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Come on, then. Let s go, Zacky said, looking hopeful.
Mikey, Ollie, I want you to stay here, hold the fort, and take care
of Marie and Billy, okay? Matt said.
Of course, Dad, Mikey said as Ollie nodded.
Jimmy, are you staying or coming with us? Tyler asked.
I don t know, Jimmy whispered, looking desperate. He knelt in
front of Billy s chair and put his head in his mate s lap. I want to stay
with you, baby, but I want to rip that fucker apart.
Billy leaned over to put his hand on Jimmy s head. Go.
Really? Jimmy looked at his mate uncertainly. Billy nodded and
stroked Jimmy s cheek as he smiled at him. Thank you, baby,
Jimmy whispered, leaning up to kiss his tiny mate. I ll bring you
back his heart.
Love you, Billy said, kissing Jimmy back.
Love you, too.
All right, Tyler interrupted. Have a drink and let s go.
A bag of blood was passed round quickly, and Frankie tried to
drink, but his fear had his stomach in knots. He needed to find his
mate, make sure he was safe, and then smack him for being so stupid
and kiss him for being so brave.
They piled into two cars and headed for the highway. The nearest
zoo was just outside the city, but even so, a two hour drive which was
doing nothing for Frankie s nerves. He sat in the back, gripping Zacky
tightly, taking comfort as much as he tried to give it. His beta was
160 Teya Martin
quiet, shivering and barely holding back tears. Zacky kept one hand
on Tyler s back as the alpha drove, also for comfort. Frankie only
wished his own mate was there for him to hold onto.
* * * *
Finally, they turned into the zoo s car park and pulled up near the
entrance. It was dark, but that was no hindrance to them. They all
jumped the gate, and Tyler clasped Matt s neck and arm.
Split up?
Yeah, this place is vast. Even with Frankie and Jay s bond, the
rogue pack might have split up, and we need to get them all.
Tyler nodded. Okay. Zacky and I will go with Frankie to find Jay.
You three hunt.
Matt nodded solemnly and gestured at his pack.
Be safe, Tyler whispered.
You, too.
Matt, Johnny, and Jimmy headed off, and Tyler turned to Frankie.
Relax, cub. Your fear is interfering with your ability to sense
your mate.
Frankie closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to focus,
trying to feel that tug in his heart that told him his mate was close.
Warmth unclenched his heart a little, and he started to walk, speeding
when he started to become aware of a sense of terror and pain.
Tyler, we need to hurry. I can t stand it.
I know. Let s run.
Thank you. Frankie broke into a run, following his need through
the zoo, past the enclosures, startling some of the animals.
Wait, wait! Zacky suddenly screamed.
What, baby?
My mom, I can smell my mom.
Where?
Close. She s scared, Ty. Frankie, we have to
Rogue 161
I know, Frankie interrupted. Despite his desperate urge to find
his mate, he knew they had to make sure Esther was safe first. He
followed reluctantly, every step away from his path to Jay heavy with
pain and an increasing sense of anxiety. His heart hurt to move away
from his mate, but he swallowed back the pain and jogged with Zacky
and Tyler toward the wolf enclosure.
Oh no, Zacky groaned. Didn t Jay say Bert had a thing for
wolves?
Frankie grimaced. Yeah, he did.
They jumped over the fence and down into the rocky and wooded
terrain where the wolves ran free and wild.
Mom? Zacky yelled. Mom!
Snarls and growls erupted and three wolves leapt toward them.
Zacky, find your mother, Frankie, with me, Tyler said, turning
to face the wolves. Baring his teeth, Tyler rushed at the lead wolf,
grabbing it by its bottom jaw and the back of its neck as it lunged for
him.
Oh fuck, Frankie squeaked. Another enormous wolf leapt at
him, growling and slavering. As Tyler threw the first wolf across the
enclosure to slam into the wall and grabbed a second, Frankie ducked
and turned, catching the third by the scruff of the neck and throwing it
after the first one. Tyler growled loudly and took a couple of heavy,
stomping steps toward the wolves. They whimpered and ran, and
Tyler nodded at him.
Thank you, Frankie. Are you bearing up okay?
I need to find him, Tyler, Frankie whispered.
I know. We will, Tyler said softly, patting his arm. Let s go.
Zacky s found Esther.
They ran through a small, wooded area to what was almost a cliff
face, with a ledge about twenty feet up. Esther was clinging to her
son s back as he carefully climbed down to the ground. Tyler ran and
grabbed both of them when Zacky jumped down the last few feet,
hugging them tightly.
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Thank God, Tyler breathed.
Oh, my boys, I knew you d come, Esther whispered. Billy?
He s fine, Mom, don t worry about that now, Zacky said,
hugging her tightly.
My darling boy, she sighed. Are you all here?
Most of us, yeah.
Thank goodness. A boy tried to save me. I think that rogue was
going to kill him.
No, Frankie whimpered. Tyler, please, I need to find him.
Frankie? Esther said, raising her eyebrows.
He s my mate.
Oh, Frankie, poor baby. She sighed, giving him a hug and a
kiss. Tyler, you and Frankie go and find him. Zacky, take me to the
car quickly so you can help.
Yes, Esther.
Yes, Mom. Zacky turned and kissed his mate quickly. Be safe.
I ll be as quick as I can.
Okay, love, Tyler said with a nod. Frankie, let s go.
Thank you! Frankie gasped. He turned and bolted in the
direction his heart and soul had been trying to point him in since their
arrival. He could feel Tyler right behind him, but his heart sank when
he saw the signs for the reptile house. While he no idea how he knew,
somehow, Frankie knew that Jay was terrified of snakes.
Just outside the door, Frankie stopped and took a shaky breath.
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