Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(50)

Cora had been in charge of the cats, designing a devilish course that consisted of thin ropes they had to balance on to cross from tree to tree, and massive leaps over wide pools of water. At the end was a fifty-foot pole they had to climb to ring a bell at the top.

Beyond the obstacle courses, there were volleyball courts, and a grassy area that was reserved for flag football—that more often than not turned into a full contact sport.

And a central sandpit where two combatants could beat the crap out of each other without using claws or fangs.

Currently, a gorgeous male panther, Cole, was battling Theo, a dominant wolf. Theo was brutally strong with fighting skills that made him a formidable warrior. But Cole was wicked quick with a cunning ability to avoid a direct blow from Theo’s massive fist.

Even as she watched, the agile panther dodged a punch that would have broken his jaw. Then, with a liquid grace, he leaped high into the air and did a spinning kick that connected squarely with the side of Theo’s head and dropped him to the sand.

There was a roar of cheers—not only from the felines—and more than one female crowded forward, anxious to congratulate Cole in a more private setting.

The Pack Games didn’t ease all the tension between the two predatory shifter groups, or even avoid the occasional bloodshed. But it had helped to build a sense of community that might eventually lead to the ability to work together against the humans.

Cora should feel delighted.

They’d done the impossible.

Unfortunately, there was a restless itch deep inside of her that refused to be eased.

An itch that was directly related to the gorgeous male wolf, who was slowly and methodically breaking down her defenses.

Her lips twitched as she glanced down at the box of her favorite chocolates that Soren had covertly pressed into her hands before he’d headed off to get the afternoon contests organized.

It was more than the fact that he’d remembered she loved cashews in her chocolates, it was the knowledge that he must have used an appalling amount of his limited rations to acquire them.

And this wasn’t the first gift. Not even close.

He’d left her flowers on her doorstep, a lovely painted scarf tied to a branch outside her window, and her favorite banana bread he’d baked and wrapped with a bow.

Then there’d been the touches.

Nothing blatant.

A warm hand at the base of her spine when they were walking together. A brush of his fingers across her cheek, gone before she could protest…

It had all combined to stir her to a fever pitch that was making it increasingly difficult to think of anything but getting the damned male in the nearest bed.

“From Soren?”

Lost in her seething frustration, Cora gave a small jerk when Max abruptly appeared at her side, a wry smile on his lips.

“He’s very…persistent,” she said, glancing at the chocolates in her hand.

Max snorted. “He’s a stubborn, pig-headed, mangy hound.”

Cora gave a shake of her head. She’d expected to be constantly pulling Max and Soren apart. They were both aggressive males who claimed to want her as their mate.

But while they thoroughly enjoyed sniping at one another, Cora had watched in shock as the two had put aside their natural aversion to work together.

“You like him,” she teased.

“Not as much as you.” He waggled his brows, only to wince when she reached up to punch him in the arm. “Hey, the truth hurts.” He rubbed his arm. “Damn. And so do you.” Lowering his hand, he allowed his dimpled smile to fade. “Why don’t you put him out of his misery?”

Her jaw tightened, her heart flinching at the blunt question.

“Because he abandoned me.”

Max snorted. “You’re old enough to know that shit happens, Cora,” he said. “Especially for those of us who have a responsibility to Pack.”

She grimaced. Over the past days, she’d been forced to accept that a portion of her fury toward Soren was embarrassingly close to the reaction of a petulant child denied her favorite toy. True, he’d broken her heart and deeply wounded her cat, but it was duty that had forced him to walk away.

Something she’d refused to admit. Even to herself.

Watching Soren with his people, however, had revealed just how deeply he cared. It was painfully obvious that he would lay down his life if it meant keeping his Pack safe.

And ironically, it was that loyalty that her cat most admired.

But, while she might be prepared to accept that his mating to another female had been inevitable, there was still a small part of her that couldn’t entirely put the past behind her.

“I’ve accepted he had to do what he had to do,” she said in low tones.

“But?” Max prompted.

“But he had two years to make things right,” she said, revealing the wound that refused to heal. “He didn’t even make the attempt.”

Max shrugged, his attention turning toward the wolf stalking in their direction with a determined expression.

“You’re a big girl, babe, but I think you should give him a break,” he murmured.

Before she could retort, Soren came to a halt at her side, baring his teeth at Max.

“Go away, cat,” he growled.

“Eat shit, dog,” Max countered, flipping him off before he turned to casually stroll away.