Jacob always felt like the weak link in his family. His two older brothers were stronger and faster, better, and given lead over their two best squadrons of guards. It might not irk so much if he managed to be the leader of the third ranked squadron, but that position belongs to Mason, a friend rather than family member. It irks more when his baby sister Katya is involved, taking over the Alpha Group, pushing him down to lead the Echo rather than just the Delta group he usually commands. He doesn't complain about it though, not when their sister was missing for nineteen years. She can't help being more naturally inclined to it any more than he can help being the third son.
While following the trail of two unknown shifters, believed to be part of the snatchers grabbing up unmated girls, he discovers a new scent he has to follow. Leading him to a little girl being held by one of the snatchers. His wolf is furious to find the two year old terrified and tied to a rock, and when the snatcher attacks, he doesn't begin to risk him getting close to the baby again. He knows her family is out there, looking for her the way his parents looked for Katya.
He never expects taking the little girl home with him will bring his mate directly into his life. He will do anything to protect her, and her little girl, by whatever means necessary. He won't stop until he's proven to Lena that he will adore them both, keep her safe from everything. Prove that she's strong and worthy enough to be his mate.
Lena was eighteen when she was taken by the snatchers and escaped three years later to keep her baby safe. She's been on the run for the last two years, safe, until she's not and her daughter stolen from her. The only thing that would get her to go back to that place is her daughter, but the sight of their car on the side of the road keeps her from having to go that far.
Finding the alpha regent's guards are searching for the snatchers is shocking, but more so is the unexpected wave of comfort that hits her, replacing the fear previously wrapped around her daughter she could feel. It has her going to the alpha regent's packhouse to wait for news, while she prays to get her baby back soon. Never expecting the man that returns with her to be her mate-or that he'll want her as his once he learns the truth of what happened to her.
She's certain the alpha regent's son wouldn't begin to take a snatched mate as his, especially not her. Not when he learns her darkest secret. No matter how desperately she wants a family for her daughter, to belong to someone, be loved, she knows it won't happen. Except she didn't anticipate just how far Jacob will go to prove they're meant to be together.
With strong language, violence, no cheating, and a HEA, this short story of approximately 23,200 words is intended for an adult audience and may include subjects that are sensitive to some readers.
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