Page 8 of Tender Wild

Miguel’s expression clouded over as he stared into his glass.

He glanced at Miguel’s hands, all scarred up, though he had no clue how they gotten that way. But Jared had never seen anything more beautiful than those imperfections.

He wanted to know how each one happened. They hadn’t talked about those scars during their night together, or the ones on Miguel’s face. They must’ve left a mark on his life too.

But today wasn’t about digging into the past. Today, Jared just wanted to shake things up a bit, maybe get a real smile out of Miguel like the one he’d seen that night.

Not the polite smile he was giving now.

“Wanna play darts? I bet I could totally beat you.”

That got Miguel’s attention. He arched an eyebrow. “Big talk for such a little kitty.”

“Oh, it’s on, Wolfman.” Jared hopped off his stool. “Prepare to be humiliated.”

* * * *

“Finished being a Nosy Nellie yet?” Elijah asked as he slid onto the stool beside Percy.

“I was just making friends.” Percy sipped his drink while watching Jared across the room. Maybe he was feeling the cheetah out.

Ever since his attack, trust had become a rare commodity for him. Now Percy looked at everyone and wondered if they had hidden agendas.

Kia was mated to a wolf, which made him family.

But Jared wasn’t, and showing up unexpectedly had Percy keeping an eye on the kitty cat. For all he knew, Jared could be here spying for Xavier.

“I think Cesar made my Cosmo too strong,” he said to Elijah. “My brain’s in suspect mode.”

Elijah swiped the glass and downed the remaining liquid.

“You did not just guzzle my drink!” He gaped at his bestie.

“Tastes like it always does.” Elijah savored every last drop with a swipe of his tongue.

“You’ve clearly lost your adorable marbles. That wasn’t an invitation for you to drink it.” Percy glared at his now-empty glass still in Elijah’s grip. Not a drop remained. He even munched on the strawberry slices.

“So, what did you find out?” Elijah leaned back casually against the counter.

“That you’re a drink thief.” His jaw was still hanging open.

“Seriously?” Elijah rolled his eyes and turned around. “Cesar, could you please make Percy another drink before he cuts me out of his will?”

“Is his rainbow exploding?” Cesar grinned.

Elijah glanced back at Percy, whose narrowed eyes dared him to say yes.

“Just a little peeved.” Elijah shrugged.

“You would be too if your drink was snatched right out of your hand.” Percy glanced toward Jared but noticed Miguel just standing there, staring at the dartboard as if it were a complex puzzle. His arms were folded, his gaze intense.

Percy recognized trauma when he saw it, and Miguel was practically cloaked in it.

What exactly happened while everyone was gone? Matias had received a text, then half the tavern had emptied.

The rest of the pack hadn’t returned yet, but whatever was going on, Miguel had clearly been hit hard by it.

* * * *

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