Chapter 22

When they got back, Kobie assessed quickly what was happening. The tailgate of one of the trucks was down, a barefoot was visible. Beside the truck, Shaelan and Devin leaned over someone. Kobie picked up the pace, despite the stones cutting into her feet. Shaelan had to keep that man alive.

Devin stood up and nodded. “Run in and grab an IV bag from Jay’s supplies.” He told Rayne. “He’s going to pull through.”

Kobie huffed out a breath, letting her shoulders slump forward.

Blair walked by her, half carrying, half dragging the other man, and then just let go when he was near the truck. The man slid to the ground and just lay there. “His side might need a patch, Shaelan.”

Standing up, Shaelan glanced at him. “Okay, just let me get the IV going here.”

Devin moved back to stand beside his father, where they spoke quietly. Seeing them reminded her. She walked over and dropped the mud-covered pelt beside their feet.

“Oh,” Devin looked at it then, pointed his finger at her while grinning at Calum.

Calum frowned. “Did you find it on the way back?”

Kobie shrugged, “No, it was in the muddy bog right near where I met up with you,” she jerked her head at the man lying on the ground, “before all this. I found it when I came back for help but wasn’t stopping to get it then.”

Gage was grinning from ear to ear now and nodding his head as he looked at Calum.

“Shit, I knew it was right around there,” he spun and looked at Blair, “in the mud? That’s a new low.”

Blair shrugged, “I was only making it fair for you, my man,” he reached over and pulled Kobie to stand beside him, “my girl can scent things through perfumes, oils, and god damned ointment, so leaving it out in the open would have made you lose in a heartbeat.”

Calum laughed, then turned to look at Kobie and bowed to her, his arms spread out from his body. When he stood up, he pointed at her, “you have a job any time you want it.” He scoffed, “having someone else come out to help me track people down that is good at it,” he looked at Gage, “would be more than welcome.”

Shepard started clapping. “While they’re cleaning this up,” he motioned to the men on the ground, “and taking them over to Ed’s shop,” he pointed to Calum, Blair, Devin, and Noah, “we’re having a discussion.” He smiled at me, “and Kobie has just earned her place at the table.”

Frowning, Kobie looked around. Everyone was looking at her. Her clan, Blair’s clan, and every other person there.

Shepard motioned to the door, “shall we use the kitchen here?”

She realized he was asking permission to use her home. Her home. Then jolted and nodded, “Absolutely.”

Curious glances were being exchanged as the five men sat down at the table. Kobie’s heart was racing, she didn’t know what this was about. Giving herself a few minutes to stall, she grabbed some bottles of water and put them on the table and then opened the cupboards and pulled out a bag of jerky and a package of cookies and added them to the table. All of them needed to replenish. She slid into the nearest empty chair, “sorry, it’s the best I have on short notice.”

The men were already helping themselves.

“Food is food,” Blair said and winked at her.

Taking a bottle of water, she opened it and took a sip.

“As far as I can tell, they left a tree overhanging the border.” Calum turned to Shepard, “it’s easy enough to climb, stay off the camera’s and not trip any alarms.”

Devin picked up his phone, “I’ll send Jake and Cale back to cut anything away.”

Kobie was trying not to crush the bottle of water in her hands.

“No need to look nervous,” Shepard told her.

She nodded. Kobie was sitting at her table with the king, the prince, and one of their top warriors, of course, she should look nervous. She continued to watch Shepard as he glanced around the table at the others. He was a big man, it was hard to believe he shifted into a wolf. How big was his wolf? She wondered. There was no mistaking Devin was related to him, they had the same streaked brown hair. Only the King had some grey in there too and combed his neat whereas Devin’s just did what it wanted.

Blair’s hand touched her knee under the table, and she almost jumped, only remembering at the last second they weren’t alone, she didn’t want to look like a skittish fool. Turning her head, she looked at him to see a reassuring expression on his face. He could feel how nervous she was, which meant the rest of the men probably could too.

“Are you going to tell us why we’re here, Dad?” Devin grabbed a cookie and took a bite.

“I am. I was just pausing to look at my new team.” His father gave him a look, “minus you, of course, you’re more like the coach and not going to be doing the work.”

Devin raised an eyebrow and looked at his father and then turned to Calum, “you know what this is about.”

Calum nodded, and then took a drink.

“Jesse is also part of this and a few others, but you here,” he motioned around the table, “are the start. I need outstanding fighters, trackers, and,” he looked at Calum, “ones that can think on the move.”

