Kirby couldn’t believe her brother; she had never heard him speak like that about anyone before. She was mad at Logan and mad at everything. She squared her shoulders, reached over, and grabbed Rane’s hand.
“I can’t believe you, Logan. You of all people know what they go through to protect us, and yet you don’t think he’s good enough for me?” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer as they freely ran down her face. “I have never been so disappointed in you in all of my life. I’m twenty-two years old, old enough to make my own decisions. I’m ashamed to call you my brother right now. I will have you know, I am the one who doesn’t feel worthy to be married to someone as wonderful as Rane.” She laughed as tears still fell from her eyes. “As for his animal side, I love that part of him more than you will ever know.”
Not being able to look at her brother anymore, she let go of Rane’s hand and ran for the doors. She needed air and to get away from prying eyes. She needed to cry in peace.
* * * *
Rane let Kirby go. He would find her in a couple of minutes, but first he needed to sort out her brother. “You will regret what you have done to my little red. No one makes her cry and lives. Unfortunately, if I killed you that would probably upset her more, and because I love that woman more than anything in the world I don’t ever want to do anything that will hurt her.” He smiled and knew his grin was feral. “You’re moving teams, until I tell you otherwise you are permanently on my team and my shadow. Have we got it, Logan?”
Logan looked at him, his eyes now wide.
“If I were you, I would think of a real good apology.” He let his wolf shine through his eyes. “It better be a bloody good apology for my wife. I’ll see you at fifteen hundred hours tomorrow, in this gym.” He turned to Sebastian. “I need to go find my wife. We will be back, unfortunately, because I have lots to discuss with you. I need a better recap of last night, as I have been told that we lost one.” He glanced at Kirby’s brother, then turned back to Sebastian, continuing on, “Start him on the swords at 0400 hours tomorrow. Don’t let him rest until fifteen minutes before I come. Kirby leaves for work at around one-fifteen in the afternoon so I’ll be here at about one-thirty.” He made sure that everything he had just said was loud enough for Logan to hear, he enjoyed pissing him off.
Leaving the gym, he went in search of his mate. He eventually found Kirby on the edge of the compound surrounded by rabbits, koalas, and other animals. “You do know that wolves like to eat rabbits, don’t you?”
She smiled and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry about my brother. I am surprised at how prejudice he is since he is here. I didn’t mean to act the way I did. I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
Rane pulled her up from the ground, hugging her into him. “You didn’t embarrass me, and that brother of yours has no choice but to be here. He goes where the army tells him to go.” He hugged her tighter, and using one hand, he gently wiped her tears away. “I don’t care what he or anyone else thinks. The only person who matters is you.”
Kirby smiled into his chest. “It has been an enlightening forty-eight hours.” She looked up at him. “Is life always this hectic for you?”
Rane didn’t answer at first, because he wasn’t sure how he should answer. He didn’t want to say anything wrong and lose her. Taking a deep breath, he let it out, telling her the truth. “Sad to say, something is always going on. Does that bother you? We are born protectors, it’s all we have ever known—protect the earth.” Rane looked at Kirby and he wished that he could read minds. He couldn’t help what he was, and he just hoped that she could live with it.
She snuggled into his chest. “I’m trying not to let it bother me, it’s just such a drastic change from my boring, overprotected, quiet life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to know we have people looking out for humanity. I just don’t know if I’m as strong as everyone thinks I am.”
Rane picked her up, plastering his mouth to hers before she could say any more. He traced her lips before his tongue entered her mouth, meeting hers. Her hands snaked around his neck and he groaned out. “I don’t believe for a minute that your life was boring, and you are extremely strong, all you have to do is look at what you’ve gone through over the last forty-eight hours.” He gently kissed her lips again. “You haven’t gone crazy yet. I wonder if Faith knew how it was going to be with your brother.”
Kirby laughed. “It makes a lot more sense now as to why she wanted me to come here with you.” Sighing, she gave him a quick kiss. “I’m ready to go back now. Would it be okay if I have a private talk with my brother?”