They’d never lead their own pack. Cade couldn’t handle that and Connor didn’t want the responsibility of that many people relying on him. He had two older brothers who were Alphas and he didn’t see how he could ever be as good as they were.
Gage and Bishop Reid, two brothers from his old pack, had decided to follow him and Cade out from South Carolina. They were Connor’s best friends. They were damn good men and there was no one he’d want more at his back in a fight.
He glanced over at Trick Summers, a tall, slim werewolf with thick, red hair. Trick hid his emotions behind a killer smile and an easygoing attitude. Beside him sat Hudson McMahon, a quiet man with dark hair and deeply tanned skin. Dylan Rock was the final member of their team. He was their tech geek. He was playing around on a tablet, his long, blond hair covering his face.
Connor had just finished telling them what had happened earlier that afternoon, leaving out the part where he’d fucked up because he’d been thinking with his cock rather than his head. Instead, he’d simply told them that she’d managed to knock him unconscious and get away.
“So,” Cade said. “What pack lives over here?” He stood and moved to the large map of the local area that was projected onto the wall. He pointed to the place they’d tracked the girl to.
Trick frowned. “That’s Sunnyland pack land. But they’ve got no reason to be spying on Garrison. In fact, I happen to know that their Alpha, Jack Masters, has been very vocal against the bill. Jack’s got a temper but he’s no traitor. Where exactly was this house?”
Trick stood and moved closer to the map as Cade pinpointed the exact place.
“Huh, that’s weird.”
“How so?” Connor asked.
“Most of the pack lives on this side of the estate. There’s a large river running through the estate and the best land is over this side. If this house is over here then it’s isolated from the rest of the pack. No pack is going to let a female live out there alone. Jack’s a hard man. He certainly wouldn’t allow a traitor to live on his land.”
“We need to find out who she is, what she wants, and whether she has any accomplices,” Connor said seriously.
“Best way to do that might be to snatch her,” Gage warned.
Connor nodded. This time when he got his hands on her he wasn’t going to let her get the best of him.
*
Shelby sat huddled in the barn, her forehead resting on her drawn-up knees. That had been too close, way too close. She couldn’t believe she’d nearly gotten caught.
Thank God the binoculars had been within reach or she’d probably still be under that giant werewolf. She shivered at the memory, only it wasn’t a shiver of disgust. For a moment she hadn’t wanted him to stop, she’d actually enjoyed what he’d been doing to her.
What was wrong with her?
Her body certainly hadn’t cared who he was. Before coming to her senses, she’d been completely caught up in his kisses, the way he’d played with her nipples, caressing her.
She’d forgotten the fact that he was the enemy and had nearly gotten herself captured.
With a deep sigh, she stood and glanced down at her hands, glad to see they’d finally stopped shaking.
After knocking the big werewolf unconscious, it had taken about five minutes to get his dead weight off her. When she’d finally wiggled her way free, she had frantically checked to make sure he was breathing, not questioning how relieved she was when she found a heartbeat.
Then she had taken off. The entire way home, she had been paranoid that he would catch her. But she’d made it safely home an hour ago. After seeing her cousins’ vehicles in the driveway, she’d hidden herself in the barn, knowing that if they saw her like this they would pester her until she told them what was wrong.
She loved her cousins dearly, but they’d be furious if they learned what she’d been up to. Besides, if she told them then they would interfere and this was her problem to solve. She’d brought enough turmoil into their lives.
To keep them out of this she needed to hide how upset she was. She hated lying to them—they’d taken her in, looked after her despite how much trouble she’d brought with her. Even after her uncle had died, her cousins wouldn’t hear of her leaving. They were the only family she had and she loved them.
Stripping, she grabbed a hose and washed herself as best she could. She’d hidden a towel and another set of clothes in the barn in case her cousins arrived home before she did. She dried herself off then dressed. She headed toward the house, shivering in the cool air. At least with the guys at home, they’d have a fire in the fireplace and the house would be toasty warm.
Opening the back door, she walked inside. If she were lucky maybe they’d all be in their bedrooms or the kitchen. Unfortunately, she heard the low murmur of masculine voices from the living room and knew she was going to have to run the gantlet before she could make it up to her bedroom.
Squaring her shoulders, she moved into the living room.
“Where have you been?” Owen barked at her, staring up at her intently from where he sat in his favorite armchair.
“Out,” she replied.
He grabbed her arm as she attempted to move past him. Jonty was lying on the sofa while Sawyer sat at the table, reading over some papers, his glasses perched on the end of his nose. He hated wearing them, but personally she thought they added to his appeal.
All of her cousins were attractive in their own way. Owen, the middle brother, had the shortest temper of the three, but his gruff manner hid a huge heart. Jonty was the youngest, he’d been her playmate when she was a kid, her only real friend.
But Sawyer was her favorite. He was the rock that held them all together. No matter how busy or tired he was, he always made time for his family. When Shelby’s uncle died, Sawyer stepped into his shoes without a word of complaint.
Shelby might look after the house, but it was Sawyer who kept their family together.
“Out where?” Owen questioned her. “And why is your hair wet? You look pale. What happened? Did someone hurt you?”
