Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
It’s unusual for us to get one visitor in a day, much less two. Our little post is packed with people. For a moment, I wonder if Gary has decided to grace us with his presence. When the front door opens, though, my hackles raise.
The same man I’d seen this morning drinking his coffee. Our new neighbor. Probably my age. Dark hair on top and gray tinging his temples. He’s strong and broad shouldered, a neck tattoo peeking up behind the collar of the green flannel he’s now wearing. Another man steps behind him, and I can hear more footsteps. The alarm surging through me has Ewan jolting to his feet and Remy swiveling around lightning fast.
“Gentleman,” the man greets, a plastic smile on his face. “How do you do?”
His pleasantries are false. I want to slam him to the wall by his throat and demand to know who he is. Instead, I crack my neck and position myself between my pack and the men.
“Cyrus Hames. Forest ranger. And you are…” I trail off, offering my hand.
He eyes it warily but then takes my grip, giving me a firm, quick shake. “I’m Wyatt Easton.” Wyatt’s gaze is probing as he watches my reaction for…something. Like his name should spark some sort of recognition. Is he a celebrity or some shit? Because if he’s looking for groupies, he came to the wrong damn place. “This here is my younger brother, Van, and the baby of the family, Cash.”
The two other men step around their brother. Van is solid like his older sibling, but Cash doesn’t look anything like them. Where the other brothers are dark-haired, dark eyed, and built like tanks, Cash is slim with green eyes and hair so blond it’s almost white. The other two put off seriously intimidating vibes, but Cash’s smile is friendly.
I don’t bother introducing the others. It’s not their business who my people are. I bring my stare back to their leader. Wyatt.
“What can I do you for, Mr. Easton?”
He studies me for a beat and then cuts his eyes over to his youngest brother. “Cash here wanted to report a strange sighting.”
The hairs on my arms stand on end. “Sighting?”
Wyatt clamps a hand down on Cash’s shoulder. “Go on. Tell him what you saw.”
Cash’s gaze locks on to mine. His friendliness feels like a façade that rubs me the wrong way. With a penetrating look, he grins wider and says, “I saw a wolf.”
Ewan bristles behind me, and Remy stills.
“A wolf.” I let out an unimpressed grunt. “There aren’t any in these parts.”
“My brother knows what he saw,” Wyatt clips out. “We just wanted you to be aware. I hear they’re…dangerous.”
My beast within me claws at my resolve, begging to be released, but I tug on that mental chain, urging him to sit back down and behave.
“This is great,” Harrison says happily, elbowing Ewan. “You’re here to study potential migration, and they’ve spotted one.”
“Perfect timing then,” Wyatt says with a smirk. “Hopefully you can keep everyone safe from any threats.”
I don’t like the fucking tone of his voice.
“Indeed, I will.” My voice is sharp and filled with icy blades of warning. “I take care of this forest and everyone in it. If it’s dangerous, I deal with it. Swiftly and unafraid.”
Remy
Seriously?
Is Cy going to pick a fight with everyone today? What the hell is his problem? My barely contained rage filters through the bond. He’s being ridiculous.
I’m Remy, I sign, making eye contact with the guy who’s close to my age. Nice to meet you.
Cash.
His name is Cash.
I roll it around on my tongue, ignoring more boner jokes from Finnick.
Cash offers a hand to me. He’s pale with long, lean limbs. His fingers are incredibly long, and I fixate on them. It takes a second to realize he’s trying to shake my hand. A flood of heat prickles at my flesh. I’m equal parts annoyed and horrified that my social skills are so lacking. I blame Cy for keeping me like his little pet.
“Remy,” Ewan offers. “He’s not deaf, just mute. I’m Ewan and this is Harrison.”
Cy lets out a huff of displeasure at Ewan speaking behind him. Cash’s grin grows wider, revealing a mouthful of shiny white teeth. One of his incisors is slightly crooked. I find the imperfection endearing. I sure as hell am not perfect. Matching his smile with one of my own, I reach out to shake his hand. His flesh is warm in mine, sending currents of excitement rippling through me. I nearly croak out in shock when Cash runs his thumb over my hand in an intimate way.
Seriously, how many boners can a kid have in one day? Finnick.
Something’s wrong. Judd.
I have to calm down Cy or he’s going to slaughter these guys. Ewan.
I hope Remy’s okay. Rey.
Too weak. Too small. Too broken. Cy.