Page 51 of Return to the Pack

“Wait,” Adolpha cries. “Don’t open the shutters!”

Too late—I’ve already thrown them open.

I’m thrilled to see Warrick careening onto the front lawn. In one swift move, he parks the bike, leaps from the seat, and sprints toward the house. I unlock the deadbolt and swing it open before giving him a chance to hammer on it with his fist.

I gape at my Daddy—he’s disheveled and bloody, but at least he’s okay.

“Luna,” he barks. “And you two. Let’s get a move on. All wolves are needed. The vampires are surrounded, and we need to gather everyone, and I mean everyone, to fight. The war has begun.”

He pauses mid-sentence and eyes Okami’s swollen belly. “Except for you. No pregnant women.”

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“You’ll ride with me, baby girl,” Warrick says as he seizes my hand.

Together, we sprint across the lawn toward his motorcycle.

“Warrick, hand me your knife,” I say once I’m standing near his bike. “I need to make some alterations.”

He removes his long blade from the sheath on his belt and hands it over.

I slice the hem from my beautiful dress and rip the rest of it off so my legs are free.

Warrick grins as I hand the knife back. “Nice legs, baby girl. Can’t wait to have them wrapped around my head tonight.”

“Me, too,” I say as I wait for him to climb on his motorcycle.

This time, however, he pats the seat between his legs. “I want you right here, baby girl, with my arms around you, keeping you safe.”

His words land in my heart with a cascade of heartfelt emotion. I settle my rump in his crotch, leaning into his abdomen, and rest my palms on the curved handlebars.

He balances the bike on one leg and kicks the kickstand back with the other. Next, he holds the choke lever down and flips on the ignition. After that, he closes the choke and throttles the engine into a powerful growl. “Ready, baby girl?”

“Ready,” I say, snuggled into him.

He stretches his long legs into the foot pedals, and we take off, speeding toward Creebay Preserve.

When we arrive at the preserve, Warrick turns off the engine and climbs off.

As I clamber from the motorcycle, Warrick says, “Let’s go. Axel’s at the front.” He lifts his hand and points.

A sea of wolf-shifters stands before me, all waiting for instruction from their pack leader.

Axel’s pacing back and forth, barking out orders while moving with a significant limp.

“Oh, no! What happened to Axel?”

“He got injured saving someone. But that’s battle. You should have seen how well we all worked together,” Warrick says, grinning, as he throws his arm around my shoulders and guides me through the crowd. “We’re a force to be reckoned with.”

“I’m sure you are,” I say, pride filling my chest to be with four of the fiercest wolves in the land.

“My brothers are already on their way to the vampire’s territory with the first flank of warriors.” Warrick’s long legs propel him forward with speed and strength as I trot to keep up with him. Finally, he scoops me into his arms and carries me the rest of the way.

We reach the front, and Warrick places me on the ground.

I hurry toward Axel.

Axel’s face lights up, and he limps in my direction, pulling me into his arms for a quick embrace. “Damn, I’m glad you’re safe.”