Wolf Betrayed (Talon Pack #4)(37)

Charlotte smiled at the two as they walked out of Shane’s home despite the brevity of the situation. “Walker will be okay. I don’t think the Brentwoods will let one of their own be in pain alone.”

“Then we’d better make sure we Redwoods don’t let Shane be alone right now. He’s probably going to be sore since Walker’s healing doesn’t fix everything.” Bram put his hand on the small of her lower back, and she sucked in a breath.

He’d always been so careful not to touch her.

She turned in his arms and cupped his face, knowing she was about to take a step that would once again change everything. “Thank you for saving him,” she whispered. “And thank you for not getting hurt yourself.” She brushed her lips across his, once, twice.

He stood still, his body hard against hers for a moment before pulling her closer with his hand on her back. His mouth parted and his tongue slid along her lips. She opened for him, savoring his taste, the feel of him, everything about him.

She pulled back before she could want too much, and far too quickly for either of them by the look in Bram’s eyes.

“Let’s go check on him.”

He licked his lips, his eyes dark but for the bright yellow rim around the irises. “We’re doing this,” he growled softly. “When he’s whole, when he’s healthy, we’re doing this.”

There was no question about what this was, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. A kiss was far from a declaration. An acceptance of fate. And a lifetime of heartache if the bond were to fail once more.

“I need more time.”

He tilted his head. Oh, his wolf was close to the surface. So close.

“Then you’ll have it. You need only ask, but I’m not giving up easily.” He smiled then, a flash of teeth against dark skin that made her shiver. She loved it when he smiled, but he didn’t do it often. “Now let’s go see our boy.”

Ours.

She liked the sound of that, even if she didn’t know what to make of it. He slid his hand over hers, and they made their way into Shane’s bedroom. The other part of their triad lay on his bed, his back propped up against pillows and a blanket covering most of his lower half. She’d known they’d stripped his bloody clothes from him, but she wasn’t sure if he’d put anything else on after that. Just the thought that he could be naked under that very thin sheet sent shivers over her body.

Apparently, just the thought of both Bram and Shane could send her into chills and need.

“Walker going to be okay?” Shane asked. “He looked a little pale when he was leaving here.”

Charlotte nodded and let go of Bram’s hand to take a seat on the bed near Shane. Bram walked around to the other side and sat down, as well. The proximity of two very sexy men in bed with her did nothing to calm her wolf, but at this point, she figured she was beyond calming until the full moon.

Shane looked between the two of them, brows raised. “Something going on I should know about?”

With so much going on in her mind, and so many things that could go wrong, Charlotte did the only thing she could do. She leaned forward and cupped the side of Shane’s face with her palm.

“They almost killed you.” Her voice was a breathy whisper, but she was sure both men heard her.

Shane reached up and put his hand over hers. “They didn’t.”

“Gideon will take care of them.” Bram’s words made her turn toward them. “I don’t know if they’ll lose their lives, but I have a feeling a Pack meeting is on the way.”

Shane frowned, and Charlotte wanted to kiss the look away. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”

Bram shrugged. “They went against their Alpha and tried to kill one of their own. Not sure if I feel much pity for them.”

Charlotte blew out a breath. “The meeting, if it takes place at all, will happen after the hunt. It’s too close to the full moon for that kind of tension out in the open like that.” She rubbed her fingers along Shane’s temple, and he turned to look at her again. “I’m glad you’re okay, and tomorrow, we’ll run on four paws by your side.” She blinked away tears, annoyed that she was letting her emotions get the best of her. “Don’t do that again, okay? I don’t think I can take it.”

“I’ll try not to.” Shane’s voice was a rough chuckle.

She leaned down then, brushing her lips along his, much as she’d done to Bram. But unlike with her best friend and lover, this was the first time she was tasting Shane. He tasted of sweetness and a little bit of rum. Walker must have given him a sip to help with the pain, as wolves couldn’t have most medications. She deepened the kiss, needing to know for sure this man could be hers.

Her wolf howled, a celebration mixed with mourning. Once they made love, if the bond didn’t take as it had before, her wolf would mourn for eternity.

Could Charlotte take that chance?

When Shane reached around to grip the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair, she knew she had to. There wasn’t another choice.

Hiding from what they could be wouldn’t help a single person. If she didn’t take that leap, she’d hate herself until the end of her days.

She pulled away, her breathing heavy. “Wow.”

Shane smiled then, his face going from merely handsome to stunning in the movement. “Glad to hear it.”