Page 38 of Pack and Forth
“Rex!” Kira admonished. “You’ve had someone tailing me?”
He gave a sharp nod. “I knew this case was going to be trouble. I just didn’t realize there would also be trouble from our pack.”
“That girl? You think this was her?”
“No,” Nash replied. “This was different. Our people will confront you themselves if they have a problem.”
“Good to know,” she sighed.
“Don’t worry,” Rex vowed, his voice a low growl. “We’ll always protect you, no matter what.”
As the gravity of the situation sank in, Kira felt a mix of anger and vulnerability. She hated feeling like a target, hated needing to be rescued. But she couldn’t deny the depth of Rex and Nash’s commitment to her safety. It stirred something profound within her, intensifying the magnetic pull she already felt.
They took Kira to a fortified safe house deep in Blood Stone Pack territory. The cozy log cabin was nestled in a tranquil forest glade, its rustic charm belying the state-of-the-art security features Nash had installed.
Inside, Rex guided Kira to the plush sofa. They settled in on either side of her, their comforting presence easing the last threads of tension from her body.
“I wonder if this is the person we’re trying to catch. If it is, they must be getting desperate to make such a brazen move against you,” Rex mused, his brow furrowed in thought. “This attack confirms we’re on the right track.”
“Definitely,” Nash agreed. “I’ll comb through traffic cam footage and see if I can ID the vehicle or attackers. We might be able to trace them back to our impersonator.”
Kira marveled at their tactical minds, grateful to have such capable partners. “I won’t let this scare me off the case,” she declared, her voice steely with resolve. “If anything, it just makes me more determined to bring down this jerk.”
“That’s our fierce lioness,” Rex praised, his eyes glinting with pride and admiration. He pulled her closer, nuzzling her hair. “But for now, you’re going to rest here where we can keep you safe. At least until we neutralize the immediate threat.”
Too wrung out to argue, Kira simply nodded and burrowed deeper into their embrace. There in the circle of their arms, she felt truly protected for the first time in her life. She’d never allowed herself to rely on anyone else, always determined to be strong and independent. But with Rex and Nash, it felt natural to let her walls down, to accept their care and support.
As the day wore on, they took turns watching over Kira, never leaving her alone for a moment. They kept the mood light with playful banter, swapping childhood stories and favorite movie quotes. Kira found herself laughing more than she had in ages, the easy camaraderie between them soothing her frayed nerves.
But in the quiet moments, Rex and Nash made sure to check in on her emotional state, encouraging her to open up about her fears and vulnerabilities. Kira found herself sharing things she’d never told anyone, not even Maggie. She talked about growing up as a rare lion shifter in a wolf-dominated world, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and her secret yearning for a place to truly belong.
Through it all, Rex and Nash listened with complete acceptance and understanding, offering comfort without judgment. They shared their own struggles and insecurities, the burdens of leadership, and the loneliness of an incomplete triad. Kira felt herself falling deeper and deeper, the intimacy between them strengthening with every whispered confession.
As twilight descended, Kira found herself sandwiched between her guys on the porch swing, watching the sun paint the sky in streaks of orange and pink. Rex draped a soft throw blanket over their laps while Nash handed out mugs of spiked hot cocoa, the perfect ward against the crisp autumn chill.
Warmed from the inside out, Kira snuggled into their solid frames and let out a contented sigh. “You know, despite the craziness of today, there’s nowhere I’d rather be,” she admitted softly.
“Good, because there’s nowhere we’d rather have you,” Nash affirmed, dropping a sweet kiss on her temple.
“You’re ours now, baby. And we protect what’s ours,” Rex added, his low rumble vibrating through her pleasantly.
Later that evening, Kira wandered into the kitchen to find Rex and Nash engaged in a heated debate over the best toppings for homemade pizza. She leaned against the doorframe, content to watch their playful dynamic.
“Blasphemy! Pineapple has no business being on pizza,” Rex argued, waving a sauce-laden spoon for emphasis.
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, Mr. Meat Lover’s Supreme,” Nash bantered back, flicking a pinch of flour at his alpha. “Sweet and savory is a revelation.”
“Revelation is where you get your taste buds from.”
“Okay, children, break it up,” she giggled, stepping into the fray. “There’s an easy solution here.”
Under Kira’s guidance, they compromised on a half-and-half pizza to satisfy everyone’s tastes. As they worked together to assemble the pie, the tiny kitchen felt filled to the brim with laughter and love. Kira thought her face might crack from smiling so hard.
Hours later, stuffed with pizza and drowsy from the excitement of the day, Kira was escorted to a cozy guest room. Rex and Nash lingered in the doorway, reluctant to leave her side.
“Sleep well, honey,” Nash murmured, brushing a stray curl from her face. “One of us will be right outside if you need anything.”
“Tonight just gave us a taste of what life could be like with you,” Rex said, his voice husky with emotion. “Having you here, taking care of you, laughing with you... It’s everything.”