Page 4 of Dane's War

I start in Karsyn’s direction, Corbin’s gaze coming to mine, his eyes shifting to another woman sitting with my sister talking. The wind shifts, and the breeze carries with it a scent I know all too well. One I hadn’t had fill my senses in a long time.

Sloane.

Fuck.

I guess I will have to do as my sister wants me to. I don’t see why the fuck I even care. The bitch knew the circumstances when we started things. It wasn’t a permanent thing. Mostly she was just a good damn lay that I enjoyed taking out from time to time.

I don’t even know why I need to apologize, but to appease my little sister, I’ll do it. That way, she’ll be off my back finally and be able to let the shit go.

Taking a breath, I head over, my sister’s eyes lifting to mine.

“I was starting to wonder if you weren’t ever coming out of the clubhouse,” she states, a big, satisfied smile in place on her lips.

“Well, I had things inside to do before coming to join the party.” I didn’t tell her that I was mapping out the club’s route for a transport we’re about to do a delivery on. The militia had a shipment of guns theyneeded. It doesn’t help that there have been whispers of a new bullshit group attempting to set up south of Redwich in Asheborne country. Asheborne is about thirty minutes by vehicle from the clubhouse. Between Asheborne and here, you have nothing but miles of trees and more trees. There’s nothing else separating us from them. To the west of us is where the militia group is set up. Granted, they’re a three-hour ride away. Unfortunately, to get there, you have to go through Asheborne.

From what I’ve heard, the group that’s moved into Asheborne are humans. I haven’t had the time to investigate it myself fully, but we figure so long as they don’t bullshit with us and stay the fuck out of our territory, then we’re good. We find out they do step over that line, they’re dead.

Shutting out the thoughts, I figure now is as good a time to appease Karsyn as any. I shift my gaze to Sloane’s, clear my throat, and ask, “You mind if I have a word with you?”

“Yeah, I fuckin’ well do mind,” Bandit growls coming up behind where Sloane’s still sitting, hands going firmly to her shoulders, eyes glaring daggers at me. “Back away and leave my mate alone. You fucked with her head enough.”

“What do you want, Dane?” Sloane asks, reachingup to touch Bandit’s hand. You can see easily that the two of them are mates.

“Just wanted to apologize for how things ended with us. Shouldn’t have done that to you,” I say, hoping like fuck she believes the shit coming from my mouth. ‘Cause I sure as fuck don’t know what the hell else I’d done except show her a good time.

“What kind of apology is that?” Bandit sneers.

“The only kind I know how to give.” I sneer right back.

“Dane, I know what type of shifter you are. Know what you did to my woman, and I hope like fuck that when it’s your turn to find a mate, she treats you as you’ve been known to treat women,” Bandit growls.

“Bandit,” Sloane mutters, trying to intervene, but Bandit keeps right on going.

“What you did was fucked up. Knowing the type of shit you get into, how you treat women, I’d kill you for it if it weren’t for the fact I know you won’t be doing that shit again to my mate.”

“I guess it’s a good thing the clubs have an alliance now, isn’t it,” I scoff, not too thrilled to have to be doing this. “You’re lucky I won’t go against my Prez and just sock you right here.”

“That’s enough, Dane,” Karsyn snaps.

“Just was trying to apologize, little sister,” I tell herand look to Sloane, ignoring her mate’s growls. “Just wanted to say congratulations on finding a mate. You deserve happiness, and I’d like to be able to put the past behind us. Move on and not worry about anything.”

Sloane slides out of her seat, her mate pulling her into his arms. “I do deserve happiness, Dane, and I found it with Bandit. For your sake, though, I hope when the time comes that you remember how you treated me and not do the same to her.”

“Right.” I nod, not really giving a damn, but a part of what she said hits home. I had fucked around with other bitches while also sleeping with her. I needed things I couldn’t get from her. She wasn’t enough to satisfy me, and I’d been a dick by getting my rocks off with any pussy willing. “I’ll remember that.”

“Then it’s done. I’ll accept your apology,” Sloane murmurs.

“Good,” I say, looking at my sister to see her eyeing me closely. I did what she wanted, but I doubt she believed it was entirely genuine. “I’m heading out. I’ll see y’all later.”

With that, I leave them to it, not in the mood to socialize or be around anyone else. I head for the woods rather than my bike. As much as I want to be out there riding, I need to shift and run. I needed to get Sloane’s words out of my head. She hoped when Ifound my mate, I didn’t treat her like I did her. Like I’d ever treat my mate as if she were nothing more than a pussy to pass around. No, if I ever found the one meant to be mine, I wouldn’t do that to them. I’d treat my mate as if she were priceless because, to me, that’s what she would be—the most important thing in my life.

But considering my age, I doubt I’ll find her. There’s no way I’ll luck out like Tucker did with Lake or how Corbin ended up being fated to my damn sister. One I didn’t even know about.

I guess fate has a funny way of playing with our lives.

Chapter Four

Raine

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