Page 76 of Alpha Hunt

Jagger’s expression grows rueful. “Guess not.” His lips pinch together. “Maybe we should have stuck together. We went into Sweetwaters, but we couldn’t find anything. What happened out there?” His eyes flit past me as the other wolves file in. He goes tense and bristles.

I meet his gaze, a flicker of vindication sparking within me. “I followed my instincts,” I say, my chin lifting slightly. “I knew something was wrong. I found them at the conservancy, locked up in cages.”

Jagger shakes his head, a mixture of admiration and frustration in his eyes. “You should have waited for us.”

“There wasn’t time,” I counter, my voice firm. “They needed me. I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.”

As the others surround us, their questions filling the air, I feel a sense of pride swell within me. They should have had faith in me. They should have trusted that I knew what I was doing. I keep my thoughts to myself, though. I’m too happy to be back here with my mate at my side to waste time acting like a spoiled kid.

There’s a sudden shout from nearby. A commotion. The people around us move as if they’re being pushed aside.

“It’s them! Savvie, it’s them!” Sierra calls out as she shoves her way to us.

Sierra and Savannah come rushing toward us, their faces alight with joy and disbelief. Tears stream down their cheeks as they race toward the wolves, their hands outstretched.

“Mama! Pops!” Savannah cries, her voice breaking with emotion as she brushes past me as if I didn’t exist. She drops to her knees in front of a sleek black wolf, burying her face in its fur. The wolf nuzzles her, making low whining sounds.

Savannah is right behind her, throwing her arms around a tawny wolf’s neck. “Oh my God, it’s really you,” she sobs, her shoulders shaking. “We thought we’d lost you forever.”

I watch in amazement as the sisters reunite with their family, their joy so overwhelming that I get choked up despite my best efforts to remain unmoved. The wolves press close, licking the twins’ faces and whining softly, their tails wagging furiously. I feel a lump form in my throat.

Dammit, I’m not usually one for sentimentality, but even I can’t deny the power of this moment. It stirs up memories of my own lost family that I hastily shove back down, rapidly blinking tears away.

“They’re from Wildview,” Sierra explains, her voice thick with tears, as she looks up at me with her arms around a heavily furred neck. “Our family,” she buries her face in the fur for a second before looking at me again. “You brought them back.”

I nod silently, my heart swelling with joy for them. I know how it feels to lose your pack, to have that aching hole in your heart. I may never get mine back again, but seeing them like this… I heave a happy sigh.

Beside Sierra, Jagger is hovering, his eyes tender as he looks at his weeping mate. “I guess I owe you, Stone.” He meets my eye as he runs a hand down Sierra’s back. “And I’m thinking we have a lot to catch up on.” He gently draws Sierra to her feet. “We should get them to the clinic, my love. Get them checked out. I’m sure they’ve been through hell.”

Sierra nods, still stroking her father’s pelt. She seems dumbfounded. So does Savannah. The pair fall into step beside the huddle of wolves as Jagger leads the way down to Dr. Bea’s domain. Edirn and I trail behind as the rest of the group falls away. I’m sure there’ll be time for questions later once the excitement has died down.

“Jagger Law!” Dr. Bea’s greeting is warm as she opens the door to us. The scent of disinfectant reaches my nose as we walk into the little medical suite. Except here, it’s not offensive, as it was at the labs at the sanctuary. This is a place of healing. “I see you’ve brought some new guests for me.” She smiles around us. The rescued wolves are bunched together, their eyes wary as they take in their new surroundings.

“Long story,” Jagger says, looking at me. “But we figured a visit would be in order.”

“Can never be too careful,” the doctor nods.

Jagger turns to the dark wolf, who Sierra identified as her father. “Sir, if you could shift back to your human form, we can get you checked out properly.”

There’s no response.

Jagger clears his throat. “Could you shift back for us, please? There’s a lot to discuss.”

I know it’s not going to happen. We tried more than once on the trip back here.

“Sir!” Jagger’s voice sharpens. Sierra makes a sound of alarm.

I step forward quickly, putting a hand on Jagger’s arm. “Wait,” I say, my voice low and urgent. “I don’t know if theycanshift.”

Jagger frowns. “What do you mean?”

Dr. Bea looks at me curiously. “Can’t shift?”

I glance at the wolves, their postures tense and uneasy. “When I found them, they were all in their wolf forms. Locked up in cages.” I swallow hard, the memory of those cramped enclosures making my stomach flip. “I don’t think they’ve been able to shift for a while.”

The twins exchange shocked looks.

“That’s impossible,” Jagger says, shaking his head. “Shifters can’t be forced to stay in their wolf form. It’s not natural.”