Reese (Pack of Misfits #2) - Raven Kennedy Page 0,24

I ask curiously. The size of Hugo’s jaguar was the biggest animal I’ve ever seen. If this is a pack of them, then Sid won’t stand a chance, but I’m confused about Zoey’s animal fitting in here with them.

Lug Nut shakes his head. “No. We’re all different.”

I frown. “What do you mean you’re all different?”

First the equals thing, and now they’re all different? Sometimes, two packs of similar animals will merge—like mine did with Sid’s—but even that doesn’t happen very often.

He gives me a sidelong look. “We’re Pack Aberrant,” he says expectantly, as if that should mean something to me.

I just stare at him blankly.

“The Pack of Misfits?” he supplies.

My eyes widen. “Holy shit. That’s you? That’s here?” I ask with surprise, looking around at the four of them with newfound realization.

I’ve heard of them, of course. I think every shifter has heard of them. A pack where all are welcome. Where the alpha doesn’t toss out runts or exile the weak. An alpha who doesn’t force his members to fight for positions. A pack that’s more like a family than a hierarchy. It’s a fairytale in the shifter world.

“Yep,” Addie nods with pride. “That’s us.”

“I didn’t think you guys were even real,” I admit quietly. “I thought it was just stories. Or maybe a pack of just a few random rogues.”

To that, all four of them chuckle. “We keep the whereabouts of our pack fairly quiet to keep from having territory wars. But more and more people know we’re here, and we grow larger every year,” Hugo admits.

My eyes dart between them. “But aren’t the misfits…” my voice trails off, and my cheeks heat up at what I’d been about to say.

“What?” Addie prompts.

Damn. I don’t want to insult them. “Well...Prey? Weaklings?”

To my relief, instead of looking offended, Addie just snorts. “Some of us might be prey, but none of us are weak.”

“Sorry,” I quickly say. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yeah, you did,” she says with a smirk. “But it’s okay. Lots of outsiders underestimate us. And that’s a good thing.”

“So if Sid comes here, you guys can handle it?”

Hugo doesn’t hesitate to nod. “We’ll take care of him and every other asshole who comes after him.”

My brows kick up at his give-no-fucks tone.

Addie beams at my expression. “See? How could the misfits ever be weak with an alpha like this? Hugo is a total badass,” she says, giving the alpha a little nudge with her elbow. The grizzled male rolls his eyes, but I can see the fatherly affection he has for her.

“So...what do you say?” Addie asks.

I don’t even hesitate. I’ve seen and heard enough. “I would friggen love to be a part of your pack.” My voice hitches on the last word. I’m so humbled by their generosity, their loyalty to me, when they don’t even know me.

Addie’s grin widens. “Yay! This is gonna be great. You’re gonna love it here.”

“Before Addie gets you settled, I’ll need you to come with me and Igor,” Hugo says, motioning toward the scary bald guy. “We’ll meet with the pack enforcers, and you can tell them all the information you possibly can on your old pack so that we have an idea of what might come our way.”

I nibble on my lip. “But...are you sure you can handle them? Sid is pretty sleazy.”

In response, Hugo grins. It’s a slow smile filled with danger, and for the first time, I can see the feline ferocity in his face. It makes chills scatter over my skin. “We’ve handled plenty of prick pack leaders in the past, and we look forward to dealing with him in the future. Him and Rick both.”

Addie practically bounces on her feet, like that’s the best thing she’s heard all day. “Isn’t he great? So bloodthirsty,” she says, patting him on the arm. “He gets a real rush out of making trouble for asshole alphas. Let him have his fun.”

“If you’re sure…” I say. “I really don’t want to cause trouble for you guys. You’ve done so much for me already. You saved my life. I’m in your debt.”

“We don’t carry debts here. We’re a family. We protect each other,” Lug Nut says, and damn if my stomach doesn’t do a little flip.

If only all shifter packs were like this. Imagine how much better the world would be! I can’t help but look at them with a bit of awe. “You don’t know me. Why would you offer to let me stay here? I’m just a