Page 2 of Fastlander Phoenix

“Mmm,” Gunner said, leaning against the railing of Wreck’s porch. “I did some research.”

“Yes, idiocy is genetic. Don’t breed.”

“Ha,” he said softly. Gunner was quiet for a few moments while Wreck stared at the green tent and wondered what Gunner wanted from him. When he spoke again, it surprised Wreck. “Rumor is, your mother didn’t name you Wreck. She doesn’t call you Wreck now. She refuses. True or false?”

Rage burned through Wreck like a wildfire on dry grass. He flicked his fingers, dragging heat from the earth’s core to lap at Gunner’s legs.

The Alpha cursed and stumbled back, away from Wreck’s trailer.

Wreck gritted his teeth and flashed him a warning look. His eyes would have flames flickering in the irises now. “Too close.”

Gunner patted out the flames on the thick denim of his jeans, then flashed Wreck an angry glance. If Wreck felt fear, Gunner’s too-sharp facial features and glowing, bi-colored silver-and-blue eyes would be intimidating. The heaviness and dominance that wafted from him would make him think twice. Fear wasn’t a part of Wreck’s life though. He could do unspeakable things. “I care.”

Those two words from Gunner’s furious countenance didn’t make sense. Thinking he’d misheard, Wreck asked, “What did you say to me?”

“What happened with your dad—”

“Shutup!” Wreck demanded, standing. No, no, no, he couldn’t do this.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Gunner said.

“Walk away or burn alive,” Wreck growled. He meant it. Gunner knew he meant it. Gunner had a choice. Even Wreck could hear the promise and the truth in his own voice.

“I want you here.” Gunner’s admission was infused with honesty, and it drew Wreck up short. He’d been imagining the ways he would kill the Alpha for bringing up old memories he’d worked so hard to bury.

I want you here. Truth.

Wreck glared at the Alpha, ears hot from his anger. A truth for a truth sounded fair to Wreck. “I don’t want to be here.”

Gunner’s glowing eyes were full of something Wreck didn’t understand as he nodded slowly and looked at Wreck, looked straight to his soul. After a few seconds, he murmured, “I understand.”

How could he?

And then Gunner Walker—the Fury, the Alpha of the Fastlanders, the hope for the expansion of Damon’s Mountains—did an about-face and walked away. “Whatever you are planning, it won’t work,” he called over his shoulder. “Lucia was the one who told me you would be leaving tonight. She sees blood and broken glass.”

Wreck narrowed his eyes at the Alpha’s back. “Then order me to stay.”

Gunner turned and stopped his escape. “Hallie is pregnant.”

Chills rippled up Wreck’s spine. Lucia had seen this coming. She’d said the war would happen when Hallie was with child and unable to Change to help the Fastlanders.

“It’s close then.”

Gunner nodded once. “I could order you to stay, or I could let you try to stop it.”

Oooooh, Gunner knew. He knew exactly why Wreck was out here taking a last look at the tents containing the people he had grown up respecting. He knew why he was drinking coffee…preparing for a long drive at midnight.

Fuck Lucia for all of her interference.

“I’ll be back in three days.” Wreck’s voice wavered on the oath, and he hated it. Uncertainty hadn’t been a word in his vocabulary until he’d joined the Fastlanders.

“You’ll be back sooner,” Gunner uttered. Truth.

Gah, he hated this place.

Wreck forced his glare away from the Alpha and made his way to his truck. He ignored the sound of the zipper of Willa’s tent opening, and ignored the heavy attention he could feel from the trio of monsters taking low around the firepit.

They could thank him later.

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