Garrett's Choice by A.J. Jarrett Read Free Book Online

could see Wes was fighting back his laughter. His chin trembled in between his words. “Go get cleaned up, then come down for supper.”
    As Victor helped Josh to his feet, Lachlan made like he was going to take a step toward them, and Josh flinched back. At that he and Wes looked at one another and let loose with their merriment.
    They made their way down the stairs and headed toward the dining hall. He looked over when Wes nudged his shoulder with his own.
    “That little shit had it coming. I’m glad you finally gave it to him.”
    “Ah it was nothing.” Lachlan brushed off Wes’s praise.
    “No, it was, and I’m glad you finally put that little prick in his place. I don’t know if you’ve met Josh’s dad, but that guy is ten times worse than his kid.”
    Lachlan thought back and tried to remember if Josh’s dad was one of the wolves he’d helped Garrett question. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
    “Good, then don’t. You think his kid’s a prejudiced little fuck, daddy’s got a doctorate in assholism.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    When he and Wes entered the dining room, most of the wolves that lived in the alpha’s house were already seated. Lachlan glanced around looking for an open seat that wasn’t directly next to someone.
     
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    AJ Jarrett
    “Lachlan, over here,” Wes said as he guided Lachlan toward the head of the table where Garrett sat.
    “Hey, you two.” Garrett stood to greet them. “Everything okay?”
    Just then Josh came barreling into the room. The swelling in his nose had already started to go down. “He hit me,” Josh accused as he came to a stop on the other side of Garrett.
    “Did he now?” Garrett looked at Josh then looked toward Lachlan. “What did he say?” The question was directed to Lachlan.
    Everyone in the room had their eyes on Lachlan. He felt a little silly repeating what Josh had said. Plus it was degrading to Lachlan as a person and as a lion shifter.
    Lachlan darted his eyes down the length of the table. “He called me a wittle kitty and asked why I was out without my master.” A few muffled laughs echoed in the quiet room, and Lachlan cringed with a pinch of embarrassment and a pinch of anger that anyone would laugh at such an insult.
    Right before his and everyone else’s eyes, Garrett smacked Josh upside the back of his head. Josh yelped in pain, and the whole room went quiet. Lachlan looked from Garrett to Wes, who looked pleased with Garrett’s reaction.
    “Let this be a warning to any and all wolves who treat my mate with disrespect. It will not be tolerated. If you don’t like it, by all means pack up and move on.” Garrett ran his narrow-eyed stare down one length of the table and up the other side. Lachlan followed his stare, gauging the reaction of the wolves sitting around the table.
    “Feel free to spread the word.”
    Garrett gave one last final stare, daring anyone to say a word.
    “Please, Lachlan, have a seat.” With that Garrett sat down and pulled his napkin into his lap.
    Lachlan stood there gaping at what his mate had just done. Garrett had never stood up for him like that in front of the other wolves before. A little more of the brick wall surrounding his heart began to crumble to dust.
     
    Garrett’s Choice
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Chapter Five
    After dinner Lachlan said his good-nights and headed out of the dining room. Garrett had stayed back to talk with Josh for all the good it would do. Josh was young and thought he knew it all. Lachlan pitied the young man his ignorance. Karma was a bitch, and it always came back tenfold.
    Lachlan couldn’t begrudge Josh too much though. From what Wes said earlier, Josh might have a rough home life. It didn’t take much to build a foundation for hatred, and maybe Josh was just misguided youth. But either way Lachlan wouldn’t stand for such blatant disrespect from the young pup.
    “Excuse me, Lachlan?” a soft-as-cotton voice whispered.
    Lachlan turned to see Clara standing behind