Page 55 of Dawn of the Pack

“I’m sorry, I’m not following.”

“Look, I’m no dummy. You’re not this intent on rescuing Derrek because you’re just good buddies from way back. If he’s not actually one of your fated, I can only assume you want him to be. And as the alpha, you can claim more mates than your fated ones.

“Leaf can take Nielsen out and claim his place as the alpha of Pack Montrose. That’ll free me from my obligation to the pack, and I’m off the hook. You can claim his as your mate, and that will unite the packs.”

Heat rises to my cheeks when I realize that she’s figured out so much. “I don’t know what you think you know about me, but you’re better off not making assumptions. We already know that claiming the alpha of Montrose is the only way to unify the packs. But your plan also hinges on Derrek shifting, which you’ve already said isn’t looking likely.”

“Perhaps he just needs proper motivation. If he’s actually one of your fated mates, and if shifts, and if you claim him, it not only unifies the packs. It breaks the curse that’s held Smoky Falls for nearly a century.”

My eyes immediately dart to Shuya for confirmation. “Is this true?”

The older woman nods. “It’s true, child. And there’s no point trying to hide it—I know you and my Leaf are fated. I felt it as soon as you walked through my door.”

That takes me by surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Bah, in front of these boys? Fists would have flown the second I opened my mouth. Besides, you weren’t ready for the truth, not yet. You two needed more time to simmer.”

“Well, there you have it, Harridan.” Azalea leans back in her chair with a self-satisfied smirk. “I help you get Leaf out, you get to figure out how to get him to shift, and then all our problems are solved in one fell swoop.”

“I don’t know how to provoke someone to shift. For us, it just takes the right circumstances, and it happens on its own.”

“Then perhaps you need to create the right circumstances. If anyone can motivate him, it’s you. Maybe you just need to shake your furry little tail at him.” She waggles her eyebrows, and Jared releases a snort of disgust.

Once again, my eyes travel to each of my mates in turn, waiting for them to object or come out with another question. Instead, they each give me a slow nod, as if to say, I trust you.

The certainty that this is right, that we finally have all the pieces to the puzzle and are ready to move forward, fills my body with energy and buoys my confidence. Even if Derrek doesn’t shift and we can’t break the curse, there’s hope that the next generation could do it.

“Alright,” I return my attention to Azalea and fix her with a determined stare. “Tell me how you plan to help us rescue Derrek.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Derrek

“I’ve got a little surprise for you today, son.”

They allowed me more time this morning than usual, including time to digest my breakfast. I used it to sneak twenty minutes in the bathroom working on my own little surprise with no disruption, and it worked all the better because I had healed and rested.

But I knew it wouldn’t last.

I stand, resigned, and start stripping off my clothes before being ordered to. Nielsen’s quick to attach the leash if I don’t hop to, and they don’t seem to replace my clothes when they get damaged. They just launder and return what’s left. With no idea how long I’ll be stuck here, I don’t want to end up left in bloodied rags.

“Oh, hold up son, you can leave your pants on for now. I mean, if you want to,” he adds with heavy innuendo lacing tone.

I finally look up, and realize he’s right: it’s definitely a surprise.

Standing beside a pleased-looking Nielsen is a beautiful woman, whose eyes rove over my body like a farmer taking stock of a bull she wants to buy.

I swiftly pull my shirt back on, hiding my naked skin from her hungry gaze.

When I catch Nielsen’s eye, he reads the confused expression on my face and laughs. “Since the normal techniques don’t seem to have any effect, I thought we’d see if the carrot works better than the whip. The next level of the program can get a little intense and I don’t like to use it, if we can avoid it. She’s unmated, and I thought she looked like your type. What do you think?”

With a shock, I realize what he’s done. The woman is petite, curvy, with wavy dark hair and bright blue eyes. He literally went out and found me a discount Lilliana.

But the warning is clear: if this doesn’t work, things are going to get much, much worse.

My stomach flips nervously. What exactly is he expecting to happen here?

“Hi Leaf,” she approaches me like a lioness stalking prey, hips swinging and a seductive smile on her glossy red lips. “I know you can’t speak, but that’s okay. Your father told me all about you, and I see that you’re everything he promised. He thought we should spend some time and get to know each other better. That perhaps I might draw out the beast inside you,” she purrs the last bit, trailing her fingernails down my chest and across my stomach.

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