Page 56 of Alpha Hunt

“How can you be sure?” I demand, my hands clenching into fists. “I want you to confront him, to make certain of his intentions.”

“That’s not possible.” Jagger sighs, running a hand through his hair.

“Why the hell not?” I’ve run through the gamut of emotions, and now I’ve come full circle to anger again. I prefer it. It’s a feeling I understand better than the flood of tenderness that had left me off-kilter and vulnerable.

“Edirn’s gone out again.” Jagger exhales. “And I think I understand now why he was in such a hurry to leave.”

“He left?” I don’t know why that makes me feel so hollow all of a sudden. “Where did he go?” My head is screaming that he probably rushed straight back to Leadmills to sell us out to his cronies. My heart doesn’t want to believe it. Because my heart is foolish and apt to get me in trouble. Along with everyone else around me.

“He went back to Sweetwaters,” says Jagger. “He and Barrett have something planned.”

I glare at Jagger, my hands on my hips. “What do you mean, he and Barrett have something planned? What are they up to?”

Jagger shakes his head. “I don’t have any more details than that, Casey. He didn’t say.”

“And you just let him go?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Without even questioning him?”

“He’s not a prisoner here, Stone. He’s free to come and go as he pleases.”

I pace the room, my mind whirling. What the hell are they doing out there? And why wouldn’t Edirn tell Jagger what he was up to? The possibilities make my stomach clench.

I try to convince myself that it’s because I don’t trust Edirn. That he’s obviously hiding something from us. But even as I think it, I know that’s not the whole truth.

There’s a part of me that’s afraid for him. Afraid that he might be walking into danger. And I hate myself for caring. For letting him get under my skin like this.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “I don’t like this, Jagger. Not one bit.”

“I understand your concerns, Casey. But I trust Edirn. And Barrett. They’re both valuable members of this pack.”

“I just don’t—” I stop when Jagger holds up his hand.

“That’s enough. You’ve made your point, and I appreciate your honest approach, but I’ve made up my mind. He’s good. I like him. He’s proven himself, and I’m sticking to my guns on this.”

“Because you’re getting soft,” I mutter. I know that I’m going to get into shit for my attitude at some point, but I don’t have it in me to care right now.

“No. Because I recognize what this is. You’re getting too close, and you’re running scared. Edirn shared something with you, and instead of letting him close, you’ve pushed him away.” He sighs. “It’s clear you two have some issues to resolve.”

“There’s nothing to resolve,” I snap, my voice cold as ice.

“It seems to me that you do. He’s your mate. That comes with responsibilities. You’re connected now, and you need to sort out your differences.”

“I don’t have to sort out anything.” I sound surly. “You may be willing to take him at face value, but that doesn’t mean I have to.”

“It does if you’re planning a future together.”

“That’s just it, Jagger. I don’t want a future with this man. I don’t want any of it.” I take in a deep breath and plow onward. “I want the mate bond dissolved.”

Chapter 22

Edirn

I move silently through the shadowed woods surrounding Sweetwaters, my mottled gray fur melding with the lengthening shadows cast by the tall pines. The air is thick with the scent of evergreen and the musty odor of decaying leaves beneath my paws.

What the fuck is going on here?

Worry plagues me as I make my way toward the conservancy, dreading what I might find. What if I’m too late, and the Wildview wolves have already been moved somewhere else? The weight of responsibility sits heavy on my shoulders; apprehension gnaws at my gut.

Barrett and I split up several minutes ago, and now I move silently, alone – the way I like it. But the solitude gives me too much time to think. And for the first time since this morning, my mind isn’t consumed with images of Casey’s horrified expression. I’m worried about the wolves.

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