Page 15 of Posing for the Artist Wolf

“I guess we have some catching up to do,” he said gruffly. A muscle in his jaw twitched, and he jerked his chin toward the door. “Let’s take this elsewhere.”

CHAPTER FIVE

KAI

I’d fucked up.

Again, and again, and again. No thoughts, only actions. Reckless, reckless actions that put everyone in danger.

I’d fucked up with Shauna. Phillip sported a rough black eye after I’d decked him. Maddy sold herself to buy both of us freedom. And Claire...

I’d fucked up, again and again.

“Take the next right,” I said gruffly. Phillip nodded and flicked on his blinker. “You’ll see the pack house before we hit the end of the drive.”

Shauna shifted in her seat, anxiety rolling off her in waves as she rubbed her rounded stomach. “Kai, I’m sorry about this. We didn’t mean to?—”

“It’s fine,” I cut her off. She’d started to apologize about ten times already, not one of them necessary.

“Who was that woman back there?” Shauna asked hesitantly. “We didn’t know if we would be welcome in the pack territory here, but I scented you near there. I thought, maybe...”

I clenched my jaw through the surge of my inner wolf. He wanted to jump from Phillip’s car and run straight back to Claire. Cinnamon and blackberries still clung to my clothes. I needed that scent—her scent—on my skin. In my hair. Seeping from my fucking pores.

I’d fucked up. There was only pretending to keep my shit together. One taste of her, one second of her on my lap, and every primal urge roared to life.

And then I chased her down after she’d escaped me. Like a fucking monster.

I couldn’t go back there. I couldn’t go anywhere near Claire.

My wolf snarled and paced and yanked on the leash of my control. I balled my hands into fists and dug my nails into my palms to keep from letting him take my skin.

I shoved out my door before Phillip killed the engine. Guilt dragged on my shoulders as I trudged towards the front door.

Rafe was going to kill me.

Shauna and Phillip followed close behind. I pushed open the door, steeling myself for what was to come.

My sister’s mate stepped out of the kitchen, an apron tied around his waist. Pawbrey, Maddy’s calico, wound between his legs, meowing for attention.

Any other time, I’d have cracked a joke about the domestic scene. But the knot in my stomach killed any hint of amusement.

Rafe’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him. “What have you done now?”

I opened my mouth, ready to explain, but Rafe’s gaze shifted to Shauna and Phillip behind me. My wolf struggled under the heavy feel of dominance flowing from our alpha, but struggle he fucking did.

Claire. That was his only concern. Fuck family. Fuck the past. That asshole animal in my middle was ready to shred all sanity to get to her.

I needed to stay away.

I needed to stop fucking things up for everyone around me.

“And who are they?” A low growl rumbled from Rafe’s chest. “I warned you not to cause any trouble here. Not while Maddy’s on bedrest.”

With an arm around my shoulders and a hand around my throat, yeah. Fucking hell, I didn’t know which idea was more insulting: that I’d purposefully put my sister and future niece in danger or that I didn’t give a shit.

And yet, there I was, bringing trouble to their door like a reckless fuckup.

“Rafe!” Maddy’s laughter drifted from the bedroom. “Stop interrogating my brother and let him in. Fates, you’re such a pain in the ass sometimes.”

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