Page 22 of Runaway Wolf
“Rhett,” he muttered.
“Here?” Misty asked, her nostrils flaring. “What did they want?”
“They separated us. Jax and the clan stood ahead of where we walked. I got a sudden whiff of them, now I realize they must have planted something. Maybe on the seat there of the grassy area. When I saw them, it didn’t occur to me that Rhett wasn’t present. I told Caitlin to wait there in the public spot whileI confronted them. He came up behind her while I was busy. Marked her.”
Fury roiled over Noah’s expression and Misty crushed the rose within her fist.
“I didn’t even know. I walked back to her and saw her frozen with terror.”
“I’m okay,” Caitlin said, mostly to Penny, but then she turned his way. “I was scared. But I’m not hurt.”
Penny was stroking her sister’s bangs back from her face. If she had been changed instead of as human as Caitlin, she’d be furious too. She’d smell his stench possessively wafting from Caitlin’s skin like he owned her. As it was, Caitlin didn’t understand the insult. He wasn’t sure Penny fully understood.
“We can’t go after them,” Misty murmured. “That’s what they want.”
“What do you mean?” Noah said.
Penny twisted around to pay attention.
“Think about it. Turn Limitations just passed. We have both the governor’s daughters here. The same man who refused Penny’s request to reject it. The Blackmoors are up to something.”
“No matter what they’re up to,” Penny said, “all that their game plan will prove in the end is that humans are right. Shifters are dangerous. Shifters fight amongst themselves.”
“It’s not a coincidence that they knew who Penny was. Seeing me with her? It was probably the perfect scenario that dropped into their laps,” Caitlin said.
“They’ve never seen me interested in a female like I am you.”
The comical frozen expressions on everyone’s faces would be funny except they were all stunned to silence. Isaac took the opportunity to bark out commands.
“Misty, did you carpool with Joaquin?”
She nodded.
“Make sure he knows to be careful. I want the two of you to close up a half hour early. Be together at all times.”
“I will.”
“Okay.” He turned to Noah. “We’ll get these two back to our territory.”
“Do you think they’ll be safe?” Caitlin asked, gesturing toward Misty as they left.
“My pack knows how to fight. Misty will keep Joaquin safe.” Noah winked over his shoulder at Misty.
“Oh, God, with everything going on, I didn’t even introduce you! Misty is Noah’s sister. You’ll see her later at home,” Penny said.
Caitlin glanced over her shoulder and waved.
“Come on,” Isaac snapped. The door swung shut behind her. He tugged her impatiently, pulling her further outside the store.
“Are… are you mad at me?” she asked in a small voice.
“What? No!” he barked, making Noah and Penny turn around as he stopped her right on the sidewalk facing the windows.
He pulled her to him, butted her sweet body right up against his hardness so he could peer down into her face.
“I’m not mad at you, Cait. I’m mad at me. I let the Blackmoors distract me with a rookie move. Never once wondered where their alpha was and the whole time? He was right there with you, while my goddamn back was toward the woman I should be protecting. He touched you.”
“But I’m okay. I’m not hurt.”
