Page 171 of Conner's Luna

"She's a whore," Wilkinson croaks.

The cane thwacks him in his bleeding thigh. He screams, andAbuelabares her teeth manically. The LoboGris edges away from the old woman. They aren't used to crazy old females.

Dad smiles and holds out his hand, "Pleased to meet you, ma'am. I'm-"

"Teague Grim,"Abuelasnaps out. She toddles over to me and glares, "and this is your son, Conner Alexander Grim, named after that worthless mutt who brokeTíaDaryle's heart."

"Oh, sweet Jesus," Hank mutters. "Mama-"

"Don't you 'Mama' me!"Abuelasnaps, waving her cane at her son in a threatening gesture. "I know things, little boy." Hank rolls his eyes skyward and mumbles something but wisely stays quiet.

"Bailey,"Abuelasniffles. "You chose a wolf, peanut."

"He's a good man," Bailey says with a touch of stubbornness. Standing next to each other, I can see the family resemblance, especially in the intelligence swimming in their eyes and the stubborn set of their shoulders.

Abuelahumphs. "I'll be the judge of that."

"Ma'am, I can assure you I fuc - love your granddaughter with every fiber of my being. My wolf feels the same,” I interject.

"Isn't good to be obsessed," is her response. "Red flags, peanut. Red flags."

"I believe in Bailey's ability to handle my obsession," I respond, utterly seriously before I realize that I just admitted I'm obsessed with my girl.

"Ha!"Abuelacomes close enough that I can count every white hair and wrinkle. Even after what I assume was an hours-long flight from Puerto Rico she smells faintly of the ocean. "Took advantage of my peanut when she was still grieving her mama."

Horror and guilt immediately flood me.

"Don't you roll them eyes! Sassy girl,"Abuela’sstick comes rifling through the air to poke my girl's legs.

Moving faster than I realized I ever could, I grab the cane before it strikes my girl.

The entire pack inhales as one as tension skyrockets instantly. It breaks whenAbuelacackles, "ha! Not entirely useless, are you?" She sniffs at her granddaughter. "That baby girl's a beauty. Your wolf's good for a couple things, I guess."

I meet Dad's wide-eyed gaze. "I can see you!"Abuelasnaps at Dad. He instantly apologizes for... well, breathing... having eyes? Shit,Abuela’sa trip.

Uncle Alex clears his throat, "ah, shall we move inside?"

"I'm not done yet,"Abuelasnaps. Turning, she approaches Trey. He meets her gaze and straightens his shoulders. At least he'll die with dignity. "You made the same mistake your idiot ancestor did, boy. Now, I'll tell you this warning one time and only the once, understand?"

A wide-eyed Trey nods.

"You'll have one more chance. Don't look at my granddaughter. She's gone forever from you. She's made her choice, and it's that obsessed boy over there holding her like he can't stand up on his own three tree trunks."

Trey blinks, the words taking a little time to register while I make sure Bailey is hiding my dick fromAbuela’sview. Shit.

"If you fail or you choose wrong, well, you'll be the last Wilkinson. You'll condemn your son with you," she says softly. It's a warning that holds truth and we can all hear it. It sits wrong, skating along every person's spine. My wolf shakes out his fur, agitated. Trey isn't the last of the Wilkinsons. Yeah, Uncle Alex isn't having pups, but what about Cole, Trey's younger brother?

There's no time for questions. Without missing a beat,Abuelaheads back to a nearly-unconscious Antony Wilkinson. "Nothing will save you, boy. Don't worry, what's left of your family won't be missing you. You'll die now and in time, your name will just be a stain in their memories."

We all hear Wilkinson's heart slow, then stop.

Fuck me. Never piss offAbuela. Got it.

"Do you dogs not have manners?"Abuelasnaps. "I'm hungry. It's been thirsty work today."

Dad gives Uncle Alex a break and offers his arm to escortAbuelainside. I hear him remark as they amble toward the packhouse, "do you know my Aunt Gloria? She lives in Canada."

"Never heard of Gloria. Don't be stupid."

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