Page 46 of Tender Wild

“Screw playing telephone.” He snatched his phone from his pocket and called his uncle.

“Ciao,” Xavier said when he answered the phone. “I heard your visit with your parents went well, piccolo.”

Jared had no idea why his uncle still called him little one. He was also surprised his alpha was okay with Miguel being in Riverside. “Thanks, and yeah, it did. But I’m calling you about a serious issue.”

Cameron took a step forward, murder burning in his eyes. Miguel snarled, the deadly sound causing Cameron to ease back.

It seemed he wasn’t a complete idiot.

“What is it, Jared?” Xavier’s voice filled with concern.

“On our way back to Blackthorn, this truck tried to run me and Miguel off the road.”

“Where are you!” Xavier snarled, then asked in a softer tone, “Are you hurt, piccolo?”

“Miguel’s expert driving skills saved us.” Jared didn’t think he could love his mate any more than he did right now. “Apparently, Cameron, Doug, and Richard have an issue with wolves and cheetahs mating and decided to confront us about it.”

“Are they still there?” his uncle asked in a deadly tone.

“Yes.”

“Put me on speaker, Jared,” Xavier ground out.

He did as his uncle demanded. “You’re on speaker.”

“Voi tre siete morti per me. Non fate più parte di questa coalizione. Avete esattamente un'ora per fare le valigie e lasciare la mia terra prima di essere giustiziati.”

The only time Xavier exploded in Italian was when he was beyond pissed off. “Could you repeat that in English?” Jared asked politely. “They’re looking at each other with confusion.”

“You three are dead to me. You are no longer a part of this coalition. You have exactly one hour to pack your belongings and leave my land before you are executed.”

Suero smirked. “I think everyone understood that.”

“Suero?” Xavier groaned. “Sei una spina nel fianco della mia esistenza.”

The wolf scowled. “What did he say?”

Kia patted hsi arm. “I’ll tell you later.”

Jared doubted it. His cousin wouldnt tell Suero that Xavier said the guy was a pain to his existence.

“My enforcers are on their way,” Xavier continued as if he hadn’t just insulted Suero. “Jared, ping me your location.”

“Just sent it. We’re heading home. Hopefully we don’t get run over, shot, or clawed up by a psycho cat before the night is over.”

He was so over today. Miguel might think he needed to protect Jared, but his wolf was his entire world, and he would do whatever he had to in order to keep his mate safe. Because Jared wanted to enjoy the ride that was their life together for many years to come.

* * * *

Miguel woke to cold sheets and too much silence.

His arm stretched out, hand brushing empty space where Jared had been curled up just hours ago. No warmth. No rustle. No smartass commentary about Miguel snoring.

He sat up, blinking against the bright light filtering through the blinds. The house was still. Too still. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, every muscle stiff from last night.

The floor creaked under his footsteps as he moved down the hallway.

Then he froze.

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