Turning to Theo, I immediately set my palms on the sides of his face to keep him still while I checked the damage. There was blood around one nostril, and his right eye was definitely going to bruise.

I was up on my feet and out the door before Theo could stop me. He did yell my name as I stomped down the stairs, but I ignored it. I was singularly focused.

The other three Clones were in the living room, Tripp pacing back and forth while the other two kept an eye on him.

Which meant they were not keeping an eye on me.

I stopped right behind Tripp and tapped his shoulder. I waited until he was facing me and slammed my knee all up into his man business.

As he was bent over holding his busted chestnuts, I couldn't help but think that I had become exponentially more violent since Totergate. I blame T4.

Trey and Thane took up positions in front of me as Tripp slowly straightened, his expression molten. But I was too furious to care.

Before anyone could speak, Theo all but sprinted down the steps and yanked me behind him.

For one tiny moment, something became clear to me. Even though I hadn't known T4 for that long, they had my trust. Even Tripp, who was looking like he either wanted to waterboard me with grape soda or tie me up and toss me in his dungeon.

He was probably the type that had a dungeon, too.

Still I knew I was completely safe with them. Something I'd never felt with anyone else.

Which was why I just barreled my way through the man-meat blockade and got right in Tripp's face. Well, more accurately in his chest, because I couldn't reach his face unless he bent down a little and he wasn't being very thoughtful of that fact at present.

"Why did you punch Theo in the face, GI Joe? Also, I know you are a hater of all things pleasurable, but I swear if you taco block me one more time I'm going to tie YOU up, toss you in YOUR dungeon and waterboard YOU with grape soda!!" I poked him in the chest for emphasis.

Tripp's expression went from murderous to confused. "You were injured. He shouldn't have pushed you to do anything the day after you got kidnapped!"

Theo stepped next to me. "What kind of a man do you think I am?"

"A man that thinks with his cock more than his brain."

Trey grabbed Theo's shoulder, stopping him from whatever had him taking a step toward Tripp, and spoke. "Not here, brother."

Tripp just stood there, staring daggers at Theo. That is, until Theo started talking.

"I know what your problem is, Tripp. You're just jealous that it wasn't you. I'm not even sure you'd know what to do with a nice set of tits if they sla-"

Remember those TikToks, with the commentator voice that said, "It was at this point, he knew he forked up." Yes, it wasn't forked. Get over it.

Anyway, the look on Theo's face changed in an instant to one that would go quite well with that commentary.

A few things happened simultaneously. First, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and started dragging me back, much to the disagreement of my ribs. Second, I heard this familiar sounding growl that, even though it wasn't very loud, seemed to shake the very foundation of the house. And lastly, what sounded like fabric shredding into tiny strips before an ebony blur whizzed past me and vanished, apparently taking Theo and Tripp with it.

Trey, the one that pulled me back, stepped in front of me and pushed his hands on my shoulders gently. "Stay right here. No matter what. I need you to trust me." He gave me a peck on the cheek before following Thane toward the back door.

I did actually listen. Mostly because I was frozen by the sudden turn of events and needed a moment to get my brain to fire on all the cylinders.

But then once that happened…

I mean, they should've seen it coming.

I walked as fast as my slightly achy body would allow, following their path to the back door. And I shoved it open.

And I froze again.

There, in the middle of the yard, knelt Theo. His shirt was ripped to shreds in several places, and what appeared to be a wild animal had slashed his chest. Not deep, from the look of it.

Across from Theo was the wild animal in question. A black wolf with emerald blue eyes and hackles raised was baring his teeth and snarling at Theo.

"NO!"

Without even thinking, which I should really start doing, I ran down the back stairs toward Theo. Only to be thwarted by Thane who caught me halfway there and caged me in his arms.

"We told you to stay in the house."

I struggled to free myself, but he had tucked my arms under his. "I know we haven't known each other that long, but since when do I do what you four tell me?"

The wolf turned at the sound of my voice, still looking on edge but no longer growling.

Trey quickly tried to get the wolf's attention. "Tripp, you've made your point. Take a lap and calm down before you come back."

But the wolf didn't seem to listen. It just kept staring in my direction, taking small steps closer.

Trey and Thane tried to keep their attention on the wolf, so I took the opportunity to slam my heel into Thane's foot whilst simultaneously yelling an apology his way before running toward Theo.

"Harper, for fuck's sake!"

I didn't even look back to see who'd yelled at me, probably Thane, as I moved to stand in front of a now-upright Theo. "What in the flying fecal tornado is going on?!"

I heard a small growl from behind me. At this point I was not in the mood, so I turned around to see the wolf looking quite unhappy.

So I flicked it in the nose.

The guys completely froze as the wolf let out a small whine and shook its head. About the time I started internally freaking out about the fact that I flicked a wolf in the freaking nose, the wolf in question lowered its head and slowly walked my way.

Well, now I felt bad. Bloody wolves.

I carefully knelt on the grass, holding the hand with the broken thumb out in its direction. "I'm sorry for hurting you. But you can't just scratch your owner's willy nilly like that."

Someone chuckled. "Shut it, Grandma Thane, or I'll message your sewing circle and tell them that you pay the Grandma next door to do all your work for you."

More than one person chuckled.

The wolf gently booped its nose on my palm, which I took as a sign that it wouldn't, in fact, eat me, and I scratched the back of its ear.

…. Wait…

I narrowed my gaze at the creature in front of me. More specifically, the eyes. Eyes that seemed way too intelligent for an animal.

I point to the wolf with my other hand, turning to glare at the brothers. "Okay, what the fuck is going on? Tripp?"

Silence. That is, until Theo opened his mouth.

"Did Harper just say a swear…?"