Addie (Pack of Misfits #1) - Raven Kennedy Page 0,73

were looking for, but we actually found it. And we sure as hell aren’t going to let shitty, hateful shifters like Rockhead mess with our new pack or our mate. They’ll have to go through us first.

16

Addie

“Sneaking away?”

Jetta tenses and stops in her tracks at my voice. She turns around, finding me up in the warehouse catwalk on the second floor. I came back to my place to shower and get ready for tonight, while the guys stayed back with Hugo for their pack initiation meeting. Hopefully it’s going well. I left right after Hugo shifted into his jaguar form and swiped a clawed paw at all three of the guys, making them land on their asses.

Hugo roared at them a little too, no doubt telling them off for how they treated me. Gotta say, it filled me with the warm and fuzzies. If that isn’t fatherly love, I don’t know what is.

I take the stairs down to meet Jetta, who has a plastic grocery bag slung over her arm. She’s wearing the same outfit as the day she came here, tattered jean shorts with black fishnets, and her signature leather jacket. Her black and white hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, and other than the deep red lipstick, her face is bare.

My eyes flick down to the bag in her hand. “If you were gonna run away, you could’ve at least stolen more clothes.”

She snorts. “Your clothes are a bit too preppy and nerdy for me. How is it you have a drawer full of Napoleon Dynamite shirts right next to girly ass frilly skirts, but you don’t own a single plain black t-shirt?”

“My taste is sophisticated.”

She smiles without showing any teeth, and I lean against the doorway. “You could stay, you know.”

She sighs and swipes a hand across her perfectly arched brows. “I know. But the troupe master will be after me, and I don’t want your pack to suffer because of me.”

“We can handle him.”

“I appreciate the confidence, but I know him and what he’s capable of. You don’t want that here.”

“What I don’t want is for you to leave.”

“Addie…”

“Come on, Jetta. Talk to Hugo. You can trust him. If you give him more information, we can try to stay one step ahead of your old troupe master. But he can’t track you,” I remind her, looking down at the collar that’s still wrapped around her pale neck. “And he doesn’t know you’re here. I’m not saying you have to join Pack Aberrant right this second, but you should think about it at least. These shifters...they’re my family. You deserve to have that too. They’ll accept you exactly as you are, and we can help you with Troupe Delirium.”

“I don’t need you all to fight my battles.”

“I know that. I’ve seen you fight, remember?”

She looks at the door and shuffles on her feet. I can see the indecision warring in her eyes. She wants to stay. She just needs to know that she’s wanted. I don’t think Jetta has ever been wanted before. Owned, yes. Expected to perform, definitely. But wanted and accepted for who she is? Never.

“Maybe you don’t have to do things on your own anymore,” I tell her. “No one is beating down our gates. Stay. Get to know everyone. Talk to Hugo. Then, if you still want to leave, I’ll personally make sure you have black t-shirts to steal before you go.”

She laughs lightly and chews on her lip. I want so badly for her to stay, but I know that I can’t push her. She’s never been free before. She’s been kept in a collar all her life. She should be able to decide how to live, and if she chooses to walk, then I’ll support her.

“Dammit, Aderyn Locke,” she finally sighs. “Why’d you have to go and convince me?”

I beam and reach for her bag before she can change her mind. “Really? You’ll stay?”

She hands it over and nods. “For now.”

“It’s a deal,” I say, ecstatic.

“What’s a deal?”

I turn to see all three of my coyote mates strutting inside from the back door. “Jetta is staying on pack land for a while,” I say happily. “How about you three? How did it go with Hugo?” I’m trying not to be nervous, but...I’m nervous. Hugo is protective of me, and he’s an excellent judge of character. What if he denied them? What will I do?

But my fear is instantly alleviated when Lafe turns his neck and I see a leftover