With Caution

and tossed Rhys his shoe and sock. “Go put ice on it.”
    Remi noticed all of the other guys staring at them. “What?”
    No one said anything.
    Sterling caught Rhys’ arm. “Come on, I’ll go with you. So, tell me about the shootout and how you caught them.”
    Rhys grumbled some more, but let Sterling pull him along.
    Jake’s hand landed on Remi’s shoulder. “I swear. Leave it to Sterling to be the only person ballsy enough to ask about the limp. It’s a sore subject. Rhys punched out the last guy who asked.”
    Remi jerked his head around, looking at Jake. “What?” Remi spared his brother—
    who was chattering away to a very bewildered-looking Rhys—one last glance then leaned closer to Jake. “Umm, is he dangerous?”
    Jake’s attention focused on Rhys and Sterling. “Very. But not to any of us.”

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    J.L. Langley

Chapter Ten
    After pulling the SUV into a clearing near the woods, Jake turned off the headlights and the ignition and looked over at Remi. “You ready?”
    “Yeah. Ready when you are.”
    Jake gave a crisp nod and opened the door. “Let’s go.”
    The buzz of several different conversations hit them at once. Quite a few pack members were here already. He shut the door and met Remi at the front of the Tahoe.
    When they stepped into the clearing, the talking stopped. About thirty pack members stood near a big campfire in the middle of the small area, which was surrounded by trees.
    All of them were focused on Remi.
    Jake got an eerie feeling, then dismissed it. This was Remi’s first time meeting most of the pack. Keaton and Chay had kept him sheltered, only introducing him to the pack alpha, while they taught him how to be a wolf. It made sense the members would be curious about him.
    Remi stepped closer, brushing Jake’s arm with his shoulder. As though that were a sign, everyone turned back to their conversations.
    Putting his hand in the middle of Remi’s back to let his mate know he was there, Jake kept walking.
    Chay, a strange look on his face, waved from across the fire and immediately strode forward. He met Jake and Remi halfway with Keaton hurrying after him.
    “Hey.” Keaton nodded to Jake.
    Jake tipped his chin. “Hey.”
    Chay didn’t say anything. He leaned close to Remi and sniffed.
    “Cut it out, asshole.” Remi flicked Chay’s ear. The unease surrounding Remi seconds before had vanished. “God, this werewolf shit is hard to get used to.”
    “Ow.” Chay slapped a hand to the side of his head and flicked Remi’s ear back.
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    With Caution
    “Ow.” Remi clutched his ear, glaring at Chay.
    Shaking his head, Jake chuckled. At least Remi was no longer nervous.
    Standing over near a group of trees, Rhys jerked his head, indicating he wanted Jake to come to him. Rhys’ glower was more pronounced than usual. Something must be up.
    Jake nodded and turned to Remi. “When you and Chay are done assaulting one another, come find me. I’m going to see what Rhys wants.”
    “Okay.” Remi glanced out past the fire and dipped his chin in greeting to Rhys.
    Rhys returned the action.
    As Jake walked off he heard Keaton say to Remi, “You smell different.”
    Exchanging hellos here and there, Jake made his way to Rhys. “’Sup?”
    Rhys’ brow furrowed. “Something strange is going on.”
    Jake’s lip quirked, but he didn’t dare laugh. Rhys was serious. “How so?”
    “I know damn well I sprained my ankle tackling Zack’s ass today, now it’s good as new. More to the point, my fucked-up leg isn’t aching. I can’t remember the last time this son of a bitch didn’t ache, especially after doing something stupid like trying to play football.”
    Jake frowned. He’d noticed this afternoon after Remi examined Rhys’ foot that he was walking more evenly. How could Remi handling Rhys’ leg make it better? Remi hadn’t done anything but massage it a little. Jake stared back at Remi. He was still talking to his friends. Fuck, the man looked good. The firelight made his skin glow. He was something else, but he wasn’t a miracle worker.
    Rhys inhaled audibly next to him. “What did you do to him? He smells fucking great.” Rhys shook his head as if to clear it.
    “Man, I will kick your ass. You know that, right?”
    The corner of Rhys’ mouth turned up. “You can try. But you know damn well you don’t have anything to worry about from me. It’s just weird as hell though. It’s strong. I