Beautiful Moves (Shifting Steel Book 3)(57)

“He’s not our only problem. We need to do something about the woman.” Bastian was certain this mess centered around her.



Wolf

Unbelievable pain assailed Wolf. He attempted to surge forward, but couldn’t move, as agony ripped through his chest and gut. His torment swiftly took a backseat to a different form of terror, when the memory of Ella in the desert came flooding back.

The sight of Ella being manhandled by the mangy jackal gave Wolf the burst of energy he needed to break free of the bastards holding him. The sudden sharp pain in his chest and stomach, was nothing compared to Ella’s agonized scream. Wolf struggled to reach her, but his body refused to obey his command. As he dropped to the ground, his eyes were riveted to her distraught face. The ground began to vibrate as Ella’s power washed over him. All he saw was Ella as the world around him exploded, and everything went dark.

“Ella,” Wolf mumbled incoherently. “I need to reach Ella. They have her,” he tried to explain, but the Shifters he scented couldn’t possibly hear him over the droning voices.

Why are people praying?

Wolf cracked open his eyes to see the blurry form of a man leaning over him.

“He’s coming around again. Hold him still,” the figure spoke.

“His name is Wolf. He’s the Midwest alpha.”

Wolf heard his name and tried to focus on the other man. He thought he recognized the wolf Shifter, but couldn’t place him.

“I’m not sure how to explain this,” the first male spoke. “The bullets clearly struck several vital organs. But it looks like the tissue was knit back together, and the slugs were beginning to push back out.”

“He’s lucky we’re blessed with the ability to heal fast.”

“Not this fast, Coso. This level of damage should have killed him instantly. It’s almost as if the hand of Isa intervened.”

“The jackals have gone too far.” Coso shook his head grimly. “I’ll contact Bastian. He found a number he recognized in Wolf’s phone.”

Wolf felt himself teetering on the cusp of death. Ella was the only thing that kept him tethered to his battered body, as the male continued to dig the bullets out of his gut. But despite his attempt to fight it off, Wolf succumbed to the overwhelming pain, and again drifted into oblivion.



Bastian

Bastian recognized his cousin, Cain, as he pulled up to the airport. There was no missing the pack of bikers gathered on the curb. Bastian smiled as he watched the other travelers avoid them like the plague. Bastian wore suits, where his cousin was more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. But they both had a love for bikes.

It must be a Shifter thing.

“That’s an awfully fancy cage, Cuz.” Cain gestured to the limo, as he gripped Bastian in a bear hug.

“It’s still going to be a tight fit with you overgrown bastards.”

“It’s been too long.” Trip clapped Bastian on the back.

“It has. It really has,” Bastian agreed with a nod. The three of them used to spend summers together when they were teens. “Life has gotten hectic.”

“You’re telling me,” Cain replied. “Meet Iris.” Cain wrapped his arm around a cute brunette Outsider with a belly as big as a watermelon.

“Hello. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Iris reached out her hand.

“It’s a pleasure. Cain, you have been busy.” Bastian gestured at Iris’ belly.

Cain wagged his brows as he gave Bastian a giant grin.

“And this is Marisol, and her grandmother, Abuela,” Trip introduced a little Latino Outsider and a sweet but gnarled looking elderly woman.

“Hola. It is nice to meet you.” Marisol hugged him, followed by the old woman.

Bastian was a bit shocked to see the two Shifters had settled down, and with Outsiders no less. The last time he visited the Reapers, Cain and Trip were drowning in more tail than a man could want. Bastian didn’t figure either of them planned on doing the family thing anytime soon. And when they did, Bastian was certain they would’ve landed on females who were a little rougher around the edges. Except Iris and Marisol hardly looked like club bunnies.

“They’re a little out of your league, aren’t they?” Bastian teased Cain and Trip.

“You have no fucking idea how right you are,” Cain chuckled.

As everyone loaded up their bags and got into the limo, Cain introduced Wolf’s sister and his pack.

“Thank you for rescuing my brother.” Char’s lip quivered.

“We are in your debt.” The wolf Shifter named Tony gave Bastian a firm hand shake.

“I’m just glad I was able to help. We’re heading straight to tribal lands. Coso said Wolf made it through surgery.”