Page 7 of Breaking the Surface
“You’re safe here,” Vincent promised.“You’re surrounded by people who will protect you, whatever happens.You don’t have to worry about Lou anymore.I promise he’ll never hurt you again.”And even though Vincent couldn’t actually make that promise, Peter believed him.
* * * *
BRADEN HAD BEEN PLEASEDto see how seriously security took their job when he’d arrived in pack territory.It had still been dark, but even though it was early in the morning, they’d stopped his car and had checked to make sure who he was.They would have done so normally, too, but he’d been able to see how sharp they were, like they knew they needed to look out.They knew he was coming, though, so getting in had been a breeze.The same wouldn’t go for the jackass Peter was running from.He wouldn’t get in through the main entrance, that was for sure.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t get in at all, unfortunately.
Braden stepped out of Remi’s home and looked around the forest from the porch.There were too many entry points.Peter’s ex didn’t have to get in through the main entrance.If he was smart, he’d walk around pack territory for a bit, find a spot in the forest that the guards didn’t patrol, and get in there.It was impossible for anyone to keep an eye on the entirety of pack territory.It was too massive, and most of it wasn’t lived in.It was a space shifters needed to run and be themselves in their animal form.
Unfortunately, that made them vulnerable, but that was why Braden was here.
He took a sip of his coffee and started making a mental list of what was needed.The first thing was to talk to Peter and Camden.Braden needed as much information as possible on the person Peter was running from, and he was sure that the alpha would want the same.He and Camden also had to discuss how more security should be implemented.They’d been supposed to meet today, anyway, so that shouldn’t be a problem.Braden hadn’t been planning on being in pack territory this early, though, and it left him a few hours with nothing to do.
“We’re headed out early,” Remi said from behind Braden.
Braden turned to look at him.“How early?”
“Once you’re done with your coffee.”
“The appointment with Camden wasn’t until later.”
“He already texted.He and Toby are awake, and they want to see Peter.Camden thought that you and I should be there, too.”
“Won’t that spook Peter?”
“I think he’s afraid of one specific person, so probably not.”
Braden wasn’t sure about that.His sister had been afraid of most people after what their father had done to her.She hadn’t known who she could trust not to hit her.After all, her own father had.The only reason he’d stopped hurting Braden was that Braden had become taller and bigger than him once he hit his teenage years.Even before then, things hadn’t been as bad as they had been for Penelope.Their father had only started drinking when Braden was eleven.
But this wasn’t Braden and his sister they were talking about.Braden didn’t know much about Peter, but he might react differently.Even if he didn’t, they still needed to talk to him and find out what was going on.It was the only way to keep him safe.
He drank the last of his coffee.“Let’s go,” he told Remi.
He’d followed his friend inside the house.He gave Remi and Pembroke a few moments to say goodbye, but he was impatient.By the time Remi was done, Braden already had his jacket and shoes on.
Since pack territory wasn’t that big, they walked to Camden’s house.It only took them a few minutes, and they arrived at the back of the house.Braden could see people in the kitchen from there, and he wasn’t surprised when Remi climbed the back steps and knocked on the kitchen door rather than walk around the house.
The door opened almost instantly.Toby, the alpha mate, waved at Remi and Braden to come in.Remi moved like he was at home here, and in a way, he was.He’d been living with the pack for a little while now.He truly was one of them.
“Peter, I don’t know if you know Remi and Braden,” Toby said, gesturing at them.
“I met them yesterday,” Peter murmured.
He was sitting at the kitchen table, looking down at his hands.Braden wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t want them to see his face or because he was afraid of them.Even like this, though, Braden could see how swollen Peter’s face was.There was a bruise on his cheek, his lower lip was split, and his eye couldn’t open.
Braden turned to Toby.“Aren’t you a healer?”he asked, trying not to sound rude.
Thankfully, Toby smiled at him.“I am.It’s easier to heal people who agree to it, though.Peter’s a little stubborn.”
“I just don’t want to bother you,” Peter said.“The pack has already done enough by welcoming me.You might get in trouble because I’m sure that Lou is going to follow me.I don’t want to bother you even more.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t willing to help you,” Toby said.“To me, healing is like breathing.It’s a part of me.In fact, looking at you like this and knowing you’re in pain bothers me more than the thought of healing you.”
“At least let him heal your ribs,” Vincent said from where he was sitting next to Peter.
Peter turned to glare at him and hissed in pain.When he reached for his torso, Braden realized that Vincent was right and that something was wrong with Peter’s ribs.If he’d been beaten, they might be cracked, or worse.
“Peter, please,” Toby murmured.
