Dual Embrace: 3 (Shadowpeak Wolves) (36 page)

Unease stirred in Cain’s gut. From all accounts their guest was innocent. To use her as bait…

“We can’t put her in danger,” Laney objected.

“She’s in danger anyway,” Rye countered. “The traitor will be trying to get to her. She’s a threat they can’t leave alive. We just make sure we’re there when they attempt to take her out. If we’re using her as bait then at least we can protect her.”

Everyone looked toward Cooper, who was staring thoughtfully at Rye.

“I agree. We wait until she awakens. She may be able to give us what we need to get these people. If not, then we set her up as bait. Until then, Marcus is guarding her. No one else goes near her. I’m locking down the estate. No one leaves without my permission, not until we find the bastard who killed Tina.”

Everyone in the room stared at Cooper in surprise.

“Are you saying you think one of us is the traitor?” Jesse glared at the Alpha. Cooper stared back, his eyes amber, his power a thick curtain in the room.

“I’m saying that no one is going to get to this woman. Marcus is in charge of her safety and this is how he wanted to do it. I fully support him.”

“Why Marcus?” Liam asked.

“Marcus has some medical training, enough to care for her without extra help if she awakens,” Cooper explained.

He’s also a deadly bastard,
Cain thought. No one would get past Marcus.

“Do you really think one of the pack murdered Tina?” Liam asked. The youngest of the enforcers looked sick.

“They got close enough to shoot her. They managed to lure her out of the cabin. Tina was a damn good enforcer. Yeah, I’m pretty sure she knew the person.” Rye’s voice was grim.

“In the meantime, Laney is under house watch. We’ll have to work longer hours. We’ll also stick to working in pairs.”

“I’m bringing in some help,” Cooper said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Two of my brothers have offered their support. They’re trained and they’re loyal. I know no one wants to bring in outsiders but we need the help. And of course, we also have Brynn. I take it you’re staying?”

Everyone looked at Brynn. “Well, with an invitation like that, how could I refuse?”

Dusty stiffened, her gaze moving rapidly between Cooper and Brynn. But Cooper merely smiled.

“Well, I can’t welcome you as a member of the pack, not with the attitude you’ve got.”

“Cooper—” Dusty began, but Laney shook her head and Dusty fell quiet.

“The pack doesn’t like accepting strangers. While I think it’s good for us to deal with change, there has been a lot lately and too much can be a bad thing. Unlike your sister, who won’t create waves, I don’t think you’re capable of following pack command. No, you’d make a terrible packmate.”

Cain flicked his gaze between Dusty and Brynn. He could see Dusty’s pain on her face, certain that Cooper was about to throw out their mate.

“No, I don’t think that’s what you want, and it’s not what we want either. However, if you were a friend of the pack then you’d be welcome to come and go as you please. We’d expect you to consider what we asked of you. But it wouldn’t tie you here.”

Cain took a deep breath.
Damn.
This was something he hadn’t thought of. Brynn wouldn’t belong as he would have if he had been given the status of packmate, but then how would he have fit into pack hierarchy? He didn’t take orders worth a damn, wasn’t really a team player—outside the bedroom. And he would soon test Cooper’s command. He wouldn’t even have to try. It was his nature.

But would Brynn agree?

“A friend of the pack?” Jesse asked in disbelief. “How do we know he’s not the one behind all of this? That he’s not the one who shot Tina?”

The room went silent, everyone looking on in shock. Cain’s snarl filled the room.

“Are you claiming that my mate is a traitor? That he would attempt to harm his own sister?”

Jesse gulped, looking a little nervous, but he faced Cain head-on. “I’m just saying that we don’t know anything about him. He had the opportunity.”

“He was with us when Tina died,” Dusty interjected, glaring at Jesse furiously. “He has no motive. All he has done is help us and you dare to attack him?”

“You may not know Brynn well, but I would think you would trust Dusty’s judgment as well as mine,” Cain said calmly. “Brynn is our mate. He risked his life to get rid of that bomb. Besides, Edwards said it was werewolves who were behind all this.”

Jesse sighed and sat back, running his hand over his face. “Sorry,” he muttered. “It’s just easier to place blame on the new guy, you know? Rather than believe one of our own could betray us.”

“I understand,” Brynn said. Dusty and Cain remained silent. They weren’t going to forgive this attack on their mate so easily.

Cooper cleared his throat. “I think that we are all on edge and not thinking clearly. However, I have watched Brynn around his mates. Have seen the way he talks about his sister and I have sensed nothing but sincerity. He has given us no reason to doubt his reasons or intentions. So I have no hesitation in offering him friend of the pack status.” He turned to Brynn. “Provided you are willing to agree to always work in the pack’s interest, to never betray us or go against us.”

Brynn nodded. “I agree.” He didn’t even hesitate.

Cooper looked at Dusty then Cain. “Thought you would.”

“Shouldn’t we have a vote about this?” Jesse asked.

Cooper frowned at him. “I’m Alpha. I can decide who is given friend of the pack status without advice.”

“Yeah, but—”

“But nothing, the decision is made.”

* * * * *

“Damn it, I want this stupid plate out!” Dusty moaned. She dropped onto the couch and slammed her fists into the plush cushions.

“You’ve got to be patient, the doctor said it has to stay in a while longer,” Cain replied as he lit the fireplace. The nights were getting chilly now that autumn was turning into winter.

“I’m sick of being patient.”

Patience was not one of her virtues.

“Dusty, you heard what the doctor said. A few more weeks and they can probably remove it. That’s not that long to wait. You’ve got to rest more. You’re overworking your thigh. Give yourself a break.”

Dusty knew he spoke sense, she could feel the fatigue in her muscles, knew she was doing herself no favors by overexercising. But she was so sick of waiting.

“It’s too long to wait.”

