Page 121 of Mates: Posy

Not now, Ranger,I warned him, then snapped it closed.

So what did my irritating little brother do? Prodded it again.

What. Do. You. Want?I snarled.

Good morning to you, too, sunshine. Alpha Halder made a move. Threatened the queen and sent a message.

Raw fury brought both Nyx and me to complete attention.

He threatened my queen?

Yeah, dude, he did.

NYX WILL DESTROY HIM!

What's the message?I asked Ranger, trying to hear over Nyx's roaring.

His wolves left two of her relatives half-dead on the doorstep, so to speak.Ranger paused and took a deep breath.They said to hand her over or more of her friends and family will follow.

Who found them? Did they speak to Halder's wolves or did they leave a note?I demanded.

The alphas were taking Lark on a run when they ran into Halder's little band up on the northern border. The alphas dealt with the threat and brought the injured back to the clinic.

Are there prisoners to interrogate?

Eleven of the twenty submitted and are now in the pack cells. Quartz killed the rest.

The first part surprised me. The second did not.

Tell me about the injured. You said they're Lilah's relatives?

Luke asked that you wait to tell the queen until he's certain about their identities. There was also a witch Halder beat up and coerced into hiding his wolves' scent. Luke didn't know her. She's at the clinic, too. Beta Tristan discovered she's his mate.

Where are you now?I asked as I analyzed everything he'd told me, wishing I had more information.

About two minutes from your place.

When you get here, wait in the car until we're ready.

What?!he whined. It's ninety degrees out here and it's only nine in the morning. I'll wait in the kitchen.

You'll wait in the car. It has A/C. Turn it on.

I'm hungry, Julian! I'll just grab a snack. I won't look or listen or comment on anything I smell.

Ranger, if you come into this house, I will skin you alive. My queen needs a shower, then we'll meet you outside.

Fine. Now he sounded sullen.At least bring a snack out for me.

Why didn't you have breakfast?I rolled my eyes.I thought you stayed over at the alphas, and I know they always eat a big meal.

I ended up at Tristan's. Just two unmated males commiserating as everyone around them finds their mates. Of course, now he has a mate, too. I'm everyone's third wheel.

I ignored his attempt to gain pity. He was twenty-two. If he went two more years without finding his mate, then I'd feel sorry for him. He wasn't getting any pity until he had to wait as long as I did.

Ash's new beta doesn't,I reminded him. You can hang out with him.

He's seventeen, Julian. He's not even old enough tofindhis mate yet.

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