Sanctuary Lost

Chapter One


Dead leaves crunched under Brynns feet, slippery enough that she slid several steps with a muffled curse before catching her balance. Branches snatched at her clothing and tangled in her hair, but she didnt stop running. She deserved every stinging scratch, every bump and bruise, even the trembling pain in her legs and the burning of her lungs. She deserved them all, for running.

It was too dark to seefor a human, anywayand she stumbled twice more before she caught sight of the faint fluttering light from Joes cabin. She screamed his name, knowing hed hear, knowing hed know. It wasnt the first attack in the last three weeks, but it was the first one that had come in the dead of night. The first one where the attacker had found their house, had found Abby

And I left her. Shame burned inside Brynn, not just shame at running, but a deeper, aching misery at the knowledge shed had no other option. Her sister could survive a bullet wound to the chest. Brynn might not survive falling down the stairs. Running had been smart. Getting help had been necessary.

It didnt stop her from hating her own helplessness. She crashed past a tree, and the bark caught on her torn shirt and scraped the skin from her arm. She hissed in a sharp breath and let it out on another scream. Joe!

The back door slammed open, and Joe rushed out, hopping on one foot as he pulled on his second boot. Brynn? What is it? He jumped the steps and caught her with one arm as she stumbled forward. Is it Abby?

She fought her way free of his arms and spun back the way shed come. Someones there, she made me run but we have to go back

An iron hand wrapped around her arm, and Joe whipped her around to face him. Ive got my orders, sweetheart. Get inside, in the bedroom. If Abby and I arent back in fifteen minutes, theres a revolver in the nightstand. Take it and haul ass to Gavins.

If she fought him, it would take longer for him to get to Abbys side. Brynn swore harshly, but didnt struggle. Fine. Go. Now. And Ill be right behind you.

He hesitated and groaned. Youre going to get us both killed. But he let go of her and took off down the hill, back toward the house.

Toward Abby.

Brynn only waited long enough to catch her breath before following him.

It was harder this time. Her legs wouldnt work right and she seemed to catch every branch on her body. Joe disappeared into the night, so fast and silent she couldnt hear him over the harsh sound of her own breathing.

If I were one of them

It wasnt a new thought. Three attacks in as many weeks, and each left her feeling angrier, helpless. Abby, with her superstrength and near invulnerability, could defend herself. Brynn was a target. A hostage.

Weak.

She broke free of the woods behind Keiths house and hit her knees in relief when Abby shoved open the back door of the house. Brynn thought she saw blood on her sisters clothes, but Abby moved out of the light too quickly to be sure.

Adrenaline faded. Brynn braced her hands on the ground as she gasped for breath and wished, once again, for the speed and stamina werewolves took for granted.

Abby knelt beside her and stroked one shaking hand over her hair. Are you all right?

It took her a few seconds to get enough breath to talk. Of course Im all right. I ran. Are you?

Her sister nodded. Joes bringing some of our things out, and were going to his place, okay? Just for tonight.

Okay. Brynn pushed herself up with a wince and focused on Abbys stained shirt. That blood Its not yours, right?

Abbys eyes hardened as she helped Brynn to her feet. No. No, its not mine.

Good. Brynn tried to brush bark away from the raw, open scratch on her forearm and hissed at the sudden sting. The bruises from her ordeal at the beginning of the month had faded, but shed earned plenty more to take their place tonight. Her muddy T-shirt hung from one shoulder, and she used an annoyed sigh to cover her fear. Is he getting me a change of clothes? This is ruined.

I packed a bag in case we needed to leave quickly. As Abby spoke, Joe came through the door and clomped down the back steps. Did you get it?

He hefted a backpack. This one?

Yeah. Thanks, Joe.

No problem. He hesitated, casting a glance at Brynn. I called Gavin. Hes sending someone.

Maybe they can learn something useful once he Abby cleared her throat. Once the guy wakes up.

Joe snorted quietly. Theyd better do it before Keith gets back.

Imagining what her sisters new lover would do to the man whod broken into his home made Brynn queasy. She swallowed and turned resolutely toward Joes cabin. Can we go yet? I need to clean up.

A warm hand landed on her shoulder, and she felt Joes comforting presence beside her. Do you need to see Cindy about that scratch?

I dont need a doctor. The last thing Brynn wanted was more werewolves smothering her with overprotective concern. She summoned a smile for him. Have you got a first aid kit at your place?

Sure. He cocked his head and got that look the werewolves always got when they were listening to things she couldnt hear. Backups here. Want a ride, Abby?

Abby touched Brynns other arm. Can you walk?

Stop it. Brynn ground the words out between clenched teeth. I ran through the woods. Thats it. Im fine. Youre the one who was attacked, Abby. Stop worrying about me so damn much.

Okay. But Brynn caught the pointed look her sister gave Joe, and knew hed be watching her for any sign she was about to collapse, or faint, or trip Or stub my toe or break a fingernail. But there was nothing she could do but set her jaw and walkunassistedback to Joes cabin.

They were almost through the woods when Joe glanced over at Brynn and finally broke the tense silence. After we get your arm cleaned up, can you help me with something?

It would give him an excuse to watch over her in an overprotective fashion, which was probably the point, but at least he tried to be subtle about it. Sure, Joe.

Gavin and Sam are coming over to talk. I need to make some sandwiches or something, and I could use a hand. Cant let the pack alphas go hungry.

