Ravensong (Green Creek 2)

He shrugged. “What? You know it’s true.”

“Choke on some dicks,” Chris mumbled, writing exactly that on his notepad.

“I’m not telling you shit,” I retorted. “In fact, you’re all fired. And you’re kicked out of the pack. And I never want to see any of you again. Ever.”

Rico nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, I’d probably say the same thing if I was you and surrounded by friends who are much smarter.”

“Why can’t you just leave this alone?”

“Because we’re your buddies,” Tanner said. “We’ve had your back longer than anybody else. We’ve earned the right to call you out on your shit.”

“Jessie told me that you were getting pathetic,” Chris admitted. “She said ever since Mark met Dale—ow, who the fuck just kicked me?”

“We agreed not to mention his name!” Rico hissed at him. “Que te jodan.”

“You didn’t have to kick me. Your boots have steel toes, you dick!”

“Jessie said you were grumpier than normal,” Tanner said, glaring at Chris.

“I’m not grumpier than normal,” I said. “I’m always like this.”

“Eh,” Rico said. “More or less. But it’s gotten a little worse. The wolves are starting to feel it.” He looked over his shoulder before leaning forward. “You know,” he whispered, “through their feelings.” He wiggled his fingers at me.

“You’re all fucking stupid,” I said. “And the next person that opens their mouth will find out what life is like without testicles.”

They all stared at me.

I stared back at each of them in turn to make sure they knew I was serious. Magic didn’t work like that, but they didn’t know it.

As much as I wanted to smash their faces onto the table, they were only looking out for me as they always had. Tanner had been right. I’d known them longer than almost anyone. They’d been there through the worst of it, even if they hadn’t known what was happening. The destruction of my first pack, being left behind by my second. Mark asking his Alpha for permission to court me. Mark giving me his wolf. Me giving him an ultimatum and Mark choosing his pack.

Mark, Mark, Mark.

They’d tried to keep Dale from me. Like I cared. Like I was fragile. Like the very idea of Mark with someone else would be so devastating, I wouldn’t be able to function.

I’d lived more of my life without him than I ever did with him.

It didn’t matter to me. Mark could do what he wanted.

I didn’t give a shit. Just because I hadn’t been with anyone else in years didn’t mean a damn thing. It was—

“Oh fuck,” Chris said, eyes wide. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“What?” Tanner asked, looking out into the crowd. “What are you—oh shit. Um. Gordo! Hey, Gordo!” He slapped the top of the table. “Hey, man. Look

at me! Look right at me. So, let’s talk about something different. Like… um. Oh! Are you still thinking of opening another garage? That would be great. Just… great.”

“What the hell is wrong with the two of you?” Rico asked, eyes narrowed.

Chris jerked his head like he was having a seizure, eyes darting back and forth.

Rico looked over his shoulder. He made a weird noise in his throat and started coughing.

I turned to see what they’d been staring at.

“No!” Tanner said, kicking my shin.

“What’s your problem?” I growled at him, reaching down and rubbing my leg.