Page 80 of Banished Mates
I’d focused on not thinking about Britt and as a bonus, Torrin, because I didn’t want to consider the repercussions. But a few days ago, when Meridith mentioned the Alpha and then my father’s name, it had taken little time for me to connect the dots.
Torrin’s death was the other thing I struggled with. Camden had said nothing and he wouldn’t, but I couldn’t help the guilt eating me up from the inside.
I pushed the front door open. The sun hung low in the sky, and the cool breeze caressed my face. There was more blood scattered in spots around the house. A swift movement caught my attention, and I turned in time to see Rowan running at me. He slowed as he neared, growling and pressing into my side.
He shifted into his human form, something I knew he hated doing.
“You’re hurt. Lay down.”
His muscles rippled, hair rustling around his face. The texture looked soft to the touch. I reached up and twirled my finger in some of the strands. I loved the feel of it.
The corners of his lips twitched and he lowered, pressing his head closer to my hand. It reminded me of how he liked getting pets in his wolf form. I shook my head and untangled my grip, clearing my throat.
He rumbled grumpily, the noise coming deep from his throat.
I ignored him and trudged down the veined path. If I looked at him, I’d rub myself all up on him.
It was like a ghost pack. A pack mate was a few yards down near the road and I turned to him. He saw me coming and his eyes widened. He turned on his heel and fled.
I skid to a stop and narrowed my eyes at Rowan. He turned away so he wasn’t looking in my eyes. Scoffing, I took off down the road. I’d keep going until I bumped into someone, then.
What was going on?
Rowan huffed a few minutes later, shifted into his wolfman form, and pressed his palm into my spine, navigating me to the left instead of the right, leading me toward my house.
There were a few men hanging around outside, their expressions tight. Jay, Lee, and Brian. All except Lee looked away. He lowered his head slightly.
My shoulders tensed up and I sniffed myself. I didn’t think the scent concoction Evie had given me had worn off, but I had to text her soon to have her express ship some to me.
When I looked over my shoulder at the glaring Rowan, I realized they weren’t acting that way because of me.
I climbed the creaky steps to find the living room packed. I stopped in place, staring toward the far wall where my mates sprawled in wolfman form, they were clothed in some sort of fashioned shorts. The tattered edges at different lengths. They looked like some Hollywood version of a werewolf in that form, but with the shorts, it brought it all together.
Even with that, I could see the outline of their dicks, which left little to the imagination.
At least they’d tried?
I sighed and stalked up to them, ignoring the looks I got. I got too close to a male and he scrambled back so quickly he fell out of his seat.
I set my glare on my mates and walked straight toward Hector and wrapped my arms around his midsection.
He patted my shoulder, but I didn’t get a full ten seconds before my shoulder was gently tugged back.
“I know it’s your dad, mate, but instincts are difficult to calm,” Kit said, teeth flashing.
I frowned and stepped away from Hector.
“I’ll walk her out,” Camden offered and then my legs were swept out from under me. I scrambled to grab hunks of Camden’s russet fur as I glared up at him. I reached up and tugged his hair sharply.
“Willow,” Hector chided and I frowned.
An eerie silence fell over the group gathered in the living room. I slowly released his fur, sweeping my gaze across the crowd.
A mix of emotions were reflected in every gaze. Fear, worry, and anger were among them.
I cleared my throat. Avoidance seemed like my best bet.
My attention settled on Riley’s leery expression. Our eyes clashed and he blushed. Camden’s claws flexed into my skin and I winced, narrowing my eyes at him.
