Therian Prisoner(10)

“As if.” Ian’s eyes narrowed to gleaming slits but his expression revealed nothing more. “If anyone gets back there with that wolf it will be the badass over there.”

Payne laughed. “As if.”

“He saved my life.” She glanced out the back window, as much to avoid Ian’s gaze as to check on Dhane. “We can’t let him suffer.”

“Why do you think he’s suffering? Dogs like fresh air and open spaces.” Ian peered through the window then shrugged. “He seems pretty restless, but he just escaped a brush with death. That’s bound to wind up anyone.”

“He was wound up before we escaped.” How could she explain what was wrong with Dhane without revealing what she’d endured, was still enduring? She rested her hands in her lap and crossed her legs at the ankle, doing her best to appear casual. “They shot him with a chemical that spiked his libido.”

Ian reached through the narrow gap between the front seats and lightly touched her knee. “Did he hurt you, Devon?” His tone was coaxing, but she sensed the threat rippling beneath the surface of his words.

Guilty memories made her glance away, so she rushed through her explanation. “He didn’t touch me.” Ian looked doubtful. “I swear. When he started feeling the burn he shifted. It was brilliant. I wish I’d been able to… I mean I wish I’d thought of it first.”

“I thought you were not yet defined.” Payne glanced in the rearview mirror before he looked back at the road.

“She isn’t. Unless… Did that bastard define you?” Ian’s fingers tightened on her knee.

“It wasn’t like that. Dhane did nothing wrong.” She moved her leg away from him and, with obvious reluctance, he pulled back his arm.

“Then what was it like?” The gold flecks in his sky-blue eyes began to shimmer. “Did they use the chemical on you too?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She knew he’d read between the lines, but she wasn’t ready to detail what had happened. And when she was ready, Ian would be the last person she’d… Anger and pain welled within her and her chin quivered. She didn’t want to cry anymore. If she started crying again she wasn’t sure she could stop. Dhane. She’d concentrate on Dhane and only Dhane. “We need to contact his pack. Only they can give him what he needs.”

“A willing female wolf?” She could see Payne’s face in the rearview mirror. His smile was surprisingly gentle given the aggression so obvious in his features.

“Yes.” She switched her gaze to Ian, more comfortable with his familiar face. He looked so damn handsome, and so worried. His burnished hair could use a trim, but she’d always liked his careless style. “Do you know how to contact Nate Fitzroy?”

“I’d rather get you home before we worry about the wolf.”

She shook her head. “This can’t wait. Payne’s right, Dhane should have shifted back by now. The chemical must be affecting his wolf too.”

“I’ll call Landon. He can decide what to do with Dhane.” He dug his phone out of the center console and turned back around.

She felt the absence of his gaze like a physical ache. The need to crawl back in his lap and feel the security of his strong arms close around her was nearly overwhelming. What was she doing? Ian thought of her as an annoying little sister. If she allowed herself to forget that fundamental fact, she was asking for disappointment and pain.

Landon was Dhane’s older brother. Devon knew he’d joined the rebels, but she’d never exchanged more than casual greetings with any of the wolves. Until tonight.

Like a slow-motion replay from a brutal sporting event, she saw Dhane’s attack on the first guard. The wolf’s sharp teeth sank into the human’s flesh, blood gushed and tissue tore as Dhane violently shook his head. She shuddered and forced the memory back into the past where it belonged. They’d been defending themselves against an aggressive enemy, an enemy that had launched the first strike. Without Dhane’s brutality, they might still be locked inside that cell.

“Hey Landon, it’s Ian.” His tone was deep and even as he spoke into the phone. “Sorry to call so late but I’ve got your brother in the bed of my truck.”

“Is he all right?” Though Landon’s voice was muffled, Devon could make out what he said. “My father called a couple of hours ago, wanted to know if I’d seen him. What happened? How did he end up with you?”

“Long story. Are you at home?”

“No. I was helping Eli with a programming glitch. I’m at the sanctuary.”