Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(10)

Her pause was too long, and he knew the answer before she spoke. “I’m sorry. I can’t say that for sure. Only what will happen if you don’t do as we recommend.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“It’s all we’ve got for now.”

God. “I want to go back to my own quarters. Please.”

“Not tonight. You’re staying here overnight. If you’re better tomorrow, I’ll consider it.” Her stance held a certain finality and stubbornness that he knew meant, Don’t f**k with the doc.

“Fine.”

“I’ll check on you later.” Shooting Zan a look of sympathy, Mac left, closing the door quietly behind her. Jax hovered for a moment and then let out a deep breath.

“Give me your word you won’t leave just yet. Give yourself a chance. The team needs you. Shit, I need you.”

Damn his best friend for knowing exactly what to say. He knew once Zan gave his word on anything, it was gold. Tension hung in the air between them, Zan struggling with saying the words, until he knew it was pointless to refuse.

“You’ve got my word. And I’m not a quitter, just for the record.”

“Nobody thinks you are.”

“I just don’t want to endanger my brothers.”

“Understood. I felt the same way after my leg was injured and I couldn’t fight.”

“I know.” He paused. “And thanks.”

“No problem. I’ll let you get some sleep.” Giving him a pat on the shoulder, Jax left.

Settling in for the night, Zan tried to sleep, but his dreams were uneasy. Filled with blood and death. A battle. Carnage. Horrible sorrow. Zan, trying desperately to heal . . . someone. Who? Then his own screams rang in his ears as his brain finally detonated—

Zan sat bolt upright in bed, gasping, sweat pouring down his face. His heart thudded against his sternum, and his hands shook as he wiped the moisture from his brow.

Over and over, he told himself that he didn’t have the ability to see the future. That was Nick’s area. It was just a nightmare. Gradually, his pulse calmed and he lay down again.

But his eyes were still wide open as the sun broke over the horizon.

He had to go for a run.

Nick paced his office, then stopped and stared out the window, across the lawn to the forest at the edge of the compound. His wolf strained inside him, always eager for a good run, and he was usually happy to oblige.

But today felt different. The pull was more than just the desire for earth under his paws. There was a sense that he was supposed to go. Destiny was upon him, for good or ill, and today marked the beginning of serious changes in his life.

For however much longer his life might be.

Surrendering to the pull, Nick left his office and walked down the corridors, speaking to a few of the team along the way. Outside, he strode across the compound and into the woods a ways before stripping his clothes and allowing his wolf to take over.

For him, a born wolf with more than two centuries of experience, the change was effortless. In some ways, he’d always been more comfortable in his wolf skin, and there was a time long ago when he’d nearly traded in his human life in favor of his wolf, permanently. A time when the pain of tragic loss was too much to bear. He’d drifted for years, an immortal creature with no future—a great irony if ever there was one.

If it hadn’t been for his old friend Jarrod Grant pulling some strings to get him into the FBI, and eventually the position as commander of the Alpha Pack, there was no telling what might’ve become of him.

Still, each day was a struggle. To find meaning in life where there was none. To wake up one more day and honor his commitments to his men when the weight of all he’d lost was almost too much to bear.

As he stood on four paws surveying his surroundings, he let the memories go and ran. His paws dug into the earth, sending leaves and dirt flying as his long legs ate up the distance. His wolf didn’t care about destiny or death.

But as a white blur detached itself from the trees and raced to intercept him, he knew that one of those—possibly both—had found him all the same.

She heard the crashing sounds in the forest a minute or so before he actually came into view.

All of her careful planning, the months of waiting, had come to this moment. She’d make him pay for what he’d done. At last.

Taking off, she ran full-out to intercept the big white wolf streaking through the trees.

He was alone.

And that was the last mistake the bastard would ever make.

“You really shouldn’t be out running the same day the doc lets you go,” Micah said as he and Nix kept pace with Zan in the hallway leading to one of the exits. Micah kept bobbing in front of him to make sure Zan could see his lips.

Zan did his best to keep from punching either of his friends as he made his escape. “I don’t need a f**king nanny.”

“You need a keeper.”

Nix grasped his arm, urging Zan to stop and pay attention, then took the opportunity to double-team him. “Neither of the docs will be happy to find out you’re ignoring orders to rest.”

“And you’re going to tell them?” He shot them both a sour look.

“Of course not,” Nix said smoothly. “But they’ll find out anyway, and you’ll get benched.”