“Good morning,” Jackson said, looking around. “Where is your Enforcer?”
Seth set his feet but kept his hands loose at his sides. “Don’t need any backup right now. Do you want to make a challenge?”
Jackson looped his thumbs into the front pockets of his worn jeans. “Not really. If I did, I would’ve already hit you.”
Seth grinned. “Why are you in my territory? I told you I have no interest in being Alpha of the Granite Pack, and as you can see, I have my hands full here.” His mother had been a member of the Granite Pack, and Seth probably would’ve stepped up as Alpha at some point if she hadn’t married Ben. Now, Seth was more than content being the Alpha of the Silver Pack.
Jackson nodded. “I’m well aware of your job description, cousin. However…” He shifted his weight as if uncomfortable. “I wanted to warn you.”
The hair at Seth’s nape rose. “Warn me? Are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m warning you.” Jackson rolled his eyes. “Would you learn to listen?”
Seth cocked his head. “I’m listening.”
Jackson swallowed. “I was contacted by Yassi last night. The guy actually called me. Didn’t know he was aware we had modern phones these days.” Yassi was the Alpha of the Copper Pack. He was ancient and known to hate technology.
Warning pricked Seth’s skin. “Why did Yassi call you?”
“He wanted to let me know that Mia is pregnant, and conception probably happened before you mated her,” Jackson said easily.
Seth tuned in to the surrounding area to make sure no other shifters approached. He and his cousin were alone right now. “I’m not confirming that to be true, but if it were, are you a threat to her?” He met his cousin’s gaze evenly.
Jackson studied him right back. “No. I don’t know if the legends are true, and frankly, I don’t care. If there is a problem with your kid, I expect you to take care of it.” His lips twitched. “Besides, let’s be honest, there’s no way your kid wouldn’t be feral.”
Seth didn’t give any indication, but his body relaxed. He really didn’t want his mother’s old pack coming after him or his child. He’d hate to have to kill them all. “Why are you telling me this?”
Jackson shrugged. “We’re cousins and I don’t think anybody should ever target a baby or a pregnant woman. It’s that simple.” He stiffened and turned his head toward the house where Emily had emerged and was standing on the porch.
She put her hands on her hips. “Do you need backup, Seth?”
Jackson took a step toward her. “You bet he does. Why don’t you come take me on?”
The man must not know Emily well because she didn’t retort. Instead, she stomped down the stairs right at them. Seth turned to watch one of his oldest friends as she stalked toward danger.
Today, she wore a light pink sweater, faded jeans, and boots that showed off her incredibly long legs. Her hair was in a ponytail, and the bruising was still evident across her face. It had yellowed and would soon fade even more, but Seth could hear Jackson growl when he caught sight of the wounds. She walked right to him and then looked the several inches up to his face. She was a tall woman at six feet, but Seth’s cousin was much taller. “You want to fight, Jackson?” she murmured.
To his credit, Jackson didn’t back away. “If I do, I’ll wait till you’re not bruised and battered.” His nostrils flared. “Who did this to you?”
“None of your damn business,” she snapped, her color heightened.
“Oh, it’s my business, baby,” he muttered. “Tell me, or I’ll find out on my own.”
Seth watched the two, torn between wanting to see what would happen and knowing that Emily was engaged to his brother. “Jackson, you’ve given me your message. It’s time for you to go.”
“For now,” Jackson agreed, taking a step back. “I’ll see you real soon, Em.” With that, he turned on his heel and strode back into the forest.
Seth quirked an eyebrow as he looked at Emily.
“What?” she asked.
He didn’t have time for this. “Come on,” Seth muttered.
“Jackson is an ass. That’s all there is to it.” She turned around and stomped back toward the house.
Seth watched her go and then looked at the now-empty forest. He wasn’t the most insightful guy, but that definitely wasnotall there was to it.
Chapter24
