Free A Mate's Revenge by P. Jameson

thought I heard… howling.”
    They were quiet, listening again. Cael tossed his head back, scenting the air but there was nothing out of the ordinary.
    “I don’t hear it.”
    She shook her head. “I must have imagined it.”
    Cael scanned the perimeter once more. “Yeah, I guess so. Let’s go inside.”
    He pulled the 9mm from the bag and handed it to her. “Here, keep this with you.” She shook her head but he insisted. “It’s what we’ve been practicing for. A gun is only going to protect you if you have it on you. Otherwise, pointless.”
    “I’m safe here though. That’s what you said.”
    He nodded. “You are. But this way, you’ll know for sure.”
    She swallowed, taking the gun and shoving it in the pocket of her jacket. Cael noticed her shoulders relax, and knew he was right about this. It was going to take some time for her to feel completely safe. Even with him.

Chapter Eight
    Vesh barked an order and the other three wolves obeyed. It felt odd to be back in charge, and especially to be working with Farrow again. But Vesh needed to be the one to do this. It was his responsibility.
    He lowered his nose to the ground, tracking the scent of his sister’s heat, his claws digging into the earth as he ran.
    He was going to kill that bastard this time. No questions asked. No one would stop him. No oath would stop him. No plea for help would stop him. And certainly not fucking Trager.
    The alpha he had sworn allegiance to had to die.
    He was glad Braeh wasn’t here to witness his treachery. This was a low spot, for sure, and he wasn’t sure she’d understand. He’d just add this to his list of unforgivable sins.
    A bark to his left signaled a change in the trail. Vesh swerved in the new direction. They were closing in on them. If they tracked through the day and into the night, they’d catch up to Besh and Cael.
    Then… it was going to get really, really ugly.
    Vesh snarled and pushed forward. Soon, very soon.
    ***
    “Mommy, you can’t stop right in the middle of the story. Nobody likes a cliffhanger.”
    The little girl’s mom quirked her head. “And just where did you learn that word?”
    “Jagger told me. His mom’s an author you know. She writes books and she told him what it’s called when you quit telling a story before the end comes.”
    “Yes, I do know.”
    “You know what else?” Stella whispered scandalously. “Jagger’s mom is a cat .”
    Her mom grinned knowingly. “I did know that. That makes Jagger a cat too.”
    Stella nodded, her eyes huge as two moons. “But his dad is a human like you. So, what I want to know is, do you like cats better, or wolves?”
    “I like them both the same.”
    The little girl grinned like the sun when there were no clouds. “That is the perfect answer mommy!”
    Her mother laughed. “I think you’re trying to distract me, and you’re doing a fantastic job.” She ruffled the girl’s hair. “What am I going to do with you?”
    Stella batted her big puppy dog eyes. “Finish the story? Pleeeease?”
    “Oh, alright. But you have to promise you won’t cry at the end.”
    The girl looked distraught. “Mommy, you know I can’t do that! I just can’t make that promise. The ending always hits me right in the feels.” Her tiny fist bumped against her chest three times.
    Her mother raised an eyebrow. “And where did you learn that phrase?”
    The girl smiled. “Jagger.”
    “Jagger, huh?”
    “Yep.”
    “I wonder if we should tell your daddy about Jagger.”
    “Oh, I already did.”
    “And?”
    Stella tapped her chin, remembering. “He said he was going to have a little talk with Jagger’s daddy.”
    Her mother laughed. “I bet he did. Alright then, where were we?”
    Stella settled back in her bed. “We were just about to get to the good part. You know, where the girl is about to face her biggest fears?”
    “Oh, yes. I remember. It happened in the middle of the night…”

Chapter Nine
    The sun was setting as they finished