Page 30 of Hexed Wolf

I watched her with a keen eye and noticed the shift in hers. I’d struck a nerve. She had feelings that were deeper than mine. I liked Keerah but never confused her place in my life.

“He’s giving you a chance. I advise that you open your fucking mouth and explain yourself.” Laz stepped up so he and I were shoulder to shoulder. Keerah’s eyes darted between the three of us.

“I didn’t plot against your mate. Yes, I have feelings but I’m also not stupid. I saw what she was the minute we got near her. It would have been pointless for me to fight a losing battle. I didn’t stand a chance so let me be clear. I. Did. Not. Do. This. Of. Free. Will.”

Her eyes fastened with mine, communicating her truth.

“Let her go,” I stated, taking a step back.

“No, I’m not convinced.” Laz turned to me. His eyes, crimson now, shifted across to me. Mine flared with the same blood red pushing back. Both of us asserting dominance as Alphas.

“The decision is not yours. I’m taking responsibility for setting her free. Let her go,” I seethed, causing Jo to push between us.

“I’ll do it before the two of you rip each other apart for no reason.” She stepped to the cage, keyed a code, and the bars clicked, signaling they were unlocked. “You’re free for now but you should know we’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

Keerah pushed at the bars, swinging the door open. “No you won’t. I’m leaving. All of you are fucking crazy. I’ll do better on my own if this is what being part of a pack feels like.”

“You don’t have to leave.” I understood her position, but she needed to understand ours.

“I know I don’t but I’m not welcome here. You don’t trust me and neither do they. You don’t think your pack will follow the consensus of their leaders? If I stay, I’m still an outsider. They’ll never fully welcome me because of my history with you.”

“I will make sure they do.” My eyes met hers and she shook her head as her gaze softened.

“You were a good friend. I shouldn’t have pushed, and for that I apologize, but it’s best if I leave.”

“Are you running?” Jo asked.

“I didn’t come here to disrupt things, set him up, or play a role in his downfall. Believe whatever the fuck you want. Thank you for what little time you did offer but this pack is not for me. I’m leaving.”

She glanced at me then walked away, pausing at the door. “That is if I’m allowed to?”

“No one will harm you, Keerah. You have my word,” I offered, followed by Laz.

“And mine.”

After she was gone, Jo turned to us. “As much as I want to dislike her, she was telling the truth.”

“She was.” I nodded and Laz agreed with a nod of his own.

“Her pulse quickened and heart rate increased but from anger. I’m still going to have a few of our people follow her to see where she goes, just in case.” Jo arched a brow at me. “Unless you disagree,Alpha?”

I chuckled, knowing she was referring to the moment Laz and I had. I rarely ever asserted my position but when I did, I overpowered my brother. He didn’t like it but there wasn’t much he could do about the reality. “I agree.”

Jo placed her hand on Laz’s chest, lifting onto her toes, thinking she would snag a quick kiss but he hooked an arm, bringing her to him, forcing her feet from the ground when he attacked her mouth. The visual had my wolf reacting with the same need for the woman I’d left upstairs.

“I’ll be upstairs after I take care of her.” She blushed and glanced at me before her eyes landed on Laz then she was gone. My brother watched her leave and didn’t give me his full attention until we were alone.

“If she’s not the problem then someone else is.” I sensed the unease in his tone. I had been attacked. We needed to know who’d set that in motion or neither of us could let our guards down.

“We’ll figure it out.”

“But not right now.” He smirked and I shrugged.

“It’s been a long time coming. I plan on making up for lost time.”

“As you should. Congratulations, brother. At least now you’ll no longer be such an overbearing asshole.”

I grunted at the thought. “Don’t be so sure.”

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