Page 8 of Wild Wolf
“She decide yet?” he asked thewizard.
Annoyed, Jordan waved a hand. “Hello? I’m over here. Unlike the Silver Wizard, I can’t turninvisible.”
Aiden didn’t look at her. “Wasn’t addressing you, Miss Baxter. I did Tristan a courtesy because we’re blood now. He’s my brother-in-law and asked this favor. But if it were up to me, I’d toss you in prison in a heartbeat rather than sending you to mycousin.”
“Prison might be better. Your cousin Nolan isn’t aprize.”
Even though he was, and deep in her heart, she knew he deserved better thanher.
Now he did look at her, scowling like a thundercloud. She raised her chin and glared rightback.
“Nolan is good people and if you hurt him, know this. We may not be close, but he’s blood and I will come after you. Myself and my whole pack if you even say ‘boo’ tohim.”
Her own blood chilled at the thought. She laughed to hide her fear. “Why? He’s not male enough to defend himself against a lil ole female likeme?”
Aiden looked over her head. “Nolan’s too good for the likes of her. She’s undisciplined, a rogue and not a packwolf.”
And there was the real reason Aiden disliked her. Alphas distrusted and regarded her with wariness because she owed noloyalty.
Tristan didn’t answer, only watched the door. It opened and Nia Blakemore Mitchell walked outside, juggling baby Peyton in her arms. Despite her resolve to appear fierce, Jordan couldn’t help a smile. The baby was adorable and Nia was a good mother, and a strong, independent female who hadn’t let marriage to the overwhelming Aiden shadowher.
Jordan softened at the sight of mother and child, sighing with a flash of envy.I wish I could have thesame.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tristan give a satisfied smile. Damn. She’d forgotten the Silver Wizard’s ability to read her emotions. He knew what she secretly longed for. Jordan scowled to hide her feelings, but it was toolate.
Aiden narrowed his eyes. “I let you stay here, Jordan, out of courtesy to Tristan. Otherwise, I’d never tolerate a Lupine who doesn’t follow rules. Around here, we respect pack order. And everyone answers to the alpha, just as they do in my cousin’s pack. Nolan won’t put up with any lone wolfantics.”
“I’m so scared,” she told him, rolling hereyes.
“You shouldbe.”
Aiden growled and in an eye blink, shifted. A huge, muscled wolf stared herdown.
Fine. Two can play this game. Jordan shifted into a wolf. She growled right back at Aiden, her hackles raised. Aiden was far larger and outweighed her, but she’d sharpened her teeth on a few wood fence posts, and one or two despicable males who’d gotten in herway.
“Stop it, you two. You’re scaring the baby,” Niascolded.
The baby chortled and waved her hands, obviously unafraid. But Jordan shifted back, waved a hand and clothed herself by magick. She didn’t want to upset Nia, whom she trulyliked.
Her mate, on the other hand… She looked at Aiden, who stood once more in Skin form, wearing jeans, a checked shirt and a widescowl.
“You sure this is a good idea, Tristan? She’ll never follow orders,” Aidensaid.
“I’m sure,” Tristan said quietly. He walked over to Nia, removed the baby from her arms and cooed toher.
Then he tossed her into the air and Peyton floated there, laughing. Nia laughed as well. Aiden scowledagain.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” hemuttered.
Tristan gestured and the baby floated down into his arms again. He handed her to Aiden, not Nia. The big alpha cradled his daughter, who grasped at hisbeard.
“I have to get back to my family.” Tristan turned to Jordan. “Your final answer? Will you mate withNolan?”
Lupine matings were for life. She thought about what she had escaped, and dread filled her. “His father won’t agree to it. And hisbrother…”
“Both are dead,” Aiden cut in. “Craig died two years ago, leaving control of the pack to Nolan. He’s the new alpha. Bryce was killed in a bar fight shortlyafter.”
Relief filled her. Craig had been strict, and up until that night, somewhat fair. Bryce,however…
