Page 32 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
“You wanted to talk?” I ask, staying in the vehicle after killing the engine.
He nods, keeping his voice calm and controlled. It’s the same tone he uses with just about everyone. “The scouts tracked some movement just north of the ridge. We’re assuming Wraith Peak wolves.”
“How many?”
“Three different signatures were picked up, but they could be on some kind of rotation. They’re still looking.”
My jaw tightens, not liking the thought of them being so near again. I have half the mind to wonder if it’s the ones from before, but I doubt Dawson allowed them to take up those hunting rights.
If not them, then his other wolves are testing boundaries and surely looking for any weaknesses.
“Have they crossed or interacted with anyone?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet, but they weren’t discreet about their movements either.”
They want us to know they’re lingering. Dawson likely wants me to know he isn’t backing away from his word from before.
“Then I’ll increase the number of patrols until we find out what they’re doing.”
“Already done.”
Of course.
Regardless of his smooth tone, I can still see something moving underneath his outwardly indifferent demeanor. Something unsaid, and potentially more aggravating than I want to deal with right now.
But I’m not letting it fester, and I already have the feeling I know where it will go.
“If you have more to say, then say it.”
A beat of awkwardness sits between us, and his eyes just barely narrow. “The timing isn’t ideal.”
“Timing for what?”
“Everything you have going on,” he murmurs, letting it come out now. “There are too many distractions.”
I hold his gaze, feeling the slight hesitation he clings to. “Say what you mean.”
Well aware that I won’t drop this until he’s crystal clear, Dad takes a breath and doesn’t hold his punches now. “Bonding with the girl was a mistake.”
I’m used to his unattainable standard by now, but hearing him say it outright burns.
Arms crossed, he keeps his posture straight and firm, like a wall that refuses to move. “If I were you, I never would’ve tied myself to a wolf like her. She’s weak, Luke.”
Heat floods my system immediately, filling me with anger. “Careful.”
He doesn’t flinch. “She’s untrained, and she has no loyalty to this pack. Not to mention, you don’t even know her.”
“She’s not a threat, if that’s what you’re implying,” I return, forcing myself to keep it all in despite how badly my inner wolf wants to rage. “Connections take time to develop.”
“She’s fuel to the fire, and causing instability during territorial pressure is more reckless than you realize.”
“You don’t even know her.”
“I don’t need to,” Dad says, as if he somehow has the answer to everything already. “I’ve been at this a long time, and I know the others won’t be as welcoming as you expect them to be.”
My brows furrow as the idea registers, and it only stirs up more rage inside me. “You don’t know that for sure.”
“I know she needs to be accepted just like any other Luna. She won’t have it at this rate.”
