Page 3 of Refuge

Chapter 2

Cole worked beside his brother Kile, his mood as dark as the night sky. The vision of his brother Eric killing Foster Manning played over and over in his head. It should have been him delivering the killing blow, but his alpha had that right. He tossed another board off the back of the truck, almost taking his brother’s head off.

“Shit, Cole,” Kile cursed, ducking quickly. “Watch what you’re doing.”

“Sorry,” Cole mumbled, as he once again tossed another board, just as Kile stepped out of the way.

“What in the hell is your problem?” Kile glared at him as he picked up the board, stacking it with the others. “You’ve been in a dick mood since we’ve been back.”

“Just shut up, keep up, and stack,” Cole growled, his eyes searching their new home as he continued to unload the truck. Tents scattered around the property so they would have shelter until different arrangements were made. He didn’t mind it; he’d slept in worse circumstances and preferred outdoors instead of inside four walls, so this was perfect.

“So what do you think of the wolf lady?” Kile kept talking, ignoring the “shut up” remark.

“Gemma?” Cole shrugged. “She’s okay. I mean, I trust Eric’s judgment, and from what I’ve seen so far, she cares for wolves and our kind. So yeah, she’s okay in my book.”

“Pretty nice setup she has here.” Kile agreed, then stretched his back before grabbing more boards. “I did a little scouting when we got back from the beatdown, and there are plenty of woods to run.”

The mention of Eric taking Foster out hit Cole the wrong way, and he jumped out of the back of the truck. He needed to walk the fuck away and get his mind straight.

“Where are you going?” Kile yelled, his hands on his hips. “We aren’t even close to being done.”

Ignoring his brother, Cole moved away from the truck. He stopped when he saw Leeza heading their way. Something about the way she was walking alerted him to danger. He looked around but didn’t sense anything.

Taking a few steps toward her, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer as she walked straight up to him and punched him in the stomach, hard. “You son of a bitch.”

Not expecting the hit, Cole actually doubled over as Kile laughed loudly. “Holy shit!” Kile snorted, also bent over but from laughing. “What the hell did you do?”

“Shut it!” Leeza pointed at Kile, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “You’re next.”

Cole straightened, wondering what the fuck he had done to deserve that. She had some power behind her swing, and he felt a surge of pride and a hint of desire. “What was that for?”

“Leeza,” Eric called out, as he and Gemma hurried their way.

“No!” Leeza threw her hand up without even looking at Eric. “You never once asked me what happened that night. Not one of you.”

Cole knew exactly what night she was talking about and rage seeped into his blood at the reminder. The memory of her beaten naked body sent his rage into overdrive. “It was pretty obvious.” His growl echoed in the night.

“Oh, was it?” Leeza hissed. “Was it really?”

“Yes, it was.” Cole knew he snarled, but the memories brought out the beast in him, and it was hard to control.

“You’re an idiot.” Leeza poked him hard, then turned to look at Kile and Eric. “You’re all idiots. My brother was a fool to entrust this pack to you.”

The silence was deafening as they all stared at her. For her to call Kile or Cole an idiot wasn’t a big deal, but to call her alpha an idiot was not good. And for her to bring her brother into it indicated she was on the edge of something she may regret. “Leeza,” Cole warned, his eyes going to Eric before looking back at her. “Careful.”

“Careful?” Leeza sneered, then actually stomped her foot as she looked at each man before shooting a glare at Cole. “Fuck you!” She pointed in his face before turning on her heel and attempted to rush away.

* * *

If she weren’t so angry and upset, Leeza would be shaking in her running shoes. She had just called her alpha an idiot and said “fuck you” to Cole, a huge man who could crush her. Well, let him if he wanted to. He’d already done a good job on her heart.

Her eyes met Gemma’s, and she could have sworn she saw respect in the woman’s eyes. But she highly doubted that since she just called Gemma’s mate an idiot. She was going to get her meager things and hit the road. This was not going to work for her.

“Leeza, stop!” Eric demanded, and Leeza really wanted to keep going, but the wolf inside her heard the command from the alpha, making her pace slow. “Gemma told me.”

“I’m sorry.” Gemma’s voice reached her, slowing her even more. “But I had to say something.”

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