Calum sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You know I’m in, Shep, but,” he looked at Blair and then at Kobie, “they need to have some serious discussions.”

“How do you mean?” Blair frowned.

“One of you will be Alpha of this clan,” Shep said quietly. “You need to decide if Alpha and mate are both going to be going to help the Alliance and stop Tomas, or if one stays behind.”

Kobie leaned on the table. “I’m not sure what we’re talking about.” She didn’t want to be the dumb female, but they were talking around something and she needed clarification.

Shep motioned to Noah, “Noah was a captive of Tomas’ for fifteen years. Between his knowledge and Rayne’s we have a list of addresses and places we know people are being held,” he paused and glanced at his phone.

Kobie studied Noah for a second and then turned to Blair, who nodded.

“Sorry about that,” Shepard put the phone back down, “Jesse is just keeping me up to date on a few things.” He cleared his throat. “Within the next week or two, we’re going to liberate as many captives as we can.”

Kobie’s sped up. She clasped Blair’s hand under the table.

“Keep in mind this isn’t something that can be done in animal form. A lot of these locations are in cities,” the King leaned forward, a serious expression on his face, “can you track just as well on two legs? With all the other scents and distractions?”

“I don’t know,” Kobie said quietly.

Calum made a weird noise. “You found the damn pelt when we had intruders and still remembered where it was afterward.”

“I can still track, but I’ve never tried in a city.” Kobie blew out a breath, “I’m willing to try.”

“It could prove useful if we lose sight of some of Tomas’ associates.” Shep nodded his head slowly and then looked at Blair, “we need another warrior like you, Blair.”

Blair lifted his chin. “You know I’ll help.”

Nodding in a thoughtful way, he glanced at Kobie before speaking to him again, “and you’re okay with your mate being involved?”

Blair looked at Kobie, she couldn’t make out what he was thinking with his expression, then he looked away saying nothing. It was starting to feel like a hundred discussions she had with her father. She was good enough for sport, but when things turned serious, it was best to let the men handle it. Where did that get you, Dad?

“That’s up to Kobie. She’s my mate. I’m not her ruler and I don’t give her orders.” He shrugged, “I’ll lead the clan if that’s what they want, but she’s beside me, not behind me.”

Devin and Calum exchanged a quick look.

Kobie looked at Blair and met his gaze. He wasn’t just saying it, he meant it. She could not only see it, but she could feel the emotion coming off him. Later, she’d work through the shock she was feeling. Right now, all eyes were on her waiting, for her to say something. “I want to find my people,” she said to him before turning back to the King, “I want to free others and,” she turned back to Blair, “I want to help Blair find his brother, bring him to justice for what he did to Blair’s and my family.”

Blair inclined his head to her.

“Okay. Then you need to pick a second family in the clan—it’s my understanding the last of your father’s choices went with him.”

Kobie nodded, “they took his wife and daughter earlier this year.”

“Sir,” Blair waited for him to look over, “I trust in Gage and Jake and the guys to watch over the others if we’re not here.” He cleared his throat, “the girls need to heal more than they need to be worrying about taking over in case anything happened.”

Shep sat there for a moment thinking that over, then nodded and looked at Kobie, “you’re all right with that?”

Kobie nodded. A week ago she would have said hell no, but now that she knew Blair’s clan and how they were, she could think of no one better to look after everything if something happened. She got stuck for a second, they were asking her, not telling her. “I agree with him, yes.”

Blair squeezed her knee gently, with an emotional expression was in his eyes when he looked at her.

Devin’s father looked at his phone again. “I’m glad we settled that,” he lifted the phone, “Jesse has just informed me they have found a few of your men.”

“Found?” She couldn’t bring herself to say alive.

He nodded, “yes two that weren’t captured.”

Kobie sat on the edge of the chair.

“They’re in rough shape, but not like your brother.” He stood up. “I’m going to call and get more details.” He turned and walked out of the room.

Kobie stood up and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh my god.” There were tears in her eyes. She wanted it to be Robbie, Daisie’s dad but wanted it to be others just as much.

Blair gave Devin a look and then stood up and pulled her closer.

“I’ll go see if we have names.” Devin got up.

Blair nodded but didn’t take his eyes off her.

“I’m going outside to patrol. Let me know if we’re needed for more discussion.” Noah walked by them.

