Page 53 of Taken By the Pack

I nod, watching as he heads off, then turn back to Jake as we start unloading the crates.

Jake leans in slightly. “I was with Grace today.”

I stiffen, setting down a crate. “Yeah? Bad?”

He shakes his head. “Not as bad as last time. I took care of it.”

I look him over. “She okay?”

“Yeah. She’s covered. My scent’s on her.”

I nod. Good. That means she won’t get hassled.

Jake sets up his stall while I rinse off some of the gear. His phone rings, and he glances at the screen, then picks up.

The moment he does, his entire body goes still.

I don’t hear what she says, but I hear the panic. And I smell the shock rolling off him.

His grip on the phone tightens. When he hangs up, his eyes are wide.

“What is it?” I ask.

His voice is sharp. “She’s in heat again.” He swallows. “She’s at the store.”

Fuck.

I’m already moving. I grab my keys and bolt to my truck as Jake shouts something to his employee, then jumps on his bike.

We don’t hesitate.

Grace needs us.

15

GRACE

The second Mrs. Clarke walked out of the shop, I knew something was wrong.

It started as a slow burn, low in my stomach, before twisting sharp and fast. My legs felt weak. My skin too warm, too sensitive.

Instinctively, I called Jake.

Knowing he’ll come helps a bit. I grip the edge of the counter, breathing through it, willing it to pass.

It doesn’t.

I drop to the floor, pressing my forehead to my knees, biting my lip to keep quiet. If this keeps happening, I won’t be able to function.

A familiar scent floods the space before I even hear them. Jake and Rowan.

I look up, blinking through the haze, and there they are—standing in the doorway, their eyes sharp, taking me in.

Jake moves first, crouching in front of me. “What the hell, Grace?” His voice is tight. “I thought we handled this this morning.”

“I don’t know,” I whisper, my hands clenching into fists. “I don’t know what’s happening.”

Rowan stands, arms crossed, his gaze flicking between me and Jake. “This isn’t normal.”

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