With Caution

noticed it as soon as y’all got here. Everyone did. Think it has something to do with him fixing my leg?”

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    J.L. Langley
    Jake opened his mouth to tell Rhys that Remi could not have possibly healed his leg and all hell broke loose.
    Men started yelling at once.
    Tank, Dago, Gadget, Zack, Nick and Chay were in a circle, damn near fighting with several of the pack’s alpha wolves. They heaved people back, exchanging blows every few shoves. Fangs flashed and eyes glowed. The smell of blood, anger, arousal and sweat filled the air. Remi wasn’t in sight.
    Heart racing, Jake ran toward the commotion. His fangs dropped and his hands balled into fists, preparing to defend his mate. He inhaled deeply, trying to find Remi. He was somewhere in the crowd, the smell of his fear was everywhere, but Jake couldn’t see him. “Where the fuck is Remi?”
    Rhys kept pace beside him, his gait more even than normal. “He’s in the middle with Keaton.”
    “Halt,” John Carter, the pack leader, yelled in a deep, booming voice that didn’t sound like his own. Everyone froze, except Jake, Rhys and Joe Winston.
    Joe Winston, Chay’s father and the pack Beta, rushed forward, pushing through the crowd.
    Jake shoved past Tank and Gadget, ignoring John Carter’s demand for everyone to stay back. He had to get to Remi and make certain he was all right. If it meant having to take on his own pack alpha to do it, he damn sure would.
    Remi had his back to Jake, talking to Joe and Keaton.
    Keaton argued with his mate’s father about something, his hands were claws—
    thanks to his ability to shift into a third wolf form—by his sides.
    “Remi.” Jake touched Remi’s shoulder.
    Remi turned and crouched into a fighting stance.
    Claws raised, Keaton swung around and put himself in front of Remi.
    Growling, Jake bared his teeth. Mine.
    “Sorry, Jake.” Keaton stepped out of the way.
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    With Caution
    “Fuck. I thought this was only supposed to be a get together. No big deal. What the fuck is going on?” Remi’s voice climbed with each word he spoke until he was shouting at Jake.
    Trying to keep it together, Jake took a deep breath. Remi was fine, pissed as hell, but unscathed. Jake grabbed Remi’s shoulder, pulling him close and wrapping his arms around his mate. “What happened?”
    Remi shrugged his arms away, still madder than hell, and pointed through the crowd to a man standing in front of Gadget. “That fuckhead tried to bite me.” He looked around then pointed at Miles Crawford, who stood in front of Dago. “So did that asshole.”
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s calm down now.” Joe came forward and put his hand on Remi’s shoulder. “Jake, we need to talk.”
    At that moment John Carter shoved through the crowd into the circle, and the members who’d been fighting with Jake’s friends all stepped back. “Jake, Keaton, Chay.
    Over there, now.” He pointed to a stand of trees about ten yards away.
    Grabbing Remi’s hand, Jake began to follow.
    John shook his head, glowering at Jake. “Not him. You. Do you trust your friends to protect him?”
    Jake frowned and started to tell the alpha to go to hell, his mate was coming with him, but caught Rhys’ gaze. His best friend nodded and faced outward like the rest of the gang. They positioned themselves to defend Remi and Jake.
    John, Joe, Chay and Keaton stood outside the circle waiting for them.
    Remi tugged Jake’s hand, making him turn. “What the fuck, Jake?” Remi’s eyes widened and darted around.
    It took everything Jake had not to pull Remi into his arms. “I don’t know. Stay here and let me go find out. I’ll be right back.” He tried his damnedest not to let Remi see how uneasy he felt, but he had no idea if he was successful. Then he remembered the calming effect he seemed to have over Remi. He took a deep breath and willed himself to relax.
    He knew the guys wouldn’t let anything happen to Remi.

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    J.L. Langley
    Jake was relieved to see Remi’s fear had receded a little with Jake’s anger. He touched Remi’s cheek and as usual Remi nuzzled in, closing his eyes.
    Jake kissed his forehead. “Let me go talk to John and see what’s going on and I’ll come right back.” Dropping his head, he stepped away from his mate and out of the loose circle his friends had made.
    John led the way to the spot he’d indicated. Jake followed, listening intently for