“Carolyn? This is Ethan Tolene. I’m the new alpha of the Drover Pack.” Ethan spoke softly.
“I’ve come with some news. Mary thought you’d like to hear it from me.” He paused. “You won’t have to worry about Greggoire any longer. He’s dead.”
As if celebrating the news, a child’s shriek of happiness echoed in the alcove. Dani cried out.
She covered her mouth as her body folded and lowered her chin to her chest. She had to stay silent. If she’d messed up their plans, she’d never forgive herself.
“Use your wolf, little one.”
She dug deep into her soul and called her wolf. The confidence that she’d bring her brother home buoyed her. She straightened, and her body stopped trembling. The tears dried. The sensation of a growl tickled through her chest.
“Are you sure he’s dead?”
Dani smiled. “Keep talking, Ethan. Let her know what you did. She deserves to know vengeance was done.”
“Yes. I killed him myself.” Ethan spoke louder. “It’s not right for a werewolf to play with his gifts. It makes wolves mean and violent. He needed to be killed.”
A shuffling sound came. Dani froze. Unable to deny herself a glimpse of her brother, she leaned a little to her left to peek between Ethan’s arm and his body.
“Here, Caro.” Mary approached the woman and handed over the snacks.
Dani recognized the woman from the dead alpha’s house. She carried a large bundle in front of her body wrapped head to toe in a blanket. Little sneakered feet kicked out happily from the bottom.
“Can I hold Jimmy while you eat?” Mary held out her hands and cooed at the child.
“No!” Carolyn turned her body to shield Jordan.
“Remember, I told you that you’re safe now.
Jimmy’s safe. No one will ever hurt him.” Mary stroked Carolyn’s arm. “You’ve done a great job protecting him, but Greggoire’s gone. You can let him go.”
“No.” Carolyn shook her head violently back and forth, emitting a loud whine.
Jordan began to cry.
“Carolyn, thank you.” Dani stepped out from behind Ethan. She crept closer to her brother, but Carolyn cried out. “I’m not coming any closer. Mary has told me what a wonderful mother you have been to my brother. I know how important that is, because I lost my mother and father when Greggoire killed them.”
“Y-you’ll want to take him away from me.” Carolyn swayed side to side in an effort to settle Jordan down. Her hold on him remained strong and secure. “I raised him! Not you.”
“I know you did.” Dani smiled. “I would love to have you in our life. J-Jimmy needs lots of love from everyone.”
“Carolyn, why don’t you let Dani hold the child and you can come outside with me. It’s nice out. The sun is shining.” Mary stroked Jordan’s back. “Won’t that feel nice, the warmth on your shoulders and face?”
“Dani…go closer.”
She stepped in another foot. “We had a beautiful walk this morning. It won’t be long until all the leaves will be changing colors.” Dani moved again. “I bet Jimmy would have a lovely time rolling in a pile of leaves, wouldn’t he?” She continued to inch her way to Carolyn’s side.
“You must be feeding him well. He’s got so big.” Carolyn gazed at the boy. “He eats like a piggy. Don’t you, chub cheeks? Oh, yes you do…you do. You eat everything I feed you.” Jordan giggled and kicked.
“Carolyn, I want you to trust me.” Dani reached out and laid her hand on the blanket.
Her fingers shuddered against the tiny curve of Jordan’s back. It took all her power to restrain herself from grabbing her brother from his kidnapper. “See? I’m not going to take him from you. I really am thankful for all you’ve done.”
“W-why are you here? Y-you want to steal him from me.” Tears pooled in Carolyn’s eyes.
“He’s mine.”
“Yes, he’s yours. You can see him whenever you want.” Dani dropped her hand and gazed into Carolyn’s face. “You need someone who’ll take care of you. Protect you from things that hurt. Wouldn’t you like to feel better?”
“I’m scared.” Her voice was laden with real fear.
“Oh sweetie, I know you are.” She glanced back at Ethan. “I swear on my life, that the big guy over there will always protect you. He’s real good at that.”
Carolyn sniffed. “He looks like you.”
“Ethan?”
“No.” Carolyn lowered the blanket revealing a head full of wavy dark brown hair. “Jimmy.” The air whooshed out of her body. A face with a pert little nose, big brown eyes, and the sweetest smile with drool dripping from his lip looked back at her. She crossed her arms to keep from reaching out and pulling Jordan to her chest. She swallowed. She didn’t want to frighten him, so she concentrated on keeping it together. Later, she’d lie down in bed and cry for all the pain and suffering she’d endured through the last two years. But not right now. She needed to have Carolyn hand over her brother.