Blue was sprawled out on the large motel bed, wrapped up in a thin blanket with his bare feet sticking out from beneath the dark beige mound of fabric. Though he had made it clear multiple times Sig needn't play baby sitter every time Eivind had to leave, he was grateful whenever the little wolf stayed with him and filled the otherwise uninspired, stiff motel air with chatter. The Swedish wolf could run his mouth a mile a minute if he wanted, and while such a hyperactive tongue would normally fray on Blue's nerves, Sig had never been anything other than comforting to him.<br/><br/>It was unusual for Sig to look at him so sternly, more unusual still that Stellan had tagged along. Eivind didn't seem to mind much, and Blue wondered if he was more comfortable with the other wolf now that he and Sig were mated. Stellan had pulled a chair up next to where Blue lay, though Sig hadn't even hesitated to climb into bed with Blue. Stellan's mouth had flickered in momentary amusement at this, knowing it was a privilege bestowed only to Sig. He recalled the times Sig had come to the garage during the morning to visit him, smelling faintly of Blue and Eivind. For an alpha as protective as Eivind to allow another wolf into bed with his mate said volumes as to how trusted a member of their little family Sig was. Stellan wasn't sure how much leeway his mating with Sig awarded him, but he preferred not to test it, keeping a respectful distance as he listened to Sig speak.<br/><br/>Blue's eyes followed the heavy glower of Stellan's face as the muscular wolf stared down at the floor, elbows on his knees and hands folded together. He looked to be considering Sig's words, thick brows knit together and lips drawn into a tight, straight line. "Eivind keeps telling me the same thing," Blue finally mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "The only reason we've stayed here so long is because of me. I keep saying I don't want to leave our home. But with what happened to you guys... maybe... we don't have a choice anymore. Maybe we should just go."<br/><br/>"You three should go," Stellan huffed, looking upward though his brows were still squeezed tight.<br/><br/>Blue tilted his head, confused. "Three? But... you and Sig? I thought you two were--?"<br/><br/>"We are. But runnin' ain't gonna work. Least not for me. Lof doesn't even know you're alive," he said, waving a hand at Blue, "and if Eivind and Sig disappeared, he probably wouldn't notice. But it ain't the same for me. Lofgren plays like he doesn't care, but he's incredibly possessive of his wolves. Especially now that he's down three bodies, he's keepin' tabs on every single one. He might let me wander a bit but there's no way I could go far without him sending someone to drag me back kickin' and screamin'."<br/><br/>"Three wolves? But Eivind only killed two."<br/><br/>"After Eivind got you out of there and Lofgren thought you were dead, he took out his disappointment on ol' Jamsen. Crushed his pelvis. Poor dog can hardly move anymore, let alone shift and fight."<br/><br/>Blue took this news quietly, sitting up from his reclined position on the bed. "He can't shift anymore?"<br/><br/>"Perhaps he could," Stellan mused, lightly shrugging his shoulders, "though I doubt it'd be easy for him. It would certainly cause a lot of pain. Shifting takes energy. Your body has to be in a good, healthy condition in order to do so smoothly. If a wolf is gravely injured or sick, the amount of energy it takes to transform just isn't there. But even if Jam could shift, it wouldn't be worth it. Too much pain, and he'd just be a crippled old wolf hobblin' around. Too much of a target."<br/><br/>"I see." Blue sighed, crossing his long legs beneath himself. What Lofgren had done to him was beyond reprehensible and unforgivable, but it seemed the alpha's violence wasn't limited to just humans. Even his own wolves were subject to his sadistic whims. If not for Jamsen, it was highly probable he'd be long dead by now, and to know the old wolf was suffering put a heavy weight on his shoulders.<br/><br/>"Maybe we don't have to run," Blue proposed, his voice flat.<br/><br/>"What else is there?" Stellan asked.<br/><br/>"We could kill him."