“Take him to Jeremiah. He should know there is a rogue camping this close to his territory. He can decide. I’m going to go collect Kennedy.”
“See you back at the packhouse.”
“Josh, we are on the outskirts of the forest bordering the neighboring city about five miles out. Kennedy is scared and has been running for a while. She was chased by a rogue. Bennet is handling him, but I don’t think she could or should walk back to the packhouse. Come meet us.”
“Did the rogue take her?” Danny asked in protector mode now. “How did we miss a rogue in our pass this morning?”
“I don’t think he took her. She left on her own and just ended up in his path.”
“She was running away?” Danny sounds hurt by the thought. This is why Luna’s are so much trouble. It’s not just their alphas that are affected when something happens to them. She’s the heart of the pack, the glue that binds everyone together. Apparently mine already has several of my guys wrapped around her little fingers. That makes my wolf proud and me frustrated.
“I don’t know what she was thinking. I’m catching up to her now, but I don’t expect her to say much to me tonight even if I get the chance to ask.”
“Well whatever you do, don’t act like your usual self and piss her off, making her want to leave more. We need her, you need her. Don’t be stupid.” His anger fuels mine. She hurt him, my happy go lucky Delta has been hurt by her actions. Bennet has been up for more than twenty four hours because of her. My sister is probably beside herself with worry too. Why couldn’t she just be responsible and talk to me like an adult? Instead she had to be selfish and cause pain to the people most important to me all because she’s angry at being my mate.
My wolf takes a running jump over her head, landing more heavily than necessary, but conveying his annoyance with her. She stutters to a halt right in front of us and just stares before she mutters “Oh, f*ck!”
I shift and don’t even bother to try and cover myself. “Oh, f*ck is right, little lamb. Where do you think you are going?” I tilt my head to the side studying her. She isn’t afraid like we thought and just stays silent, staring at me. “Bennet caught the rogue chasing you, so you don’t have to worry.”
“I didn’t see a rogue. They don’t usually stay in this part of the forest. It’s too close to the city and the pack for their comfort.” She puts her hands on her hips. Is she challenging me?
“Where were you going, little lamb? You weren’t running away from me were you? It’s not safe out here at night for…”
“Who? A weak little human girl like me? F*ck you, asshole! I walk this path regularly and have had no trouble, ever, until right now.’
“You should always be aware of the dangers that surround you. You can’t afford to be caught off guard by a stranger in the woods.”
“Did you just make a red riding hood reference to me? What, are you the big bad wolf now? Leave me alone. You have made it perfectly clear you want nothing to do with me. Don’t go changing your mind now. We both clearly have plans for our lives that don’t involve the other.” She moves to step past me.
“No.” I growl, grabbing her wrist.
“Take. Your. Hand. Off. Me. Now.” She looks up into my eyes. She is challenging me and I can almost feel my hand burn where it touches her skin.
“No.”
“No?”
“No. There are lots of people worried about you after your little disappearing act. We need to go back to the packhouse and talk about your move to Dark Moon.” She’s a danger to herself and others, she has no choice now. Not when running is how she reacts to tough situations.
“I am not moving anywhere with you. Are you crazy? You don’t want a mate, that is perfectly clear and reinforced by all the lovely rumors floating around your pack.” I try not to wince, it’s not a secret how I feel about mates. “And I certainly am not going to change my life plans because your Goddess decided you needed someone who has a zero tolerance for your bullsh*t.” That had my wolf laughing at me until I reminded him that he chased her down too. She’s mad at both of us this time.
I take a breath and try for a civil tone. We are not going to get anywhere like this and I am becoming painfully aware that being this close to her, the slightest touch of her wrist and arguing with her is having a major effect on my body. I just hope I can keep her focus on my face until Josh and Danny get here.
“Josh and Danny are coming to pick you up, Bennet took the rogue following you to Jeremiah to deal with. Come back to the packhouse so we can talk about this. Your Aunt and Rayna don’t deserve to be worried about you like this.” That was a low blow but it worked.
She gasped and her arm went slack in my hand. I thought she was coming to her senses, but she wrenched her hand from mine, gave me a death glare and started back down the path towards her packhouse.The movement was so sudden, it took my brain a second to click that she’s walking away from me.
“What are you doing?” I shout and jog to catch up and then keep pace just behind her, my d*ck still painfully at full mast, making walking awkward.
“I’m going home since I’m a prisoner causing pain to innocent people.” I can hear the hurt in her voice and it guts me, but I can’t care about her feelings right now. Not until she is safe.
“Kennedy, stop, please.” I reach for her again, but she shrugs away before I can make contact. “The guys are coming with a car, just wait.”
“You wait, if you’re too soft to walk in the forest at night.” I was wrong, she found a way to put me and soft’ in a sentence and take a shot at my ego all at the same time.
“Kennedy, f*cking stop. It’s not a request.” I don’t shout, but my temper is bubbling under the surface, but I’m trying not to let loose on her. I take a deep breath and try again. “It isn’t safe for you out here. You are riding in the truck with Danny and Josh.” My forced calm is chipping away fast with her defiance.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.