Bayou Wolf Read Online Free

chilling. “We’re going to need a unanimous decision. Otherwise, we’re going to have war. I don’t intend to lose anyone, not on my watch.”
    Neither Owen nor Linc mustered any response. Across the yard, another truck pulled in. A.J. loped across the grass wearing a grim expression. As triplets, Tyler and A.J. were Linc’s best friends and brothers. Having A.J. home healed a lot of wounds, though his current disposition suggested he brought more issues for their Alpha.
    Mason exhaled a long breath and pivoted to face his second. “What’s wrong?”
    “Ty’s having a fit over the Cassius thing. He’ll be fine.” A.J.’s tone didn’t invoke the confidence of his words. Linc and Ty came to blows when Claire Webster—now Buckley—rolled back into town. Unlike Vivian, A.J.’s mate, Claire did abandon Tyler and it took Linc longer than either of his brothers to forgive the she-wolf for the pain she’d inflicted. Still, they proved a solid pairing. His brother’s happiness mattered a hell of a lot more than Linc’s reservations.
    “I thought he trusted Claire’s assessment.” Sharpness edged each of the Alpha’s words.
    “He does.” A.J. didn’t flinch from the harsh tone. “Cassius called her about a half hour ago.” He flicked a look at Linc, worry lurking beneath his calm exterior. “Cassius is bringing three of his Hunters with him. No healers.”
    Their Alpha said nothing, even his breathing seemed to stop. The stillness sent a nervous titter through the other wolves nearby. Linc swept a look around the field and the wolves present seemed frozen in place, all eyes on Mason.
    “Fine,” Mason said slowly. As one, the other wolves began to breathe. “Then he can be shit out of luck about what the healers know. Tell Claire to handle it as she sees fit.”
    The level of trust floored Linc. He exchanged a look with A.J.
    “You sure you want her to do that? She wants to tell him no healer, no trip.”
    Understanding kindled in Linc’s gut. No wonder Ty was pissed and A.J. worried. Claire planned to threaten an Alpha. Tough as she might be, Cassius ruled Sutter Butte and had for years.
    “I’m positive.” Mason smiled and relaxed his posture. “She knows him and, if I read Cassius right, this is a test of our authority in the matter. Let her throw down the gauntlet. And don’t worry, boys. She has all of us to back her up. I have no problem knocking some sense into Cassius if I have to.”
    One-by-one, the surrounding wolves returned to their work and A.J. reached for his phone, muttering. “You better be right, because I am not letting Ty near that bastard in his current mood.”
    The sour scent of nerves perfumed the air. The tension in town would rise before it got better.
    “Linc.” Mason commanded his attention. “Walk with me.”
    Leaving A.J. and Owen to their tasks, Linc obeyed. They walked a considerable distance, following one of the winding routes through the woods. Though it possessed no true path, some areas had worn down from the recent traffic of workers coming and going. They’d long-since passed earshot for most of the wolves at the house, but Mason continued onward without saying a word, so Linc kept pace.
    After the protracted silence lingered for the better part of a mile, Linc slid a sideways glance at his Alpha. “Just to be clear, if you’re taking me somewhere to kill me, I didn’t do it this time.” He was only half-kidding.
    Thankfully, Mason’s laughter eased his rising concern. “No, you didn’t, and you’re not in trouble. The only Buckley pissing me off at the moment is Ranae, and she’s being dealt with.”
    The mention of his sister made Linc sigh. She wasn’t a baby anymore, but he still saw a little girl with pigtails in her. Her open defiance and blatant attack on Claire earned her probationary status and assignment to Owen’s detail. She’d not been allowed back in Willow Bend proper, though Mason granted his parents the right to visit her