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512 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 2018
"I don't want to lose this. This tether� it’s the only part of you that's ever been mine.�
The roses bloomed.
The Raven took flight.
The wolves howled.
Their humans cried along with them.
And I did the only thing I could.
I tilted my head back and sang a song of war.
“Did you just fart?� Kelly screeched, sounding horrified.
“Yeah,� Carter said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Gas station microwave burritos are not so good on my intestines, apparently.�
“Get off! Get off!�
I groaned, my face in my hands.
“Yes,� the old man said as he chuckled, “you have definitely found yourself a pack.�
I dropped my hands and looked at him.
“Oh my god,� I mumbled, wondering how my life had become this way. I was forty years old, and I belonged to a pack of meddlesome bitches.
But the funny thing about hate is the razor-thin line that separates it from something else entirely.
I hated him for it. For making me feel this way after all he’d done to me and I’d done to him. I wanted him gone. I never wanted to see him again. I wanted him to hurt like I’d hurt. To burn. To bleed. I wanted to keep my hands on him, to feel the animal underneath. I wanted to lean forward and bite him, leaving my mark against his skin, tattooed so that he would never be without me on him, so that everyone would know I’d been there, and I’d been there first. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to fuck him. I wanted him to tear me apart.
“I need to find someone to kiss,� I demanded. Rico and Tanner and Chris stared at me with wide eyes.
“Not it,� Tanner said.
“Not it,� Carter said.
“Not—goddammit.� Rico sighed. “I never say it fast enough. Fine. You know what? I don’t even care. Pucker up, lover boy.�
I stared at Rico in horror as he started walking toward me, arms outstretched. “Not you.�
“Wow. Racist much? Puto.�
“I’m not racist—you’re my—god, I hate this so fucking much!�
“Though it does make more sense that Gordo would be the pirate instead of me.�
“Why would that be?� Jessie asked.
“Because I’m straight,� Rico explained. “And Gordo likes to plunder the booty.�
“I hate you so fucking much,� I told him.
The timber wolf eyed him warily, standing above Carter. Once it was sure that Joe wasn’t a threat, it turned back around and put its snout against Carter’s chest again, rumbling low in its throat. Carter tried to shove its face away, but it snapped at his fingers, growling a warning. “What the hell is its problem?� Carter asked, sounding annoyed.
“I think it likes you,� Elizabeth said mildly.
“Oh, gee, Mother, thank you for your input! I don’t know where I’d be without you!�
“You wouldn’t be born without her,� Joe said, helpful as ever.
I pointed my finger at him. “I want it working by the time I come in tomorrow. If it’s not, I will take your glasses and shove them up your ass.� I turned for the door. 3
“You know, with all the things you’ve threatened to shove in me, it’s a wonder Mark doesn’t get more jealous.� I turned slowly back to look at him.
"Life is...it's about the choices we make. Not the choices made for us. You have the right to set your own path. To be who you want yourself to be. No one should decide that for you."
"I hate you."
"I know. Even though your heartbeat says otherwise. I think you believe it. And I'm sorry for that."
"I don't like it when people touch my things."
"I'm sure Dale would agree with that," Ox said, because even though he was an Alpha, he was still a bitch.
Mark started choking.
I hated everyone.
But the funny thing about hate is the razor-thin line that separates it from something else entirely.