Page 69 of Midnight Mate
Lunch. Not dinner. Was it a last stop on his way out of town then? Was spending today with me his way of saying goodbye?
“I have to go back to work tomorrow,” I reminded him.
“No way. You’re still adjusting to the change,” he said.
“I’m not going to see patients yet,” I assured him. “Besides, the amount of paperwork waiting for me there is probably enough to keep me chained to my desk for a year anyway.”
He flashed me a wicked smile. “Good to know you like chains. I’ll be sure to tie you up one of these days.”
“That’s not . . .” My cheeks heated.
He laughed as the truck slowed, but my amusement died the minute I caught sight of the small crowd already assembled and waiting. This was it. Time to choose: the pack or the man who was inevitably going to leave me behind again.
22
Easton
Itook one look at the clearing filled with bodies and nearly drove right on by without stopping. But Tobias angry at me was one thing. I couldn’t let that anger include Cat.
“I didn’t expect quite so many people,” Cat said. The strain in her voice from nerves was obvious, and my wolf snarled at her anxiety.
“Me neither,” I muttered as I parked the truck.
We got out, and I took Cat’s hand firmly in mine, marching past the guys, several of which I recognized from high school. Eyes narrowed, I ignored their friendly greetings and strode straight up to Tobias.
“You said this would be a closed meeting,” I said, not bothering to hide my displeasure. Nothing personal against old friends, but protecting Cat came first.
“I apologize for not sending word,” Tobias said, surprising me with his easy acceptance of responsibility. “There’s been a new development, and I thought it best if the rest of the pack were here just in case.”
“In case what?” I demanded.
His eyes flicked to Cat.
“In case your wolf can’t be contained.”
I had no idea what he was talking about, but something in his expression, like he was the one wary of me now, had me bracing myself. What could have happened that would make him gather this many men to subdue me?
“You said we were coming here to talk about Cat.”
“And we will. But there’s something you need to know.” His voice was even. Like he was trying to calm me.
“What?” I demanded.
Tobias’s gaze flicked to something over my shoulder. I turned in time to see the crowd parting as Angus came forward.
“Hey, brother,” he said solemnly.
A prickle of unease shot down my spine. I clutched Cat’s hand tighter in my own. “What’s going on?” I asked him.
He looked past me to Tobias, who nodded.
Angus sighed. “It’s about your old man.”
“What the hell’s he done now?”
Angus hesitated. “He violated the banishment order.”
My temper flared, and I pinned Tobias with a glare. “Well, what the hell are you doing about it?”
