Moon Touched (Zodiac Wolves: The Lost Pack #1)(74)
“We’ll find another way to get to the Leos,” I eventually said, when Kaden met my eyes in the rearview mirror briefly. He didn’t say anything. I didn’t know if he believed me or not, and I didn’t try to say anything else to convince him.
By the time we got back, it was already dawn. Some of the other shifters went home to get some sleep, while Stella and I followed Kaden into the house. Kaden disappeared into his room without another word, while Stella made a pot of coffee with a yawn. I stared at the sun, wondering if I should try to get more sleep, or accept that it was a lost cause.
"At least we got a nap in," Stella muttered, rubbing weariness from her eyes.
"I'm going to go take a shower," I said. "Maybe it will wake me up."
"Good idea. I'll get one after you."
I headed upstairs and popped into the shower. The warm water instantly helped perk me up, and I felt a lot better after washing my hair. Showers did such a good job of washing away all the shit from the previous day and giving a fresh start. That was exactly what I needed today.
I dropped the soap when an ear-piercing sound blared through the house. I covered my ears, glancing around, and then realized the sound was coming from the town. An alarm, blasting throughout the pack lands—warning us we were in danger.
It was so loud it made every hair on my body stand on end. I went into full panic mode, stopping just to grab a towel on the way out into the hall. I almost ran smack into Kaden, who was coming out of his room.
The second he saw me, he grabbed my arm. "Come on, we have to get out of here."
"What's happening?" I asked, as he practically carried me down the stairs.
“My wards along the pack lands are being broken. It should be impossible, but there’s no way I’m wrong about it. I can feel them being torn apart.”
“Is it the Leos?” I asked, as my panic rose to new heights.
"It must be. They must have been there all along and somehow followed us back.” His face darkened with barely-checked anger. “It should be impossible."
"Where are we going?" I asked, clutching my towel tight to keep it wrapped around my body. Kaden must have noticed because his eyes dropped to my exposed shoulders and then to my legs.
"Get dressed. We're going to the town square to prepare for battle."
I rolled my eyes. It was just like Kaden to drag me down here and then order me to run back up and get dressed. I barely even noticed my state of undress anymore, and I’d probably be in wolf form soon anyway. Back at the Convergence, I’d been so conscious of being naked, but now I was a lot more comfortable with it, after all the shifting I’d done. No one looked twice at someone who was nude and getting ready to shift. But I had a feeling Kaden wanted me dressed for him more than for me. Either he didn't want other guys looking at me, or he found me way too distracting without my clothes on.
I quickly dressed in some of my training clothes, then ran back downstairs. Kaden jerked his head to the door, and I was surprised he'd waited for me. There was no sign of Stella, so she must have already left.
Together we ran toward the center of town, while other shifters did the same, some already in wolf form. The park in the center was packed, much like it had been at my party, but this time there was no laughter and no music. Everyone looked scared, and no one seemed to know quite what was going on.
Kaden let out a howl that shook me to my very core, getting everyone's attention. Pack members drew closer to Kaden, looking up to him for answers. I spotted Stella in the crowd, her eyes wide.
“We’re under attack,” Kaden said, and a collective murmur went through the crowd. Kaden held his hand up and it stopped. “We’ve trained for this. You all know what to do. Warriors, take up defensive positions. Everyone else, head for one of the hidden shelters. Follow Clayton and Stella.”
Kaden put his hands on Stella's shoulders and they shared a look. He said something to her low, too low for me to make out among the commotion around me. Then Stella hugged her brother tight, before pulling away. She joined Clayton on the other side of the park, where some shifters were gathering, including all the children. I watched her go with a lump in my throat, praying they would all be safe, and then turned to join the fighters.
Kaden grabbed my arm. “Not so fast. You’re going with Stella."
I yanked my arm out from his grip. “No, I’m going to fight for my pack."
"They’re here for you,” he said, his brow furrowing. “But I won’t let them have you. You need to hide with Stella and the others."
"I thought I was bait?" I said with a short laugh. "Now you want me to hide? No way."
“Ayla, I don’t have time to argue with you." He took my face in his hands, gazing into my eyes. "I need you to hide, and I need you to go now. I care about you too much to lose you."
I gaped at him. “You—what?”
His mouth was on mine then, hot and rough, and he kissed me like he feared it might be the last time. I clung to his shoulders as I opened for him, wanting everything he would give me. His lips, his tongue, his hands. All of it, for as long as I could get it. Even if it was only a few seconds.
"I care about you too," I said, between rushed, frantic kisses. Neither one of us could seem to stop. "But I'm still going to fight. I won't let anyone die for me while I hide away."