Page 26 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

There is a murmur around the table as everyone takes this in.

“What is happening with our partners in Lake City?” Seth asks. “Are they worried?”

“A little, yeah,” Bae answers. “The Sawpit Pack is pretty big, and it looks like they are sick of living off our crumbs.”

With every word, my anxiety rises another notch. It’s entirely possible that the Sawpit Pack knows I’m still alive. If they’ve been watching Silver Meadows from a distance,scouting territory from Ophir all the way to Orchard City, they might be onto me.

And what would they do to me if they found out I betrayed them?

I can’t hold back a shudder. I saw firsthand what they do to traitors. It’s not something I want to think about.

“Kyle,” Bae says, breaking through my thoughts. “Do you have any idea about their motives?”

I shake my head. “They are driven by lack of resources, as I said. For quite a few generations, the pack was small, only a couple of families. Over the last ten years, there was an explosion of numbers. I think the old alpha—the one you killed—started taking in outcasts from other packs. It changed the dynamics of the pack considerably, and I think some of the older families might have been killed.”

“Jesus,” Seth mutters.

“I know,” I say, nodding slowly. “They are bad news, all of them. When they make a run—either to get resources or to take territory—it starts off as a necessary action, but once they get going, they murder and destroy everything they see. It always gets out of hand.”

“Yes,” Bae says. “I remember.”

“What did Kelta say, exactly?” Jack asks.

“Only that they had moved out of the south territory and gathered near Orchard City. I believe they are just lightly pillaging on the outskirts, but haven’t made an impact on the city itself yet.”

“They want a regular income stream,” I say. “The new alpha—Jethro—he’s trying to set up a supply run of goods he can move, sell, and steal. Black market type stuff.”

“Like Pete,” Jack mutters. Bae nods.

“We’ll keep an eye on it,” Bae says. “It’s not our business if they start tearing up Orchard City—we have no ties there. If they move towards Lake City, or Silverton, then we’re on high alert.”

“Unless they start dirty dealing, and their goods have to come through Silver Meadows,” I say softly.

Bae looks at me and nods, the tense look on his face showing me he’s already thought of this. He’s worried, too.

The meeting breaks up. I find Leslie and take her back to the truck so we can head home. Not long after we hit the road, she sighs and shakes her head.

“I just can’t do this anymore, Kyle.”

“What?” I ask, alarmed.

“This nursemaid bit where you drive me everywhere. I’m used to looking after myself.”

“That’s exactly why I should be helping you out,” I answer, but she shakes her head.

“Look, I know we talked about it this morning, and I was prepared to let it go. But it just bugged me so much throughout the day, I knew I couldn’t leave it alone.”

Instead of protesting like I want to, I keep quiet and let her talk.

“I need independence, freedom. I can’t stay harnessed to you constantly. I’m just… used to doing things on my own, and I don’t feel good at all with the way things are.”

Even though I’m trying to be reasonable, my fear is churning my guts into frothing rage. I can’t believe she’s askingme this right after I find out that the Sawpit Pack is on the move.

“I just want you to be safe,” I snap, not looking at her. “The only way I can ensure that is to be with you as often as possible.”

“I think I’m pretty good at keeping myself safe,” she snaps back. “Since I’ve just done it all by myself for over a year!”

All my arguments fall flat. I have no words to say against this, and I sure as hell don’t want to bring up the last year. I’d love to explain, to be completely open with her, but I would only be putting her in danger.

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