Rindy and some of the other women at Sanctuary had come up with the brilliant idea of bottling the scent of other lycans. In this case, it had worked beautifully in covering their tracks. However, Brent was doubting Terrance’s story even more now. The pup was too nervous, too anxious to kill Galen.
Another problem had arisen as well. There was a potential mate in the area. He was sure Raze, Knox, and Lorent had detected her as well. If Terrance hadn’t, he soon would. Brent wasn’t comfortable with a rogue this close to a potential mate. And what did that say about Galen? Had he found the female? Was he truly what Terrance had claimed him to be? A rapist? A murderer? If so, the woman could be in serious trouble. But what if Galen was simply trying to protect her?
Brent couldn’t risk it. He knew they had to contain the situation as soon as possible. The fact that a potential mate could now be involved only intensified the need to act swiftly. Galen would be on high alert after catching the decoy scent they’d sent out tonight, which meant one of two things. If Galen had found the female and was protecting her, he’d run tonight—try to lure them away from her. If he’d found her and was what Terrance claimed him to be, he’d stay put and let them come to him. Then a bloody standoff would ensue.
“We have to go in tonight,” Brent said.
Knox, Raze, and Lorent nodded.
“We’re gonna kill him, right?” Terrance practically glowed like a four-year-old in a candy shop.
“We, as in you, aren’t going to do anything. You are staying back until after Knox, Raze, Lorent, and I get the situation under control.”
“No! I want to be in on killing the bastard after what he did to me—um, to that girl.”
Brent spun and pinned the pup to a tree by the throat. Terrance dangled about six inches from the ground.
“Listen up, and listen good, pup.” Brent had come to the end of his patience with Terrance. “You do exactly what I say, what any of us say, to the letter. If you don’t, there is going to be a serious problem. You get what I’m fucking saying?”
Brent didn’t miss the quick gleam of defiance that shined in Terrance’s eyes before he quickly nodded in agreement. Yep. This was going to get ugly. He could feel it in his bones. He dropped the pup to the ground before turning back to the others.
“This is how it’s going to go down.”
The others, minus Terrance, who skulked by the tree he’d been pinned against, gathered around him to listen.
Myka stared at Galen while they ate lunch. Patrick, oblivious to anything at the moment but eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hummed as he chewed a mouthful of the sticky concoction.
“I stripped the stalls down and lined them with fresh sawdust. The horses are in the pasture, and their food is already in the stalls for when they come back in tonight.”
She and Galen were eating toasted cheese. She’d offered to make Patrick one as well, but he’d insisted on the peanut butter.
“Thank you.”
The phone started ringing, and when she answered it, she heard Betty’s voice on the other end.
“Hi, Betty.”
“Leroy got here a bit earlier than expected. He’s looking forward to meeting Patrick.”
“Yes, Patrick is looking forward to meeting Leroy as well.”
“I can’t wait!” Patrick wiggled in his seat.
Myka laughed.
“I was wondering if you would mind if I drove out to pick him up now?”
“Oh? I suppose that would be okay.”
“If you’d rather wait until four, I’ll understand. Leroy is just so excited about meeting Patrick.”
“No, really, that is fine, Betty. I didn’t want you to have to make the drive, is all. Would you like for me to bring him?”
“No, dear. I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“We’ll see you then.”
“Bye-bye.”
“Bye, Betty.” Myka hung up the phone. “Looks like you get to leave earlier than expected, kiddo,” she said to Patrick.
“Really?” Patrick said giddily.
“Yep. Finish eating and go get your things together. Ms. Case will be here in an hour to pick you up.”
“Yay!” Patrick pumped his fist in the air. “Isn’t that awesome, Galen?”
Galen smiled and nodded, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Patrick gulped the rest of his sandwich down. “Can I go pack now?”
“Sure. Put your plate in the sink first. I’ll be there in a minute to help you.”
He hurriedly shoved the plate in the sink and skipped out of the room.
“You’ve been quiet today.” She took the last bite of her sandwich before pushing the plate away.
“Have a lot on my mind.” He watched her from under half-closed lids as he ate the rest of his sandwich.
“Would you like another?” She nodded toward his empty plate.
“I think four is enough.”
“I thought one was enough.” She laughed.
“You don’t require as much fuel as I do.”
“I guess that’s true.” Definitely true. He was at least two of her combined. “You want to talk about it?”
“No. It can wait until later.”
She nodded. A knot began forming in her stomach. Whatever he had to tell her, she wasn’t going to like. She had a good idea of what it was, but hoped she was wrong.
“I’ll take care of the dishes if you want to help Patrick,” Galen offered.
They both stood, reached for her plate at the same time, and their fingers met. He covered her hand with his and slowly drew her to him. She always felt tiny next to him, but his size was never intimidating to her. She assumed that wasn’t always the case for others who met Galen. He was a formidable man, and she suspected not many went out of their way to irritate him.
She tilted her head back to stare up at his strong jaw covered with dark stubble, then into those mesmerizing eyes she had grown quite fond of.
He dipped his head and kissed her. She moaned when he teased his tongue past her lips and inside her mouth. A low rumble echoed in his chest in answer. A growl that she was growing accustomed to. A growl that always had the same effect on her. Her skin heated as if she were suddenly standing next to a fire that had flared too hot. In a way, she had. Galen was that fire, and if she got too close, he’d burn her.
He lifted his head and stared down at her. Too late. Already too close. And that was when it hit her. She’d fallen in love with him. Logic told her it wasn’t possible. She hadn’t known him long enough, but apparently her heart had not gotten the memo. Great going, Myka. Now when he leaves, he’s going to take your heart with him.
“I’m going to go help Patrick now.” She edged away from him.
He nodded. “I’ll finish up here. Then I’m going to make some repairs on the paddocks. I’ll see you later.”
As she turned to walk away, Galen’s warm fingers encircled her arm and tugged her gently back to face him.
“I’m looking forward to holding you in my arms tonight.”
“I’m looking forward to that as well.”
It wasn’t until he let out a slow breath that she realized he’d been holding it. Had he been worried that she’d changed her mind? If she was smart, she would change her mind, but she’d never been in love before. She wanted to experience it for however long she could. After all, she may never get the chance to do so again.
He brought her hand up to his mouth, brushed his lips over the back of it, then stroked his thumb over her skin before releasing her.
Galen had gotten most of the boards on the paddocks replaced before the sound of a car pulling up the drive distracted him. He assumed it was Betty coming to pick up Patrick. As he made his way around the barn, Patrick ran out of the front door, toward the car, with a small overnight bag in one hand and his cowboy hat in the other. He changed course when he saw Galen and came to a screeching halt in front of him.