Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

“Who is what?” Max looks offended, tension flooding his body. I don’t like it, but I remain his brother and not the Alpha. He doesn’t need that right now.

“Who is the lady that you’re interested in that clearly isn’t for you?” I ask.

“There’s no lady or anything. I just hate the idea of not choosing.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but you need to remember some people search their entire lives to find someone who may love them enough. We’re fortunate to have someone that brings us pure desire, need, love,” my father adds before heading into the house.

I stay back and watch my brother shake his head.

“I can’t see it that way. I hate to do this, but I’m leaving town. I’m going to college out of state and far away from here, so I don’t have to deal with this bullshit.”

“That’s fine, Max. Does Dad know of your wishes?”

“He does. We talked about it. Are you sure you’re okay with it? You’re the Alpha, after all? You can’t have us defecting.”

“I love you, Max, which means I want your happiness. If that means moving away and going to school somewhere where you can be your own man, that’s fine. I’ll make sure you have what you need, but I’ll only be a call away.”

“Thank you, bro.” We head into the house and set the boxes upstairs in our bedroom. Once we come downstairs, the women are giggling in the kitchen.

“You all better not be laughing about me,” I grumble, sliding my hands over Maria’s hips.

“Nope,” Aria says quickly, shoving a grape in her mouth to avoid saying anything, but she can hardly hide the smile on her face.

I toss my head back and groan. Being the Alpha means nothing to my family. “Let me guess. The time I first shifted?”

“You were adorable. I told you,” Maria whispers.

“Dinner’s almost done. Why don’t you set the plates…all of you men?”

“Come on. We’re getting the boot again.”

“It’s cool, because after dinner I’m kicking you all out.”

“We get it. You want to get your mate alone,” Aria says, rolling her eyes. I take a stack of plates, and my dad grabs the silverware. We start setting it up in the dining room when my phone rings.

“Hey, Hunter. What’s up?”

“That fuckhead wants to sue you and me. I’m just giving you a heads up. I’ve already scratched the tape and since no one called the Sheriff’s office to call in a disturbance, they’ve got nothing.”

“I should have killed the prick.”

“Nah—then you’d have to take time away from your mate. Have fun. I squashed it, and they’ve left my hotel for good.”

“Thanks. Take care.”

“You, too.”

“What the hell was that about?”

“Some human had the nerve to ogle my mate and then roughed around his woman, so I threatened him.”

“You attacked someone over your mate? See, mating made you fucking stupid and careless. I can’t deal with this shit. You acted petty, just like the humans. I’m out.”

“Max,” I call out, but he storms from the house.

“Let him go,” my father says, gripping my shoulder hard, knowing that I’m tempted to run after him. I hear his vehicle speed out of my driveway way too damn fast.

“He’s been a mess lately. Come on. Let’s get some food in you and calm your woman and mine. I’m sure they’re worried.”

Are you okay?

I’m fine.

Liar.

I drop my head and hold on to the back of the dining room chair. I feel her hands slide around my waist. “I’m sorry,” she says against my spine.

“You heard?” I whisper.

“I don’t think there’s anyone that didn’t hear. It’s not your fault. He needs time to figure out what he wants in life, even if it’s hard to see him leave.”

“Thank you, my love.” I take her hand and bring it to my lips for a kiss.

“Let’s go back to getting dinner ready. Your parents are worried, and your sister’s upset.”

“Of course.” I spin around and pull her in for a kiss. “Thank you, my love.”

“I’m so glad you don’t feel that way about me.”

“I was hoping to find my mate. Max is young. He wants a different life. That might still mean he can live in a major city and have a mate. I don’t know how he’ll be able to run wild in the city, but if that’s what he wants, I have no problem.”

We head into the kitchen, and my sister’s crying.

“Why does he have to be so hotheaded?” she sobs.

“Calm yourself. He’s going to college and he’ll see that life isn’t everything he thinks it is, and maybe he’ll come back or maybe he finds his happiness out there.” I lean in and pull my little sister into a hug.

“He’s going to be okay. Do you know where he plans to go?” Maria asks.

“He wants to go to the University of Florida,” my father answers, pulling the ribs out of the oven.