Free The Wolf's Mate Book 1: Jason & Cadence by R.E. Butler Page A

Callie had taken an even
lower position with the females who saw her as weak on her own. It
made him angry, because Callie had been loyal to him for years,
sharing information when he asked for it even though she felt it
was betraying Cadence to do so. But Callie had to stand up for
herself whether she had her ball-busting best friend with her or
not. He watched as Callie threw herself off the porch and into
Cadence's arms when she showed up finally at 7:30. She was sobbing,
explaining that she'd never betray her, that she'd never even think
to do anything to hurt her at all, and it was like Callie was
saying what he was thinking. Why was it so simple with women, but
so difficult when it was the opposite sex?
    She had teared up but not actually cried at
Callie's admissions and apologies, and her emerald eyes were bright
green now, and she looked happy. She also looked fucking
incredible. She had on a sweet little plaid mini skirt with white
thigh high stockings with little black bows in the front, black
heels with a strap across the top, and a belly baring white
sweater. She completed the unabashed school girl look with two
ponytails high on her head, with little pink ribbons and soft
makeup. Michael turned around to give a look to Jason that said
exactly what he was thinking, "holy shit!"
    He watched as she looked around at the people
in Linus' house and gave him a suspicious glance but didn't say
anything except hello to the men. He'd chosen his highest ranking
people, and with Callie as the only female, he had hoped that
Cadence might stick around longer to protect her friend from the
others, but she was beeped on her phone almost immediately. "I'll
be there shortly, I'll call." She said to a female, but he wasn't
sure which one from the voice.
    She and Callie fell right back into old
habits, talking together and mostly ignoring the men. Michael hung
with them and tried several times to draw him and the others into
their little world, but even though Callie tried to throw
conversations his direction, Cadence seemed unmoved by the
attempts. She was buzzed three more times in a half hour, and then
finally announced she had to go. She'd barely said anything to him
and his heart fell into his knees. She kissed Linus on the cheek
and thanked him for the invite. Swiping a carrot stick from the
counter and giving a half wave to the room in general, she left,
the skirt fluffing up behind her and revealing the barest,
tantalizing view of the back of her thighs.
    His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of the
holster to see a text message from her, "Don't forget bright and
early tomorrow."
    He laughed, sadly, because she hadn't cared
at all about talking to him or being around him. "I'm sorry,
Jason." Callie said. "I don't understand why Jake's pack is being
so accommodating to her all of a sudden. It's almost like they are
purposely trying to sway her to their pack. She couldn't wait to
get out of here."
    "I know." He groaned, a feeling of
unhappiness settling over him. He hadn't meant for this to happen.
He hadn't meant for any of it to happen at all.
    "Do you think that's possible?" Linus
asked.
    "What?" He snapped.
    "That Jake's pack is purposely being nice to
her, like maybe a certain alpha wannabe has asked it of his mom, or
the females?"
    Clay, his fifth in rank, said, "Makes sense.
If Chris snagged her, their pack would have an advantage. His mom
and your mom were nearly equals, kept your dad and Jake in line and
kept a good balance, but Cadence is tougher and meaner than any
female out there. There isn't a girl in our pack that can compete
with her if she doesn't come to our pack."
    That was an unexpected revelation, but it
made perfect sense. Jason knew that Chris liked her, maybe even
loved her a little, because she was hard to be around and not fall
in love with, but if he was actually courting her right now, while
the time was Jason's, then it didn't bode well for him. Cadence's
history with Chris was much less tormented.