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“Let them know they’re welcome here, just like everyone else.” I clenched my fists at my sides, my skin burning with rage. These hunters were threatening the safety of my pack, my family, and Tori. I wouldn’t stand for it.
“I’ll get on the phone and invite them,” Clawson said. “They’re skilled fighters. They probably won’t want to settle here, but they’ll stay while the hunters are a problem. Then they’ll want to get back to their territories.”
“I’m sure all the packs feel the same,” I said. “But we’ll be established as a haven. Enough shifters will know to come here for safety in the future.”
Clawson’s gaze flickered, and he cocked his head, then he grunted. “Listen, I hate to run you off, but—no, that’s a lie, I’m cutting this short. Margo just woke up. This connection is intense. I really need to get back to her.”
“Go.” I waved him away. “We’ll talk more later.”
“Thanks, Ridge. I appreciate it. I won’t take off work tomorrow. There’s a lot to do, but I need today with her, or my wolf will throw a fucking tantrum.”
“Don’t worry about it. I understand. Go be with your mate.”
Clawson had the door shut in my face before I finished talking.
As I turned to leave, I imagined what it would be like if Tori and I completed our bond. To have such a connection,a closeness. Fucking hell, how I craved it, but for now, I’d be patient. I’d give Tori time like I’d promised, because her embracing and understanding how real this was between us meant more than anything else.
Chapter 11
Tori
I stood in the shadows of the clearing as I watched Kyle instruct a group of shifters. Their numbers had increased since yesterday, a sign they were taking the threat from the hunters seriously and wanted to do their part.
I was so incredibly proud of my big brother. He’d stepped up and embraced his role as a leader, even though he had always been a leader and my protector. Seeing him embrace that role among my kind enthralled me. It made me hope we would always be able to intermingle our lives, that I wouldn’t ever have to choose between him and living a life as a shifter.
“Remember, focus on your opponent’s movements and anticipate their next attack,” Kyle instructed, demonstrating a series of defensive moves.
The shifters mimicked his actions with varying degrees of success. But the group of trainees was determined, and the newfound camaraderie formed among them was a pleasure to witness. We were all coming together to protect our own, to fight for each other. I cherished this sense of community.
A sudden hush fell over the clearing, drawing my attention to the newcomer striding toward us. Audrey. Her attention-seeking stride and confident smirk had me glancing over at Kyle.Amusement sprung inside me as I took in his overly annoyed reaction to her arrival.
“Morning, everyone,” Audrey greeted the group, her eyes lingering on Kyle a moment too long before flitting away.
“Morning,” the shifters said back, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic Greenthorne. Even though the last pack meeting had been eventful, Audrey wasn’t about to let others get the better of her. She was too strong-willed for that.
Kyle’s jaw clenched as he did his best to ignore her presence. He tried hard not to glance at her, focusing intently on the shifters instead, but knowing him better than anyone else, I could see he was interested in her. Whether or not he wanted to admit it.
“Let’s keep going,” Kyle commanded. “Pair up and practice what I showed you.”
The shifters paired up, leaving Kyle and me standing alone with Audrey. She sauntered over to us, her gaze locked onto Kyle, daring him to eye her back.
“Here to join the training?” I asked, utterly unable to hide my grin.
“Of course,” Audrey said, sounding all sultry. “I wouldn’t miss a chance to hone my skills.”
“Really?” Kyle snapped, finally meeting her gaze. “Or are you just here to distract everyone?”
“Can’t it be both?” she teased, her bright eyes glimmering at Kyle’s apparent annoyance.
The fight these two put up against each other was too much fun to watch, and I wanted to mess with my brother a little because he seemed to be at his wit’s end. I wouldn’t have been a proper little sister if I didn’t mess with him.
“Hey, Kyle, why don’t you and Audrey spar?” I suggested innocently. “You know, ’cause it’ll help with the training and all.”
Audrey scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Really, Tori? We’ve already done this when we were escaping from him back when we first met.”
Kyle rolled his eyes, annoyance radiating off of him. “For the last time,Shifter Barbie, I wasn’t trying to stop you from escaping. I needed to be taken by your little group so I could get to Tori. So obviously, I wasn’t really putting in any effort.”
“Sure,Grumpy Gus,” Audrey shot back, smirking at her own nickname for Kyle. “I’ll admit, it was slightly impressive that you kept up with me, but don’t flatter yourself too much.”
