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Happy as Arjun was that he and his mates had admitted their love for each other, it was hard to be happy at the moment. Even though they had saved most of the shifters that had been captured, they hadn’t found Jayden’s parents. Saber had left men to keep searching, but after they’d rescued so many, the humans would be stupid to hold on to anyone else.
That would either mean they’d been sold, or... Arjun wasn’t one to shy away from the possibility of death, but when he was sitting on his front porch with Tevin and Baz as they explained the situation to Jayden, Arjun couldn’t bring himself to even contemplate that the man’s parents might be dead.
“Saber’s men are still looking,” Baz told him. “And Arjun, Tevin and I will be heading back to Africa to help.”
Jayden’s eyes widened in surprise. “You are? But isn’t that dangerous?”
It was. Out of the two hundred men Arjun and his mates had battled against, thirty died. That left one hundred and seventy left to create more havoc. Although, thanks to Hudson and Baz as well as several others, it would take time for the humans to heal from their injuries, assuming they would ever really recover.
But the other camps hadn’t been as badly hurt. Sure, some had suffered when they’d tripped Arjun’s booby traps, but most of those were minor injuries and the humans would heal quickly enough. Although, with any luck, some of them would think twice before going after more shifters.
After Baz had admitted he wanted to go back to Africa and help find a way for shifters to live in peace, Tevin and Arjun had quickly agreed to go with him. It would mean leaving Miracle, at least for now, but if they could help shifters find even a modicum of peace, they felt it was worth it.
Putting his hand on Jayden’s arm, Arjun made him a promise. “We won’t stop looking for your parents. I swear it.”
The young man nodded but he didn’t appear to believe his parents would ever be seen again. “Thank you. I appreciate that. After talking to Iniko, as well as Yosi and his mate Kylo, I’ve decided to move to Salvation. There are a few others who will be going with me. We just don’t feel safe any longer.”
That was why Arjun and his mates were going to Africa. It wasn’t right that shifters were being threatened. They already had enough infighting amongst packs to make life hard. The last thing they needed was to have humans hunting them, too.
“That’s a good decision,” Tevin told Jayden. “Salvation will help you heal.”
But Jayden shook his head. “I’m not sure that will ever happen. But I’m just not strong enough to live with the constant fear.” A tear leaked from his left eye and traveled down his cheek. “My parents would be disappointed in me.”
Baz pulled Jayden to his feet and pulled him into a hug. “No, they wouldn’t. They would be proud that you are doing what is right for you. Never doubt that. They loved you, Jayden.”
A few minutes later Jayden left and Arjun went into his mates’ arms as they all comforted each other. So many shifters had died. Many others were being sold for god knew what.
“What is the world coming to?” Arjun whispered.
“I wish I knew,” Baz whispered hoarsely. “I mean, what is the point of any of this?”
It was Tevin who kissed each of their cheeks and then gave them each a smile. “This is what life is about, my loves. We fight so we can meet who we are meant to love.” Those brown eyes flicked to Baz. “I’m just glad we found you.”
Arjun leaned in and kissed Tevin, then Baz. “He’s right. Before you we were floundering. Now, with you by our side, we’re strengthening our bonds.”
The three of them leaned in and kissed. It still was a bit awkward, but they were learning to make it work.