Deeper

12. His Silence Wasn't Empty

••••••••Josh••••••••

The fire crackled low beside us, casting the safehouse in a soft, golden hush. Shadows danced along the walls like silent witnesses to the chaos we'd just escaped. Brooklyn lay curled on the couch, her body slowly relaxing after the hellish night we just survived. Her eyes were closed, her breath finally steady, but I knew sleep didn't mean peace.

Not after what she saw.

Not after what we did.

I sat on the edge of the chair, elbows digging into my knees, staring at her like she might vanish if I blinked. My hands were still trembling. Not from fear. From restraint.

I hadn't shifted, but the beast inside me had come close, too close. Seeing her blood, hearing her scream...

I would've torn the entire world apart to keep her safe.

And yet... I haven't told her anything.

I'm a coward.

"Don't do that," came a low voice from behind me.

I didn't turn. Frederick's footsteps were always quiet, but I could feel him even when I couldn't hear him. He crossed the room and stood near the window, watching the dark through the crack in the curtain.

"Don't do what?" I muttered.

"Blame yourself," he said simply.

I let out a breath. "That obvious?"

"You wear guilt like a second skin, brother. Doesn't take a wolf to smell it."

That almost made me laugh. Almost.

Frederick leaned against the wall, arms crossed. He hadn't removed his jacket or weapons. Always alert. Always ready. That's why I trusted him. He wasn't just my security, he was my anchor, my second in a world full of betrayal.

"She's not ready," I said quietly, nodding toward Brooklyn. "Not for this. Not for us. Not for... what I am."

Frederick glanced at her too, his expression unreadable. "Maybe. But she's stronger than you think."

"She's human."

He gave me a long, pointed look.

"No, she's *not.*"

I turned to him sharply.

"You felt it too?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

Frederick nodded. "Something's stirring in her. I don't know what she is yet, but she's not just some random girl who stumbled into your life."

I looked back at her. Even in sleep, she looked restless, her fingers twitching, brow furrowed, like she was fighting something from the inside out.

"She's powerful," I whispered. "I felt it... like a pulse. It brushed against me when she passed out. I thought I imagined it."

"You didn't."

Frederick moved closer to the fire, keeping his voice low. "I've seen wolves hide in plain sight before. Especially ones that were hidden as children, either by their parents or by enemies. And she's got something I've never felt before. It's not just dormant power. It's raw. Untouched. Dangerous."

I swallowed hard. "Her father was killed."

"Because of *that*," he said, nodding at her. "I'd bet everything on it."

"Monica knows," I muttered bitterly. "She's not just after me. She's after Brooklyn. She suspects what we don't even fully understand yet."

Frederick's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with the same cold protectiveness I felt tearing me apart. "That woman's unhinged, Josh. She's gone full predator now and Brooklyn's the prey."

"I did this."

"No." His voice was firm. "You chose not to mate with Monica. That's not a crime. You never loved her. She just couldn't accept it."

"She wanted more than love," I said bitterly. "She wanted control. Of my name, my status. Her family may be rich, but they never gave her power. She wanted mine instead."

"And now she's running an operation bigger than anything we knew," Frederick said. "That ambush wasn't personal. That was a damn military-grade assault."

I didn't answer. Because I knew something neither of us had said aloud yet.

Monica hadn't just inherited wealth, she took it. Forcefully.

"She killed her father," I murmured, the realization settling in like ice. "She didn't just 'step in' to lead. She took the throne."

Frederick raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"No," I admitted. "But it makes sense. Her father was always looking for a weapon. Always searching for some powerful creature he could force to bond with him. He must've found out about Brooklyn, about her potential. And Monica picked up where he left off."

Frederick whistled softly. "So this goes deeper than just a jealous ex."

"She wants Brooklyn dead before I realize what she is," I said. "Before Brooklyn realizes it."

"Or worse," Frederick added. "Before she can awaken and claim you as her true mate."

I closed my eyes.

That word "mate" used to feel like a curse. A chain. Something my father forced on me. But now... now it felt like a promise I wasn't sure I deserved.

Brooklyn stirred slightly on the couch. A soft whimper escaped her lips. I crossed the room in seconds and dropped to my knees beside her.

"Shh... you're okay," I whispered, brushing a loose curl from her face. Her skin was cool. The fire's warmth hadn't fully reached her.

She flinched suddenly, her fingers curling into fists. I felt that same *pulse* again, stronger this time. It rippled through the air like heat from a flame.

Frederick's eyes narrowed. "It's building."

"What do I do?" I asked quietly, eyes never leaving her face.

"For now?" he said. "Nothing. Don't wake her. Don't force it. She'll remember what's meant to be remembered when it's time."

"But what if she shifts in her sleep?"

"She won't," he said. "Not tonight. The bond isn't fully formed. The instincts are still learning. But Josh..."

"Yeah?"

"You don't have much time."

I nodded slowly.

Brooklyn's lips parted slightly, a soft breath escaping. I thought I heard a name, maybe mine, but it was too faint to be sure.

She had no idea the war she was born into. No idea the beast sleeping under her skin. And no idea that the man watching over her was just as broken as the secrets buried in her blood.

I took her hand gently, careful not to wake her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered again. "For dragging you into my world. For what's coming. For what I haven't told you yet."

I looked back at Frederick.

"If anything happens to me..."

"Don't," he snapped. "You don't get to die, Josh. Not now. Not after this."

"Just promise me you'll protect her."

Frederick's gaze locked with mine. And that was all the answer I needed.

No matter what happened next, Brooklyn wouldn't face it alone.

Even if I had to burn down everything I once believed in... to keep her breathing.