Page 59

“Yup.” Michael popped the ‘p.’ “Luna was over last night to run drills with the other pups and she’s ovulating.”

“He didn’t!”

“No, but his wolf sure as hell tried. Sara and Nathon were here, getting ready for patrol. They and the elders got him off her and Sara about ripped his head off.”

Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Is Luna okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. Sara let her get a few good hits on him and told her she could train at home until she felt comfortable coming back.”

He thanked his lucky stars for Sara, a no-nonsense hard-ass when it came to pack behavior. She’d been a very good choice for third-in-command.

“Is Dan working at the lumberyard today?”

“Yeah, he already left.” Michael eyed him. “He feels terrible, ya know. Try not to be too hard on him.”

“I think Luna would have a very different opinion on that,” he said through his teeth. “Jesus Christ, I’m fairly certain she doesn’t even like guys. Not that that matters when Dan is acting like a wild fucking animal.”

Thomas was grateful Dan had already left. With the mood he was in, he didn’t think he would be able to control himself and not cause permanent damage to him. By the time he got to the lumberyard, he’d be in a better headspace to deal with him.

Huffing out a sigh, he turned to the garage. Michael said the elders had been over last night when this happened. Great. That meant they had even more ammunition to use against him. Another argument to bring to his attention, to berate him for being a terrible Alpha for letting strays into his pack, threatening the pack’s strength and unity.

“Hold up,” Michael called after him. “I’m making pancakes for everyone.”

“No thanks,” he grumbled. “I’m not hungry.”

“You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

“You know that’s Maria’s bathrobe,” Tom snipped.

“She told me I could have it.”

“Oh?” Tom arched a brow at him.

“Yes, she told me I could have it as long as I—” Snapping his mouth shut his eyes bugged.

“As long as you what, Michael?”

“Nothing!” he said too fast. “She just knows you can’t fend for yourself is all. Wants me to keep you fed.”

“Well, now I know you’re a terrible liar. That information will come in handy in the future.”

Turning back, Tom pulled a granola bar from the pantry, waved it at Michael, then went out to the garage.

Checking his phone, his heart fell. What was he expecting? A lengthy text message from her with profuse apologies, confessing how much she cared for him and wanted to see him again?

Grumbling to himself, he tossed his phone onto the passenger seat and started the engine. He had to visit the mills and couldn’t afford to be distracted.

Fourteen

Thomas

By two in the afternoon, he was back at the house, sitting in his home office library. His brother on video call, the tablet propped up in the corner. A spread of paperwork littered his desk. Tom pinched the bridge of his nose as he exhaled.

“Okay, so what does all of that mean?” he asked, his patience wearing. “Is the board mad? Do we need to hire more so we can increase output?”

“The board is never happy,” James said. “They care too much about their money.”

“Oh, my mistake, I was under the impression money is what kept my family and my employees fed and housed.”