“Jeremy, did you find something?”Mercy answered.With shifter hearing, Quinn didn’t have trouble listening in.
“Hey, Sis.No, we’re still at the campground.I just wanted to let you know Blake is headed back to Arkansas.”
“That’s probably a good thing.Quinn’s threatened to rip his throat out.”
“Nowthatwould be a good thing.I fucking hate that prick.”
Quinn was surprised at the loathing in Jeremy’s voice.She wondered how bad of an Alpha Blake was.Kyllian must have heard Jeremy’s response, too, because he glanced over at Quinn, his eyebrows dipping between his dark eyes.Her ma— Kyllian wasn’t classically handsome, but he was stunning in his own bad boy way.She’d always had a thing for ink, and Kyllian had plenty of it.
“We both do, but for now, we need to focus on Nikita.Once we find her, we can decide what happens next.”
“Yeah.I’m gonna shift and go for a run.”
“Claws down, head up,” Mercy said before disconnecting.That phrase sparked a memory, and Quinn shook her head trying to dispel it.
“You okay?”Kyllian asked.
“I’m fine.I was thinking about Blake giving up on the search,” Quinn lied.“But I did the same thing.”
“It’s not the same at all.You were just a kid on your own.”Kyllian rubbed his thumb back and forth across the top of her hand, soothing her frazzled nerves.And Quinn was nervous.What if Nikita didn’t believe Quinn’s truth?Kyllian didn’t push the conversation.Instead, he allowed Quinn to have time to think on what he said.Both he and her father said the same thing; she had been a kid back then.If only Quinn had been brave enough to share what happened with Trenton.Her dad understood packs and how they were run.It was possible he could have helped her get her daughter back.But hindsight and all that, she hadn’t shared with him, so now she would have to see things through on her own.
No.You have a mate to help.
He’s not our mate.
Not yet.
The sun had set by the time they pulled into the campground.Three Harleys were parked beside a couple cars, and Quinn counted six men.She recognized Jeremy and Scott from the Ozark pack.The other wolf was a stranger.The three males wearing biker gear were the ones Kyllian called.As they stepped out of the rental, one of the bikers jogged up to Kyllian, and that’s when Quinn lost it.The shift was quick, and her large beast stood between Kyllian and the stranger.
Kyllian knelt beside Quinn, resting his hand on her scruff.“It’s okay, Quinn.No one here is going to hurt you.I won’t let them.You’re safe, Pretty Lady.”Quinn’s copper eyes met his as she released a low whine.“You’re safe, Baby,” he whispered.“I promise, you’re safe.”If she hadn’t shifted back, Kyllian could have voiced her, but his words must have reached her Wolf.Within seconds, Quinn was back in her skin.Kyllian stood and gripped her nape, gently squeezing.The gesture settled both her and her animal.
Quinn apologized.“Sorry about that.It’s been a while since I was around so many shifters.”
The biker she had tried to protect Kyllian from pointed at her.“How do you shift with your clothes intact?”
“Goddess magic,” Quinn explained.
“Well, it’s cool as fuck if not a little unfair.Now, is it safe to hug my uncle?”
Quinn stepped aside, her face heating.“Yes.My Wolf isn’t used to new people.”
The biker side-eyed her as he stepped up to Kyllian and wrapped him in a bear hug.
“Devil.”Kyllian’s voice was soft and fond.
“Kayos, it’s been too long, Uncle.”When Devil stepped back, one of the other’s took his place.Quinn figured him to be Devil’s brother, as they looked so similar.
“Hey, Joker.”As Kyllian hugged his relative, he asked, “How’s my sister?”
“Gramma’s great.She said to tell you she’ll beat your ass if you didn’t come see her what with you being so close.”If Quinn remembered correctly, Devil was Devon, who was married to Nora, and that made Joker their son, Jericho, even though he didn’t look that much younger.Kyllian’s sister Poppy was Devon’s mother.It made Quinn dizzy thinking about having ten siblings, all of whom had mates and kids.That was a bunch of Lazlos.
Joker stepped back and gestured to the third male.“Kayos, do you remember Storm?”
Kyllian reached out a fist, and Storm bumped knuckles.“Yeah.It’s been a few years.How are you?”
Storm kept an eye on Quinn as he responded with a hint of Texas twang, “If I was any better, I’d be twins.”
Kayos