“Yeah, I guess Nero told her this is where Sebastian found me the first time.”
“Have you seen her?” There was no more smile in his voice. He sounded ready to jump through the phone and drag me home. Sadly part of me almost wished he could.
“I’m tailing her with the Jeep right now.”
“What?”
I had to hold the phone away from my ear for a second while he erupted in the speaker. When he quieted I brought the phone back to my ear. “Listen, as long as I know where she is then she can’t sneak up on me.”
He was quiet for a moment, then his voice was a growl. “If she turns around she’ll be on top of you, Lana. Please come back here, okay?”
“If she turns around I’ll call 911 while I’m hauling ass to the cops. I’m pretty sure Nero wouldn’t want her to drag them into the headlines.” My brow furrowed. “Besides, if I go to the barn your Pack won’t be happy either. In fact, there’s a good chance Aren would love to lead the lynch mob.”
“I would never let them hurt you. Please turn around and meet me somewhere. Just tell me where.”
“I can’t, Adam.”
“No one will know,” he said. “Luke’s already working the horses and Aren’s sleeping.”
“It’s not that. I have to know where she is.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “Why?”
“Because she’s going to try to kill you tonight after you change.” It was very quiet. “Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“I’d like to see her try.”
I pressed the accelerator to pass an eighteen-wheeler, keeping Sasha’s car in my line of vision. “You may be strong when you’re a werewolf, but you told me yourself that you can get killed by a truck or a bullet just like any other wolf, remember?”
“I know, but we’ll rip her throat out before she gets a shot off.”
I sighed. “Only if you see her first. I’ll call you back soon.”
I closed my phone and took a deep breath. Surely Adam didn’t think he could beat a bullet. I knew his senses were heightened when he was a wolf, and maybe he figured they’d catch her scent before she ever saw them. I didn’t know if he could, but I wasn’t going to risk it.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Fuck!” I grumbled when Lana hung up. She was putting herself in harm’s way, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it. I jammed my phone in my pocket and went back inside to wake Aren.
He stirred before I could make a sound. “What’s wrong?”
“Sasha’s in town.”
“Already?” He glanced down at his splinted ankle. “I have a few things I’d like to say to her.” He met my eyes with a cold smile. “But this time I’ll be sure I separate her from her Taser.”
“This isn’t about getting even. Lana overheard her saying she was going to kill me tonight after we change.”
Aren grunted. “I’d like to see her try.”
“That’s what I said.” I shook my head. “She’d never be able to sneak up on us during a full moon. But we need to warn Malcolm either way.”
Aren’s eyes cut back up to meet mine. “So you’re going to tell him?”
I shrugged. “I think so. He needs to know about Sasha and Sebastian. I’ll have him come by early tonight, before sunset.”
“But you’re still not going to come clean about your girlfriend.” He shook his head. “I’m supposed to keep quiet about it too?”
I nodded. “No sense worrying Malcolm when he’s already got two jaguars on the move.”
“I won’t lie for you, Adam.”
“I’m not asking you to lie. I’m just asking you not to bring it up.”
His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. “Very fine line there.”
“I know. I’m sorry it has to be like this.” I walked over and pulled a chair over by the couch where Aren was lying with his leg propped up. “I wish you could be happy for me.” I could see his hackles rise, but I went on before he could interrupt. “I realize that’s impossible for you right now. What I mean is you’re my brother, my best friend. It sucks that I’m finally in love, and you’re not happy for me. For the first time in my life, I can see my future. Do you understand how amazing she makes me feel? But I can’t share any of it with you. I can’t share it with anyone.”
Aren pulled himself up so he was almost sitting up straight. “You’ve always been a player, Adam. The entire Pack knows that. And I know Dad’s been putting the screws to you to find your mate. He wants grandchildren and a new generation to keep our Pack strong.”
I chuckled and looked over at my brother. “So you got his settle-down-and-have-babies lecture too?”
Aren smiled a little and nodded. “Yeah, but you’re the oldest so I’m pretty sure I’m safe until you get tied down and give the Pack a new pair of pups.”
I sighed and got up. My life was never going to turn out the way I thought it would, or the way my family, or my Pack wanted it. I was leaving with Lana in the morning. Who knew when we would be back? We’d have to keep moving. Lana was the missing key to Nero’s need for jaguar females who wouldn’t need to be bitten. They could raise them like their own breeding stock. The thought sickened me.
With my back to my brother, I stared out the window at the barn I’d built, filled with horses I’d trained and many that I loved. I was about to lose it all.
“You really think Lana is your mate.”
The sound of Aren’s voice jarred me from my thoughts. I nodded but I didn’t turn around. It would piss me off to see his face cringe like she was some kind of disease.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass to her.”
Now that got my attention. My brow furrowed as I turned to face him. “You’re apologizing?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up a notch. “It’s not like I never apologize.”
“I never expected it over a jaguar.”
He shook his head. “She’s not just a jaguar. She’s your mate.” He lowered his voice and added, “She risked her ass to save my life.” A smile toyed at the corner of his mouth. “I still think you’re insane.”
I grinned. “They say love makes you nuts, right?”
He tilted his head a little. “You may have been a little crazy before Lana anyway.”
“Careful. I’ll still dump you off that sofa, hurt ankle and all,” I teased. Then I walked over and embraced my brother. “Thanks, Aren,” I whispered as I clapped his back. When I pulled back, his gaze met mine and my heart felt heavy in my chest. It would’ve been so much easier to leave him behind if I was pissed at him.
“I’ve always got your back,” he said. “Sorry I forgot that for a while. I just didn’t want to see you get yourself killed.”
“We’re not out of the woods yet. I better call Malcolm.”
Aren nodded. “Tell Dad I’m feeling better.”
“Will do.” I walked out toward the kitchen, clenching my jaw to hold back the twisted emotions churning inside of me.
Chapter Thirty-Five
