Wolf's Fall (Alpha Pack #6)(70)

“I don’t know how magical things work, but that’s possible. Perhaps it knows its master somehow and kept him alive.”

Nick gave Tarron an apologetic look. “I need to get to the compound and see about Kalen, and check on some things I’ve been neglecting. I’ll leave some men here to help with cleanup, but—”

“Go, Nick.” Tarron smiled. “You’ve spent so much time taking care of us, it’s time you took care of your own for a while.”

“Thanks.”

“You going with your mate, sis?”

“Was that even a question?” She smiled at her brother and Nick.

Nick’s heart lightened. Especially when he spotted Damien walking down the slope. Moving toward him, Nick enveloped him in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground.

“Whoa! No PDAs, man!”

He was kidding, though, and everyone laughed, including Nick, who set him back on solid ground and clapped him on the shoulder. “I appreciate you and your clan coming to the rescue.”

“It’s your clan, too, if you’ll accept us back.”

The enormity of that statement almost bowled him over. He cleared his throat. “I’d be glad to be a part of the clan again, even though my duties lie at the compound. Whatever I can do to help, I want to take part.”

“Music to my ears, brother.”

“I really do need to get back.”

“I understand,” Damien said. “My men and I will stay here for now and assist Tarron. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Sounds good.” It did indeed sound fine.

Nick hooked his arm through Calla’s and they were home in seconds.

Or at least where he hoped would be the permanent home for them both.

Fourteen

Calla’s mate’s first task on their arrival at the compound was breaking up a catfight. Or was that a she-wolf fight?

Selene had started by tearing into her father for using Zan’s healing, even though Zan strenuously protested that he had been careful not to overdo it. When Mac stepped in, the game was on.

“Of course you’re going to defend Zan’s actions! He risked his health to save your mate!”

“Selene,” Mac began. “Zan has been cleared to heal within certain limits. And of course I’m grateful. How could I not be? I love Kalen, and our baby needs his father.”

“Oh, pull out the baby card, yeah? You know—”

“Enough!” Nick’s voice boomed down the hospital corridor, making everyone jump. “Selene, that’s enough!”

Turning, she blinked at him. “Dad.”

“I know you love your mate, and so does Mac. Everyone works together here. We’re family, all of us, and it serves no purpose for us to be at each other’s throats.”

Selene hesitated, then looked at Mac, eyes shining with tears. “I’m sorry. I just can’t stand the thought of losing Zan the way I did not so long ago. Or almost did.”

“I understand,” Mac said softly, taking her hands. “I almost lost Kalen like that, too, more than once now. Peace?”

“Yeah.”

Dr. Mallory interrupted. “Nick, Kalen would like to see you now. He’s still on the mend, so make it short.”

“I will.” He turned to Calla. “Come with me?”

“Sure.”

Kalen was propped up in the bed when they walked in, looking awfully pale with his black hair falling around him. “Nick! How do I keep getting myself into these messes, eh?”

Her mate chuckled. “You’re a troublemaker—that’s how. Didn’t I tell you that the day we met?”

“Not in so many words, but you were right.” His grin banished some of the shadows. “So, did you and the guys catch that Jinn creep yet?”

Nick shook his head. “Not yet. We’ve got feelers out for him in the paranormal community. Now that Ivan’s dead and Jinn’s got no mission to perform, I’m not sure if that’ll make him easier or harder to track.”

Some of Kalen’s good mood faded. “Yeah. Sorry I couldn’t kill his ass. That f*cker’s a lot more powerful than I gave him credit for at first. He’s got more black magic in his little finger than I have in my whole body.”

“But your white magic saved you. Don’t forget that. Good always wins in the end.”

“Does it?” the Sorcerer asked.

“I hope so. That’s my story, anyway, and I’m sticking to it.”

Kalen gave a quiet laugh. “Sounds like one I can get behind. When I’m out of here, I’ll help you guys look for that bastard. I owe him, big-time.”

Nick leaned forward. “Did he say why he was pinning you under the water like that? Did he know you’d survive?”

“He said he was doing it because he could,” Kalen said thoughtfully. “As for whether he knew my staff would protect me, I can’t say. But I would think a powerful creature like him would know that.”

“Which means he could’ve been toying with you.”

An idea struck Calla. “I think he left Kalen like that as a message to all of us. He could’ve killed him and chose not to, this time. But he can get to us anytime he wants.”

Those words brought the memory rushing back again—Nick’s vision of Noah being kidnapped by Jinn. Why would the creature want Noah? How would Nix’s mate fall into that horrible creature’s clutches? His gut churned at this possible future threat, but he put that aside to deal with later. Somehow, he managed to keep the vision to himself.