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Marcus winced "I didn’t at first"

"No one ill rip strips of flesh from my son’s back is welcome here!" declared Kathy

"Your son had every chance to stop antagonizing Jesse," began Harley, "but he kept at it--even when Jesse tried to walk away He was trying to pick a fight You should thank otten involved, they probably would have fought"

"Thank you? I should thank you?"

"You don’t have to actually say the words A box of chocolates will do just fine"

Everyone froze as Nick, Derren, and Ally walked out of the trees Taking in the situation, the Alpha scowled "What the hell is going on here? I got a call froh the forest like you were on some kind of crusade"

Kathy turned to her oldest son "You sahat she did to Eli!"

"Yes, I did" Nick’s jaw tightened "And I told you to let it alone Just like I told Roni that Eli wasn’t a victih so his decisions This is not helping Roni, you know better than to let Monored her

Fed up with this shit, Jesse announced, "We’re done here" He took a step back, placing hireat deal of respect for you, Kathy, but you lost a lot of that today"

The fire in Kathy’s eyes di my son"

Harley shook her head, incredulous "Eli used Jesse as both a physical and e If you can defend that, if you’re willing to defend that, you don’t deserve the trust Jesse has in you" Spinning on her heel, Harley hed at the crowd "Eli i Harley here would make me pull away from the pack Ironic that if I pull away to any extent, it will be because of what you guys did today Not because of her" Before anyone could say another word, he returned to the lodge, sla the door behind hi out theHe slowly curled his arms around her and kissed her nape "I’m sorry about that, sweetheart" She hadn’t deserved any of that

"Not your fault"

"I want you to feel safe here" He wanted her to find peace in this place That was hardly going to happen when she had his pack ain "I won’t try to defend what Roni did tonight I will say that she’s a good person She’s very protective of her baby brother Her motherwell, she knohat buttons to push"

"I know I’m not mad at Roni," said Harley truthfully "I knoabout Clive"

"Yep" Her father had a whole species eating out of his hand because he kne to play others so well "I won’t say Kathy is quite as talented as he is at it, but she’s good"

Gently turning Harley to face hie her shoulders "I knew Kathy would have proble here I didn’t expect her to pit you and Roni against each other I don’t think anyone would have expected that"