Trager remained as he was.
“You’re not welcome here.” Vesh’s snarl was almost as bad in this form as his wolf’s. “Go now, and you’ll live.”
Trager considered the warning. Although his life was pretty damn important to him, so was what he had to say. And waiting to be told he could shift was getting him nowhere.
Slowly, so they wouldn’t think he meant to attack, he stood to his full wolf height and changed. It felt good to stretch, and to be back in his body after such a long run.
Vesh scowled. “What do you want, straggler?”
Trager ignored the insult. “I need to speak to the alpha.”
Avan snorted. Farrow was quiet, his brow furrowed.
“The alpha would kill you in a heartbeat,” Vesh informed him.
Trager rolled his eyes. “I don’t wish to challenge him.” Though, he’d never considered that tactic. That was one way back in. If he could win against the alpha, he could take over the pack. But he didn’t really want to come back. He just wanted to warn them so they could protect themselves. “I need to talk to him about the Ravendale pack.”
Vesh crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. “Ravendale? Don’t tell me they’ve taken you in. That would be low, even for them.”
The words hurt. Shit like that always hurt, reminding him that he was nothing. Worth less than nothing. This twinge of pain was nothing new though, and he covered it with a sarcastic grin.
“Nah, being a lone wolf has really worked for me. No alpha to bow down to. How about you? You liking your job as alpha’s main bitch?”
Vesh’s eyes flared with rage. Trager hit a touchy spot.
“You can’t talk to the alpha, Trager,” Farrow spoke up. “You know that. You need to leave before we call the others.” His voice was a hard lash. Not the chummy tone Trager was used to. He stared at his only friend. He had to convince them, and Farrow was his only chance.
“Look, the pack is in danger. I have information and I need to speak with the alpha before it’s too late.”
Vesh barked a brutal laugh. “The pack has never been better. There is no danger here. You’re delusional.”
“If you’ll just let me see him—“
“This is ridiculous,” Farrow spat. “What are you trying to pull here?”
“I’m… I’m trying to keep the pack safe.” There are people I love in there, he wanted to scream, but he didn’t have the right anymore. If he said it out loud, they could kill him. It would be within the law.
“We’ve got that covered,” Farrow sneered. “We don’t need you or any information you have.”
Trager glared. He hadn’t seen Farrow in almost a year. Maybe he’d finally given up on Trager, after all. He didn’t blame his friend for not meeting anymore, but had he actually cut all ties? Was he one of them now?
Avan put one hand on her naked hip. “I think I see what’s going on here.”
Trager turned his gaze on her, respectfully not ogling her tits. Not that she’d mind. Shifters didn’t care about modesty like humans did.
With her hips slinking, she strolled over to him. Shoulders forward, and head down, she looked eerily similar to her animal. She stopped in front of him, her chest almost brushing his. Nauseatingly close. Trager had the urge to run, to not let his skin touch hers.
“I think,” she murmured, “that you’re trying to find a way back in. Miss your pack, do you, straggler?”
The wolf in Trager wanted to snarl and snap. Wanted to grab her by the neck and force her away. The human in him, needed to make them understand that he wasn’t here for himself.
“That’s not why I’m here,” he ground out.
A cruel smile curved her lips. “I’m guessing she’s already thrown you away then. Your mate, am I right? The prophecy has held and now you’re desperate for a way into the pack. What better way to do it than become the hero? Go to the alpha with news of some threat that only you can thwart. Smart idea, but there’s just one problem.” Leaning forward, she whispered, “He won’t fall for that.”
Trager shook his head, his pleading gaze going to Farrow. “It isn’t like that.”
Avan ran a finger slowly down Trager’s chest, and the sensation made him sick. His throat rumbled ominously, his jaw snapping for her to back down.
She retreated a fraction. “Well, that answers my first question. You’ve definitely found your mate.” Leaning closer, she sniffed him. “I’d say recently too.”
Vesh’s taunting laugh was salt on a third degree burn. “That was quick. Farrow, ever hear of a mate refusing a wolf that fast? That must be a record, right?”