Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,93

trying to identify the problem. Waving them down to make it clear everything was ok, I headed that way, leaning in the window of Trent's truck.

"Lane," I said, catching his eye. "Take my truck. Once they're all dressed again, follow Elena and the girls home. Make sure they're both as ok as they think they are. Gabby has a nick on her ear. I'm not sure about Olivia."

"Elena?" he asked.

"She's fine," I promised. "Roman jumped in the middle. The boy's going to need some stitches, but he made sure Elena was safe. Kim and the girls helped, but Roman didn't hesitate. Right now, I need you to guard her, ok?"

He got out of the truck and stood before me. "Thank you, Ian."

I just slapped his arm. "Figured you'd be useless for anything else. Now, I need to borrow these guys."

I climbed into the back seat, taking Lane's place. Only once the big guy had made his way over to Elena did I let my other betas know what we were going to do. It was simple: kick Karen out. She'd just crossed the line. Her father wouldn't be happy about it, but he'd made it clear that he knew she was putting me in a bind. She also wasn't listening to him, and there was nothing else he could do about it.

Trent backed out of the parking area, and headed right for Karen's house. There was no attempt to be subtle about it. No false smiles to keep the neighbors from worrying. Instead, as we got out of the truck, the guys moved to flank me, making it clear that this was a group effort. Trent was on my left, Pax on my right, and Seth just behind me.

I, however, was the one who pounded my fist on the door. "I know you're in there," I yelled at the house. "Open the door or I will, Karen."

A minute went by with nothing. I didn't bother knocking again. I simply held out my hand. Pax slapped one of the master keys into it, and I shoved that into the lock. My anger was simmering, causing every muscle in my body to tense. I wanted to growl, to tear this woman's throat out, or something, but I was resisting. I just had to unlock the door, and then we'd make sure she was never a problem again.

I got the deadbolt open, and the other lock clicked without my help. I barely pulled the key out before the door was opened from the inside to reveal Karen. The woman looked like she'd gotten the worst of that fight, and I didn't mind at all. I just handed the key back to Pax, shoved the door open without a word, and stepped inside.

She retreated before me, her eyes jumping to my betas. "I didn't invite you in," she tried.

"Doesn't matter, because this isn't your house anymore." I followed until she finally stopped in her living room, standing just within her space. "I warned you. I made my rules very clear, and you chose to ignore them. You're out. I'll give you one day to pack your things, but if you're still here at sundown tomorrow, all bets are off. I won't ask you again, Karen. Next time? I will come on four legs. If I have to use my teeth, I won't stop. Do you understand me."

"Bullshit," she shot back. "You barely did anything to that boy. There's no way you'll throw me out, let alone kill me."

I just leaned in. Anger burned through my muscles, begging me to use them. I wanted to lash out, to grab her by the throat and tear her apart. I longed to growl, snarl, and even snap, but that wasn't the kind of alpha I would be. No, I was better than that, and I refused to be a beast.

"Try me," I said as calmly as I could.

"We told you to stay away from our mate," Pax added.

Trent moved to the side, drawing her eye. "There's a difference between a stupid mistake some kid makes and hurting our family."

"Our mate," Seth snarled, shifting to my side.

"You're too weak to do anything," she insisted, glaring at me. "Brought your betas for one woman?"

"Brought my betas to witness my judgment," I corrected. "You get one day. Pack fast, and do not expect anyone from Wolf's Run to help you, not even your father. You are not of my pack. I refuse you. I reject you. Karen, I banish you."

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