“Come over here.” The man said quietly.
“Dad – “ Dani began to protest.
“Now, Danielle.”
Dani dropped his hand and crossed the room to her father. He put his arm around her as a redheaded woman and a tall, long-haired man approached him.
“Hello Kaden. My name is Avery. I’m a human and I’m married to Tristan.” She glanced at the man beside her. “He is a Lycan.”
When Kaden didn’t reply, she took Tristan’s hand and he linked their fingers together as she took a deep breath. “I know you have many questions, and I promise we will answer them later. Right now, we need to save your sister Bree. We care for and love her as much as you do.”
“Doubtful.” Kaden grunted.
Avery gave him a small smile and continued. “We consider Bree to be a part of our family, and as her brother that means you are too. We hope you can set aside your hatred for Lycans for now, and trust that we want to save Bree just like you do.”
Her speech finished she turned back to the others. “We need to decide who will go after her.”
There was sudden high-pitched yipping and Tia skidded into the room. She ran straight for Kaden, barking and whining and wagging her tail excitedly. He bent and picked her up and she lunged at his face, licking his skin excitedly as he petted her gently with one large hand.
“Hello hairball.” Kaden said softly. “I’ve missed you.”
He continued to pet the excited dog, and Sophia inhaled sharply when a smile crossed his face for a brief moment. Gods, he was good looking when he smiled.
As Kaden petted Tia, Tristan squeezed Avery’s hand. “The problem is that they’ll smell us coming. We can’t risk them hurting Bree before we can save her.”
“We need to disguise our scent.” Dani’s father said.
“Aye Marshall, we do.” Tristan replied.
An older man spoke. “We can use the horses. They’ll help to disguise our scent.”
“That’s a good idea Ian.”
“What about human scent?” Avery said thoughtfully. “If they’re busy smelling the humans, Lycans may be able to sneak up on them. Maya and I could walk with Kaden. Our smell may – “
“No.” Tristan shook his head immediately. “You’re not going Avery.”
She gave him a look of impatience. “You may need me if someone gets injured Tristan.”
“We have James. You’re not going, and neither is Maya.” Tristan said firmly. “But, we can use your scent to help disguise ours.”
The redhead by the fire spoke for the first time. “Neither human nor horse scent will be enough to fully disguise our own. You know that.”
“True.” Tristan said quietly. “But it may help to confuse them a bit. It may give us the extra time we need to save her. We will – “
“Enough!” The Red shouted. He turned and glared at them, and even Kaden stepped back at the fierce rage in his eyes. “It will not be enough! You know it won’t! We’re wasting time talking about plans when the only chance she has is if I go by myself.”
“James – “
A blonde haired man started to speak.
“No Nicky!” James shouted again. “She is my mate, and it is my responsibility to go after her. Not yours.”
“You’re my brother James!” Nicky shouted back. “You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you go after this Draken alone!”
James howled at him in rage but before he could shift, Avery was standing in front of him.
Although he was nearly twice her size and shaking with anger, she reached out and took his arms without fear. “Calm my love. You must be calm.”
He seemed to shrink in front of her, and he gave her a look of utter despair before sinking to his knees and burying his face in her stomach. “I told her I would keep her safe mama.”
“I know my love.” She soothed, her hands stroking his hair. “But you can’t do this alone. You know you can’t.”
Kaden spoke to them for the first time. “The only chance my sister has, is if I go after her alone.”
James climbed to his feet. “That’s not going to happen.”
Kaden gave him a look of disdain. “Do you believe you’ll stop me Lycan? She is my sister. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. You – “
“She is my mate!” James snapped. “If anyone is going after her, it will be me. Do you understand human?”
“I understand that for someone who keeps saying they love my sister, you’ve done a poor job of keeping her safe.” Kaden replied.
James roared with anger and charged at him. His father shoved him back. “James! This isn’t helping Bree!”