Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty-Three

Caroline Ryder

Everything happened all at once.

Morda’s hand moved in a sweeping motion, a trail of fire dancing in its wake. Grant let out a growl, his arm instinctively moving to shield his mate.

Trip’s body went rigid as Rowan shifted, the beta’s tail curling protectively around his alpha’s legs. Jackie lunged forward, desperate to shield someone, anyone.

I found myself staring, wide-eyed, at my brother’s mate.

“What in the world are you?” Trip’s voice was sharp, his arm reaching back to shield me. His body heat, coupled with the thick humidity, made me break out in a sweat.

“A witch,” Morda’s voice cut through Grant’s snarl.

Rowan’s growl was met with a snap, causing Grant to tremble. I tried to speak, but my voice was lost.

Morda looked around, her expression one of confusion.

“Get off my territory,” Trip’s voice was a low growl.

Grant crouched, ready to pounce.

“Everyone, just calm down!” Jackie’s voice was firm, commanding.

I looked up at Trip. His eyes were locked on Morda, his mouth set in a hard line, the muscles in his neck tense and pulsating.

His fingers dug into my skin, a little tighter than before. I could tell he was thinking of Del, not me.

“Tell your mutt to back off,” Grant’s voice was hard, like steel.

“Grant—” Morda began.

“Now!” Grant’s voice was a roar, his eyes locked on Rowan as the beta snapped his jaws and swished his tail low to the ground.

“No one is going to hurt anyone,” Jackie’s voice was quick, her eyes scanning the pack members who hadn’t strayed as far as we’d hoped. “Trip—”

“Get off my land,” Trip’s voice was a low growl, raising the hairs on the back of my neck and arms. “Get out of my territory.”

Grant nudged Morda backward slightly. “We’re leaving,” he rumbled, his eyes still locked on Rowan. The beta answered with a snarl.

“No!” I pushed past Trip, my injured leg buckling beneath me.

Dizziness washed over me as the world spun and a sharp, prickling sensation shot down my leg, the pain becoming unbearable.

Trip caught me before I fell, and Jackie helped steady me as I blinked back tears of embarrassment.

I took a moment to catch my breath before turning to Trip. “He’s my brother.”

Trip’s face was a mask, unreadable. “He can stay. She can’t.”

“They’re mates—” Jackie began.

“No,” Trip cut her off, his gaze returning to Morda. I could see the distrust, and beneath it, fear.

Morda moved to shield Grant, and when she raised her hands, Trip ~flinched.~

“I’m not going to hurt anyone,” she said, sounding surprised that she had to make such a declaration. I watched as she lowered her hands, uncertainty in her eyes. “I promise.”

“Witches don’t exist,” Trip spat.

“Neither do werewolves,” Morda shot back.

My head was spinning.

Grant placed a hand on Morda’s arm.

“You wanted to leave. You mentioned something about Vivian; let’s go take care of it.” His voice was pleading, his eyes showing a vulnerability I didn’t know he possessed.

“No,” I interjected, ignoring Trip’s growl of disapproval. “Please, I-I just got you back.”

Grant’s gaze was hard as he looked from me to Lux and then toward our family home. “I’m sorry, Caroline, but I can’t stay where my mate isn’t safe.”

“She’s safe,” I rushed out. “I promise.”

Trip growled. “This is my pack, my land, my law. I can’t have a witch here. It doesn’t matter who she is or isn’t mated to.”

His eyes moved to Morda’s neck, which bore no mark. I refused to let doubt creep into my mind.

“She’s a danger to my pack.”

“I’m not,” Morda said at the same time I blurted out, “She’s not!”

Grant cursed. “Fuck this, we’re not proving anything to anyone—”

“We can work this out,” Jackie insisted. “Trip, I know this is triggering for you because of Del—”

Trip recoiled, his eyes flashing with pain as if someone had ripped open his chest and exposed his heart. “Don’t you fucking ~dare~—”

“Who’s Del?” Morda asked.

Trip snarled and Jackie grabbed his shoulders, calling for help as she pushed me out of the way.

I fell to the ground, a cry escaping my lips despite my best efforts to hold it in. My head spun and I was winded by the pain.

