Page 94 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

“We didn’t know they were organized until two days ago.”

“And I still didn’t get so much as a text saying ‘Hey, you might watch out for wolves who want to eat you.’In fact, you had the perfect opportunity to tell me the other night.Instead, you ordered me to drive your truck home.”

“I had to sprint two miles over hard terrain—”

“You should have told me.”

“I’m telling you now.”

My hand tightened on the steering wheel.“Because you want me to turn around.”

“Of course I want you to turn the f—”

His eyes were probably gold.I’d bet he was white-knuckling the steering wheel too.If I was lucky, the damn thing would fall off, and he’d be forced to slam on the brakes.

“How did I become the bad guy here?”he demanded, his voice barely controlled.

“You’re Lehr’s lackey.”

“He’s my fucking alpha, Kennedy!”

“Fine.Great.You’re right.I forgot you’re more than happy to do his bidding.Thanks for reminding me where we stand.”

I jabbed my finger on the button to end the call.Anger seared my lungs.I let it burn there because it smothered a guilt I shouldn’t be feeling.My words had been true.

But they hadn’t been fair.He was a werewolf and magically linked to Lehr and the pack.He had to do what was best for them.Iknewthat.Calling him out for something out of his control was wrong, but mywhere we standcomment?That had been mean.I couldn’t continually push him away, then suddenly sling those words at him.

Lehr’s HQ came into view, and a wave of anxiety swept away the urge to call Blake back and apologize.I focused on regulating my emotions and building my walls.I wouldn’t second-guess myself.This confrontation needed to happen.

I parked in front of a mansion-sized log cabin.A log mansion?The pack had been headquartered in Nora’s Victorian-style house until they outgrew it.She’d since sold it to Blake, but it didn’t matter who the primary resident was.It had never given off this kind of violent vibe, which was unfortunate because the surrounding woods might have made the place look like the setting of some romantic fairy tale.But that was twisted by the men and women who stood and stared at me when I shut off my engine.They gave the shadows an eerie and haunted feel.

My logic-built walls reminded me that magic was present and plentiful.I refused to be affected by it, by them, or byhim, the asshole alpha who welcomed bloodshed and forced me to kill.

I shoved open my door and stood, only to find Blake right in front of me.He rested his left hand on the top edge of the door and caged me in with his body.“Be respectful.Don’t accuse him of anything or make any threats.Don’t agitate the pack.”

“I know what I’m doing.Please move.”

“You really don’t,” he said quietly, but he stepped aside.

I walked toward Lehr.He sat on top of a wooden picnic table, his people spaced out around him.He didn’t bother to stand or to give any indication at all that I existed, not until I stopped a few paces away.He finished his conversation with one of his wolves, then he unhurriedly looked my way.

Lehr didn’t look like a killer.Casually dressed in athletic pants and a gray shirt, he could have blended in on any college basketball team.He looked exactly the same as the day I met him, and he’d pass for Nora’s brother more than he would a father or uncle.But this was the man who’d tracked down and murdered the unsanctioned I’d tried to help.He resented my ownership of The Rain, the changes I’d started to implement, and the influence I was determined to strip away from him.He resented my existence.

Same here, asshole.

“Ms.Rain.”Lehr’s gaze shifted to my left.“Blake.”

Blake stopped in line with me.I’d expected him to fall in with the pack.

A tendril of anxiety tried to find a crack in my wall.I reinforced it, then focused my attention back on Lehr.

“Patrol the region again.”

Lehr smirked.“Agree to run The Rain as your parents, your grandparents, and all your ancestors always have.”

“You’re not allowed on my property.If you send another list of sanctioned wolves, they will also be banned.If a werewolf attacks me again, if they threaten or hurt my friends, my employees, or anyone else connected to me, I will support and encourage another alpha to take over what will become your former territory.”

“Watch yourself, girl.A day closer to the full moon, that arm would be fully healed, and you’d be cowering in the dirt.”Lehr’s gaze flicked toward Blake as if he sensed some insubordination.But Blake hadn’t said anything.He hadn’t moved.