River Wolf(77)

“I don’t know.” Gillian lifted her shoulders. “They may not be as rare in the human population because they seem so human. Did the drugs wake her wolf? Was it always present? Did she just come into maturity late? You said she was born in South Korea, didn’t you?”

He’d as yet not gone through the details Pierce put together for him. The more he grew to know her, the more of an invasion of privacy it became. Protecting his pack was everything, but protecting Colby… “Yes.”

“Maybe talk to a pack there? Is there one there?”

Drumming his fingers against the counter, he considered the information. “Not that I am aware of, but my dealings with foreign packs are primarily in the Western European nations and the Russians. Once.” He would never deal with the damn Russians again if he could help it. Not after the bloody toll their last go round entailed.

“What about Margo and Salvatore? He runs Italy. He might know.”

“I’ll reach out to him last, if necessary.” For Colby, he would do it.

Gillian frowned. “Why last?”

“Because it will involve an apology that I have no desire to make and admission of being isolationist that I am still wrapping my head around.” Ruffling her hair, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Keep researching for me. Anything we can find out will be helpful.” Her wolf settled his.

“Are you going to tell her?”

“I have no choice.”

Gillian clapped her hands together. “She’s a good match for you.”

“Shh, little wolf. Don’t jinx it for me. We’re still courting.”

Joy radiated from her and she held up both hands with her fingers crossed. “I have faith in you.”

Surprisingly, so did he.







After Gillian’s, all he wanted was to return to Colby, but an Alpha’s needs didn’t come first. He’d spent enough time in the corner, licking his wounds and avoiding his pack. It had been a mistake to indulge himself. Gillian had been after him for weeks since she’d returned from Willow Bend. While the healer was on loan, technically, she and her mate committed to spending several months a year with his pack, alternating with her own. The sacrifice on their part honored him. Yet, she’d not stopped pushing him.

Had Hatcher lived, he’d have done the same. What Brett had failed to recognize in all of Gillian’s gentle admonishments or even in his mother’s nagging—he mentally apologized for referring to her concern as nagging—was what Luc so succinctly pointed out. What the fuck is wrong with you? Where did you go?

Tugging his phone from his pocket, he hit the speed dial for his mother. She answered on the first ring. “Well, hello there.” Her teasing greeting pulled a faint smile from him. “To what do I owe this honor?”

“Yeah, yeah, I was calling daily and then I got distracted.”

“I couldn’t be happier about your distraction. I told Babette she wasn’t for Luc, but does that woman ever listen to me?” His mother’s full-throated laughter amused him. “Of course, she’s half-convinced Luc is going to fight you for her, but I don’t think so.”

“Thanks for gossiping, Mom. That always makes me feel better.” Patience for his mother had been ingrained in childhood. Being Alpha hadn’t changed those old lessons one bit.

“Oh, hush. I’m thrilled for you.”

“Thank you, and as much as I’d like to give you more grist for the gossip mill, I’m actually calling for an entirely different favor.” Pacing in a circle, he let the sun warm him. The heat felt good, even on the damaged parts where the scar tissue pulled taut. His wolf had been quiet, listening, watching, scenting. Ready. Yes, he and his wolf were both ready.

“What do you need?”

“I’m calling for a full gathering. The word will go out in about fifteen minutes. I expect everyone capable of travel to be here by the weekend.” Having made the decision ten minutes before, it was time to act on it.

“Brett, that’s not a lot of time…some people will miss it.”

It was short notice. Too fucking bad. Pack came first. “No, they won’t. This isn’t an invitation to a party. Unless they are in diapers, school, or unable to travel due to physical injury, they will be there.”

Silence seemed to almost hum on the other end of the line. “Well,” she said finally, an almost choked note in her voice. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you. I need Dad to coordinate food. That many pack members will be starving.”

“Of course. He loves to cook for gatherings.” Easy agreement. “And what do you need from me?”