Shadows (Book 2 of the Zara's Wolf Trilogy) BWWM

26. Bulletproof

Tamara needs just as much consoling, if not more than myself. She's a basket case in her husband's arms. I'm having a hard time keeping myself together; I can't even look at her without my heart breaking even more.

Leah and Brianna join their parents in a group hug as the shock starts to wear off. After a few minutes, their tears begin to subside and they sit around the table while Ryan's men continue to stand at attention on the other side of the island.

We knew, within our hearts, that the outcome of this wouldn't be good. One way or another, someone was going to die. Neither one of us wanted to admit who we were rooting for either.

I can't believe it's come down to this. How could Ryan do this to his family? I get that he wants to take his rightful place as alpha, but after murdering his mate and abandoning his pack and family, how does he expect to get everything he had back? He can't.

The silence drags on with Evan's family wringing their hands at the table.

Evan and I stand together a few feet away. His back faces the guards, keeping himself between them and me. I glance over his shoulder at the men, feeling self-conscious under their gaze. Clearly, they're watching Evan and I. I can even make out their smirks despite their attempts to keep a straight face.

They think they're so tough, but they're just mindless minions. Given an order, they'll jump to do it, even if it means killing someone.

Lowering my gaze, I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I'm blubbering like a baby, and hiding behind my mate. As if I'm one to talk about mindless minions, how do I fair in terms of spineless wimps?

Well, you did have a gun pointed in your face and your mate's, I remind myself. That's a first.

Seeing the defeated look on my face, Evan brushes a dreadlock behind my ear. His voice is low, so only I can hear him. "You know that I'll do anything to protect you. You know that, right?"

My heart twists at the underlying pain in his words. "I know, but he's your brother..."

He snorts. "Only by blood."

Looking up, my dark brown eyes plead with his golden ones. "How can you be so... so... dismissive?"

He sighs, lowering his head and pressing his forehead gently against mine. "Megan wasn't my mate, but that doesn't mean I didn't have strong feelings for her. I cared deeply for her." He hesitates. "Ryan killed her right in front of me."

He closes his eyes, swallowing, and sucks in air as if it were his last breath.

"I couldn't..."

Sniffing, he steps away, his lowered eyes reflect the agony in his heart. He can't say it, but he doesn't have to.

He couldn't save her.

I reach for his hand, and catch his hurt-filled eyes. It'll be okay, I tell him with my eyes.

He nods, but there's still turmoil swirling around in his deep irises.

A light snicker breaks the silence. Several pairs of eyes turn to glare at the guard not even bothering to mask his apparent amusement of the situation. Not cool.

Evan balls his hands into fists at his side, nostrils flaring. His eyes burn with loathing as he turns to the laughing guard.

My breath catches in my throat. They have guns. They can kill him if he challenges them. It's an unfair fight, and no matter how much I want to see my mate tell him off, I'd rather keep him alive than save his pride.

Grabbing his arm, I tug to bring him back down from his mounting rage. "It's not worth it," I say in a low voice.

Leaning in, I try to use my scent to calm him down, but that only makes the guard outright chuckle.