“Ally had a vision that Makenna would be shot,” said Derren. “I’m glad we got here in time.”

They almost hadn’t, but Ryan wouldn’t let himself dwell on that. He gave Derren a nod of thanks, unable to speak while a knot of emotion was lodged in his throat. Ryan owed Ally more than he could ever repay.

Jaime’s eyes widened. “Shit, the battle on our territory!”

Dante dug out his cell phone. “In case the others are still fighting, I’ll call Grace and ask what’s happening.” He then faded from the crowd to make the call.

“When we left, it was starting to settle down and things were going in our favor,” said Marcus. “Most of the wolves actually retreated pretty quickly. They’d expected an easy defeat. The sight of us with so much backup threw them. And they started to panic when they realized there were trip wires and land mines on the territory.”

Jaime inhaled deeply. “Any casualties on our side?”

“Trick nearly had his throat ripped out. Dominic came very close to dying while defending Eli.” Eli was Nick’s brother and Head Enforcer. “They’re okay, though. Taryn healed them.”

Dante returned to Jaime’s side. “It was Rhett who answered. Grace was busy tending wounds. The battle’s over. And Zac’s old Alpha is being held captive in the hut.” Dante looked at Ryan. “Everyone figured that kill was yours.”

Still not trusting himself to speak, Ryan inclined his head.

Jaime let out a long breath. “Let’s see who needs help here and then go home.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Makenna woke to the feeling of warm lips on her stomach. Her eyelids were heavy, but she forced them open. Lying on top of her, Ryan had pushed up the long T-shirt she was wearing and was kissing where her gunshot wound should have been. But there was no wound, no bandage, not a spot of blood on her body. She frowned. She had been shot, right?

“Ally healed you,” said Ryan, feeling her confusion. He was so relieved she’d finally woken that a breath shuddered out of him. “She had a vision that you were shot.” There was no evidence of it now. Only unmarred velvet-smooth skin. He couldn’t help remembering the warm blood flowing between his fingers and pooling beneath her. Fuck, she’d almost died right in front of him. When he thought about it too much, his chest would tighten and his throat would start to close.

She stroked his head, sensing his distress. “How long was I out?”

He slipped his arms beneath her and held her tight. “Nine hours.” It was the longest nine hours of his life. Not once had she stirred—not even when he’d stripped and washed her before dressing her in one of his tees.

She scowled as she remembered something. “Your jaw was swollen and you had gashes on your forehead.”

“They healed. None of my wounds were serious.” Unlike hers. He rubbed his jaw against her stomach. “I was scared.” It seemed okay to admit that to her. “You were slipping away from me. I could feel it. But there was nothing for me to grab on to.” Her soul wasn’t a physical thing. “No way for me to make you stay.”

Her eyes stung. “I didn’t want to go.”

“You can’t die.” He wouldn’t survive it.

She swallowed. “Come here.”

He pressed one more kiss to her stomach, reminding himself she was alive and with him. He slid up her body, kissed her gently, and rested his forehead on hers. “I would have followed you.” She tried to shake her head. “Yes, I would have. I don’t know how people carry on after they lose someone.” He wouldn’t have had the will to keep going. Not even knowing Zac needed him. It was selfish; Ryan knew that. Still, he simply would have faded away without her. Makenna was part of him. A part he needed.

She cupped his face. “We don’t have to test that theory. I’m fine; I’m not going anywhere.” She kissed him, wanting to take away the fear and anxiety that ate at him. A change of subject could help. “Well, it seems you were right. We’re true mates.”

Ryan grunted. Of course he was right.

“I don’t like your tone.” She nipped his lip. “Our scents have mixed. I like that.”

So did Ryan. Every shifter would know from just her scent that she was taken. He doubted his jealousy or possessiveness would now ease, however. He still wouldn’t like other males around her. Would always be jealous, just as he’d been jealous of . . . “I’m sorry about Colton. I know he was your friend.”

She bit her bottom lip before it had the chance to tremor. “Me too.” He’d been a good friend to her, and he hadn’t deserved what had happened to him. None of them had deserved the trouble Remy had brought into their lives. “I take it we won the battle.”

“Yes.” He wasn’t good at telling stories. “Only the Mercury wolves had arrived by the time the attack began. Reinforcements turned up no more than a minute later, which spooked the enemies. Most of them retreated, others died. Taryn’s father lost some of his wolves. Trick and Dominic almost died.”

Makenna was relieved to hear their pack was alive. As for someone else . . . “Deanne’s dead, right?”

He grunted. “Roni gutted her.” He was a little jealous he hadn’t been able to deliver that killing move himself. Then again, that would have required him to release Makenna. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to do that until they were in the infirmary, where Grace had given her a transfusion. Grace had tried to usher him out, but he’d just stared at her until she gave up with a humph.