“It’s going to be a long night, and I apologize, but you guys will be stationed around the outside of the house. Anyone else who feels up to it is more than welcome to join them. The more eyes and ears, the better.” I look between the three enforcers standing there.
“Yes, Alpha.” Kody nods his head respectfully.
“What? No, I’m not…” I trail off. How can I deny being the alpha when I just commanded a room full of people? “Just let me know if you need more manpower out there. I’m sure we can find some volunteers to help you boys out.” I sigh, not knowing what else to say.
After the people file out of the room and all that remains are the Weylyns, I climb down from the coffee table and give Margot and Elias a sheepish look. “I’m sorry I offered up your house.” I bite my lip. “I didn’t know what else to do, and it’s the only plan I could come up with. Oh, and I’m sorry I stood on your furniture, Margot.”
“It’s a good plan, Pruitt,” Elias says. “You were a natural up there.”
“I’m also sorry I undermined your authority, I just couldn’t allow anything else to happen to one of them,” I tell him.
“How can I be mad when you’re doing what you were destined to do.” Elias gives me a reassuring smile. “They’re your pack, you’re their alpha.”
“I don’t think I’m ready.” I still haven’t been able to shift, and with this whole Nicolai situation, I may never get the chance to be their alpha.
I look over at Margot since she’s been silent the whole time. The second we make eye contact, her eyes fill with tears and drip down her face.
“Margot, I’m sorry.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. I feel her shoulders shake as she cries against me.
“I keep thinking about what he might be doing to her,” she sobs. “She’s my little girl, and she’s probably so scared.”
“We’ll figure something out. I promise we’ll get her back,” I say as I pull away from Margot. I watch as Elias pulls his mate into his side and holds her close. I can see her visibly calm being close to her mate, something I’ve personally experienced with Ryker.
I turn and look at him. He’s been standing silently across the room, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time. I can always feel his presence through the pack link when he’s close. I felt alone a lot growing up, and now I’m never alone.
“Come here,” he says, reaching out through the link. I feel his mind brush up against mine, causing me to shutter as chills shoot down my spine.
I cross the room and lean against the wall that he’s next too. He reaches over and interlocks our fingers before bringing our joined hands up to his mouth and placing a soft kiss to the back of mine.
“It was amazing to see you take charge like that. You’re a natural leader.” His voice is quiet as he speaks. “I knew you would be.”
“I’m still not ready to be alpha.” I shake my head. “We need to get Remi back before I can even consider leading the pack.”
“Remi is strong.” Ryker’s thumb starts to move back and forth over my knuckles. “Almost as strong as you are.”
“At least she’s able to shift.”
“She won’t be able to if Nicolai puts a silver collar or cuffs on her.”
“Wait!” I jerk back. “Silver actually affects wolf shifters? Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“Sorry, I thought you knew.” He shrugs. “Silver makes us weak. It won’t kill us, but it’ll make us just weak enough we can’t shift.”
Something dawns on me, and I stifle a laugh with my other hand.
“What?” Ryker asks.
“I remembered I got Remington a pair of antique silver earrings for her birthday.” I laugh. “And now I know why she never wears them.”
“I’m sure she appreciated the thought.” He smiles. “But I’m also sure she laughed her ass off later when you weren’t there.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she did too.” I crinkle my nose.
My phone ringing cuts through the room, and I pull it out of my back pocket. The smile that was on my face disappears when is see the caller ID picture on my phone screen. It’s of Remi making a funny face at the camera while wearing reindeer antlers on her head in a Christmas onesie. I had taken the picture this past Christmas Eve when she came over to exchange gifts.
I accept the call and hit the speaker option so fast I almost drop the phone.
“Remington?” I croak as I look at Ryker.
Everyone in the room heard me answer the phone, and they all come rushing over to me so they can listen to the call. The line is quiet for a second, but I hear breathing coming from the other side, so I know someone is there.
“Who is this?”
“Your friend is quite pretty,” the person on the other end of the phone answers. “She’s a pretty good fighter too. She took out one of my men before we could get her into the car.”
The world around me stills, and my blood runs cold with fear as I place the owner of the voice. It’s a voice that will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. Margot gasps, and her hand flies to her mouth to silence any other sounds of her distress.
“Nicolai,” I say with a sneer.
“Hello, Grey,” he purrs back. “I’m sorry it had to come to this. I truly thought I could be more patient and allow you to come to me. But as it turns out, I’m not. I’ve decided to give you a little—push.”
“Don’t hurt her,” I warn him. My voice is strong, despite the fact my whole body is shaking with fear.
“Well, Grey, that it is entirely up to you.” The tone of his voice
