Page 23 of The Tracker's Rage

He frowned, a flash of fear clouding his expression for a moment.

“I’m not just any werewolf, Jake. I’m an alpha.”

He scanned me through narrowed eyes. I held steady through his scrutiny, then with a careless push I forced my thoughts into his mind.

I guess I wasn’t made for you after all.

My anger thrilled through us like a living thing. Jake’s face crumpled, revealing the pain he felt at the discovery. Just moments ago, the world had seemed perfect, made for us to conquer together, and now, so quickly, I’d learned that fate was playing a game with me, and I was the freaking ball everyone loved to hit out of the park.

“It does seem that way,” he said, slowly retreating out of the office. “I wish things were different. I came to apologize for not telling you about the engagement. It happened quickly and I didn’t have a chance. I didn’t want you to find out the way you did. I wanted to tell you myself.” He chuckled sadly and gestured toward his office. “Perhaps, I should move out, after all. It’s not wise for me to have my office so close to yours. Maybe, you would like to expand, knock down a few walls and take over the place. I’m nearly done with all the repairs.”

“Get out of here, Jake. There’s no room for such niceties between us.”

He hung his head, sadness weighing him down. “If you ever need me...”

I was about to tell him to go to hell, when the front door chimed open and steps rushed in. Jake glanced over, his expression turning to worry.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he moved out of the way and Rosalina rushed into my office.

My heart started pounding at the sight of her panicked expression. She held her cell phone and stared at it for a moment before she managed to say a word.

“Dani just called. She couldn’t reach you.”

I looked at my phone, which lay face down on the desk. I had turned it off so I could explain everything to Jake without interruption. My legs turned rubbery. For my oldest sister to have called Rosalina something really bad must’ve happened.

“Is she all right?”

Rosalina nodded. “Dani is fine. It’s your mother. She’s been attacked.”

Chapter 9

The Camaro’s tiresscreeched as I turned into an open parking spot in front of St. Mary’s Hospital. I jumped out of the car and headed toward the front door at full pelt. I ignored Jake as he parked his motorcycle next to my car. He’d wanted to ride with me, but I pushed him away as soon as Rosalina told me where to find my mother. I didn’t want him here, but he seemed bent on inserting himself into the situation regardless of my wishes. He was a thorn —no a stake—in my side, and I was a masochist.

I followed the signs toward the emergency room, dodging people as I ran down the brightly lit corridor. In the waiting area, my eyes immediately homed in on my sisters. Dani and Lucia were sitting next to each other, staring at the floor, their faces etched with concern.

Lucia sensed me first and glanced up. I ran toward her, and she jumped to her feet and wrapped me in a tight hug. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks. The last time I’d seen my mother I’d been so mean to her, so inflexible and unforgiving, and now...