Page 77 of The Tracker's Revenge

I let go of Jake, understanding, yet again, that this was the only way. I had to trust him. He was a strong alpha, and he knew what he was doing. Besides, I would not abandon him. I would find him. As soon as I was able, I would start tracking him. Stephen didn’t know I had a new way now, a quicker way. I had spidey sense like Rosalina had called it. I’d used it on the amulet he wore around his neck and found out about his hybrid plans.

Jake nodded as if thanking me for going along. I wanted to tell him that I would come and help him, but I couldn’t. If I sent him a message using my alpha skills, the others would hear it, too. It took a monumental effort, but I stepped back and schooled my features into a mask of indifference that matched his own.

“I will have your head, Stephen Erickson,” I pushed the thought forward as loudly as I could.

To my delight, Stephen was startled by the piercing message. Those around us exchanged heavy glances and nervously shuffled their feet from side to side. What did they make out of a female alpha? From their reaction, it seemed they didn’t like the idea very much.

Stephen scanned me from head to toe, surprise filling his gaze, a red eyebrow arching slightly. He hadn’t known I was an alpha, and it seemed it only made him hungrier for me.

“You’re full of surprises, Antonietta Sunder,” he said. “Just another one of the reasons I like you.”

“Fuck you,” I growled.

Stephen cracked his neck, then signaled his hybrids. “Take him!”

The massive creatures took a step forward in unison, twin menaces, eager to serve.

Jake put a hand up. “No need.” He turned his back on them and walked toward the SUV that had been driven onto the flowerbed. “I take it, this is your ride.”

The circle of men and werewolves around us broke to let him pass. I stood with my hands clenched at my sides, trembling, doing my best to stay put as I watched him go. His gait was steady. His head was held high. He betrayed no fear despite the fact that he might be walking to his death.

Stephen’s steps sounded behind me. He stopped next to me and also watched Jake walk toward the car.

“So noble of him,” he said in a mocking tone that, no doubt, Jake heard. “I never understood the hold he has on you, and I understand it even less now that I know you’re an alpha. I would let you lead by my side, you know? You would never have that with him. He’s a creature of no ambition. He would be content with mere crumbs, and that’s all he’ll ever be able to offer you.”

Jake reached the car and, without looking in our direction, got in the passenger seat and shut the door with loud finality. I clenched my teeth, peering at his darkened silhouette inside the tinted-window vehicle. He wasn’t looking at me, but straight at the dashboard. I had the feeling that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to play along. He would stay and fight, damn the consequences.

“Look at me, Jake. Look at me!”

This time my message was loud for everyone to hear.

Jake lowered his head further in response.

Next to me, Stephen snorted. “I never thought it would be this easy. I guess I underestimated his weakness.”

What he called weakness was nothing but pure courage and honor. But of course, he wouldn’t know those things if they grabbed him by the balls.

“Don’t bother to track him, Toni,” Stephen said. “By the time you’re able, he’ll be dead. And with him gone, you’ll finally see clearly.”

I didn’t argue with him or try to explain that I would never see things the way he did. I would not waste my breath on him.

I would save my strength to track my mate.