Free Shifters Rule (Rule Series) by K.C. Blake

“That was a neat trick you pulled the other night, disappearing into thin air.   How’d you do it?”
    Jersey shrugged, a slight tilt to his lips.   “I have to keep some things secret.”
    “Were you responsible for Andrew’s death?”
    “What if I was?   What are you going to do about it?”
    Jack sank another ball.   He kept his cool despite Jersey ’s obvious attempt to throw him off by making him angry.   Silver’s necklace and the diary were both on the line.   No matter what garbage came out of Jersey ’s mouth, Jack intended to focus on the game at hand.   He had to win.   Losing was not an option.
    “It was a simple question,” Jack said.   “Did you kill Andrew?   Or did you have someone else do your dirty work for you?”
    Jersey lost the amused expression.   “This may come as a shock to you, but I do not control every werewolf in the world.   In fact, I have contact with very few of my kind.   Andrew Reign was a hunter.   It’s a dangerous profession.   If you are going to play with the big boys, you need to learn how to lose gracefully.”
    “Not tonight.”
    Jack hit another ball in.
    Jersey ’s amused look returned.   “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were hustling me, Jack.”
    “I told you I used to play.”
    “Yes you did.”
    Jack continued on until only the eight ball remained.   His palms began to sweat.   He wiped them on his jeans before taking his final shot.   Pointing at the corner pocket, he got ready to hit the eight ball in.   As he was preparing to strike the cue ball, someone stumbled into him, hitting his arm.  
    The drunk guy mumbled an apology, but the damage was already done.
    Jack watched in horror as the cue ball rolled in the direction of the pocket next to Jersey .   The eight ball went into the right pocket, but if the cue ball also went in he was the loser.   Hitting the cue ball in while trying to sink the eight ball was called a Scratch.   It was the worst way to lose.   His brother used to laugh every time he screwed up and hit the cue ball in on his last shot.
    But this wasn’t a laughing matter.
    He would have to turn over the diary to the enemy, and Silver would never get her necklace back.   He’d really screwed up this time.
    Jersey reached a hand out at the last second and snatched the cue ball off the table.   He shrugged.   “You would have won if that jerk hadn’t hit your arm, and I am a man of my word.   The necklace is yours.”
    Jack didn’t know what to say.   Stunned, he lifted the chain into the air and stared at the dagger charm in wonder.   His prize.   Silver was going to be so happy to see it.   Well, maybe not happy.   Her father was still dead.   But she would feel better at least.  
    “I don’t understand,” Jack said.   His eyes narrowed on the werewolf.   Suspicion that it was another fake necklace surfaced.   It was also possible the necklace had been cursed to do something to Silver.   “Why?”
    “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to look a gift horse in the mouth?   Take the necklace.   Enjoy your win.”
    While holding Jersey ’s gaze, Jack put the necklace around his own neck.   The werewolf’s close proximity set the charm to burning.   Now Jack knew the burden Silver lived with on a daily basis.   It not only hurt, the pain was distracting.   How could she fight with this thing wrapped around her neck?
    “Say I believe you about not having anything to do with Andrew’s death?   What about Billy?   Did you take my brother from me?   Did you turn him into a werewolf or did someone else do it?”
    “Will knowing who changed your brother help you deal with it?   Will you be able to grieve for him and move on?   Because I’ll tell you exactly what happened to him if it will give you peace.”
    It wouldn’t.   The only thing that would help Jack is being able to kill Jersey .   Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t strong enough yet, and they both knew it.