Pack Community (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

adamantly. “But, with them hiding in the canyon, I’m worried about the repercussions for the town.”
    Beth could see where he was coming from.
    “But more. You and Toby are in danger.”
    “Us? I doubt anyone will bother us,” Beth tried to assure her brother.
    “They might if they know a member of the rescue team is your brother,” Dawson told her quietly.
    Beth frowned. “How would…?”
    “Crap, Beth! Casey was there!” he finally blurted out.
    She inhaled sharply. “Casey is here?”
    “Yeah.” Dawson wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “He said he’s been keeping an eye on us.”
    Beth bit her lip, not sure exactly what she was feeling. “Maybe you should start from the beginning.”

    * * * *

    Thirty minutes later Beth stepped into the inn dining room ahead of Dawson and Toby, still reeling from what her brother had told her. Military units, kidnapping, mates… It was all so much to take in.
    She spotted Gray already seated at a table set for four. He noticed her and stood, smiling. She gulped. Wow, he was an attractive man.
    Everything she had learnt about him spoke to how dedicated he’d been to finding the Prince. Not many people would have done that for a stranger. She didn’t know any other shifters who would have sacrificed so much for another species.
    “Wolf!” Toby cried and raced around her.
    Gray laughed as he hefted Toby up in the air.
    Dawson was shaking his head as they reached Gray and Toby. “Toby, what have I told you about not calling people by their name?”
    Toby stuck his lip out. “Sorry, Dad.”
    All the adults were smiling as they sat at the table. Beth found her gaze trapped in Gray’s as he took his seat next to her. He leaned in and her breath caught.
    “I’m glad you came,” he whispered.
    Her head bobbed up and down.
    “Maybe after dinner we can take that walk,” he offered.
    “Su…sure.”
    “Why are you whispering?” Toby asked loudly from Gray’s other side.
    He straightened and winked at her. “I’m sorry, Toby. Whispering is rude. And what did you do today, young man?”
    Toby grinned widely and launched into a story about how he and his best buddy Jimmy had wanted to learn how to fly. But Aunt Beth wouldn’t let them borrow sheets for a parachute.
    Dorothy came over to take their orders and everyone chose the night’s special of meat loaf and mashed potatoes, except for Toby, who wanted Claude’s chicken fingers—the ‘best chicken fingers in the world’.
    “Did you call your Alpha?” Dawson enquired across the table.
    Gray cut his eyes to Beth and Toby.
    Dawson just nodded.
    “Yeah, Tyler agreed to keep it under wraps but wants to call in a couple more wolves for protection. He doesn’t want it to come down on the community here.”
    Beth smiled. She liked that everyone was worried about the residents. She still couldn’t believe that her older brother was so close after all the years.
    “I told him I wanted to stay here and see this through.” Gray glanced at her. “That I had a few things I needed to see to.” Gray blushed as he said it.
    Beth bit back a giggle. It was quite cute. “Good,” she approved, nudging his foot under the table.
    Gray beamed and leant back in his chair.
    The rest of dinner went smoothly. Beth found herself leaning in and losing herself in the conversation about Gray’s Pack and friends. But even though he laughed and told stories, she could catch the impression that Gray wasn’t one hundred per cent happy.
    The stories were always about others in his Pack. What he had witnessed. And a longing in his voice told her he was missing something. She wondered if he even realised it.
    The dinner dishes were cleared away and Toby got a plate full of cookies with a glass of milk while the adults decided on coffee. Claude walked into the dining room and waved at them.
    “Will you excuse me for a minute?” Dawson asked, pushing away from the table.
    Dawson motioned to the outer room and Claude nodded.
    “I