I clutched my leg, my nails digging into the soft flesh of my thigh as I tried to ride out the waves of pain coursing through me. My body spasmed slightly and my hands shook as I fought back nausea.

Defeat replaced the pain as I watched from the ground as Jackie and Aaron tried to stop Trip from shifting while Sarah took over the interrogation for her alpha.

Grant was snarling and snapping as Morda tried to defend herself, flames flickering at her fingertips as her emotions ran high.

I tried to yell but I couldn’t breathe as my leg sent waves of pain through me. My body seized as I heard a gunshot, and then pain tore through my leg.

Looking down, I saw blood gushing from the bullet wound that had hit my main artery.

In an instant, my leg went numb. The only sensation I could feel was the warmth of my own blood as it soaked my skin from my thigh to my ankles.

Hands covered my leg, two fingers pressing into the wound, pushing the bullet deeper in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.

I snapped out of the memory with a shudder, grabbing my leg. It was bruise-covered but bloodless.

“Get her out of here!” Trip was shouting. “Get her out! ~She’s burning~!”

I flinched at the sound of his voice. Even Bennie was now trying to help restrain him. Jackie was murmuring words of comfort, but they did nothing to calm him.

Morda was crying now. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to upset you—”

“Apologies?” Trip hollered, his struggle intensifying. “Apologies for what? What have you done?”

“Back off or I swear to the damn Goddess, I’ll tear you to shreds,” Grant roared, his body shielding his mate as he glared at both Rowan and Sarah.

The head enforcer growled. “Is that a threat?” she questioned, raising her hand to signal a dozen wolves from the surrounding trees. “I don’t take kindly to threats against me and my alpha.”

Morda’s tears abruptly ceased as her hands ignited. “Lay a finger on him and I’ll set this whole place ablaze, got it?”

“Hold on,” I croaked, attempting to stand but finding my leg unresponsive beneath me. I extended my hand.

“Just wait… Stop… I can…” I cursed as my head felt stuffed with cotton. My senses were dulled and nausea churned in my stomach.

“Morda, don’t!” Grant shouted as she advanced with flaming hands.

Rowan growled and lunged, his form blurring in my vision. Grant transformed into a white-furred, fanged beast, colliding with Rowan before Morda’s fire could reach him.

Sarah shrieked and her enforcers closed in, surrounding Morda, but keeping their distance as she hurled fire around herself.

“That’s my brother’s mate!” Lux cried out. Keegan seized her hand to prevent her from rushing forward.

Grant and Rowan were locked in combat, with Grant clearly overpowering the beta.

I heard Rowan yelp as I jerked, trying once more to get my leg under me. I moved it with my hands, grunting at the weight and the pain that surged as soon as I jostled it.

“Stop!” Jackie shouted as Trip finally broke through them, his injured arm bleeding slightly where he had disturbed his stitches.

He strode forward, his eyes resolute and focused on the past as he marched straight towards Morda and the wall of flames she had created.

My mouth went dry and I struggled, driven by this newfound urgency. My head lolled on my shoulders as I nearly passed out; the pain drenched my spine in sweat but left my palms icy cold.

“Tyler,” I rasped. “Trip.”

“What did you do to Del?” Trip demanded as he approached Morda.

The witch fixed him with a dark glare. “Don’t come any closer.”

“What did you do to her?” Trip repeated, his voice utterly hoarse.

Morda’s gaze flickered to Grant and then to me. I was leaning against a tree, trying to plot my path towards Trip. I shook my head quickly, looking at Tyler and hoping the witch would understand.

Rowan cried out and I turned to see Grant standing over him, victorious and seething. The White Wolf turned and saw Trip just a few steps away from Morda and growled before charging forward.

My stomach lurched as I threw myself into the path of Grant’s lunge, absorbing the full force of the impact on the side of my body.

We rolled over each other and his claws grazed my skin a few times, drawing tiny drops of blood.

My head smacked hard against the ground as I came to a stop. It felt like Grant’s massive body was crushing my ribcage.

My vision was completely black and I blinked rapidly, trying to restore it as I tasted blood pooling in my mouth.

