Page 6 of Return to the Pack

“You probably need water. So get Axel a bottle of water, Ethan,” Callan says.

Oh, dear. I forgot the water. I chew on my lower lip.

Axel seems to sense my guilt. “That stew was damn delicious. Did you make it?”

I shake my head. “No. I’ve been by your side day and night.”

He holds out his arm, and I just about dive into it, so grateful to be curled against his side. After kissing the top of my head, he says, “Thanks, y’all. Truly. I’m grateful to still be alive.”

“Of course,” Warrick grunts. “If I tried to take over the pack, they’d tear me limb from limb. They don’t even know I’m your Second. Although… That could be fun.” He cracks his knuckles and grins.

“Oh, they know, I can guarantee that,” Axel says. “Pack bond. News travels fast, even in a storm. Speaking of storms….” He turns his attention to the window, which for once isn’t being hammered by rain. “Has it passed?”

“One sec.” Callan fastens his blood pressure cuff around Axel’s arm and inflates it. Next, he affixes the stethoscope’s diaphragm to Axel’s inner arm and slowly lets the air out. “Blood pressure’s good. Okay, now you can ask questions,” he says, draping the stethoscope around his neck.

“Weather’s dying down,” Ethan says. “Callan and I just got back from a ride on our motorcycles. Clouds are dissipating here and toward Jacksonville. They’re moving south, back where they came from.”

Axel nods. “Any news come in while I was out of it?”

“Nah,” Warrick says. “Nobody was leaving their houses in this.”

“We should probably head into town and check it out—see who needs help,” Alex says.

“With the strength of this one and the damage we saw on the way out of town, a lot of people need a lot of help,” Warrick says.

Axel nods again. “Good man.”

“Great Second, you mean,” Warrick counters. “I don’t take my responsibilities lightly.” A somber expression falls upon his face.

“I knew you were the man for the job. Let’s go.” Axel tries to stand but falls back on the bed again. The mattress frame springs creak in protest.

“Easy there, Alpha,” Callan says. He grabs Axel’s wrist and places his fingers, feeling for his pulse. “You need to take it easy. We’ve worked too hard to get you to this point. You’re not going anywhere until you’re ready.”

“I can’t just lay around here. I have a pack to take care of,” Axel protests.

“You can, and you will stay put. Listen to Callan. He’s the expert here,” Warrick says, crossing his arms over his giant chest. “You can use your pack bond to let the others know you’re alive. We’ll do intel on who needs what. We’ll give you a full report when we return.”

Axel groans but says nothing, his face pale and miserable.

“We’ll leave our baby-girl here to keep you company,” Warrick says, nodding toward me.

I’m as eager as anyone to get out of the house. But I smile gamely at Warrick. “Sure thing, Daddy. I’d love to keep Axel company.”

“Before you go, I’d like to make a request,” Axel says, assuming his Alpha dominance. It shines in his eyes and the tilt of his head.

“What is it, Alpha?” Warrick says, fully locked into his role as Second.

“Y’all really stepped up to the plate and came out swinging. I couldn’t be more impressed or proud to have you as a part of the pack.” Axel nods at each man.

Callan, Ethan, and Warrick all stand tall, their pride evident.

“You, too, Luna,” Axel says. “As soon as possible, I’d like to swear you all into the Jacksonville pack in an official ceremony. We’ll stand before the others and declare you, Warrick, as my Second, and you two, Callan and Ethan, as pack members. If the other pack members see you working on their behalf for the next few days or weeks—whatever it takes to start the process of repairing the damage and getting everyone housed—they’ll be happy to embrace you.” His jaw is set in a way I’ve grown to admire.

This is why he’s Alpha—he wears leadership like he wears his own wolf skin. It’s as natural to him to lead as it is to breathe.

The brothers nod.

“As for you, Luna….” He holds out his hand to me.