“How do you know?” It was Raymond Borl who asked that question.
Grady growled at him. “I’ve heard enough shit from you. What is up with you being the loudmouth of contention lately?”
Rave stepped closer. “I know because I’ve dealt with all kinds of shifters. Who do you think my father sends to talk to them when we’ve had boundary issues? Me.”
The older man didn’t look convinced. “We’ve never had anyone attack us before. This is what happens when you don’t stick with your own kind.”
Anton snarled. “What does that mean?”
Brand felt his own fangs growing longer. This conversation concerned Charma too. “Be very careful of what you say, Raymond. You might be the first to go if you want to start thinning the pack.”
Braden stepped between them and the older man and faced him down. “I know you’re old school but you’re being an idiot. Brand’s way nicer than my brothers. Have you noticed how they aren’t like Dad? Dad would have just smacked you down by now but they will kill you. Now sit down and be smart. Shut up.”
The older man didn’t look happy but he sat. “I’m still worried about our human neighbors. They need us to protect them.”
Rave looked ready to lunge at Raymond but it wasn’t Brand who prevented bloodshed. Braden handled the situation.
“I know about prides too. They are totally anal about keeping shifter secrets. They make us look lax about that. Dad sent me to deal with a few of them when Rave was busy. They aren’t about to do anything that will expose what they are to our human neighbors. We’re the targets.”
“When did Dad do that?” Rave touched Braden’s shoulder to get his attention.
The youngest Harris shot him a quick look. “Someone likes to go to biker rallies sometimes. Life doesn’t stop just because you leave town.”
“Why you and not me?” Anton frowned. “I didn’t know that either.”
Braden grinned. “Dad knows I’m up for anything that involves pussies and I’m good with them.”
Grady smacked him on the back of the head. “Funny. Let’s cut the shit and deal with this mess.”
“Yeah,” Brand agreed. He wanted to get this over with and return to Charma as soon as possible. He knew she had to be afraid in a house full of werewolves. He glanced upward, hoping she was okay.
Anton backed away from their small circle to address the room. “The prides are coming here and they want a fight.” His eyes transformed to show his inner wolf while his fangs grew. “We’re going to make them regret invading our territory.”
“Hell yeah,” Kane growled, rallying his enforcers. “We’re more than up for it.”
Brand laughed. “It was a bad decision to hit us during mating heat. You know our pack motto. If you can’t fuck, fight!”
Braden chuckled. “I want a leather jacket with those words printed across my back.”
Rave glared at him. “He was kidding.”
“I’m not. We should make it our official slogan while Dad is allowing us to lead the pack.”
Chapter Nine
Charma couldn’t sit still after she’d barricaded the door. Worry for Brand and his pack left her feeling nervous and edgy. She turned off all of the lights and opened the window. Fresh air breezed inside the room as she peered out into the night.
The moon gave off enough light for her enhanced vision to take in all the details of everything going on around the side of the house she viewed. Heavy woods surrounded the property but the trees had been cut back far enough to make it impossible for anyone to sneak close enough to break in. Sentries were posted, their dark shapes barely distinguishable unless someone was looking for them, as she was.
She eased down to her knees, rested her chin on her folded hands on the windowsill, and strained her ears for any noises beyond the branches whispering in the wind. It was only a matter of time before the attack began.
No way could she stand to lose Brand. Life can’t be that cruel, right? She chewed on her bottom lip, hoping not. They’d both been through too much for fate to separate them once more.
Temptation pulled at her to use the cell phone Brand had forgotten when he’d left. She doubted anyone would try to retrieve her but she wasn’t willing to chance it. Her car had been a piece of shit. No way would Garrett have spared the expense of putting any kind of system on it that could be tracked.
She crawled over and retrieved Brand’s cell phone. It was a nice one and it took her a minute to figure out how to use it. She dialed Megan’s cell, not wanting to deal with her parents. They’d be angry that she’d fled the pride and she wasn’t sure she could trust them. It was sad but true. Both of them were grateful to the pride for being alive. She understood but didn’t agree with their beliefs.