"That's nice. Is Andrew comfortable with that," I ask as I follow behind my twin with my hands tucked in my pockets. "Yeah. He commented on how much he would miss all of us, and Boyd offered to go over," he answers while looking at me for a second. I'm glad the human has accepted all of us. Sam needs him in her life. I was surprised though when Dan called to say Mr. polk would be coming back with them to buy a place in town, but it seems to be working out. I nod uncomfortably before taking a deep breath and running my hand through my hair. I need to discuss more important matters than the friendly human though. "That's good. I am happy he seems to have accepted us. I umm...I know you just got home, but there are some things we need to go over now that you are back. For one, we need to talk about the bears. I don't like that they are hiring assassins to eliminate our Luna. We need to talk to them. I mean, Samantha hasn't done anything wrong," I say, and Dan halts abruptly.
STANLEY POV "Are we sure this won't turn into an ambush," Dan asks as he looks around at the log cabins built close together. The entire drive he has been this way. But I get it. His mate has been kidnapped, shot, and now she has an assassin after her. "I have spoken on the phone with Mrs. Orson several times. She has agreed to hear us out. We are meeting in the community public building. They hold discussions there and vote on community matters. It should be safe," I reply as I open the driver's side door. They follow my example and exit the car cautiously. Samantha and Dan share a look over the roof before he gives me a nod. I return the gesture, and we head for the larger building situated in the center. As my talks with Kendall Orson have progressed, the anger has lessened, and understanding has been evident in her voice, but an in-person meeting will prove whether or not the bad blood has indeed been washed away. Daniel knocks on the solid wood door twice before step
STANLEY POV Steady grunts leave my mouth as I toss square bails of hay thirty feet into the air. My shifter body is nearing its breaking point, and that's saying a lot. I have been working for thirteen hours straight, and I keep finding more projects to do in the barn. Tasks that don't really need to be done. Like reorganizing our winter supply of hail bails.Keeping myself busy and out of the house has become a necessity for survival at this point. Lauren and her adorable son seem to be everywhere. She hasn't returned to work yet, so at least the office is still a safe place. However, that does me no good on days like today...Saturday. My haven is closed, and the pack expects me to be here. "Hello, big brother," Finley says as he comes strolling up behind me. I grunt louder to acknowledge him, and he chuckles."Not even a smile...wound up that tight, huh," Finley asks, and I freeze midswing. "Don't start," I growl, not even looking his way. Finley moves closer, and I throw
STANLEY POVThe cart the stewardess is pushing, rattles as another brief moment of turbulence jostles the plane, and I tense again. I can't believe I agreed to this.When Fin mentioned flights I was so wrapped up in my feelings for Lauren, I forgot how much I detest these machines. I figured we would start with an area close by home but Samantha decided that Panama City, Florida, would be a good starting point for our search. So of course, that meant I would be on an airplane. A unsafe, unnatural form of travel invented by insane humans...Humans. Animals who are as breakable as a piece of China."I forgot how much you hate this," Finley chuckles from beside me, and I give him a stern sideye."Shut up," I order, and his laugh evolves into a loud boom that gathers attention from the other passengers."Don't be like that. The is supposed to be fun," Finley laughs, and I hold back a growl before rolling my eyes.Nothing I say at this point will get him to lay off. He has found something t
STANLEY POV The blaring music feels like thunder against my sensitive ears, and I keep having to grind my teeth together to push past the pain. "Yeah, I think earplugs would have helped," Finley mumbles from next to me, and I look at him with a, "you think" expression. He chuckles nervously before shrugging. He shoots back a swig of his weak beer and points toward the crowd with his hand. "See anyone special," Fin asks, and I shake my head while thoroughly searching the crowd. I haven't smelled or spotted anyone special: just half-naked women and desperate males competing for attention. "She isnt here, and I'm having an awful time," I reply, and Fin nods as he looks toward the door. "I guess I thought this would be more interesting than just standing here. Why do people like this type of social activity so much" Fin asks, and I shrug. "Beats me. I guess the people who don't have soul mates have to find partners in other ways," I reply after a few seconds, and
STANLEY POV I sigh as I lean my head against the stiff headrest of the rental car I made Finley get. I refused to ride in another airplane. It will add time to our trip, but really there isn't any rush for us. I can do most of my work from my laptop, and Finley just has the farm. "This pack is a good size, roughly Fifty-five adult members, I believe. The Alpha sounded excited by our visit...practically eager," Finley says over the GPS as it instructs him to turn. "How many females," I ask, and he shrugs. "Probably not many that aren't mated, but he has daughters. His son has already mated. He takes over in a few years, so the daughters are free to leave. It sounds like the son wanted to enjoy the first few years of his relationship stress-free. The daughters are of age...Might be some hope there," Finley says, and I nod. In my head, I grimace. Emma is an Alpha daughter, and my sister gives Alpha daughters a lousy name. They expect the world on a platter. They love being ca
STANLEY POV The pungent scent of female arousal is giving me a migraine. The smell of my medium rare steak isn't even strong enough to save me from the two females in front of me. "So, the two of you are both Alpha offspring," the redhead asks, eyeing me hungrily. I nod and take a bite of my mashed potatoes. I want to growl at her and the female sitting next to her, but I know our pack cannot afford an enemy of this size. I have to maintain a facade of professionalism. Besides the other females have been very polite, and they don't deserve to have their dinner disrupted. "Yes. Our father is an Alpha, and our brother is an Alpha. Stan and I are a part of our brother's pack, but we don't have any plans of becoming Alphas," Finley says almost sternly, and I fight my smirk by taking a sip of my beer. "What a shame. Being Alpha should be the goal of every wolf—especially wolves with Alpha bloodlines running through their veins. Your power and stamina need to be used," the br
TABITHA POV Brown hair, brown eyes, slim and petite. Her coloring and personality are as warm as the sun, but give you the feeling of fall. She isn't 5' 10" blonde with blue eyes and a full figure. She is everything I'm not actually. Everything that I can't be and my mate loves her. "Tabitha," Sam says loudly, cutting into my staring. My eyes snap to her perplexed face, and I swallow as my emotions continue to rage. "Sorry. I was lost in thought," I say with a fake chuckle. Her eyebrows furrow and I swallow nervously. "I'll say, you were growling under your breath. Are you okay," Samantha asks, and my eyes widen for a split second. I didn't realize I was making a noise, but it makes sense. My emotions are out of control at the moment and I haven't even confirmed if my mate is indeed Stanley. Samantha glances at Lauren, who is holding her son and speaking to her mate by the barn, before looking at me strangely. "Are you upset with Lauren about something," Sam asks