Page 48 of Chased

“Cut it out,” he growled. “Or I’ll fucking punch your face again.”

The dirtbag obviously decided his face had taken enough punishment, because he allowed Sanchez to escort him up to the side door of the Big House. Where the hell was Sugar? Sanchez didn’t have all fucking night.

He kicked the door a couple times with his combat boot, and Sugar opened it. Damn, the guy still looked like a freakin’ coke dealer—one who did blow instead of eating.

Which, if true, would also explain why the dude never seemed to sleep.

Sugar didn’t say anything. One thing Sanchez did like about him was that he didn’t give a fuck about small talk. “Here he is,” Sanchez said, shoving the guy forward. “I softened him up for you. You’re welcome.”

“Nice work,” Sugar said, in his snarky way. “Enjoy your evening.”

He took hold of the chains and led the prisoner inside, closing the door.

Sanchez heaved a sigh, wondering why he’d expected more. Sugar wasn’t about praise, and why the fuck did he suddenly feel like it would be nice to get some?

He’d done his job. That’s all that mattered.

But he wanted to see Madison, to watch her face when he did something nice, to see the appreciation in her eyes.

Fuck. He was getting soft.

All the same, knowing he was going to be with her brought some of his energy back. He pulled out his phone and texted her: Mission accomplished. Be there in five

Down the mountain, he heard a wolf give three sharp yips. Cisco, on the trail of something.

Matéo’s wolf answered, and then Cisco came back with the combination of yips that signaled ‘rabbit.’

Well, a rabbit wasn’t much of a challenge, but it was still a kill. Maybe a successful hunt would settle their wolves and he wouldn’t have to deal with them later.

He headed for the truck, listening idly to his cousins. Matéo yipped, ‘big rabbit.’

Sanchez froze, then looked at his phone. Madison hadn’t responded.

His blood turned to ice. She couldn’t have Changed while she was waiting, could she? She couldn’t have been that stupid.

He texted again: Madison?

But he didn’t wait for her reply. He jumped into the truck and peeled out, heading down the access road as fast as he dared.

Madison still hadn’t answered his texts by the time he skidded to a stop in front of her cabin. Her porch light was on, and he could see her tablet lying on the porch floor, and her clothes in a pile next to it.

Damn. What the fuck had possessed her to Change now? He picked up the tablet automatically, his thumb swiping over the surface, and it woke up. At a glance, he took in the document she’d been looking at.

Shit. That fucker Levesque was coming for her. No wonder her rabbit had freaked.

He followed her scent trail around to the overgrown garden. His cousins’ scents were everywhere, and he could see the trampled plants.

Up the hillside, he heard their hunting yips again.

Sanchez shucked his clothes and Changed almost in one movement. He was already running when he started baying, sending out the stand down and recall signals.

But this wasn’t a mission, and they were pissed off and filled with blood lust. He could feel them resisting him.

He bayed again, putting out all his dominance. Stand down! Stop the hunt! NOW!

And then he ran with all his heart.

Chapter 20