

He must have been wearing his thoughts on his face because both Bram and Brandon seemed to understand exactly what he was thinking.

“You’ll learn,” Brandon said softly, though there was heat in his eyes. “I’m going to f*cking kill those idiots for doing this to you.”

“You’ll have to wait in line,” Bram bit out. Shane watched as the other man sniffed the air. Bram seemed to be really close to his wolf at the moment. “Walker and Gideon are on their way. As are a few others. I want to know what happened and why the f*ck you thought it was okay to leave Shane alone like this.”

“Not. Brandon’s. Fault.” Shane winced with each word, and Bram shot a glare at him.

“Stop talking. You punctured your lung with a broken rib, or at least that’s how it sounds.”

Shane lifted a lip to mock growl, but it came out more like a wheeze. He blinked a few times, the dark spots in his vision getting larger. He passed out in pain before he could thank Bram for saving his life…again.

****

Charlotte was this close to punching someone in the face if she didn’t get some answers.

“What do you mean, you left him there?” Her voice might sound calm, but she was nowhere near calm inside, and she had a feeling Brandon knew it.

The Omega’s jaw tightened. “My elder needed me. It’s my duty to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Shane was close to his house, and should have been safe.” The Omega let out a curse. “But he wasn’t, and I want to rip the limbs off those bastards.”

Charlotte raised a brow at the normally quiet man’s words. Well okay, then.

Before Charlotte could say another word, Walker came out from Shane’s bedroom, exhaustion clear on his face and blood on his pants.

Shane’s blood.

Three wolves from the Talon Pack had tried to kill the man that could be her mate, and they’d nearly succeeded. The elder who had taken Brandon away from Shane’s side had indeed been in pain, having opened a chest he’d thought he’d lost long ago that contained memories of his long-dead mate. The three attackers had used that fact to their advantage, having waited for just the right moment. She wouldn’t know how close Shane had been to death unless Walker told her, and she wasn’t sure her wolf could take the truth.

“Everything okay?” Bram asked by her side since she hadn’t been able to speak.

Walker nodded slowly. “He took a beating, that’s for sure. He’s healing faster than he would have as a human, but not quite as quick as a wolf.” He met her gaze. “That’s to be expected of anyone in his position, so it’s not a reflection of how he was changed. If it continues like this after tomorrow, well, then that’s a hurdle we’ll have to jump when the time comes. I also Healed him completely.” The man gave a weary sigh, and she immediately went to his side.

“Sit down. No wonder you look ready to keel over.” She shook her head and put her hand on Walker’s forehead as if checking for a fever. She blushed and put her hand back down. She met Bram’s eyes over Walker’s head, thankful that her best friend hadn’t growled for her being so close to another man during the mating heat. It was a testament to how strong Bram’s will actually was that he could act so rational all the time. “I’m not a Healer, so I can’t do anything for you other than tell you to sleep after you eat. You’ve taken all your energy stores, haven’t you?” Healers only had so much energy within them to Heal their Pack. Yes, they could draw on the Alpha and the rest of the Pack in the process, but it still tired them out, and if they weren’t careful, they could kill themselves. And she could have kissed the man after she kicked him for doing so much for Shane, and hurting himself in the process.

Walker closed his eyes, his face weary. “He needs to be fully healthy to make it tomorrow, and we both know that.” That was all he said in answer. He didn’t need to say anything else, as they all knew what was at stake at the next full moon.

“You need to go home and sleep,” Bram said after a moment. “The hunt is tomorrow, and they’ll need you.” He paused. “We’ll need you.”

She and Bram would be hunting with the Talons the next night to be by Shane’s side. It wasn’t unheard of for the two Packs to share full moon hunts, but this one was special.

“I’ll take him home.” Brandon moved forward and pulled his brother, his fellow triplet, to his feet. “Come on, brother mine. I’ll make you a nice steak and tuck you in with your blankie.”

“I’d flip you off, but damn if that doesn’t sound amazing.”