Tracey shrugged. She sat cross-legged on the cushion across from me. “I was showing Jade the property before she decides on whether or not she wants to swear her life to this pack.”
She knew I didn’t want to do that but I let her continue to talk while Chalice, the white cat darted back into the house. Granny frowned and picked her up by the scruff on the back of her neck as she passed. Granny’s eyes glowed white as she stared at something we couldn’t see.
“Thank you, Chalice,” Granny muttered. “We have guests.”
Chapter 25
Rafe Crimson
Visitors were always a great thing to have around, except now. With Jade Rivers still on the property, I knew I was doomed from the moment they arrived. They came without a warning and that was enough to make me feel defensive. Something wasn’t right.
I met them halfway down the drive through the woods to the Crimson Manor. Their Alpha, Gamble, rolled the window down. The stench of weed rolled out of the jacked-up truck. I didn’t know why he let his wolves participate in smoking. It stunk and did absolutely nothing to our psyche. Maybe if it could get us high it would be one thing but it didn’t. It just smelled awful. I crossed my arms over my chest as I gritted my teeth.
Gamble jutted his chin up and a wolfish grin spread across his face. He hadn’t shaved in the months since I had seen him last and his bright orange beard looked like a massive kitchen sponge on his chin. “Rafe, my man, what’s happening?”
I raised an eyebrow as I exhaled. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Gamble’s face went serious. “We are here on business, though we would love to stay for pleasure.”
Which meant they had new wolves that were looking for mates. I hated this, especially with Jade somewhere on the property. It had been almost a year since we had done a Mate Meet and I didn’t like to think that now was a good time. But I also couldn’t turn Gamble down either. It was the rules of the Pack Law. His wolves needed mates and if they thought one was here, I had to step aside. As long as they were cordial with the women, I couldn’t do anything about the matter. The only problem was the fact that Ihadchanged someone against their will and I didn’t need the Pack Law to come after me for that. My pack knew better than to talk to the Bruiser Pack, but that didn’t mean Jade wouldn’t open her big mouth. She was going to bring a lot of trouble down on us if I didn’t get to her fast.
I felt myself smile at Gamble even though it didn’t meet my eyes. “Head to the Manor and I will get all the girls rounded up. Or we can talk first.”
Gamble tossed what was left of his blunt out the window and it took everything in me to not rip him from his truck. “You got it, Alpha.”
Behind him, several other lifted trucks waited. A growl rumbled through my chest before I could stop it. The Bruisers’ numbers seemed to grow more every time I saw them. Something wasn’t right.
Chapter 26
Jade Rivers
“You would do best to not leave this cabin,” Tracey eyes bright eyes found mine.
Granny smacked Tracey’s hand with a wooden spoon and it was such a grandma thing to do that I couldn’t help but smile. “You know that she can’t do that.”
“She isn’t sworn into the pack. There isn’t anything they can do.” Tracey rubbed her tender hand.
Granny shook her head. “No, she is on pack lands so she will be forced to abide by the Pack Law.”
“Pack Law?” I asked.
Tracey sighed. “Pack Law is what keeps the wolves in order. It’s a bunch of laws that old men made up thousands of years ago and we must abide by them to this day or the High Wolves will come to execute us.”
My eyebrows kissed my hairline at that. “No pressure.”
Granny grabbed a book from the wall and sighed. “The Bruiser Pack is here to initiate the Mate Meet. All eligible female wolves are required to be ready to meet their future mate.”
“And what if I don’t want a mate?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Tracey pressed her lips together. “That’s for your wolf to decide.”
* * *
Somehow I ended up at the Crimson Manor dressed up with Tracey. Her hair was pulled away from her face and she wore the same leggings from the night I had been turned, and a tight black onesie under it. We hadn’t had enough time to get to the trunk of my car so I wore one of Tracey’s outfits. It was a tight high waisted skirt and a crop top with a moon and sun on each breast.
I had to admit it looked good on me, but that didn’t keep the scowl from my face as all the wolves slunk from their vehicles. A few of the men licked their lips as they appraised us like we were meat. Thankfully it wasn’t just the women of this pack lined up like this, there were also the eligible bachelors too. Though the other pack didn’t have nearly as many females as they did males.
There was apparently the sniff meet, which meant they had to sniff our necks. I was beyond grossed out and wished I could tuck tail and hide. But I knew that wasn’t an option. I wasn’t going to show weakness to these bastards. Especially Rafe. I could feel his eyes on me even though I refused to acknowledge him. Then he did the thing I absolutely didn’t want him to do. He cut in front of one of the other pack members and pressed his nose to the hollow of my throat like he did the night he turned me.
