Page 2 of A Pack of Lies and a Big Bad Wolf

Outside, country music twangs, barely heard over the hum of the crowds. “I wonder if we could have done more. For starters, I would like to know if he had any wolf at all in him. If so, I actually had an idea-”

I cut her off. “We had other things on our minds.”

We’ve had some flare-ups with the Frostbanes, who are increasingly acting as if they want a pack war. She had to heal some of our pack members who were severely injured in a fight, and it had drained her to the point of exhaustion for a week. We’re also negotiating sales of our herbal cures to several other packs in bordering states. We’ve always got pack business going on.

She’s still side-eyeing me. I think of reminding her that we gave Stephen Crowley his money back and a nice meal for the road before we sent him on his way, when we had no legal obligation to do either, but I’m the Alpha. I don’t have to justify anything.

“The hair on your arms is standing up,” she informs me. I frown. She’s right. My heartbeat is accelerating; my fangs are itching to descend.

She gives me a puzzled look and twists around in her chair, her gaze sweeping the tent. “Something’s bothering you, but it’s not bothering me. Odd.”

“Frostbane douchewads walking by the tent?” I murmur. Bram straightens up, his eyes sparking with interest.

“Fight?” he suggests hopefully, flexing his hands.

I shake my head at him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re basically Dax, but with a sense of humor?”

“Nobody who wants to keep breathing.” He grins fiercely.

Dax is the Sentinel for the Moonstone pack, the leader of their security detail. Even though he’s got a new mate, he’s still got a giant stick up his ass at all times and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him smile. And it’s always been for his mate.

And the Frostbanes aren’t the reason why my body is doing strange things right now. There’s no reason why they would be here. This tent is where we store our supplies for the market. There’s nothing back here for them. They may be agitating to start a pack war, but they wouldn’t do it over something as stupid as blustering into our tent.

Amaryllis takes a sip of her lemonade, her brows furrowed in concentration as she tries to puzzle out what’s affecting me. Rose’s gaze sweeps the tent, her gaze quizzical.

The tent flap flies open and a tall brunette woman barrels in, denim-blue eyes blazing with fury. Her hair is intensely brown with golden streaks in it, and an involuntary image pops in my head – me, tangling my hands in those silken strands. Now where the hell did that come from?

I do a quick survey of our intruder. She's wearing a loose white peasant blouse, dark slacks, and boots, and a leather cross body bag. Her fist is clenching the bag strap so tightly her knuckles are white.

Without meaning to, I lean in to catch a whiff of her. She smells like burnt sugar and clove smoke.

“Are you Kieran freaking Holt?” she demands. “You are, aren’t you? I can see it from the arrogant smirk on your stupid face.”

“Excuse me?” Teresa gasps, looking horrified. “Nobody talks to the Alpha that way!”

Rose coughs on her lemonade, laughing so hard her eyes water. “I don’t think she thinks you’re adorable.” She smirks at me.

Inside me, my wolf springs to life with a howl. A hot desire rushes through me. Everything else seems to fade, sound and intensity dimming, as all of my focus is drawn forcefully to her.

My cider mug shoots into the air and then comes crashing down, shattering. Cider splatters everywhere.

Amaryllis stares at me, eyes widening. She and Bram exchange alarmed glances. I have never, ever lost control of my telekinesis.

The woman is so angry she doesn't even react. "I just want you to know that you are an absolute bastard, and you've ruined my brother's life."

So, this is Olivia Crowley.

She glares at me. "And whatever magic you're trying to work on me right now? Knock it off, you son of a bitch. "

I know what magic she's talking about. I know why my body’s reacting so strongly. Because this fierce, furious, glorious woman is my fated mate.

Chapter 2

Olivia Crowley

Kieran freaking Holt.

I already knew he was a son of a bitch, but casting some kind of crazy lust spell on me? Really?