Okay. I can handle sandwiches. And maybe with Abby out of the way, she could find a way to ask Joe the one question that had been burning in the back of her mind since the last attack.

How do I become one of you?

The angry red scratches on Brynns face and neck looked worse now that shed cleaned up, and it didnt help his foul mood. Joe tried not to grind his teeth as he smoothed the last bit of tape over the bandage on her arm. If it gets swollen or hot, see Cindy about it anyway, okay?

Brynn seemed unconcerned. She tossed her damp hair over her shoulder and glanced at the bandage. Thanks. I probably didnt need that, though. Its not that bad.

I wanted to get it covered before your sister got out of the shower. He gathered the rarely used first aid supplies and replaced them in the cupboard. She worries. Maybe too much.

Brynn made a rude noise as she began to twist her hair into a tight braid with deft movements of her fingers. I might have noticed that.

She cant help it, you know. Really. No more than he could. Its an instinctive thing. You need protection.

I know, I know. She tied off her hair with a band shed pulled out of the backpack and turned to study him. Can I ask you a question? A serious one.

He attempted a smile. On a night like tonight, I dont think theres any other kind.

He could tell she was nervous when she took a deep breath and braced herself before speaking again. I always hear Keith talking about the way things go when you choose to become a werewolf. How does it work, if you choose?

As if anyone could make an informed decision about it. You cant know, he thought bitterly. Its not possible. You find out everything you can, you think real damn hard about your reasons, and you take your case to the alpha. Then you wait.

How long?

Six months is Gavins minimum. Surely she couldnt be thinking Tell me this is just casual curiosity, Brynn.

The stubborn set of her jaw told a different story. Are there ever exceptions? For dangerous circumstances?

He braced his hands against the edge of the counter. Your sisters going to have a fit if you so much as bring it up, you know.

My sister is not in charge of me. Brynn shifted with a wince that made the hair on the back of his neck rise. And if Im going to have werewolves trying to kill me for the rest of my life, maybe it would be nice if I were a little harder to kill.

Youre not going to have people after you. His hands tightened into fists, and he took a deep breath to quell the fierce protectiveness that crashed through him. When we figure this out, find a plan of attack

You cant promise Ill be safe. You cant. I listen when Keith tells Abby about the politics, about whats going on out there. I dont want to be their weak spot. I dont want to be a hostage.

The water in the bathroom stopped running, and Joe arched an eyebrow at Brynn. If youre serious, you can talk to Gavin about it when he gets here. But Abby is going to shit a brick.

She hesitated before shaking her head. Shes too upset tonight. Ill ask Gavin tomorrow. Justdont tell her. Please?

Im not saying a word, he swore. Promise me youll think about it. There are other ways to be safe. Your brother, maybe.

Until someone comes after him, too. She didnt sound scared, just resigned and tired.

Okay, look

Whats going on? Abby stood in the doorway, her hair hanging in wet tendrils around her head and shoulders. Brynn?

Brynn smiled at her sister and, if he hadnt seen exhausted misery in her eyes a moment before, he might have believed the expression was real. Im fine. Joe played doctor.

Joe choked on his beer. Not like that.

Oh, for crying out loud. Brynn closed her eyes and groaned. Yes, Abby. Joe and I were out here doing dirty, dirty things.

He opened his mouth to deny it but remained quiet. Abby thinking he was perving on her kid sister was better than Abby knowing said kid sister wanted to become a werewolf. Want something to eat or drink, Ab?

No, thanks. Abby wrapped her arms around her body. Gavin and Sam?

On their way. Theyre going to keep the guy under guard until

Yeah. She avoided his gaze. Until.

Until Keith gets back. The guy was going to wish hed died. You want a beer or something, Brynn?

Brynn acted as though she hadnt heard him. Her gaze was focused on her sister, and he could see the guilt in her eyes. Im okay, Abby. Were both okay.

A knock interrupted Abbys answer, and she hurried toward the door, yanked it open and greeted the alpha pair.

Gavin rested his hands on Abbys shoulders. Youre all right? You and Brynn?

Joe cleared his throat. Theyre both fine. Brynn came to me, and Abby took care of it.

As Gavin comforted Abby, his wife slipped past them and fixed her gaze on Brynn. After a few assessing seconds, Sam looked to Joe. She doesnt need to see Cindy?

A scratch, thats all. Shes okay. Her mental state was another matter entirely, but he doubted anything short of an audience with Gavin would make her feel better.

Sam nodded. We cant get ahold of Keith. Have you got space for them here, or should they come home with us?

He tensed. They can stay here. That was the plan, if anything happened. Abby he could let go, but she wouldnt leave without Brynn, and he wasnt sure how hed react if she walked out. The protectiveness hed felt from the moment hed hauled her out of Matthews compound hadnt faded. If anything, it was stronger than ever.

Gavin steered Abby toward the couch and solved the problem with a short command. Here will be fine. The ladies can have Joes bed, and Joe can take the sofa or the floor.
Brynns gaze found Joes, and she smiled at him before rising to follow Abby to the couch. Her earlier annoyance at her sisters overprotectiveness seemed to be goneor well hidden. Thank you, Joe.

Youre welcome. He sat on the edge of the couch as Abby began to talk, relating to the alphas what had happened. He watched Brynn, and only sheer force of will kept him from sliding a comforting hand over hers as she closed her eyes and listened.

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