Page 34 of Alphas Never Hide

“Nowslowly brush against it with your mind.Seehow it responds?Feelhow warm it is?Howwelcoming?”

Hisfingers spasmed against my fur again.

“Gentlycoax that feeling forward until it fills your chest.”Ipaused to give him time to do asIsuggested. “Letit spread down your legs, into your arms, and up the back of your neck.”Ispoke slowly, guiding him through each step. “Nowyour fingers and toes are getting tingly as it flows through them.Don’tresist.Justlet it happen.Letthe feeling drip from your fingers into the forest.Feelit fan out from your toes.Asthe feeling expands, take another deep breath and let it go.Letit all go.”

Hisbreath hitched.Iscented tears in the air.Hewas gripping my fur hard now.

Somethingwas happening.

Chapter Thirteen

HAYDEN

“Doyou feel it?Doyou feel the forest?Doyou feel how familiar it is?”Iwhispered, needing to keep him focused.

Ryleylet out a shuddering exhale.Hiseyes fluttered open.Heswayed, andIleaned in closer to steady him.

“Fuckme,” he said in wonder. “That’s…I’m…But…”

“Doyou feel your magic in the forest now?”

“Yes, butIdon’t understand.”

“Canyou sense where you walked?Canyou follow the trail?”

“IthinkIcan,”Ryleysaid with a shaky voice. “Buthow is this possible?”

Ifhe started asking those questions, he was going to lose the fragile connection he’d made.

“Pointin the direction,”Isaid.

Thankfully, he didn’t argue with me.Hepointed toward the northwest.

“Good,”Isaid. “Doyou think you can hold on to that feeling?”

“Idon’t know.Idon’t know howI’mdoing this to begin with.”

“That’sfine.Justtry it.Ifit doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.”

Hescanned the forest like he was seeing trees for the first time in his life. “Thisis so messed up.It’slikeIcan see thingsI’venever seen before.”

“Ithink you could always see them,”Isaid. “Youwere just taught to ignore them.”

Ryleypressed his lips together but didn’t disagree.

“Let’ssee what we find over here, shall we?”

Wewalked in silence for a bit, thenRyleystopped abruptly.Heclenched his hand into a fist. “Ilost it.Iknew it wouldn’t last.”

Andthat was why it hadn’t lasted.Thebrain was a powerful thing.Isighed. “Let’stry again.”

Heshook his head. “I’mdone.Myhead is swimming.”

Iwanted to demand he try again, but ifIpushed him,Isuspected he’d just dig in his hooves.SoIlifted my head and inhaled, looking for new clues while he calmed down.Ryley’sscent was still masked, but there was something more.Robbie.Mybrother had been through here recently.Hemight even be here right now.

Myheart thundered in my chest.Thiswas it.I’dfinally put an end to all the problems my brother had caused.I’dfinally confront him.Stophim.Turnhim in to theSupernaturalCouncil.

“Stayhere,”Iwhispered. “Hide.Betteryet, go back to the truck.CallVan.”