Page 161 of Unforgivable

Alpha Jax

Uneasiness sits like a boulder in my gut. My wolf is agitated, pacing back and forth. I've been ignoring the signs for months, but his paranoia has been growing worse and worse. I feel disconnected from him as if there's a one-way mirror between us, and he can see me, but I can't see him. He can't share his instincts with me thoroughly, and it sits wrong.

My son is the first wolf to emerge from the vehicle. Strong, straight back, he looks proud and tough as he takes the time to look at the small gathering of wolves outside the packhouse, waiting to welcome their alphason and his mate back.

I didn't call for a large celebration. Their reason for leaving was nothing to celebrate. It's just the Piersons and Max's family, along with my parents.

"Welcome home, Daan," I say to him. He looks good like he's spent a lot of time working out while he was gone. His musculature is thicker like an alpha should be.

"Thank you, Dad," his eyes meet mine. The light blue has darkened. He's upset about something. The set of his jaw is rigid. Despite his physical prowess, there's something wrong.

On his neck is a Mark, slightly reddened. It looks, to be honest, as if it was as recent as mere hours ago.

Cloe isn't the next wolf to come out of the SUV. Instead, to my surprise, it's another female who looks vaguely recognizable.

"Dad, this is Alice, one of Cloe's cousins. She's traveling and wanted to come visit the Piersons."

"Hello, Alpha Jax, Luna Jessi," Alice says before I can introduce myself.

I don't like this she-wolf. She rubs me the wrong way, and she scents of more than one male. She bears no Mark, so I shouldn't judge, but the look in her eyes is all avarice and greed.

Finally, Cloe climbs out of the car. I force my frown to be a neutral expression. She looks different. Smaller, thinner, weaker. Daan's cheating took a noticeable toll on her.

Jessi rushes past me to embrace Cloe, with Mari, Drew's mate, close behind. I grit my teeth when Cloe starts to weep into my mate's shoulder softly.

I glance away so that I don't snap at the poor little female, when I spot Daan picking up their suitcases and striding into the packhouse without looking back. He doesn't greet anyone, even Cloe's family.

The new female saunters after him, smirking at Ethan Pierson as she goes by.

The dread in my gut grows.

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Lyri

I shift on my seat for the umpteenth time. The cushion isn't helping. My body aches. I'm on pins and needles. The food I devoured just an hour ago is souring in my stomach. My mouth tastes bland, and no amount of Luna Gloria's iced tea is helping.

Luna Gloria swore up and down that her special brew would help my Heat, take the edge off.

I think she outright lied to me.

I glance up at the moon, just beginning to peek over the trees. My she-wolf shakes out her fur in anticipation. I stare at the moon instead of at my males because my she-wolf is a complete hussy. The sight of any of her males makes her salivate, and I refuse to drool at a table full of wolves, especially when two of those wolves are my parents.

Ezra and Thjis are sitting on either side of me, not touching me even the slightest. I don't mind. I don't want them to touch me... yet. What Beta Teague and Devel are talking about with my males is too important.

"My unit tracked her up to the same pack that your ex-mates are living in. Satellite footage confirmed her presence as of three days ago," Teague points to the table, emphasizing his words.

"She hurt Lielani, correct?" Devel interjects.

"Yes," Teague's eyes narrow on his brother.

Ah, Devel's love's name is Leilani. Pretty name. I shift again, blowing out my breath slowly.

Devel clears his throat. "So, you came here for me?"

Teague smirks. "Sometimes, that cold bitch of a goddess brings you right where you need to be. Alice dropped off our radar yesterday. Lyall picked up chatter from her online presence last night, indicating that she was visiting someone named... Ethan."

Ezra spews out his beer all over the table.

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