“It’s for the best. His wolf made him a murderer, and I’m glad that little son-of-a-bitch is dead. ”
Stunned, Marco exclaimed, “What are you talking about? How can you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true! You asked me yesterday how I came to be with Shawna’s pack. Well, it’s time you know the truth. I was never with Shawna’s pack, not really. I used them to get inside this compound. I’m Alpha of the Sapphire Valley Wolf Pack. My brother was the man Rory killed last year. ”
“Your brother! Your brother was the man who kidnapped Nicky?”
“Yes. He was wrong in what he did, I admit, but he didn’t deserve to die like that. Your people—Rory—killed him and left him on the side of the trail like garbage. Did you really expect he wouldn’t be avenged by his family?”
“Your brother kidnapped and would have raped my mate if we hadn’t caught him, and he was going to kill him!”
“Says who? You have no proof of anything more than he took him. The truth is your mate wasn’t harmed, not really, and you never waited to ask questions or talk to my brother. Rory attacked him before he could shift. He never had a chance, and you stood by and let it happen. ”
The two alphas stood and glared at each other for a long moment, both of their wolves close to the surface. They might even have shifted and fought it out right there in the hallway, except for a voice calling out behind them.
“Marco! Casey! What are you doing?” Nicky ran up beside Marco, and Marco instinctively pushed Nicky behind him, but he wouldn’t stay put. “Stop it right now, both of you. ” Nicky put a hand on both their chests, holding them apart. Casey was so shocked at the sensation of Nicky’s warm hand on his chest he jumped back out of the way. Nicky belonged to Marco, and universal pack law forbade him to touch another wolf’s mate or be touched by one unless they were family. It was one of the oldest laws. The thought that Aaron had broken that law when he took Nicky flashed through Casey’s mind. He ignored it, watching Marco pull Nicky roughly back from him, giving Casey a vicious look, even though it hadn’t been his fault.
“Nicky, get out of here and let me deal with him. ”
“You can’t, Marco. Think of Rory. They’re mated now. ”
The reminder made Marco back off a step, but the hatred and anger were still there.
Nicky worked to smooth the explosive situation. “I could hear the two of you yelling all the way outside, and so could half the compound. ” Nicky turned to Casey and spoke gently to him. “Casey, can I please see Rory? I know he’s your mate now, but I just want to see him. I promise I won’t get him upset. ”
Casey bit his lip in indecision, but Nicky stretched out a hand to him in supplication, careful not to touch him again. “Please, Casey. ”
“All right. But just you—not him!”
Nicky pushed back against Marco’s chest when he growled and would have charged Casey again and smiled up at Casey. “Thank you, Casey. Marco, please wait for me right here while I go check on him, okay? Please, darling. ”
Casey stepped back to allow Nicky inside. Nicky blew Marco a kiss as the door closed firmly in his face. He crossed over to the bed. Even sound asleep, Rory’s hands grasped for Casey, and he moaned his name.
“God, he’s pretty bad, isn’t he?” Nicky bent over and laid a hand on his forehead. “He’s burning up, Casey. Are you sure he’s okay?”
“I think so,” he said worriedly, putting a hand on Rory’s head and smoothing back his hair. “It’s not like I have a lot of experience in this either, you know. He woke up a little while ago, and he said he felt all right—just dizzy and tired. ”
“Yes, I remember I felt that way, too, after I fed. If he’s not out of this before tonight, you might call the doctor. ”
“I’ll think about it. ”
“I heard you and Marco shouting as I came inside. You said his wolf—died—inside him?” “Yeah, I’m pretty sure. That’s what it felt like. ”
“That may be why he has such a fever. The doctor—”
“I said I’d think about it. ”
Nicky nodded, not pushing anymore. “So his wolf really might be dead. Poor Rory. ”
“You don’t have to feel sorry for him
. He’s fine. He’s perfect now that murdering wolf of his is gone. I’ll take care of him. He’s mine and under my control. ”
“Nicky, get back out here!” A loud banging sounded on the door, and Marco’s voice came through, sounding anxious.
Nicky shrugged and grinned. “My master’s voice. ” Turning serious, he said, “Now that you have a mate maybe you’ll understand better how Marco felt when your brother took me and why Rory did what he did. ” He walked over to the door and opened it, stepping out and into Marco’s arms.
Casey was momentarily stunned at the idea of someone taking Rory like Aaron took Nicky, but he quickly put that disloyal thought out of his mind and refused to listen. He stepped out behind Nicky. “We’ll be leaving as soon as he’s able to travel,” Casey said, glaring at Marco.