Read Online Wolf's Bane (Shifted) by Lynn Leite - Free Book Online Page B

asked.
    “I killed his son. Warren Bane isn’t exactly father of the year . It was probably taken as more of an insult to his authority. When the council stepped in, he wasn’t all broken up about Richard’s death. He was more concerned that I had defied his Alpha order. I hate to think about it, but he might be thinking a public execution would show the others in the pack what happened when you defy the Alpha. Then, of course, there is the possibility that he wants me alive to force a mating with one of his other sons.”
    “ Oh, hell no!” Bryce growled. Ashley placed a hand on his to calm him.
    “ He might just want me dead, but it seemed like he was more concerned with the mating and having his line strengthened. The pack has many young women in it, but Bane is careful not to allow other Alpha shifters other than his sons’ into the pack. I am the only female with an Alpha lineage in my family. Bane is all about power.”
    “He has to know you won’t agree,” Lexi said looking at Ashley.
    “I don’t think he cares whether I agree or not. If he gets to me, I won’t be given a choice. The only reason I was able to defy his Alpha command in the first place was that my will is strong. I’m sure he equates that to my lineage.”
    “ He’s trying to breed super grandchildren?” Colin said as more of a statement than a question.
    “ That would be my guess. Otherwise, why not just send them to kill me?”
    “ Ash, these men your friend mentioned, what do you know about them?” Drew asked in an Alpha tone.
    “They are enforcers. They were with Richard the night I was attacked. I’m actually surprised Bane didn’t have them executed when they failed to protect his son.”
    “ Sending them here might as well be an execution,” Aiden growled. “If they come after you, it is a death sentence. You have both the Reiner pack and the Cheveyos protecting you.”
    “ You know what? That might be it,” Matt said. Ashley could tell the were had an idea. She could almost see the wheels turning in the man’s head. “Ashley, Bane knows Drew’s your uncle, right?”
    “ Yeah, that’s why the whole mating thing was even arranged.” Ashley looked at her uncle who had a pained look on his face. “Uncle, it isn’t your fault. It’s just a fact,” she tried to tell him. She could tell he was now thinking it was his fault.
    Matt continued. “He knows you’re probably here with Drew. What he doesn’t know is that the Cheveyo pack has any connection. Lexi and Gage’s mating was recent. He won’t expect another pack defending you. The Reiner pack is small. He might think he can get to you?”
    “ They are probably watching for you somewhere in the area,” Lars agreed with his son.
    Gage nodded . He seemed to be following the thoughts of the others. Ashley wasn’t. “So what are you thinking?”
    Matt thought for a moment before speaking. “I was thinking we let them see her.”
    “ What!” Bryce roared.
    “Calm down. Let me finish. What if we let them follow Ashley on our terms. We can seem like we’re hiding her somewhere. Then when they come, they won’t expect the Cheveyo guard to be anywhere near. It will look like an easy job.”
    “You’re suggesting we use her as bait?” Bryce tried to calm the rage building inside him.
    “Bryce, it makes sense,” Ashley agreed.
    “You’re seriously considering this?” Ashley was once again floored by the differences in the pack she had grown up in and this one. Her mate was letting her decide. He wasn’t demanding she do it his way.
    “I am considering it. Maverick said he would help . Maybe taking him up on his offer is the best way to end this.”
    “I don’t like it,” Bryce groaned.
    “I didn’t think you would, but think about it. I can’t just hide here. I can’t go off on my own; they would follow me for sure.”
    “ So we get the two were’s that are following you, then what? Won’t Bane just send more?”
    “ Let him send more,”