I spat to the side and drew in a deep breath as Grant rose onto his paws. He shook his massive head above me before fixing me with a look that was a mix of anger and concern.

Trip was there a moment later, using his good hand to shove Grant away before he dropped to his knees beside me.

With one hand supporting the back of my head and neck, he lifted me slightly, his pupils dilated with worry. “Caroline,” he said, my name sounding like a sigh, “are you—?”

“Okay,” I managed to grunt. And I was okay, except for the fact that my mate and brother were trying to kill each other and my entire body ~ached~.

Trip helped me sit up by supporting my back.

Grant had retreated to Morda’s side, his ears flattened against his head like a chastised puppy as he watched me. Morda dug her black-polished nails into his coarse white fur.

I took Trip’s hand and squeezed hard, determined to fracture it if that’s what it took to get his attention.

“He’s my brother,” I said firmly, “and she is his mate.” Trip opened his mouth but I squeezed again. “If they leave, then I go with them.”

Trip could have called my bluff but he didn’t. He just pressed his lips to mine and then buried my face in the crook of his neck as he held me close.

With a sharp command, Sarah ordered her wolves to retreat, though she kept her gaze locked on Grant and Morda.

Trip picked himself up. “My apologies,” he murmured. “You’re welcome to stay.”

Grant bristled and growled sharply until Morda smacked him. “It’s not the first time someone has reacted badly.”

She offered me a small smile of gratitude. “I don’t think staying is a good idea.”

“Please—” Lux tried.

Morda shook her head. She was a striking woman. Not necessarily because of her beauty but because of her presence and the confidence she exuded.

She was slightly taller than average and solidly built.

She wore all black; a blouse cinched at the waist with long flowing sleeves and a ruffled hem paired with an ankle-length skirt that she had fastened with a belt of golden beads.

Her hair hung near the bottom of her rib cage; a rich brown with waves and tangles.

Her face though was what was most captivating about her.

A slightly pointed chin, small nose with a slight upturn, a dusting of freckles and wide, and brown eyes with thick lashes that grazed her defined cheeks.

Next to Grant, she was the night sky to his moon.

“We have to leave,” she said. I could see the hurt sharp in her eyes; the sting of being relegated to the role of the other. “We have an old friend we need to help.”

Grant whined quietly when he met my eye but gave a sharp huff before he herded Morda a few steps away. The witch turned around and said, “We’ll come back. I’ll make sure he comes back.”

And then they left.

I let go of Trip’s hand.

“I’m sorry,” he said, watching as I struggled to stand. I swatted away the hand he offered and signaled for Jackie. “Caroline,” he pleaded, “I don’t know what came over me and—”

“It’s okay,” I said, my voice sharp as Jackie helped me up. I was thankful as she slipped her shoulder under mine, supporting me as I hobbled on my injured leg.

Trip was right there with us. “I didn’t mean to freak out like that. I just saw the fire and—”

“I told you, it’s okay, Tyler,” I said, exhaustion seeping into my voice.

Trip halted in front of Jackie and me just as we reached the porch. “Caroline, I don’t want you to be mad at me.”

I frowned. “I’m not. I’m tired. I’m heartbroken that my brother is gone before I really got to know him. That his mate is probably horrified and will likely never come back here.

“I’m angry that Grant left before he could fully make amends with my family.

“And I’m hurting because some jerk shot me in the leg and I got tackled by a White Wolf today. Honestly, Trip, I don’t have the fucking energy to be mad at you.”

“Caroline—”

“Rowan needs care,” Jackie said gently, stepping in for me. “Sarah needs to debrief. And you need to start planning how to handle Mt. Oaks.

“Caroline needs to rest so she can heal her leg and get better. I think you two need a break from each other.”

Trip waited, his lips pressed together, for me to contradict Jackie’s words, to try to smooth things over, to invite him inside.

When I did none of those things, he nodded, turned around, and walked back to his scattered pack.

“Let’s go, Caroline,” Jackie whispered, her skin warm and comforting where it touched mine.

She held me tighter as we climbed the stairs, and she hushed me when I cried out, biting my lip to stifle the pain. “Almost there,” she encouraged.

