Ch. 3

Garrett and Cole’s POV

“So what do you think,” Cole asked.

Garrett shook his head, his black hair falling into his face. He grimaced, annoyed, and pushed it back before looking at his brother.

“I think it’s time for a damn haircut.”

Cole barked out a laugh.

“You and your damn hair. You’re as bad as dad.”

Garrett joined in his brother’s laughter. He then moved his arms in a mocking, robotic way and made his voice deep and stiff - “you - must - keep - your - hair - high - and - tight, - boys!”

Cole fell onto his bed laughing, his own hair a tangle of dirty blonde curls that always stuck out in odd angles.

“I think he gave up on me as far as hair was concerned in - what - the third grade?

But you - I think he got to you, brother.”

It was true. Garrett’s hair was known for being perfect, along with the rest of his appearance. Not a hair out of place, his perfect jaw never hidden behind so much as a layer of stubble.

The clean cut of the twins and the exact opposite of his more untamed brother.

“Yeah, alright, so maybe he did.” Garrett smirked. “But I don’t think that’s what you were asking about. I got distracted. Sorry.”

“It’s not like you to be distracted,” Cole mused, eyeing his twin more closely. “What were you thinking about?”

“I thought I felt… something. I can’t describe it. And my wolf is antsy - like something is pulling at him.”

“Heads up, you guys. Something doesn’t feel right,” Sam’s voice suddenly rang through both their minds.

“Alphas, could you send me some back up?”

Garrett and Cole locked eyes and without needing words walked out of the bedroom, stripping as they went so they wouldn’t destroy their clothes whilst shifting.

Garrett’s wolf howled in his mind, prodding at him to hurry as he asked for Sam’s location.

“Luka and Markus are on their way, too” Cole broke through his internal conversation.

“Good. Tell Markus to wake up Bunkhouse One. I have a bad feeling.”

In seconds, they were out of the house, shifting into their wolves and running towards Sam.

“Hurry! We’re being attacked!” Sam’s panicked voice sounded in their minds.

At this, Garrett and Cole opened their minds completely to each other - a skill they’d been practicing since they were in elementary.

They discovered it on accident and didn’t think to even ask about it until their pack oracle mentioned it to them.

She said it was a rare skill, but one that would be invaluable in times of crisis.

They could hear each other’s every thought whilst also mind linking others in their pack, something they could now, thankfully, do with ease.

“Why does he sound so panicked? He’s a proven warrior. A Gamma.” Cole mused.

“How many, Sam?”

“At least fifteen. Cole, they’re huge. And I’ve got an injured woman here. I think she was running from them.”

Terror ran through Cole and Garrett that neither understood or had time to question.

“We’re on our way,” Garrett answered.

“Hold them off. Don’t let them corner you.”

While Cole mindlinked their parents, asking them to contact the healers and kitchen staff just in case they were needed, Garrett mindlinked the rest of the patrol, asking again if anyone else noticed anything.

The rest of the patrol was running smoothly, so he reminded them to pay extra attention just in case Sam’s rogues were a distraction. He also set up a new commander for the patrol as he wouldn’t be able to direct them efficiently whilst heading into a battle.

As they gave orders and asked questions, the twins’ wolves ran expertly through the trees, and, for the first time in their lives, they cursed the expanse of their packlands and just how long it was taking to get to Sam and the unknown woman.

“It’s a good thing we had Markus wake up the Elites. Sam sounds scared. He doesn’t scare easy.”

Garrett’s wolf grunted in response, sniffing the air for any sign, any confirmation of the growing suspicion he hid from Cole.

“What are you hiding from me,” Cole questioned.

“We’ll find out when we reach them.”

Cole refrained from trying to pin him down - even with their minds open, Garrett had always been able to keep secrets - and they both needed the energy for running.

An image flashed through their minds of Sam eyeing the trees - he was tiring. How fast could these rogues be?

“Stay in the open! We’re nearly there!” Garrett ordered.

Finally, they heard it, the sound of panting and pounding steps.

And with the sound - the most delicious scent.

Apple blossom and almonds.

“It can’t be - “ Cole thought as his wolf growled.

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Garrett groaned in response.

And then they saw her, flopping wildly in the mouth of their Gamma - and both of their hearts clenched in unison.

“Mate!”