The fury slithering through Vlad left him hovering on the edge of control. He wanted to hurt Xander, beating on him until the stubborn male understood the truth about their mate. It would do no good, though. The deed was done.
“Answer me.” Vlad flexed his hands. “How is Gwen going to feel?”
“Relieved.”
“How do you figure that?” Because he didn’t know how she would be. Her connection to Vlad hadn’t been severed. Despite the anger he felt, his wolves remained quiet. If anything, they watched Xander with curiosity.
Xander lifted a still-unconscious Gwen into his arms, then faced Vlad. “If I’d soul-bonded with her, she’d know every wrong I’ve committed against her. She’d hate me and resent me for forcing her into an eternal bond.” He motioned to her shoulder with a jerk of his chin. “This way, I’ll be able to earn her love before she learns the truth.”
Tension drained from Vlad’s muscles. There was still time to figure out how they were supposed to make this messed-up three-way bond work between them. “You didn’t take a piece of her soul.”
Xander lifted a brow, his haughty attitude in full force. “That is how a breeding bond works.”
Vlad swept his gaze over Gwen. The torn bloody shirt she wore left her upper chest exposed. Although no mark remained, the location of the blood on her skin hinted at the bullet’s entry point, the base of her throat. The truth became clear. The last of his rage slipped away.
“She couldn’t swallow your blood, could she? You had to do it.”
Xander rested his cheek against her head and closed her eyes. “I couldn’t take the chance of losing her and never finding my true mate’s soul again.”
“Now it’s our last chance with her.”
Xander held his gaze for a long moment. “Our?”
Vlad couldn’t decipher anything from Xander’s tone. He’d kept it neutral. Deliberately neutral, maybe? “Yes. Gwen is mine too, and we need to figure out a way to share her, because—”
“Vlad.” Gwen cut him off and stretched an arm to Vlad.
He met her gaze. Pain gave her eyes a hazed look, but it was the silent plea in her steady stare that urged him forward. He slid his palm against hers, and she curled her fingers around his hand.
They held each other’s gaze. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Hating you for loving Lena.”
He hadn’t been expecting that. “She wasn’t my true mate. You—”
“I told Gwen about Lena and Devin, how they’re mated and happy now.” Xander once again cut off Vlad before he could tell Gwen the truth. Probably a good thing. He didn’t have any solution to their unusual problem yet. Unlike the only other ménage bond in the shifter world, he and Xander weren’t gay, nor did they love each other.
“And my brother’s mate will be happy to finally hold her sister in her arms.” Dante walked into the cabin, sweeping his gaze over everything before focusing on Vlad and Gwen’s twined hands. “But if we don’t leave soon, we’ll be stuck here another couple of days. And with all due respect, I don’t want to be around two stubborn wolves as they fight over the same woman. Been there. Done that. Twice. And watched the poor girl die both times. I’d rather not make it a third. I’ve gotten emotional in my old age. I might even cry this time.”
Gwen gasped and tugged her hand from Vlad’s. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” Xander’s raised voice echoed in the room. He turned his head and glared at the Royal feline. “And if Dante knows what’s best for him, he’ll shut his mouth.”
Dante smirked. “Don’t use your alpha stare or tone on me. Won’t work. I’m a lone cat, remember? I don’t answer to anyone.”
“But you’ll cry if I die a third time.” Gwen met Dante’s gaze. “Won’t you?”
“He never said you.” Vlad knew she was exactly whom Dante was referring to, but they didn’t need to get into this in front of the silent witness who’d watched the tragedies of their past unfold.
“Lena knows you’ve been found. She’s waiting for you,” Dante said.
“I asked you a question.” Gwen’s demand was delivered smoothly without raising her voice, but the directness in tone left no room for mistake. She wasn’t backing down.
A small smile tugged at Vlad’s lips. He fought it. Gwen might take it the wrong way if she saw it, but his pride grew with each moment he spent with her. It also left him questioning why she’d finally let her assertive side show. She’d never done so in his presence before. Her meekness had stopped him from approaching her.
“And I’m choosing not to answer it.” Dante motioned to her. “You’re still healing. You don’t need to deal with any other stuff right now.”
“I feel fine. Xander saved me.”
Dante snorted and strode forward. He held his arms out and glanced at Xander. “May I?”
Xander glared at Dante, then handed Gwen over without a word. Xander’s trust in Dante and his brother Devin was unbreakable. Too bad Xander didn’t feel the same for Vlad. Maybe if they’d talked years ago, they would’ve worked things out. Or not. Social norms would’ve made a ménage incredibly difficult then. Actually, they still would. Shifter culture didn’t advance easily.
Cradled against Dante’s chest, Gwen appeared fragile and small. The feline shifter stood two or three inches taller than both Vlad and Xander and carried more muscle. With his short black hair and black eyes, he looked daunting. The dangerous vibe he usually gave off added to the effect. There was no hint of the killer he could become in this moment, however. He brushed Gwen’s blood-soaked hair from her shoulder exposing Xander’s bite, then tapped a single finger to the base of her neck.
“The bullet entered here, little sister. Do you know what would’ve been in its direct path?”
“Yes.” Gwen lowered her voice. “I know.”
Dante leaned closer, forcing Gwen to meet his gaze. “Tell me. Just so we’re clear on the facts.”
“My trachea.”
“What else? ’Cause at the distance you were shot, that bullet would’ve been moving fast, and this delicate neck of yours doesn’t have much to stop it.”
“My spine.”
“What did they teach you about spinal injuries in that fancy school you went to in order to become a nurse?”
“That they can cause paralysis or—”
Dante shifted his hold on Gwen and set her on her feet. Then released her. She gasped and crumbled, her legs giving out. Both Vlad and Xander rushed forward, but she never hit the ground. Dante caught her with an arm around her waist.
“Xander might’ve stopped you from dying this time and started the healing process, but you’re not fine. You won’t be fine for several hours at least. Maybe longer. So, don’t tell me you’re fine and don’t argue with me when I say you have enough to deal with. I’m the only male you’ll meet over the next several weeks who doesn’t have an agenda where you’re concerned. Got it?”
Gwen held Dante’s gaze and nodded. “Yes. I got it.”
“Good.” Dante lifted her and handed her over to Xander. “Then take what your mate can give you and grow a set of balls, little sister. You’re going to need them. The Winchester pack is about the most bloodthirsty group of immortal assholes I’ve ever met.” He chuckled. “That’s why I hang out with them. Makes me feel like I’m among family.”
As much as Vlad hated to admit, that about summed up his birth pack.