Page 17 of His Treasured Mate

“Whatever. What's done is done.”

“How bad is it out there?” he asked as the others leaned in to hear more.

“Bad. Worst we've seen in a long time. A tree came down on me and took out a building. I honestly don't even know which. There is definitely some damage out there.”

They all froze and then started talking at once.

“Calm down,” I said, raising my hand and letting just a bit of my Alpha power flow across the room. “I don't know the extent of the damage, but it's definitely there.”

We talked for a bit, and then I announced I was leaving.

“No,” James said.

That was twice I'd been told no, and my wolf was already on edge from the storm, so I was not dealing well with it.

A growl erupted from me.

“Sorry, Thomas, but use your head. It's not safe out there,” he argued.

“I know better than anyone what it's like out there. And I also know I have to get back to my mate and pups. I know you guys can appreciate that.”

“We need those moles to add some tunnels between the shelters. This is ridiculous,” Clay argued.

“I'll be fine. And I'll radio in when I arrive back at shelter one safe and sound.”

It was clear that none of them liked it, but I also knew they weren't going to stop me.

“Oh, one more thing. Is everyone here accounted for?”

“Yes. Shelter two as well. The only ones missing from any of the bunkers were those three drunken idiots. Everyone else has checked in,” James assured me.

“Good.”

I said goodbye to the others. James walked me back out to the door. Along the way I had to stop and speak with a few people. They weren't quite as freaked out as I expected them to be. But there were certainly a few beginning to pace.

“Everything's going to be okay. No matter what. We are all accounted for and safe. This storm will pass and whatever happens out there, we will fix and rebuild as needed, coming back stronger than ever after this.”

A few people clapped and I waved as James and I continued on. No one stopped to question my presence, how I got there, or even where I was going.

“Don't you make me regret letting you do this,” he told me when we finallly reached the door at the top of the stairs.

I chuckled. “Don't recall ever needing your permission.”

“Maybe, but for the record, you have it anyway. Give Lil a hug for us. We'll see you soon.”

“Keep an eye on the radar. It's a big one, but it will pass, and soon this will just be a blink of time.”

We hugged for a moment then I opened the door. It flew back against the wind.

“You're sure about this?”

“I'm sure.”

Together, with me pushing and James pulling, we managed to close the door again.

The wind was even stronger. The thunder boomed. I could feel it in my bones. The lightning lit up the sky. I could see trees down everywhere. At least one truck was lying on its side. I couldn't even stop to allow myself to think about the animals. This was bad, really bad.

Stubbornly, I fought against the wind to return to my mate. I’d lost all track of time, but my focus was laser sharp as I kept my path straight.