Chapter 432 Chapter 432
Noah chose to walk at the back where he could see everyone. His cat was still on edge after their mate fell into the earth. He would never be able to unsee the ground swallowing her. His heart he was sure stopped beating altogether until he heard her voice below. Emersyn slowed and looked over her shoulder at him.
Both seemed to be doing that now, constantly checking where the other was, not moving too far away. He wanted to lie to himself and tell him it was just from what they had gone through, but he knew the truth. He watched all the mated pairs doing it constantly. Kelsey and Gage were always pausing in what they were doing to check on the other one. Kobie and Blair seemed to sense the other one before they needed to look around. Calum and Shaelan even did it. He looked up at Calum, wondering how he was able to be here without losing his mind because he couldn’t check on Shaelan.
Clenching his jaw, he looked behind them, making sure no one else was there. He didn’t like the fact that they were just going to walk into the camp of this clan as if they belonged there. Shouldn’t they observe it for a bit, know who was where, or if anyone else was watching?
He looked at Kobie, a step behind Blair, and wondered what the chances were he could suggest the women wait somewhere. His cat seemed surprised, confirming that there was no way Kobie would just stand back and watch the men walk in there alone.
Blaise came jogging back toward them. “All clear ahead.”
Calum stopped and turned to McKenna, “how many are there that are loyal to Lindon?”
“There’s four, he took the others with him last time he left,” she shrugged, “none of them have come back.”
“That’s because they’re locked in a cell at the Alliance,” Blair said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You got all of them?” Her eyes rounded. “You’re about to make a lot of people happy.” She looked him up and down again, “are you the baby brother that disappeared?”
Blair raised an eyebrow at that. “I guess I am.”
She nodded her head slowly, “my granny told me about everything that went down.” She gave him a hesitant look, “Lindon leaves your cousin in charge when he’s gone.” She scowled, “he’s an asshole.”
Blair looked at his mate slowly, then shrugged and turned back to her. “I’m pretty good at dealing with assholes.”
Calum smirked. “Are there any that couldn’t handle transportation somewhere else?”
Blair’s head snapped back to Calum, a warning look in his eyes.
“Just covering all bases, Blair,” Calum said calmly.
“No, everyone’s in decent health.” She said it in a way that made Noah feel like they weren’t doing as well as she made out.
“How is it you’re allowed to leave by yourself?” Noah watched her as she paused before answering.
McKenna scoffed, “oh, they think I’m an obedient girl.” She bowed her head, “yes, sir, no, sir.” She looked back at him, pinning him where he stood with a look of loathsome. “They don’t even know I’m their worst nightmare. I sabotage just about everything they try to set up or do.” She shrugged, “I even set fire to the supply shack to buy Akira more time.”
Calum grinned and placed his hand on her shoulder, “glad you’re on our side.”
“I’m on my side, don’t forget that.” She shrugged off his hand, “I just want my clan safe and not terrorized and living in shacks with no heat or running water.” She glanced at Blair, “you got that?”
Blair nodded, the muscle in his jaw was pulsing. “We want the same thing.” He said quietly. Kobie moved over and put her arm around his waist and rubbed a hand over his chest.
Noah looked at Emersyn to see that she was looking up at him. For a moment, all he was aware of was her, the others faded into the background. If he were a normal man, he would lean down and kiss her mouth. He’d never kissed anyone before, but if he did, it would be her.
“Noah.”
He jerked his head to look at Calum.
“We’re going ahead with McKenna,” he glanced at Blair, a slight smirk on his face, “Blair will come in after us, so everyone doesn’t start bowing to him or he doesn’t scare the hell out of them.
Blair sucked in a breath and stuck his chest out, “I’m a scary guy.”
Kobie chuckled and started walking again.
“But I am.” Blair hurried after her.
Noah glanced back to the woman beside him. “Stay back with Kobie, okay?”
She nodded, then put her hand on his arm, “be careful, please.”
He looked at her mouth, the urge to kiss her popping into his head again. Turning on his heel he rushed after Calum.