“Look, I know you want to help us—”

“Don’t patronize me. Of course I want to help catch these sickos, they tried to kill Laney and they shot Tina and nearly killed Cassie. I want these bastards so much I can taste it and I’m going to help catch them, wolf or no wolf.”

“Dusty.” His voice held a dark warning as he turned. She looked down at him huffily, wishing Brynn were here. He’d be on her side.

But he was in Hell. Hanna had woken two nights after Cooper had locked down the pack. However her memory was scratchy at best. She couldn’t remember much beyond being captured. So they were moving to plan B. B as in Bait. Marcus was bringing Hanna back the day after tomorrow to introduce her to the pack. Brynn was the ideal bodyguard for someone being used as bait. But remaining invisible for long amounts of time would require a lot of energy.

“No, he wouldn’t.”

“What?” she asked.

“Brynn wouldn’t be on your side. I could see what you were thinking. Now suck it up.”

“Suck it up! Suck it up!” She stood, yelling. He turned, facing her.

“Strip,” he ordered quietly.

Dusty reeled back, frowning at him. “What?”

“Strip. Now.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so, buddy. I don’t feel like sex right now.”

“I disagree. That is exactly what you need right now. You’re full of disappointment and anger, it’s consuming you. You need to get rid of that and I know exactly how you can do that. Now strip.”

She sneered even as her nipples hardened at his commands. “I’d rather fight than fuck.”

“Oh we can fight, sweetheart,” he said silkily, dark menace in his voice. “But we’re going to end up fucking anyway, so why not just jump to the end. You have three seconds to get naked or I’m going to do it for you, and you won’t like it if I have to do it.”

Dusty took a few seconds to stew before stripping.

Standing naked before him, she shivered a little, more from anger than because she was cold. Her hands fisted at her sides and it was then that she realized he was right. She was so furious, so—so, God, so disappointed. A tear dripped down her face and she shuddered as his hands cupped her cheeks.

“It’s okay, darling, let it all out.”

Cain gathered her into his arms as Dusty cried, sobbing openly in his strong arms.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

They both jumped, turning to look at Brynn. Dusty wiped her hands over her swollen, tear-ridden eyes, feeling embarrassed at her loss of control.

“N-nothing,” she stuttered as he walked over and cupped her face with his hands, raising it up so she looked straight into his beautiful eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I sensed your distress.”

Cain moved to the fireplace and Dusty shivered as she realized how cold it had grown in the room. The fire had burned down to mere ashes.

“Let me.” Brynn snapped his fingers and flames burned bright and hot.

“Brynn,” she scolded, slapping her hand against his arm. “Save your energy for more important things.”

He grinned at her. “Oh never fear, I’ve always got energy for that.”

“Not that.” She smiled back.

“Tell me what the doctor said,” Brynn demanded. “Obviously it wasn’t good.”

“I have to wait a few more weeks.” Dusty sighed. It could have been worse. “I’m being silly. It’s just… I want to be me again.”

“I know, my own.” He hugged her. “I know.”

Cain moved behind her, cuddling close. Comfort morphed into heat and she found herself rubbing against them. Her nipples were sensitive as she brushed them across Brynn’s chest. She rolled her hips, searching for friction.

Cain slid his hands down her sides. He bit the side of her neck sharply, a silent order to keep still.

“Have I told you how much I love having you naked between us?” Brynn murmured before his mouth covered hers. He made slow, sweet love to her lips as Cain’s hands covered her breasts, massaging gently.

This wasn’t what she needed.

She sank her teeth into Brynn’s lip, nearly breaking skin. He pulled back and she clasped her hands behind Cain’s neck, dragging his mouth down to hers. Dusty drove the kiss, pressing against him firmly.

When Cain drew away to strip, she growled. “Fuck me, damn you. Both of you.”

Brynn smiled, running his fingers down the side of her face. Cain held her hands behind her back. She relaxed, certain she was going to get a hard, fast fucking that would help her forget anything and everything.

“No,” Brynn replied.

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

“No. I’m not going to fuck you. I will make love to you though.”

“Love me later. Right now I want to be fucked.”

“No, you don’t. You want to be taken, you want something anonymous, hard, so you can forget. You want something you could have with anyone.”

“T-that’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” Brynn’s gaze probed her relentlessly. “Isn’t that what you usually do after bad news, Dusty? Fuck or drink until you forget?”

“You like fucking me, both of you.”

Cain stood silent behind her, holding her arms.

Brynn grinned and winked. “’Course we do. But that’s not what you need right now.”

“I say it is. And I say you don’t get to tell me what I want.”

“Yes we do. Because you’re not thinking clearly, my love.” Cain turned her, cupping her cheeks, his eyes darkening. “We love you. You hear? You can be obnoxious, as grumpy and as surly as you like. You can cry, yell, scream, and we’ll still love you. All we ask is that you love us back. We’re family. We stick together no matter what.”

“I know that.” She swore she felt her heart cracking. They were right. Normally, she’d drown her feelings in alcohol or sex. Dealing with her emotions wasn’t something she was used to.

“I cried in your arms, what more do you need?”

“We need to love you.” Leaning down, Cain kissed her. “Let us love you.”

Brynn turned her back to face him and Cain moved his hands to her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples oh so lightly. This was going to be so much more intense than a fucking would have been.

“And much more enjoyable,” Cain murmured and she realized that she’d spoken aloud.

Dusty leaned her head back against Cain’s chest, letting him worry about supporting her as Brynn drifted down her body, kissing and licking. Cain pushed her left breast up, offering it to Brynn, who swooped on it like a man starved.

He circled the engorged nipple with his tongue until Dusty was whimpering, her hips thrusting back and forth as tendrils of delight unfurled in her belly, tangling around her clit to torture her endlessly.