Page 77 of Smoke and Lure

Chapter Thirteen

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“Are you sure you wantto do this right now?”

Chanin flicked his gaze over at his Beta as he tore a path through town headed to the double containment unit where his cousin was being held, with Bleddyn in lock-step.“Why the hell wouldn’t I be?”

He shifted his gaze forward again, offering curt nods to his people as he blew past them.They were focused on the start of their day.A few of them gave him strange looks, but none of them stopped him.Chanin chalked it up to the Pack, preoccupied with preparing for the night's lunar events.It was traditionally a lively event, with food, games, and fun prior to the sun going down, followed by music and celebration after the run was complete for those unmated.

It was how the Pack remained bonded for centuries.It had been especially important prior to the Catastrophes because wolves could be scattered across cities and continents.After the world stood still, wolves came together, filling the territory.It didn’t take two lunar moon runs for them to discover that she-wolves were not conceiving.The strong moon and Earth’s pulls sent the female wolves into heat, but with zero results.

For a kind, who arrogantly considered themselves invincible for the most part, they were incredibly humbled to learn they could be damaged beyond repair.As years passed, the shifting night became more of a collective evening of festivities instead of the mating ritual it had been.Now, the Lupine still fucked during the run with a madness, but few expected to find their claimed mate and conceive by night’s end.

Chanin understood his Pack's energy; however, now he had to focus on the situation before him.

“Probably because you look like you are going to go feral at any moment.”

He halted and stared at his friend.

Bleddyn stared back, absorbing everything about Chanin’s eyes, posture, and stance before he roared out a chuckle.

Taking stock of himself, Chanin felt the bunch of muscles in his shoulders, the feel of electricity shooting through his body, causing the sensation that every blond hair on his head was standing on end, the tight fists of his hands, and the faint amber sheen that seemed to coat everywhere he looked.Exhaling, Chanin shoved a hand through his hair, a forceful attempt to tame his mane.

“It’s been a long twenty-four hours.”He shot a finger at his Beta’s chest.“Don’t try and make it seem like your ass isn’t affected by the tides.Even if Amira is already filled with your pup.”

Bleddyn scrunched his features, seeming to try to control his mirth as he raised his hands at his sides.“Not denying it.Hunting Lovel and Amira will still be a delight this night.However, if you don’t get yourself under control, the first word out of Farkas’s damn mouth you don’t like will be the end of him, before we get any answers.”

Chanin exhaled hard and loud.“Too bad there isn’t enough time to convince you to join me in one of the sparring matches that will go on before the run.”

Since they were youths, Chanin and Bleddyn had trained and fought together.The Beta smiled often with a good-natured personality, but it wasn’t for nothing Bleddyn held his position.Outside of Boris and the Fang Warriors, the Beta had killer skills, and was deadly in combat.

“Fuck no.The hell I will.Not with your mate on her first run tonight, and you are looking as you do.”Bleddyn shook his head vehemently and started walking again.“My mates like my face and limbs exactly where they are attached.”

With long strides, Chanin caught up to the Pack Beta.“No worries.You know I’m not a dirty fighter.I’d leave the one piece they’ll be concerned with tonight,” he teased.

“Hell, with two mates, I need more than just my one cock to please them.”Bleddyn held his hands out and wiggled all ten of his fingers.

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