Page 3 of Dutiful Wolf's Mail Order Mate

Not my mate. She couldn’t be my mate.

Well, yes, my mate. But not like that. Not real.

Never real. Never loss and weakness and dereliction of duty to the most vulnerable among the pack.

I blinked rapidly, struggling to reassert my human side as the wolf prowled and strained to prove me wrong.

The driver’s door opened, and a man emerged. He was older than the woman, with the same brown hair and sharp green eyes. Siblings, I guessed.

They approached slowly, their steps measured and cautious. I could practically smell the uncertainty rolling off them in waves.

I stepped forward, giving a stiff nod. “Welcome to Dusk Valley. I’m Rafe, the pack alpha.” I swept an arm out to indicate the others. “This is Elise, my second. Orion, an enforcer. And Tara, our healer.”

She swept her eyes over each of us in turn, revealing nothing. When her gaze met mine again, she lifted her chin in a subtle challenge. “Madison Dunn. This is my brother, Kai.”

The soft lilt of her voice, slightly husky, sent a shiver down my spine. I nodded, my look lingering on her for a moment too long. She was even more stunning up close, with high cheekbones and full lips that made my wolf howl with desire.

Madison glanced around, her brow furrowing. “Where should I put my things?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Kai beat me to it.

“Our things,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m staying, too. At least until Maddy makes her choice.”

Madison’s eyes widened, the only sign of her surprise. I could feel the tension radiating off her, the barely-contained fury simmering just beneath the surface.

I cocked my head and bounced a look between them. This wasn’t part of the plan. I’d agreed to take a mate, not her brother.

But the undercurrents between them ran as deep as the ones in my pack. The Dunns had secrets.

Secrets my wolf wanted to tease out, one exposed inch at a time.

“Great to hear,” I forced out, my voice tight with barely-controlled frustration. I shot a pointed look at Orion. “Get the garage prepped for Kai.”

The loft in the old barn wasn’t ideal housing. The bed would be musty and the plumbing took ages to drain, but it’d do in a pinch. And maybe our less welcome guests found the amenities encouragement to move on.

Something told me Kai would need that encouragement.

Madison’s eyes flared, a stubborn set to her jaw. “Why can’t Kai stay with me?”

“We’re a small pack, Madison.” Her name on my tongue was a delight I hadn’t expected. “The pack house has limited space, and you’re set to claim the only guest room. Tara will get you settled in the meanwhile.”

Tara nodded, gesturing for Madison and Kai to follow her. As they walked away, I caught a glimpse of Madison’s face. She looked wary, her eyes darting between us all like she was trying to figure out what kind of mess she’d just walked into.

I couldn’t blame her. I was still trying to figure that out myself.

CHAPTER TWO

MADDY

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hissed, slamming the door shut behind us. The guest room was small, but it would have to do for now. For me, at least. Kai had no business being here at all.

Kai shrugged, infuriatingly nonchalant as he tossed his backpack on the bed. “Making sure my sister is comfortable, what’s it look like?”

My knuckles turned white from gripping the handle of my duffel bag. Anger and irritation and good, old fashioned resentment coiled tight in my chest, burning like acid. I drew a slow breath through my nose, fighting for control.

“We had a plan. You were supposed to keep moving. Put miles between you and...” I swallowed hard, unable to say that monster’s name. “Not follow me into another viper’s nest.”

The reckless idiot would be the death of us both.

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