Her hands trembled as she accepted it. “Bree?”
“I’m okay. Are you okay?”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Fear and worry raged at hearing her sister’s voice.
“I thought the pride was tracking you. Garrett said you ran away. Did he hurt you again?”
“No. It’s a long story. Are you hurt? Randy said his brother had you.”
Her sister paused. “He’s dead. Braden saved me.” Her voice lowered. “He’s a werewolf.”
“I know. He’s treating you okay?”
“Yeah. He packed my ankle with ice and we’re hanging out in a basement. He said you mated his cousin. How is that possible? Is he lying to me?”
“No.” Charma glanced at Rave. His gaze kept darting up at the ceiling. “Listen, now isn’t the time to talk all of this out. You stay with Braden and I’ll be there as soon as it’s safe.”
“Okay.”
“May I talk to him?”
“Sure. Love you.”
“I love you too,” Charma said and waited for Braden to take the phone.
“Yes?”
“Please protect my sister.”
“I will.”
“And, Braden?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t touch her. Do you hear me?”
“I do.”
“We’ll be there as soon as it’s safe to travel. Bye.” She hung up and handed the phone to Rave. “Thank you. I was really worried. He’ll keep her safe, won’t he?”
“Yeah.” He darted another glance at the ceiling.
“Go. I’m fine. You’re worried about the woman upstairs. That’s obvious.”
He seemed unsure.
“I’m fine. Brand is right outside.”
He strode away toward the living room. Charma watched him go and leaned against the counter. She closed her eyes. Things could have gone so much worse. Bree could have gotten hurt or had a werewolf who hated cats find her instead of Braden. Brand could have died. Randy could have taken her away.
“Hey, cat.”
The male voice drew her attention as she opened her eyes to stare at an unfamiliar werewolf. “What, wolf? You hungry? We only have bologna left to make sandwiches but I saw a box of corndogs in the freezer. They’d only take about a minute or two in the microwave.”
He looked scary as his eyes narrowed. She guessed him to be in his sixties but shifters looked a lot younger than they really were. He directed an unfriendly glare her way and a sense of danger stabbed at her.
“I’m Charma, Brand’s mate.”
“I know who you are.”
“Do you want a sandwich or corndogs?”
His nose flared. “Corndogs. I want six. I’m hungry.”
She spun around. “I’m on it. Keep your pants on.” She was grateful he wasn’t naked. “Ketchup?”
The silence caused a chill to run up her spine and she realized she probably shouldn’t have turned her back on him. It was too late though. She jerked open the freezer and removed the box then faced him. He hadn’t moved any closer but he didn’t appear any friendlier either.
“Mustard,” he finally answered. “I’m Raymond Borl and I don’t trust your kind.”
He got points with her for blunt honesty. “I don’t blame you.” She tore open the box and counted out the corndogs. “I’m not real fond of prides myself. I’m half human.” She held his gaze. “Chips? There are some bags in that cupboard behind you if you want some.”
He hesitated. “Just that.” Long seconds ticked by. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for not attacking me when you seemed to want to. Brand would be furious and he’s got a temper.”
“No shit.” The older man sat on a barstool at the counter. “All those boys are hotheads but they run a fair pack. I came from one that wasn’t so hot.”
She microwaved the corndogs. “Everyone deserves a fresh start somewhere.”
“I guess they do.”
They appraised each other and the older werewolf hunched in his chair. “Don’t repeat this but my joints are killing me.” He flexed his fingers. “Is there any booze to be found? I could use a shot of whiskey or something to ease some of the pain.”
Brand was prepared to tear Raymond’s head off when he walked into the kitchen. He was too close to Charma and he didn’t like that one bit. He was glad he hadn’t instantly reacted instead of waiting to hear some of their exchange. “There’s a full bar downstairs. Hit it up when she hands you that food. I am curious why you’re here.”
“I told you I didn’t want to hear my son-by-mate nailing my daughter. He filled my basement with some of his friends to protect the house so I came to fight.”