Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Zander nodded. “You couldn’t deal with a female who loses her shit whenever she’s pushed. Nothing would ever be resolved. You’d just make each other miserable.”
Bracken inclined his head, acknowledging it was a fair point, even as he typed a quick text to Madisyn: “How’s the party going? x”
Hopefully it was coming to an early end. While it was only minutes, it seemed like a long time before he finally received a response: “It’s fine. I’ll bring you back some cake. And no, it won’t be finishing early, which is what you really meant to ask xx”
His mouth curved. He’d never get anything past her. Never.
“Tell me honestly,” said Nick. “How many texts have you sent her?”
“One.” Plus two. And he was about to send her another. He told himself it would be the last, but he wasn’t sure he believed that. He texted: “You can’t blame me for wishing it was over. I want my baby home. Can’t do any of the dirty things I have in mind when you’re so far away. Can’t kiss you or taste you or fuck you raw x”
Yeah, he knew it wasn’t fair to tease her—especially when she was trying to enjoy herself at a damn baby shower—but he was a selfish bastard. Her reply came fast: “Go away, I’m busy stroking Jaime’s pussy right now xx”
He blinked and reread the message. Then he read it again. Mere moments later, another message came through: “Pussy as in the cat, Hunk xx”
He smiled. The little witch knew how to play. He replied: “I’ll get you back for that later. Call me when you’re ready to go x”
He’d just pocketed his cell when it beeped. Bracken stiffened. It wasn’t another text message; it was an alarm. All of their phones beeped. The distinctive alarm was only activated in one scenario—if the security sensors picked up trespassers.
“Shit.” Derren’s cell began to ring, and he answered. “What is it, Ally?”
Nick checked his own phone, thumbs tapping like crazy on the screen. “The sensors on the eastern border have been tripped.” He let out a rhythmic whistle that caught Kent’s attention—a specific signal that told him there had been a breach, and he needed to get the pups to the panic room.
Eyes wide, Kent gave a shaky nod and calmly called out to the kids, not wanting to frighten them.
“Ally had a vision,” said Derren, ending his call. “She saw us fighting three beefy-looking tattooed males in our wolf forms.”
“They’re at the eastern border,” Nick told him.
“I know.” Derren looked at Bracken. “She also said they’re near the graveyard.”
As they all quickly shed their clothes, Nick said, “If there are three, we can attack them in pairs. And if we take them by surprise, they won’t have the chance to shift. In their bear forms, they’re much stronger and more dangerous. Derren, you’re with me. Eli, you’re with Bracken. Jesse and Zander will take the third male. Everyone ready?”
Nodding, they shifted, bones cracking and popping.
The wolves raced through the woods, kicking up dirt and jumping over fallen trees. When they neared the spot they sought, they slowed. Quieted. Moved cautiously.
Reaching the fringe of the woods, the wolves stopped. Used the shrubbery as cover while they watched the trespassers. The gray wolf growled at the sight of them.
A black van was parked next to the fenced-in graveyard. Two males were watching the trees, alert. They didn’t see the wolves. Wouldn’t until it was too late.
A third male was pulling things out of the rear of the vehicle. Trash bags, a box, and shovels. The man inside the wolf spit out a harsh word.
Creeping closer, the gray wolf inhaled the scents of the trespassers. Bears.
The third male spoke, shoving a hand through his dark hair. “What body do we start with?”
“Any,” said the tallest of the three, spitting on the ground. “Archer said to dig up the bodies and maybe toss them around. But he wants us to take the baby’s body with us.”
Frowning, the blond male turned to face him. “What? Why the hell does he want it?”
The tall male shrugged. “Don’t know, didn’t ask.”
Holding a shovel, the dark-haired male pulled at his collar. “I don’t think I want to ride in a van with a dead baby.”
The tall male looked at him. “Why? It’s dead.”
The blond male blew out a breath. “We’re gonna burn in hell for this, Tom.”
“We’re already destined for hell,” said the dark-haired male, holding out the shovel to him.
“True.” The blond male grabbed the shovel.
As one, the pack attacked. They bolted out of the trees and lunged, catching the bears off-guard, giving them no time to shift.
The gray wolf slammed into the blond male’s back. Knocked him flat on his stomach. The wolf didn’t give him a chance to flip over. He tore into the bear’s back with teeth and claws as the man kicked and yelled. Eli’s wolf joined him.