“Last week, I had to attend a conference on murder crime scene investigation in Portland. I can’t begrudge you a few criminals when we’ve got so many of our own. Unless and until it becomes an issue of safety, I will keep as much of this as I can to myself.”

“We appreciate that very much.” Lex inclined his head in the way the other Pack members did to him to show respect.

Lex then went on to outline what they were doing to locate the virus and the wolves who’d stolen it. They had trackers on it as they were all speaking.

“I want to be there when the final takedown occurs.” Stoner leaned back in his chair.

“Detective, it could be very dangerous to any human in the area. I give you my word that we’ll notify you the moment we capture the wolves responsible,” Lex cautioned him.

“Don’t make the mistake in thinking that was a request, Warden.” Stoner turned to Nina. “And I think you’d want to be as far away from this as possible after what happened to your house and shop.” He narrowed his eyes. “And your brother. Where is he, by the way?”

Lex growled when he saw Nina’s slight wince, but she held it in well. “It’s okay, Lex,” she reassured him. “Detective, I believe my brother is dead and I believe the wolves who torched my house and shop are responsible. I think he heard something or they thought he did. In any case, I’m not letting go until they’re held responsible for what they’ve done.” She held her head high and her voice was steady as she said it.

“Fair enough. I apologize for upsetting you. But if you don’t mind my asking, why did you become a wolf after all they’ve done to you?”

“Detective, what matters now is that I am a wolf. I am Second in this Pack and these wolves are my responsibility. I don’t shirk my responsibilities.”

Pride surged through Lex at her answer, at the way she accepted not only that she was a wolf but her position as well. He noted Cade’s posture straighten in response too.

“Duly noted, Ms. Reyes. I can respect that.” He turned back to Lex. “I’ll be expecting a call before any takedown of these wolves takes place or I may feel like you haven’t held up your half of the bargain.”

Lex narrowed his eyes and finally nodded his agreement.

Stoner stood, they all shook hands and he left.

* * * * *

Lex checked in with his people at the hospital and those investigating the whole Carter mess. When he finished up some hours later, he went to look for Nina. He found her in Cade’s room.

His adrenaline surged when he first caught sight of her curled in his brother’s arms but he met Cade’s eyes above her head and saw the anguish and concern there. He heard the soft sounds of her breathing and could smell her tears in the air.

“She’s asleep,” Cade murmured.

Lex crossed the room to where they were sitting. “What is it?”

“She’s scared, Lex. Worried she won’t do a good job as Second. Unsure of her transformation. She doesn’t want to fail. Not you, not me, not the Pack.”

Cade stroked a hand over those chocolate curls and gave a wry grin when he caught Lex staring at the movement. “She didn’t want to worry you. She came to ask me about the transformation ceremony tonight. She just crawled into my arms when the tears came. Nearly broke my heart.”

Lex knew that a part of that urge on her part to seek comfort from Cade was that he was her Alpha, and that would have been reinforced by his also being the Anchor. Still, it wasn’t easy to see his mate in his brother’s arms, asleep and exhausted from her tears.

Cade stood easily and put her into Lex’s arms. She snuggled into his chest and sighed. “I wish I knew how to help her,” Lex said softly.

Cade chuckled. “You do. She’s yours. You’re hers. Just be her mate, Lex, and the rest will work out. She’s something so very special, but then you are too. Things will be easier after the transformation. It’s the unknown she fears. It’s ironic that you’d get a woman who is even more of a control freak than you are.”

“Ha, ha.” Lex rolled his eyes. “Hey, Cade?”

Cade tipped his chin up in response.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. If it weren’t for this pesky mate thing and you being my brother and all, I’d steal her away in a minute.”

Lex stifled a derisive snort. “You wish.”

Cade sighed and shrugged. “Yeah.”

Lex started to reply but thought better of it. Instead, he took Nina to their bedroom and tucked her into bed where she slept as he worked and kept an eye on her.

* * * * *

Warren Pellini stared at Jack Reed in horror. “You what?”

“We infected the human but he got away. My men weren’t watching closely enough. Before they noticed someone had called the cops and they’d picked him up.”

“You lost a drugged up transient human who’d been infected and beaten up? Who are these wolves of yours, Jack?”

“They aren’t anything anymore. There’s only one left alive and he won’t be for long. And the human was so tranked up that he won’t remember anything. If he lives at all, that is. We don’t know if it even took.” Jack tried very hard to repress any nervousness. They were both alphas in their own right but Warren Pellini was insane pure and simple. On top of that he was utterly merciless.

“I’m beginning to see just why Carter was so frustrated with you wolves, Jack. What kind of disorganized organization are you running here?”