Kobie’s heart was beating so fast she was having trouble breathing. She held Blair’s look, trying to stay calm.

“I’m going to check on Shae, she’s in with Jay.” Calum left quietly.

“Hey,” Blair touched her shoulders gently, “breath, this is good news.”

Kobie nodded, “I just…” She couldn’t voice it. How could she want it more for one than another? “I need it to be Robbie, for Daisie.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “But then there’s Annamarie, Nichelle, and Franki.” Blair pulled her against his chest. He didn’t try offering her words that would make it okay to hope for one and not another. There were four from what was left of her clan that had no answers, that waited on news of a relative. Grasping his shirt, she pushed her face into the scent that was unadulterated Blair. Inhaling it, she searched for calm. Even her cat didn’t know what to do. He was right there, his scent inside them, but clan members’ families mattered too. Blair just stood there, running his hand up and down her back, the motion was soothing, comforting, but she noticed it was his scent that helped her keep it together.

“Dev will find out, babe.” He whispered against the top of her head.

She nodded, not able to say anything, she just needed to touch him, inhale the warm scent of his skin. It felt like hours were crawling by.

Someone cleared their throat. Kobie lifted her head and looked over to see Devin standing in the door to the living room area. She straightened but continued to cling to Blair.

“Niles and Robbie,” Devin said softly.

Kobie nodded. A tear ran down her cheek.

Blair held her shoulders and leaned down. “Niles?”

Kobie swiped at more tears. “Nichelle’s uncle.” She said in a voice shaking so much, she wasn’t sure he’d understood.

“Okay.” He nodded and kissed the top of her head.

“This is stupid. It’s good news.” She leaned her face into him again.

“It is.” He hugged her. “Just hold on to hope that more will be found or rescued.” He leaned away again, “we’re part of that rescue team, babe.” He offered her an understanding smile, “we’ll find as many as we can.”

Daisie came running into the kitchen and stopped. She gave Kobie a wary look, then frowned at Blair. “Did you make Kobie cry?”

Blair hugged Kobie against his side, “no, sweetie, I didn’t.” He cleared his throat. “Can you go round up your mom and Nichelle for me?”

She looked at Kobie again.

“It’s a happy cry.” Kobie lied.

Daisie frowned even more, “there’s happy crying?” She slumped her shoulders and turned to the door. “There’s so many kinds of crying.”

Blair went to step away, Kobie grabbed the back of his jeans. “Please stay.”

He smiled down at her. “I was just going to grab you a Kleenex.” He made a scoffing noise, then pulled his t-shirt up and wiped her cheeks gently. He kissed the top of her head, “so they don’t freak out and beat me thinking I made you cry.”

She had to smile at that. “They wouldn’t beat you.”

He raised both eyebrows and looked down at her. “I would put nothing past the group of you.”

“You wanted us?”

Kobie turned to see Cortney and Nichelle standing in the door with Daisie right beside them.

“She was crying,” Daisie said.

Kobie smiled at her briefly. “I was.” Taking a deep breath, she inhaled slowly. “They’ve found Robbie and Niles.” She waved her hand in the other room. “They’re in rough shape, Devin’s father is getting more details now.”

Cortney hugged Daisie against her side, her hand over her mouth. “Any of the others?”

Kobie shook her head. “Not yet, but they’re still searching.”

Nichelle looked from Cortney to Kobie, then back. “Uncle Niles is alive?”

Cortney nodded.

Nichelle turned to Blair, “are they coming here?”

“I’m sure they will as soon as possible.”

Nichelle nodded her head quickly. “We need to get more rooms done.” With that she spun around and went back outside.

Cortney looked at the door. “I’ll go make sure she’s okay.” She gave Kobie a quick look, “let me know when you know more.”

Kobie nodded. She held her breath until they went out after Nichelle. Blowing it out, she looked up at Blair. “I need to go for a run.”

He searched her face for a moment. “Do you want me to come along?”

“I just need some time to process.” She whispered.

Leaning down, he kissed her mouth softly. “I’ll tell the guards to give you some space,” he straightened up, “any hint of anything off, you hightail it back here.”

She nodded, even though it wasn’t a question. “Thank you.” She rubbed her hand over his chest. “For everything,” she motioned to the table, “you shocked me by some things you said.”

Blair shrugged one shoulder, “I meant them. Where things go from here is your choice.” He looked at her for a moment, “everything.”

Stretching up, she pecked his cheek, then turned and went outside.