Page 67 of Savage Games

Jax nods, giving nothing else away.

"Of course it is," he mutters, brushing past Jax with barely contained irritation, running a hand back through his wet hair."I don't have long.I have to be there for the start of the next round."

Does he?Brad likes to think he's more important than everyone else, but I'm not sure why he thinks he needs to be there.To support me?God, I hope that’s not what he’s planning.

"So does Dean," Jax says, stating the obvious.

The implication is that if this matter is important enough for Dean to be dealing with now, then it's important enough for Brad to make time for.

Brad bristles at Jax's slightly cheeky reply and continues on ahead, not deigning to walk side by side, or to even make small talk with the other man.Jax follows a step behind, and I notice with amusement his clenched fists and how the tendons in his neck and arms bulge.I have a feeling that Brad's status doesn't mean much to Jax's wolf, who seems to have taken a dislike to Brad immediately.

As they walk, I notice something else.There’s a subtle stain on Brad's pristine white shirt cuff, visible only when his arm swings forward.The faintest smudge of something dark that doesn't belong on such an immaculate piece of clothing.He's tried to clean it, but traces remain.

A chill runs through me and that strange pain between my shoulder blades intensifies.My wolf whines, sensing a connection I can't yet see.

If he had any sense, the alpha wouldn't be giving Dean's brother his back so carelessly.

Brad scans the treeline as he passes, picking up my scent.He can't see me, but he knows I'm close by.Nothing suspicious about that, though, I remind myself.I am a competitor here.It's not spying if they just happened to walk by and just happened to be talking about my sister.

I wait until they're both out of sight before slipping from my hiding place, drawn by instinct toward the packhouse.Something is happening, something I need to know about.Moving silently through the trees that border the main grounds, I make my way closer, keeping to the shadows, retracing my steps from earlier to avoid leaving a second trail.

The packhouse looms ahead, imposing against the morning sky.Dean stands on the front porch, his powerful frame silhouetted against the white columns.He's waiting for Brad, unsmiling, who approaches, stride purposeful, his expression controlled but tight around the edges.

Dean stands with his legs braced apart, arms crossed over his chest, with the stance of an alpha ready for confrontation.His expression is thunderous, though tightly controlled.

Blake Steel stands slightly behind him, his presence adding even more gravity to whatever is about to unfold.

This isn't just a chat about Maddie's arrival.Something much more serious is happening.

"Alpha Reynolds," Brad greets, his tone respectful but clipped."You needed to see me urgently?"

Dean nods, his expression impossible to read."I thought we should talk about Maddie."

There is nothing in the statement to suggest what about, and Dean allows the silence to extend awkwardly, not rushing to fill it with explanations, but waiting to see what my alpha will reveal, unprompted.

"Yes, let's do that."Brad's tone shifts, the veneer of politeness wearing thin."She's here, but not responding to my attempts to mind-link.I take it she's...unwell."

Dean doesn't respond to the remark about her health."Yes, she's here."

Brad puffs up his chest and steps closer, but all that does is to emphasise the height difference.Dean has a good three or four inches on my alpha, and his icy stare would make your blood run cold.Attempting to appear unphased, Brad continues his posturing.

"Let's talk about how you've taken, dare I even say stolen, a vulnerable member of my pack without permission or consultation."

Dean doesn't react to the accusation, his calm unwavering.

"I'm aware you lost your brother.You have my sympathies."Dean dips his head slightly, but nothing about the way he glares at Brad makes it seem like he has any sympathy for my alpha.

"I'm aware you lost your brother," Dean says, his voice measured but cold."But let's be clear about what happened this morning.Maddie arrived in my territory alone, injured and terrified.She didn't walk here on her own.My brother, who found her wandering in the woods, miles from your compound, brought her."

Something flickers across Brad's face, surprise quickly masked."My guards reported no disturbance…"

"Your guards," Dean cuts him off, "were apparently too busy to notice a traumatized she-wolf escaping in the middle of the night."

My breath catches.

"Maddie has joined us because she has stated she needs support from her sister during this difficult time.As her alpha, I know you’re as concerned for her well-being as I am.I've seen how losing a fated mate can affect someone.Being alone isn't what she needs right now."

"Her wellbeing?"Brad repeats, incredulity creeping into his voice."She's a member of my pack.You don't get to decide what's best for her."

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