Ruthless (Wolf Ranch 6)

I stiffened at his bold question. The guys sure as fuck didn’t know how to small talk.

The truth was, I hadn’t had any serious discussion with Natalie at all about her bed and breakfast idea. I knew I was supposed to redirect her for the sake of the pack, and I was fairly certain I could do that if it was something she really wanted to do, but like claiming her, it wasn’t something I could rush. Telling Natalie she couldn’t do something was the surefire way of getting her to do it.

Both Rob and Natalie seemed to notice my reaction because they shot curious glances my way.

“Well, I’m considering opening a bed and breakfast,” she replied. “It’s a huge house and property, and I don’t know the first thing about ranching.”

Rob adjusted the hat on his head, shooting me another glance. “There might be other options. We could rent your land for grazing,” he threw out, like it was an idea he’d just thought of. It wasn’t a bad one, even if she chose not to do the B&B. She could start making some extra cash right now, and she didn’t have to sling drinks all night.

A tsking sound behind Rob made us all turn.

Fucking Nathan Brown stood there looking like the cat that just ate the canary. “This is your definition of handling the girl?” he sneered.

Natalie shot me an alarmed look. “Excuse me?” she demanded.

My fingers bunched into tight fists at my side. I hadn’t gone to have a little chat with him for showing up at my mate’s house. Now I wish I had.

Rob’s upper lip curled. “Nathan. I don’t recall inviting you to this barbecue.”

“Didn’t know I needed an invitation to stop by. I saw the cars and thought I’d say hello.”

“Well, it’s a private gathering—to welcome our new neighbor,” Willow said, her voice cool. A few of the others came over. My parents stepped out of the kitchen.

“Yes, the new neighbor. The one I just heard is still planning on opening a bed and breakfast next to pack land.” Nathan turned his gaze on Natalie, and I growled. He was twisting her words around.

Rob’s hand shot out to block me from stepping forward.

“Wait—what is going on here?” Natalie demanded.

Nathan turned his righteous gaze onto Natalie. “Hasn’t your mate straightened you out yet?” He sniffed in Natalie’s direction a few times. “Oh—I stand corrected. Not mated yet.” His gloating smile crooked in my direction. “You haven’t even sealed that deal yet, Rand?”

My snarl came straight from my wolf.

“Stay back,” Rob barked with alpha command, making my limbs fall slack with the impact.

But fucking Nathan wasn’t done. To Rob, he said, “I don’t think your boys are capable of any of the tasks you put them to.”

Now Rob snarled, but Willow jumped between them, putting her hand on Nathan’s chest and walking him swiftly backward, toward the driveway. Smart woman. Nathan wouldn’t fight a female, and Willow was shifter-strong and trained in combat. “The alpha has it handled, but your supreme lack of diplomacy may have just fucked things up. Now I suggest you get in your truck and drive away before you get put in your place in front of every pack member here. Move.” She gave him a shove when she got to the circle drive.

She didn’t need the back up, but Levi, Colton and Clint all found their way behind her.

I was so focused on not killing Nathan, it was only then I realized my bigger problem. What a huge, colossal mistake I’d made.

Natalie hand her hands on her hips, staring up at me with angry tears swimming in her eyes. “What is this, Rand? I’m being handled?”

“Now hang on, Red—”

I reached for her, but she gave me a shove. It didn’t move me physically, but I felt it to the very depths of my soul. My wolf howled. Everyone at the barbecue was looking our way now, but my vision had tunneled to Natalie’s pained eyes.

“You were what? Sent by Rob to make sure I didn’t open a bed and breakfast? Is that it? That’s why you were so curious that first day? And every day since?”

I put my hands up to stop her. She was taking this all wrong. “Just hang on. It’s not like that.”

“It’s not?” She whirled on Rob, who still stood there, looking uncomfortable. “What was Rand supposed to do with me? What task did you give him?” she demanded.

Rob rubbed his face, still splitting his gaze on Willow where she stood supervising Nathan’s departure. Clint and Levi flanked her. “Rand’s right, it wasn’t like that.”

A tear streaked down Natalie’s face because she was filling in all the blanks herself. I nearly died knowing this was turning into a huge clusterfuck, and it was hurting her. “What has it all been, Rand? Were you supposed to mate me, so the pack can have the property?” The hurt in her voice gutted me.