Free Betrayal: Reckless Desires (Dark Wolves Book 2) by Elianne Adams Page A

skin showed through the dirt on her face from where her tears had fallen.
    If it weren’t for Orrin’s posture, Wesken might have shifted to make himself look less intimidating, but he was looking for something, and Wesken didn’t want to waste any time shifting back if he had to give chase. He loped over to his pack brother’s side, peering into the long grass and the forest beyond, seeking what Orrin was intent on finding.
    When he didn’t see anything, he looked over at Orrin, and his heart all but exploded from his chest it was pounding so hard. Nestled there, in the big man’s arms, was Malec. He had a couple of scratches on him but, otherwise, seemed unharmed.
    No longer caring if he frightened the woman further or not, Wesken shifted. “Thank fuck.” He reached for his nephew, who smiled and held his little arms out for him.
    “You shouldn’t talk like that in front of him. Miga won’t be pleased. What the hell happened here?” Orrin asked, obviously forgetting the advice he’d given. “Why was Malec sitting here in the garden all alone?”
    “The Mahehkans. That’s what happened. Amalija’s one of them.” Just saying her name left a bitter taste in his mouth. “She betrayed us.”
    Orrin looked at him again. “No, she didn’t. There is much we didn’t know about her, but I’ve learned a lot while I was gone. We need to talk to her. And Argram.”
    The pounding of feet, both in wolf and human form came at them from behind. Wesken turned in time to see his brother explode into the garden. As soon as he saw Malec sitting happily in Wesken’s arms, he stumbled. The big wolf skidded to a halt only a foot away. He was shifting even before he came to a complete stop.
    “Go, get Miga!” he yelled at no one in particular, knowing that someone was already scrambling to do as he’d commanded. His hands shook, and tears ran down the big man’s face as he took his son and held him close.
    Wesken kept himself between his brother and the rest of the pack, providing some measure of privacy while he regained his composure.
    Malec grunted and growled in his baby talk, something no one other than Miga had yet to understand, but it lightened the weight pressing on his soul just hearing it. He was safe.
    “Thank you, brother,” Argram said, his voice thick.
    “I wish I could take the credit, but it was Orrin who found him here in the garden.”
    Argram looked over at Orrin and nodded. “He was in the garden? Alone?”
    Before he could say a word, Miga came running into the clearing, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t stop until she had her son clasped to her chest. Argram wrapped her in his arms, protecting them both.
    “Bring them home. I’ll take over here,” Wesken told him. They needed some time, and he had to make his failure to keep them safe up to them, if only in this small way.
    Argram grunted once before leading his family away.
    He waited until the Alpha was out of sight before turning his attention to the two Orrin had brought to the village both of which had yet to make a sound. “Now, what’s going on here?” he asked.
    Orrin was already standing by the woman, sheltering her from prying eyes. “They are both Mahehkan, I brought them back to the village with me,” he said, then lifted his hands in front of him when growls erupted from all the males present.
    “Why did you bring them here? Is that one even alive?” Wesken asked, as he pointed to the male who had yet to move.
    Orrin huffed and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Barely. I brought them because you need to hear what they have to say.” He scrubbed his jaw with his knuckles. “Well, what Roxie has to say. James won’t be talking for a while.”
    “Fine. Let’s go to the pack house.” When Orrin went to the female and picked her up, Wesken rolled his eyes. What the hell was he supposed to do with the male? When the others all left him lying there, Wesken growled, then picked the man up. If he was responsible for