The KinKaid Wolf Pack Trilogy (41 page)

“Be prepared for a nasty reception when we pull up in this Gregorson SUV,” Kaleb stated from behind her on the backseat.

“Let’s hope they stop long enough to take a hard look before pulling the trigger.” Landry chuckled, but little humor existed beneath the laughter. “After what went down over the last few days, everyone’s going to be skittish as hell.” Landry turned the wheel, and the vehicle veered left onto the paved entrance to their homeland.

This was it. But this time when she crossed over onto KinKaid land, Rosa would be returning as something more. A female bound not to just one male, but two. Many would never accept what they’d done, and her mother and father would sit at the top of that list. But their disapproval wasn’t what had Rosa apprehensive. The only person who truly mattered was her twin.

Their vehicle slowed to a stop in front of the tall closed gate when the
ca-ching
sound of bullets chambering rang out around them. A team of males dressed in black swarmed the SUV.

Damn.

“Out of the vehicle!” one of the shifters shouted. “Now!”

“Are you blind?” Landry yelled in return, then powered down the window. “It’s me. Michaels. Dalton and I have the alpha’s sister.”

“Shit!” The guy shook his head. “Sorry, sir.” He turned toward one of the others who stood closer to the gate. “Open up! It’s Michaels!”

The gate released a click and rolled back. Landry put the vehicle back in gear. “Call ahead and make sure no one else tries to shoot us before we get to the main house.”

“Yes, sir,” the dark-haired male nodded. “Glad to see you’re safe, Ms. Rosa,” he added. “I’m sorry if we frightened you.”

“You were just doing your job,” she called out from the passenger side. “No apologies necessary.”

He smiled and trotted off toward the gatehouse as Landry pulled forward and onto the grounds.

A couple of minutes into the drive, silence hung like crackling static electricity in the air. Each one of the trio a little too tense to open their mouths and touch on the subject that had them all on edge. What else had happened between the packs while they were away? How many of their own had lost their lives? And most importantly, was Arick still alive?

Too soon and yet not nearly quick enough, Landry had the Gregorson SUV tucked into a spot in front of the KinKaid mansion. Before Rosa could close the passenger door, Evin roared up on his Ninja with Mason. Her brother yanked his helmet off and tossed it to the pavement as Mason dismounted.

“I’m so damn glad to see you.” Her brother grinned, his dark hair wild around his face.

“I’ve never been happier to see you too.” Rosa flung her arms around her twin.

Evin enveloped her, holding her tight. Her brother had been through so much these last few years: his fight with their father over his sexuality and position as alpha, then nearly losing Mason, and now her kidnapping which had resulted in a war being raged. It killed Rosa to have been responsible for adding to his stress.

Evin leaned back, his eyelids narrowed as his nostrils flared. The alpha’s gaze flicked to the two males rounding the vehicle.

Shit.

“Rosa!” Mason pulled her into an embrace. “So great to have you home.” His hold relaxed, and he cupped her cheeks. “Are you feeling okay?”

“That’s what I’d like to know as well.” Evin swung his leg over his bike and moved in next to her. “How are you doing—really?” His deep voice rumbled.

“I’m just fine.” Rosa squared her shoulders. Judging by the stern look in her brother’s gaze, the one asking the question “who do I need to kill?” Evin knew something was up.

“Oh, my baby girl!” their mother called from the front of the house. Sable KinKaid beckoned Rosa with a wave of her hand. “Come inside, darling.”

Saved by their mother, Rosa pivoted and headed for her childhood home. Landry and Kaleb turned to follow. She didn’t need to look to confirm, Rosa sensed their presence under her skin.

“Landry. Kaleb,” Evin snapped.

Rosa halted and pivoted. Her mates turned on their heels at the alpha’s command.

“We’re not finished.” Her brother and Mason strolled onto the sidewalk, joining them. “After Rosa is settled in, we need to talk.” The alpha’s gaze flashed.

“That’s why we came here first,” Rosa said. “And why we didn’t go straight home.”

“We?” Evin growled, his brow lifting.

“Yes. We,” Rosa said. “I’m here so we can get everything out in the open. Plus, we’ve been out of contact, and we wanted to find out how things stand between the packs.”

Her brother grunted, and they proceeded toward the house.

