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

If he tried to suck Jersey ’s soul out, Jersey would take his before he could blink.   It would be over before it began.   Then Silver wouldn’t have him to lean on.   She needed him now more than ever.   He couldn’t afford to die today.
    He asked, “Why did you call me here?”
    Jersey shrugged.   “I suppose I was feeling a bit nostalgic and wanted to play a game of pool with an old friend.”
    “Why don’t I believe that?”
    “It’s sad when someone becomes too jaded to recognize a friendly overture.”
    Jack got the feeling Jersey was playing a cat-and-mouse game with him.   He was the mouse.   Jersey wanted the diary, but he had allowed Jack to win on a technicality.   The werewolf was up to something.   It was going to drive Jack crazy until he figured out what.   “If there’s nothing else, I guess I’ll go.”
    “Have a good night.”   Jersey smirked.
    Jack took a step toward the door, wondering if Jersey was really going to let him leave in one piece.   Jersey continued to stand next to the pool table, stick in hand and a smug smile on his face.
    .
    *****

Chapter Six:
    SECRET BOYFRIEND
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    .
    Life moved on.
    In the weeks following Andrew’s death, Silver lived like a ghost.   She didn’t speak more than a few words a day and hardly ate more than a bite.   Having her necklace back brought a bit of relief to her eyes.   Not enough to suit Jack.   He refused to go home in case she needed him.   Her mom wasn’t doing much better.   Ian dropped in a couple of times a day to check on them.   He wore a dark scowl and never missed an opportunity to warn Jack to watch his step.
    Jack stayed at the Reign home with Vanessa’s blessing.   He stayed to be near Silver.   Getting away from his uncle was an added bonus.   Home was the last place he wanted to be.   Ian made his feelings dangerously clear.   He feared Jack was going to turn out like his crazy grandfather.   Nothing Jack said seemed to have any effect on his uncle.   Ian was determined to hate him.
    Jack didn’t want to be the next one to burn from the inside out.
    Hopefully Billy would avoid the farmhouse in Jack’s absence.
    It was twenty-four days after her father’s funeral when Silver turned a corner in the grieving process.   She woke with someone else on her mind.   Jack was lying next to her, staring at the ceiling and contemplating the mess his life had become.
    She said, “I’m worried about Trina.”
    Startled by the sound of her voice, a voice he hadn’t heard in what seemed like months, he nearly jumped out of his skin.   He rolled onto his side to face her after his heart slowed to normal beats again.   “Why are you worried about Trina?”
    “She has a new boyfriend, but she won’t tell me anything about him.   It isn’t like her to be so secretive.   I don’t like it.   Trina tells me everything.   At least she used to.”
    “And she will again.   Give her time.”
    “How much time?”
    He shrugged.   “I don’t know.   As much as she needs, I guess.”
    “So I’m just supposed to ignore how she’s changing?   Since my dad died I’ve hardly seen her.   The old Trina would have been fighting with you over who gets to stay with me, but she barely dropped in for the funeral.   Where is she?   Where is my best friend?”
    Dart through the heart.   Okay, she had known Trina longer, but deep down he believed he was her best friend.   The fact she didn’t feel the same way hurt him more than he cared to admit.   He pushed the negative feelings aside and refocused his thoughts on her.
    Jack rolled onto his back and put his arm around her, pulling her close against his side.   Grief came in many shapes and forms.   Let her deal with it her way.   If it made her feel better to talk about her concern for Trina, he wasn’t going to send her mind in another direction.   His arm tightened around her.   He kissed the top of her head.
    Silver said, “I was wondering if you would