“How far?” Jackson asked Bass. The two alphas seemed to have forgotten the base instincts telling them they were each other’s rivals. John had never seen them so close to one another or offering comfort in the form of a shoulder squeeze or pat on the back. While they’d given up hostilities a long time ago for Katalina, the pair hadn’t gone as far as becoming friends—there was only so much two primal beings could do to squash territorial instincts. But today, as the men stared at one another, it was as equals, as two men joined by the love of one woman, and the screaming vengeance howling in the hearts of their wolves.
“I’m not sure. She’s close to passing out. All I know is we have to go cross-country away from the road.”
“Well, lead the way, son. It’s time we got our girl back.”
Nodding his approval, Bass’s gaze took in the crowd. “I will never forget you followed me blindly into danger.” His soft words were spoken with a fierceness that shook John.
“She’s ours too,” John answered. A bright light that had pulled them all into the future even as she’d been weighed down by sorrow. Katalina was their new dawn, and they’d fight until the bloody end to get her back.
Bass smiled. “Even so, I appreciate you all.” His gaze purposely fell on several River Run wolves, before ending on Jackson’s. “It’s time we showed Castor what’s coming to him.”
Howls lifted into the air, singing across the nearly dark sky as the two packs became one and raced toward the unknown—their song one of strength, of vengeance, and love. Something Castor would never understand, and no matter the outcome of the battle, Castor would always be the loser. For he would never know the beauty that beat through the hearts of every member of Dark Shadow and River Run. He would never have loyalty and friendship as they’d had.
He would never be a true alpha wolf.
Chapter 42
Bass
The closer he got, the louder the static was in his head. It consumed him, drowning out his surroundings and the people by his side. It vibrated through his skin, took over his every function until he lived and breathed for one thing only: find Katalina.
He’d walk through a rain of bullets, face an army of one hundred alone. His fear of death was nothing compared to never setting eyes on the woman he loved again.
The bond between them grew weaker and weaker until it flickered out, and Bass knew Katalina had succumbed to her wounds and fallen unconscious. He was pleased in a way; at least she’d feel no pain there. But it also meant he was running out of time, and it left him no patience to lead the pack at his back.
They’d trekked across snow-covered fields, night falling fully around them, until they’d come across a small farmhouse, but it wasn’t the farmhouse Bass focused on in the distance, but the large barn with the warmth of light spilling from the odd broken board or two along its sides.
“She’s in there,” Bass whispered, near silently to Jackson on his right.
John appeared on his left. “I suggest we spread out and see what security Castor’s set up before going any closer.”
His second was an intelligent and ruthless wolf. Bass knew he should listen, but all he wanted to do was to race ahead.
I want you to promise me you’ll hold the packs together….
With Katalina’s words whispering through his mind, Bass gritted his teeth and turned to face his second in command. “Gather a small team. You’ll lead the recon.” Then he met the glowing wolf eyes of Jackson. “Send one team from each pack?”
“Agreed.” Jackson glanced back. “Cage?” Cage came forward. “You’ll lead River Run’s group.”
“Understood.” Cage nodded, then met John’s gaze. “I’ll take the right, you take left?”
The two nodded their approval and moved off to choose their men or women.
“I think we should move back until we know more,” Bass suggested. It was taking every ounce of his willpower to stay rooted to his spot, because if he strained his ears enough, he was sure he could hear the faint breathing of his mate. It was killing him being this close but not close enough.
Jackson took a moment to answer, his focus too on the faintly lit barn in the distance. “Yes, we should,” he said reluctantly, as if he wanted to charge headfirst into danger as much as Bass.
Clearing everyone back, the two teams prowled into the darkness, becoming invisible within moments.
“We made promises to Theo. Do you plan on keeping them?” Jackson murmured as they waited.
Glancing up at the other man, Bass thought of the people they’d taken in. Of the children whose parents could very well be inside the barn holding his heart hostage. He’d made promises, but no promise came above the safety of Katalina. He just didn’t have it in him.
“I don’t know, Jackson. If it comes between saving Kat or reuniting parents with children, I’m going to pick Katalina every time.”
“They might come to our side if they know Castor doesn’t have their children anymore,” he suggested.
Bass shrugged. “Yes, and if the opportunity arises to get the word out of