“She really is okay, alpha,” Kaleb stated. “We did everything in our power to make sure of it.”

“We’ll see about that,” Evin bit out and marched ahead, his hand threaded inside his mate’s.

“That went about as well as I expected,” Landry mumbled next to her, placing a warm palm against her lower spine.

“He’s not alpha by birth right alone,” Rosa said. “My brother isn’t easily swayed. He has strong opinions and convictions and is more like our father than he’d ever admit,” she whispered. “Just never let him hear you say it.” She smiled up at Landry.

“I’ll try to remember that piece of advice.”

Inside, Rosa, Kaleb, and Landry joined the others in the large family room. Their father, Barron, greeted them, giving her a firm hug and once over. Like her brother, he stilled for a moment as if sensing something off kilter then assessed the other males in the room before retreating.

“You look well, daughter,” he announced to the room. “Evin informed us he’d rescued you from the Gregorson enforcer with the help Michaels and Dalton. He also mentioned that by the time you were located, your heat had risen.”

“Yes, sir.” Rosa found a spot at the end of the floral sofa her mother had always been so fond of and eased onto the cushion. Landry and Kaleb filled the remaining space beside her. “It was a difficult time. But I’d rather discuss first what happened after I was taken to safety.” Rosa looked over at her twin who’d poured himself a drink from the bar. He tossed back a swig, then prepared one for his mate who’d occupied one of the overstuffed chairs. “What’s the latest on the situation with the Gregorsons? Security is definitely tight at the gate, so I’m assuming it can’t be good.”

“After Landry and Kaleb got you out of there,” Evin began, “Mason and I went after Arick, following his trail as far as possible. But he’d gone into hiding, and we’d lost him. And since we knew you were safe, which was the main goal for invading their territory, I recalled our pack to KinKaid grounds. There wasn’t any need in sustaining any more losses.”

“Thank God you both got out of there safely.” Rosa brushed her hand over Kaleb’s knee. “I had a feeling when I’d initially left the grounds there was a chance I was walking into a trap.” She glanced over at Landry. “But I couldn’t ignore Arick’s message and possibly put Landry’s life at risk.”

“Well, Arick achieved exactly what he’d been after by taking you and luring me in. His brother is dead, and he’s tied me to the crime. Arick’s free now to take Stefan’s place as alpha.” Evin eased down on the arm of his mate’s chair. “Yet, the nagging question buzzing around inside my head is...will that be enough to sate his appetite for power?”

Landry scoffed and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Valid point,” he muttered, his voice gruff. “The male is whacked in the head—delusional. I’ve seen the proof up close and personal more than once. You’re right to wonder if he’s finished with us.”

Evin nodded, stood, and meandered over toward the sofa. “I’ve answered your questions and held my tongue long enough about your situation, sister. Now, it’s your turn.”

Rosa pulse strummed inside her veins. But before she could say a word, Landry and Kaleb launched to their feet.

“She’s happy,” Landry stated. “Isn’t that enough?” He eased forward, meeting her brother head-on.

Damn.
Rosa jumped to her feet. If he challenged Evin like that, all hell would come raining down on her mates.

The alpha growled. “I sent her with you two because I trusted in you both to allow who she mated to be her decision. I trusted you wouldn’t jump her like a bunch of animals who couldn’t control their dicks.”

“I’d like to know myself what you’re suggesting is going on here!” Barron rose from the loveseat where he sat with her mother, his eyes flashing.

“Wait just one damn minute,” Rosa shouted and shouldered her way in front of Kaleb.

“I can smell you all over her.” Evin jabbed is finger at both males. “So don’t you dare lie to my face and try to say you didn’t take her.”

“What have you two done to my daughter?” Barron growled.

“Evin...Father...stop.” Rosa groaned. This was getting out of hand. “It wasn’t like that. Not how you’re thinking.”

“She’s my sister,” Evin rumbled. “I expected better from you both.”

“We would never hurt her,” Kaleb spat, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight against him. “We love Rosa.”

“Christ!” Evin shook his head, tossing his hands up as if in surrender. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying she’s my mate,” Kaleb declared, placing a possessive palm on her shoulder.’”

