One Second (Seven Series Book 7) (36 page)

A dove call interrupted us, and we looked toward the creek. Reno stood on the other side, waving at us.

Then I heard a sound coming from behind us that sent terror up my spine.

Wolves.

By their baying, I could tell they were fast approaching, and we had only seconds to make a decision.

Wheeler held my hand, and we treaded through the water.

“Wait!” I jerked his hand. “We can’t leave Spartacus.”

“Come on! Get your asses moving!” Reno bellowed.

Wheeler turned toward the cat. “What the fresh hell…”

Five wolves materialized, but before they made it to the water, Spartacus incited a chase and took them on a scenic tour. This cat didn’t climb a tree like any normal feline being pursued by wolves, but he weaved around them like a skilled athlete and then ran up the smallest tree in the woods.

One of the wolves vanished and yelped when he landed at the bottom of the trap. Spartacus made an elegant walk across a branch and leapt to an adjacent tree, stirring up the wolves below and causing another to fall into the trap.

Wheeler shook his head. “That cat is my damn hero.” He gripped my hand. “Let’s go!”

We splashed across the water, and as we neared the center, Wheeler slowed and moved ahead of me, testing the depth.

“Hold your gun over your head.”

I didn’t know much about guns, but I did as he asked. When the water reached my breasts, I had second thoughts about turning back. I wasn’t sure how buoyant I was with my passenger.

Reno dropped his gun belt and charged in, water splashing all around him as he pushed himself forward. Wheeler took my gun, and they exchanged places, Reno securing his arm around my waist and escorting me to shore like the hero that he was.

Wheeler had made it safely out, and his pants looked painted on, streams of water dripping from his backpack.

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” Reno said. “I’m about to give you an express ride.”

I held on, and Reno lifted me up, his arms around my waist and every muscle in his body rock hard as he pushed his way through the current of water until we reached the other side. I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, and when he set me down, he wasted no time in strapping his weapons back on.

The wolves howled and snarled on the other side, one of them attempting to cross the water but quickly turning back when he lost his footing in the current.

I squeezed the water from my hair while Wheeler rummaged through his pack. “Do you think Spartacus will be okay?”

He didn’t have to ask what I meant. I could see the flash of guilt on his face. Wheeler pretended as if he hated that cat, but deep down, he had an unspoken affection toward the feline. It wasn’t just about fearing Naya’s reaction if something happened to him; Wheeler cared for a scrawny black cat named Spartacus who had won his heart.

“He’s a tough little guy. He’ll be fine.”

Reno gazed across the creek. “Well, I’ll be a son of a bitch.”

“Huh?”

He pointed and shook his head. “I’m seeing it, but I don’t believe it. That cat is swimming across the goddamn river.”

Wheeler rose to his feet, his mouth agape.

Naya’s little water baby was paddling across that creek like a champion. He looked relaxed with his pink tongue poking out and a determined look in his eyes. The wolves paced frenetically on the opposite side of the water.

Wheeler waded out and retrieved the black cat from the water, setting him on his shoulder. Spartacus was sopping wet and looked grateful to be reunited with his family. He climbed onto Wheeler’s backpack and clung on for dear life.

Reno grabbed his phone from his bag and took a quick snapshot. “That one’s going to replace mine on the mantel.”

Wheeler patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll find a special place to put the bunny-slipper shot.”

Reno gave him a harsh glare. “A bonfire sounds good to me.”

Wheeler chuckled darkly. “The Internet sounds even better.”

***

An hour later, we reached the new campsite and collapsed from exhaustion. Reno kept in touch with Austin and sent him a message to let him know the package was safe.

I was the package.

Reno filled us in on what had happened while Jericho and I were sleeping at the old site—a scout had wandered into the area but ran off before they could catch him. Realizing he would draw the rogues to our location, Austin made the decision to go head-to-head with them. He didn’t want the rogues finding all our bunkers, and Reno said it would be a bad move if we had all packed up and run.

The way Reno saw it, a man should never put himself in a position where he’s the prey. It was a smart move. I would have slowed down the pack, and their hunters would have caught up with us.

I sat next to Reno and leaned against the tree, not even caring that the bark was digging into my back, and a stick was poking me in the butt.

We watched Wheeler attempting to set up a tent.

“Reno, will you send a message to Lorenzo and let my mom know we’re okay? She worries.”

“No sweat.”

Wheeler hurled a metal pole and cursed.

“Maybe you should help him,” I whispered to Reno.

He chuckled. “It’s more fun if I don’t.”

I scooted forward and tucked my bag behind my back to give me some lumbar support.

“They should be here in fifteen,” Reno said, staring at his phone. “No one severely injured this time.”

“How many did we get?”

“Seven.” He rubbed at the weathered lines on his face and then got out the solar charger.

“How is it a small pack like ours can take on so many?”

