Three

Reese

I burned through a ridiculous amount of time and energy chasing dead ends, and I had almost given up altogether when I felt that first gentle pull. I had collapsed to the ground, resting my legs after travelling through most of the night when I noticed the first sign of something off.

I had expected to find Scarlett within the hour, but my expectations were thwarted before long as the hour turned into me journeying through the territories in search of my wayward mate.

She had managed to stay one step ahead of me this entire time, and I was nearing the point of exhaustion.

Regrettably, I knew I would have to find somewhere to rest before I passed out in my present spot. I hated the idea of closing my eyes without her safe in my arms beside me, but I wouldn’t be of any use to her if I got myself killed while dozing out in the open.

I couldn’t get the thought of rogues, bears, or any other heretofore unfamiliar threat out of my mind, having dispatched a few roaming males already during my search. They had served as excellent targets while I burned through my fury at failing to find Scarlett.

Even so, something inside me directed me when I was at my lowest. It gave me the renewed resolve and clarity I needed, and I suddenly knew where to go.

I ran east, not knowing if I was going crazy or receiving a helping hand from Luna, but choosing to follow my instincts, nonetheless, as energy coursed through me anew.

I worried the more distance I traversed without finding her, but my wolf nearly howled out our bliss when the aroma of wildflowers blooming in springtime wafted in on the breeze. The scent was out of place here in the middle of the forest, but I recognized it the instant it teased my nostrils.

I followed my nose until I found several dead shifters, but I could tell Scarlett hadn’t accomplished this gruesome scene by herself.

I shifted back into my human form, looking for any sign of where she could have gone. There was so much blood permeating the air that it almost drowned out the sweet notes of my mate’s lifeblood soaking into the earth, but I would recognize her personal aroma anywhere.

It had taken me a minute to figure out she was injured before, but I was moving forward again in spite of my resurfacing fatigue after finding the first clue as to where she had disappeared to.

Her scent trail was easy to find due to the dripping blood, but it seemed to fade the further I followed it from the bodies. I remembered she hadn’t been alone and clenched my fists as I thought of another male touching her, and as my mind jumped to worst case scenarios.

I transformed back into my wolf, following the scent of the stranger. The fragrant aroma of bellflowers and day lilies was faint but present all the same, mixed with the repugnant odor of the unknown male. It dawned on me then that she was being carried; it was the only explanation.

My strength was waning, but I pushed myself onward anyway. I knew I was doing terrible timewise, but my relentless trudge forward was rewarded sometime later, regardless, when I found my mate ensconced away in a cave.

The adrenaline from closing in on her had made it easier for me to continue putting one foot in front of the other despite my tired state, but I knew I wouldn’t have made it much further if I hadn’t located her when I did.

My wolf was a determined bastard, but even he was about out for the count.

I was rushing into the opening with no consideration for my surroundings as soon as my eyes landed on Scarlett, wrapped in another male’s scent where she was resting on a pallet of blankets and furs.

I didn’t see where the tan-colored wolf came from in my single-minded pursuit of my mate, but I didn’t stop my wolf’s attack first and ask questions later approach either, feeling pleasure as my wolf’s canines ripped into the other wolf’s wiry flesh.

He didn’t hesitate, immediately retaliating as the situation evolved into a full out brawl. My mind was zoned in on drawing as much blood as possible, tuning out the unnecessary stimuli, so I didn’t hear Scarlett’s pleas for us to stop.

However, I was able to seize the reins from my wolf right as a metal pan came soaring at our heads.

Just my luck, the flying projectile brought me back to reality, causing Scarlett’s words to sink in this time around as she shouted, “What the fuck, guys? Stop it! Jace! Reese!”

I transformed back into my human form, noticing as Jace did the same. I was aware I may have messed up when my mate called the other male by name, but I couldn’t help feeling petty that she had said his name first.

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her behind me when I saw how the t-shirt she was wearing barely covered her ass.

I was lunging forward, ready to take another swipe at him in response to his self-assured smirk, but he stiffened and moved to the opening of the cave as I charged forward, making me miss my mark as he exclaimed, “Great job! You led the rogues right to us, you idiot.”

My ears detected the sounds of intruders as he finished insulting me. I didn’t bother responding. Readying myself for a fight, I shifted into my dark gray wolf and stalked forward to meet the threat head on after one last look at Scarlett.

I’d worry about berating myself for my mistakes later, but I couldn’t help the fleeting thought passing through my mind that I couldn’t catch a break as I noticed Jace position himself in line with me.

I took in the two midnight-colored wolves sauntering forward as Scarlett’s gorgeous red wolf caught my eye from the periphery.

I wasn’t happy she was in danger, but I was somewhat mollified by her remaining behind Jace and I. The rogues didn’t waste time, splitting ways as they aimed their attacks at Jace and I, avoiding Scarlett for now.

I was relieved to see Jace was a skilled fighter as I tackled my own opponent, but it was short-lived. Pain erupted in my left shoulder as the enemy managed to get a hold of me when my attention was diverted by the massive black bear crashing into the small clearing with us.

I didn’t give him another chance to draw blood, speedily ending his miserable life after Scarlett stepped in. One glance told me Jace had taken care of the other foe and was already engaged in battle with the bear lumbering back. Apparently, he had been banking on his friends being around to help.

It didn’t take long for us to finish him off after that, but I couldn’t get over the fact that a bear shifter had teamed up with the rogues.

I shifted back into my human shape, intending to help Jace get rid of the bodies so we could have the conversation we clearly needed to have, but I didn’t account for all I had put my body through since the last time I rested.

I staggered to the ground with blackness encroaching on my vision. I felt Scarlett’s soft skin on mine and tiny zings of electricity shoot out from the contact, but that was the last thing I recalled before my mind shut off. When I awoke, I was in the cave again.

As soon as I sat up, I physically felt the scowl Jace was virtually boring into the side of my head, drawing my eyes to his icy orbs, and I was startled when I realized I was in the same place Scarlett had been in when I found her prior.

She was within touching distance as I scanned the small space, feeling delighted she had been drawn closer to me while I was unconscious.

Nevertheless, I was eager to get this chat out of the way so I could set off once more with my mate. I needed to get back to my province to check on things, and Jax and Asher needed to know about what happened here.

It hadn’t taken me long into our discussion to figure out there was history between Jace and Scarlett. Jealousy was not something I was familiar with, but I knew it was what was saturating my system when I pieced together the signs.

Neither of them came right out and said it, but Jace’s pissy mood made it clear Scarlett had told him about our connection. His disgruntlement was what gave me the strength I needed to resist dredging up the past for now and to focus on what we needed to get through.

Scarlett gratefully agreed to accompany me to the Western Territory, and Jace respected her wishes, letting her leave without a single argument. My esteem for him grew, knowing he honored our Moon Goddess’ intentions, but I still didn’t like him.

Just the same, his parting taunt did its job, answering any niggling doubts I’d had and revealing the level of his acquaintance with my true mate as he nonchalantly vowed while we were walking away, “You know where to find me if you decide to reject this one too, baby.”