Page 16 of A Beta Protects

Something like ordering Chloe to stamp whatever it is in the bud. Chloe is an alpha in her own right, though not as dominant as Galen, but she would have to listen or she would have to leave. When an alpha gives an order, he expects that order to be followed.

“She asked if anyone is hiring in town,” I say, hoping to distract Galen from a conversation I’m in no state of mind to have now.

Galen looks confused. “What?”

“Kira.” I cross my arms and lean against the nearest tree. “I think she’s out of money. She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and has taken nothing out of her car. No phone. No clothes. Nothing. Makes me think she has nothing with her.”

We’re all casual here, usually everyone’s in sweats for easy shifting, or jeans and sweaters when the weather cools down. The pack has enough money for everyone to have what they need, but everyone must have noticed how little Kira has. And that is not acceptable.

What happened in Missouri that she would take off just like that without stopping to grab even a sweater or a jacket?

“Obviously, we’ll give her whatever she needs.” He frowns, concerned. “What did you tell her about the job?”

“That I’d look into it for her.”

He stares at me for a beat, then sighs. “I’d say she could help out around here if she wants to earn her keep and I’d pay her, but?—”

“She’s liable to ask questions and maybe figure out we’re not human,” I quietly interrupt.

“Yeah. Exactly.”

Right now, I need to focus on helping Kira, not be out in the forest running for hours. As much as my wolf could do with the exercise, and I could do with the thinking time, when I suggest we return to the house, Galen agrees.

I’m a couple steps ahead of Galen as I lead the way through the narrow, well-trodden path through the forest and to the back of the house.

Sierra pushes the door open, frowning as she peers around the backyard. “Have you seen?—”

I point over my shoulder. “Kira?”

“She said she was beat and was going to have a nap.” Sierra’s gaze turns speculative. “I got the impression that she wanted to be left alone.”

Ah. So much for my plan to see if she wanted to go for a walk.

“How was she?”

“A little tense, but in a better state than you. Maybe you should go for a run?”

“Any reason why you think I should?”

Her gaze dips. “Maybe because you have blood on your knuckles, my mate has blood on his cheek, and I’d say that maybe it had something to do with Kira being the reason you sat on the porch night after night.”

“You’re observant.”

Her smile is faint, but bitter. “Those who weren’t observant never lived long in the Stone Pack.”

From what Galen told me, the Stone Pack sounded like a pack of hyenas who liked to play with their victims, making them suffer before they put them out of their misery. They’d driven Galen’s mate to her death and nearly killed Sierra. She and Galen had killed most of the pack and set fire to their buildings before they’d left.

I hadn’t thought it was a good idea for Galen to wander into a pack like that alone, but if Galen is one thing, it’s stubborn. Some packs need to die out or be wiped out, and they are—or were—one of them.

Kira is up in her room—not leaving, in other words. Punching Galen in the face is not my usual behavior, so running off some of this energy wouldn’t be a bad idea. “If she needs me…”

“We’ll let her know you’ll be around soon,” Galen’s voice comes from over my right shoulder. “Come here, little wolf, I could do with a kiss after my beta beat me up.”

Sierra is smiling as she passes me, giving my arm a sympathetic squeeze as she goes.

“You’re going to be milking it for the next couple of days, aren’t you?” I ask, dryly.

“Days? After the way you laid me out?” He widens his eyes. “Weeks, my friend. And I’m going to need my beautiful mate to kiss it better.”

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