“She’s mine as well,” Landry added, his voice a deep rumble as he palmed Kaleb’s nape. “And so is Kaleb.” Landry glared at her brother as if daring him to refute their status.

Evin’s eyes widened, and he took at step back. He glanced over at Mason who appeared just as shocked.

“Dear, God...” Barron gasped. “Rosa...” He shook his head.

“Oh, Rosa.” Her mother’s voice cracked. “How could you?”

Rosa’s chest tightened. Mentally, she knew her mother and father would never understand. She didn’t need their approval, but it still didn’t lessen the ache of their disapproval.

“Kaleb?” Evin ran a hand through his hair. “This is something you want—to share Rosa—to be with Landry in this way? I’m just confused. I never knew you to date other males.”

Her mate nodded. “You’re right,” Kaleb said. “I never dated any other males because I never had any desire to. Landry is the only male I’ve ever wanted and will want.”

“Well, I’m happy for you two—really—but Rosa...” Evin closed in, clasping her face in his hands. “You deserve better than this.” He shook his head. “You deserve one man who can give all of himself to you. Make you the center of his universe. I wanted so much more for you. I wanted you to have the kind of love Mason and I share.”

“And what makes you think I don’t?” Rosa gripped his fingers.

“How can you when you have to share?”

“But that makes what we have so much richer. We do share, and it’s because we love each other completely that we can. It makes us even stronger.”

Evin released her, lowering his gaze and bracing his hands on his hips.

“You wanted better for me, Evin, but I already have the best. I have two mates who would die for me. And I would do the same for them. How much better can any relationship get? I am literally the center of their world.”

“This is beneath you, Rosa KinKaid,” her father barked, jerking her attention his way.

“Maybe so,” she said. “In your view. But I’ve never been happier or more satisfied in my entire life.”

Barron scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning away. God, her father was a male so resistant to change. Winning him over would take a long time, if ever.

Rosa returned to her twin. “Can you try, Evin...for me? Please be happy for me?”

Before he could answer, a loud explosion outside rocked the house. Mason and her mother jumped to their feet.

“Holy shit! What the hell was that?” the blond shifter asked the question rattling the rest of their minds.

Everyone charged toward the windows as the House security detail flooded the room. Outside, it looked like the Fourth of July. A few yards away a storage facility was engulfed in a raging inferno.

“Son of a bitch!” Her brother whirled. “The Gregorsons have breeched our defenses.”

Landry grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward him. “Stay here,” he growled, then kissed her fast and hard. But the power of it stole her breath. Then Kaleb was there, gliding his mouth over hers in a move so tender and sweet, her heart stuttered.

“Landry’s right,” Kaleb said, pulling away and yanking the pistol he’d stashed from behind his back. The gun released a loud
snap
as he chambered a round, and her blood chilled inside her veins. “Stay inside with your mother where we know you’re safe.”

Rosa grasped for his hand, but Kaleb slipped away.

Having obtained a weapon from one of the enforcers in the room, Evin headed out the door behind them, leaving a furious looking Mason inside.

“Shit.” Mason dragged his palms over his face. “He asked me stay with you. I love you guys, but I can’t stand to sit back and let him risk his life alone.”

“He’s not alone.” Rosa walked over and took his hands inside hers. “Kaleb and Landry would never let anything happen to their alpha.” They would die first. Of that, she had no doubt. Her stomach twisted into a sick knot, but she swallowed back the bile. Problem was, how would her world go on with the loss of even one of them from her life?

Chapter Eighteen

––––––––

L
andry and Kaleb raced along with the alpha toward the burning building. Up ahead, several pack members with water hoses aimed at the flames had already beaten them to the scene.

Evin targeted one of the shifters who appeared to have taken charge and ran up to him. “Was anyone inside?”

“No, sir,” the male with salt and pepper hair stated, then shouted at one of the younger shifters. “Get some water around back.” He glanced over at the alpha. “Luckily, this building is mainly used for housing supplies, and at this hour, no one was around.”

“This was just a bruise to grab our attention,” Landry mumbled to Evin.

The alpha nodded in agreement. “When you arrived on the scene, did you see anything suspicious—someone you haven’t seen around here before?”

“You mean like one of those Gregorsons?” The older male frowned, deepening the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes.

“What did you see?” Landry closed in.