“Because we’re badass,” Wheeler said, shaking out the tent.

Reno tied the lace of his boot, making sure that each string was even. “Judas didn’t factor in how time and impatience can make a man weak. You also can’t throw a bunch of strangers into a group and expect them to fight like brothers. Shifter wolves don’t work like that. There’s a hierarchy, and you can bet your ass there are men fighting for rank within each unit. We’ll die for each other. They won’t. That’s what makes them weak.”

“Whoa!” April screamed, flashing into the campsite and tripping over Wheeler.

I giggled when Wheeler lay on the pile of tent poles with his arms and legs outstretched. He’d clearly relinquished his role as tent assembler.

April bounced to her feet. “This Mage thing comes in handy. I think I’ve got the hang of running on uneven ground as long as I concentrate, but it’s hard to stop when there’s something in the way,” she said, nudging Wheeler with the toe of her shoe.

Her short hair was windblown and away from her face, and she looked like a little soldier in her military gear.

April sauntered over and took a seat between Reno and me, giving him a short kiss before turning her attention to my belly. “How are you feeling?”

“I could go for steak and potatoes, but otherwise, I’m great.”

Wheeler groaned. “I could go for a bed.”

April unlaced her boots. “I could go for a new pair of shoes. We should have broken these in before all this started. I’ve got blisters, and without sunlight…”

Reno touched her hand, and she smiled. Tiny threads of blue light weaved between their fingertips as she borrowed his energy to heal. It’s not something a Mage did with other Breeds, because it wasn’t polite—not to mention taking too much energy could drain or even kill them—but only a minute amount was needed for something as trivial as a blister.

I watched the exchange in awe. While it was just a simple transference of energy, it represented something far more tender and beautiful. It was as if I could see the chemistry between two life mates—the love that exists in the threads of our being that weaves itself to another soul.

He retracted his hand and went to help Wheeler set up the tent.

“Holy smokes,” April said on a breath. “Where did
he
come from?”

I spied our feline companion nestled inside Wheeler’s bag—his nose and whiskers protruding through the flap. “That’s a great story I’ll save for supper, but suffice it to say I have a feeling that Sparty just earned his keep in this pack, which is more than I can say about me.”

April put her arm around my shoulder. “I think we both know that’s a lie. Lexi Cole can hold her own. Remember that showdown years ago at the club?”

I laughed. “How could I forget? Austin owed that guy a
lot
of money in repairs.”

“And who was the one who single-handedly broke up a fight between eight wolves at a peace party?”

I thought back to the party a few years ago and rolled my eyes. “That fight wouldn’t have broken out if Denver hadn’t screwed up the meat order. We ran out of steak—what did he expect when the next guys in line got hot dogs?”

She laughed while putting her boot back on. “Well, you got right in there and grabbed them by the scruff of the neck, showing no fear. The women in this pack look up to you. Heck, Lexi. The
men
look up to you. Izzy had to sit out a few times when she was pregnant, so this has nothing to do with your skills. The pack’s instinct is to protect the weakest.”

“And I’m the weakest link?”

She patted my belly. “No, but this one is. Any movement today?”

I shrugged. “A little.”

“Maybe she misses her daddy.”

I bumped my shoulder against hers and smiled. April had been buying books for the baby, everything from
Green Eggs and Ham
to
A Little Princess
. But she was indulging me with more books aimed at girls than boys.

“I guess you really can’t have children now,” I said glumly, my thoughts traveling to her becoming a Mage.

Her eyebrows arched. “Lexi, I was almost forty anyhow. No baby was coming out of this body, and I don’t think I’d want to carry a child that wasn’t Reno’s. Anyhow, I’m fine with being Aunt April. I’ve never wanted kids of my own. I know that’s a strange concept for a Shifter, and humans for that matter, but this is my life, and I’d have it no other way.”

I rubbed my belly and considered that maybe it was meant to be since now she was an immortal. I couldn’t imagine outliving my children and their children.

“The pack’s here,” she said, dusting off her hands. “I can feel their energy approaching.”

I used her knee as a crutch to stand. “Sorry.”

She smiled warmly. “You’re fine.”

When Austin appeared in the distance, my heart soared. I couldn’t take my eyes off his body as I searched for injuries or blood. His gait was confident—no limp or impairment to his stride. He didn’t have on a shirt, and the right side of his torso was caked in mud.

He dropped his bag and cradled my head in his hands, pressing his forehead to mine. “Just let me breathe you in,” he whispered.

I touched his chest, feeling a thunderous beat. “Where is everyone?”

Maizy passed by us, and I heard her chattering with April.

Austin kissed the corner of my mouth. “They needed to rest. Axel reported fewer attacks on his end, but he still can’t be sure if anyone’s slipping through the cracks. Church sent some of his men, and they’re joining up with William’s camp.”