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The prickle of the territorial lines has the air on the back of my neck standing up. That’s even more impressive when I note that my windows are tightly rolled up. I snuck some fresh air when we were still a few miles out of Western Pack territory, but as soon as we got closer, I shut them all.
It doesn’t matter. I still feel the warning exuding from the trees the further we drive. Glancing in the rearview mirror, the dark look on Duke’s face, plus the way Jace is leaning in his seat, lips raised just enough to show a hint of his canines, reveals that they’re feeling it, too.
There’s a point where my wolf warns me that, if I keep going, I’m crossing into enemy territory. Smart girl. I pull the rental car over to the side, parking it just past the first break in the trees I find. The plan is to leave it here and hope that none of the Western Pack waste their time trying to figure out why someone abandoned a car at the edge of their land.
Claws crossed.
We have a quick, muttered argument when we surround the trunk. It’s the same one we had on the way to the airport, and when we disembarked. I tell the two shifters that I’m more than capable of carrying my own suitcases. Duck points out that he’s a big guy, that it’s easier for him to carry them along with his own. Jace just tries to grab one to help me.
I snap my teeth and, of the three bags I brought, I end up with one of them.
Again.
Ugh. At least they let me hold onto the invitation.
I look at my two guards. “Ready?”
Duke nods, his lips thinned into a line. Jace’s golden eyes light up, almost as if he’s looking forward to this.
At least one of us is.
“Come on.”
This was another argument we had in the car. Duke thought it would be smarter to keep me between him and Jace. One wolf would be at my front, the other at my back, with me completely protected. I thought it would make me weak. I have no idea if Walker’s pack knows my open secret, but he definitely does. An alpha wolf flanked by two deltas? If I want him to take me seriously, I have to lead the charge, not be tucked between Duke and Jace.
I won this round. So, with my bag slung over my shoulder, and the invitation in my hand, I start moving toward the forest. They’re right on my ass, but there’s enough distance that I don’t feel stifled by them.
I don’t know what I expected. I didn’t RSVP or anything, so it’s not like Walker has any clue I decided to take him up on his invite. Still, when we move almost a mile into the outskirts of Western Pack territory, I start to wonder if this is the wrong place. Someone should’ve found us by now, right?
Either that, or security’s really shit around here. Which, I guess, makes sense. With Walker’s reputation, he probably doesn’t need security.
Just as I have that thought, I heard footsteps in the distance. From the way they fall—plus the new scent wafting toward us—I can tell that it’s a pair, and at least one of them is in their fur.
Without a word, Jace taps me on the shoulder. He gestures with his fingers, pointing toward the gloomy trees. The sun hasn’t set yet, but we’ve gone deep enough in the thick forest that the branches provide enough cover to turn this part of the territory dark.
He’s asking me if I think he should scout ahead. I nod, and he lopes off quickly.
Duke shifts a little closer to me.
We wait.
It’s only been a minute or so when a howl splits the air. Immediately, Duke moves in front of me.
What the—
Stalking out of the woods, I see a grey wolf with gleaming golden eyes. His head is angled down, shoulders hunched. In a shifter’s body language, that’s a clear warning: I’m coming for you.
How lovely. He’s looking right at me.
His slow padding suddenly becomes a full-out sprint.
Shit!
Before I can even think to react, Jace comes barreling in from the east side of me. He’s shifted, a sleek shadow with his ears arrowed back, lips curled to reveal his fangs as he leaps, going for the throat of the big grey wolf.
The wolf dislodges him easily before turning his attention on the brindled wolf attacking him. Fur flies, angry snarls and short howls splitting the air as the two wolves fight.
No. No. This isn’t supposed to happen. I was promised that I could come and go in the Western Pack without any threat to me. Damn it, I have an invitation!
