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So Rand had expected so, some wariness from the pack leader But even before Fane's cryptic co on

When Rand invited Fane to take a seat on a fallen log so they could talk, the shifter looked as if he id Since Fane kept Cai upwind and in his view, Rand ht have attributed it to suspicion of another species, but Fane seemed even more suspicious of Rand

Since Fane wasn't being forthcos, Rand decided to start hy they were here and see if that broke anything loose in Fane's attitude As Rand briefly explained theirup a branch, he began to whittle on it with his glea knife, probably his attempt to look as harmless as possible

Though the vampire could choose to shoot his mouth off at the ures triggered that trait quicker than a potential wolf ally Rand counted it as a surprising blessing with a limited shelf life He had no doubt, despite his disinterested facade, that Cai was listening to their exchange intently

All that was fine What wasn't fine was how often the va appreciation as the shifter rested his elbows on his splayed knees, head bowed in concentration over Rand's words Fane's long ropes of hair slid forward over his brown shoulders

Cut it out, Cai He's already acting twitchy If he figures out you're eyeing hiressive and less cooperative Most wolves aren't that tolerant of ender

Sure you're not just jealous?

He suspected the vampire could tell exactly what Rand's reactions were He couldn't help his wolf's possessiveness; it was that ain, which could be tripped even after a casual coupling Rand kne to recognize it, and e it for what it was He just wasn't used to so able to pick up on it He turned his attention back to Fane

"We've no intent of pulling your pack into this I' if you've seen theroup, three to five vaate roup They'd have a female vampire with them"

Fane lifted his head For the first tih his dark gaze shifted froain When he spoke, he went a different direction, as if Rand's infor other, far more important questions he had And he wasn't satisfied with the answers

"Why aren't you with a pack, Rand? News travels There was talk It's said that you killed Grey" Fane's jaw set "And a litter of his pups"

"What?"

Aggression and affront ca a step toward the other shifter in mindless reaction Fane caot this

Then caloes for you, I' out

That was unexpected, but maybe vampires had their own streak of possessiveness Or le a va with them

Cute Asshole But he could feel Cai's affront on his behalf, reinforced by the vauy know anything about you?

It echoed Rand's senti have you known me, Fane?" he asked, quiet and cold "In what universe would I ever harm a pup?"

"I've known you," theeye contact "But no one has seen you for over two years I haven't seen or heard fro with a varew equally cool "Word is, you got angry when Dylef mated with Sheba You killed them and their litter of pups, as well as Sylvan's, and torched their house That's why you dropped out of sight"

Rand'swith the idea that anyone could thinkbut then, realistically, how could they not? The house had been on fire, and, remote as they were, that would attract attention He'd only had time to put the bodies killed outside the house into the flames before he'd had to shift and leave

He'd hated throwing Grey's in with them, since it was the only burial site his family had, but without dental records or other ways to identify the bodies, there needed to be a body that could pass as his Grey's followers had run with their tails between their legs, but he should have anticipated they would spread lies Lies that had only groithout hi in any shifter's territory to provide a different story and defend himself

The Colorado shiftersmore familiar with Grey and his betas, but shifters on this side of the country wouldn't have that background The betas could easily erslocal shifter news they'd "heard"

Vindictive bastards, trying to make sure you couldn't find a place for yourself if you surfaced After we get done here, we'll run their asses down and set the-them-first step More fun the other way