Page 32 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

Well, shit. If this guy is telling the truth, then this alliance we have with Stardust Hollow just got a lot more complicated. How are we supposed to travel to and from there if this guy has bought this land?

“This is county property,” Rafe explains. “You can’t buy county property.”

“Well, not technically, no. But what you can buy is shifters who are willing to defend it as though it’s yours.” He strides over to my beta and holds out his hand. “You must be the man in charge here. Name is Lionel.”

Rafe stares at the man’s extended hand, and I can see the disgust on his face. This guy is a real piece of work.

“I’m not shaking your hand,” Rafe finally growls.

Lionel smiles. “Very well, then. I’m guessing you’re the beta of this little pack, which means you’re the one responsible for these men. Now, I’m a reasonable man, so I’m going to offer you a chance to walk away and forget this little incident ever happened.”

“Incident?” Rafe echoes. “You attacked us. That’s not an incident. If you think we’re going to let that slide, then you don’t know Green Lake.”

I watch as Rafe’s chest heaves, and the instant I see his eyes flash, I prepare to shift. Looks like we’re not leaving this place without a fight.

Chapter 12 - Jane

I’ve been lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling for what feels like hours. It’s the middle of the day, and there are a million other things I should be doing, but I can’t seem to force myself to get up and do any of them. I’m too busy trying to sort my head out.

I’ve been spending so much time with Reiner, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve gotten sucked into his world. I’m not the kind of girl who dates a guy like him. Girls like me don’t end up with guys like him. Not in the movies, not in books, not in real life. Guys like him don’t want girls like me.

I don’t fit into his world. I’m not a part of his pack. I don’t even live in the same town. But the way he was this morning with my aunt and uncle, the way he acted, the way he spoke, I almost believed him. I almost thought that maybe, just maybe, he really did want me.

After a while, I could actually picture it. Me living with him, waking up beside him every morning, sharing his bed every night. I could see us going to pack meetings together, him holding my hand as he introduces me to his friends and family. I could see us going on runs, him chasing me through the woods and tackling me to the ground. I could picture us making love under the moon, the cool grass tickling my naked skin. I could see it all, and it felt real.

But how could it be real? How could a guy like him, a man who’s never had a serious relationship, suddenly decide that I’m the one he wants to be with? It doesn’t make sense.

I’m not the kind of girl a guy picks. I’m not the girl a guy chooses. I’m the girl a guy settles for because he can’t have the one he wants. I’m the girl a guy sleeps with and then moves onfrom. I’m the girl a guy has fun with but never takes home, and I’ve always been okay with that. Well, not okay with it, but I’ve accepted it. I’ve learned to accept it.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t know why I’m suddenly reaching for something I can’t have. I’m not a stupid girl. I’m not naive. I’m not a romantic. I’ve never been a romantic. I’ve never wanted a prince to come sweep me off my feet. I’ve never dreamed of a happily-ever-after.

There’s a reason I’m still a virgin at twenty-three years old. I’ve had two relationships, but they were short-lived. The guys I dated were never interested in anything serious, and I wasn’t about to give up my V card to a guy who didn’t care about me.

I’m not sure what’s different about Reiner, but something is. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there, and it’s pulling me in.

My phone rings, and I reach for it, grateful for the distraction. It’s Piper, so I shake the thoughts of Reiner from my head and answer.

“Hey, Pipes.”

“Jane, have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“About the scouting team,” she says. “They were attacked. They’re back, but they’re hurt.”

“Oh, god,” I gasp. “Is everyone okay?”

“I think so,” she says. “But they’re all at the infirmary with the healer. Jane… Reiner was with them. I think he’s hurt.”

I bolt upright, clutching my phone to my ear as my heart thunders in my chest. “Where is the healer? Where are they?How do I get there? I need to see him. I need to see him right now.”

“I’ll pick you up,” she says. “I’m coming.”

I hang up and scramble for clothes, throwing on the first things I find. I yank a brush through my hair and pull it up into a messy bun. I’m out the door before I can think twice about it.

Aunt Gwen chases me down the steps to the trailer, calling my name, and I turn to face her.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she demands. “You look pale.”

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