Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
That cryptic comment made Eli’s eyes flash wolf. With a curse, the Head Enforcer strode away, heading in the direction of the main lodge.
Nick swept his eyes along Derren, Ally, Zander, and Bracken. “Follow him, but give him space.”
They all nodded, said their good-byes to Jesse and the cat, and then disappeared.
Sighing, Nick turned to Jesse. “He was out of line, but it’s not really about Harley.”
That didn’t excuse his actions, in Jesse’s opinion. Harley deserved the same respect that the other females of the pack were afforded. Just because Eli was working through some personal shit didn’t give him the right to take it out on Jesse or Harley.
“I want to talk to you about something. I’m meeting with the Alpha of Hector’s old pack on Sunday. I’m hoping that he or members of the pack might know something we could use against Hector. Ally and Derren want to come along, but I need them here guarding the others; they’re not happy about staying behind.”
Jesse could understand that, but he also understood Nick’s reasoning. In the past, people had attacked their pack by distracting the strongest members, dividing the pack to conquer it.
“You, Eli, and Zander will come along with me,” said Nick. “I know you might be reluctant to leave your mate, given that your protective instincts will be hypersensitive right now, but you have to trust that she’ll be safe here.”
Jesse was in fact reluctant to leave Harley, especially when she wasn’t fully comfortable with his pack mates, but he was sure that the females would have her back. Not that Harley needed their protection; she could take care of herself just fine. Scratching the underside of the margay’s chin, he asked, “Have your contacts found out anything about Hector?”
“A little. His human aunt and uncle raised him from the age of fifteen—his uncle had been the brother of Hector’s human mother.”
“His parents died?”
“No. His parents, Adriane and Thad, were the Alpha pair of Hector’s pack. Then one day they stepped down. Soon after, the three of them left the pack and became loners. But then Hector went to live with his aunt and uncle, which was considered unusual because Thad and Adriane weren’t neglectful parents.”
Jesse frowned, unsure what to make of all that. The cat climbed onto his shoulders, practically curling herself around his neck.
“I have people working on tracking his parents. If there’s anything worth knowing about Hector, they’ll have that information.”
“And if they don’t tell us anything we can use against Hector?”
“They will. Two allegedly good parents don’t give up their child without reason. If they had no problem doing that, they’ll have no problem sharing what they know in exchange for my protection—the lone shifter lifestyle is dangerous, after all.”
He was right. Being a shifter without a pack meant you had no protection; loners were vulnerable to attacks from extremists and other shifters. An offer of protection from Nick was nothing to sniff at.
“And if that doesn’t work, we bring them here and make them talk,” said Nick. “It’s not something we haven’t done before.”
No, it wasn’t. And it would no doubt work as well as it had in the past.
Nick then walked off, and Jesse turned in the direction of his lodge. The cat jumped down and then quickly climbed the nearest tree with that amazing agility that made her kind so unique. She kept pace with him as they headed home, leaping from tree to tree like an acrobat. When they finally arrived and he opened the door wide, she made a point of territorially clawing the porch before padding inside.
“Shift back, baby.” Bones snapped and popped, and then he had a naked Harley in front of him. As she stretched, he snaked his arms around her and nuzzled her neck, breathing her in, letting her scent pour into him where it belonged. “Your cat sure knows how to shred a man’s pride.” He figured Eli was mostly pissed that she’d taken him off guard and managed to bloody him.
Curling her arms around his neck, Harley shrugged. “He should know better than to act like an asshole toward you.” Or to talk smack about her.
Jesse pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “I don’t know what his problem is, but Nick doesn’t seem to think it’s about you.”
Yeah, well, Harley didn’t care either way. She wouldn’t allow her mate to be used as an emotional punching bag by anyone. “I’m sorry that he did that to you. I know it had to have hurt to be baited by your own pack mate and used to vent his problems.”
“You made him pay for it.”
Her cat had enjoyed it. “I was preparing sandwiches and salad when Ally started fretting about Derren. They’re almost ready.”
“Good. I’m going to take a shower so I can get this blood off me.” Jesse scooped her up, and she locked her legs around his waist. “You’re going to help.”