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"What's that supposed to mean?" I bite out. It hits a little too closely to home.
"It means you're looking awfully territorial over a wolf who’s way out of your league, Alpha. Jarreaus don't belong in a pack—the parents are proof of that."
It riles me that she seems to know more than I do, and I think she knows that. I know nothing of Tess's parents. It's not like we've had time for bonding when she’s making her best effort to get away from me, and I’m doing my best to keep her like a wolf in a bear trap.
Fuck. Maybe the rogue is right,I can't help but think.
My wolf growls wildly at the very idea that Tess shouldn't be with us.The fates don't make mistakes.
"Who are you?” I demand, shaking off the doubt she's trying to plant. I know better than to trust anything a rogue says. They're sneaky and always have an ulterior motive. Whatever she wants with Tess, it's only to benefit herself.
"Maren French Henry." She offers me her hand, palm down in a way that screams high society.
Instead of taking the offered hand, I give her a suspicious second look. I've never met any rogue with a name like that. Nor any rogue with any semblance of formal manners. Rogues tend to come from long lines of outcasts. It's not often that wolves defect from their packs, and when they do, it's usually because there's something seriously wrong with them.
Maren looks to be in perfect health, with good manners, and seems relatively sound mentally. Something doesn't add up.
"You're not a rogue," I say, not bothering to phrase it like a question. She might be running with rogues, but she sure as hell isn't one of them.
"What gave it away?" she jokes, batting her eyelashes playfully.
"I'm not interested in games, Maren. Why are you trying to bother my mate?" I'm tempted to tear her in half and be done with it. I'd probably be sanctioned by the Luna for it, but she seems to like me well enough. I could take whatever punishment she doled out. I don't think she'd strip my Alpha rank over it considering the circumstances.
She looks around like she's bored, but I can sense the calculated way she's sizing up the members of my pack.
"I have a few things that belong to the Jarreaus, Alpha. I'm no rogue, that much is true, but I don't mind keeping my enemies close." I'm pretty sure she means the rogues still waiting patiently for her direction, but she eyes me as if counting me among them.
"I'm happy to give Tess whatever it is you think you have that's hers." I'm not letting this woman anywhere near Tess.
She tsks her tongue, something no one has done to me since I was a young pup.
"I didn't come all this way to get stonewalled by an Alpha with a chip on his shoulder. You have no idea what you're hiding if you don't know that the youngest Jarreau can protect herself far better than you'll ever be able to." She turns her nose up, snubbing me. "You let little Tess know I won't be far."
She tosses her hair as she turns, making sure she has the last word. I don't give a shit, because I have no intention of passing on that message. It would only freak Tess out to know this woman is planning to stay close.
I shift back to wolf form as Maren goes back to her rogues.
Nicolai. Luca. Keep your distance, don't engage her, but keep eyes on Miss French Henry. I don't know what it is she wants, but so long as she's determined to get to Tess, I want to know where she is at all times.
Heard, Luca acknowledges, his attention already transferring to the woman as she shifts back into her peculiar colored wolf. There's one perk to his interest in my mate—I can trust he'll protect Tess with everything he has.
Nicolai, too, nods his agreement. The two of them together are my best duo. It's risky leaving them exposed out here together with rogues underfoot, but I'm not taking any chances with Tess.
The fear I saw in her eyes is haunting me.
The rogues take off, Maren leading them away. I’m glad to see them turning around, but I know I won’t be able to forgive the thin threat in Maren’s words. She’s not planning to go far.
* * *
The first person I come across when I make it back to the pack house is Eloise. She's lingering inside the door, her face the picture of concern.
"Where's—"
"She went to your room. The sister is in the kitchen." I start for the stairs, but Eloise grabs my arm and yanks me backward. "Hey, they're both really freaked out by whatever is going on. Maybe go easy on Tess—I know your Mama told you that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
She's right. My mom used to say that all the time when we were kids, usually when other kids were trying to play with me, and I was more interested in wandering the school yard alone.
That was my father's fault. Always telling me that an Alpha had to know how to be quiet with himself.
