Cook, Kris - Primal Desire [Texas Wolf Pack 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kris Cook Page A

fight, but this is our business. You’re only here because we asked you.”
    Your call, I guess. But if this lone wolf moves a single muscle, I will, without hesitation… The angry tribesman shifted and stood up on his two human legs. He glared at Luke. “Rance may trust you not to pounce. I don’t. Time for you to shift, too, asshole, or get ready to feel my fangs in your worthless carcass.”
    It’ll be your funeral. Despite the apparent truce from Rance, Luke considered remaining in wolf form due to Hawk’s threat. Remaining on all fours gave him a clear advantage over the three other men, now in human form. But as the image of Megan, naked and in his arms, appeared in his mind, he relented. If he could avoid bloodshed today to please her, he would. If not, so be it.
    He pulled from the very center of his being and transformed back into his human shape.
    Hawk curled his hands into fists. Luke respected that. The guy was no pushover.
    “Thanks.” Rance nodded.
    “For what?” Hawk’s face darkened. “He’s done nothing to earn our thanks. He’s the one who chose not to be part of the tribe. Fuck him.”
    Luke wondered where this standoff would end. Like him, Hawk was hot with rage and ready to go fist to fist, claw to claw, fang to fang until blood spilled. Troy wasn’t far from it either. Only Rance seemed hesitant to spill blood, but only just a bit. Every minute he wasn’t next to Megan and these males were within pouncing distance of her fueled his blackness. His mind began to replay the accident that took his parents from him.
    “Fuck no,” Luke cursed, willing the memory away.
    Hawk took a step toward him.
    Bring it on.
    Rance moved between them. “Cool it, Hawk. He hasn’t hurt anyone. We are only here to make sure the women are safe.”
    The hothead growled. “Well, if you and Troy are satisfied that this piece of shit is harmless, I’m out of here.”
    Rance nodded. “Fine. Go.”
    Hawk shook his head. “Okay.” Then he fixed his stare on Luke. “You shouldn’t have left the tribe, cousin. You’ve brought shame to our family.” Then he shifted into his wolf shape and ran back the way he’d come.
    Troy leaned against a tree. “Don’t hold it against your cousin, Luke. He’s got his own set of issues to deal with.”
    “I know.” He’d watched Hawk immerse himself in the tribe, becoming its most ardent self-appointed defender.
    Luke had been proud of him, but after his parents died, he’d pushed his aunt, the tribe, and even Hawk away. The kid had been crushed. So many times Luke had thought to reach out to him over the years, but the blackness and guilt in his own heart kept him from it. Hawk would have to sort things out on his own.
    “Are you ready to stop threatening us, Luke?” Troy asked.
    He looked in his eyes and saw no fear or judgment. “No threats, Keekoti. I just want you off my land.”
    “Not a good idea for you.”
    “Why not?”
    “You want to keep your mate, right?”
    His ears perked up. What could they tell him that would help him with Megan? He wasn’t sure, but advice from the two guys engaged to his mate’s sister might be worth listening to. “You’ve got sixty seconds.”
    Rance chuckled. “You’re too much, Luke.”
    “He’s got a two-ton chip on his shoulder, bro.”
    “Are you two going to cluck like a couple of hens, or are you going to tell me what you came here to say?”
    Troy shrugged. “No sense of humor. Too bad. Megan isn’t like you, Luke. She enjoys being with people, especially her sister and grandmother.”
    “She’s with them now. I don’t see a problem.”
    “I bet you don’t.” Rance continued, “Black and white. That’s how it is with you. Your way or the highway.”
    “Do you two have a point?”
    “Ask yourself this question, Luke—can you make Megan happy if you keep her locked up in your cabin like a prisoner?”
    Troy answered for him. “You know you can’t.”
    Luke couldn’t deny that they might be