She tugged her arm free with a glare. “I’m fine.”
“Stop,” he growled as she turned away, the power of his wolf washing over her. All her cousins were dominant. If she let them, they’d run her life for her.
Refusing to back down even though the urge to drop her gaze was almost overwhelming, Shelby glared back at her cousin.
“Shelby?” Sawyer questioned.
She broke the staring competition with Owen to look over at Sawyer and immediately softened at the concern she saw in his face.
“I’m fine, Saw. I promise.”
He stared at her for a long moment then drew off his glasses, pinching the ridge of his nose.
“Everything okay?” she asked, walking over to him. He looked tired and there were pronounced grooves around his mouth. She caught a glimpse of the papers he was looking at before he gathered them all up.
Overdue notices.
“Everything’s fine, sweet pea. I’m just tired. Glad to have a night off.” Her cousins worked as bouncers at a local bar and lately they’d been putting in some long hours.
“I’m going to get a job,” she said.
“No, you’re not,” Sawyer replied.
“You’ve got your studying to concentrate on, Shelby,” Jonty said.
“I can do both. The three of you are killing yourselves trying to pay all the bills plus my tuition. Let me help.”
“No,” Owen told her. “And we’re sick of arguing with you about this. You’re going to finish college and we’re supporting you until you do.”
“And when you finish you can support all of us,” Jonty teased with a grin.
She smiled. “It’s a deal.”
“You’re smart, Shelby,” Sawyer told her. “Unlike the rest of us, you can go places with your brains. Working the door at Riggers is all we’re good for.”
“That’s not true. The three of you are as smart as I am. You’re just lazy
,” she teased.
“Brat,” Sawyer growled, reaching out to swat her ass playfully. She dodged him, grinning. “You sure you’re okay, Shelby? You seem out of sorts.”
“I’m fine. I promise. I just need a shower. I’ll get started on dinner afterward.”
Sawyer cleared his throat. “Shel, Jack came to visit about an hour ago.”
Her shoulders stiffened, her breath leaving her in a whoosh. Was this it? Was he finally kicking them out? Jack was Alpha of the Sunnyland pack and a tough old bastard. Her Uncle Colin had been Jack’s head enforcer and his best friend, until Shelby had come to live with her uncle.
Jack Masters was old-school. He was a purist who believed that werewolves and humans shouldn’t mix and he didn’t want a half-breed child on his property.
He’d told Colin to get rid of her, to let the humans take her in. Her uncle had refused. Unwilling to banish them entirely, Jack had given them this piece of land and told her uncle that Shelby was never to interact with the rest of the pack. Her uncle and cousins had still been welcome.
For Jack to visit them was extremely unusual. The only other time he’d come here was when her uncle had died. She’d been with her uncle at the time, training in the caves. He had entered an unstable area of the caves and been crushed when it had fallen in.
Even when pack members had visited her uncle they’d ignored her. She remembered watching them from her room, wondering who they were, what their lives were like in the pack. She adored her uncles and cousins, but she knew she was a burden to them. Knew they’d be much happier back among the pack instead of isolated on the outskirts of pack land.
“What did he want?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Sawyer swore quietly and stood, drawing her into his arms. Shelby leaned on him for a short moment, needing the contact. Her wolf calmed.
Then she straightened, moving away. It wasn’t fair of her to lean on them like this. She needed to be stronger.
Particularly if Jack was kicking her out.
Where would she go? How long could she survive?
Wolves were pack animals. They couldn’t live alone without eventually going feral. The four of them had formed their own small pack but on her own she’d be lost. Jack probably thought she’d be fine because she was half-human, but she knew her wolf needed to be around others of her own kind.
“Shelby, it’s okay,” Sawyer told her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Take a deep breath for me. Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.”
“He wanted us to go on a pack run,” Jonty said.
“Ohh,” she sighed, relief making her lightheaded. “When are you going?”
“We’re not,” Owen barked. “You weren’t invited.”
Shelby shook her head. “Guys, this is the first time he’s approached you in twenty years, other than when Uncle Colin died. This is what you want.”
“Like hell it is.” Owen stood up, his face like a thundercloud. “What we want is for all of us to be accepted.”
“We all know that’s not going to happen. Jack hates half-breeds, he’s never going to accept me. He’s getting old though. He probably regrets how he’s treated you guys. You should go.”
Sawyer shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “Not happening, squirt. I don’t care about his reasons. We’re a family and we stick together. Got it?”
Shelby wasn’t able to meet his gaze, the guilt at everything they’d given up eating at her. Plus, there was the fact that she was keeping things from them.
For their own good. She wasn’t about to pull them into her problems.
The memory of gray, lust-filled eyes staring down at her flitted through her mind. She shuddered as a wash of heat ran over her.
“Shelby? What is it?” Sawyer placed a hand over her forehead as he used to when she was a child. He was only twelve years older than her own twenty-two, but he’d raised her since she was nine after Uncle Colin died.
“Just tired.”
“Go take a shower and climb into bed. Jonty will rustle up some dinner and we’ll bring you up some.”
“Thanks, Saw.”
