Reading Online Novel

Dire(53)



“You two can’t do this.”

“Do what? We were talking about the weather.”

“You were flirting. If Hunter saw that he’d have been pissed.”

“They were not.” Chet shook his head. “Are you sure it’s Hunter’s feelings that matter?”

“What the hell are you implying?” She put a hand on her hip.

“You know what I’m implying. Gage didn’t do anything wrong there, and neither did Mary Anne. I thought you liked the girl. Why did you have to embarrass her like that?”

“I’m trying to make sure she does what she promised. Don’t you want me as your mate?” She glowered at Chet. “That can’t happen until they are official.”

“Bullshit. I know you well enough to know what you’re doing.” Chet stormed off. Moments later he shifted and ran off into the woods.

“He’s such a jerk.”

“Just like your brother is, right?” I was beginning to realize that Marni was good at putting down everyone else.

I struggled with whether to talk to Mary Anne again. She must have gone back inside her little cottage because I didn’t see her.

Suddenly a wolf emerged from the forest. He had a silver streak running down his back.

“Where is everyone?” Hunter stepped into his pants.

“Around,” Marni snapped before running off.

“What’s up with her?” Hunter asked.

“Who knows?” I wasn’t going to tattle.

“Has Mary Anne come out at all?”

“Yeah. She went back in though.”

“Thanks.” Hunter strode right over to his cottage. Lucky. I wished I were going to see her. Time wasn’t making anything easier, and knowing she was sharing not only a room, but a separate cabin with Hunter just pissed me off more.

Hunter stormed out two minutes later. “She’s not there. You said she was inside.”

“I assumed she was.”

“Assumed?” He pulled me toward him by my collar. “You didn’t say that.”

“She was here and then she left.”

“And you didn’t notice where she went?”

“I’m not supposed to notice her every movement, am I?” I was as panicked as him, but I tried not to show it. Instead I let it come out in annoyance.

He released my shirt. “Who else was here when she was?”

“Marni and Chet.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes. Denny had already left, and I haven’t seen anyone else.”

“This doesn’t make sense. She wouldn’t run off. Especially not without you.”

I hid the smile that wanted to come out when he said that. Mary Anne was missing. It wasn’t the time to smile because Hunter acknowledged her attachment to me.

“Everyone out here now!” Hunter yelled. Moments later most of the Dires were assembled around the fire.

“Where is Mary Anne?” Hunter asked immediately. “Who’s seen her?”

“She was just here.” Chet looked at Marni. “When I went for a run she was by the fire.”

“I didn’t see her leave either,” Marni said far softer than I’d ever heard her talk. “Have you checked your house?”

“Of course I have. She couldn’t have gone far if she’s alone.” Hunter’s eyes darted around the edge of the woods.

“And Gage is still here.” Semi scowled. “So she wouldn’t have left.”

Hunter frowned. It was one thing for him to say it, but another for anyone else to echo that.

“Where’s Denny?” Marni asked.

“He ran off a little while before she came out,” I said mostly to myself.

“Any chance she’s with him?” Hunter asked more calmly than I expected.

“They haven’t even really met. Why would she go anywhere with him?” Semi asked.

“Denny kind of has a way with people.” Marni got a far off look. “He can be as annoying as hell, but he’s also good at making people feel better.”

“Why would she need to feel better?” Hunter narrowed his eyes. “She was doing fine when I last saw her.”

“Marni upset her.” Chet didn’t meet her eyes. “Whether it was intentional or not, it was obvious she was upset about it.”

“I’m going to shift. Maybe Denny didn’t hear my call.” In a blur Hunter ran off into the woods.

I hoped Marni’s hunch was right. I didn’t know Denny well, but I’d much rather Mary Anne have been with him than nearly anyone else.





Chapter Nineteen


Mary Anne





Walking into the woods wasn’t a good idea, but it was better than waiting with people that didn’t even want me around. Talking to Gage had been surreal. It had been so normal, but he hadn’t refuted anything Marni said. He was playing nice, but things would be easier for him if I wasn’t around. The only thing he needed me for was to make sure Hunter finished things off. After that he could move on. Obviously we’d still see each other, but it would be to talk about mundane things—like the weather. At least he was alive. Everything was worth that. He seemed happy enough, and he didn’t seem angry. Not the way he was in my dream. That dream. I groaned to myself. I still couldn’t shake the images.