Once she had me settled on the couch, she brought me water and food, then knelt at my side to adjust my leg, prop it up on pillows, and cool it with ice packs.

She gave me a few painkillers, even though they’d only offer temporary relief.

“Thank you,” I whispered to her.

She smiled. “We can talk about things, if you want.”

I closed my eyes. “No.”

“Your brother leaving, Trip’s reaction today, your injury…”

“None of which is your business,” I said, turning to stare at the back of the couch.

I remained still as Jackie sighed. She made it clear her offer would always be there, and then she left.

***

I woke up hours later, in the dark, with sweat dampening the back of my neck and spine, a heavy blanket tangled between my limbs, and a distinct feeling of heat.

I heard a soft shush and saw Trip beside me, replacing the ice packs on my legs with fresh ones. He offered a cool cloth for my forehead.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“Sometimes, the grief just takes hold and I can’t shake it off.”

“I understand.”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“I love you.” He squeezed my hand and then sighed, dropping his head between his shoulders.

“You shouldn’t have stepped in today. You should have let Grant beat the crap out of me. I deserved it.”

“How’s Rowan?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light.

“He’s okay,” Trip answered.

I watched as he slid off the couch and sat next to my head. He took my hand in his, holding it to his chest as he brushed the curls away from my face.

For a moment, he was calm. His breathing was slow.

“I know what we’re going to do about Mt. Oaks,” Trip said. He stroked my cheek and then started explaining his plan, sharing his main goal, concerns, and fears.

He told me how the pack would be involved, who would stay behind, and what was expected of everyone.

He told me when he planned to start, how long it would last, and when it would all be over.

And he told me that I would be benched.

“No—”

“You won’t be healed,” he said calmly.

“I—”

“Won’t be able to walk, run, or fight.”

I tried to sit up and he gently pushed me back down. “Trip, I can—”

“Take care of things here. I need you to take care of the people here, and yourself.

“But there are things you can’t do, Caroline. Things you have to admit are your weaknesses. We don’t know how long it will take for your leg to heal or if it will at all. We need to be smart.”

I stared at the ceiling, appreciating his honesty, even though it felt like a punch to the gut.

“Okay,” I murmured, admitting to myself how fucking hard it was just to stand up alone. “You’re right.”

“I’m sorry, Caroline. Of course, I want you there with me, but I can’t pretend you’ll be able to keep up when we both know you won’t.”

I covered my eyes with my hand, trying to hide the tears that were starting to well up. “Okay.”

“There’s something else…” he mumbled.

I looked at him sharply, my old defensive walls going up as I imagined what he might say next:

~“When I chose you for luna, you were strong. When we first got together, you could run and fight and protect.~

~“Now, you’re nothing. We’re not sure if you’ll ever get better and I can’t have a luna who isn’t physically able. It’s not about you as a person, Caroline; it’s just bad luck.~

~“And so, I need you to leave, to go back to your old life. I wish things were different but they aren’t.”~

“What?” I snapped.

Trip swallowed. “I don’t know how—”

“Just say it,” I said, my voice harsh.

~“You’re closed off and abrasive. You’re weak and useless. You’re nowhere near as beautiful as Del was, nowhere near as kind or caring or generous.~

~“You are not enough for me; you are not enough for anyone. You will never be my luna.”~

Trip scratched at the back of his neck, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. “Damn,” he muttered. “I didn’t think it’d be this hard—”

I swatted his hand away, my patience wearing thin. “Either do it or don’t, Trip. But don’t stand here wasting my time.”

He blinked, taken aback. “I—”

“I knew this wasn’t going to go the way I wanted,” I cut him off, my voice rising. “And you know what? I don’t deserve—”

“Caroline,” Trip interrupted, his voice firm. “I can’t focus on Mt. Oaks until I sort out things between us.”

I held my breath, bracing myself for the inevitable heartbreak.

But then he smiled. “I can’t go another day without making you my official mate, my official luna. I can’t face another battle without knowing for sure that I’m yours and you’re mine.

“I want to be completely yours, Caroline, and I want the entire pack to know that you are their luna and that I am hopelessly in love with you.”

His words left me speechless.

He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. “So, what I’m asking is, will you be my mate?”