Savage Silence: A Dire Wolves Mission (The Devil's Dires Book 4) by Ellis Leigh Read Free Book Online

at her shoulder. Thaus recognized the fear in her eyes, the apprehension that someone else was going to overpower her. He saw her anguish, and he hated it.
    “What do you want?” Thaus asked, staring right at her, not letting her escape his attention for a second. “You have the control here, Ariel. You pick your future, and I’ll make sure you get it.”
    Ariel stared at him, those deep, dark eyes locked right on his. The shock on her face, the idea that she was obviously taken aback by his words, grated on him even more. She didn’t understand him yet, didn’t know how much he’d do to make sure she was happy. She thought he’d make the demands for her, as if she’d never be heard with him around. He could see it, feel it, and that doubt crushed a little piece inside of him.
    But his mate was just as strong as he thought, and that meant she took risks. The woman glanced at Chilton then back to Thaus, doubt gone, fear tucked back in place behind the warrior mask she wore. Ariel licked her lips as if preparing for a speech, and apparently, she was.
    “I secede from the Kwauhl pack. I’m no longer a member, and therefore, not subject to any contracts in regards to the Glaxious pack.”
    Thaus nodded once, proud of her for taking advantage of that loophole. It wouldn’t stop Chilton, but it made his access to her shrink to almost nothing.
    The Alpha beside Ariel looked heartbroken, something that added fuel to the fire of Thaus’ jealousy, but Lathan still didn’t reach for her. Didn’t try to touch her. He knew Ariel, definitely better than Thaus did. He knew her and hadn’t been able to break through her walls. Thaus vowed to try, to follow her and keep her safe until she’d let him in. To protect her and do his best to understand her. He’d do better than some random Alpha, that was for sure.
    Chilton’s ragged cough and the scrabble of him getting to his feet stole Thaus’ attention once more. The little man stood…sort of. More like hunched, unable to stand straight.
    “I should kill you with my bare hands,” Chilton said, his voice raspy and weak.
    Thaus, meanwhile, felt just fine and dandy. “Try.”
    Chilton spat on the floor and snarled but headed toward the exit. Good thing, too, because Thaus would have been just fine killing the bastard had he tried to go near Ariel again.
    “I’ll be back, and I’ll have my full pack with me. Don’t bother running, girl. We know these mountains better than anyone and will track you down.”
    Thaus gritted his teeth, refusing to take the bait and chase the arrogant fucker. Because that’s what Chilton wanted. He wanted Thaus so worried about him that he forgot about the men he’d brought. The ones who circled the building they were in, anxious and ready to take what wasn’t theirs. What never would be. So Thaus kept his cool and waited the fuckers out, but once the Glaxious pack contingent had driven away, all bets were off.
    “Close the camp,” he ordered Alpha Lathan. “The humans need to leave the valley.”
    “Our last camper of the week left a few hours ago. We evacuated as soon as Alpha Chilton called this meeting.”
    “Good move. Now get your pack out of here.”
    Lathan looked positively insulted. “We can handle Glaxious.”
    “No, you can’t.” Thaus closed his eyes and let his senses spread, searching out energy and shadows. Using his connection to his Dires to help build a plan in his mind. His team was too far away to help, but he’d call them in as soon as he could. He’d need backup.
    Lathan seemed annoyed as he tried again. “Cleaner Sathaus—”
    “It’s Thaus, and I’m not just a Cleaner. I deal with bastards like Chilton all the time. He’s embarrassed and slighted, and he won’t settle for anything less than annihilation.”
    “Our pack is larger.”
    “Wrong, his is. He has shifters in the woods, tucked away and waiting for something. I couldn’t get a good enough sense to know how many, but it’s more than