Page 32 of Claimed By the Wolf
I inhale sharply. “It’s a little late for regrets and backpedaling now,” I remind him quietly. “You heard what Brax said. The scent is out there. The pack will know.”
He remains silent, and I draw in another breath. “Nox…”
He turns and looks at me, the devastation on his face stealing my words for a moment. Without another word, he brushes past me and heads out the door, the deafening silence enough to make me crazy. And to remind me again how utterly alone I am.
CHAPTER 9
NOX
Connor and Brax avoid me for the rest of the guard duty, pairing off to finish our rounds of the territory. I can’t be sure if they mentioned their newfound discovery to anyone, but I doubt they will tonight while we’re working.
We race through the ranches and along the city streets, looking for trouble and keeping the peace, but my mind is on anything but pack business. Brax’s words keep ricocheting through my head, and Brynn’s scent lingers on my lips. The combination is daunting.
“How can you just give her to someone else? What’s wrong with you?”
We regroup at the packhouse, and I can already feel the energy is off as I enter, my neck stiffening as all eyes fall on me.
Brax isn’t back yet, but I’m not sure he’s going to return after what happened.
Connor smirks at me from his place in the living room. “I’m surprised you bothered coming back here.”
I glower at him. “I am the Alpha, and this is my packhouse.”
He snorts.
My eyes scan the mess around the room, strewn beer bottles and empty pizza boxes littering the floor.
“Clean up this mess,” I snap. “This isn’t a fraternity house.”
The other pack members get to work tidying up, despite their different points of tiredness, but Connor remains on the couch with his arms folded.
“Aren’t you going to tell them?” he asks as I head down the hall toward my office.
I freeze mid-step, the hairs on my neck raising.
He can’t be this stupid.
“Connor…” My tone warns him to keep quiet.
“They have a right to know before you drag us into a bloodbath.”
I backtrack toward the threshold of the sitting room where half a dozen of my enforcers sit, suddenly interested in what Connor has to say.
The front door opens, and more enforcers come inside. Dawn breaks over the countryside beyond the front door, a gray tinge painting the pinkish hue of the sky.
“What bloodbath? What is he talking about?” Ryland demands, standing upright from the coffee table.
“There will be no bloodbath,” I begin, but Connor worked them into a well-planned panic.
“Does he mean the party tonight?” one of the other shifters growls. “I knew it was a trap. We can’t trust those Willow Grove shifters.”
“I knew it!”
“We should come up with a plan!”
I hold up a hand. “Stop this bullshit!” I snap. “It’s not a trap. Emeric is hosting a party to make his status with Brynn official.”
Connor snorts loudly, and someone clears their throat from behind me. I glance back and see Brax on my heels.
