Page 21 of The Night Burning
He nodded. “Dixon was found.”
I blinked. “What? Where?”
“In Calgary. We’re leaving tonight. Hopefully, we’ll arrive there by tomorrow morning.”
I stepped back from him. “Okay, I need to get my things and—“
“Raika,” Shane started. “I want to ask you to stay.” I stared at him, at a loss for words. “I want you to come. I know you want to come, but—”
I lifted a finger. “Don’t give me the it’s-too-dangerous bullshit.”
“No, it’s not that. I swear.” He raised both his hands, palms out. “I think you’re more than capable of protecting yourself and kicking some ass, but that’s not it. I want you to stay to watch over Minsi, Tyren, and the rest of the pack.” That … wasn’t what I was expecting. “There’s no one I trust more than you, and I know you care about this pack even more than I do. If something happens to me—”
“Don’t go there.”
“We don’t know how this will go or how long it’ll take. Dom is coming with me. Vallin is staying, and I know he’ll keep an eye on everyone, but it’s not the same. If you stay, I know our pack will be fine. And if something happens to me, you can reveal what you are to me and help Tyren become the next alpha. You can help him lead the pack until he’s mature enough.”
I shook my head and took a step back. “We’re so not having this conversation.”
Shane reached for me. He took my hand in his. “I’m asking you as your mate to stay and watch over my siblings and our pack.”
My chest hurt. Why was he doing this to me? I would rather he had treated this like a quick pick-up service. As if he was going into the nearest town to retrieve the stuff we had bought and would be back soon.
But here he was, taking this thing to a whole new level. Because he wasn’t going on a pick-up run, he was going after a demon who had helped Conri while we were his slaves. A demon who could have used the crystals to make him stronger, who could have allies out there, who could give us a run for our money.
I hated this. But I understood Shane’s position. As alpha, he had to think of more, of all of us. He had to think about the future. I blew out a breath. “All right. I’ll stay. But with one condition. You keep me informed. I want a text every two minutes.”
A half smile tugged at his lips. “I promise.” He pulled me back to him and I didn’t resist it. My body molded to his and a pang cut through my chest. I didn’t want him to go, but I knew he had to. “We’re leaving tonight and I’m not sure I’ll be able to sneak to see you again before that.”
He would probably be surrounded by his betas and the other wolves and vampires who would accompany him, and most of them didn’t know about us.
“Just … be careful. Please.”
He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I will.”
* * *
Shaneand the others left early in the evening. I didn’t see him again, but he sent me a text to let me know.
After taking a shower, I packed a small bag and went to his house.
It was eight in the evening when I made my way to Shane’s house, and it was still bright outside. I knew this was normal for this time of the year, but we weren’t used to this.
A few clouds dotted the sky and a breeze blew a little chillier than before. The change in temperature since the barrier went down was jarring. I couldn’t imagine how it would be when winter arrived.
Hopefully, Shane would come back tomorrow with the crystals and the barrier would come back, protecting us once again.
I was enjoying my quiet walk, until of course, it wasn't quiet anymore.
Serge’s house was on the way and he was on the porch with his friends, drinking beer and playing cards.
The moment he saw me, he stood and leaned over the porch rails. “Are you going to the alpha’s house to work, whore? Isn’t it too early for you? Oh wait, he isn’t here, is he?”
“Tyren is there, though,” Buck said, his words lost between laughter.
Serge guffawed. “Right! The whore will work tonight after all.”
Ew. My stomach knotted. Tyren was fifteen, by the moon. They didn’t even respect the alpha’s younger brother? They were disgusting.