Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Ally wondered if Matt had summoned her because Rachelle had laid more accusations at her door. Or maybe her punishment was about to increase. Zeke had told her that Matt didn’t want to banish her, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t change his mind. Well, there was really only one way to find out.
Inside the pack house, she knocked on Matt’s office door, and quickly received a “Come in!”
Refusing to show any panic or anxiety, she straightened her shoulders and entered. And stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of two unfamiliar wolves. She studied the powerfully built male with the short bronze hair and indomitable look and her voice of intuition whispered, merciless. Yeah, Ally could see he was someone to be wary of. The blend of impatience, dubiousness, and distrust that seeped from him caused her scalp to prickle and itch.
Moving her attention to the dark, supremely masculine male beside him, Ally realized he wasn’t so unfamiliar after all. She’d seen him before in a juvenile detention facility long ago. His body had changed since then; he was taller, his shoulders had broadened, and his build was solid and defined. He was currently watchful, tense, and still; those brooding pools of dark velvet stared too hard, saw too much. His sensual mouth was set in a harsh line; it had a cruel edge to it that hadn’t been there years ago.
Back then, the teenage Ally had felt curious when she saw him. Now, a crushing carnal hunger licked over her skin, heated her blood, and pooled low in her stomach—it was instant, elemental, and made no sense.
Unlike his friend, he didn’t radiate emotion. He was so guarded that only brief flashes broke through that cool surface. Those flashes of suspiciousness, rancor, scorn, and confusion were enough to chill her skin. But that chill was eased by the sparks of a sensual hunger that made warmth bloom in places it had no right being.
It was a hunger she could see he resented.
He might be attracted to her, but he didn’t like it. That irritated her wolf, who—also having recognized him—had sat up, rapt by his dominance and self-assurance.
Suddenly his dark eyes slowly raked over her, lingering a little too long on her mouth. She refused to blush under his intense inspection. “He sent you,” she guessed. Cain. She doubted it was pure coincidence that a wolf who served time in juvie with Cain had come here.
A curt nod was all she received in response—the guy clearly wasn’t happy about it. Neither was she. Ally had been hoping that Cain wouldn’t hear about what had happened, given his violent way of handling things. He must have her more closely watched than she’d thought.
“I’m Derren Hudson.” His silky smooth voice slid over her, teasing her senses. “This is Eli Axton. We’re from the Mercury Pack.”
She’d heard a little about the pack—mostly that the Alpha was very powerful and very dangerous. “How much does . . . our mutual friend . . . know?”
“Everything.”
Shit. “I take it he relayed my story to you?”
Another sharp nod. “I’m here to take you with me.”
Yeah, she’d gathered that. “Where to?”
“My pack. Temporarily.”
And no doubt, Cain would deal with everything when he was released from jail.
Matt cleared his throat. “Ally, I just wanted to say that I always believed you were innocent. And I certainly don’t believe you attacked Rachelle last night.”
“Really?” she drawled, skeptical. Fear wafted from him, sending a crawling sensation down her arms.
“Yes, but I have no proof,” stressed Matt. “Rachelle’s accusation is very serious. As Beta female, she should protect her pack mates. If her accusations are false, she has violated her oath and placed you in danger. She would have to be severely punished, and I would have to replace her as Beta, which would mean Zeke would also have to step down. Without solid proof of her guilt, I cannot justify making such a decision. Just the same, I cannot execute or banish you without solid proof of your guilt. I want to be clear that I am not casting you out.” Matt’s voice was both firm and reassuring. “There is really no need for you to leave. I can guarantee your safety here.”
“No, you can’t,” Derren told him.
The wolf was right; Matt couldn’t. Ally knew that Rachelle wouldn’t stop. The pack was so certain of Ally’s guilt, and she had no supporters. She had no one who would defend her against any future allegations. No one who would ensure there were consequences if her cabin was again vandalized.
Still, leaving with two perfect strangers, neither of whom wanted to be in her company, wasn’t all that appealing either. Sometimes it was a case of “better the devil you know.”
As if Derren sensed her hesitance, he narrowed his eyes. “Matt, could you leave us alone a minute?”