It’s not long before wolves surround the cabin from our pack, including my brother and sister. The second Bailey sees me, she rushes over and pulls me into her arms. She’s a little older than me, but we look exactly alike with our whitish-blonde hair and blue eyes. Most arctic wolves have the same traits, just like gray wolves and reds. The reds are easy to pick out because their hair usually ranges from deep auburn to strawberry blonde.
Bailey holds me tight. “I can’t believe this is happening to you.”
“You went through something similar.” And she did, only it was her mate’s brother who tried to steal her away. Killian didn’t use force or hurt me to make me go with him.
Bailey lets me go and cups my cheeks. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Who’s watching over my nephew right now?”
She smiles. “Asher’s with Tyla, Sebastian, and little Brooke.”
Ryker finishes talking to Micah, and they head straight over to us. He stands protectively next to Bailey, just like a mate would. “Tell us everything.”
“I will, but how did you know something was wrong?”
A car pulls down the driveway, and it’s Cedric and Laila. Ryker nods at them and sighs. “Laila’s the one who felt the magic and said it wasn’t good. Cedric called, and we got everyone together.”
With a hand protectively over her baby bump, Laila hurries over to us. “I thought the worst when I felt the magic,” she sobs, flinging her arms around my neck.
“I’m okay,” I assure her. “You don’t need to cry.”
“It’s the hormones,” Cedric adds. “She cries over stupid ass commercials too.”
Laila lets me go and glares at him. “That’s not the reason why I’m upset. I know the kind of wolves who were here. I’m surprised things didn’t go worse than what they did.”
Eyes wide, I stare at her. “There were three unmated alphas, but the main one was Killian. Do you know him?”
She hangs her head and sighs. “Yep.” She meets my eyes. “I recognized his witch’s essence. His name is Killian Vilkas and the witch is Tia Bishop. She comes from a long line of witches with powerful magic. I met her a few years ago when Killian brought her with him to visit us. When I felt her magic, I knew something bad was about to happen. It’s a good thing we live close by, otherwise I wouldn’t have sensed her.”
“Who is this Killian Vilkas?” Cedric asks, his voice a low growl. I’d like to know the same thing.
Everyone turns to Laila, and she looks at us all. “Killian Vilkas is the alpha of the Blue River pack on the northeastern side of Canada. He owns the town of Baker’s Ridge.” My family is from Canada, but we always stayed on the northwestern side.
My sister looks up at Ryker. “Have you heard of him?”
Ryker shakes his head. “No.”
“Which isn’t shocking,” Laila adds. “Killian liked to keep a low profile. With Tia by his side, he can do anything he wants. He’s not the in-your-face kind of guy like my brother, which I think makes him more dangerous; a silent killer.”
Colin crosses his arms over his chest. “And now he wants my sister.”
Micah scoffs. “So do a thousand others from what we heard. We’ll be overrun here if more wolves show up. It’ll be a bloody mess.”
Laila holds up a hand, her brows furrowed in concentration. “What I don’t get is why Killian had two other alphas with him, especially if they’re interested in Faith too. When he’d come around the Sierras, it was always because he needed something. The man is worth a ton of money.”
“What are you thinking?” I ask her.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. The last time he visited my old pack, a couple of our men left with him and never returned. Nothing was ever mentioned.” That’s very strange. Wolves are generally loyal to their packs.
Colin stands next to Micah. “I think we should hunt the fuckers down instead of waiting for them to come back. Laila could use her magic to help us find them.” Micah agrees with a nod.
Cedric shakes his head, but Laila grabs his arm. “I’ll do anything to keep Faith safe. For now, she has to stay with us until things get settled. We’re the only ones who can protect her. With those of us who are fully mated, our power exceeds Tia’s. She won’t be able to take us out like she did Micah and Amelie, even if Micah is a royal.”
I happen to glance over at Micah, and her words hit him hard by the despair on his face. It breaks my heart. For the first time in his life, he can’t protect me.
“What about Amelie?” I say. “I can’t leave her alone.”
Amelie snorts behind me. “Those dumb ass wolves don’t want me, Faith. I’ll be fine by myself.”
I glare at her over my shoulder. “Either you come with me willingly, or I’ll make you.”
Amelie throws her hands up in the air. “Fine. I’ll go. I just don’t want to be a burden.”
Laila smiles sadly at her. They were good friends long before either of them knew me. “You’re never a burden, Amelie. It’ll be like old times having you both stay with me.”
Cedric comes up behind her and squeezes her shoulders. “Maybe now you can have the girls watch your Hallmark movies with you instead of torturing me with them.”
She smacks his hand. “You know you like them just as much as I do.”
They banter back and forth while Micah takes my hands. “I am so sorry, Faith. I wish you knew how much it kills me I couldn’t be there for you.”
I squeeze his hands. “It’s okay. We’re going to get this figured out. I think you would’ve been proud of me. I told them I wasn’t going down without a fight. And believe me, I was ready.”
“It shouldn’t be like that. They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
Shaking my head, I lower my voice. “That’s what’s surprised me. Killian didn’t hurt me at all, even when I attacked him. He did say he’ll be back.”
Micah’s jaw clenches. “I have no doubt. Just stay close to Laila.”
Staying close to Laila puts her and her baby in danger. There has to be another way. I need to figure it out and fast.