Giving him a quick hug and with a wave at the others, Shelby moved up the stairs and into her room.
After a long, hot shower, she felt like a new woman. She stepped into her bedroom to find a tray of food on her bedside table. She dug into the simple meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup.
A howl drifted out of the woods. The pack run. They ran together once a month. Shelby peered out the window, even though she knew she wouldn’t be able to see anything. Longing to join them welled up in her. She often went running with her cousins, but she wondered what it would be like to run with a whole pack.
Well, it wasn’t like she was ever going to find out. The pack would never accept her.
With a groan she flopped back on the bed. Today had been a disaster. She was going to have to steer clear of Garrison’s estate for a while until they stopped looking for her.
She’d hidden her tracks like Owen had taught her, so she was certain they couldn’t find her here. She’d lie low, concentrate on her studies, and then when things had died down, she’d be back.
No way was she giving up. Sam Garrison was a dead man.
Chapter Two
“Another threatening letter?” Connor asked as Cade stomped into their meeting room and threw an envelope on the table. They’d converted one of the senator’s four living areas into a meeting room. This place was huge. Give Connor a small cottage in the woods, his brother by his side, and a soft, cuddly woman in their bed and he’d be happy.
“You look disappointed,” Connor said.
Cade grunted. “Just feel like knocking some heads together. That too much to ask?”
Connor knew how he felt. Other than a few threats and some protests, there had been very little going on. Yesterday was the most excitement they’d since they arrived. Connor was still dying to get his hands on the little wolf, although he’d managed to calm his temper.
They knew where she was and his team was watching her around the clock. She wasn’t going anywhere.
“You talk to Sam yet?” Cade asked.
Connor shook his head. “He’s on a conference call.” He glanced at his watch. “He should be free any minute.”
“Who’s keeping watch over her?” Cade asked as he sat back on the sofa. Connor opened the letter and read it. It was no different than any of the other threatening letters the senator had received. Damn, these people were not original.
“Gage is watching the house,” he answered. “Trick’s gone to talk a few acquaintances he has in the Sunnyland pack, see if he can find out who she is.”
Connor stood. “Sam should be free by now. I’ll go talk to him. You get some sleep.” Cade had been on watch for the last twelve hours.
Cade shook his head. “I’ll come with you. Won’t be able to sleep anyway.” Cade only needed a few hours of sleep a night.
They made their way to Sam’s study. Connor knocked on the door, opening it at Sam’s invitation.
Senator Sam Garrison was a handsome man. His blond hair had grown lighter with age and the lines on his face only added to his appeal. His brown eyes warmed as he glanced over at them. Standing at his side was his assistant, Daniel, a middle-aged man with a soft paunch and a cold demeanor. Connor couldn’t warm to the man and despite the fact that Daniel had always been civil, Connor got the distinct impression that he didn’t like werewolves.
“Connor, Cade, come in. Sit down,” Sam said, gesturing forward with his hand. “Thanks, Daniel. I think that’s everything.”
The other man nodded and left.
Connor took a seat on the other side of the desk, while Cade prowled around the room, checking that the windows were secure. He brought out his bug detector. Sam just grinned, he was used to Cade’s paranoia by now.
“All clean,” Cade announced, coming over to sit next to Connor.
“Good,” Sam said with a smi
le.
Their brother, Cooper, had asked them to take the job and Connor was glad they had. Connor held a lot of respect for Sam. He took a tough stance on the things he believed in and he didn’t back down. Despite the threats to him, he’d stuck to his viewpoint on the Werewolf Registration Bill and he was key to gaining others’ votes. People respected Sam. He was a good man.
Plus Cade liked him. Cade liked very few people. That Sam was one of them spoke to the character and integrity of the man.
“How are things going?” Sam asked.
“Just a few threatening letters, nothing that we haven’t had before,” Connor answered.
“Connor caught a woman spying on the house,” Cade said.
“Really?” Sam said in amazement. “Who is she? Where is she?”
“We’re in the process of finding out,” Connor said smoothly, before his brother could spill all the humiliating details. “We’re watching her closely. We thought it best to gather information before bringing her in.”
There, that didn’t sound so bad.
“She got away from Connor,” Cade interjected. “Knocked him out. Did a good job of covering her tracks, but we found her.”
Connor groaned with frustration.
“She got away from you? Really?” Sam looked at him in surprise before smiling. “I’d like to meet this woman.”
“I was taken by surprise, sir. It won’t happen again.”
Sam waved that away. “The two of you are excellent at your job. I have no complaints. I’m glad to have your team here. So any ideas who this woman is? Do you think she’s a member of HAW?”
“Unlikely. She’s a werewolf,” Cade replied.
Sam’s eyes widened. “Really? Why would a werewolf be watching the house?”
“We were hoping you might know,” Connor answered him. “Do you happen to know anyone from the Sunnyland pack?”
Sam’s face hardened and he stood, walking over to look out the window. Cade tensed.
“Sir, stay away from the windows.”
“They’re bullet-proof, Cade. You saw to that when you arrived, remember? Cost me a small fortune,” Sam replied, his voice tense.
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