My Alpha Mate is a bully

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ght it was a ski lodge, but that only fit the exterior. Large windows showed small snippets of interi

l and unobtainable—aloof, almost. Now, with lights shining through windows, the sound of laughter filtering from around bac

but with all the sounds coming fro

no one was home. It would save me a lot of headache, and I wouldn’t have to see Jameson. I almost did it —I raised my hand,

meson or dealing with Callum? My wolf growled at the thought of returning to my uncle and how that altercation would end, and practically

reful. I needed to be straight and to the point. The more

ion. Then I could get out

owing about her father was a horrible idea. It would cause too many complications in an already messy situation. And there was no telling how he would take

my mind, I started walking around the

mind to talk to him instead of leaving, my wolf stirred eagerly, as if sensing the presence of a familiar and alluring wolf. She pushed at me,

ng. Another two were talking animatedly. The other two were closer to the house. One was in an outside bar, shaking a cocktail shaker enthusiastically. Sitting on the stool on the opposite side of the bar was a fam

up straighter, his body tensing as he swiveled around t

e it. Then recognition seemed to strike him like a lightning bolt, and his mouth

Luke asked d

ch had a mixture of uncertainty and appraisal on their faces, as though determining how big of a threat I was. All of them except for Luke looked prepared

oor slid open, and a sixth figure emerged

ut the look suited him, highlighting the high cheekbones and strong jaw. He was shirtless, his arms and abs perfectly de

n a single direction, he turned to see what they were gawki

org

es but still stared curiously at me. But I barely noticed them as Jameson came to stand in front of me, close enough that he could reach out and take my hand

onsidering touching me. But

u doing here

aid. “We moved packs n

w have you been?” His charming smile and relaxed demeanor were slightly off-put

as going to do this, I might a

?” He reached out his hand as though

f fervently disagreed with me and paced restlessly at my answer. All she wanted was to give in to my more carnal urges, the ones that were

and fresh rain that made up his scent. I was here on business. I needed to focus, and I did

he said. “Does it

t for the moment, if it isn

the group of shifters, all still watching the encounte

king the cocktails said, “I think t

ht as well go fin

ne of the others grabbed him by the ar

er, a tall Black man,

lanced over at Jameson, who shrugged, then jerked his head toward the glass doors.

he said, then followed everyone else inside, c

ameson gestured at the

, thanks,

p wanting to grab him right now and kiss him—or more. It had been years, but his scent was st

ing down the steps to the lower patio. Glancing behind me, I could see the redhe

nk, or maybe it’s just because I look like I’m here on business.” I glanced meaningfully at my clothes. T

o his chair. “Well, at least sit,” he

lk ab

idian Pack,” I said

on. Just pas

Hartwood—he’s the alpha. He knows I know

and then it was gone. His face was serious, his gaze penetrating and intense. It felt as though he could look

bout?”

um’s worried they’re going to attack soon. He wanted me to come here and as

e’ll help,”

surprise. “Reall

the motion drew my attention to the fact that he was shirtless, and my eyes f

like

und on my tongue before I

that needs help. I may be retired, but I’m still a Silver W

elf and in the way he hadn’t really answered the question. Bu

uilty about all the thing

about them?” he asked. “

t? Or how many? Or why they decided to come here? Fer

sor

n the moonlight as he lay in the grass next to a cree

you absolutely no information to help your case? For all he knew, I coul

at had been at least partially intentional. Callum always had a backup plan. If I’d failed, someone else would have come up here, and h

n’t tell me much,

have meant that’s an understatement. “Wel

relaxed. “Tha

me properly. “Now that the business stuff i

l shop in town. Besides tha

is head over to the bar again. “You su

It’s been way too long. Th

es. But the way things had ended that night before he left had hurt worse than just about anything else he had done. Bullying, I could take; I’d dealt with that for years. But playing with my emotions the way he had…

ually got to get going. You can come down to Brixton and meet with Ca

t show it. He stood. “You can tell him that I’ll come around two t

nt door, I turned to say thanks, but before I

see you, Geo

rms found their way around him. His scent enveloped me,

back, albeit reluctantly. “Thank you again for your he

self out of it, I left, for