Page 97 of Deadly Wolf Bite

“Hell yeah, we’re doing this,” Razor says fervently.

“It’s not just my old man coming this time,” I warn him. “All the generals will back him. He won’t fight fair. You ready for that?”

Razor glances at Crow, his jaw set. “It’s past time they paid for their sins.”

I nod and look at the others.

“You know I’m in,” Dutch says.

“You’re the only family I have,” Crow says, eyes glittering with a quiet resolve. “I will always choose you guys.”

We all turn to Mia.

Her expression is strained. She, more than any of us, undoubtedly feels the conflict of this decision. Her dad’s been the most decent of any of ours. Forming a pack with us means walking away from any allegiance she has to him.

Crow speaks up first. “Mia, we understand if you?—”

“Yeah, obviously I’m in,” she says quickly. He smiles, and she bumps his shoulder with hers. “Someone has to keep you assholes in line.”

Dutch grins at Crow.

Razor hoots.

“Okay,” I say, my alpha already stirring. The transition is nearly complete now. All that’s left is their pledge in blood. “Let’s go become a pack.”

Iopen my eyes and sit up, blinking so that my sight adjusts quickly to the shadows of my bedroom. It’s not a sound that wakes me; it’s the silence. Or maybe it’s the knowing—a sudden sensation stemming from the beast inside me that tells me I’m not alone. That power has joined me in this room. A lone figure stands at the foot of my bed.

I recognize him with a jolt of awareness—and fear.

“Franco,” I say quietly. “To what do I owe this surprise?”

“We need to talk.” He doesn’t wait for my answer before turning and walking out. A moment later, I can hear the clink of glass. Helping himself to my wet bar.

I check my phone; it’s three in the morning.

Shit.

Bracing myself for whatever this is, I toss back covers in search of clothing. When I’ve pulled on sweatpants and a tee, I make my way out to the living room.

Dressed in a suit, Franco sits with his legs crossed in Dutch’s favorite chair. He holds a shot of whiskey in his hand. A quick sweep of the space reveals he’s here alone. Not that I think he’s stupid enough to have left his men at home. Probably waiting for his signal to swoop in and kill me.

Then again, he’s the high alpha of the mafia pack. He doesn’t need backup to take me out.

“What can I do for you?” I ask.

“You were smart to send the rat,” he says. “I’d suspect manipulation less from someone simple-minded like him, but I know you better than you think.”

Ramsey. I keep my face carefully blank and take a seat. My posture is casual, careless; my thoughts are anything but. “We discovered Ramsey was an informant. We tried to apprehend him, but he managed to slip away. If you know where he is, I’d appreciate that information.”

“He came to see me. Tried to tell me some story about how you’d decided to leave town again. Said there would be no wedding so not to bother showing up. When I scented his lies, I sent him on his pathetic way.”

Ramsey told him the wedding was off?

“I have no control over what he says to you or anyone else.”

Franco’s expression tightens. It’s almost like a smile but so much worse. “Do you want to know why I allowed you to take on that fight five years ago?”

I don’t answer, but he doesn’t seem to need me to.

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