Pablo was torn the day Jericho was exiled. Did he walk away from their mate or stand at the side of the male who rarely showed him any respect? The choice was harder than anyone would’ve imagined, and it weighs heavily on the bear shifter… so much so, that he can’t find the will to go after their mate, Bull, until he’s found a way to make amends for what he’s done.
But fate steps in, putting Pablo into Bull’s path when he’s at his lowest. The dominant rhino commands Pablo’s attention and ultimately pits brother bear against brother bear. Is there a way Jericho can find his way back, or will Pablo and Bull have to find a new path without him?
Over a week later, Pablo returned to the spot he’d last seen Jericho. The hand carrying the basket shook as he worried about the exchange ahead. He stopped before the wall and slowly pushed the basket outside the barrier and lowered it to the ground.
Before
Pablo had the chance to pull his hand back, Jericho came out of nowhere and
snatched Pablo’s hand. He began to pull Pablo through the thin veil separating
their worlds.
“Don’t
do this,” Pablo spat.
Jericho
grinned. The look bordered on evil, and it scared Pablo. He’d never seen his
brother bear like this. “You belong out here with me.” His eyes shone silver as
he glared down at Pablo.
Pablo
pulled away, but Jericho was too strong. His feet dragged through the dirt,
leaving a trail as he dug his heels in. Just as he was partially through the
barrier, someone grabbed him and dragged him back to safety.
Stunned,
he turned to see their mate.
“Let
him go, Jericho,” Bull snapped.
Surprise
filled Jericho’s eyes. His hand faltered, and it was enough for Bull to pull
Pablo back inside the safety of the wall. Pablo glanced at Bull, confused as to
how the rhino knew he’d be there.
Fueled
by anger, Jericho pounded on the wall. “You abandoned me! You bastard!” Jericho
screamed, his eyes glowing full silver.
Pablo
stared into those eyes and sensed the danger he represented. The growl… the
strength… the glowing eyes… Jericho was changed. Bull drew Pablo into his arms…
and the fear lessened some. But it didn’t stop the concern he felt.
“Did
you give him a gun, Pablo?”
Pablo
glanced up at Bull. “How did you know?”
“Did
you or didn’t you?”
“I
couldn’t get my hands on one,” Pablo said. “I tried, but I couldn’t.” It was a
lie for Jericho’s benefit. He hadn’t planned on getting his brother bear a
weapon, but Jericho didn’t need to know that. Now that he sensed the change, he
was even happier he hadn’t taken one.
“Idiot!”
Jericho screamed, again pounding on the wall.
Bull
drew Pablo away a few steps, putting distance between them. “What color were
his eyes before he was exiled?” Bull asked.
Pablo
lifted his stare, the shakes taking over. “G-green.”
“We
need to get to Deacon and let him know.”
“Know
what?” Pablo asked, snatching Bull’s arm as he attempted to walk away. Would
Deacon send the warriors out to kill Jericho?
“He
might’ve been changed.”
Pablo
shook his head, refusing to admit what he already feared. “That’s impossible. A
bear can’t become a werewolf.”
“Then
why are his eyes silver?” Bull demanded.
Pablo’s
head turned, and he looked at his brother bear a moment. “It can’t be.”
“The
full moon is tomorrow night,” Bull said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
Pablo
was still shaking as Bull took his arm and dragged him away.
“I
did this. It’s my fault.”
Bull
didn’t slow down or acknowledge what Pablo said.
“I
should go out to him,” Pablo said, trying to force Bull to let him go. “I
should’ve been at his side. I should’ve protected him.”
“This
isn’t your fault,” Bull said, yanking him closer.
“I’m
his brother bear!” Pablo said, trying to ignore the lust now swamping him at
Bull’s nearness. He had no right to feel it when his brother bear was in
danger.
“If
you’d been out there, you’d likely be just like him. How could you help him
then?”
Pablo
stilled. He’d had the same thought… but something had to be done. “How can we
help him now? If he’s truly a were?”
“We’ll
find Deacon. Deacon will know what to do.”
Pablo
took a few steps with Bull leading the way. “What if Deacon’s plan is to kill
him?”
Bull
was silent a moment. “I won’t let that happen.”
Pablo
felt relief… but then another question came. “Why wouldn’t you let that
happen?”
Bull
didn’t answer.
Pablo
dragged his feet, forcing them to stop. Bull whipped around, his expression
fiercely angry.
“Why
wouldn’t you let that happen?” Did the rhino feel the bond between them?
“I
don’t know,” Bull cried.
“You
feel it, don’t you?”
Bull’s
face twisted in confusion. “Feel what?”
Pablo’s
words died on his lips. He had no right to this male… especially now, when
Jericho was in need. “Nothing.”
Bull
eyed him a moment longer before he took a step closer. “Feel what?”
Pablo’s
gaze lifted. He stared at the male’s menacing expression and sensed there was
no true menace behind it. If he was right, Bull knew there was a connection
between them. “I spoke out of turn,” he answered. “I meant nothing.”
Bull’s
scent filled his nose, making it almost impossible to think straight. His
animal demanded what was his… and his body responded to that need. He stood
there in the cold night, aching for the rhino shifter before him.
“Hurry
up,” Bull demanded.
Pablo
followed the rhino out of the woods, watching the male move with a grace he
wouldn’t have attributed to the animal he was underneath.
He
followed, even though his mind and body were in chaos.
Torn
between his two mates, he was completely gutted. He gave one last glance over
his shoulder, but he couldn’t see Jericho any longer.
