Page 67 of Dark Moon Secrets

Maybe I would get some insight at the bonfire.

I didn’t think so. This ritual was new to me, something we wolves didn’t do very often, so much so I hadn’t done this in my lifetime.

I parked my car on the street, locked it, and then sauntered toward the apartment entrance. I was so lost in my thoughts and problems I didn’t hear the soft talking until too late.

“Speak of the devil,” said Rafe as I walked to the barbecue hut where the pack leaders had been talking, including Tyr.

Had my best mate been ratting me out? The way he turned away from me, I quickly assumed yes. He was stupid to think he was being offered the position of beta.

We no longer had a beta in the pack. Rafe had put off electing one, enjoying having complete control of the pack more than he should. No one challenged the alpha. He was the best fighter. I should be spending my time training instead of roaming after a woman I couldn’t have.

“Another night out?”

“I had thinking to do,” I answered Dad gruffly. “Wolf needed a run.”

I acknowledge him, then the others, trying to remain respectful and not rock the boat any more than I managed to do. My gut curdled, and I kept walking.

“Yeah, right, who was it this time? Nancy, Jules, Mella?” He chuckled, raising a beer to the others as if they were sharing a private joke—one, no doubt about me.

None of those names were women I’d been with. I always aimed to be discreet and respectful, but I suppose that’s not how others saw it.

“Lay off,” I grumbled. This was too close for my comfort. Rafe had never challenged me for my nightly roaming like this before. I wasn’t in the mood for an argument. I had enough of the one going on in my head.

“Come sit down with us, son,” said Rafe, cracking open a fresh beer.

The sound sent me on edge. This wasn’t an invitation to turn down. And I didn’t want to sit with him or the others.

I stopped, turned, and came back, hating how I had to obey like this. I should be used to it. This was how life was in the pack, but it didn’t sit well with me.

He handed me the beer, the can wet and cold in my hand, and I perched myself on the edge of the raised garden bed.

“Bit late to be drinking, isn’t it?” I couldn’t help myself.

“Lots to discuss tonight, plus we needed you here.”

I clenched my jaw tight. Of course, they did. What was meant to be a quick run ended up taking much longer, and well, seeing her was magical, but now it was all more like a burden.

“I’m here now.” I took a sip of the beer to stop myself from saying any more. The malty flavor washed away the last of Tanjie’s taste, and an emptiness grew inside me.

“Since you weren’t here, we divided up the jobs to get ready for the bonfire tomorrow night,” started Rafe, leaning back on the cold barbecue.

I had to expect this.

“What do you want me to do?”

“You’re to get the firewood.”

Great.

It was a tedious, back-breaking job, and I could see a few snickering. They had been drinking way too much. How did Rafe think they would be fit to work at the construction site today? With clients waiting for us to begin building their homes, we now worked on Saturdays. I supposed they would have an exemption, while the others, like me, would be working double-time to make up for it.

I narrowed my eyes at Tyr. How did he get away with not having to work like me? I wanted to explode with anger, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t let Rafe get the better of me.

It’s all a setup. I reminded myself Rafe was playing me off against Tyr. If I were going to be beta, this was how it would be. I had to be smarter, something I wasn’t sure I could manage with Tanjie now in town.

Maybe she would go back to the city? I knew that wouldn’t solve my issues. I would follow her until I knew things wouldn’t progress between us.

“Where do you want me to take it?”

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