Runt of the Litter Read Free Page B

fried chicken he took a bite,
relishing the taste of the spices as it slid down his throat. “What would I
say?”
    “Anything. You know, your father and I, we didn’t exactly get along when we were
younger.”
    “You didn’t?”
    “No, he was a hothead and arrogant. He’d strut around
the pack as if being there was his very right. I mean, it was, but I hated him
for it. I wasn’t anything special. For the most part I tried to steer clear of
him. When he was around he’d try to show off. At the time I just thought he was
being egotistical, showing off to the girls because he was the future beta. I
was wrong.”
    “Mom, did Dad fancy you?”
    “That he did. I didn’t know about it until we both
transitioned.”
    His parents were the same age.
    “He came looking for me straight away. I was by the
lake, and when I saw him, I just knew he was going to be my mate.” She
chuckled. “I didn’t know what to say to him, and so I just treated him like I
always did. It didn’t stop David from coming back for me. I think in a weird
way, he fell in love with me during the time I made him wait. Whenever he tried
to bring up the mating, I’d stop him from spoiling our fun. The mating is not
an obligation, and some women don’t like it.”
    “Did you?”
    “I didn’t like the thought that he was only around
because the fates demanded it. Your father has been tough on you over the years,
but he loves you.”
    “He needs me to be strong when the time comes.”
    “That he does. I can’t argue with him there.”
    “I’ll finish this food and then go and see her.”
    “You do that.” She kissed his cheek.
    “Mom?”
    “Yes.”
    “What if she doesn’t survive it?”
    “You don’t think about that. You’ve got two years,
son. Make her strong. Make her want to fight for something that is greater than
simply turning into a wolf.”
    Okay, he was going to sound totally stupid. “What?”
    “Honey, make her see a side to you that no one is ever
going to see. Show her how much you love her.”
    She closed his door behind him. Grabbing one of the
burgers, he took a large bite, relishing the taste of the meat.
    Find her.
    See her.
    Take her.
    There was not going to be any kind of taking from
Tori. She was two years his junior, and even though that didn’t sound like a
lot, there wasn’t a chance in hell he was going to put that kind of pressure on
her.
    He finished his food and took his plate downstairs.
His father was in his study with the alpha. Jack had heard him enter five minutes
ago. Smiling at his mom, he headed out the door, toward Tori.
    Rachel was throwing out the trash as he made his way
up the long path toward their house.
    “Where did you go?” she asked.
    “I needed to be somewhere.” He saw she’d been crying.
“I thought I’d come and visit the adventure girl.”
    “She’s up in her room. I’ll give her a call.”
    “Hello, Jack,” Carl said, moving toward the door.
    “Hello, Mr. Hunter.” He needed to be respectful to the
father of his intended mate. The last thing he needed was to be chased off by
Carl when he wanted to get closer to his daughter. “Sorry for rushing off like
that.”
    “No problem. It’s good to have her back here you
know.”
    “I’m really sorry about what happened. I just wanted
her to have fun. I didn’t even think of—”
    “Stop, Jack. Everyone told me that you were having
fun. I don’t blame you. Well, in part I do blame you, but it’s in the past.
Tori lived.” Carl stopped talking.
    Tori lived to fight another day. How many more days will she be
fighting?
    Jack froze as her scent grew heavy, and then she
appeared in the doorway. She was still small, but she’d filled out a little.
Compared to everyone else she was still tiny, fragile in comparison. She just
seemed that little bit stronger.
    Was it all hope on his side?
    “Rachel said you were here to see me,” she said.
    She was utterly beautiful. Her long blonde hair was
tied at the back in a