Page 5 of The Fated Hunter Wolf

Rhys, you’re acting like a pup.

Logan. My spine stiffened as my brother continued to talk to me in that silent way reserved only for us.

Wise up. You’re a leader.

The Heraclid elder narrowed his eyes at me. “I’m saying you put on a good show, but I can’t help wondering if there’s more bark than bite in the Orion pack.”

I exhaled through my nose and straightened. The Heraclid elder raised an eyebrow, probably expecting some kind of comeback. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

“Our alliance is fragile,” I said, somehow finding the strength within me not to rip his throat out. “And I take my instructions from our alpha. Who, I’ll remind you, is nowyouralpha too. We’re here to rebuild,together.”

The elder’s smirk faltered. Without another word, I turned and walked away, every watching eye burning into my back. Behind me, I heard Elder Raina step in, her tone smooth andcalm as she spoke to the Heraclid elder, likely diffusing whatever lingering strain was left.

Standing in front of me—sporting a look that made my wolf put his tail between his legs—was my brother.

Alpha Logan.

I bit back the urge to get defensive.

He turned as I reached him, and we fell into step together. We didn’t say a word until we were well out of earshot of the wolves working on the Old Town.

When Logan stopped, I did too. He turned to face me and reached behind my neck, holding me as he searched my eyes. The unhealed wounds on my chest throbbed. I knew whatever reprimand Logan had in store for me, I deserved it.

“Brother, I don’t know who or what has been at you, but I want to know so I can rip them to shreds.” He let go of me and looked at my chest, where the wounds were still open and the smell of blood wafted off me.

Well, I had not expectedthat. I should have, though. Logan was nothing if not fiercely protective of any and all in the pack.

And even more so for me. After all, he’d lost the same brothers I had.

He released his hold on my neck and I stepped back. I would have loved an escape route right then. Logan didn’t need to say anything to get the truth out of me. That was the thing about brothers—you could bullshit anyone else, but family had a way of cutting through the noise.

“I left the bonfire early last night,” I said, keeping my tone measured. “Figured I’d patrol a bit, you know, get some air.”

Logan crossed his arms, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “And?”

“And…” I shrugged, aiming for casual. “I caught a scent. Trouble, or at least the scent of it. I went after it.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Trouble?”

“It was Sable,” I admitted, my voice a little too even. “She took off. I’ll make sure she doesn’t come back.”

Logan’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes narrowing just enough to make my wolf shift uneasily. He closed his eyes, and I knew exactly what that meant.

“Logan,” I said, trying to stop what I knew he was already doing. “It’s fine?—”

It was too late. His focus went inward, his connection to Eve sharpening through the pack bond. I could feel the ripple of it, like a pebble dropped into still water. He was calling her.

“I’m telling you,” I continued, trying to sound convincing as my wolf growled low in protest, “Sable didn’t stick around long enough to cause any damage.”

Logan opened his eyes, his gaze cutting through me like a blade. “Anything involving Sable is worth looking at closely. You know that as well as I do. Look at the state of you.” He took a step closer. “She’s Heraclid. That gives her the right to be here. But she doesn’t have the right to shred my brother.”

I winced, my fingers unconsciously brushing the edge of my shirt. “It’s not that bad.”

“Lift it.”

“Logan—”

“Now, Rhys.”