The Pack Read Free

the fact their sister had indeed matured into a young woman.
         “Noticed what?”
         Lucan shook his head at his brother’s comment. “The changes in her body, or the way the boys around here stare at her when we go out ? ”
         Cade’s chair dropped to the floor , a loud echo flowed across the kitchen as he pondered his brother’s words . “It’s Mercy we are talking about she’s not interested in dating or anything else that concerns the male species.” 
         “Not according to Gale.” H e sat in the chai r next to Cade and shook his head . “Mercy asked her a lot of questions when she took her shopping last week.”
         Gale, a neighbor who had become friendly with Mercy when she had moved in with them , was a family friend. The girls had a regular girl’s trip to the mall each month since neither man was very good at helping Mercy sh op for clothes and other things young girls needed . She had become a confidant and he thanked his stars they had her to help them along. Although, at times like the one he they were now facing he thought a little ignorance might be bliss .
         “Please tell me you’re talking about bras here , I’m not ready for her to think about dating.” His face paled as the implications of his brothers words registered .
         “We knew this day would co me, ” Lucan reminded him clearly uncomfortable with the him self. From the day they had moved her there they had dreaded the time when local boys would discover her. I t would put her already comlicated life into more danger.
         “S he’s too young ! I thought there would be more time! ” Cade said recalling the young man who had asked about her just that morning when he filled up his bi ke with gas . He had thought the boy was just being friendly. Now as he recalled their conversation, he realized there had been a glint in his eye when he spoke o f being in the same class with Mercy at school.
         “W e need to keep her close, ” Lucan told him. “No more of this running off wh en I tell her to remain near the house . ”
         “She isn’t going to like this, her freedom is so limited already,” Cade said running his hand over his face wiping away the perspiration he felt ga theri ng. “We should tell Alec , he knows most of the gu ys around here and can warn them off. ”
         “Tell me what?” They turned in unison to the doorway where a tall , well muscled blonde haired teen leaned against the frame h is jean-clad legs crossed at the ankles, h is black t-shirt stretched across his chest, as he grinned them.
          “There is news that migh t create a problem…” was all Lucan managed to get out before Mercy flew through the d oor of the kitchen and into the arms of the young man cutting him off .
         The teen’s large arms enveloped her small frame i mmediately pulling her against him . “Hey angel it’s good to see you,” h e said taking a deep whiff of her intoxicating scent. S omething he missed sorely in the year he had been away.
         He first met Mercy when she cam e to live with her brothers after her parent ’ s tragic deaths . She had been on the front porch when he had co me to visit Lucan , her eyes swollen with tears , her fragile little body shaking with great big sobs . H e offered her a sympathetic e ar and the comfort of a friend, but f rom the moment, he held her tiny hand in his he knew they were destined for one another . H e did not sh are the information though , for fear, her brothers might not let him near her as she grew up.
         “I’m so glad you home, I missed you so much, ” she murmured against his chest .
         “ I  missed you too,” h e replied hugging tighter.
         “Yeah I bet. How ma ny girls were chasing you while you were away? ” s he chided .
         “ None prettier than you, ” h e answered kissing her forehead .
         “Letch, ” s he teased moving from hi