“She’s not a stranger,” Rachel retorted caustically.
“You know her?”
Simone had returned to her car and pulled away. Jackson had to know what had happened. Until Declan was on the road he couldn’t make the call. Rachel had to come first, meaning he had to get the fuck out of here. How did this keep happening? One minute it seemed like he’d turned a corner. The next minute something appeared to knock him off track.
“She’s the woman who tried to kill Chloe.” Rachel stopped struggling, the fight draining from her. Feeling the change—hearing the defeat in her tone—made him wish he’d let her take a shot at Simone. “She’s the one who’s responsible for everything that’s happened.”
So Chloe had found time to tell Rachel what the pack suspected. Not only had Rachel faced the woman who’d tried to harm her best friend, she’d also faced the woman who’d likely caused the bite that had changed her. If the roles were reversed he’d have unleashed his temper too. Simone was lucky to get off with a scratch on the side of the face.
No wonder she lost it.
“Don’t worry. You can let go now.” As soon as he did she started climbing over the console to her seat, telling him softly, “I’ll behave.”
“Rachel.” He stopped her midway to her destination, grasping her by the arm. She looked at him and he saw how much the confrontation had taken from her. “I don’t want you to behave. I like you just the way you are. But I have to call Jackson. Simone loves to stir shit. If I didn’t know better I’d say she’s got snitches in town. People saw us pull up and then boom, she appears.”
“People saw us?” Rachel paled. He was afraid she was humiliated by their physical display when she cleared the matter up. “What if they saw me hit her?” she asked, obviously petrified. “Will they call the supernatural police? Does that really exist?” Her lower lip trembled. “Will I go to jail? Oh shit. Is there jail for werewolves?”
“Sunshine,” he murmured, stroking her arm with his thumb, wanting to kiss her instead, “we don’t have jails or police. Not like yours. And even if we did you don’t have to worry about that. News will spread but not in the way you might think.”
“News will spread?” Her eyes sought his, the fear he thought he’d put a dent in returning. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is everyone will know I’ve got a hellcat on my hands. They’ll want to see you for themselves.” That was why he needed to change his schedule for a little while longer. Rachel needed more time. If he hurried to work and got his planner it wouldn’t take long to rearrange appointments. Planting a fast kiss on her slightly parted lips, he added, “Now get in your seat. We need to stop by the shop before we go to get your things.”
Rachel sighed, settling in her seat. “The Wolf’s Den?”
“Yeah.” He started the vehicle and glanced at her. “Why?”
“It’s where everything started. I guess I thought I’d never go back.”
“You know what they say, don’t you, sunshine?”
“Humans or werewolves?
“Both.”
She frowned at him and he said, “Never say never, baby.”
Chapter Five
Shane settled into the booth he’d been guided to and studied the rogue werewolf across from him. The male looked like shit, his eyes bloodshot, breath reeking of whiskey. Shane had gotten word that a snitch was willing to talk about the attack on Jackson’s pack for the right price. If there was one benefit in coming to town as a rogue it was having access to insider information. All it had taken was a phone call to churn the wheels, bringing him face-to-face with a male who probably wouldn’t live to see another day.
“Thanks for meeting me.” Shane initiated the conversation, ready to get the ball rolling. “I was told you might have information I need.”
The loner laughed, giving his head a shake. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t look like someone I need to get involved with.”
Now that was very true. “Can you help me or not?
“For the right price? Sure I can help you.”
No way would he pay the fucker. That went against his grain.
But his companion didn’t need to know that just yet.
“Then talk,” he ordered, letting his beast peer out through his eyes.
As a born Alpha he had the power to influence wolves. It was a birthright he’d walked away from. The act had eaten at his soul like acid but he’d had no choice. His mate had called to him and he’d followed, trying to find her despite the darkness that always kept her from view. They’d shared dreams but each one was a black void, revealing nothing but her soft voice as she called out to him, drawing him in. Once there she trapped him with sensation, forcing him to use all his senses, only to vanish into thin air.
At first that seemed fine. Dreamsharing was tricky business.
But then she hadn’t sought him out.
The last few months he’d felt her need rising. If she hadn’t hit her first mating heat she would soon. Which was why knew something prevented her from seeking him out. In his torment the wolf had started sharing its thoughts and view on things. The animal figured if she couldn’t come to them then they’d go to her. He’d shaken off the idea until weeks had passed. Unable to stay but devastated to leave, he’d said goodbye to his pack.
A hot stab of pain pierced his chest.
Handing the reins over to another Alpha had broken something inside him. He still wasn’t certain he was entirely over it. Thankfully the wolf had risen to hold him, taking away his pack urges as it guided him where it felt he needed to be. As a result he’d landed in Atrum Hill. He couldn’t identify the connection, unable to sense his mate, but his wolf told him they had gone far enough.
So he’d put down roots, joining Jackson Donovan’s pack.
Yet his mate still remained out of his reach.
He’d visited the packs, gone on hunts, hoped for a glimpse or sliver of scent of the woman who belonged to him. But he hadn’t found her. He wasn’t sure why he was surprised. Maybe he was delusional but he’d always trusted his wolf. The beast knew this was where he was supposed to stay, no matter how long it took.
What if it’s wrong? What if there’s nothing here but an empty existence?
“I ain’t saying shit until I see my reward,” the male retorted. “You got the money?”
He lifted his gaze, staring at the male who’d addressed him. The rogue smirked, amused and unthreatened by Shane’s command. It wasn’t any wonder. Shane’s wolf was sidetracked, thinking only of her. His nerves weren’t as good as they used to be, his patience unusually thin.
They couldn’t function like this.
How could he command respect if he didn’t fucking respect himself?
Focus, damn it.
Thrusting aside thoughts of the female he yearned for, he let months of frustration course through him, providing it with an easy outlet. He didn’t hold back, letting his animalistic nature in on the high. The wolf responded, equally angry and frustrated. He snarled, baring his teeth. The rogue paled, the smug smile wiped off his face.
“How about you start talking before you ask about green?” Shane kept his lips back, his teeth in full view. “That’s right. I’m just itching for a fight. Provoke me again and you won’t like what happens. I’ll use your ass to wipe up the bar. Give me a reason to jack you up.”